by Samuel Matthews
"…Keep thyself pure" (1 Timothy 5:22). KJV Christians in every age group face an increasingly immoral world with the popular media being an open sewer of moral filth. Movie producers vie with each other to see who can have the most risqué films. Magazine stands offer slick pornography for all ages to view and purchase. TV brings lewd bedroom scenes into the nation’s homes. Society’s general acceptance of this new low of immorality is on every hand. However, God's word says, "Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" (2 Timothy 2:22). How can the Christian keep himself pure in this hostile immoral environment? SUGGESTIONS 1. Recognize the power of sin (1 John 2:15-17). Do not assume that you can handle it or control it (James 1:13-16). It is like a powerful, addictive drug (Romans 7:20). 2. Look ahead (Proverbs 22:3). The long term disadvantages of immorality outweigh what seem like desirable reasons at the moment. Think of your whole life when you are tempted to indulge in any unlawful activity. 3. Be honest with yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5). Just what kind of person are you? Are you thankful of the kind of person you are? Are you living up to the standards you have been taught? Are you looking for an excuse to indulge? Some immoral people have convinced themselves that they are really very moral. 4. Make a commitment to yourself and God that you are going to live a virtuous life (2 Timothy 2:21). Give your body as a living sacrifice unto God (Romans 12:1-2). We are directed by Jesus to live for Him and to die to self (Luke 9:23). 5. Demand the highest ethical performance of yourself. God did not intend for us to be mere robots. He gave us the power to make our own decisions. He had faith in you that you would make the right choices. Do not let Him down. 6. Make the commitment ahead of time to be used in the Lord's service (Ephesians 5:15-17). Do not wait until you are confronted with the temptation of sin to try to decide what to do… by then passion will likely have disabled your will power. Talk about your commitment, pray, and think about it. 7. Respect the established moral code of the Word of God (Psalm 119:161). For the Christian, the New Testament is our rule of faith and practice. "Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly" (Colossians 3:16). These moral codes in Scripture are time tested and work well when applied. Remember, the same God who created us and gave us our sexuality gave us the Bible for a code of conduct. He knew what would bring us the greatest happiness in obeying Him (Deuteronomy 6:24). 8. Be a regular reader of God’s Word. “Thy word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). When we read the Bible, we can think the empowering thoughts of God. 9. Be in constant contact with God through prayer. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This helps to remove the love of sinning by coming into the holy presence of God. 10. Worship God faithfully with the church, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Great spiritual strength is to be found in assembling with the saints to encourage them and to be encouraged in spiritual fellowship. It helps us keep our spiritual and moral strength high. 11. Associate with Christians at every opportunity. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Timothy 2:22). Try to choose faithful Christians for your close companions. You will have eliminated most of your temptation in immorality by doing so. 12. Only go to social and recreational places and events that you would invite the Lord Himself to attend with you. A morally pure life is "above reproach" (Philippians 2:15-16). The atmosphere of a place or event can influence us negatively. Put yourself in a place where you will not be ashamed if Christ was to return and find you there. 13. Learn to say NO to those friends or dates who invite you to questionable places or to do doubtful things. “NO” is the most powerful medicine against immorality. Never be ashamed to refuse any invitation to sin. The Lord will bless you. Remember, no one ever regretted being decent, but thousands have deeply regretted the day they fell into immorality. 14. Remember that one of the best reasons for morality is that immorality does not work. It does not pay off, except in death (Romans 6:23). Sin does not lighten the burden of living, rather it increases it. There will be times when the way of righteousness will seem like the loneliest place in the world. Be prepared for it. In those times remember the below words of the 23rd Psalm. “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” To the God of heaven be the Glory as His Will is done (1 Corinthians 10:31). Please pray for wisdom, for me and my wife, Cynthia, and the Liberty NW church of Christ meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. We are praying for you, and we love you all so much. Samuel.
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Charles Box
James 1:2-8 looks at the Christian's attitude toward trials. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." OBSERVE: "COUNT IT ALL JOY." The joy of trials comes when one stays faithful through trials. It brings joy when one comes through a trial with His eyes still focused on Jesus. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." (Hebrews 2:9). "LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK." Patience is the quality of perseverance or steadfastness. (Romans 5:3-5.) Patience has to do with our loyalty or commitment to God. Patience leads to Christian maturity. "LET HIM ASK OF GOD - WISDOM." Christians go to God to gain the wisdom necessary to deal with trials. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) "LET HIM ASK IN FAITH." Without faith Christians cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6.) Do not allow trials to cause you to doubt God or His care and love for you. Always believe that God knows what is best for you, wants what is best for you and is active to bring about what is best. The person who does not have faith in God through trials is "unstable" and vacillating because of being "double-minded". With a strong faith, always anchored in God, Christians can say with Paul, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19.) Trials will come but God is there caring, loving, helping and blessing through good times and bad. To become a Christian, you must hear God's word and believe (John 6:44-45), you must repent of all sins (Acts 2:38), you must confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and you must be baptized to be saved (1 Peter 3:21). It is the desire of Jesus that everyone be saved. He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30.) |
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