JOY: CLEAN AND FREED TO CHOOSE RIGHT AND WRONG!

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 JOY: YOU ARE CLEAN

“…NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU…” (JOHN 15:3 KJV).

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 “…NOW YE ARE CLEAN …” (JOHN 15:3 KJV). Clean from what? Clean from SIN. Clean from sin’s consequences, its affects, and its POWER. “…I will cleanse you from all your filthiness…” (Ezekiel 36:25 NASB). “…'I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me …” (Jeremiah 33:8 NASB). “…Cleansing… [you] … by the washing with water through the word…” (Ephesians 5:26 NIV).

Being CLEAN restores a person’s ability to choose life or death. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) OR “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

 Being clean FREES them to be transformed by the renewing of their MINDS. “…Because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

A new MINDSET helps distinguish God’s people from all other people by setting them apart as a HOLY nation unto HIM. “…But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light…” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV).

“…NOW YE ARE CLEAN …” (JOHN 15:3 KJV). God’s people are CLEAN RIGHT NOW which means they are HOLY, pure, whole, alive, and FREE. “…We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. … …” (Romans 6 NLT). “….If the Son sets you free, you will be FREE INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV). “…The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

God’s people are FREE from SIN and therefore, sin is NO longer their master. “…… Sin is no longer your master… you live under the freedom of God’s grace…” (Romans 6 NLT). “….If the Son sets you free, you will be FREE INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV). “…NOW YE ARE CLEAN …” (JOHN 15:3 KJV).

The WORD is the agent that CLEANS the human mind. “…CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU…” (JOHN 15:3 KJV).

A bar of SOAP cleans the body and the WORD of God cleans the mind. You are a “new creation” and you are “one” spirit with God through Christ, but the mind needs renewal. “…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [The believer]… is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). BUT be “…transformed by the renewing of the mind...” (ROMANS 12:2 KJV).  

The mind is in the heart. “…For out of the HEART come evil THOUGHTS…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). “…Jesus knew what they were THINKING and asked, “Why are you THINKING these things IN YOUR HEART?” (Luke 5:22 NIV).

The mind makes all the commands. “…For his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart (mind)…” (Luke 6:45 NASB).

The mind controls the mouth and directs the actions with information from the thoughts and words. God wants “…to make [the mind]… holy and clean ... [by having it] … washed by the cleansing of God's word…” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV). “… by the renewing of the mind...” (ROMANS 12:2 KJV).  

After a baby is born the afterbirth and FREED from the womb it needs to be cleaned off. After you are born again and FREED from sin, the mind needs to be cleaned off through sanctification. “…May the God of peace Himself SANCTIFY you entirely…” (1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 NASB). “…SANCTIFY them in the truth; Your word is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 NASB).  “…By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God and … sanctification …” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NASB).

Sanctification is like a spiritual soap that cleans your MIND from the filthy residual of sin. “…I will cleanse you from all your filthiness…” (Ezekiel 36:25 NASB). “…This is the will of God your sanctification  …” (1 THESSALONIANS 4:3 NASB). “…For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in SANCTIFICATION…” (1 Thessalonians 4:7 NASB). “…God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit and faith in the truth…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB). “…Pursue …the SANCTIFICATION without which no one will see the Lord…” (HEBREWS 12:14 NASB).

Sanctification, basically, is the process of cleaning or renewing the mind from the residual of sin in order to transform it BACK to the original Garden-of-Eden holiness.  “...LET US MAKE man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..GOD CREATED MAN in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).  “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

How did the human mind become unclean?  It started when Satan interfered with man’s MIND by influencing THEM to think, speak, and act against God’s thoughts and words by replacing them with his LIES.

Instead of being influenced by God’s thoughts and words man became influenced by Satan’s lies.

The human mind is man’s control center. It is full of THOUGHTS and WORDS that inform or direct choices and actions which are expressed through what a person says and does.

The human mind was originally created to be man’s control center. HOWEVER, it was full of God’s THOUGHTS and WORDS.

God’s thoughts and words directed and informed man’s choices and actions which were expressed through what they said and did.

The human mind was also created to FREELY “choose” or FREELY “act upon” God’s THOUGHTS and WORDS.

In the beginning, Eve’s choices and actions were informed and directed by God’s thoughts and words ONLY and not Satan’s lies.

The day Eve listened to Satan’s lies he begin to inform and direct her choices and actions. “…So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  

Eve died spiritually and immediately she became UNCLEAN. “…in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  

Eve’s mind was still a command center. However, Satan’s lies had infiltrated it with THOUGHTS and WORDS that tarnished her and made her unclean. ONLY God’s word cleans. The WORD is the agent that CLEANS the human mind. “…CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU…” (JOHN 15:3 KJV).

God’s Spirit separated from Eve and Satan became her dictator. “… [HER] … iniquities (sins) …separated [her]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). Eve was “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).

 NOW Satan’s lies had POWER over the thoughts and words in her mind which also informed and directed her choices and actions. “…Obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

Satan does the same thing to people to this day.  “…The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). NOW ^“…The whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

The human mind lost its ability to FREELY “choose” or FREELY “act upon” God’s THOUGHTS and WORDS. “….I want to do what is right, BUT I CAN’T…Who will free me from this life that is dominated (dictated) by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Eve listened to Satan’s lies, which impacted her choices and actions and resulted in the transgression of God’s command. “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

God’s thoughts and words were: “…of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: BUT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT …[or] … thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

Satan’s lies were:  “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV).

Eve’s choices and actions revealed that Satan’s LIES informed and directed what she did: “…The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

Eve DIED spiritually. “… [HER] … iniquities (sins) …separated [her]… from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

 “…Sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

Two things happened to Eve’s mind. “… [Her sin] …separated [her and her mind]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). She became “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…Through … [Eve] … sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). NOW “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

You don’t immediately lose the carnal MINDSET when you receive Christ as Savior, but the carnal MINDSET loses its POWER over your thoughts. “…that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. …So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. … Sin is no longer your master… you live under the freedom of God’s grace…” (Romans 6 NLT).

 The carnal MIND is ONLY the residual of sin and can be transformed by the renewing of the mind. . “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…be renewed in the spirit of your mind…” (Ephesians 4:23 KJV).

There is, however, a struggle between the carnal mindset and the indwelling Spirit. “…These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions….” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin... I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … WITHIN ME (within my mind). …Who will free me from this life that is dominated (dictated) by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin … Sin is no longer your master…” (Romans 6 NLT).  Therefore, FREELY “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

Eve’s MIND became UNCLEAN or CARNAL. She lost her FREEDOM to be informed and directed by God’s thoughts and words. “…The mind governed by the flesh (carnality)  … does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so…” (Romans 8:7 NIV).

Once SAVED you BECOME NEW and CLEAN (FREED) from the POWER of sin. “…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”… (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I WILL GIVE you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). Let’s review what happened to Eve again.

God’s Word to Eve was this: “…of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat...in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

Satan lies interfered and he said this to Eve: “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV).

The scripture says, Eve replied in this manner “…but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, 'Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:3 KJV).

Eve called it the “tree in the midst of the garden…” AND said God said not to “…touch it…” (Genesis 3:3 KJV).

What God actually said was, “….of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 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 2:16-17 KJV).

What do we learn about what happened to Eve’s MIND? God shared his THOUGHTS and WORDS with Eve.  “…of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat...in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

God’s THOUGHTS and WORDS informed Eve about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Satan’s lies DREW her AWAY from God’s thoughts and words.. “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV).

The human mind was created to FREELY CHOOSE the THOUGHTS and WORDS that inform and direct their choices and actions.

Eve choose to let Satan’s lies inform and direct her actions. “... I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … WITHIN me …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). Her thoughts were made unclean by Satan’s lies. “…Obeying the devil—He is the spirit at work in the hearts (minds) of those who refuse to obey God…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

His Lying THOUGHTS and WORDS drew her away from God’s Holy THOUGHTS and WORDS. Satan’s tactics have NOT changed.

 Immediately Satan’s lies began inform, direct, and affect her actions. “When … [Eve]… saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom she took some and ate it…” (Genesis 3:6 NIV).

Eve now Satan’s LIES embedded and infused in her mind. “…BE YE transformed by the renewing of your mind …” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Only THEN CAN YOU BE FREE and get CLEAN FROM THE LIES OF SATAN.

“….God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).  Two things about God: 1. God “…does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “… [God]… does as he pleases… No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “…Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish…” (Isaiah 46: 9-10 NLT). “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

God originally created you in his OWN likeness. You had the FREEDOM to make your own choices, do what you please, and SIN had absolutely NO POWER over you.

2.  He created you with a body, spirit and soul. “…God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).  

The body is given to you by God to communicate with the world. Through the body we can feel, ENGAGE, AND INTERACT WITH everything in the world.

The Spirit helps you know God’s THOUGHTS and WORDS and to know him.

THE SOUL /MIND, controls everything you think, say, and do. The SOUL/MIND is the command center. The soul/mind listens to the thoughts and words from either the indwelling spirit or the carnal to inform or direct choices and actions.

The SOUL/MIND has, however, relied on Satan’s LIES so long it resists and fights against God’s holy thoughts and words. However, “…NOW YE ARE CLEAN  (FREED) THROUGH THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU…” (JOHN 15:3 KJV). “…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

All actions, that a man or woman displays outwardly, originate from the mind. It is “… from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts…these … come from within, and defile (make them unclean) a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart (mind) “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).  "…Offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart (mind) the mouth speaks. The good man, out of his good treasure, brings forth good things, and the evil man, out of his evil treasure, brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:34-35).

Thoughts are so POWERFUL because they inform and direct choices and action. The mind is the control center, but the THOUGHTS and WORDS, within the mind, control choices and actions.

Eve’s new thoughts, implanted from Satan’s lies, were powerful enough to draw her away from God’s thoughts and words to the point of HIGHLY influencing her choices and actions.

Once she was drawn away from God’s thoughts and word, her soul/mind disconnected with God’s Spirit. She became “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…[She was]… DEAD in [her] … transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). [Her] … iniquities … separated … [her]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s …[was her] … SINS that … cut … [her] … off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

She was now being dictated by the power of Satan’s lies. “….I want to do what is right, BUT I CAN’T …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). ^“…The whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

The soul/mind was created to commune with God and be informed and directed by HIS thoughts and words. Without God’s thought and words the mind becomes carnal and dies. “…To be carnally minded [is] DEATH…” (Romans 8:6 KJV).  “…When lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and SIN when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

Usually, whatever draws YOU away FROM God’s thoughts or words is a result of your “own” desires. “…Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

To be drawn away from God’s thoughts and words is where sin BEGINS.

All the unclean choices and actions that follow - once a person is drawn away from God’s thoughts and words - must be wholly charged to them. “…Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your [thought]…leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you…. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

The carnal MINDSET is unclean and STILL influenced by LIES. “….I want to do what is right, BUT I CAN’T …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

People influenced by Satan’s LIES, seen and unseen, are under the power of sin and they can’t seem to choose God’s ways. “….I want to do what is right, BUT I CAN’T …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). ^“We know … that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [bad appetites] sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

The earlier and the longer Satan’s lies has to influence a person’s thoughts and words the harder it becomes to transform the MIND back to God’s thoughts and words. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart (mind). ….” (Matthew 13:18-23 NASB).

“…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Sanctification is God’s solution. Sanctification is what cleans the mind. Every time you listen to and follow after God’s thoughts and words it sanctifies you.

Listening to and following after God’s thoughts and words is the transformation process in action. “…Now may the God of peace Himself SANCTIFY you ENTIRELY; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved COMPLETE…” (1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 NASB).

Every time you replace Satan’s lies with God’s thoughts and words it is sanctifying you. “… [Bring] …into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…” (1 Corinthians 10:5 KJV).

Being sanctified is further enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit which helps you conform to the image of Christ and renew your mind. “… it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…Now may the God of peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work IN US what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…That [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV).

Sanctification helps to eradicate Satan’s lies and renew the mind to holiness again. God is holy. “…Be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). “… I AM HOLY...” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  And, “There is none holy as the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “…ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. …” (Leviticus 20:26 KJV). “…For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in SANCTIFICATION…” (1 Thessalonians 4:7 NASB).

The heart/mind “…is deceitful ABOVE all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

The MIND needs sanctification and it is the mind God is concerned with.  “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART (MIND)…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). “…No one needed… to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart (MIND)…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “..Jesus knew what they were THINKING and asked, “Why are you THINKING these things IN YOUR HEART?” (Luke 5:22 NIV).

God is looking at YOUR heart/mind and he KNOWS what is in it. “O Lord, you have examined my heart (mind) and know everything about me. You know everything I do…” (Psalms 139:1-6 NLT).

He knows if you are NOT real. “..Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV). “…he knew what was in each person’s heart (mind)…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “…Jesus knew what they were THINKING and asked, “Why are you THINKING these things IN YOUR HEART?” (Luke 5:22 NIV).

Being AWARE of what God has DONE is a MAJOR source of JOY! You are CLEAN and FREED from the POWER of sin. “…Because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “….if the Son sets you free, you will be FREE INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV).

 TRULY “…The LORD has done great things for us …” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…Rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things…” (Joel 2:21 NASB).

RIGHT “…NOW YE ARE CLEAN THROUGH THE WORD I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU…” (JOHN 15:3 KJV). “…The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).