Is It Lust Or Legalism

The author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" now calls a generation bombarded with images of sexual sin back to the freedom and joy of holiness. (Practical Life)

Legalism! Almost no one is neutral on the subject. Some see a legalist behind every attempt to encourage holiness in the lives of God’s people, while others fail to see that they have fallen into the clutches of legalistic thinking. In the name of calling people to righteousness, many add to the Word of God and form a system destined to end in an unbiblical approach to godly living. The results of legalism are devastating. Many fail to learn to think, or at least think biblically, but continue to conform to the rules that have been laid before them. Robotic in their obedience, they never experience the joy of the freedom available in Christ. Others rebel, not only against the system, but against even those teachings that are true to the Scriptures. These rebels often leave their families and the church in pursuit of personal pleasure. In so doing they find themselves becoming slaves to sin. This book is designed to expose legalism and its tragic results, and then point the way to a true holiness that is based in biblical motivations. Christ is glorified only through truly holy lives.

Lust isn't just a guy problem – it's a human problem. And unless we honestly confront it, lust will destroy our relationships and our lives. Joshua Harris, author of the runaway bestseller I Kissed Dating Goodbye, calls a generation bombarded with images of sexual sin back to the freedom and joy of holiness. This "PG-rated" book – straightforward without being graphic – speaks to those entrenched in lust or just flirting with temptation. Honestly sharing his own struggles, Harris exposes lust's tactics and helps readers create a personal plan for fighting back. Men and women will find hope in God's grace and learn the secrets to lasting change. Neither sex nor sexuality is our enemy. We need to rescue our sexuality from lust so we can experience it as God intended. Bestselling author Joshua Harris shows you how lust deceives you. Specific and honest without being graphic, this book–for both men and women–will guide you in creating a custom plan for fighting lust and celebrating purity. Praise for Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is) “For your joy and Christ’s honor, I commend this book to you. It is realistic, practical, and hope-giving.” -John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis “A beautiful blend of grace and truth. Joshua Harris raises high standards of holiness while carefully avoiding legalism. I highly recommend it.” -Randy Alcorn , bestselling author of The Treasure Principle and The Purity Principle “I am very encouraged that my longtime friend Josh Harris has written a book about lust. May God use this book to keep many from allowing their minds to become ‘the devil’s playground.’” -Rebecca St. James, singer/songwriter Story Behind the Book “I was preparing a message on lust when I realized that the book I wanted to consult hadn’t been written. That book would make it clear that only Jesus Christ can free us from the hopeless treadmill of shame and guilt that so many well-intentioned people end up on. It would instill a love for holiness and a hatred for sin without dragging the reader’s imagination through the gutter. And it would be for both men and women, because I’ve learned that lust isn’t just a guy problem–it’ s a human problem.” –Joshua Harris

The authors in this compilation address the issue of legalism from a variety of angles. John MacArthur shows, first that obedience to God is not an issue of legalism, but an issue of love. In his second chapter, he deals with the inevitable response of people who are confronted with Biblical standards, "Judge not that ye be not judged." Here MacArthur shows what our Lord meant when He said that, and shows what biblical discernment really is, that there is a vast difference between judgmental and holding people accountable to God's standards. Phil Johnson, in his first chapter, deals with Christian liberty. In his second chapter, he takes a critical look at two kinds of legalism, then explores the relationship of Christian love and Christian liberty. Joel Beeke shows that enthusiasm for God's law is not necessarily legalism. One can be zealous without being legalistic. As David wrote: "Oh, how I love Thy Law!" Bruce Bickel explains that legalism is due to a weak understanding of what Christ accomplished on the cross. Jim Elliff makes clear that legalism is an attack on unity within the Body of Christ, particularly local congregations. Ken Talbot helps us to see that legalism is inconsistent with and incompatible with the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He points out that the doctrine of "free will" leads to this dangerous position. Rick Phillips explores the relationship to loving God and obeying His law. Some today believe that love is all that matters, and that the law as a guideline to love is extinct. Then this author shows that Biblical sanctification is the antidote to and the opposite of legalism. Steven J. Lawson shows that legalism is the result of holding to man-made traditions over the truth of God's Word. Second, he points out how dangerous and deadly a thing legalism is and why. Table of Contents: 1. Introduction: What Legalism Is, What Legalism Does - Don Kistler 2. Truth Vs. Tradition - Stephen J. Lawson 3. Love and God's Law - Richard D. Philips 4. The Cross Is Enough - Bruce Bickel 5. The Danger of Legalism - Steven J. Lawson 6. Obedience: Love or Legalism? - John MacArthur 7. Zealous But not Legalistic - Joel Beeke 8. The Plague of Free-Will Moralism - Kenneth Talbot 9. Judging Vs. Biblical Discernment - John MacArthur 10. Stand Fast in Liberty - Phil Johnson 11. Real Love and Real Liberty - Phil Johnson 12. What Freedom From the Law Accomplishes For the Local Church - Jim Elliff 13. Biblical Sanctification: The Antidote to Legalism - Richard D. Philips

Bible doctrine is the absolute truth from God that reveals His character, His standards, and His infinitely superior wisdom. For fifty-three years, Pastor R. B. Thieme, Jr., dedicated his life to teaching Bible doctrine. He sought to clarify God’s Word through innovative vocabulary, categorical outlines, and practical illustrations, so that any believer could comprehend the majestic details of God’s plan. Now, drawn from Thieme’s personal notes and sermons, Thieme’s Bible Doctrine Dictionary presents over eight hundred terms and related doctrines. Biblical subjects—ranging from the eternal Trinity to the fall and salvation of man to the Christian way of life—are precisely defined, explained, and cross-referenced.

DIVYou can win over your temptations! If you want to walk in fullness and step/div

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (KJV). How well do you know the "isms" that have stealthily invaded the Christian world and your world? How prepared are you to recognize and resist their tempting lures? Those who press into maturity during this Third Day must hurdle over man-made teachings to reach the goal of eternal freedom. False teachings have hindered the individual and corporate advancement of God's Kingdom. From his extensive knowledge of the Scriptures and his own personal testimony, author Kelley Varner clearly identifies and explains twelve deadly sins and how they have manifested in the post-modern church. TWELVE DEADLY SINS: Cessationism Stoicism Easy Believism Legalism Asceticism Dualism Elitism Tribalism Traditionalism Futurism Mysticism Gnosticism