Serving the Lord and building a strong Christian character, part two of three is our focus for the study today. We hope that the first part of the study laid a strong foundation regarding sin and human nature.  Now that we have an understanding of human nature, let’s learn about the Christian Nature.  What does God want us to do and what type of nature should we have.

In the previous study we analyzed the first two sins, Pride and Murder.  This is just a few of the many sins that humans have committed and continue to committee since the Original Sin.  What other sins have humans committed and what does God have to say about sin in general.  Well, the Lord established a set of rules known as the Ten Commandments and they were handed to Moses and the Jewish people.  The law was established to expose our short comings and inability to meet God’s standard.  Exodus chapter 20 verses 1 through 17 states:

• 1 And God spoke all these words: ² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ³ “You shall have no other gods before^[a] me. ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. ⁷ “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. ⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. ¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. ¹³ “You shall not murder. ¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery. ¹⁵ “You shall not steal.¹⁶ “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. ¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Let’s divide the Ten Commandments into two groups, Loving the Lord and Restrictions on human behavior.  The intention here is to simplify the commandments within two easily comprehendible categories.  The first four commandments speak solely about the love and honor we are supposed to have for our God, our Creator.  God must be supreme in our lives, greater than our parents or anything else we cherish on this earth.  He deserves our entire love and our whole attention.  In the second section, God addresses our sinful nature and points out actions that are detrimental to us and to others.  We must abstain from these activities and wholeheartedly fulfill the first section in honoring God.  

When a teacher of the law asked Jesus “Of all of the commandments, which is most important”, Jesus responds in Mark chapter 12 verses 29 through 31 that ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^{[a] 30} Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^{[b] 31} The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[c] There is no commandment greater than these.”  When we analyze the different groups of the Ten Commandments, we see that Jesus simplified the two groups into two statements: Love the Lord and Love others.  If you love someone as you do yourself, you will not harm them in anyway.    

Of course we know that due to the Original Sin, a generational curse was placed on us by God.  The Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 6 verse 23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Paul also says in Romans Chapter 3 verse 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.   These verses combined explain the affects of sin and the generational curse.  It also provides a solution to sin which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul elaborates on the topic of sin and the purpose of the laws.  He says in Romans chapter 3 verses 19 through 20, ¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. ²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.  Essentially, Paul is saying that the law was created to expose our sinful nature as mentioned earlier.  We will never be able to live perfect lives and be able to fulfill the Ten Commandments.  Furthermore, Paul provides with a standard; if we walk with the Lord and are led by the Holy Spirit, then our nature will transform.  Let’s see what Paul has to say in detail.

Galatians chapter 5 verses 16 through 26, Paul says walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

This may be too much to digest, but what we take away from Paul’s message is to be guided by the Spirit and allow Christ to take control of our lives.  People allow themselves to be under the influence of alcohol.  The repercussions are detrimental as it makes us act in a pathetic manner.  On the contrary, being under the influence of the Holy Spirit produces a different result.  It transforms our nature into possessing the character Paul described: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that will shine like a lighthouse for the world to see.  Moreover, we know that once we accept Jesus Christ, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit as is illustrated by Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verses 19-20.   He says ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 

The acts of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19-21, begins with a thought.  The mind plays a crucial role in committing sin, as it is the inception of sin.  Therefore, put your thoughts on God as is explained in Colossians Chapter 3 verse 2; set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  If we become heavenly minded then our perspectives begin to change.  For instance, we won’t be caught up in controversies or provocations of evil people.  Our goal will be to serve the Lord and assume His viewpoint in our lives. 

Simply put, once the believer receives the Lord, through Jesus they have power over sin. However, some still grapple with it, and it takes longer for some to break the chains of sin. Furthermore, the situation is exasperated when we willing place ourselves in compromised situations. We are taught in Psalms 27:17 that iron sharpens irons. Therefore, have a network of support for accountability helps in the Christian walk. Ultimately, your environment and people you associate yourself with do make a difference and will affect your focus on God.  Even the music you listen to will have an affect, so analyze your situation and see how you can have more of Christ and less of the world in your life. 

Here are a few recommendations on protecting your mind and ensuring that you are lead by the Holy Spirit.  Please make sure you test your actions and see how many of the Fruits of the Spirit you have in you. 

Please take these suggestions into consideration. 

1. Pray in the mornings
2. Read the Bible in the morning and meditate on those verses throughout the day
3. If you are rushing in the morning, then consider downloading podcasts or Bible study applications to listen to while commuting to work or school
4. Try to pray throughout the day and ask the Lord to protect your hearts and minds from temptation
5. Associate yourself with Christ minded people so that you may sharpen each other.
6. Be mindful of the music you listen to as well.

If you haven’t already accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and don’t know where you will spend your eternal life, prayer this prayer to receive the Lord: Lord Jesus I know that I am sinner and I ask you forgive me of my sins.  I believe that you were crucified for my sins and through your blood I have redemption and salvation.  Please come into my heart and I receive you as my God.  I pray in Jesus name. AMEN 

Please check out the third part of this study by clicking here