Recognizing the Deceitfulness of Sin and True Wisdom
Summary
In the 17th chapter of the book of Jeremiah, we are confronted with a profound message about the deceitfulness and folly of sin. The prophet Jeremiah, speaking to the Israelites during a time of crisis, presents a stark choice: to be blessed by God or to face His curse. This choice is rooted in the recognition of sin's deceitful nature, which blinds us to the truth and leads us away from God. Sin, as Jeremiah illustrates, is not only deceitful but also foolish, making us believe we are wise when we are not.
The analogy of the partridge, which sits on eggs it did not lay, serves as a vivid illustration of this folly. Just as the partridge is left without a family when the young birds return to their rightful mother, so too are those who gain riches unjustly left empty-handed. This analogy extends beyond wealth to encompass all aspects of life where we deceive ourselves into thinking we can break God's laws without consequence. The heart of the issue is intellectual pride, the belief that we can solve all problems and master life through our own wisdom, ignoring the divine laws that govern our existence.
The sermon challenges us to recognize the futility of living for wealth, pleasure, or any worldly pursuit that disregards God's commandments. It warns that such pursuits ultimately leave us unsatisfied and empty, especially when faced with life's inevitable trials and the certainty of death. The true wisdom, as the Apostle Paul states, is to become a fool in the eyes of the world by humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our folly, and accepting the wisdom of Christ crucified.
Key Takeaways:
- Sin is deceitful and fools us into believing we are wise and self-sufficient. This intellectual pride leads us away from God and blinds us to the truth of our dependence on Him. [12:47]
- The analogy of the partridge illustrates the folly of gaining riches or pursuing any goal unjustly. Just as the partridge is left without a family, so too are we left empty when we ignore God's laws. [09:09]
- True wisdom is found in humility and recognizing our limitations. By acknowledging our need for God and His guidance, we can avoid the pitfalls of self-deception and folly. [46:19]
- The pursuit of worldly pleasures and wealth ultimately leaves us unsatisfied and empty, especially in the face of life's trials and the certainty of death. Only God can truly satisfy our deepest needs. [35:23]
- The gospel offers hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. By confessing our sins and accepting His sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life. [44:00]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Jeremiah 17:11
[01:10] - The Crisis of Israel and the Message of Repentance
[02:02] - The Two Possibilities: Blessing or Curse
[03:08] - The Deceitfulness of Sin
[05:28] - Sin as Folly and Foolishness
[06:28] - The Bible: A Practical Book of Life
[07:32] - The Partridge Analogy
[10:03] - The Deception of Wealth and Sin
[12:00] - Man's Self-Deception and Intellectual Pride
[16:37] - The World's Confidence in Human Wisdom
[19:29] - Ignoring God's Laws and Breaking Rules
[23:00] - The Law of Sowing and Reaping
[27:50] - Pursuing Self-Interest and Happiness
[32:37] - The Folly of Sin and Its Consequences
[41:13] - The End Result: Emptiness and Foolishness
[44:00] - The Gospel's Offer of Redemption
[46:19] - True Wisdom in Humility and Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Jeremiah 17:11: "As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool."
Observation Questions:
1. What analogy does Jeremiah use to illustrate the folly of unjustly gained riches, and what does it signify? [07:32]
2. How does the sermon describe the deceitfulness of sin, and what are its effects on human perception? [03:08]
3. According to the sermon, what is the relationship between intellectual pride and sin? [12:47]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the ultimate satisfaction of worldly pursuits like wealth and pleasure? [35:23]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of the partridge relate to the broader theme of self-deception in sin? [09:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that intellectual pride leads individuals away from God? [14:00]
3. How does the sermon interpret the consequences of pursuing wealth and pleasure without regard for God's laws? [37:35]
4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of true wisdom and how it contrasts with worldly wisdom? [46:19]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you pursued a goal that seemed wise at the time but later proved to be misguided. How did this experience shape your understanding of true wisdom? [12:47]
2. The sermon warns against intellectual pride. Are there areas in your life where you rely too heavily on your own understanding rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you address this? [14:00]
3. Consider the analogy of the partridge. Are there aspects of your life where you might be "sitting on eggs" that are not yours? How can you realign your pursuits with God's principles? [09:09]
4. The sermon suggests that worldly pursuits ultimately leave us unsatisfied. What steps can you take to find fulfillment in your relationship with God rather than in material or temporary pleasures? [35:23]
5. How can you practice humility in your daily life to avoid the pitfalls of self-deception and intellectual pride? [46:19]
6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and accepting the wisdom of Christ crucified. How can you incorporate this understanding into your spiritual journey? [44:00]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel empty or unsatisfied. How can you invite God into that space to bring true fulfillment and peace? [37:35]
Devotional
Day 1: The Deceitfulness of Sin and Intellectual Pride
Sin is a master of deception, convincing us that we are wise and self-sufficient when, in reality, we are straying from God. This intellectual pride blinds us to our true dependence on Him. The heart, as Jeremiah warns, is deceitful above all things, leading us to trust in our own understanding rather than in God's wisdom. This self-deception is dangerous, as it not only distances us from God but also sets us on a path of folly. Recognizing this deceit is the first step toward humility and true wisdom. [12:47]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own wisdom rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you begin to shift your trust back to Him today?
Day 2: The Folly of Unjust Gain
The analogy of the partridge in Jeremiah illustrates the folly of gaining riches or pursuing goals unjustly. Just as the partridge is left without a family when the young birds return to their rightful mother, so too are we left empty when we ignore God's laws. This extends beyond wealth to any pursuit where we deceive ourselves into thinking we can break God's laws without consequence. The emptiness that follows is a stark reminder of the futility of such pursuits. [09:09]
Proverbs 13:11 (ESV): "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."
Reflection: Consider a time when you pursued something in a way that wasn't aligned with God's principles. What were the consequences, and how can you pursue your goals justly in the future?
Day 3: True Wisdom in Humility
True wisdom is found in humility and recognizing our limitations. By acknowledging our need for God and His guidance, we can avoid the pitfalls of self-deception and folly. The Apostle Paul reminds us that becoming a fool in the eyes of the world by humbling ourselves before God is the path to true wisdom. This humility allows us to see our dependence on God and opens us to His wisdom and guidance. [46:19]
1 Corinthians 3:18-19 (ESV): "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with pride? How can you practice humility in this area and seek God's wisdom instead?
Day 4: The Emptiness of Worldly Pursuits
The pursuit of worldly pleasures and wealth ultimately leaves us unsatisfied and empty, especially in the face of life's trials and the certainty of death. Only God can truly satisfy our deepest needs. This realization calls us to reevaluate our priorities and seek fulfillment in our relationship with God rather than in temporary, worldly pursuits. [35:23]
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV): "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."
Reflection: Reflect on your current pursuits and desires. Are there any that you are prioritizing over your relationship with God? How can you realign your priorities to seek fulfillment in Him?
Day 5: The Gospel's Offer of Redemption
The gospel offers hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. By confessing our sins and accepting His sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life. This redemption is a profound reminder of God's love and grace, calling us to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His love to others. [44:00]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's redemption in your life? In what ways can you share this message of hope and reconciliation with those around you today?
Quotes
The essence of the message is this: that man is in his present predicament because of the deceitfulness of sin. Now we've seen that here in this notable verse, the ninth verse, where we are told the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? [00:03:11]
Sin is something that deceives us, and we have already considered some of the ways in which it does so. Now, I say this is a constantly recurring theme in the whole of the Bible. Take, for instance, the way the Apostle Paul puts it in writing to the Corinthians in his Second Epistle. [00:04:30]
The Bible, of course, is a book which God has given to us in order to teach us and to instruct us. There is nothing which is so foolish as to think of the Bible as a book that is remote from life, that's got nothing to tell us and nothing to help us as we struggle daily with life in this world. [00:05:57]
The message is that any man, all men as sinners, are guilty of precisely the same thing. Now you notice that the prophet puts it in particular in terms of riches, in terms of getting wealth. So he says he that getteth riches, wealth, but not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days. [00:10:03]
The commonest way of all is that he deceives himself with regard to his own wisdom, with regard to his own ability, with regard to his own understanding. I don't think I need hesitate in asserting that this is the essential thing in sin. I say it's the essential thing in sin for this reason. [00:12:29]
Men is always confident of his own intellect and his own power. He always holds the view that he really has nothing to do but to sit down and to think and to work things out, and that as the result of so doing, he can master any problem, he can solve all difficulties. [00:14:13]
Man not only deceives himself with regard to his own cleverness and his own ability, he tends also to deceive himself always in this way, that he feels that he can ignore the law and that he can break the rules with impunity. Now we are carrying two ideas in our minds, aren't we? [00:19:36]
The way of the transgressor is hard, hard. The way of the transgressor is hard. But does mankind believe that? If mankind believed that, nobody'd ever sin again. You see, what we all say is this: oh well, of course, that man got into trouble. I should get into trouble. [00:21:56]
The trouble with men is that he doesn't know himself. He doesn't know his own greatness. Men cannot be satisfied with money. Men can't be satisfied with things, and man can't live by bread alone. He can't live by bread and drink and money and wealth and position and the gratification of his passions and his lust. [00:35:23]
The thing that makes this gospel so marvelous and so wonderful and that should move us all to the depths of our being is this: that though we have all, like Saul the king of Israel of old, played the fool and in our folly have pitted our little selves against God and have defied him. [00:44:00]
God so loved the world, the world that has done the very things about which I've been speaking. God so loved that world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Thank God. [00:44:41]
If any man willth to be wise in this world, and that's what we all want, isn't it? We all, by nature, as I've said, want to be wise in this world. We want to do the best for ourselves. If any man willth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may be made wise. [00:46:19]
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