Chapter 38

Major Pitfalls

Sections

1. Pride
   1. Pride in Thought
      • Do not be proud or conceited
      • Do not be arrogant
      • Do not think you are better than others
      • Do not be wise in your own eyes . . .
      • . . . Seeing yourself as wise is in fact associated with foolishness
      • Do not be self-righteous
      • Do not embrace praise from people – particularly in preference to praise from God
      • Note: Pride can easily stem from riches and power
   2. Pride in Action: Self-Exaltation and Boasting
      • Do not exalt yourself . . .
      • . . . Honor others, rather than yourself
      • Do not dress lavishly for outward appearances
      • Those who exalt themselves will be humbled – and those who humble themselves will be exalted
      • Do not boast about yourself . . .
      • . . . Only boast about God
      • Boasting about oneself typically is bad
      • Boasting is of no benefit . . .
      • . . . Boasting leads to trouble
   3. Outcomes of Pride
      • Pride is very detrimental to a relationship with God . . .
      • . . . Arrogance is also detrimental – notably in not obeying God’s commands
      • Pride and arrogance lead to ill treatment of others
      • Pride is associated with self-deception and flawed understanding
      • Pride leads to one’s downfall – in contrast to humility
      • God punishes the proud and arrogant . . .
      • . . . God humbles the proud
   4. Antithesis of Pride: Humility
      • Be humble, particularly before God
      • Humbly acknowledge your unworthiness before God
      • Fast as a means of humbling yourself before God
      • Be humble towards others
      • Humility is important for obeying and serving God
      • God cares for and blesses the humble

2. Riches and Sex
   1. Riches and Godliness
      • Riches are a barrier to a relationship with God
      • Riches in fact draw one away from God . . .
      • . . . Contrastingly, the poor are given prominence as recipients of the gospel and God’s kingdom
      • Desire for riches can lead to mistreatment of others
      • So, do not love money . . .
      • . . . Be content with what you have
      • Note: Wealth ultimately comes from God
   2. Further Warnings about Riches
      • Riches are not secure . . .
      • . . . and we do not know what the future holds
      • Life does not last and the dead cannot take their riches with them
      • Hoarding riches will bring ill consequences in the afterlife
      • Other shortcomings of riches
   3. Sexual Sin
      • Avoid sexual sin . . .
      • . . . Be pure
      • Sexual sin has ill consequences
      • Sexual sin ultimately results in God’s judgment
      • Note: The sexually immoral who believe and repent are forgiven
   4. Prohibited Forms of Sex
      • Lust
      • Sex apart from marriage
      • Prostitution
      • Homosexual acts
      • Incest
      • Bestiality
   5. Epilogue: Be Wary
      • Be alert and sober
      • Watch yourself . . .
      • . . . Watch and guard yourself against sinning
      • Examine and evaluate yourself
      • Keep a clear conscience . . .
      • . . . A good conscience is vital for governing ourselves in pleasing God
      • Evaluate all things
      • Do not be deceived, nor deceive yourself
      • Beware: Sin is deceptive

 ➜Major headings in: 38. Major Pitfalls (and all of Unit H)

Pray for persecuted Christians