No Longer I - John Hodge
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class opened with a close reading of James 4:1‑3, where the teacher explained that wars and fights arise from selfish passions and the wrong motives behind our prayers. By comparing this New Testament example to Old Testament events like the Flood, Sodom, and Gomorrah, the teacher illustrated how living merely by feeling leads to moral chaos. The discussion then moved through three levels of motivation: feeling, seeking human approval, and finally seeking God’s approval, using everyday examples such as a one‑year‑old’s response to praise and disapproval. The teacher emphasized that feelings are morally neutral and that God does not condemn them, but calls believers to direct their emotions toward Him, as shown in Psalm 37:4 and Psalm 119. Romans 12:8‑10 was read to demonstrate how sincere love and service flow from a regenerated heart. The class concluded with an exploration of the conscience level, citing Galatians 1:10 and 2 Corinthians 1:12, and explained that a Christ‑centered conscience must be consciously cultivated through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship. The central message was that true motivation comes from seeking God’s approval, not human applause, and that this requires ongoing intentional alignment with Christ’s truth.
Key Scriptures
What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don't they come from your passions that wage war within you? You desire and do not have, murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and don't receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Am I now trying to persuade people or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.