Sermon Central
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Are You Deciving Yourself?
Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 20, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Deadly risk taking is more common then we realize. We may not purposely stare down the barrel of a shotgun. But many Christians behave in a self-defeating way that is equally careless and risky, and deadly.
Are You Deceiving Yourself? / Part-1
Galatians 6:7 KJV
A Example of deadly risk taking
In 1982, “ABC Evening News” reported on an unusual work of modern art—a chair affixed to a shotgun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within the next hundred years. The amazing thing was that people waited in lines to sit and stare into the shell’s path! They all knew the gun could go off at point-blank range at any moment, but they were gambling that the fatal blast wouldn’t happen during THEIR minute in the chair.
Yes, it was foolhardy, yet many people who wouldn’t dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they can get away with sin. Foolishly they ignore the risk until the inevitable self-destruction.
Deadly risk taking is more common then we realize. We may not purposely stare down the barrel of a shotgun.
But many Christians behave in a self-defeating way that is equally careless and risky, and deadly.
Galatians 6:7 KJV
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
The result of risky behavior
Prevents us from experiencing all the love, success and happiness God intends for us to have.
Causes many to wake up at the end of your life only to discover that it has been a terrible life and then realizing that you have done it to yourself.
Understand, and take notice, that the choices we make have eternal consequences.
It would be only half a job to turn from practicing sin. The other half is to begin practicing righteousness.
A Diligent Farmer
It is one thing to plow a field and make it devoid of weeds and rocks, to level and smooth it.
It is altogether another thing to plow it, plant it, irrigate it, cultivate it and grow a crop.
If a believer is to attain holiness it is by diligence, by his Bible-reading, by his prayers and his devotion, and unreserved commitment to God.
What causes man to take deadly spiritual risks
1. Thinking we are bigger than we really are. Reverting to our own will power. You begin to believe you can do it on your own.
Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Galatians 3:3 (NIV)
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
2. Not taking personal responsibility for ourselves.
The real enemy is within. We are quick to blame the devil or someone else for all of life’s problems.
Adam blamed Eve for his sin (Gen. 3:12), but his problem was with self.
Eve accused the serpent for causing her sin (v. 13) but her enemy was self.
Sin originated with self and sin continues today because people refuse to let go of self.
3. We are self-satisfied, self-centered, self-sufficient, and selfish.
4. COMPLACENCY which causes us to compromise
This takes place when you begin to be satisfied with any progress you have made. It can come on you in the first 30 days, or after 3 years, or even 30 years.
5. Cheep Grace
Grace is not a insurance policy to cash in to cover our failings and sin.
Grace is the empowerment from God to transform our lives.
6. Many have lost their first, or have changed it.
How to avoid deadly risky behavior
1. Galatians 6:7 KJV Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
2. Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and gain the power to do it.
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Mark 14:38 (NIV)
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lament. 3:40 (NIV)
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Cor. 13:5 (NIV)
3. Slowing down long enough to hear God’s voice.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)
