Jesus and the 12 Steps
First Step
“We admit that we are powerless in the face of difficulty,
that
Our lives have become unmanageable.”
Humility and Obedience.
This statement guides us to the conduct of humility. The word humility refers to character, sometimes as an attitude of people (spirit of the soul). Mt. 5:3 those of humble character.
Humility is part of divine nature. Pride is a principle of rebellion and then of disobedience: Satan. The principle of the church in order is the Lordship of Christ. Submission and obedience to Him. Am I surrendered to the Lordship of Christ in my life?
Redemption: coming out of the power of darkness and being transferred to the kingdom, where the Lord Jesus is King. "Servants of righteousness."
The Antichrist is the embodiment of Satanic power, many types and spirits of the Antichrist.
The Lord Jesus emptied Himself. Phil. 2:5-9; In contrast to the character of Satan, Isaiah 14:12-15. Characteristics of the spirit of the antichrist: pride.
Humility brings God's grace. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. One way to obtain God's grace is humility.
Humility gives us protection. Heb. 13:17.
Humility gives us direction. John 3:19.
Some characteristics of Arrogance.
1. People pick their friends (often forming toxic gang around them)
2. Difficulty admitting one's own mistakes.
3. An attitude that does not accept guidance.
4. People with self-centered conversation.
5. People with blasphemous, boastful, and arrogant conversation.
6. Intolerance of others' mistakes.
7. Arrogant attitude or even hiding it under "extreme shyness".
Source of authority.
1. God: His Word. Phil. 2:10, 11.
2. Family: husband, wife, parents. Eph. 5; Col. 3:20; Eph. 6:1; Prov. 6:20; 15:5; 30:17-21.
3. Church: ministers. I Thess. 5:12; I Pet. 5:5; Heb. 13:17; I Tim. 5:17.
4. Government. I Pet. 2:13; Rom. 13:1.
5. Employer or teacher. Col. 3:22; I Pet. 2:18; I Tim. 6:1.
Quiz..
1. What is the first of the six things the Lord hates and the first of the seven things that are an abomination to God? Proverbs 6:16, 17.
2. Whom will the Lord not tolerate? Psalm 101:5.
3. According to Proverbs 16:5, who is an abomination to the Lord? What is an abomination?
4. According to James 4:6, what does God do to the proud and what does He give to the humble?
5. The text in 1 Sam. 15:23 mentions rebellion, lawlessness, and stubbornness, describe them.
6. Paraphrase Proverbs 16:18, 19 in your own words.
7. What are the three roots of sin in the world? 1 John 2:16.
8. According to Proverbs 21:4, what is sin?
9. What are some of the results of pride? Proverbs 28:25; 16:18; 11:2; 13:10; 29:23.
10. What is the result of a man who trusts in himself and his own strength? Jeremiah 17:5, 6.
11. What is the end of a man who trusts in God? Jeremiah 17:7, 8.
12. What does the fear of the Lord teach us to hate in Prov. 8:13?
Arrogance: vanity, excessive self-esteem that is sometimes concealed because it is born of noble and virtuous causes. I Pet. 5:6. Encourage us to humble ourselves.
In a Christian fellowship the spirit of antichrist is understood as an spirit/attitude that opposes or denies Jesus Christ. Jesus encourage us to love, and feel compasion for others. An easy way to recognize arrogance in our own lives or in the lives of others is to see if people seek to satisfy their own feelings by displaying an absence of compassion.
Some of the things we have to watch over.
1. Toxic concern for appearance, status, or ability. An interest focused on materialism, the love of money.
2. An ambitious attitude that does not include social values. A life without prayer.
3. A predominant concern for temporary things, such as having material things, money, etc. Due to the lack of values that support moral standards, no current structure is valid for future values that will truly last and that we can pass on to our generation.
4. No desire to learn the Word of God.
5. Attitudes characterized by Selfishness (not listening to others), is most of the time or always right. Due to the unwillingness to consider other opinions they cannot develop friendships.
5. A constant rebellion against authority, in any form: our parents, teachers, bosses at work, the government, etc.
6. A deceitful nature.
Contrasts
World God
Success is achieving what you desire. vs. Success is fulfilling God's will.
Putting others down may raise your own status vs. Building and supporting others will truly elevate you.
Prov. 26:28 The one who flatter himself.
II Cor. 10:12. Pride is self-centered; vs. True humility is Christ-centered. Col. 1:18.
About humility.
In Deuteronomy 8:2, 11-17, we read that God's people, Israel, suffered discipline in the wilderness, which led them to humility. Discipline in the wilderness can also be compared to the difficult times in our lives and how it can produce humility in our souls.