July 14, 2019

The Conman of the Soul

Preacher:
Passage: James 1:1-8
Service Type:

Bible Text: James 1:1-8 | Preacher: Geoff Gobbett | Series: Visiting Preachers | Introduction

Focusing on v13-15

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” v14-15

Example of sin and deceit
Speaking on a difficult passage

Heading: ‘The Conman of the Soul’

This speaks of our human condition – it speaks to all of us
The bible is searching
We are in a battle against our own hearts

The devil is an arch deceiver

Jesus says he is the father and author of lies – John 8
Example of the Garden of Eden

Sin and deception entered the world

The conman of the soul is our flesh

Let us confront our old nature by the power of the Holy Spirit

Sins nature is deceitful

This is the sad truth and reality of the situation

Example of fallen pastor
There are no reasons or excuses

Example

v13 – Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
Titus 3:3
When flesh deceives us – we will sin

Personal example
We have a battle within – verse

Sins nature focuses upon the mind

Let us not in our thoughts blame someone else – the battle is with the mind

Do not shift the blame
We are so easily snared
We need to be honest – this reality affects everyone

God wants us to be honest and confess our sin

Example of King David

David repented – cf Psalm 51:4-6

Why do we find this so hard?

The flesh wars against us

We are drawn away and enticed by our desires
We need to ask if our actions will honour God?

We need to confess

Example of the Watergate Scandal

Sins nature shows us its strategy

This passage shows us the anatomy of the souls destruction

Personal example

We are not pleased when we are exposed
We are not pleased when sin is exposed
Jer 17:9-10

The end of sin is death

We are drawn away by our own desires / our mind enticed
Sin is conceived and gestated (in the will)
Sin is born
Sin brings death and spiritual enslavement

We can be delivered by the Lord God and His grace

Rom 8:1-2

Sins nature is to be exposed

We do not enjoy it when sin is exposed

The word of God is cutting and convicting
Verse – Romans 8