““Choose for yourselves this day Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15)24:15)

““Compulsive physiological and Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-psychological need for a habit-forming substance”; “the forming substance”; “the condition of being habitually or condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.”involved in something.”

ControllableControllable??Victim?Victim?AccountabiliAccountabili

ty?ty?

Deut 30:19-Deut 30:19-2020

Josh 24:15Josh 24:15

Chosen Chosen Behavior (Sin Behavior (Sin

and Good)and Good)Free of guilt Free of guilt and shame?and shame?

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Cannot cease from sin, 2 Peter 2:14Cannot cease from sin, 2 Peter 2:14Eyes full of adultery (cf. Job 31:1)Eyes full of adultery (cf. Job 31:1)Heart Heart trainedtrained in covetous practices in covetous practices

Sons of disobedience, Eph 2:1-3Sons of disobedience, Eph 2:1-3Fulfilling desires of the flesh and the Fulfilling desires of the flesh and the mindmindChildren of wrath by nature (Children of wrath by nature (habithabit, , course of conduct)course of conduct)

Sin’s enticement and its temporary Sin’s enticement and its temporary pleasures can consume a person, pleasures can consume a person, Heb 11:25; Jas 1:14 Heb 11:25; Jas 1:14 3

Sears the conscience, 1 Tim Sears the conscience, 1 Tim 4:1-24:1-2Hardens the heart, Heb 3:12-Hardens the heart, Heb 3:12-1313Makes repentance Makes repentance “impossible”, Heb 6:4-6“impossible”, Heb 6:4-6Addiction to sin can be Addiction to sin can be overcome in Christ! 1 Jno 4:4; overcome in Christ! 1 Jno 4:4; Rom 8:37; Heb 4:12Rom 8:37; Heb 4:12 4

Romans 3:15-18Isaiah 59:7-8

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Sin, left unattended, grows worse Sin, left unattended, grows worse and worse, 2 Tim 3:13and worse, 2 Tim 3:13Sin’s addiction: Eyes that are set Sin’s addiction: Eyes that are set on sin, 2 Pet 2:14; 1 Jno 2:15-16on sin, 2 Pet 2:14; 1 Jno 2:15-16

Lust of the flesh (sensual Lust of the flesh (sensual satisfaction)satisfaction)Lust of the eye (covetousness)Lust of the eye (covetousness)Pride of life (self-exaltation)Pride of life (self-exaltation)

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Ruled by sin, Rom 6:6, 12, 16; 2 Ruled by sin, Rom 6:6, 12, 16; 2 Pet 2:19Pet 2:19Not forced to sinNot forced to sinWhen we choose sin we are enslaved When we choose sin we are enslaved to itto itPromising freedom, it produces Promising freedom, it produces slavery!slavery!Alcohol and drugs Alcohol and drugs promise escape promise escape without accountabilitywithout accountabilityGamblingGambling promises wealth without promises wealth without worriesworriesPornographyPornography promises fulfillment promises fulfillment without consequenceswithout consequences

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1 John 2:28-291 John 3:7-9

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Develop a heart given to doing Develop a heart given to doing God’s will, Gal 2:20God’s will, Gal 2:20Addiction to sin can be broken:Addiction to sin can be broken:

Do not let sin rule over you; kill it! Do not let sin rule over you; kill it! Rom 6:6-7; 11-14; Col 3:5-7 Rom 6:6-7; 11-14; Col 3:5-7Yield yourself to obedience, Rom Yield yourself to obedience, Rom 6:15-186:15-18Be alert to the dangers of sin, Rom Be alert to the dangers of sin, Rom 13:1113:11

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Addiction to sin can be broken:Addiction to sin can be broken:Deliberately choose to stop sinning, Deliberately choose to stop sinning, Rom 13:12-13 (repent of all sin, 2 Cor Rom 13:12-13 (repent of all sin, 2 Cor 12:21)12:21)Put on the Lord, Rom 13:14Put on the Lord, Rom 13:14

Make no provision for the addictive sinMake no provision for the addictive sinReplace evil with good, Rom 12:21, 2Replace evil with good, Rom 12:21, 2Self-control (mind over body), 1 Cor Self-control (mind over body), 1 Cor 9:27; 2 Pet 1:5-69:27; 2 Pet 1:5-6Prayer, Phil 4:6-7Prayer, Phil 4:6-7

Obey, trusting God to work, Phil 2:12-Obey, trusting God to work, Phil 2:12-1313

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Establish an addiction to Establish an addiction to righteousness, Phil 4:8righteousness, Phil 4:8

Be persuaded by the love of God, Be persuaded by the love of God, Rom 8:38-39 Rom 8:38-39Diligently guard your heart, Prov Diligently guard your heart, Prov 4:234:23Trust the Lord with all your heart, Trust the Lord with all your heart, Prov 3:5-8 Prov 3:5-8

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Sin is not forced on usSin is not forced on usIt is possible to refuse sin and It is possible to refuse sin and to obey righteousnessto obey righteousnessChoose whom you will serve:Choose whom you will serve:

Sin leading to deathSin leading to deathObedience leading to Obedience leading to righteousnessrighteousness

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