The
Holiness Handbook Originally compile January 2006 (updated Oct
2013)
By: Brother S. Evans holyliving@gmail.com
Does God actually expect Christians to live holy lives? After
reading the following scriptures, you can decide.
2 Timothy 3:16 All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:17 That the man
of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow
peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord:
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for
they shall see God.
1 Peter 1:14 As
obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in
your ignorance: 1:15 But as he
which hath called you is holy, so be ye
holy in all manner of conversation; 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am
holy.
I’m saved by grace, so works do not justify my salvation, right?
It is true that we can
not justify our salvation by works, but only by the blood of Jesus. It is the
free gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of
works, lest any man should boast.
But Romans 12:1 tells
us that after we are saved, that living a holy life is our reasonable service.
This means that by doing so, we aren’t going above our required duty, but just
meeting expectations!
Romans 12:1 I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. Rom 12:2
And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I think it is an
appropriate illustration to compare salvation to working a job. If an employer
gives us a position in their company, they will have certain expectations and
requirements to keep the job. Requirements such as our attendance at work and
performing the duties for which we were hired. If we do not meet these
expectations, then we can expect to lose our position. Just like working a job,
there are certain reasonable expectations and requirements that go along with
maintaining our salvation.
Here are a few of the many scriptures relating to God’s
expectations of a holy life
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then?
Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified
with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin. 6:7 For he that is
dead is freed from sin. 6:8 Now
if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
1John 3:3 And every man that hath
this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 3:4 Whosoever committeth
sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law. 3:5 And
ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 3:6 Whosoever abideth
in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth
hath not seen him, neither known him. 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he
that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 3:8 He
that committeth sin is of the devil; for the
devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose
the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;
for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,
because he is born of God.
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled
before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted
from the world.
Can we forfeit our gift of salvation or “backslide”? From the scriptures below, the answer is
a definite yes.
Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good
man shall be satisfied from himself.
1Timothy 4:1 Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron;
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and
walked no more with him. 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also
go away? 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom
shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
1Timothy 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No
man, having put his hand to the plow,
and looking back, is fit for the
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon,
Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to
have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
22:32 But I have prayed
for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy
brethren.
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and
one convert him; 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save
a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Jude 1:22 And of some have
compassion, making a difference: 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out
of the fire; hating even the garment
spotted by the flesh. 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from
falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy,
Backsliding
happens gradually and results in spiritual poverty
Proverbs 24:33 Yet a
little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 24:34
So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth;
and thy want as an armed man.
In the
book of Revelations, God warns the end time churches that being lukewarm will
not be tolerated
Revelations 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art
fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except
thou repent.
Revelations 3:15 I know
thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Rev
3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew
thee out of my mouth.
Peter
tells us that returning to sin (backsliding) will result in a worse ending than
never having known the Lord.
2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions
of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
they are again entangled therein, and
overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had
been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after
they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the
true proverb, The dog is turned to his
own vomit again; and the sow that
was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
In the
last days, the “love of many shall wax cold” or backslide. It doesn’t take too
much understanding to know that we are in those days.
Matthew 24:11 And
many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 24:12
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Jesus
tells of the terrible state of a backslider
Matthew 12:43 When
the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh
through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 12:44 Then he saith, I
will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven
other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there:
and the last state of that man is worse
than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Can a backslider return to the Lord? Yes!
Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.
Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore
such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also
be tempted.
Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he
hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Hosea 6:2 After two days will he
revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his
sight.
Hosea 14:1 O Israel, return unto the
LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD:
say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we
render the calves of our lips. 14:3 Asshur shall not
save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work
of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth
mercy. 14:4 I will
heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away
from him.
Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for
I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a
family, and I will bring you to
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
me.
The Lord
Jesus gave us the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32, which illustrates the return of a wayward son
to God.
Some may say that the
sixth chapter of Hebrews (see text below) tells that a backslider can not be
restored, as it says that it is impossible for the person described “to renew
again unto repentance”. I think we must remember what the Lord said in Luke (Luke 18:27
And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with
God.) First we should notice the
description is not your average Christian, but a Holy Ghost filled Christian
that has tasted of the heavenly gift and the powers (spiritual gifts described
- 1 Corinthians 12) of the world to come. If a person grows to the spiritual
state described by Paul and backslides, then he or she is likely to become a
reprobate (Matthew
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the
doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the
foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection
of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit. 6:4
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 6:5
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6:6 If they shall fall
away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves
the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
What is Sin and what are the expectations of a holy life
style? Does the Bible define what is
expected?
This study doesn’t
have the lofty goal of providing a complete list of all things that may or may
not be sinful acts, but is instead an attempt to list some of the controversial
topics for today and scriptures related to these. If we can’t provide a bible
basis for certain beliefs, then it must be from man’s traditions and not from
God. This doesn’t mean that a topic has to be expressly mentioned by name in
scripture but should at minimum be tied to a fundamental Bible principle or
doctrine.
Please
understand that keeping the commandments of the Lord (being morally good)
without being spiritually born again, does not justify your salvation before
God. But after a person has become a born again believer, then works of
righteousness will follow.
The basis of most
Christian and ethical beliefs can be referenced to the Ten Commandments
provided on tables of stone.
First Commandment:
Exodus 20:1 And God spoke
all these words, saying, 20:2 I
am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Second Commandment: Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt
not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is
in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under
the earth: 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor
serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them
that hate me; 20:6 And showing
mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Third Commandment: Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will
not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Fourth Commandment: Exodus 20:8 Remember
the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 20:9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy
work: 20:10 But the seventh day
is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt
not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy
maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and
earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore
the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Fifth Commandment: Exodus 20:12 Honor
thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which
the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Six Commandment: Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
Seventh Commandment: Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Eighth Commandment: Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.
Ninth Commandment: Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Tenth Commandment: Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's
wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
Jesus
identified the two most important of the Ten Commandments. Notice that the
other eight commandments fall under these.
Matthew 22:36
Master, which is the great
commandment in the law? 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind. 22:38 This is the
first and great commandment. 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law
and the prophets.
Below I
have listed some of the more controversial topics of our time (not necessarily listed in order of importance):
If I didn’t mention
the areas where you have questions, then I recommend that you go to the Word of
God and study to find God’s views. If a Church doctrine can’t be identified by
commandments or fundamental truths of the Bible, then it must not be based on
God’s desire, but man’s desires. In the book of Revelations, we can see what
God thinks about adding undue hardships to the Word or ignoring selective
verses.
Revelations 22:18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the
words of the prophecy of this book, If
any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 22:19 And if
any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the
holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
In the first chapter
of Philippians (text below), Paul warns that some ministers preach with envy
and strife to add afflictions to the hearer. The principles of Holiness should
not be compromised, but they should be presented with God’s love and compassion
as the Christian experience is one that requires continual spiritual growth (1
Peter 2:2 and 1 Corinthians 3:2 describe new Christians as “newborn babes” that
desire the sincere milk of the word). We definitely do not want to add
unnecessary afflictions that are based on man made doctrines. As a sinner,
would you be most receptive to a sermon presented in anger or with one
presented with the Love that God represents? In both methods Paul rejoiced
though because the Gospel message was being preached.
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and
strife; and some also of good will: 1:16
The one preach Christ of
contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 1:17
But the other of love,
knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. 1:18
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth,
Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
1Corinthians 3:2 I have
fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it,
neither yet now are ye able.
Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and other habits harmful to our bodies
Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
1 Samuel 1:14 And
Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
1:15 And Hannah answered
and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither
wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the
morning, that they may follow strong
drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 5:22
Woe unto them that are mighty to
drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious
beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them
that are overcome with wine!
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is
excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of
God, him shall God destroy; for the
1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God's.
2 Peter 2:17 These
are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: to whom the
mist of darkness is reserved forever. 2:18
For when they speak great swelling
words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much
wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they
themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same
is he brought in bondage.
Busybodies or gossiping
1Peter 4:15 But
let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a
busybody in other men's matters.
Exodus 20:16 Thou
shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor. (One of the ten
commandments)
Romans 1:29 Being
filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 1:30
Backbiters, haters of God,
despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers,
without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God,
that they which commit such things are
worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do
them.
1Timothy 5:11 But
the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against
Christ, they will marry; 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off
their first faith. 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house;
and not only idle, but tattlers also and
busybodies, speaking things which
they ought not. 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women
marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to
speak reproachfully. 5:15 For some are already turned aside after
Satan.
Proverbs 11:12 He
that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor: but a man of understanding holdeth
his peace. 11:13 A talebearer revealeth
secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth
the matter.
Gambling
Lottery, betting,
raffle tickets, casinos games….
Dictionary definition: Gambling -
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of
a price for a chance to win a prize);
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished:
but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.
Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine
eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings;
they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He that loveth
silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:
this is also vanity. 5:11 When goods increase, they are increased that
eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of
them with their eyes? 5:12 The
sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the
abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
1Timothy 6:10 For
the love of money is the root of
all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows. 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things;
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Hebrews 13:5 Let
your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Luke 16:1 And he said also unto his
disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was
accused unto him that he had wasted his
goods. 16:2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is
it that I hear this of thee? give an
account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no
longer steward.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the
things of others.
Gambling, by its
nature, is selfish and self-seeking. The gambler seeks personal gain and profit
by taking other people's possessions without requiting them. Such is completely
contrary to Christian love.
Matthew 7:16 Ye
shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of
thistles? 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth
forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit. 7:18 A good
tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth
good fruit. 7:19 Every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
If gambling produces
many forms of evil, which it does, this confirms the conclusion that gambling
is evil of itself.
Examples of the Fruits
of gambling: Poverty, neglect of families,
quarreling, and divorce because gamblers often gamble with money the family
needs. Drinking and drugs, alcoholism and addiction. Lying because gamblers
seek to hide their habit and their losses.
One out of every five
homeless people admits that gambling contributed to their poverty. Among the
fifty states Nevada, long known for gambling, has the highest rate of divorce
and the highest rate of high school dropouts.
Proverbs 14:21 He
that despiseth his neighbor sinneth:
but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Gambling preys on the
desperation of the poor. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission found
that those with incomes less than $10,000 spend more on lottery tickets than
any other income group. High school dropouts spend four times as much as
college graduates. Scripture exhorts us to look out for the poor and
disadvantaged, and issues strong warnings against taking advantage of their
plight.
Lying, Profanity, and using the Lord’s name in vain
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
hearers.
Colossians 3:8 But
now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man
with his deeds; 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed
in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
James 3:9 Therewith bless we God,
even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. 3:10 Out of
the same mouth proceedeth
blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place
sweet water and bitter?
I find it surprising
that people profession to be Christians still use the Lord’s name in vain in
without considering what they are doing. Do we not realize that this is
breaking one of the Ten Commandments? We are to use his name in honor and
praise by not as a replacement for our
old cursing habits or as symbols of our frustration.
Exodus 20:7 Thou
shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Proverbs 17:3 The refining
pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth
the hearts. 17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false
lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty
tongue.
Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 6:18
A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh
of his own: for he is a liar, and the
father of it.
Prejudice toward other races or nationalities
Having
been raised in the south, I grew up seeing and hearing the derogatory attitudes
that many local people had toward people that had different skin color or
different national origins. It’s encouraging that many of those attitudes have
subsided in recent generations, but prejudices still exist on all sides of the
“race” spectrum. The Bible is explicit that God does not respect a person
because of their nationality or skin color and likewise we should not either.
The scripture is also clear that we are not to have hatred or respect of person
against others. It goes as far as to call us murders if we hate someone else.
Doesn’t viewing ourselves as better than someone else demonstrate the sin of
PRIDE in our lives?
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on
Christ. 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all
one in Christ Jesus.
1John 3:14 We know that we have passed
from death unto life, because we love
the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 3:15 Whosoever
hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know
that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his
brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his
brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 4:21
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect
of persons. 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man
with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile
raiment; 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here
in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my
footstool: 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and
are become judges of evil thoughts?
Romans 2:11 For
there is no respect of persons with God.
The Occult (Horoscopes, Satanism, witchcraft …)
Christians should not require
much convincing of occult activities being sinful, but on the contrary I have
heard about “Christian people” using Ouija Boards or checking their horoscopes.
In the Old Testament King Saul sought for a witch after God rejected his sinful
ways, but for a Christian to stoop that low is a remarkable failure.
Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn
not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the
heathen are dismayed at them. 10:3
For the customs of the people are vain: …
Deuteronomy 18:10
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh
his son or his daughter to pass through
the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter,
or a witch, 18:11
Or a charmer, or a consulter
with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 18:12 For all that do these things are an
abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are
manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies,
Under the
Mosaic Law, occult activities were punishable by death. Under the New
Testament, Jesus cast out the Satanic spirits and brought deliverance.
Leviticus 20:27 A man
also or woman that hath a familiar
spirit, or that is a wizard, shall
surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood
shall be upon them.
Homosexuality, Gays, Lesbians, and Sodomites
Why has
homosexuality become a “normal” way of life in our modern society?
In 1948 Dr. Alfred C.
Kinsey produced the ”Kinsey Report” which stated that 10 to 47% of Americans
were homosexual. Even though the statistics that Kinsey provided in his report
were falsely represented, his reports have been credited to starting the
homosexual revolution and destroying laws that once outlawed indecent
homosexual acts. The “Kinsey Institute" conducted this so called research
at Indiana University in Bloomington from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.
The irony is that people accepted these statistics as accurate and did not
consider the background of the subjects being observed (convicted sex
offenders, prisoners, known homosexuals, and even children that were exposed to
this type of people).
26% (1,400) of
Kinsey's alleged 5,300 white male subjects were already "sex
offenders." As far as the data can
be established, an additional 25% were incarcerated prisoners; some numbers
were big city "pimps,"," "thieves;" roughly 4% were
male prostitutes as well as sundry other criminals; and some hundreds of
homosexual activists at various "gay bars" and other sinful places
across the country. This group of social outcasts and deviants were then
redefined by the Kinsey team as representing your average person. With adequate
press and university publicity, people believed what they were told by these
respectable scientists, that mass sexual perversion was common nationwide and
that our sex education and our laws must be changed to reflect Kinsey's
"reality." Legitimate estimates in 2005 show that the actual
percentages are likely less than two percent. Of course that is two percent too
many.
Is God
pleased with this movement? What do the scriptures tell us?
1 Corinthians 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
Dictionary definition: Effeminate - To
make womanish; to unman; to weaken;
The previous verse makes
it clear that if a man (or boy) has feminine actions or a woman (or girl) has
masculine actions they will not inherit the kingdom of God. Does that mean that
“sissy” acting men are living in sin? The lists of activities in the scripture
above are stated as those of the unrighteous. People in this state are
obviously being influenced by spiritual influences of darkness and need
deliverance that only comes from the blood of Jesus. I’m aware of times that
feminine acting men (and some were known homosexuals) have prayed through to
deliverance and their actions (including voice) immediate became more
masculine. The inverse is also true that when these men get spiritually cold
that their actions become more feminine.
Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as
with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put
to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Dictionary definition: Abomination - Anything associated with
the worship of other gods and any behavior that perverts the lifestyle God
intended human beings to live. Leviticus 18 contains a list of unlawful
behaviors (eg, incest, adultery, homosexuality,
bestiality).
Based on Romans 1st
chapter, we find that God “gave them up to uncleanness” because when they knew
God, they did not glorify him as God. My opinion is that this is referring to
God giving opportunity for Satan to bring a sodomite spirit upon these people
that rejected him. This seems evident that demonic spiritual control or
influences could be present in a homosexual’s life.
We have all heard the
attempts at justification stating that homosexuals were born gay and did not
choose that lifestyle. Scientists have also searched for genetic differences
that could be the origin of homosexual desires, but thus far those efforts have
proven futile. I will admit that some families seem to have multiple
generations that are entangled in this abominable lifestyle, but is that any
difference than the hereditary weaknesses that make us say that “he will be a
drunk like his Dad and Grandfather”? All mankind is cursed with sinful
tendencies and varying weaknesses to certain temptations and addictions, but
does that justify a person’s sin? Of course it does not. If a person comes from
a family known to have a tendency for certain weaknesses to temptation never
gives into (or isn’t exposed to) that same temptation, then he/she is never
brought under the bondage of them. Even if they do indulge in these sinful
actions, Jesus can set them free and make then a “born again believer” with new
blood bought tendencies of righteousness! (John 8:36).
Romans 1:24
Wherefore God also gave them up
to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between
themselves: 1:25 Who changed the
truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the
Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women
did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly,
and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God
in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things
which are not convenient;
Homosexuality is also
referred to as the sin of sodomy. This reference comes from an account in the
Bible of two exceedingly wicked cities,
Genesis 13:13 But
the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners
before the LORD exceedingly.
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah,
and the cities about them in like manner, giving
themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set
forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
These scriptures
clearly state that these vile affections of men lusting for other men (gay men)
or women lusting for other women (lesbians) are not the natural affections God
created men and women to possess. We know that God loves all homosexuals, but
he hates their deeds because they are sinful. God did not create any human
being as a homosexual. They are not born that way, just as drunkards and
murderers are not born that way. People become homosexuals because they yield
to abnormal acts or lusts. It is through some source that they are influenced
by demonic spirits that drives them to their lust. Associating with known
homosexuals and viewing sensual videos, pornographic pictures, and visiting
strip tease establishments are ways of opening the door to a perverse sodomite
spirit.
Can
homosexuals be saved? John
John 3:16 For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
Pornography
Pornography opens the
door to other sins such as fornication, adultery, child molestation, rape, homosexuality
and other related sins. But one does not have to physically commit the sin of
adultery to be guilty of adultery in God’s eyes. Jesus said even if a man looks
at a woman to lust after her in his heart, he is guilty of adultery. Scientific
research determined that pornography is an addiction to the neurochemical high
(Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Oxytocin, and Serotonin) that occurs in the human
brain while viewing sensual images. This is Satan’s counterfeit for the
neurochemical high that God designed to occur between a husband and wife during
intimacy. It has been said that this chemical addiction is more powerful than
those experienced by a drug addict. If you give in to the temptations of
pornography, you are allowing Satan to rob you of your marital relationship and
distort your views of real relationships.
Matthew 5:27 Ye
have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit
adultery: 5:28 But I say unto
you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart. 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it
out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy
members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 5:30
And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee:
for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
How to
obtain victory over lust
David and
Job made a contract with their eyes
that they would not indulge themselves in lustful images. That principle is
still essential for people overcoming these same temptations today as well.
It’s obvious that God gave men a desire for women and women a desire for men,
as part of the cycle of procreation and establishment of marriages. The problem
occurs when these sensual desires occur outside of the marriage. This principle
goes way beyond just pornography and applies to lustful looks and wicked
thoughts of people you see in public as well. You should consider the trouble
that King David caused for himself (Samuel 11) when he was in the wrong place (likely out
of God’s will) and gave in to lusting over Bathsheba (another man’s wife).
David said (Psalms 51) that his
“sin was ever before him”.
Psalms 101:2 I will
behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will
walk within my house with a perfect heart. 101:3 I will set
no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside;
it shall not cleave to me.
Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then
should I think upon a maid?
In the
first chapter of James we find that God does not tempt us but this occurs when
we are “drawn away of his own lusts”. What are we drawn away from? This is
referring to being drawn away from the closeness of the Lord. When do Christian
fall to temptation? When they are spiritually weak we fall for Satan’s
temptations. How does a Christian obtain strength over temptations? Our
strength comes by drawing closer to God. Verses 16th and 17th
explain that every good and perfect gift is from God. That includes the gift of
sexual desires in a marriage and it wasn’t a mistake, but as we know Satan has
attempted to corrupt many Holy gifts into unholy ones.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him. Jas
1:13 Let no man say when he is
tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn
away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth
sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved
brethren. Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning.
I’m so
glad for God’s promises in 1 Corinthians 10, where he said that we would not
have temptations that are unique to us individually, but that He was faithful
and would not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to withstand.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed
lest he fall. 1Co 10:13 There
hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to
be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it.
1 John 5:18 We
know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Are
sins like pornography hidden from God?
Psa 139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Psa 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest
my thought afar off. Psa 139:3
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and
art acquainted with all my ways. Psa 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Psa 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and
laid thine hand upon me.
Numbers 32:23 But if
ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Ephesians 5:11 And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them. 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things
which are done of them in secret.
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by
Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
We only have to look
at recent history and how pornography led Ted Bundy to mistreat and murder
fifty women. Bundy said he began casually viewing soft-core pornography when he
was 12 or 13 years old and gradually became addicted to it. During an interview
with Dr. Dobson, he made the following statements: "But slowly throughout
the years reading pornography began to become a deadly habit”. "My experience with pornography ... is
once you become addicted to it, I would keep looking for more potent, more
explicit, more graphic kinds of material. Like an addiction, you keep craving
something that is harder, something which gives you a greater sense of
excitement. Until you reach a point where the pornography only goes so far, you
reach that jumping off point where you begin to wonder if maybe actually doing
it would give you that which is beyond just reading or looking at it." His
religious training and morality initially restrained him from acting out his
fantasies, but he confessed that finally, "I couldn't hold back
anymore." While committing the
murders, Bundy said he felt as if he was possessed by "something ... awful
and alien. There is just absolutely no way to describe first the brutal urge to
do that kind of thing, and then what happens is once it has been more or less
satisfied and recedes, you might say, or spent, that energy level recedes and
basically I become myself again." This description describes the
conditions of a demonic possessed person that is capable of any hideous crime
known to man. The devil has no mercy nor does he have respect of person or God.
It has been stated by
researchers that these pornographic images can be “burned” into a person’s mind
for years, which allows Satan to have an easy target in plaguing people’s
minds. This presents even more reasons to stay away from such content.
Television and Movies
We learn in Ephesians
2:2 that Satan is the prince of the power of the air. Is it any surprise that he has used
television and to a lesser degree radio (across the air ways) to weaken the
morality of our country and the world? Television and movie theaters may have
seemed harmless enough in the beginning (early 1900s), but even then the Holiness
preachers at that time condemned them as sinful. They must have had discernment
to what the devil had planned, as we see that it has gradually eroded the
convictions of our nation and the world.
Psalms 101:2 I will
behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will
walk within my house with a perfect heart.
101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of
them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
The movie “Gone with
the Wind” (released in 1939) is credited (or discredited) as the first movie to
have actors using profanity. Many people of that day were appalled by this use
of foul language but it only opened the door for
In 1938, at the very
dawn of the age of television, news anchorman, E.B. White stated these words:
"I believe TV is going to be the test of the modern world, and in this new
opportunity to see beyond the range of our vision, we shall discover either a
new and unbearable disturbance of the general peace or a saving radiance in the
sky. We shall stand or fall by TV, of that I am quite sure."
Well, we have had many
decades to put TV to the test, and it has definitely failed miserably. Not only
has TV become "an unbearable disturbance," it has become one of
Satan's chief devices in his deceitful plot to destroy our churches and our
nation’s moral culture. Statistics from 2005 indicated that ninety-seven percent
of all American homes have at least one TV with most having two or more.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 5:22 Abstain
from all appearance of evil.
Ephesians 5:3 But
fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named
among you, as becometh saints; 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger,
nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things
cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 5:7 Be not
ye therefore partakers with them. 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are
ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and
truth;) 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those
things which are done of them in secret. 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made
manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 5:14 Wherefore he saith,
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give thee light. 5:15
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 5:16
Redeeming the time, because
the days are evil. (Is
watching television “redeeming” the time?)
Some people use the
excuse that I only watch the News or Family programs, but from what I hear, the
commercials are as full of ungodliness as the programming! Even the results of
secular studies prove the negative effects of television on our society (see a
few of the many negative findings below. You can also find resources in the
library or Internet with more statistics):
(Can you identify any real benefits from
television?)
1) Children spend more
time learning about life through media than in any other manner. The average
child spends approximately 28 hours a week watching television, which is more
than they spend in school.
2) The average
American child will witness over 200,000 acts of violence on television
including 16,000 murders before age 18.
3) A study of
population data for various countries showed homicide rates doubling within the
10 to 15 years after the introduction of television, even though television was
introduced at different times in each site examined.
4) Studies suggest
that higher rates of TV viewing are correlated with increased tobacco
usage, alcohol intake and younger onset
of sexual activity.
5) Forty-six percent
of all television violence identified by the study took place in children's
cartoons. Children's programs were least likely to depict the long-term
consequences of violence (5%) and they portray violence in a humorous fashion
67% of the time.
6) The average
television watcher now sits entranced for 7.2 hours per day.
I dare say that most
professing Christians know all the actors and the details of the popular shows
and movies, but the same ones would struggle to name the books of the Bible or
many of its characters! Where are our
hearts and minds? Evidently not in the
word of God! What are we teaching our
Children by exposing them to this filth? How vile will the broadcasts be for
future generations? The next time you find yourself watching a movie or show
with profanity and lewdness, ask yourself if you would be ashamed if Jesus came
at that time. Would God be pleased with the violence, profanity, homosexuality,
nudity, and other sinful acts that are shown through the TV in your home? Would
you equally welcome these same people or acts into your home to educate you and
your children to their lifestyles? What are you demonstrating to your children
and others with the programming that you watch and welcome into your house?
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of
our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You may say that you
don’t see TV as sin, but the verse above tells us to lay aside every weight and
sin. Can it be denied that it is a weight that vexes our souls like Sodom did
Lot’s (see the verse below)? Even Lot’s wife looked back at what she left and
was turned to a pillar of salt. Had her soul been vexed to the point that she
accepted these wrongs as right? Do you now accept wrong as right?
Dictionary definition : VEXED -
Teased; provoked; irritated; troubled; agitated; disquieted; afflicted.
2 Peter 2:6 And
turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an
overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them,
in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their
unlawful deeds);
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things
that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not
in him. 2:16 For all that is in
the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 2:17 And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Isaiah 33:15 He that walketh
righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh
his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his
ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes
from seeing evil;
Matthew 5:27 Ye
have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh
on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her
already in his heart.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe
unto them that call evil good, and good
evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter
for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
1 John 5:18 We
know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he
that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that
wicked one toucheth him not. 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole
world lieth in wickedness. 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and
hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are
in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and
eternal life.
Proverbs 17:3 The
refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. 17:4 A
wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Honor the Lord
with the first fruits of your time and he will bless your ways. Watching
television doesn’t honor God but does spend our precious time and rob God.
Proverbs 3:7 Be not
wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart
from evil. 3:8 It shall be
health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 3:9 Honor
the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits
of all thine increase:
2 Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they
will increase unto more ungodliness. 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of
naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to
save your souls. 1:22 But be ye
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a
doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his
way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he
was. 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a
doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious,
and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth
his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and
the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore
to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and
purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Can
watching TV be characterized as “redeeming the time because the days are evil”?
I seriously doubt that God thinks so!
Ephesians 5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give
thee light. 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise, 5:16 Redeeming
the time, because the days are evil.
5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord
is. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is
excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;
The Internet
The “Internet” is a
network of computer systems all over the world that is used for business,
education, government, research, and entertainment. It’s a shame that the Satan
has already populated it with so much pornography and ungodly sites. The other
dangers involve young and old alike getting involved in “social media sites”
(i.e. chat rooms or other conversations) that can lead to divorce, marital
problems, and abductions. I recommend
that anyone using the Internet should use “Parental Filtering” options to avoid
accidental or intentional accessing these sites. Children’s use should be
monitored and limited to protect them from the dangers that are present. Jesus
told us that if our eye offends us to pluck it out, so if we are temped by the
wrong things – then disconnect it!
As the technology of
the Internet progresses, it is obvious that content previously only available
on Television is becoming more readily available on the Internet. Does an
alternative delivery medium (Internet) suddenly make the same sinful video content
acceptable? It definitely should not be accepted any more than DVD or old VCR
movies being accepted when movie theaters are condemned. What will be your
excuse on judgment day for wasting your time viewing things that damage your
relationship with the Lord, vs. spending time in God’s service?
Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out:
it is better for thee to enter into the
See the Bible
reference verses for Television and Pornography for more discussion.
What types of Music should Christians listening to?
I make an assumption
that if you are a Christian, that you know enough fundamental doctrine to understand
that Country, Rock, Rap, or other non-Christian music is not pleasing to
God. With that in mind, we see that many
of the so-called Christian artists are relying on secular styles of music and
calling it Gospel. Does God need to copy the devil’s styles for his music? I
think not. To determine what type of music Christians should listen to, we
should go to the scripture. After reading the verses below, you should
determine that the purpose of Christian
music is to Praise the Lord.
Anything short of that goal is not edifying or worthy of our time.
Psalms 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice
in thee: I will sing praise to thy name,
O thou most High.
Psalms 21:13 Be
thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Psalms 28:6
Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my
supplications. 28:7 The LORD is
my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore
my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalms 33:1
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the
upright. 33:2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him
with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with
a loud noise.
Acts 16:24 Who, having received such a
charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the
stocks. 16:25 And at midnight
Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises
unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Sadly, much of what
goes by the title of Christian Music today is NOT Christian. It does not
testify, praise or sing about the Lord Jesus Christ or God the father. In fact,
a great deal of it does not even mention the Lord Jesus Christ. Much of today's
Christian Music goes out its way to avoid the name of Jesus Christ – or any
Christian content whatsoever.
Martin Luther
(Christian reformer of the early 1500’s) put his views of the state of
salvation bluntly: "whoever does
not want to sing and speak of it shows that he does not believe it".
According to the Lord
Jesus Christ, Satan’s goal is to uplift man and not God :
Matthew 16:23 But he
turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense
unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of
God, but those that be of men.
A
Christian's music is sung to the Lord. It is not for the world.
Psalms 40:1 To the
chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he
inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 40:2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit,
out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it,
and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Psalms 144:9 I will
sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings
will I sing praises unto thee.
Can you
even understand the lyrics of some of the contemporary styles of music and do
the Country-Gospel lyrics even meet the Bible’s criteria of praising he Lord?
1Corinithians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Psalms 66:1 To the
chief Musician, A Song or Psalm. Make a
joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
66:2 Sing forth the honor
of his name:
make his praise glorious.
Hebrews 2:12
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the
church will I sing praise unto thee.
Psalms 149:1 Praise
ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation
of saints. 149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in
their King. 149:3 Let them praise
his name in the dance: let them sing
praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
What
does Lucifer or Satan know about music?
From
Ezekiel 28:13 we get a hint that Lucifer was once very involved with the music
of heaven. He knows how to use the wrong music against humans.
Eze 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God;
every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius,
topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the
emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the
workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes
was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast
created. Eze
28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth;
and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy
mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of
fire. Eze
28:15 Thou wast
perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast
created, till iniquity was found in thee.
Men’s Hair
1 Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a
shame unto him?
David Lee Roth of the
rock group Van Halen (who has songs like "Running with the Devil")
says his long hair "is a flag" and "anti-establishment". In
other words — REBELLION:
"[his long hair] It's a flag. It's Tarzan. I'll always be
anti-establishment". (USA Today)
But
didn’t Jesus have long hair?
The paintings of
Christ are simply artists' conceptions and have no Scriptural authorization. At
least one historian of Jesus’ day described him as being a tall man with short
chestnut-colored hair, parted in the middle.
The oldest
representations (going back to the first Christian century, found chiefly in
the catacombs of Rome) all pictured Him without a beard. All the pictures of
Christ down to the beginning of the first century and even later are of this
kind. Students of the first century and of Roman history are aware of the fact
that the time of Christ was characterized by short hair for men.
Feb. 24, 2004,
Associated Press article reports: "'Jesus didn't have long hair,' said
physical anthropologist Joe Zias, who has studied
hundreds of skeletons found in archaeological digs in Jerusalem. 'Jewish men
back in antiquity did not have long hair.' 'The Jewish texts ridiculed long
hair as something Roman or Greek,' said New York University's Lawrence Schiffman" ("Jesus Scholars Find Fault in
Gibson's 'Passion'"). However, it wasn't at all typical among even the
Greeks and Romans, as plenty of statues and coins from the time attest.
"Along with
extensive writings from the period, experts also point to a frieze on Rome's
Arch of Titus, erected after Jerusalem was captured in AD 70 to celebrate the
victory, which shows Jewish men with short hair taken into captivity”.
Women’s Hair
1 Corinthians 11:6
For if the woman be not covered,
let her also be shorn: but if it
be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it
is a shame unto him? 11:15 But if
a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 11:16
But if any man seem to be
contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
In the 16th
verse (above) Paul said that there is no reason to argue (contentious) about
this topic because the church doesn’t have any other custom other than for the
women to have long hair! What about you
or your church, do you have other customs? If so, it isn’t Bible based and
should be reproved. How long is long? I think that it is long enough for God as
long as it’s not being trimmed or cut.
Paul went as far as
saying if women do not have this covering of long hair, then let her be shorn
or shaved. In other words, if you cut it short, you might as well shave it off.
Some people have indicated that the term “covering” is
referring to a veil or prayer cap, but verse 11:15 clarifies that her hair is
her covering.
Dictionary definition: CONTENTIOUS 1. Apt to contend; given to angry debate;
quarrelsome; perverse.
2. Relating to
contention in law; relating to litigation; having power to decide causes
between contending parties; as a court of contentious jurisdiction. 3. Exciting
or adapted to provoke contention or disputes; as a contentious subject.
1 Corinthians 11:9
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 1Co
11:10 For this cause ought the woman
to have power on her head because of
the angels.
Some Bible
commentators have interpreted from the 9th verse (above) as “power”
representing a veil. Since the 15th
verse said that a women’s hair is her GLORY, I think the term “Power” is also
referring to her long hair. Does the
verse continue to tell us that the Angels are offended by women with short
hair? I must admit that I can not say with certainty what Paul was referring to
with the term “because of the angels”, but anyone reading the eleventh chapter
with an open mind can determine that women should have long hair.
In conclusion, men
should have short hair as a sign that they assume their responsibilities as
being made in the image of God and as rulers over their households. Women are
to wear long hair to symbolize their submission to husband or father in the
case of the unmarried, taking their place with meekness as women surrendered to
the will of God and subject to the authority God places over them. How about
that for fodder for the women’s Liberation movement?
1 Timothy 2:9 In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array.
Dictionary definition BRAID
or BROID To weave or infold
three or more strands to form one.
1Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not
be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel;
Dictionary definition PLAITING
Folding; doubling; braiding. Braiding; intertwining.- hair style formed by braiding or twisting the hair
Paul instructs that a
women’s hair should not be braided or plaited. It is interesting that some
Holiness groups now teach that it is a sin for a woman to have her hair down,
versus being up in a bun, braid, or plaited fashion. I agree with Don Rich’s
statement that I cannot find a commandment in the Bible against a woman wearing
her hair down. They do very well to keep the scissors out and live up to the
requirements of the Bible without manmade laws being added to their burdens. If
you find Bible verses contradictory to this view, please let me know the
chapter and verse.
Women and Men’s clothing
All through history,
the clothing used by men and women have
been unique so that there was a clear distinction between the genders.
Thousands of years ago both men and women wore types of cloaks or types of
robes, but even then there were differences that allowed a person to identify
the gender.
Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so
are abomination unto the LORD thy
God.
Among the Hebrews
neither men or women was permitted by Mosaic Law to wear the same form of clothing
as was used by the other. A few articles of feminine clothing carried somewhat
the name and basic pattern, yet there
was always sufficient difference in embossing, embroidery, and needlework
so that in appearance the line of
demarcation between man & women should be readily detected.
What
makes you think that pants are a man’s garment?
1)
"Breeches" were an article of clothing designed by God for the
priests who were all men. The word does not occur very often in scripture, but
in every case it’s men’s apparel (Exodus 28:42, Leviticus 6:10, 16:4).
According to the Hebrew lexicon, "breeches" means "trousers that
extend to the knee, below the knee, or to the ankles." This would include
pants or culottes.
2) Until Hollywood
came along, everyone in our modern western culture (including lost people) knew
that pants were men’s apparel and dresses were women’s apparel, and they
dressed accordingly. Our culture’s acceptance of cross-dressing has resulted
largely from the influence of television, the placement of women in the
workforce, and the pressures of twentieth century feminism.
3) The universal
symbol for designating a men’s bathroom is a stick figure wearing a pair of
pants. The universal symbol for designating a woman’s bathroom is a stick
figure wearing a dress. Even our sinful society recognizes that there is a
difference in a man’s and woman’s clothing.
4) Pants are a symbol
of authority, as evidenced by the saying " I’m the one who wears the pants
in the family." Sadly, most women might as well wear the pants, since they
rule their homes anyway!
Cross dressing is one
of the devil’s clever moves to advance the "women’s liberation
movement" and to obscure the Biblical distinction between man and woman.
"Unisex clothing" began to show up in the factories during WWII when
women first started wearing slacks. At the same time: short hair, cigarettes,
swearing became acceptable feminine behavior. Down that same path has come to
Abortion, Divorce, Single Parent homes, extreme feminism.
Arguments
against this doctrine
Some people argue that
the principle of unique apparel between the man and woman as established in the
Old Testament (Deuteronomy 22:5) is not confirmed in the New Testament, thus is
not applicable to us today under grace. But if we look at the reference book
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (printed over one hundred years before women
wore pants) we see that it cross references Deuteronomy 22:5 to 1 Corinthians
11:3-14. That proves that men that studied the Bible hundreds of years before
women wore pants, understood that 1 Corinthians 11 contains the same principle
that is stated in Deuteronomy 22:5.
People may also argue
that the principle of avoiding mixing certain materials in a garment as shown
in Deuteronomy 22:11 should also apply today if verse 22:5 applies. The key to
determining if an Old Testament law applies to us today under grace is whether
the principle is repeated in the New
Testament or not. In this case the principle of maintaining uniqueness in appearance
between a man and woman is well established in the New Testament but that of
avoiding mixing certain materials in a garment is not.
But in reality, there
are several New Testament verses that confirm that uniqueness must be
maintained between sexes. These range from the differences in hair length to
the feminine or masculine actions of each. In 1Cor 6:9 we find that effeminate
men are not going to inherit the Kingdom of God. How is it that a woman can be
accepted when wearing men’s clothing (pants) but if a man wears a dress that
they are automatically (and correctly I may add) assumed to be homosexuals?
Shouldn’t the question presented in 1Cor 11:14 “Doth not even
nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?”
also make us ask “Does not even nature itself teach you” that for a woman to
wear man’s clothing is a shame? As already confirmed by the example of a man
wearing a dress, nature does teach us different.
No doubt the
acceptation of tearing down the clothing differences between the sexes was
initiated by Satan to open the door to the homosexual spirits by weakening the
conscience of our modern society. The rebellious nature that allows a woman
professing to be a Christian to wear pants can also cause them to be lured
deeper toward a lesbian desire. Peter stated that “after this manner in the old
time the holy women adorned themselves being in subjection unto their own
husbands”. Does dressing in equal attire to the husband display that they are
under subjection to the man or even to God? The question is how important is it
to you to get to heaven? Is rebellion for such a small indulgence of wearing
clothing that the Bible prohibits, worth going to Hell?
1 Peter 3:3 Whose
adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
3:4 But let it be the
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of
a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 3:5
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
Immodest clothing (bathing suites, shorts, short dresses…)
When Adam & Eve had
their conscious awaked, the first thing they did was cover themselves. Then God
clothed them with animal skins. God’s intention since then is for humanity to
be properly clothed with modest apparel.
Genesis 3:6 And
when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to
the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit
thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did
eat. 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and
they sewed fig leaves together, and
made themselves aprons. 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God
walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid
themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the
garden. 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said
unto him, Where art thou? 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden,
and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 3:11
And he said, Who told thee that thou wast
naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Early church doctrine
taught that a women’s dress or skirt should be below the knee (whether sitting
or standing) and that the neckline should not be low. Anything shorter than the knee would not be
modest. The length of a dress or skirt should be considered to end where any splits
begin.
1 Timothy 2:9 In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided
hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.
Modest dress doesn't
call attention to the wearer. This is a reason why clothing that exposes your
nakedness is immodest. Harlot’s were identified by their attire. This indicates
the immodest dress is used to draw attention to one’s self and to incite
lustful attractions.
Proverbs 7:10 And,
behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart.
7:11 (She is loud and stubborn;
her feet abide not in her house: 7:12
Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth
in wait at every corner.)
In comparing Babylon
to a degraded women, God notes that bare legs and thighs are nakedness.
Isaiah 47:1 Come
down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of
Cosmetics or makeup
The real problem with
the use of cosmetics is that it represents pride and rebellion against God and
his creation.
Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an
abomination unto him: Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands
that shed innocent blood, (see more verses on pride under the jewelry section)
1Timothy 2:9 In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with
braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. 2:10
But (which becometh
women professing godliness) with good works.
The Greek word for
modest is kosmious, which means orderly,
well-arranged, seemly, or modest. In other words, "modest" refers to
clothing that is neat and appropriate for the occasion. The Greek word that is
translated shamefacedness is aidos, which means
having a sense of shame, modesty, and reverence. The Greek word for sobriety is
sophrosuna. This is a person of sound mind, with
self-control, of good judgment, and moderate in all that he does.
Early church writings
(less than two hundred years after Jesus was born) condemn the use of face
painting (see below).
“Those women who wear
gold imitate the Egyptians. They occupy themselves with curling their locks.
They are busy anointing their cheeks, painting their eyes, dyeing their hair,
and practicing the other pernicious arts of luxury. The truth is that they deck
the covering of their flesh in order to attract their infatuated lovers”.
Clement of Alexandria (circa 195 AD), 2.272.
“Whatever is born is the
work of God. So whatever is plastered on, is the devil's work.... How unworthy
of the Christian name it is to wear a fictitious face — you on whom simplicity
in every form is enjoined! You, to whom
lying with the tongue is not lawful, are lying in appearance”. Tertullian
(circa 198 AD), 4.21.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 4:5 Let
your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Archaeologists have
found the earliest evidence of cosmetics (makeup) being used in Egypt dating
back to the fourth millennium BC. They found ancient artifacts of eye makeup
and objects used for the application of scented unguents. The people of Egypt
were typically considered to be wicked and ungodly in the Bible. Leaving Egypt
is a symbol of leaving a sinful life.
Revelations 11:8 And
their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt,
where also our Lord was crucified.
Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let
Wicked
women of the bible wore makeup
2 Kings 9:30 And
when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted
her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
Ezekiel 23:39 For
when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day
into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of
mine house. 23:40 And furthermore,
that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent;
and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with
ornaments.
History tells us that
the use of cosmetics began in Egypt to look more like the false gods and
goddesses that they worshipped. In various cultures it was typical for the
harlots and prostitutes to use cosmetics to draw attention from their potential
clientele. Until the 1940s, the use of makeup was considered sin by most
Christian churches.
Jewelry
Like the use of
cosmetics, the problem with wearing Jewelry is that it represents pride and
rebellion against God and his creation.
Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I
hate.
Mar 7:22 Thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness,
an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: Mar 7:23 All
these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Pride also demonstrates
a love for the world more than for God.
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the
world. 1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
Evidently it is easy
for the modern church to justify themselves in wearing jewelry and makeup as
their use demonstrates no conviction for wearing them. Proverbs 21 explains
that “every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth (weights or judges) the hearts”. You can justify
it as right in your mind now, but can you do so in judgment before the throne
of God?
Some people even use
the union of marriage as a justification for wearing wedding rings. Do you
actually need a ring to let others know that you are happily married and not
looking for a new partner? If that is all that stands between you and adultery,
that ring can slip off very easily when you justify it.
Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. Pro 21:3 To do
justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Pro
21:4 A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
1 Peter 3:3 Whose
adorning let it not be that outward
adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing
of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Timothy 2:9 In
like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with
braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. 2:10
But (which becometh
women professing godliness) with good works.
Genesis 35:4 And
they gave unto Jacob all the strange
gods which were in their hand, and all
their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak
which was by Shechem.
Exo 33:4 And when the people heard these evil tidings,
they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. 33:5
For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye
are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the
midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto
thee. 33:6 And the children of Israel stripped
themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.
Isa 3:16 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the
daughters of Zion are haughty, and
walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they
go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
3:17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown
of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret
parts. 3:18 In that day the Lord will take away the
bravery of their tinkling ornaments
about their feet, and their cauls,
and their round tires like the
moon, 3:19 The chains,
and the bracelets, and the mufflers, 3:20
The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the
tablets, and the earrings, 3:21
The rings, and nose jewels, 3:22
The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
Definitions:
Cauls - a jeweled netting for the hair.
Round Tires - round pendent for the neck (moon shaped) .
Mufflers - An ornament worn by
women. Wimples - a woman's
garment or shawl.
Body Piercing and tattoos
Leviticus 19:28 Ye
shall not make any cuttings in your
flesh for the dead, nor print any marks
upon you: I am the LORD.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your
body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and
ye are not your own?
Should Christians marry non-Christians?
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked
together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 6:15
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 6:16
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you.
1Corinthians 7:39
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth;
but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
If a
Christian is already married to a non-Christian
1Corinthians 7:10
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the
wife depart from her husband: 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain
unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away
his wife. 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any
brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him,
let him not put her away. 7:13 And the woman which hath a husband that
believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave
him. 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified by the
husband: else were your children
unclean; but now are they holy. 7:15
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is
not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 7:16
For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou
shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man,
whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Organized Sports
It would
be foolish to say that for children or adults to play games at home or with
friends would be sinful activities, but what about organized sporting events?
By organized sporting events, I’m referring to competitive sports at school,
college, professional levels or other league type environments.
Paul
acknowledges that bodily exercise has some profit, but that Godliness is
profitable unto all things. That doesn’t mean that a Christian shouldn’t take
care of their health at all, but that the spiritual man is much more important
to preserve. Often times people that get involved in sports, become obsessed
with their physical appearance and abilities to the point that they cut God
out.
1Timothy 4:7 But
refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise
thyself rather unto godliness. 1Timothy
4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but
godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that
now is, and of that which is to come.
In 2nd
Timothy 2:22 we are instructed to flee youthful lusts. No doubt there are many
aspects of organized sporting events that present atmospheres designed to
appeal to lustful desires. This is demonstrated by things such as the
competitive nature of the sport, aggressive environment of the game, uniforms
that are not typically designed to be modest, cheerleaders in revealing attire,
the fans and their aggressive attitude, and in some venues the alcohol and other
worldly activities.
2Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a
pure heart.
If our
minds are on carnal things such as sports teams and winning against the opposition,
how can we be spiritually minded? Speaking from one that was somewhat of a
sports fanatic as a youth, I can confirm that those interests have the ability
to drag you deeper into a type of addiction for more involvement and often
result in personal frustrations when your favorite teams are losing. Romans 8:7
explains that being carnal minded is enmity against God. As Christians we
cannot survive spiritually if we work against God’s way and entertain the ways
of the world. I think it is wise to distance ourselves from organized sporting
events and the “weight and sin” that it brings with it.
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of
the law might be fulfilled in us, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:5 For
they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that
are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For to
be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and
peace. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot
please God. Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be
in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness.
Paul
explains in 1 Corinthians 9 that there are corruptible crowns and incorruptible
ones. Which one are you running a race to obtain?
1Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1Cor
9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible
crown; but we an incorruptible. 1Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 1Cor 9:27 But I keepunder my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that
by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The
scripture in Romans 14:22 is discussing food and drink being considered unclean
or clean, but as the verse states, we are much happier if we do not condemn
ourselves by what we partake. What type of witness are you to a lost world when
you are partaking of the same carnal activities that they do? Case in point:
Could a football fanatic seriously seek for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost
during the fall football season? I really doubt they would have much spiritual
success.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to
thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Divorce, Remarriage, and Adultery
We can read
in both the New and Old testaments that God hates divorcement, and that he made
marriage to be until death.
Malachi 2:14 Yet ye
say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of
thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy
companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
2:16 For the LORD, the God
of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith
the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not
treacherously.
Mark 10:9 What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall
cleave unto his wife: and they shall be
one flesh.
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause
shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they
twain shall be one flesh 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one
flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 19:7
They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of
divorcement, and to put her away 19:8 He saith unto them,
Moses because of the hardness of your
hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not
so
1Corinthians 7:10
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the
wife depart from her husband: 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain
unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away
his wife.
1Corinthians 7:39
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth;
but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will;
only in the Lord.
What
does God say about adultery?
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. (one of the Ten Commandments)
1 Corinthians 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
It is
evident from many scripture verses, including one of the Ten Commandments that
God views adultery as Sin, but what is defined as adultery?
Dictionary definition:
ADULTERY, voluntary sexual
intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a
married woman and someone other than her husband;
Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her
husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be
dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she
is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to
another man.
Mark 10:11 And he saith
unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 10:12 And if a woman shall put away her husband,
and be married to another, she committeth adultery
1Corinthians 7:39
The wife is bound by the law
as long as her husband liveth;
but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will;
only in the Lord.
What if
I was in this adulterous state before being saved, doesn’t God forgive me of my
sins?
Yes
the Lord forgives us but can we continue in sin? Does salvation change the fact
that one of the spouses already has a living husband or wife? If the sin in question is that of an
alcoholic, can he continue drinking alcohol after being saved?
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may
abound? 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live
any longer therein? 6:3 Know
ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized
into his death? 6:4 Therefore we
are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life. 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified
with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin. 6:7 For he that is
dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be
dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Doesn’t the clause,
“except it be for fornication” allow for divorce and remarriage when a spouse
is unfaithful.
Matt 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth
her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause
shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they
twain shall be one flesh 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 19:7
They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of
divorcement, and to put her away 19:8 He saith unto them,
Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your
wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
19:9 And I say unto you,
Whosoever shall put away his wife, except
it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth
adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away
doth commit adultery.
Dictionary definition: FORNICATION,
The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried
persons,
The key to “rightly
dividing the word” here is to understand what Fornication means. Since adultery
is used several places in the Bible, the use of the word Fornication is not
trivial here. If God had meant that unfaithfulness after marriage was grounds
for divorce and remarriage, then the word used would have been adultery. Since Fornication is referring to
unfaithfulness between unmarried people, how can you have fornication after a
marriage is consummated? The answer is,
you can’t by today’s customs, but by the Jewish engagement and marriage ritual,
you could.
Example of putting
away prior to marriage – Mary & Joseph
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus
Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before
they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 1:19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a
public example, was minded to put her away privily.
The
Jewish Marriage of Biblical times has Four Phases
1) matchmaking (or
falling in love) 2) betrothal
or engagement 3) return of groom
& time alone together 4) week of
celebrating
In the Jewish customs,
a woman was considered bound to the man while they were engaged or “betrothed.”
Immorality during this "betrothal" period would then be the only
valid reason for a divorce.
The engagement period was
usually one-year in duration. This engagement could be broken by a bill of divorce (not just "sorry, changed
my mind") During the year (or so) the husband built a bridal chamber onto
his father’s house (a Vanderhaan).
You may
say that you have never heard such a thing before, but read the scripture below
that is often used in the Christmas season. You will see that Joseph was
espoused (engaged) to Mary and finding that she was with child (thus adultery
involved) he would "put her away" privately (divorce her). That is
the Bible way even if it is contradictory to what most churches preach and
teach today.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was
on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost. Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband,
being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick
example, was minded to put
her away privily.
Even in the Holiness
ranks, there is acceptance that a person can be forgiven of adultery and stay
in the relationship with the "new" partner without being in sin. The
Bible is clear that a marriage is binding as long as both original spouses are
living. This is clear in the text below where Jesus stated that the woman at
the well had many husbands but the one she was with was not her own.
John 4:16 Jesus saith
unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17 The woman answered and
said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no
husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not
thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Look back
to the words of Jesus in "Mark 10:11" above and see if he left any
loopholes for living in an adulterous state.
Please
reference a new study titled “God’s
view of Divorce and Remarriage” from our website for a more in-depth
discussion of this topic.
The Holy Trinity or Godhead
Genesis 1:26 And
God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and
over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the
earth.
Genesis 3:22 And
the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his
hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:
Genesis 11:6 And
the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and
this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they
have imagined to do. 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not
understand one another's speech.
Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of
the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
"Let US make man
in OUR image": Three plural pronouns, (We, Us, Our) used six different
times in four different passages: Gen 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isa 6:8. The unanimous
opinion of the early church was that the Father was talking to Jesus.
The Jews consider the
verse in Deut 6:4 as one of the most sacred. (Deut 6:4: "Hear, O Israel!
Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is Echad”). The Holy Ghost could
have used a Hebrew word that represented the numeric or solitary oneness of God
("yachid" or "bad"), but he used
the Hebrew word “Echad”. God also used the word “echad” in Genesis 2:24 when indicating that a married man
and women become one. It is clear that a married couple still have separate
identities and bodies, but they act as one or agree as one.
Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife: and they shall be one
flesh.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear,
O Israel: The LORD our God is one
LORD:
Genesis 19:24 Then
the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD
out of heaven;
Genesis
19:24 "Then Yahweh [on earth in
human form] rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh [in
spirit form in heaven] out of heaven. Genesis 19:24. In this text Abraham is
visited by three individuals, one being Yahweh and the other two angels. Here
we have the Son of God on the earth (Jesus) and God in heaven (father) sending down
fire from heaven. This incident when Abraham met with Yahweh is what Jesus
referred to when he said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and
he saw it and was glad." (John 8:56) The unanimous opinion of the church
Fathers was that Jesus visited Abraham in Genesis 18 and 19.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be
ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have
been from of old, from everlasting.
God the Father says
that the Messiah shall come forth from Bethlehem unto himself. Would it not
seem strange to state that I will come forth unto myself?
John 1:1 In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and
without him was not any thing made that was made.
After reading the
following verse, how can a reasonable person think that the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost are one single being or deity?
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My
Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 5:18
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had
broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself
equal with God. 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son
can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the
Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these
also doeth the Son likewise. 5:20 For the Father loveth
the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself
doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these,
that ye may marvel. 5:21 For as the Father raiseth
up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
5:22 For the Father judgeth no
man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 5:23
That all men should honour the Son, even as
they honour the Father. He that honoureth
not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent
him. 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from
death unto life.
Would Jesus speak in
the “second person” if he and the Father were the same entity?
John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is
nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 8:55
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know
him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his
saying. 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 8:57
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast
thou seen Abraham? 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 19:7 The Jews answered him, We
have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
Philippians 2:6 Who,
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 2:7
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
2:8 And being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross. 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is
above every name: 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall
be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of
him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when
he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
All three
members of the Holy Trinity identified at one time. Jesus was being baptized,
the Holy Ghost came in the form of a dove, and the Father spoke from heaven.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were
baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus
also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 3:22 And the Holy
Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said,
Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Jesus
refers to his Father being in Heaven while he is on the Earth
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Does one entity or
deity need two thrones in heaven?
Revelations 22:3 And
there shall be no more curse: but the throne
of God and of the Lamb shall be
in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Jesus instructs how
Christians should be baptized. Would he mention all three members of the
Trinity if they were not three separate deities?
Matthew 28:19 Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost:
The Oneness people often
assert that the doctrine of the Trinity was created at the Council of Nicaea in
325 AD. The truth is that early heretics such as Sabellian
attempted to corrupt the Church’s view on the Godhead by introducing the
oneness views. In response to these heretical attacks, the early church fathers
gathered to create the Nicene Creed to document the established views already
held by the church. There are also many well documented references to the
Trinitarian views of the early church from 70 AD through 325 AD.
Warnings
of “New revelations” about the Holy Trinity or Godhead:
Another doctrine that
Satan has attempted to introduce into the Trinitarian Holiness ranks is that of
a “created Christ”. This doctrine teaches that Jesus did not exist as an
individual being (or Deity) prior to the virgin birth. They falsely base these
views on the verses in Isa 53:1 and Isa 63:5 describing the arm of God and
preach that the Father sent his right arm to earth to become Christ. This
doctrine is probably more dangerous that the classic Oneness view as it truly
denies the immortality and Deity of Jesus Christ. Sadly this doctrine has been
propagated by those that were at one time well respected and honored in the
Pentecostal Holiness ranks. The Apostle Paul made it clear that we should not
heed anyone that preaches a Gospel contrary to that presented in the Bible.
These confused people also come against the statements of the “Council of Nicea”
to argue against the Trinitarian views (like the Oneness) and against God being
“uncreated” (immortal) to support their lies.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal
1:9 As we said before, so say I now
again, if any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Colossians
chapter one, quickly refutes this “created Christ” view as it states that by
Him “Jesus” were all things created. How could he have created all things if he
didn’t exist before the virgin birth?
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature: Col 1:16 For by
him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,
visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
From these scriptures,
I think we can fairly state that that the Holy Trinity or Godhead is made up of
three distinct entities: God the Father, the Son of God (Jesus), and the Holy
Ghost (comforter) with all three being equal, distinct, sharing the same divine
nature, and existing from all eternity.
I’m reminded what
Jesus said in Mark 12:34 when thinking about how some of the Oneness groups hold
close to the standards of Holiness but do not accept the Godhead as the true
trinity, but a uni-personal God that takes on
different roles at different times. God will be the ultimate judge to determine
how much this inaccurate “Oneness” interpretation matters in the end, but it is
a fearful thing to fall in the hands of a living God
Mark 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he
answered discreetly he said unto him, Thou
art not far from the
Tithing and offerings
Dictionary definition: TITHE (from Old English teogotha "tenth") is a one-tenth part of
something, paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax or levy, usually to
Abraham pays tithes to
Melchizedek (see verses below)
Genesis 14:18 And
Melchizedek king of
Lev 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed
of the land, or of the fruit of the tree,
is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.
Numbers 18:20 And
the LORD spoke unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land,
neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of
1Corinthians 9:13
Do ye not know that they which minister
about holy things live of the things of
the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the
altar? 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they
which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1Timothy 5:18 For
the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox
that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
God asks if we will
rob him in tithes and offerings and instructs us to prove him. He promises a
blessing that there is not room enough to receive to those that pay tithes to
God. (see verses below)
Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed
me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have
robbed me, even this whole nation. 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,
that there may be meat in mine house, and prove
me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I
will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive
it.
Holiness must begin in the Heart and produce the Fruits of the
Spirit
The majority of the
topics discussed thus far are mostly concerning outward manifestations of an
inner problem.
The fruit produced by
a plant provides an excellent representation of the type of plant it came from.
The same is true with the works or spiritual fruits of people. When a person is
born again, they become a new creature in Christ and begin bearing fruit of
righteousness.
Jesus explains in
Matthew 7 that there will be false prophets that look like Holy people on the outside but inwardly they are far from
righteous. In the days that we live in, there are opportunities for people
to follow the teachings of the Holiness Churches by maintaining the outward
appearance standards but never experience the “born again” conversion that
produces the fruit of the spirit. It’s a relatively easy task to mimic the
dress codes and outward appearance of others because you can physically see the
difference. But the actions that are used to evaluate the fruits of the spirit
are much easier to hide (at least for a while).
I’m all for
maintaining the Holiness standards that we preach and teach, but I’m afraid
that sometimes we forget about the importance of the inner man by instead
substituting measurements that we can physically see. In reality Holiness is displayed in both the
inward and the outward attributes that we manifest.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves. Mat
7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles? Mat 7:17 Even
so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a
corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Mat 7:20 Wherefore
by their fruits ye shall know them
What
effect will loving God make in the actions of our life? It will cause us to
produce fruit of Holiness in our life.
Rom 6:20 For when ye were the servants
of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye
then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is
death. Rom 6:22 But
now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the
end everlasting life. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we
were in sin, we produced the fruit of unrighteousness but after being saved we
are expected to be free from the bondage of sin and start producing fruits of
Holiness. If we claim salvation but do not bear the fruit of righteousness, we
are deceived just as James 1:22 explains.
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and
not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are
ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Eph 5:9 (For
the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Eph 5:10 Proving
what is acceptable unto the Lord. Eph 5:11
And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those
things which are done of them in secret.
Ephesians
5:9 tells us that the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness
and truth. This selection of scripture continues to instruct us to be filled
with the spirit and to keep hymns and spiritual songs in our heart.
Examples
of works of the Flesh
Galatians
5 also commands us to walk in the spirit
so we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Verses 5:19 through 5:21 provide
examples of the fruits of unrighteousness.
Galatians 5:16 This I
say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye
shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17 For the
flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye
cannot do the things that ye would. Galatians
5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Galatians 5:19 Now
the works of the flesh are manifest,
which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Galatians 5:20 Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Galatians
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you
before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Examples
of Fruits of righteousness
In Galatians 5:22 and
5:23 provide examples of the fruits of righteousness.
Galatians 5:22 But
the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is
no law.
Galatians 5:24 And
they that are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Galatians 5:25 If we
live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:26 Let us
not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
A review
of the fruit of the spirit is provided below. Since we are known by our fruits,
how are you viewed by others (Matthew 7:20)? Do you pass the good fruit test of
the Lord? These characteristics will be
just as important to God as our visible Holiness attributes when we stand in
judgment.
Define: Love
- An affection of the mind excited by
beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which
communicate pleasure. It is opposed to hatred.
Define: Joy
– The passion or emotion excited by the
acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings
which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some
good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire;
gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits. Joy is a delight of the mind,
from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a
good.
Define: Peace
– In a general sense, a state of quiet
or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society,
to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.
Define: Longsuffering
– Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not easily
provoked.
Define: Gentleness
– Genteel behavior. Softness of manners; mildness of temper; sweetness of
disposition; meekness. Kindness; benevolence. Tenderness; mild treatment.
Define: Goodness
– The moral qualities which constitute Christian excellence; moral virtue; religion.
Define: Faith
– Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another,
resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence; the judgment
that what another states or testifies is the truth. I have strong faith or no
faith in the testimony of a witness, or in what a historian narrates.
Define: Meekness
– Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and
provocations.
In an
evangelical sense, humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without
murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride or arrogance.
Define: temperance
– Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of
the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as
temperance in eating and drinking; Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed
to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess. Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of
passion.
Can we be accounted as Holy without
demonstrating the fruits of the spirit? Jesus said that every tree which bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast in the fire. If we do not possess
these spiritual fruits, then we also will be cast into the fire of hell.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Can a
person professing Christianity go to heaven with a hateful, provoking, envying
attitude toward others? Those are definitely 180 degrees away from the fruits
that the Word instructs us to have, and indicate a serious spiritual
deficiency. Based on what I read, a
person lacking in the attributes of the fruits of the spirit are in as much
jeopardy of hell as a person professing Christianity and wearing clothing of
the opposite sex.
You might
think of a person very active in your church (maybe even a minister) that has a
downright hateful attitude toward other people (I’m not talking about preaching
the truth and getting on someone’s toes). Can they get by God’s fruit test
because of their position in the church? I’m afraid that they will hear the
words “I never knew you, depart from me ye workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:24).
I hate to
admit it, but some of the most racist people that I know are church going
people. I’ve overheard people in church services talk disgracefully about
another person singing because they have a different color skin. Can they get
by with an external Pharisean Holiness shield? Since
racism represents variance, emulations, and hatred, what kind of tree is being
represented? There definitely aren’t any fruits of love, gentleness, goodness,
or meekness being represented in these actions.
Can you
truly be sanctified and still possess the fruits of unrighteousness
(Gal 5:19-21)? Not in a million years!
What does
the term “Charity” mean when used in 1 Corinthians chapter 13?
Webster’s
definition: Charity -
In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition
of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think
favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a more particular sense,
love, kindness, affection, tenderness, springing from natural relations; as the
charities of father, son and brother.
If we
speak in tongues; have the gifts of prophecy, understanding, and knowledge;
have all faith; give our life for the poor but still lack love (charity) we are
nothing before God. If you compare this to the fruits of the spirit discussed
above we see the same importance placed on these attributes. If we come up
short in charity or love then everything else is in vain.
1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels, and have
not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing. 1Co 13:4 Charity
suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not
itself, is not puffed up, 1Co
13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not
her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in
iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 1Co 13:7 Beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away. 1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in
part. 1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a
child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but
then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known. 1Co 13:13 And
now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but
the greatest of these is charity.
Good
advice from the Apostle Paul
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things. Php 4:9 Those
things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:
and the God of peace shall be with you.
Closing Remarks
Many churches have
compromised the Word of God to a point that they have lost the concept of
salvation and that of a sanctified life. This has resulted in many churches
becoming no more than a social organization.
I hope that some of these simple remarks and scripture references in
this document will help you understand what God expects from a Christian. I don’t claim to “know it all” but I tried to
take some of the current topics and provide a fair evaluation of the scriptures
relating to them. The list of topics in this document should not be considered
all encompassing, but the sampling of scriptures provided should supply a good
foundation for evaluating God’s expectations.
Remember that Proverbs
21 explains that “every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth (weights or judges) the hearts”. You may feel comfortable
justifying your sins now, but can you do so at the judgment seat of God?
The
Bible asks in Mark 8:37 “what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” but
Satan asks what will you take for your soul?
It would
be extremely foolish to risk losing your soul to Satan (and burning in Hell for
eternity) in exchange for the temporal things of this life.
Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth
the hearts. Pro 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more
acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Paul provided guidance
in the following verse, to “work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling”. Many people have used this verse as a crutch stating that they will
live “their own salvation” the way they think is right. If we instead proceed
as Paul explains with the Fear of God that causes us to be cautious or tremble,
then we should not err in understanding God’s Word as it applies to our lives.
Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work
out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to
will and to do of his good pleasure. 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 2:15 That ye
may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the
world; 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in
vain.
2Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, that no
prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the
will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
I have found that the
keys to maintaining a sanctified Christian life are held in the following four
actions. If you get addicted to anything in this world, let be these things:
1) Studying the Bible (not just reading a
few verses, but studying to understand it - 2Timothy 2:15)
2) Prayer (not just a simple kid’s bedtime prayer, but
one that touches God with faith and spiritual fire - 1Thessalonians 5:17,
James 5:16). This should become a habitual
event to commune with God.
3) Attending Church services regularly (not just when convenient with your schedule -
Hebrews 10:25)
4) Fasting (Jesus told us that some answers to prayer
only come by Prayer and Fasting - Mark 9:29)
If we are willing to
accept God’s direction, this way of Holiness is not complex or unreasonable.
Isaiah wrote that it was so simple that a fool shall not err therein. (see the
verse below)
Isaiah 35:8 And a
highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not
pass over it; but it shall be for those: the
wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
I feel that we are
very near the time (likely in this decade) for the catching away of the Church and/or
the Great Tribulation (in which ever order God provides) and it is time for
God’s church to awake out of sleep and redeem the time. It is time to witness
to the lost and lead them to God.
Romans 13:11 And
that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we
believed. 13:12 The night is far
spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore
cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
If you find this document
useful, feel free to copy or distribute it as you desire.
If you have any
questions or comments concerning this commentary, you can email me at holyliving@gmail.com.
My web sites for
additional commentaries and information are www.trinity-holiness.com
or www.holiness-preaching.com
.
May the grace and
mercies of God bless and keep you!
Brother S. Evans