The Sinfulness Of Sin - Preach The Word

The Sinfulness Of SinRalph Venningb. Lying is the second sin that calls the Devil father, and marks out those who do itas his children. The Devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8.44). When Ananiastold a lie, the Apostle said that Satan had filled his heart (Acts 5.3). They who lieare of the synagogue of Satan, members and sons of the synagogue of Satan(Revelation 2.9 with 3.9). God says of his children that they will not lie (Isaiah63.8). They who love and make lies are without among the dogs and devils(Revelation 22.15); they are without the gates of the City of God, and they havetheir portion with the Devil in the lake of fire (Revelation 21.8).c. Deceivers and seducers are of the Devil. He is the deceiver (Revelation 12.9;20.2-3), the old serpent who deceived Eve and who deceives the whole world. Theywho deceive the souls of men are like the Devil, whether it be done by calling thetruth into question as the Devil did at first, and against which the Apostle speaks (2Corinthians 11.2-3); or by the abusing and wrestling of falsely quoted Scripture .(2Peter 3.16) as the Devil did (Matthew 4.6); or by transforming themselves intoangels of light as the Devil does (2 Corinthians 11.14). There are deceivers who sinin the name of the Lord, and attribute that to the Spirit which is only their ownfancy, if not a falsehood. They may even deceive by false and pretended miraclesafter the manner of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2.9,10).d. Tempting man to sin. They who do this come under the Devil's name and do hiswork. He is the tempter (Matthew 4.1; 1 Thessalonians 3.5); he tempts all men toone sin or another. The Devil had a hand in Cain murdering his brother (1 John3.12); in Judas's treason (Luke 22.3); in Ananias's lie (Acts 5.3); in David'snumbering the people (1 Chronicles 21.1); in Peter's denying his Master (Luke22.31,32). He tempted to the first sin, and ever since he has tempted all men tosin and to commit every sin. It is the Devil's work and sin to tempt others to sin,and they who do this do the Devil's work.e. False accusing. Slandering, evil speaking and back-biting others is of the Deviland like him. He is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12.10). He accused Joband Joshua, and he accuses others very often without cause. The tongues of thosewho do this are set on fire of hell (James 3.6). Breeders of strife, slanderers, andcalumniators are called by the Devil's name, Diaboloi -- so we read in three placesin St. Paul's Epistles (1 Timothy 3.11; 2 Timothy 3.3; Titus 2.3). To carry slandersis the work of the Devil.f. Hindering others from believing and closing with the truth of the Gospel. This isanother sin which is the work of the Devil and which makes them who do it like theDevil. This may be done in several ways:(i) By keeping them in ignorance, and blinding them (2 Corinthians 4.4). This maybe done either by stealing and taking away the Word (Matthew 13.4,19), or byhindering and keeping away the means of grace from them (1 Thessalonians 2.I8).(ii) By sowing tares among the wheat (Matthew 13.25,27,38,39).(iii) By perverting the ways of the Lord (Acts 13.10) which are represented astedious and dangerous. Whoever keeps means from men, or men from means, ormakes false representations of the ways of God is of the Devil.87