Heb 12:15  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled

I. Truth is found at the Convergence of Revelation/Reason/Reality (context & consistency)

II. Three Root Problems

Js 4:6…"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."  7  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

A. Bitterness and Rebellion open the door to demonic influence

1Sam 15:22..Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."Develop a spirit of Gratitude1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Acts 24:16  "This being so {future judgment v 15}, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

B. Temporal Values .. result in greed, anxiety, insecurity, etc.

Yield Rights and Expectations Ps 62:5  My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation  is from Him

Lk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

C. Moral Impurity.. results in guilt, anger, bondage, satanic strongholds

1. Confess the sin (bitterness, impurity, pride) "I deserve better than I receive"  1Jn 1.9 If we confess our sins…
2. Claim forgiveness in the blood of the Lamb 1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. Cf Col 2.14-15
Rev 12:11 they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
3. Verbally ask God to take back the ground given to Satan Ps 23.3 “God, I ask You to take back the ground I’ve yielded to Satan.”

III. The Root Cause of our Problems is the Violation of  Seven Scriptural Principles:

1. Design  Understanding the specific purposes for which God created each person, object, and relationship in my life and living in harmony with them. Thanking God for my design brings Self-Acceptance.

2. Authority  Honoring the responsibilities of parents, church leaders, government, and other authorities and learning how God works through them to provide direction and protection. Honoring my authorities brings Inward Peace.

3. Responsibility  Realizing I am accountable to God for every thought, word, action, and motive. Asking forgiveness of those I offend brings a Clear Conscience.

4. Suffering  Allowing the hurts from offenders to reveal “blind spots” in my own life, and then seeing how I can benefit their lives. Fully forgiving offenders brings Genuine Joy.

5. Ownership  Understanding that everything I have has been entrusted to me by God, and wisely using it for His purposes. Yielding my rights to God brings True Security.

6. Freedom  Enjoying the desire and power to do what is right, rather than claiming the privilege to do what I want. Regaining ground surrendered to sin brings Moral Purity.

7. Success  Discovering God’s purpose for my life by engrafting Scripture in my heart and mind, and using it to “think God’s thoughts” and make wise decisions. Meditating on Scripture brings Life Purpose.

Questions for Reflection/discussion/Response:
1. How does legalism differ from a rigorous scrupulous application of the Truth? Which is worse, legalism or demonic domination?
2. Why are bitterness, temporal values, and moral impurity so destructive? Why would someone resist “resolving” them?
3. Why would someone resist the grace of God? What would be the consequences? Why do most people not know they’re bound?
4. Which of the “7 Benefits” Self-Acceptance, Peace, Conscience, Joy, Security, Purity, and Purpose, could you grow in? How will you do it?
5. How can you better experience the freedom God has designed for you? Jn 8:31-32 What are the consequences of that freedom?