Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

C.I.: God's Grace & Our Choices

So far… - Life is full of choices. – Today we will see how – by God's grace, we can make good choices – everyday.

I. Making “Grace-Full” Choices

A. Seeing the Choice of “SIN” for What It Really Is!

1. Making graceful choices – begins with seeing sinful choices for what they are; – rebellion against God!
a. ( Lam. 3:42 ), “We have sinned [the act] and have rebelled [the mental decision to go against God].”
1) Hate sin & mindset, ( 2 Cor. 7:1 ), ”Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh & spirit.”
2) EX.: We cannot stop lying – without first destroying the pride behind it.
3) We cannot put bitterness to death – without also dealing with the anger that produced it.
4) We cannot kill lust – unless we also demolish the selfishness – that is at the root of it.

b. Seeing this situation from God's perspective, ( Jms. 4:4 ), “You Adulteresses! – Do you not know ….”
1) Adulteresses? - God has given believers to His Son to be His bride, - ( quote Eph. 5:31-32 ).
2) Therefore, every time we consider sinning – we should see it as “CHEATING ON GOD!”

c. Making Grace-Filled choices requires cooperation between us and God.
1) ( Tit. 2:11-12 ), “For the grace of God has appeared…instructing us to deny ungodliness and…!”
2) God sent His grace – we need to learn from it – and to respond, “…deny… and live…!”
3) Now let us look more closely – at how we & God working together – can put sin to death!

B. Steps to Making “Grace-Full” Choices:

1. Step #1: It begins with a proper mental focus …
a. ( Rom. 6:1-2 ), “What shall we say then, shall we continue in sin… How shall we to died to sin ….”
1) Sin/temptation only have as much power over us – that we give to them.
2) Their power is diminished to “0” – if we choose to not think of them at all.

b. ( Rom. 8:5 ), “For those who are according to the flesh – set their minds on the things of the flesh.”
1) “Mind set on the flesh” = Refusing to see sinful choices from God's perspective!
2) The consequence for doing this = “…the mind set on the flesh is death,” ( v. 6 ).
3) Because is “ rebellion ,” ( Rom. 8:7 ), “…the mind set on the flesh is hostile towards God ….”


c. The proper mental focus – is to view our choices from God's perspective…
1) ( Rom. 8:5b-6b ), “…those who are according to the Spirit [set their minds on] the things of the
Spirit…the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”
2) Therefore, what we pay attention to control us! – ( I Tim. 4:1 ), “The Spirit explicitly say that in
later times some will fall away from the faith , paying attention to deceitful spirits & the doctrine….”
3) So we have a choice - ( Rom. 8:13 ), “…if you are living according to the flesh , - you must die ; - but
if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, - you will live .”

2. Step #2: God provides us with the tools – to make good choices!
a. ( II 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 divinely powerful for the destructions of fortresses. – We are destroying speculations and every lofty
thing raised up against the knowledge of God, - & we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”
1) “Divinely powerful” = they have come from God – and us such are guaranteed to work!
2) “Fortresses” = those thoughts Satan has put inside of us – to keep us under his subjugation!

b. ( Eph. 6:10-17 ), “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might . - Put on the whole armor of
God , that you may be able to stand firm against e schemes of the devil. – For our struggle….”
1) It is by God's grace – that He has given to us “HIS ARMOR”! – Our armor wouldn't work!
2) “Truth” = Jesus ( Jn. 14:6 ), Satan can't whip Him – “Righteousness” = God's not ours ( Rom.
3:10; 1:17 ) – “Gospel of Peace” = Robs Satan of His victims/prey, ( Mk. 16:15; Rev. 12:11 )
– “Faith” = Overcomes all Satan throws at us, ( I Jn. 5:4 ) – “Helmet of Salvation” = No
doubts for us! ( I Jn. 5:13 ) – “Sword of the Spirit” = “Word of God” ( Heb. 4:12 )!

C. God's Grace Allows Us to Choose…

1. We get to choose – our thoughts.
a. If we focus our mind on God & the things of God… Victory!
1) But if not, ( Jms. 1:13-16 ), Let no one say when he is being tempted, ‘I am being tempted by
God'; - for God cannot be tempted by evil, - and He Himself does not tempt anyone. – But
each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust . – Then when lust is
conceived… - Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”

2. We get to choose - in whose armor we will put our trust: God's or our own!
a. We can try to use our own “armor” (i.e., self-control, self-discipline, personal rules).
1) But we already know that these won't work – don't we?!!!
2) ( Col. 2:20-22 ), “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of this world, - why as if you
are living in the world do you submit yourselves to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not
touch!' – (which all refer to things to destined to perish with the using) – in accordance with the
commandments and teachings of men?”
a) This means creating man-made rules – instead of trusting in God!
b) ( Gen. 2:17; 3:3 ), “…for the day that you eat of it – you shall surely die.” – “You shall not eat
from it or touch it, lest you die.”
3) ( Col. 2:23 ), “These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self - made
religion & self -abasement & severe treatment of the body, - BUT ARE OF NO VALUE AGAINST
FLESHLY INDULGENCE!” – Our armor will not work against Satan!

CONCLUSION:

1. Where is my mental focus; Self or God?

2. In whose armor do we trust; ours ( Do not handle ) or God's ( Put on the... )?

3. Are you saved or lost? ( Mk. 16:16; Matt. 7:21 )