HABITS OF THE HEART

1 John 3:4-10

Pastor David Steele

I. THE CARNAL HEART

A. 4 QUALITIES OF THE CARNAL HEART

1. The carnal heart sins _____________________________. Sin is an _____________________________ habit (v. 5).

a. Some Definitions:

b. The carnal heart ___________________ sin.

c. The carnal heart practices ___________________________.

2. The carnal heart engages in hand-to-hand _______________ with God (v. 6).

3. The carnal heart is in league with the __________________ (v. 8).

4. The carnal heart is a ____________ _______________ (v. 10).

II. THE CLEANSED HEART

A. 5 QUALITIES OF THE CLEANSED HEART

1. The cleansed heart pursues ________________ as a habit (v. 6).

2. The cleansed heart is in ______________________ with God (v. 6).

3. The cleansed heart has a passion for __________________________ (v. 7).

4. The cleansed heart is ____________________ _________________ (v. 7).

5. The cleansed heart has a passion to ____________________ God (v. 9).

TRUTH POINT:

The habits of your heart determine your _________________ _________________.

HABITS OF THE HEART

1 John 3:4-10

Discussion Questions

1. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith." The verb, "examine" is from a Greek word that means, "to inspect or determine the nature or condition of something."

Why is self-examination such an important exercise in the Christian life? Do you think that self-examination (which is a commandment) is on the downgrade in the church? Why or why not?

2. Read 1 John 3:4-10 and discuss the differences between the carnal heart and the cleansed heart.

3. How does this passage address a person who sins as a matter of habit, with no regard for the standard set forth in God's Word?

4. If unrepentant sin is the general pattern of your life, what should you do?

5. There are four qualities of a carnal/unconverted heart in this passage. Do any of these qualities bother you? Why? Does your answer reveal your position on the sinfulness of man?

6. Have you ever engaged in hand-to-hand combat with God? What hope is there for a person who is numbered among the enemies of God? See Romans 5:9-11.

7. Does your life reflect the qualities of a cleansed heart? If not what needs to change? What does repentance look like for you?

8. How does regeneration revolutionize a human heart? How deep does this work of God go?

9. What are the habits of your heart? Do you have a "taste for the enjoyment of Christ?"

10. Where is your eternal home? What is the basis of your answer?