Category: Sin

Does 1 John 1:7 speak of a perpetual cleansing in Christ’s blood for the Christian? Does “walk” in 1 John 1:6-7 indicate that an isolated sin is any less severe because it is uncharacteristic of one who generally walks in the light?

What does it mean to walk in the light as God is in the light? This first of two articles examines the text of 1 John 1. The following article will consider some misuses of the text.

King Ahaz was described as one encouraging moral decline in Judah. We need to make sure we are not guilty of the same. This article offers some things which encourage moral decline, which we need to steer clear of as children of God.

Numbers 32 records the petition the children of Reuben and Gad made to Moses and the leaders of the congregation of Israel. They desired to…

No one likes having their sins pointed out. Our pride makes it easy to be tempted to defend ourselves in such situations. However, we must rise above this temptation and always be willing to deal honestly with the sin that is in our life.

Babylon is first mentioned in the book of Revelation at chapter 14:8.  John writes, “And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon…

Babylon goes down in Biblical history as the great harlot of lust, pride, and vain glory (see Revelation 17:5).  A study of her rise to…

The Bible offers the answers to our most important questions while providing the standards and guidance we need as individuals and as a society. The Bible not only shows us how to have the best life here on earth, it is the only book which can prepare us for eternal life.

I recently came across an internet article listing the 5 most hated YouTube videos in internet history. This list was based upon the number of…

As a member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit can be sinned against. The Holy Spirit can be resisted, quenched, grieved, insulted, and blasphemed.

In early March, 2011, some anonymous former and current students of Harding University published a “zine”, devoted to changing student and administrative attitudes toward homosexuality. …

Whether it is nestled away on paper in a nightstand, lurking somewhere on a computer hard drive, or available to you by clicking on a web page, your porn stash is a filthy, addictive, morally expensive habit. You feel like you have been fortunate so far that no one has found it, but you would be better off if they did. Maybe then you would feel compelled to quit. Instead, you’re just digging deeper.

Everyone seems to agree there is a problem, but is convinced that it only affects those at a distance and is no imminent threat to them. Statistics suggest, however, that the problem might be sitting next to them on the pew, even standing before them at the communion table or pulpit, but is certainly closer than they want to believe. “In this changed social landscape, discussing pom is both risky and urgent–perhaps especially so in the churches” (Pellauer 1987, 651).

For man to think that he may be found right in the site of God, while yet in sin, is none but folly. Jesus himself said “unless you repent you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Christ would also state “if you love Me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). While it is true that God does know our hearts, this fact does not show that we are saved. If we desire to be saved, we should depart from sin, and follow the commandments of the Lord. If we do this, God will know our hearts, and He will know that they are acceptable in His sight.

April Fool
by Jeff Smith
Rumor has it that there is no fool like an old fool, but on April 1, he has company.

Evidently, April Fool’s Day derives from the fact that ancient cultures, including the Romans and Hindus, celebrated a new year on or around the first of April, coinciding with the arrival of spring. In the middle ages, much of Europe likewise observed March 25 as the Feast of Annunciation and the commencement of a new year. In 1582, however, the Vatican king replaced the old Julian calendar with his own, calling for each new year to begin on January 1. According to legend, some failed to get the message – perhaps their banks and insurance companies neglected to mail the new calendars – and they were mocked as fools and traditionalists for showing up in Times Square in early spring, expecting a ball to drop amidst a shower of confetti.

There are other explanations of the origin of April Fool’s Day, but it hardly makes any difference to the fool of the day, playfully and artfully deceived, but sometimes humiliated and even injured.

The Bible seems to have fully preceded April Fool’s Day, but one inspired writer does weigh in: “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, ‘I was only joking’” (Proverbs 26:18-19)!

In many cases, the fooling goes much too far and the real fool is probably the one perpetrating the tricks and cruel merriment. He gets to be about like a madman who carelessly fires a gun in the air or juggle swords over the heads of his friends. Sorry you were injured or embarrassed, but “I was only joking!”

Humor is certainly not evil and many jokes, even of the April first variety are harmless and fun, but there must be a line there somewhere. Paul writes, “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Ephesians 5:3-4).

Some people are too serious or sensitive to accept being the object of jesting. Some jokes plainly go too far and cause the victim real terror, humiliation or loss. The proverbs seem to indicate that only an apology and repentance are sufficient to undo the harm of an April Fool’s Day joke gone awry.
Some people are too serious or sensitive to accept being the object of jesting. Some jokes plainly go too far and cause the victim real terror, humiliation or loss. The proverbs seem to indicate that only an apology and repentance are sufficient to undo the harm of an April Fool’s Day joke gone awry.

Sexual abstinence until marriage builds a hedge around your moral purity, protecting your life and your spirit from an immoral tempter. Do not be deceived. Don’t try to see how close you can get or how much you can test your will. Flee fornication!

It’s a shame that Matthew 18:15-20 is one of the most misused and misapplied passages of Scripture: its true purpose is saving souls!

God does not cause every natural disaster, but they should serve as an opportunity to show our love for man, our praise for God and our desire for Heaven.

Some Christians argue for drinking short of drunkenness. Wisdom from the Holy Spirit would turn you away from drinking altogether.

There is deliverance available, not by submitting to the dominion of the flesh, but by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus as an obedient servant of righteousness who has found newness of life in Christ.