1 Cor 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the

Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Cor 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and

drink of that cup. (KJV)

EXAMINE: Strong's # 1381 dokimazo (dok-im-ad'-zo);

from 1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication,

to approve:

KJV-- allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try. (DIC)

1 Cor 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh

damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (KJV)

1 Cor 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

1 Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (KJV)

1 Cor 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should

not be condemned with the world. (KJV)

1 Cor 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for

another. (KJV)

COMMUNION IS A SPECIAL TIME WE SPEND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. ITS A

TIME OF RENEWAL, A TIME OF HEALING, A TIME FOR RESTORATION AND ITS A TIME FOR

COMNFESSION, REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TIME

AND ONE THAT REQUIRES SERIOUS CONTEMPLATION AND ESPECIALLY PREPARATION. THIS

MORNING AS WE PREPARE FOR COMMUNION WITH OUR LORD I WANT TO DISCUSS THE SIGNIFI-

CANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIN AND INIQUITY BECAUSE ONE IS THE EFFECT AND THE OTHER

IS THE CAUSE.

Amos 4:11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,

and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not

returned unto me, saith the LORD. (KJV)

Amos 4:12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do

this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (KJV)

PREPARE: Strong's # 3559 kuwn (koon);to set up straight

a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand

perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great

variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or

prosperous):

Amos 4:13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and

declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning

darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD,

The God of hosts, is his name. (KJV)

IT'S INTRESTING TO NOTE THIS PASSAGE IN AMOS BECAUSE THIS WORD PREPARE LIT.

MEANS TO BE STRAIGHT OR TO BE ERECT. IT IS TALKING ABOUT OUR PREPARING TO MEET

WITH GOD. WE OFTEN USE THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE IN REFERENCE WITH THE DEAD BUT

IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE LIVING. WE NEED TO BE HONEST AND STRAIGHT WITH GOD IF

WE DESIRE TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE. COMMUNION IS A TIME OF INTIMACY WITH GOD THE

FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT--IT IS PART OF OUR WORSHIP EX-

PERIENCE WITH GOD. WHAT IS TRUE FOR COMMUNION IS THEREFORE TRUE FOR EVERY TIME

WE WANT TO MEET WITH GOD WHETHER IT BE IN PRIVATE DEVOTIONS OR IN OUR COMING TO

CHURCH--WE MUST COME PREPARED TO MEET WITH GOD. DAVID SAID IN PSA.24

Psalms 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in

his holy place? (KJV)

Psalms 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up

his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (KJV)

Psalms 24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from

the God of his salvation. (KJV)

IF WE WILL PREPARE TO MEET WITH GOD BY APPROACHING HIM WITH CLEAN HANDS AND

A PURE HEART, FREE FROM VANITY AND DECEIT, WE WILL RECEIVE THE FULL BENEFIT AND

BLESSING FROM BEING IN THE LORD'S PRESENCE. THE REASON WHY MANY PEOPLE DO NOT

GET MUCH OUT OF A CHURCH SERVICE IS NOT BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP IS WRONG, NOT

BECAUSE THE SINGING IS WRONG AND NOT BECAUSE THE PREACHING IS WRONG BUT BECAUSE

WE HAVE NOT PREPARED OUR HEART TO MEET WITH GOD. THE REASON WHY SOME PEOPLE

OBTAIN THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM COMMUNION IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE EXAMINED THEM-

SELVES AND ARE PREPARED TO MEET WITH GOD. WHEN WE COME TO CHURCH WE NEED TO

COME ALREADY PREPARED TO MEET WITH GOD. TO BE PREPARED MEANS TO BE STRAIGHT OR

TO BE ERECT. THE WORD INIQUITY MEANS TO BE CROOKED OR PERVERSE AND IT IS NOT

THE SAME AS THE WORD TRANSGRESSION WHICH MEANS TO STEP OVER THE LINE AND IT IS

NOT THE SAME AS THE WORD SIN WHICH MEANS TO MISS THE MARK. THE WORD INIQUITY

COMES FROM THE HEBREW WORD: AVON AND LIT. MEANS TO LEAN TOWARDS IN A WICKED,

PERVERSE OR CROOKED WAY.

INIQUITY: Strong's # 5771 `avon (aw-vone');

or `avown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 [7]) (aw-vone'); from 5753;

perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:

KJV-- fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSGRESSION OR SIN AND INIQUITY IS THAT SIN IS THE

ACTUAL ACT OF MISCONDUCT WHEREAS INIQUITY IS THE CONDITION OF THE HEART AND MIND

THAT IS LEANING TOWARDS DOING SOMETHING WRONG OR PERVERSE IMPELLED BY A STRONG

DESIRE. NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT 5 MAJOR INIQUITY DESIRES OR WHAT I

WILL CALL INIQUITY DRIVES IN A FEW MOMENTS BUT LET ME ILLUSTRATE THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN SIN AND INIQUITY.

IN ALL HONESTY AND SINCERITY YOU HAVE COME TO CHURCH TO WORSHIP GOD BUT IN

THE PROCESS OF COMING YOU HAVE RUN INTO BROTHER BOB WHO A FEW MONTHS AGO CHEATED

YOU OUT OF SOME MONEY. NOW ALL DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICE ALL YOU CAN THINK OF

IS GETTING EVEN WITH BROTHER BOB AND IF YOU COULD REALLY HAVE YOUR WAY YOU WOULD

WALK RIGHT UP TO HIM AND PUNCH HIS LIGHTS OUT BUT BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT IS NOT

THE RIGHT THING TO DO YOU REFRAIN FROM ACTING OUT YOUR DESIRES BUT YOU REALLY

WANT TO. NOW YOU HAVE NOT SINNED OR TRANSGRESSED BUT YOU HAVE COMMITTED IN-

IQUITY. YOU HAVE LEANED TOWRADS THAT THING IN YOUR THOUGHT LIFE AND YOU HAVE

ENJOYED IT EMENSLY JUST THINKING ABOUT DOING IT. I'D LIKE TO KICK HIM IN THE

SHINS--I FEEL GOOD JUST THINKING ABOUT IT. HA! HA!

Prov 22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger

shall fail. (KJV) YOUR HIDDEN PURPOSE AND AGENDA WILL BE EMPTY, VAIN

AND PURPOSELESS AND ONLY BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO YOURSELF BUT DEFIN-

ITELY NOT TO GOD.

Matt 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

LET'S LOOK AT ANOTHER SCENERIO:

OR PERHAPS YOU GONE TO BROTHER SAMS SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS AND YOU DON'T LIKE

SOME OF THE THINGS HE'S BEEN TEACHING. IN FACT HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY FORMAL

EDUCATION LIKE YOU DO AND AND YOU'D REALLY LIKE TO SET HIM IN HIS PLACE. SO YOU

COME TO CLASS DETERMINED NOT TO PARTICIPATE--YOU DECIDE NOT TO OPEN YOUR BIBLE

AND JUST GLARE AT HIM WITH YOUR ARMS FOLDED IN DISGUST. YOUR CONSTANTLY THINK-

ING ABOUT A PUBLIC CONFRONTATION THAT WOULD TOTALLY HUMILIATE HIM AND AT THE

SAME TIME EXALT YOURSELF. WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON? YOU HAVEN'T ACTUALLY ACTED

OUT THOSE THOUGHTS BUT IT MAKE YOU FEEL BETER JUST TO THINK ABOUT IT. WHAT

YOU HAVE ACTUALLY DONE IS COMITTED INIQUITY IN YOUR HEART TOWARDS THAT PERSON

AND YOU HAVE CUT YOURSELF OFF FROM RECEIVING ANYTHING FROM THE LORD BECAUSE YOU

DON'T HAVE CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART. (PSA.24)

Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the

kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in

heaven. (KJV)

Matt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in

thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done

many wonderful works? (KJV)

Matt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,

ye that work iniquity. (KJV) (YOU ARE BENT AND CROOKED AND LEAN TO-

WARDS FULFILLING YOUR OWN HIDDEN AGENDA--LAWLESSNESS, DOING YOUR OWN

THING.

Matt 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto

whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are

within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (KJV)

Matt 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye

are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (KJV)

Matt 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not

commit adultery: (KJV)

Matt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after

her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (KJV)

NOW AMONG SOME OF GOD'S PEOPLE WE WOULD CERTIANLY NOT TRANSGRESS IN SOME

AREAS OF SIN BUT WE DO LEAN TOWARDS THEM IN OUR THOUGHT LIFE. SO WHEN THE

SCRIPTURE SAYS TO PREPARE TO MEET WITH GOD IT IS LITERALLY SAYING STRAIGHTEN UP

YOU INNER THOUGHT LIFE THAT HAS GOTTEN ALL BENT OVER AND PERVERSE. STOP THINK-

ING BAD THOUGHTS ABOUT ANOTHER PERSON AND STOP LEANING TOWARDS AN ACT OF TRANS-

GRESSING GOD'S WORD. YOU DO REALIZE THAT THE MORE TIME YOU SPEND THINKING AND

MEDITATING ON SOMETHING THE MORE LIKELY YOU ARE TO ACT ON THOSE THINGS BECAUSE

IN THINKING UPON THOSE THINGS IT BRINGS YOU RIGHT UP TO THE LINE AND BEFORE YOU

KNOW IT YOU'VE CROSSED THE LINE AND TRANSGRESSED.

Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be

acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (KJV)

IN ALL IT'S SIMPLICITY INIQUITY COULD BE DEFINNED AS PERVERSITY OF THOUGHT.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE NOT LINED UP WITH THE WORD OF GOD, BUT THEY ARE CROOKED AND

SLIGHTLY BENT OR BIASED IN A WORNG DIRECTION. INIQUITY HAS A SPIRITUAL SOURCE

AND UNTIL WE REALIZE THIS IT WILL REMAIN A MYSTERY

2 Thes 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now

letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (KJV)

THERE IS A PERSONALITY BEHIND ALL INIQUITY. IN FACT IT IS MORE THAN A PER-

SONALITY IT IS HIS VERY NATURE. WE CAN CLEARLY SEE THIS NATURE OF INIQUITY IN

EZEK.28:16 AND ISA.14.

Ezek 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so:

thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down

in the midst of the stones of fire. (KJV)

Ezek 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created,

till iniquity was found in thee. (KJV)

Ezek 28:16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of

thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee

as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O

covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. (KJV)

HERE WE HAVE THE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF AND ARCHE ANGEL THAT PERMITTED

INIQUITY TO FIND A PLACE IN HIS HEART THAT CAUSED HIM TO FALL FROM HIS GOD GIVEN

STATE TO BECOMING THE ARCH ENEMY OF GOD. THE ROOT CAUSE WAS INIQUITY. NOW IF

INIQUITY CAN MAKE AN ARCH ANGEL AND ENEMY OF GOD THINK WHAT IT COULD DO TO YOU

AND ME. WE NEED TO DEAL WITH INIQUITY OR IT WILL DESTROY US.

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how

art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will

exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount

of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (KJV)

Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most

High. (KJV)

Isa 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE WE CAN IDENTIFY 5 INIQUITY DRIVES THAT CAUSED

LUCIFER'S FALL AND HAS BECOME AN INNATE PART OF HIS DIOBOLICAL NATURE: NOW THAT

NATURE HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO HUMANITY THROUGH THE FALL OF ADAM. IN JN.8:44

JESUS SPOKE TO THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES AND SAID YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE

DEVIL AND THE LUSTS (DESIRES) OF YOUR FATHER YOU WILL DO. LATER ON, PAUL TELLS

US THAT WE WERE ALL BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE AND DAVID TELLS US

IN PSA.51:5 THAT HE WAS SHAPEN IN INIQUITY AND IN SIN DID HIS MOTHER CONCEIVE

HIM. EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IS BORN WITH THIS SINFUL NATURE THAT CAN BE

TRACED BACK TO THE FALL OF LUCIFER. AS A CHRISTIAN YOU DO NOT HAVE A SINFUL

NATURE BUT THERE IS A RESIDUE OF INIQUITY THAT IS TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS INTO

OUR LIVES AND BRING US BACK INTO BONDAGE. PAUL SPOKE ABOUT THIS IN ROMANS 6:

AND ROMANS 7. SAD TO SAY THERE ARE MANY SINCERE, SPIRIT FILLED CHRISTIANS WHO

WANT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT BUT INEVITABLY THEY YIELD TO WHAT IS WRONG. HOW DO

WE STOP SINNING IN THOSE VULNERABLE AREAS. WE REPENT, WE CONFESS AND WE VOW

NOT TO DO IT AGAIN BUT 1-2 WEEKS GO BY AND THERE WE ARE BACK AT IT AGAIN. WHY?

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH THE SYMPTOM AND NOT THE CAUSE. THE

ACT OF SIN OR TRANGRESSION IS PRECIPITATED BY INIQUITY OR THE THOUGHT AND THE

DESIRE TO ACT IN A CERTIAN WAY.

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have

obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of

righteousness. (KJV)

Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your

flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness

and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members

servants to righteousness unto holiness. (KJV)

Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from

righteousness. (KJV)

Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?

for the end of those things is death. (KJV)

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye

have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (KJV)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)

WE CAN SEE 5 INIQUITY DRIVES PERSONIFIED IN LUCIFER AT THE TIME OF HIS FALL:

1. I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN: NOT JUST ANYBODY COULD COME INTO THE PRESENCE OF

(ISA.14:13) A MONARCH ANY TIME THEY FELT LIKE IT AND YET

LUCIFER PRESUMED THAT HE HAD THE RIGHT TO GOD INTO

GOD'S PRESENCE ANY TIME HE WANTED. ILLUS: ESTHER

AND MORDICIA. "I'LL DO IT MY WAY BECAUSE ITS THE

RIGHT WAY."

2. I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD. (VV.13) STARS IN SCRIPTURE

SPEAK OF ANGELS. LUCIFER WAS NOT CONTENT IN BEING

JUST ONE OF THE ARCH ANGELS BUT HE WAS IN COMPETI-

TION FOR THE HIGHEST PLACE. HE WOULD PUSH OTHERS

DOWN AND EXALT HIMSELF.

3. I WILL ALSO SIT ON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION ON THE SIDES OF THE NORTH:

THIS HAD REFERENCE TO THE THRONE OF GOD WHERE HE

DWELT IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES IN THE ARK OF THE

COVENANT BENEATH THE WINGS OF THE CHERUBIM. WHAT

WE CAN SEE FROM THIS IS THAT LUCIFER WANTED TO BE

THE CENTER OF ATTENTION--HE WANTED TO TAKE FROM GOD

THE HONOR THAT RIGHTFULLY BELONGED TO HIM.

4. I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS: BY THIS STATEMENT LUCIFER IS

WANTING TO GAIN MORE CONTROL OF AN AREA THAT HE WAS

NOT ASSIGNED TO. THE GRASS ALWAYS LOOKS GREENER ON

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE AND HE JUST WANTED A

CHANGE OF ATMOSPHERE--ABOVE THE CLOUDS. HE WASN'T

SATIFIED WITH WHERE HE WAS AT-DISCONTENTMENT.

5. I WILL BE MADE LIKE THE MOST HIGH GOD: THIS WAS HIS REAL DESIRE, TO TAKE THE

PLACE OF GOD AND BE THE ALL IMPORTANT ONE TO WHOM

ALL WOULD LOOK TO, BE DEPENDENT ON AND WORSHIP.

FROM THESE 5 INIQUITY DRIVES WE CAN SEE THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ACTED OUT

IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. PAUL GIVES US THIS LIST IN GAL.5:19

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,

fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (KJV)

Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,

seditions, heresies, (KJV)

Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which

I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they

which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

1. I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN: SPEAKS TO US ABOUT HERISIES, SECTS, SCHISMS, AND

FACTIONS: ALSO PRIDE, AND SELF-DETERMINATION,

THIS REPRESENTS A DRIVE THAT COMPELLS PEOPLE TO TRY

AND PLEASE GOD IN THIER OWN WAY AND BY THIER OWN

STRENGTH AND THUS ADDING TO THE BIBLE THIER "WAY"

TO GET TO HEAVEN.

" I WILL GET TO HEAVEN BY KEEPING THE

COMMANDMENTS, OR THE SACRAMENTS, OR BY BEING

BAPTIZED IN WATER OR BECAUSE I SPEAK IN TONGUES."

"I WILL GET TO HEAVEN MY OWN WAY, BY MY MERIT."

SPEAKS TO US ABOUT SALVATION BY WORKS ETC.AND SET-

TING UP A DOCTRINE OR TEACHING OR A RELIGION TO

SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM.

2. I WILL EXALT MY THRONE: THIS SPEAKS TO US ABOUT STRIFE, JEALOUSY, DISPUTES,

COMPETITION, ANGER AND ENVY. THIS DESCRIBES A PERSON

WHO ALWAYS WANTS TO BE ABOVE OR BETTER THAN OTHERS.

OFCOURSE THE ILLIGETIMATE WAY OF DOING THIS IS BY

PUTTING OTHER PEOPLE DOWN, SLANDER, GOSSIP AND DE-

FAMATION OF ONE'S CHARACTER. JAMES TELLS US THAT THE

TONGUE IS A FIRE AND A WORLD OF INIQUITY. (3:6)

3. I WILL RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS: SPEAKS TO US ABOUT FORNICATION, ADULTERY, DRUG

ABUSE, ENTERTAINMENT, PLEASURE SEEKING. THIS DE-

SCRIBES PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT CONTENT OR PLEASED WITH

THEIR PRESENT STATE AND ARE LOOKING FOR A AN ESCAPE

FROM REALITY. EXCESSIVE TV WATCHING CAN BE AN IN-

DICATION OF DISCONTENTMENT WITH YOUR LIFE, THE PLACE

YOU LIVE, THE JOB YOU HAVE ETC. SO YOU WATCH THE

LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS...ETC. OR A FAMILY

SERIES WHERE THERE IS LOVE, ACCEPTANCE AND RESPECT.

PEOPLE CAN NOT TAKE THE REALITY OF LIFE AROUND THEM

AND SO THEY SEEK AN ESCAPE IN A RELATIONSHIP, IN AN

ACTIVITY, IN AN OUTWARD EXPERIENCE WITH THE LORD:

HAVE TO HAVE A PROPHECY--LAYING ON OF HANDS--SLAIN IN

THE SPIRIT ETC.

A DESIRE TO CHANGE YOUR ATMOSPHERE--ABOVE THE CLOUDS

4. I WILL SIT ON THE SIDES OF THE NORTH: ATTENTION SEEKER, SENSUALITY, LACIVIOS-

NESS. THIS DESCRIBES A PERSON WHO ACTS, DRESSES OR

TALKS IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ATTRACT OTHERS. THIS PER-

SON WANTS TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION, WANTS TO BE

APPRECIATED, HONORED AND RESPECTED BY OTHERS.

THIS IS A DRIVE THAT COMPELS PEOPLE TO WORK AT BEING

ACCEPTED, TO DRESS A CERTIAN WAY, TO TALK A CERTIAN

WAY.

5. I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH GOD: IDOLATRY AND WITCHCRAFT. IDOLATRY CAN BE

DEFINED AS THAT WHICH IS WORSHIPPED IN THE PLACE OF

GOD. MANY TIMES THIS DESCRIBES A PERSON THAT IS VERY

SERCERTIVE AND ALOOF FROM OTHERS--IF YOU WILL GET

CLOSE TO ME AND VALUE MY FRIENDSHIP THEN YOU WILL GET

THE INSIDE STUFF, THEN YOU'LL REALLY KNOW THE TRUTH.

THEY WANT PEOPLE TO BE DRAWN TO THEM FOR SPIRITUAL

ANSWERS, FOR HELP OR ADVISE. THIS PERSON ALWAYS HAS

TO HAVE THE LAST WORD, THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE RIGHT.

THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY HUSBANDS HAVE WITH THEIR

WIVES--THEY HAVE TO BE RIGHT AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE

THE LAST WORD.

IF WE DON'T DEAL WITH THESE INIQUITY DRIVES THEY WILL LITERALLY DESTROY OUR

SPIRITUAL LIVES. THESE INIQUITY DRIVES ARE WHAT MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE THE WORKS

OF THE FLESH AND HENCE A LIFESTYLE OF SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE. WE NEED TO LAY THE

AXE TO THE ROOT AND DEAL NOT ONLY WITH THE ACTUAL SIN BUT WHAT IS DRIVING OR

COMPELLING US TO SIN. YOU MIGHT ASK, HOW DO WE DO THAT?

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,

and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1. FIRST OF ALL WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT JESUS HAS COME TO REDEEM US OR TO LOOSE

US FROM THE BONDAGE OF THESE INIQUITY DRIVES. PAUL TELLS US IN ROM.6:

Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto

sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye

should obey it in the lusts thereof. (KJV)

Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of

unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God,

as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as

instruments of righteousness unto God. (KJV)

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not

under the law, but under grace. (KJV)

2. THE WORD OF GOD WILL EXPOSE THESE INIQUITY DRIVES IN US,

Prov 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men

depart from evil. (KJV)

AND WE MUST FULFILL THESE CONDITIONS FOR DELIVERANCE FROM THEIR CONTROL IN

OUR LIVES.

1. WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR PLACE IN OUR LIVES BY WAY OF CONFESSION: AVOID

DENIAL AND DECEPTION IN THESE AREAS.

2. BE WILLING TO CHANGE-REPENT, SORRY ENOUGH TO QUIT

3. WE MUST RENOUNCE THEM AND CONTINUE TO CAST DOWN THE IMAGINATIONS AND

REASONINGS FOR THIER PLACE IN OUR LIVES.

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty

through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (KJV)

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that

exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing

into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

3. INQUITY IN ITS FINAL ANALYSIS CAN BE SEEN AS THE FORCE OR INSPIRATION THAT

COMPLES US TO ACT IN A SINFUL WAY AND TRANSGRESS GOD'S WORD. JESUS HAS COME

TO DEAL WITH THESE INIQUITY DRIVES AND BRING HEALING, FORGIVENESS AND VICTORY

TO EVERY CHILD OF GOD.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his

own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by

the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not

his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. (KJV)

Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue

our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of

the sea. (KJV)

Zech 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of

the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. (KJV)

Zech 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the

LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand

plucked out of the fire? (KJV)

Zech 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the

angel. (KJV)

Zech 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying,

Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I

have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee

with change of raiment. (KJV)

Zech 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair

mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of

the LORD stood by. (KJV)

AS WE PREPARE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO RECEIVE COMMUNION THIS MORNING LET

US ASK THE LORD NOT ONLY TO EXPOSE SIN AND TRANSGRESSION IN OUR LIVES BUT THAT

WHICH INSPIRES AND COMPELS US TO ACT THAT WAY. LET'S OPEN OURSELVES TO THE

COUNSEL OF GOD'S WORD AND ALLOW ANY OF THESE INIQUITY DRIVES TO BE EXPOSED AND

REMOVED FROM OUR LIVES.

2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth

the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (KJV)