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Fallen Condition Focus

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B. Fallen Condition Focus

1. There is a sharp opposition between the flesh and the Spirit-a felt tension. Life according to the desires of the flesh (e.g. the self-centered appetites and ambitions) leads to slavery, destruction, and death (e.g. addiction).

C. Gospel Response

1. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus we have been forgiven of our sins- past, present, and future-and afforded new life along with freedom and fruitfulness in the Holy Spirit. We ("flesh") have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us by faith through the Holy Spirit so that we do not "gratify the desires of the flesh." (Gal. 2:20; 3:14, 4:6-7, 5:16, 24).

D. Missional Analysis

1. Non-Christians lean towards the perspective that what you do does not matter as long as it does not hurt others. We've all heard it, "Why does it matter? Who are they hurting?" For them, addiction is addiction until someone is being hurt. However, by this point the "hurt" has already taken a deep root, and the addictive behavior is merely an outward reflection of the inter-turmoil-it is only the tip of the iceberg. …show more content…

Moralistic "Christians" normally point to the physical "works" that can be done to fix the problem. Some examples of solutions: "Join an AA program." "Just stop!" "Get an accountability partner." "Avoid places that invite temptation." The moralistic approach brings to light some helpful steps; however, they are not the solution to one's "recovery" (e.g. Jonathan's final

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