Freedom Series (Part 7)

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Freedom Series

(Part 7)

Good morning and welcome to Jesus Church

In the middle of a series on Freedom in Christ

• We are talking about how to get free from sin in your life
  • Many people think they can’t… just how I am
  • This is just what I deal with
  • But that is a lie from the enemy
• You CAN get free from bondage… You CAN walk away from that sin
  • But you have to understand what is really going on
  • You have allowed the enemy into your life
  • And until he’s kicked out – You will keep falling to habitual sin

Last week – Talked about this verse in 1 John

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.

• Covered the 2nd of the 3 major doors of enemy
  • Lust of the eyes
    • Eve ate Fruit because it was pleasant to her eyes
    • Desirable to make one wise
  • She desire knowledge/wisdom outside of God
    • Concluded that I don’t have the best with God
    • I need to find it on my own

This week – Cover lust of the flesh

• Very serious and destructive door
  • Destroys lives… relationships… so it’s a heavy subject but
  • Bible says it’s a matter of life and death
  • So it’s a door we need to talk about
• Because it will cause both physically and spiritually death
  • In case it can save one life or marriage or child
  • We need to go through this

A lot so far has all been bad news

• Starting next week
  • Start talking about the good news
  • No more of the “WHAT”… we’ll get into the “HOW”
    • How to be set free – How to stay set free

[Pray]

Story – Michelle & I start dating… try to do backflip

Proverbs 7 – Powerful chapter

• The King Solomon is actually watching a young man fall on his head
  • And he narrates what he saw
    • Describes how spirits use lust of flesh to operate
    • Through something that actually happened
• Read entire chapter – I’ll point out things as we go – Start at V. 1

My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live (Talking about life and death), And my law as the apple of your eye.

Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. (Memorize) Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.

• You are about to see something Solomon actually witnessed
  • Talks about the immoral woman
  • Actually describing is the spirit of lust

For at the window of my house, I looked through my lattice, and saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,

• Not just calling a kid a “Whipper Snapper”
  • Devoid of understanding – Means he lacks will/ability/wisdom
    • Why: He’s already in bondage
    • See because he purposefully goes to the wrong place
  • When Biblical concept of “Lust of the flesh” has ahold of you
    • Robs you of wisdom, will, and understanding

Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house, (He did it, went there) In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night.

• Lust of the flesh… brings you to be in wrong place at wrong time
  • It will get you to Plan
  • When it can happen… How it can happen… where it can happen
    • So you can operate in this spirit (its game plan)

And there a woman met him, with the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

• This spirit will draw you in with
  • Something that you will remember and think on
  • Its goal is to control your thoughts and stay in your thinking
  • Not constantly dominate your thoughts
    • But just be there enough to strike at the right time

She was loud and rebellious (Spirit not Woman – Lust in society is loud, in your face and rebellious), Her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. So she caught him and kissed him;

• Like we said last week… The enemy always shows his hand
  • This is how the spirit of lust works
  • There is always a shock or surprise
    • Something you see in an ad
    • Something you hear someone say
    • Someone smiling at you in that way
      • A comment
      • A touch
      • A look
• When it shocks you… God is telling you to turn and run
  • Love this part of the passage
  • Lets me know the enemy will tip his hand
    • At some point, it will be shocking
    • And if you stop being shocked – You’re in trouble

(Kissed him) With an impudent face she said to him: “I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.

So whats the context: Where did she go to get offerings & pay vow

• Offerings – At Temple / Vows – To God
  • What she is saying: I’ve gone to church… I’m right with God
  • I’ve got peace offerings for us to give afterwards
• Here is the lie: I’ve set everything up for us to sin
  • Then we can just ask for forgiveness
  • No one gets hurt

Now do we have grace for our mistakes – ABSOLUTELY

• Are we saved by the power of Jesus sacrifice – ABSOLUTELY
  • BUT: Jesus did not die so you could be free to sin
  • He died so you could have life, not death
• When you are actively making provision for sin in your life
  • You’re inviting death into your personal/spiritul/family life

Verse 15

So I came out to meet you (spirit pursues you), Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. I have spread my bed with tapestry, colored coverings of Egyptian linen. (Always preparation and convenience going down this road) I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.

Lust always disguises itself as love… but lust isn’t love (cheap imitation)

• World calls it “Making love”… or a “one night stand”
  • Do you see how the world makes it sound like not a big deal
  • Just one night… what’s wrong with love…
• But ask anyone who’s life has been ruined by Lust of the Flesh
  • Its destruction can be for a lifetime
  • And its not even the love that you long for in your heart
• And this comes out in some many ways… its sinful desire
  • To hurt that person before they hurt you
  • To get the deepest cut in to win the argument

Lust is from Hell… its prevalent in our world

• Its totally self absorbed and completely self destructive…
  • Where God calls you to seek peace (opposite to lust of flesh)
  • God calls you to forgive instead of get even

Verse 19

For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.”

• Here another lie: You won’t get caught – Everything is worked out
  • I’ve even taken care of it with God
  • The situation is a prepared
  • You don’t even have to worry about getting caught
• Spirit of Lust try and convince you
  • You will be first in history not to have any consequences
  • This won’t effect you

But it will and here’s how…

With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter (life or death), Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.

• Many theologians believe King Solomon executed them for this
  • Law said was penalty for adultery was death
  • So literally this led to death
• But for us… Spiritually going down this path leads to death
  • He did not know it would cost him his life
  • He did this in secret… at night… promised it was safe
  • But the king was watching through the window
• Going down this road – Might think you are covering it up
  • But the king is watching
  • He is the one person you can’t hide from

Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. (This is something strong people fall to) Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death.

If you desire to pursue a relationship with Jesus

• This is something you need to find freedom in
  • Because if you don’t want to get free of “Lust of the flesh”
  • Proverbs 7 says: It’s a path that leads to hell
• What is Hell: Ultimate separation from God
  • If you want to continue in this
  • Do you really want a relationship with Him

3 words to describe this door

2 on how to shut this door

1 – Desire (Lust means Desire)

Gk. Epaphameol – Neutral word (It can be a good or bad word)

• Same word usually translated “LUST” is used to describe Jesus

Luke 22:15

Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer”

• Desire could actually have been translated Lust
  • Jesus didn’t have evil lust
  • He had strong desires

God gives every one of us desires… and we should fulfill those desires

• When describing Lust
  • These are Worldly/Deceitful/Evil desires
  • God’s desires are pure/edifying/in step with His word
• But Satan twists it into an evil lust
  • Turns desire into lust
  • And ends up with us in bondage

Gal. 5:16-17

Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

• Flesh desires against the Spirit… spirit desires against the flesh
  • I’ve always see this as a negative (but it can be positive too)
  • Because if you are so in love with Jesus… desire to be like him
  • Your desire for the flesh will start to die: One decision at a time

Rom 8:5-6

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

• Make no provision
  • This spirit will try and plan it out for you

2 – Deception (verse in middle)

Prov. 6:27-36 – Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes into his neighbors wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent. People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; he may have to give up all the substance of his house. Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul.

Seems random: People don’t despise a thief who steals for hunger

• People need to understand if you need to satisfy (sustain) your life
  • Lust will never satisfy you
  • Always make you want more
• In fulfilling a Godly desire… you can be satisfied
  • But any Unhealthy desires
    • Cravings will only get worse
    • Brings you into more and more bondage
• Saying: If you pursued satisfaction… someone might understand
  • But you’re not – because lust will never satisfy
  • Food… sex… power… success… control
    • Lust for those things: Will destroy your souls

Prov. 27:20

Hell & destruction are never full; so the eyes of a man are never satisfied.

• Lust is an empty promise… it’ll promise to find you what you need
  • And will be the sole reason you end up lost

3 – Death (Desire, Deception… progression)

James 1:14-16

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (just like the guy) and enticed (caught by surprise). Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown (remain in the sin), brings forth death.

• Prov. 7 – He did not know it would cost him his life

Rom. 8:12,13

Therefore brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh to live according to the flesh (How clear this is). For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the spirit (only through the spirit) you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

• Love always brings life… lust always brings death

Not always immediate, physical death

• Remember God said to Adam and Eve
  • If you eat of that tree, you will die
    • Didn’t die physically, immediately
    • They died spiritually
• How many people die spiritually because of lust… and with it
  • Their spiritual passion dies
  • Their spiritual hunger dies
  • Their spiritual desire dies
• They had a desire for the good things… but that will die
  • Now desire is consumed by things of death
  • How many marriages have died (love of a marriage)
    • I don’t love her anymore
    • You feel this because you engaged in things of death

How many families been sacrificed on this alter

• How many businesses dies… how many pastors callings die
  • How many promotions and raises
  • All Because of this spirit
  • Everything consumed by this spirit: DIES

Solution: Deliverance & Discipleship

Quote by Jack Hayford

You can’t cast out the flesh and you can’t disciple a demon.

Many churches believe in one or the other

• Some say it’s all about deliverance – But once you’re delivered
  • You need discipleship
  • Understand how to keep that door shut
  • And help to retrain your mind how to think
• Others say its all about just discipline
  • Completely ignore the spiritual side of influence and bondage
  • 1/3 of Jesus ministry freeing people from spiritual bondage
    • Told disciples to do the same
      • Heal the sick
      • Preach the gospel
      • Cast out demons

Deliverance & Discipleship together in 1 verse

2 Cor 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (deliverance), casting down arguments (Discipleship) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

• We need deliverance and discipleship
  • Rev. 12 – Overcome by
    • Blood of the Lamb (Deliverance)
    • Word of our testimony (Discipleship)
• If you struggle with any bondage – Pride/Lust of eyes or flesh
  • There is a stronghold in your life
• Stronghold – Neutral word (Good or Bad)
  • Lord should be our stronghold
    • Hard day… fight with someone… financial problems
    • Should run to THEE stronghold

Stronghold Means: A train of thought…

Mind like grand central station

• Trains of thought arriving and departing all the time
  • Your (destiny) destination depends on the train you board
• Enemy presents trains of lustful thoughts which will bring death
  • And the more you get on those trains
  • Easier it is to board when stressed

Get on the train of life

Phil 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

This is how overcome… fill your mind with things of God

• Greek definitions of stronghold (3)
  • Main: Fortress (safe place to run – Lord or Lust)
  • Second: A prison
  • Once: A tomb
• Think about the three words today
  • Desire – Can be a fortress… if you turn to God
  • Deception – Stronghold becomes a prison
  • Death – Stronghold becomes a tomb

1 Peter 2:11 – Absatin from fleshly lust that war against your soul.

• Opening this door allows the enemy into your Mind/Will/Emotions
  • It will effect your mind (decision making)
  • It will effect your will (ability to fight)
  • It will effect your emotions (depression and fear)

Let God be the one you run to

2 Sam. 22:3

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold & refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.