#4 “Appealing”The Principle of the Path: Direction, Not Intentions, Determines Destination

The Power of Appeal:

Our Worst Decisions Are Fueled By Something With Strong EMOTIONAL Appeal

The Path To Be AVOIDED Is Always Paved With Strong Emotional Appeal.

Confirmation Bias: I See What I Want To See - I Hear What I Want To Hear.

“If You Are Distracted By What's On The Path, You Will Be Distracted From Where The Path Is Taking You.”

Wisdom From Paul:

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

If You Say YES To Every Fleshly Desires, You Will LOSE Your Freedom

Leverage Your Freedom For The Sake of OTHERSFor the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  But if

you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the

flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing

the things you want to do. Galatians 5:15-17“To Walk By The Spirit Simply Means To Live In Sync With The Internal Nudging’s Of

Your Heavenly Father Through His Spirit.”

There Is An Internal Law Inside Of You That Is In CONFLICT With Your Fleshly Desires  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18

Clarifying Question:

What Does Love REQUIRE Of Me?Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry,

sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those

who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21The Invitation:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who

belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24

Tough Question:

Have You Become So Enamored With Something Or Someone On Your Path That You Have Failed To Recognize Where The Path You're On Is Taking You?

Life Group Discussion QuestionsWe believe that spiritual growth happens best in circles . Life groups provide a safe and encouraging environment to experience authentic Christian community, to love one another, grow in faith and discover the life-giving truth of God’s Word. To connect go to https://waipunachapel.churchcenter.com/groups/life-groups

INTRODUCTION The best way to predict your future is to pay attention to where you’re headed. But sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by what’s on the path. The appeal of money, acceptance, or security can lower your defenses and lead you away from the path you want to be on. So is there a way back? How do we change course when we realize we’ve chosen a path that leads us to what’s appealing instead of what’s ultimately satisfying?

1. Talk about a time when you ignored common sense or advice and bought (or bought into) something because of its emotional appeal. (New! Bigger! 25% More!)

2. What’s the difference between living a life that’s appealing and one that’s satisfying? How have you been affected by someone who consistently chose appeal instead of satisfaction?

3. Read Galatians 5:13–14. Many people struggle with a version of Christianity that’s tied to obeying a long list of rules. How would embracing this idea change the way you live and make decisions? How would the people closest to you be affected if you lived this way?

4. Read Galatians 5:16–17. If we’ll give in to the internal leading of God, he will always nudge us toward selflessness. Has there been a time when you felt that nudge and either ignored it or listened to it? What happened?

5. Make your own list of the “acts of selfishness.” How have you been affected personally by someone’s decision (maybe your own) to indulge in these areas?

6. What (or who) in your life have you become so enamored with that you’ve failed to recognize where the path you’re on is taking you? Who has permission to challenge you in this area? Are you willing to reverse course and begin living in a different direction? How can our group help?

MOVING FORWARD: The path to be avoided is always paved with strong emotional appeal. Your heavenly Father hopes you’ll opt for satisfying over appealing. Will you choose to give in to that internal nudge? Choose to say no to you and follow Jesus, who loves you, who gave his life for you, and who rose from the dead to punctuate that claim.

SOURCE: Andy Stanley “The Principle of the Path” Thomas Nelson PublishingAdditional Content Courtesy of North Point Ministries “A Beginners Guide To Predicting Your Future” -Limited License Agreement-

Send Feedback or Questions to Shaun@waipunachapel.com