Dwight L. Moody defines our character as “WHO WE ARE IN THE DARK.” Some of us live very different lives when certain people are watching. We might look very good on the surface, but under the surface we have something to hide. It’s these areas of our life that we are holding onto that come out when we think no one is looking, and we discover the true desire of our heart.
- If you could be invisible for one day and you had the ability to go anywhere, what would you do? Think about your answers... are they good ideas or bad?
- What is an example you have observed when you’ve seen people act one way around certain people, and different around others or when they're alone? (don’t use names)
- Why do you think people sometimes act one way in public but another way when they are in private?
- If you know a person acts one way in private and a completely different way in public, does that person’s actions have any influence on what you think of them? What kind of impact does that knowledge have on your trust level of them?
- Have you ever done something in private, when no one was looking, that you later regretted doing? How did you handle it? How did that work out for you?
Romans 13:12-14 (NLT)
The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don't live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light. We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior. Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy. But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires.
- Darkness is often the cover that provides the outlet for our sinful desires because we think no one is looking. What does Paul say in the passage about our sinful desires and evil deeds?
- Whenever we get rid of something it leaves a hole that needs to be filled in. With what does Paul say to replace the evil deeds we have shed?
- Paul says to clothe ourselves with the “armor of right living” and to “Let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don’t think of ways to indulge your evil desires.” How can we do that? How can we avoid thinking of ways to do the sinful things we desire to do?
What are you going to do this week to shed one sinful thing that you tend to keep being tempted by?
(Thanks to "The Source for Youth Ministry" for this topic!)
