Thoughts on Discipling Christian Life What It Is Part 2

B2 Why it is

C1 What we live in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds reflects what we really believe.

C2 We may say we believe something, but how we act, talk, do business, etc. reveals our true motivations and beliefs.

C3 We need a renewed mind, then study, fellowship, and application.

C4 Christians are in the Kingdom of God. This is where Jesus reigns. It is not on earth, yet. Today the enemy’s kingdom prevails. God is King of the Universe (and beyond). Believers are those who believe and are loyal to The King.

D1 King Jesus and His kingdom

E1 This was offered to Israel during Jesus’s 3+ years of ministry, but Israel rejected it. They only wanted a physical kingdom, if He did what they wanted—overthrow the Romans, give them plenty of food, let them define religion, and be the powers behind the throne. Jesus did not do this. His kingdom is a kingdom based on spiritual relationship to Him.

F1 John 6:15 MKJV Therefore when Jesus perceived that they would come and take Him by force, that they might make Him a king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain alone by Himself.

F2 Luke 19:14 MKJV But his citizens hated him. And they sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this one to reign over us.

F3 John 19:15 MKJV But they cried out, Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him! Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

E2 The heart of Christians: Colossians 1:13-14 MKJV For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins.

E3 Some characteristics: Galatians 5:22-26  WEL But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be longing for empty praise, irritating one another, and envying one another.

E4 A Kingdom of peace:

F1 Between nations: Isaiah 2:2-4 NIV In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

F2 Between animals, etc.: Isaiah 11:6-9 NIV The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra's den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

E5 The leadership style is different: Matthew 11:28-30 NIV Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

D2 The devil’s

E1 1 John 5:19 WEL We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.

E2 The characteristics of satan’s kingdom: 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

E3 satan blinds instead of gives sight: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

E4 More characteristics of his kingdom: Galatians 5:16-21  WEL I say, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you want to. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sin, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

E4 The Bible foretells the last days attitude: 1 Timothy 4:1-3 NIV The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

E5 His leadership style is control: 3 John 1:9-11 GW I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won't accept us. 10 For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he's doing. He's not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers we send as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation. 11 Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.

D3 The contrast between God’s kingdom and satan’s

F1 Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others

F2 Matthew 12:26-28 NKJV If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

F3 Acts 26:17-18 NIV I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

F4 Romans 14:17 NIV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

B3 Are you living a Christian life, the Kingdom of God??

C1 In thoughts, desires, words, and deeds

C2 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 WEL Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what does righteousness have in common with unrighteousness? What fellowship is there between light and darkness? 15 What harmony does Christ have with Satan? What does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What does the Temple of God have in agreement with idols? For you are the Temple of the Living God, just as God has said, “I will live in them and walk in them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 “So then come out from among them. Be separate,” says the Lord, “and do not touch [what is] unclean, then I will accept you, 18 “And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.

C3 Psalms 111:10 GW The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Good sense is shown by everyone who follows God's guiding principles. His praise continues forever.

Thoughts on Discipling Christian Life What It Is Part 1

B1 What it is

C1 God’s way of thinking

C2 God’s way of living

C3 God’s desire for creation, especially humans

C4 Titus 2:12 WEL Teaching us that by refusing ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live in this present world with self-restraint, righteously, and pleasingly to God.

C5 There are only 2 worldviews. Compare Proverbs 7-9 between the woman named folly and the one named wisdom. This is one article that teaches that contrast The Two Women: Madam Folly and Dame Wisdom (Proverbs 7-9)

D1 God’s view

E1 Some basic Scriptures

F1 We leave the old view to live the new: 2 Corinthians 5:17 WEB Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

F2 We need to be conformed. To His death has the idea of we die too. We die to the old life, desires, actions, motivations, goals, etc. Philippians 3:10 WEB that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death.

F3 This is the fruit of the new worldview. If everyone alive had this fruit, this would be the culture and actions of the whole world. Sadly, we know what the whole world lives like. Galatians 5:22-26 WEB But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

F4 Real love, as God defines, would be the norm. The following list is the love of the Christian worldview. We don’t see this much, because Christians are most likely ignorant. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8a Love never ends,

F5 God’s worldview has His people doing good works, as He defines them. Ephesians 2:10 WEB For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

F6 The New man and woman have put off the old worldview to follow these rules: Colossians 3:9-11 WEB Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

F7 God’s worldview has us reading, studying, and applying the teaching of the New Testament. 1 Peter 2:2 WEB as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby,

F8 God’s worldview has us praying that God’s will be done, not any other will. Luke 11:2 WEB He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

F9 God’s worldview has priorities. If faced with a terrifying choice of family or God, the new worldview takes comfort in their new family. Luke 18:29-30 WEB He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the Kingdom of God’s sake, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

E2 A few links

F1 Essential Christian Worldview

F2 The Christian Worldview is Supported by Evidence

F3 Seven Questions that Define a Christian Worldview

F4 What Is a Christian Worldview

D2 Not God’s view would be the opposite. This is the world we live in today. We see wars, conflicts, lies, deceit, theft, arguments, hate, name-calling, abuse, etc. This is not God’s way of life.

D3 The contrast between God’s worldview and any other worldview. In this passage, flesh refers to any other worldview and spirit refers to God’s worldview. This is pretty consistent in the New Testament. It doesn’t usually refer to the human flesh which God created. Context helps us to understand.

E1 The worldview labeled as flesh: Galatians 5:19-21 WEL Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sin, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

E2 The worldview labeled as spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 WEL But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

A Few Thoughts About Worldviews

A worldview is defined as A worldview is the set of beliefs about fundamental aspects of Reality that ground and influence all one's perceiving, thinking, knowing, and doing. (Source).

A list of worldview includes: Buddhistic, Islamic, Jehovah's Witness, Christian Science, Narcissistic, Feminism, Postmodernism, Social justice, Atheism, Agnosticism, Pantheism, Panentheism, Spirit, Simulation, satanic, Secularism, Marxism, New Spirituality, and many others.

According to the Bible there are only two: flesh and spirit.

Flesh

B1 The foundation this worldview is the self. It is evil. Jeremiah 17:9 NLT The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

B2 It is out of our hearts that evil comes. Matthew 15:19 NLT For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

B3 Original sin is NOT that we are punished for Adams’ sin. That is error!

C1 Ezekiel 18:19-20 NLT "'What?' you ask. 'Doesn't the child pay for the parent's sins?' No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent's sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child's sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.

C2 Deuteronomy 24:16 NLT Parents must not be put to death for the sins of their children, nor children for the sins of their parents. Those deserving to die must be put to death for their own crimes.

B4 Original sin is Me First. It is my desires, thoughts, words, and deeds. Me, Me, Me. James 4:3 NLT And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

B5 God is not pleased with the flesh worldview: Ephesians 2:3 NLT All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else.

B6 Flesh and Spirit contrasted: Romans 8:5-8 NRSV 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (6) To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (7) For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law—indeed it cannot, (8) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

B7 This is a worldview enslaved and addicted to sin:

C1 Galatians 3:22 NLT But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

C2 Titus 3:3 NLT Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

C3 1 Peter 4:3 NLT You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy--their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

B8 What this worldview leads to (Some do more evil than others): Galatians 5:19-21 NLT When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

B9 This worldview has the desires of power, money, and sex.

B10 The 10 Commandments list the broad classifications of sins with many subsets of sins under each. (See Exodus 20).

Spirit

B1 Christians have been cleansed from, redeemed from, saved from:

C1 Ephesians 2:3 NLT All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else.

C2 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people--none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

B2 We are warned to abandon the flesh worldview: Galatians 5:16-18 NLT So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

B3 The actions and fruits of the life with the worldview of the Spirit. These words have to be defined as God defines them in Scripture, not popular culture: Galatians 5:22-24 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

B4 There are ~1,000 rules in the New Testament for Christians to follow. Some examples:

C1 Romans 12.

C2 1 Thessalonians 5:12-27.

C3 James 4.

We have a choice to make. We can live by God’s worldview or the flesh. God’s grace is sufficient.

James 4:4-6 NLT You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NLT Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

Two Worldviews

1. Flesh/Word
2. Spirit

Basic Verses

Romans 8:1-10 WEL There is now not any condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, [those] who don't walk after the flesh but after the spirit. [97.7% contain the whole verse]

2 For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus freed me from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh because of sin, condemned sin in the flesh,

4 So that the righteousness of the law could be fulfilled in us who don't walk after the flesh but after the spirit.

5 Those following the flesh are interested in the things of the flesh, but those following the spirit [are interested in] the things of the spirit.

6 To have a carnal mindset [is] death, but to have a spiritual mindset [is] life and peace,

7 Because the carnal mind [is] hostile to God, because it does not submit to God's law, nor indeed can it.

8 So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But you are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if it is so that God's Spirit lives in you, and if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

10 And if Christ [lives] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin, but the spirit [has] life because of righteousness.

Flesh versus Spirit

B1 Some general thoughts

C1 Flesh usually refers to physical flesh as muscles, bones, skin, etc. 1 Corinthians 15:39 NKJV All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

C2 Sometimes it refers to heritage.

D1 All humans: Romans 3:20 NKJV Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

D2 Israelites: Romans 9:3 NKJV For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh.

C3 Occasionally it refers to worldview.

D1 Romans 7:5 NKJV For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.

D2 Galatians 5 is the main chapter for this. Galatians 5:16-26 WEL I say, "Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you want to.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sin, moral corruption, unrestrained lust,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

24 Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be longing for empty praise, irritating one another, and envying one another.

D3 This passage teaches

• The flesh worldview is opposite the spirit worldview.
• They desire to overcome, overpower the other.
• The flesh is under the law. The spirit is not (it is under grace).
• The actions of the flesh worldview in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds are
  • Adultery
  • Sexual sin
  • Moral corruption
  • Unrestrained lust,
  • Idolatry
  • Witchcraft
  • Hatred
  • Strife
  • Provoking jealousy
  • Hot anger
  • Pushing to be first
  • Selfish scheming
  • Dissensions
  • Heresy,
  • Envyings
  • Murders
  • Drunkenness
  • Wild partying
• Those living the flesh worldview do not go to heaven.
• The fruit of the Spirit worldview are
  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Longsuffering
  • Gentleness
  • Goodness
  • Faith,
  • Meekness
  • Self-control
• There are no laws against this fruit.
• Those who live the spirit worldview have killed the flesh worldview.
• Those who live the spirit worldview do not desire
  • Empty praise
  • Irritating one another
  • Envying one another.

B2 Some concluding thoughts

C1 The natural state of every human is depraved. It is both in an active and passive sense.

D1 In the active sense, it is everyone is addicted to sin, just as surely as those addicted to anything. John 8:34 CSB Jesus responded, "Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.

D2 In the passive sense, it is everyone does not and can not seek God. Romans 3:11 CSB There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.

C2 God seeks us. If God did not seek us, we would be lost to God’s judgment and eternal, conscious punishment.

D1 Luke 19:10 CSB "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

D2 Matthew 25:46 NKJV "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

C3 To those who believe the Gospel and place their faith into Jesus as the only Savior will have everlasting life. John 3:36 NKJV "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

C4 We are now dead in Christ. The old nature and self are dead. There is now a new creation and new heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

C5 The new creation and new heart seeks to glorify God and do His will through God’s grace. Matthew 5:16 NKJV "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

C6 By God’s grace we can live for Him every day.

D1 Hebrews 13:9 NLT So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them.

D2 1 Peter 5:12 NLT I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God's grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

Ephesians 4:17-23

A1 Scripture

B1 NKJV: This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (Ephesians 4:17-23)

B2 WEL: [17] Therefore I speak this and bear witness in the Lord, that from now on you walk not like other Gentiles walk in the emptiness of their mind. [18] Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. [19] Who being callous gave themselves over to lustful pleasure to do every kind of impurity with insatiable desire. [20] But you haven't learned Christ in this way. [21] If you learned Him and been taught by Him, then, as the truth is in Jesus, [22] Get rid of the former lifestyle, the old man, which is rotten from deceitful lusts. [23] Instead be renewed in the spirit of your mind. (Ephesians 4:17-23

B3 GNB: In the Lord's name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. They have lost all feeling of shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of indecent things without restraint. That was not what you learned about Christ! You certainly heard about him, and as his followers you were taught the truth that is in Jesus. So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—-the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, (Ephesians 4:17-23)

A2 Outline

B1 Lifestyle and Worldview

C1 Gentiles (unsaved)

D1 Futility of their mind

D2 Understanding is darkened

D3 Alienated from the life of God

D4 All the above from ignorance

E1 Blindness of heart

E2 Callous

E3 Addicted to fleshly pleasures―impurity of all sorts

C2 Gentiles (saved)

D1 Jesus is THE teacher

E1 We are the learners

E2 He the teacher

E3 Jesus tells the truth

C3 The old lifestyle must go, disappear, not be followed anymore, forsaken

D1 Because it is the "old man."

D2 It is rotten.

D3 All from deceitful lusts.

C4 We are to be renewed in the spirit of our mind

A3 Notes

B1 Definitions

C1 Gentiles: non-Israelites (Jews)

C2 Futility of their mind = the mind is our thinking ability, the place where we think. Futility is emptiness, non-thinking ability, "being stupid," etc. Futility is the idea of having no truth, sense of truth, interest in the truth, so that when truth comes along, it is suppressed ("For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18 NKJV). It takes the Holy Spirit's initiative and action to open our minds and hearts to the truth.

C3 Understanding is darkened = understanding is comprehension, the ability to "catch on" to something. The idea of choices have consequences is not foreseen, and so they (we) make stupid choices that lead to unintended, perhaps consequences that are difficult, life threatening, death, pain in ourselves or others. Darkened because God's ways and thoughts are not present in us. When and if we hear about God and His ways, our unregenerate heart rebels and rejects it unless the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds.

C4 Alienated from the life of God = we are under God's curse because of our sin and the sin of the world. We are separated from God and doomed to destruction.

C5 Blindness of heart = What causes all this is humanity's ignorance from a blind heart (a heart that cannot see, understand, know God and His ways), callousness from sinning and suppressing the guilt (justifying ourselves), and addicted to pleasing our various and sundry desires. Sin is very addictive.

C6 The saved Gentiles are different because of Jesus teaching, the Holy Spirit's conviction of our heart, and opening the way to trust into Jesus Christ.

C7 Because we are now new creations, we must live that way. The Bible has the means and rules to do this. The Holy Spirit is our helper, encourager, prodder, rebuker (when needed) to keep going.

B2 Questions and applications

C1 How are you living your life in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds?

C2 Is there a difference in our lives now that we are Christians? Is this something that others can see? Matthew 5:14-16 HCSB You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

C3 Before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit humanity was divided into Jews or Gentiles. Now it is Jews, Gentiles, and Church. The church are all those who believe and trust in Messiah Yeshua for salvation, forgiveness of sins, and restored fellowship with God.

C4 We need reminders from each other and the Scriptures to keep faithful to New Testament doctrine and life. We should be teaching each other, praying for each other, encouraging each other, and reading/studying the Bible each and every day.

C5 A few of the rules that the Lord Jesus has given us in the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-26 NRSV And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. 25 Beloved, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. (Emphasis is mine).