ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
Good Spiritual Inclination
Text: Psalm 141:1-10 IBCSS May 20, 2007
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Illustrated by Jose B. Cabajar
Our inclination in life is the conclusive result of our developed mindset. Biblically influenced way of thinking brings forth good spiritual inclination while flesh-triggered philosophy leads a person to foolishness, vanity and pride.
It is a wise step to closely examine our inclination and weigh it on the weighing scale of Truth so we may not be led to falsehood by the deceitfulness of human reasoning. Using the Word of God is the best way of knowing what leaning we really have and where we are going from that stand point.
David’s expressive writings reveal his spiritual inclination. In Psalm 141:3-4, it is written, Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. (KJV) These verses uncover David’s seriousness of his commitment to live a holy life and his unquestionable reliance toward God’s help.
Behind the world’s well-loved preference today is obviously the influence of the world’s lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. Without the convicting power of the Word of Truth and the guiding power of the Holy Ghost, who could stand the conquering assaults of fleshly lust? We praise God because when temptations come in our way, He is always faithful to deliver us from sinning by providing a way of escape.
In I Corinthians 10:13, it says, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV) Truly, God is always aware of our struggles and weaknesses and we believe that in such condition of man, He is always faithful in showing us the way of escape so we may not be trapped into the devil’s snare.
(I) Guards Us From Wicked Ways
Psalm 141:1-10
Godly inclination guards us from wicked ways. The more we love and fear the Lord, the more we are drawn closer to Him and the more we gain spiritual wisdom. A believer who is determined to walk in the counsel of the Lord will surely gain the favor of God and his prayers will be granted.
In Psalm 141:1-2, it is written, LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (KJV) Our God is a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. If our hearts are right with God, our prayers will not only be granted but will also please Him.
The importance of:
-Prayer
The importance of prayer is yet to be realized by many. People who are not praying are missing a lot of good things in life. David was a prayerful man and he enjoyed God’s loving-favor. Keep on praying and God will keep you from evil.
-God-controlled mind
Man’s best state of mind is achieved the moment he let the Lord control his mind. God-controlled mind produces God-glorifying activities while a fleshly mind leads a person to worldly activities. Let God control your mind and enjoy peace in the highest degree.
-God-controlled speech
The words we say reveal our inclination. They also reveal how willing we are to submit ourselves to God’s controlling power. In Psalm 141:3, David said, Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (KJV) What a manifestation of David’s willingness to let God control his speech. May we let the Lord control our speech so we may not talk foolishly but speak the Word of Truth with boldness. (See also Colossians 4:6)
-God-controlled activity
It is good for a man to avoid evil activities and at the same time ask God for help so he may not fall into evil principles and practices. In Psalm 141:4, it is written, Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. (KJV) Our strong Bible-based conviction will surely make our spiritual stand unshakeable.
-Godly attitude
· Toward correction Proverbs 9:8-10
Good attitude toward God’s ways keeps a man from the way of death. In Psalm 141:5, it is written, Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. (KJV) David’s excellent attitude toward correction is well-dramatized in the above passage. How we need to pray for such kind of attitude and for humility so we may not soar up to the peak of pride then fall headlong into the pit of destruction.
· Toward the Word of God Psalm 119:11
Our obedience to the Word of God reveals the kind of faith we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we keep God’s Word, we will surely enjoy successive victories over sin. In Psalm 119:11, it says, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (KJV) Good attitude toward the Word of God keeps us away from sins.
· Toward the will of God Romans 12:1-2
Good inclination toward the will of God assures a believer of good results. Outside the will of God, no man could experience true success. May we acknowledge and love the blessed will of God for our lives. Bear in mind also that such attitude will keep us from evil steps.
(II) Draws Us Closer To The Lord
Psalm 141:8-9
-Keeps us mindful of God
A spiritually-inclined person is unquestionably mindful of God. He is mindful of the things of God and has pleasures in them. His priority and focus in life are delightful to the Lord.
-Strengthens our faith
A good spiritual inclination keeps us spiritually healthy. It strengthens our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and sharpens the clarity of our spiritual identity. He who has a clear inclination to the Word of God will grow and become strong in faith.
-Keeps us away from spiritual poverty
Nobody wants to live in poverty, but unknowingly, countless people are living in deep poverty. The worst poverty is spiritual poverty. God wants us to be spiritually rich, but on our part, we must love the things of God so we may gain more spiritual treasures that keep us wealthy and healthy.
-Keeps us away from the trap of the wicked
The worst thing that could happen to a man is when he is deceived by his own preference and led away from God. Questionable inclination will surely lead a man to questionable activities which will eventually put him in the devil’s well-planned trap.
Good spiritual inclination draws us closer to God. In Psalm 141:8-9, it is written, Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape. (KJV) Surely, the wicked will fall into their own nets because of their foolishness and indifferent attitude toward God’s ways; but he who fears the Lord and faithfully serves Him will escape unhurt because God will never let him be overcome by the wicked.
May our commitment to live a holy life be not forgotten, but be strengthened so we may live by our Biblical conviction till the Lord Jesus Christ comes. Be courageous and strong in the faith so God will give us more remarkable victories. Remember, in Christ, we are on the victor’s side.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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