FACING GIANTS SEXUAL IMMORALITY

“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Sex is not a giant; it is not evil. In fact, it is a God-ordained part of the marriage relationship. The first thing we have on record of God saying to man deals with the sexual relationship (Genesis 1:28). However, sexual immorality is one of the giants in Satan’s army. Notice the latter part of Hebrews 13:4. God will hold fornicators and adulterers accountable for their sin. As we think of facing the giant of sexual immorality, there are three aspects I would like to discuss: fornication, adultery, and homosexuality.

Fornication is defined by Vine as “illicit sexual intercourse.” It is the broader term, compared with adultery, referring to all sexual sin. However, for the sake of this article, I will use it synonymously with premarital sex. Sex is sacred in marriage, but sinful before marriage. You would not know this from looking at our society. For instance, when young adults ages 18-29 were asked if they believed premarital sex to be wrong, only 1 in 4 said they considered it to be wrong. One poll showed 50% of the American population does not believe it is wrong to have a child out of wedlock. Another study states that more than 9 out of 10 adults have engaged in premarital sex. Sex outside of marriage is wrong even if no one finds out, even if no unwanted pregnancy occurs, and even if no one gets a sexually transmitted disease. “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Adultery is sexual activity with someone other than a spouse. As stated earlier, fornication is the broader term. Adultery is the more narrow term, indicating sexual sin where at least one person is married. If someone 100 years from now were to take a sampling of our entertainment (television, magazines, movies, music) and examine them, they would likely come to the conclusion that adultery is commonly accepted in our society. They would not be too far off. While it is still one of the leading causes of divorce, adultery is becoming more and more common. What does the Bible say? Included in the list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God are adulterers (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Regardless of what man and society say, God says it is a sin.

Homosexuality is sexual activity between members of the same sex. We live in a society where the “gay rights movement” is getting stronger. Recently, a member of the music industry admitted to being homosexual and received praise from many. A 2003 Gallup poll found that six out of teen Americans believe that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal and 54% believe homosexuality should be considered an acceptable lifestyle. It has even reached the point where we see Christian people joking about it. “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26-27).

The time to make a decision in regard to any aspect of sexual immorality is long before the tempting situation arises. I am confident that it helped Joseph that he had already decided that it was a “great wickedness and sin against God” (Genesis 39:9). Be careful of the situations you put yourself in. Understand the power of physical contact. Don’t just feel; use your mind and think. Exercise self control and win your battles against this giant.
--Lamar

FACING GIANTS EVIL COMPANIONS

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). It is so easy for us to think that our associations with worldly people will have no effect on us. Perhaps that is why Paul begins the verse with the statement, “Do not be deceived.” If we make it our habit to associate with people with little or no spiritual direction in their lives, they will turn us to their ways of thinking and living. Their influence in our lives is usually gradual, but that makes it no less certain.

There are many admonitions and warnings in the book of Proverbs. “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10). “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). “Go from the presence of a foolish man,” (Proverbs 14:7). “Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25). “Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;” (Proverbs 24:1). What is so ironic and sad is that the man God used to pen these warnings allowed the women in his life to turn him from God (1 Kings 11:4).

Some may ask, “Did not Jesus associate with sinners?” Yes, He did. That habit of His life actually got Him in trouble with the self-righteous Pharisees (Luke 5:29-30; 15:1-2). However, His association with them was not for social benefit but for the well-being of their souls. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). If we are spending our time among evil companions and are not making every effort to convert them, we are asking for trouble. It is also important to notice that His closest companions were like-minded people.

I have heard people say, “I am too strong of a Christian. They are not going to have a negative influence on me.” Keep in mind another admonition of Proverbs: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Those with such an attitude also need to remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” It is a very dangerous game and the price (your soul) is of great value. Satan is wise in the ways of the world and he will use any and all of his tricks to pull us away from God, even if it turns out to be the person we thought was our best friend.

As a final word on this subject, I would like to especially warn our young people. This is not exclusively a problem of youth, older Christians must be aware of the dangers also. However, our young people need to be reminded of this danger when choosing friends and especially as they begin dating. The best friend, dating partner, or (eventually) spouse you can have is someone who will help you get to heaven.

Do you choose to associate with evil companions just for the fun of it? Beware of the giant!
--Lamar

FACING GIANTS

In their conquest of Canaan, Israel had to face some giants. They were first encountered when the spies were sent into the land. “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). They were big and probably frightening. However, they did not stop Joshua and the people from securing the promised land. God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He had promised a land to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:1). That promise is fulfilled in the book of Joshua, even in the face of the giants. “And at that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod. So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war” (Joshua 11:21-23). The Israelites had to face giants in their day.

We face giants today. The Israelites faced giants in physical warfare. Our giants are faced in spiritual warfare. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). This is why Paul instructs us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

There is a war going on! It is not a battle for oil, or land, or resources, or political freedom. It is a war for spiritual freedom, for the souls of men, women, and children throughout the world. It is a war between good and evil. God is the commander of the armies of righteousness and Satan commands the armies of the wicked. Satan has many giants in his army. They may appear indestructible. It may seem there is no way to defeat them. By ourselves, they are indestructible and undefeatable. With God on our side, they do not stand a chance. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Over the next few weeks, we want to identify some of Satan’s giants we face in everyday Christian life and how we can defeat them.
--Lamar

A PUFF OF SMOKE

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). One translation reads that it is “like a puff of smoke visible for a little while and then dissolving into thin air.” We could give various other translations, but the meaning is clear. Life here on earth is brief. It passes quickly. The psalmist writes, “The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). Even a life of great length is short and uncertain. Life is indeed a puff of smoke that is seen for a little while and then disappears.

As we consider the world in which God has placed us, it is obvious that He intended for us to be joyful. Certainly there are distresses, but these are the exception. Life is to be enjoyed. This is God’s design. His servants are to be the most joyful people in the world. It is also certain that the Lord has a purpose for mankind. We do not exist merely for the sake of existence. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.” Life does have a purpose and that purpose is set forth in God’s Word. Man was made to be a glory to his Maker. We succeed or fail in life depending on our fulfillment of that purpose.

As we remember that life is brief, that it is a puff of smoke that is only seen for a little while, we should also recognize that it is a time of preparation. While we do enjoy life and use it to glorify God, this earthly life is not an end in itself. We must use the time we have on this earth to get ready for something better. Someone has correctly stated, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” When we are looking forward to a trip, when we anticipate enjoying that trip (not so much the trip as the destination), we make preparation. Why would our trip into eternity be any different? If heaven is something we anticipate with joy, we will make preparation to go. It is certain that heaven would not be suit­able for those who make no preparation for it. The truth is that the doors of heaven will be closed to those who will not use their time here in getting ready to go there.

In Luke 12, Jesus tells of a man whose life was obviously a failure. He said: Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.17 “And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’18 “So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.19 ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’20 “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” By worldly standards this man was very successful. He had more than enough material goods. But he made a failure of his life. He forgot that it was just a puff of smoke that would soon vanish. God said He was a fool.

When your brief journey is over; when your soul is required; what will God have to say of you? Will you be called a fool or a wise one? Do not measure your success by the world’s standards. Aim for a life that joyfully fulfills its God-given purpose by preparing for the life that follows.
--Lamar

WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE?

The prophet Micah writes, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Notice the question: “What does the Lord require of you?” The answer is given: “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” There are some important lessons we can glean from this Scripture.

First, the question, “What does the Lord require of you,” certainly implies that GOD DOES REQUIRE SOMETHING OF MEN. How often do we think of our duty to God as compared with how often we think of what He does for us? For most people, their thoughts are usually more on God supplying their needs and wants. This is not to say that we ought not to look to God for blessings. At the same time, however, we should be concerned about what we must do to please Him. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Let each one of us ask, “What does the Lord require of ME?”

The verse begins with the statement, “He has shown you, O man, what is good.” This informs us that THE GOOD WAY IS THE WAY REVEALED BY GOD. It is not up to me to decide what is good, what is pleasing to God. The Lord tells us what is required. Jeremiah wrote: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). The mind of man cannot by know the will of God without help. It must be revealed to Him, and it is revealed in the Scriptures.

What does the Lord require? The first two things revealed here concern our dealings with our fellow man. We cannot ignore our duties to others and expect to please God. TO DO JUSTLY asserts the neces­sity of honesty and fairness in all things. The Bible says, “The righteous man walks in his integrity” (Proverbs 20:7). Again, in Proverbs we read: “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6). We must always do what is right, what is just, in dealing with our fellow man.

Second, to please God we must LOVE MERCY. Not only must we be honest and fair; but also we must do what we can to assist others. Also, included in the concept of mercy is forgiveness. Jesus said that if we will not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15). The apostle Paul declared that we should not only refuse to steal, but also work that we may have to give to people in need (Ephesians 4:28) The principle of loving mercy is demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The “hero” of the story was not among the thieves who inflicted the harm that befell the man. Neither was he with the priest and Levite who he ignored his suffering. Instead, he was one who loved mercy and showed it to the helpless traveler by treating his wounds and providing for his care.

The third requirement concerns our relationship with God. God tells us we must WALK HUMBLY WITH HIM. This includes doing everything commanded, because humility is the beginning point of obedience. Jesus Christ, who perfectly did all that His Father commanded, first humbled Himself. Philippians 2:8 says of Christ: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” This is the opposite of arrogant refusal to do God’s will. Have you ever heard anyone say, or said yourself, “I don’t care what the Bible says, I do not believe it.” God requires that we walk humbly with Him. That means we must submit to His will and do as He commands.

Micah answers the question, “What does the Lord require of you?” Now you must answer the question, “Am I doing it?”
--Lamar

CALMING THE STORMS

As I sat here Wednesday trying to thing of what to write for the article this week, a storm blew in. I sat here and watched the rain falling almost parallel to the ground. There was some thunder and lightning and very heavy winds and rain. It made me think of what might have been happening one night almost 2000 years ago.

Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:23-27). The disciples were in the middle of a storm and were in fear for their lives. Jesus was able to calm the storm and left them in amazement.

Storms will come in our lives. No one goes through life unscathed. Perhaps you have faced disease or death, financial setbacks, personal turmoil, or spiritual struggles. We have all been there one way or the other. The apostle Paul writes, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Even for the Christian, it is not a matter of if troubles will come, but when.

Jesus is with us in the storm. The disciples had the solution to the storm with them in the boat. It seems to me by their reaction that they were not expecting Him to do what He did. David wrote in the well-known and loved 23rd Psalm, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (verse 4). When we face the storms of life, no matter what form they may take, remember Jesus is right there with us.

Jesus will see us through the storm. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9). In this text, Paul is speaking of his thorn in the flesh. Three times he pleaded with the Lord to remove it. The Lord’s response was “No, I will not remove it, but I will help you deal with it.” He may not always calm the storm as He did with the disciples, but He will always help us deal with the storm and come through it.

What are the storms in your life today? How long have you been trying to handle them by yourself? Give them to God; He will take care of it. 1 Peter 5:7 – “(C)asting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” He cares so much that He sent His Son to die for you (John 3:16). If He was willing to make such a sacrifice, surely He will calm the storms in your life.
--Lamar

CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

The family is the oldest and most familiar of God’s institutions. A Christian family is a wonderful blessing; both to the members of it and to the community. But many families are failures. Instead of being a refuge of peace and comfort, some homes are arenas of strife, hatred and confusion. Solomon said, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:17). The high rate of divorce and juvenile delinquency are well-published evi­dences of families that failed. Still others are failing because the parents and children lack the rich spiritual experiences that a home should provide.

A Christian family is a family composed of Christians. This means more than just being church attenders. A Christ-like personality is needed. For a time, it was popular to wear items with “WWJD” (What would Jesus do) printed on them. It needs to be more than a slogan. In our families, each member of the family should be guided in every situation by that question: “What would Jesus do?” Christ should be acknow­ledged as the silent listener in every conversation and as a partner in every decision.

In a Christian family each person recognizes his own place and duty. In Ephesians 5:22-25 we read: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” Peter instructs wives to adorn themselves with a meek and quiet spirit and to be in subjection to their husbands. Then he continues, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. When he does so, his leadership will be easier to follow.

Parents are to accept their duty of training their children with wise counsel and loving discipline. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). In Proverbs 29: 15 we are told, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Solomon also wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). There is no greater task than the rearing of children, but it takes effort, love, and consistency. The story is told of a man who stood before the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington. He remarked to a lady who stood nearby, “I would like to be the artist who carved this statue.” She replied, “I would rather be the mother who made the man.”

We must also recognize that in a Christian home, attention is given to more than just the mental and physical needs. No one denies the importance of food, clothing, shelter, and even education. However, too few remember that the souls in the family also need food. Prayer should be as regular as meals. The Scriptures should have as much a place as the newspaper and television. Emphasis should be given to education in the things of God. Yet, many parents are highly concerned about public school, music lessons, and sports, but care very little whether the child learns about God and His holy Book. My friends, the greatest need facing today’s world is not better doctors, lawyers, and scientists, but better Christians. We need a new generation which has God’s truth deeply instilled in its minds by the faithful instruction and example of Godly parents.
--Lamar