Sermon Central
-
Self-Confidence: The Deceitful Destroyer
Contributed by Jose Cabajar on Jun 17, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Knowing more about Samson’s life offers us a wider scope of understanding regarding the danger of self-confidence and spiritual leniency.
Self-confidence is a misplaced reliance and it is offensive before the sight of God. Its deceitfulness is being revealed from generation to generation and sorrowfully experienced by its trapped victims. Samson, the strongest man who ever lived, is a warning example for all those who dare to put their trust in themselves.
Knowing more about Samson’s life offers us a wider scope of understanding regarding the danger of self-confidence and spiritual leniency. Self-confidence robs our opportunity to put our complete trust in the Lord. It also robs our blessings from God. Spiritual leniency leads believers to chaotic life. Believers who live in spiritual leniency are easily led to confusion and identity problems.
As we go further on our study concerning inappropriate reliance, may we take this lesson seriously and heartily embrace whatever message the Lord gives us so we may carefully fulfill His blessed plan for our lives.
(I) A Sign Of Pride
Judges 16:20
-Pride hides us from trusting God
-Pride separates us from God’s help
-Pride exalts man and not God
(II) Self-confidence Is A Deceitful Way To Disgrace
Judges 16:21-27
-Keeps us away from serving God
-Afflicts our personal and spiritual
identity
-The great power of God will not be
displayed
-Unbelievers will praise their false gods
(III) The Bible Way To Overcome
The Sin Of Self-confidence
Judges 16:28-31
-Call upon the name of the Lord
-Humility before God is a must
-Acknowledge God as the ultimate
source of strength
Believers who are not used to praying constantly are usually the victims of the devil. They are easily ensnared in the cages of pride, selfishness and covetousness. Self-confidence is a dangerous fruit of man’s pride.
Samson’s problem of self-confidence was settled through his last prayer to God. In Judges 16:28, it is written, And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
