TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lesson 1 - Pride vs. Joy: Deliverance from the Prison Within …………………………………2
Lesson 2 - Greed vs. Goodness: Rechanneling Misplaced Desires …………………………… ..7
Lesson 3 - Lust vs. Love: Self-Interest or Best Interest ………………………………………. 13
Lesson 4 - Gluttony vs. Self-Control: Taking Authority Over Addictions ………………….. 18
Lesson 5 - Wrath vs. Gentleness: The Power To Control Anger ………………………..…… 23
Lesson 6 - Sloth vs. Faithfulness: Overcoming Pathological Weariness …………………….. 28
Lesson 7 - Envy vs. Kindness: Distortion of Good Intentions ………………………………... 34
Lesson 8 - Restlessness vs. Patience: Resisting the Desire to Run Away ……………………. 40
Lesson 9 - Boredom vs. Peace: Reviving From Slow Death ………………………………….. 44 Lesson 1
Pride vs. Joy (Deliverance from the Prison Within)
James 4:1–10 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that
war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet
ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon
your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in
vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth
the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your
hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your
joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Galatians 5:19–21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sin is killing us, our society, our communities, our churches, our families, and ourselves.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 2:15–17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth
the will of God abideth for ever.
The seven deadly sins were identified to classify objectionable vices in the early church, as capital or cardinal
sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
The seven abominations identified in Proverbs 6:17 are a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent
blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, false witness that
speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
In this series I want to study the nine deadly sins that are killing us in the Body of Christ. In addition to the seven
already listed, I want to add restlessness and boredom. Because God also gives us the gift of eternal life, he gives
us nine things to resist and ultimately defeat these deadly sins.
Galatians 5:22–23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We want to talk about the Sin of Pride that imprisons us, and the Spiritual Joy that God gives us to defeat it. Pride
is something that we should have in our God as an expression of his Glory.
Psalm 19:1–3 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 2 Day unto day
uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is
not heard.
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Psalm 104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the
LORD hath spoken it.
When pride enters the human psyche, it becomes a sin that distorts us into appearing above others, a selfish
consciousness about one’s self, or causing one to become haughty and puffed up by self-conceit. Therefore God’s
opposes pride:
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
James 4:6–8 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the
humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and
be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
The sin of pride is that it causes or encourages us to go after something that belongs solely to God which is glory,
and, therefore, looks to have equality with God.
The attitude of pride is fundamentally opposed to Jesus Christ, who did not consider equality with God something
to be used to his own advantage.
Philippians 2:6–7 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself
of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Pride permeates the modern society, masquerading as ambition and self-confidence, and is infused into our
celebrity culture that wants to be famous. This culture ultimately causes a precipitous fall into pride: trapping
man into the prison of himself and self-pride.
Pride of Insecurity
Insecurity is a form of pride in which you have no confidence because that which you trusted in has failed you;
namely, yourself. A person who lives in frustration, aggravation, depression, turmoil, troubled mind, no peace is a
person who is actually living in an adverse or twisted form of pride. The person that is always stressed out about
the cares of life is walking in the pride of insecurity:
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
In two earlier verses in 1 Peter, the bible teaches us about this pride.
1 Peter 5:5–6 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another,
and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
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A person who lives in constant fear is in pride:
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The person that is always worn out, burnout, close to burning up is in pride:
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
When a person can’t accept forgiveness and living in condemnation, he is in pride:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.
When there’s no peace, no contentment, a troubled mind, there’s insecure pride:
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
The way to overcome the pride of insecurity is through the joy of salvation.
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
There is a joy that comes upon you when God saves you.
Psalm 34:4–8 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him,
and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved
him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth
them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Nehemiah 8:10 . . . neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
This joy takes you from insecurity to confidence in God.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ:
Pride of self-security (self-confidence)
Once a person gets past insecurity, the next challenge is the sin of self-security. When God begins to operate in
our lives, stirs up and activates the gifts that he has placed in us, opens doors for us, removes enemies, and grants
favor, we all become vulnerable to the pride of what we’ve accomplished.
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth,
that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:11–17 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his
judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast
built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold
is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy
God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 Who led thee through that
great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water;
who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy
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fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
17
Pride permeates our modern society masquerading as ambition and self-confidence and is infused into our
celebrity culture. This culture takes the success achieved because of the gifts and favor of God and celebrates
people that caused him to be famous.
This celebrated fame or status makes us vulnerable to a precipitous fall in pride:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
It starts with curiosity that creates envy.
Unbridled speech that leads to gossip and complaining.
Boasting about one’s accomplishments and achievements.
Sense of being special, better than others; you deserve to stand out; be a star.
Arrogance, starting to believe your own hype and propaganda; believing the praise that
others lavish upon you.
Presumption, thinking you know more or better than others.
Self-justification, explaining away wrong behavior.
Insincere confession, “If I hurt you, then I’m sorry.”
Open rebellion, willfully ignoring correction and rebuking; disdain for those in authority.
Open and habitual sinning; feeling justified in your behavior because of who you are,
special, important, celebrated, famous.
So a person becomes imprisoned by their own success, their own fame, their own pride. If they succeed, it is
because of them, and if they fail it’s because of others. Beware to forget not the Lord who gives you the power,
the anointing of success. Pride will imprison us within ourselves, and rob us of the true success in God.
Pride drives God from us:
James 4:6 . . . Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD be high … but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Pride causes destruction:
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Obadiah 1:2–4 (NLT) The LORD says to Edom, “I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly
despised. 3 You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home
high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. 4 But even if you soar as high as
eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,” says the LORD.
We overcome the pride of self-security or self-confidence by trusting in God
Psalm 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
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Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth,
that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Pride of God’s security:
There is a pride that is good; it is the pride in our Lord and Savior. Rev. Milton Brunson summed up this pride in
God’s security in a song:
“Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need. He lets me rest in the meadow's grass, And
leads me beside the quiet streams. He restoreth my failing health, And helps me to do what honors Him
the most. That's why I'm safe, That's why I'm safe, That’s why I’m safe in His Arms.
CHORUS:
When the storms of life are raging, And the billows roll. I’m glad; he shall hide me, safe in His Arms.”
Psalm 27:5–6 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he
hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about
me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Security in God doesn’t just make us happy, it give us supernatural joy. Pride in self can create insecurity when
we fail. Pride in self can create arrogance and destruction when we succeed. But pride in God can give us joy no
matter what happens to us.
James 1:2–3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of
your faith worketh patience.
Nehemiah 8:10 . . . neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
VICTORIOUS IN PRAYER
What defeats the sin of pride?
When pride enters in the human psyche, what happens?
How did Jesus avoid pride in Phil. 2:6? What does this mean for the disciple?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of pride in your life? In what way? Has it hindered your
relationship with God? In what way? Has it hindered your relationship with others? In what way? Using the
lesson and scriptural references, pray to our Father for his help in overcoming this. Pray for your sisters and
brothers who are struggling with this sin.
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Lesson 2
Greed vs. Goodness: Rechanneling Misplaced Desires
Genesis 2:15–17 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
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And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt
surely die.
Genesis 3:6–8 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and
a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband
with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they
sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in
the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God
amongst the trees of the garden.
1 John 2:15–17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth
the will of God abideth for ever.
Everyone has desires or things we want: A loving spouse, a good paying job, a fulfilling career, a nice car, a
beautiful home, or position and notoriety. In and of itself, desires are not a sin; it is actually something innate
within us from God who takes pleasure in giving us the desires of our heart.
Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let
the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you.
But one’s desires can easily shift into sin, the sin of greed:
1.
2.
The drive to achieve and acquire more and more, in the shortest time possible.
Ironically, keeping one in a constant state of discontentment with what they have as they
become obsessed with what they do not yet have.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.
This transition into greed happens when the desire for God is channeled instead towards the things that God made.
The void or emptiness that we feel was placed in us by God to seek after him.
Psalm 42:1–2 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
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Our desire becomes misplaced when our flesh shifts it from seeking after the love of God into fulfilling the lusts
of the flesh.
James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not,
because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
James 1:14–15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust
hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
This is what Adam and Eve experienced when they were tempted in the garden.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with
her; and he did eat:
1.
2.
3.
Good for food: Lust of the Flesh
Pleasant to the eyes: Lust of Eyes
Make one wise: Pride of Life
But God gives us the fruit of goodness to change our nature and character so that we become givers rather than
takers, freeing us from the things of the world, and allowing us to re-channel those misplaced desires back
towards him.
Rechanneling Lust of the Flesh
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat…
It’s easy to see greed in high-level executives who enrich themselves with fat multimillion dollar salaries and
bonuses while employees are paid less than a fair wage. It’s easy to see greed in scam artists and con artists who
prey on the most vulnerable of our society: the elderly, the poor, or the uneducated. It’s easy to see greed in
unscrupulous corporations and businesses that manipulate laws and regulations to victimize the masses with
deceptive advertising, high prices, or inflated prices, fees, and interest rates. And it’s easy to see greed when false
prophets, pastors, and apostles are exposed for the money-grubbing frauds that they are.
But most greed is unrecognized and stems from noble intentions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To build a safe and secure financial base for loved ones.
The pursuit of the good life, climbing the corporate ladder, four-bedroom, two-car garage
house, 401K plan, a beautiful spouse and 2.5 kids.
The Gospel of Good Success, Prosperity, and Wealth.
And even the desire of a bigger ministry; or better things for our children.
Noble intentions can be used to shift desires into greed when our thoughts are rearranged into thinking the things
we want are things we need. The advertising industry aggressively conducts research on how to rearrange
people’s thoughts and motivations about what they actually need. They have us thinking we NEED a $500 smart
phone; we NEED a $650 a month luxury car; we NEED a big house; we NEED the promotion; we NEED more
money; we NEED this for the kids or that for the ministry; we NEED . . . ! To every woman who thinks she just
NEEDS a man, will die if she don’t get a man, needs to only talk to the 50% of married women trying to get rid
of. . . .
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The world has shifted our wants into needs, creating a constant and persistent state of discontent. We have
become a society of consumers rather than producers, of takers rather than givers. And worse yet, we are losing
our soul along the way.
Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering
in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? what shall it
profit a man,
if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
But God’s fruit of goodness can shift our mind back from wants to needs.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When your mind is transformed by the Word of God, you realize what you think you need is not a need at all but
a want; because if you needed it you would already have it.
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory . . . .
I may need it someday, but if I don’t have it today, then I don’t need it.
Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will
hear.
Matthew 6:31–33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal
shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye
have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you.
When you seek after the righteousness of God, you get the goodness of God that is put into action through the
love of God.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.
God is good. God is love, and when his Love is put into action, it causes him to give. And when his goodness
and love gets into you, you give.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Rechanneling Lust of the Eyes
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat . . .
Just as the precipitous fall into the sin of pride begins with envy, seeing what others have; our desires fall into the
sin of greed when we begin to see what we don’t have.
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Luke 4:5–7 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in
a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is
delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
When the devil shows us the things of the world, what he’s really showing us is the things of God.
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
When we focus on, put our eyes on, become transfixed on the things of God, rather than God himself, our lives
becomes obsessed with seeking these things. This obsession becomes our God because we seek it first. We spend
our energy, our effort, our gifts, and talents seeking after. It becomes our worship! And so every Monday
morning, many people wake up to go to “their” church. The devil is saying, if you worship me, all that you see
shall be yours! Forget about all that church stuff, serve me and I’ll give you the house, the car, the wealth, the
riches, the power, and the glory! But we must put the stuff behind us, and put our eyes back on God and trust him.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship
the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Get your eyes off the things of God, and put them back on God.
Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
When I look to God, I trust and believe God! When I look to God, I worship God! When I look to God, I
praise God! When I look to God, I bless God!
To defeat the sin of greed:
1.
2.
Re-channel the Lust of the Flesh into the Love of God, Giving of his goodness.
Re-channel the Lust of the Eyes into Faith in God, Trusting & Worshiping him.
Rechanneling Pride of Life
Finally to defeat the sin of greed, we must re-channel the pride of life from being self-serving, to God-serving;
from seeking the things of God to seeking after God.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, . . .
God does not choose the wise because many are selfish, self-serving, and self-seeking.
1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble, are called:
The 29th verse of the first chapter of 1 Corinthians tells us why:
1Corinthians 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
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Wise people try to take credit for what God is doing; this is pride!
James 4:6 . . . God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
But God chooses the foolish, the weak, the powerless, the despised, the broken, the overlooked, and the not
counted:
1 Corinthians 1:27–29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath
chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world,
and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
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That no flesh should glory in his presence.
God took Abraham from his country, kinfolk, and family so they wouldn’t get the glory of his blessings. God took
Moses from Pharaoh’s house to the back side of a mountain so that the prince of Egypt wouldn’t get the glory of
delivering his people. He took Gideon from 33,000 men to 300 so the men wouldn’t get the glory. He took
Jehoshaphat from his army to his praise team so the glory of the battle would not be theirs but the Lord’s. He took
David from the King’s armor to a sling shot and five stones so the glory of Goliath’s death would be the Lord’s.
God has taken the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, the blind, and the bruised to show his glory. God has
taken us from the poor house, from the out-house, from the dysfunctional house, from the abused house, from the
broken house into the Glory of his House.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.
We defeat the Sin of Greed when we seek God, and him only!
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you.
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psalm 27:5–6 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he
hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about
me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
ADDITIONAL BIBLE STUDY
Gen 3:1-19; 1 John 2:15-17; Matt 6:25-34; Ecc 6:1-9
VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
What can shift our minds from wants to needs?
How can we defeat the sin of greed? What steps can we take?
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How can one’s noble intentions shift into the sin of greed? How did the shift occur? How can one get back on
track?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of greed in your life? In what way? Has it hindered your
relationship with God? In what way? Has it hindered your relationship with others? In what way? Using the
lesson and scriptural references, pray to our Father for his help in overcoming this. Pray for your sisters and
brothers who are struggling with this sin.
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Lesson 3
Lust vs. Love:
Self-Interest or Best Interest
James 1:13–15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth
fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 13:1–8 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become
as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am
nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have
not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not
itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no
evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,
endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:1–8 (NLT) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does
not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about
injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and
endures through every circumstance. 8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will
become useless. But love will last forever!
Lust is similar to greed because it creates an inner craving to possess things, but in this case the things that are
craved are people and, more specifically, people that do not belong to us!
The word “lust” in the New Testament is the Greek word “Epithymia,” which is a sexual sin that perverts the
God-given gift of sexuality. Lust begins as a thought that becomes an emotion, which eventually leads to an
action: including fornication, adultery, and other sexual perversions. Lust isn’t interested in really loving the
other person: its only interest is in using that person as object for its own self-serving desires or satisfaction. So in
lusting after the other person, one is really in love with themselves.
The Fruit of the Spirit Love, the Greek word “Agape,” is what God gives us to conqueror lust. Unlike human
love which is reciprocal, agape is spiritual, literally birthed from God, and causes one to love regardless of
reciprocation.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another
Matthew 5:43 I have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say
unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you;
13
In Lesson 2 we talked about the desires that God placed in us. One of them is a longing for deeper relationships
that are more real. This is fulfilled with God. The first fruit of God’s presence is Love, because God is Love. We
know that his presence is in us when we begin to demonstrate his attributes of Love: tenderness, cherishing,
unlimited in forgiveness, generosity and kindness . . . . When this longing inside of us is satisfied through
relationship with God, it produces a love for our fellow man that is based on giving and service. Lust, on the other
hand, diminishes us! It not only diminishes the person who is lusting but also diminishes the person who is being
used to fulfill the lust. But even worse than that, it produces or results in a loss of intimacy with God.
Whereas lust looks to be serviced; love looks only to serve. Lust uses people for self-interest; Love cares for
people’s best interest!
“Do you use people for Self-Interest, or do you Care for People’s Best Interest”
1 John 2:15–17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Overcoming The Lust of the Flesh
This is what Jesus said about Lust:
Matthew 5:28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in
his heart.
Why? Because of the process of lust! We know where this is headed!
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
15
Then when lust
The only reason why the person has not committed adultery is because they lacked opportunity, or simply haven’t
found someone to say yes.
Now again, what lust ultimately produces is death.
1.
2.
3.
Physical death (diseases that can kill you or destroy a woman’s fertility)
Psychological or Emotional (transfer of spirits, crazy stalkers, emotionally disturbed
individuals who have been used, abused, and treated like dirt).
Spiritual Death (loss of intimacy and communion with God; this was the first and
immediate death that Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden).
But the Lust of the Flesh doesn’t care, it only uses to satisfy itself. Because the satisfaction is only temporary,
never fulfilled, it just uses and uses and uses. It uses woman after woman after woman, or man after man after
man. And when one at a time no longer satisfied, it will use two or three at a time. And when the opposite sex no
longer satisfies, it will use the same sex. Lust perverts God’s gift of sexuality into uncontrolled and unbridled
lasciviousness, until it ultimately kills every part of man’s being.
Overcome the Lust of the Flesh by Running
1Corinthians 6:18 (KJV) Flee fornication. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT), Run from sexual sin!
14
God says don’t entertain, don’t play with, don’t have dinner and movie, flee! “But Pastor, you can’t stop a
thought from coming in your mind!” No you can’t, but you can make a decision as to what thoughts dwell in
your mind!
It’s one thing if a bird lands on your head, it’s another if you let the bird build a nest there. When Jesus said, if
any man looks upon a woman with lusts he has already committed adultery. The key words here are “with lusts!”
That’s dwelling! Run, get that bird off your head; get the thought out of your mind.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Psalm 1:1–2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate
day and night.
The group, Commissioned, wrote a song:
“And I am running back to you, I see you standing there for me,
Your arms are opened wide, And I don't have to cry no more
You're standing there for me, And I am running back to you!”
Another artist, Vashawn Mitchell, wrote a song:
“I'm chasing after you, I'm praising my way through,
Just to be closer to you, I'm chasing after you
I'm chasing after you no matter what I have to do cause I need you more and more, more and
more, more and more!”
“Overcome the Lust of the Flesh by Running as fast as thy feet shall take thee!”
Overcoming The Lust of the Eyes
Our life’s experiences with people and the social contact we have with each other in public is that we dress our
best. At work, social settings, meetings and gatherings, concerts, the club and even the Church, we look good!
We are around all these good-looking people who have similar interests, desires, education, and motivations:
perhaps, even more so than our own spouses. Extramarital affairs are a common place in our society. Four out of
every ten people have admitted to office flings according to a recent survey; and yes, this includes church folk.
“You know me better than my wife does; I feel more connected to you than him.”
Now here’s the problem. You can’t run from work, can’t run from the business meeting, can’t run from the
gatherings, can’t run from church. A man was praying in church, “Lord deliver me from lust;” and just then a girl
walked past him with a tight, short mini skirt on. The man said, “Lord that’s what I’m talking about right there!”
In Genesis, Eve saw that the tree was pleasant to the eyes!. The Sin of Greed looks at things; the Sin of Lust looks
at people who are pleasant to the eyes. The world had tied them both together. They will use a good-looking
woman to sell you a good-looking thing. The subliminal message is if you want the good-looking woman, you
need to buy the good-looking thing. “Girl, you seen that car he’s driving?”
The problem is not in looking at the beautiful woman or man, it is the purpose in which you are looking at them.
15
Lust indicates that it is to satisfy one’s self-interest. It happens even in marriage, which explains why many of
our marriages fail. “What can you do for me; and when I feel that you are not doing it for me any longer, I will
see someone else who does!” And when they feel like, “You don’t make me happy; I don’t feel connected; I
don’t feel in love; you don’t move me; you don’t satisfy me!” What they are saying is: “I’m in love with me; you
aren’t taking care of me!”
But when you run after God, chase after God, you begin to see things as God! You see things through God’s
loving eyes as opposed to through your lustful eyes:
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
In the house of the Lord, David says, “To Behold the Beauty of the Lord.” She or he is no longer a sexual object
to satisfy your self-interest, but a beautiful daughter of my God, my beautiful sister, my beautiful daughter. She’s
not here for my self-interest, I’m here for her best interest. My daughters and sisters are not here to satisfy me,
I’m here to bless them. And even if we do marry one of God’s beautiful creatures, they are not here for our selfinterest, God put us in their lives for their best interest.
“Overcome the Lust of the Eyes, by Seeing what God sees!”
Overcoming the Pride of Life
We overcome the Lust of the Flesh by running after God. We overcome the Lust of the Eyes by Seeing Through
God! Finally, we Overcome the Pride of Life.
The Pride of Life when it comes to the Sin of Greed is about possessing things. Look at what I have, look at
what I’ve accomplished, look at my glory! Well, the Pride of Life when it comes to the Sin of Lust is about
possessing people. It manifests itself in malicious envy. Wanting someone that is not yours, and willing to do
wickedness in order to possess them. It manifests itself in unreasonable jealousy: “You’re mine, I don’t want
anyone else looking at or talking to you. “Where you been; who have you been talking to?”
1 Corinthians 13:1–8 (NLT) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does
not demand its own way.
The truth is we don’t own anything to have pride; because the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness there of! The
truth is we don’t own anybody to be boastful of; we don’t even own ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye
have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God’s.
I don’t own anything or anybody, but what I have is the Love of God that can bless everybody. My body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost, used to glorify God through love.
I glorify God with Love:
1.
A Love that is patient and kind. A Love that is not jealous or boastful or proud.
2.
A Love that is not rude or demands its own way.
3.
A Love that is not irritable, nor keeps records of being wronged.
4.
A Love that never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through
every circumstance.
5.
A Love that will last forever.
16
Lust uses people for Self-Interest; But God’s Love causes us to care for people’s Best Interest!
ADDITIONAL BIBLE STUDY:
James 1:13-18, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 1 John 2:15-17
VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
What is the difference between love and lust? Give examples.
What does lust produce? What does love produce?
Give some examples of people used for self-interest? What are some things we can do to care for people’s best
interests?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of lust in your life? In what way? Has it hindered your
relationship with God? In what way? Has it hindered your relationship with others? In what way? Using the
lesson and scriptural references, pray to our Father for his help in overcoming this. Pray for your sisters and
brothers who are struggling with this sin.
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Lesson 4
Gluttony vs. Self-Control:
Taking Authority Over Addictions
Galatians 5:19–23 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The Sin of Gluttony is typically associated with overeating and identified via overweight or obese people.
Actually, some overweight people can have a glandular problem while some people can be struggling with
gluttony and you may not see it because they have a high metabolic rate or metabolism. They look slim and trim
but still habitually overeat, which is why we shouldn’t judge people by what we see (that’s another message).
The Sin of Gluttony lies in finding satisfaction through excessive consumption of any kind. A person can have a
glutton for punishment, be a glutton for work, or have a glutton for attention. It is about having too much of what
the flesh considers a good thing. Gluttony is, therefore, uncontrolled addictive behavior; and addictions not only
manifested in overeating, but also in television, the internet, leisure, work; in sex, stress, worrying, anger, and
depression; and in drugs and alcohol, obsessive compulsiveness, and a multitude of life's hurts, habits and hangups. It causes one to become preoccupied with self-pleasure rather than caring for others.
Our lesson text identifies one of the works of the flesh, “lasciviousness,” which is uncontrolled, undisciplined, or
unruly lustful desires. No checks or balances. The Message Bible describes lasciviousness as frenzied and joyless
grabs for happiness; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; (emphasis added). Most people have found
themselves on occasion falling to the sins of greed or lust, but we become remorseful and repentant; stopping and
getting back up. But lasciviousness has no governor, no control, and no discipline. This is the Sin of Gluttony,
which is the spiritual root of all addictive behaviors.
To combat this sin, God gives us temperance:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Moderation in action, thought, or feeling : Restraint
Habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites, passions, or desires.
Moderation in or abstinence from . . . .
The Message Bible describes Temperance as able to marshal and direct our energies
wisely.
The modern translation is Self-Control: which is restraint exercised over one’s own
impulses, emotions, or desires.
2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
We don’t have to operate in fear and intimidation of our flesh, constantly giving in; but God gives us power,
(authority) through a sound mind, which is self-discipline. God has given us power to take authority over our
flesh, and in specific, the Sin of Gluttony (or addiction through his Spirit with Temperance).
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Taking Authority Through Self-Knowledge
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also
reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also
forget thy children.
Celebrate Recovery, which we are implementing here at the church, is a worldwide Christian ministry recovery
program based on the eight principles of the Beatitudes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Matthew 5:3–11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
a.
Admit that I’m powerless to control my tendencies, I’m not God!
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
a.
Believe in God, and that he has the power to help me recover.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
a.
Choose to commit my life to the will of God’s care and control.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
a.
Openly examine and confess my faults.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they
shall be filled.
a.
Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life.
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:9Blessed
are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
a.
Forgive those that have hurt me; make amends to those I’ve hurt.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
a.
Reserve daily time with God for self-examination with prayer and study.
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
a.
Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others.
Clint Eastwood said in a movie, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” The first two principles of the Beatitudes
gives us the first key to taking authority over gluttony and addiction; they are acknowledgement and recognition.
The Fruit of Temperance or Self-Control first produces knowledge of self. Self-Control causes us to acknowledge
our problem. You can’t help a person that doesn’t ask for help; because in most cases they have not
acknowledged that they have a problem. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her
husband killed to cover up her pregnancy, he didn’t realize he had a problem. He already had plenty of wives but
had to have her. Since he was King, he didn’t realize the impact of his behavior, which was destroying another’s
family. It took the Prophet Nathan to preach to him to get him to recognize his fault.
1Corinthians 1:21 . . . it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Psalm 51:1–4 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of
thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and
done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Secondly, self-control causes us to recognize God as the source of our help. “I’ve tried, and I can fix this.” “I’ve
tried and I can stop them.”
Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
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Psalm 51:7 (NLT) Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalm 27:1–3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up
my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:
though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
“Take Authority by Acknowledging Your Faults, and Recognizing Your Strength”
Taking Authority Through Changing Behavior
The next thing we must do to take authority over addictions is change. The next three Beatitudes deal with what
is necessary for us change our behaviors; namely, commit, examine, and submit. A lot of people know they have
a problem, and know that God is the answer to their problem, but neglect to do what is necessary to facilitate the
change required for deliverance.
Romans 6:1–2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall
we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
This is about holiness and righteousness.
Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
These passages speak to direct actions that we must do to take authority.
Self-Control to Commit:
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
A lot of people join church, but they don’t commit to church. A lot of people get married, but they don’t commit
to marriage. A lot of people get saved, but they don’t commit to salvation. To commit is to obligate or pledge
oneself, to bind or constrain to a pledge.
Psalm 15:1–4 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh
uprightly, and worketh righteousness,…4… He that’s weareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
We must commit ourselves to the will and Word of God.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Self-Control to Examine:
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
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When you commit to God, you will hunger and thirst after the righteousness of God. This hunger will push you
to examine what’s wrong in your life. You are not satisfied with just getting and being saved, but you want to
continue getting closer in God; examining and changing anything that hinders that journey.
1Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Romans 12:1–2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect,
will of God.
Self-Control to Submit:
1.
To yield to the governance or authority of another. And for us it is to submit to the
governance and authority of the Holy Spirit.
James 4:7–8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
The only way to resist the devil, resist my impulses, resist the addictive gluttony of my flesh is to submit my will
to the will of God; to submit my power to the power of God; to submit my spirit to the Spirit of God.
“Take Authority by Committing, Examining, and Submitting to God”
Taking Authority Through Thanksgiving
Finally, we take authority over gluttony and addictive behavior by giving thanks.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
1Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Gluttony causes one never to be satisfied; therefore, they become preoccupied with self-pleasure. Your whole life
becomes preoccupied with getting the good thing. The next meal, the next fix, the next drink, the next sexual
fulfillment; preoccupied with work, with television, with the internet, with stress, worry, anger, and depression.
But God gives us the key. Instead of focusing on the preoccupation of what you don’t have, be thankful for what
God has already given you.
Philippians 4:11–13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to
be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me.
I can do all things because God has given me the power of self-control:
2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
21
I don’t have money, wealth, resources, sex, spouse, wants, but I can do all things because I have the power of selfcontrol.
Psalm 105:1–2 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
2
Psalm 107:1–2 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. 2 Let the redeemed
of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Psalm 118:1–4 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let Israel
now say, …3 Let the house of Aaron now say, …4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy
endureth forever.
Psalm 136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth forever.
Psalm 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever.
ADDITIONAL BIBLE STUDY: Galatians 5:13-26
VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
Gluttony is usually associated with overeating. What is the definition of gluttony? What are some examples of
gluttony?
What is gluttony associated with?
What is lasciviousness?
What Fruit does God give us to combat this sin? What is the definition?
In what ways can we utilize self-control in our lives?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of gluttony in your life? In what way? Has it hindered
your relationship with God? In what way? Has it hindered your relationship with others? In what way? Using
the lesson and scriptural references, pray to our Father for his help in overcoming this. Pray for your sisters and
brothers who are struggling with this sin.
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Lesson 5
Wrath vs. Gentleness:
The Power To Control Anger
Ephesians 4:17–27 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God
through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given
themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned
Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off
concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be
renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members
one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the
devil.
Ephesians 4:26–27 (NLT) And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”* Don’t let the sun go down while you are
still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26–27 (The Message Bible) Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use you
anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold
in your life.
In this lesson we want to deal with the deadly sin of wrath or anger.
Wrath is strong vengeful anger or indignation; retributory punishment for an offense. It is synonymous with
anger, indignation, being heated, mad, fury, and rage. Anger is an emotion, defined as strong feelings of
displeasure resulting from conflict or antagonism; producing ill-fillings, dislike, resentment, bitterness, and
hatred. When anger is allowed to fester or linger, it becomes wrath; vengeful actions. Technically, anger is not a
sin, but becomes one (wrath) when not properly handle. When anger is allowed to boil over without restraint,
hurting anyone in its path; it becomes the sin of wrath. The Greek word for this anger is “Thymos”, which means
agitated, boiling.
But not all anger is destructive, leading to the sin of wrath. The bible teaches us about godly or God-given
anger. The Greek word for this type of anger is “Orge,” meaning passion or energy. This God-given anger is
given to us for the purpose of solving problems as a result of the confrontation of sin and evil. Paul confronted
Peter with godly anger because he acted one way when he was alone with the Gentiles; but another when the Jews
came around, which is why our lesson text says “Be angry, but sin not!”
Anger becomes a sin under two circumstances:
1.
2.
When it is motivated by selfish desires: James 1:20, For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God.
When it is allowed to linger in fester according to our lesson text: Ephesians 4:26, Be ye
angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Godly motivated anger leads us to attack the problem, but selfishly motivated anger causes us to attack the person
instead. Now the power that God gives us to control anger and directing it properly is through the Fruit of
Gentleness. It allows us through the power of God to direct our anger so that it does not become a sin.
Gentleness gives us the power to direct where the anger goes; when the anger goes, and how the anger goes.
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The Power to Control Where Your Anger Goes
Ephesians 4:26–27 Be ye angry, and sin not:
One of the first things that will define anger as sin or not is where it is directed and. Where anger is directed is
based on what or who is motivating it. Anger is a God-given emotion that comes upon us due to problems and
obstacles, conflicts and afflictions, troubles and tribulations that arise in our lives.
Selfishly motivated anger: “Tymos” anger:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
This anger becomes agitated, boiling when our flesh causes us to direct it at the person
we believe to be the culprit of the problem.
This selfishly motivated anger or wrath boils over into behavior that is without restraint,
uncontrolled, devastating everything and everyone in its path.
It will manifest itself through blind rage: an uncontrollable temper or fury.
It produces vengeance which develops into an insatiable, unrelenting desire to hurt those
that have hurt you. Revenge, retribution, reprisal, retaliation, and settling the score
overwhelms one’s life.
It brings about frustration, aggravation, bitterness, and depression; ultimately culminating
in death and hell.
Godly motivated anger: “Orge” anger:
1.
2.
This anger produces a passion or energy in us that directs our anger at the problem, or the
unclean spirits behind the problem.
Because it is motivated by God, it causes us to hate what God hates, and love what God
loves.
Matthew 21:12–13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the
temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto
them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Godly motivated anger is directed at 1) Restoring relationships, 2) Fighting injustices, and 3) Battling evil.
There’s a godly anger that comes upon you when you see the devil destroying homes, marriages, families, and
relationships on jobs and in churches. Something comes upon you when you see discrimination, favoritism, and
racism. You want to put your foot on the devil’s neck when you see the destruction of evil.
Ephesians 6:10–12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole
armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
“Control Where Anger Goes allowing God to direct it at the Problem not the People!”
The Power to Control When Your Anger Goes
Ephesians 4:26–27 (AV) 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:27Neither give
place to the devil.
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The next key we learn about God’s power to control anger is twofold:
1.
2.
Don’t let anger linger
Don’t allow the devil to use it to get a foothold in our life.
Don’t let anger linger:
Some people try to control anger themselves by a sheer act of the will. But actually they are not controlling it;
they are simply bottling it up. They are placing their “Tymos” anger into a Thermos. The outside looks and feels
cool; on the inside they are burning up. But unlike the boiling, uncontrolled rage, they, instead, shut down or
clam up. Their Thermos is filled with “Tymos,” producing a “slow burn” anger” This slow burn will manifest
itself by being constantly irritable, flying off the handle of little or unrelated things and producing resentment and
sarcasm. The problem is when left unchecked, this suppressed anger does violence and damage to ourselves on
the inside, literally, destroying us from the inside out. We become a shell of ourselves, wounded and bitter on the
inside, sabotaging our friendships, church and personal relationships, and even our marriages. Ultimately, we
become estranged from God, because the inner anger won’t allow us to pray. And so God says, “Don’t you let
the sun go down on your anger (wrath).” The NLT and Message Bibles say: “Don’t let the sun go down while
you are still angry”; “it will use your anger as fuel for revenge.” And lingering, slow burning, persistent anger
will give the devil a foothold.
Don’t let the Devil Get A Foothold in Your Life
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 (NLT) for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Don’t give the devil any kind of foothold in your life. When you see someone who all of a sudden quits a job, a
personal relationship suddenly ends, a Christian abruptly quits a ministry or leaves his church, or a marriage
unexpectedly ends; it wasn’t what just happened. It was that the devil was given a foothold months or even years
earlier. We used to sing a song, “Don’t let the devil ride, cause if you let him ride, he’ll want to drive; don’t let
him ride!”
If we allow anger to linger in the Thermos, the devil won’t just get a foothold, he will eventually take over,
destroying every relationship in its wake. The power to control when your anger goes is to cut it off at the root
by releasing it immediately. The longer you hold on to anger, the more it takes root and grow.
We hold on to anger because we say they hurt me; they disappointed me; they betrayed me; and they wronged me.
1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto
thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Cut it off, because it’s not yours! They have not hurt you, they have hurt God’s child; they have not disappointed
you, they have disappointed the will of God for their lives; they have not betrayed you, they have betrayed the
Word of God; they have not wronged you, but they have crucified our Lord anew.
“Control when Anger goes by Cutting it off at the Root; don’t give the Devil an Inch”
The Power to Control How Your Anger Goes
The power to control how your anger goes lies with the Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
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Many misinterpreted gentleness as a stereotypical weak, passive-aggressive person. They admire those who are
hard-charging, aggressive, dominate, hyper-competitive, and strong-willed. But the Greek word for gentleness is
“Praytes;”; it describes a powerful person that has learned how to discipline his or her power, like a powerful
horse that has been bridled. It has tremendous speed and power, but is gently controlled by its harness. The Bible
describes gentleness as one who is quiet but firm in his or her disposition in dealing with people. Gentleness is
the power to willingly surrender one’s desires and will to the disposition to God’s desires and will.
Isaiah 59:19 . . . When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard
against him.
When the enemy comes in with pride, God raises up joy. When the enemy comes in with greed, God raises up
goodness. When the enemy comes in with lust, God raises up love. When the enemy comes in with anger and
wrath, God raise up gentleness.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power
to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Gentleness is the power to direct your anger to love those that hate you. Gentleness is the power to direct your
anger to bless them that curse you. Gentleness is the power to do good to them that despitefully misuse them
Gentleness is the power to forgive them that have hurt you; to kiss them that have betrayed you; to offer the other
cheek to them who have hit you; to help them that have wronged you. Gentleness is the power to overcome their
evil with God’s goodness.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto
me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Power to love; power to serve; power to have no respect of persons; power to be sensitive to the Spirit; power to
have a teachable spirit; power to rebuke without anger; power to correct and give hope; power to heal without
wounding; power to keep your head while others are losing theirs; power to speak without anger; power to give
vengeance over to God; and power to enlarge your heart to take it!
ADDITIONAL BIBLE STUDY
1.
2.
3.
4.
Anger/Wrath: Eph 4:17-27; Prov 29:11 (Fool); Eph 4:15 (Destructive Words)
Gentleness: Prov 25:15 (soft tongue), Phil 4:5 (Evidence); Matt 11:29 (Jesus);
How did Jesus respond to people? (Luke 7:36-50; 19:1-10; 23:39-43)
How do we respond when others let us down? (1 Thess 2:7; 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:24-25; 1
Pet 3:8-9, 3:15)
VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
Is anger a sin? Is it ever a sin? If it is, when does it become a sin?
What Fruit does God give us to combat anger? What does this Fruit allow us to do?
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How can you control where and when anger goes? What are the results if you don’t control the anger?
Are we powerless in controlling anger? If your answer is yes, why? If your answer is no, where would we get
power to control anger?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of anger in your life? In what way? Has it hindered your
relationship with God? In what way? Has it hindered your relationship with others? Using the lesson and
scriptural references, pray to our Father for his help in overcoming this. Pray for your sisters and brothers who are
struggling with anger and wrath.
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Lesson 6
Sloth vs. Faithfulness:
Overcoming Pathological Weariness
Proverbs 6:6–11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer,
or ruler, 8Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O
sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to
sleep: 11So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man.
John 9:1–4 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him,
saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this
man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works
of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Galatians 6:9–10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Today we want to deal with the Sin of Sloth. Some people have a severe aversion to work, they are allergic to it!
They are like the sloth in the rain forest that hangs upside down from branches and moves so sluggishly that moss
grows on its sun-drenched belly. Slothful people have an apathy that allows their gifts and talents to wither
away, developing reprehensible habits where they work to avoid work. This is Laziness! But then there are
people who work very, very hard. Their definition of success is to never relax, never take vacation or time off,
and, if they do, they constantly check emails and voicemails, and call into the office. This is Busyness!
But both Laziness and Busyness are a form of the Sin of Sloth. They both ignore family, their physical body, and
become self-absorbed. And for the busy person, without the adrenaline of work, they feel useless, listless, and
depressed; these are the same symptoms of the chronically lazy. While the “chronically lazy” person chooses to
do minimal work, the “work-obsessed busy” person exerts tremendous energy doing less important work.
Proverbs 21 speaks to both of them:
Proverbs 21:25–26 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor. 26 He coveteth greedily all
the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing (NEVER SATISFIED): but the soul of the
diligent shall be made fat.
In both cases they harm themselves and the people around them. Slothfulness, of either type, deadens the spiritual
senses from being attuned to the work of God. It becomes a pathology for man that is a structural and functional
deviation from the intended purpose in which God created us:
1.
2.
In the natural sense, pathology is the study of how a disease produces changes.
Spiritual pathology deals with how the disease of sin changes the intended purpose and
nature of man from what God intended.
Matthew 22:37 . . . Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind . . . .9 . . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
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Pathological busyness or laziness deviates us until we are either too busy to do the will of God or too lazy that
we never get around to it; so we faint. Our world is in a perpetual constant state of pathological weariness:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
We work harder and longer for less money. Needing two incomes to make ends meet.
Single parents are doing the work of momma and daddy.
Society teaches us that success requires us to be workaholics.
Churches are filled with Jamaicans; 20 percent of the people doing 80 percent of the
work.
Another part of society has just given up: what’s the use. Stay at home and wait for a
check, do just enough to get by, find a sugar daddy or baby momma.
And everybody is just weary, tired, sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High,
and think to change times and laws: . . . .
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The Fruit of the Spirit that God gives us to break this chokehold of slothfulness is faithfulness, being sensitive to
the work of God and what he’s doing in the earth. Faithfulness is being loyal, steadfast, resolute and constant. It
is full of faith which our society has less and less of. We are not faithful to jobs, friends, family, marriages, or
even churches. So our lives become weary but faithfulness breaks the chokehold because it allows us to be at
peace. We become less focused on how we can do big and great things that make us weary, but instead do small
and simple things greatly by being faithful to God.
Overcoming Pathological Busyness
Pathological busyness creates a chokehold that literally chokes the word out of us.
Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in,
choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
And yet Jesus spoke of an urgency of work:
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Though he had an urgency about working before the night comes; he, yet, was not a workaholic. He always
rested, always went away into the mountains. There are two types of workaholics: The “Cares of this
World Workaholic” and the “Insensitive Church Workaholic: The Church-aholic”
The “Cares of the This World Workaholic”.
This type of pathology is the most common manifestation of a modern-day sluggard. This person is highly
talented, knowledgeable, and resident expert. They are constantly on the road, with their iPhone, Android, or
Blackberry; working 60-70 hours per week; getting an adrenaline rush from completing deals, always working for
the next promotion. This person loves their job and feels validated by their accomplishments.
If you talk with a typical workaholic and ask them why they work so hard and so long, they will tell you it is for
their family. Years later they are on their third family and still a workaholic.
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul?
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What does it profit is you gain it all and lose your spouse; the devil is turning out your children; no time for prayer
partners, choir, preaching, your Lord!
The second type of pathological busyness is the “insensitive church-aholic”.
The insensitive church workaholic is the person that is busy working in the church doing church work, but is
spiritually insensitive to the Lord’s work.
Luke 10:40–42 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not
care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said
unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary
hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
This person gets validation for their Christianity by how much church work they do, conflating church work with
the Lord’s work. They can be heavenly bound, but no earthly good because though they are so busy doing church
work; they are not sensitive to what God is doing. We must work, but it must be the right work, at the right time,
in the right season. Sometimes we have to hustle to pay the bills, cares of this world! Sometimes we have to
hustle to set up the church, cares of the church! But Jesus said, “One thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen the
good part!”
“Choose the Good Part by being Sensitive to the Spirit!”
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of
himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Find out what God is doing, and do that work. If he’s praying, pray; if he’s worshiping, worship; serving, serve;
evangelizing, evangelize; praising, praise!
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me . . .
“Break the Chokehold by Working the Work of Him that sent You!”
Overcoming Pathological Laziness
Pathological laziness creates a chokehold that chokes time out of us. While some people become
pathologically busy, “Got to get it done right now”; others become pathologically lazy, “We’ve got plenty of time
to get it done!”
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Although Jesus didn’t allow the work to kill him, he still had a sense of urgency. He knew how to take the
urgency off the worldly things and put it on heavenly things.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you.
But when it comes to the Sin of Slothfulness, some go in the complete opposite:
Proverbs 6:6–11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide,
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overseer, or ruler, 8Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou
sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to sleep: 11So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Proverbs 6:9–11 (NLT) But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? 10 A little extra
sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
“Wake up, because Nighttime is Coming”
Have you ever known a person to sleep all day long, and then get up to find a job? What about a person who’s up
all night, and late to work all the time? Then there’s the people who are sleeping through the daytime of life.
Every year they say they are going to get it together until they look up and it’s 20 years later and life is about to
kick them in the behind because nighttime is coming. The nighttime of life is what the Bible calls the “Evil
Days.”
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years
draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
You can’t work at night; your body wasn’t designed to work at night; it slows down. The only thing that works at
night are the freaks that come out at night.
“We’ve Got to Work while it’s Day!”
In the fifth chapter of John, there was a man who was by the pool of Bethesda who had an infirmity for 38 years.
Each year the angel would trouble the water so that someone would be healed.
John 5:6–7 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him,
Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to
put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
How many people are in the world saying, “I have no one to put me in the pool” because all the saints are saying,
“I don’t have the time.” Too many Christians and too many churches are pathologically busy with the cares of the
world and spiritually lazy with the cares of God. How many are saying “I have no one to witness to me,”, and “I
have no one to pray with me, to praise, to worship, to serve, to sing, to preach!” The Jews said to Jesus, “It’s not
time, this is the Sabbath!” But Jesus said in John 5:17, “My Father worketh, and I work!” If God is working,
then we need to work! Work because there is a greater work!
John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him
greater works than these that ye may marvel.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Wake up for there is greater works! Wake up there is greater ministry, greater worship, greater healing, greater
deliverance, greater salvation, praise . . . !
“Break the Chokehold by Working while it’s Day!”
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Overcoming Pathological Weariness
Pathological weariness chokes life out of us:
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The enemy seeks to wear out the saints of the most high. He keeps us constantly busy, constantly tired, constantly
exhausted, constantly frustrated, disappointed, aggravated, discombobulated, depressed, broke, busted, and
disgusted.
2 Corinthians 4:8–9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Matthew 11:28–30 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke
upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
When we come to Jesus, he fills us with the Fruit of Faithfulness: At peace with what God is doing, content with
what God is doing, sensitive and focused on what God is doing.
The lyrics by Raymond Raspberry summarizes breaking the chokehold of pathological weariness best:
“You may build great cathedrals large or small,
you can build skyscrapers grand and tall,
you may conquer all the failures of the past,
but only what you do for Christ will last.”
Corporate work can’t do it. Business work can’t do it. Career, entrepreneurial, government, community, not even
church work can do it. “Only what you do for Christ will last!”
Then Jesus summed it up:
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his
work shall be.
ADDITIONAL BIBLE STUDY
Proverbs 10:26, 13:4, 21:25-26; 26:16
VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
What is the difference between pathological laziness and pathological busyness? How are they associated with
the Sin of Slothfulness?
What is the Fruit of the Spirit God has given us that breaks the chokehold of slothfulness?
Was Martha demonstrating slothfulness in Luke 10:38-42? If so, what kind of slothfulness was it? What was she
doing? Was she doing something wrong? How did Jesus respond to her and to us?
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What are the results of pathological weariness? What scriptures can we stand on in our prayers to overcome
pathological weariness?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of pathological laziness, pathological busyness and/or
pathological weariness in your life? In what way? Has it hindered your relationship with God? In what way?
Has it hindered your relationship with others? In what way? Using the lesson and scriptural references, pray to
our Father for his help in overcoming this. Pray for your sisters and brothers who are struggling with the sin of
slothfulness and may not realize it.
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Lesson 7
Envy vs. Kindness:
Distortion of Good Intentions
Genesis 4:1–12 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man
from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of
the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto
the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had
respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very
wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy
countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the
door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and
it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the
LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he
said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou
cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; 12When thou
tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in
the earth.
In this lesson we want to look at the Sin of Envy. We saw Adam and Evil fall to greed. Now we see their son,
Cain, falling to envy. Envy is a primal sin, considered one of the most wicked and evil of the nine deadly sins.
Like pride, it is intractable (obstinate or stubborn) and pernicious (malicious, spiteful, wicked, and evil). Many
theologians consider envy deadlier than anger or wrath.
Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Envy is a cancer that consumes our inner soul:
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Envy is related to jealousy, rivalry, and misplaced zeal. It actually starts with good intentions, but these good
intentions become distorted when they become infused and saturated with evil. “The road to hell is paved with
good intentions” is a famous proverb, believed to have originated by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who originally
wrote “Hell is full of people with good wishes and desires.”
Cain longed of God’s approval but because of the evil, envy, killed his brother. Saul wanted to be loved by his
people, but was driven literally mad with envy trying to kill his protégé David. The chief priests convinced
themselves they were doing God’s work when they delivered Jesus to his death. But even Pilate at the trial of
Jesus in Matthew 27:18, said they did it out of envy.
The Sin of Envy distorts our good intentions by twisting how we perceive and behave towards our fellowman,
which is the second commandment from Jesus:
Matthew 22:36–39 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…39 And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
But instead of loving our neighbor, we become envious and jealous of them.
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Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his
manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.
Envy distorts us to the point that what we see becomes distorted, what we feel becomes distorted, what we say
becomes distorted, and what we do becomes distorted. So God gives us the Fruit of Kindness, an element of the
Fruit of the Spirit, to purge our good intentions so that we fulfill the will of God.
We will look at the distortion of our eyes, emotions, tongue, and behavior.
The Distortion of our Eyes
The Sin of Envy distorts our eyes by getting us to look at others and compare. We can be perfectly happy with
what we have until we see what they have. We see how much money they are making, driving, wearing, or
doing. We see their position, business, career, or even their church or ministry! We are not in sin, but the seed of
resentment and anxiousness is being planted. This eventually impacts our soul; but right now the devil just wants
us to look.
The distortion of envy begins by simply getting us to look and compare:
11.
12.
We should love our neighbors, but we’re too busy comparing ourselves.
We never become content no matter how much we get because there will always be
another neighbor.
Cain’s problem was his offering, but envy distorted his eyes and he couldn’t see it.
Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit . . . .
The process of time is the end of a time of work, time of rest, Sabbath, worship.
Cain and Able were taught to worship the Lord by bringing an offering.
Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had
respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain
was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Cain compared the response of his offering to the response of Abel’s offering. His “good intentions” was he
wanted the acceptance of God; but envy distorted his eyes and instead of seeing the problem in his offering, he
saw the problem was with his brother. Cain wanted what Abel got but wasn’t willing to do what Abel did.
People will get envious or jealous of us by looking at what we have but what they should be doing is looking at
what we did. This is why people are so mean and evil; they are too busy looking through distorted eyes; playing
the zero-sum game that the only way for them to win is for you to lose; to get ahead, put you behind; to get
blessed, they cursed you. But when we take our eyes off our neighbors and put them on our God, the Spirit of
Kindness comes upon us and we stop looking and we start believing. People are too busy looking because they
want to see themselves with your stuff, with your blessings, with your spouse, with your money, your anointing.
But seeing doesn't cause you to believe; believing causes you to see.
2Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight)
“I see God working it out for me!” This is about believing!
When you start believing, your neighbor’s blessings no longer represent jealousy, they represent testimony.
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Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they
loved not their lives unto the death.
Instead of being jealous of them, you are kind to them because their life becomes the testimony that brought you
through.
“Envy distorts the eyes to see jealousy, but kindness purges the eyes to see testimony”
The Distortion of our Emotions
The next stage of Envy penetrates our thoughts and distorts our emotions. We are not just looking now; we are
thinking it, feeling it. But what we are feeling is distorted. It’s not real. Don’t misunderstand me; the emotions
are real, but they are based on distorted, unreal information. I may be mad at you, and my anger feels real but the
truth is I should have never been looking at you. My eyes were distorted and so are my emotions.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Now if my heart is already deceitful and can’t be trusted; what do you think will happen if I give it distorted data
from distorted eyes. Not only are we angry and mad at our circumstances and situations as compared to others,
but also we begin to feel self-pity! The more we look, the more we feel sorry for ourselves. We become disgusted
by their success and dejected because we deserve the glory, not them. It gets worse when we are doing good, and
they are doing evil.
Psalm 73:1–3 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were
almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the
wicked.
Envy has now penetrated our thoughts; the spirit of discontentment has now invaded our soul, and our emotions
are distorted and out of whack. Instead of being happy and rejoicing when we see our neighbors blessed, we get
more and more angry, and it’s about to tip over into our actions and will. Cain allowed Envy to saturate his
emotions with anger because of what he saw:
Genesis 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?7 If thou
doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall
be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
God said, “Cain you have a choice!” and he’s saying to us, we have a choice.
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
We will either redirect that anger to do the right thing or we will be doomed by the sin that is waiting at the door
for us!
“Don’t get mad at me; get mad at the Devil for trying to turn you against me!”
Matthew 22:39 Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
When the devil turns us against each other, he’s turning us on ourselves. The Spirit of Kindness directs anger to
the devil and Love towards one another.
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Jeremiah 31:3 Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
“Envy distorts the emotions to hate, but Kindness fills the emotions with Love!
The Distortion of our Tongue
When we allow Envy to distort our eyes and our emotions, the next stage is to distort our tongue. I call the verbal
warfare guerrilla warfare and it is when one verbalizes their thoughts, anxieties, and resentments.
Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother:
Genesis 4:8 (The Message) Cain had words with his brother . . . .
Verbal warfare begins with faint praise and backhanded compliments; next, it engages in tearing others down,
spreading rumors, and propagating gossip.
Romans 1:28–29 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness,
fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers,
“Whisperers” are gossipers, and according to scripture they are in the same wicked category as deceivers and
murderers because they are full of Envy. Gossip is so wicked that the Bible labels it an abomination. It reflects a
lack of control of the tongue.
James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the
whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; …
Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the
LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Envy chooses Death!
But The Spirit of Kindness can take that same tongue and bring forth life.
Proverbs 21:23 Whosokeepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that
they speak no guile:
James 1:19 . . . let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Now the Spirit of Kindness doesn’t just control the tongue, it brings life to it.
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Romans 4:17 God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
“Envy distorts the Tongue to Speak Death, but Kindness Anoints the Tongue to Speak Life”
The Distortion of our Behavior
Envy distorts our eyes to see jealousy, it distorts our emotions to hate one another, and it distorts our tongue to
speak death to each other. Finally, Envy distorts our behavior to kill each other. Envy will eventually send us into
a full-blown war where our words become action. If those words are death, the actions will kill!
Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain
rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
We kill with jealousy and miss our testimony! We kill with hate and lose our love for one another! We kill with
words and speak death with the power of the tongue. When these words become actions, we kill each other
emotionally, spiritually, and even physically because Envy distorts our Behavior. The Power of Kindness puts
Love into Action:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Instead of Jealousy, Kindness sees a Testimony
Instead of Hate, Kindness feels Love
Instead of Death, Kindness Speaks Life
And Instead of Killing, Kindness Rejoices.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
1Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our
lips giving thanks to his name.
“Don’t be Envious of My Praise, You don’t know what I did to Earn this Praise, to Earn this Anointing, to Earn
this Shout, to Earn this Blessing”
“You Don’t Know, You Weren’t There!” “I will Bless the Lord At All Times!”
ADDITIONAL BIBLE STUDY
Genesis 4:1-12
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VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
What does Prov 27:4 say about envy? What does this mean?
What is the second commandment of the law Jesus gave in Mat 22:39? How does the Sin of Envy distort this
commandment?
What Fruit of the Spirit does God give to overcome the Sin of Envy? What is its purpose?
What effect does the Spirit of Kindness have on the tongue?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of the Sin of Envy in your life? Has it hindered your
growth? Has it hindered your relationship with God? In what way? Has it hindered your relationship with
others? In what way? Has your tongue spoken life or death? What scriptures are you using to combat this sin?
Using the lesson and scriptural references, pray to our Father for his help in overcoming this sin. Pray for your
sisters and brothers who are struggling with this sin.
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Lesson 8
Restlessness vs. Patience:
Resisting the Desire to Run Away
James 1:2–4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of
your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing.
Philippians 4:10–13 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again;
wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned,
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:
everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Today we want to look at the Sin of Restlessness. Restlessness is a feeling characterized by laboring in the wrong
place or never reaching satisfaction with where you are, what you are doing, or what you have: A persistent
emotion where you can’t shrug off the thought or idea that there’s something better out there. Evagrius of Pontus,
a fourth-century theologian, classified these thoughts and feelings of restlessness as “Acedia.” A profound
restlessness that leaves us agitated, discouraged, and ungrateful for our present circumstances. Evagrius
postulated (or suggested) that “Acedia” is one of the deadly thoughts that lead us away from the allegiances
designed to help us. And it becomes a sin when it leads us away from our allegiance to Christ.
Restlessness causes us to despise our present circumstances, work, ministry, and even life itself. Constantly
desiring things that are just out of reach, we run from place to place, searching for something or someone to bring
satisfaction to longings we don’t understand and, thus, can’t fulfill.
Isaiah 57:20–21 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and
dirt. 21There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Like the constant churning of the waves of the sea turning over and over the dirt at its bottom, restlessness causes
some people’s lives to never be at rest. Their bottom never settles, they never establish roots, never settle down,
never heal; constantly stirring up the dirt of their lives. They never grow; never settle down, never learn, and
never build. Restlessness causes them to live a nomadic existence (wandering aimlessly), always running from
their current situation to something they feel will be better. Going from relationship to relationship, from place to
place, from job to job, from person to person, from ministry to ministry, or from church to church. At the root of
restlessness is impatience and God gives us the Spiritual Fruit
of Longsuffering (Patience) to combat this destructive sin. Patience gives us power to resist the consequences of
restlessness which is the desire to run.
Resist Long Enough To See
Restlessness causes us to see with our emotions and move with our heart. We make emotional decisions and
impulse purchases.
James 1:2–3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of
your faith worketh patience.
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Now here’s the irony of this passage: James says count it all joy when we encounter divers (indefinite, various,
and many) temptations. Why? Because it is God developing our spiritual sight called faith (we walk by faith and
not sight), which will develop our patience. But when we don’t handle our temptations by faith, we succumb or
give in to restlessness about our circumstances or situations. As with most sins (like greed, lust, gluttony, wrath,
and envy), restlessness affects our emotions and this distorts our sight. We think, “Anything is better than this;” so
the enemy will show us anything. If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. But it’s a lie!
What we are looking at is fear, “False evidence appearing real.” Even as Christians with a measure of faith,
restlessness distorts what we see.
Mark 8:22–25 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch
him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and
put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
25
After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man
clearly.
Resist restlessness by standing still until you see clearly. Longsuffering, patience, empowers us to stand still until
we see what God sees.
Exodus 14:10–13 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the
Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11
And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the
wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12Is not this the word that we
did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve
the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand
still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen
today, ye shall see them again no more forever.
“Resist what your eyes show you until you can see what God’s prepared for you”
1 Corinthians 2:9 . . . Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Resist Long Enough To Grow
Restlessness causes us to prematurely uproot ourselves during our growing season.
James 1:3–4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
4
But let patience have her perfect
James 1:3–4 (NLT) For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it
grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:3–4 (The Message) You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its
true colors.
So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not
deficient in any way.
People often ask me, how do you know if you’re making a move that is of God and not of you? Some people say,
“Just pray, and if it feels right in your spirit, then move!” Here’s the problem: if you’re going through hell and if
you see a way to get out of it, it will always feel right!” James says that you have to wait until patience has had a
chance to grow and until the purpose for the temptation has been fully developed. It’s when you have no more
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desire to leave, but you know it’s time to leave.” Did you ever get spankings from your mother or father,
“whippings and beatings from momma or daddy?” Did you ever notice if you ran before they were finished, they
would beat you longer? So you learned to wait until they were finished, then they would say, “Go to your room.”
Then you knew it was time to go!
“Resist Long Enough to Grow where you are Planted; and when it’s Time God will Transplant you to where you
are destined!”
Resist Long Enough To Know
Restlessness causes us to operate out of ignorance because we never stay long enough to learn from our
experiences. Have you ever seen a person make the same mistake over and over? Bad choices over and over, bad
relationships over and over, bad career or business moves over and over, bad decisions over and over, divorce
over and over, quit over and over. The problem is they never resist the desire to run away long enough to learn.
Good things can come out of bad situations when you take time to learn from them.
Philippians 4:11 No that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
The reason why I’ve learned how to be content is because:
1.
2.
3.
4.
When I was abased, hit rock bottom, I didn’t run from it. I learned from it. I learned bus
passes and transfers, “hoopty” that needed more oil than gas, getting $2.33 of gas on
number 4, candles when the lights were off, plug-in heaters when the gas was off,
bankruptcy when everything was off.
When I was hungry, with little to no money, I didn’t run from it, I learned from it. I
learned how to survive off of pork and beans, soup and crackers, and tuna fish.
When I suffered need and nobody was there to help my need, I didn’t run from it; I
learned from it. I learned how to pray. I learned how to cry. I learned how to fast. I
learned how to pray and cry. I learned how to fast and pray. I learned how to weep all
night long cause I learned that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the
morning!
“I’m not talking what I HEARD, I’m talking what I KNOW!”
And because I didn’t run, I learned the greatest lesson:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
“When you resist long enough to Know, you will Know that I can do All things through Christ which strengthens
me!”
Resist Long Enough To Celebrate
When we resist the desire to run:
1.
2.
3.
By faith we stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.
By patience we grow where God has planted us until He’s finished with us.
By experience we learn that I can do all things through Christ.
Finally, when we Resist the Desire to Run by Our Praise, We wait Long Enough to Rejoice until God gives us the
Breakthrough.
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James 1:2–4 My brethren, count it all joy . . . .
Philippians 4:10–13 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, . . .
James understood that something good is coming out of my bad. Paul understood that my God shall supply all
my needs. David understood that I will bless the Lord at all times because God inhabits the praises of His people.
Jehoshaphat knew that through praises the battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s. Jeremiah knew God has thoughts of
peace and not of evil to bring him to an expected end. The Philippians knew to be confident of this very thing
that he who begun a good work will perform it. John knew because greater is he that is in you than he that is in
the world. The Romans knew that we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God.
VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
What is restlessness? Describe some characteristics of restlessness.
What is the root of restlessness? What spiritual fruit does God give us to combat this sin?
How do we resist restlessness? How does the Fruit of Longsuffering aid us in resisting? What is the result of our
resisting?
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of the Sin of Restlessness in your life? In what areas of
your life have you run and resisted growth? What was the result? What scriptures have you memorized to
combat this sin? Are you using these scriptures in your prayer? Pray for your sisters and brothers who are
struggling to overcome sin. Have you recorded this in your prayer journal?
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Lesson 9
Boredom vs. Peace:
Reviving From Slow Death
Romans 1:21–28 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but
became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and
to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through
the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God
into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that
which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust
one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence
of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them
over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Philippians 4:4–8 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all
men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things
are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
In our last lesson in this series, we want to look at the Sin of Boredom. Culturally, our society is bored: we are
bored silly, bored stiff, bored to tears, bored out of our minds. We are bored with our marriage partners, with sex,
with work, with school, even with television. We are bored with church, with ministry, with prayer, with bible
study, and even with worship. A recent survey indicated that up to half of us are either temporarily or
permanently bored, a disturbing fact for a society that spends billions of dollars to entertain itself. We are literally
bored to death. And I said “literally,” not “figuratively,” because we are not simply “Bored to Death,” but
boredom is slowly but sure putting us to death. Boredom is an absence of feeling that leads to emotional flatness,
passivity, apathy, indifference, lethargy; a lack of interest in anything or anybody. It begins with having
insufficient passion to give of ourselves to our work, our responsibilities, and to life itself.
Boredom is a serious spiritual issue within Christendom because we lose our passion for God himself. So we
become bored with church, ministry, bible study, prayer, praise, worship, and giving: the tenants of our Faith. It,
therefore, alienates us from our relationship with God and each other thereby making it impossible to keep the
great commandments of loving God with all our heart, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Boredom, in and of
itself, is not so much a sin as it is the results of the symptom of sin: a sign that our relationship with God, life, and
ourselves has been broken. It is a form of physical and spiritual suicide, slowing killing us from the life,
relationships, and purpose that God destined for our lives.
The Apostle Paul indicated in his letter to the Romans that this slow death of boredom occurs for three reasons:
1.
2.
3.
God gave them up because they were unthankful to Him (vs. 21-24)
God gave them up because of they failed to worship Him (vs. 25-26)
God gave them up because they didn’t retain knowledge of Him (vs. 28)
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Boredom infects our minds and slowly kills us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Psalm 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
God offers us his peace to overcome the slow death of boredom. Peace, or the lack thereof, is what determines
whether one’s mind dies a slow death or is revived with a passion for God. Jesus said he left this peace with us:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Isaiah said he would keep us in this peace:
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
And Paul said in our lesson text it would blow our minds:
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
Reviving From the Slow Death of Ungratefulness
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; . . . .
24
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness . . . .
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you,
One of the first reasons we become bored is ungratefulness; that is, we are not thankful for where we are or what
we have. When you are not thankful for the “Where” and the “What,” you do not glorify the “Who” that gave it to
you. We end up desiring something other than what God has given us, which is unclean. This happens because
the Sins of Greed, Lust, Gluttony, and Envy which leads to misplaced Desires, Selfishness, Addictions, and
Jealousy. These sins will lead to discontentment, causing one to be ungrateful and unthankful to God who has
them in that state. Paul said when he was rich it was God, but when he was poor it was also God; when he was
full as well as when he was hungry; when he had plenty or suffered need. It was God.
Philippians 4:11 . . . for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
But Greed, Lust, or Envy causes us to lose our perspective and we stop glorying and thanking God. Because of
ungratefulness and unthankfulness to God, he gives us up to ourselves, and the boredom of our minds slowly kills
us.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor
their own bodies between themselves:
When you are not thankful for what God has done, you try to do it yourself.
Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but
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became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they
became fools,
Our minds have us imagining and desiring the things of God more than God himself. Our hearts become
darkened and we become fools. The more we desire, the more bored we become, therefore, slowing killing
ourselves. Killing ourselves with envy when we don’t have it; and with lusts, greed, and gluttony when we do.
But Paul teaches us to overcome the slow death of ungratefulness by always rejoicing with thanksgiving:
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Rejoice, praise God all the time; and let me say it again, rejoice! Don’t just rejoice in good times, but do it all the
time so people can see it. Don’t allow your praise to be predicated upon your circumstances or environment;
praise him all the time.
Psalm 34:1–3 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall
make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
“Overcome the slow death of boredom by rejoicing always, everywhere, all the time”
Reviving From the Slow Death of Perverted Worship
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the
Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: . . .
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
The next reason we become bored and die a slow death is due to incorrect worship, which defiles our affection to
God, perverting our longing for the things of this world.
Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, a time in which we cease from the cares of this world, and reflect and
worship our God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For the Christian, our Sabbath is the Lord’s Day,
which is Sunday.
Because of the Sins of Pride, Greed, and Sloth, our worship becomes perverted because we depend on selfsecurity, operate with misplaced desires, or are simply too lazy, too busy, and too weary to properly worship God.
Pride gets in the way of our worship when we fail to deny ourselves:
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me.
Greed gets in the way of our worship when we focus on the cares of this world
Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in,
choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
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Sloth gets in the way of our worship when we allow life to cause us to be too lazy, too busy, or too weary. We are
too sick, too tired, or too worn-out!
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
In Romans 1:23, Paul says they worshiped the things of God instead of God; and in verse 25 they worshiped the
Creature (that is man) more than the Creator.
Luke 4:5–8 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world
in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them:
for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all
shall be thine.
Jesus told us how to overcome the slow death of false worship.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship
the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Tell the job, get behind me; tell the money, get behind me; tell people get behind me; tell thoughts and desires, get
behind me; tell Satan get behind me! Paul also told us how to overcome the slow death of false worship:
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
“Be careful for nothing” means to stop worrying and fretting over life!
Psalm 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
“But in Every Thing by Prayer and Supplication” means pray, tell God about it.
Luke 18:1 … men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
“Worry about nothing, Pray about everything!”
“Overcome the slow death of boredom by Worrying About Nothing, and Praying About Everything!”
Reviving From the Slow Death of A Lack of Knowledge
We are revived from the slow death of boredom:
1.
2.
By rejoicing in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!
By worrying about nothing and praying about everything!
Finally, we are revived from the slow death of boredom by knowing the Word and promises of God. Our lesson
teaches us that the slow death of boredom comes because they did not keep the knowledge of God.
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
reprobate mind,
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Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also
reject thee, . . . .
They are turned over to a mind of unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy,
murder, back-biting, pride, haters of the things of God, without natural affection, unmerciful, despiteful, and
wicked. Not only do they do these things, but also they take pleasure in them. But God revives us from this slow
death through the His Word and His promises:
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
2Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
When the Word of God is in us, and the promises of God are with us, the peace of God will keep us.
James 1:2–3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of
your faith worketh patience.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of
evil, to give you an expected end.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
“I Will Live and Not Die Because God will Keep Me in His Perfect Peace!”
ADDITIONAL BIBLE STUDY
Romans 1:29-32
VICTORIOUS THROUGH PRAYER
What is the Sin of Boredom? Describe the characteristics of this sin.
Is boredom really a sin? Why or why not?
What Spiritual Fruit does God offer us to combat the Sin of Boredom?
What are the results of the Sins of Greed, Lust and Envy? How can we overcome these sins?
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What does Paul tell us to do in Phil 4:6 to overcome the slow death of false worship? Explain your answer with
scripture and examples.
After reviewing this lesson, can you see any evidence of the Sin of Boredom in your life? Can you see any
evidence of a slow death in some areas of your life? Have you been ungrateful or unthankful? Has it hindered
your prayer life? Has your relationship with God been awkward? Has is hindered your relationship with others?
In what way? Using the lesson and scriptural references, pray to our Father for his help in overcoming this. Pray
for your sisters and brothers who are struggling with this sin. How would you pray for them?
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