Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
August 15, 2021

The Insanity of Sin
by Clarence Johnson
“This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead (Ecclesiastes 9:3).
One thing all men have in common is sin. And one thing all sin has in common is that it stems from wrong thinking, thus the wise man says that we all have madness or insanity in our hearts. As Willie Nelson said in one of his songs, “I know I’m not normal. Nobody is.”
Human sin began with Eve, “the mother of all living” (Gen. 3:20). Eve was very familiar with God’s instructions not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but she was enticed to do so anyway (Gen. 3:1-5). What did she have to lose? Her life, her paradise home, every tree that was pleasant, every fruit that was good for food, etc. What did she have to gain? The tempter said she would “be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). But he lied. He deceived her. She did, of course, come to know evil as she had never known it before—by personal experience. But her loss far exceeded her “gain.”
Think carefully about the situation. It was God who made her and the world she lived in. He had given it to her and her husband to have dominion over. What had the serpent ever done for her? Yet she made the insane choice of believing and obeying the devil’s lie. And her husband, without even being deceived, made the same insane choice (1 Timothy 2:14).
In Luke 15, the parable of the prodigal son also illustrates the madness of sin. What this son had and could have continued to enjoy had he not left home, is briefly summed up in verse 31, where his father said this to his older brother: “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.”
The insanity of his choice in departing from his father and going into a far country to waste what his father had blessed him with is evident when we see the description of his repentance: “He came to himself” (Luke 15:17). Only then did he return to his father. He acknowledged he had sinned against God and against his father and recognized his own unworthiness. Every person who has rebelled against God needs to “come to himself;” he needs to recognize the insanity of sin.
Another clear case is the demon-possessed man of Mark 5 and Luke 8. Those who were possessed by demons were under Satan’s influence against their own will. Jesus and His apostles overpowered Satan and cast the demons out. Those of us today who are under Satan’s influence are in that situation by our own choice. Satan has no real power over us without our own cooperation. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Peter tells us that Satan walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, but that we can and must resist him (1 Peter 5:8-9). Paul says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Nevertheless, the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, while under Satan’s influence was wild, reckless, and out of control (vv. 1-5). He was self-destructive, and he was naked (Luke 8:26-27). When Jesus freed him from Satan, he was sitting at Jesus’ feet, “clothed, and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35).
Every man, woman, and accountable child who has not already done so, needs to accept the freedom from Satan that Jesus offers. Like the prodigal son, he needs to “come to himself,” so that he may come to Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus says, “Come” (Matthew 11:28). “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.