Why Christians Fail


A Guide About What to Avoid as
New Believers in Christ

1 John 2:15 & 16 says:

“Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
 

I. THE WORLD -
Loving the world more than ministering:
Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:10
World entanglement:
2 Timothy 2:4; James 4:4
Ultimate in selling out to the world:
Matthew 4:8-10; John 5:43; Mark 8:36
II. THE FLESH -
Lack of discipline:
Galatians 5:16-18; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 7, 11
Immorality:
1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:15-20, 7:2 & 5; Galatians 5:19-26; Mark 7:21-23; James 1:13 & 14
III. THE PRIDE OF LIFE -
One of the chief sins of the Corinthian church in America today:
1 Corinthians 4:6, 18 & 19; 8:1; 13:4; 2 Corinthians 10:12-18; 11:10-13, 16-20, 30; 12:1, 5 & 6;
Classic pride verses:
Proverbs 16:5, 18, 20; 3 John 9-11
Desire for riches intensifies the sin of pride, and can contribute to one’s fall:
1 Timothy 6:9-11
 

IV. SATAN - 2 Corinthians 2:9-11

Always seeks an advantage or an opportunity to destroy your testimony:
1 Timothy 1:19

To destroy you physically:
1 Corinthians 11:29 & 3

He is a liar, the father of lies and murderer:
John 8:44; 1 Timothy 4:1-3

Solution:
1 John 4:1-3; James 4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:13

SPECIFIC SIN SITUATIONS TO AVOID
 

Self-Deception - Self-deception or self-delusion results when we allow our sin nature to deceive us, either into believing that something that is wrong is right, or that of disbelieving something that is right, as if it is wrong. The classic example is Eve’s willingness to believe a lie. Even though Satan deceived her into accepting what he said, Eve then deceived herself. A classic example of self-deception today is the dominant behavior of the church in its resistance to accept correction: James 1:22; Revelation 2:4 & 5; Hebrews 5:11-14. Thus, we see that not “doing” the word leads ultimately to an unfruitful stagnation, ‘dullness’, drift, and self-delusion. We then have to lie to ourselves (self-deception) that we are enjoying a full Christian experience by mere “attendance” at church and just “listening” to the word.

Factiousness - Titus 3:10 & 11. Causing divisions, 1 Corinthians 11:17-19, is a deed of the flesh, Galatians 5:19 & 20. That deed, based especially upon a self-willed opinion which is substituted for submission to the power of the truth, it leads to division and the formation of sects. Motives may be carnality, ignorance, advantage, pride, self-delusion, etc. What is the solution? Romans16:17 & 18.

Unconfessed Sin - Might lead to illness, James 5:15 & 16.

Drift into Apostasy - 2 Timothy 4:2 & 4.
Deception - To purposeful mislead and entrap one into error, Colossians 2:4 & 8; 2 Timothy 3:13. In self-deception, we deceive ourselves. In intentional deception, someone else tries to beguile or mislead us, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Galatians 1: 6 & 7, 3:1; 2 Peter 2:1-3, 18 & 19. Riches can deceive, Matthew 13:22.

Bad Christian Companions - General principle is in 1 Corinthians 5:11, 15:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14.

Bad Non-Christian Companions - 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Bad Conscience - Warning Signal -1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Corinthians 4:1 & 2; Titus 1:15 & 16; 1 Samuel 24:5; James 4:17. Bad conscience means that there is un-confessed sin or sin that is un-dealt with in the Christian’s life. Solution? Acts 24:16.

Unforgiveness, Bitterness, Self-Pity, Depression - The Corinthians were not a forgiving people, Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:31; Philippians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11.
Unrepentant Attitude - Five out of the seven church ages are characterized as “unrepentant”. Only Smyrna and Philadelphia were not rebuked for this sin, Revelation 2:5, 16, 21; 3:3, 17. Solution? Ephesians 4:32

Cowardice - Fear and/or shame of being ostracized, persecuted or mocked as a Christian, or fear of suffering characterize Christian cowardice, 2 Timothy 1:7, 8, 12, & 16; Hebrews 10:32-39.

Money or Riches - Luke 16:10-12; 1 Timothy 6:6-11. Covetous, Titus 2:11. Sordid gain = Crooked money, 1 Peter 5:1 & 2; Proverbs 23:4 & 5;Ecclesiastes 5:13 & 14. Get-rich-quick, Ecclesiastes 5:12. As a root of:
    a. Foolishness; Jeremiah 17:11
    b. Pride; Ezekiel 28:4 & 5
    c. Deception; Mark 4:19
    d. Conceit; Proverbs 28:11
    e. Greed and/or poverty; Proverbs 28:22
    f. Temptations; 1 Timothy 6:9
Solution:
True riches: 1 Timothy 6:8, 17-19
The need to do and not just hear: Hebrews 10:32-39
The Christian attitude towards money: Proverbs 30:8 & 9

Imitating Wrong Models - Intentionally choosing wrong models in order to not follow the Scriptures, 2 Timothy 4:3 & 4; 3 John 10-12. Passages that encourage correct imitation of good models: 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 6:12.
Doublemindedness - Greek Word: “dipsuchos” = two-souled. Vacillation, instability, wavering, doubting, indecisiveness, trying to hold on to two mental attitudes at the same time, James 1:6-8, 4:8; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:15-24. This is Paul’s definition of doublemindedness. How many people do you know say they are going to do something and never do it? How many do you know that have “good intentions” but never carry them out? How many people do you know who consistently break their promises? Today, about 1 out of every 2 marriages has at least one partner that enters matrimony with a double-minded attitude, in keeping their vowed, lifetime promises. With the result that, sooner or later, that doublemindedness leads them to the divorce court.

Selfishness - 1 Timothy 3:1-5; Philippians 2:3-5. Looking out only for one’s own interests, Colossians 1:12-18. Is Christ first place in your life and do you regard others as more important than yourself? When do you intend to start complying with these Bible commands? Or are you doubleminded and never intend to comply?
Disobedience - 1 Samuel 15:1-33. Even partial disobedience is still disobedience! Lack of submission to authority is therefore also a form of disobedience.

Laziness or Fear to Press On - Philippians 3:7, 16, 19.

Lack of Bible Study - Matthew 22:29; John 5:16-18, 38-47; 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:1-16, 105.

Because they fall asleep - Romans 13:11 & 12; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8; Revelation 3:2.

Dullness - Hebrews 5:8-14; 1 Peter 1:9.

Because They Forget - 2 Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 3:3, 2:5.

Because They Are Dead - (in faith), James 2:14-26, because although they are saved, they have nothing to show for their faith before men; no works, no fruit, no souls they have won, no disciples. After being fruitful Christians, they choose to “die” spiritually, Proverbs 21:16.

Having a wrong kind of prayer life - James 2:14-26.

Lack of 100% Lordship in One’s Life - Luke 6:46-49; 2 Corinthians 8:3-5.

Lack of Sanctification (separation) - 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8;
2 Timothy 2:19-26. We are to be separated from sin - salvation, Romans 6:6
We are to be separated FROM:
   
    A. Self - Lordship, 1 Peter 3:15.

    B. Unequal yokes with unbelievers, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

    C. Our old self, fleshly sin nature (being filled with the Spirit at all times, our
       new divine nature), Romans 5:16-18; Galatians 5:16.

    D. Apostasy - Revelation 18:4.

    E. Carnal believers - 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14; 1 Corinthians 5:11.

    F. Old habits of sin - Ephesians 4:22-24.

    G. Spiritual error of any kind - 1 John 3:3.

We are to be separated TO:

    A. Our God - 1 Peter 1:14-16.

    B. Our fellowship - 1 John 1:6 & 7.

    C. The gospel - Romans 1:1.
 

To Summarize

Proverbs 21:16 - “A man who wanders away from the
way of understanding will rest in the assembly of
the dead.”
 

1. There are some Christians that DON’T read the Bible. Proverbs 21:16

2. There are some Christians that DO read the Bible, but DON’T understand it because they DON’T study it. Ezra 7:10

3. There are some Christians that DO read the Bible, and DO understand the words, but WON'T BELIEVE what it says.

4. There are some Christians that DO read the Bible, and DO understand it, DO believe it, but WON’T do or obey what the Bible commands. James 1:22; Hebrews 5:12-14

5. One of the chief reasons why many Christians fail to study the Bible is because they fear that they may have to change. So fear of change is their stumbling block. They fear change more than they fear God.

6. A Christian who fears change remains carnal, and then has even greater difficulty in trying to study the Bible and understanding and doing what the Bible says. James 1:6-8

7. A fearful, stubborn, hard-hearted and unrepentant Christian will begin to avoid the Bible. Proverbs 1:20-33

8. An unrepentant Christian cannot expect change until he DOES repent and confess his sins, and gives in totally to the Lord. Spiritual change can only occur through obedience to Bible commands and the unconditional acceptance to allow God’s grace to change us.

9. If unrepentance continues, Hebrews 12:5-13 may come into effect (discipline from the Lord directly on the Christian).

10. If the unrepentant Christian becomes habitual in his rebellion against the Lord, and he remains unyielding in his sinful behavior, even after being disciplined by the Lord (Hebrews 12), he may develop physical problems of weakness, fainting, sickness and finally premature death (sin unto death). 1 John 5:16; 1 Corinthians 11:28-32; Hebrews 6;4-6, 10:26-31; 12:25

11. Some Christians love their sins more than changing their behavior to please God. 2 Timothy 3:4

12. Unfortunately, some Christians love their sins more than they love God. 2 Timothy 3:4

13. Some Christians love sex more than they love God. Some love their girlfriends or wives (or other men’s wives) more than they love God. 2 Timothy 3:6

14. God has heavy words for Christians who do not want to change. Proverbs 12:1-3, 21; 29:1

    QUESTION?
Why do some Christians continue to be distressed and depressed after Biblical counseling?

    ANSWER?
One reason might possibly be that THAT Christian is not listening to the Counselor’s advice. Proverbs 23:7

    Don’t be THAT Christian!