I. Sin has a Context 

(causes-why we do it; and consequences-what will inevitably result)    “Complacency creeps toward catastrophe”

Joshua 1:8 “meditate in it  that you may observe to do acc to all that is written; then you...prosperous, then...good success”
 Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (No fear/concern for God's eyes)

A. Failure to fully follow, to observe to do all that the Lord commanded, to destroy the roots (deadly desires) and influences of sin►Forget

1:19 Yahweh was with Judah; and drove out the inhabitants of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. 20 They gave Hebron to (wholehearted) Caleb: and he drove out there the three sons of Anak (demon giants). 

B. Compromise, ensnared by temptation of sensual pagan worship influence; trade enduring blessing for temporal yet unsatisfying gratification

2:1 "I led you up from Egypt to the land  'I will never break My covenant with you 2 and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.' But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this? 3 Therefore 'I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.' " 4 wept. 11 Then Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals 12 forsook the LORD God of their fathers, followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them. 15 Wherever they went, the hand of Yahweh was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said and sworn to them. They were greatly distressed

2:16 LORD raised up judges who delivered them...17 Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them...They turned quickly from...obeying the commandments of the LORD 19...when the judge was dead, they reverted and behaved more corruptly...They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way 

C. Abandon God, He honors our choice; sold and enslaved; lots of pain; repent-cry out; eventually delivered; fail to eradicate and teach ► Repeat

3:5 Thus the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites...6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave thei daugh/ters to their sons; and they served their gods. So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs. 8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He sold them...children of Israel served..years.9 When the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer..who delivered them

10:6 Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals and Ashtoreths, the gods of Syria/Sidon/Moab/Ammon/Philistines; and forsook the LORD and did not serve Him.7 So the anger of the LORD was...sold them 8  harassed and oppressed Israel 18 years...Israel was severely distressed. 10 cried out to the LORD, "We have sinned against You, because we have both forsaken our God and served the Baals!" 11 LORD said "Did I not deliver you...13 Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more.14 Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress." 15 "We have sinned! Do whatever seems best to You; only deliver us, we pray."16 So they put away foreign gods from them and served the LORD. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.

II. Freedom is found 

in doing God's will, by dying to your will/desires/ambitions, deciding no retreat; & pursuing holiness w/ others

Lk 9:23 "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 whoever desires to save his soul (m/w/e) will destroy it, but whoever destroys his soul for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and destroy himself or suffer damage/loss? (1Cor 3:15 shipwreck)      Rm 8:13; 12:1-2; Col 3:5 put to death
 Gal 5:24 those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit

Jn 8:34 whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 slave not...but a son abides forever. 36 if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 
 Rm 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.13 And do not yield  to sin, but yield to God 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 16.. yield...you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart teaching to which you were delivered.18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.19 just as you yield your members as slaves of uncleanness...leading to more lawlessness, so now yield your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. (Js 4)

2Tim 2:9 "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity" 21 cleanses himself...be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared...22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
 2Pt 3:17 know beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

 
1.  What makes someone want to change? What needs does sin meet in a person's life? How does a good rlshp with God meet those needs?
 
2. What does it mean to serve the Lord? How and when do you do it? What work has God done and what work do you need to obediently do?
 
3. Is is possible to have God's will for our lives thwarted by others? Is it possible to have our faithless disobedience cause us to miss it? 
 
4.  Why is it that if we are not busy serving God, we will be actively or passively serving the devil? Can believers be deceived?
 
5. Why do people backslide/fail to progress?  In what ways could you “conquer the territory” God has given you and reap greater blessing?