Bible Study

Title: Steps of Self-Destruction
Date: Sep 7, 2010
Topic(s): Sin/Temptation, Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: Romans 7:15-21, Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:9, James 1:13-16

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In debate or rhetoric, the "slippery slope" is an argument for the likelihood that an action will initiate a chain of events culminating in an undesirable result. We find the original slippery slope in Genesis 3:1-6. And, sure enough, we find it is the path to self-destruction.

What Does God Say?

"And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

"So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters" (James 1:13-16, NLT).

• What are three of the important truths in this Scripture?
• According to these verses, what is the sequence leading to death?

Read the following passage:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23, NLT).

• How can we avoid the consequences of sin?

My Thoughts

Did it ever cross your mind that when you did something wrong, it did not happen in just that moment? The sinful action is always preceded by sinful thoughts which are motivated by selfish and ungodly desires. And the more we think wrong, the worse our attitudes are and the closer we are to acting out in sinful ways. And that is a slippery slope that we cannot easily climb back up.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans about his struggle:

"I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

"And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

"I have discovered this principle of life--that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong" (Romans 7:15-21, NLT).

Has that been your experience? Well, there's good news. There is a way off the slippery slope.

My Part

The secret to keep from destroying yourself is to stop wherever you are on the downward path and look to God.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Stop destroying yourself and others with you. Confess your sin. Forsake it. Ask God to forgive you of it. And then, start over. This time walk before God and be blameless. You can do it. The Spirit will help you to be strong. Ask Him to help you stop destroying yourself.

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