Recognizing and Resisting the Deceitfulness of Sin
Summary
Sin is the greatest evil in the universe, the root of all other ills, and it has a singular power to deceive. It can turn blessings into curses and afflictions into opportunities for growth. Our primary prayer should be for deliverance from sin, as it is the only true evil that can harm us. Even those who are born again and sanctified by the Spirit of God are not immune to its deceitfulness. Sin often disguises itself, making it difficult to recognize and resist. It approaches subtly, offering intellectual advantages or questioning God's word, and it can even present itself as a virtue.
The deceitfulness of sin is most dangerous because it hardens the heart. Familiarity with sin can make us less sensitive to its presence, leading to a dull conscience. This hardening can result in insensitivity to the gospel, making it difficult to be moved by its message. Sin also uses deceitful arguments to justify itself, suggesting that small sins are insignificant or that circumstances justify disobedience. It promises liberty but leads to slavery, and it promises pleasure but results in misery.
To combat the deceitfulness of sin, we must believe in the power of faith. Faith in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit can help us see through sin's deceptions. Confessing our sins honestly before God and cultivating a tender heart are essential. We must also exhort one another daily, offering loving reproofs and encouragement to keep each other from falling into sin. Ultimately, we must commit ourselves to the Lord, trusting in His ability to keep us from stumbling and to renew us in heart and soul.
Key Takeaways:
- Sin is the root of all evil and has a unique power to deceive, often disguising itself as something good or virtuous. It is crucial to pray for deliverance from sin, as it is the only true evil that can harm us. [01:19]
- The deceitfulness of sin can harden the heart, making us less sensitive to its presence and the message of the gospel. Familiarity with sin dulls the conscience, leading to insensitivity and eventual spiritual numbness. [30:33]
- Sin uses deceitful arguments to justify itself, suggesting that small sins are insignificant or that circumstances justify disobedience. It promises liberty and pleasure but leads to slavery and misery. [27:02]
- Faith in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit is essential to combat the deceitfulness of sin. A strong faith helps us see through sin's deceptions and prevents us from being easily misled. [38:49]
- Exhorting one another daily is vital in keeping each other from falling into sin. Offering loving reproofs and encouragement helps maintain spiritual vigilance and fosters a supportive community. [45:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Sin's Deceitfulness
- [01:19] - The True Evil of Sin
- [02:25] - Sin's Disguises and Approaches
- [03:42] - The Danger of Sin's Deception
- [05:04] - Historical Examples of Sin's Deceit
- [06:20] - Sin's Subtle Approaches
- [09:40] - Sin's Adaptability to Circumstances
- [12:02] - The False Promises of Sin
- [14:55] - Sin's Changing Names
- [18:21] - The Arguments of Sin
- [22:06] - Sin's Justifications and Excuses
- [27:02] - The Broken Promises of Sin
- [30:33] - The Hardening Power of Sin
- [38:08] - Fighting Against Sin's Deceitfulness
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 3:13
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the greatest evil in the universe, and why is it considered so dangerous? ([00:31])
2. How does sin disguise itself, making it difficult for believers to recognize and resist? ([02:54])
3. What are some deceitful arguments that sin uses to justify itself, as mentioned in the sermon? ([18:21])
4. How does the deceitfulness of sin lead to a hardened heart, according to the sermon? ([30:33])
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between sin and the hardening of the heart? How does this affect one's sensitivity to the gospel? ([30:33])
2. How does faith in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit help believers combat the deceitfulness of sin, as discussed in the sermon? ([38:49])
3. In what ways does the sermon emphasize the importance of community and exhortation in resisting sin? ([45:06])
4. How does the sermon describe the process by which sin can turn blessings into curses and afflictions into opportunities for growth? ([00:31])
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt deceived by sin. How did it disguise itself, and what steps did you take to overcome it? ([02:54])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of daily exhortation among believers. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life to help others resist sin? ([45:06])
3. Consider the ways in which sin has attempted to justify itself in your life. How can you strengthen your faith to see through these deceptions? ([18:21])
4. The sermon suggests that familiarity with sin can lead to a hardened heart. What practical steps can you take to maintain a tender heart towards God and His word? ([30:33])
5. How can you actively seek deliverance from sin in your prayer life, as suggested by the sermon? What specific sins do you need to bring before God in confession? ([01:19])
6. Think of a person in your life who might be struggling with the deceitfulness of sin. How can you lovingly exhort and encourage them this week? ([45:06])
7. The sermon mentions that sin can present itself as a virtue. Can you identify any areas in your life where this might be happening, and how can you address it? ([02:54])
Devotional
Day 1: The Deceptive Nature of Sin
Sin is not just an act of wrongdoing; it is a pervasive force that can disguise itself as something good or virtuous. It is the root of all evil and has a unique power to deceive, often presenting itself in ways that seem beneficial or harmless. This deception can lead individuals to believe that they are making wise choices when, in fact, they are being led away from God's truth. The danger lies in sin's ability to mask its true nature, making it difficult to recognize and resist. Therefore, it is crucial to pray for deliverance from sin, as it is the only true evil that can harm us. [01:19]
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify a situation where something seemingly good might be leading you away from God's truth? How can you seek discernment in this area today?
Day 2: The Hardening Effect of Sin
Sin has a hardening effect on the heart, making individuals less sensitive to its presence and the message of the gospel. Familiarity with sin can dull the conscience, leading to insensitivity and eventual spiritual numbness. This hardening can result in a lack of responsiveness to God's word and a diminished capacity to be moved by the gospel's transformative power. It is essential to remain vigilant and guard against the subtle ways sin can desensitize us to spiritual truths. [30:33]
"But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you noticed your heart becoming less sensitive to God's voice? What steps can you take to soften your heart and remain open to His guidance?
Day 3: The False Promises of Sin
Sin often uses deceitful arguments to justify itself, suggesting that small sins are insignificant or that circumstances justify disobedience. It promises liberty and pleasure but leads to slavery and misery. These false promises can be enticing, but they ultimately result in bondage and dissatisfaction. Recognizing the empty promises of sin is crucial in resisting its allure and choosing the path of righteousness. [27:02]
"They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." (2 Peter 2:19, ESV)
Reflection: What false promises have you believed about sin in your life? How can you replace these lies with the truth of God's word today?
Day 4: The Power of Faith Against Sin
Faith in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit is essential to combat the deceitfulness of sin. A strong faith helps individuals see through sin's deceptions and prevents them from being easily misled. By trusting in God's power and guidance, believers can overcome the temptations and lies that sin presents. Cultivating a deep and abiding faith is key to living a life that is pleasing to God and free from the bondage of sin. [38:49]
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:4, ESV)
Reflection: How can you strengthen your faith to better resist the deceptions of sin? What practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in God today?
Day 5: The Importance of Community in Overcoming Sin
Exhorting one another daily is vital in keeping each other from falling into sin. Offering loving reproofs and encouragement helps maintain spiritual vigilance and fosters a supportive community. By holding each other accountable and providing mutual support, believers can help one another stay on the path of righteousness and avoid the pitfalls of sin. Building a strong community of faith is essential for spiritual growth and resilience. [45:06]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support and accountability in your spiritual journey? How can you be a source of encouragement to others today?
Quotes
Sin is the greatest evil in the universe, it is the parent of all other ills, all manner of evils draw their bitterness from this fount of wormwood and Gaul. If a man had every possession mortal could desire sin could turn every blessing into a curse and on the other hand if a man had nothing for his inheritance but suffering, but stood clear from all sin, his afflictions his losses his deprivations might each one be again to him. [00:00:22]
Sin has a singular power to deceive, secondly its deceivableness has a hardening influence upon the soul we may grow hardened through the deceitfulness of sin and therefore thirdly there is great need that this be fought against, we must strive against our cunning enemy and resist him in many ways one of which is mentioned in the text exhort one another daily while it is called today. [00:04:28]
Sin does not uncover all its hideousness nor reveal its horrible consequences but it comes to us in a very subtle way, offering us advantage, intellectually it comes with a question or an inquiry, are we not to question and to inquire or we to receive everything implicitly, the question is however full often the thin end of the wedge would Satan drives home in the form of carnal wisdom doubt infidelity and practical atheism. [00:06:37]
Sin frequently comes as a bear suggestion or an imagination, an Airy thing spun of such stuff as dreams are made of, you do not think of committing the fault nor even of talking of it but you think of it pleasantly and view it as a thing bright and lustrous to the imagination, the thought fascinates and then the spell of evil begins its deadly work, thought condenses into desire, and desire grows to purpose and purpose ripens into Act. [00:07:40]
Sin is deceitful in its object for the object which it puts before us is not that which is its actual result we are not tempted to provoke our maker or willfully cast off the authority of righteousness, we are not invited to do these things for their own sake no no we are moved to do Evil under the idea that some present good will come of it, the man thinks when he yields to sin that he shall enjoy an additional pleasure or shall gain an extra profit. [00:11:52]
Sin is deceitful next in the names it wears, it is very apt to change its title it seldom cares for its own true description fine words are often used to cover foul Deeds, we read at times in the newspapers of gentlemen who have an alias or possibly half a dozen, in such cases there is always a reason for it, sin has many names by which it could disguise its real character. [00:14:54]
Sin also shows its special deceitfulness in the arguments which it uses with men, have you never heard its voice whispering to you do not make Much Ado About Nothing, is it not a little one there is no need to Boggle over so small a matter is this, it is not right but still it is a mere trifle Unworthy of notice do it do it my friends can there be such a thing as a small sin. [00:18:13]
The deceitfulness of sin is seen again in its promises, for we shall not go far into sin without finding out how greatly it lies unto us, it promises Liberty and the man who yields to it becomes the various slave, it promises light, and the man gives up the old Faith to go after the new light, and before long the darkness thickens about him into Sevenfold midnight. [00:26:44]
I want you in the second place to notice very carefully that this deceitfulness has a hardening power over the heart lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, how does that come about, partly through our familiarity with sin, we may look at hateful sin till we love it, it has the eye of a basilisk and its gaze is fascinating, at first you were shocked by sin but if you see it every day it will cease to distress you. [00:30:22]
The effect of the Gospel is always present in some degree it is a Savor of Life unto life or else a Savor of death unto death to all who hear it, you cannot listen to my plain rebuke's and Earnest warnings without growing worse if you do not grow better, pray God to give you a lively conscience and when you have it do nothing to deaden it it is much better even to be morbidly sensitive and fear that you are wrong when you are right. [00:36:55]
The way to keep from Hardness of Heart and from the deceitfulness of sin is to believe, we read, to whom swear he that they should not enter into his rest but to them that believe not, so we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief, believe, faith has saved you believe faith will save you believe, faith has brought you to Christ believe it will keep you to Christ. [00:38:08]
Exhort one another daily, we are not to scold one another daily nor to suspect one another daily nor to pick holes in one another's coats daily, but when we see a manifest fault in a brother we are bound to tell him of it in love and when we do not see any fault of commission but the brother is evidently growing lacks and cold it is well to stir him up to Greater Zeal by a loving exhortation. [00:45:06]
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