Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN

1. Observe, please, the evil warned against:
   1. "Sin" - the transgression of God's law - 1 John 3:4
   2. The enmity toward God - Rom. 8:7
2. Sin that caused angels to fall, leaving their heavenly habitation: Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4; John 8:44
3. Sin which bringeth ruin to this world:
   1. Because of its wickedness - 1 John 5:19; John 7:7
   2. It made a graveyard out of this earth - Rom. 5:12
   3. It brought sickness, sorrow, and death to men.
   4. It will bring, in the end, the wrath of God upon the wicked - Rom. 1:18; Matt. 3:7; Rom. 2:5

1. Sin is not what it poses to be:
   1. It appears in the garb of innocence -
      1. Eve's experience - Gen. 3:1-6
      2. Samson learned while laying on the lap of the harlot - Judg. 16:17, 18
   2. It takes false names.
   3. It makes false promises.
   4. It makes false excuses.
2. Sin hardens the heart of its victim:
   1. Paul warns against that experience - Heb. 3:7-9
   2. Sin hardens the heart against the voice of truth - Acts 7:51
3. Sin is exceedingly deceitful:
   1. The wisdom of the wise cannot escape it.
   2. Neither position, wealth, nor fame, are sufficient to shield us against the deceitfulness of sin.

1. Satan is the personification of sin:
   1. He is the author of sin - John 8:44; 1 John 3:8; Ezek. 28:15
   2. Sin is the devil's means to do his dirty work - Jas. 1:15
2. Our security against Satan's deceptions:
   1. Not in ourselves. That enemy of our souls is too experienced with the art of deception - 2 Cor. 11:14
   2. Rests in our abiding in Christ our Lord - John 10:15, 16; 15:1-6
   3. Our weapon against him is the Holy Scriptures - Matt. 4:1-9; Luke 4:1-11
   4. Prayer is still another defense against the enemy of our life. Satan flees when the saints are on their knees, praying to God.
   5. The Holy Spirit is our helper against the devil - Isa. 59:19
3. Exhort one another so long as it is today: Mal. 3:15-17
   1. The exhortation must be mutual because we all are surrounded with the same infirmities.
   2. It must be constant to keep us on the alert against deception - Heb. 10:24-28
   3. Daily - that means be ready to warn, to be on guard against the enemy - 1 Pet. 5:8
   4. Who has not noticed the scars in the lives of the Devil's victims?
   5. How our past experience ought to set us on guard against the deceitfulness of sin.