The Examination of Sanctification:

Anger/Abuse

Three circles

#1 #2 #3

No .1 Natural Man (self rule)

• Self-Centered (selfish heart)• Self-Seeking (fear/lust)• Self-reliant• Attempts to control

(others, outcomes and circumstances)

Chaos

. . .. . . . . . . . .

Enemy of God,alive to sin

No choice but to sin - it is our nature.

No. 3 Christian

walking according to

the Spirit(Christ rules)

• God-centered (servant’s heart)• God pleasing (faith)• Dependent on Creator• Surrendered to His lordship and sovereignty

Order

Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

No. 2 Christian

walking according to

the flesh (self rule)

• Self-centered (selfish heart)• Self-seeking (fear/lust)• Self-reliant• Attempts to control

(others, outcomes, and circumstances)

Chaos

. . .. . . . . . . . .

Deeds of the Flesh (Gal. 5:19-21)

Natural Man

Fear/Lust

Repentance

Christian walking by the

flesh

Christian walking by the

Spirit

Wrath/Death Deeds of the Flesh Fruit of the Spirit

“ … for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

James 1:20

Anger

Anger birthed out of “thwarted desires”

Is it a lust? Am I willing to sin to get it?

Many Faces of Anger

1. Passive – sin of omission – withdraw/neglect

2. Aggressive – sin of commission – abuse

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;  when I fall, I shall rise;when I sit in darkness,  the LORD will be a light to me.

Micah 7:8

Abuse

Satan’s Seduction

“You can’t trust God! He does not have your best interest at heart! You can be your own God and it is no

big deal!”

Gen. 3:4-5

Matt. 5:21-22

Degrees of Abuse

Essence of Abuse

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Rom. 11:36

Psa. 10:17-18

God’s heart toward the abused

Church’s response

Compassionate

Church’s response

Moving to accountability

Responsibilities Confused

Heart

Society

Family

Body

Affected, but not determined. Ultimately, I am determined by what reigns and rules in my heart.

Active Heart Model

Heart

Society

Family

Body

Heart is an active agent, which produces fruit – for this I am responsible.

Active Heart Model

Heart

Society

Family

Body

Sin/Self-ruleOr

Christ and His rule

Deeds of the FleshOrFruit of the Spirit

Active Heart Model

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Heb. 4:15

“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”

Heb. 5:8

“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Heb. 5:8

“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Heb. 5:8

1 Peter 2:19-25

Strategies employed in believing I’m to blame

Blaming God for the abuse

God is SovereignLam. 3:25-38

God is Sovereign

“ … without approving of sin, God governs the sinful acts of men for his own good and wise purposes.”

Piper, A Bitter & Sweet Providence (p. 114)

Shifting blame for my response

Observations

• Responsibilities confused• Development of a “victim mentality”

Observations

• Responsibilities confused• Development of a “victim mentality”• Satan uses the experience of abuse to

breed lies.

Satan’s Lies

1. If this didn’t happen to me, I would be OK (I’m good).

Satan’s Lies

1. If this didn’t happen to me, I would be OK (I’m good).

2. Because He allowed this to happen, God is bad.

Satan’s Lies

1. If this didn’t happen to me. I would be OK (I’m good).

2. Because He allowed this to happen, God is bad.3. Therefore, I’m the only one who can be trusted

(be my own God).

Satan’s Lies

1. If this didn’t happen to me, I would be OK (I’m good).

2. Because He allowed this to happen, God is bad.3. Therefore, I’m the only one who can be trusted

(be my own God).4. It is no big deal (“surely you will not die!”).

Seduced by Satan

Results of Self-rule

1. Keep from the only one who can heal.

Results of Self-rule

1. Keep from the only one who can heal.2. Cycle of abuse perpetuated.

Response: Repentance

Micah 7:7-10

In Christ we will rise