100:00:00,140 –> 00:00:03,000Absurd200:00:03,780 –> 00:00:07,960What would you say are the top three sins300:00:07,960 –> 00:00:10,700to which you are most vulnerable at this point in your life?400:00:11,080 –> 00:00:15,680How familiar are you with the workings of your own heart?500:00:16,139 –> 00:00:18,799Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.600:00:18,799 –> 00:00:19,559I’m David Pick.700:00:19,840 –> 00:00:21,360Glad you could join us today.800:00:21,379 –> 00:00:23,920And Colin, there are some searching questions right there.900:00:23,920 –> 00:00:29,799Why would you say it is so important to know those sins that you’re most vulnerable to?1000:00:29,940 –> 00:00:31,559You can’t fight against something1100:00:31,559 –> 00:00:33,540if you don’t know what you’re fighting against.1200:00:33,639 –> 00:00:36,560You’ve got to be able to identify where the battle is.1300:00:36,759 –> 00:00:38,340And the thing is that it moves.1400:00:38,680 –> 00:00:43,400What we’re being tempted to at different points in our lives will vary and it will change.1500:00:43,400 –> 00:00:44,759And we’ve got to keep up with that.1600:00:44,799 –> 00:00:50,400I find it’s an important and really valuable spiritual discipline to try and identify1700:00:50,400 –> 00:00:54,639what are the sins that I need to be fighting against most strongly1800:00:54,639 –> 00:00:56,759in my own life at this present time?1900:00:56,959 –> 00:00:59,200And from time to time, I’ve made it my habit2000:00:59,200 –> 00:01:01,880of asking my wife, that’s a scary thing to do.2100:01:03,380 –> 00:01:05,879Yeah, well, and it’s a helpful thing I’d never forget.2200:01:05,879 –> 00:01:08,199The first time that I did that, we were on2300:01:08,199 –> 00:01:10,919a drive together and I said, here’s a question.2400:01:10,940 –> 00:01:16,580I said, What would be one sin that I should be fighting against more strongly in my life?2500:01:16,980 –> 00:01:18,580And she thought about it for a moment2600:01:18,580 –> 00:01:22,120and she said, can I tell you two?2700:01:22,160 –> 00:01:25,360And she did and it was very insightful, very helpful.2800:01:25,599 –> 00:01:29,000You can’t put up a fight if you don’t know what you’re fighting against.2900:01:29,000 –> 00:01:32,040So we’re going to look at how to prevail3000:01:32,040 –> 00:01:34,360against the power of temptation in your life.3100:01:34,360 –> 00:01:37,639And this is where it begins, knowing what you’re up against.3200:01:37,639 –> 00:01:40,500So we’re going to start by looking at James 1.3300:01:40,500 –> 00:01:41,720So join us in your Bible3400:01:41,720 –> 00:01:44,919if you can, as we begin a message turning from3500:01:44,919 –> 00:01:47,059as much as you know of your sin.3600:01:47,400 –> 00:01:48,660Here is Pastor Colin.3700:01:48,699 –> 00:01:51,440We’ve been learning a definition of repentance given3800:01:51,440 –> 00:01:54,919by Dr. J.I. Pakker, that repentance is turning3900:01:55,000 –> 00:01:57,160from as much as you know of your sin4000:01:57,160 –> 00:01:59,519to give as much as you know of yourself4100:01:59,519 –> 00:02:03,120to as much as you know of your god.4200:02:03,120 –> 00:02:06,860And it follows then that repentance will expand4300:02:06,860 –> 00:02:10,000throughout a Christian’s life as our knowledge4400:02:10,000 –> 00:02:13,979of sin and self and God grows and increases.4500:02:14,380 –> 00:02:17,279Now last time, we saw how growing in the knowledge of God4600:02:17,279 –> 00:02:21,639puts you on the path to a changed or a transformed life.4700:02:21,740 –> 00:02:25,339Job experienced a remarkable encounter with God.4800:02:25,339 –> 00:02:27,039Though he was a righteous man,4900:02:27,039 –> 00:02:29,880when he encountered God in a particular way,5000:02:29,880 –> 00:02:31,880he said you know my ears have heard of you5100:02:31,880 –> 00:02:33,419and my eyes have seen you.5200:02:33,419 –> 00:02:37,720But now I repent in dust and ashes.5300:02:37,720 –> 00:02:40,479Having this vision, this theophany,5400:02:40,479 –> 00:02:44,460this appearance of God brought him to a deeper repentance.5500:02:44,460 –> 00:02:46,460And we saw therefore from Job’s example5600:02:46,460 –> 00:02:49,740that real and lasting change begins5700:02:49,820 –> 00:02:52,240with knowing God.5800:02:52,240 –> 00:02:55,479Now today we’re going to try and follow on the path5900:02:55,479 –> 00:02:57,520of where that leads.6000:02:57,520 –> 00:03:00,059As you come to know God better,6100:03:00,059 –> 00:03:03,960so you will become more aware of your own sin.6200:03:03,960 –> 00:03:06,360The Bible says that God is light6300:03:06,360 –> 00:03:10,960and so to come near to God means to come into the light6400:03:10,960 –> 00:03:13,300and when you come into the light,6500:03:13,300 –> 00:03:16,800you quickly find that you see things you didn’t see before.6600:03:16,800 –> 00:03:19,360So suppose you go to a movie theater6700:03:19,419 –> 00:03:22,440and you get one of those huge buckets of popcorn6800:03:22,440 –> 00:03:26,479and you get it absolutely drizzled with melted butter6900:03:26,479 –> 00:03:28,940and you work your way through this bucket of popcorn7000:03:28,940 –> 00:03:30,139as you’re watching the film7100:03:30,139 –> 00:03:32,199and then when you come out you suddenly see7200:03:32,199 –> 00:03:34,320that there are butter stains all over your shirt.7300:03:34,320 –> 00:03:36,460You never saw it while you were in the theater7400:03:36,460 –> 00:03:38,080but now that you’ve come into the light,7500:03:38,080 –> 00:03:39,339you become aware of it7600:03:39,339 –> 00:03:42,839and you know that something needs to change.7700:03:42,839 –> 00:03:44,399So our focus today is going to be7800:03:44,399 –> 00:03:46,600turning from as much as you know of sin7900:03:46,600 –> 00:03:48,039and as you come into the light8000:03:48,039 –> 00:03:51,279so you’re going to see more of what needs to be changed8100:03:51,279 –> 00:03:53,440in your life than you did before.8200:03:53,440 –> 00:03:57,279I want to suggest, very simply, a three-step strategy8300:03:57,279 –> 00:04:02,259for fighting sin and prevailing over it in your life.8400:04:02,259 –> 00:04:05,119Very simple, I hope that it’s easy for us to remember8500:04:05,119 –> 00:04:08,440and it will appeal to any of the folks in the congregation8600:04:08,440 –> 00:04:11,160who have ever gone or wanted to go hunting.8700:04:11,160 –> 00:04:16,160Here it is, know it, stalk it, kill it.8800:04:16,940 –> 00:04:21,940Know it, stalk it, kill it, that’s the three-part strategy8900:04:22,200 –> 00:04:25,320for fighting sin and prevailing over it in your life.9000:04:25,320 –> 00:04:29,359Know it, stalk it, kill it.9100:04:29,359 –> 00:04:30,519First of all, then, know it.9200:04:30,519 –> 00:04:32,739And here let’s turn to the passage that was read for us,9300:04:32,739 –> 00:04:36,220James chapter one, and particularly verse 14.9400:04:37,079 –> 00:04:39,600Each one is tempted, James says,9500:04:39,600 –> 00:04:42,380when by his own evil desire,9600:04:42,579 –> 00:04:46,519he is dragged away and enticed.9700:04:46,519 –> 00:04:48,839Now notice that James makes it quite clear9800:04:48,839 –> 00:04:50,420that we will all be tempted.9900:04:50,420 –> 00:04:52,820Now there’s no ifs here, it’s when.10000:04:52,820 –> 00:04:56,000Each one is tempted when he is dragged away10100:04:56,000 –> 00:04:58,760by his own evil desire, and this is something10200:04:58,760 –> 00:05:01,500that we anticipate happening throughout10300:05:01,500 –> 00:05:04,440the entire course of a Christian’s life.10400:05:05,320 –> 00:05:07,179And then James makes it very clear10500:05:07,179 –> 00:05:12,100that the root of temptation lies not outside of us,10600:05:12,119 –> 00:05:13,459but inside of us.10700:05:13,459 –> 00:05:14,579Do you notice that there?10800:05:14,579 –> 00:05:18,959Each one is tempted when by his own evil desire10900:05:18,959 –> 00:05:22,040he is dragged away and enticed.11000:05:22,040 –> 00:05:24,459Remember, he’s talking to Christians here.11100:05:24,459 –> 00:05:27,140He is reminding us that sin is not simply11200:05:27,140 –> 00:05:29,140something out there in the world,11300:05:29,140 –> 00:05:32,000but it is something that remains in here,11400:05:32,000 –> 00:05:37,000and I have to contend with it throughout my entire life.11500:05:37,260 –> 00:05:38,899So that when you become a Christian11600:05:38,899 –> 00:05:41,899you see the guilt of your sin is forgiven11700:05:41,899 –> 00:05:45,140as you are covered by the shed blood of Christ.11800:05:45,140 –> 00:05:47,260The condemnation that would’ve come to you11900:05:47,260 –> 00:05:49,059because of your sin is removed12000:05:49,059 –> 00:05:51,880because Christ died in your place.12100:05:51,880 –> 00:05:54,619The reign of sin over you is broken.12200:05:54,619 –> 00:05:59,059You are no longer sin’s prisoner, you are under grace,12300:05:59,059 –> 00:06:02,859but the root of sin remains in the life12400:06:02,859 –> 00:06:05,420of a Christian believer, and that is why12500:06:05,420 –> 00:06:09,980the Christian life, for all of us, is always a struggle.12600:06:10,000 –> 00:06:11,820The flesh desires what is contrary12700:06:11,820 –> 00:06:14,260to the spirit, Paul says, and the spirit desires12800:06:14,260 –> 00:06:15,700what is contrary to the flesh.12900:06:15,700 –> 00:06:18,260They are in conflict with each other.13000:06:18,260 –> 00:06:21,760That’s Galatians chapter 5 and verse 16.13100:06:22,640 –> 00:06:24,480Now, this is what James is talking about.13200:06:24,480 –> 00:06:29,480Your flesh will be drawn to various kinds of sin.13300:06:29,920 –> 00:06:31,160It’s just how it is.13400:06:32,679 –> 00:06:35,160Now, the particular variety of sin13500:06:35,160 –> 00:06:36,459to which you are drawn, frankly,13600:06:36,459 –> 00:06:38,239will depend on a number of factors,13700:06:38,260 –> 00:06:40,420temperament, background, past experiences,13800:06:40,420 –> 00:06:42,559and so forth, as well as opportunity.13900:06:43,940 –> 00:06:47,399But the reality for each of us is that14000:06:47,399 –> 00:06:51,339there is that within us which is drawn to sin.14100:06:51,339 –> 00:06:53,000Each one of us is tempted when,14200:06:53,000 –> 00:06:57,279by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.14300:06:58,119 –> 00:07:01,480Now, what James refers to here as evil desire14400:07:01,480 –> 00:07:05,000can refer to the drawing power of many impulses14500:07:05,000 –> 00:07:07,239that are offensive to God.14600:07:07,239 –> 00:07:08,859Let me give you seven examples,14700:07:08,859 –> 00:07:10,880and they may ring a bell with you.14800:07:10,880 –> 00:07:15,880Pride, greed, envy, anger, laziness, lust, gluttony,14900:07:17,519 –> 00:07:22,399these are often referred to as the seven deadly sins.15000:07:22,399 –> 00:07:25,720And notice, by the way, that none of them are actions.15100:07:26,640 –> 00:07:29,579They are all impulses.15200:07:29,579 –> 00:07:32,239Because sin is not simply about actions15300:07:32,239 –> 00:07:33,720that are offensive to God.15400:07:33,739 –> 00:07:37,500It includes the impulses that lead to these actions,15500:07:37,500 –> 00:07:39,839and that of course is where our greatest15600:07:39,839 –> 00:07:42,320and most critical battles are actually fought.15700:07:43,619 –> 00:07:46,700Now Christian writers sometimes refer to all this15800:07:46,700 –> 00:07:49,339as indwelling sin.15900:07:49,339 –> 00:07:52,779That’s an important phrase to get hold of, indwelling sin.16000:07:52,779 –> 00:07:56,559In other words, the impulse or the drawing to sin16100:07:56,559 –> 00:08:00,420that remains within the flesh of a Christian believer16200:08:00,420 –> 00:08:01,980and against which we battle16300:08:02,000 –> 00:08:04,700throughout the course of our entire lives.16400:08:04,700 –> 00:08:08,820Indwelling sin means you have a battle on your hand,16500:08:08,820 –> 00:08:11,420and this is true of every Christian16600:08:11,420 –> 00:08:13,399throughout our entire lives.16700:08:14,619 –> 00:08:18,339Now notice that this impulse to sin as James speaks about it16800:08:18,339 –> 00:08:21,359often acts in a hidden way.16900:08:22,260 –> 00:08:26,500James says after desire has conceived.17000:08:27,579 –> 00:08:30,579Now of course the whole point about conception17100:08:30,579 –> 00:08:31,880is that it’s a hidden thing.17200:08:32,700 –> 00:08:35,119Nobody sees, knows, exactly when it happens.17300:08:35,119 –> 00:08:38,000It’s just that the fact that it’s happened17400:08:38,000 –> 00:08:40,000becomes evident later.17500:08:40,000 –> 00:08:42,559Conceiving is a hidden thing,17600:08:42,559 –> 00:08:44,500always hidden from the eye.17700:08:45,940 –> 00:08:50,500And when the impulse to sin conceives17800:08:50,500 –> 00:08:54,820and remains hidden, unchallenged, and undetected,17900:08:54,820 –> 00:08:57,239James says that that sin will grow.18000:08:57,239 –> 00:09:00,719He talks about sin being full grown, verse 15.18100:09:00,739 –> 00:09:04,679Sin grows and as it grows it gains strength in your life.18200:09:04,679 –> 00:09:07,700Like a weed that takes root it becomes established18300:09:08,900 –> 00:09:10,400and it becomes harder to pull out.18400:09:10,400 –> 00:09:12,320Then James says when it is full grown,18500:09:12,320 –> 00:09:15,219verse 15, sin leads to death.18600:09:15,219 –> 00:09:17,900So here’s a dreadful path that we have now.18700:09:17,900 –> 00:09:21,599Three horrible steps, sin hidden, sin grown,18800:09:21,599 –> 00:09:23,299sin leading to death.18900:09:23,299 –> 00:09:25,799And obviously this is the path19000:09:25,799 –> 00:09:28,340on which we do not want to move.19100:09:29,260 –> 00:09:34,260We rather have choosing to pursue the path of repentance,19200:09:35,179 –> 00:09:38,599the hidden path to a transformed life.19300:09:39,840 –> 00:09:42,719Now we find that path therefore when,19400:09:42,719 –> 00:09:46,080instead of our sins being hidden,19500:09:46,080 –> 00:09:49,020we move in the other direction and they are revealed.19600:09:50,200 –> 00:09:52,200And the obvious question is well,19700:09:52,200 –> 00:09:55,580how is sin revealed so that it does not remain hidden19800:09:55,580 –> 00:09:58,080taking us down the wrong track?19900:09:58,099 –> 00:10:00,679And the answer of course is that sin is revealed20000:10:00,679 –> 00:10:03,020through the word of God.20100:10:03,880 –> 00:10:08,599It is the entrance of God’s word that gives light.20200:10:08,599 –> 00:10:10,919Remember, that’s what happened to David20300:10:10,919 –> 00:10:12,780when although he was a believing man,20400:10:12,780 –> 00:10:16,460he’d actually managed to push out of the range20500:10:16,460 –> 00:10:19,260of his conscience what he had done20600:10:19,260 –> 00:10:22,239until God sent the word to him through the prophet Nathan20700:10:22,239 –> 00:10:24,599who told him a parable about a rich man20800:10:24,599 –> 00:10:27,820who stole a poor man’s single lamb20900:10:27,820 –> 00:10:30,059and David was so far gone21000:10:30,059 –> 00:10:32,979he didn’t even recognize the story was about himself21100:10:32,979 –> 00:10:35,820until Nathan said, David you are the man21200:10:37,179 –> 00:10:40,059and God’s word through the prophet21300:10:40,059 –> 00:10:43,619brought what was hidden so that it was revealed.21400:10:45,179 –> 00:10:47,020Now let me ask this question then,21500:10:47,020 –> 00:10:50,979how much do you know of your own sin?21600:10:52,000 –> 00:10:56,539How familiar are you with the workings of your own heart?21700:10:57,960 –> 00:11:02,500What would you say were the top three sins21800:11:02,500 –> 00:11:06,419to which you are most vulnerable at this point in your life?21900:11:08,299 –> 00:11:10,200Now if you can’t answer that question22000:11:10,200 –> 00:11:12,500you need to take some time till you can do it.22100:11:13,479 –> 00:11:17,359What would you say are the top three sins22200:11:17,359 –> 00:11:20,440to which you are most vulnerable at this point in your life?22300:11:20,440 –> 00:11:22,859If you don’t know the answer to that question22400:11:22,859 –> 00:11:25,859how can you possibly be on your defenses against them22500:11:25,859 –> 00:11:27,880and how could you possibly be launching22600:11:27,880 –> 00:11:29,820an assault towards them?22700:11:30,719 –> 00:11:31,859You’ve gotta know them.22800:11:32,820 –> 00:11:34,640You’ve gotta know where the battle is22900:11:34,640 –> 00:11:36,219in your life right now.23000:11:37,400 –> 00:11:39,760I found a very helpful exercise to list them.23100:11:40,820 –> 00:11:42,260Identify them clearly.23200:11:44,679 –> 00:11:46,039Now I want to encourage you in this23300:11:46,039 –> 00:11:51,039to use the Bible as a regular tool for self-examination.23400:11:51,739 –> 00:11:54,260Being brought up I was taught a very simple method23500:11:54,460 –> 00:11:58,140of Bible study that included three important questions.23600:11:58,140 –> 00:12:00,140Whenever you read the Bible, ask,23700:12:00,140 –> 00:12:03,380is there a command to obey?23800:12:03,380 –> 00:12:05,940Is there a promise to believe?23900:12:05,940 –> 00:12:08,539Is there a sin to avoid?24000:12:08,539 –> 00:12:09,820I find that very helpful.24100:12:09,820 –> 00:12:11,219Is there a promise here to believe?24200:12:11,219 –> 00:12:12,700Is there a command here to obey?24300:12:12,700 –> 00:12:14,760Is there a sin here to avoid?24400:12:15,859 –> 00:12:18,099Whenever you read the Bible, ask these questions.24500:12:18,099 –> 00:12:20,359So, for example, if sometimes it opens up24600:12:20,359 –> 00:12:22,200things that aren’t quite obvious you see,24700:12:22,200 –> 00:12:23,900and God speaks to you through them.24800:12:25,080 –> 00:12:28,640I was reading recently the story of the four men24900:12:28,640 –> 00:12:32,119who took their paralyzed friend to Jesus25000:12:32,119 –> 00:12:33,820and got discouraged at first25100:12:33,820 –> 00:12:36,200because they couldn’t get anywhere near,25200:12:36,200 –> 00:12:38,219and then they got creative.25300:12:38,219 –> 00:12:39,900And they climbed up onto the roof,25400:12:39,900 –> 00:12:40,880you remember this story,25500:12:40,880 –> 00:12:42,239dug a hole through the roof,25600:12:42,239 –> 00:12:45,159and then lowered their friend on the mat25700:12:45,159 –> 00:12:47,359so that he came right down through the roof25800:12:47,359 –> 00:12:48,500to the very feet of Jesus.25900:12:48,500 –> 00:12:49,559You gotta say brilliant!26000:12:49,559 –> 00:12:51,400I mean, this is absolutely brilliant.26100:12:51,700 –> 00:12:55,200What’s the sin to avoid?26200:12:57,580 –> 00:12:59,280The sin of giving up too quickly.26300:13:01,119 –> 00:13:04,799The sin of saying it’s too difficult.26400:13:06,659 –> 00:13:09,880The sin of saying I can’t be bothered.26500:13:12,239 –> 00:13:13,280I found that helpful26600:13:13,280 –> 00:13:15,140because God spoke to me through that.26700:13:15,979 –> 00:13:17,760When you read the Bible,26800:13:17,760 –> 00:13:18,599ask a question.26900:13:18,599 –> 00:13:19,799Is there a sin to avoid?27000:13:19,960 –> 00:13:21,760God’s Word is light,27100:13:21,760 –> 00:13:25,559and if we’re going to succeed in our battle against sin,27200:13:25,559 –> 00:13:28,840we need to understand where it is going on within us,27300:13:28,840 –> 00:13:31,359and it is the scripture that God will use27400:13:31,359 –> 00:13:36,359to identify where the struggle is at its most fierce.27500:13:37,940 –> 00:13:39,919Now, it’s also useful alongside27600:13:39,919 –> 00:13:42,320this regular self-examination27700:13:42,320 –> 00:13:44,359to have particular times27800:13:44,359 –> 00:13:48,080when we examine ourselves more closely,27900:13:48,080 –> 00:13:50,880and again, you can use the scriptures to do this.28000:13:50,880 –> 00:13:52,159The most obvious way to do it28100:13:52,159 –> 00:13:53,880is perhaps the Ten Commandments.28200:13:53,880 –> 00:13:55,299Write down on a piece of paper28300:13:55,299 –> 00:14:00,299what each command requires in your own words,28400:14:00,780 –> 00:14:02,820and then use that to examine yourself28500:14:02,820 –> 00:14:06,400and to explore what is going on in your life28600:14:06,400 –> 00:14:09,299in relation to the calling that God has given to you.28700:14:10,140 –> 00:14:12,380The first priority in turning from sin28800:14:12,380 –> 00:14:14,299is that you should know it.28900:14:14,299 –> 00:14:16,659And if you can’t identify what it is29000:14:16,659 –> 00:14:18,919from which you need to turn at this point in your life,29100:14:18,919 –> 00:14:21,460you will make very, very little progress.29200:14:22,979 –> 00:14:27,260And it’s a vagueness about repentance29300:14:28,500 –> 00:14:31,700that causes so many Christians to get stuck29400:14:31,700 –> 00:14:34,640so that the path remains hidden to them,29500:14:35,559 –> 00:14:39,640and very little progress is made or change is seen.29600:14:39,640 –> 00:14:42,099So first strategy, know it.29700:14:43,539 –> 00:14:44,820You’re listening to open the Bible29800:14:44,820 –> 00:14:46,159with Pastor Colin Smith29900:14:46,260 –> 00:14:47,059and a message called30000:14:47,080 –> 00:14:50,619Turning from As Much as You Know of Your Sin.30100:14:50,619 –> 00:14:52,640It’s part of the series Repentance,30200:14:52,640 –> 00:14:55,239The Hidden Path to A Transformed Life.30300:14:55,239 –> 00:14:57,599And if you’ve missed any of the series so far30400:14:57,599 –> 00:14:59,799or if you ever miss any in the future,30500:14:59,799 –> 00:15:02,179you can catch up or go back and listen again30600:15:02,179 –> 00:15:04,219by coming online to our website.30700:15:04,219 –> 00:15:07,700That’s openthebible.org.uk.30800:15:07,700 –> 00:15:09,580Let’s get back now to the message.30900:15:09,580 –> 00:15:11,219Here again is Pastor Colin.31000:15:12,080 –> 00:15:14,960First strategy, know it.31100:15:14,960 –> 00:15:19,280Second strategy, stock it.31200:15:19,280 –> 00:15:23,900Once you have identified where the heat of the battle is31300:15:25,400 –> 00:15:29,719then you need to deal with the area of sin31400:15:29,719 –> 00:15:31,820that you have clearly identified31500:15:31,820 –> 00:15:36,599by watching for its movements in your life.31600:15:37,640 –> 00:15:39,799So let’s take some practical examples.31700:15:40,799 –> 00:15:42,979Suppose that you have discerned,31800:15:42,979 –> 00:15:44,320as you’ve looked at the scriptures31900:15:44,320 –> 00:15:46,799and you’ve examined your own heart,32000:15:46,799 –> 00:15:49,679that you really need to deal with some issues of pride32100:15:50,679 –> 00:15:55,679or lust or laziness or unbelief or whatever it is.32200:15:59,320 –> 00:16:02,799But you’ve identified an area or a couple of areas32300:16:02,799 –> 00:16:04,799where you say there needs to be32400:16:04,799 –> 00:16:08,159significant change in my life here32500:16:08,159 –> 00:16:10,679if I’m to move forward as a Christian.32600:16:10,679 –> 00:16:12,260What are you going to do next?32700:16:15,239 –> 00:16:17,760As you stalk these things you’ll be asking32800:16:17,760 –> 00:16:19,239questions like this.32900:16:20,799 –> 00:16:24,200When am I most vulnerable to this?33000:16:26,280 –> 00:16:31,239In what ways do I see this being expressed in my life?33100:16:31,859 –> 00:16:34,059How am I most vulnerable to this?33200:16:34,059 –> 00:16:39,059Now, nobody, at least in my own reading,33300:16:40,320 –> 00:16:45,320has proved more helpful on this issue than John Owen.33400:16:46,119 –> 00:16:47,640Going to put his book there.33500:16:47,640 –> 00:16:51,640It has the marvelous title, The Mortification of Sin.33600:16:51,640 –> 00:16:54,440My wife looked at the cover last night and she said,33700:16:54,440 –> 00:16:56,940wow, looks seriously interesting.33800:16:58,440 –> 00:17:00,960I tell you, and I promise you, this is pure gold.33900:17:00,979 –> 00:17:03,859John Owen wrote in the 17th century34000:17:03,859 –> 00:17:07,959he was a master physician of the soul.34100:17:07,959 –> 00:17:10,119I don’t know if there’s been any Christian writer34200:17:10,119 –> 00:17:12,319throughout history outside of the New Testament34300:17:12,319 –> 00:17:17,319who had a deeper and more penetrating understanding34400:17:17,339 –> 00:17:21,439of the inner workings of a Christian believers wife.34500:17:22,439 –> 00:17:24,319Wife, I’m sorry, life.34600:17:24,319 –> 00:17:27,560I do apologize.34700:17:31,339 –> 00:17:36,339Let me give you a sample of Owen on stalking sin.34800:17:37,920 –> 00:17:42,920As he says, ask envy what it aims at.34900:17:46,020 –> 00:17:47,439You see isn’t that brilliant?35000:17:48,380 –> 00:17:50,199Where are you taking me envy?35100:17:50,199 –> 00:17:51,199Where are you going?35200:17:52,319 –> 00:17:56,260Murder and destruction are envies natural conclusion.35300:17:57,260 –> 00:17:59,739So set yourself against it35400:17:59,739 –> 00:18:02,079as if it had already got there.35500:18:02,079 –> 00:18:03,719That’s brilliant.35600:18:03,719 –> 00:18:06,900In a similar vein he says every unclean thought35700:18:06,900 –> 00:18:11,060or glance would be adultery if it could.35800:18:12,040 –> 00:18:14,640Every covetous desire would be oppression35900:18:14,640 –> 00:18:18,459and every unbelieving thought would be atheist.36000:18:20,140 –> 00:18:22,099So you look at that unbelieving thought36100:18:22,099 –> 00:18:23,640that plagues you and you say,36200:18:23,680 –> 00:18:27,300you draw it out and you say I know where you’re going36300:18:27,300 –> 00:18:29,359and if I follow you, I’ll be an atheist36400:18:29,359 –> 00:18:30,640and I’ll have no hope for this life36500:18:30,640 –> 00:18:32,239or the world to come either.36600:18:32,239 –> 00:18:33,319I’m not going there.36700:18:33,319 –> 00:18:35,040So you draw it out.36800:18:35,040 –> 00:18:36,599You ask it where it’s going.36900:18:37,560 –> 00:18:40,099Sin’s expression he says is modest in the beginning37000:18:40,099 –> 00:18:41,920but once it has gained a foothold37100:18:41,920 –> 00:18:44,420it continues to take further ground37200:18:44,420 –> 00:18:46,439and presses onto greater heights.37300:18:46,439 –> 00:18:49,880Again he says we need to be intimately acquainted37400:18:50,099 –> 00:18:53,619with the ways, wiles, methods, advantages,37500:18:53,619 –> 00:18:57,459occasions, which gives sin it’s success.37600:18:57,459 –> 00:19:00,859This he says is how men deal with their enemies.37700:19:00,859 –> 00:19:02,939He’s thinking warfare now you see.37800:19:02,939 –> 00:19:05,280They search out the plans of the enemy,37900:19:05,280 –> 00:19:08,699ponder his goals, and consider how and by what means38000:19:08,699 –> 00:19:11,619the enemy has prevailed in the past.38100:19:11,619 –> 00:19:14,420Then the enemy can be defeated.38200:19:14,420 –> 00:19:15,260Know your enemy.38300:19:16,739 –> 00:19:19,079One of the most important parts of spiritual wisdom38400:19:19,140 –> 00:19:21,439and wisdom he says is to find out the subtleties,38500:19:22,420 –> 00:19:25,540policies, and depths of any indwelling sin38600:19:25,540 –> 00:19:28,359to consider where its greatest strength lies.38700:19:28,359 –> 00:19:30,520How it uses occasions, opportunities,38800:19:30,520 –> 00:19:32,760and temptations to gain advantage.38900:19:32,760 –> 00:19:36,040We need to find out its pleas, its pretenses,39000:19:36,040 –> 00:19:38,680its reasonings, and to see what its strategies,39100:19:38,680 –> 00:19:41,180disguises and excuses are.39200:19:41,180 –> 00:19:44,520We need to trace the serpent in all its turning39300:19:44,520 –> 00:19:47,540and windings and to bring its most secret tricks39400:19:47,540 –> 00:19:48,739out into the open.39500:19:49,619 –> 00:19:51,199We must learn to say to our sin,39600:19:51,199 –> 00:19:56,199this is your usual method and I know what you are up to.39700:19:59,199 –> 00:20:01,520Now isn’t that marvelous when you have the kind39800:20:01,520 –> 00:20:05,380of discernment to be able to say to your prevailing sin,39900:20:06,119 –> 00:20:07,800this is your usual method.40000:20:07,800 –> 00:20:10,239I know how you work in me.40100:20:10,239 –> 00:20:13,599I know what you are up to and because I’ve gained40200:20:13,599 –> 00:20:18,319a handle on how and when and where the enemy operates,40300:20:18,319 –> 00:20:21,119I am put in a position to gain a victory.40400:20:21,119 –> 00:20:24,119Stalking sin, you have to know it,40500:20:24,119 –> 00:20:27,599know what you’re going after, you have to stalk it40600:20:27,599 –> 00:20:29,599and stalking is the way in which you move40700:20:29,599 –> 00:20:32,439from knowing your sin to being in a position40800:20:32,439 –> 00:20:37,439where you are able to kill it or to mortify it.40900:20:39,219 –> 00:20:41,060You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith41000:20:41,060 –> 00:20:43,699on Open the Bible and a message called41100:20:43,699 –> 00:20:46,839turning to as much as you know of your sin.41200:20:46,839 –> 00:20:48,900From the series repentance,41300:20:48,900 –> 00:20:51,280the hidden path to a transformed life.41400:20:51,280 –> 00:20:54,020today in the book of James.41500:20:54,020 –> 00:20:56,300And if you missed any of the message today41600:20:56,300 –> 00:20:58,560or if any of the messages in the series,41700:20:58,560 –> 00:21:00,640you can catch up or go back and listen again41800:21:00,640 –> 00:21:02,760by coming online to our website,41900:21:02,760 –> 00:21:06,280that’s at openthebible.org.uk42000:21:06,280 –> 00:21:08,699or you can come to your favorite podcast site42100:21:08,699 –> 00:21:10,680and find pastor Colin on there42200:21:10,680 –> 00:21:14,900by searching for openthebibleyouk.42300:21:14,900 –> 00:21:16,000While you’re on our website,42400:21:16,040 –> 00:21:18,780don’t forget to check out Open the Bible daily.42500:21:18,780 –> 00:21:21,060That’s our series of two to three minute42600:21:21,060 –> 00:21:24,540daily reflections based on Pastor Colin’s teaching42700:21:24,540 –> 00:21:26,859and read specially in the UK.42800:21:26,859 –> 00:21:28,060There’s a new one every day42900:21:28,060 –> 00:21:29,939and many Christians start their day43000:21:29,939 –> 00:21:32,260with open the Bible daily.43100:21:32,260 –> 00:21:33,900What if you could go on a hike43200:21:33,900 –> 00:21:36,819with Pastor Colin through the Bible story,43300:21:36,819 –> 00:21:38,680see how it all fits together43400:21:38,680 –> 00:21:41,260and how it all points to Jesus.43500:21:41,260 –> 00:21:42,719Well now you can43600:21:42,719 –> 00:21:45,839with the new podcast hike through the Bible.43700:21:45,859 –> 00:21:47,719Yeah, and this is for everyone43800:21:47,719 –> 00:21:50,040who wants to understand the Bible better43900:21:50,040 –> 00:21:53,319and for everyone who wants to love Jesus more.44000:21:53,319 –> 00:21:55,560In each episode, I’ll read a chapter44100:21:55,560 –> 00:21:57,560from my book hike through the Bible44200:21:57,560 –> 00:21:59,859and then I’ll discuss it with some friends,44300:21:59,859 –> 00:22:02,400a new episode releases every week.44400:22:02,400 –> 00:22:05,780And so you can take this hike at a gentle pace44500:22:05,780 –> 00:22:09,579in a year you’ll have covered the entire Bible story.44600:22:09,579 –> 00:22:12,719I really hope that you’ll join me on this journey44700:22:12,719 –> 00:22:15,180and it’s not too late to get started now.44800:22:15,219 –> 00:22:18,540Well you can subscribe to hike through the Bible podcast44900:22:18,540 –> 00:22:20,459wherever you get your podcasts45000:22:20,459 –> 00:22:22,739and you can find out more information45100:22:22,739 –> 00:22:25,500on our website, openthebible.org.uk.45200:22:27,380 –> 00:22:29,900Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.45300:22:29,900 –> 00:22:32,819It’s people just like you who keep open the Bible45400:22:32,819 –> 00:22:35,099on this station, on the internet45500:22:35,099 –> 00:22:37,300and on all the podcast sites.45600:22:37,300 –> 00:22:39,760So if you already give to support the work,45700:22:39,760 –> 00:22:41,719thank you so much.45800:22:41,719 –> 00:22:43,839If supporting open the Bible financially45900:22:43,979 –> 00:22:46,099is something that you’d like to begin to do46000:22:46,099 –> 00:22:48,099this month, we’d love to say thank you46100:22:48,099 –> 00:22:50,459by sending you a free gift.46200:22:50,459 –> 00:22:52,819If you’re able to begin a new Direct Debit46300:22:52,819 –> 00:22:55,459of five pounds per month or more46400:22:55,459 –> 00:22:58,219or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more,46500:22:58,219 –> 00:23:02,099we’d love to send you a copy of Nancy Guthrie’s book,46600:23:02,099 –> 00:23:03,760I’m Praying for You.46700:23:03,760 –> 00:23:08,02040 Days of Praying the Bible for Someone who is Suffering.46800:23:08,020 –> 00:23:10,000Colin, what’s the one thing you hope people46900:23:10,000 –> 00:23:12,760who read this book will take away from it?47000:23:12,819 –> 00:23:14,900Well, the thing that I’ve gained from this book47100:23:14,900 –> 00:23:17,939is that it is a way of staying fresh47200:23:17,939 –> 00:23:20,199in praying for people that we want47300:23:20,199 –> 00:23:23,239to intercede for over a long period of time.47400:23:23,239 –> 00:23:26,699And I think every Christian has friends, loved ones,47500:23:26,699 –> 00:23:30,160for whom we’re committed to pray over the long haul.47600:23:30,160 –> 00:23:31,880And the question of course is always,47700:23:31,880 –> 00:23:35,380how do I stay fresh in praying for the same person47800:23:35,380 –> 00:23:37,020day after day after day?47900:23:37,020 –> 00:23:39,880Well, what Nancy Guthrie has done wonderfully48000:23:39,880 –> 00:23:42,540is she’s brought together from Scripture48100:23:43,459 –> 00:23:46,73940 different ways of praying for someone you love,48200:23:46,739 –> 00:23:48,920someone in need, someone who’s suffering.48300:23:48,920 –> 00:23:50,500You can use one of these every day48400:23:50,500 –> 00:23:52,520and you can reuse them many times.48500:23:52,520 –> 00:23:54,959So it’s in 40 very simple sections.48600:23:54,959 –> 00:23:59,099I mean for example, I’m praying that the Lord will keep you.48700:23:59,099 –> 00:24:02,219And another one, I’m praying that you will not fear48800:24:02,219 –> 00:24:06,319bad news, I’m praying that God will make you fruitful,48900:24:06,319 –> 00:24:08,339I’m praying that you’ll grasp how deeply49000:24:08,339 –> 00:24:09,819you are loved by God,49100:24:09,819 –> 00:24:11,959I’m praying that you’ll cast your anxieties49200:24:12,000 –> 00:24:14,260on God, I’m praying that you’ll learn49300:24:14,260 –> 00:24:16,339the secret of being content.49400:24:16,339 –> 00:24:21,239So here are 40 distinct ways to pray for someone you love.49500:24:21,239 –> 00:24:22,680Its a marvelous resource,49600:24:22,680 –> 00:24:24,680I’ve never seen anything quite like it.49700:24:24,680 –> 00:24:28,920But it will inject freshness into your prayer life49800:24:28,920 –> 00:24:30,400and I think it could be a great blessing49900:24:30,400 –> 00:24:31,359and help to many.50000:24:31,359 –> 00:24:32,900Well, we’d love to send you a copy50100:24:32,900 –> 00:24:35,359of Nancy Guthrie’s book, I’m Praying For You,50200:24:35,359 –> 00:24:37,239when you begin a new direct debit50300:24:37,239 –> 00:24:38,640to the work of Open The Bible50400:24:38,640 –> 00:24:40,979of five pounds per month or more50500:24:41,060 –> 00:24:43,880or a one of gift of 60 pounds or more.50600:24:43,880 –> 00:24:46,380You’ll find full terms and conditions online50700:24:46,380 –> 00:24:50,300at our website, OpenTheBible.org.uk50800:24:50,300 –> 00:24:52,699and you can also give online.50900:24:52,699 –> 00:24:55,239If you want us to send you this free gift,51000:24:55,239 –> 00:24:57,260please don’t give anonymously51100:24:57,260 –> 00:24:59,859and don’t forget to leave your full name and address51200:24:59,859 –> 00:25:01,800so that we can send you your gift.51300:25:02,739 –> 00:25:05,219For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,51400:25:05,219 –> 00:25:07,739I’m David Pick, thanks for being with us today51500:25:07,739 –> 00:25:09,939and I hope you’ll join us again next time.51600:25:11,140 –> 00:25:15,380Open the Bible51700:25:16,359 –> 00:25:19,819So you’ve identified some areas of sin in your life,51800:25:19,819 –> 00:25:21,819so now what do you do?51900:25:21,819 –> 00:25:23,939How do you deal with them?52000:25:23,939 –> 00:25:27,859Learn how to deal with the wild animal of sin52100:25:27,859 –> 00:25:29,760next time on Open The Bible.