Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 March 2003 — Page 39

The Muncie Times • March 6, 2003 • Page 39

RELIGION The Besetting Sin Of Our Generation -

Andrew Urshan In this message we are going to think about the sin which I call “that terrible sin” It is the sin of all sins-the number one enemy of humanity. It is not just a sin-it is the dreadful, shocking, hideous, appalling, destructive, criminal and horrible sin. Though many do not know it, this is the besetting son of our generation. It will finally destroy the whole world. Not realizing that this sin leads to disaster, some of God’s people have entertained it, and this has caused havoc in our homes, and in our churches. I trust that, from this day on, we shall begin to hate and abhor this terrible sin, and give no place to it in our lives. What is this devilish sin? Believe it or not, it is none other than SELFISHNESS. This sin is a spiritual octopus, like unto that eight-armed sea monster. This spiritual octopus has seven arms. Even more terrible than any literal octopus, it is able to destroy its victims unmercifully. The first of these seven arms is: SELF-WILL Self-will was first found in the “day star” Lucifer, God’s beautiful angel, who became a fallen angel, called the Devil. Of him Isaiah wrote, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the

morning!...For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most high” (Isaiah 14: 1214). Thus self-will caused the downfall of Godfs beautiful angels. But is not this the language of many wives to their husbands? And of children to their parents? Husbands, wives, children challenge one another, saying, “I want this or that, and I will have it. I will go here or there, I will buy this or that-yes, I will do what I like, whether you like it or not.” With such self-will, it is no wonder that there are so many divorces and wrecked homes. Today we have both parental and juvenile delinquency, which cause quarreling, and even murder, in homes. There is also so much challenging between laborer and employer. We have wars, and hear rumors of the coming fearful third world war. It is easy to see why the hearts of strong men in high places are trembling. All this comes from the devilish sin of self-will, which is the fruit of selfishness. SELF-EXALTATION This is the second detestable arm of the sin of selfishness. Satan

planted the seed of this sin in the heart of Eve, the mother of humanity, by urging her to partake of the forbidden fruit. Contradicting God’s warning, he told her,...Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof,...ye shall be as gods...Then Eve looked upon the tree, and began to desire to be as wise as God. She ate of the fruit, and caused her husband to eat also. Then the woeful consequences began. Satan also caused Noah’s descendants-to try to build a tower into heaven , to make a name for themselves. Thus came the confusion of tongues (Genesis 11:1-9) Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, moved by the spirit of self-exaltation, rose up against Moses. They , and their families, were destroyed when the earth opened up and swallowed them. Miriam, the sister of Moses was clothed with leprosy when she fell into the same sin of self exaltation. Should not these examples teach us to beware of self-exaltation? If we will humble ourselves, God will exalt us in due time. SELFINTEREST The sin of self-interest makes one mind earthly things instead of heavenly. It causes many to set their affections on things of this life, while their souls are being

starved to death. It can lead to the neglecting of divine fellowship and pleasing God, and bring us to the place where we love the pleasures of the flesh more than the pleasures of prayer and worshipping God. Because of selfinterest Esau sold his birthright; Judas Iscariot sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver; Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holly Ghost, and were slain by the Lord (Acts 5). This same sin caused Achan to put his own interests above those of Israel. He satisfied his selfish desire by taking the Babylonish garment and the gold and silver, but he and his entire family were destroyed as a result. Then there was Gehazi, servant of Elisha, who was smitten with Naaman’s leprosy because of the same sin. And finally, we read of a rich young'ruler who rejected eternal life because of it. Oh the horrible outcome to the victims of the sin of self-interest-those who love the world and the things of the world more than they love God. SELF-CENTERED The sin of being selfcentered is another fruit of selfishness. May God help us to remove the letter “I” from the center of the word “sin,” and cease from all sin. It is man’s selfish and devilish ego that causes him to be selfcentered. The rich and prosperous farmer in Luke

12:16-20 died while thinking of himself only. Cain cold-bloodedly killed his own brother because of it.The flock on Christ’s left hand at Judgement, called goats, will be sent to hell because they were selfcentered. They thought only of themselves, and neglected God’s needy people (Matthew 25) SELFRIGHTEOUSNESS Religious pride will cause many to be eternally lost. This is the sin of thinking ourselves to be more righteous, better and holier than others. The self-righteous Pharisees received no compliment from our Lord. He pronounced woes upon them because they thought their good behaviour came from their own strength. While their outward lives appeared beautiful, they were like whited sepulchers, for their hearts were full of hypocrisy and iniquity. In their arrogancy they despised others. Spiritual pride has led to ungodly, selfish envy among many of God’s people and has caused destructive divisions. Self-righteousness is the fifth arm of the great spiritual octopus, and it seeks to clutch our churches and individual Christians, and destroy them. continue on page 43.