Someone recently asked me a question I had to think about.  The question was, “Is it a sin to worry?”  My response was, “Well, Jesus tells us not to.”  In Matthew 6:25 He tells us. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”  The apostle Paul says something similar in Philippians 4: 6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

             Now most of us would have to admit that we at times battle this temptation.  But is worry a sin?  I believe that it is for the following reasons.

             (1)  When you worry you are doubting the truthfulness of God.  When you worry you are basically saying, “Lord, I don’t believe your promises.”  We may know, for instance, Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  But if we still worry about paying our bills or where we’re going to live or what we’re going to eat, then we are in essence calling God a liar.  Worry is doubting God’s truthfulness and that is the sin of unbelief.

             (2)  A second reason I believe worry is a sin is because it is an indication of prayerlessness.   You see, I believe it is impossible to pray about something and worry at the same time.  Most people who are paralyzed by worry have not taken the time to pray about the matter.

             One of my favorite Scriptures is Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  If our thoughts are directed toward the Lord, worry vanishes.  I love the quote that says “To be anxious about  nothing, pray about everything.”

             (3)  A final reason I believe worry is a sin is because it ruins our witness.  If we are worried and stressed out it is a poor reflection on the God we serve.  If He’s not big enough to take care of my puny little problems, then He must not be much of a God.  How can I convince someone to surrender their life to Christ and trust Him for salvation, if I can’t trust Him to help me pay my electric bill?  Worry is a sin because it hinders our testimony.

             So if you’ve allowed worry to get the best of you.  Confess it for what it is, a sin, and ask God to forgive you.  Then, give your worries to Jesus and trust Him to meet your needs.

 

                                       “What a privilege to carry

                                       Everything to God in prayer!

                                       Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

                                       Oh, what needless pain we bear

                                       All because we do not carry

                                       Everything to God in prayer.

             Stop worrying and start praying!

 

                                                                              Have a great week!

                                                                              Pastor Barry

 

P.S.      Don’t forget to put in your orders for pork barbeque or ham sandwiches.  We will be serving from              10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm this Saturday.  Take-out or dine in available  This is to help fund missions              trips.

 


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