Overcoming Sin (5): WorryMatthew 6:25-34

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IntroductionJesus’ disciples are not to be

characterized by worry and anxiety: Matt. 6:25

Concern, planning ahead, etc. are not wrong: Prov. 6:6-8; 1 Tim. 5:8

Jesus is warning us not to turn legitimate concerns into anxiety and constant worry.

God’s children are not meant to be “worry

warts”!

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What’s wrong with worrying?Worrying is a sin: Matt. 6:25,

31, 34 Three times in this passage

Jesus commands us not to worry.

Therefore, to worry is to disregard a direct command of the Lord.

This command is just as important as those concerning lying, stealing, murder, etc.

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What’s wrong with worrying?Worrying shows a lack of faith in God: Matt. 6:26, 28-30 “O ye of little faith?” Remember the ancient

Israelites?! If God cares for the birds and

flowers, what about the pinnacle of His creation? Gen. 1:26-27

What are we saying when we burden ourselves with worry?

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What’s wrong with worrying?

Worrying accomplishes nothing: Matt. 6:27 In reality worrying is costly. Nobody can add one good thing

to his life by worrying. The opposite is true, worry can

impair our health (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) and shorten our life.

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What’s wrong with worrying?

Worrying is what the Gentiles do: Matt. 6:31-32 Worrying means we’re living

like a heathen. Non-Christians have good

reason to worry: 1 Pet. 3:12 Christians don’t! Rom. 8:31-

32; Eph. 1:3, 15-23

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What’s wrong with worrying?Worrying distorts our priorities: Matt. 6:33 Many things are important in

our lives. “our citizenship is in heaven”

that is THE priority of our lives!

Worry wastes time and energy that is better spent on pursuing the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

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What’s wrong with worrying?Worrying is a thief: Matt. 6:34 Worry = “to strangle” Worry robs the Lord of our

rightful service to Him! Lk. 10:38-42

Where will the things we worry about “be” when we are in eternity?

Worry chokes out God’s word from our heart: Matt. 13:22

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How to overcome worry

Increase our faith: Lk. 17:5 Read and meditate on God’s

word: Rom. 10:17; Psa. 119:11 Worry is a lack of trust in God’s

ability to “have our back.” With God on our side we have no

good reason to worry! Eph. 3:20; Rom. 8:31-32; Heb. 11:3; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Pet. 1:4; Phil. 4:19

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How to overcome worry

Prayer: Jas. 5:16 Remember King Hezekiah? 2

Kgs. 19:14-15, 20 Sincere prayer is powerful!

Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Pet. 5:7; Jas. 4:7-8

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How to overcome worry

Lean on a friend: Jas. 5:16 Friends are important: Prov.

17:17; Eccl. 4:9-12 The emotional weight of our

problems can be a burden heavier than we can bear alone: Gal. 6:2

It’s a big mistake not to confide in trusted brethren: Jas. 5:16

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How to overcome worryLearn to live one day at a time Recall the children of Israel in

the wilderness? Jesus taught this principle:

Matt. 6:11, 34 Today is not an opportunity to

recall yesterday’s failures or worry about tomorrow’s problems. It is a day to rejoice! Psa. 118:24; Phil. 3:13-14

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How to overcome worry

Do the right thing Only those doing evil have cause

to worry: 1 Pet. 3:12 If we do what is right we have no

reason to worry: Acts 24:16 Worry sometimes arise because

we fail to prepare.

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How to overcome worryLearn to be content Paul had to learn this: Phil.

4:11-13 Often we worry about things

that are very unlikely to happen. We must learn to enjoy what we

have while we have it. We can always improve our

situation, but it can’t be achieved through worrying.

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How to overcome worry

Remember we cannot control other people Some worry about other people; an

exercise in futility. We must set a good example

(Matt. 5:13-16), but in the final analysis we are not and cannot be responsible for others.

In the end people make their own decisions and our worrying won’t change that one bit.

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ConclusionFew are immune to the temptation of

worry.But Jesus tells us worrying is wrong:

Matt. 6:25The Christian’s heart is characterized

by joy and peace: Phil. 4:6-7Let’s all work on it; the Lord will help

us!