Masturbation is sex! It is the very same thing as sex. Only the hand or other forms become the partner! If you get this right and know the truth about it, it will either change your mind about it (what repentance is all about) or you will go on with the guilt trip, excusing it as sex but still enjoying it (but only with guilt showing it is not right).
John wrote in his first letter, “if our hearts condemns us not, we have boldness…” If your heart condemns you, remember God is greater than your heart and He has probably condemn it already while your heart only follow it.
Now in order to understand this, we need first to take it way out of its proportion and then we need to bring simplicity to it. A little bit of error or miscalculation cannot be detected in many ways but once you enlarge it and extent it to greater lengths you begin to see the departing line. I have made some cupboards in my time. To have square corners is vital to assemble a cupboard that will fit and function well. The smaller the piece of wood (smaller sins or errors) the harder it becomes to detect its square corners, but once you begin to extent the corner the more you see the crookedness of the piece. The line are almost undetected when it is small, but once you extent that line you begin to see the longer or more it is taken out of its proportion the more you begin to see the departing and error and the easier it becomes to notice the problem. A millimetre becomes meters once the line is extended and the error becomes more evident.
In many things it is also like that in the spiritual. It is sometimes difficult to detect or see the error and nature of the error if it is left in its current state (some see nothing wrong with masturbation). But once you begin to magnify its lines you begin to see the true nature of many things.
When you start looking at the true nature of masturbation and take it more under the magnifying glass, we can begin to discern the true nature of masturbation. The truth is masturbation is sex!
Well, you can according to Scriptures be in about 5 sexual relationships, of which only one is lawful and allowed.
- Fornication
- Adultery
- Marriage
- Homosexuality
- Bestiality (Zoophilia)
Fornication is to have sex outside of marriage with someone who is not married. It is outside any marriage bonds either of yourself or someone else. It can be with one or many others.
Adultery is to have sex while married with someone else that may be married or unmarried, or while single with someone who is married. It can be with one or many others.
Marriage is to have sex with someone (only one) with whom you are in a covenant relationship in before God. It can only be with one.
Homosexuality is sex with the same sex. It is an abomination in the sight of God.
Bestiality is sex or sexual involvement with animals (different kinds of animals). Any sexual act with an animal ranging from body contact to oral-genital contact, to penetration. It is an abomination in the sight of God. (Ex 22:19; Lev 18:23; Lev 20:15; Deut 27:21, etc). It is much more common than many think!
Now Jesus said something quite staggering:
“whosoever look upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery (or fornication) with her in his heart!” Matt 5:48
Please notice here that there was no actual deed or act of the physical part involved. It was merely a look! Well let me tell you (I think you will agree) that masturbation is much more than a look!
Jesus stated the essence or reality of these sins.
If you hates someone it is before God the same as murder,
if you look with lust it is the same as if you would actually slept with that person!
Can you see the implication here? And masturbation is much more advanced than a look! It has become a deed! Do many really think that if Jesus judge a look to lust as adultery He will oversee something so much more intense as a look as innocent? If you look with lust it is in the eyes of God the same as if you did the deed! Why? Because the true nature of sin is not in the deed merely but in the heart! Jesus said “out of the heart proceed… adultery, uncleanness, etc!” it is a heart issue.
Okay follow me here. Masturbation is sex. Sex can be with or falls into one of 5 categories as we have seen. Now if you understand this closely then you know that whenever you masturbate you are having sex! That’s the fact! Jesus said whosoever look to lust was as if he was having sex, although no physical part was involved, it was merely a look, mental only, it was counted physical before God, so is masturbation.
{Let me just say this here: It is evident from Jesus words in Mark chapter 7 that adultery, fornication, etc comes from “within” and has its source in the heart. We must therefore conclude that masturbation is in most cases the direct/indirect result of the “look of lust” that Jesus spoke of in Matthew chapter 5. This means that we must touch the source of this, the eye, the heart, the way these things are arousing us.}
So when you masturbate, you are having sex, but the question is with who? It can be only be in the context of one of these 5 categories. What goes on in your mind and heart or imagination determine the answer with whom you are having sex! What do you think of and with what thoughts are you involved when having masturbation sex? This is critical. If you could masturbate without having any lustful thoughts or with an imagination that are running wild, then it would be no offense to masturbate. But here is the problem, just like to look with lust involves an object, so masturbation involves an object that prompts or drive it (gives it fuel). It can be just woman in general or men in general – well that falls in the category of fornication, so whenever you masturbate you are having sex and are busy with fornication or adultery or even sodomy! We refer to someone who never had the act of physical sex as still a virgin and that may be in the human view so, but before God it is not so, before God we are no longer a unchaste virgin, but defiled by uncleanness. To unleash a build up of semen in the body is one thing – that is natural like a vomit to the body and not sin. But this is not so with masturbation. Even for a married man or woman who are masturbating or having the actual deed can be adultery and can be involved in fornication while married! The “bed is defiled!” It happens more than many think!
But, masturbation is not merely sex, it is also the substitute for sexual relations. You substitute the object with something else but still go through the act of sex.
It is good when we start looking at the reality of this. If this does not gives you a shock (except if you knew this) then there is something seriously wrong with your conscience! This has helped me to start looking at masturbation in a new light. It has changed my mind to the severity of what I was getting myself involved in and it started to upset me so that I could no longer participate with something so grievous as fornication and adultery! You are living in fornication and even adultery especially when you are single every time you masturbate! That means if it is habitually then you live habitually in adultery and fornication! This is serious! Habitual sin is a serious thing, it hardens the heart and make the conscience insensitive to God’s voice and dealings. So God does not want any to perish. That’s why He brings to our hearts the knowledge of Truth so to come to know the truth so that we can be set free (John 8:32)!
This is one aspect of masturbation that you need to face in its true light. Would masturbating as a married man be wrong and sinful? Yes and no! Yes if he is having sex outside marriage (masturbating with other woman or feelings and imaginations in his mind and heart) and no if he is separated from her for long periods of time and are having sex (masturbate) with her and her only (this may cause problems for many)!
This may help those who seek the Truth and have an ear to hear! God Bless
Tags: adultery, bestiality, fornication, homosexuality, marriage, masturbation, sex
When one examines the scripture, there is no doubt that God wants our attention focused upon Him. It is also evident that the things of this world are designed to take our attention off of God and place it upon the things of man or self, as greatly influenced by the devil. This was the tactic used by Satan in Eden. The things of the world are designed to appeal to lusts and to constantly tempt. Most “professed Christians” will at least concede that in scriptural theory, that we are not to live as the world depending on how “world” is defined. The problem arises when one takes God’s command and actually applies it to one’s life. The flesh will immediately rise up and justify itself and its actions. This is the nature that is in rebellion against God’s purposes. This is the fallen nature that must be put to death. A true believer will be guided by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word and the two will be in agreement. With this in mind, let us examine a worldly example that is commonly and frequently indulged in by most. Those who love not the truth are the same ones that justify the darkness and are oblivious to their actions (or complacent) and will probably be offended by the light having exposed this darkness.
There is a much cherished and revered item in almost every home in this country. Many will spend hours a day bowing down and worshipping it. Some begin and end their day paying homage. This item has such a hold on people that it may be one of the worst addictions possible. This idol will captivate (enthrall, hypnotize, mesmerize, fascinate, and enchant), entertain, pacify, and teach. Its message is always one-sided and no dialog is permitted. Parents will allow it to teach and instruct their children in ideas that are contrary to their own deep held beliefs. Many will experience the whole range of human emotions while serving it. No one has to have this item, yet most cannot (I dare say, will not), imagine life without it. Some will build special temples (rooms) for it or purchase one that is big enough to encompass the whole room. Most will defensively say, “Everybody does it.” What is this idol you might inquire? It is the television set.
Many will now rise up in protest and say that they are most certainly not addicted to it (1 Jn 1:6). Well I challenge you. Unplug the television, remove it from your home and stop paying for cable service and we shall see. Words are easy, but actions are convincing. These will respond, I could, but I just don’t want to. I enjoy watching it and see nothing wrong with it (we have to live in this world). Oh really, read on.
There is no dispute that television programming is full of graphic violence, sex (and now homosexuality), adult situations, bad language, glorified drug and alcohol abuse, course jesting, witchcraft/occult, etc. Every sin that one can imagine is portrayed in an entertaining way AS SEEN ON TV! Every temptation one could conceive of is paraded before your eyes and you willingly subject yourself to this. Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Recall from Chapter One that Satan places objects of lusts before our eyes. The devil’s desire is that we think upon and chase after such things. This is how he overcomes man. So how do you suppose the television programming fits into this? Be honest with yourself. Should we have a television in our home?
Deuteronomy 7:26, “Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.”
It’s hard to believe, but most “professed Christians” (so-called) view as a source of entertainment (enjoyment), the very sins that nailed Jesus Christ to the cross. These same ones claim to know Him! No wonder Jesus said that many would call him “Lord” and yet not enter into heaven (Matthew 7:21-23). None of these will be able to tell God they “struggle” with lust and they try not to lust but cannot help it! Not when they sit in front of the TV. How foolish to watch lustful things and then think you struggle with sin in your life. Hebrews 12:4, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
The TV will fill your heart full of all manner of evil and wickedness to the extent that victory over sin in your life will be impossible. Worse it will be an indicator that you have no desire for victory over sin in your life – your passions give your heart away. Is this not a continual mocking of God and a denial of all that is sacred? We will justify what we choose not to overcome! We must understand: 2 Corinthians 6:16, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Is the temple being filled with filth and evil? When God looks at your heart, what will He find therein? How will this manifest in your outward actions? God takes no pleasure in wickedness and neither should we – Psalms 5:4, “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” We must be separate and come out from such wickedness and not touch unclean things (v. 17).
The television is a destroyer of souls. King David (Beloved of God) once said, “I will set no wicked thing before my eyes” (Ps 101:3). What about those who do? Those who change the truth of God into a lie (as constantly taught on TV), and worshipped and served the creature (things of man) more than the Creator are given over to all manner of sins leading to death (Rm 1:25-31) and love not the truth (2 Thess 2:10, Rm 1:18). Romans 1:32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Followers of Christ do not partake of other men’s sins nor take pleasure in them, but rather keep ourselves pure (1 Tm 5:22). Those who believe God’s truth are purifying themselves and being led of His Spirit in paths of righteousness and holiness (Ti 2:14, 1 Pt 1:22, Js 4:8, Rm 8:14, 1 Jn 3:3). They are living their faith every day and this faith purifies the heart. Acts 15:9, “purifying their hearts by faith.” What about those who are seeking the flesh? 2 Thessalonians 2:12, “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
There is no doubt that enjoying (being entertained by) acts of sin AS SEEN ON TV (or anywhere else) is having “pleasure in unrighteousness.” Those who absorb the constant stream of ungodly programming are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Tm 3:4). If we think about (desire) doing certain sinful things then we are equally as guilty as if we had actually done them (Mt 5:27-30). God is looking at our hearts and He will try them (Ps 7:9, Jer 17:10, 20:12, 1 Thess 2:4). We are to put aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and seek God’s Word to the extent that we are doers and not hearers only (Js 1:21-22). Thoughts become actions, hearts are darkened, imaginations become vain (Rm 1:21)! The carnal mind serves the flesh (Rm 8:5-8). When viewing television, your mind and your thoughts are constantly put upon secular worldly (sinful) things of the flesh and not God. In addition to taking pleasure in unrighteousness, many temptations will be implanted in your mind and grow to produce additional sin, all of which leads to death.
To live in God’s truth (Word) is to abhor (avoid at all cost) any evil and wickedness (Eph 5:11, Pv 3:7, 8:13, 16:17, 22:3). Psalms 119:101, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” One cannot possibly expect to keep God’s Word if one intentionally exposes oneself to evil. Perhaps keeping God’s Word is not a foremost conscious action with many who “profess,” but do not follow Christ. Those that seek the Spirit apply the Word and those that seek the flesh don’t. Psalms 141:4, “Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.”
The world says “come,” partake of my pleasures, be entertained and filled with laughter. Eat, drink and fill your heart with merriment, let your flesh be at ease and cast the hours away. God says: “Come out” from among them and be ye separate, touch not the evil thing (2 Cor 6:17). One day you will wish you had the hours back! A choice must be made whom will you serve? Who will lead, guide and teach you? Who will hold your thoughts and devotion? We must not be filled with the world’s wickedness as continually spewed forth from the television. Warning: all televised programming is not suitable for any age, any time. The wicked do not abhor that which is evil (Ps 36:1-4) – this is an indicator.
The television must surely be the devil’s inspired invention. This one device constantly takes man’s focus off of God and places it upon the things of the world and man. Man’s attention is shifted to self and all manner of things that exalt themselves to oppose God. Consider this: a popular movie that reflects sinful and rebellious behavior/ideas could literally be viewed by millions of people at one time. Millions of hearts could be dwelling on the same sinful and fleshly thoughts at the same time. Many will later discuss their enjoyment of such things with others. Oh how this must grieve God! Oh how this must be accomplishing the devil’s purposes! The fact is that the television is being used for values clarification (redefines). The whole world is becoming one in thought and deed. Consider the tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9): man intended to reach God his way, man intended to exalt himself, and man was making a statement to God concerning the recent flood judgment (he would rise above). God said: “Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” The television (programming) is making this nation (and the world) one in thought and purpose. Six is the biblical number of man because he was created on the sixth day. Thrice six (666) is the ultimate in man exalting himself. We are on the verge of this and the devil will send his son, the antichrist, to lead.
Take heed what was told an audience of “believers” in scripture (Similar list in Rm 1:24-32): 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” This is our warning! We are further told in the same chapter that: 1 Corinthians 6:15-17, “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” The harlot is worldliness and all manner of idolatry and sinfulness. When you take pleasure in unrighteousness you join yourself with the harlot and become one with it in opposing all that is of Christ. This is the spirit of the antichrist. So, we are one in Spirit with Christ or one in spirit with the Harlot. Choose whom you will serve. A harlot speaking words of love is shallow because her actions reveal the opposite. Many will have a form of godliness (maybe a profession of Christ), but are lovers of their own selves (2 Tm 3:1-5). Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.”
When you have eyes full of adultery (eyes for other than Christ), you cannot cease from sin; and follow doctrines of Balaam desiring the lusts of the flesh (2 Pt 2:14-16, 18). What a perfect example of spiritual adultery (idolatry) the television is (Habakkuk 2:19). The idols of old were wood, stone and metal. They couldn’t speak. The idol of today speaks all manner of abomination to an attentive and eager audience – what a hold it has! Do not presume this to be innocent before God!
Now many will say at this point that they do not watch the bad stuff, only the wholesome entertainment. The problem is that there is no wholesome secular entertainment on television. The whole premise of acting is to present yourself to an audience as something you are not – to pretend and convince of an untruth (deception). The audience is made voyeurs into lives or situations of others to be taught a humanistic message. Some will say, “I only watch the discovery channel.” This channel teaches evolution and vast geological ages in contradiction to God’s Word. It teaches the worship of the creation rather than the creator. How about the man-centered History channel? This is what man deems important as edited by man and popular opinion. Even the commercials on TV are evil. They are advertising which is nothing more than witchcraft. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to manipulate you into buying a product that you wouldn’t necessarily buy. They also want to bury the thought of their product in your mind (hypnotism) and to entice you into lusts and covetousness (Heb 13:5, Ps 119:36). Covetousness is idolatry (Col 3:5). Advertisers must fixate your attention on their product in a short moment of time by appealing to your inner lusts such that the enticement will remain long after the appeal and result in a later action. This is serious manipulation! Recall from Chapter One, Satan’s process of enticement: temptation, lust or desire, capitulation, and action. Due to the amount of money that is spent on advertising, you can be sure they are getting a return. When you willfully watch such things you are exposing yourself to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tm 4:1). Some will contend and say there are some good things on TV such as the preachers. One only has to listen to their message in light of God’s Word to realize that they are presenting damnable heresies, making merchandise of you (2 Pt 2:1-3), and are lover’s of money (2 Tm 6:10, 1 Pt 5:2). Their messages must be popular (sugar coated) to maintain audience and receive the much coveted donations and offerings (Ti 1:11). False prophets are always popular with the people and likeable. Their messages appeal to your flesh and do not deny it.
Most people fit in with “Popular Culture.” This is defined as having values that come from advertising, the media, and icons of style as targeted to ordinary people in society. Where do your values come from? Those who develop television programming, newsprint and movies want to shape you (conform you) to their image. In many cases, they have succeeded. Many who “profess Christ” may find in an honest self-examination that their daily lives reflect popular culture more than the Jesus described in the Bible (must read to know).
Even if television programming was completely neutral or you just sat in front of an empty box it would at a minimum be a tremendous waster of time and as such an idol put before God. We are to redeem the time because the days are evil (Eph 5:16). Would the Bible be read? Would the prayers be offered? Can you imagine standing before God and realizing all the time you sat in front of a little box – not to mention willingly filling your mind with all that opposes Christ?
This exposes your true heart!
How does your television time compare to your Bible reading time?
Which one is of eternal value?
How much do you pray versus watch television?
Which truly receives more honor – God or TV?
Consider the following scriptures before you next view the television:
2 Corinthians 10:5, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” The television programming is designed to keep our thoughts on things of man (take captive) and off of Christ. Everything shown exalts itself against the knowledge of God. True knowledge of God seeks and performs His will. Some have no knowledge because their hearts are elsewhere (Hos 4:6). Your thoughts are captive to the obedience of the world, not Christ.
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things, are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Very few (most likely none) programs would meet the qualifications of this verse.
1 John 5:21, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
Many have noted how evil television programming has become and have made comments to suggest that if it gets any worse they will have to stop watching it. Well it continually gets worse, inhibitions are lowered, evil becomes more acceptable and the day to remove it never seems to come for most. Has the programming ever become more moral or godly? If it were, would God desire you to sit in front of a box all day?
A religious man once told me about how awful television programming had become. I told him that he should turn the television off and take it out of his home. He became quiet and quickly dropped the subject. He was willing to acknowledge the darkness (evil), but that was the extent. This is why some do not approach the light (Jn 3:20) and that’s the condemnation (Jn 3:19). Christ once told the Pharisees: John 9:41, “Jesus said unto them, if ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” In other words if you are ignorant about a sin, perhaps you could plead innocence. If you have knowledge of God’s truth, yet ignore it or if you see your sin (have knowledge of it) and ignore it, then you are definitely guilty. You no longer have a cloak for your sin (Jn 15:22). James 4:17, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Many fill their lives with all sorts of distractions. These preoccupations take away from the really eternally important things such as prayer, bible study and family altars. The sad thing and an indictment is that many families feel uncomfortable studying and discussing God’s Word together or they just don’t know how. Perhaps it’s to convicting of their desired actions. Many may also feel awkward praying for any length of time. However, these same individuals could possibly talk for hours about a sports event, news item or popular movie. Many need to relearn and develop new ways of doing things. People naturally do not like change and the flesh will fight this. Developing a new life is awkward at first, and maybe uncomfortable, but then soon replaces the old life as the norm. We must all rebuild on a sure foundation (1 Cor 3:11). In any case this will not happen until your heart changes toward God. You must cry out in repentance and allow God to convert you as only He can do.
Parents and grandparents who “profess Christ,” how can you allow your precious little ones to be subjected to and taught by such evil? Even the Disney tapes have been occultic since the early days with sorcerers, fairies, witches, etc. Disney goes by the term, “Magic Kingdom.” Scriptures have always revealed magicians and their enchantments as opposing God and associated them with sorcerers, soothsayers, Chaldeans and astrologers (Dan 2:2, 27, 4:7, 9, 5:11). Examples of occult in Disney would be Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Fantasia. No matter how you glamorize witchcraft, it is still an abomination to God and challengers His purposes. The movies absolutely have messages that are rebellious to God’s truth and seek to teach worldly values. You can take your children to religious services and send them to religious schools all you want, but the television and your actions will probably become the real teachers.
So, is television really a serious issue? Jesus said, Mark 9:47-48, “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” What do you suppose Jesus was talking about? Jesus was saying that this issue of sin and worldliness is so serious that you should go to whatever extreme you have to in order to stop it. Hell is unimaginably bad! Christ was not kidding, but was strongly emphasizing the effects of exposing your heart to evil. When considering your relationship with Christ and the love of the things of the world, you should ponder the question Jesus asked: Luke 6: 46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Having read how Jesus walked when He was on the earth, surely one cannot imagine Christ in a recliner in front of the television (WWJD?). Jesus would never have taken pleasure in sin, loved the things of the world, or entertained Himself. Why do you suppose that He would have you do such? Those who would say Christ did what He did so we would not have to, have basically turned the grace of God into lasciviousness and made Christ the minister of sin (Jude 1:4, Gal 2:17). You are saying that rather than deliver you from sin; Jesus came to allow you to do sin. This is evil and blasphemous. This is saying that God, who would not overlook or excuse sin, sent His only Son to justify sin. Where is the reconciliation in that? This presumption would have God conceding to the will of man and ultimately to that of Satan. The fact is that Jesus is the firstborn of many brethren (Rm 8:29). Brethren are those who resemble each other. You could never overcome on your own, but you sure can through Jesus Christ. Jesus says that you must be an overcomer (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21, 21:7, 1 Jn 5:4). Why would Christ have us overcome if He had overcome for us?
Our eyes must be on Jesus. Luke 11:34-36, “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Having a single eye means that you are focused on Christ and not Christ and the world. To look upon and enjoy darkness is to be filled with such. You cannot claim to love Christ and then enjoy those things that oppose Him. Your actions always become your choices – conscious or not.
Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” The question is whom will you serve? The gods of this land as paraded across the television screen every night. These are gods of money, sensual pleasure, lusts, covetousness, violence, entertainment, self, and all manner of evil. One day you will stand before the one true God. The countless hours of wasted time taking pleasure in evil will surely be noted. How will you respond?
Did you love God enough to seek Him every day?
Was He the passion of your heart?
Did you ever take the time to read through His Word?
Jesus said: Matthew 12:37, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” How much more by the thoughts and intents of the heart? 1 Corinthians 10:14, “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”
Many a conservative (patriotic?) religious man has taken issue with the liberal news media. These constantly talk about how the media is liberal or anti-Christian. They tell of their secret agendas or political leanings. The odd thing is that these same ones depend upon the liberal news media for all their information. The entire world’s news media is talking about the same things – worldly things. Conservative or liberal, makes no difference, there is only one needful thing and that is the Word of God. The wise will understand and remove themselves from the things of the world. Your mind will either be on the things of the world or the things of God. There will always be worldly stories and issues designed to captivate you and put your mind upon them – a little for the conservative and a little for the liberal. If you really want to know the truth, both conservative and liberal are headed in the same direction (the wrong one) – not in rhetoric, but in actions.
Most will take issue with what has been said in these paragraphs because the Lord’s conviction will now force a decision. Most will choose to continue in the darkness, but justification will now need to be sought by those who “profess Christ,” but love the darkness (Pv 1:7, 23-33). Can you honestly stand before God and tell Him you are justified to do these things? If so, what biblical text can you possibly base your opinion upon given the Lord’s desire that we have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness or pleasure in unrighteousness? Ultimately you will answer for such things. Please consider this very carefully: Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
The author came to this point in realizing that although “religious,” I had loved the darkness and not the light. A man once told me that he believed much of the defeat in his life was due to the television. This shined light upon my darkness. At first I considered the fact that the television had always been there and was such a huge part of my life – how could it be forsaken? It taught, comforted, pacified, informed, held my attention, provided, and passed the hours away. In short, the television was seated in the place of Christ; it was an idol, a god. Is it any different with you? I may have been a bit reluctant at first, but the conviction remained. When I look back, those were dark times in my life. The decision was difficult because the darkness around me was great and the stronghold was well established. Praise God for the freedom today – all things are possible through Jesus Christ. My duty as a member of the church (Ecclesia – body of Christ) is to exhort and admonish those who profess Christ to walk therein. I therefore urge you to come to the light – I plead with you.
For those who will profess love for Christ, but continue to have eyes for another (world) courting/wooing it with their time, resources and devotion (idolatry) while disregarding the evil and seeking its dainties (covet): Ephesians 5:5-7, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Psalms 97:7, “Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.” There will be an accounting (Rm 14:12). Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” Proverbs 9:9, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Removing oneself from evil is very wise – he that has an ear!
It is worthwhile to note that this idol – known as television (that most cannot do without) only came into being very recently in the history of man. Television was not readily available to the public until the 1950’s. On the timeline of man this is just a small blip at the end of the age, characterized as in the time of Noah – when wickedness abounds. Those who live in this last generation will be unique compared to those who came before. When God looks at your life, how will this idol have influenced it? Will you have been wise?
Tags: idol, television, tv
Let me share with you a sound passage of Scripture that is dealing with the character of the true minister and of the approach those have, who preach the glorious gospel.
1Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
v5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
v6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
v7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children:
v8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
v9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
v10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
v11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
v12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Look at the true marks of those who preach the glorious gospel:
1) They speak to glorify God, not to please man, they are ambassadors of Christ, not making the message more acceptable or in any way do they try to please any man.
v4, Gal 1:10 Because they were ENTRUSTED WITH THE TRUTH, they cannot be unfaithful to the Truth, they are ministers of the Truth, they cannot speak to accommodate man, but only to please God, even if it will hurt someone’s feeling. It is God who try our hearts to see if we speak to please man, or God, fear for men in the heart brings a message that will not offend, and so if fear for men is there, fear for God is lacking.
2) They do not try to be diplomatic, to hide behind words or better expression; they speak it like it is.
“For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know,” plainly, openly, and faithfully they told them their case as it was. The Truth are in many ways hindered and even changed by many who gives it a better look just not to offend or look harshly. Translators are today busy to translate big parts of Scripture to be more “sensitive” to the reader’s feelings and to not be so offensive. Trying to give Truth a better look or cloth it with some more acceptable garment has no part in those who preach the glorious gospel, who are true ministers of Christ. They do not flatter, sweet talk, smooth talk with words at ANY TIME. The meaning is, that the apostle did not deal in the language of adulation; he did not praise them for their beauty, wealth, talent, or accomplishments, and conceal from them the painful truths about their guilt and danger. He stated simple truth – not refusing to commend people if truth would admit of it, and never hesitating to declare his honest convictions about their guilt and danger. See 2Co 2:17. We may therefore state that like the Rick Warren’s, those using words to make the gospel more acceptable or to praise man’s abilities are not true ministers of the gospel. Paul says that they had not descended to flattery in order to make the gospel acceptable. They had not flattered men’s self-complacency so as to blind them to their need of the radical work which the gospel demands.
3) They do not show off or show forth so that they may in some way profit from it.
”… nor a cloke of covetousness” The word used here for “cloke” is “prophasis” which means that you put colour or light to something to make it more attractive or manifest. Something is portrayed for a pretense. Those that don’t preach the glorious gospel are making a show of there “ministries” under a big pretence that it is the power and work of God. They especially use this “show” to obtain money and to influence people to give liberally for their cause to have more. They use it to cover up their covetousness, greediness and materialism, so that it is done under the pretense of furthering the gospel or the kingdom of God. These are the ones that are materialistic and money-oriented in their standard of living; all under a cloke that what they possess is what God gave them. The true minister’s life is hidden with Christ in God! The meaning here is, that he did not put on a pretence or appearance of piety for the sake of promoting the schemes of covetousness. The evidence of that was not only what they observed of the general spirit of the apostle, but also the fact that when with them he had actually labored with his own hands for a support (1Th 2:9). It is obvious that there were those there, as sometimes there are now, who, under the pretence of great zeal for religion, were really seeking wealth. Is it your study, your earnest labor, to bring sinners to God; to preach among your heathen parishioners the unsearchable riches of Christ?
4) They do not seek glory or fame of men.
“Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” They do not seek to be of reputation or to seem good. If they are liked or not, it do not matter to them. This “glory” Paul refers to here is based on what one thinks. Many are so busy with what others think of them that they live out their lives trying to please and applause man and to carry man’s praise than the praise of God. To be in a high opinion or reputation. They did not seek after it as the Pharisees and false teachers did, who received honor one of another, and sought not that which comes from God only: but so did not the apostles; they took no steps this way to procure glory and esteem among men, but all the reverse; they preached doctrines which were not of men, nor according to men, nor agreeable to them; and these they delivered in a disagreeable way, not with enticing words of men’s wisdom, they did not seek to please men, but spoke and did everything that rendered them mean and despicable in their eyes; so that they looked upon them as the filth of the world, and the off scouring of all things: nor was this any disappointment to them, for to gain the support of men was not their end and view; they did not seek for glory neither of the men of the world.
5) They do not burden others with even the burdens and weights they are occupied with.
“When we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” They do not go around telling others about their burdens and needs. To tell someone about the burden be it financial places a burden on another and thus becoming burdensome. True ministers of the glorious gospel, doesn’t put burdens on anyone in financial or material matters at all. That surely conveys that in all their burdens they don’t tell others about their burdens, be it financial, material,, etc, because one cannot exists without making such known in whatever way… False teachers therefore will be known by their going around speaking about their state of affairs, even in hardships and deep burdens. True ministers make their needs known to God through prayer and supplication and in thanksgiving – see Philippians 4:6-9.
“And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable (burdensome) to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. “ 2Co 11:9
Here you find this very strong underlying principle in those preaching the glorious gospel …”when I was present with you and in financial need, I did not tell you about it (chargeable) or to anyone (no man), and in ALL things I have kept (back) and guard and prevent myself and will keep myself from telling you or letting you know in any way or manner and thereby burden you…” What’s more, is that although they not only do not burden others with their needs, they encourage and even nourishes others by their own deep poverty. “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherished (to warm) her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable (burdensome) unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” To cherish, to take special care of others, while no care is being given them. This is the true from the false, the one labor and are in travail, hardship (referring to labor) and painfulness (2Cor 11:27 same word used here) not to be a burden, casting all upon Him Who is able to care for that which He had called them to. This shows that they did not seek their own ease and worldly interest; and proves what is before mentioned, that they did not use a cloak of covetousness, but chose to do without, and not claim on what they had a right to, lest the Gospel should be hindered or reproached:
6) They preach more than just the gospel. They are involved in the lives even of those they preach to!
They don’t spare themselves the troubles of others they are involved in preaching. Some say they are only called to preach the gospel and that’s all. But the true minister never shrinks from also giving his time and energy, even if it cost him his very ease. “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” You will find the true minister a servant that serves and not a master that rules or one who order others around.
7) They always keep their lives holy and unblemished in the sight of God and man.
It is important to them that Christ’s name will not be blasphemed or be in disgrace by anything they carry out and tolerate. “Ye are witnesses and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” They are holily, pure, without mixed motives, justly, doing and practice what was true and just, and living in nothing in which others can find charge in their conduct.
8 ) They desire that Christ might be formed and glorified in others. They labor for nothing else.
Nothing else compel them or moves them. Their whole doctrine and message is Christ and He crucified and their whole ministry is to glorify His work. Their labor and centrality is Christ crucified because in that Christ is being formed (1 Cor 2:2) “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” Many’s message and passion are lacking this one central objective. The false teacher preaches other truths but not THE Truth. They focus on charity, unity, aids, the family, dispensations, types, eschatology, church life, prayer, revival, holiness, grace, law, evangelism, healing, tongues, the Holy Spirit, etc, etc, all truths, but not the central pivot object, Christ and Him crucified, to present each one complete in Him.
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which work in me mightily. “ (Col 1:27 -29)
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” (Gal 4:19)
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1Co 2:2)
May God through His Word bless and strengthen and establish each one complete in Christ to the glory of His praise.
One of the biggest issues in the Church today is how we arrive at truth. There are so many different camps and eveyone has his own view and truth. For example: We have churches that think frenzied laughter is a way to worship God, while other churches conduct services that sound like a barnyard. Ourworld is dotted with Word-Faith proponents that see God as the great vending machine in the sky.
All of the groups in this confusing mix say they are preaching the truth and being led by the Spirit.
It is also obvious that some arrive at truth in the same fashion as the poem, “Why Are Fire Engines Red?”
They have four wheels and eight men
four plus eight is twelve
twelve inches make a ruler
a ruler is Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth sails the seven seas
the seven seas have fish
the fish have fins
The Finns hate the Russians
the Russians are red
Fire engines are always rushin’
So they’re red.
Many handle the Bible in much the same way. Unless we come to true Bible interpretation truth will become more relative by the hour and thousands will perish while clinging to some Scripture verse or doctrine that was derived at in error. Peter warned:
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (1 Pet 3:15-18)
From the words of Peter it is evident that it is the “unlearned” and “unstable” that “wrest” or twist the Scriptures to their own destruction and that of others! We should then in short:
1. Become advised and instructed in how to interpret Scripture and how to deal with it (from Scripture itself first).
2. Become stable or fixed in the life and teaching of Christ Jesus. No one that is not fixed in the “doctrine” and “wholesome words” of Christ can or will be able to interpret Scriptures rightly. No one that are not stable or fixed in the doctrine of Christ, of sin, of the nature and revelation of God etc, can be able to rightly interpret the Scriptures for example. Please remember that the words of Christ is the combination of everything from Genesis to Revelation that God wanted men to know, it is a concise and exact and precise form of all God wanted men to understand and be confronted with. In the Words and doctrine of Christ is embodied all that man needs to understand God and how God revealed Himself, for He is the Word made flesh!
3. We should know and beAWAREthat Scriptures are being twisted and this should have a personal application to us to do our best to:
“present ourselves to God and to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15)
4. We should be take great care lest we also be “led away” by the “ERROR OF THE WICKED” (which are already in the Christian church working)and so “FALL from our own steadfastness” (error let you lose your ground and lets you slip)! This call for serious discernment and personalexamination of the things you hold as truth and sound -
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Tim 4:16)
5. We should grow in grace! Do you know that the Grace you received must be cultivated in your life? To grow in grace means that you should use every means of grace that are available from God so that you may grow in it. Also to lay down sin and things that would make God’s grace in your life void! It is a moral matter. It also means that you should what you know and have come to learned (the light you received) – that you should walk in that and abide in that! Without growing in grace you will never be able to be what God wants you to be, cultivate a good conscience and walk humbly with the Lord!
6. We should Grow in knowledge of Christ! Christ has not merely given us a doctrine; He also gave us an example to follow! We should not merely continue in His Word but also be followers of His Life and be conformed to His likeness! This is not a “mental” or intellectual pursuit but a pursuit of the heart -
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls…” (Matt 11:29)
Without His yoke around your “neck” and without a eager and intense “learn of Me” (by let your heartfollowing a life example) you will not be able to interpret His Word because you are not under its discipline!
These 6 things will if followed carefully helps and safeguards us to a true interpretation of the Scriptures!
How do you know that the way you interpret Scripture is not what Peter describes here!
What happens when what you hold to as truth in the light of Scripture is erroneous, will you repent or just ignore it to your own destruction?
Same sex marriage or relationships is rebellion against God.
“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:
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 recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Rom 1:26-32
If you are in a same sex relationship or even consent to those who have then you are in danger of God’s Wrath and indignation! Same sex marriage is a deep rebellion against the authority and sovereignty of God. It is destroying humankind and those that are involved in it. It bears fruit unto death and damn the soul that is caught up in its vices! No man or woman who partake in same sex relationships are in God’s will but are under the wrath of God presently and if there is no repentance and deliverance for eternity! God did not make anyone homosexual, God made you what you were, male or female. If you are not what you were made and fulfil the role that you were created for then you are in rebellion against God.
People caught up in this grim act of rebellion are people who do not recognise God for Who He is! Deliverance comes when you realise and recognise God for Who God truly is! Your idea about God must change. This is the first step out of this serious sin and bondage.
Those caught up in same sex relations make a god that suit themselves. They tell themselves that God is not what some make Him too be! They do not acknowledge God nor do they give Him true honour. They change what God has said into doubts and bring all kinds of questions about who and what they are and the things that God has created for a purpose and so they exchange the truth for a lie and start worship their own tailor made god!
When someone EXCHANGE God for an idol god or view – the truth for the lie – that they hold for themselves and not one that which God revealed Himself through then men became open to all kinds of acts or rebellion.
Because the Truth of God was exchanged the roles were exchanged! When you see roles exchanged you see the Truth changed into lies! The phrase the Word use here in Romans 1:25 – “the truth of God” also means the “True God!” The true God is exchanged for a false God! The phrase, “the truth of God” is a Hebrew phrase, meaning “the true God.” In such a case, where two nouns come together, one is employed as an adjective to qualify the other. Most commonly the latter of two nouns is used as the adjective, but sometimes it is the former, as in this case. God is called “the true God” in opposition to idols, which are called false gods. There is but one real or true God, and all others are false. Paul states the true God is changes Into a lie – Into idols, or false gods. Idols are not infrequently called falsehood and lies, because they are not true representations of God. (Jer 13:25; Isa 28:15; Jer 10:14; Psa 40:4)
Homosexuality is IDOLATRY! It is serving and worshipping another god – a god of perversion and vile affection! If you are in a same sex relationship or “marriage” or give consent to such a life style then you are serving and worshipping a false god and in rebellion against the True God who are being exchanged for something else or something that suits you “better!” That is why God’s wrath are against all who are involved in this for He share His glory and reference with no one. All praise and worship belongs and should belong to the True God for He alone is worthy of complete adoration and worship, but when we do not recognise Him and ignore His laws and God instituted principles that are proclaimed throughout creation then His wrath are kindled and His righteousness seeks justice to be served! So rather than serving God as He wants to be served man began serving themselves and their vile affections! They exalt themselves against God’s order and rebel against His Wisdom and sovereignty! They say no to the True God and yes to that which is not god but which serve them well! Who changed the truth – The true worship of God – Into a lie – False, abominable idolatries. And worshipped – Inwardly. And served – Outwardly – vile affections and change the natural order into that which is inappropriate and depraved!
IF HOMOSEXUALITY is not sin apology is owed to Sodom-Gomorrah which experienced serious urban renewal. But, of course, God says it is sin.
Same sex relationship is under judgment of God and those that get involved in it and do not heed the Word of God are given over to its vile affections. Same sex relationship peopledoes not serve God but their own lusts even if they confess to know God or are in a right relationship with God!
Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around were destroyed for this sin, if God did not spare them, God will not spare anyone else that are involve or even consent to it! Do not be deceived God is not mocked, for whatever a man sow the same he will reap! Flee from the Wrath of God and repent and seek the Lord Jesus Christ in whom is redemption and forgiveness from this destructive sin TODAY for tomorrow may be too late! Why will you die in your sins when there was a way out? Let Jesus Christ take you out of your bondage like He took Israel out of slavery and let Him brought you out to brought you into the blessed life in God’s good pleasure! You need to be clothed with His righteousness and forgiveness to be set free. When you look at yourself, you will not be able or see a way out, but when you look at the cross of a crucified Saviour and fix your eyes and choice on Him then He will lead you out of the snare of the evil one into Immanuel’s land!
My dear friend, don’t be in any doubt. Homosexuality is wrong in every way both male and female homosexuality. In God’s Word (Romans 1), the Apostle Paul stated that women who change their natural use just like men (verse 27) are in error or sin. God dislikes male homosexuality on the same level as female homosexuality.
Jude 7 states Sodom and Gomorrah gave themselves over to strange flesh which included both men and women. He said when God rained down fire and brimstone which was an example of them being thrown in the Lake of Fire, it revealed how evil God looks upon homosexuality.
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)
However, what is more important than homosexuality being a sin is why God detests homosexuality and what is bad about it.
What is bad about homosexuality is it is against God’s purpose of reproducing.
You cannot produce children through homosexuality or even worse bestiality.
In Leviticus 18 God shows committing bestiality like homosexuality causes sexual confusion.
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination. 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. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:” (Lev. 18:22-24)
It is confusion because God ordained reproduction through kind after its kind (Genesis 1). Homosexuality and bestiality are against God’s way of sex. You can only produce children of kind after kind or between male and female. This is God’s Law, whole of creation testifies to this. Anything contrary to fulfilling God reproducing – be fruitful and multiply – is a sin!
Paul writes, “Evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” “Look, the so-called gay or lesbian life style, they have gay pride parades, how can you be proud of something which if everybody adopted it, it’s the end of the human race because these people don’t produce children.” Ah, but now we can do it artificially. So you can have a couple of lesbians living together and they can have children. So now they are circumventing God’s way of doing things.
The rebellion, if the Lord tarries, is only going to get worse, and for me to try to reason from the Scriptures with anyone about this as the only solution for some for the most are not going to accept that at all!
There is deliverance from this, the Way is open out of bondage into true freedom through Jesus Christ the Lord!
Repent and flee to Christ as the only deliverance for your sin, why do you want to die in your sin and be under the Wrath of God when He has made a Way out for you to live? Why will you die in your sin?
Who Will go to Heaven (according to Psalm 24)?
”Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully…” Psalm 24 deals with such an astounding truth.
Did you ever wonder who will go to Heaven? Some belief all good men go to Heaven and bad men go to Hell. Others belief that all will go to Heaven or will ultimatly reach Heaven! Some belief nothing. There is only one of two places to go when you die and go out of this world! Heaven or Hell.
Who can ascend into the presence of the Lord or stand in His Holy Place? Who can? Well, God gave all men testimony: he that have “clean hands” and “a pure heart” and who have not (past tense – even if you do not do it today anymore that disqualifies you – have not!!!) lifted up his soul unto vanity (did vain things, look after vain things, think vain things, etc) nor sworn deceitfully – that is have never told a lie!!! And how many lies do you have to tell to be a liar? You quest it – ONLY ONE!
So here the Lord Gos through David addresses the issue who can and who will go to Heaven! He also addresses the issue of what work the Lord must do in those who will go to Heaven, for none with unclean hands, impure hearts and who lives in vanity and deceit can ever “ascend” nor stand in His Holy place! Just look at this! That is NO MAN can be or will be able! By natural birth you are not going to get into Heaven because you also are impure and unclean by nature! If you would die in the same way you came into this world you will not go to Heaven! One lie disqualifies you from entering Heaven!
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully…”
Then the Holy Lord draws a picture of “gates” and “everlasting doors” that guards as it is the very entrance into the very presence of God – Heaven - and describes the eternal “temple” or dwelling place of a Holy and Majestic God! The ancient gates of the eternal temple are personified and addressed in song by the attending angels.
The Lord Jesus Christ ALONE (not Mary, Mohammed, Buddha, Lekgenyane, Modise, Shembe, Confucius, etc ONLY JESUS CHRIST) could ascend into the hill of the Lord because His hands were clean and His heart was pure, there was no fault nor sin in Him nor did He ever do one sin, He alone was the spotless unblemished Lamb of God to ENTER AND OPEN UP THE WAY FOR US so we by faith in Him are conformed to his image we shall enter too.
We have here a picture of our Lord’s glorious ascent into the very presence of God. This is what happened the moment when He “ascended on High” and this Psalm pictures that very moment when a Man for the very FIRST TIME ENTERED the very presence of God and stood in the Most Holy of holies “TO BRING MANY SONS TO GLORY!”
“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in B R I N G I N G M A N Y S O N S U N T O G L O R Y, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:10
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, T H A T H E M I G H T B R I N G U S T O G O D, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit”1Peter 3:18
These “ancient gates” and “everlasting doors” were opened that moment Christ ascended on High to enter the very presence of God ON BEHALF OF ALL MAN so that we may through His redemptive work share in His glory and live in the very eternal presence of a Holy God! Christ is the King of Glory.
Oh, the depth of the work of Christ accomplished to bring man into the very presence of God so that man may serve and worship Him who alone is worthy of all praise and glory! And to serve Him, we first must be redeemed and be sanctified (set apart) so that He may receive our everything, our unadulterated unmixed pure devotion that would be acceptable to a Holy God!
Israel could not serve God in Egypt, God said “let My people go SO THAT THEY MAY SERVE ME” and so they first HAD TO BROUGHT OUT TO BE BROUGHT INTO separation from sin, the world, self and its influences so that they could be brought into a place where they could serve the Lord free from bondage and such is the Work Christ came to accomplish, man FREE from sin, the world and the flesh can be separated unto the Lord (holy) in order to serve Him alone all the days of our lives:
“That he would grant unto us, that WE BEING DELIVERED OUT OF THE HAND OF OUR ENEMIES MIGHT SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR, IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE HIM, ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIFE.” Luk 1:74-75 (Italics mine)
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering and may He bring MANY in this present age to His glorious redemption so that YOU MAY SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE!
It is possible that someone are saying, “I shall never enter into the Heaven of God, for I have neither clean hands nor a pure heart.”
Look then to Christ, who has already climbed the Holy Hill. He has entered as the forerunner of those who ENTER THROUGH Him (see John 10:9-10). He has entered there FOR YOU!
Follow in His footsteps, and repose upon His merit. Endeavour with all your might to be found IN Him, for IN Him alone you can enter and stand.
He rides triumphantly into Heaven, and you shall ride there too if you repent and come to Him to enter through Him Who is now the Entrance and Door to Heaven ALONE (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:4-5).
“But how can I get the character described?” say you. The Spirit of Christ will give you that if your eye become single focussed on Christ and Christ the Lord alone.
He will create within you a new heart and a right spirit. He will circumcise your heart and take out of your inner being the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh and write His law on this heart so that you may serve Him without any bondage in holiness and righteousness! He ever lives NOW to bring you if you will but come to Him into the very presence of God and exchange your life with His!
Faith stands by the fountain filled with blood (the cross of Christ), and as she washes therein, clean hands and a pure heart, a holy soul and a truthful tongue are given to her.
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. HE SHALL RECEIVE THE BLESSING FROM THE LORD, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM THE GOD OF HIS SALVATION…” Psalm 24:3-5
“THIS is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face…”. Psa 24:6
Come and follow Him and adhere to Him and His Word alone and you will find that He is the Way the Truth and the Life!
God Bless!
Tags: heaven, who will go to heaven
One of the great signs is apostacy – a falling away from sound Biblical Faith and a following after faith that feels good or another kind of “knowing God.”
How is it that humans can be seduced by false light? What is Good, what Evil?…..It is important to begin by understanding that when both God and the serpent spoke about knowing good and evil, they were not talking about discerning right from wrong………..I was very interested to learn that the Hebrew word translated “good” in Gen.3 has NO moral significance at all!! Its meaning is limited to natural sensual experience that feels pleasant, sweet, peaceful or agreeable, but it does not touch on the issues of moral goodness, or of righteousness before God.
In other words, the knowledge of good is about feeling good, not being good……………………………..significantly the Hebrew word for “evil” in Gen.3 contains both natural/sensual and moral elements….including sensual evils such as calamity, bitter taste, deformity, distress, injury and misery, and also moral evil such as whicked desires, thougths and beliefs. therefore to know the evil of the serpent is to experience both feeling bad and being bad.
Furthermore, to know evil means that being bad makes us feel good. This is the grave result of the Fall, and one problem of our sin nature.”On Knowing” – The Hebrew word translated “knowledge” or “knowing” in Gen.3 in the context of the forbidden fruit …, is from the root word yada, having the sense of “knowing by experience’, as opposed to knowing through the mind or intellect. In Hebrew yada is also a euphemism for sexual intercourse. It is surely no accident that this word was used in Gen to describe how humans can know good and evil. The fact that satan is the god of occult experience, where human flesh and spirit meet occult spirit.
This means that the knowledge gained by men and women in occult spiritual encounters is sensual and experiential knowledge of Satan. In the same manner a man comes to know a woman by intimate personal encounter and not through a book, so man comes to know satan through occult experience and not through the Word.
Occult knowing is an intimate, sensual and personal experience with occult spirit. therefore when people ’soak’, enter trance states and open themselves to occult love they are, whether they realise it or not, lying with God’s enemy, the serpent.”
End time deception and apostacy is one of the greatest signs of the coming of Christ. Christ Jesus will be replaced by another “Christ” even antichrist, the Holy Spirit will be replaced by another spirit and the gospel will be replaced by another gospel and so God will be replaced in this world by another system, who also speaks about salvation, faith, knowing God, but it is in nature contradictions of the True. The Truth will be replaced by the Lie! Antichrist does not merely mean “against Christ” but it also mean “in the place of Christ!” BEFRORE ANTICHRIST WILL BE REVEALED IN THE WORLD (visible – in person) AS AGAINST CHRIST HE WILL BE REVEALED TO THE WORLD (invisible – in spirit) IN THE PLACE OF CHRIST!
This mean that people will get more and more spiritual and christianised, but the Christ they will follow and cling to will not be Christ Jesus but the antichrist! How do we know? The False gives man an experience based knowledge and faith (without the sound Word of God) the Truth gives man liberty from sin and strict obedience to the Word of God even when there is nothing to experience!
“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…” 2Pe 1:20-21
There are some principles here for correctly interpreting and analising the Scriptures in these few verses:
1) Scripture is not a mattter of private interpretation. It does not matter how we interpret Scripture, it matter only how God who gave us His Word interpret His word! That means that God’s Word is self-interpreting! Scripture should interpret itself. This means that we should always let Scripture make itself plain to us (comparing Scripture with Scripture – 1 Cor 2:10-15) and not read our own doctrine or ideas into a certain text.
2) Scripture did not came through the will of man and cannot therefore be interpreted or made plain by the endeavour of man! God hides himself from the wise and learned and reveal Himself to babes (unlearned, unschooled who take God at His word!) (Matt 11:25-27) An unrenewed mind (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 4:22-24) or the “old man” are not able to comprehend the Scriptures! Eyes of the heart should first be “opened” to “see” and understand and interpret the Scriptures (Luk 24:45, Eph 1:18)
3) Scripture came as God moved “holy men” by the Holy Spirit. Scriptures came by holy men and it is through holiness (to be set apart for the Lord God and His purposes etc) that men can begin to understand the mind of God. No man that is not consecrated and “holy unto the Lord” can interpret the Scriptures correctly! (2 Tim 2:15-21)
4) Scriptures were given by inspiration of God through the Holy Spirit and can therefore only be interpreted under the same inspiration and guidance of the Spirit! (John 14-16) The Spirit dwells in them who belong to Christ Jesus (THE REDEEMED) and who has passed from death to life! (Rom 8:9-16) In them ALONE that are guided and controlled by the Holy Spirit they alone will come to a clear understanding of the Scriptures - even Christ who is the eternal Word of God! It is into Christ Jesus Whom the Holy Spirit guides men, who come to Him and abide in Christ Jesus as Lord and as their very lives who alone can have a correct understanding of His Word!
We do not know Him merely by intelectual endeavour but through revelation which is given only to them that loves Christ above everything else on earth (John 14:21-23)! And hereby we know who love Him – they that keep His Word!
There are other principles as well, but let me rest with these…
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2Ti 2:22
The “7 Fold plan of God” for deliverance of sexual vices and sins:
1) FLEE from it, do not play with… it or spend any space or time with it! Do not think you are strong enough to occupy some time with it or to watch some filth coming from it, it will defile you – FLEE IT! (2 Tim 2:22a)
2) COME FOLLOW Christ Jesus – follow and practice righteousness – (not merely doing what is right but be set right!) and make NO PROVISION for the flesh! (2 Tim 2:22; Rom 8, 13, 14, Gal 5:16-21; Luke 9:27; John 8:31-36)
3) Build your faith so that it may become strong to withstood this destructive sin! (Jude 19-21; 2 Tim 2:22-23)
4) Be followers and imitators of God! (2 Tim 2:22; Eph 5)
5) Follow hard after to be at peace with God. (2 Tim 2:22; Hebr 12:14)
6) Spend time and fellowship with those who CALLS on the Lord out of a pure heart and do not share in evil companionships! Bad company corrupts GOOD VALUES! (2 Tim 2:22; Hebr 12:25-26; 2 cOR 6:14-7:1)
7) FEED ON GOD’S WORD DAILY! The one that wants to be “strong in the Lord” and live in “the power of His might” must FEED on God’s Word DAY and NIGHT EVERY DAY!!! He shall be as a tree planted by the waters and which will yield his fruit in season and he/she shall PROSPER in the things and life of Christ! (Psalm 1; Col 3:15))
The mentioned 7 points are mere outlines, if you are really earnestly seeking deliverance from sexual sin and its vice, then go through each of these in your Bible and make EACH ONE your own and do not stop short before you have found deliverance through it! Its not a 7 step formula to get deliverance – NO – its a lifestyle in which you should live every moment of everyday! Send us a comment if you need help! God Bless!
Tags: deliverance, faith, lusts, sexual vices
We are looking at the letter to the Hebrew Christians. In this letter we have several warnings that were directed to them that should also be heeded by everyone who call himself Christian or religious, or be it Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, Primitive – ancestor worship, African traditional religion, Spirituality, ZCC, Rastafarian, New Age, Wicca, Atheism, Native American, Chinese traditional, etc, etc! Everyone should take heed of this warning!
The first warning from Hebrews to this generation:
REFUSAL TO REGARD CHRIST AND TAKE HEED OF HIS WORDS AND LIFE
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed…” (Heb 1:1-2)
“So see to it that you do not reject Him or refuse to listen to and heed Him Who is speaking [to you now]…”
REFUSE NOT HIM THAT SPEAKS… (Hebr 12:25)
The words of Christ has been seperated from todays gospel that is preached. Very little or none of what Christ has said and taught are hold to by this generation. The fact is that if Christ’s Word is not heeded and builded upon then that is proove that you do not have God or Christ even though you may claim to be super religious, saved, children of God, christian ….! ((2John 9)
The proof is if you abide in His Word and live by His Words and build your whole life on His Words and doctrine!
The prophets had spoken, God has spoken through the prophets in various ways, but He has spoken to us in these LAST days through His Son – Everything God ever wanted to say – everything He said – Christ is God’s Final WORD to mankind, what Christ taught, did, said, everything is an accumulation of what God did say, was saying, ever wanted to say!
Some hold to some text here or there in New or Old Testament, but what Christ has said is the ULTIMATE of what God ever was saying and ever wanted to convey! In the Words of Christ, even the very Life of Christ (remember He was the Word made flesh – He spoke even through His life!) we have the FULL embodiment of every Word of Christ and this word SHOULD BE BUILDED UPON.
I dont care what people are saying, I dont care what Calvin has taught, or Armenius, or whatever person. Some are so into Calvinism or the things Calvin or someone has taught and said that they have lost all perspective on the teachings and Words of Christ! It doesn’t matter in the end who have said what, all that will be important is if you have took heed of what Christ have said and taught!
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2John 1:9-11
All that is important and will ever stand is what Christ has taught and I urge you to take HEED and great CARE to His Words, His Life and His teachings, His parables, His manners, His heart, for if you don’t you do not have God and you abide under the Wrath of God!
Tags: ancestral worship, Armenius, Buddhist, Calvin, Gods final word, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, prophet, refuse, warnings to Christians, ZCC