Walking With the Holy Spirit Seven Heavenly Virtues

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Walking With the Holy Spirit – Seven Heavenly Virtues Study Schedule Session Date Deadly

Walking With the Holy Spirit – Seven Heavenly Virtues Study Schedule Session Date Deadly Sin Heavenly Virtue 1: Monday, February 15 Sloth Diligence 2: Monday, February 22 Gluttony Temperance 3: Monday, March 1 Anger Patience 4: Monday, March 8 Lust Purity 5: Monday, March 15 Greed Generosity 6: Monday, March 22 Envy Kindness 7: Monday, March 29 Pride Humility 1

Session Four – Holiness Through Purity Scripture Focus for the Study: Rom. 12: 2

Session Four – Holiness Through Purity Scripture Focus for the Study: Rom. 12: 2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will. ” Scripture for Session Four: Phil. 4: 8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent of praiseworthy – think about such things. ” Lust takes many forms other than adultery or fornication • The Bible has a lot to say about the lust of the flesh; Jesus, however does not (WWJS/WDJS) • Desire, including sexual intimacy, is God’s good gift; lust is its perversion • Extending/overstepping the boundaries God has set • Giving in to the desire for the MORE; not being content with the good gift God intends • The desire for immediacy (gratification) • The same perversions apply to lust beyond lust of the flesh • Power; the lust for control • Prestige or Position; the lust for self-aggrandizement • Gluttony; lust for the MORE (food, drink, or whatever we feel we need more of) • Luxurious Life; lust shares the same Greek root as luxury, “luxo” 2

 • Sexual lust is well fed in our world and in our culture

• Sexual lust is well fed in our world and in our culture • “Do not conform to this world. . . be transformed. . ” • All forms of entertainment and advertising media • Internet and social media; lures for children • Anything goes; lack of social taboos • Avoidance by The Church; aversion to “offending” • The fruits of lust of the flesh • Pornography • Human trafficking, sexual slavery, rape/molestation, drug addiction, venereal disease • Child sexual abuse, early pregnancies • Low self-esteem • Suicide • Domestic violence • Broken homes, marriages, families, friendships • Marginalizing, dehumanizing of others • Ruined careers, reputations • Sex addiction • Is lust a sin? • Matt. 5: 27 -28; What is Jesus really saying here? • Remember what he said about anger (Matt. 5: 21 -22) • James 1: 15 As with anger, it is the behavior motivated by the emotion (lust) that is sin 3

 • Disastrous effects of lust in the Bible • David’s sin; impact on

• Disastrous effects of lust in the Bible • David’s sin; impact on Uriah, Bathsheba and their son (also the army, palace officials, his other wives/children) • David realized not only his sin, but his sin nature; Ps. 51 • David’s lust for physical intimacy blocked his intimacy with God • Jer. 51: 39 God’s wrath poured out on the people for their debauchery • Judas Iscariot’s lust for control/power/his will. . • Other biblical examples not related to physical intimacy • Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; arguing with God about who is God (lust for control/will) • Ex. 15: 9 Egyptians lusted for the blood of the fleeing Israelites • Nu. 11: 34 The burial place for those who lusted for food other than the quail God provided for them • Job 20: 20 People always have lusted (never satisfied) for all they dreamed about • Ps. 78 “They tempted God, asking meat for their lust” • Ps. 81 God gave the people over to their own desires (lusts sexual and otherwise) • Is. 57: 5 Lust for worship of worthless idols • Ez. 16: 28 (and much of Ez. 23) Israel prostitutes herself for Assyrian gods/idols • Rom 7: 7 Lust equated with envy • 1 Cor. 10: 6 Paul warns about lusting after any and all “evil things” • James 4: 1 -2 Wars and fighting happen because of our lust for power/control 4

 • Purity/Chastity is the heavenly virtue that is the antidote for sin related

• Purity/Chastity is the heavenly virtue that is the antidote for sin related to lust • Purity/Chastity is intentionally turning away, resisting the temptation of lust, desire for the MORE • We should lust (intensely desire) spiritual purity, holiness, relationship with God within God’s bounds • Trust in God the Holy Spirit to lead us there • God saves us not just from something, but for something • For salvation; to be holy as God is holy • For transformation; to God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will” • Biblical purity is more than an issue of the flesh • It is a heart fully devoted to God; “blessed are the pure in heart. . ” (Matt. 5: 8) • It is first of all seeking (with the Holy Spirit) the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6: 33) • It is living according to the TRUTH, which is Christ himself (John 14: 6) • Purity is not a check list of “to –do’s” and “not-to-do’s” • It’s an intentional decision for a life in Christ • It’s vigilance; putting on “the full armor of God” (Eph. 6: 10 ff) • It’s living a daily life of spiritual discipline(s) • Pray for the Holy Spirit to empower you to defeat your lusts • Meditate on what YOUR life of purity should look like • Journal your temptations • Confess and repent; God is faithful to forgive (1 John 1: 9) 5

Scripture References for Purity • Gen. 39 Joseph remains pure, resisting Potiphar’s wife’s lusting

Scripture References for Purity • Gen. 39 Joseph remains pure, resisting Potiphar’s wife’s lusting advances • 2 Sam. 11 David sins with (and against) Bathsheba • 1 Ki. 11 Solomon (the wisest person ever? ); 700 wives and 300 concubines • Jer. 51: 39 God’s wrath poured out on the people for their debauchery • Ps. 51 David’s song, prayer, confession, repentance, plea for restoration • Is. 57: 5 Lust for worthless idols • Ez. 16: 28 ff, much of Ez. 23 Judah and Israel portrayed as two lusting prostitutes; idolatry is lust • Matt. 5: 27 -28 Context for lusting in one’s heart equating to committing adultery • Matt. 5: 8 Those whose hearts are pure will be blessed to see God • Rom 2: 27– 29 Circumcision of the heart pleases God • Many of Paul’s letters warning about sins of the flesh, impurity, idolatry, orgies, etc. (e. g. Gal. 5: 16 -21) • Eph. 6: 10 - 17 Put on the full armor of God to resist the spiritual forces of evil • James 1: 13 -15 Temptation is not of/from God; temptation leads to sin, which is death (Rom. 6: 23) • 2 Pet. 1: 3 -7 God has given us precious gifts so that we can participate in his divine nature; goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, love • 1 John 2: 16 Lust of the flesh and of the eyes is not of God, but “of the world” 6