SINS TO AVOID #3

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Just as the sins that are prevalent among young people can be
      prevalent among the older, sins common among the older, can be
      also among the young.
      1. Thus, sins that all of us should avoid no matter what age.

I. WORLDLY HONORS.
   A. After marriage, the young man (sometimes ladies) has a new
      world to conquer.
      1. He has already been successful, wooed and won the hand of
         his mate in marriage.
      2. Because he is a Christian (dependable, reliable,            
         responsible), he advances quickly.
      3. He begins trying to climb the corporate ladder.
      4. This quest for advancement has it allurements and
         drawbacks.
         a. Ill. of letter to Ann Landers. (This letter is attached  
            to this lesson.)
         b. The same can be true for those who work a forty-hour
            week.
            (1) Saturdays are spent with friends, sporting           
                activities, etc.
            (2) Sunday afternoons are spent napping, watching a
                game of some sort, etc.
         c. Also, many marriages become "on the rocks" because
            husband and wife find no time for each other.
      5. Love "seeketh not her own." 1 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 5:28,33; 6:4

II. COVETOUSNESS.
   A. When we get older, we obtain more control and possessions of
      things.
   B. As is often the case, covetousness produces strife. Luke       
      12:13-15
      1. Jesus replied with a parable against covetousness. Luke
         12:16-21
         a. This man committed five grievous blunders:
            (1) He hoarded his goods instead of using them
                properly.
            (2) He thought he had plenty of time.
            (3) He thought his soul could feast on things put in
                barns.
            (4) Commanded his soul, forgetting God's commands
                over it.
            (5) Left God completely out of his plans.
   C. Reasons we should beware of covetousness.
      1. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. 1 Tim.  
         6:9-10
      2. Covetousness is idolatry. Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5
      3. The covetous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor.
         6:9-10
   D. Putting covetousness to death. Col. 3:5-6
      1. Be content with what we have. Heb. 13:5
      2. Put trust in God rather than in material things. God will   
         not fail us; He will provide all our needs. Prov. 3:5-10
      3. Covetousness comes from the heart. Mark 7:21-22 
         Therefore -- Prov. 4:23
      4. Put God and His kingdom first. Matt. 6:33

III. HYPOCRISY.
   A. Hypocrisy is lit. "an actor" hence, "pretending to be something
      one is not" or "pretending to be better than one actually is."
      1. Ill. "Face the music." (At the end of this lesson)
   B. It involves hiding sins, so people will think one is more      
      religious than he really is. Matt. 23:27-28
   C. Herein lies one of the greatest discouragement to our young
      people.
      1. Instead of setting a godly example, they see sins.
      2. Also, the older demand more of the young people than they
         themselves are willing to produce.
   D. Jesus strongly taught against this sin.
      1. It is mainly a sin against God. One can deceive other       
         people, but not God. Ex. Ananias and Sapphira
   E. The hypocrite will come to a terrible end. Matt. 23:14, 33

IV. BACKBITING.
   A. The meaning of this word is seen in the term itself -- lit.,   
      "biting behind the back."
      1. It means, "speaking maliciously of a person when he is
         absent."
      2. Secrecy is involved, whereas slander is more open. The
         backbiter is the coward. He is cowardly and cruel in nature.
   B. Consider these verses: Eph. 4:31-32; James 4:11-12; Titus 3:1-2
      1. There is a difference in evil speaking and genuine concern
         with a desire to help.
   C. "Speak evil of no one." Why?
      1. Because he is the offspring of God -- an object of God's    
         love. James 3:9
      2. Because, if he is evil, we should earnestly endeavor to save
         him from evil. Gal. 6:1
      3. Because evil speaking helps no one. Let us learn to speak
         words of edification. Eph. 4:29
      4. Because you would not want anyone to speak evil of you.
         Matt. 7:12
      5. Because evil speaking hurts two people: the speaker and the
         one spoken against. To hurt another without hurting yourself
         is an impossibility. Prov. 16:28; 17:9
      6. Because evil words emanate from an evil source. Matt.
         12:34-35 Therefore, Prov. 4:23
      7. Because evil speech provokes or invites retaliation. Many
         things must be left in the hands of God. Rom. 12:19

V. MURMURING.
   A. The "murmurer" is "one who discontentedly complains." (Thayer)
      1. It is complaining, griping, grumbling. It is complaining
         without just cause. 
      2. Again, there is a difference in murmuring and genuine
         concern.
   B. Examples of murmuring:
      1. Israelites -- God was sorely displeased and crushed them
         because of this sin. Num. 14:2, 29; 1 Cor. 10:10
      2. Scribes and Pharisees -- Luke 5:29-32; 15:1-2
      3. A characteristic often among of the older.
         a. Many can become guilty of this without being aware of
            it. Ill. of a man saying grace and then complaining. (See
            illustration "Which did God hear?")
         b. Some are constantly discontented with everything.
         c. A bumper sticker, "If you don't vote, don't gripe."
      4. Murmuring is a sin and sinners will not enter the kingdom of
         God. Jude 14-17
         a. Usually murmuring concerns trivial matters (petty
            complaints). Hell is too horrible to have to endure
            forever because of trivial matters.
         b. We should not murmur, but be thankful and rejoice.

VI. LACK OF FULL COMMITMENT.
   A. Definitely, this is a problem with the older.
      1. Yet, some began very early, so early that they were never
         fully committed to the Lord.
      2. Some are just "church of Christers." They have never learned
         what it means to be a true, dedicated, zealous disciple of
         Christ.
         a. A bulletin article: "Eight ways to Identify A Lukewarm
            Christian"
            (1) He has time to read the newspaper and/or other
                things, but not the Bible.
            (2) He finds time for sports activities, but not for
                prayer.
            (3) For lack of study, he is unqualified to teach others.
            (4) He expects to be visited when sick, but never visits
                anyone.
            (5) He sets a bad example by missing the assemblies
                occasionally.
            (6) He continually finds fault with those who are
                trying.
            (7) He knows he should give more, and intends to
                someday.
            (8) He doesn't have enough interest in the lost to make
                a serious effort to covert them.
      3. We list some things in which we can be more deeply
         committed.
         a. Giving. A personal privilege in our service to God. 2
            Cor. 9:7
         b. Reading and studying the Word. Psalm 119:97
         c. Prayer. James 5:16
         d. Attending all the services. Heb. 10:25
         e. In doing chores regarding cleaning and upkeep of the
            building. We all are servants just as was our Lord. Matt.
            20:26-28
         f. Visiting as the need arises. James 1:27
         g. Keeping our hearts pure. 2 Cor. 10:5
         h. Bridling our tongues. James 3:7-8

Concl. 
   A. During one's lifetime, the temptations to sin will be many.
      1. There is a way of escape from all sin for those who want it.
         1 Cor. 10:13
      2. If we walk in the Spirit, we will conquer. Gal. 5:16
      3. Let us give thanks that we can be victorious through Christ.
         Rom. 7:23-25; 1 Cor. 15:54-57

Chart #1
Sins To Avoid #1
Young Christians (Pre & Early Teens)
CHEATING
LYING
STEALING
SELFISHNESS
SPIRITUAL NEGLECT

Chart #2
Sins To Avoid #2
Teenagers & Twenties
REVELRIES
IMMODEST APPAREL
DANCING
FORNICATION
CURSING, FOUL LANGUAGE
INDIFFERENCE

Chart #3
Sins to Avoid #3
Older Christians (Thirties & Beyond)
WORLDLY HONORS
COVETOUSNESS
HYPOCRISY
BACKBITING
MURMURING
LACK OF FULL COMMITMENT

Dear Ann Landers: 
Where Did the Years Go? 
I remember talking to my friend a number of years ago about our
children. Mine were 5 and 7 then, just the ages when their daddy
means everything to them. I wished that I could have spent more time
with my kids but I was too busy working. After all, I wanted to give
them all the things I never had when I was growing up. 

I loved the idea of coming home and having them sit on my lap and
tell me about their day. Unfortunately, most days I came home so late
that I was only able to kiss them good night after they had gone to
sleep.

It is amazing how fast kids grow. Before I knew it, they were 9 and
11. I missed seeing them in school plays. Everyone said they were
terrific, but the plays always seemed to go on when I was traveling
for business or tied up in a special conference. The kids never
complained, but I could see the disappointment in their eyes.

I kept promising that I would have more time "next year." But the
higher up the corporate ladder I climbed, the less time there seemed
to be.

Suddenly they were no longer 9 and 11. They were 14 and 16.
Teenagers. I didn't see my daughter the night she went out on her
first date, or my son's championship basketball game. Mom made
excuses and I managed to telephone and talk to them before they left
the house. I could hear the disappointment in their voices, but I
explained as best I could.

Don't ask where the years have gone. Those little kids are 19 and 21
now and in college. I can't believe it. My job is less demanding and
I finally have time for them. But they have their own interests and
there is no time for me. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little hurt. 

It seems like yesterday that they were 5 and 7. I'd give anything to
live those years over. You can bet your life I'd do it differently.
But they are gone now, and so is my chance to be a real dad. 

FACE THE MUSIC
The expression "face the music" is said to have originated in Japan.
A according to the story, one man in the imperial orchestra couldn't
play a note. Being a person of great influence and wealth, he had
demanded that he be given a place in the group because he wanted to
"perform" before the emperor. The conductor agreed to let him sit in
the second row of the orchestra, even though he couldn't read music.
He was given a flute, and when a concert would begin, he'd raise his 
instrument, pucker his lips, and move his fingers. He would go
through all the motions of playing, but he never made a sound. This
deception continued for two years.

Then a new conductor took over. He told the orchestra that he wanted
to audition each player personally. One by one they performed in his
presence. Then came the flutist's turn. He was frantic with worry, so
he pretended to be sick. However, the doctor who was ordered to
examine him declared that he was perfectly well. The conductor
insisted that the man appear and demonstrate his skill. Shamefacedly
he had to confess that he was a fake. He was unable to "face the
music." 

In the realm of Christian service, many professing believers go
through the motions, but they are only pretenders.

WHICH DID GOD HEAR?
A man sat down to supper with his family, saying grace, thanking God
for the food, for the hands which prepared it, and for the source of
all life. But during the meal he complained about the freshness of
the bread, the bitterness of the coffee and the sharpness of the
cheese. His young daughter questioned him, "Dad, do you think God
heard the grace today?" He answered confidently, "Of course." 

Then she asked, "And do you think God heard what you said about the
coffee, the cheese, and the bread?"  Not so confidently, he answered,
"Why, yes, I believe so." The little girl concluded, "Then which do
you think God believed, Dad?" 

The man was suddenly aware that his mealtime prayer had become a
rite, thoughtless habit rather than an attentive and honest
conversation with God. By not concentrating on that important
conversation, he had left the door open to let hypocrisy sneak in.