Immorality: April 2012
Table of Contents
Immorality
The New Testament does not neglect the subject of immorality. Every book in the New Testament except for four short books, 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, and Second and Third John, have something to say about it. The stakes are high and the battles are fierce in the war against our spiritual adversary Satan and his host who would seek to destroy the spirit, soul and body of Christian men and women through sexual sins. This warfare is not new, but modern technology and unashamed open carnality bring the conflict close at hand. To effectively win this war, it is necessary to fight battles on two fronts at the same time. We must fill the heart within us with good instruction and keep it (Prov. 6), and we must guard the door on the outside from temptations that come (Prov. 7).
In this issue we will see excellent examples of one who fell into sin under the best of circumstances and of one who avoided it in the most difficult of circumstances. Likewise, the history of Lot shows how a selfish motive can be the beginning of a seriously wrong course and a ruined life, affecting also his family. While our consciences must be warned and reached to bring us to self-judgment as needed, our hearts are encouraged to occupy our minds with Christ to make us worshippers in the kingdom of God instead of defilers whom God must judge.
Addiction to Immorality
“This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thess. 4:3-4).
An overwhelming majority of people would admit that pornography is bad, but that has not stopped its rapid growth; it is now calculated to be a multibillion-dollar business. Advances in technology along with the lack of firm regulation over the media make it necessary for the Christian to raise barricades against it. Sexually explicit images defile the mind, soul and body. This type of defilement is not new, but its danger is much greater because of the media’s ability to reproduce seductive graphic images and make them readily available. Pornography is very addictive and destructive. Recovery is possible, but the deeper one goes into the addiction and the accompanying sinful pleasures, the harder rehabilitation is, and the less likelihood for recovery. These things also rob marriage, the most intimate of all relationships, of its God-given sanctity and degrade it into sinful pleasure. Lust is confused with love, for pornography is devoid of love and thus leaves out the basis of a good relationship. “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4).
Why It Is Wrong
A close look into the Word of God gives instruction as to what is at the core of this sin. The Lord Jesus pointed out the root cause when He said concerning adultery, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). The intent of pornography is to present something for lust, and the lustful look is the first step toward sexual sin. The Book of James gives the process that follows the lustful look: “He is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15). The way to deal with it is to refuse to look at it. If we always did this, then in this article we would be able to say, “Yes, brother, matter resolved. Tell me more about the Lord Jesus — the perfect man who made it so clear.” But hearts have not always resolved the issue with such simplicity.
Another deception is that while pretending to offer a relationship, pornography really destroys the basis of a good relationship. It is selfish and gives a “high” without a proper relationship. It destroys the formation of a relationship that could lead to a virtuous spouse and a happy marriage relationship. It is thus both deceptive and destructive. True relationships are developed only where there is respect, honor and love for one another.
Pornography opens the door to promiscuous behavior and all kinds of sexual sins. Prisons are full of offenders who got involved with it and were unable to control themselves. Let none think they can look at it and not be affected.
The Necessary Defense
Every Christian must raise a shield against immorality, for the world is full of attractive temptations that feed “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). The tactic of the enemy has always been to tempt man with these things. We must take the necessary preventative measures to assure that we are not defiled by it and that those in our homes are not exposed to it. The home should keep out the defilements of the world, as Deuteronomy 22:8 says, “When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.” Family households, be vigilant over the videos, magazines, TV, computer games and the Internet allowed in the home; these forms of the media must be carefully controlled or perhaps not allowed at all. For example, keep the computer in the open where it may be monitored. Remember the strange woman lurks in the dark and says, “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (Prov. 9:17). And if we see in ourselves or anyone in our household a weakness or inability to resist these kinds of temptation, more drastic measures of keeping the media out are necessary. “If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (Matt. 18:9). We suggest first trying the less drastic measure of getting rid of the media that present the lustful attractions to the eye and flesh.
Early Addiction
Those who have worked with men seeking for recovery from addiction have observed that there are stages of addiction. In early stages it is practiced in secret, and addiction is denied. Yet those who take the second look are already becoming addicted. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16). It took King David only one day. The umbrella of secrecy will not keep it contained, but is an excuse to allow it to go on. There is no such thing as not getting caught. One may be able to hide it from those around for a time, but never from God. Confession of the sin is the right way to overcome the addiction, and forgiveness is available, for “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Forgiveness from our family members is also much more readily extended when the sin is confessed in the early stages. If the matter is let go, the situation will only get worse.
Further Addictions
The course of action that David followed after he, from the rooftop, saw Bathsheba bathing is an example of more serious addiction (2 Sam. 11). The Lord gave David warnings of the root of his error throughout the course of events, but he did not heed them. We may ask why did he not see the warnings and react to stop the course of his addiction. The reason is plain and simple; previously he had yielded to pleasing self, and it was now controlling him. Verses 1-2 reveal how he had taken his ease when he should have been with his soldiers. It seems that living to please self is at the bottom of all sexual sins.
The addiction of David became more and more evident as he tried to cover it up by calling Uriah back from the battlefield. But Uriah, the man against whom he had sinned, gave a remarkable witness to the king of the very thing David had failed to do. “Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing” (2 Sam. 11:11). His care was for the ark, Israel and his lord Joab. Being rightly occupied with these things, he was not only far from falling into temptation, but he was able to bear witness to David of real piety. His heart was close to his fellow-soldiers. What a beautiful witness this was to David; it was what David lacked! The Lord will reward Uriah for it in His kingdom of glory. But David fails to get the point, for he is held by the cords of his sins. His mind is bound up in self-pleasing, and he proceeds by using what had been a temptation to him to entice Uriah to return to his house. He gave wine to Uriah so he would go down to sleep with his wife. David’s whole mindset was governed by his addiction and his effort to cover up the results of it, while Uriah was free from this and able to do what was right. He was strong in refusing the temptation, even under the influence of wine.
David, meanwhile, does not confess his sin, but pursues a scheme to rid himself of the one who was a witness to him of where he had failed. He causes Uriah to be put to death, and then he takes Bathsheba as his wife. God did not intervene until this point. What a sad story! It is a warning to ourselves and to our households of how controlling addiction is and how only the intervening government of God can stop the course when addiction becomes severe. It is the mercy of God that intervenes in a governmental way.
The Government of God
The mercy of the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David after he had taken Bathsheba to wife. And may we not see that the wisdom of God chose to wait until this time to deal with him in governmental judgment? The farther one goes in departing from the way, the more severe the judgment. God knew how far to allow David to go and accordingly brought down His judgment that corresponded to it, for his good. Knowing the wisdom and mercy of God in His governmental judgments should cause us humbly to submit to them when we have failed.
The parable Nathan related to David of the rich man’s taking the poor man’s sheep provokes David to pronounce his own judgment. What justice on God’s part! David said that the man should die and pay back fourfold. Paying fourfold was what the law prescribed when the sheep was stolen and eaten (Ex. 22:1), but if the animal were found alive, the restitution was to be double (Ex. 22:4). David went far in his course of disobedience, and the payback rate was high. God thus deals with us according to what is just.
Two judgments are put on David. The sword would never depart from his house because he killed Uriah, and God would allow David’s wives to be publicly taken from him by his neighbor. There is no such thing as a secret sin with God. Throughout David’s lifetime four of his sons were taken away in death, although David’s life was spared, for the Lord had further use for him. David’s descendant Jesus Christ would be the One who could, by His death, take away the sin of the world. Throughout the rest of David’s life, the discipline seems to have kept him from repeating the sin. He showed a humble attitude, especially when he fled from his son Absalom who rose up against him. No doubt at that time he recognized that it was God’s governmental judgment on him. This goes a long way towards happy restoration.
Restoration
In Psalm 51 David describes the experience of soul he went through after his sin with Bathsheba. It is a description of what it is like to have sin upon you while returning to God — the guilt, the lack of joy, the lack of communion and the desire for restoration. The Lord desires and has made a way for full restoration, but it is only possible by bringing everything out into the light before Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
It is obvious from this psalm that David considered it worthwhile to go through this in order to be restored. He also wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psa. 23:1-3). In this psalm we see how David attributed his restoration to the Lord.
D. C. Buchanan
Homosexuality
Our natural inclination might easily be to shy away from a discussion of this topic, but the publicity given to the matter in the world today and the fact that it is mentioned a number of times in God’s Word make it appropriate for us to consider what God has to say on the question.
First of all, it is of paramount importance to understand that the Word of God condemns homosexual practices in the strongest possible terms. Under the law of Moses, those engaging in such activities were to be “cut off from among their people” (Lev. 18:22,29; also Lev. 20:13). Likewise, Paul mentions the same sin in Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10; in all cases the practice is abhorred and soundly condemned. In the reference in Romans 1, a root cause of the matter is given: “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. ... Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own bodies, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves” (Rom. 1:21-24).
This is no doubt a reference to the time immediately after the flood of Noah, when Noah and his family all had the knowledge of the true God. But how quickly their posterity gave up that knowledge, and turned to idolatry! As a result, God gave them up, allowing them to see the full result of their departure from Him. The practice of homosexuality was obviously common in Sodom, resulting in God’s judgment on that wicked city, and the incident that occurred in Israel in the days of the judges is appallingly similar to what took place in Sodom — see Judges 19:22.
Legalization
Until very recently, strict laws against homosexual practices existed in most Western countries and also in many so-called pagan countries. While such activities doubtless went on, they were largely practiced in secret. Now same-sex marriages have been legalized in some countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain, Portugal, as well as in some states in the U.S.A. In such jurisdictions the practice of homosexuality is openly allowed and is taught in public schools as an acceptable alternative to a heterosexual relationship.
Contributing Factors of Its Origin
It is beyond the scope of this article to enter into a detailed discussion of the origin of these tendencies in some individuals. There are probably factors present in the genetic makeup of some persons that make them susceptible to a same-sex attraction. Also, there are sometimes factors resulting from the environment in which one is raised that may exacerbate or even stimulate such a tendency. However, there are two reasons from Scripture that are clear and definite, and we prefer to rely on God’s Word rather than speculate from a human point of view.
First of all, we have the passage in Romans 1, already quoted, that tells us that such a tendency (among other immoral practices) was a direct judgment of God on those who had willfully given up the knowledge of Him. God is not mocked, and if men shut Him out of their lives, there are consequences, both in the present and for eternity. The emergence of the AIDS virus about thirty years ago seems to be another example of “men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet” (Rom. 1:27).
Second, when sin entered this world as the result of the fall of man, man’s nature became corrupt, and we read that “the earth ... was corrupt” and “filled with violence” (Gen. 6:12-13). While we do not read specifically of homosexuality before the flood, yet other immoral practices were obviously rampant, and we have no reason to believe that homosexuality was not practiced. Attraction to the same sex is thus part of the sad result of the fall of man, as well as being a direct judgment of God on man.
The Believer’s Attitude
What then should be the believer’s attitude to the matter? First of all, the outlook of the believer must never be determined by the current of thought in the world around him. Scripture tells us that in the last days “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13), and as we see this happening, we must guard our thoughts even more carefully, making sure that they are formed by God’s Word and not man’s wisdom. As we see much of the world now condoning homosexuality, we must bear in mind that Scripture identifies it as most serious. Even among many ungodly people there is still a strong stigma attached to it. No doubt this is because it is not only morally wrong, but also a departure from God’s natural order in creation.
However, we must make a distinction between sin and the sinner. God abhors sin, but He loves the sinner. Also, we must distinguish between the tendency towards or attraction to individuals of the same sex and the practice of homosexual acts. In Romans, the Apostle speaks of both sins (individual acts of sin, whether in willful thought or in word and deed) and sin (the old sinful nature, which is the root of all sins). While all sins are not equal before God, yet all sins are the result of the fall of man and are deserving of God’s judgment.
Tendencies to Different Sins
We all have an old sinful nature and are afflicted with tendencies to different sins. Scripture recognizes “a man given to appetite” (Prov. 23:2), for whom overeating may become a sin. It is well-known that some, because of their genetic makeup, become addicted to alcohol much more easily than others. One may have a strong tendency to immorality, yet be gentle and kind naturally. Another may loathe immorality, yet have strong predisposition to temper and violence. Still another may detest both immorality and violence, yet be inclined to such things as lying, cheating and underhanded manipulation. (We see this in the life of Jacob, until the discipline of God accomplished a change.) Immorality that transgresses God’s order in creation (such as pedophilia and homosexuality) tends to provoke strong reactions on the part of some, even in the world at large. It is well-known that even hardened criminals, who would think little of robbery and violence, will often threaten even the life of a fellow-prisoner convicted of molesting children. Believers sometimes raise questions as to whether anyone with a tendency to pedophilia or homosexuality could really be saved. It is important to realize that such inclinations may afflict certain individuals and require grace from the Lord to overcome them, just as others may have to overcome a penchant for such things as lying, violence or heterosexual immorality.
Judging the Root
As with all impulses in the old sinful nature of the believer, homosexual tendencies must be recognized as an effect of the fall and a root of serious immorality. The inclination must be judged unsparingly before the Lord, recognizing that we are “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God” (Rom. 6:11). Just as many dear believers have been delivered from such things as addictions to alcohol, drugs and heterosexual immorality, so we cannot limit what the grace of God can do in delivering from homosexual immorality. With some the struggle may be a hard one, even to the point of making it difficult to enjoy a normal heterosexual relationship, but surely the Lord who gave His life for us will hear and give the needed grace, if we look to Him. But even if the tendency remains, surely we can lay hold of the Lord’s words to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:9), and look to Him to help us not to give way to the inclination and thus commit an overt act of sin.
Pastoral Help
It is also important for other believers who do not have such an inclination not to shun or recoil from someone with a homosexual tendency. The practice of homosexuality must be strongly condemned, but the individuals afflicted with the problem need help, encouragement, and pastoral care, in order to help them to avoid falling into sin. There should be liberty for them to ask for help, without fear of being rejected and avoided.
In these last days, when all restraint seems to be thrown off, it takes real dependence on the Lord to steer clear of the flagrant immorality that is flaunted everywhere, whether homosexual or heterosexual. Yet God would not tell us to be overcomers if it were impossible to do so.
Deliverance
A final question may arise as to whether an individual with a homosexual tendency can be completely delivered from it, so as to be capable of leading a normal life and entering into a happy marriage relationship. This is an issue about which it is hard to be dogmatic, for, in the words of another, there is nothing stronger than the grace of God, but nothing weaker than the flesh. There are those with some types of mental illness, for example, who are unable to function in a completely normal way in some aspects of life, despite a walk with the Lord and dependence on Him. In the same way, some with strong homosexual leanings may have to recognize their limitations and seek grace from the Lord to overcome within such boundaries. God has not taken away all of the effects of sin in this world, even for the believer, but those who glorify God in spite of such limitations will, no doubt, reap a great reward in a coming day. However, to say that one could not be delivered from such an affliction is to limit the grace and power of God. In any situation, however, we are always responsible for the motives of our actions, and we can ask the Lord for grace to live a life for His glory down here and to walk in communion with Him.
After referring to various sins, including the practice of homosexuality, Paul could say to the Corinthians, “Such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 6:11). The practices that had characterized them before they were saved were to be given up, and surely God will give the needed grace for it today, as He did back in Paul’s time.
W. J. Prost
Facing Temptation
When I first proposed to my wife, her response was, “I hardly even know you.” I am sure we loved each other at that time, but now after more than forty years, I am the one who says to her, “I’m still getting to know you.” I have come to realize how relationships are built on mutual trust, honor and respect, as well as love. They are building blocks for a good relationship, not only during the courting time, but throughout the marriage years. The increasing availability of pornography and frequent unavoidable exposure to seductive advertisements and all kinds of media put temptation before us that we must resist. If we do not learn how, it will destroy us. The dearest and best relationship is at stake. When the building blocks of the marriage relationship are compromised, the consequences are devastating.
Joseph’s Resistance to Temptation
The example of how Joseph resisted the temptation when his master’s wife said to him, “Lie with me,” reveals the underlying things that are at stake and how to overcome. There are three parts to his answer. First of all, “He refused, and said to his master’s wife, Behold, my master takes cognizance of nothing with me: what is in the house, and all that he has, he has given into my hand” (Gen. 39:8 JND). Joseph upholds the confidence and trust his master put in him; he is faithful to his master. Any breach of proper relationship with his master’s wife would be not only sinful, but a betrayal of trust. Any action that breached that trust could not be true love. It says of the virtuous woman in Proverbs, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil” (Prov. 31:11).
Second, Joseph says, “There is none greater in this house than I; neither has he withheld anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife” (Gen. 39:9). He upholds the honor his master had given him by refusing to act in a dishonorable way. He honors his master in recognizing his proper relationship to his master’s wife. We as Christians need to uphold the honor put upon us. Yielding to temptation dishonors our Lord; we ought to act as children of God. “Strength and honor” are the clothing (public testimony) of the virtuous woman, and “her husband is known in the gates” (Prov. 31:23,25).
Third, Joseph says, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9). He lived in the sense of God’s presence. The temptation was seen not only as a sin against his master, but also a great sin against God. His eye would see it. Joseph lifts the cloak of secrecy and reveals God’s all-seeing eye. Let us remember that we never get away with anything! “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb. 4:13).
Avoid the Temptation
We wish to call attention to another point concerning how Joseph behaved after Potiphar’s wife sought to entice him. “It came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her” (vs. 10). He not only did not listen to her, but he avoided the situation that would put him in the house alone with her. Whenever there is a known place of temptation, we should always seek to avoid it, and if it is not possible, then have someone with us while facing the situation. The instruction of Solomon in Proverbs is the only right way of handling the situation: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Prov. 4:14-15).
Also, we are advised in the words of wisdom that God gave King Solomon in chapters 6-7 that there are two ways to prepare ourselves to resist the temptation of sexual immorality as portrayed in the strange woman. Chapter 6:20-35 gives the internal preparation of the heart through receiving instruction and allowing it to form our character; chapter 7 warns of the external ways and tactics of the strange woman and where they lead in the end. As we approach the end time when violence and corruption are increasingly prevalent, our moral survival will be greatly enhanced by being well armed with these two defenses.
The Time of Silence
The deceitful conduct of Potiphar’s wife after Joseph refused her advances proves how selfish she was. There was no love in her heart; it was only lust. Trust, honor and respect for one another are necessary for a relationship of love to exist. Joseph, in upholding these principles, remained silent as to the false accusations; we see him taking the blame rather than justifying himself. He would not be a talebearer to save himself. He respected and honored his master at great cost. If, in his own defense, he had told what had really happened, it would have done great damage to Potiphar’s marriage. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). In God’s time the true story was made known.
The Garment
The garment Joseph left behind when he fled became a witness to two opposing testimonies. In reality it was evidence of Joseph’s faithful love, honor and respect for his master. Potiphar’s wife falsely used it as evidence of lust, dishonor and disrespect. Which witness will be believed? In these cases more often than not, the witness people believe is the one they want to believe. Judgments are made according to the tenor of the heart, and Potiphar believed what was according to his heart. True discernment to evaluate such situations rightly belongs only to those who, in submission to the Word of God, walk according to its teaching. In doing so they are not blinded by their own willfulness, but rather uphold love, respect and honor for one another.
These are the important factors with which we must come to grips, as we face immoral temptations. We must have the internal preparation of our hearts and also the guarding of the external circumstances that may lead to temptation. “Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psa. 19:13-14).
D. C. Buchanan
Lot and the Last Day of Sodom
Before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He sent angels to verify that the condition in Sodom was as bad as observed. At that time Abraham interceded with God to spare the city if ten righteous souls could be found in it. Sadly, the angels found less than ten; the time of judgment for Sodom was imminent. Lot, who lived in the city, could not delay the judgment. The only recourse was to deliver souls out of Sodom, but Lot had no moral power to convince anyone to leave the city. Though he was “vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked” (2 Peter 2:7), he also said about city life, “Let me escape thither ... and my soul shall live” (Gen. 19:20). His reluctance to leave the city of Sodom was also evidence of his attachment to it. This double-mindedness left him with little power to convince even his own family members to leave the city before the impending judgment. There is no moral power for good without being separate from the evil we witness against.
Lot’s Hospitality
Lot was hospitable to the messengers, in saying, “Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways” (Gen. 19:2). He knew it was unsafe for them to pass the night in the streets, but apparently he did not realize how ripe the city was for judgment. He says to them, “Tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.” They say to him, “Nay ... for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord” (Gen. 19:2,13). Peter warns us of this danger: “There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Lot’s hospitality was a meal which included unleavened bread — bread of affliction — which, though it may have been appropriate for the occasion, stands out in stark contrast to the meal that Abraham had previously served. Abraham was not enmeshed in the condition of those living around him and could enjoy a meal of cakes baked on the hearth, as well as a tender and good calf with butter and milk. Why the difference? It is a case of being separate from the filth of sin, not merely a physical separation from the evil around us (although many times that is the best option), but a moral separation. Lot morally lived in Sodom, vexing himself. In that condition he could not enjoy the best things of life, as did Abraham. How many real Christians become so occupied with the evil around them that they miss this kind of fellowship with the Lord!
The Moral Condition of Sodom
The angels’ visit to Sodom reveals the moral condition of those living in it and how Lot dealt with that condition. This gives us to know at what point God decides to judge. Let us notice what Scripture says about the men of Sodom. First, we see they were banded together to do evil (Gen. 19:4). Also, they had abandoned God’s order of marriage and were given over to inordinate affection (vs. 5). We see that they resisted any judgment against themselves for their behavior. Finally, they would use force or violence to resist (vss. 9-10). Such is the terrible degraded condition of man given up to immorality. This was the condition that God saw ripe for judgment. The words of Lot, “I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly,” are of no avail for such. What Lot offers to the men of Sodom in his daughters shows how much he had lost his sense of right and wrong regarding the preservation of his own family. He was compromising with the men of Sodom instead of witnessing for what was right, and this became a snare to his family. After being treated as they were, is it any wonder that later on Lot’s two daughters behaved as they did with their father! Evil communications corrupt good manners.
God’s Judgment of Immorality
We tremble as we consider how the immorality around us mirrors the days of Noah and Lot. God “spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5-6). The Lord forewarned us that in the last days immorality would be like the days of Noah and Lot: “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:30). At this time there are souls that need to be rescued from the jaws of sin and Satan, but it is of no avail to seek to correct the condition of the world. The words of Jude concerning the last time are relevant: “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 21-25).
D. C. Buchanan
Moral Character in the Last Days
When the Apostle Paul reviewed his life and ministry with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, he mentioned three main subjects about which he had preached — the gospel of the grace of God, the kingdom of God and all the counsel of God. The order of these is important. We must hear and believe the gospel first, so as to have new life in Christ. Then we must understand the kingdom of God, and, finally, we can learn all the counsel of God. It is the kingdom of God that we wish to consider in this article.
The Kingdom of God
When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He spoke frequently of the kingdom of God, for He had come to set up that kingdom. The expression really refers to the moral character suitable to God’s kingdom, and in His ministry, the Lord Jesus instructed His Jewish listeners as to what would be proper deportment in His kingdom. The natural man could not accept this and, consequently, rejected the Lord Jesus, the One who could say of Himself, “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:21 JND).
His work on the cross being complete, believers who now have new life in Christ are called to exemplify in their daily walk that character suitable to the kingdom of God. There is no visible kingdom today, for the rightful King has been rejected and has not yet come back to set up His kingdom. However, those who acknowledge the rightful king are called to act according to the moral quality of that kingdom. The importance of this cannot be stressed too much. In His ministry, Paul speaks repeatedly of the kingdom of God and tells his listeners that those who engage in wicked and fleshly acts will not inherit the kingdom of God. Even before Paul, Philip preached “the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 8:12), and the Lord Jesus spoke of it in resurrection — “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).
True Christianity
The practical exhibition of the kingdom of God in our lives is the real essence of true Christianity. C. H. Mackintosh expressed it well in this quotation:
“Christianity is a living and divine reality. It is not a set of doctrines, however true; a system of ordinances, however imposing; a number of rules and regulations, however important. Christianity is far more than any or all of these things. It is a living, breathing, speaking, powerful reality — something to be seen in the everyday life — something to be felt in the scenes of personal, domestic history from hour to hour — something formative and influential — a divine and heavenly power introduced into the scenes and circumstances through which we have to move as men, women and children from Sunday morning until Saturday night.
“Christianity is the life of Christ communicated to the believer — dwelling in him — and flowing out from him, in the ten thousand little details which go to make up our daily, practical life.”
The Influence of the World
In writing His Word, the Lord well knew how the influence of the world around us would tend to weaken and even corrupt all this. All through the ages of the Christian testimony, the efforts of Satan have been to drag the believer’s life and behavior down.
When we have to live and move in an appalling condition of things, it is all too easy to fall in with it, at least to some extent. Our language may tend to take on the character of the world, and perhaps rough, uncouth, or even immoral expressions fall from our lips, instead of our speech being “always with grace, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6). Today even women frequently use vulgar terminology that was seldom heard in public only a few years ago.
Showing the Kingdom of God
Our personal and home life, instead of being patterned after and governed by the Word of God, may tend to follow the trends found in magazines, on the television or in the world’s movies. Here is an area where a Christian family can show the kingdom of God. Do we dress in a modest way? Do we, as a family, make time for the things of the Lord? Do we read the Word of God together and talk about it? Children learn by example, largely from their parents and elders. Let us be a positive influence.
In our working and business life, instead of seeking to “serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:24), we may adopt worldly practices such as lying and cheating, coupled with a self-centeredness that strives to get ahead at all costs. We may laugh at lewd jokes, forgetting that “fools make a mock at sin” (Prov. 14:9). We may fall into the habit of recklessly borrowing money or living on credit when there is little or no ability to pay it back. We may slide so far into the world’s thinking that we fail to recognize that what we are doing is actually dishonest. But would another believer term it upright and honest? Would my colleagues at work think of me as a “righteous person”?
The Right Moral State
All this greatly weakens our spiritual power and effectively spoils any testimony to unbelievers. Instead of standing apart from the evil, as did Abraham, or being willing to suffer loss rather than sin, as did Joseph, we become like Lot. Despite his good intentions, his wanting the best in this world resulted in his godliness gradually being eroded until he almost perished in God’s judgment on Sodom. In addition to all this, we cannot really lay hold of “all the counsel of God” unless we have first taken to heart the things of the kingdom of God. Unless our moral state is right before God, the Spirit of God will not entrust us with “the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10). We will remain babes in Christ and will not be able to handle the “strong meat” which is reserved for those who are of “full age” (Heb. 5:14). More than this, our senses will not be “exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14). Because evil has become commonplace to us, it will be impossible for us to differentiate between good and bad.
It does not have to be so. If we seek grace from the Lord to read His Word, to walk in His strength, and to live in separation morally from this world, we will find that the Lord Himself will desire our company. He says, “If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20).
W. J. Prost
Occupation With Christ
A number of the articles in this issue have necessarily focused largely on warnings about immorality in its various forms — the negative side of the subject. However, it is of supreme importance to understand the positive side of the subject, namely, occupation with Christ. If He in all His loveliness fills our hearts, we will not want the things of this world, whether they are evil or simply that which draws our hearts away from Him. God has given us an object that fills His own heart, and it will surely fill ours too. A full heart has no room for evil.
“Our growth in likeness to Christ while down here — our increase in practical holiness — is the fruit of occupation, of being constantly engaged with, of meditation upon, our blessed Lord’s glory. This statement is borne out by the language of Scripture: ‘Beholding ... the glory of the Lord, [we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord’ (2 Cor. 3:18). Three things are given here. First, that it is by beholding we are changed; second, that the change is gradually effected; third, that the Spirit is the power by which the transformation is accomplished” (E. Dennett).
“There is a danger of being too much occupied with evil; it does not refresh, does not help the soul on. ‘Hold aloof from every form of wickedness’ (1 Thess. 5:22 JND), but be occupied ourselves and occupy others with Christ. The evil itself becomes not less evil, but less in comparison with the power of good, where the soul dwells” (J. N. Darby).
“It is not always in the correction of the failures which come before us that sources of evil are healed; they disappear when souls are nourished upon the riches which are in Christ. We must think of this; we must, while ourselves feeding upon Christ — and He give us to feed on Him without stint — cause others to breathe a new atmosphere, where Christ is” (JND).
When asked if he had been to a large exhibition which was going on at the time (more than one hundred years ago), brother George W. Heney replied, “If you knew the exhibition that is going on in my mind, you wouldn’t ask.”
“I love to think of that verse, ‘As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you’ (John 15:9). One desires to keep in the good of it. Suppose you take a seat in a railway coach and sit down and think of that verse. Oh, the sweetness of it — the preciousness of it! It makes one a worshipper. That is how we should go through the world. Do you think if your seat companion should offer you a silly or unclean magazine, if you were enjoying that verse, that you would read the magazine? No; you have something better. It is the enjoyment of the truth in the soul that keeps us from the trash of the world. ‘As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you.’ The enemy may say to you, That cannot be true of you, because you are such a poor, weak thing, but it is true of every saint of God. He may have to deal with us in government; His ways may change, but His love never does” (H. E. Hayhoe).
Be Ye Holy, for I Am Holy
Lord Jesus, Saviour! Thou whose glorious
face
We, all-expectant, would rejoice to see;
From whom, when once beheld, our ravished
gaze
No more could wander or desire to lose,
If only for a moment, such a sight
Of soul-transporting, satisfying bliss;
Oh, fill us with Thyself; yea, Lord, we long,
Nay, thirst, with ever-growing thirst, for
more
And more of Thee; fain would we deeply
drink
Into Thy patient spirit; Thine unwearied love,
Thy pure unselfishness that could not see,
With unmoved heart, another’s sufferings;
Yet could and would in silence bear Thine
own;
Oh, that while here in waiting attitude,
We who delight to call Thee Lord and bow
Most gladly to Thy sway, may even here
Have eyes and hearts and lives engrossed by
Thee.
Author Unknown