DESPERATELY WICKED HEARTS

Without a life yielded to the Holy Spirit, we are apt to do anything.

1 John 4:4, Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

In 2 Samuel 13, we have one of David’s sons that is filled with lust for his sister. He listened to advice from an ungodly friend; leading to the rape of his sister Tamar. Amnon, just like each of us had a choice when it came to the temptation he faced. Unfortunately, he let lust linger, it caught Him looking, and cost him his life.

Christian friend, the temptation you are facing right now will define the rest of your life. Will you make the choice to follow the Lord or will you follow your desperately wicked heart? You will end up with some severed relationships, an ended marriage, or maybe, as Amnon, even dead! Sin will cost you! What are you willing to pay for it?

UNEQUALLY YOKED

Who you marry, will either push you closer to Christ or drag you away from Him.

2 Corinthians 6:14, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Marriage is a beautiful thing in God’s eyes. As young people search out for whom they would marry, they need to keep the most important, the most necessary, the most Christ honoring principle; right in front of their eyes. What is it you may ask? Well, they need to make sure that their spouse is saved and on the way to Heaven. Scripture says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. If you can’t walk together because you have different views about life, how in the world do you plan on making it if you get married?  

There are a lot problems that arise when a saved person falls in love with a lost person, desiring to marry them. This is why the Lord tells His children to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Christian friend, will you follow God’s Word, protecting your heart, or will you succumb to the lust of the flesh and marry someone who is an enemy of God?

GET RID OF SIN

Is sin so luscious that you will burn in hell for it? -Spurgeon

Proverbs 28:13, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

David felt the pain and agony of the sin he had committed. He knew if he did not confess and forsake it, he would have that weight upon his life until he did. He knew it would destroy his life. He knew he would never be what God wanted him to be with that sin dragging him down. So, David “got rid of the sin”. What I mean is that he didn’t set it aside. He didn’t cover it up. He dealt with his sin the way God instructs us to. He confessed it. He forsook it!

Will you do the same this morning or will you continue to be hindered by the sin that so easily besets you?

GOD KNOWS

           Just when you think you’ve gotten away with something, God reveals what you’ve done.

Psalm 69:5, O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

            While we may trick Mom or Dad or your Husband or your Wife, God knows everything about you. He knows what you do when no one else is around. He knows what you look at on the internet. He knows who you’re talking to at work. He knows the motives behind why you do what you do. He knows every hidden secret you have; including the ones you don’t know yourself.

            Friend, just be honest with God! He already knows what you’re doing! Consider what the Bible says in Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

MAN’S FOLLY

Jesus knew that He had come to kindle a fire on earth... He saw that what was exalted among man was an abomination before God. --Walter Rauschenbush

Luke 19:10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Sunday morning has come again and I am praying for the services at the church God has called me to pastor. I was reminded while praying, there are still men and women lost, dying, hurting, and going to hell. I was reminded of the need. I was reminded of my call. I was reminded of my desire to see God build a church rooted and grounded in the Word of God. I was reminded of how so many will choose to neglect what God has given them the privilege to be a part of.

What are you doing this morning? Have you made plans to go to the lake? Mow the yard? Wash some clothes? Have you prepared a special meal for guest arriving? Have you entertained any thoughts of going to church? Friend, quit your folly! CHANGE YOUR PLANS, GET UP, GET READY AND TO GO TO CHURCH THIS MORNING! Want to surprise Mom? Want to see Dad whelp up in tears? Want to give the pastor a bit of encouragement—make it to Sunday School!

I’M DEAD TO THAT

          I believe a man may be as vile as hell itself one moment and be saved the next. - D.L. Moody

Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

            There are somethings in our lives we need to crucify! We need let God get somethings out of our lives so that He can truly have His way with our life. We will never become what He wants us to be until we let Him have His way with us! He won’t force Himself into our lives! We have to live it by faith, letting God do the work only He can do.

            Will you let God have His way with your life? Will you put Him back on the thrown of your heart? If so, you will understand there are somethings that  you are dead to because Jesus crucified them!

WHAT IS SIN?

Sin will keep you from this Book. This Book will keep you from sin. --Dwight L. Moody

Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

            Sin has been defined by so many; falling short, missing the mark are the two that come to my mind. Recently I heard this definition: Missing the right mark and hitting the wrong mark.” That gives us a whole different view on what sin is. No matter how hard we try, we will never hit the mark in and of ourselves. It is only by God’s marvelous Grace that we are able to hit the mark of God’s righteousness.

Society has its own view of what sin is. Mike Lester shares this with his Theology Classes:

Society calls sin an accident, God calls it an abomination.

Society calls sin a blunder, God calls it living in blindness.

Society calls sin a chance, God calls it a choice.

Society calls sin a defect, God calls it deviant and a disease.

Society calls sin an error, God calls it enmity.

Society calls sin a fascination, God calls it a fatality.

Society calls sin a mistake, God calls it madness.

Society calls sin a luxury, God calls it leprosy.

Society calls sin a trifle, God calls it a tragedy.

Society calls sin a weakness, God calls it wickedness.

            Will you continue to have pleasure in sin? If so, know this Truth found in God’s Word, it will only be for a season and after that, you must stand and give an account of your life.

THE CYCLE OF SIN STOPS WHEN THE BLOOD IS APPLIED

The scars of others should teach us caution. -Saint Jerome

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 1:7

            It has been said that “History repeats itself.” This quote is true in many ways but when Christ comes into a man or woman’s life—all things are become new! He changes the lineage of drunks, He alters the mind of a line of pedophiles, He cleanses the hands of a lifelong family of thieves and He changes the branches of a family tree that confounds the greatest historian!!

            History does not have to repeat itself! You don’t have to become a drunk, a pedophile or a thief. I am here to tell you that Jesus can and will make the difference in your life—if you give your life to Him! The cycle of sin ends when His blood is applied!

OUCH THAT HURT!

Sin leaves scars!

Psalm 84:10, For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

            When I was as a young boy my parents got me a bicycle one year for Christmas. I remember getting up on the two wheeled contraption and attempting to ride it. After I thought I had mastered the skills to pop wheelies and jump rocks, I thought it would be a good idea to build a ramp to jump higher, further, and longer air time. Wrong answer! I ended up with road rash on my arms and legs leaving some nasty scars on my knees and elbows.

            Now riding a bicycle is not sin but jumping those ramps wasn’t the smartest thing in the world to do. A few moments of sinful pleasure can leave some sinful scars! Broken marriages, estranged kids, a lost job, someone’s life, sometimes come when someone put themselves above a commitment they made.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want any scars reminding me of the grievous sins I may have committed. I need to be reminded of the Heavenly Father’s grace and mercy! Be reminded this morning, Sin will take you further than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you way more than you were willing to pay. So guard your heart!

SET FREE FROM TEMPTATIONS

No degree of temptation justifies any degree of sin. –Willis

1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

No matter what we face today we are provided with The Way that we do not have to sin. It’s not a sin to be tempted. James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” It is when we fail to draw nigh to God, giving into our freshly desires that we chose sin. 

One day we will be totally delivered from sin, the temptations we face, and this old sinful flesh! What a day that will be! 

Do you have something you are being tempted with every day? Pray for strength, draw nigh to God, and make the choice not to give into that temptation and watch how the Lord works in and through your life!

WITHOUT SIN YOU SAY?

The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none. –Carlyle

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Psalm 19:12

As we look into our life, can any of us truly say we have no sin; NO! Each one of us has sin! (If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8.) What is sad is when someone, whether justly or unjustly, points one out and we refuse to see what they are talking about!

I have a simple saying;

Consider who is talking—are they a godly person that is attempting to live for the Lord? Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Does what they are saying apply to me—are they assuming they know the whole story and have passed judgment or have they got the whole story and I need to heed. Proverbs 9:8, Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Lastly, if it applies to my life—do something about it, if it don’t—ignore it and go on for the glory of God! Proverbs 9:9, Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

BE SICK

Being sick is different than being sick of something!

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9

So, I have been sick for the past two days; coughing, sweating, the chills, headache, etc. I would lay in bed and then in my recliner. It got me to thinking about how much I hate to be sick! It got me to thinking about how much I should hate sin, reminding me of Romans 12:9.

It was for our sin Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary! It was my sin that held Him to the Cross! I should hate sin as much as God loved me, to save me from it! Do you abhor sin? Is it repulsive to you? Are you sick of sinning? You ought to be!

BE FOCUSED

Man was created with two eyes, so that with one he may see God's greatness, and with the other his own lowliness. -Samuel Y. Agnon

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:1-2

I am convinced many people are not laying down their weights and sin which so easily beset them. You ask, “What is a weight? What is the sin?” Well the weight is a burden or a hindrance. A sin is offence against God. Scripture says both of these are dealt with when we lay them aside. What this means is when we repent of them God gives us liberty!

When we repent God gives us liberty! We are to live life to the fullest in the liberty Jesus gives, keeping our heart focused on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Focused on His Word, His Work, and His Way!

WHAT KEEPS YOU FROM ATTENDING CHURCH?

            Unless there are people who are responding to the love of God as revealed in Christ and who are worshipping Him, the Church is not very important. –Blake

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

            One of the barometers of your love of the Lord is your attendance to the House of God. I realize some people cannot be at the services due to health issues, occupations requiring them to work, or a missed day here or there for vacations or family events but when you make excuses missing Wednesday or Sunday services week after week… there is a heart problem.

            Heart problems must be taken care of Biblically. If there is an issue with the way you get to church—ask for a ride. Don’t let pride keep you from worshipping the Saviour. If you’re sick, be responsible and let the pastor or someone know so they can pray for you during the service. If there is a problem between you and another church member or the Pastor, go to them and work it out like Christians should. If Satan has robbed you of your joy of attending church—GO ANYWAY! God will bless you and give you something to keep on keeping on!

BE THE LIGHT!

            A Christian should be a lamp, and not a damp.  He should cheer and enlighten his brethren, and never act as a wet blanket to their zeal. -Spurgeon

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:8

            God didn’t take us to Heaven when He saved us so we could be light in the Lord for this world! If we have sin in our life, our light will not shine bright! We will not be someone who the lost will find spiritual guidance in. We will not be the example to this lost, dying, and hurting world we need to be!

            Do you want to be a dim light or a bright shining light for you Saviour? Clean the lens of your heart by confessing sin and be the light God wants you to be!

NEVER TOO MUCH LIGHT

There is not darkness enough in all the world to put out the light of one little candle. –Epitaph

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14

            I was watching an informational video yesterday and the lecturer was talking about things to do when you are getting ready to sell your house. He said, “There is never too much light. Light makes rooms look big and darkness makes rooms look small.” There is a lot of practical wisdom in that statement concerning the ascetics of a house ready for the sell.

            Child of God, you and I are the Light of the World and that Light is Jesus. Much more important than any house being prepared to be sold is the life needing so much Light it will convince a lost person to be saved! A lost person needs to see and hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. A lost person needs to hear without Jesus we are helplessly trapped in our sinful condition but if we repent of our sin and trust Christ as Saviour, we are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb.

How much Light is your life reflecting today? Is there any?

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Christ and we will never be one until we and our sin are two.–Spurgeon

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

            At our spiritual birth, we are separated from our sin. We do not have to continue to live in sin because Jesus set us free from it. We are a new creation, created in Christ Jesus! How is this possible? We have a new nature and that nature is God’s righteousness!

            Child of God, quit sinning! You have been set free from sin and you don’t have to continue therein! I am reminded what Paul said, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Romans 6:15

WE NEED TO BE DELIVERED!

When a man who professes to be converted says that he goes into the world and into sin for pleasure, it is as if an angel went to hell for enjoyment. –Spurgeon

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

Many Christians are bound up in their sin because they have not yielded their life to the Spirit living in them. While the natural man cannot get out of yielding to the flesh, the carnal man has the means in which to be set free but continues to live in sin. What makes the difference? What gives victory in a lost man’s life? What sets the captive free from the bondage of sin? What gives the carnal man the freedom from sin he desires? Jesus Christ is the only hope for peace the natural man or the carnal man has.

Are you living in sin? Do you battle with your flesh? Is there a war raging inside you that no one else knows about? Jesus can deliver you! Yield you life to Him! Give in, give up, and give it all to the Lord!

HOW WICKED CAN ONE BE?

Our outward act is prompted from within, and from the sinner's mind proceeds the sin. -Prior

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Matthew 2:18

After the Wise men had departed visiting with Jesus, the angel of the Lord came and warned Joseph about the wickedness of Herod. Herod’s wickedness was being manifested before everyone in his actions. In an attempt to kill Jesus, He had every child two years old and younger killed. Do you think he knew how wicked he could be? Do you think he knew he would go as far as he did? Do you think he woke up one day and become such a terrorist?

Before we begin to think of Herod’s wickedness as above and beyond our own wickedness let me remind you what scripture says, “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10 What does that mean? Well, any “good” we may think we have done is as filthy rags; all of the giving to the homeless, all of the volunteer work down at the local food pantry, all of the giving to the kids in third world countries, all of it is as filthy rags. In God’s eyes, all of our good works is as filthy rags. Left to ourselves we would still be capable and as wicked Herod. But praise the Lord He sent His Son to die on Calvary to redeem our wicked sin sick souls!

Have you been saved from the potential of your own wickedness? Have you repented and turned your life over to the Lord? If not now, when?

How wicked can you be… don’t give your life to the Lord and you may find out.

ARE YOU DROWNING?

It would be easier to find a man that had not done any one sin that to find a man who had done it only once. Sin multiplies. We must either overcome sin, or it will overcome us. -D.L. Moody

For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Psalm 38:4

When I was about four, my brother and I went across the road to the local swimming hole. He was on the bank and I went to get in. I took a step, then another, and bam; I slipped in over my head.

When I was about four, my brother and I went across the road to the local swimming hole. He was on the bank and I went to get in. I took a step, then another, and bam; I slipped in over my head. Sure am glad he was there to save me!

That is exactly what sin does to you. It lures you in. Everything is looking great, feeling great, tasting great, and then bam; you’re in over your head, drowning in your sin!

Praise God He reached way down into the depths of our sin to lift us up and out! He saved us! If He had not, we would still be there drowning in the muck and mire of our sin!