TO AVOID FACING YOUR DEFECTS
When You're Tempted - Part One

God said, "Go down to the potter's house, and I will give you my message there." So I went down to the potter's house and saw him working at the potter's wheel.

He was using his hands to make a pot from clay, but something went wrong with it. So he used that clay to make another pot the way he wanted it to be. The Lord said, "You are in my hands like the clay in the potter's hands."

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NCV)

As the potter molded or shaped a clay pot on the potter's wheel, defects often appeared. The potter had power over the clay, to permit the defects to remain or to reshape the pot.

Likewise, God has the power to reshape your life to conform your life to his purposes.

Your strategy: to be willing and receptive to God's impact on your life. As we yield to God, he begins reshaping us into valuable vessels.

HOW CAN I AVOID MY DEFECTS?

1. When I avoid facing my defects, I choose to avoid pleasing God

Have I tried to hide my sins as people normally do, hiding my guilt in a closet?

Job 31:33 (NLT)

This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.

John 3:19-21 (MSG)

2. When I avoid facing my defects, I choose to deny anything is wrong with them

It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!

Ephesians 5:12-14 (MSG)

You can readily recall, can't you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing - not caring about others, not caring about God - the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?

Romans 6:19 (MSG)

WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF MY LIFE THAT GOD IS INTERESTED IN?

1. God is interested in cleaning my heart!

Jesus said "It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness - all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution."

Mark 7:20-23 (MSG)

2. God is interested in cleaning my mind!

The human mind is the most deceitful of all things. It is incurable. No one can understand how deceitful it is.

Jeremiah 17:9 (GW)

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

James 4:7-10 (MSG)

WHAT'S THE BENEFIT OF CHANGING SPECIFIC AREAS IN MY LIFE?

1. I will be happier when I admit to God, a friend, and another human being my problem

Happy is the person whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy is the person whom the Lord does not consider guilty and in whom there is nothing false.

Psalms 32:1-2 (NCV)

2. I will be happier when I follow God's advice

God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won't follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night.

Psalms 1:1-2 (CEV)

I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living.

Psalms 119:9-12 (MSG)

Guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.

Proverbs 3:21-24 (MSG)

I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all - oh, how well I remember - the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!

Lamentations 3:19-23 (MSG)

3. I will be happier when I humbly ask God to remove my shortcomings

God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step. From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions. Keep up your reputation, God; Forgive my bad life; It's been a very bad life.

Psalms 25:8-11 (MSG)

Rather, the payment that freed you was the precious blood of Christ, the lamb with no defects or imperfections.

1 Peter 1:19 (GW)

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

Psalms 34:7 (NKJV)

HOW DO I ASK GOD HUMBLY?

Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins.

Acts 3:19 (MSG)

God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble.

James 4:6 (CEV)

A) Begin with PLEASE

You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins.

Psalms 51:1 (CEV)

B) Tell God what is wrong in your life

Commute my death sentence, God... Unbutton my lips, dear God; Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you... Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice.

Psalms 51:14-17 (MSG)

I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid. I am here to help you.

Isaiah 41:13 (CEV)

C) Say you're sorry [apologize]

If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.

1 John 1:9 (NCV)

1. Admit your wrong attitudes and actions and apologize to God

2. When you have wronged someone, you should do more than just apologize

David confessed and repented of his sin (2Sa 12:13), but God's judgment was that his child would die. The consequences of David's sin were irreversible. Sometimes an apology isn't enough.

When God forgives us and restores our relationship with him, he doesn't eliminate all the consequences of our wrongdoing.

You may be tempted to say, "If this is wrong, I can always apologize to God," but you must remember that you may set into motion events with irreversible consequences.

Why did this child have to die? This was not a judgment on the child for being conceived out of wedlock, but a judgment on David for his sin. David and Bathsheba deserved to die, but God spared their lives and took the child instead.

God forgave Adam and Eve of their sin. But the consequences of their sin are still being felt today.

If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear [the consequences].

Proverbs 9:12 (HCSB)

If you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites who can get away with evil.

Colossians 3:25 (NLT)

3. You should not be careless with what you say, thinking you can apologize later, Because if you do, the scars will remain.

The tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction.

James 3:6 (NLT)

God said, Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NCV) "Go down to the potter's house", The Lord said. "You are in my hands like the clay in the potter's hands."

What's in your life that needs to be removed?

What are you hanging on to that God wants to remove?

What's in your heart that doesn't belong in relationship with God?

we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will... we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.

1 John 5:13-15 (NLT)