​Read Ephesians 6:10-13 (KJV).
SATANIC INFLUENCE
Loved ones, one way to FAIL in building Godly character is to allow Satan and this world to lure us from our duties. In our text, Paul addresses Satan's wily craftsmanship. To counter this evil influence… we must take up the whole ARMOR of God, especially the shield of faith, “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (v. 16).
It is sometimes difficult for us to comprehend that Satan wants to destroy all of God's people. Therefore, our task is to preclude the master deceiver from deterring us from our goal of developing Godly character.
Satan is replete with cunning devices to cause us to stumble and become discouraged. He works to divide and cause us to stay away from Christian brethren during the week, or to stay away from church worship services on Sunday.
There is an impressive story in the Acts 5:1-11 about Satan's influence that we should take to heart. We read in verse 3, "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"
In this scenario, Ananias and his wife probably wanted the praise of the church and the apostles. They were willing to lie and deceive to get approval and look good in the Christian community. Through many years of tempting mankind, Satan knows the larceny in the heart of men and worked on the minds of this Christian couple to convince them that their plan to lie about what they received for the price of their land was a good plan. The tragic result was that two people lost their lives.
Ananias and his wife were probably good people in many ways. They may very well have been Christians we would have been blessed to have in our local fellowship. However, through ignorance of the truth, Ananias was unaware of Satan's awesome power! If that couple had thought carefully, prayed to God, and meditated on the potential consequences, they probably would not have carried out their sinful charade.
Satan uses us, plays us, and lures us, and then he is off on another journey while we suffer the consequences of our actions. We will never build Godly character as long as we succumb to Satan's influence.
ARE YOU LISTENING? This lesson is a powerful one. Satan will take the ambition, desires, lusts, and seemingly good intentions of anyone and lead him or her astray. Satan can also lead ministers, elders, and their wives astray through the ambitious desires they possess.
Each of us must be able to walk away from any bad situation. We must possess the ability to say "no" when it is appropriate. Ananias should have said "no" when he was tempted! His failure shows us that we need to be very sensitive to Satan's awesome power and influence.
So many people naively say, "I just told the old devil to go away!" They, like most people, do not realize the power and cunning of Satan. James says to "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Resisting is more than just saying something. Resisting takes an active, conscious effort toward avoiding what Satan is tempting us with. Ananias is an apt example of not resisting!
We must keep our minds keenly aware that any thought fueled by lust, greed, jealousy, envy, pride, or strife gives Satan a chance at getting to us. When tempted by Satan, Jesus had the presence of mind to quote Scripture to him and not waver in His convictions (Matthew 4:1-11). Reading, studying, and sharing the Bible offsets wrong motivations and helps us acquire the mind of Christ. So, we continue to encourage you to read, study, and share the word of God every day.
Satanic influence is a steppingstone to WORLDLY INFLUENCE. John, the apostle of love, has this to say: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-17).
We should be able to see the very close relationship between worldly desires and Satanic influence. Satan’s goal is to distract us from the spiritual truths of our existence. He uses our lust for “things we can see and feel” to confuse our sense of rightness. We are talking about TV, movies, video games, lotteries, casinos, and 1,001 other cunning devices. It is the Godly character of Christians that helps them avoid and preclude the evil influence of Satan and this world.
Ananias and Sapphira were no doubt enamored by the "pride of life"; they wanted recognition—and it cost them their lives! Our political and corporate leaders can be ensnared in greed and the "pride of life." The lure of money has caused many to stumble. For these reasons, many are being convicted in our legal system for fraud.
The same is true of lust. In 2 Samuel 11, David’s desire for beautiful Bathsheba is a stark reminder of the ensnaring temptation caused by the "lust of the eyes!" The Christian must remember that we only "see" this world; we do not "see" God because He is Spirit. It is easy to forget God because we cannot see Him. However, we do see the actions and errors of famous people who glamorize theft, lies, unfaithfulness, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and such.
Like them, whenever any of us has an insatiable desire to have wealth, recognition, or status, we need to be extraordinarily careful because of the potential consequences of becoming ensnared by our own lusts from the influence of the world. If we are diligently seeking God, honoring God, and producing fruit, we will be more discerning about what is happening to our lives. We will become sensitive to what God wants versus what we want!
Having a clear vision and understanding of God's plan will assist our efforts to build a Godly character and resist the devil and worldly influences. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." We who have the Spirit of God need to have a clear vision of what God has planned for us - His faithful children.
With the proper vision our decisions will become more Christ-centered rather than self-centered. We must develop wisdom, understanding, and the ability to follow a sure steady path. This cautionary step may prevent disaster in our lives. To really develop Godly character, we need this driving motivation to achieve God’s goals for us.
Through the media, family, and friends are heaped upon us many temptations. The goals of honoring and seeking God diligently, bearing abundant fruit, resisting the Satanic and worldly influences will become easier to achieve if we know where we came from and the end result of where we are going.
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 for the Liberty NW church of Christ meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. We are praying for you, and we love you all so much. Samuel.

By Michael McCall
​Christians at times fail to see the sin of an activity because of the world's view on matter.  There have been and still are numerous dancing shows on television, that Christians find themselves watching (which we as Christians have no business doing).  In watching, we become less aware of the sin of dancing.  So the question arises, "What does the bible say about dancing?"  but the better question is, "Is today's modern dancing, wrong?"
     In the bible you will find the word dance used 27 times in its different form.  Out of that, 26 times the word dance is used in a positive light, and even encouraged.  (Psalm 149:3; 150:4)  But was is dance?  By not answering this question, many Christians today read such passages and state, "there is nothing wrong with dancing."  They can be no further from the truth.
     But, let's answer the question, "what is dancing?"  First, I think we can all agree on one point, the bible was not written in English.  Instead Hebrew and Greek.  So just because the word dance is used, this does not mean that the definition is that of dance that we see and have today.  In the Hebrew text, the words translated into the word dance mean - to stamp, to skip, to twist or whirl, to move in a circle.  Properly it means to be happy, so happy that the body moves.  Take Miriam for example (Exodus 15:18-21), she danced.  She lead the women in dance with trembles.  Does this mean that we can dance, using her as an example?  Yes and No.
     We need to understand what she was doing.  How many of you have ever watch "March Madness"?  How many times have you seen the "Cinderella team" upset the favorite?  What happens when the clock strikes 0:00 and the game is over?  The fans of that team storm the court, jumping and whirling, with their hands in the air, screaming, smiling, even crying due to emotions.  This is what it means to dance in the Hebrew tongue.  Can a Christian find him/herself on the floor after the big game jumping up and down?  Yes.  Is this wrong?  No.  But alas, that is not the type of dancing we are talking about is it?
     If you remember I stated that 26 of 27 times the word dance is used, it is not condemned.  But what about that 27th time?  I want you to read the story of Herodias' daughter and her dancing before Herod and his guests. (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:22).  What did her dance do that Miriam's didn't.  Her dance invoked some key words for you to look up; Wantonness, Lasciviousness, Lewdness, Revelries.  Look these up, find one scripture speaking of these terms in a way that is acceptable to God.
     Dance, modern dance, Herodias' daughter's dance is wrong because of what it does to the dancer, their partner, and those watching.  The Greek 'aselgeia' according to Thayer's Lexicon means - "indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females." 
     Which dance do you believe represents this?  Miriam's (or the colleges students jumping up and down), OR Herodias' daughter's dance (or the tango, salsa, samba, you name it).
     However, Christians today still feel it is ok for a husband and wife to dance, or the newly married couple to dance their "first dance" because it's innocent.  The setting and understanding why dance is wrong helps us answer our question above.  To dance with your wife in public with people watching is not appropriate for a Christian, for anyone for that matter.  The reason goes back to what we stated above.  Dancing is wrong because of what it does to those watching.
     We as Christians must understand its not always (and rarely is) about us.  Jesus called for us to be a light to be seen by men so they may glorify our Father.  He told us to seek first the kingdom of God.  Paul said abstain from every form of evil.  But maybe more importantly, Jesus said woe to them who cause one of these little ones to stumble.
     If we dance with our spouse, and someone sees us and has a thought they should not have.  It is not only on them, but also on us.  Dancing is wrong, and unfortunately many brethren have become dull to sin through the glorification and commercialization of it.

by Devadas Prakash
​1. Did Paul want a sorrowful or joyful relationship with the saints in Corinth?
He wanted a joyful relationship: “(1) But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. (2) For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? (3) And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all” (II Corinthians 2:1-3).
· In the previous epistle, he gave them a choice (I Corinthians 4:21).
· Now, he is choosing when to come based upon how he will have to be when there (II Corinthians 1:23).
· There are real concerns that things haven’t changed in Corinth (II Corinthians 12:20-21).
· What he’d rather do is find encouragement from Corinth rather than the need to correct them (i.e. Colossians 1:3-8).
2. How much was Paul troubled by the problems in Corinth that he had to write them about?
It caused him much affliction and anguish or heart: “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you” (II Corinthians 2:4).
· Psalms 119:53, Psalms 119:136, Jeremiah 13:15-17, and Romans 9:1-3.
· Such grief is a sign of love (John 11:35-36).
3. Once a brother or sister in Christ has been disciplined, is there a point wherein it is time for forgiveness and love to be shown to he or she?
Yes: “(5) But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. (6) Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. (7) So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. ( Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him” (II Corinthians 2:5-8).
· Discipline needed to occur in Corinth (I Corinthians 5:1-13).
· Now that such discipline has occurred, there are conditions to be met for forgiveness (Luke 17:3-4). Once those conditions are met, forgiveness must occur (Ephesians 4:32).
· If such forgiveness is there, bitterness can settle in (Hebrews 12:12-15).
· Forgiveness and love go hand in hand (I Peter 4:8).
4. What did Paul seek proof of from the brethren in Corinth?
Whether or not they would obey ALL things: “For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things” (II Corinthians 2:9).
· Deuteronomy 8:2, Matthew 7:16; 20, Matthew 12:33, II Corinthians 8:24, and Philippians 2:19-22.
5. If the brethren in Corinth forgave a brother or sister who had erred, what would Paul do?
Forgive them also: “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ” (II Corinthians 2:10).
· Matthew 18:15-18.
6. Is there a benefit in knowing the devices of Satan?
Yes, taking away the advantage by knowing the enemy’s playbook (so to speak): “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Corinthians 2:11).
· We have to be aware (I Peter 5:8) and able to stand against the tricks of evil (Ephesians 6:11-12).
· Paul had reason for concern regarding Corinth (II Corinthians 11:3).
7. Though Paul had an opportunity to preach in Troas, what caused him to have a restless spirit?
He couldn’t find Titus: “(12) Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, (13) I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia” (II Corinthians 2:12-13).
· Titus was a partner and fellow helper in Christ (II Corinthians 8:23). A son in the faith (Titus 1:4).
· When Titus came to Paul he was comforted (II Corinthians 7:6).
8. How did God make known the savour [odor] of His knowledge in every place?
By Paul and those working with him for the cause: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (II Corinthians 2:14).
· The triumph comes from God through Christ (Romans 8:37 and I Corinthians 15:57).
· Knowledge of God is spread through preaching (Romans 10:14-17, Colossians 1:23, and Titus 1:1-3).
9. What was the difference in the savour [fragrance] of Paul and his coworkers to those who are saved opposed to those who were to perish?
Sweet to those who are saved while smelling like death to those who perish: “(15) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: (16) To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things” (II Corinthians 2:15-16)?
· Unto God a sweet odor (Ephesians 5:2 and Philippians 4:18).
· Whether people are saved or lost, it is pleasing to God that the Gospel was preached (I Corinthians 1:17).
· A smell of death to the lost (Acts 13:46).
· A smell of life for those who will be saved (Acts 8:35-39).
10. Were there were many in the first century who corrupted the word of God?
Yes: “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (II Corinthians 2:17).
· Matthew 24:24, II Corinthians 11:13-15, I Timothy 1:19-20, II Timothy 2:14-18, II Timothy 4:1-5, II Peter 2:1-3, I John 4:1, II John 7, and Jude 3-4.

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.

​By: Brian A. Yeager
The book of Hebrews opens with: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets…” (Hebrews 1:1). The context is going to bear out that the reference to God in this passage is God the Father. This is important because when talking about God, we could be discussing Jesus (Romans 9:1-5) and the Holy Spirit as well (Acts 5:1-4). When we read the wording of “sundry times” it is hard to do a word study on this. It only appears this one time in the New Testament. The term is defined as this: “In many portions, i.e. variously as to time and agency (piecemeal): — at sundry times. By many portions, by many times and in many ways” (Strong’s # 4181). Similarly, a word study on “divers manners” is difficult because it too only appears here in this one passage. The definition for “divers manners” is: “in many ways, i.e. variously as to method or form: — in divers manners. In many manners” (Strong’s # 4187).
When we examine the wording “time past” we can do a little more research on that wording. The Greek term “πάλαι” appears six times in the original text. It is defined as: “any while, a great while ago, (of) old, in time past. Of old, former; long ago” (Strong’s # 3819). It is translated in Matthew 11:21 as “long ago”. In Luke 10:13 it is translated “a great while ago”. The “fathers” is a genealogical reference to those of times past (i.e. Luke 1:55, John 6:49, Acts 3:13, etc.). The “prophets” are those, in connection to the rest of the statements, who prophesied a great while ago (James 5:10 and I Peter 1:10). That is an important distinction, because during the first century there were also prophets prophesying (Acts 15:32, Acts 19:1-7, I Corinthians 12:28, and I Corinthians 14:29-32). The Hebrew writer is not referring to those first century prophets, but rather the prophets of long ago.
So, this letter opens with reminding the reader that God the Father spoke many times in many ways long ago to their fathers by the prophets. Think about the importance of that opening declaration. As we go through this book it is going to be obvious that it was Jewish Christians that were the audience of these writings (i.e. Hebrews 3:9). There are going to be many references, throughout this letter, to things stated during the times of the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms.
So, what does it mean that God spoke by the prophets? Consider this: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:20-21). The prophets were not speaking their own words. The prophets were not telling their audiences what they thought the Lord meant. Think about this: “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (II Samuel 23:1-2).
We, who are God’s people, should understand that all Scriptures are inspired of God [God-breathed] (II Timothy 3:15-17). Whether it was times past or in the first century, we see that those teaching were inspired of God (Exodus 4:10-17, Job 32:8, Isaiah 39:5-8, Jeremiah 1:9, Matthew 10:16-20, John 16:13, I Corinthians 2:9-13, I Corinthians 14:37, and Galatians 1:10-12).
When we consider God speaking by the prophets of old in many times, by many ways, and in various portions; there are some more things to consider. God did not reveal everything before Moses, during the days of Moses, or immediately after the days of Moses. Revelation in times past came over many generations. From the days of Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to the prophets following; God declared His instructions over time (Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44, Acts 7:2-53, and Acts 13:13-40).
For these Jewish Christians that are being instructed in the letter to the Hebrews, they needed to realize that the authority for the things about to be taught was given long ago. Moses instructed about Jesus long ago (Deuteronomy 18:15-19 and Acts 3:22-26). The prophets taught about Jesus long ago (Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 53:1-12, and Jeremiah 23:5-6).
First century Jewish Christians struggled letting go of the Law and the prophets as their standard (Acts 10:1-11:18, Acts 21:17-22, Galatians 5:1-12, and Galatians 6:12-15). When Jesus was teaching, prior to His law coming into full effect, He had to deal with this problem (Matthew 12:1-8, Matthew 19:1-12, John 8:1-11, etc.). One way in which He did so was to refer those struggling with what He said to turn to the things written of old for verification (John 5:1-47).
Things written aforetime continue to this very day to be profitable unto men to study (Romans 15:4 and I Corinthians 10:1-12). First century saints verified the things they were being taught by searching Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 17:10-11). It is therefore fitting that this letter opens in that direction. The first verse of the book of Hebrews is not the end of the statement though. This one sentence starts at verse one, but proceeds through verse four. The thought goes on from there. We will be looking at verse two next in our study. We will be looking at the last days, Jesus Christ our Lord, and the things said from those points forward. As we study this letter, build upon the knowledge we gain in our looking at every verse from here forward.