The Apostasy Parables

Dear God-seekers, some people believe that it’s impossible for a disciple of Christ to fall away and perish.  I’ve proven that to be false in my article, Drifting Away, based on the explicit use of around nineteen different words for apostasy in the New Testament. However, in addition to those explicit references to apostasy in the Bible, there are also many implicit teachings on apostasy, such as the parables about falling away.  Let’s take a look at those together.

Parable of Sower
First, there is the Parable of the Sower (Mat 13:20-21; Mk 4; Luk 8:13). When people hear and receive the Word in their hearts, one possible outcome that does happen to some of them is that they "fall away" in time of temptation, such as when affliction and persecution arises because of the Word.

The Lord said, "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away." (Mat 13:20-21)

His words were recorded a bit differently by Luke, yet with the same meaning: "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.” (Luk 8:13).   

Jesus said this about the man who hears the word and receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself. In other words, he was speaking about those who initially receive the gospel with joy.  Certainly it’s impossible to fall away from something you have never experienced.  Many people, after having been born again, have lost value.  According to our Lord, if during their lifetime on earth they do not repent for doing so, they will perish in hell.

Parable of the Faithful Servant
Secondly, there is the Parable of the Faithful Servant about a faithful servant and an evil one (Matthew 24:45-51; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 12:35-48).  The faithful and sensible servant did what his master put him in charge of His household to do, which was to give them their food at the proper time.  Therefore, he was ready when his master returned.

This is clearly a parable about falling away, because both of those depicted in the parable were servants of the Master, put in charge of the His household to feed them promptly.  The only one who is blessed is the one whom the Master finds doing so when He comes.  "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes." (Mat 24:46). This depicts the Lord’s return on a day when you do not expect, and at an hour when you do not think or know (see Mt 24:44,50).  It is only the one who is doing what He was told to do and fulfilling all the duties of His ministry who will make it. 

However, the wicked servant was not ready when his master returned.  The reason is “that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,'” (Mat 24:48).  It is an evil attitude to suppose the Lord will not be coming for a long time.  Please don’t entertain that thought, because He is coming very soon.  It was such an evil thought that caused that servant to make the fatal error of beginning to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with drunkards. (see Mat 24:49).  He depicts that servant of the Lord who falls away, and the Lord tells us the final outcome of such a one.  “The Master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 24:50-51)

Parable of the Ten Virgins
Thirdly, there is the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mt 25:1-13).  All ten virgins were waiting for the Bridegroom to come, which depicts the disciples of Christ waiting for the Lord’s return.  Those who don’t care about Jesus are not waiting for Him to return.  The five wise virgins bought extra oil for their lamps. This proved to be wise, since the Bridegroom came at a very late hour, after they had burned up their initial supply of oil, and it was very dark at the midnight hour when He came, so they definitely needed their lamps.

The five foolish virgins didn’t realize they were doing anything wrong, yet due to being unprepared, they missed the wedding.  Their problem was that they neglected to buy extra oil for their lamps, and only realized their need for it when their lamps began to go out just as the Bridegroom was returning.  Since the wise ones did not have enough oil for both their own lamps and those who were running out, the foolish ones were forced to go seeking after oil when it was too late.

"And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' (Mat 25:10-12)

The foolish virgins missed the wedding feast.  The door was shut, and although they begged to be let in, they were left outside in the dark.  Although they called the Bridegroom “Lord,” He said He did not know them. 

This parable clearly depicts disciples who fall away from the Lord.  Those who are of the world are not depicted as virgins, but those who seek to keep themselves for Christ are.  You cannot say the foolish virgins did not acknowledge Jesus, because they called him Lord.  They were waiting for His return, and they had lamps just as the other five virgins did, since they had all received the Light of the gospel.

Don’t be caught with your lamp going out just as the Lord is returning.  It’s up to you to buy extra oil from the Lord.  Cry out to the Lord to give you extra oil in your flask by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

Parable of the Talents
The fourth parable about falling away is the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30).  The parable of the talents depicts three different servants being given talents.  They were all given something, which they were expected to put to work for the master.  Two of the servants put all their talents to work for the master, and had something to show Him for it.  But the one servant did not put his talent to use for the master, and had nothing to show for it.  He was the servant who fell away, even though he was given talent just as the others were.  Therefore the master ordered, "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mat 25:30).  This represents the eternal punishment of hell that awaits those who do not use their talent for the glory of God.

If you don’t use every talent you have been given for the glory of God, you will be judged for it. One could put his talent to work to make a profit for himself, which is pursuing mammon.  Yet he may not realize that in doing so, he is doing nothing with it for the Lord.  He is looking out for himself only.  Mammon in the New Testament of the Bible, is material wealth, which is evil, and enslaves people through the use of money.  Pursuing mammon is stressful and leads to frustration.  It also leads to hell.  You cannot serve God and Mammon. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Tim 6:10).  Remember the parable of the rich fool (Luk 12:15-21).  Jesus warned, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (Luk 12:15b).

Parable of the Sheep and Goats
The fifth parable about falling away is the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Mt 25:31-46). It depicts the final judgment when the King sits on His throne and all the nations stand before Him.  He will separate the sheep from the goats with the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. The sheep are those who loved and served their neighbor. "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Mat 25:34).  But the goats did not love and serve their neighbor.  Therefore, the King will condemn them.  "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Mat 25:41)

There are many similarities between the wicked ones who fall away in each of these parables.  They share common traits.  The goats who did not serve the Lord by loving their neighbor are like the wicked servant in Mt 24:45-51, who mistreated and abused his fellow servants.  The goats are also like the wicked, lazy servant who did not use his one talent in Mt 25:24-30.  And if you look at these parables yourself, I’m sure you will find more similarities among the wicked people described in them, since sin always leads us away from God.  In fact, the same wicked person could be depicted in more than one of these apostasy parables.

It would be a big mistake to assume these parables don’t apply to you.  That’s why we need to ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and expose anything that is hidden that must go. The goats don’t even notice when they are not serving the Lord (Mt 25:44).  They were shocked when they got to the end of their life and discovered they had neglected to serve Him.  Yet they are His followers during their lifetime, because they called Him “Lord.”

On the other hand, the sheep don’t even notice when they were serving the Lord (Mt 25:37).  That’s because they don’t blow a trumpet to let everyone know whenever they do a good deed.  They don’t even let their left hand know what their right hand was doing.  They just serve the Lord from the heart obediently with love.

As I mentioned, the goats are also like the man with one talent that didn’t put it to work for the Lord.  They have something to give in the Lord’s service, but they don’t give it or use it.  They are looking out for themselves only.  They don’t think about the Lord’s needs. Jesus was that hungry person you met.  Jesus was that thirsty person you met. Jesus was that stranger you saw or met.  They may have come to your door, needing a place to stay.  Jesus was that person who was in prison. Jesus was that person you saw or met who was in need of clothes. Jesus was that sick person you saw or knew. The goats don’t recognize Jesus when they see Him in their brother.  They only cry for themselves and not for the Lord.  They fail to realize that the talent they received was supposed to be used for serving the Lord, not for self.

Therefore, in the end, the Lord will call them accursed ones, and command them to depart from Him into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  The devil will never be shown any mercy, but will be punished forever and ever with eternal fire.  In case you are one who does not believe a Christian could ever go to hell, you need to realize that the goats are assigned to the same place prepared for the devil and his angels.

Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
The sixth parable about falling away is the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matt 18:23-35).  This man missed heaven, because of unforgiveness.  He was tortured instead and had to pay his own debt, because he did not forgive his debtor.  It’s clearly a warning about falling away.

We know for certain that this man depicts the disciple who has fallen away unto eternal damnation, because of the following reasons: First, he was a servant of the King, who was his Lord. This clearly depicts a follower of Jesus, our Lord and King. Secondly, he had received mercy from the Lord.  Since the only people who receive mercy and forgiveness for their sins are those who call upon the name of Jesus, we know this man depicts a believer.  However, the mercy that had been given to him was later revoked, because of his own refusal to show mercy. Thirdly, Jesus told this parable to Peter (see Mt 18:1, 21).  The parable of the unmerciful servant was a response to Peter’s question about the need to forgive others.  Fourthly, we know this man depicts the disciple who has fallen away unto eternal damnation, because Jesus concluded the parable by saying, "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Mat 18:35).  He said His heavenly Father would do the same to “you” His disciples, if a certain condition were met.  That condition is if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart. The expression “each of you” clearly refers to Peter and the other disciples, which proves that this is a warning to disciples. Fifthly, the fact that Jesus said we must each forgive our “brother” shows that this is about disciples, since he was not speaking of biological brothers but spiritual brothers in Christ.

Parable of the Head of the House
The seventh parable about falling away is the Parable of the Head of the House (Mat 24:43-44).  Jesus said:

"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." (Mat 24:43-44)

This parable was spoken to the Lord’s disciples (see Mt 24:1,3).  In fact, Jesus said, “You also must be ready.” (Mt 24:44), which meant that the disciples themselves must also be ready, and this parable applied to them.  Each disciple is like the head of a household. In the parable, the head of the house was not on the alert when the thief came, which represents the coming of the Son of Man at an hour when you do not think He will.  And since the head of the house did not know when the thief was coming, he fell away by failing to remain alert.  Therefore, he allowed his house to be broken into, which depicts the loss experienced by those who are not ready.

Some Things God Won’t Do for You
Those who incorrectly believe that a disciple could never fall away usually believe so due to a false understanding of God’s sovereignty.  While God is sovereign over the universe, He has given each person a free will, and there are some things God won’t do for you. 

Let me give you some examples. First, these parables teach that God won’t utilize your talents for you.  He is waiting for you to use them for His glory.  Secondly, He won’t serve others for you. Although He will lead you to opportunities, and He will prompt you, He will watch to see whether or not you serve the people He puts in your life.  Thirdly, He won’t forgive your debtors on your behalf, but expects you to forgive your brother from your own heart.  Fourthly, He won’t automatically fill your flask with extra oil to help you stay ready for the Bridegroom’s return, if He is a long time in coming.  You need to go and buy that extra oil from Him yourself, and if you are wise you will do so.  Fifthly, He won't repent for you.

In fact, He won’t do anything you yourself are supposed to do in order to be ready for the Lord’s return.  If He did all these things for you, then there would be no reason for Him to punish all those people depicted in the parables for not doing them. Granted He will prompt you through the Word and by the Spirit, as well as through others in the Body of Christ, and through circumstances.  The Holy Spirit does work in and through the yielded and willing vessel to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (see Phil 2:13). But He will not override your will and do these things for you.  It is possible to resist, quench, and grieve the Holy Spirit.  It's possible to neglect to seek the Lord for help to do His will.  The Holy Spirit does lead the sons of God, if we desire Him to, but it is necessary on our part to be led by Him (see Rom 8:14).  You must live in accordance with the Spirit (Rom 8:5). 

Final Judgment of Those Who Fall Away
In these parables, we see recurring themes, as well as a recurring pattern in which a final judgment is rendered against those who fall away, and they are sentenced with eternal punishment. Some of those final judgments include the following:

• “And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.” (Mt 18:34)
• “And will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mat 24:51)
• The door was shut. "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’” (Mat 25:12)
• "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mat 25:30)
• "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Mat 25:46)
• “The master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” (Luk 12:46)

Jesus Prophesied There Would Be Apostasy
These parables depict what our Lord Jesus prophesied would happen in the last days, when He said, "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” (Mat 24:9-13)

He said that many would fall away, which means it will not be a rare occurrence.  Since it is so common today, even among pastors, the standards within the church have been lowered to accommodate the apostates.  Truly, you could be a Christian reading this article, and not even know that you yourself have gone astray. You may not even realize you have fallen away through immorality of some kind, through idolatry, through your attire and adornment, through the music you listen to, through false doctrine, the traditions of men, failure to tithe properly, failure to keep Sundays holy, through the things you do for entertainment, or one of many other possible sins that have become so common and accepted in the Church today. This is because very few are preaching against sin any more.  They are neglecting to tell people what will land them in hell.  They are teaching falsely.

The Lord told us what those would act like, who have fallen away.  First, they will betray one another and hate one another, which is widespread these days. Secondly, most people's love will grow cold, which is so common today that we no longer even notice it.  It seems to be accepted as the norm. Thirdly, the Lord said lawlessness would be increased, until it reaches a climax just before He returns, when it will be just as it was in the days of Noah.  “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen 6:5). Fourthly, many will be misled by false prophets, which is much more common than you may realize. 

Putting it All Together
There are at least seven parables about falling away, including the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Head of the House, the Parable of the Faithful Servant, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, and the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.  We could call them “the apostasy parables,” although they teach other lessons besides this.

These parables depict what our Lord Jesus predicted would happen in the last days, when He said that many would fall away.  In these parables, we find some recurring themes.  First, they teach that some followers of Jesus will not be saved, because they fall away. Second, we learn from them that the righteous will inherit eternal life, rewards, and happiness, while the ones who fall away will be thrown into hell, where they will inherit eternal punishment and condemnation. Thirdly, the Lord taught us to keep on the alert, be ready, and stay awake, in order to avoid falling away.  Fourthly, it is only the one who endures to the end, who will be saved.  Fifthly, it’s necessary to act according to His will.  Sixth, while God is sovereign over the universe, He has given each of you a free will, and there are some things God won’t do for you.  Last but not least is the recurring theme in which a final judgment is rendered against those who fall away, and they are sentenced with eternal punishment.

Let this be a wake up call to each of us to heed the voice of the Spirit, and listen to the warnings of our Lord.  We are living in the days of the Great Deception and the Great Apostasy.  Please ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and reveal if you have gone astray in any area of your life.

I want to see each and every one of you there in the kingdom of heaven.  But the path is narrow that leads to life.  God’s standard is high and He is not going to lower it for anyone.  He still loves you, but He requires holiness, righteousness, and truth in all of His children.

I want to be the seed on good soil that produces thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.  I want to be that faithful slave whom the Master finds promptly feeding His household when he comes. I want to be one of the wise virgins, who were ready and went in with the Bridegroom to the wedding banquet.  I want to use every talent the Lord has given me, and hear Him one day say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!"  I want to be among the sheep who one day hear the King say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."  Don't you want that, too? I pray the the Lord would help you and I live in such a way, so that we can be among those who are called blessed.  But don't assume it is automatic, just because you call yourself a Christian, or just because you once prayed a sinner's prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

If you realize you’ve gone astray, then be earnest and repent, cry out for mercy, return to the Lord, and seek Him with all your heart. There is still hope for you while you are alive, but mercy is only available on the earth.  So don’t put this off for later, thinking you will have time.  This could be your last chance.

Also see: 1 Timothy, Hebrews, Romans 11, 1 Corinthians 9-10, 2 Peter 2, Jude, and Revelation 3.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Photo from goatsupplies.netfirms.com

Author's note:  Also see Drifting Away, The False Gospel of Eternal Security, The Conditional Security of the Believer, Overcomers in This Life, Garments of Godliness, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Rachael Mushala Testimony of Hell, Faith Works!, Avoid Becoming a Corrupted Christian, Holding Fast the Faithful Word, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies, Keeping Sundays Holy, and Is Tithing Required?

If you are confused about how the Lord is able to keep us while there is still the possibility of falling away, then I recommend reading Keeping Power of God and Election and Predestination.

You can access the Seeking the Lord Main Directory or my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Is Practical Righteousness a Lost Truth?

Philip Henry

In this day and age, we have lost some of the valuable truths that were once preached and taught by men like Philip Henry, who was the godly father of Matthew Henry, the author of the famous Commentary on the Whole Bible.  Philip Henry was born in 1631 and died in 1696 at sixty-five years of age.  What follows is an excerpt from The Life of Rev. Philip Henry, A.M. by the Rev. Matthew Henry, V.D.M.

[Excerpt begins]


He preached the Ten Commandments
In the years 1677, and 1679, in the course of his ministry at Broad Oak, he preached over the Ten Commandments, and largely opened from other texts of Scripture, the duties required, and sins forbidden, in each commandment. For though none delighted more than he in preaching Christ and gospel-grace; yet he knew that Christ came not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill; and that though, through grace, we are not under the law as a covenant, yet we are under it as a rule; under the law to Christ. He was very large and particular in pressing second-table duties, as essential to Christianity. We have known those, saith he, that have called preaching on such subjects, good moral preaching; but let them call it as they will, I am sure it is necessary, and as much now as ever. How earnestly would he press upon the people the necessity of righteousness and honesty upon their whole conversation. A good Christian, he used to say, will be a good husband, a good father, and a good master, and a good subject, and a good neighbour, and so in other relations. How often would he urge to this purpose, that it is the will and command of the great God, the character of all the citizens of Sion, the beauty and ornament of our Christian profession; and the surest way to thrive and prosper in the world. Honesty is the best policy. He would say, that these are things in which the children of this world are competent judges. They that know not what belongs to faith, and repentance and prayer, yet know what belongs to the making of an honest bargain; they are also parties concerned, and oftentimes are themselves careful in these things; and therefore, those who profess religion, should walk very circumspectly, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed, nor religion wounded through their sides.

Legal Preaching?
[How sensible he was of the dislike frequently felt to practical preaching, as well as of the importance of such preaching, appears in the following extract. Having explained, a course of sermons, the Redeemer’s sayings, as recorded in the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Matthew’s Gospel, he pressed, in his last discourse, the importance, the necessity, of doing, as well as hearing, from the divine assurance,-- that a stormy day is coming shortly, when hearers only will be found fools, and suffer loss; whereas hearers and doers will be owned for wise people, and will have the comfort of it. What ado, he remarks, some one will object, is here about doing; doing! If I had preached, he proceeds, these sermons, I know where, I had certainly been called a legal preacher, if not a papist, a Jesuit, a preacher of works; and some would have said, we will never hear him again. If to preach on these things be legal preaching, then our Lord himself was a legal preacher, for you see they were his sayings all along that I took for my text to each sermon. Such a preacher as he was, may I be, in my poor measure. I cannot write after a better copy. I cannot tread in better steps. His sayings must be done, as well as heard, that we may answer his end in saying them, which was to promote holiness, --that we may approve ourselves his true kindred, --that God may be glorified, --that our profession may be beautified, --and that our building may stand. But they must be done aright. The tree must be good. All must be done by faith, and in the name of the Lord Jesus. Hebrews xi. 6. Colossians iii. 17. --with evenness and constancy, --with humility and self-denial, --in charity, --and with perseverance, and continuance.

Do all you do as those who are under a covenant of grace, which, though it requires perfect, yet accepts of sincere, obedience. While the hand is doing, let the eye be looking at Jesus Christ, both for assistance and acceptance. This is the life of faith. Be resolved in duty. Look often at the recompense of reward.

Thus he preached, and his constant practice was a comment upon it. One thing I remember, he was more than ordinarily enlarged in the pressing of, which was, --upon the ninth commandment, --to speak evil of no man, from Titus iii. 2. If we can say no good of persons, we must say nothing of them. He gave it as a rule, -- Never to speak of any one’s faults to others, till we have first spoken of them to the offender himself. He was himself an eminent example of this rule. Some that have conversed much with him, have said, That they never heard him speak evil of any body; nor could he bear to hear any spoken evil, but often drove away a backbiting tongue with an angry countenance. He was known to be as faithful a patron of offenders before others, as he was a faithful reprover of them to themselves.

Whenever he preached of moral duties, he would always have something of Christ in his sermon; either his life, as the great pattern of the duty, or his love, as the great motive to it; or his merit, as making atonement for the neglect of it.

[Excerpt ends]

A Bold Non-Conformist
Philip Henry was a bold, non-conformist preacher.  In 1662, England enacted a new law called the Act of Uniformity that standardized acceptable doctrine, and was radically opposed to all that Puritans like Henry stood for. Philip chose to stand by the Word of God and preach the truth, being ejected as a minister from the Church of England, losing his living, rather than comply with The Act of Uniformity, and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a little while.  According to an article by the European American Evangelistic Crusades, "Philip thus left his charge at Worthenbury, Shropshire, and took up residence a few miles away at Iscoed, Flintshire...a Christian community that lay ‘under the cross’ of state harassment and persecution."

According to Wikipedia, the act, "Prescribed the form of public prayers, administration of sacraments, and other rites of the Established Church of England, following all the rites and ceremonies and doctrines prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer. Adherence to this was required in order to hold any office in government or the church...An immediate result of this Act, over 2,000 clergymen refused to take the oath and were expelled from the Church of England in what became known as the Great Ejection of 1662. Although there had already been ministers outside the established church, this created the concept of non-conformity, with a substantial section of English society excluded from public affairs for a century and a half."

As a matter of fact, that act was still partly in force in Great Britain at the end of 2010.  And look how far they have fallen!  According to Wikipedia, " The Church of England, the mother church of the Communion, currently maintains (according to the statement Issues in Human Sexuality) that same-sex partnerships are acceptable for laypersons but gay clergy are expected to be abstinent."  On the other hand, in 2003 the Episcopal Church, which is the American body (province) of the Anglican Communion, approved Gene Robinson to the bishopric of the diocese of New Hampshire. Bishop Gene Robinson is the first openly gay (non-celibate) clergy to be ordained to the episcopate..."  Moreover, the article continues, "The Anglican Church of New Zealand has decided to allow non-celibate homosexuals to become clergy."  They are no different from the apostate Roman Catholic Church, whose own Pope Frances Supports Homosexuality.

The reason that The Church of England, The Episcopal Church, and The Anglican Church of New Zealand have fallen so far away from Scripture is because the foundation was faulty all the way back to the seventeenth century.  It was not built upon the foundation of the Jesus Christ and His Word, which Philip Henry had based his life and ministry upon.  Therefore, if you have a problem with Philip Henry's life and ministry, then take heed to what has now become of the Church that once rejected him and men like him.

Putting it All Together
I want to meet this great man of God some day in heaven.  As Tim Challies states, "Matthew Henry was raised by godly parents in the Puritan way (daily Bible reading, prayer, self-examination, etc.)."  As you can see, I underlined almost everything in this excerpt for emphasis.  I highly recommend reading the entire book.  Although I have not read every page, I would like to, if I had the time, and have read portions of it, which are extremely edifying.

Philip Henry preached over the Ten Commandments, the duties required, and sins forbidden, in each commandment. He delighted more than anyone else in preaching Christ and gospel-grace. "Yet he knew that Christ came not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill; and that though, through grace, we are not under the law as a covenant, yet we are under it as a rule; under the law to Christ."  Such good moral preaching is necessary, and as much now as ever!

He was very sensitive to the dislike his listeners frequently felt to such preaching on the need to practice righteousness.  But he was also keenly aware of the importance of such preaching.  He taught a sermon series on the hard sayings of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7).  And he concluded by emphasizing the importance, the necessity, of doing, as well as hearing.  We can be sure that a stormy day is coming shortly, when those who only hear and do not act upon the Words of Christ will be found fools, and suffer loss; whereas hearers and doers will be revealed to all as wise people, and they will enjoy the comfort of it.

He knew that some one would object to all this preaching on "Doing; doing!"  In 1662, the year his son Matthew was born, England had pass the Act of Uniformity, which forbid the preaching of any doctrine that did not comply with the Church of England.  But Philip was a non-conformist.  He was aware that if he had preached such sermons from the pulpit in the Church of England, he certainly would have been called a legal preacher, and a preacher of works.  He knew that some would have said, "We will never hear him again." But as he said, if to preach on these things be legal preaching, then our Lord himself was a legal preacher.  For you see they were our Lord's sayings all along that Philip took for his text to each sermon. He wanted to be such a preacher as Jesus was, and so do I.

Let those who consider legalistic the articles I have written take heed to this wise man's words, who lived so many centuries ago.  I refuse to preach the cheap grace that is uniformly preached in churches throughout the world, which is used by so many as a license to sin.  I will preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is Costly Grace.  He is the source of salvation for all who obey Him (Heb 5:9).

Obey the Gospel of God (1 Pe 4:17).  Live for the will of God (1 Pe 4:2).  It is hard for the righteous to be saved (1 Pe 4:18a).  That is why we must live for God and for His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us and rose again (2 Co 5:15), which means we now live for righteousness (1 Pe 2:24).  The end of all things is near (1 Pe 4:7), therefore, we ought to live holy and godly lives (2 Pe 3:11b). Always remember that we can do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus (Jn 15:5), and if you keep His commandments, you will abide in His love (Jn 15:10).  As we are keeping His commandments and abiding in His love we are not endeavoring to keep up the law of Moses in conjunction with the gospel of Christ.

I encourage you to read the other articles I have written on the need for obedience in Working God's Way and Eternal Destinations, as well as right here in Seeking the Lord, which provide a clear and biblical response to the concerns that some of my teaching is legalism, especially the following ones, beginning with the first three articles in the left-hand column.

Is Obedience Optional? The Law of Christ  Faith Works! The Law Fulfilled in Us The Law Established Through Faith The Cost of Discipleship The New Covenant Costly Grace Deleted Scriptures in the Bible? Did Jesus Nail the Law to the Cross? Righteousness by Faith not Law

The Obedience of Faith Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God Aim for Perfection Righteous Deeds and White Robes Doing What is Right Your Rewards Are Based on Your Practice Partaking of the Divine Nature Walking in the Perfect Will of God Pressing on Toward the Goal Obedience by the Spirit

Author's note:  Also see The Ways of Life, The Spirit's Law of Life, The Spirit of the Law, The Apostasy Parables, and my other articles called, Obedience by the Spirit, The Person of the Holy Spirit, Baptized with the Spirit, and Restored Truth. You can access the Main Directory for Seeking the Lord, or my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."  Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?

The Word of God is our basis for living, and the Holy Spirit leads us into all Truth. Every true sign and wonder, including every revelation and prophecy, must confirm the written Word of God and conform to it. We must hold fast to that which is good and reject all kinds of evil. So what are we to do with revelations that claim the Lord has said he hates the practice of His daughters wearing trousers or pants, such as the ones I have written about in Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations.

Someone might object by asking, “Did I hear you say it is a sin for women to wear trousers? What verse in Scripture tells you that trousers are for men only? Deuteronomy 22:5 is the verse that is always quoted.  However, that is one of many other laws in that chapter. Why not obey all the other laws in that same chapter?  Many girls, who have claimed it is sinful for them to wear trousers, do wear them in youth services or in the house.  Is this not hypocrisy? Don’t condemn what has not been condemned in Scripture. The Bible does not condemn this practice.  Rather, it simply teaches us to dress modestly.”

For the sake of this article, please allow me to reply to that objection, assuming that someone reading this may actually share that perspective.  If you are suggesting that cross-dressing is not detestable to God, then you will give an account for that before him. Are you suggesting men wear that which pertains to a woman?  Scripture says explicitly:

"A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.” (Deu 22:5)

If you agree that Scripture teaches us cross-dressers are an abomination to the Lord our God, then why do you defend women’s trousers? 

If you will research the origin of trousers, you will find that God’s holy people in the Bible never created them for women. Ancient Hebrews wore robes, which were drawn up when working or running (2 Kings 4:29; 1 Kings 18:46). However, trousers have been a style of clothing developed especially for men to wear while running, performing heavy manual labor, or during battle.  We should avoid all that is worldly and immodest.

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1Jn 2:15-17)

Is Deuteronomy Irrelevant to us Today as Christians?
First of all, we should remember that our Lord did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill, and said that not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass until all is accomplished (see Mt 5:17-20).  So the Law and the Prophets have not been abolished.

Secondly, we know that the Law is good if one uses it properly.  The apostle Paul said, “But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.” (1Ti 1:8-11).  Notice he said the law is for the ungodly and the unholy, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God.  Since cross-dressing is unholy, ungodly, and is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, then Deut 22:5 may legitimately be applied to the practice of women wearing trousers (see The Law is Good if Used Lawfully).

I think Deut 22 is a great passage of Scripture to read and understand in the Spirit. As partakers of the New Covenant, we now read the Old Covenant with the veil removed, since in Christ it has been taken away (2 Co 3:14).  For example, building a parapet around your roof (22:8). That's a wall around a flat roof, so that a guest walking there does not fall and die. God expects you to love your neighbor as you love yourself, and consider them even when building a house, lest their blood be on your hands.  He says,

“When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof.” (Dt 22:8)

And God also sees every sparrow that falls to the ground (Lk 12:6-7). So of course the Lord wants you to let the mother bird go free, so she can reproduce more offspring. It's God's wisdom to prevent extinction of the animals He created.  He says,

“If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.” (Dt 22:6-7)

And when it comes to wearing clothes of mixed fabrics (e.g., wool/cotton), which the Lord Himself warned us about (Dt 22:11), that must also be great wisdom for our lives!  Certainly there is a spiritual lesson in this verse, regarding the purity of our hearts.  But there are plenty of verses about having a pure heart, and this verse seems to speak plainly of a practical matter regarding our clothing. I know of one sister in Christ who wears only clothing made of 100% cotton or pure wool, for the sake of her health, since it is healthier. God our Creator knows what's best for us.  He says,

“Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.” (Dt 22:11)

Synthetic Fibers Are Harmful to Your Health
Science is always proving the Bible to be true. One day we may find that the electrostatic charge that is on mixed garments (e.g., cotton/polyester or cotton/wool) or garments made of synthetic materials (e.g., polyester, acrylic, Spandex polyurethane, olefin, or rayon) is actually harmful to the body. If we discover scientifically that it causes cancer or skin problems, then everyone would be changing to only pure cotton or pure wool clothing. They all care about their physical health and want to save their lives.

But when we don't understand the reasons why God requires certain things of us, why do we scoff or make excuses or call such things legalistic? It's because of our own ignorance. Do we know better than our Maker?

In fact, in writing this article, after I wrote the two previous paragraphs, I did discover that “chemically treated natural and synthetic fabrics are a source of toxins that adversely affect your health.”  An article called The Top 6 Fabrics You Should Avoid Wearing lists the following as harmful to your health: polyester, acrylic, rayon, acetate/triacetate, nylon  and anything static resistant, stain resistant, permanent press, wrinkle-free, stain proof or moth repellant.

There is another article called The Clothes that Kill You Slowly but Surely, which amazingly confirmed my suspicion that synthetic fibers may contain harmful electrostatic charges.  It states: “Electrostatic charges accumulate in synthetic clothing. There are stories of shocking mini-explosions from mixing layers of synthetic clothing with synthetic carpeting. And get this: synthetic undergarments contribute to infertility in men.”  The article goes on to state: "Today's clothing (a $7 trillion/year industry) is manufactured using an astounding 8,000 synthetic chemicals...Nowadays, clothes also contain toxins like formaldehyde, brominated flame retardants, and perfluorinated chemicals (Teflon) to provide "non-iron" and "non-wrinkle" qualities. Insecticides are even applied in the name of good health...For half a century, skin and chemicals have been interacting… creating problems like infertility, respiratory diseases, contact dermatitis, and cancer...The more synthetic clothing you wear, the greater your risk of absorbing toxic chemicals that harm your health.”

All of these points somewhat indirectly confirm what I had suspected, and which I had written down in this article before doing a quick bit of research on it.  I had stated that we might find out that mixed fibers contain electrostatic charges that are harmful to your health, and I did not even know about the studies. By the way, the studies did not directly prove my point, but only confirmed the possibility that the same issues they have found in synthetic fibers may also be true of mixed fabrics.   Whatever the reason is for God giving the prohibition against mixed fabrics, it must have been in His wisdom that He did so.  My main point here is that if God said it, there is a very good reason for it, which we do not need to know, if we trust Him.

These days it is nearly impossible to find affordable garments made of purely organic materials like 100% cotton or 100% wool.  I agree that in many countries like the US, it would be a very difficult – if not impossible -- task to find an entire wardrobe (i.e., undergarments, shoes, pants, dresses, shirts, coats, mittens, hats, and pajamas) like that for an entire family on a tight budget.  I am not suggesting you go out and do that! But I am demonstrating that the laws in Deuteronomy 22 are full of wisdom, and our Father knows best.  The Law is still profitable for addressing that which is ungodly and the unholy, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God.

In Deut 22:11, we see that the Lord’s heart is for His holy people to even wear clothing that is pure, so that everything about us is pure. This still has relevance for today.  Even Jude speaks of “hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 1:23).  God’s heart hasn’t changed.  But the clothing we buy in the stores has changed, and it is not pure. Therefore, it is important to pray and fully commit everything we buy to into the hands of God through prayer with thanksgiving, destroying the satanic powers it may come with, and purifying it.  And I want to be clear that I am merely pointing out the wisdom of Deut 22:11; I am not saying you need to wear textile of a single, natural fabric in order to be justified before God. We are not under Law, but under grace, and we have been released from the Law.  We are justified by faith in Christ. 

Arguments from Culture
Some people try to argue from culture, by attempting to show that certain cultures have customs that other cultures would consider cross-dressing.  One example is the Scottish kilt.  They argue that what appears to be women’s clothing to other cultures is men’s clothing to the Scotsmen.  If you research the kilt, you will find that it was originally much longer, covering the legs down to the ankles.  They shortened the kilt to make it easier to work in them.

And now they have turned them into a decorative costume, which not only exposes the naked legs below the knee, but has many worldly aspects to it that disqualify it as a Christian garment.  In fact, Scottish custom states that a true Scotsman should wear his kilt without underwear, which is certainly immodest.  So this is nothing more than a worldly custom. And just because it has been made to resemble a women’s mini-skirt, we cannot use it to prove that the biblical command against cross-dressing is either subjective, depending on what country you are in, or irrelevant in the 21st century.

You can argue your position based on culture, defending women’s trousers, but that is a dangerous approach.  If we realized just how much satan has corrupted the cultures of the world, we would be shocked.  Demons are behind extra-biblical cultural practices, since satan is the god of this world.  If you say that we cannot base our doctrine on anything extra-biblical, such as prophecies or revelations, then how can you use culture as the basis for your doctrine that women should wear trousers?  Since the Word of God is our standard, then everything else must measure up to it, including prophesies, revelations, and cultural practices.
 
A Case from Christian or Hebrew Queens or Princesses of Old
In fact, if we do the research on Christian or Hebrew Queens or Princesses of old, we will find them depicted wearing dresses, not trousers. Jewish and Christian noble women would never wear trousers, since that would not befit royalty. You might find a female warrior from a pagan culture, such as the Amazon Indians, Egypt, or Babylon, depicted on an ancient vase with trousers, but not a Hebrew or Christian one.

Can you imagine a Hebrew or Christian queen, such as Queen Elizabeth or biblical Queen Esther sitting on her royal throne, wearing trousers?  How about imagining a princess in her royal carriage wearing trousers?  If you were going to play that part in a movie, do you think the costume designer would choose pants for your character?  If they did, and you were the actress, wouldn’t you be disappointed they did not cloth you with a proper princess dress? 

One might even say that the traditional wedding garments worn by brides throughout the centuries express an inward desire of women to look like a princess.  That is why they wear gowns and not trousers on their wedding day.  Can you imagine a bride wearing trousers? I have never seen one, and think it would look very strange. 

The Bride of Christ
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are kings and priests.  The apostle Peter said, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1Pe 2:9).  The apostle John wrote, “And He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 1:6).  Again the saints in glory sang, "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." (Rev 5:10). 

We are also the royal Bride of Christ (as depicted by my daughter in her artistic rendition above), according to the apostle Paul (Eph 5:25-27).  That includes every male and female one of us, who are betrothed to Jesus Christ our Lord.  And He is in the process of sanctifying us “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” (Eph 5:27)  But it’s not just a passive process that happens spiritually without any participation on our part.  In heaven they sang, “"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." (Rev 19:7).  The Bride of Christ must make herself ready.  It’s not only an inward preparation of the heart, but one of the body, too. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:23).

The sisters in Christ are not only the Bride of Christ, but also daughters of the King, His royal princesses. They should desire to be a worthy Bride such as He is coming for right away, and put off every worldly, unholy practice, including those related to how they dress.  In fact, we men, too, must look at how we dress and be sure it is appropriate for those who profess the name of Christ.
 
Origin of Women’s Trousers in Modern Christian Culture
If you want to know whether trousers are women’s clothing or not, it’s worthwhile to do a study on their origin.  Women in countries like Korea have been wearing trousers since at least the 15th century, but it was unusual for them to do so without a covering skirt. However, in modern Christian culture, only men wore trousers until about a century ago.  Women in the Western Christian world began to wear them during the 1900’s feminist movement, when they began to perform jobs that were traditionally done by men, such as coal mining.  An 1890 census reported that out of 369 occupations, women were represented in 360 of them.  And by 1900, ladies in the U.S. employed away from the home comprised 20% of all women in the country.

When they first began to wear trousers, they wore men’s trousers, since women’s trousers did not exist.  Afterward, a French designer named Paul Poiret became one of the first to design pants for women. In 1913 he created loose-fitting, wide-leg trousers for women.  It was only much later in the 1960’s that it became fashionable for women to wear them.

And even to this day, at public restrooms (WC) around the world, if the sign on the door is a person in trousers, it still means that restroom is for males -- not females.  This is an internationally recognized symbol. Although Arabic countries may show a man in a robe, rather than trousers, you will never see a ladies' room identified by the symbol of the person in trousers.

"She Wears the Pants in the Family"
Have you ever heard the expression, “She wears the pants in the family”?  I know that this is considered sexist and offensive to many, but I am merely making a point by using an expression.  It means that the wife in a particular family is the dominant partner, who is the head of the household.  It means that she is the most powerful person who makes all the decisions in the family.  Where did that idiom come from?  It originally meant that the wife functioned in the role that was traditionally held by the husband in the family.  It’s just another example that proves pants or trousers were not ladies’ garments until the sexual revolution and the feminist movement of the 1960’s.

Argument from Hypocrisy
Someone might argue that there are some girls who claim it is biblically wrong for them to wear trousers, and yet they themselves wear them in certain situations.  I would agree that this is a type of double standard.  But just because someone is inconsistent in living out his or her Christian beliefs does not give anyone else a license to sin.  Two wrongs don’t make a right.  And just because there are hypocrites in the world does not mean there cannot be sincere followers of Christ.

Follow the Money Trail
Since today's clothing industry in the US is a $7 trillion/year business, and since most clothing would not meet biblical standards of godliness, we must ask some hard questions.  Who are the people getting rich from this great evil?  Follow the money trail, and I can assure you that you will not find godly Christians at the very top of that industry.  Any godly woman knows it is very difficult these days to find modest clothing.  All the styles have changed and the way they design the cut of the garments, they are not made for modesty.  The clothing manufacturers are getting rich by selling garments that are unfit for a godly woman to wear, and I am sure they would not want anyone to interfere with their lucrative business.  It’s no wonder the enemy gets so angry when people preach against this. 

I am reminded of the incident in the Bible, during the apostle Paul’s ministry, when those who had made a good income making idols had become furious with Paul that he was hurting their business. By preaching the truth of the gospel, Gentiles were turning to Christ from idols, and no longer buying from the craftsmen that sold them.

“About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, ‘Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.’ When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’” (Act 19:23-28)

When Paul’s biblical preaching threatened their income, they started a riot. That’s similar to the way some people act when you uphold the biblical dress code for women.  They get angry and protest vehemently.  It’s like they are crying out, ‘Great is the Queen of the Coast!’  ‘Great is the Queen of the Coast!’  They are supporting the ungodly clothing manufacturers, and the demons that inspire their popular, worldly designs.  They don’t realize that they are standing up for a bad cause.

The Scripture says: “Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’  Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.” (Ecc 8:2-5)

The reason well-meaning Christians stand up for such a bad cause is that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2Co 4:4).  They think that verse only applies to those who have never given their lives to Christ, but they themselves have become unbelieving “believers”!

Demolishing Strongholds
Those who are preaching this message of holiness are causing something like an earthquake in the heavenly realm above the earth.  It’s shattering and demolishing the strongholds of satan. 

The apostle Paul said, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2Co 10:3-5)

Through the Word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Take Heed Lest You Fall
The apostle Paul said that if you think you stand, take heed lest you fall.  Do you think you stand, and that the Lord has no issue concerning cross-dressing?

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." (1Co 10:12-14)

We all face many temptations in our lives.  But no matter what the temptation, it is common to all men.  You will never be able to use the excuse that this temptation was unique to you, and more difficult than any that others have faced.  When I have been tempted, and prayed to God for the way out, I have found that the cross is the way out.  If I will deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus in that situation, then I will have victory.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Mat 16:24).

Love the Truth
You’ve got to love the Truth.  If you will approach this matter with an open mind, sincerely wanting the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, you will find it.  I know this from personal experience, since that’s how I came to know Christ.  When a friend first told me I was searching for Jesus, as a nineteen-year old soldier in the US Army, I didn’t believe him.  But when I searched the Scriptures and asked God to show me the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth, then the Truth set me free, and the Lord Jesus Christ saved me (see The Truth Set Me Free!). He is the Truth!

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Joh 14:6)

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Joh 8:31-32)

I elaborate further from Scripture in my article, “An Open Mind that Loves the Truth,” on the biblical way to approach this matter of cross-dressing and godly attire with an open mind.

Confirming Divine Revelations
I mentioned in my introduction to this article that several people have received divine revelations from the Lord warning against cross-dressing.  Here are just a few excerpts:

In Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetaga, I wrote that the Lord told him to give this warning: "A man should not put on the attire of a woman, and a woman should not put on the attire of a man or harlot: silver, gold, attachments, changing of skin, painting of eyes and mouth, or fixing of any artificial thing (Prov 7:1-27). The Lord has spoken; now obey. I will curse them that disobey."

In Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell, I wrote that he testified: "When we arrived to hell, a young lady saw me afar off and shouted, 'Oh, have you come to help me out of this place?' I could not respond to her question. Then she began to tell me the story of her life. She said, 'I was a member of a Pentecostal Church. My pastor told me that wearing trousers, as a lady, was not a sin against God..."

The Lord spoke to each of these people separately and independently without any collaboration between them.  Some of them were even guilty of committing this sin before the Lord warned them.  And He gave them many other warnings for the Church besides women wearing trousers.  Therefore, I urge you to begin by reading Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, and then listening to the entire testimonies of each person highlighted in that article, as well as the others I have mentioned above.

Those Who Practice Abomination
Finally, perhaps you thought that abominations were limited only to the law of Moses; however, this is clearly taught as part of the New Covenant. At the end of the book of Revelation, we learn that those who practice abomination will not enter the holy city, the new Jerusalem. It says, "And nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev 21:27).

Moreover, according to Scripture, those who practice abomination end up in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. It says, "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Rev 21:8). Therefore, since the Lord said it is an abomination for a woman to wear that which pertains to a man (Deut 22:5), then it should be quite plain to see from Scripture that no woman who wears trousers will enter the holy city, but will go to the lake of fire.

Note: The Greek word for abomination in Rev 21:27 is "bdelugma", meaning "a foul thing or detestable thing; an abomination." This same Greek word is used in Deut 22:5 for "abomination" in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "abomination" in that same verse is "tô‛êbah", meaning "something disgusting (morally), that is, (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol: - abominable (custom, thing), abomination." There is absolutely no difference between the meaning of "abomination" in Rev 21:27 and Deut 22:5. It is the same exact word.

Likewise, the word for "abominable" in Rev 21:8 is "ebdelugmenois", which comes from the root word "bdelussomai", meaning, "1) to render foul, to cause to be abhorred 2) abominable." Obviously the words "ebdelugmenois" and "bdelussomai" are directly related to "bdelugma". This proves that both Rev 21:8 and 21:27 are related to Deut 22:5 in the sense that they all speak of abominations and/or those who practice such things, otherwise known as those who are abominable.

For more on this topic, please see my article Abominations in the Sight of God.

Putting it All Together
Why can’t Christians understand and accept that trousers are not women’s clothing and should not be worn by women according to Scripture?  Why can’t we realize that they are immodest and worldly, rather than godly attire? Why can’t we let go of women’s trousers? It is because trousers have become a modern type of golden calf.

There are some people who say that we should not talk about these matters, and we should focus only on the Lord, and on being Christ-centered.  Yet God cares about purity and holiness.  And this matter of bodily purity cannot be separated from a Christ-centered life.  It is definitely God’s heart.  People who don’t see this do not really know who Jesus Christ is.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. The "Christ's Bride" drawing is from my fifteen-year old daughter, C.V. Lacroix, and may be found in the art gallery at A Brush with Life.

Author's note:  Also see Garments of Godliness, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Garments of Righteousness, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Abominations in the Sight of God, Crucified with Christ, The Law is Good if Used Lawfully, An Open Mind that Loves the Truth, Faith Works!, Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetaga, Pleasing the Lord, and Is Practical Righteousness a Lost Truth? My daughter has also written a lovely poem called Cross Bearing. You can access the Seeking the Lord Main Directory or my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

An Open Mind that Loves the Truth

Sometimes when people come to God for confirmation, they do so with a closed mind. They come to Him wanting Him to tell them what they want to hear, and that prevents them from getting His opinion on those issues.  It prevents them from knowing God's will. For example, there are the matters, which I have posted in Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, and A Warning for Married Christian Couples,  just to name a few.

Love the Truth
You’ve got to love the Truth, buy it, and sell it not (Pr 23:23).  If you will approach this matter with an open mind, sincerely wanting the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, you will find it.  I know this from personal experience, since that’s how I came to know Christ.  When a friend first told me I was searching for Jesus, as a nineteen-year old soldier in the US Army, I didn’t believe him.  But when I searched the Scriptures and asked God to show me the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth, then the Truth set me free, and the Lord Jesus Christ saved me (see The Truth Set Me Free!). He is the Truth!

I want to be very clear what kind of open mind I am not talking about.  I am not talking about being open to every idea that comes along, nor do I mean being open to every religion’s beliefs, as if they all represent the Truth.  To do so is like having a well in front of your home, which is open at the top, above the ground.  If it were left uncovered, and any time someone comes along and asks to dump something in it, you allow them to do so, people would come and dump sewage, used engine oil, and all kinds of toxic substances into your well.  Since the spring that supplies the well is your source of pure drinking water, you would be foolish to have that sort of openness to your well.  You need to guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Pr 4:23). No man comes to the Father, except through Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Joh 14:6)

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Joh 8:31-32)

It’s the same way with anything.  If you approach it with a closed mind, you will only succeed in holding onto your old ideas and ways of thinking, as well as your old way of living.  Like an old faucet that has been closed for so long that when it is turned on it only gushes forth with rusty water, your mind will only gush forth with corrupted, corroded, polluted ideas. 

Renewing of Our Minds is Needed
Sin has a noetic effect.  That means it has a negative influence on the mind’s ability to function correctly.  It leads to warped thinking and spiritual blindness. We’ve become conformed to the world more than we even realize!  This is why we need Jesus Christ to transform us by the renewing of our minds. 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Ro 12:1-2)

There are too many unbelieving believers! We cannot begin to fathom how much we have been conditioned, programmed, or brainwashed by the world and the traditions of men. The term “world” refers to this present world system we live in, which is ruled by the god of this world – satan.  

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor 4:4)

Culture and Traditions of Men
Much of what we call culture or fashion is actually the world.  Then there are traditions of men, which are teachings of men that are not from God.  Although they may have a form of godliness, they deny the power thereof.  Although religious men in positions of spiritual authority may teach them, they are not the Truth. 

As I demonstrated in my article, Tradition vs. Truth, they actually keep us from obeying God’s Word.  God commands us to love and do good.  But the traditions of men say things like, “You cannot heal on the Sabbath, since that would be work,” or “You are no longer obligated to help your parents, because you have dedicated that money to God through a solemn oath.”  Beware of the traditions of men!  Don’t be deceived into hell by them!

The Voice of the Lord
You had better make sure you are listening to the Lord’s voice and not the voice of men.  (See Hearing the Lord's Voice). The Lord is the Good Shepherd of the sheep, who leads His sheep lovingly and wisely into paths of righteousness (Ps 23:3).  Sometimes He uses His staff to do so, and other times He may use His rod (Ps 23:4b).  His sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not listen to a stranger.

“But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (Jn 4:5)

Strangers are those teaching traditions of men or anything contrary to God’s holy Word.  It could be your pastor, who knows that you, as a sister, are living with your boyfriend or cross-dressing, and yet only speaks of grace, telling you that you are “free,” rather than confronting your sin.  It could be a commentary of the Bible, or a preacher on TV.  It could be your Christian brother or sister – even a member of your own family.  Will you love them more than God?  They will not be able to deliver you when you stand before the Lord in the judgment.  If you did not act on His Word, He will tell you, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Mt 7:23)

Peace or Division
The Lord said we must love Him more than father or mother – more than our own flesh (Lk 14:26-27).  When we do so, it will bring division, because He did not come to bring peace on the earth, but a sword.

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Lk 12:49-53)

His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword!

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (He 4:12)

Doctrines of Demons
A closed mind refuses to even consider the possibility that something could be true.  It says, “Everyone knows the world is flat, not round.”  It says, “There’s nothing wrong with living together with my boyfriend, because we love each other.” It leads to bigotry, prejudice, and false teachings.  It leads you to approach a subject with your preconceived notion, and reject anything that does not agree.

We should have a closed mind to anything contrary to God’s Word.  We should not open ourselves up to strange teachings and doctrines of demons.  We must make sure we only listen to the Lord’s voice.  But when we are challenged, reproved, or corrected from the Word of God by someone, we need to take it to the Lord.  We must search the Scriptures to see if these things are true.

If apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, have properly equipped you, then you will be prepared for works of service (Eph 4:11-13).  Then every new teaching you hear will no longer sway you.

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph 4:14-16)

You will be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.  You will become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The Whole Body Builds Itself  Up
From Him the whole Body builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.  This means that you are not an island.  No church or individual has a corner on the Truth.  You need the other members of the Body, and we need you.  Just because the Lord has not revealed something to you or to the group you belong to, it does not mean it is not true.  If the Lord revealed everything to you, then you would possess all knowledge, and you would cease to need the other members of the Body.  No matter whether you are a teacher of the Word, who can explain the Bible well.  No matter whether you are an apostle or prophet, and the Lord has genuinely given you exceedingly great revelations, you still need the other members of the Body.  So don’t close your mind to what they say in the name of the Lord, but search the Scriptures to see if it is really so.

Scripture Meditations
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Ac 17:11)

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (Jn 16:13a)

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." (Pro 4:23)

“I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.” (Ps 36:1-2)

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Tim 4:3-4)

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. (Pr 12:15)

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (He 3:15)

“The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.” (Pr 14:6)

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Pr 14:12)

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” (Is 5:20-21)

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." (2 Thes 2:9-12)

The Challenge
Don't be deceived by all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.  Don’t just gather around yourself teachers to say what you want to hear.  Don’t turn you’re your ears away from the Truth. Don’t assume that your way is right, just because it seems right to you, but listen to advice.  Even though the way you have been going may appear to be right, it could still lead to death.  Don’t stand up for a bad cause, and call evil good or good evil.  Don’t put darkness for light or light for darkness, and don’t be wise in your own eyes or clever in your own sight.  Make sure you are listening to the Lord’s voice, and not man’s.  Don’t harden your heart to the Lord’s voice. Don't refuse to love the Truth and so be saved.

Love the Truth and keep your mind open to what the Holy Spirit would say to you.  No matter who you are, you still need the other members of the Body of Christ.  Listen to the revelations that I have presented in these testimonies given in the name of the Lord Jesus, and search the Scriptures like a Berean to see if what they said is true.  Pray about it and ask the Lord to confirm to you if these things are true; the Holy Spirit will lead you into all Truth.  Then you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.

If any man wants to see the Lord, he must walk in truth, righteousness, and holiness.  That is the only standard for heaven. The Lord still loves you, but His standard is high, His mercy is only attainable in the world.

Attribution notice: Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.

Author's note:  Also see Garments of Godliness, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Rachael Mushala Testimony of Hell, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Faith Works!, Keeping Sundays Holy, Separation from the World, The Highest Form of Slavery, and Is Tithing Required? You can access the Seeking the Lord Main Directory or my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." Now I'd like to ask a very important question.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.