Many have commented that we live in a culture that has become coarse and rude. The further we get from God’s plan, the worse off we are. Our relationships suffer as a result. God gives us guidelines for successful relationships. The virtue of gentleness is one of those principles that deepen our relationships. Over the next several weeks we will study some of the guidelines that God gives us for deeper relationships.

 

The shame still exists, but the secret is out. Our country has a serious problem with lust, and so does the church. It's so pervasive that attitudes about pornography are relaxing, but please, don't dismiss it because it's a common struggle, and don't buy into the idea that you are a product of your culture. You are a product of the Spirit of God. Perhaps the hardest lessons to preach are the ones about self-control because they're the bitterest pills to swallow. James makes a great observation in James 1. Sin is not the product of our culture. It's not the product of a malicious God, nor even a cantankerous Devil. Sin is the product of our deepest desires, and those desires will master us, if we do not master them.

 

I Get it. Getting a lesson from a rotund preacher on gluttony is like getting safety advice from a finger less, wood shop teacher. The good news is this: not all gluttons are fat, and not all who are overweight are gluttons. The bad news is this: gluttony is one sin nobody wants to talk about. And for good reason. This morning we will continue our series on Self Control with a lesson on drunkenness, gluttony, and fasting.

 

Lanny is a regional representative for Easter European Missions, which we have supported in the past.