Sins of the Heart-1 I John 3:1-4

Sin• John tells us that sin is a violation of God’s law or lawlessness• God’s law can be violated by doing something it prohibits (sins

of commission)• Or by failing to do what it requires (sins of omission)- Jas. 4:17• All sins will cause the sinner to be eternally lost- Rom. 6:23• But all sins are not alike in their appearance or effects• Some sins are easily recognized like stealing• Others like covetousness may not be recognized by others

The Spiritual Heart

• Not the organ that pumps blood• Nor simply one’s feelings or emotions• But the center of our moral and spiritual being• It is the hidden inner person- I Pet. 3:3-4• The real you and the real me- Prov. 23:7• The heart is the target of temptation- Jas. 1:14• It determines our appetites and outlook- Prov. 4:23

Sins of the Heart-1

• Jesus identified the heart as the source of sinful desires and actions•Mt. 15:19- For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders

adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies;• In this sense all sins are sins of the heart• But there are sinful attitudes toward self, toward God, other

people and toward material things• These may lead to many other sins

Sins of the Heart-2

• These may go unnoticed by neighbors and associates• Yet, they will condemn the person who harbors them in the day

of judgment• I Tim 5:24- Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them

to judgment, but those of some men follow later.• These sins reside and abide in the heart• These are the “sins of the heart” I want to consider in this series

of lessons

Indifference-1• Indifference is a lack of interest or concern for someone or

something•When it involves spiritual things, indifference is sinful• It is one of the more common sins among Christians• Therefore, it is a great danger to the Lord’s church• Indifference comes from a lack of genuine love for Christ, His

word and His church• It is a violation of the greatest commandment- Mt. 22:37

Indifference-2• One cannot love Christ and be indifferent toward His word, His

work or His church• It produces spiritual laziness and leads to neglect of one’s duty•We have been redeemed to be zealous for good works- Tit. 2:14• Indifference prevents individual spiritual growth- II Pet. 3:18 • It also discourages other zealous Christians and and hinders the

growth of the local church

Indifference-3

• Indifference results in complacent self-satisfaction- Rev. 3:17• It is difficult for the individual to see this sin in himself/herself • Indifference is hypocritical• Those guilty of it claim to love Christ • But their lack of zeal and service deny that claim• Neither can we be indifferent toward sin- Psa. 97:10 • Indifference produces lukewarm Christians like those in Laodicea• A condition that makes Jesus sick- Rev. 3:16

Indifference-4• Jesus has told us how to identify and remedy indifference:1. The eye salve of the gospel reveals our real spiritual condition- Rev. 3:18• That requires a serious and thorough self-examination- II Cor.

13:52. Gold refined in the fire- Rev. 3:18

A pure and precious faith in Him- I Pet. 1:6-7

Indiffernce-5

3. White garments to cover the nakedness • Righteous lives of faithful Christians- Rev. 19:84. Repent of one’s indifference5. And be zealous for His word, His work and His church in the

future- Rev. 3:19• Those who refuse to repent will be rejected in the last day•We must avoid this sin of the heart

Jesus at the Door of Our Heart

• In Rev. 3:20 Jesus pictures Himself at the door of the heart • The inside may lack room or be too corrupt for Him• Yet, He stands knocking and desiring to enter• To forgive, to comfort, to bless and to lead to heaven• The door must be opened from inside• Is Jesus in your heart and your life?• If not , we bid you let Him in now