The document discusses the nature of sin and how it progresses in six steps from vanity of the mind to greed. It begins with fuzzy thinking and questioning biblical truths. The second step is darkened understanding and rationalizing bigger sins. The third step is alienation from God and feeling withdrawn from the church. The fourth step is hardening of the heart and losing guilt for sin. The fifth step is engaging in lewd and dangerous behaviors. The final sixth step is giving in to greed and uncontrollable self-indulgence. Each step gets progressively worse as sin is likened to a seed that starts small but can destroy if not kept in check.

1. The Nature of Growth Ephesians 4

2. Ephesians 4:17-19 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; 19 who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

3. Sin Is Like a Seed

4. Sin When it Goes too Far!

5. How Does it Get That Far? Most Christians never see it coming Example: Dr. Ben Gutierrez “Every Man’s Battle” Pg. 85

6. 6 Step Digression Each Step gets worse

7. Step #1 Vanity of their Mind 17 “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,” Talking about Christians Vanity =something that is empty, or valueless

8. Step #1 Vanity of their Mind Taking your mind off of God Not doing devotions This Step contains Fuzzy thinking Questioning Biblical truths Is it really wrong to drink?....

9. Step #2 Darkened Understanding 18 “being darkened in their understanding” Dark thinking Rationalizing Bigger sin issues Stealing, Sex, fighting, drinking, Drugs….. Thinking in a whole different way Have you ever asked a Christian, “Why would you think that?”

10. Step #3 Alienation “ alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them,” Withdrawn State: a feeling of being isolated or withdrawn, or of not belonging to or sharing in something to cause somebody to change his or her previously friendly or supportive attitude and become unfriendly, unsympathetic, or hostile

11. Step #3 Alienation Don’t feel like you fit in Church anymore Don’t go to church anymore

12. Step #4 Hardening Of their Heart “because of the hardening of their heart;” Don’t feel guilt for the sin you do

13. Step #5 Lasciviousness “19 who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness” Lewd, Erotic, Grotesque Dangerously Down the slope Rape, Adultery, Molestation, Homosexuality, ……..

14. Step #6 Greed “to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Greed Strong Desire for more: an overwhelming desire to have more of something Uncontrollable Self-indulgence

15. Nature of a Seed Small Easy to destroy 2 Cor. 10:5 “Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”