They tempt the devil to fall in love with them! -watson

sermonindex Jan 20, 2008

~~[b]~~They tempt the devil to fall in love with them![/b]

(Thomas Watson, "The Mischief of Sin")

"I hate pride and arrogance." Proverbs 8:13

Pride runs in the blood.

Augustine calls pride, "the mother of all sin!"

Some people would be better—if they could
pluck the worm of pride out of their head!

Pride ruins our virtues—and poisons our mercies.

Some are proud of their estates. Riches are fuel for
pride. Ezekiel 28:5, "Your heart has become proud
because of your wealth." Men's hearts rise with their
estates.

Some take pride in their abilities. The Lord enriches
them with wit and talents—and pride fumes from
their heart into their head—and makes them giddy.

Some are proud of their bodies. Pride is seen in
long and meticulous dressings. They spend that
time between the comb and the looking-glass,
which should be spent in prayer and holy meditation.

Pride is seen in painting their faces—overlaying God's
work with the devil's colors! But virtue is most beautiful
to God. "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty
that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or
beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty
that comes from within—the unfading beauty of a gentle
and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Pet. 3:3-4

Pride is seen in the outlandish fashions with which some
people dress—or rather disguise themselves. They clothe
themselves like the rainbow. Adam was ashamed of his
nakedness; these should be ashamed of their clothing.
They are so plumed and gaudily attired—that they
tempt the devil to fall in love with them!

"The Lord detests all the proud of heart! Be sure of
this—They will not go unpunished!" Proverbs 16:5

P

PaulWest Jan 20, 2008

Pride is seen in painting their faces—overlaying God's work with the devil's colors! But virtue is most beautiful to God. "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within—the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Pet. 3:3-4

Excellent exegesis - and one that could certainly get a preacher into a quite a bit of trouble these days! Any kind of "judgmental" talk about clothes, cosmetics, physical appearance, hairstyles, piercings, tattoos will incite soul riots among even the most pious of evangelicals. These private areas are so guarded and precious that even God's Word is not allowed visitation.

Isn't it interesting that the things that provoke and incite the greatest of all seem to pertain to issues found ~~[i]~~outside[/i] the body? Music, clothes, markings on the body, hairdos, adornments of jewelry are fought tooth and nail to be justified, but the ~~[i]~~internal[/i] matters of the heart are not? Internalize the same exhortation and all is well, there is agreement in the camps; externalize the exhortation and WWIII breaks out.

Something to ponder.

Brother Paul

H

HeartSong Jan 22, 2008

The battle of the gods.

sermonindex Jan 22, 2008

I know men do it too -- have pride in their appearance -- but when it comes to makeup i will never understand. to be polite, the vast majority of women who wear makeup and have their hair done up look like they are auditioning to be clowns in the circus. i know that there is lots of cultural conditioning going into this, but i have a very hard time not laughing out loud when into the room walks a woman (who would be considered pretty, in the plain as day light) with googobs of make up on, pierced eyebrows and whatnot else. and she sashays around with this look on her face of "ooo look at me, all made up and sexy!". i've had to run out of rooms on several occasions because i knew if i stayed i would fall down laughing.

bub