Joe R. Price

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

Many people do not appreciate and respect the holiness and truth of the gospel of Christ. They despise its commands and spurn its promises. To them, the word of the cross is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18). Like unclean, filthy dogs, they rip and tear at what is holy, right and good. In a mad dash to satisfy their lusts they do not estimate the real value of truth. According to this verse, those who value truth are in danger of being harmed by these who care not for truth but only for themselves. Christ’s warning teaches us to honor truth and to be protected by it from evil.

We must hold God’s truth in reverence; never take God’s word for granted nor lightly regard its directives. Christians are not immune from failing to perceive the holiness of truth. We too may be tempted to refuse what is holy for the profane (2 Pet. 2:20-22). By respecting God we are able to properly value truth (Eccl. 12:13; Prov. 23:23).

The dogs in our passage are not household pets! They are two-legged savages who prowl the streets and alleys to feed on the refuse of humanity. Many such dogs exist today. Reaching after personal advantage, these dogs are self-serving and self-indulgent (Jude 16; 2 Tim. 3:1-6). These dogs prey on the unsuspecting and weak with the enticements of immorality and the allurements of false teaching (Matt. 23:14; 2 Pet. 2:12-14. 18-19). We must “beware of dogs” (Phil. 3:2)!

And, we must not forget the hogs. They trample on the precious truth of the gospel as they stampede toward selfish gratification, unafraid to harm God’s saints in their mad dash toward destruction (Jude 12-15).

Christ warns us not to give holy things to the profane. While we are to be longsuffering with the sinner, trying to teach him the truth, there is a limit (Matt. 10:14-15, 23; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:9-10). Does the person scorn and scoff at God, or is he honestly trying to learn truth? Such judgments are not always easy, but ones that can and must be made for our own spiritual protection (cf. Prov. 26:4-5).

Christ calls on us to make such judgments for at least two reasons: (1) For the sake of truth. The gospel deserves better than to be shamelessly treated by unholy men, and (2) For the sake of our souls. We must be willing and able to discern the presence of spiritual danger. Doing so with the truth of the gospel will keep you from harm. 

The Glory of God

The Seeds of Sin (Part 1)

Scripture Reading:  James 4:1-6

1. Every person struggles with sin and its temptations, 1 Jno. 1:8, 10; Rom. 3:9, 12, 23.
2. It is the Christian’s objective not to let sin dominate (rule) his life, Rom. 6:1-2, 12-14; 1 Jno. 2:1.
3. Mankind and sin: Jas. 1:12-16 --
  a. The source and challenge, 1:13-14.
  b. The battle, 1:12, 14.
  c. The cost, 1:15.
  d. The warning, 1:16.
  e. The victory, 1:12.
4. Seeds, effects and remedy of sin, Jas. 4:1-10.

I. THE SEEDS OF SIN, Jas. 4:1-6 (Matt. 15:18-20).

  A. Selfish Lust, Jas. 4:1-3 (1:14-15).
    1. Pleasures, Lk. 8:14; Tit. 3:3; 1 Pet. 4:1-2; 1 Jno. 2:16.
    2. Selfishness, 4:3; Wrong motives (Phil. 2:3-4); Lk. 9:23.
  B. Worldliness, Jas. 4:4 (Mk. 4:19; 1 Jno. 2:15-17).
    1. Active faith: Friend of God (enemy of world), Jas. 2:22-23.
    2. Faithlessness: Friend of the world (enemy of God), Jas. 4:4.
    3. Cannot have two Masters, Matt. 6:24; Eph. 5:7-11.We choose our Master.
  C. Envy, Jas. 4:5.
    -“Feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others…envy desires to deprive another of what he has.” (Vine, II:37); cf. Rom. 12:16-18.
  D. Pride, Jas. 4:6 (resist devil, 1 Pet. 5:8-9).
    1. Over-estimation of self, Gal. 6:3.
    2. Associated with love of self, 2 Tim. 3:2.
    3. Cf. connection with temptation and self (Jas. 1:14).

Conclusion
   If we plant these seeds of sin in our heart the result will be a life lived in sin, away from God. Root out this evil.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

The Seeds of Sin (Part 2)

1. Review Part 1.
2. To serve righteousness we must identify the effects of sin and learn its remedies.

II. THE EFFECTS OF SIN, Jas. 4:1-4.

  A. Conflict (Wars, fighting's), Jas. 4:1.
    1. With man (4:1-2); Gal. 5:13-15, 25-26.
    2. Within self (4:1, 3); 1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 7:22-24; Col. 3:5; 1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 7:22-24. Christ is the answer the conflict sin produces.
    3. With God (4:4); cf. Col. 1:21; Rom. 8:7; 7:4; Acts 5:39; Prov. 21:30-31.
  B. Our Responsibility is to Stop Sinning, Col. 3:5-10 (Rom. 6:2).

III. HOW TO AVOID SIN (Remedy), Jas. 4:7-10.

  A. Flee Temptation before it Conceives, 1 Cor. 10:13 (2 Tim. 2:22).
  B. Be Humble before God (and men).
    1. Submit to God, 4:7 (resist devil).
      -Refuse selfish lust: Exercise lust control (Rom. 13:13-14) through self-denial, Gal. 2:20.
    2. Draw near to God, 4:8.
      -Worldliness: Turn away from it and to the world above, Col. 3:1-4.
    3. Cleanse hands and purify hearts, 4:8.
      -Envy: Regard others better than yourself, Phil. 2:3-4.
    4. Godly sorrow, 4:9 (Matt. 5:4).
      -Pride: Think soberly, Rom. 12:3.
  C. Trust God to Exalt You, Jas. 4:10 (1 Jno. 5:4).
    -Not yourself, your possessions, your achievements, etc.

Conclusion
1. In our struggle with sin we must not plant the seeds that will grow and bear the fruit of sin; Avoid temptations.
2. When we sin: Confess it and return to God (1 Jno. 1:9; 2:1-2).

The suicide rate in America over the past fourteen years has climbed 31%, from 29,181 in 1999 to 38,364 in 2010. The increase among working adults was “double that of the other demographics, with people in their 50s showing the highest numbers” (“Suicides Soar in Past Decade”, Timothy W. Martin, May 2, 2013, wsj.com).

     The article goes on to cite middle-aged men who committed suicide outnumbered their female counterparts 4-to-1. The economic downturn provides a correlation to the upswing in the suicide rate. “As people lose their jobs or work part-time, many struggle to make ends meet and go without health insurance, adding to stress and turmoil in households” (Ibid). And, mental disorders also lead to numerous suicides.

     Suicide generally says a person perceives himself to be in a hopeless, helpless and hapless condition with no way out. To many, the only escape is to end their lives. How very sad they could not see the better way. 

     Secularism has no real answer to the suicide problem. When one is told to measure success by material possessions and self-fulfillment, when these falter and fail (and they will), many are left with a void of skepticism, doubt and fear. They have not known God during their time of abundance. Now, in time of crisis, He is denied even further. The Giver of life watches as His gift is refused.

     The gospel of Christ gives hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless and blessings to the hapless. The good news of Christ rescued a jailer from suicide and saved him and his family from eternal death (Acts 16:25-34). Have you noticed that Paul and Silas never considered suicide when being unjustly punished? Instead, they prayed and sang to God. Oh, what joy in believing; what solace in pain!

     Suicide solves nothing, while bringing pain and leaving unanswered questions for the survivors. Belief and obedience to the gospel enables Christ to dwell in your heart through faith (Eph. 3:17). With Christ, hope is living, help is constant and blessings abound (1 Pet. 1:3; Heb. 13:5-6; Eph. 1:3). Life is worth living; Christians are guarded by the peace of God (Phil. 4:4-9). 

Created by Chuck Sibbing, last updated.  05/10/2013