July 14, 2019

The Conman of the Soul

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

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
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