Psalm 23:1-6
Quicksand
Life can be that way sometimes.
We live in an environment that constantly presents temptation, which presents depression, which presents hopelessness, which presents discouragement.
Jesus has already won that battle.
Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we are freed from the pull of sin and sin’s temptations.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, and the new is here.”
Colossians 3:3 “For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Ephesians 2:6 “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realm.”
1 Corinthians 15:57 "Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
#1. What is our enemy?
Temptation will always try to take away our freedom.
1 John 5:4 “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world.”
We will always be fighting a battle against sin.
Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of His resurrection.”
#2. We are saints.
That is a lie from the enemy.
That is not what God desires.
Yes, I'm a sinner saved by grace, but I find myself trapped more in sinning than enjoying the freedom of grace.
What's the enemy trying to do?
2 Corinthians 5:17 "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new."
"Well if the old me has passed away, why do I still wrestle?"
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick, who can understand it?”
Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.”
What does that mean?
#3. Live toward that.
Saints don't go through the door that says Temptation.
“You do not deserve the right to sit at the table.”
We too can enjoy that victorious life.
WAY OUT.
Don't go in the door to begin with.
You must build safeguards in the way that you live, and keep away from the door of temptation.
The best way out is to stop gazing at the door marked Temptation and go in the opposite direction.
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.”
But being a Christian means that you have set a priority that God and His church are first.
"All of this is mine because I'm enjoying the favor of Almighty God."
“No more”
"I rebuke you; get up from my table and leave me alone."
"I rebuke you; you have no place at my table."
Learn to trust Him.