Killing Kryptonite

1. Spiritual kryptonite weakens believers and hinders the church's effectiveness

"Is this 'Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'?"

Spiritual kryptonite defined. Just as kryptonite weakens Superman, spiritual kryptonite - known, practiced sin - weakens believers and the church. This weakness manifests as a lack of supernatural power, inability to impact communities, and failure to reflect God's glory.

Effects on individuals and community. When believers tolerate sin, it spreads like yeast through the community, affecting even those not directly involved. This leads to a compromised witness, diminished spiritual vitality, and reduced effectiveness in fulfilling the church's mission.

Overcoming kryptonite. To eliminate spiritual kryptonite, believers must:

• Recognize and confront sin in their lives
• Repent genuinely
• Pursue holiness and obedience to God's Word
• Hold each other accountable in love

2. Idolatry is more than worshipping statues; it's putting anything before God

"An idol can be anything we put before God in our lives!"

Modern idolatry defined. Idolatry isn't limited to worshipping physical objects. It's any person, possession, or activity that takes precedence over God in our lives. This can include:

• Career or financial success
• Relationships
• Entertainment or hobbies
• Personal comfort or convenience

Subtle nature of idolatry. Modern idolatry often disguises itself as good things, making it difficult to recognize. It can be as simple as prioritizing personal desires over God's will or finding identity and security in something other than God.

Identifying and eliminating idols. To combat idolatry:

• Regularly examine your priorities and motivations
• Ask God to reveal areas where you've placed other things before Him
• Practice surrendering control and trusting God in all areas of life
• Cultivate a heart of gratitude and contentment in God alone

3. Repentance is the necessary starting point for genuine salvation

"There is no turning to God without repentance."

Defining true repentance. Repentance is more than feeling sorry or saying a prayer. It involves:

• Acknowledging sin and its consequences
• Changing one's mind about sin and turning to God
• Demonstrating a changed life through obedience

The danger of false conversion. Many people believe they are saved because they prayed a "sinner's prayer" without truly repenting. This leads to a false sense of security and can result in continued bondage to sin.

Preaching repentance. The church must return to preaching repentance as the starting point for salvation. This includes:

• Clearly explaining the nature and consequences of sin
• Calling people to turn from sin and submit to God's authority
• Emphasizing the need for ongoing repentance in the Christian life

4. True love involves keeping God's commandments, not just feeling good

"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments."

Redefining love. True love isn't just about feelings or being nice. It's fundamentally about obedience to God's commands. This involves:

• Prioritizing God's will over personal desires
• Pursuing holiness and righteousness
• Loving others in ways that align with God's Word

Contrasting worldly and godly love. Worldly love often focuses on tolerance and acceptance without moral boundaries. Godly love, while compassionate, always aligns with God's truth and seeks what's best for others in light of eternity.

Practicing true love. To cultivate true love:

• Study and meditate on God's commands
• Ask the Holy Spirit to empower obedience
• Practice speaking truth in love, even when it's uncomfortable
• Pursue intimate knowledge of God through prayer and His Word

5. Confronting sin in the church is an act of love, not judgment

"What we do not confront will not change."

The necessity of confrontation. Lovingly confronting sin in the church is essential for:

• Maintaining the purity and effectiveness of the body of Christ
• Helping individuals grow in holiness
• Protecting the church's witness to the world

Overcoming fear of confrontation. Many avoid confronting sin due to fear of being seen as judgmental or unloving. However, true love seeks the highest good for others, which includes addressing sin.

Guidelines for confrontation:

• Approach with humility and genuine concern
• Speak truth from God's Word, not personal opinion
• Offer hope and support for change
• Be willing to walk alongside the person in their journey of repentance

6. Tolerance of sin within the church leads to spiritual weakness

"You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead My servants astray."

The danger of tolerance. When the church tolerates sin, it:

• Weakens its spiritual power and effectiveness
• Compromises its witness to the world
• Opens the door for further deception and compromise

Examples of tolerated sin. Common areas where churches may tolerate sin include:

• Sexual immorality
• False teaching or watered-down gospel
• Materialism and greed
• Gossip and divisiveness

Cultivating intolerance for sin. To combat tolerance:

• Teach the full counsel of God's Word, including difficult truths
• Establish clear biblical standards for church leadership and membership
• Practice loving church discipline as outlined in Scripture
• Encourage a culture of mutual accountability and support

7. Godly sorrow, not worldly sorrow, leads to genuine repentance and freedom

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."

Distinguishing godly and worldly sorrow.

• Worldly sorrow focuses on consequences and self-preservation
• Godly sorrow grieves over offending God and desires restoration

The power of godly sorrow. Godly sorrow:

• Motivates genuine change
• Leads to freedom from sin's bondage
• Deepens intimacy with God

Cultivating godly sorrow. To develop godly sorrow:

• Meditate on God's holiness and the cross
• Ask the Holy Spirit to convict of sin
• Focus on how sin affects your relationship with God, not just its consequences
• Practice regular self-examination and confession

8. Even "good" things can become idols if prioritized over God's will

"I don't want your sacrifice of five hours of prayer; I desire obedience."

The subtlety of good idols. Even good things like family, ministry, or personal growth can become idols if they take precedence over God's specific will for us in a given moment.

Recognizing good idols. Signs that a good thing has become an idol:

• Difficulty saying no to it when God calls you elsewhere
• Finding your primary identity or worth in it
• Feeling anxious or angry when it's threatened
• Neglecting other areas of obedience for its sake

Maintaining proper priorities. To keep good things in their proper place:

• Regularly examine your motivations and attachments
• Practice surrendering all areas of life to God
• Cultivate a listening ear to the Holy Spirit's promptings
• Be willing to let go of good things when God directs

9. Holiness involves both positional and practical aspects in a believer's life

"God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes."

Two aspects of holiness.

1. Positional holiness: Our standing before God based on Christ's work
2. Practical holiness: Our ongoing growth in Christlikeness

Balancing grace and responsibility. While our position in Christ is secure, we are called to actively pursue holiness in our daily lives. This involves:

• Cooperating with the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work
• Putting off sinful habits and putting on Christlike character
• Pursuing obedience to God's Word

Pursuing practical holiness. Steps to grow in holiness:

• Regularly study and meditate on God's Word
• Practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and worship
• Cultivate accountability relationships with other believers
• Confess and repent of sin promptly
• Rely on God's grace and the Holy Spirit's power for transformation

Last updated: October 27, 2024