TEXT:  2 Cor. 2:10-11

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL SPEAKS OF THE DEVIL’S DEVICE.

          1.       He is subtle( Matt. 7:15 ).

          2.       Ravenous( 1 Pet. 5:8 ).

          3.       Deceiving( John 8:44 ).

B.      HIS MOST EFFECTIVE DEVICE IS OUR VICE.

          1.       “a.  An immoral habit or trait.  b.  A slight personal fault; foible.  c.  Habitual

                   indulgences in degrading or harmful practices.  d.  Something that marrs:

                   a blemish or imperfection.”

          2.       Where do vices come from?( James 1:13-15 ).

          3.       Are vices sinful?( James 2:10 ).  Must be considered individually.

                   a.       May not always be sinful in and of itself.

                   b.       May be sinful because of controlling excess

                             ( 1 Cor. 9:23-27;  6:12;  Romans 6:12, 16 ).

                   c.       May be sinful because of association( Eph. 5:11 ).

                   d.       May merely lead to sin( 2 Tim. 2:22 ).

                   e.       The practice itself may be sinful.

C.      ONLY WAY TO AVOID THE DEVIL’S DEVICE IS TO SEEK GOD’S ADVICE.

          1.       This is contrasted with the search of the ungodly( Psa. 1:1-2;  Prov. 1:7-8 ).

          2.       There is wisdom in God’s word( Psa. 119:97-104 ).

          3.       Faith is our shield from sin( Eph. 6:16;  Rom. 10:17 ).

          4.       We must follow the spirit( Gal. 5:16ff. ).

I.      EVERYONE HAS A VICE!!

A.      THIS IS A NEARLY TRUE STATEMENT( Matt. 7:13-14;  Rom. 3:23 ).

B.      THIS DOES NOT JUSTIFY OR EXCUSE( 1 Cor. 9:25-27;  Rom 7:14ff. ).

II.     SOME SPECIFIC VICES ABOUT WHICH THERE IS QUESTION:

A.      DRINKING – MOST DISTURBING – CHRISTIANS DON’T DRINK.

          1.       Device:  Excess only condemned, Jesus drank, Timothy told to.

          2.       Advice: 

                   a.       Fools go there( Prov. 10:1;  23:29-35 ). 

                   b.       Influence( Matt. 5:13-16;  Rom. 12:2;  1 Pet. 2:11-12 ).

                   c.       Stumbling block( Matt. 18:6-7;  1 Cor. 8:13;  Rom. 14:21 ).

                   d.       Is it specifically condemned?( 1 Pet. 4:3 ).

                                       Oinophugia, komos, potos.

B.      SMOKING.

          1.       Device:  Grandpa was 90 and smoked.  Die anyway.  Everyone else.

          2.       Advice:

                   a.       Destructive( 1 Cor. 3:16-17 ), and degrading( 6:19-20 ).

                   b.       Not expedient( 6:12-13 ).

C.      DANCING.

          1.       “Oh, but I don’t get turned on!”(  Matt. 18:6;  Phil. 2:3-4 ).

          2.       “But I won’t let him do anything.”( Matt. 5:27-28 ).

D.      CUSSING.

          1.       How was Peter made known?( Matt. 26:69-75 ).

          2.       Eph. 4:29;  Col. 4:6;  Eph. 5:3-5.

E.      IMMODEST DRESS( 1 Tim. 2:8-10;  Matt. 5:27-28 ).

F.      GAMBLING.

          1.       Device: Only lose so much, Always win, Stock market, farming, Life’s a gamble.

          2.       Advice:

                   a.       Violates “love” principles.  Our intent is for someone to lose( Mat. 7:14 ).

                   b.       1 Tim. 5:8.  So many families do without necessities.

                   c.       God says to work( Eph. 4:28;  2 Thess. 3:10 ).

                   d.       Product of the wrong goals( 1 Tim. 6:9-10;  Prov. 1:19 ).

G.      OVEREATING (1 Cor. 9:25-27;  Titus 1:12-13 ).

H.      LYING( Rev. 21:8;  John 8:44 ).

I.       GOSSIP( 1 Pet. 4:15-16 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE MUST CONTINUOUSLY SEEK TO MANIFEST CHRIST IN OUR LIVES.

B.      WE WILL NOT CONTINUALLY SEEK TO JUSTIFY SELF OR VICES.

C.      ONE VICE SO MANY OF US HAVE IS PROCRASTINATION( James 4:17 ).

D.      ANOTHER IS THAT OF BEING SELF-WILLED( 2 Pet. 2:10 ).

E.      1 Peter 5:6.