The Oberlin Evangelist

May 8, 1839

Lecture X.

ANXIOUSNESS A SIN

by the Rev. Charles G. Finney

Modernized by Cliff Collins

“Be anxious for nothing.” (Phil. 4:6)

In this discussion, I plan to show,

I. What anxiousness means, as it is used in today’s passage.

II. That this state of mind is sin.

III. How to avoid anxiousness.

I. What does the word anxious mean?

Some translations, like the King James, use the words “care” and “carefulness” for anxiousness because they come from the same Hebrew word (merimna and merimnao). The words “care” and “carefulness are used in two different senses in the Bible. One sense is good. The other sense is bad. The one kind of care is virtue. Carefulness is a vice. Carefulness is worry or anxiousness. I will quote a few passages to illustrate both these senses. In some of the passages, the words care and carefulness are not used in the translation; but in every instance the same word is used in the original, that is translated “anxious” in our passage. In 1 Cor. 12:25, the Apostle says, “that the members should have the same care (merimna) for one another.” In Phil. 2:20, he also says, “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care (merimna) for your state.” In 1 Pet. 5:7, care is spoken of as being exercised by God.

It is clear that the state of mind described in these passages is a virtuous state of mind. Care is that degree of watchful desire and anxiety for our own happiness, or for the happiness of others, that produces the proper attention, and produces that prompt and diligent use of means necessary to obtain a desirable end. This state of mind does not imply any doubt, distress, corroding anxious suspense, or concern. However, this kind of care can be very intense. This kind of care can even amount to real travail of soul. It can even include those “groans that can’t be uttered”, (Rom 8:26) and still be a virtuous and highly commendable state of mind. For this is faith wrestling mightily with God for promised blessings, instead of being something that comes from the corroding anxiety and anxiousness that results from unbelief.

But in the following passages, we have this word used in a different sense: Matt. 6:25, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry (merimnao) about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” In the 27th verse Jesus says, “Which of you by worrying (merimnao) can add one cubit to his stature?” Verse 28, “So why do you worry (merimnao) about clothing?” And in v. 31, “Therefore do not worry (merimnao), saying, ‘What shall we eat’? Or ‘What shall we drink’? Or ‘What shall we wear’?” In Luke 10:41, Christ says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried (merimnao) and troubled about many things.” 1Cor. 7:32-34 says, “But I want you to be without care (merimnao). He who is unmarried cares (merimnao) for the things that belong to the Lord how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares (merimnao) about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares (merimnao) about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares (merimnao) about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” And in our scripture today, Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing”.

Now it is clear from these passages, where the same original word is used in the same way as in our scripture verse, that the word is used in a bad sense. This word implies doubtfulness, anxiety, worry, absorbing and anxious concern, and unhappiness. This state of mind is all too common, and it needs very little describing to be understood by almost everyone.

II. This kind of anxiousness is sin.

1. This kind of anxiousness is sin because God Himself expressly forbids it. Not only does our verse forbid worry; but also the fact that it is forbidden is either expressed or implied in all the passages I have quoted, where it is used in a bad sense. Therefore, It is as much a violation of God’s law as profanity, drunkenness, or any other abomination. It is as clearly forbidden, and as diametrically opposed to the command of God, as a lustful, covetous, thievish, or licentious state of mind.

2. This kind of worry is sin because it is a distrust of the wisdom and unselfish love of God. If you believe in Divine providence, you can’t allow yourself to be filled with anxiety without directly impeaching or denying the wisdom and unselfish love of the blessed God. If God exercises a universal providence, then whatever happens is somehow brought about by the providence of God, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, if we allow ourselves to be made unhappy; if we allow ourselves to be filled with anxiety, worry, and suspense, we either deny that God is wise and good in bringing about these events, or we virtually declare that, no matter how wise and good He may have been in producing these events, we are not pleased with His providence. Therefore, anxiousness, or worry, is either infidelity concerning the providences of God, or downright rebellion against Him.

3. Anxiousness is setting aside all the evidence that God has given that He cares for us. He has given us the most ample assurances, by His providences, in his Word, and by giving His only begotten Son to die for us, that He cares for us, and He cares for all our interests with all the tender care of an infinitely unselfishly loving father. In spite of this, we toss aside all His declarations, and all these evidences, and refuse to cast our worries on Him. We allow our minds to be corroded, weighed down, and banished out of the presence of God, by our anxiety.

4. Anxiousness can’t do us any good. It is a waste, in fact, it is worse than a waste of time, energy, and life. Who among you ever found yourselves benefited by this kind of anxiety in any way? Does your worldly business prosper any better for indulging in this state of mind? Do you pay your debts, or manage any part of your business any better by allowing your mind to be weighed down with worries? Do you get along any better in religion? Are your prayers any more prevalent? Do you use any better-directed and more successful means for your own improvement, or the spiritual improvement of others, when anxiety oppresses you? Let me ask you, can you remember any time when this kind of worry ever resulted in any good?

5. Anxiousness is a sin because it seriously harms you. I beg you to think about your past experiences. How many times have you found that this kind of worry damaged your worldly business affairs? Haven’t you found that the more you indulged in this state of mind, the more embarrassed and perplexed your secular affairs became? No wonder, because in this state, you are, in some sense, a maniac; and you are not qualified to manage business of any kind. How many persons are there, who, instead of keeping a calm and preserving state of mind so they can act with discretion and wisdom, will become so filled with anxiety and worry that it makes it impossible for them to manage their affairs with discretion. After all their attention, worry, and anxiety, they wonder why they don’t succeed any better. They seem to think that the providence of God is completely against them and is designed to perplex them. But the truth is, nothing uncommon has happened in God’s providence; and they can attribute their failure to their foolish and wicked anxiety.

The same is true concerning religious matters. Multitudes allow themselves, in the emotional turmoil of their unbelief, to be so distracted and confused with anxiety about their spiritual state, or the spiritual state of those around them, that they are forever whining, complaining, and murmuring, as if it were the most difficult matter in the world to persuade God to be good, kind, and gracious. They seem to act as if it were just as difficult to get hold of the grace of God as to be saved by the law. And in spite of all the declarations concerning the freedom of gospel salvation, it would seem as if they believed that the well of salvation was infinitely deep, and its waters were infinitely beyond their reach; and the promises of eternal life were infinitely high above their heads. Indeed, they have that mindset that naturally excludes the grace of the gospel and sets aside all the promises of God!

Now let me ask you, did you ever find that this kind of anxiousness has ever resulted in anything else than evil to your own souls? Then, why indulge in it? If you are in this state, you will very likely think that your circumstances and condition deserves pity. You look around for sympathy and pity; and often secretly blame God for not pitying you, when you have sought Him so anxiously. Now this is a state of horrible rebellion against God. Here is an ocean full of the waters of eternal life, flowing at your feet. Here is a table spread before you with infinite provisions for your soul, and as free as the heart of God, and yet you stand and distress yourself. You complain and fill yourself with worries and anxieties lest you should lose your soul. You are starving, thirsting, and dying with these provisions and waters of eternal life right before you. Precious soul, set aside your anxiousness, I beg you, and believe, or you must perish.

6. Your anxiousness is a great obstacle and a tremendous harm to those around you. Are they professing Christians? They are encouraged to imitate this same behavior because they see it in you. Are they impenitent sinners? They wonder what religion is good for. They see you fretting with the same worries and anxieties that those who have no hope in Christ possess. What conclusion can others draw from witnessing your behavior other than religion is a name that has no consolation or salvation in it?

7. Anxiousness is a sin because it grieves the Spirit of God. What would a husband say if he observed that his wife had no confidence in his providence, and he continuously was the recipient of her worries and frustrations, because she’s constantly afraid he won’t fulfill to her the duties implied in his relationship with her? And, suppose that your children should go around the house constantly complaining, under the distressing and fearful anticipation that their needs might be overlooked. Wouldn’t husbands and parents feel grieved and insulted by such behavior? How, then, must this shameful anxiousness appear to the Spirit of the blessed God? He is your comforter, but you refuse to be comforted. He cares for you, but you refuse to cast your care on Him. Instead, you insist that you carry your own burdens. Don’t, I beg you, grieve the Holy Spirit of God this way, “whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)

8. Anxiousness is a sin because it dishonors God as much as it grieves the Holy Ghost. What can be more dishonorable to the father of a family, than for its members to be filled with anxiety because they don’t trust his providence. And hell is delighted to see the children of God weighed down with anxiety, as if their heavenly Father were unable or unwilling to provide for them.

9. Anxiousness is a sin because it is selfish. People are never filled with anxiety unless they have some selfish interest that excites their anxiety. You see the most diligent and efficient clerks, and those employed in other people’s business; and as long as they are concerned enough to be prompt and energetic in the business of their employers, they are not filled with anxiety about it. When they have performed their duty, they can eat and sleep calmly, and quiet themselves without anxiousness concerning their business eating away at them.

The same is true with the servants of God, if their hearts are right. They perform everything for Him, and consider nothing as their own business. They are prompt and energetic in the discharge of their duties; and calmly and quietly place all the results in His providential hands. The same is true with them on all religious subjects. They know that they, and everything they have, belong to God for time and eternity. And they can cheerfully submit their spiritual and their material interests to His disposal without anxiety, “always rejoicing in the Lord”.

III. How can we avoid anxiousness?

1. We can avoid anxiousness if we consider the reasons against anxiousness. Many people are so inconsiderate that they never avoid any sin of heart or life that they are strongly tempted to commit. But, without considering the reasons against sinning, you can’t expect to avoid any kind of sin. Proper consideration might and no doubt would have prevented the sin of our first parents. Few people would sin if they had all the reasons against sin fully before them and subject to their attention. Let a person fully consider the moral character of sin and all the reasons against it, even if the reasons go no further than what I have described today. Sin is forbidden by God. It is infidelity. It is rebellion. Sin is setting aside all the evidences of God’s love. It can never benefit you, or anyone else. It destroys your own happiness, and the happiness of others around you. Sin is a stumbling block to the Church, and an occasion of blasphemy to the world. Sin grieves and dishonors the blessed God, and is one of the most loathsome and detestable forms of selfishness. Let the mind seriously consider these things, and it would put away this sin from the heart.

2. We need to consider the reasons for an opposite state of mind. You may, and should be in a state of cheerful serenity, calmness, and peace. God’s providences, promises, and grace are such a sure foundation, and provide such infinite reasons for resting in God, that a calm, quiet, and a deep unbroken rest in God is the most reasonable state of mind that you can conceive of. Think about the fact that God requires you to rejoice in Him always. He has made such infinite provisions for your help, consolation, and eternal salvation to meet the needs of the Church and the world that there should be no room left for anxiety. When anxiety exists, it exists in the form of downright rebellion against God.

3. We need to cultivate a considerate state of mind. Let no temptation to worry prevail without taking time to consider the reasons against it, and the reasons for an opposite state of mind.

4. Put away selfishness. If you allow selfishness to reign, anxiousness will naturally be a result. Therefore, examine yourself attentively, and exclude every form of selfishness. Sometimes you may find that deciding what is and what isn’t selfish requires considerable thought and attention. Your neighbor may make a selfish demand of you, or selfishly ask you for a favor. It may not be your duty to grant his request, and yet he may attribute your refusal to selfishness. In all such situations, weigh the matter well and decide, in the presence of God, whether the law of love requires you to act in one way or another. People very often fall into error in this matter, thinking that they are doing for others what they would want done for them; and then censure others for not doing what they want because they aren’t familiar with their circumstances. For example, I ask a favor from my neighbor that I probably have no right to ask. In asking this favor, I feel I am doing what, under the circumstances, I would be willing to do myself; and yet if I knew all the circumstances, I would see that I had no right to make the request and should heartily approve of his refusal to comply. In a world where there is so much selfishness, a truly unselfish mind needs to be wide awake to avoid, on one hand, the appearance of selfishness, which will, after all, be impossible in some situations; and on the other hand, to avoid being devoured by the selfishness of others. However, whenever selfishness does exist, it must be sought out. It must be put away; and wherever this kind of anxiousness exists there is selfishness. You can be certain about this. Search, then, for this leaven of wickedness. Bring it out into the light; and go and toss it into the valley of the son of Hinnom, among the abominations that defile that image of hell.

5. Put away unbelief. Unbelief always produces anxiety. This may easily be seen by a moment's reflection. Confidence in God would instantly banish all this distrustful anxiety from the mind.

6. Dwell on grace received. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness. Instead of reflecting a lot on the material and spiritual mercies they have received, many people dwell on the things that they still need. Because they are occupied with their needs, instead of their mercies, they naturally fall into a state of complaining. Now it is very important that you should dwell a lot on your material and spiritual blessings, and spend a lot of time blessing and thanking God for existence, life, health, sickness, poverty, wealth, or whatever His providence has allotted to you. Be thankful that you were born in this age, in this land, under such circumstances, and, in short, you should realize that God is equally good in everything, and that all things are subjects of thankfulness and praise to God. Go over, then go over again often, your mercies; and cultivate such a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness that it will naturally produce a spirit of trust in God for future blessings.

7. Spend a lot of time thinking about the fact that God has always been better to you than your fears. Think about how your former anxieties and fears proved, in the end, to have been totally uncalled for. How many times can you look back on your former frustrations and say that you were deprived of peace in vain?

8. Commit everything to God in prayer. Rest assured, that the result will be just what you would want it to be, once you know all the circumstances and reasons. The Apostle Paul says in the verse that our scripture today is part of, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”. (Phil 4:6) Now many people, instead of carrying anything that lies on their minds to God and committing it all to Him, try to bear their own burdens. They try to work it out by their own thoughts and exertions without committing their way to the Lord with the assurance that He will bring it to pass. Nothing should be undertaken without prayer; and anything and everything, that cannot consistently be made a subject of prayer, should be avoided as you would avoid the Devil. Please listen to what I say, I don’t advise you simply to pray about everything; but to commit your way, in all respects, to the Lord in order for you to turn your affairs over to His guidance, and control and render all this anxiety impossible. Commit your way to Him and leave the event cheerfully with Him, and make up your mind to be satisfied with the result, no matter what that result may be. Be thoughtful to do your duty, leaving the consequences most cheerfully and joyfully with Him who cares for you.

9. Trust in Christ for grace in whatever you do. Don’t think that by any unaided efforts of your own you will avoid anxiety. Selfishness is one of your most powerful enemies; and you might as well try to battle Satan in your own strength, as to put down selfishness without the aid of Christ. Remember that Christ is your life, your strength, your righteousness, your salvation, and redemption, not only from the curse of the law; but from every form of sin. Cling to Him, and whenever you find yourself tempted to be anxious, be sure to lay all your cares on him. He is able and He desires to bear all your burdens.

10. Be sure to give up your own will. As long as you have a will of your own, separate from God’s will, you will often be filled with anxiety over being disappointed. Lay aside your own will, and make up your mind to always be joyful in the will of God.

11. Cultivate a calm and quiet state of mind. If temptation attacks you to ruffle and disturb the deep rest your soul has in God, be quiet. Stay calm. Lift up your heart to God. Be still; and if possible, don’t allow yourself to speak until your mind becomes composed. Let it be the fixed purpose of your heart not to allow yourself to be thrown into a state of anxiousness and anxiety on any occasion whatever.

REMARKS

1. This requirement extends to everything, material and spiritual. Many people think that they are doing fine being perpetually filled with great anxiety over their spiritual concerns. However, this spirit is just as inadmissible and wicked in spiritual, as in material things. It is God-provoking, and dishonoring unbelief, on whatever subjects it is exercised.

2. How seldom is this state of mind looked on as a sin, even by the Christian himself. Many people ask for and receive as much sympathy in this state, as if their anxiety was a dire calamity instead of a sin. In fact, they make it a matter of self-righteousness; and pride themselves in their great anxiety and distress over spiritual things. To “rejoice in the Lord” is completely out of the question with them. They lament over themselves, and are mourned over by others, as if they deserved infinite pity, rather than to be blamed for their unbelief.

Now, beloved, you should know, that your anxiety is sin, and nothing but sin. Your worry no more calls for pity or sympathy than the crime of adultery, or drunkenness, or any abomination whatever. It is unbelief! Get rid of it! It is the enemy of God!

3. This anxiety is as ridiculous as it is wicked. What would you say if you saw the children of a great and mighty prince, filled with anxiety and worry over their daily food, when millions of dollars were at their disposal? You could account for it only on the principle that they were pathologically obsessed. But what shall we say about the children of the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose Father is not a mere earthly prince, but possesses all the attributes of God. He is everywhere present with them. He is always aware of their interests. His infinite resources, both moral and physical, are at their disposal; and yet they are weighed down with anxiety. What’s the matter with you, my dear soul? Are you crazy? What do you mean? What’s wrong with you? Surely, you dream and trouble yourself in vain. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)

4. Indulging in this sprit of anxiety is destructive to your peace and your growth in grace.

5. Anxiety gives Satan a big advantage. It is like cutting yourself loose from your moorings on the promises of God, and giving yourself up to the merciless buffetings of the prince of hell.

6. It is our duty to admonish one another on this point freely and frequently. There is a great fault among Christians concerning this. Whenever anxiety is seen on a brother’s or sister’s countenance, we should quickly find out what is the cause. They should be reproved for the sin; and admonished, and earnestly petitioned to immediately stop it. They should be encouraged by every consideration that is lovely and of good report, to not entertain anxiety for one moment.

7. From this subject, it is easy to see how important it is for husbands and wives, and those associated in the more intimate relations of life to bear each other’s burdens; and as far as possible to diminish the amount of temptations to be anxious.

8. It is very important to resist this sin at the very beginning. Many Christians, and I have reason to believe, some ministers have fallen into a lot of trouble by not resisting this “evil and bitter thing” when it first appears. Perhaps they begin by indulging in anxiousness over material things, and because of this, they grieve the Spirit and their spiritual state plunges into darkness. And as you pass by, you may hear their groans; but there is no relief, because they will not “encourage themselves in God”.

9. This truth is very applicable and very important to impoverished students, who are often so restricted in their financial circumstances that they indulge in a degree of anxiousness that is very destructive, both to their intellectual attainments, and to their growth in grace. Such people should remember that their anxiety will never help them. But if they indulge in it, it will defeat the very goals of their education. Who can study? Who can pray? Who can walk with God in such a state of mind?

10. This requirement applies to all people in any circumstance, at anytime.

And now beloved, will you put this sin away? Shall it be, from this moment, the fixed purpose of your hearts in the strength of God to overcome it forever? Will you confess it, and repent of it as a sin before God? Will you be as much ashamed of it as you would be of committing adultery, or being guilty of theft? Will you consider it as disgraceful in the sight of God, and damaging to the interests of His kingdom, just like other sins and abominations are? I beg you, please spread this whole subject, in tears of deep repentance, before the Lord. Put it away from you forever. Let the deep rest, patience, and gratitude of your soul shed a balmy and a holy influence on all around you