Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Straight and Narrow Path

Walking on the Narrow Way
The way of heaven is straight.  I have learned this from the Word and from experience, as well as divine revelations.  It is literally a straight and narrow path, as the Lord revealed so clearly in Michael Shigaba's Encounter with Jesus.  It is straighter, narrower, and more difficult than most Christians realize. Let's look at what the Scriptures say about this topic.

Straight is God's Divine Order
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.'" (Lk 3:4-5)

"They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness." (2 Pe 2:15)

"Who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways," (Prov 2:13)

"I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths." (Prov 4:11).

"He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle." (Ps 107:7).

"In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Prov 3:6).

"Whoever has understanding keeps a straight course." (Prov 15:21b).

"Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." (Prov 4:27; cf., Josh 1:7).

The apostle Paul said the ways of the Lord are straight (Acts 13:10).

The Scripture says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (Pro 3:5-6).

Also see the following Scriptures in the NASB version: Deu. 32:5; Psa. 18:26; 125:5; Pro. 2:15; 3:5-6; 8:8; 17:20; 21:8; 28:6, 18; Isa. 59:8; Eze 1:9,12; 10:22; 46:9; Php. 2:15.

Narrow is God's Divine Order
The Lord Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Mt 7:13-14). He said this at the end of His sermon on the mount, which summarizes the content of that sermon recorded in Matthew 5-7. In that sermon, He taught that something you say can put you in danger of the fire of hell (Mt 5:22). The sin of adultery can be committed in your heart without even having physical contact with the other person (Mt 5:28). He taught the need for radical obedience to God at all costs (Mt 5:29-30). Indeed, it is not only our outward actions that must be perfect, but also our thoughts, motives, and words (Mt 5:48).

Self must be denied, the body kept under subjection, corruptions put to death; temptations must be resisted on a daily basis; duties must be carried out that are against our natural tendencies. We must wrestle, must go through extreme physical and mental suffering, must watch in everything, and walk with care and prudence, wary of that which would endanger our souls.* We must pass through many trials and tribulations (Joh 16:33; 1 Pe 4:12-19). We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Ac 14:22). This is not the way that the majority of the people go. Most people go through the wide gate and take the broad road that leads to destruction. But only a few find the small gate and the narrow road that leads to life. Many are going to hell, but only a few are going to heaven.

He also said, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." (Lk 13:24). If many try and are unable to enter through this narrow door, then it must be very narrow. It's difficult to find and difficult to get through, so every effort must be made to do so. It's hard but not impossible by God's grace if we strive. You will not be able to enter if you are complacent or half-hearted, because there are many Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven. The devil has set many traps for you to try and capture you into hell.

Putting it All Together
The Scriptures clearly teach that in everything the straight way is God’s way. Indeed, the way to heaven is both straight and narrow.  In fact, it is more so than you think it is. But one hour in heaven will make it all worthwhile.

Therefore, we must Strive to Enter the Kingdom of God on the way of righteousness, holiness, and truth. It's time we cease from standing in the broad and crooked path of sinners, and going along with the crowd. It's high time we consecrate ourselves to the Lord Jesus, and follow Him with pure and simple devotion (2 Cor 11:3).  Seek Him earnestly (Ps 63:1) and stay close to Him (Ps 63:8). Cling to God! All you His people, let's Ask for the Ancient Paths once again.

Attribution notice: Most Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. "Walking on the Narrow Way" was illustrated by my sixteen-year-old daughter, Charity Lacroix.  You can find more of her fine artwork at A Brush with Life. *The preceding sentences in this particular paragraph were adapted from Matthew Henry's commentary on Matthew 7:12-14.

Author's note: You are invited to read Michael Shigaba's Encounter with Jesus, The Ways of Life, The Way, Will, and Word of God, Strive to Enter the Kingdom of God, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, Aim for Perfection, Eudoxia Varga Testimony of Heaven and Hell, A Warning for Married Christian Couples, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshipping Idols, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part I, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part II, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, Separation from the World, and Ask for the Ancient Paths. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven
Baptized by Blazing Fire Taken to Hell Angelica Zambrano Second Visit to Hell
Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead Revelation of Hell to Seven Colombian Youths

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.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven

Many people make the mistake of thinking that there are so-called "small" sins.  No sin is small in God's sight.  All sin separates us from God. That's why we need to repent of all sin, ask forgiveness, and put our faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
 
However, many Christians incorrectly assume that it is not necessary to obey the Word of God, if it is found in the part of our Bible that comes before the Gospel of Matthew.  They like to refer to Paul's epistle to the Galatians as proof that we must not go back to the law.  But let's make sure we correctly understand Paul's purpose in writing to the Galatians, and what he meant, as I have covered in more depth in Faith Works!

Natural Circumcision is a Shadow or Type
In Galatians, Paul taught that circumcision is a symbol of the Old Covenant, which has been fulfilled in Christ.  This is what the Galatians were going back to, after they had come to Christ, and that is the error Paul was addressing.  Christ came to fulfill the law, and now when we come to Christ, our hearts are circumcised by the Spirit, which is true circumcision. So now that we have the reality in Christ, we do not need to go back to the symbols and shadows.  However, while Christ came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, He did not come to abolish them (Mt 5:17-20).  There are still commandments in the Old Testament portion of Scripture and definitions of sin found in the Law and the Prophets. We are not under the supervision of the Law.  But the Bible is the Book of Truth, and we must obey the truth (Gal 5:7; Rom 2:8; 1 Pe 1:22)!

Christ will not repent for you. So if you repent of sin, confessing them to the Lord, asking for forgiveness in Christ, you will be forgiven (1 Jn 1:9).  Then you must walk by the Spirit, so that you will obey God by the power of the Spirit.  The righteous requirements of the law will be fulfilled in your life because of Christ, "so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Rom 8:4). But Jesus did not die on the cross so that we could go on disobeying God.

As Paul said, "Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law." (Rom 3:31).  And elsewhere he said, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Rom 6:1-2)

Don’t get symbols, ceremonies, and rituals in the Old Covenant confused with God’s commandments. Now that the substance of those ritual, ceremonial, and dietary regulations has come (in Christ), we need not observe them. Paul said what matters is keeping God’s commandments (1 Cor 7:19).  There are still commandments in the Bible, and the New Testament contains many lists of sins that will keep you out of heaven.  They will take you to hell. 

The First Church Council in Jerusalem
One of those lists is in Acts 15:19-21. When Judaizers went up to Antioch, telling the Gentile Christians that they must be circumcised, the elders and apostles held a council in Jerusalem to decide what to do. James stated the final decision:

"Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath." (Act 15:19-21)

People like to quote this one, because they assume it is the only list of sins for Christians to avoid. They assume that they will not go to hell, as long as they that abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication.  People like that short list of five sins to avoid.

Nothing Unclean May Enter the Holy City
Another list that people like to quote is Rev 21:27; 22:15.  It says this in its context:
 
"And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; 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 21:23-27)

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying." (Rev 22:14-15)

Some people assume that as long as they are a Christian, and are not in one of those categories of excluded people, they are going to heaven. They assume that as long as they do not love or practice lying, and as long as they are not dogs (homosexuals), sorcerers, sexually immoral persons, or idolaters, and as long as they are not unclean and do not practice abomination, then if they have given their life to Jesus at one time, their name is still written in The Book of Life and they are going to heaven.

However, there are several more lists in the New Testament Scriptures, including Mk 7:20-23; Rom 1:29-32; 2:6-13; 1 Cor 5:9-11; 6:9-11; Gal 5:19-21; 6:7-9; Eph 4:17-5:21; Col 3:5-10; 1 Thes 4:3-8; 2 Tim 3:1-5; 2 Pet 2:10-19; Mat 10:32-39; and Rev 14:9-12.  Let's look at those, too.

Evil Things from Within Make a Man Unclean
Notice that in the Revelation 21 passage I quoted above, it says that nothing "unclean" will come into the Holy City of heaven.  Our Lord Jesus defined what kinds of things make a man unclean, and this is not just an Old Testament concept, as some might think.

"And He was saying, 'That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." (Mar 7:20-23)

But when do you hear people these days preaching against evil thoughts, deeds of coveting and wickedness, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, or foolishness?  For that matter, when do you hear people preaching against deceit, thefts, murders, or adulteries?  Preachers are afraid to offend people, so they do not name sin anymore, which will take you to hell. Jesus was not afraid to name sin.  So we see that this is another list of things that make a man unclean, and Revelation 21:27 says that nothing unclean will enter the Holy City.

Those Who Practice Such Things Are Worthy Of Death
Another list is in Paul's epistle to the Romans. He said:

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." (Rom 1:28-32).

This means that those who practice unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossiping, slander, hatred of God, insolence, arrogance, boasting, inventing evil, disobedience to parents, or being without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, or unmerciful, they are worthy of death.

There Will Be Wrath and Indignation for Those Who Do Such Things
Paul went on to say:

"But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified." (Rom 2:5-13)

Paul was clear that there will be wrath and indignation for those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, and do evil.

Immoral People Defined
In Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, he defined who the immoral people are, and said we must not associate with any brother who is immoral by this definition:

"I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one." (1Co 5:9-11)

He added:

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." (1Co 6:9-11)

Paul was absolutely clear that neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  That is why we must avoid these sins and avoid associating with any so-called brother who is practicing these things.

And Things Like These
In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul listed the acts of the sinful nature.

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:19-21)

Many teachers like to assume this is a complete list of all acts of the sinful nature.  However, there are too many to list here, so Paul simply says, "...and things like these."  He strictly warns us that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Have you ever stopped to wonder what is included in that little phrase "...and things like these"?  Could you be practicing "things like these" that are not specifically listed here, but which nevertheless will keep you from inheriting the kingdom of God?

Reaping Destruction
In that same letter to the Galatians, Paul was clear what he meant when he said such people would not inherit the kingdom of God.  He said:

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." (Gal 6:7-9)

So those who do not inherit the kingdom, as described in the Galatians 5 passage I quoted previously, will reap destruction, since they are sowing to their sinful nature.

Excluded from the Life of God
This next passage from Paul's epistle to the Ephesians is a rather long one, but notice all the sins he listed in it.

"So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Eph 4:17-32)

The passage continues in the next chapter:

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." (Eph 5:1-21)

Some of the sins listed in this long passage are immorality, filthiness, silly talk, coarse jesting, callousness, sensuality, impurity, greediness, the lusts of deceit, falsehood, stealing, unwholesome speech, speech that does not edify, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, wrath, anger, letting the sun go down on your anger, giving the devil an opportunity, clamor, and slander, along with all malice, as well as unforgiveness.  Any of these that were not listed specifically in Galatians 5 as acts of the flesh are examples of what Paul meant by "things like these" that will keep you from inheriting the kingdom of God.  They should not even be named among God's people. Those who live like this are excluded from the life of God.

Because Of These Things The Wrath Of God Will Come Upon The Sons Of Disobedience
In Paul's epistle to the Colossians, he gave another list of sins that incur the wrath of God:

"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--" (Col 3:5-10)

This list includes immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, lying, and abusive speech from your mouth. We must put all of these away out of our lives. Paul clearly said that because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience.

The Lord Is The Avenger In All These Things
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you." (1Th 4:3-8)

In this passage, Paul lists sexual immorality, lustful passion, and not possessing your own body in sanctification and honor, which is a very broad category of sin. He said the Lord is the avenger in all these things. 

Avoid Such Men As These
In Paul's second epistle to Timothy he gave another list.

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." (2Ti 3:1-5).

We are to avoid such men as these, who live like this. While they may have a form of godliness, they have denied the power to live a godly life, which is found only in the Holy Spirit. We know from Paul's letter to the Corinthians, which I have already quoted, he is not telling us to avoid those in the world who live like this, but so-called brothers and sisters in Christ.

He Keeps The Unrighteous Under Punishment For The Day Of Judgment
The last passage I would like to mention that gives a list of sins is in Peter's second epistle.  He says:

Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. (2Pe 2:9-19)

Peter said the Lord knows how to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. He gave some examples of unrighteous people that included those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties.  They have greedy, adulterous hearts that revel in the daytime, reveling in their deceptions, carousing, enticing unstable souls, forsaking the right way, going astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, speaking out arrogant words of vanity, enticing others by fleshly desires and by sensuality.  The Lord will punish all such people in the same eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Practicing Lawlessness
Although lawlessness is not in any of the other lists mentioned above, it will keep you from heaven.

Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.'"  (Mat 7:21-23)

The Greek word for lawlessness is "anomia" meaning "violation of law or (generally) wickedness" (Strongs). So the Lord taught that if you practice violations of the law or wickedness, He does not know you and will command you to depart from Him. He said that only he who does the will of our Father who is in heaven will enter the kingdom of heaven. That is why Walking in the Perfect Will of God is absolutely necessary.  For as John said, "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;" (1Jn 2:4).

Many of these same sins listed in the New Testament are found in the Law and the Prophets, which were the only Scriptures the apostles had during the first century.  However, cursed is he that observes the Law, who insists on pleasing God through works, and denies what Christ did for us on the cross. The Scripture says:  "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because 'the righteous will live by faith.'” (Gal 3:10-11). . If you are still not sure which part of the Law and the Prophets we must obey, then please see these other articles of mine that explain it. 

Is Obedience Optional?
The Law of Christ 
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?
The Obedience of Faith
Is Practical Righteousness a Lost Truth?
Faith Works!
Remember the Eternal Law of God
The Law is Good if Used Lawfully
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
What Then Must We Observe?

Denying Christ
Among the lists of sins that Jesus warned about is denying Christ.  Yet Jesus said:

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” (Mat 10:32-39)

Paul said, "If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;" (2Ti 2:12)

Although the apostle Peter denied Christ three times in one night, he repented of it and was forgiven.  In addition to denying Christ, some other sins Jesus listed that will keep you from heaven are loving father, mother, son or daughter more than Him, not taking your cross and following after Him, and finding your life.

Not Loving the Lord
Let us not forget the greatest commandment! Recall the time when a lawyer asked Jesus, " 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."  (Mat 22:36-40)

Paul pronounced an eternal curse on anyone who does not love the Lord, when he wrote: "If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha." (1Co 16:22).

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit
Another sin that is not mentioned in any of the lists is blaspheming the Holy Spirit, but Jesus strictly warned us about it.  He said:

"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come." (Mat 12:31-32)

He was clear that while any other sin shall be forgiven if you repent, blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. For more on this, please see Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Taking the Mark of the Beast
I want to mention some sins listed in the book of Revelation, which are not found elsewhere in the Bible. The apostle John wrote:

"Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.' Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." (Rev 14:9-12)

Anyone who worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, will be tormented with fire and brimstone forever and ever. They will not enter heaven.  Do not under any circumstances commit any of these sins. For more on this, please see The Mark of the Beast (666).

Unforgiveness
Our Lord said in His sermon on the Mount, "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." (Mat 6:14-15).

He also taught us the parable of the unmerciful servant, in which the one who was forgiven so much refused to forgive someone else what they owed him.

"Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, "Have patience with me and I will repay you everything." And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, "Pay back what you owe." So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, "Have patience with me and I will repay you." But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord said to him, "You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?" And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.'" (Mat 18:21-35)

In this parable, the lord of the unmerciful servant, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. The heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart. There are many people in hell for unforgiveness, so please don't let that happen to you.

Refusing Him Who Speaks
The writer of Hebrews wrote: "See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven." (Heb 12:25)

Compilation of Lists
The lists we have just reviewed include such sins as those in the following compilation:

Not doing the will of our Father who is in heaven, refusing Him who speaks and warns us from heaven, forsaking the right way, going astray, loving self, loving money, boastfulness, arrogance, reviling (verbal abuse of people), disobedience to parents, ungratefulness, being unholy, being unloving, being irreconcilable, without self-control, brutality, hating good, treacherousness, recklessness, conceit, loving pleasure rather than loving God, holding to a form of godliness but denying its power, relying on the works of the law or observing the law, eating things sacrificed to idols, eating blood, eating the meat of strangled animals, loving or practicing lying, deceit, sorcery, sensuality, impurity, passion, homosexual acts, sexual immorality, fornication, adultery, idolatry, practicing abomination, evil desire, evil thoughts, deeds of coveting and wickedness, envying, pride, foolishness, greed, thefts (including stealing from God what belongs to God or from Caesar what belongs to Caesar), practicing unrighteousness, lawlessness, sowing to the flesh, indulging the flesh in its corrupt desires, evil, murder, strife, malice, gossiping, slander, speaking unwholesome words, abusive speech, filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, despising authority, being daring, self-willed, reviling angelic majesties, enticing unstable souls, following the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, loving father, mother, son or daughter more than Jesus, not taking your cross and following after Jesus, finding your life, denying Christ, not loving the Lord, hatred of God, grieving the Holy Spirit of God, blasphemy of the Spirit (this sin shall not be forgiven), receiving the mark of the beast on your forehead or hand, worshiping the beast or his image, unforgiveness, insolence, arrogance, speaking out arrogant words of vanity, boasting, inventing evil, being without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, or unmerciful, being an effeminate (a catamite), being selfishly ambitious and not obeying the truth, but obeying unrighteousness, and doing evil; drunkenness, swindling, immorality, enmities, strife, jealousy, bitterness, wrath, outbursts of anger, clamor, slander, malice, callousness, disputes, dissensions, factions, carousing, and things like these.

However, this is by no means a comprehensive list. And we have not even looked at any of the Scriptures from the Old Testament yet!

Putting it All Together
So we can see that the list of sins forbidden at the First Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 were not the only ones that take people to hell.  In the New Testament there is no single, comprehensive list of sins that will keep you from heaven, in terms of specifically naming each and every individual sin.  In fact, there are several lists. 

And even though we examined many such passages in this article, I did not even mention failing to evangelize the lost, not Keeping Sundays Holy, or The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness.  This is why Paul used the expression "and things like these" to describe the acts of the sinful nature that keep people from inheriting the kingdom of God. Sin will keep you from heaven, and there are no small sins.

Don't be fooled by anyone who tells you we don't need to obey the Word of God.  The Word of God is not just the New Testament Scriptures, but it includes the whole the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  Don't let anyone tell you that it is legalism to obey God. Paul said that what counts is keeping God's commandments (1 Cor 7:19). And that explains why James added at the First Church Council in Jerusalem his reason for limiting the list to the sins he named for the Gentiles coming to Christ was this: "For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath."  James knew that Gentiles have heard of God's commandments which are preached in every city.  He was implying that we who follow Christ must obey the commandments of God, which we can only do by the power of the SpiritRather than seeking to observe the Law, live by the Spirit! For without Christ we can do nothing.

Whether or not you are a Christian, if you are practicing any of these sins or "things like these", you need to know they will take you to hell.  You will perish unless you repent.  But please don't put it off until later, or else it may be too late.  Mercy is only available while you are on earth.  Jesus still loves you, but His standard for heaven is high and He's not going to lower it for anyone. Cry out to the Lord Jesus to forgive you, and then with His help live for Him, producing the fruits of repentance.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
 
Author's note: You are invited to read Abominations in the Sight of God, To Sin or Not to SinAim for Perfection, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?, Tattoos and Body Piercing, Michael Shigaba's Encounter with Jesus, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, A Warning for Christian Married Couples, Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshipping Idols, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part I, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part II, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, The Origin of Sin, Satan, and Secular Music, Is it a Sin to Take Medicine?, Is Contraception a Sin? -- A Divine Revelation, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Led by the Spirit, Called to be Blameless, Holy Living in a Perverted World, , Separation from the World, and Fruit in Every Season. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

A Warning for Christian Married Couples Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven
Baptized by Blazing Fire Taken to Hell Angelica Zambrano Second Visit to Hell
Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead Revelation of Hell to Seven Colombian Youths

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.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Ask for the Ancient Paths

Today it is so rare to hear about holiness, except for the purely positional kind.  Yet even in the holiness churches it seems that many have returned to the world and the standard has been lowered.  We need to return to the old paths once again!  We need to ask for the old paths, as the prophet said:

Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'” (Jer 6:16).

I know that the Lord desires this for His people.  For this is the only way to find rest for your souls.  Yet so many old-fashioned, holiness preachers in days gone by have been ridiculed or persecuted or people have walked away from them on account of their message, and I think many or most preachers today have just given up on preaching the holiness message.  It's not a popular message.

I think the church has accepted the standards of the world.  The Church has said of the ancient paths, "We will not walk in it!"  Many Christians have made the grave mistake of classifying certain things as not sinful, which are in fact sinful in God's sight.  They convince themselves that some things are not sin while knowing the truth in their hearts. They care more about pleasing the world and themselves than they do about pleasing the Lord. That must change, because Jesus is coming back soon, and He is coming for a pure and holy Bride.  There is a place in hell for people who classify certain sins as not sinful.

We need to once again warn people that sin will take them to hell, if they don't repent, and name specific sins, such as compromising, not keeping Sundays holy, watching secular TV, women wearing trousers, jewelry, artificial things like wigs and fake eyelashes, and/or make up, tattoos, smoking cigarettes, addiction to drinking alcohol, worldliness, masturbation, immoral practices on the marital bed, divorce, abortion, using contraceptives, idolatry, rock, rap, and reggae music, dancing that does not glorify Jesus or the Father, embezzling money and accepting bribes, gossip, abortion, keeping boyfriends and girlfriends, failing to evangelize, as well as witchcraft, video games, movies, art that does not glorify God, and secular cartoons. We need to preach the whole counsel of God, not just the parts of the Bible we like. We need to wake up the Church before it is too late. We must rescue souls who are headed for hell. We need to return to evangelizing the lost, which is the duty of every Christian. For there is even a place in hell for those who do not evangelize. (Note: Each of the links in this paragraph leads to articles of mine that cover the corresponding topics.  Before you dismiss any of these as legalism, you owe it to yourself to use the links I've provided to research it thoroughly.)

Some people repeatedly commit "little sins," or things they consider trivial, as Ahab did (1 Kings 16:31), but no sin is little. All sin will take you to hell, if you don't repent!  When some people once asked Jesus about a certain group of Galileans, who had died a horrible death, and whose blood their governor had mixed with their animal sacrifices, Jesus told them that those people were not more guilty than any one else.  He also cited another instance where a tower fell on some people in Jerusalem, in order to show them that those people were not worse sinners than others living in Jerusalem.

Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luk 13:1-5)
Jesus clearly taught here that there are no "little sins."  His message was: "unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."  The same is true today as much as ever.  It is still true regardless of whether you are a Christian or not.  All who live in sin or practice sin will perish.  The difference is that it will be even worse for the Christian who walks in sin when he dies. As the apostle Peter said, "It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them." (2 Pe 2:21).  Truly, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.  The demons will torment that person even more, because they were a Christian. "The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows." (Lk 12:47).

That is why it is high time we sought holiness and consecration to the Lord.  We need to repent, one and all. Repent of your sins and strive to enter through the narrow gate.  Ask for the lamp of the Lord to search your heart. Examine your life.  Cry out as the psalmist did, "See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Ps 139:24).

The Lord bless you with courage and resolve to do what is right.  Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it! 

Attribution notice: Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. The photo was originally in the public domain.

Author's note: You are invited to read Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?, A Trip to Hell -- in pictures, Michael Shigaba's Encounter with Jesus, The Ways of Life, The Way, Will, and Word of God, Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshipping Idols, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part I, Keeping Sundays Holy - Part II, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, Tattoos and Body Piercing, A Warning for Married Christian Couples, The Straight and Narrow Path, Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven, and Pleasing the Lord. You may access the Main Directory for this Seeking the Lord blog for more articles like this, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Separation from the World Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven
Baptized by Blazing Fire Taken to Hell Angelica Zambrano Second Visit to Hell
Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead Revelation of Hell to Seven Colombian Youths

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.

Friday, September 26, 2014

The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness

The sin of worldliness is something you rarely hear anything about any more.  It’s as if this sin has vanished, because you don’t hear anyone preaching against it these days like they used to.  That's why I've called it the forgotten sin. Yet the Word of God has many warnings for us about worldliness, and we would do well to pay attention to them. 

Benson Idahosa
I recently heard a Nigerian boy named Samuel Oghenetega testify that when the Lord took him to hell and back, he saw a famous Nigerian preacher there in hell, named Benson Idahosa (see video beginning at 12:00).  This man had been a Pentecostal, power-and-prosperity preacher that started a denomination, a primary school, a secondary school, Benson Idahosa university, a hospital, and a television ministry with a potential viewing audience of 50 million people. He helped many people, preached in 125 nations, and had many followers.  He claimed to have raised nine people from the dead, and was said to be the leader of over seven million Jesus people worldwide.

According to an article by a Nigerian Baptist minister named Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, "[Idahosa] dressed flamboyantly, used the best cars and pursued big projects with big budgets."  I have listened to some of his messages and read that Idahosa used to say "If your Jesus is poor, my Jesus is rich."

When Jesus showed this man to Samuel in hell, he referred to him as His son. But Samuel said part of the reason he ended up in hell was covetousness and worldliness.  He was not the only person to see Archbishop Idahosa in hell.  Another pastor named John Noah from Bayelsa, Nigeria also saw him there (see video).  Still another Nigerian brother, named Ibrahim, a born again believer in Jesus Christ, who was shown a vision of hell after a forty-day fast, saw Idahosa along with other top Nigerian pastors in hell (see article). Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses (see 2 Cor 13:1; Mt 18:16; Deut 19:15), and three credible witnesses have duly established this matter.

Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa
That should wake us up!  If worldliness can cause you to miss heaven, then we’d better know what it is and avoid it by the power of the Spirit.  Let’s first look at what the Scriptures teach us about the world, and then define worldliness on that basis.

In the Bible, the Greek word for "world" is "kosmos," meaning “orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]): - adorning, world.” (Strongs).  Here are some Scriptures where that word is used:

No Profit in Gaining the World
Jesus said, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat 16:26)

"For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luk 9:25)

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mar 8:36)

Religious People of this World
He once spoke to the Jews who did not believe in Him.  And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (Joh 8:23-24)

Even today there are religious people who consider themselves children of God, but they are of this world.  Therefore, they will die in their sins unless they believe that Jesus in the Christ, and follow Him as their Lord and Savior.

Hate Your Life in this World
Have you ever heard anyone say, "I'm lovin' life!"  Others may not say that, but they are still seeking to make an enjoyable life for themselves.

Jesus said, "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. (Joh 12:25)

The World Cannot Receive the Spirit of Truth
“That is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” (Joh 14:17)

We Are in the World by Not of this World
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” (Joh 15:19)

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."  (Joh 17:14-16)

The Kingdoms of this World
"Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;" (Mat 4:8)

At the appointed time, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.

"Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.'"  (Rev 11:15)

Until then, the kingdoms of this world belong to satan.

God’s Kingdom is Not of this World
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."  (Joh 18:36)

The Wisdom of the World
Paul said the world in its wisdom did not come to know God:

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” (1Co 1:20-21)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS";  (1Co 3:19)

The spirit of the World
Many times people talk about catching the spirit of something like a holiday or a sporting event or a celebration.  They are talking about the spirit of the world.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,”  (1Co 2:12)

The Ruler of this World
Jesus said that satan is the ruler of this world, who has been judged, and he will be cast out of the world he rules:

"Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.  (Joh 12:31)

"I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;  (Joh 14:30)

“And concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.”  (Joh 16:11)

The World is in the Power of the Evil One
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.  (1Jn 5:19)

Using the world
Sometimes we have to use the world, such as a laptop, a phone, or a car.  Paul said those who use the world should do so as if they did not make full use of it.

“And those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.”  (1Co 7:31)

Concerned for Worldly Things
“But one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” (1Co 7:33-34)

Paul warned against becoming worldly in your concern about how you can please your spouse. If you are married, please see A Warning for Married Christian Couples.

The Sorrow of the World
"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death."  (2Co 7:10)

Many songs express the sorrow of the world, but the Bible says that kind of sorrow produces death.  Likewise the funerals of those who are spiritually dead also express worldly sorrow.   The same is true of many novels and secular TV programs.  The one kind of sorrow that is good is repentance from sin, which leads to salvation!

Crucified to the World
"But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."  (Gal 6:14)

The Age of this World
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. (Eph 2:1-2)

The Elementary Principles of the World
There is something known as the elementary principles of this world, which are manmade rules and traditions, based on their philosophy.  We don’t live by these empty deceptions, or submit ourselves to them, but have died to them.  We live according to Christ and are captive to Him.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”  (Col 2:8)

“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,”  (Col 2:20)

Keep Yourself Unstained by the World
There is such a thing as pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God.  It involves keeping yourself from becoming polluted by the world.

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  (Jas 1:27)

Escaping The Corruption in the World
The apostle Peter spoke about escaping the corruption that is in the world: “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  (2Pe 1:4)

“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.”  (2Pe 2:20)

Friendship with the World
Unfortunately many Christians today have become adulterers, because they were betrothed to Christ alone as His Bride, but they are in bed with the world. They have become friends with the world.  “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”  (Jas 4:4)

Do Not Be Conformed to the World
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom 12:2)

Do Not Love the World
“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.”  (1Jn 2:15-16)

The World Doesn’t Know Us, It Hates Us
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”  (1Jn 3:1)

“Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.”  (1Jn 3:13)

Since the world did not know Jesus, it does not know us, but hates us. Everyone who seeks to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  If you are not being persecuted and the world doesn’t hate you, then you need to examine yourself to see if you have become a friend of the world.  Woe to you when all men speak well of you.

Greater is He that is in You Than He That is in the World
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  (1Jn 4:4)

From the World
“They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.”  (1Jn 4:5)

Overcome the World
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”  (1Jn 5:4-5)

Defining Worldliness
The modern term “worldliness” comes from the biblical expression “of the world.”  That is a very broad term -- as broad as the world is, since it means being friends with the world or being like the world or loving the world or the things of the world.  It may involve going along with the spirit of the world, catching that spirit, agreeing with it, and living in accordance with it.  It may involve making full use the things of the world.

Anytime a disciple of Christ becomes concerned with the things of this world, their interests are divided between Christ’s interests and the world’s.  So we must be very careful not to let those concerns take us away from serving the Lord. It is best not to be divided in our interests, but to be devoted.

Jesus was in the world but He was not of this world.  And he said the same about His disciples, too.  We are in this world but not of it.  Others are from the world, and they speak as from the world.  Therefore the world listens to them.

It would be impossible to list every thing that is in the world that one could possibly love.  But some of the things it includes are what we call society and culture, along with its language – both verbal and non-verbal, its expressions, arts, entertainment, recreational activities, sports, competitions, hobbies, leisurely pastimes, politics, wealth and riches, images, icons, idols, literature, fables, fairy tales, myths, legends, educational institutions and programs, other institutions, networks, clubs, technology, social and other media, websites, fashions, styles, decorations, adornments, costumes, world order, thrones, titles, organizations, arrangements, values, principles, ideas, concepts, structures, systems, fraternal orders, secret societies, pursuits, holidays, parties, celebrations, festivals, events, awards, ceremonies, customs, religions, rituals, and rites.

There are simply too many specific things to possibly list in those general categories, but they include secular movies, secular television, cartoons, video games, recreational use of alcoholic beverages, smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products, idealism, omnism, liberalism, racism, humanism, individualism, intellectualism, universalism, hedonism, tourism, commercialism, materialism, wealth, luxury, jewelry, gambling, tattoos, body piercing, worldly hairstyles and clothing, as well as dancing and secular music, such as rock, rap, and reggae.  Even vehicles can be considered worldly treasures, and can even become idols. Therefore it is impossible to fully define the sin of worldliness.

Putting it All Together
From these Scriptures we’ve learned many things. I trust that the sin of worldliness will no longer be a forgotten one for those who read this post and take to heart the things written in it.  The devil who is satan is the ruler of this world, and he doesn't want you to know or believe that the sin of worldliness exists.  He is the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. His kingdom is of this world, and the glory he has is the glory of those kingdoms. He already stands condemned and will one day be cast out.

There is a spirit of this world, which the world embraces.  They have their wisdom, their elementary principles, and vain philosophies.  They may hate certain aspects of the evil empires, and seek to avoid involvement in those things.  But they do not accept the Spirit of Truth.  In fact, they cannot receive Him.

This world is full of corruption.  Just as surely as it’s iron gates and pipes and vehicles are rusting away, so too the world itself is undergoing decay from it’s corruption.  That’s why we need the Lord Jesus Christ in order to escape the corruption in the world, since the world will be condemned with its ruler and destroyed.

Worldliness is a deadly sin!  What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his own soul? So many believers today have become friends with the world.  They have become so enamored with the world that they have lost their first love for the Lord Jesus Christ.  In fact, they don't even realize any more what they are doing that is actually worldly or what it means to be worldly. 

We need to keep ourselves from being stained by these things.  We need to hate our lives in this world and follow Jesus. Rather than being of the world, we are supposed to overcome the world by our faith.

If you will ask the Lord, He will expose any worldliness that you have allowed to creep into your life.  If you have committed adultery with the world, then repent.  Cry out to Him for mercy and forgiveness.  Ask Him to draw you back to Himself and deliver you from those traps of the devil.

Come out from among them and be separate from the world.  Let us return to the Lord and He will heal us.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." (Is 55:6-7, NIV)

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.
 
Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like Separation from the WorldHoly Living in a Perverted World, Come Out of Her, What's Wrong with the Prosperity Gospel?, Garments of Godliness, Keeping Your Body Pure and Holy, Keeping Sundays HolyFaith Works!Alcohol and Cigarettes -- Ten Divine Revelations, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Rock, Rap, and Reggae Music -- Three Divine Revelations, Tattoos and Body Piercing, Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetega, Ibrahim's Experience in Hell, Demonology 301, and One Thing. I highly recommend reading, Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies, Restored Truth, and Holy Fire Baptism. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

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.