Ascertain a Proper Understanding Distinction of the Life

Ascertain a Proper Understanding: Distinction of the Life God Expects • God has called us to be holy – 1 Pet. 1: 15 -16; 4: 1 -3; 1 Thess. 4: 3 • God has described for us how to be holy – 1 Pet. 1: 1314; Rom. 12: 1 -2; Gal. 5: 19 -23 • God has underscored the eternal promise of holiness – Heb. 12: 14; Col. 3: 1 -4, 24 • God has pronounced the eternal consequences of disregarding – 1 Cor. 6: 10; Gal. 5: 21; Heb. 12: 14 -17; Rev. 21: 8, 27; 22: 15

Ascertain a Proper Understanding: Definition of the Words God Used • Fornication (Gk, porneia) – Gal. 5: 19; Col. 3: 5; 1 Thess. 4: 3 – any kind of illicit sexual intercourse • Uncleanness (Gk, akatharsia) – Gal. 5: 19; Ep. 5: 3; 2 Cor. 12: 21 – moral uncleanness, the impurity of lustful living, impure motives, practice of every kind of immorality and sexual sin • Lasciviousness/Lewdness (Gk, aselgeia) – 1 Pet. 4: 3; Gal. 5: 19 – inclination to sensuality; unbridled lust; indecent bodily movements; unchaste handling of males and females; that which tends to excite lustful or sexual desire; indulgence in sensual/bodily pleasures • Revelries/Carousing (Gk, komos) – 1 Pet. 4: 3; Rom. 13: 13 – drinking parties, lascivious feastings • Lusts (Gk, epithumia) – 1 Pet. 4: 3; Rom. 13: 14; Col. 3: 5 – sensual desires, longings, cravings

Apply the Understanding: Draw the Line (Where God Draws the Line) • God’s word prohibits sexual conduct outside of marriage – 1 Cor. 6: 9 -11; Heb. 13: 4 • God’s word prohibits behavior inclined to sensual desires – Gal. 5: 19 -21; 1 Pet. 4: 3 • God’s word prohibits lustful thoughts of sensual nature – Matt. 5: 28 -29; Phil. 4: 8 • Each Christian must draw a line before reaching each of these points

Apply the Understanding: Discipline Your Desires (As God Expects) • God has given us natural desires for sensual pleasures – Gen. 2: 25; Prov. 5: 15 -20; 1 Cor. 7: 2 -4; Song of Solomon • God expects us to control those natural desires – 1 Thess. 4: 4; 1 Cor. 6: 18 -20; Rom. 6: 19; 13: 11 -14 • God has given us the power to control those desires – 1 Cor. 9: 27; 7: 1; Rom. 8: 13; Col. 3: 5 -7 • God has given methods for prevailing over those desires

Apply the Understanding: Discipline Your Desires (As God Expects) • Pray & Plead with God to help you (Matt. 7: 7; Jas. 1: 5; 4: 2, 8) • Read & Recite Scriptures that are especially helpful (Psa. 119: 11; 1 John 2: 14; Matt. 4: 1 -11) • Evacuate & Elude all tempting places, situations & people (Gen. 39: 7 -12; 1 Pet. 2: 11; 1 Cor. 6: 18; Rom. 13: 14; 1 Th. 5: 21 -22) • Veer & Vow to keep your eyes from causing you to sin (Job 31: 1; Matt. 5: 28 -29; Psa. 101: 3; Col. 3: 1 -2) • Admit & Ask for help from an “accountability” confidant/mentor (Jas. 5: 16; Gal. 6: 1 -2; 1 Thess. 5: 14; Rom. 15: 1) • Identify & Interrupt old and new devices of the devil (1 Pet. 5: 8 -9; Jas. 4: 7; 2 Cor. 2: 11; Eph. 6: 11 -13) • Learn & Live to joyfully operate every day as the property of the Almighty God (1 Cor. 6: 18 -20; 1 Pet. 1: 18 -19; 4: 14 -16; Ro. 14: 7 -8)

Become and Live As A Faithful Child of God • Truly believe that Jesus is God’s Son – Acts 16: 31 • Truly repent of your sins – Acts 3: 19 • Publicly confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10: 9 • Immediately be immersed into Christ – Gal. 3: 27 – God will forgive you of your sins – Acts 2: 38 – God will add you to His church – Acts 2: 47 – God will enroll you in heaven – Hebrews 12: 23 • Faithfully live to prevail & enter into heaven – Rev. 2: 10