In Sermon Illustrations: "Self Deception"

The Deceitfulness Of Sin

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

One of the largest freshwater turtles is the alligator snapping turtle. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, these massive turtles have been known to weigh close to 250 pounds. They are carnivorous, and while their diet is primarily fish, they have been known to eat almost anything ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23

Tags: Sin, Deception, Temptation, Deceit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enticed By A False Prophet

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 26, 2021

Shortly after Jeanie and I were married, we were fresh out of Bible College and I was doing some teaching. The associate pastor of our church approached us in private with a very flattering word. He said that God had told him to gather an elite circle of you couples for him and his wife to mentor. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 John 2:27

Tags: Prophecy, False Prophets, Deception

Denomination: Charismatic

Honesty

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 7, 2022

Blaise Pascal observed that human life is nothing but perpetual delusion; human relationships are based on mutual deception. Martin Buber wrote of the uncanny game of hide and seek we play - in which the soul seeks to hide from itself. Thomas Merton - our minds are deformed with a contempt for ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:16, Ephesians 4:15, Matthew 5:33-37

Tags: Deception, Truth, Integrity, Misinformation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

At A Certain Moment, A Doctor Will Determine ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Flynn on May 17, 2001

"At a certain moment, a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped. When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don’t call this my "deathbed." Call it my "bed of ...read more

Tags: Death, Love, Self-Sacrifice

Denomination: Adventist

Whitney Houston ...

Contributed by Bret Toman on Dec 10, 2012

Whitney Houston sang "Because the greatest love of all is happening to me I found the greatest love of all inside of me The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all" Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all. I’ll admit I’m ...read more

Tags: Love For God, Self Esteem

Denomination: Baptist

Oswald Sanders Said, "Only The Disciplined ...

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Dec 22, 2012

Oswald Sanders said, "Only the disciplined person will rise to his highest power. He is able to lead ...read more

Tags: Disciplines General, Self-Discipline

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Have To Stop Trying To Save Yourself

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 13, 2014

You Have to Stop Trying to Save Yourself Watchman Nee relates a story from one of his experiences as a Christian leader in China. A group of young Christian brothers were gathered together to take a swim in one of the many creeks that run throughout the countryside there. Since most were not good ...read more

Tags: Rock Bottom, Self-Sufficient

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Secure In My Pocket

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 28, 2014

My phone was secure. I had it shoved far down into my pants pocket. There was no way it could fall out; no way could I lose it. I denied it at the time but I saw the signs. They read “Please put any items that you do not want to lose in the bins or lockers before getting on the ride.” I chose to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:35

Tags: Dying To Self, False Confidence

Denomination: Foursquare

Distractions Along The Way

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, 200 miles from the coast. And yet our local Wal-Mart has a random smattering of seagulls that soar overhead and eat French fries and other debris from neighboring fast food restaurants. The truth is the seagulls are lost. They’ve taken a wrong turn. And instead ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:14

Tags: Lust, Distractions, Self Discipline

Denomination: Charismatic

Who Needs Twitter!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 20, 2019

We all want our lives to matter, and we believe they only matter if they are noticed by someone. I wonder if this desire for a witness isn't what fuels a lot of blogs, Facebook, and especially Twitter. We want someone, anyone, to take notice … to care about us … to watch us and by their ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12

Tags: Communication, Self Esteem, Relationship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Wants To Play By The Rules?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 3, 2020

Wouldn’t life, or sporting events, be easier if there were no rules? Nobody to tell you what you can or can’t do, no restrictions, and anything goes. Easy, right? I can recall a couple of times when it sure seemed that some folks either didn’t want to play by the rules. Maybe they just plain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31

Tags: Wrong, Right, Rules, Self Will

Denomination: Baptist

Praying For Unity

Contributed by Jw Worcester on Feb 8, 2021

As I think of the unity of God’s Gospel to us, I’m reminded of the unity I’ve experienced over the years with other saints on short term mission trips, volunteer positions at a crisis pregnancy center and a “Rescue Mission”, Promise Keepers (Men’s nationwide Ministry), and the Urban-Suburban ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Tags: Self Image, Reflecting Christ

Before You Hit Send

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

Think about the last text thread that went completely sideways. You typed something fast because you were frustrated. You hit send. And three seconds later your stomach dropped because you realized you said it wrong, or you said too much, or you said the exact thing that was going to make the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19

Tags: Slow To Speak, Self Control

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Conquer Yourself?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

GREAT QUOTES ON SELF-CONTROL Edmund Hilary the first man who conquered Mount Everest was asked by an interviewer about his passions for climbing mountains. He gave this reply: "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." Peter the Great of Russia is quoted as saying, "I have ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Holy Spirit, Self, Self Denial, Crucified With Christ, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rach And I Have A Friend Who Is A Source Of Grief ...  PRO

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Feb 17, 2005

Rach and I have a friend who is a source of grief for us. It is not that he has done anything to us – he is quite dear to us actually. Rather it is what he has done to himself, what he has chosen to believe. About ten years ago, this friend began absenting himself from church. He was getting ...read more

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Willie Nelson Apparently At One Time Owned A Golf ...  PRO

Contributed by Rich Young on Jan 17, 2001

Willie Nelson apparently at one time owned a golf course. He said the great thing about owning a golf course was that he could decide what par for each hole was. He pointed at one hole and said, ...read more

Tags: Faith, Forgiveness General, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In An Article Dated 4/9/97, A Writer For Usa ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Prater on Jan 21, 2001

In an article dated 4/9/97, a writer for USA Today wrote: Scientists now say that a series of slits, not a giant gash, sank the Titanic. The opulent, 900-foot cruise ship sank in 1912 on its first voyage, from England to New York. Fifteen hundred people died in the worst maritime disaster of ...read more

Tags: Faith, Sin Deceptive, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Baptist

Notice Satan’s Version Of Grace - It Had An ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 1, 2001

notice Satan’s version of grace - it had an IF clause attached to it. [[This reminds me of the many ploys out there today - get 400 dollars of free merchandise - IF you sign up for MSN for three years. No money down - no interest for 12 months - you can own a new car NOW! But all you have to do ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-15, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 4:26-34

Tags: Money, Sin Deceptive, Temptation Of Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

A Year Or So Ago Time Magazine Published A Review ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

A year or so ago Time Magazine published a review of the movie, “The Birdcage.” The review said that while the movie is based on the plot of Robin Williams & Nathan Lane playing a homosexual couple, & Gene Hackman playing a conservative politician who messes up their gay lifestyle, that the movie ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 1:18-32

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Holiness, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Live: Spelled Backwards Is ’evil’. ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 24, 2001

LIVE: spelled backwards is ’evil’. Today men and women are living their lives backwards and the result is a society with unspeakable evil. Something needs to happen to ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Finding Fulfillment, Sin Deceptive