A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 4: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i on: The I nward Di sc i p l i nes 153

the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

(2) Eph. 2.3 – among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of

the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

(3) Eph. 4.17 – Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

c. We are called to test all things, and hold yet (after the test) to those things that are truly good, 1 Thess. 5.21 – but test everything; hold fast what is good.

d. The Christian is to be critical, not cynical; we are called not to merely “take one’s word for it” regarding their profession of faith and belief, but we are called to test them to see whether they or their doctrine is from the Lord. (1) 1 John 4.1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (2) Acts 17.11 – Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

(3) 1 Cor. 14.29 – Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

e. A Christian’s battle against moral evil and sin is largely concentrated in his or her ability to wage warfare in regards to the thoughts and intents of the heart.