The End of Disappointment Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: The End of Disappointment -------------------------- Date: 4/18/2001 Keywords: "disappoint" "heart" "Holy Spirit" "love of God" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Romans 5:1-5* 1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2. through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4. And perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5. and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Questions 1. Where does love come from? Is it biochemical or something else? Are there clues to help in verse 5?   2. Do you feel alone in your porn habit? Look in the above passage for the members of the Trinity. What are the roles of each Person of the Godhead?   Practical help This is the final of five studies looking at Romans 5:1-5 (click here for study 1, study 2, study 3, study 4). The entire passage is actually just two sentences, but two sentences packed full of information you can use as you struggle with your temptation to view porn or participate in other porn-related activities. Let's concentrate today on verse 5. If, as it says, hope will not disappoint, I believe Paul is saying we can take this to the bank. The reason for his confidence is because it depends on God alone. It is His love that is poured out, not ours. It is ministered by the Holy Spirit who works within us. When we die to ourselves, we then become vessels that contain the Holy Spirit, and we physically move Him about in our world (while He spiritually moves us about in our world). Our job is not to resist by seeking our own pleasure while ignoring that small voice within us. Just remember that your hope is not in your ability to overcome, but in God's ability to fill you with the power to resist and the love to redirect your mind to helping others. As you work to love others, taking your eyes off yourself, bad habits like porn addiction will melt away in time. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."