Homework Assignment 4

1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 6:12; 1 Pet. 1:14   According to these passages, what are we commanded to do?

Are you diligently obeying these commands?  Why?

Do you abstain (i.e., refrain) from fleshly lusts, or do you give in to them? Why?

How do you keep from giving in to them?

Gal. 5:24         

Those who belong to Christ Jesus (i.e., Christians) have done what?

Are you crucified to the flesh (dead to enslavement to your sin nature from which we have been set free through Christ’s death) with its passions and desires?  How?

Gal. 5:16; Eph. 5:18   

What are we told to do in order to not carry out the desire of the flesh?

Are you allowing God’s Spirit to control you moment by moment, decision by decision in order not to carry out the desires of the flesh?  Why?

If not, what do you think you need to do, in order for this to be true in your life?

Rom. 13:14     

What are we commanded to do here?

 Are you doing this? If not, what do you plan to do about it, and why?

 [“To put on the Lord Jesus Christ” means to be filled/controlled by the Holy Spirit by choosing as an act of your will to make Christ the Ruler of your life.].

 [“To make no provision for the flesh” is to not set yourself up, to not make the opportunity available to sin.].

Do you mentally plan ahead as to how you can make it easy for yourself when you want to sin?

[If you have a problem with sexual lust, don’t go near “X” or “R” rated movie theaters or TV programs, magazine racks and video stores that carry sexually-explicit materials, internet sites, strip joints, etc.  If you have a problem with over-eating, don’t go to all-you-can-eat restaurants.  If it’s alcohol, stay away from bars or parties where you know it will be present.].

Col. 3:5

According to this verse, what are we to consider dead (i.e., no longer enslaved to)?

[“members of our earthly body” – a metonymy, the cause or source is substituted for the effect or product; here, it is what our body member/parts do that is sinful.]
.

Why (vs. 3)?

[“died” – our old non-Christian self died when we became a Christian, 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3-11].

Are you considering as dead the members of your earthly body (e.g., your eyes, mind, hands, sex organ), so that you’re no longer committing passion/lust (“pathos” – uncontrolled, depraved lust) because, as a Christian, you are no longer a slave to your sinful nature?

[I no longer have to view women as sex objects or act like a dog, wanting to have sex with every female.  I no longer have to feel excessive desire for material things or money because of feeling discontent, unhappy, unsuccessful, or insecure.].

Gal. 5:22, 23   

Are you choosing as an act of your will to apply the fruit of self-control to your desires, thoughts, and actions, so that you won’t lust? Why?