The Vain Self-Flatteries of the Sinner (Psalm 36:2) | Jonathan Edwards

Deep Dive into The Vain Self-Flatteries of the Sinner (Psalm 36:2) by Jonathan EdwardsIn his sermon based on Psalm 36:2, Jonathan Edwards argues that wicked men generally flatter themselves with the hope of escaping punishment until it actually befalls them. Edwards posits that sinners are able to live securely and cheerfully in their sin only because they have persuaded themselves that they will somehow avoid the divine wrath threatened in Scripture. Without this self-deception, their lives would be filled with sorrow and dread rather than security.Edwards outlines several specific ways sinners flatter themselves. Some harbor a secret, atheistic hope that the afterlife is a fable and that there is no God to judge them. Others acknowledge the reality of judgment but convince themselves that death is distant, presuming they will have a convenient season to repent later in life. Many rely on their own perceived righteousness, believing that living a moral life, attending worship, or having godly parents will protect them. Additionally, some hold a false confidence that they are already converted or imagine that they have the power to turn to God whenever they please.The sermon warns that this self-flattery typically persists until "iniquity be found to be hateful," which Edwards interprets as the moment the sinner actually experiences the terrible fruit of their sin. Consequently, destruction often arrives suddenly, catching the sinner like a snare when they least expect it. This dynamic explains why awakening sermons often fail to move people; listeners simply assume the warnings apply to others rather than themselves. Edwards concludes by exhorting his audience to abandon these vain flatteries, warning that the intention to repent in the future is merely a bait used by the devil to allure souls into eternal ruin.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerSpotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdwhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730