Mortifying Sin
Hooked

Back To
Teaching Ministries

November 10, 2002
Adult Sunday School
Class #9

Key Points:

We are drawn away and enticed (James 1:14)—sin draws the mind away from duty (what is pleasing to God) but it entices our emotions (affections). Sin often entices by way of our imagination.

Said another way, the flesh deceives the mind but seduces our affections—it does this by alluring our imagination to dwell on and savor "tantalizing possibilities"—to the point where we can't stop thinking about them. This gives way to plotting and scheming ways to make the fantasy a reality.

Once the affections are enticed (seduced), the will soon follows with its happy consent.

When your imagination can't turn off the flesh's images of evil, you're hooked.

When sin tempts the affections, it uses a 1,000 wiles to hide the soul from the terror of the Lord. Hopes of pardon will be used to hide it. Future repentance also covers it, as well as the present insistence of lust and the particular occasion or opportunity.

Your affections, when they are working as they should, long for and cling to what the mind says is pleasing to God and is repulsed by what angers Him.

"Above all else, guard your heart (affections) . . ." (Proverbs 4:23). Set your heart on heavenly things, especially the cross—and be careful to keep your affections warm for Him (then there will be no room for sin). Don't forsake your first love by having your heart grow slowly cooler—it must be looked after, exercised, directed, and warned.