Our Favorite Sin

In this message on Matthew 6:25–34, Chuck Swindoll tackles the pervasive habit of worry, labeling it our "favorite sin" because it is a struggle shared by nearly everyone. Swindoll argues that while we often sing hymns about trusting Jesus, we frequently live as if God has distanced Himself from our problems. He defines worry not just as concern, but as a sinful distrust of God's promises that divides the mind and "chokes" the intake of spiritual truth [1, 8–9]. Swindoll walks through Jesus’ commands in the Sermon on the Mount, noting that Jesus issues a direct imperative—"Do not worry"—three times in this passage. The sermon highlights the absurdity of anxiety by pointing to nature: if God feeds the birds (who do not sow or reap) and clothes the lilies (which are thrown into the furnace), He will certainly care for His children who are worth far more [3, 17–18, 22]. The message concludes with a practical strategy to break the worry habit: "Start putting first things first." Swindoll urges listeners to stop living in the future and to focus on today, as tomorrow will care for itself. He ends with a challenge for the coming week: to make a "deal" with God to pray immediately upon waking, surrendering the day’s agenda to His will before feet ever touch the floor [28–29, 32–33].

Message Key Facts:

• The Definition of Worry: Swindoll explains that the Greek word for worry, merimnao, comes from two words meaning "to divide the mind." Worry splits our focus between what we know we should do and the fear that captures us. He also connects it to a German root word meaning "to choke" or "gag," illustrating how anxiety blocks God's Word from taking root in our lives [8–9].
• The "Skunk" Illustration: To describe how we handle burdens, Swindoll tells the story of his Aunt Edith finding her children playing with wild skunks. Just as she screamed at them to run, causing them to grab the skunks and run with them, we often pray about our worries only to pick them back up and carry them with us.
• The B-17 Bomber Story: Swindoll illustrates the power of small, unseen actions with the story of a B-17 Flying Fortress in WWII. The plane returned safely despite being hit by 11 shells because the shells were empty—sabotaged by a Czech underground worker who left a note inside. This reminds believers that God is working in mysterious, unseen ways to protect them [30–31].
• Worry is "Gentile" Behavior: Jesus rebukes His Jewish audience by saying that when they worry about food and clothing, they are acting like "Gentiles" (pagans). Swindoll notes that worry signals to the world that we have no Master and are living like spiritual orphans.
• The "Satchel Paige" Question: Addressing the common worry of aging, Swindoll quotes the famous baseball pitcher: "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" He argues that attitude is more important than chronological age and that worry accelerates the feeling of being old.
• The Futility of Worry: Swindoll points out the logic of verse 27: worry cannot add a single hour to one’s life. In fact, it steals strength from today without solving the problems of tomorrow.
• The "Deal": The sermon ends with a collective commitment. Swindoll asks the congregation to make a deal: for one week, before stepping out of bed, they will pray, "Lord, I want Your will today... and the contentment of trusting You" [32–33].

Message References:

• Matthew 6:25–34: The primary text where Jesus commands His followers not to worry about life, food, or clothing.
• Philippians 4:6–7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God".
• 1 Peter 5:7: "Casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you".
• Mark 4:19: The Parable of the Sower, where "the cares of this age" choke the Word, making it unfruitful.
• Matthew 6:24: The preceding context stating, "You cannot serve God and wealth," which sets the stage for the command not to worry [11–12].
• Matthew 6:33: The antidote to anxiety: "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness".

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll