SOME THINGS THAT HINDER SPIRITUAL GROWTH  James 1:17-27

I.                   FILTHY TALK—James 1: 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

A-It is Contrary to the Word of God for the Christian---Phillipians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

B-It is a true Revelation of the Character—Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

C-It is a Revelation of the individual’s Heart—Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

II.                THE DESIRES OF THE OLD MAN---James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls

A-Christian Instructed to lay aside ALL Filthiness.

B-Christian Instructed to lay aside ALL Superfluity (Excessive Wickedness)

·         Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

C-Christian Instructed to Lay Aside ALL Naughtiness (Disobedience)

            1-The Moral Law of God

            2-The Written Word of God

III.             A NASTY TEMPER—James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

A-The Temper is probably one of the hardest things the Christian has to get rid of.

·         Phillippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

B-The Temper is of the flesh—Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

IV.              FAILURE TO CULTIVATE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER---James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

A-Failure to Pray---James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

B-Failure to Study God’s Word---II Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

C-Failure to Hide God’s Word in Our Heart---Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

D-Failure to Attend The House of God Regularly

·         Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

·         I Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

·         Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

·         Psalms 26:8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

Conclusion—

Are you growing as a Christian or have you allowed some of the points I shared to hinder your Growth? If you have allowed them to hinder you, why not come and get them out of your life tonite, and grow for the Lord?