Introduction. Following the principles discussed in the last lesson presents the Christian man with a number of problems and challenges. In this lesson we will discuss some of these difficulties.

I. Lust

1. Jesus condemns lust. (Matthew 5:27-30).
   1. Paul teaches we can become enslaved to lust (Titus 3:3).
   2. Peter teaches that the world is corrupted through lust (II Pet. 1:4).
   3. James teaches that desire is the root of all sin (James 1:14,15).
2. Lust = desire = covetousness.
   1. Gr. epithumia () - “denotes ‘strong desire’ of any kind…the word is for good desire in Luke 22:15, Phil. 1:23, & I Thess. 2:17 only. Everywhere else it is in a bad sense.” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary. W. E. Vine. Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville. 1996).
   2. Verb used for covetousness in Romans 13:9 & Septuagint (LXX) for Exodus 20:17.
3. The Christian must…
   1. …Abstain from lusts that war against the soul (I Pet. 2:11,12).
   2. …Pursue the desires of God (John 8:44).
   3. …Channel lusts appropriately (I Corinthians 7:2-5).

II. Money

1. Jesus teaches us not to serve “mammon.” (Matthew 6:24).
2. The love of money is the “root of all evil” (I Timothy 6:10).
3. A Christian must provide for his own (I Timothy 5:8).
   1. A Christian must avoid laziness (II Thessalonians 3:10).
   2. A Christian must avoid overwork (Ecclesiastes 4:6).
   3. A Christian must work in order to have to give to others (Eph. 4:28).

III. Anger

1. The Christian must not be swift to anger (Titus 1:7).
   1. Christians must put off anger, wrath & malice (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8).
   2. The Christian must not sin in his anger (Ephesians 4:26).
   3. The Christian should remember the Lord’s patience with us (Col. 3:12,13).

IV. Pride

1. Pride is not from God the Father (I John 2:16).
2. God resists the proud (I Peter 5:5).
3. Pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

V. Family

1. A Christian husband must lead his family (Ephesians 5:23).
2. A Christian father must train his children. (Ephesians 6:4).
3. A Christian man must not become weighed down with the cares of life (Matthew 13:22; Luke 21:34).
   1. Some should avoid marriage because of this danger (I Cor. 7:32,33).
4. A Christian man must love God above all things. (Matthew 10:32-38).
   1. The best way to serve our families as we should is to start by serving God as we should.