The Folly of Self-Confidence
Amos 9:10
All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.


The conduct of these Israelites, and their fate, may well stand as a beacon of warning to all who have heard the Word of God with indifference and unbelief.

I. THE REASONS WHICH SHOULD PROMPT THE SINNER TO CONCERN.

1. The voice of his own conscience assures him of guilt and ill desert.

2. The warnings of Scripture should not be lost upon him, and revelation abounds with such warnings uttered upon the highest authority.

3. The examples of the impenitent who have been overtaken by judgment and destruction enforce the faithful admonitions of Holy Writ.

II. THE EXPLANATIONS OF THE SINNER'S SELF-CONFIDENCE AND PRESUMPTION. It is unquestionable that there are many who say, "The evil shall not reach nor overtake us." How can this be accounted for?

1. The voice of conscience may be silenced or unheeded.

2. The warnings of Scripture may be utterly disregarded.

3. The sinner may think rather of those instances in which judgment has been delayed than of those in which it has been hastened and fulfilled.

III. THE WISDOM AND DUTY OF IMMEDIATE REPENTANCE.

1. God's Word will certainly be verified.

2. No human power can save the impenitent.

3. The time of probation is short, and may nearly have expired. - T.



Parallel Verses
KJV: All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.

WEB: All the sinners of my people will die by the sword, who say, 'Evil won't overtake nor meet us.'




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