1. Dangers to the pure heart - 4

2.  It is imperative that we maintain a pure heart (Prov. 4:23, 3:5-6)  BUT, there are dangers to keeping the heart pure.  In this lesson we will discuss some of these dangers

3. Dangers Lust - Sensuality Lust – Covetousness and Pride Ignorance & Unbelief Busyness & clutter Bitterness and Anger The tongue

4. Busyness We need to keep busy! Jesus was - Ac. 10:38, John 9:4, Luke 10:2 Titus 2:14 – “a people zealous for good works” We need lives filled with good works

5. Busyness Laziness condemned Prov. 18:9, 24:30-34 Matt. 25:26, “you wicked and lazy servant…” We must do more than sit around all the time to philosophize & dream

6. Busyness What we are discussing is being overcommitted and too busy to do what you need to do! A danger to purity of heart! (diluted)

7. Busyness The problem We live in busy times. Too many choices We overcommit The result is stress, failure to take care of ourselves, poor quality control, etc..

8. Busyness The problem Are modern conveniences really a help? They should be! Little time left to take care of our bodies, families, friendships and important tasks

9. Busyness The danger (spiritually) The more important things in life are neglected ( Luke 10:41- 42 ) We fail to put God first. He gets leftovers or put on “back burner” With scheduling conflicts – who wins?

10. Busyness The danger (spiritually) Missed opportunities ( 1 Cor. 16:9, Col. 4:3 ) Failure to take time to assess our spiritual condition – 2 Cor. 13:5 Our quality of service is poor and inferior

11. Busyness The danger (spiritually) Can we become so busy doing good things, that we neglect other things that are more important?

12. Busyness The answer is time management ( Eph. 5:15-16 ) Prioritization! ( Matt. 6:33 ) We MUST take time for study and prayer!

13. Clutter Associated with busyness AND materialism Clutter – a life filled with “stuff” that is not necessary or too much. Overcrowded lifestyles NOTE: Here discussing “good stuff”.

14. Clutter Things can get in the way! Material clutter – requires resources to manage Activities – work, recreation, entertainment Minds distracted – worry, stress, trivial pursuits Emotions – guilt, stubbornness, refusal to give up things & repent, “emotional baggage”

15. Clutter We need to simplify our lives! “The good old days”? Do many today fail to attend worship regularly, study at home, visit neighbors, etc. – because they don’t have time Has our morality and our view of the church been affected by our “stuff”? Ignorance?

16. Clutter IF “stuff” stands in your way of serving God adequately(?), would you give it up? Matt. 5:29-30 (Jesus is NOT teaching self-mutilization here)

17. Clutter 1 Thess. 4:10-12, “But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, …

18. Clutter 1 Thess. 4:10-12, “… and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.”

19. Clutter We NEED time for private study and prayer! A MUST!!!! Luke 22:39, Jesus had “Gethsemane”. He found time to pray ( Luke 5:16 ) Matt. 6:6, 2 Tim. 2:15

20. Clutter The answer is time management ( Eph. 5:15-16 ) Prioritization! ( Matt. 6:33 )

21. Clutter We must learn to let go of what hinders our spiritual growth We need balance in our lives – learn what is really necessary!

22. Clutter Learn to say, “No”! “Stress is when your heart says, ‘Don’t do it; your priorities will suffer’ – but your mouth says, ‘Why sure, I’d be happy to’” Gary Henry

23. “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26 Does God really mean more to you than your stuff?