Series Two: The Man of God

In the Christian life, we know that explicit sin must be expunged as we grow in Christlikeness. But we must also be careful to manage what particular “portals” (or gateways) where temptation and sin can gain entrance into our lives. This section will deal with five particular areas. While not at all exhaustive, this study will give the man of God the opportunity to begin thinking critically about how to walk faithfully with the Lord.

Areas of sin that will be examined through this section should not be looked at as compartmentalized. Sin in your life is like a web. Everything is interconnected on some level. While you may have consistent victory in one particular sin in your life, do not be so quick to think that failures in another will not make you more vulnerable where you already have victory.

As Paul writes to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, he says he “disciplines” his body. In the vernacular we might say, he “punches himself out” in order to make his body his slave, so that he will not be disqualified as a result of sin in his life. That being said, let’s examine some of the most generic and common portals.

1. We must be aware of the tendency to fear or worry.
   1. Fear is connected to idolatries of time and personal gain.
   2. Fear is self-preservation (Matt 6:25–34).
      1. This can be life-consuming.
      2. This results in pursuing things you are good at.
      3. Spiritual priorities become muddied.
   3. Fear is a lack of trust in God’s provision (Col 3:1–4).
   4. Fear leading to selfishness results in lack of concern for others (Phil 4).
2. We must be aware of our tendency to become inordinately attached to “things.”
   1. This is the backside of what fear and anxiety produce in one’s life.
   2. We must guard against being weighed down with them such that they rule our affections.
      1. This can be particularly difficult in our country.
      2. We’ve been blessed by God, but we must be discerning with our freedom and resources.
      3. The ruling affection of your heart must say, “The Lord can give or take.”
   3. Failure to do so will inhibit wise decision-making.
   4. We must follow the example of Job—“Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10).
   5. Christ must be our controlling affection (Luke 9:57–62).
   6. Relational affections for anything cannot rival Christ (Luke 14:26).
3. We must guard against the temptation to become bitter or easily offended.
   1. The Christian’s tendency must be toward forgiveness (Prov 19:11).
   2. When we don’t forgive, it is a reflection of what is going on in our own spiritual life.
   3. Bitterness as a Christian is like saying to Christ, “I want all of the benefits of the cross but I won’t offer that to someone else.”
   4. Not only forgive, but also give blessing to those who offend you (1 Pet 3:9).
   5. Carrying bitterness invites satanic deception and folly.
   6. Carrying bitterness steals joy and peace (1 Pet 3:10–12).
      1. You focus on human justice.
      2. You lose focus on God.
   7. Bitterness not dealt with will erode convictions in other areas of your life.
   8. Carrying bitterness will cause you to have to fight unnecessary battles in sanctification.
   9. Being easily offended turns into personal baggage.
4. We must guard against a strong appetite for amusements.
   1. This is a huge issue for young men in our culture (Prov 6:6–11; 19:15; 1 Tim 5:11–13; 2 Thess 3:6–8).
   2. Enjoying leisure is not inherently wrong.
   3. The problem is loving it (Eccl 3:10; 4:5; 5:12; 10:18; 1 Cor 6:12).
      1. It takes away from ministry time.
      2. It erodes sober-mindedness.
   4. Real life is a spiritual war and it is serious (1 Pet 1:13).
   5. How you guard your heart makes the difference.
5. We must guard against fear of man (Prov 29:25; Gal 2:11–13; Jas 1:9–11).
   1. This is a concern over your own reputation.
      1. That is the opposite of what Proverbs 3:6 says.
      2. Our greatest concern in the church should be the reputation of God.
   2. There are times that your reputation may be criticized and it may be unjust, but there are plenty of other things they could have criticized and been right. They just picked the wrong thing.
   3. It is an idolatry of your own significance.
   4. You must be honest with the Lord and say, “What am I trying to portray to others? And is it even remotely what I truly strive to be or even remotely connected to the reality of my heart?”
   5. Nothing will plague your godliness and ministry as a man and discipler of other men more than wanting to be “somebody” (Jas 3:16).
   6. Can God shelve your ministry and you be okay with that?

Other Portals Requiring Examination

1. Idolizing family (You must love Christ more than your family.) (Luke 14:26–27; 2 Cor 6:14–15)
2. Intellectual pride (Jas 3:13–15)