Sin starts deceptively small, with just a single glance or errant thought, but can escalate quickly into major spiritual misdirection if not correctly managed. Jeff Archie takes us through scriptures that highlight pivotal moments of temptation, urging listeners to maintain a spiritual focus rather than succumbing to physical desires. The episode serves as a reminder of the constant spiritual battle believers face and the importance of consistently turning towards God for guidance and support.
A danger sign warns us, and it’s always for our good. Pursue, stay away, listen to what we’re saying, in other words. Well, today, friends, stay with us as we look at God’s word for our good. That’s coming up from the International Gospel Hour. Stay right here.
SPEAKER 03 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web. Greetings to all of you. We’re delighted you are with us for our broadcast today. And we’re thankful that you’ve joined us here as we study the Word of God together from the International Gospel Hour. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. That’s P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. Now many of you send us emails and you can do that through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab. We would love to hear from you. And we always ask from time to time to give us a call on our toll-free number at 855-444-6988. If nothing else, just give us a call and say, I listen to your broadcast on. Tell us what station, what podcast platform. We would love to hear from you. We also send our quarterly newsletter, our e-newsletter, absolutely free. We do that only by email. So if you’d like a copy of that, we’ll gladly send that to you. And then if your mailbox gets quite full and you need to decline, just let us know. We hope to help you in your studies of the Word of God here from the International Gospel Hour. In James chapter 1, beginning with verse 13, the Bible says, Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth to death. Now friends, when this text is read, please keep in mind that it is written to Christians. That’s James 1 verses 1 and 2. Now think about it. Satan will bring his temptations upon Christians just as he tempted Christ in Matthew 4 and Hebrews 4, 14 through 16. He will try to win back Christians to His way. You see, He doesn’t need to win those He already has. But, oh, He will do everything to bring those back whom He once had. So in light of James 1, verses 13 through 15, let the Christian be aware. And our subject today is called, When One Looks at Sin. We’ll be back in a moment, but first, here is our free publication offer for the day.
SPEAKER 03 :
You can receive absolutely free a copy of Discovery, Scripture and Science for Kids, courtesy of our friends at ApologeticsPress.org. This great publication helps families of all ages understand the truth concerning such teachings as creation, evolution, dinosaurs, and other biblical subjects written on a child’s level. You can get your free copy today by calling toll free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Discovery. You can also send your request through our website at internationalgospelhour.com Click on the Contacts tab and leave us your name and address and put Reason in the message box. Ask for your free copy of Discovery today.
SPEAKER 01 :
When one looks at sin, when one looks at sin, remember, sin is sown with a physical look instead of a spiritual focus. Sometimes one will blame God for the choices that individual makes. But again, the Scripture tells us, one cannot say, I am tempted by God. It begins with us, and all it takes is just a look. Let’s return to the Garden of Eden, where Eve first saw the fruit in the garden. Genesis 3, verse 6 says, And that is what got things started, just a look. When the children of Israel lost to the men of Ai in Joshua 7, it was because of the sin of Achan who took the spoils from their battle. And it began when he said, I saw, Joshua 7, 21. That’s when it started, just a look. Think about David who saw Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11, verse 2. And that’s what got everything started, just a look. Now, friends, of course, we see things daily. But as one continues looking at the physical and the world itself, and ceases the spiritual focus needed, well, friends, if one keeps looking, sin keeps working, and then, second, when one looks at sin, now let’s remember, sin continues with a physical approach instead of the spiritual departure. You see, we look, let’s consider this. James, our brother James, notes one is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Let’s go back to the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3 and verse 6. After Eve looked, she approached it by reasoning. After the look, she considered it carefully and began justifying how good it looked and why. Once again, the sin of Achan who took of the spoils in Joshua 7, it began when he said, I saw… Joshua 7, verse 21, and he pondered what everything was, and then the text said, I coveted. See how it drew him closer? Once again, David saw Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11, verse 2, and from the look he sent and inquired of her, 2 Samuel 11, verse 3. Now, friends, while these considered and coveted or looked and then approached David, you see how subtle sin is. Now, let’s pause and remember that departure instead of approach is the way to go. Joseph saw Potiphar’s wife. She came to him, but he departed. Genesis 39, verse 12. In 1 Timothy 6, 11 and 12, But you, O men of God, flee these things, and pursue or follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. fight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternal life to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses You know, friends, the psalmist said, Thy word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. I’d like for us to pause at this moment in our study and let’s think about growing in God’s word. Let’s not look continually toward the world. Let’s now look away and see an opportunity that just may be of help to us. Here is our J-Web with our free Bible course.
SPEAKER 03 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address and just say home study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 01 :
Friends, sin begins, sin continues, and when one looks at sin, remember, sin concludes with a physical pursuit instead of a spiritual priority. Back to James 1 verse 15, Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. We go back once again to the Garden of Eden. After Eve looked, she approached it by reasoning. Genesis 3, verse 6. She took of the fruit and gave to Adam. And God sent them forth. Man died spiritually. The sin of Achan who took of the spoils back in Joshua 7 and verse 21, it began when he said, I saw, then he coveted, and then he took. The adultery of David who saw Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 and verse 2, he sent and inquired of her in 2 Samuel 11 and verse 3, then sent messengers and took her into his bedroom, 2 Samuel 11 and verse 4. Friends, do we see what sin will do, and when one looks towards sin, how sin can take us down? In 1 John 2, verses 15-17, John says, Neither the things that are in the world, for if any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, It’s not of the Father, but it’s of the world. And the world passes away in the lust thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever. Friends, these are things that we need to think about and to consider very, very carefully. To think on these matters and to see what happens when one looks towards sin. Remember, sin is sown with a physical look instead of a spiritual focus. And sin continues with a physical approach instead of a spiritual departure. And sin concludes with a physical pursuit instead of a spiritual priority. It moves us little by little. That’s why in Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 10 we’re reminded to beware of the wiles of the devil. As he walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, 1 Peter 5, 7. And friends, once again James is writing to the Christian. What about those that Satan does not have, or those that Satan has? They just continue to invest into the world that takes them further away. May we be individuals that will come away from the teaching of the world, things that are not in accordance with the word of God, and come unto Christ. You know, friends, we as individuals are responsible for the choices that we make. So let us be aware of sin always and turn to Christ and walk with Him. There are times of individuals that are well known in the media, stars and athletes, who are convicted of a wrong or a guilt comes forth and they say, I take full responsibility for my actions. Well, friend, you might as well because you’re the one that has to take responsibility. That statement right there is a give me. But when a person says, I take full responsibility, they say it’s on me and I need to make the changes. Friends, are we not thankful for the grace of God, for His teaching, for His love, that we can learn of His will and His way? So we hope today that you’ll reach out for our free Bible study course by mail. It’s always available. Again, that is through International Gospel Hour. You can call us at 855-444-6988. Thank you for joining me in our studies today, and join me once again as we study the Bible here on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, as always, keep listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com God be with you till we meet again
