As believers, there are several things that we all have in common...we have a common salvation, we have a common Savior, and we have a common future. We also have a common problem...the problem of sin.
Ro. 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:" One of the greatest hindrances to our spiritual maturity is the failure to deal effectively with the problem of sin in our lives. We should never take sin lightly or minimize its effect in our lives. Tonight I want to point out just a few things about dealing with this problem.
I. Sin is the internal enemy of our development into spiritually mature Christians.
A. We are aware of its presence
B. We know that we must keep it in check.
C. The question is How?
Ps. 119:9, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word."
1. Take heed to your daily life, as well as study your Bible.
2. We must study our Bible in order to take heed to our daily life - Why is this?
3. Two ways I can go astray --
a. By carefully following a misleading map (no matter how careful I am).
b. By ignoring the perfectly accurate map (no matter how accurate it is).
c. So, we must study the Word of God and watch our lives carefully.
II. We must realize that there will be opposition.
A. NOTE: v 51, 61, 69, 78, 85, 110
1. What is the common denominator in each of these verses?
2. The only thing that kept him from falling as a result of this opposition was the Word of God!
III. We must recognize that our own hearts are evil.
A. NOTE: v. 10 'let me not wander'.
B. It is our natural tendency to drift away from full and joyful obedience to the Word of God
C. What does Jeremiah have to say about our hearts in 17:9?
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
1. Deceitful and desperately wicked!
2. Who do we wind up deceiving the most with regard to sin? (ourselves)
3. Note: Gal. 6:7
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
4. Paul is saying, "Don't fool yourself into thinking you can get away with sin"--but we do just that!
IV. Note the progression forward in v10-14.
A. He began to seek God with a whole heart. v10
1. We have a promise from God on this.
2. Note: Jeremiah 29:13.
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
B. He began to treasure God's Word. v 11
1. Again we have the promise of God.
2. Note: Jn. 17:17.
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
C. He began to enjoy God's Word as much as he enjoyed the other blessings. v 14
1. He was really making progress!
2. When the Word of God becomes something that we desire, treasure, and enjoy; then we will see the victory over sin in our lives.
D. The believer's life is likened to a walk, and that walk suggests progress.
1. There is no excuse for a believer not making spiritual progress in their lives.
2. God has given us His Word as well as, the Holy Spirit, to guide us and direct us in the paths we should follow.
3. He has also provided a means whereby we can be and are forgiven of sins.
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
V. Concluding Thoughts.
A. Sin is the internal enemy of our development into spiritually mature Christians.
B. We must realize that there is opposition from without also.
C. And we must recognize that within, our own hearts are evil and wicked.
D. For us to overcome sin in our lives we must totally depend upon Jesus Christ and His Word.
1. The Word of God will reveal to us our sin. (God's Word is our standard)
2. The blood of Christ will cleanse us.
3. We must strive to make progress in dealing with the problem of sin.
What about it tonight? Are you struggling with this problem of sin in your life? Why not apply the Bible answer and gain victory in your life? Do not give up! Paul asked the question:
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Ro. 6:1-2 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word." What is your need tonight? Why not come and get things settled with the Lord?