Category: Worldliness

In recent decades, cultural trends toward secularization have served to marginalize believers and their faith. Church membership and attendance has decreased dramatically. How have most denominations sought to reverse this negative trend? By becoming relevant. Oh, the siren song of relevancy! In effect, there is a need to appeal to the carnal man, because a spiritual approach will not get them in the door! Has the Lord’s church been trending in the same direction? If so, how? And what is the proper response to a world that shows no interest in God?

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…

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…

All Christians should consider the nature of biblical teaching. While it is true that we are not subject to the Old Testament as law to govern our lives today, there is much that we can learn from its pages. It indeed was “written for our learning” (Romans 15:4). When we look to the Old Testament to help us to better understand God’s definitions and the requirements he has given us in this covenant, we are not “binding the Old Law” but rather we are “rightly dividing the word of truth” ( 2 Timothy 2:15).

Worldliness poses a great threat to the child of God. There as been an alarming trend in recent years as many in the Lord’s church have shown greater acceptance of worldliness and sin. Many seek to justify their sin with argument, yet they are only arguing against God’s divine word. There are no “loop-holes” in the book of God! The Pharisees sought a “loop-hole” and were condemned for it

There is a spiritual danger in being linked to unbelievers, whether they be avowed atheists, practical infidels who claim conviction but live wickedly, or those who believe in God, but reject the authoritative nature of his word. Even as the inspired writer condemns being yoked to unbelievers, he offers a remedy–“Come out from among them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

We must choose our words very carefully, knowing that we will have to give an answer for them in judgment. Christians should never use profanity, curse words, foul language, God’s name in vain, OMG or tell dirty jokes. Those who have a problem with using bad language must strive to overcome this sin.

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

As parents, we should be teaching our children early on that it is possible, and certainly desirable, to be liked and respected by people, but that they should never be willing to let the world be the victor in the battle of the “in crowd” vs. in Christ. Let us remind our children daily that “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.

Should a Christian go to the night life scene in Ybor City? No, a Christian has no business going to places of evil repute. Let us rebuke such and teach others to avoid the ungodly surroundings, rather than compromising with sin by their presence. Failure to flee from the evil will lead one to acceptance of and participation in ungodliness with the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

All I am saying is that we as individual members of the church and followers of God through Jesus Christ should keep our perspective sharp and our faith wholly rooted within the word of God and the faith, love and awe that it alone can supply to our hearts and minds (James 1:17-21).

In the church, Christ must always come first. If we have truly counted the cost, we know this. Our lives should mirror this recognition. It should be evident in our own actions, and in our instructions to our children, as we seek to bring them up “training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Those who will not stand for anything will fall for everything; those who will not stand for the truth will fall for error. Will you take a stand?

As Nineveh of old repented at the preaching of Jonah, let us unashamedly and boldly proclaim the standard of righteousness and call upon our people and leaders to repent! The destruction of any nation that sanctions immorality is certain. It may already be too late, but it is certainly not too early to let our voices and votes be heard! If we remain silent and inactive, what kind of society will we leave for our children and grandchildren?

It is neither our privilege nor right to draw arbitrary lines for others, in the absence of a sure edict from God. When God has drawn lines, however, we ought to observe them and uphold them and make them pleasant, for they are not burdensome compared to the weight of the cross upon our Lord’s back (Romans 7:22, 1 John 5:3).

With John, Jesus and the apostles, communication was often a one-way street: they preached, but not everyone listened or agreed with what they had to say. I know this is also true today because we get an occasional message to “remove my name from your mailing list”, as a result of the teaching we do in our mail out bulletin at Forest Hills. Of course, we will do so. But what does it cost to read and study? The truth is needed today as much as it ever was and it is available to all who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6).

The Bible is replete with the condemnation of such ungodliness. Warnings are given again and again about the dangers. “Do not love the world or 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, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

The death of sin is producing a generation of Americans unequipped to meet the challenges of temptation. The church of Christ is far from immune, for we hear the tone of preaching softening among us as well, in a rush to embrace the positive mental attitude approach, which cannot build anything enduringly good, for it knows not how to identify and tear down sin.

My brother, my sister, do you have hope for the future? If not, you need to read your Bibles. God put these stories in the Bible so that a “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) will impart hope to us. They had their own time that tried their souls but they overcame by faith in God. Let us take cheer that we may also be able to overcome and join that elect band.

As parents, we long to protect our children from the harsh realities of life. It breaks our heart to see them suffer either emotionally or physically, and we seek to shield them from whatever heartbreak we can. Much of this is needed, and responsible. However, it is possible to be so protective of our children that they fail to receive needed lessons that only heartbreak and suffering can bring.