In Sermon Illustrations: "Self Deception"

Trust

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 3, 2018

Proverbs 3:5-8 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding for support. 6 In all your habits acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight 7 Don’t look at yourself as wise—fear God and leave evil 8 It will bring health to umbilical cord and refreshment ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8

Tags: Not Relying On Self, Belief, Trust, Relying On God

Denomination: *other

How Do You Make People Feel About Themselves?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 14, 2022

How do you think the people on your staff, in your family or church, or even close friends would say that you make them feel about themselves?? Consider these great quotes on how we treat others: John Maxwell – "People may hear your words, but above all, they feel your attitude. Your ...read more

Tags: Leadership, Importance, Feelings, Self Worth, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is An Old Story Of An Eagle Who, On An ...  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 7, 2000

There is an old story of an eagle who, on an early morning during the Spring thaw, soared high above the forest looking for something to eat. As he followed the course of a river he looked down and spied a small rodent, trapped on a piece of ice that had broken free and was floating down stream. ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Temptation Pride, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Orthodox

The Iron Maiden  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Lucas on May 11, 2001

The Iron Maiden In Strausbourg, France there is an Iron Maiden that was used for torture during medievel times. Molded into the likness of a beautiful maiden it bore death for those that came within it’s grasp. Outwardly it was appealing, but it was what is inside that is deadly. As a victim ...read more

Tags: Temptation Resisting, Temptation General, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Rickey Shive Was A Kid Growing Up On The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

When Rickey Shive was a kid growing up on the farm, one of the annual jobs he always looked forward to was the "chicken harvest." Apologies should be made in advance for the somewhat graphic nature of this illustration. Nonetheless, he looked forward to the chicken harvest. No, he wasn‘t some ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-14

Tags: Fulfillment, God Brings Purpose, Sin Deceptive

The Corpse Of Sin  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

THE CORPSE OF SIN When he was arrested in February 2002 for dumping off as many as 200 bodies in nearby woods, 28 year old Ray Brent Marsh, the operator of Tri-State Crematory told authorities that the incinerator had not worked for some time. A spokesman for the company that made the ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Sin Exposed, Sin Deceptive

Sin Comes When We Take A Perfectly Natural Desire ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 27, 2002

Sin comes when we take a perfectly natural desire or longing or ambition and try desperately to fulfill it without God. Not only is it sin, it is a perverse distortion of the image of the Creator in us. All these good things, and all our security, are rightly ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Butcher And Chicken  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jun 24, 2002

The Butcher and chicken: There is a story about a lady that went to the butcher to buy a chicken for her family’s dinner. The butcher had but one chicken left. She asked him to weigh it and it was clear that it was on the small side. When she asked if he hand another chicken he said sure and ...read more

Tags: Faith, Deception, Dishonesty, Lying, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You And I Were Born Into That Darkness. Many ...  PRO

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Jan 18, 2003

You and I were born into that darkness. Many people don’t believe that. In fact in a Barna poll 74% of Americans said that people were born neither good nor bad (Forward in Christ, Dec. 2002, p. 28). That illustrates how thick the darkness is. We don’t realize how lost and helpless we naturally ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14-16, Ezra 18:19-22

Tags: Sin Separates From God, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Lutheran

There Is A Doctrine That Is Becoming Popular That ...  PRO

Contributed by James Chandler on Apr 3, 2003

There is a doctrine that is becoming popular that teaches that a Christian can reach a point in their lives where sin no longer has an effect on them. They cease to sin. Of course this totally goes against the Word of God. Hopefully, as we grow and mature as Christians sin has less of a hold on ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Sin General, Word Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sammy's Big Catch - Sammy Was A Young Boy Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles Wall, Jr. on Aug 26, 2003

Sammy’s Big Catch - Sammy was a young boy who lived in the Deep South. His summer days were filled when times of walking through the woods, playing with friends, and fishing in the pond down the road. Fishing was by far his favorite thing to do. Just about every day during his summer vacation, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-23

Tags: Sin General, Sin Wages Of, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Was Invited To Be A Valet For Mid Americas ...

Contributed by Douglas Vincent on Nov 19, 2004

I was invited to be a valet for Mid Americas corvette rally. It was so amazing. I got to drive a 63 coverable, a crème white 69; I drove more 2000 models than I can count. Each one got my adrenaline pumping, and I was amazed by the power each car had. I was parking them in the grass below these ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Methodist

Recognising Conflict, Where An Enemy Sowing Bad Seed

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jul 24, 2017

1. Be Perceptive to the enemy. The first way to deal with conflict is to be perceptive to the enemy. Verse 25 “but while everybody was asleep, an enemy, (that is Satan), came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away”. Notice he went away, he was sly; he did not stay to watch, or say, “I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:25

Tags: Satan's Deception, Bad Seed, Satans Tactics

Denomination: Episcopal

Faking It

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 8, 2021

One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-13

Tags: Deception, Torah, Works Righteousness, Religious But Lost

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We’re Not Always Headed In The Direction We Think We Are

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on May 30, 2022

Once while living in Dallas, I witnessed to someone I worked with who proceeded to tell me they believed they just needed to be a good person to go to Heaven. Though I explained what the Bible says about being saved, they rejected my witness and went on with their life. It was clear to me they were ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:17, Proverbs 3:6

Tags: Deception, Truth, Right Path, Wrong Doctrine

Denomination: Charismatic

The Brooklyn Bridge Scam

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2022

The greatest con artist in American history was George C. Parker. After the Brooklyn Bridge opened in NYC in 1883, George C. Parker saw a tourist admiring it, so he decided to try selling it to him. It was so easy, he decided to sell it again. Over a period of years he averaged selling the Brooklyn ...read more

Tags: Sin, Deception, Cheating, Fraud, Liars, Bewitched  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Honesty Or Dishonest Gain

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 23, 2024

1 Peter 5:1-3 warns against dishonest gain - "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care...not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve." In January 2024 a USA pastor and his wife were charged after hundreds of Christians invested in their cryptocurrency scheme. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:1-10, Titus 1:5-9

Tags: Money, Deception, Greed, Pastor, Integrity, Service  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pressure Washing

Contributed by Jack Kale on Apr 6, 2016

Pressure Washing The wooden fence around our yard was black from mildew in parts, but it was mostly sun bleached gray. The grime was heaviest around the sprinkler heads where Florida humidity turns the porous wood into a mildew factory. I had grown accustomed to the funk and had gotten so ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:10

Tags: Pressure Washing, Spring Cleaning, Self Examination, Cleansed

Denomination: *other

Seven Wonders Of Grace

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

SEVEN WONDERS OF GRACE. Text - Galatians 2:20.  There are seven spiritual wonders in this marvelous text: 1. That the Son of God should love a persecutor like Saul. "Who loved me." 2. That the Son of God should be crucified. "Crucified with Christ." 3. That Christ ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Faith, Grace, Discipleship, Christian Life, Death To Self  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Augustine's 3 Stages Of Dealing With Sin

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 22, 2024

Augustine's three stages of dealing with sin in the life of a believer: STAGE ONE -- "Lord make me good, but not yet!" STAGE TWO - "Lord, make me good, but not ...read more

Tags: Understanding, Maturity, Self, Sanctification, Sin, Growth, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational