02.05. Some Things to Avoid

5. SOME THINGS TO AVOID

Avoid anything that detracts from the effectiveness of your message, especially near the close. Anything that detracts from the sinfulness of sin, the love of Christ, and the necessity of salvation should never be admitted into the service.

Avoid using illustrations which are illogical, unreasonable, extreme, or ridiculous. In our age of travel and modern education, superstition is almost a thing of the past and anything bordering on it will prove more ridiculous than effective.

Avoid making the price of salvation so high that people will feel they cannot afford it. Many things are easier explained and settled after they come to the altar.

Avoid making your proposition so weak and easy that to respond becomes meaningless. The Scriptures say, He "commandeth all men every where to repent."

Avoid making rash statements, such as, "The Holy Ghost left that man tonight." It might keep him from ever trying to find God; and then he might get saved in the next service, which would place you in a poor light as a prophet.

Avoid speaking disparagingly of any other church. There may be people in the audience who have strong ties of kinship or sentiment with that church, and unkind remarks, even when true, may drive them away. Crowds are too small these days; we cannot afford to lose anyone from our audiences.

Avoid public issues from the pulpit. You may be right, but someone is sure to take the other fellow’s side.

Avoid making a hobby of nonessentials and preaching your personal convictions as though they were essential to salvation. The exhortation of the Scriptures is, "Preach the word."

Avoid using illustrations that are extreme and treating them as though such instances are common. I dare say all the vivid ones you know are the exception rather than the rule.