100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:06,720The more your sin has grown, the more difficult your battle will be to kill it200:00:06,720 –> 00:00:13,800but the more the sin has grown, the more urgent it is that you begin that warfare against it now300:00:13,800 –> 00:00:17,160Sin is a power, it has a vigor within it400:00:17,160 –> 00:00:21,559you have to track it down and deal with it or it will destroy you500:00:21,559 –> 00:00:25,360You’re welcome to open the bible with Pastor Colin Smith, i’m David Pick600:00:25,760 –> 00:00:30,480and Colin, there may be someone listening today thinking well that’s exactly right for me700:00:30,480 –> 00:00:34,320Sin does have a hold on me and I just don’t know how to fight it800:00:34,320 –> 00:00:37,040Yeah, well I’m so glad that you’re listening to the programme today900:00:37,040 –> 00:00:41,520because we’re going to look at a very simple, biblical strategy for fighting sin1000:00:41,520 –> 00:00:42,220Three steps1100:00:42,220 –> 00:00:43,1191. Know it1200:00:43,119 –> 00:00:44,1602. Stock it1300:00:44,160 –> 00:00:45,0993. and kill it1400:00:45,099 –> 00:00:49,480and the last part comes directly from Romans chapter 8 and verse 131500:00:49,480 –> 00:00:54,980We’re to be proactive in fighting against sin1600:00:54,980 –> 00:00:58,020and so the first thing, of course, is we have to know what we’re up against1700:00:58,020 –> 00:01:02,900and then we need to identify where it is active in our particular lives1800:01:02,900 –> 00:01:04,599and then we’re to give it no room1900:01:04,599 –> 00:01:07,839We’re to put it to death by the power of the Holy Spirit2000:01:07,839 –> 00:01:10,599who lives within every Christian believer2100:01:10,599 –> 00:01:12,139and that’s what gives us hope2200:01:12,139 –> 00:01:14,080So give us a bit more on that point Colin2300:01:14,080 –> 00:01:17,820I understand the three steps but the last part, putting it to death2400:01:18,400 –> 00:01:20,199I just can’t seem to get that to work2500:01:20,199 –> 00:01:22,599Yeah, that’s right and the way that that’s often said2600:01:22,599 –> 00:01:25,019is you know this sin’s too powerful for me2700:01:25,019 –> 00:01:27,180It’s too hard, it’s bigger than I am2800:01:27,180 –> 00:01:29,040and the answer to that is2900:01:29,040 –> 00:01:30,660it may be bigger than you are3000:01:30,660 –> 00:01:33,580Not bigger than the power of the Holy Spirit3100:01:33,580 –> 00:01:35,059who lives within you3200:01:35,059 –> 00:01:36,620and that’s what it means to be a Christian3300:01:36,620 –> 00:01:39,120I say to folks, if you’re not a Christian3400:01:39,120 –> 00:01:41,680you come to Jesus Christ and he will give you3500:01:41,680 –> 00:01:45,019not only his forgiveness but the power and presence of his Spirit3600:01:45,019 –> 00:01:46,360and if you are a Christian3700:01:46,440 –> 00:01:50,300You’ve got to count on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit3800:01:50,300 –> 00:01:52,540because he has been given to you3900:01:52,540 –> 00:01:54,699in order to fight this battle4000:01:54,699 –> 00:01:56,220So we’re going to get into it today4100:01:56,220 –> 00:01:58,459at very, very practical4200:01:58,459 –> 00:02:00,360God has given us his spirit4300:02:00,379 –> 00:02:03,360that we will be able to prevail in the battle against sin4400:02:03,360 –> 00:02:05,160So join us today if you can4500:02:05,160 –> 00:02:07,139in James chapter 14600:02:07,139 –> 00:02:08,360as we continue the message4700:02:08,360 –> 00:02:12,100turning from as much as you know of your sin4800:02:12,100 –> 00:02:13,300Here is pastor Colin4900:02:13,300 –> 00:02:18,419How much do you know of your own sin?5000:02:18,419 –> 00:02:24,119How familiar are you with the workings of your own heart?5100:02:24,139 –> 00:02:28,779What would you say were the top three sins5200:02:28,800 –> 00:02:31,000to which you are most vulnerable5300:02:31,000 –> 00:02:34,460at this point in your life?5400:02:34,460 –> 00:02:36,380If you can’t answer that question5500:02:36,380 –> 00:02:37,500you need to take some time5600:02:37,500 –> 00:02:39,639until you can do it5700:02:39,639 –> 00:02:41,759What would you say5800:02:41,839 –> 00:02:43,580are the top three sins5900:02:43,580 –> 00:02:45,080to which you are most vulnerable6000:02:45,119 –> 00:02:46,660at this point in your life?6100:02:46,660 –> 00:02:48,919If you don’t know the answer to that question6200:02:48,919 –> 00:02:51,860how can you possibly be on your defences against them6300:02:51,860 –> 00:02:56,699and how can you possibly be launching an assault towards them?6400:02:56,699 –> 00:02:58,740You’ve got to know them6500:02:58,740 –> 00:03:03,179You’ve got to know where the battle is in your life right now6600:03:03,179 –> 00:03:06,740I found it a very helpful exercise to list them6700:03:06,740 –> 00:03:10,259Identify them clearly6800:03:10,460 –> 00:03:13,100Now I want to encourage you, in this, to use the Bible6900:03:13,119 –> 00:03:17,460as a regular tool for self-examination7000:03:17,460 –> 00:03:21,080Being brought up I was taught a very simple method of Bible study7100:03:21,119 –> 00:03:23,759that included three important questions7200:03:23,759 –> 00:03:25,720Whenever you read the Bible ask7300:03:25,720 –> 00:03:29,000Is there a command to obey?7400:03:29,000 –> 00:03:31,520Is there a promise to believe?7500:03:31,520 –> 00:03:34,119Is there a sin to avoid?7600:03:34,119 –> 00:03:35,300I found that very helpful7700:03:35,300 –> 00:03:36,779Is there a promise here, to believe?7800:03:36,779 –> 00:03:38,199Is there a command here to obey?7900:03:38,199 –> 00:03:40,220Is there a sin here to avoid?8000:03:40,220 –> 00:03:43,539Whenever you read the Bible ask these questions8100:03:43,539 –> 00:03:44,720So for example8200:03:44,720 –> 00:03:47,660sometimes it opens up things that aren’t quite obvious, you see8300:03:47,660 –> 00:03:50,500and God speaks to you through them8400:03:50,500 –> 00:03:54,100I was reading recently the story of the four men8500:03:54,100 –> 00:03:57,399who took their paralyzed friend to Jesus8600:03:57,399 –> 00:04:01,520and got discouraged at first because they couldn’t get anywhere near8700:04:01,520 –> 00:04:03,460and then they got creative8800:04:03,460 –> 00:04:05,139And they climbed up onto the roof8900:04:05,139 –> 00:04:06,059you remember this story9000:04:06,059 –> 00:04:07,639dug a hole through the roof9100:04:07,660 –> 00:04:10,220and then lowered their friend on the mat9200:04:10,220 –> 00:04:12,619so that he came right down through the roof9300:04:12,619 –> 00:04:13,679to the very feet of Jesus9400:04:13,679 –> 00:04:14,580You’ve gotta say brilliant9500:04:14,580 –> 00:04:16,260I mean it is absolutely brilliant9600:04:18,540 –> 00:04:20,459What’s the sin to avoid?9700:04:22,380 –> 00:04:24,380the sin of giving up too quickly9800:04:26,679 –> 00:04:30,019the sin of saying it’s too difficult9900:04:32,019 –> 00:04:34,839the sin of saying I can’t be bothered10000:04:35,720 –> 00:04:39,720I found that helpful because God spoke to me through that10100:04:39,720 –> 00:04:44,480when you read the Bible ask the question is there a sin to avoid?10200:04:44,480 –> 00:04:45,820God’s Word is light10300:04:45,820 –> 00:04:48,579and if we’re going to succeed in our battle against sin10400:04:48,579 –> 00:04:53,079we need to understand where it is going on within us10500:04:53,079 –> 00:04:56,279and it is the scripture that God will use10600:04:56,279 –> 00:05:00,720to identify where the struggle is at its most fierce10700:05:01,339 –> 00:05:06,799now its also useful alongside this regular self-examination10800:05:06,799 –> 00:05:11,040to have particular times when we examine ourselves10900:05:11,040 –> 00:05:15,320more closely and again you can use the scriptures to do this11000:05:15,320 –> 00:05:18,980the most obvious way to do it is perhaps the ten commandments right down on a11100:05:18,980 –> 00:05:20,019piece of paper what11200:05:20,019 –> 00:05:24,600each commands requires in your own words11300:05:24,600 –> 00:05:28,540and then use that to examine yourself and to explore11400:05:28,540 –> 00:05:32,600what is going on in your life in relation to the calling that God has11500:05:32,600 –> 00:05:33,459given to you11600:05:33,459 –> 00:05:36,899there are other passages of scripture that you can use11700:05:36,899 –> 00:05:41,679remember that last Sunday we looked at Job chapter 3111800:05:41,679 –> 00:05:45,619where Job goes through 17 areas of his life11900:05:45,619 –> 00:05:48,940and declares to God that he has maintained12000:05:48,940 –> 00:05:54,459integrity in all of them I have to tell you when I read that last week12100:05:54,459 –> 00:05:57,980I find myself saying you know I’m not sure that I could go through all of these12200:05:57,980 –> 00:06:01,339and come up with that conclusion before the Lord12300:06:01,339 –> 00:06:04,519so what I’ve done here for us is to turn Job’s12400:06:04,519 –> 00:06:07,679seventeen statements in chapter 3112500:06:07,679 –> 00:06:11,140into seventy questions so that we can12600:06:11,140 –> 00:06:15,500read through them as I have done this week and use them as questions12700:06:15,500 –> 00:06:18,540to examine ourselves use these questions12800:06:18,540 –> 00:06:22,820as the scripture is God’s light to shine into your heart12900:06:22,820 –> 00:06:27,079to help you know where the issues are and therefore where the battle has to be13000:06:27,079 –> 00:06:27,660fought13100:06:27,820 –> 00:06:31,920the first priority in turning from sin is that you should know it13200:06:31,920 –> 00:06:35,640and if you can’t identify what it is from which you need to turn at this13300:06:35,640 –> 00:06:36,480point in your life13400:06:36,480 –> 00:06:41,200you won’t make very very little progress and it’s a13500:06:41,200 –> 00:06:44,799vagueness about repentance13600:06:44,799 –> 00:06:49,760that causes so many Christians to get stuck so that the13700:06:49,760 –> 00:06:53,559path remains hidden to them and13800:06:53,559 –> 00:06:57,040very little progress is made or change is seen13900:06:57,040 –> 00:07:01,579so first strategy know it second strategy14000:07:01,579 –> 00:07:06,220stock it once you have identified14100:07:06,220 –> 00:07:12,260where the heat of the battle is then you need to deal14200:07:12,260 –> 00:07:16,799with the area of sin that you have clearly identified14300:07:16,799 –> 00:07:20,540by watching for its movements14400:07:20,540 –> 00:07:24,540in your life so let’s take some practical examples14500:07:24,899 –> 00:07:28,500Suppose that you have discerned as you’ve looked at the scriptures14600:07:28,500 –> 00:07:32,140and you’ve examined your own heart that you really need to14700:07:32,140 –> 00:07:38,140deal with some issues of pride or lust14800:07:38,140 –> 00:07:43,720or laziness or unbelief or whatever it is but you’ve14900:07:43,779 –> 00:07:47,619identified an area or a couple of areas where you say there15000:07:47,619 –> 00:07:52,859needs to be significant change in my life here if I’m to move15100:07:53,459 –> 00:07:59,720forward as a Christian. What are you going to do next?15200:07:59,720 –> 00:08:05,339As you stalk these things you’ll be asking questions like this.15300:08:05,339 –> 00:08:12,859When am I most vulnerable to this? in what ways do I see this15400:08:12,859 –> 00:08:22,559being expressed in my life? Now nobody at least in my own15500:08:22,799 –> 00:08:29,019immediate upgrade to John reading has proved more helpful15600:08:29,019 –> 00:08:33,239on this issue than John Owen. I’m going to put his book there,15700:08:33,239 –> 00:08:37,500it has the marvelous title the mortification of sin. My wife15800:08:37,500 –> 00:08:40,539looked at the cover last night and she said, Wow, it looks15900:08:40,539 –> 00:08:45,780seriously interesting. I tell you and I promise you this is16000:08:45,780 –> 00:08:49,719pure goal. John Owen wrote in the 17th century, He was a16100:08:50,659 –> 00:08:53,559sole. I don’t know if there’s been any Christian writer16200:08:53,559 –> 00:08:56,760throughout history outside of the New Testament who had a16300:08:56,760 –> 00:09:01,260deeper and more penetrating understanding of the inner16400:09:01,260 –> 00:09:06,159workings of a Christian believers wife. Uh wife. I’m16500:09:06,159 –> 00:09:12,979sorry. Life. I do apologize.16600:09:13,940 –> 00:09:16,979Right.16700:09:17,479 –> 00:09:25,159Let me give you a sample of Owen on stocking sin. He says,16800:09:25,159 –> 00:09:31,359ask envy. what it aims at You16900:09:31,359 –> 00:09:33,700see, isn’t that brilliant? Where17000:09:33,700 –> 00:09:35,960are you taking me and where are17100:09:35,960 –> 00:09:39,359you going? Murder and17200:09:40,359 –> 00:09:43,380execution. So, set yourself17300:09:43,380 –> 00:09:45,340against it as if it had already17400:09:45,340 –> 00:09:48,640got there. That’s brilliant. In17500:09:48,640 –> 00:09:50,280a similar vein, he says, every17600:09:50,280 –> 00:09:53,799unclean thought or glance would17700:09:53,799 –> 00:09:56,880be adultery if it could Every17800:09:56,880 –> 00:09:58,780covetous desire would be17900:09:58,780 –> 00:10:00,039oppression and every18000:10:00,039 –> 00:10:01,919unbelieving thought would be18100:10:01,919 –> 00:10:06,619atheism. So, you look at that18200:10:06,619 –> 00:10:08,000unbelieving thought that plagues18300:10:08,460 –> 00:10:10,340you and you say I know where18400:10:10,340 –> 00:10:12,099you’re going and if I follow18500:10:12,099 –> 00:10:13,479you, I’ll be an atheist and18600:10:13,479 –> 00:10:14,539I’ll have no hope for this life18700:10:14,539 –> 00:10:16,320or the world to come either. I’m18800:10:16,320 –> 00:10:18,000not going there. So, you draw18900:10:18,000 –> 00:10:20,280it out. You ask it where it’s19000:10:20,280 –> 00:10:22,760going. Sin’s expression, he19100:10:22,760 –> 00:10:23,679says, is modest in the19200:10:23,679 –> 00:10:24,880beginning but once it has19300:10:24,880 –> 00:10:26,919gained a foothold, it continues19400:10:26,919 –> 00:10:28,840to take further ground and19500:10:28,840 –> 00:10:30,239presses on to greater heights.19600:10:30,239 –> 00:10:31,940Again, He says, we need to be19700:10:31,940 –> 00:10:34,359intimately acquainted with the19800:10:34,359 –> 00:10:36,359ways, whiles, methods19900:10:36,520 –> 00:10:38,820occasions which gives it20000:10:38,820 –> 00:10:41,440success. This, he says, is how20100:10:41,440 –> 00:10:44,039men deal with their enemies.20200:10:44,039 –> 00:10:45,479They think warfare now, you20300:10:45,479 –> 00:10:47,159see. They search out the plans20400:10:47,159 –> 00:10:49,559of the enemy, ponder his goals20500:10:49,559 –> 00:10:51,320and consider how and by what20600:10:51,320 –> 00:10:53,260means the enemy has prevailed20700:10:53,260 –> 00:10:55,479in the past, then, the enemy20800:10:55,479 –> 00:10:58,020can be defeated. Know your20900:10:58,020 –> 00:11:00,000enemy. One of the most21000:11:00,000 –> 00:11:01,320important parts of spiritual21100:11:01,320 –> 00:11:02,900wisdom, he says, is to find out21200:11:02,900 –> 00:11:05,520the subtleties, policies, and21300:11:06,320 –> 00:11:07,500hindrances, the depths of any21400:11:07,500 –> 00:11:08,619indwelling sin to consider21500:11:08,619 –> 00:11:10,320where its greatest strength21600:11:10,320 –> 00:11:11,820lies, how it uses occasions,21700:11:11,820 –> 00:11:13,200opportunities, and21800:11:13,200 –> 00:11:14,780tentations to gain advantage.21900:11:14,780 –> 00:11:16,340We need to find out its22000:11:16,340 –> 00:11:18,700pleas, its pretences, its22100:11:18,700 –> 00:11:20,260reasonings, and to see what22200:11:20,260 –> 00:11:22,020its strategies, disguises, and22300:11:22,020 –> 00:11:24,059excuses are. We need to22400:11:24,059 –> 00:11:26,419trace this serpent in all its22500:11:26,419 –> 00:11:28,200turning and windings and to22600:11:28,200 –> 00:11:29,799bring its most secret tricks22700:11:29,799 –> 00:11:31,619out into the open. We must22800:11:31,619 –> 00:11:33,460learn to say to our sin,22900:11:33,700 –> 00:11:35,900this is your usual method and23000:11:35,900 –> 00:11:39,520I know what you are up to.23100:11:39,520 –> 00:11:42,840Now isn’t that marvelous when23200:11:42,840 –> 00:11:43,840you have the kind of23300:11:43,840 –> 00:11:45,640discernment to be able to say23400:11:45,640 –> 00:11:48,219to your prevailing sin this is23500:11:48,219 –> 00:11:50,820your usual method. I know how23600:11:50,820 –> 00:11:53,619you work in me. I know what23700:11:53,619 –> 00:11:55,039you are up to and because I23800:11:55,039 –> 00:11:57,059have gained a handle on how23900:11:57,059 –> 00:11:58,719and when, where, the enemy24000:11:58,719 –> 00:12:01,359operates therefore I am put in24100:12:01,359 –> 00:12:03,340a position to gain a victory.24200:12:03,359 –> 00:12:05,179It’s called stalking sin.24300:12:05,179 –> 00:12:06,700You have to know it, know what24400:12:06,700 –> 00:12:07,799you’re going after.24500:12:07,799 –> 00:12:10,020You have to stalk it and24600:12:10,020 –> 00:12:11,479stalking is the way in which24700:12:11,479 –> 00:12:13,380you move from knowing your sin24800:12:13,380 –> 00:12:16,039to being in a position where24900:12:16,039 –> 00:12:19,520you are able to kill it or25000:12:19,520 –> 00:12:21,619to mortify it.25100:12:22,419 –> 00:12:23,080You’re listening to Open the25200:12:23,080 –> 00:12:24,900Bible with Pastor Colin Smith25300:12:24,900 –> 00:12:26,000and the message called25400:12:26,000 –> 00:12:27,599Turning from As Much As You25500:12:27,599 –> 00:12:29,200Know of Your Sin.25600:12:29,840 –> 00:12:30,760We’ve got to pause the25700:12:30,760 –> 00:12:32,140message very briefly but we’ll25800:12:32,280 –> 00:12:33,080come back shortly.25900:12:33,080 –> 00:12:34,140So stay with us.26000:12:34,440 –> 00:12:35,479If you ever miss one of our26100:12:35,479 –> 00:12:36,840messages or if you want to26200:12:36,840 –> 00:12:38,340catch up or go back and listen26300:12:38,340 –> 00:12:39,880again you can do that by26400:12:39,880 –> 00:12:41,599coming online to our website26500:12:41,599 –> 00:12:43,140openthebible.org.uk.26600:12:43,520 –> 00:12:44,719There you’ll26700:12:44,719 –> 00:12:45,880find all the messages26800:12:45,880 –> 00:12:46,719which have already been26900:12:46,719 –> 00:12:47,619broadcast.27000:12:47,619 –> 00:12:49,059Back to the message now,27100:12:49,059 –> 00:12:50,679here again is Pastor Colin.27200:12:51,159 –> 00:12:51,760I was talking to a27300:12:51,760 –> 00:12:52,679Christian counsellor27400:12:52,679 –> 00:12:55,659recently and he said to me27500:12:55,659 –> 00:12:56,859very helpfully, he said when27600:12:56,859 –> 00:12:59,900we have folks come to us27700:12:59,900 –> 00:13:01,239with addictions27800:13:03,099 –> 00:13:04,239one of the first things we27900:13:04,239 –> 00:13:07,140try to do is to help them28000:13:07,140 –> 00:13:08,400define the problem in28100:13:08,400 –> 00:13:10,840biblical language and call28200:13:10,840 –> 00:13:13,780it by its proper name which28300:13:13,780 –> 00:13:15,780is idolatry.28400:13:15,780 –> 00:13:17,280Now you see what that28500:13:17,280 –> 00:13:20,280is, that’s stalking sin.28600:13:20,280 –> 00:13:22,280That’s finding out where it28700:13:22,280 –> 00:13:24,280is then identifying how it28800:13:24,280 –> 00:13:25,359works so we can get in a28900:13:25,359 –> 00:13:26,719position to gain the mastery29000:13:26,719 –> 00:13:27,219over it.29100:13:27,219 –> 00:13:31,020Now don’t MUS underestimate29200:13:31,020 –> 00:13:34,619the importance of this if you29300:13:34,619 –> 00:13:36,979become aware of a particular29400:13:36,979 –> 00:13:38,520area of sin in your own life29500:13:38,520 –> 00:13:41,619you know it and you do not29600:13:41,619 –> 00:13:43,619move forward by stalking it29700:13:43,619 –> 00:13:47,299to kill it then if you simply29800:13:47,299 –> 00:13:49,020know it and ignore it it will29900:13:49,020 –> 00:13:54,260end up growing in your life30000:13:54,260 –> 00:13:55,640and if that has happened to30100:13:55,640 –> 00:13:56,760you then you very, very30200:13:56,760 –> 00:13:59,099urgently need to deal with30300:13:59,460 –> 00:14:01,419sin decisively the more your30400:14:01,419 –> 00:14:02,260sin has grown the more30500:14:02,260 –> 00:14:03,659difficult your battle30600:14:03,659 –> 00:14:05,059will be to kill it but the30700:14:05,059 –> 00:14:06,159more the sin has grown the30800:14:06,159 –> 00:14:07,840more urgent it is that you30900:14:07,840 –> 00:14:09,799begin that warfare against it31000:14:09,799 –> 00:14:14,000now, sin is a power it has a31100:14:14,000 –> 00:14:15,679vigor within it you have31200:14:15,679 –> 00:14:17,179to track it down and deal31300:14:17,179 –> 00:14:19,239with it or it will destroy31400:14:19,239 –> 00:14:23,479you. Now you see this in a31500:14:23,479 –> 00:14:27,460very powerful way in the31600:14:27,460 –> 00:14:28,880first reference that we31700:14:28,880 –> 00:14:30,299ever have to sin in the31800:14:30,299 –> 00:14:32,679Bible and that is in Genesis31900:14:32,679 –> 00:14:35,419and Chapter 4 and verse 732000:14:35,419 –> 00:14:37,739and it comes in the story32100:14:37,739 –> 00:14:41,020of Cain and Abel Abel32200:14:41,020 –> 00:14:42,479brought an acceptable32300:14:42,479 –> 00:14:44,159sacrifice to God and Cain32400:14:44,159 –> 00:14:46,460did not and after worship32500:14:46,460 –> 00:14:48,400Cain became angry with32600:14:48,400 –> 00:14:50,000God and this is the very32700:14:50,000 –> 00:14:51,599first reference to sin in32800:14:51,599 –> 00:14:55,239Bible and Cain is angry32900:14:55,239 –> 00:14:56,340and God says to him why33000:14:56,340 –> 00:14:57,760are you angry why are you33100:14:57,760 –> 00:14:58,799downcast if what is right33200:14:59,159 –> 00:15:00,919will not be accepted but33300:15:00,919 –> 00:15:02,260if you do not do what is33400:15:02,260 –> 00:15:06,000right sin is crouching at33500:15:06,000 –> 00:15:08,260the door now the picture33600:15:08,260 –> 00:15:09,859there is a wild animal33700:15:09,859 –> 00:15:11,859outside the door crouching33800:15:11,859 –> 00:15:14,239ready to spring an attack33900:15:14,239 –> 00:15:16,539is ready to be launched by34000:15:16,539 –> 00:15:17,679sin speaking of sin in34100:15:17,739 –> 00:15:21,440almost personal terms and34200:15:21,440 –> 00:15:25,140the Lord says to Cain sin34300:15:25,140 –> 00:15:26,580is crouching at your door34400:15:26,580 –> 00:15:28,580verse 7 it desires to34500:15:28,859 –> 00:15:32,359have you but you must34600:15:32,400 –> 00:15:34,500master it34700:15:36,979 –> 00:15:37,979so if you imagine that34800:15:37,979 –> 00:15:38,979we’re all in a primitive34900:15:39,039 –> 00:15:42,179jungle and there are many35000:15:42,179 –> 00:15:43,280dangers especially for35100:15:43,280 –> 00:15:44,580wild animals and one day35200:15:44,580 –> 00:15:45,580we hear that there is a35300:15:45,580 –> 00:15:48,780huge leopard and it has35400:15:48,780 –> 00:15:49,760come into the village and35500:15:49,760 –> 00:15:50,859it has taken the life of a35600:15:50,859 –> 00:15:53,239child and because the35700:15:53,239 –> 00:15:54,559leopard now has the taste35800:15:54,559 –> 00:15:56,840of blood in its mouth you35900:15:56,840 –> 00:15:57,780know that it will come36000:15:57,799 –> 00:16:00,919back for sure so there36100:16:00,919 –> 00:16:02,799really is only one choice36200:16:02,799 –> 00:16:04,000for us at this point in36300:16:04,000 –> 00:16:05,000the village.36400:16:05,059 –> 00:16:06,280That is that the leopard36500:16:06,280 –> 00:16:07,179should be hunted and36600:16:07,179 –> 00:16:08,359killed and so the chief36700:16:08,440 –> 00:16:09,840asks for volunteers and a36800:16:09,840 –> 00:16:12,179group of us step forward.36900:16:12,239 –> 00:16:14,059We take our spears we move37000:16:14,080 –> 00:16:15,479out of this village and37100:16:15,479 –> 00:16:16,400we go hunt for the37200:16:16,479 –> 00:16:18,000leopard. You move through37300:16:18,000 –> 00:16:19,219the bush. You’re stalking37400:16:19,219 –> 00:16:20,359it. You’re looking for37500:16:20,359 –> 00:16:22,440signs of movement, tracks37600:16:22,640 –> 00:16:24,359at dead carcass, any37700:16:24,359 –> 00:16:26,479sounds of the movement of37800:16:26,500 –> 00:16:28,219a large animal. But you37900:16:28,219 –> 00:16:30,020walk very slowly as you38000:16:30,020 –> 00:16:31,659stalk the leopard. Why?38100:16:32,700 –> 00:16:34,219Because you know that the38200:16:34,219 –> 00:16:37,280leopard is stalking you.38300:16:39,960 –> 00:16:43,059You are the hunter but you38400:16:43,059 –> 00:16:44,080move very carefully38500:16:44,080 –> 00:16:45,039because you are also the38600:16:45,039 –> 00:16:46,539hunted.38700:16:47,380 –> 00:16:48,500That is how it is with38800:16:48,500 –> 00:16:50,179sin. You are stalking38900:16:50,179 –> 00:16:52,780sin sin is stalking you39000:16:53,020 –> 00:16:54,520and for that reason an39100:16:54,539 –> 00:16:56,359engagement is inevitable39200:16:56,580 –> 00:16:57,859and either you will kill39300:16:57,859 –> 00:16:59,979it or it will kill you.39400:17:02,380 –> 00:17:03,419And that takes us to the39500:17:03,419 –> 00:17:05,099last part of the strategy.39600:17:06,540 –> 00:17:08,699You must know it. You39700:17:08,699 –> 00:17:11,619must stalk it. You must39800:17:12,260 –> 00:17:12,939kill it.39900:17:14,780 –> 00:17:15,760If that sounds violent I40000:17:15,760 –> 00:17:16,859want to assure you that it40100:17:16,859 –> 00:17:18,280is Biblical language and40200:17:18,280 –> 00:17:19,319we desperately need to40300:17:19,319 –> 00:17:21,680understand it. I need to40400:17:21,680 –> 00:17:23,300be devastating towards the40500:17:23,300 –> 00:17:24,719movements of sin in my40600:17:24,760 –> 00:17:25,540own life.40700:17:27,839 –> 00:17:29,439Always be killing sin40800:17:29,439 –> 00:17:30,699says John Owen or sin40900:17:30,699 –> 00:17:31,619will be killing you.41000:17:31,680 –> 00:17:32,339Great statement.41100:17:34,760 –> 00:17:36,719Chapter 8 verse 13 of the41200:17:36,719 –> 00:17:38,640book of Romans turn to it41300:17:38,640 –> 00:17:39,859with me. If you would.41400:17:41,719 –> 00:17:43,040Paul says if you live41500:17:43,040 –> 00:17:44,160according to the flesh,41600:17:44,160 –> 00:17:46,359you will die but if by41700:17:46,359 –> 00:17:47,380the spirit you put to41800:17:47,380 –> 00:17:48,599death the misdeeds of the41900:17:48,599 –> 00:17:51,040body, you will live. You42000:17:51,040 –> 00:17:54,280have to put to death the42100:17:54,280 –> 00:17:55,300misdeeds of the body.42200:17:55,319 –> 00:17:56,180That’s what this word42300:17:56,180 –> 00:18:00,380mortify actually means when42400:18:00,380 –> 00:18:01,680defines it in this way it42500:18:01,680 –> 00:18:03,680consists. He says in three42600:18:03,680 –> 00:18:06,020parts number one a habitual42700:18:06,199 –> 00:18:08,199weakening of sin. In other42800:18:08,199 –> 00:18:09,680words every time you say42900:18:09,680 –> 00:18:12,060no to a particular area of43000:18:12,060 –> 00:18:13,640temptation to a particular43100:18:13,640 –> 00:18:14,680movement of sin in your43200:18:14,680 –> 00:18:15,959life. Every time you say43300:18:15,959 –> 00:18:18,020no you weaken its power43400:18:19,839 –> 00:18:21,000and he says Secondly it is43500:18:21,000 –> 00:18:22,439a constant fighting and43600:18:22,439 –> 00:18:24,000contending against sin. In43700:18:24,040 –> 00:18:25,079other words don’t expect43800:18:25,079 –> 00:18:26,420that the temptation will go43900:18:26,420 –> 00:18:27,880away just because you’ve44000:18:27,880 –> 00:18:29,420said no to it many times.44100:18:29,760 –> 00:18:32,640The root remains and the44200:18:32,640 –> 00:18:33,839struggles though they may44300:18:33,839 –> 00:18:35,199change in the course of44400:18:35,199 –> 00:18:36,660life and with different44500:18:36,660 –> 00:18:38,680circumstances the struggle44600:18:38,680 –> 00:18:39,640of with sin remains44700:18:39,640 –> 00:18:40,520throughout a Christian’s44800:18:40,520 –> 00:18:43,680lifetime the mortification44900:18:43,680 –> 00:18:44,939he says is marked thirdly45000:18:44,939 –> 00:18:47,199by frequent success.45100:18:48,060 –> 00:18:50,040Since activity and actions45200:18:50,040 –> 00:18:52,359become fewer and weaker45300:18:52,400 –> 00:18:55,319than before and sin he says45400:18:55,319 –> 00:18:56,839is not able to hinder man’s45500:18:56,839 –> 00:18:59,400duty nor to interrupt his45600:18:59,400 –> 00:19:00,040peace.45700:19:02,619 –> 00:19:03,839Now notice that this is the45800:19:03,839 –> 00:19:06,000work that God calls us to45900:19:06,000 –> 00:19:06,459do.46000:19:08,140 –> 00:19:13,280If by the spirit you put to46100:19:13,280 –> 00:19:14,680death the misdeeds of the46200:19:14,680 –> 00:19:20,699body we’ve to do this but46300:19:20,719 –> 00:19:22,160the good news is that you46400:19:22,160 –> 00:19:24,439do not do it alone because as46500:19:24,439 –> 00:19:25,800a Christian believer the46600:19:25,800 –> 00:19:27,640spirit of God lives within46700:19:27,640 –> 00:19:28,000you.46800:19:29,060 –> 00:19:30,959And he says if by the spirit46900:19:30,959 –> 00:19:32,719you put to death the misdeeds47000:19:32,719 –> 00:19:33,680of the body then you will47100:19:33,680 –> 00:19:34,239live.47200:19:36,839 –> 00:19:38,819And this beautifully six ways47300:19:38,819 –> 00:19:40,800in which the spirit is at work47400:19:41,060 –> 00:19:42,839in putting to death in the47500:19:42,839 –> 00:19:44,239life of a believer let me just47600:19:44,380 –> 00:19:45,760mention them quickly the47700:19:45,760 –> 00:19:48,060spirit will convince you about47800:19:48,060 –> 00:19:49,300the sin that needs to be47900:19:49,300 –> 00:19:49,880killed.48000:19:50,599 –> 00:19:52,459He will reveal the provision of48100:19:52,459 –> 00:19:55,339Christ for your relief he’ll48200:19:55,339 –> 00:19:57,180establish your heart in the48300:19:57,180 –> 00:19:59,420expectation of relief from48400:19:59,420 –> 00:19:59,819Christ.48500:19:59,979 –> 00:20:01,060In other words he’ll arouse48600:20:01,060 –> 00:20:02,780faith so that instead of saying48700:20:02,939 –> 00:20:04,180Oh I’m going to be defeated.48800:20:04,300 –> 00:20:05,500You come to the position of a48900:20:05,500 –> 00:20:07,699believer saying I can conquer49000:20:07,699 –> 00:20:08,900this through Christ.49100:20:10,699 –> 00:20:12,380He brings the cross of Christ49200:20:12,380 –> 00:20:14,500into your heart with its sin49300:20:14,500 –> 00:20:16,560killing power says oh and I49400:20:16,560 –> 00:20:17,739love that phrase.49500:20:18,239 –> 00:20:20,579He begins and will complete your49600:20:20,579 –> 00:20:21,540sanctification.49700:20:21,739 –> 00:20:24,520And he supports all your prayers49800:20:24,520 –> 00:20:25,619to God.49900:20:27,540 –> 00:20:28,739What he’s saying is that the50000:20:28,739 –> 00:20:31,020Holy Spirit is with you to50100:20:31,020 –> 00:20:33,900apply the provision that has50200:20:33,900 –> 00:20:36,079been made in Jesus Christ for50300:20:36,079 –> 00:20:38,699you to move forward on the path50400:20:38,699 –> 00:20:40,180of repentance and to have50500:20:40,180 –> 00:20:42,859frequent success in your50600:20:42,859 –> 00:20:45,640struggles within dwelling sin.50700:20:46,599 –> 00:20:48,579By faith, last quote, he says,50800:20:48,579 –> 00:20:51,520ponder this, that though you50900:20:51,520 –> 00:20:53,479are in no way able to51000:20:53,479 –> 00:20:56,040conquer your disordered state,51100:20:56,040 –> 00:20:58,359and though you are wary of51200:20:58,359 –> 00:21:01,239fighting it, there is enough51300:21:01,239 –> 00:21:05,000in Jesus Christ to give you51400:21:05,000 –> 00:21:05,760relief.51500:21:05,959 –> 00:21:07,199I love that.51600:21:07,199 –> 00:21:08,800Think about this with faith.51700:21:09,839 –> 00:21:12,140That though you can’t sort51800:21:12,140 –> 00:21:13,359out your disordered state51900:21:13,640 –> 00:21:17,260and though you are weary from52000:21:17,260 –> 00:21:21,420fighting it, there is enough52100:21:21,420 –> 00:21:24,819provision in Jesus Christ for52200:21:24,819 –> 00:21:26,780your relief, and the Holy52300:21:26,780 –> 00:21:29,079Spirit will bring that reality52400:21:29,079 –> 00:21:31,939into your soul, so that you are52500:21:31,939 –> 00:21:34,140able to move forward on this52600:21:34,140 –> 00:21:35,900path and he says those who are52700:21:35,900 –> 00:21:37,859walking this path, those who52800:21:37,859 –> 00:21:39,739are moving on this path, this52900:21:39,739 –> 00:21:41,099is the distinguishing mark of53000:21:41,099 –> 00:21:43,260a true Christian, this person53100:21:43,300 –> 00:21:47,339will live because those who are53200:21:47,339 –> 00:21:49,160walking this path are those who53300:21:49,160 –> 00:21:52,040are led by the spirit, and those53400:21:52,040 –> 00:21:54,839who are led by the Spirit are53500:21:54,839 –> 00:21:58,420sons of God, threefold strategy53600:22:01,119 –> 00:22:03,400for fighting and prevailing over53700:22:03,400 –> 00:22:11,380sin in your life. Know it,53800:22:11,560 –> 00:22:16,619stock it, kill it. Austin53900:22:16,619 –> 00:22:18,260Collins Smith there on open the54000:22:18,260 –> 00:22:19,739Bible, wrapping up the message,54100:22:19,939 –> 00:22:21,819Turning From As Much As You Know54200:22:21,880 –> 00:22:24,400of Your Sin, part of our series,54300:22:24,560 –> 00:22:26,500Repentance, The Hidden Path to a54400:22:26,500 –> 00:22:28,099Transformed Life, and we’ll54500:22:28,140 –> 00:22:29,900continue the series in our next54600:22:29,900 –> 00:22:32,939broadcast. Open the Bible is54700:22:32,939 –> 00:22:34,540supported by our listeners. It’s54800:22:34,540 –> 00:22:36,260people just like you who keep54900:22:36,359 –> 00:22:38,260Open the Bible on this station55000:22:38,420 –> 00:22:40,300on the internet and on all the55100:22:40,300 –> 00:22:42,780podcast sites. So if you already55200:22:42,780 –> 00:22:44,540give to support the work, thank55300:22:44,540 –> 00:22:47,219you so much. If supporting Open55400:22:47,219 –> 00:22:48,380the Bible financially is55500:22:48,380 –> 00:22:49,500something that you’d like to55600:22:49,500 –> 00:22:51,339begin to do this month, we’d55700:22:51,339 –> 00:22:53,180love to say thank you by sending55800:22:53,180 –> 00:22:55,579you a free gift. If you’re able55900:22:55,579 –> 00:22:57,520to begin a new direct debit of56000:22:57,540 –> 00:23:00,219£5.00 per month or more, or a56100:23:00,219 –> 00:23:02,520one-off gift of £60.00 or more,56200:23:02,619 –> 00:23:04,920we’d love to send you a copy of56300:23:04,959 –> 00:23:06,880Nancy Guthrie’s book. I’m56400:23:06,880 –> 00:23:09,140Praying for You. Forty days of56500:23:09,140 –> 00:23:10,859praying the Bible for someone56600:23:10,859 –> 00:23:13,420who is suffering. Colin, what56700:23:13,420 –> 00:23:14,780makes this book different from56800:23:15,079 –> 00:23:17,020other books on prayer? Well,56900:23:17,020 –> 00:23:18,300it’s not so much a book that57000:23:18,300 –> 00:23:20,199you would read as a book that57100:23:20,199 –> 00:23:22,660you would use. And some folks57200:23:22,660 –> 00:23:23,819listening to us might be saying,57300:23:23,819 –> 00:23:25,300I don’t have time to read57400:23:25,300 –> 00:23:27,300another book. Well, this is57500:23:27,300 –> 00:23:29,900actually a resource that you57600:23:29,900 –> 00:23:32,719would use to shape your praying57700:23:32,739 –> 00:23:34,859for someone else in your life57800:23:34,859 –> 00:23:35,699that you’re committed to57900:23:35,699 –> 00:23:37,500praying for. And here’s how it58000:23:37,500 –> 00:23:39,140works. Nancy Guthrie gives us58100:23:39,140 –> 00:23:42,300very wonderfully 40 different58200:23:42,479 –> 00:23:44,579ways of praying for someone we58300:23:44,579 –> 00:23:45,859love or someone who is58400:23:45,859 –> 00:23:47,180suffering, someone who’s in a58500:23:47,180 –> 00:23:49,140particular need. They’re all58600:23:49,140 –> 00:23:51,219drawn directly from scripture.58700:23:51,739 –> 00:23:53,040And what she does is in just a58800:23:53,040 –> 00:23:54,859few paragraphs, she points to a58900:23:54,859 –> 00:23:56,300scripture, explains what it59000:23:56,300 –> 00:23:58,920means and then frames a prayer59100:23:58,920 –> 00:24:01,140that you can actually use for59200:24:01,140 –> 00:24:03,099someone that you love and care59300:24:03,099 –> 00:24:04,780for someone in need in your own59400:24:04,780 –> 00:24:06,520life. So, the way to use this59500:24:06,520 –> 00:24:09,000book is to identify someone or59600:24:09,000 –> 00:24:10,359maybe two or three people that59700:24:10,359 –> 00:24:12,520you’re praying for and then use59800:24:12,520 –> 00:24:14,599the book as a resource to guide59900:24:14,599 –> 00:24:16,119and shape your praying over a60000:24:16,119 –> 00:24:18,199period of 40 days. And what60100:24:18,199 –> 00:24:19,560you’re going to find is this,60200:24:19,800 –> 00:24:22,000that your praying will be fresh.60300:24:22,439 –> 00:24:23,839You will be drawing from the60400:24:23,839 –> 00:24:25,319scriptures and you will have the60500:24:25,319 –> 00:24:26,560confidence of knowing that60600:24:26,560 –> 00:24:27,680you’re praying according to60700:24:27,680 –> 00:24:29,140God’s will because whatever is60800:24:29,140 –> 00:24:30,760in the scripture is the will of60900:24:30,760 –> 00:24:32,859God for his people. Well, we’d61000:24:32,859 –> 00:24:34,040love to send you a copy of61100:24:34,040 –> 00:24:35,439Nancy Guthrie’s book, I am61200:24:35,439 –> 00:24:37,300praying for you. When you begin61300:24:37,300 –> 00:24:39,000a New Direct Debit to the work61400:24:39,000 –> 00:24:40,939of open the Bible of £5 per61500:24:40,939 –> 00:24:43,260month or more, or a one-off gift61600:24:43,260 –> 00:24:45,560of £60 or more. You’ll find61700:24:45,560 –> 00:24:46,939full terms and conditions61800:24:46,939 –> 00:24:49,020online at our website open61900:24:49,020 –> 00:24:51,939the bible.org.uk. And you can62000:24:51,939 –> 00:24:54,420also give online. If you want62100:24:54,420 –> 00:24:56,040us to send you this free gift,62200:24:56,420 –> 00:24:58,380please don’t give anonymously62300:24:58,420 –> 00:24:59,699and don’t forget to leave your62400:24:59,699 –> 00:25:01,500full name and address so that we62500:25:01,500 –> 00:25:04,020can send you your gift. For62600:25:04,060 –> 00:25:05,359open the Bible and pastor62700:25:05,359 –> 00:25:07,260Colin Smith. I’m David Pick.62800:25:07,439 –> 00:25:08,880Thanks for being with us today.62900:25:08,880 –> 00:25:09,839And I hope you’ll join us63000:25:09,839 –> 00:25:10,859again next time.63100:25:15,920 –> 00:25:16,959Some of us may have been63200:25:16,959 –> 00:25:18,199brought up with a version of63300:25:18,199 –> 00:25:20,160Christianity, which emphasised63400:25:20,160 –> 00:25:22,439the negative discover the63500:25:22,439 –> 00:25:24,060positive version of Christian63600:25:24,060 –> 00:25:25,680living, which the Bible opens63700:25:25,680 –> 00:25:27,660up for us that’s next time on63800:25:27,680 –> 00:25:28,599open the Bible.