THE SINFUL NATURE:
“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).
“... Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin...” (Romans 6:6 KJV).
“... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me...” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
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SCRIPTURE(S):“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “... Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,...” (Romans 6:6 KJV)“... I am crucified with Christ...” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
PURPOSE OR GOAL OF LESSON: TO LEARN THE SINFUL NATURE IS CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND IT CAN “ONLY” CONTROL YOU THROUGH AN UNRENEWED MIND.
APPLICATION OF LESSON: TO CLEARLY SEE HOW THE SINFUL NATURE IS STILL CONTROLLING YOUR MIND THROUGH THE UNRENEWED HEART. TO BEGIN TO FREELY CHOOSE TO TRUST AND DEPEND UPON GOD’S WORD AND THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT TO EMPOWER YOU TO LIVE AND WALK IN THE FREEDOM FROM THE SINFUL NATURE.
TOPIC DISCUSSION: DISCUSS BIBLICAL TRUTHS ABOUT THE SINFUL NATURE AND HOW YOU CAN, PERSONALLY, LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM FROM ITS CONTROL BY SIMPLY RENEWING YOUR MIND BY PUTTING NEW INFORMATON INTO THE HEART.
EVIL AND TAINTED INFORMATION STORED IN THE HEART
1. WHICH ONE OF EVE’S FIVE SENSES DID THE SERPENT USE TO MOTIVATE DISOBEDIENCE? “…The woman [became] ... convinced (THROUGH SOUND) [to eat from the tree, anyway]... She saw (SIGHT) that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked (SIGHT) delicious (TASTE), and she wanted (LUST of the EYES) the wisdom (PRIDE of LIFE) it would give her. So she took (TOUCH) some of the fruit and ate it (TASTE)...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “….She [choose to take] ... some of the fruit and [eat] ... IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON “FOLLOWS” AFTER THE SINFUL NATURE? “... the sinful nature ... never did obey (follow after) God’s laws, and it never will. (FOLLOW AFTER GOD’S HOLY LAW)..” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT). WHAT DID EVe DO WHEN SHE FOLLOWED AFTER HER FLESH?. “….She [choose to take] ... some of the fruit and [eat] IT (the information put into heart, informed her mind, which formed “thoughts” that directed her behavior) ... Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
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2. What holy instruction did god give adam and eve? “…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). HAD GOD BLESSED ADAM AND EVE WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED, ALREADY? “...God blessed them and said to them, “...Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it ...RULE OVER (have dominion over).... Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food ...And it was so...” (Genesis 1:28-31 KJV). ADAM AND EVE WERE ORIGINALLY CALLED “LIVING” SOULS, WHAT KINDS OF SOULS WOULD THEY BE CALLED WITHOUT GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT? “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).
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3. WHEN YOU WILLINGLY CHOOSE TO YIELD TO THE SINFUL FLESH VERSES GOD’S INSTRUCTION, WHAT WILL YOU BECOME TO THE SINFUL NATURE “YOU” WILLINGLY CHOOSE TO OBEY? “…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). “...the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV). HOW DOES THE BIBLE DESCRIBE THE “EVIL ONE?” “…He was a murderer from the beginning … for he is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NASB). GOD IS TRUTH. WHAT TRUTH DID HE TELL ADAM AND EVE?. GOD SAID: “…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). THE EVIL ONE IS A LIAR. WHAT LIE DID HE TELL ADAM AND EVE? The EVIL ONE SAID: “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV). ADAM AND EVE DIED IMMEDIATELY, BUT WHAT KIND OF DEATH WAS IT? “…[God’s Word] shall prosper in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). “.… Thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “… [Their] (Eve’s and Adam’s) … iniquities (violation of God’s instructions) … [immediately] … separated [them]… from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Every man (or woman) is tempted, when … [they are] … drawn away of his (or her) 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). THAT day “…Sin (the violation of God’s instructions) entered into the world, and (SPIRITUAL) DEATH through sin, and so (SPIRITUAL) DEATH passed to all men(women)—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…SIN IS the transgression of the law (violation of God’s instruction)….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death (spiritual death)…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed] … MUCH GOOD (GOD IS “THAT” GOOD)…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “… [They were] …separated … from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). They were NOW “…DEAD in … sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…Through one man… [or Adam and 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 (the HOLY Spirit) of God…” (Romans 3:23).
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4. ADAM AND EVE “ATE” THE FORBIDDEN APPLE AGAINST GOD’S HOLY INSTRUCTION, WHAT HAPPENED “IMMEDIATELY?” “…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). IMMEDIATELY, Adam, Eve, and ALL of mankind became “…separated from the [Holy] LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…At that moment their eyes were opened (to an existence without the Holy Spirit of God)…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “… [They immediately became] … separated from the [Holy] LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… [Their] … iniquities …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). WHy DOES AN ACT OF SIN SEPARATE MANKIND FROM GOD? “…Your INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God (holy) …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God (who is HOLY)…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). CAN THE “HOLY” GOD FELLOWSHIP WITH SIN OR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS? WHY OR WHY NOT? “…what fellowship [can God, the Holy Spirit of] righteousness [have]... with unrighteousness? And what communion [can God, the Holy Spirit of]... light [have]...with darkness? And what concord [can God, the HOLY Father of]...Christ [the Word OF Truth] ...with Belial? Or what part [of an abiding branch] that believeth [have]...with an infidel (who doesn’t believe)?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV). “…between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).
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5. Whom had adam and eve separated themselves from? “…[Their]... INIQUITIES (sin) ....separated (divided them)... be [from their] God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). ADAM AND EVE YIELDed THEMSELVES TO THE EVIL ONE. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU YIELD YOURSELF TO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO OBEY THEM? “…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey (follow after), his servants ye are to whom ye obey (follow after); whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). “...the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV). NAME A WAY THAT THE REDEEMED SOUL CAN BECOME EMPOWERED TO SERVE RIGHTEOUSNESS INSTEAD OF THE SINFUL NATURE? “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). SHOULD REDEEMED SOULS STOP FELLOWSHIPPING WITH OTHERS BELIEVERS? WHY OR WHY NOT. “...And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near...” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT). “... Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching...” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).
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6. WHEN THE REDEEMED SOUL TRUSTS AND DEPENDS UPON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT WILL HE EMPOWER THEM TO LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM FROM THE SINFUL NATURE? “…God ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). WHEN THE REDEEMED SOUL TALKS TO GOD THROUGH PRAYERS, DOES HE ANSWER THEM? God, the Holy Spirit says, “….call upon me …and pray unto me and I will [LISTEN] unto you…” (Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJV). “...I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you...” (Hosea 14:5-9 NASB).“…Abide in Me, and I in you …” (John 15:4-6 NASB). IF THE REDEEMED SOUL IS NOT A SLAVE TO OR PRISONER OF THE SINFUL NATURE ANY MORE, WHAT IS HE OR SHE? “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...For in him we live, and move, and have our being (identity); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV). 6. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES THE REDEEMED soul FREELY CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IN ORDER TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST? “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…the will of God (his heart’s desire, his choice, what he wants, etc.), [is]…your SANCTIFICATION …” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). WHEN THE REDEEMED SOUL CHOOSES TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RENEWING THEIR MINDS, WILL THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT HELP AND EMPOWER THEM TO DO IT? YES. “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…You are my help and my deliverer… (Psalms 40:17 NASB). “…It is God who WORKS IN YOU…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). COULD THE REDEEMED SOUL BE TRANSFORMED WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT? “…Apart from [the INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT] YOU (REDEEMED SOULS) can do nothing….” (John 15:5 KJV). IF THE REDEEMD SOUL CHOOSES TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RENEWING THEIR MINDS WILL THEY TRANSFORM INTO THE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST. “ ... in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
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8. OUTSIDE OF THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT, WHAT ELSE DID GOD GIVE THE REDEEMED SOUL TO EMPOWER THEM TO BE TRANSFORMED? “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “… His name (Jesus) is called The Word of God …” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “... [Jesus, the Word] ... opened their minds to understand the Scriptures...” (Luke 24:45 NLT). WHAT WILL THE WORD OF GOD EMPOWER THE REDEEMED SOUL TO DO? “…All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV). “... Let the Spirit (the Word, scriptures, etc.) renew your thoughts and attitudes...” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT).“…THE WORDS (scripture) THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT …” (John 6:63 KJV). THE WORD OF GOD RENEW THE THOUGHTS. WHERE DOES THE THOUGHTS COME OUT OF? “... from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder...” (Mark 7:21 NLT). “… For out of the HEART come EVIL THOUGHTS—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). The bible says, “…as he [or she] thinketh in his [or her] heart, so is he [or she]…” (PROVERBS 23:7 KJV). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RENEW THE INFORMATION AND TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE
9. WHAT WAS PLANTED WITHIN THE HEART OF THE REDEEMED SOUL IN SEED-LIKE FORM? “… … THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). WITH THE SEED PLANTED IN THE HEART OF THE REDEEMED SOUL, DOES THAT GIVE THEM A NEW HEART? HOW? “…If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [New creations]… are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus …” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV). “…it is God (the Holy Spirit) which worketh in [new creations]…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).God says, “…I WILL GIVE ...[them]... a new heart, and I will put a new spirit ...[within them]. I will take out ...[their]... stony, stubborn heart and give ...[them]... a tender, responsive heart…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…it is God which worketh in ...[them]... both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). WHO CAN CLEAN THE HEART OF THE REDEEMED SOUL? “…Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV).“.... [The redeemed souls, therefore, keep] ...holy and clean, washed by the cleansing [power]...of God’s Word ...” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV). “...[The redeemed souls]... are clean through the WORD which I (Jesus, the Word) have spoken unto [them]...” (John 15:1-10 KJV). “… Apart from [Jesus, the Word, You, the redeemed soul]…can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
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10. What will cleaning the heart do for the mind? “…Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV). RENEWING THE INFORMATION - STORED IN THE HEART BY THE EVIL ONE - THROUGH THE CLEANSING WORD OF GOD IS CALLED WHAT? “…Christ ….loved the church, and GAVE himself for it; That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it, with the washing of water by the word (of god)….” (Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “… The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY (cleanse) you ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...God has chosen you from the beginning for SALVATION through SANCTIFICATION (cleansing power) by the Spirit and faith in the truth…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB “….ye are SANCTIFIED (cleaned) …in the name of the Lord Jesus (the Word), and by the SPIRIT of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV). THE INFORMATION, STORED IN THE HEART BY THE EVIL ONE, CAN COME OUT OF THE HEART TO FORM WHAT KIND OF THOUGHTS IN THE MIND? “…..out of the HEART come EVIL THOUGHTS—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV).
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11. THE INFORMATION, PUT INTO THE HEART BY THE WORD OF GOD, CAN COME OUT OF THE HEART TO FORM WHAT KIND OF THOUGHTS IN THE RENEWED MIND? “…..out of the HEART come ... [GOOD] ... THOUGHTS — [love, joy, peace, gentleness]…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). HOW ARE THOSE “GOOD” THOUGHTS PRODUCED? WHEN THE REDEEMED SOUL CHOOSES TO RENEW THEIR MINDS WITH THE WORD, HOW WILL YOU BE ABLE TO WITNESS WHO THEY ARE? "....The....[indwelling]... Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [their] ...lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…Ye shall know [those with the indwelling Holy Spirit]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). HOW DOES A REDEEMED SOUL PRODUCE A “LOT” OF FRUIT? “…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit … ” (John 15:1-11 NASB). "…My Father is glorified by this, that “[THE REDEEMED” bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be...[HIS]... disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). WHEN THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT BEGINS TO PRODUCE SPIRITUAL FRUIT IS THAT A SIGN THAT GOD IS WORKING “IN” AND “THROUGH” THE REDEEMED SOUL? “…God ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his (the REDEEMED)… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
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12. WHEN THE REDEEMED SOUL BEGINS TO BEAR SPIRITUAL FRUIT, PEOPLE WILL WITNESS A TRANSFORMATION IN THEIR WHAT? WHEN “ONE” REDEEMED SOUL DOESN’T CHOOSE TO HAVE THEIR MINDS RENEWED BY THE WORD, HOW CAN IT IMPACT THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS-IN-CHRIST? "…A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough…" (Galatians 5:9 NIV). "… You must purge the evil from among you…” (Deuteronomy 21:18-21 NIV). “…Abstain from all APPEARANCE OF EVIL…” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV). GOD DOES NOT WANT HIS PEOPLE TO BE CONFORMED TO WORLDLY WAYS AND PRACTICES. IN WHAT WAY DOES GOD WANT HIS PEOPLE TO Become conformed? “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “…And do not touch what is unclean…” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB). “…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). WHAT WILL CONFORMING TO WORLDLY BEHAVIORS AND WAYS DO TO THE REDEEMED SOUL? “…thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and …art polluted with their idols…” (Ezekiel 23:30). Will GOD KNOW IF REDEEMED SOULS ARE NOT SINCERE ABOUT THEIR WALK WITH HIM? “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT). GOD IS NOT LOOKING AT WHAT A REDEEMED SOUL DOES OUTWARDLY AS MUCH AS HE IS LOOKING AT WHAT? “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man (woman) of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
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13. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH “EVERYTHING” IN THE WORLD AND UNDER THE POWER OR INFLUENCE OF THE EVIL ONE? “.. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT). “…the whole world lies under the power (INFLUENCE) of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV). “... Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants (the Evil One’s servants) ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death (following the Evil One into bondage or imprisonment), or of obedience unto righteousness (following Jesus into freedom)?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). WHY IS A CHRIST-LIKE WITNESS IMPORTANT TO GOD? “…LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may see your good works…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV), “…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).THE REDEEMED SOUL HAS THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN THEIR HEARTS. What does 2 corinthians 5:17 say they’ve become? “…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). CAN THE REDEEMED SOUL BECOME CHRIST-LIKE WITHOUT JESUS, THE LIVING WORD? “….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit and Word), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
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14. WHAT IS A REDEEMED SOUL CALLED THAT “LOOKS” CHRIST-LIKE ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT IS NOT ON THE INSIDE? “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). “…thou …art polluted with their idols…” (Ezekiel 23:30). WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT A REDEEMED SOUL THAT KEEPS GOD’S COMMANDMENT? “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). WHAT ARE REDEEMED SOULS WHO HAVE ONE FOOT IN THE CHURCH AND THE OTHER IN THE WORLD? “…A double minded man (woman) is unstable in all his ways…” (James 1:8 KJV). WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL THE REDEEMED SOUL TO DO WITH “EVERY” THOUGHT? “... take captive EVERY THOUGHT to make it obedient to Christ (the Word)...” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). WILL GOD WORK WITH THE REDEEMED SOUL TO EMPOWER THEM TO BECOME CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON? “... For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
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15.THE RENEWED MIND COMES FROM A CLEAN HEART, WHICH SENDS INFORMATION, FROM GOD’S WORD, TO THE MIND TO “FORM” THOUGHTS THAT EMPOWER THE REDEEMED SOUL TO FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS. TRUE OR FALSE? “... we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive EVERY THOUGHT to make it obedient to Christ (the Word)...” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). The redeemed mind that comes from a clean heart will WITNESS God’s presence, goodness, and power (WHICH IS HIS GLORY) upon earth. HOW WILL GOD’S GLORY BE REVEALED “IN” AND “THROUGH” REDEEMED SOULS? "...My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples...” (John 15:8 NIV).The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). “Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV). A CLEAN HEART IS INSTRUMENTAL IN ENABLING THE REDEEMED SOUL TO PRODUCE SPIRITUAL FRUIT. WHAT WILL THIS PROVE? "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). Therefore, “…BE YE transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…” (Romans 12:2 KJV).WHAT IS GOD’S GOAL, NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S GOAL FOR THE REDEEMED SOUL’S HEART? God’s goal is “…to make [the heart]… holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV). “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). Why? The heart “…is deceitful ABOVE all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
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16. EXPLAIN HOW THE HEART OF THE REDEEMED SOUL CAN BECOME CLEAN. “You are “… [cleansed]… through [God’s]… truth: thy word is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). Therefore, “…Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (COLOSSIANS 3:16 KJV). When “…Christ [dwells] in your hearts by faith …” (Ephesians 3:17 KJV). Jesus becomes the cleansing Word. “…Christ ... [comes to dwell]…in your hearts by faith …” AFTERWARD Jesus “… [purifies your]… hearts by faith...” (Acts 15:9 KJV). JESUS IS SENT INTO THE HEART OF THE REDEEMED SOUL IN SEED-LIKE FORM. WHEN “THAT” SEED IS WATERED BY GOD’S WORD WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE REDEEMED SOUL? “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). AND “…conformed to the image of his Son...” “... [Jesus]...Christ...[the Word is dwelling].... in your hearts …” (ROMANS 8:29 & Ephesians 3:17 KJV). “… THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). God, the Holy Spirit represents a type of water and refers to himself as “...spring of living water...” (Jeremiah 2:13 KJV). The bible says, “....I (God, the Holy Spirit) will pour my Spirit upon THY SEED...” (Isaiah 44:3 KJV). “…The [indwelling]...HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (to produce fruit) THROUGH [the redeemed SOUL] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “...the (indwelling) Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [the redeemed soul’s]... lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
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17. God is “not” human, but spirit. he was “not” created to be like humans, but he created humans how? “….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). “….God …breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). BEFORE A SOUL IS REDEEMED, THEY ARE A “DEAD” SOUL. HOWEVER, AFTER A SOUL IS REDEEMED WHAT DOES THAT SOUL BECOME AGAIN? “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...For in him we live, and move, and have our being ( our NEW IDENTITY); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV). “….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).“….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). They were originally created in God’s “image”, which is SPIRIT. “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you (AGAIN)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). BEFORE YOU BECAME A “NEW CREATION” OR A REDEEMED SOUL, WHAT DID YOU USED TO BE? “...You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language...” (Colossians 3:6-8 NLT). “...once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true...” (Ephesians 5:7-9 NLT). “... thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God...” (1 Corinthians 6:10-11 NLT).“…old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________18. DOES THE REDEEMED SOUL HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO LIVE AND WALK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS? God says, “…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). “…it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). IF THE REDEEMED SOUL CHOOSES TO UTILIZE THE WORD AND DEPEND UPON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT TO EMPOWER THEM, WILL THEY CONFORM TO THE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST? “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). WILL THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE REDEEMED SOUL HAPPEN BY FORCE, OR BY MAGIC, OR SIMPLY BECAUSE A PERSON IS SAVED, OR WILL IT HAPPEN BY THEIR “OWN” WILLFUL AND VOLUNTARY CHOICE TO RENEW THEIR MINDS? “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).
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