How Does God Feel About Our Sin?
- part 3INTRO: We have been looking at how God feels about sin. How He feels about certain sins. We have seen his dislike for six sins tonight we will take time and look at the seventh sin. Now understand God hates all sin, period, end of discussion. So, why would He list seven that he is disgusted with? I think, He knows how these lead to other problems in life and cause a great amount of hardships.
Have you ever seen others who was really quick to condemn others' sins and they were guilty of their own sins and seemed oblivious to the deadliness of sin in their own lives? Well, we need to understand that one of the ways to rid ourselves of sin is to confront it, know it is there and then we can remove it with His help.
Let us once again read from the text I have used for this message.
Proverbs 6:16 - 23 16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
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A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.20
My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:21
Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.22
When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:Tonight, I want to deal with how we sow discord among the brethren. Now the word used for brethren can be looked upon several ways. Basically it could denote anything "brother-like". So we could look at actual brothers or even family could be inserted. We also could use this in a religious sense using the term "brethren." This could be enlarged to our church family or fellowship. So it is this realm I want you to consider this tonight.
First, I want to ask,
"How can we sow discord?"
When we lie or deceive
When we insinuate mistruth
With flattering speech
Trickery
Favoritism
Harshness
Etc.
1 Thessalonians 2:1 - 8 1For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
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But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.3
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.5
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:6
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.7
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.We see Paul sharing how he was far from sowing discord, quite the opposite.
What a great picture he gives us.
So, I ask…
What is the problem with sowing discord?
Causes mistrust
2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Feeds animosity
Separates friends
Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
NLT: A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
NKJV: A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
ESV: A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
NASB: A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
I'll tell you now, that eventually the gossip will be found out and will be without any friends!
Explodes or implodes families, friends, and fellowships
Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Encourages backbiting (slander)
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
Frames downfalls
Elevates talebearing
1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
And it…
Undercuts love
I know love is longsuffering, and behaves right, does not think ill things, etc. but this causes or stretches love like no other!
So, now here we are…
How do we cure this?
Close our mouth!
Psalms 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Stop it!
Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
1 Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Recognize the harm
Honor leadership
This is often done to the detriment of leaders…
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Make it right
Matthew 5:23 - 24 23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
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Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.Acknowledge sin
Seek forgiveness
Sin no more
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 021107pm