Introduction:     Jesus came to give life and that more abundantly! Why then is it that so many are not enjoying that abundance in their life? We are the reason that we don’t have victory…not God. We seem to hold on to those sins that rob us of victory and doom us to defeat and we fail to grasp on to the resources that we have in Jesus Christ so that we can walk everyday with Him and for Him in victory. Notice here three sins that lead to defeat in the life of a child of God.

I.          THE SIN OF PRIDE (V.5)

Friend, don’t swallow your pride…spit it out…get rid of it! The Bible emphasizes humility here because it is the opposite of pride. Why get rid of pride?

A.                 Pride Knows Everything.

·        “Elder” = older believers. The younger has something to learn from the older. In the Christian life we never arrive, but pride says “I know it all!”

·        Named among the first recorded sins (Illus: Lucifer and his prideful fall Isa.14:12-14. Eve in the garden Gen.3:1-6 - (1 John 2:16) “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

·        Beloved, we must get rid of the damning and dooming sin of pride!

B.                 Pride Helps No One.

·        A person controlled by pride will never help anyone else because they don’t see any body else’s need. (Illus: Diotrephes (dee-ot-ref-ace') - III John 5-11).

·        “Clothed with humility” = garment tied on with a knot. (Illus. Simon remembers when Jesus washed his feet-Jn.13:3-9). Leaving us this example; Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. Why won’t people sing, teach, preach, serve God, witness, give, and reach out to all the needs that are all around us? We’re full of PRIDE and we’re the last one to know we’re obsessed with it!

·        There is always something to learn. Don’t be a know-it-all and focus not on “self” but others!

C.                 Pride Angers God

·        God is not impressed with our prideful actions. God “resists” the proud.

·        “Resists” = to arrange in battle array. When a person rises up with pride God comes against them with a divine army. (Illus: Pharaoh…why did I let them go?)

            D.        Pride Stifles Victory

·        Pride is what’s keeping you in a defeated posture. That’s why you can’t be blessed, because victory, blessing, and true happiness is a gift from God and He can’t channel that into your life when you’ve got yourself in the way and on the throne.

·        God gives grace to the humble.

Get rid of pride! Pride will also keep the lost from getting saved.

II.         THE SIN OF COMPLACENCY (V.6)

This sin is seldom confessed and you won’t see it manifest very much because it is a sin of the heart. It’s not a sin that says I’m not going to do anything bad or good, it’s that I’m not going to do anything at all! “Humble yourselves” = I’ve got to take the initiative here I’ve got to humble myself, I’ve got to submit myself under the mighty hand of God!

            A.        Robs You Of The Power Of God.

·        Not bringing my life under the Lordship of Jesus, having my own way, or just doing nothing is going to rob me of God’s power because I’m not under His mighty hand.

·        What does being under God’s mighty hand mean? It means being under His mighty hand of deliverance, guidance, and power. (Illus: Ex.13:9 God’s strong hand delivered Israel out of Egypt )

·        Who does God empower? Those who humble and submit themselves to the King of Kings and say I am nothing and you are everything! I’m releasing control of my life to you!

            B.         Robs You Of The Plenty, Prosperity, and Promotion Of God.          

·        God lifts up those who bow in humility before Him. Lifted from depression, despair, discouragement, and defeat.

·        With God the way up (exaltation)…is down (humility).

III.       THE SIN OF WORRY (V.7)

Perhaps more that any other this sin condemns the life of a Christian to defeat. I believe that God is saying here:

A.                 Stop Trying

·        “Casting” = to throw upon. You let it go and give it to God. To deposit once and for all.

·        “Care” = anxieties (distractions) to have a divided mind and that’s what worry does, it divides my mind! You can’t sit here and think about God when you’re worried about…finances…work…kids…health…etc.

·        The Bible says stop trying…give it up! (Illus: worry is like rocking in a rocking chair…it gives you something to do, but you don’t get anywhere!)

B.                 Start Trusting

·        God cares for us. Your greatest concern (when you’re worrying) is that care. But God’s greatest concern is you!

·        If we’ll take care of God’s business…He’ll take care of our business. Trust God by casting your care upon Him…depositing once and for all, forever the worries and cares that are so defeating…knowing that God cares for you!

Conclusion:       Trust and obey…for there’s no other way…to be happy in Jesus…but to TRUST and OBEY! Take all your defeats, your discouragements, your brokenness, your questions and put it in the hands of God today. Let nothing stand in the way between you and Jesus.