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  IDOLS OF PRIDE AND JEALOUSY
  by David Wilkerson
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Summary: The sermon warns against the dangers of holding fast to sin and
the idols of pride and jealousy, and encourages listeners to repent and
turn away from these idols to restore their relationship with God.

Topics: "Spiritual Blindness", "Idolatry"
Scripture References: 1 Samuel 28:15, Proverbs 16:18, Jeremiah 31:19, Galatians 6:7, James 4:6

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DESCRIPTION
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David Wilkerson addresses the destructive nature of pride and jealousy
as idols that can harden the heart and blind individuals to their own
sin. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit persistently convicts believers
of their sins with love and patience, but ignoring these warnings can
lead to severe consequences, including spiritual blindness and judgment.
The sermon reflects on King Saul's downfall due to his pride and
jealousy, illustrating how these idols can separate one from God's voice
and guidance. Wilkerson also highlights the story of Ephraim, who, after
repenting and turning away from his idols, received clear instructions
from God. The message calls for self-examination and the need to
dismantle any idols in our hearts to restore our relationship with God.

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CONTENT
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Anyone who holds fast to a sin will never accept truth when he hears it.
Why? Bcause every sin carries with it a lie that will be accepted as
truth.

When the Holy Spirit convicts a believer of a particular sin or habit,
He comes again and again with loving warnings. God's Spirit is tender,
patient, loving -- and He will wait for a believer to respond before He
brings discipline. He will continually hammer that person's compromise
with His loving conviction.

When all the wooings and warnings of the Spirit are ignored and sin
takes root, the penalty is chastisement and, finally, judgment. God will
allow blinding of the eyes and hardness of the heart until it becomes
impossible for the habitual sinner to see his own depravity. Eventually,
the hardness of his heart becomes impenetrable.

Saul's heart was under the dominion of the idols of pride and jealousy.
Pride continually rose up in this man, making him jealous of David and
anyone else who walked in holiness, and his heart was overcome with
idolatry.

Here is the sad testimony of this idolatrous king: "And Saul answered, I
am sore distressed . . . God is departed from me, and answereth me no
more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams" (1 Samuel 28:15). Saul could
weep, seek out prophets, and pray for dreams, but the Lord answered,
"No, Saul. I'm not talking to you anymore, because your heart is
captivated by an idol."

The book of Jeremiah tells us that Ephraim fell under the Lord's severe
chastisements because of sin. But Ephraim repented, turning away from
his idols and smashing them. Here is that man's testimony: "Surely after
that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed"
(Jeremiah 31:19).

Do you understand what Ephraim is saying here? In essence, it is: "When
I had idols [sin] in my heart, I went to the Lord for instructions. But
I couldn't get a word from heaven. I didn't hear anything from God until
I repented and smashed my idols to bits. Then I got clear instructions!"

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-wilkerson/idols-of-pride-and-jealousy/
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