Dealing with Sin
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Illustration
Illustration
300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon The Trickle of Sin Becomes a Torrent (Jeremiah 13:23; Matthew 12:43–45; Luke 11:24–26)
John Wesley, when dining once with a friend of his who had greatly helped him in the district, saw him after dinner rise from the table and get just a little brandy and water. Mr. Wesley said to him, “My friend, what is that?”
“I am very much troubled with indigestion,” he answered, “but I only take a tablespoonful of brandy in a little water.”
“Well,” said Mr. Wesley, “that is certainly very little; but, my friend, you will want two tablespoonfuls before long to do for you what you think that one does. And then you will want four, and then you will want eight, and unless you give it up, I fear that you will become a drunkard and disgrace the cause of God.” After Mr. Wesley was dead, that man still lived a drunkard; he had lost his reputation, disgraced the people with whom he had been connected, and brought untold sorrow on himself.
Now, as it is with that one particular sin, so it is with every other. If a sin comes to your house the first time alone, it will come the next time with seven other devils more wicked than itself, and those seven will very soon bring seven each, and you will have a legion of devils; and when you get one legion, it is highly probable that another legion will come into the barracks of your heart and stop there.
The beginning of sin is like the letting out of water. Just a little drop trickles through the wall of the dike. Then it becomes a tiny rivulet that a child’s hand can stop, then it increases to a stream, and soon the dike begins to heave and break and crack; and by and by it is broken down, and a torrent rushes over town and village and carries away multitudes of men with it. Beware! That evil habit is a dreadful thing; he who yields to an evil habit is preparing himself for the bottomless pit.
Text
Text
42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
God’s people are to resist sin
God’s people are to resist sin
In this text we can see our Lord instructing us to avoid sin.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
See also Ps 97:10; Pr 4:23–27 ; 1 Co 15:34 ; Eph 4:25–5:20
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
; Jas 1:21
21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
The Christian life is a constant struggle against sin
The Christian life is a constant struggle against sin
(Expand on how the old man is fighting the new man)
13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
See also Ac 20:28 ; Ro 7:14–25; Eph 6:10–18; 1 Pe 5:8–9
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Sin is like the hook beneth the bait, you must watch out for it. It is as God warn Cain seeking you
God helps his people to resist sin
God helps his people to resist sin
Once again the issue with sin is that you and I cannot deliver ourselves! Not even if we wanted to so we must turn to Christ!
Release from sin through Jesus Christ’s death
Release from sin through Jesus Christ’s death
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
See also Ro 6:1–7; Ga 2:20 ; Ga 5:24; Col 2:11–12
11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The avoidance of sin through new life in Jesus Christ
The avoidance of sin through new life in Jesus Christ
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
See also 2 Co 5:17; 1 Pe 1:23; 1 Jn 3:6; 1 Jn 5:18
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
Believers co-operate with Jesus Christ to avoid sin
Believers co-operate with Jesus Christ to avoid sin
Here are 3 ways we are to work under God in our fight against Sin.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Believers are to put to death what is sinful in them
Believers are to put to death what is sinful in them
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
See also Ro 6:11–14; Ro 8:13
Believers are to exchange sinful for righteous behaviour
Believers are to exchange sinful for righteous behaviour
Ro 13:12–14 The words used here, and in similar passages, are those used for “taking off” old clothes and “putting on” new ones.
See also Eph 4:22–24; Col 3:7–10; 1 Ti 6:11; 2 Ti 2:22
Believers are to allow the Spirit to inform and direct their conduct
Believers are to allow the Spirit to inform and direct their conduct
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
See also Ro 8:5–8; Ga 5:16–25
Practical steps for overcoming sin and temptation - Every Day Victory
Practical steps for overcoming sin and temptation - Every Day Victory
Meditation on Scripture
Meditation on Scripture
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
See also Ps 18:22–23; Mt 4:1–11; 2 Ti 3:16–17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Prayerful dependence upon God
Prayerful dependence upon God
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
See also Ps 19:13; Mt 26:41; 1 Co 10:13; Heb 4:15–16
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Active seeking of the good
Active seeking of the good
19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
See also Ps 34:14; Is 1:16–17; Am 5:14–15; 1 Th 5:22; 3 Jn 11
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
Incentives for avoiding sin
Incentives for avoiding sin
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
The Text variant is because they repeat in the KJV the Worm part from 48, nothing to worry about.
The fear of God
The fear of God
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
See also Ex 20:20; Pr 3:7; Pr 8:13
The holiness of God
The holiness of God
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
See also Le 11:44–45; Le 19:2; Le 20:7; 1 Co 6:18–20; 1 Th 4:7
The expectation of Jesus Christ’s return
The expectation of Jesus Christ’s return
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
See also 2 Co 5:9–10; 1 Th 5:4–6; 2 Pe 3:10–14
A consideration of the consequences of sin
A consideration of the consequences of sin
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
See also Mk 9:42–48; Ro 6:21–23; Heb 6:7–8; Heb 10:26–31
The need to be a good witness to unbelievers
The need to be a good witness to unbelievers
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
See also 1 Pe 3:1–2; 1 Pe 3:15–16
The role of others in avoiding sin
The role of others in avoiding sin
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
This is how you can help a loved one
Bad company is to be avoided
Bad company is to be avoided
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
See also Dt 7:1–4 ; Ps 1:1 ; Pr 1:10; 1 Co 5:1–13
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
1 “When the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you, 2 and when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. 3 You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, 4 for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.
We protect kids from bad company, but do you, yourself do the same?
A good example is to be followed
A good example is to be followed
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
See also Php 3:17; Php 4:9; Heb 12:1–3 ; 1 Pe 4:1–3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
Believers are to support one another
Believers are to support one another
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
See also Mt 18:15–17 ; Ga 6:1–2 ; 1 Ti 5:20 ; Heb 3:12
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.