Broken-Down Desires (Part 2) - Broken-Down House: The Sinfulness Of Sin (Part 4)

Broken Down Desires (part 2) Broken Down Kitchen • Something is wrong with our “want-er” • Before Christ, our kitchen is stocked only with junk food • But at salvation, we receive a new heart with new desires • So now we have options Battlefield of Desires • Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Battlefield of Desires • Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Photo: Wellcome Images Romans 7:15, 18-19 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Examples of the Battle Angry words vs. Quiet, soft, peaceable words Laziness vs. Diligence Selfishness vs. Hospitality Hoarding vs. Giving TV vs. Bible reading Addiction vs. Self-control What I want vs. Parental instruction (for our teenagers) Self-reliance vs. Asking for help James 4:1-2 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. Ephesians 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. David Powlison The evil in our desires often lies not in what we want but in the fact that we want it too much. Natural desires become inordinate, ruling cravings. In modern language such sinful cravings often masquerade as expectations, goals, felt needs, wishes, demands, longings, drives, and so forth. Ken Sande’s “X-ray” Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. How would I answer the question: “If only_______, then I would be happy, fulfilled, and secure”? What do I want to preserve or to avoid at all costs? Where do I put my trust? What do I fear? When a certain desire is not met, do I feel frustration, anxiety, resentment, bitterness, anger, or depression? Is there something I desire so much that I am willing to disappoint or hurt others in order to have it? Jim Berg 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. I feel most secure when _______________. All I want to have/be/do is _________________. The thing I worry about most is ________________. The thing that keeps me awake at night is ________. I go into a panic when _____________________. I get most angry when ______________________. I tend to get very discouraged when _____________. A Biblical Strategy Galatians 5:16 – Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. “Just two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self.” A Biblical Strategy – Deny Self Luke 9:23 - And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Titus 2:12 – [The grace of God] teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires… A Biblical Strategy – Submission Luke 22:42 - Jesus prayed in the garden, “Not my will but Your will be done.” James 4:15 - teaches us to make our plans “if the Lord wills.” Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.