THE SNARE OF REPROACH PART 4

Text- 1 Timothy 3:7

Introduction

This morning I am going to finish my series of messages on “The Snares of Satan”.  I pray that through these messages you have gained a better understanding of how Satan tries to traps us into doing his will and what some of the consequences are if we are snared by Satan.

The title of my message this morning is "The Snare of Reproach" and my message text is found in 1 Timothy 3:7.

1 Timothy 3:7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (NASB)

Back in 1911, a stuntman named Bobby Leach went over Niagara Falls in a specially designed steel drum—and lived to tell about it. Although he suffered minor injuries, he survived because he recognized the tremendous dangers involved in the feat, and he had done everything he could to protect himself from harm.

Several years later, while walking down a street in New Zealand, Bobby Leach slipped on an orange peel, fell, and badly fractured his leg. He was taken to a hospital where he died of complications from that fall. He received a greater injury walking down the street than he sustained in going over Niagara Falls. He was not prepared for danger in what he assumed to be a safe situation.

Some of the great temptations that roar around us like the rushing waters of Niagara will leave us unharmed, while a small, seemingly insignificant incident may cause our downfall. Why? We simply become careless and do not recognize the potential danger. We mistakenly think we are secure (1 Corinthians 10:12).

We must always be on guard against temptation. A victorious Christian is an alert Christian who watches out even for those little "orange peels."

Webster says that the word "reproach" means, "a cause of blame, discredit, disgrace, or dishonor".  As God's people, Satan would love for us to become a reproach in three ways.  He wants us to...