Everywhere we look there are images that play on our sexual desires. Our society says that if our sexual desires are fulfilled we are happy. It doesn't matter how many we have sex with either, or if we are married, as long as it feels good. Even small children are dressed to look sexy. We have sexy toothpaste, shampoo and clothes. Let's face it, sex grabs our attention, it sells.
God told man and woman to have sex and plenty of it. He made it and made it to be enjoyed.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created He them.
1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Sexual relations are restricted to those that are married.
Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife..
10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Sex outside of marriage is sin.
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17
One of God's commandments.
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints…
Adultery
Voluntary sexual intercourse on the part of a married person with any person of the opposite sex other than the lawful spouse.
Idolatry, covetousness, and apostasy are spoken of as adultery spiritually (Jer. 3:6, 8, 9; Ezek. 16:32; Hos. 1:2:3; Rev. 2:22). An apostate church is an adulteress (Isa. 1:21; Ezek.23:4, 7, 37), and the Jews are styled "an adulterous generation" (Matt. 12:39). (Comp. Rev. 12.)
Fornication
Voluntary sexual intercourse on the part of an unmarried person with a person of the opposite sex.
But this word is more frequently used in a symbolical than in its ordinary sense. It frequently means a forsaking of God or a following after idols (Isa. 1:2; Jer. 2:20; Ezek. 16; Hos. 1:2;
2:1-5; Jer. 3:8,9).
Greek word for fornication
4203 porneuo {porn-yoo'-o}
from 4204; TDNT - 6:579,918; v
AV - commit fornication 7, commit 1; 8
to prostitute one's body to the lust of another 2) to give one's self to unlawful sexual intercourse 2a) to commit fornication 3) metaph. to be given to idolatry, to worship idols 3a) to permit one's self to be drawn away by another into idolatry
Our word pornography is related to this word.
We would be astonished at how much money is spent on this expression of sex alone.
Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
One does not have to have sexual intercourse to commit adultery or fornication.
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.
Also see Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 18 & 19; Acts 15:20; Romans 1, 13:13; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:4-5
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
It is better to have self-control.
1Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
1Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
1Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind….
1Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Our thoughts need to be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
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.
Jude 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…
It all began with a look.
2Samuell 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
11:3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
11:4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
11:5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
David tried to cover his sin hoping that Uriah would sleep with his wife Bathsheba, but Uriah would not.
2Sa 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
11:11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
David caused Uriah's death by sending him up front in battle.
11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
11:26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
11:27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
There are always consequences for sin. David's child born from adultery died.
2 Samuel12: 15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
12:18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
12:19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, he is dead.
Psalm 51 is a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
David is broken.
Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
51:4 Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
51:9 Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
51:11 Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
51:12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.
51:13 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.
God said that David was a man after His own heart because he was repentive.
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will.
Couples many times live together with no real commitment.
This is a sexual relationship, not a committed relationship.
1Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication
If one is committed to Jesus Christ and the other is not.
Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
What about homosexual relations?
The Bible is quite clear on homosexuality.
Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
18:23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
18:24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
18:25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped 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 met.
Some have sex to fill loneliness.
The bars are full of lonely people looking for love. Surround yourself with Christian friends who are devoted to Christ who will fill your loneliness and encourage you.
Proverbs18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Those who continue in immorality after receiving the knowledge of sin will have no place in the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
1Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God
6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
Sexual immorality is a sign of the last days.
2Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
If you have found yourself in sins of immorality. Or if you have been sexually abused.
Our sexuality involves not just our bodies, but our hearts, minds and spirits. When we go outside the boundaries of God's perfect plan for our sexuality it hurts us as a person. We need to come to God daily with our sin, guilt and temptations with brokedness. God will restore us to fellowship with Him for He loves us no matter what. He takes away the dirtiness and the hurt. He heals us.
He will help us deal with our past or when we have been abused in childhood and take away that hurt. He can take all that pain and turn it into something good.
God can even restore our broken relationships that have resulted from misused sexuality.
1John1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 25:11 For Thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
Proverb 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Psalm 32:5 I acknowledge my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Power of One to One Evangelism
Have you ever wondered what it takes to give the gospel to the whole world and how long that might take to be accomplished? Let's look at some figures and see if we can get an idea.
The human population of planet Earth is somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 billion people. That is probably the highest number to ever be alive at one time, for sure, the highest since Jesus walked the Earth. Jesus said that the gospel would be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people before the end of the reign of sin. I grew up with the idea that it was our job to co-operate with God to get the gospel out so Jesus could return. Now that concept may or may not be correct, but a nagging problem is still with us. Jesus has still not returned, neither has every person heard the real gospel.
One reason for the problem I've just mentioned, is perhaps that the majority of Christians don't know what the gospel is, and that shows in their willingness to let a few evangelists do their work for them. This writing is not about what the gospel is or even what our duty consists of, but rather the astounding mathematical potential of one to one evangelism.
I will start with myself, for I need to apply this simple math just as we all do. If I were to share Christ's gospel with one other person successfully every week on a continual basis and everyone with whom I shared were to do likewise, and in turn everyone with whom they shared and so on; each week that went by the number of one to one evangelists would double. It is hard to believe but somewhere in the 32nd week all the people on earth would have heard the gospel.
Now I know, that everyone on Earth is not going to accept the gospel, so that will never happen just that way, but look at the potential! You can figure any time frame you want, such as one person a week, month, year, or decade, and we still have failed miserably at the gospel commission. Whether it be 32 weeks, 32 months, 32 years, or 320 years it still doesn't add up to the approximately 2000 years since Jesus gave us our marching orders.
I don't want to go into a negative tailspin here but rather realize the short time God intended for the work to take. If we will remember that God must do His work through us and then ask Him to do it, making ourselves available for His use, He can make the math I've just mentioned look like sand box arithmetic.
The Gospel will be given, and that very soon! The question is, are we willing to be a part of it? If you are not sure what the gospel is, I challenge you to ask God to teach you, make yourself available for His use, and pick a goal, whether it be a soul a day, week, month or year. Then watch God's math explode!
The human population of planet Earth is somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 billion people. That is probably the highest number to ever be alive at one time, for sure, the highest since Jesus walked the Earth. Jesus said that the gospel would be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people before the end of the reign of sin. I grew up with the idea that it was our job to co-operate with God to get the gospel out so Jesus could return. Now that concept may or may not be correct, but a nagging problem is still with us. Jesus has still not returned, neither has every person heard the real gospel.
One reason for the problem I've just mentioned, is perhaps that the majority of Christians don't know what the gospel is, and that shows in their willingness to let a few evangelists do their work for them. This writing is not about what the gospel is or even what our duty consists of, but rather the astounding mathematical potential of one to one evangelism.
I will start with myself, for I need to apply this simple math just as we all do. If I were to share Christ's gospel with one other person successfully every week on a continual basis and everyone with whom I shared were to do likewise, and in turn everyone with whom they shared and so on; each week that went by the number of one to one evangelists would double. It is hard to believe but somewhere in the 32nd week all the people on earth would have heard the gospel.
Now I know, that everyone on Earth is not going to accept the gospel, so that will never happen just that way, but look at the potential! You can figure any time frame you want, such as one person a week, month, year, or decade, and we still have failed miserably at the gospel commission. Whether it be 32 weeks, 32 months, 32 years, or 320 years it still doesn't add up to the approximately 2000 years since Jesus gave us our marching orders.
I don't want to go into a negative tailspin here but rather realize the short time God intended for the work to take. If we will remember that God must do His work through us and then ask Him to do it, making ourselves available for His use, He can make the math I've just mentioned look like sand box arithmetic.
The Gospel will be given, and that very soon! The question is, are we willing to be a part of it? If you are not sure what the gospel is, I challenge you to ask God to teach you, make yourself available for His use, and pick a goal, whether it be a soul a day, week, month or year. Then watch God's math explode!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
No Damn Good
No, to my knowledge, these words were never spoken but their message was perceived by the child.
I'll call her Brenda. A bright, talented, energetic, twelve to fifteen year old growing up in a "Christian" home. I say twelve to fifteen years old because under "normal" conditions it can take more than one year to break a child of a positive attitude.
Brenda had art talent. She could look at something and sketch it's likeness on paper better than the average person. Seeing her potential, some friends purchased some basic drawing supplies for her so she could practice and develop her talent. With great enthusiasm she set out to become the artist she was gifted to be. Be it a vase on a shelf, or something else around the house, Brenda received great satisfaction in applying her talent to recording its likeness on paper. So enthused was she about becoming an artist that her whole family no doubt heard plenty of it. I'm sure a good bit of her time also was spent pursuing her newfound aspiration.
It was probably the time involved that disturbed her father the most. Time that I'm sure he thought could be put to better use reading the Bible. With the end of the world upon us, to him, it was useless to waste time drawing. Besides, "You'll never be able to make a living drawing pictures!" he would tell her. It wasn't long before she put the pencils away. What was the use?
It was much the same way when she enthusiastically brought a musical instrument home from school. She was going to play in the band! As you can imagine, there were some pretty terrible sounds coming out of her room after school. And I'm sure by now you can imagine what her father would say. You know it would be hard to study ones Bible with all that noise. "By the sounds of it you will never make the band! Stop making so much racket and do something constructive like studying your Bible."
The music went the same way as the drawing pencils. Brenda gave up on the good things she was interested in. That in itself was sad but something sadder still was to follow. If she could not take time to develop things that required practice she soon turned to things that were easy. Things like hanging around with poor role models and their bad habits. Bad habits, you know, don't take any discipline or hard work to develop and she was out of sight and sound of her father. Brenda found she was naturally good at things like running away from home, stealing a car, getting caught, ending up in a reform school, and getting pregnant. I don't think I have to say any more about Brenda. Her life was seriously altered by a well meaning parent who had grown up in an alcoholic home, beaten and unloved, who didn't understand that the things he was saying were being heard as "Your no damn good." She simply started to live out that message.
As Brenda's father read his Bible I don't think he understood these verses: ". . . 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." Exodus 20:5 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 ". . .whosoever shall say to his brother Raca (worthless one), shall be in danger of the council but whosoever shall say, Thou fool (stupid), shall be in danger of hell fire." Matthew 5:22 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:5,6,&7
This is not written to judge or shame Brenda's father, rather that we might learn from his mistakes! Here are some suggested lessons we might glean from Brenda's story: A person's value is not determined by how many religious things they do but that Christ died to redeem them. His Spirit will decide which gifts they are to use to God's glory. We cannot read the Bible all of the time and to develop ones physical talents is a worthwhile endeavor. Just imagine how the cause of Christ would suffer had none of God's children developed the talents He gave them such as graphic art, music, dance, drama, etc. We may be living in the end time but if we have Christ in us we are living eternal life! In eternal life there is plenty of time to develop our God given talents!
Brenda suffered from religious and mental abuse which stemmed from her fathers background. Are we passing on an abusive family legacy? By God's grace we can stop the cycle of abuse! Be kind! Think before you speak! Make sure your intended message is being perceived correctly by others. Let's build others up with positive reinforcement! They too can do all things through Christ who strengthens them!
Dear Father in Heaven, Please forgive us our blindness. Help us all to recognize the tremendous value you have placed on every person. Work in us to encourage and build up others to thy name's honor and glory.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
I'll call her Brenda. A bright, talented, energetic, twelve to fifteen year old growing up in a "Christian" home. I say twelve to fifteen years old because under "normal" conditions it can take more than one year to break a child of a positive attitude.
Brenda had art talent. She could look at something and sketch it's likeness on paper better than the average person. Seeing her potential, some friends purchased some basic drawing supplies for her so she could practice and develop her talent. With great enthusiasm she set out to become the artist she was gifted to be. Be it a vase on a shelf, or something else around the house, Brenda received great satisfaction in applying her talent to recording its likeness on paper. So enthused was she about becoming an artist that her whole family no doubt heard plenty of it. I'm sure a good bit of her time also was spent pursuing her newfound aspiration.
It was probably the time involved that disturbed her father the most. Time that I'm sure he thought could be put to better use reading the Bible. With the end of the world upon us, to him, it was useless to waste time drawing. Besides, "You'll never be able to make a living drawing pictures!" he would tell her. It wasn't long before she put the pencils away. What was the use?
It was much the same way when she enthusiastically brought a musical instrument home from school. She was going to play in the band! As you can imagine, there were some pretty terrible sounds coming out of her room after school. And I'm sure by now you can imagine what her father would say. You know it would be hard to study ones Bible with all that noise. "By the sounds of it you will never make the band! Stop making so much racket and do something constructive like studying your Bible."
The music went the same way as the drawing pencils. Brenda gave up on the good things she was interested in. That in itself was sad but something sadder still was to follow. If she could not take time to develop things that required practice she soon turned to things that were easy. Things like hanging around with poor role models and their bad habits. Bad habits, you know, don't take any discipline or hard work to develop and she was out of sight and sound of her father. Brenda found she was naturally good at things like running away from home, stealing a car, getting caught, ending up in a reform school, and getting pregnant. I don't think I have to say any more about Brenda. Her life was seriously altered by a well meaning parent who had grown up in an alcoholic home, beaten and unloved, who didn't understand that the things he was saying were being heard as "Your no damn good." She simply started to live out that message.
As Brenda's father read his Bible I don't think he understood these verses: ". . . 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." Exodus 20:5 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 ". . .whosoever shall say to his brother Raca (worthless one), shall be in danger of the council but whosoever shall say, Thou fool (stupid), shall be in danger of hell fire." Matthew 5:22 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:5,6,&7
This is not written to judge or shame Brenda's father, rather that we might learn from his mistakes! Here are some suggested lessons we might glean from Brenda's story: A person's value is not determined by how many religious things they do but that Christ died to redeem them. His Spirit will decide which gifts they are to use to God's glory. We cannot read the Bible all of the time and to develop ones physical talents is a worthwhile endeavor. Just imagine how the cause of Christ would suffer had none of God's children developed the talents He gave them such as graphic art, music, dance, drama, etc. We may be living in the end time but if we have Christ in us we are living eternal life! In eternal life there is plenty of time to develop our God given talents!
Brenda suffered from religious and mental abuse which stemmed from her fathers background. Are we passing on an abusive family legacy? By God's grace we can stop the cycle of abuse! Be kind! Think before you speak! Make sure your intended message is being perceived correctly by others. Let's build others up with positive reinforcement! They too can do all things through Christ who strengthens them!
Dear Father in Heaven, Please forgive us our blindness. Help us all to recognize the tremendous value you have placed on every person. Work in us to encourage and build up others to thy name's honor and glory.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
It's a Dead Giveaway
"I am a Christian."
Does your speech portray that you are a Christian? Can others know by how you talk?
When Peter tried to deny Jesus they said to him .Matthew 26:73. And a little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for the way you talk gives you away."
How you speak says a lot about you. When Jesus is active in your life, others can't help but know that you are a Christian. Jesus can't stay inside those who are filled with His spirit. It just comes bubbling out so it can make room for more of Him. Your talk should always glorify God.
When we take the Lord's name in vain, curse, tell dirty jokes, or speak about others in an unkind way we are not spirit filled.
May it be our prayer that we be spirit filled and that our speech says to the world, "I am a Christian."
Does your speech portray that you are a Christian? Can others know by how you talk?
When Peter tried to deny Jesus they said to him .Matthew 26:73. And a little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for the way you talk gives you away."
How you speak says a lot about you. When Jesus is active in your life, others can't help but know that you are a Christian. Jesus can't stay inside those who are filled with His spirit. It just comes bubbling out so it can make room for more of Him. Your talk should always glorify God.
When we take the Lord's name in vain, curse, tell dirty jokes, or speak about others in an unkind way we are not spirit filled.
May it be our prayer that we be spirit filled and that our speech says to the world, "I am a Christian."
Friday, August 14, 2009
Husbands, Wives, Moms, Dads, and Sex
God has a divine order for the family. His order is perfect and will bring total fulfillment. The divorce courts are full because this divine order is left out of many marriages. It takes 3 people to make a successful marriage. A husband, a wife, and God. Prayer together is essential for the couple who does not pray in oneness has no protection against problems and the attacks of Satan. If both are in right relationships with God, they are more likely to be in right relations with each other.
Satan’s #1 target is your family. He wants you, your wife and your children.
HUSBANDS AND DADS
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33
You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. I Peter 3:7
Husbands your prayers aren’t getting any higher than the ceiling if you are not living in harmony with your wife.
THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
(Ephesians 5:23)
The Bible gives us clear instructions as to which the leader of the family is. It is the husband. Many do not understand the full meaning of this verse. It does not mean that he is to dominate or control the wife. His call to leadership is that of self-sacrifice and service. He puts his wife’s needs above his own. He is to love his wife as Christ did the church. Christ loved the church, protected, served and was willing to die for her. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" Mark 10:45
As the head, the husband is to love unconditionally. Many of our problems in today’s marriages are due to the lack of leadership in our homes. When we get out of the divine order for marriage, the problems arise. Wives usually have no problem submitting when they are able to respect and trust their husbands.
If the husband is putting his own needs above his wife’s or is controlling, she is not able to function in her own role as wife and mother. Many times this leads to divorce. It is imperative that the two function as a single unit. If you are struggling in marriage in the role He created for you, then you are not loving and obeying God. If you choose to harden your heart, you do so with the risk of destroying the relationship. For the man to not accept his role is as bad as abusing it. If you are putting anything before the needs of your wife than you are committing spiritual adultery. Self-love is IDOLATRY.
THE HUSBAND IS THE PROVIDER
Husbands are to provide for their families unless you are so ill or physically handicapped that you can’t work. God expects the husband to work and provide for the needs of his family. God provides, but you have to do your part and He will do His part.
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. I Timothy 5:8
We now have something we call "deadbeat dads". Men are walking out on their families, leaving children that they have helped bring into this world, acting with no responsibility. These children are your children and you are to provide for them. This is God’s command.
We hear many excuses such as; "They don’t live with me anymore and besides, their mother uses all the money for herself." Think about this. Does your support money keep a roof over those children’s heads? Does it provide food, clothing, education and health needs? God commands you to provide those needs regardless of the circumstances.
"I don’t have the money, I have another family now and they need my paycheck, I simply can’t afford it." This does not relieve you of your responsibility. You are to provide for your families whether they live with you are not.
THE HUSBAND IS PRIEST OF HIS FAMILY.
In Exodus God sent his death angel to pass over the city when Pharaoh would not let the Israelite slaves go. He was to take the firstborn son of every Egyptian household. The Israelite father of each family was told to sacrifice a lamb and sprinkle it’s blood over the doorposts otherwise the death angel would visit them. Each father was responsible for the safety of his family.
Each father today is responsible to represent his family to God. He is to lead his family in worship, prayer and Bible study. Pray with and for your family. We get to know one another with a new intimacy when we pray together. It produces a new strength and love for one another.
Throughout the Bible God spoke to the man about his family. John 4:53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives;" and he himself believed, and his whole household. You are responsible for your family’s spiritual leading and protection.
Dad because you are head of household it is your responsibility to teach your children about God. This is not the church responsibility or a teacher but yours. If you are divorced it is still your duty. The very first teachings a child receives about God should come from their own home.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:5
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart. Colossians 3:21
Ephesians 6:4 And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
If you are sitting in front of the TV or allowing your children to, you are not accepting your leadership. How can you expect your family to follow a couch potato? Look at what you are bringing into your home. Violence, murder, foul language, drug usage, and illicit sex. Do you really think this is not affecting you or your family? You’ve heard, you are what you eat. Anything you feed your heart and eyes are what you are holding in your heart. You are directly allowing satan into your home to influence yourself and your children. Psalm 101:3-4 says: I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil.
Dad, discipline your children, but in love. Always hug your children after you have disciplined them. They need to see Mother and Dad being loving toward one another and united. The way they see you treat your wife will make a lasting impression in their own relationships throughout life.
Most of the boys in prison and young pregnant out of wedlock girls did not have Dad’s leadership in the home. God designed the family structure and gave us a manual to follow and it is called the Holy Bible.
Father love your children, discipline your children and provide for them and teach them about God. Pray with them. Doing all things always in love.
HUSBAND you are going to stand in front of your maker some day and give a full account of how you lead your family.
GOD DESCRIBES THE LAST DAYS
But realize this that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will become lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, reconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, hater of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. II Timothy 3:1-4 Does that sound like today?
WIVES AND MOTHERS
He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord! Psalm 113:9 To the woman God said to go forth and be fruitful and multiply. Nothing you can do is more holy than that of being a mother. It is your God given priority and the reason for your existence.
The Bible gives us a description of the godly woman.
Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
Verse 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
Verse 15 She rises also while it is still night, and gives food to her household.
Verse 20 She extends her hand to the poor; and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
Verse 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Verse 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Verse 28 Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her.
Verse 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Ladies the Lord intended the woman to stay at home and take care of the needs of her family. She does not lie on the couch watching soaps all day either. A hot meal for your husband and clean house is part of your duties. Raising your children yourself is the most important thing you will ever do. Let your husband do the providing, Trust in God to supply all your needs if you have a submitted husband.
Proverbs 25:24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Mother’s watch how you present yourself to the world as a Christian wife and mother. How you dress, speak and act or react, SAYS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. It says whether you respect yourself or not. It teaches your children values. Although God wants His children to look nice, He expects it to be modestly without drawing attention to yourself. Don’t blow your husband’s paycheck on a lot of trendy fashions. He works hard for your NEEDS. God expects us to use all He gives wisely.
Your language is most important, don’t cuss worse than a sailor. Your children and the world are watching you. Glorify the Lord in all that you do.
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.
I Timothy 2:9-10
And let not your adornment be merely external-braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. I Peter 3:3-5
When we search the Scriptures we see how women used their sensuous dress and makeup. God made you to look the way you do. It is what He wanted. You are perfect and beautiful in His eyes just as you are. Your beauty comes from within not the exterior. Have you ever seen a beautiful woman that you couldn’t stand because of her actions?
One of the most well known Biblical figures in the Bible who used the art of makeup and sensuous clothing was Jezebel.
2 Kings 9:30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, JEZEBEL heard of it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head, and looked out the window. Jezebel controlled Israel by manipulation and her sex appeal toward Ahab.
Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Colossians 3:18
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. I Peter 3:1
If there is a problem within the marriage face it head on lovingly, don’t run from it but take it to God to resolve it. But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:15
Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger; and so not give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 26-27
The wife is to submit to her husband. This simply means respect your husband. We are all to submit to Christ’s leadership whenever it is expressed through others. This does not mean that you do not have the right to help make decisions in the household. All decisions should be made in agreement. This is where prayer enters in. If both you and your husband are committed to God and the good of one another your decisions should be mutual. You are under no authority to follow anything that is immoral or against your own values. Submitting to your husband can bring such joy when he is committed to you.
When there is no biblical leadership of the husband and submission by the wife then God’s divine order is violated. This will often lead to divorce.
In Deuteronomy 28:30:You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not live in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but you shall use its fruit.
Verse 32 "Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, while your eyes shall look on and yearn for them continually; but there shall be nothing you can do." This is the breakdown of the family with no leadership.
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23 The Lord throughout the Bible spoke to the fathers the head of household for directions for his family. And he shall speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household. Acts 11: 14
S E X
Sex for married couples is a beautiful and wonderful thing. but never use it for power or punishment of one another.
But because of immoralities let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. I Corinthians 7:2
Verse 3 Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
Verse 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
Verse 5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of you lack of self-control.
Father thank you for Your heavenly gift of fulfillment in married love. Thank you for the children you have entrusted to us to teach Your ways. We give You Your rightful place in our homes and we need Your love and forgiveness in our hearts so we may learn to love truly unselfishly. AMEN
Satan’s #1 target is your family. He wants you, your wife and your children.
HUSBANDS AND DADS
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33
You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. I Peter 3:7
Husbands your prayers aren’t getting any higher than the ceiling if you are not living in harmony with your wife.
THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
(Ephesians 5:23)
The Bible gives us clear instructions as to which the leader of the family is. It is the husband. Many do not understand the full meaning of this verse. It does not mean that he is to dominate or control the wife. His call to leadership is that of self-sacrifice and service. He puts his wife’s needs above his own. He is to love his wife as Christ did the church. Christ loved the church, protected, served and was willing to die for her. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" Mark 10:45
As the head, the husband is to love unconditionally. Many of our problems in today’s marriages are due to the lack of leadership in our homes. When we get out of the divine order for marriage, the problems arise. Wives usually have no problem submitting when they are able to respect and trust their husbands.
If the husband is putting his own needs above his wife’s or is controlling, she is not able to function in her own role as wife and mother. Many times this leads to divorce. It is imperative that the two function as a single unit. If you are struggling in marriage in the role He created for you, then you are not loving and obeying God. If you choose to harden your heart, you do so with the risk of destroying the relationship. For the man to not accept his role is as bad as abusing it. If you are putting anything before the needs of your wife than you are committing spiritual adultery. Self-love is IDOLATRY.
THE HUSBAND IS THE PROVIDER
Husbands are to provide for their families unless you are so ill or physically handicapped that you can’t work. God expects the husband to work and provide for the needs of his family. God provides, but you have to do your part and He will do His part.
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. I Timothy 5:8
We now have something we call "deadbeat dads". Men are walking out on their families, leaving children that they have helped bring into this world, acting with no responsibility. These children are your children and you are to provide for them. This is God’s command.
We hear many excuses such as; "They don’t live with me anymore and besides, their mother uses all the money for herself." Think about this. Does your support money keep a roof over those children’s heads? Does it provide food, clothing, education and health needs? God commands you to provide those needs regardless of the circumstances.
"I don’t have the money, I have another family now and they need my paycheck, I simply can’t afford it." This does not relieve you of your responsibility. You are to provide for your families whether they live with you are not.
THE HUSBAND IS PRIEST OF HIS FAMILY.
In Exodus God sent his death angel to pass over the city when Pharaoh would not let the Israelite slaves go. He was to take the firstborn son of every Egyptian household. The Israelite father of each family was told to sacrifice a lamb and sprinkle it’s blood over the doorposts otherwise the death angel would visit them. Each father was responsible for the safety of his family.
Each father today is responsible to represent his family to God. He is to lead his family in worship, prayer and Bible study. Pray with and for your family. We get to know one another with a new intimacy when we pray together. It produces a new strength and love for one another.
Throughout the Bible God spoke to the man about his family. John 4:53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives;" and he himself believed, and his whole household. You are responsible for your family’s spiritual leading and protection.
Dad because you are head of household it is your responsibility to teach your children about God. This is not the church responsibility or a teacher but yours. If you are divorced it is still your duty. The very first teachings a child receives about God should come from their own home.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:5
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart. Colossians 3:21
Ephesians 6:4 And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
If you are sitting in front of the TV or allowing your children to, you are not accepting your leadership. How can you expect your family to follow a couch potato? Look at what you are bringing into your home. Violence, murder, foul language, drug usage, and illicit sex. Do you really think this is not affecting you or your family? You’ve heard, you are what you eat. Anything you feed your heart and eyes are what you are holding in your heart. You are directly allowing satan into your home to influence yourself and your children. Psalm 101:3-4 says: I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil.
Dad, discipline your children, but in love. Always hug your children after you have disciplined them. They need to see Mother and Dad being loving toward one another and united. The way they see you treat your wife will make a lasting impression in their own relationships throughout life.
Most of the boys in prison and young pregnant out of wedlock girls did not have Dad’s leadership in the home. God designed the family structure and gave us a manual to follow and it is called the Holy Bible.
Father love your children, discipline your children and provide for them and teach them about God. Pray with them. Doing all things always in love.
HUSBAND you are going to stand in front of your maker some day and give a full account of how you lead your family.
GOD DESCRIBES THE LAST DAYS
But realize this that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will become lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, reconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, hater of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. II Timothy 3:1-4 Does that sound like today?
WIVES AND MOTHERS
He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord! Psalm 113:9 To the woman God said to go forth and be fruitful and multiply. Nothing you can do is more holy than that of being a mother. It is your God given priority and the reason for your existence.
The Bible gives us a description of the godly woman.
Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
Verse 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
Verse 15 She rises also while it is still night, and gives food to her household.
Verse 20 She extends her hand to the poor; and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
Verse 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Verse 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Verse 28 Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her.
Verse 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Ladies the Lord intended the woman to stay at home and take care of the needs of her family. She does not lie on the couch watching soaps all day either. A hot meal for your husband and clean house is part of your duties. Raising your children yourself is the most important thing you will ever do. Let your husband do the providing, Trust in God to supply all your needs if you have a submitted husband.
Proverbs 25:24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Mother’s watch how you present yourself to the world as a Christian wife and mother. How you dress, speak and act or react, SAYS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. It says whether you respect yourself or not. It teaches your children values. Although God wants His children to look nice, He expects it to be modestly without drawing attention to yourself. Don’t blow your husband’s paycheck on a lot of trendy fashions. He works hard for your NEEDS. God expects us to use all He gives wisely.
Your language is most important, don’t cuss worse than a sailor. Your children and the world are watching you. Glorify the Lord in all that you do.
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.
I Timothy 2:9-10
And let not your adornment be merely external-braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. I Peter 3:3-5
When we search the Scriptures we see how women used their sensuous dress and makeup. God made you to look the way you do. It is what He wanted. You are perfect and beautiful in His eyes just as you are. Your beauty comes from within not the exterior. Have you ever seen a beautiful woman that you couldn’t stand because of her actions?
One of the most well known Biblical figures in the Bible who used the art of makeup and sensuous clothing was Jezebel.
2 Kings 9:30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, JEZEBEL heard of it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head, and looked out the window. Jezebel controlled Israel by manipulation and her sex appeal toward Ahab.
Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Colossians 3:18
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives. I Peter 3:1
If there is a problem within the marriage face it head on lovingly, don’t run from it but take it to God to resolve it. But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:15
Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger; and so not give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 26-27
The wife is to submit to her husband. This simply means respect your husband. We are all to submit to Christ’s leadership whenever it is expressed through others. This does not mean that you do not have the right to help make decisions in the household. All decisions should be made in agreement. This is where prayer enters in. If both you and your husband are committed to God and the good of one another your decisions should be mutual. You are under no authority to follow anything that is immoral or against your own values. Submitting to your husband can bring such joy when he is committed to you.
When there is no biblical leadership of the husband and submission by the wife then God’s divine order is violated. This will often lead to divorce.
In Deuteronomy 28:30:You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not live in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but you shall use its fruit.
Verse 32 "Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, while your eyes shall look on and yearn for them continually; but there shall be nothing you can do." This is the breakdown of the family with no leadership.
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23 The Lord throughout the Bible spoke to the fathers the head of household for directions for his family. And he shall speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household. Acts 11: 14
S E X
Sex for married couples is a beautiful and wonderful thing. but never use it for power or punishment of one another.
But because of immoralities let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. I Corinthians 7:2
Verse 3 Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
Verse 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
Verse 5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of you lack of self-control.
Father thank you for Your heavenly gift of fulfillment in married love. Thank you for the children you have entrusted to us to teach Your ways. We give You Your rightful place in our homes and we need Your love and forgiveness in our hearts so we may learn to love truly unselfishly. AMEN
Friday, July 24, 2009
Are Christians to Judge?
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
I believe these verses are some of the most misquoted and misunderstood verses in the Bible. Again we encouraged you to not take a single verse out of context. We must take all the Bible has to say on a particular subject and take the sum of all the parts. This is why we must study our Bible’s. It is one thing to read your Bible every day, but we must study all of it to fully understand what God is telling us.
In the Greek the word judge means:
Strong's Lexion
2919 krino {kree'-no}
perhaps a primitive word; TDNT - 3:921,469; v
AV - judge 88, determine 7, condemn 5, go to law 2, call in question 2, esteem 2, misc 8; 114
to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose 2) to approve, esteem, to prefer 3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion 4) to determine, resolve, decree 5) to judge 5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong 5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it 5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure 5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others 6) to rule, govern 6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment 7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants 7a) to dispute 7b) in a forensic sense 7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
How often I hear this verse quoted to bring silence to those who expose sin and false doctrines within the Church. Their refusal to judge and discern what is sin and what is false is destroying the very foundation of the church. Everyone judges. Christians cannot identify sin if they do not have the ability to discern truth and right from wrong.
Righteous judgment protects and begins in the Church, otherwise we allow satan to defile the very core of its existence.
1Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
I have seen sin and false doctrine not based on truth ignored to keep peace. Don’t rock the boat or else it could start division.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;
4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
We do not have the right to pronounce eternal judgment on any man, that is the office of Jesus.
When the Lord says to "judge not", it does not mean that we are not to pass judgment on the opinions and the conduct of our fellow believers.
1Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
The Bible is clear that all condemning in not being judgmental, but He is condemning self- righteous or hypercritical judging.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
We must be careful to first examine ourselves. One cannot tell someone else to not go out and get drunk when they themselves were in the bar Saturday night drinking. We cannot enforce moral standards on another when we would make an allowance for ourselves. What we reprove should be clearly established in Scripture are we stand in danger of being judged by God.
1Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Some take this to mean those who have exposed sin or false doctrines are causing division. May I say my dear Believer, division only happens when the truth is rejected. Christian leadership in these last days are forsaking sound doctrine. They have forgotten God’s commandments offering cheap grace. Where there is no law there is no need of grace.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Phillipians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
When you feel a brother has wronged you go to him in love.
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Seek to restore your brother and lead him to truth.
Condemning sin is not judging. False teachers and the worldly will use "do not judge" to defend what they do. These verses are even used by many so-called Christians to justify sin.
Luke 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
We are not forbidden from discerning sins and problems within the church (fellow believers). It is even our duty to seek to correct them. But we are first to examine ourselves to make sure we can see clearly. Loving our fellow believers to help them see their sin and to over come that sin.
We are to first ask God to cleanse us of our own sins. When we remove the plank from our own eye we can see clearly to help our brother. Having seen ourselves we can then throw out a life ring to our drowning friend. Can we truly watch and stand by and do nothing while he goes under. We are to reprove the sins of others and false teachings that may cause someone to fall.
Careful of these, we have seen in the past years those who holler the most have been caught in the same evil deeds they have preached on.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Romans2: 1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
2:18 And knowest His will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
2:19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
2:20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
When we come to a negative conclusion about someone it is not always unrighteous judging.
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Who are these dogs and swine? They are those who clearly reject the gospel and truth. We are not to continue wasting our time with those who continue to slander and discredit the truth given to them. Go instead to those who are hungry and receptive.
The Bible gives clear guidelines of how to reproof another.
Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
We have the right and the obligation to not fellowship with the ungodly.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Heavenly Father help me to completely open my heart to You so there will no room for self. Cleanse me and make me useful to my brothers and sisters. Make me conscious of the needs of others and take away anything in me that could hinder them from receiving YOU. AMEN
7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
I believe these verses are some of the most misquoted and misunderstood verses in the Bible. Again we encouraged you to not take a single verse out of context. We must take all the Bible has to say on a particular subject and take the sum of all the parts. This is why we must study our Bible’s. It is one thing to read your Bible every day, but we must study all of it to fully understand what God is telling us.
In the Greek the word judge means:
Strong's Lexion
2919 krino {kree'-no}
perhaps a primitive word; TDNT - 3:921,469; v
AV - judge 88, determine 7, condemn 5, go to law 2, call in question 2, esteem 2, misc 8; 114
to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose 2) to approve, esteem, to prefer 3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion 4) to determine, resolve, decree 5) to judge 5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong 5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it 5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure 5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others 6) to rule, govern 6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment 7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants 7a) to dispute 7b) in a forensic sense 7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
How often I hear this verse quoted to bring silence to those who expose sin and false doctrines within the Church. Their refusal to judge and discern what is sin and what is false is destroying the very foundation of the church. Everyone judges. Christians cannot identify sin if they do not have the ability to discern truth and right from wrong.
Righteous judgment protects and begins in the Church, otherwise we allow satan to defile the very core of its existence.
1Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
I have seen sin and false doctrine not based on truth ignored to keep peace. Don’t rock the boat or else it could start division.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;
4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
We do not have the right to pronounce eternal judgment on any man, that is the office of Jesus.
When the Lord says to "judge not", it does not mean that we are not to pass judgment on the opinions and the conduct of our fellow believers.
1Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
The Bible is clear that all condemning in not being judgmental, but He is condemning self- righteous or hypercritical judging.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
We must be careful to first examine ourselves. One cannot tell someone else to not go out and get drunk when they themselves were in the bar Saturday night drinking. We cannot enforce moral standards on another when we would make an allowance for ourselves. What we reprove should be clearly established in Scripture are we stand in danger of being judged by God.
1Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Some take this to mean those who have exposed sin or false doctrines are causing division. May I say my dear Believer, division only happens when the truth is rejected. Christian leadership in these last days are forsaking sound doctrine. They have forgotten God’s commandments offering cheap grace. Where there is no law there is no need of grace.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Phillipians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
When you feel a brother has wronged you go to him in love.
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Seek to restore your brother and lead him to truth.
Condemning sin is not judging. False teachers and the worldly will use "do not judge" to defend what they do. These verses are even used by many so-called Christians to justify sin.
Luke 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
We are not forbidden from discerning sins and problems within the church (fellow believers). It is even our duty to seek to correct them. But we are first to examine ourselves to make sure we can see clearly. Loving our fellow believers to help them see their sin and to over come that sin.
We are to first ask God to cleanse us of our own sins. When we remove the plank from our own eye we can see clearly to help our brother. Having seen ourselves we can then throw out a life ring to our drowning friend. Can we truly watch and stand by and do nothing while he goes under. We are to reprove the sins of others and false teachings that may cause someone to fall.
Careful of these, we have seen in the past years those who holler the most have been caught in the same evil deeds they have preached on.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Romans2: 1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
2:18 And knowest His will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
2:19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
2:20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
When we come to a negative conclusion about someone it is not always unrighteous judging.
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Who are these dogs and swine? They are those who clearly reject the gospel and truth. We are not to continue wasting our time with those who continue to slander and discredit the truth given to them. Go instead to those who are hungry and receptive.
The Bible gives clear guidelines of how to reproof another.
Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
We have the right and the obligation to not fellowship with the ungodly.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Heavenly Father help me to completely open my heart to You so there will no room for self. Cleanse me and make me useful to my brothers and sisters. Make me conscious of the needs of others and take away anything in me that could hinder them from receiving YOU. AMEN
Friday, July 17, 2009
1 + 1 = 3!
What does the Bible say about church size? Is it necessary, to belong to a large congregation in order to be in line with Scripture? What is God seeking in terms of numbers of people coming together in corporate worship?
Church organizations are very quick to quote Hebrews 10:25 to try to get people to attend their meetings, as if that were the only option available to the Christian. There is nothing wrong with going to a church function, worship or otherwise, but let's not allow the idea of church attendance to take on a life of its own. People have a weakness for thinking bigger is better. I will agree that, in terms of God's total church, the more members there are the better. Jesus died for all the people who were to ever live on this planet.
When it comes to congregations though, I know of no scriptural mandate for how small is too small, or how big is big enough. Jesus set the threshold for Church group size in Matthew 18:20. "Where two or three are gathered together. . ." Notice , He didn't even begin at three but rather two. Now that's about as simple as it can get! Everyone knows you cannot have a gathering of one. Jesus didn't promote a mega-church system. Rather, He introduced us to God's marvelous math where 1+1=3! If only two people for whom Christ died, recognize that fact and glory in it together, they can rest assured there is a third member of that congregation present, God himself. What's more, Jesus comes in the person of the Holy Spirit so you can add one more. Where the Spirit is, God the Father is sure to be there too, really making it five!
All the number fun aside, we only need to gather one plus one in Jesus' name to have true corporate worship. Don't let some human organization shame you into feeling guilty for not going to some large gathering where you may just get lost in the crowd. I want to worship where Jesus is, how about you?
Church organizations are very quick to quote Hebrews 10:25 to try to get people to attend their meetings, as if that were the only option available to the Christian. There is nothing wrong with going to a church function, worship or otherwise, but let's not allow the idea of church attendance to take on a life of its own. People have a weakness for thinking bigger is better. I will agree that, in terms of God's total church, the more members there are the better. Jesus died for all the people who were to ever live on this planet.
When it comes to congregations though, I know of no scriptural mandate for how small is too small, or how big is big enough. Jesus set the threshold for Church group size in Matthew 18:20. "Where two or three are gathered together. . ." Notice , He didn't even begin at three but rather two. Now that's about as simple as it can get! Everyone knows you cannot have a gathering of one. Jesus didn't promote a mega-church system. Rather, He introduced us to God's marvelous math where 1+1=3! If only two people for whom Christ died, recognize that fact and glory in it together, they can rest assured there is a third member of that congregation present, God himself. What's more, Jesus comes in the person of the Holy Spirit so you can add one more. Where the Spirit is, God the Father is sure to be there too, really making it five!
All the number fun aside, we only need to gather one plus one in Jesus' name to have true corporate worship. Don't let some human organization shame you into feeling guilty for not going to some large gathering where you may just get lost in the crowd. I want to worship where Jesus is, how about you?
The number two, less than a few,
In God's Church, can fill a pew.
How sweet is the place, how quiet the pace,
When we gather together, to behold Jesus' face.
I want to be where troubles flee,
Where Jesus meets with you and me.
We needn't wait for some special date.
For some large group to congregate.
Just you and I on bended knee
Are promised, that's where HE will be!
Even so come Lord Jesus!
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