Galatians 5:7-12

                                       recognizing hindrances

                What hinders you most from obeying the Truth in your thoughts and actions?

1.       _____________________________________________________________________________________

2.       _____________________________________________________________________________________

Are these hindrances persuasive?  How so? _______________________________________________  
What is their source? ___________________________________________________________________

What do you think will be the consequences of giving in just a little bit to a persuasion that does not reinforce the truth of the gospel?______________________________________________________________________________________

                Even a good thing, like sincerity, can take a bad turn when it is not guarded by and accountable to truth.  Whether or not they recognized it, the Galatians were being pushed away from obeying the plain truth of the gospel. Paul is calling them into accountability and drawing out the arguments and thinking for all to see. 

In Galatia, there were obviously perpetrators—those pushing for additions to the pure gospel.  Their message was so detrimental that Paul makes the extreme statement which says essentially, “If you think this ritual of circumcision is so helpful in making you ‘worthy’, why not go all the way and castrate yourself!”  [Historically, some of the pagan cults were actually doing this.]  At least then you would be impotent and unable to propagate your wrong thinking!”  Yes, this is a shocking thing to say, but what the Judiazers were promoting was completely counter to Truth.  And Paul's aim seems to be to shock the Galatians back to reality.

Are you able to silence your tempters?  If not, what can you do?  When you think of acting on a temptation, it will be helpful to also consider what direction that action takes you.  Your first response sets you on a path.  What is that path’s direction and destination?  How can you remain true and single-minded about the grace of God?

______________________________________________________________________________________

If something or someone is troubling you—working against the peace you have in and with God—evaluate the situation in the light of truth.  If you have sinned, repent.  If someone has sinned against you, you need to forgive.  If a circumstance is unplanned or unpleasant, set your eyes and hope on Jesus, and His refining work in your life --renew your mind with Truth!  The Word is available to you! He is trustworthy, He is enough, and He alone brings you into peace with God.

Read and Pray:  Proverbs 16:6, 27-30, James 4:7-8,  I Corinthians 9:24-27