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Nine Secrets of Healthy Relationships
Handout 7: Goodness
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
Ancient Philosophies Concerning Goodness
HAPPINESS: Good is the experience of pleasure and the eradication of pain.
EDUCATION: Good is the acquisition of knowledge and the eradication of ignorance.
DEMOCRACY: Good is the greatest benefit for the greatest number.
MATERIALISM: Good is having goods!
· Each of these philosophies shares a common error – the idea that man on his own can choose _______________________!
· The Bible teaches that people are not born good, but with a ____________________________.
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
· The Bible teaches that each person ultimately _____________ their behavior, and bears the consequences!
Romans 6:16 (NLT) Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.
· The Bible teaches us that we have no ___________________ in ourselves to choose the right behavior, even if we want to!
Romans 7:18-19 (NLT) 18 I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. 19 When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.
Mark 10:17-18 17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
· We don’t “get good to get God,” we “___________________!”
The Greek word for “goodness” is the word “agathosune.” It is a rare word that combines BEING good and DOING good. It means goodness that originates in our heart but manifests itself in our actions. It literally means, “to be godlike.”
· Our most accurate modern word for “goodness” would be the word “wholeness,” or “______________________________.”
· INTEGRITY is a decision to integrate my heart’s values into my ___________________________________.
Proverbs 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
1 Chronicles 29:17a (NLT) I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.
Matthew 6:1 (NLT) Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT) People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.
Romans 12:9 (CEV) Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good.
Romans 12:21 (NKJV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
· The only way you can beat the devil is to be the same in _____________________ as you are in public.
