Sermon Tone Analysis

*/Matters of the/**/ Heart, Part 3 /*/Protecting the Heart/

 

/Watch over// your heart with all diligence,/

/ for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23)./

| *Last week, we learned* . . .

Our /hearts/ can grow insensitive and need renewal.

Renewal requires a /heart of faith/ exhibited by . . .

.

/A reading,  a requesting,  a receiving./

|

/ /

\\ .

*This week,* *we must learn to protect our hearts.*

Guard against influences which hinder our renewal.

Pride

                               Rivals for devotion            

 

            Guard against the numbing effect of pride.

 

10 Hebrew and 2 Greek words generally used for pride refer to being exalted or lofty in attitude.

One other Greek word refers to a person’s being puffed up or inflated with pride or egotism.

Pride is cited by Paul in the two lists of the most glaring sins in (Rom 1:28-32, 2 Tm 3:1–5) . . .

Pride, when it is present, affects one attitude (heart) and then is reflected in one’s speech, in one’s eyes, in one’s actions.

(/Proverbs 6:16-19) //There are// six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:// //Haughty eyes//, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,// //a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil,// //a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers./

/A man’s pride// will bring him low,/

/but a humble spirit will obtain honor// (Proverbs 29:23)//./

/ /

/(Prov.

16:50 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; /

/ /

To protect our hearts, we should understand . . .

The Problem

                        Pride leads to self-reliance.

Self-reliance leads to neglect.

Neglect leads to disappointment.

Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5), King Herod (Acts 12), Haman (Ester 6)

Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32, Assyrian ruler-Sennacharib)

 

/Pride goes// //before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.//(Pr.

16:18)/

/ /

*            Understand the Causes*

*            *

*                        *We misinterpret our success.

/2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God . .

.

(Uzziah)/

 

*                        *We grow comfortable with life.

/Deuteronomy 8:11-14 //Beware that// you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today;// //12 //otherwise, when// you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them,// //and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies,// //then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery./

/ /

/Hosea 13:6 As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, And being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore they forgot Me./

 

*            Understand the Safeguards*

 

A daily remembrance                            A daily renewal

 

/(//James.4:6-10)

//Therefore it// says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Submit therefore to God.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you.// //Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.//

//Humble yourselves// in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

/