(Clip) How Many People Take Sexual Sin Seriously？
Zac Poonen emphasizes that Jesus identifies sexual sin as one of the few sins that lead to hell, urging believers to take it seriously and overcome it through the fear of God rather than merely relying on spiritual gifts.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus highlights two sins that can lead to hell: anger and lust. While there are many other sins mentioned, such as lying, hating, and loving money, Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of harboring anger and engaging in lustful thoughts or actions. He warns against seeking recognition for religious acts like prayer and fasting, stressing the importance of genuine, humble devotion. The story of Joseph is presented as an example of someone who, without being filled with the Holy Spirit, resisted temptation through his fear of God.
Full Transcript
I said because in the entire Sermon on the Mount, there are only two places where Jesus said you can go to hell. Only two sins. There are many other sins listed in Sermon on the Mount.
Telling lies, divorcing, hating your neighbor, that's a sin. Giving money to let other people see it. Praying in public to impress others, that's a sin.
Or fasting and letting everybody know about it. Loving money, being anxious, judging others. So many things, Matthew 5, 6 and 7. But out of all these sins, he picks out two.
And said they will send you to hell. If you pray and let other people know about it, you won't go to hell. It's a sin.
If you fast and advertise your fasting, it's a sin, but you won't go to hell. If you don't love your enemy, it's a sin, but you won't go to hell. If you're anxious, that's a sin, but you won't go to hell.
If you love money, that's a sin, but it may not take you to hell. But when it came to anger, and dirty thoughts, and lusting with your eyes, and sinning with your hands, he said that will take you to hell. You read Matthew 5 and 6 and 7, the Sermon on the Mount.
The word hell comes only in these three places. Sin with your tongue, sin with your eyes, sin with your hands. Secretly.
The other people don't know. We use the same eyes to read the Bible. We read songs to sing it.
We use the same tongue to speak words to God of praise. And use the same tongue to get angry with people. We use the right hand to hold the Bible and then hold the right hand to commit sexual sin.
I believe the words of Jesus. And I'll tell you something. You don't need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to overcome these sins.
There are lots of people who claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues who commit all these sins. Believe me. There are Pentecostals, Charismatics who get angry like anything.
Who commit sexual sin with their eyes, pornography, and their hands and everything. Their speaking in tongues has not solved that problem for them. I'll tell you the example of a man who was not even born again.
Who did not know anything about Jesus Christ. Who did not have a Bible. Who was not filled with the Holy Spirit.
And who resisted at least adultery. Joseph. Young 20-year-old man.
Far away from his parents. In a house where somebody was tempting him every day. And he ran away.
And I believe in those days if there was pornography and there was a computer in front of him, Joseph would have run away from that too. What is it that made him run away? Not fullness of the Spirit. He feared God.
You know when that woman tempted him, what he said, you read in Genesis 39. How can I sin against God?
Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus highlights only two sins that lead to hell in the Sermon on the Mount
- Many other sins are serious but do not lead to hell
- Sexual sin is one of the two sins that will send a person to hell
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II
- Sin can be committed with the tongue, eyes, and hands
- The same faculties used for good can be used for sin
- Secret sins like lust and anger are especially dangerous
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III
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not automatically overcome sexual sin
- Many who claim spiritual gifts still struggle with these sins
- True victory comes from fearing God
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IV
- Example of Joseph resisting temptation without spiritual gifts
- Joseph fled from sin because he feared God
- Believers today should emulate Joseph's fear of God to overcome sexual sin
Key Quotes
“Out of all these sins, he picks out two and said they will send you to hell.” — Zac Poonen
“You don't need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to overcome these sins.” — Zac Poonen
“When that woman tempted him, what he said, you read in Genesis 39: How can I sin against God?” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Take sexual sin seriously as it is one of the few sins that Jesus said leads to hell.
- Develop a healthy fear of God to resist temptation effectively.
- Do not rely solely on spiritual gifts but cultivate personal holiness and flee from sin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sins did Jesus say lead to hell in the Sermon on the Mount?
Jesus specifically mentioned anger and sexual sin as sins that lead to hell.
Can being filled with the Holy Spirit guarantee overcoming sexual sin?
No, Zac Poonen explains that many filled with the Holy Spirit still struggle with sexual sin.
What made Joseph resist temptation according to the sermon?
Joseph resisted temptation because he feared sinning against God.
Are all sins equally serious according to this sermon?
No, while many sins are serious, only a few like sexual sin and anger are said to lead to hell.
How can believers overcome sexual sin?
Believers can overcome sexual sin by cultivating a deep fear of God and fleeing temptation like Joseph.