SEVEN SINS TO AVOID
A PROUD LOOK---Sermon 1 of 7
PROVERBS 6:16-19
Certainly we should avoid all sins. The question is asked many times “Are all sins the same before God?” Yes and No—Yes in the sense that all sins are black, putrid, repulsive to a holy and righteous God. No in the sense of the damage they cause. These seven sins that are named here are sins that are especially destructive in our lives and they wallop a big blow to our spiritual walk and closeness to God.
The next 7 Sunday night messages will deal with these sins. Tonight we will look at the first one—A proud look.
During the Battle of the Wilderness in the Civil War, Union general John Sedgwick was inspecting his troops. At one point he came to a parapet, over which he gazed out in the direction of the enemy. His officers suggested that this was unwise and perhaps he ought to duck while passing the parapet. "Nonsense," snapped the general. "They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist--." A moment later Sedgwick fell to the ground, fatally wounded.
I. A PROUD LOOK IS THE IDEA THAT WE ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS.
A) This attitude is condemned in Scripture. Luke 18:9-14
B) This doesn’t mean that we can’t call sin, sin. It simply means that we must approach God and others with all humility.
C) Proverbs 18:12 God gives us a clear teaching that pride will lead to destruction whereas humility will lead to honor and blessing.
II. A PROUD LOOK IS THE OLDEST SIN IN THE WORLD. ISA 14:12-15
A) This Hebrew word for proud means to lift up. It was this attitude that drove Satan to try and lift himself above all else. I want to be equal with God!
B) It was the same lie that he told Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Gen 3:5
C) It is the same lie that Satan teaches through some of the cults of our day that call themselves Christian. “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” “Adam is our father and god, the only God with whom we have to do.”
D) It is the same lie that Satan subtly tempts Christians with. No, not that we can be equal with God. Not even that we can become gods. But that we deserve more than God is giving us. We are better than this.
III. A PROUD LOOK WILL DRIVE A WEDGE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH OTHERS.
A) Psalms 10:1-4---Pride will corrupt our thoughts and motives.
B) Proverbs 13:10—Pride will bring contention and will destroy relationships.
ILL. Lady that was found dead in her bath tub. She had been there for 3 years. She had sisters and brothers but no one had checked on her. You know why? Because she had failed to come to a family reunion or notify anyone that she wasn’t coming. You guessed it. She was already dead.
C) I Peter 5:5-7 Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as "our illustrious guest." Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, "Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master."
You know, we are quick to point out the sinfulness of drinking, stealing, adultery, and other sins. Those are wrong. The Bible clearly teaches they are wrong. However, lets notice that of the seven things that are named specifically as an abomination to God, the first on the list is pride. Oh, God be merciful to me a sinner. Help me to reach out to others. Help me to show them through my life and personal witness that you want to give them abundant, everlasting, life.
