Trusting God: Overcoming Anxiety and Embracing Grace
Summary
In the exploration of human nature and its relationship with temptation and sin, the focus is placed on the common struggle with worry and anxiety about future provision. This concern for tomorrow often leads to a state of anxiousness, which is a significant theme in the teachings of Jesus. The emphasis is on the fact that temptation is a daily occurrence, and the importance of living in the present moment is highlighted, as seen in programs like Celebrate Recovery, which advocate for a moment-by-moment approach to life.
The narrative then shifts to the biblical account of the first humans, Adam and Eve, and the original act of disobedience that led to the fall of mankind. The act of eating the forbidden fruit is not merely seen as bad behavior but as a willful decision to distrust God's provision. This distrust is likened to adultery, breaking the trust in a relationship. The real tragedy, therefore, is not the temptation itself but the response to sin and God's response to it.
Upon sinning, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened, and they became aware of their nakedness, leading to feelings of shame and the desire to hide. This shame resulted in the creation of secrets, which are described as being detrimental to one's spiritual health. The saying "you're only as sick as your secrets" is used to illustrate the destructive nature of hidden sins.
The discussion continues with an examination of the heart as the source of desires and actions. The heart is where evil thoughts, such as murder and adultery, begin before they manifest as actions. The reflection then turns inward, asking whether individuals today are any different from Adam and Eve when they engage in behaviors that suggest dissatisfaction with what God has provided.
The concept of sin is further explored as not just a behavior but a separation that breaks trust with God. While God's love remains steadfast, sin creates a barrier between humans and the divine. This is exemplified by Adam and Eve hiding behind the trees in the Garden of Eden, using God's gifts as a wall between themselves and the Giver.
The reasons for hiding from God are pondered, with suggestions that it may be due to the temporary pleasure of sin, a desire to believe in one's inherent goodness, or misconceptions about God's nature. The argument is made that a lack of awareness of one's own sinfulness prevents full reliance on God's grace. The discussion concludes with the idea that some individuals may have a distorted view of God based on their upbringing or teachings, which could be challenged by a true understanding of God's character.
Key Takeaways:
- Anxiety about the future is a common human experience that can lead to a loss of trust in God's provision. This worry is a form of temptation that can consume mental, spiritual, and emotional energy, detracting from living in the present moment and trusting in God's faithfulness. [44:05]
- Sin is not merely bad behavior but a willful choice to believe that God cannot be trusted to fulfill our needs and desires. This choice represents a breach of trust akin to adultery, highlighting the relational aspect of sin and its consequences on intimacy with God. [52:47]
- The aftermath of sin is characterized by shame and the compulsion to hide, which leads to the creation of secrets. These secrets are spiritually harmful, as they prevent individuals from living in the truth and can lead to further isolation from God and others. [54:24]
- The heart is the center of human desires and intentions, and it is from the heart that actions such as evil thoughts and immoral behaviors originate. This understanding calls for introspection and recognition of the deeper issues that drive sinful actions, rather than focusing solely on external behaviors. [47:13]
- The tendency to hide from God can stem from various reasons, including the enjoyment of sin, a misguided belief in one's own righteousness, or misconceptions about God's nature. Recognizing these reasons can lead to a more honest relationship with God and a greater appreciation for His grace. [58:18]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:34 (NIV): "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
2. Genesis 3:6-8 (NIV): "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden."
3. Matthew 15:19 (NIV): "For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 6:34, what does Jesus say about worrying about the future?
2. In Genesis 3:6-8, what immediate actions did Adam and Eve take after eating the forbidden fruit?
3. What does Matthew 15:19 reveal about the origin of evil thoughts and actions?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between sin and trust in God? [51:36]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:34 relate to the common human experience of anxiety about future provision? [43:36]
2. In what ways does the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 illustrate the concept of sin as a breach of trust with God? [45:33]
3. How does the understanding that evil thoughts originate from the heart (Matthew 15:19) change the way we view sinful actions? [46:38]
4. What are some reasons given in the sermon for why people might hide from God after sinning? [57:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were anxious about the future. How did it affect your trust in God's provision? What steps can you take to live more in the present moment, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:34? [43:36]
2. Think about a situation where you felt shame due to a sin. How did this shame affect your relationships with others and with God? What can you do to bring these hidden areas into the light? [54:17]
3. The sermon mentions that sin is not just bad behavior but a willful choice to distrust God. Can you identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you work on building that trust? [45:33]
4. How do you respond when you recognize evil thoughts or desires in your heart? What practical steps can you take to address these issues at their root rather than just focusing on external behaviors? [46:38]
5. The sermon suggests that some people hide from God because they enjoy sin or have a distorted view of God. How can you cultivate a more accurate understanding of God's character to help you resist the temptation to hide? [57:12]
6. Consider the statement "you're only as sick as your secrets." What are some secrets you might be holding onto that are affecting your spiritual health? How can you begin to address these in a safe and supportive environment? [55:06]
7. Reflect on the idea that sin creates a barrier between us and God, similar to how Adam and Eve hid behind the trees. What "trees" or gifts from God might you be using as a barrier in your relationship with Him? How can you shift your perspective to see these gifts as blessings rather than hiding places? [56:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Daily Provision
Worrying about tomorrow can consume one's life, yet it is a temptation that can be overcome by trusting in God's daily provision. Anxiety about the future distracts from the blessings of today and undermines faith in God's care. Embracing each day as a gift helps to alleviate the burden of what is yet to come and fosters a deeper reliance on God's faithfulness. [44:05]
Matthew 6:34 - "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Reflection: How can you practice letting go of your worries for tomorrow and instead focus on the provision God has given you for today?
Day 2: Understanding Sin as Distrust
Sin is more than just poor behavior; it is an active choice to distrust God's ability to provide for our needs. This breach of trust damages our relationship with God, similar to how adultery harms a marriage. Recognizing sin as a relational issue rather than just a moral failing can lead to a more profound understanding of its impact on our spiritual lives. [52:47]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 - "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced distrust in God's provision, and how can you restore that trust in your relationship with Him?
Day 3: The Spiritual Harm of Secrets
Shame from sin leads to hiding and the creation of secrets, which are toxic to spiritual health. Living in secrecy prevents one from walking in truth and fosters a destructive cycle of isolation from God and community. Transparency and confession are key to healing and maintaining a healthy spiritual life. [54:24]
Ephesians 5:11-13 - "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light."
Reflection: Are there any secrets you are keeping that are hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you bring them into the light today?
Day 4: The Heart's Role in Sinful Actions
The heart is the origin of our desires and actions, including those that lead to sin. Before any sinful act is committed, it is first conceived in the heart. Understanding this can shift the focus from merely addressing external behaviors to examining and transforming the inner motivations that drive them. [47:13]
James 1:14-15 - "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Reflection: What desires in your heart might be leading you away from God, and how can you work on aligning your heart with God's will?
Day 5: Facing God with Honesty
Hiding from God can be a result of enjoying sin, self-righteousness, or misconceptions about God's nature. An honest assessment of these reasons can lead to a more genuine relationship with God, where His grace is fully appreciated and relied upon. Understanding God's true character is essential for overcoming the barriers we create. [58:18]
Psalm 139:23-24 - "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Reflection: What misconceptions about God might you be holding onto, and how can you seek a more accurate understanding of His character?
Quotes
1) "Sin is not simply bad behavior. It is a willful choice that you and I make, a decision that God cannot be trusted to fully provide all I need and all I desire." [50:47] (Download)
2) "Sin leads to shame, and shame always leads to secrets. And secrets will sink you every time. You're only as sick as your secrets." [54:24] (Download)
3) "The catastrophe is that through Adam entered sin, and as a result of that all have sinned. And sin is not just behavior, sin separates. It breaks the trust." [50:47] (Download)
4) "Often do you and I take something that God has given us a gift and all of a sudden we begin to find our security. We begin to hide behind that." [57:09] (Download)
5) "One of the reasons that most people do not love God fully is because they have never become fully aware of how bad they are and that they need the grace of God." [58:18] (Download)
6) "We live moment by moment. We don't get caught up in what's going to happen next hour or next day we live. We're in that moment, living the battle that Jesus has for us in that moment." [44:05] (Download)
7) "What is happening in your heart when you continue to put down coworkers or your boss? What happens in our heart when we burst out in anger at our child?" [48:49] (Download)
8) "We are enjoying it. If you've convinced yourself that sin's not pleasurable, then you have not faced reality yet." [58:18] (Download)
9) "We want to believe that we're good. As long as you and I believe that we're actually pretty good people, we really do not need God's goodness and his grace." [58:18] (Download)
10) "We have been hiding ever since. Why do we hide? Sometimes because we enjoy sin. There is a pleasure to sin for a time." [57:09] (Download)
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