Sunday, December 9, 2018
am
THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN
Last week I presented a lesson dealing with sin.
We sought to remind us of what sin is and how we ought to think
about sin (as a sickness, a burden, slavery, a filthy stain, debt,
darkness and ultimately deadly).
Sin is a fundamental theme of the Bible and why Jesus needed to
come to this earth. This
morning I would like to follow up last week’s lesson with a study of the
deceitfulness of sin. Next
week, we want to begin talking about dealing with sin.
a.
Genesis 3:1-6, from the
very beginning, sin has been deceptive.
Satan lied about God and Eve thought partaking of that fruit
would make her wise. Paul
observed the deception of Eve (1 Timothy 2:14).
Peter warned of this in 2
Corinthians 11:3.
b.
Satan is the father of
deception (lies) - John 8:4.
c.
2 Timothy 2:26 notes
that he sets traps – rarely is a trap marked as such.
It is usually disguised.
Revelation 20:3 notes that he deceives the nations.
Vs. 10 notes that he will be cast into the lake of fire – clearly
his deception is one of the qualities rendering that judgment.
d.
Both Satan and his
servants are described as being disguised -2 Corinthians 11:13-15, just
like Satan, his ministers can transform themselves into ministers of
righteousness
2 Timothy 3:13 notes that evil men and imposters will grow worse and
worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Matthew 24:5, 24, Jesus even warned of false christs and prophets, some
would even come in His name, rising up with great signs and wonders to
deceive, even the elect. (NOTE: The context is dealing with the
destruction of Jerusalem, but this shows what CAN happen – cf. 2
Thessalonians 2:9-12 which, very likely is dealing with matters after
the destruction of Jerusalem)
a.
Hebrews 3:13 speaks of
the deceitfulness of sin.
Romans 7:11, Paul noted that sin, taking occasion by the commandment,
deceived him and by it killed him.
b.
Ephesians 4:22 speaks of
us putting of our former conduct and mentions deceitful lusts
c.
We are continually
warned to not be deceived!
Matthew 24:4-5 – Jesus warned His disciples to take heed that no one
deceive you
Ephesians 5:6- let no one deceive you with empty words
1 Corinthians 6:9 – do not be
deceived – the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God
1 Corinthians 15:33 – do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good
habits
Galatians 6:7 – do not be deceived, God is not mocked
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – let no one deceive you by any means
James 1:16 – do not be deceived my beloved brethren.
1 John 3:7 – little children, let no one deceive you…
Don’t fool yourself into thinking you are ok when you are not.
d.
We may know something is
sin, but seldom do we realize the degree to which it can take us.
a.
Through the passing
pleasures of sin
- Hebrews 11:25 speaks of how Moses, by faith, forsook Egypt rather than
enjoy “the passing pleasures of sin.”
Sin is deceptively pleasurable.
Think of the advertising of sinful and worldly products –
smoking, alcohol, debt, gambling (e.g. the lottery), materialism, lust,
etc.
b.
We can deceive ourselves
– Philippians 2:3-4 warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than
we ought to think. Galatians
6:3 – to think more highly of yourself is to deceive yourself.
Sin can blind us –
James 1:26 – you can deceive your
own heart. Sometimes we lie
to ourselves.
1 John 1:8 – if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…
c.
Sin can harden us – Ephesians 4:17-19 speaks of the ungodly of the world who walk in the
futility of their minds, with their understanding darkened.
Vs. 19 notes that they are past feeling – hardened.
Ephesians 4:20-22 – we have not learned to be like this in Christ – we
put off that old man who is corrupt according to deceitful lusts.
Hebrews 3:13 – the direct warning – we exhort each other lest we be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sins.
d.
Through our emotions
– Proverbs 14:12 – there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end
is the way of death. Acts
26:9 - “I myself thought” – Paul persecuting Christians thinking he was
doing the right thing.
We are living in times where society puts feelings above rational and
objective truths. Many are
taught that whatever you think is right, is right.
I is dangerous and DECEITFUL.
Sadly, that is exactly how many approach God’s word when they find
something they don’t like.
e.
Through the wisdom of
this world
– Ephesians 5:6 – the
empty words, Colossians 2:4 – with persuasive words – the warning of
Paul, don’t let others deceive you with their worldly wisdom.
1 Corinthians 3:18-19 – let no one deceive himself through the wisdom of
this age.
1 Timothy 4:1 – speaks of those who are giving heed to deceiving spirits
and doctrines of demons.
We must guard against taking God’s word out of its intended context –
guard against the twisting of scripture – 2 Peter 3:16
f.
Sin can appear insignificant or softening it
– if we are not careful, we will put degrees on sin.
If Satan can get you to see your sinful behaviors as ok because
it is not a “big sin” or as bad as what others are doing, he can claim
your soul.
When we start minimizing and maximizing sins – we better beware.
Galatians 5:9 – a little leaven, leavens the whole lump.
a.
Draw near to God –
closeness to Him keeps us from sinfulness. 1 John 1:5-7,
James 4:8
b.
Knowledge
– a vaccine against ignorance and its consequences.
Ephesians 4:11-16 – we are given knowledge to keep us from being tossed
to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine.
c.
Prayer –
James 1:5. Pray for wisdom,
and that you not be led into temptation – Matthew 6:13, 26:41 – while
not direction mentioning deceitfulness, temptation work with deceit to
produce sin sometimes (do we find ourselves tempted to do something and
then “convince” ourselves it is ok?)
d.
Alertness
– be sober, be vigilant, your adversary the devil – 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Returning to our first point – he is the father of lies and
deceits. Resist him and you
resist his deceitful ways.
e.
Don’t ever condone sin!
Proverbs 17:15, He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them
alike are an abomination to the Lord.
Romans 1:32 – at the conclusion of Paul’s description of some of the
depravity of mankind’s ways, he warns against those who approve of their
behavior. Many sinful
behaviors are condoned by so-called Christians today.
Ephesians 5:11 – we have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 – don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers…
1 Corinthians 15:33 – evil company corrupts good habits.
f.
Do what you are supposed to do – James 1:22 – be doers of the word and not hearers only.
If you are striving to live the Christian life, you will be less
likely to be deceived. But
if you’re a Christian in word only, beware!
It has been said of sin, that it takes you further than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay and costs you more than you really want to pay. While sin is deceitful, we do not have to be deceived by it