We Can Do It Better Than God

We are surrounded by many today that have “good intentions” in their service to the Lord.  They seek out more “efficient” methods of completing the commands of God, but in doing so they neglect to also seek out the Bible authority for their methods.  Mankind, it seems, is stuck on the concept that they know how to accomplish the will of the Lord (evangelizing, benevolence, etc) better than the Lord.  To further clarify, man seems to think that their own methods are much more efficient than the methods set forth in the New Testament by the Lord.  Why didn’t God just ask us how to get things done correctly?

It is out of this false sense of self-importance that concepts such as institutionalism spring forth (there are many other false doctrines that can be utilized to express this point as well).  God’s method of benevolence just simply isn’t efficient enough, so let’s create an organization between the church and its members to take care of ALL the needy.  God’s method of evangelizing the world isn’t efficient enough either, so let’s create an institution or organization to take care of that as well.  God’s method of the older teaching the younger isn’t efficient either, so we’ll go ahead and create some manmade method of accomplishing this as well.  As you can see, God really should have asked us before commanding how these things ought to be done because we know better than God.  But, since we have good intentions and the ends justify the means, God will accept it in the end (and perhaps praise us for knowing more than He does about how the world works and how people will respond).

 
What about King David and Uzzah? In 2 Samuel 6, David decides that the Ark of the Covenant will be transported from Baale Judah on a cart rather than carried by the polls that were designed for this purpose (2 Samuel 6:1-5; Exodus 25:10-15).  Well, this makes sense, doesn’t it? Isn’t it a more “efficient” method of transporting the Ark? The Levites HAD to get tired from carrying around the Ark by those polls, so why wouldn’t a cart be a more efficient method of completing the command of the Lord?

…then the oxen stumbled (2 Samuel 6:6).  Uzzah, with his good intentions (and there is no reason to doubt that Uzzah had good intentions), reaches out to steady the Ark so that it doesn’t fall off of the cart.  God, who by this point realized that using a cart IS a more efficient method of doing His will, accepts Uzzah’s decision to touch the Ark because of his good intentions.

Obviously not! In 2 Samuel 6:7, the Lord becomes angry with Uzzah for touching the Ark and strikes him down. 

Rather than telling God that we know better than He does how to accomplish His will, we should actually DO His will! When you hear, "I don't need to show my authority for doing x, y, and z because they are 'good works,'" beware. If someone is being honest, they will be fine with being asked for their Bible authority for an action...and will even expect it and be happy that people are asking! (1 John 4:1-3) If someone is "offended" because you ask to see the Bible authority for what they are doing, then something is wrong! If they are trying to hide what they actually believe behind tricky words and avoidance of the subject, then there is something wrong (Romans 1:15-17; Colossians 3:17; 2 John 7-11).

Judge Not - What Do the Scriptures Say About Judging?

In the world today (although this is nothing new), Christians are commonly faced with the argument “you shouldn’t judge!” It seems that no matter what the sin, whether it is gossip, lying, murder, or the current hot-button issue of homosexuality, the Christian is judged to have the wrong attitude by “judging” the person committing the sin.  If a Christian tries to explain to a person that they are doing something contrary to the Gospel of Christ, the almost instantaneous retort is “judge not that ye be not judged!”  This retort is generally followed up by an attempt to show some perceived or even real hypocrisy in the life of the Christian, which is thought to negate the sin in their own life.  

Now, can a Christian be a hypocrite in their judging of others? Absolutely.  Does that hypocrisy negate the sin the Christian is addressing in the life of another? Absolutely not.  Can a Christian justly judge another human being as living in sin? Again, absolutely.  Let us take a few moments and look at the Scriptures, not to cement our already preconceived notions (whatever they may be), but to see what the Scriptures actually say about judging. 

Matthew 7:1 is possibly the most used and misused verse in the Bible (excluding, perhaps, John 3:16).  Here, Jesus says, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (NKJV). It seems that many readers stop with this single verse as though it encompasses the entire meaning of the passage and there is nothing else to consider (not trying to be harsh or unfair in this assessment, only stating from experience that I have never seen anyone try to quote anything from Matthew 7 beyond verse 1).  A little less often used is Romans 2:1-4.  Again, it seems as though many leave off with verse 4 instead of keeping it in context.  Should a discussion make it past these two verses, another popular retort comes from John 8:7 where Jesus says, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first,” but once again context is generally neglected.  Now, to be fair, if these passages were the only ones that we had to go on (without even their immediate contexts), then coming to the conclusion that we as humans are not to judge one another would be a very logical and correct deduction.  But we need the rest of the story, so to speak, and that is found in the contexts of these passages, as well as in some additional ones found throughout the New Testament.

If we continue to read further in Matthew 7, Jesus goes on to tell us that the same measurement of judgment that we issue will be dealt back to us.  He absolutely DOES address the attitude of the judge and tells that person to remove the speck, or sin, from their own lives.  A Christian who obeys the Lord’s commands (Acts 2:38; John 14:15) has removed that speck, and thus can see clearly to remove the speck from another’s eye (Matthew 7:5).  Additionally, when a Christian uses the Scriptures as their measurement of judgment (again, attitude IS addressed in this passage), then of course we will be judged by the same measurement! In other words, Jesus addresses our attitude and essentially tells us not to take such a thing lightly.  Likewise, Romans 2:1-4 has a context.  At the end of Romans 1, Paul talks about those who are judging others as being in sin, but they themselves are doing the same things (so, for instance, an envious person is judging another person of envy, etc).  Further, Paul is discussing those that laid aside the will of God and embraced the evilness of this world (Romans 1:18-2:11).  In other words, the context of both of these passages does not indicate not judging at all, but only the right kind of judgment! The remainder of the context of John 8:1-7 is, actually, a perfect example to illustrate the discussion thus far.

While many people will read John 8:1-7, most will stop at verse 7, or at the very least they seem to ignore from there forward.  However, Jesus does address the attitude of the accusers, but He does not indicate that because the accusers had the wrong attitude that the woman’s sin was negated! What does Jesus actually do in this passage? The scribes and Pharisees had brought this woman to Jesus and accused her of adultery (since she was caught in the very act of it, have you ever wondered where the man was that was also involved?), but they were not accusing her to either save her soul or to even fulfill the law, as we are told in John 8:6.  Rather, they were brining her to Him in order to test Him! When Jesus tells them that the one without sin should cast the first stone, He is addressing their attitude, not whether or not the woman was guilty.  They are convicted by their own consciences (John 8:9).  Now, with the attitudes (which fully illustrates the wrong type of judgment discussed in both Matthew 7 and Romans 2) having been addressed, Jesus absolutely does show mercy to the woman.  He does NOT act as though she had not sinned, which is evidenced by the fact that He commands her to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). 

Now, let’s take a step back for a moment.  Let’s assume for a moment that Matthew 7:1 and John 8:7 actually mean what they are generally misapplied to mean and that we are not to judge anyone.  Would that apply to the Apostle Paul? Surely we would tread carefully before judging an inspired man of God as not having the ability to judge someone in sin! Consider 1 Corinthians 5:3 where Paul writes, “For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.”  Note that Paul not only judges the man who has his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1), but that he addresses the attitude with which he did the judging (“…absent in body but present in spirit…”).  He also judges the congregation that had not dealt with this sin (1 Corinthians 5:2, 6)! Now, at this point, we may be tempted to make the argument that Paul was an inspired apostle and that we are not (please note 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 if this is your true stance).  Even if we again grant that argument, Paul did have the ability to judge and he has provided numerous lists of sins! There are at least four extensive lists of sins provided by God through Paul for us (1 Corinthians 6:8-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7).  Galatians 5 also includes “and the like” in the list, which indicates that there must be some sort of judgment made by man since it was written to man! All of these passages are in addition to Paul’s depiction of a Godless society in Romans 1! Thus, even if we grant that we cannot judge and that Paul, as an apostle, was allowed to judge where we are not, we have an entire list of sins that we cannot participate in.  In other words, Paul calls fornication a sin, so if a person commits fornication they are sinning…not by my word, but by the inspired writings of the apostle Paul!

As homosexuality is, as I said, the “hot-button” issue of the day, let us use that as an example.  Many people today call Christian’s “haters” if they oppose the sin of homosexuality and they tell Christians not to judge.  Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:8-10, condemns homosexuality and sodomy as being sins.  If a person is participating in those worldly things, how is it that a Christian is truly judging them? Christians merely utilize the Scriptures to show another human the path to heaven! Can a Christian do this with the wrong attitude? Absolutely.  If, perchance, a Christian DOES “judge” with the wrong attitude, is the person participating in these sins no longer a sinner? Of course they are still a sinner! Remember, while Jesus did address the attitude of the scribes and Pharisees, He did not forget that the woman had sinned!

While many people don’t think about it in these terms, all people make judgments.  If we decide that a person living in sin is “ok,” then we have judged them to be so.  If we make that decision and nobody else shows that person the Scriptures, then we may have also judged their eternal soul and condemned them to eternal torment because we were unwilling to help them see the sin in their life.  Do we want that soul’s condemnation on our hands because we had the opportunity to teach them? Do we want that on our hands in the day of our own judgment by the Lord? While they may or may not listen to us when we show them the Scriptures, our job is to show them the path to heaven!

Finally, as we begin to conclude, consider this: too much time is spent by Christians trying to defend their reasons for “judging.”  Too often, we spend so much time concentrating on the messenger’s attitude and making sure that they are doing it right (which, coincidently, involves judgment…) that the sin of the “judged” is overlooked or excused.  Note Proverbs 17:15 where we read, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord,” and Isaiah 5:20 where we read, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Why Authority is Necessary in the Spiritual Realm (Article 02)

As noted in our previous article, even modern mankind recognizes the need for authority in the secular realm; we must have laws and representatives to enforce those laws when necessary.  This is a generally accepted concept, although we also noted that there would be exceptions.  However, when it comes to our souls, many people perpetuate the belief that authority is unnecessary and that God must accept whatever we are willing to offer Him (if anything at all).  If authority is necessary in the unimportant events of this life, then shouldn’t it be much more important when it affects our souls?

Even Jesus recognized the need for authority in the spiritual realm; if we deny it, then we are saying that Jesus didn’t know what He was talking about or what was necessary.  In Matthew 21:23-27, the religious leaders of the time recognized the necessity of authority and when they disagreed with the teachings of Jesus, they questioned Him concerning where He had obtained His authority for His doctrine.  By even questioning Jesus in this manner, the chief priests and elders were acknowledging the necessity for authority in religion, as well as the fact that such authority must come from an entity that has the rightful power to grant it.[1]

Also shown in this very same passage is that Jesus concurred with the chief priests and elders on the necessity of such authority.  Additionally, Jesus acknowledged that there are only two sources of religious authority: divine (God – proper) and human (improper and powerless).  Obvious there is a difference between the two sources and Jesus did not equate the authority of men with the authority of God; this is evidenced by the fact that Jesus even asked, “The baptism of John – where was it from? From heaven or from men?” Why ask where it came from if they held equal importance in the eyes of God?

Some argue that the religious world (Christians) does not need authority from God for all that they do.  Generally, when someone argues against the necessity of having such authority from God, they are submitting instead to either their own self-proclaimed authority or even the authority of other men (which is really the “authority” of the devil – Romans 6:16).  In Jeremiah 10:23, we read that the “way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (NKJV).  Man does not have the proper right, power, or even the proper intellectually ability to be his own authority in spiritual matters (1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4).  Whereas man is fallible, God is not.  Our judgment as humans is not on the same level as God’s judgment is, nor can we know the mind of God without it having been reveled to us (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2; Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 15:9; Isaiah 55:7-9).  If an individual does not have the proper judgment within themselves as Jeremiah 10:23 and Proverbs 14:12 indicate, then why would that individual entrust their souls to another human with the same shortcomings rather than submitting to the authority of God?

The necessity of God’s authority in the spiritual realm can even be found in the pages of the Old Testament; there are multiple examples of men and women who chose to do things contrary to the will of God and thus without His authority, and they paid the consequences for their decision to proceed without authority.  Consider Leviticus 10, which provides us with one of the clearest and arguably one of the most concise examples of the need for proper divine authority.  In this example, we have two men that were correct in their authority for most of their duties before the Lord and they only did one thing contrary to the command of God.   Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were the correct men to offer incense before the correct God, they had the correct censers for the job, and they had the correct incense for the job.  However, they used fire “which He had not commanded them” (10:1) instead of the proper fire obtained from the altar of the Lord (16:12).  This was just a small infraction, wasn’t it? By man’s reasoning, yes, this would be a small infraction; who really cares where the fire comes from? Wouldn’t the incense burn just as well with this fire as with the fire God had commanded them to use? Aren’t the same ends brought about?

What we really learn from this example is that God has all authority over us and that He does have requirements for our service to and our worship of Him.  We have to have authority for all that we do in our worship of God and not just some.  Note that for Nadab and Abihu, the consequence for their infraction was immediate death; our consequence is the loss of our souls.

Consider also 2 Chronicles 26:16-20 where we read about King Uzziah attempting to burn incense to the Lord.  It was a good work for incense to be burnt before the Lord (as we see by the fact that Nadab and Abihu were commanded to do such), and by human reasoning it was “good” for King Uzziah to want to be the one to offer it.  However, it was specifically commanded that only the priests were the ones to burn the incense (Exodus 30:1-10).  King Uzziah opted to seek his own authority for what he thought would be a good work (ref. Jeremiah 10:23) rather than looking to God for his authority.  The consequence for Uzziah’s infraction of God’s authority was that he was struck with the disease of leprosy. 

As we can see from these passages, God set the precedence for authority being needed in the spiritual realm during the period of the Old Testament Law.  Logically, the requirement for divine authority did not end along with the Old Testament Law, but rather that it continued into the New Testament.  This fact has already been noted from studying Matthew 21:23-27, but there are numerous other passages in which Jesus recognized and taught the need for proper religious authority.  For instance, in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus states that there would be many who claimed to have done works in the name of God (by the authority of God), but that they will be separated from God because of their lawlessness (lack of submission to the proper authority).  Simply claiming to have the proper authority does not make it the proper authority.  Those that practice lawlessness will be gathered and cast into the furnace of fire (Matthew 13:41-42).

Using many parables, Jesus taught obedience to His commands; thus we have the parable of the wise man that built his house on the rock (foundation of proper religious authority) and when the storms came his house stood strong.  On the other hand, the foolish man build his house on the sand (man’s authority, weak foundation) and when the storms came the house fell (Matthew 7:24-27). 

Likewise, the Apostles taught the same need for authority from God throughout their teachings and writings.  In Philippians 3:16, we have the plea that we all walk by the same rule and have the same mind.  If there is no greater authority than mankind, how could there possibly be such unity? Paul, writing with the authority of God, makes the same plea in 1 Corinthians 1:10.  We cannot be so perfectly joined together if we are seeking to authorize our own actions rather than by submitting to the perfect authority of God.

In Colossians 3:17, Paul instructs us plainly that we are to have authority from God for all that we do.  Some contend that we do not need such authority, but that is a clear violation of not only the principle of this passage, but the command contained therein (reference also Galatians 1:6-10).  It is not merely suggested that we might want to see what God’s opinion is before we act, it is commanded that we seek His authority (reference 1 Samuel 13 & 2 Samuel 24).  God has given us His will and His word to teach and live by, but if we choose not to abide by it there will be consequences (2 John 9-11).  Seek, then, the authority of God and submit yourselves to His will.

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[1] Reference the definition(s) for “authority” in the first article. 

What is Authority? (Article 01)

Authority is a concept that is predominantly accepted by even our society today even though it is not given much conscious thought (this is a general observation and as such we recognize that there will be some “exceptions” to it).  The need for secular authority is recognized by mankind because of the inherent structure facilitated by it.  Authority is manifested in our homes in form of parents, in schools (teachers/principals), in businesses (managerial hierarchy), and in state and federal government bodies.  While it has often been the trendy thing to do to question or be outright rebellious to authority, the majority of individuals understand the concept enough to realize that removing it would be detrimental to society as a whole.

The necessity of authority in society is obvious in the examples cited, but they do not necessarily explain what “authority” actually is or how it is to be used.  What does “authority” actually mean and how does it impact our secular lives? More importantly, how does it impact and apply to our spiritual lives?

Authority – noun – 1.) The power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.  2.) A power or right delegated or given; authorization.  3.) A person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency.  4.) Usually, authorities.  Persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government.[1]

This is the secular view of authority and it does in fact express the basic concepts found even in a spiritual definition of the word.  In his workbook, A study of Authority, Billy W. Moore spends a great deal of time with definitions and explaining how authority works not only in the spiritual realm, but in the secular as well.  Moore quotes Joseph Henry Thayer as defining authority as the “power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; leave or permission,” “physical and mental power; the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises,” the “power of authority (influence) and of right,” and the “power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed, generally translated authority.”  Also defined in Moore’s book is the World Book Dictionary definition: “the power to enforce obedience; right to command or act; 2. A person who has such power or right.”[2]

In essence, each definition states the same basic principle that authority is the right to command or act, and/or a person that has such a power or right.  For application purposes, consider how a police officer has the power or right to pull an individual over because of a traffic infraction, a principal of a school has the power or right to discipline an unruly student, and a store manager has the power or right to fire an employee. 

These are but generalized application of the principle of authority, but pertinent nonetheless.  However, take some time and consider some of these concepts on a deeper level, such as our application of authority to the police officer.  If an individual drives above the posted speed limit and sees an officer of the law turn on their lights, what are they required by law to do? They are required to pull off to the side of the road and turn their engine off.  Why is this to be done? Because that individual recognizes that the police officers has been granted the authority by either the local, state, or federal government to pull them over and to ticket them for the offense.  That individual also realizes that the failure to pull over will result in even stiffer consequences.  This example shows two levels of authority; 1.) the government’s authority to utilize police officers, and 2.) the police officer’s authority to enforce the law.

Since many today adhere to the doctrine that authority is not needed in the spiritual realm, let us make the same application to the secular realm.  What if there were no authority and everyone simply did as they wanted to do? For instance, what if there were no governing authorities concerning speed limits on the interstates? If everyone drove whatever speed they wanted to drive (granted, some already do), then the roads would be in complete pandemonium.  One driver would decide that 70 mph is sufficient, while another would decide that 90 mph is more appropriate, and then a third driver would decide that 45 mph is the best speed for the passing lane.  Perhaps it is more applicable to take the example to the next level: what if there were no laws governing what direction you had to drive on the interstate? What if you could drive south in the northbound lanes or north in the southbound lanes? If there were no governmental authority to enforce the law, then why would an individual worry about committing thievery or murder (Ecclesiastes 8:11)?

When the concept of authority is broken down to these very base, secular levels, many understand the necessity of authority and the foundation that it provides for our society.  If we understand such applications in our secular lives, should we not recognize it as even more important in our spiritual lives? Unfortunately, while many people accept to some degree the concept of secular authority, they refuse to submit themselves to the will of God.  While willing to submit to secular authority, many people seek to create their own version of God (God in their image rather than their being made in God’s image), which generally consists of His not requiring anything of them or commanding them to do anything different in their life.  However, as we continue through our study of authority, we will recognize that authority is not only an important attribute to Christians, it is an unavoidable requirement in a Christian’s life if they are to reach Heaven. 

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[1] Authority.  Dictionary.com (accessed: April 30, 2014).

[2] Billy W. Moore, A Study of Authority (Adrian: Lakewood Hideaway, INC, 2007), 5.

Self-Control Series: Consequences (Article 03)

Our first article on the theme of self-control dealt with our ability to manage those whom we allow to influence our own spiritual choices, and our second article discussed our own attitudes concerning modesty/immodesty and how it both affects us and those around us.  As we conclude this short series, we will tie our original topics together and examine how a lack of self-control in either or both areas can bring about our own spiritual downfall. 

It is important that Christians realize that nobody else, not even the devil, has the power to remove our souls from salvation.  The only way that we can miss out on salvation is through our own choice to neglect the will of God.  Paul, in Romans 8:31-39, basically states this sentiment and tells us that we cannot be separated from the love of God by anything (note: the overall context discusses our obedience being essential and we should also tie this to John’s discussion of what love truly means in 1 John).  Therefore, the only person/being that can separate us from God is ourselves!

Having established that no one else can separate us from God, does this mean that others cannot influence us into separating ourselves from God? Absolutely not! Consider 1 Corinthians 15:33 where Paul writes, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (ESV) and 1 Kings 11:4 where we have the example of King Solomon being turned from God due to the influence of his heathen wives.  Although we cannot be forcibly removed from God, we can be influenced into removing ourselves.  Although many Christians believe themselves to be so strong that they cannot stumble, there is a reason Paul writes that we are not to be deceived in this!  Our lives can and are influenced by those around us, which is why it is immensely important that we control those influences.  While we cannot always control those with whom we work or go to school with, we undoubtedly can control those whom we make our closest friends and companions.  Are your “best friends” those of the world or are they Christians? Does your best friend entice you to go out drinking, clubbing, smoking, or to wear lewd and immodest clothing?

If we believe that our worldly friends cannot or will not attempt to entice us away from God, or that we are simply too strong to allow that to happen, then we are mistaken (remember, Paul strongly stated not to be deceived).  When we associate with those of the world and see how they act/dress, we will be influenced into accepting it or even influenced to the point of participation.  Seeing others dress immodestly impacts our thinking and can lead to lust and/or fornication/adultery… even with the strongest of Christians! Romans 13:12-14 tells us to put aside the works of darkness (evil companionships, evil deeds, evil dress, etc) and put on the armor of light.  We are to walk properly, righteously, and not in “lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.”  We put on Christ, and by doing so, we “make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (consider also 2 Peter 2:9-11; 1 John 2:15-17).  By surrounding ourselves with those that have not put away the works of darkness, we leave our own souls open for the devil to take.

In the Bible we read of men and women that were once righteous (and some returned to God), but were drawn away because they did not control the influences on their spiritual lives.  For example, consider Aaron in Exodus 32 and Solomon in 1 Kings.  Aaron was enticed by the Israelites to abandon God and to create a golden calf for them to worship.  Solomon, having been granted great wisdom by God (1 Kings 3:5-15), disobeyed God’s command and married heathen women.  We are told that Solomon’s wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all other wise men (1 Kings 4:29-34).  If Aaron and Solomon could be drawn away from God because they did not control those whom they allowed to influence them, could the same not happen to Christians today? If Solomon,  in all his wisdom, could be drawn away because he did exactly what God had commanded the Israelites not to do (marry foreign wives – 1 Kings 11:2), then why would we assume ourselves to be strong enough or wise enough to overcome such influences ourselves?

Brethren, we should not seek to get as close to evil as we can without going over some self-proclaimed line (as we discussed concerning modesty). We are to avoid evil companionships because of their influence on us and we are to be modest in our own dress because it expresses our godliness (and because we can cause others to stumble if we do otherwise).  It is nearly impossible to maintain self-control in mind and action when you do not control the circumstances.  In other words, while you absolutely CAN control how you dress yourself, you cannot control how others will dress… but you can make the conscious decision not go to a party or restaurant with someone who is or will be dressed inappropriately! If they dress in a manner that promotes lustful thoughts and/or fornication/adultery, then you are to avoid such companionships (we have used immodesty as an example, but the same principle can be applied to other sins: drunkenness, smoking, idolatry, etc).  In Philippians 4:8, we are to concentrate our minds on things of virtue, but how can we do this if we surround ourselves with people that draw our minds away from those virtues?

So, let us lay aside the carnal mindset (Romans 8:5-7), leave the works of darkness, and learn of the spiritual benefits of having fellowship with God and with one another (1 John 1:5-7).  Do we not gain more spiritually by associating with and doing good things for those of the same faith than we do by allowing ourselves to be tempted by the wrong associations (Galatians 6:9-11)? Remember, seek first the kingdom of God and allow that goal to guide every aspect of your life (Matthew 6:33), but also remember that we are NOT too strong to stumble (1 Corinthians 10:12)! 

Self-Control Series: Modesty & Immodesty (Article 02)

In our previous article, “Controlling Influences,” we discussed the outside influences that impact our lives, as well as how our own examples affect the lives of others.  Throughout this article, we will continue to examine those types of influences, but with a particular focus on how our modesty or immodesty affects others, Christians and non-Christians alike.  This study is particularly important because modest apparel seems to be taken for granted by many Christians today and they don’t honestly consider how their clothing affects others or what it says about their own spirituality.

The approach we will take in this study is somewhat different than many other Christians take when discussing modesty.  We will not attempt to set specific lengths for how long pants, skirts, etc, have to be, but rather we will discuss the attitude(s) behind modesty/immodesty and what our clothing says about our attitude.

How often have you heard fellow Christians that are going on vacation say that they cannot wait to wear their new swimsuit, or that they just bought a new pair of shorts, etc? How often have you heard something to the effect of, “I don’t FORCE anyone to look at my body” while having a discussion on modesty? Or perhaps you have heard the argument that since the Bible does not give an exact length for pants or skirts, then you cannot either.  True, the Bible does not state that our pants are to be 32.5 inches in length, nor does it say specifically that we shall not wear bikinis, swimsuits, shorts, or short skirts.  Remember, however, that the Bible does teach modest attitudes, and also that we are not searching for negative authority.  Let us turn our attention to some Bible passages and see exactly what it does teach us about modesty.

What does 1 Timothy 2:8-10 teach us about modesty? It teaches us that we are to be holy, which speaks to who we are and what our attitude should be towards obeying God.  We also learn about the two sides of immodesty: propriety and moderation.  Propriety is understanding what is appropriate to wear (i.e. – nothing revealing), while moderation keeps us in check on the other end of the spectrum (i.e. – not drawing undue attention because of costly clothing/jewelry).  What are these components of? Attire proper for women professing godliness! Also note that the term “in like manner also” found at the beginning of verse 9 connects this attitude of modesty back to the men in verse 8. 

In 1 Peter 3:1-6, we are taught that adornment is not to be concentrated on the outward, but on the inward.  Our dress should reflect the beauty of the incorruptible spirit that is within us.  We are taught through this passage that the attitude of modesty begins with the chaste spirit and that there were many godly women throughout the Bible that expressed this exact attitude! Again, what does this lead the Christian to? To the proper attitude and mindset (Philippians 4:8)!  What is the point of all of this? To be precious in the sight of God! This is to be done to show respect for God, for our fellow Christians, and also for ourselves.  By doing this, we keep ourselves pure and holy so that we can receive a greater reward than being able to wear inappropriate clothing on this earth!

Sadly, there are some Christians that advocate a “grey area” in our service to God, especially concerning modesty.  The grey area is when someone tries to get as close to the line of sin as we can without going over it (consider it this way: how short can we wear our pants/skirts before crossing the line into immodesty?).  However, what does it take to create a grey area? You have to mix light and darkness together.  Consider 1 John 1 in which we learn that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).  How can we advocate a grey area in our obedience when there is no darkness at all in God? If we attempt to walk as close to some imaginary, self-proclaimed line of sin without going over it, then we have already crossed it! Romans 8:5-6 tells us that there are two mindsets: one is concentrated on the spiritual while the other is concentrated on the carnal.  Thus, our intent shouldn’t be to pursue the carnal (advocating a grey area for our own personal desires), but rather on the spiritual (getting closer to God)…no matter what “sacrifice” we have to make on earth!

With these concepts in mind, let us turn our attention to what our attitude should be towards our brethren.  John 13:34 teaches us that we are to love one another as Christ loved us.  Additionally, Hebrews 10:24 tells us that we should consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.  How can we possibly fulfill either of these passages if we cause others to stumble spiritually because of the way we dress (Luke 17:1-2)? Our goal should be to love one another and for all of us to reach Heaven. How can we consciously do something on this earth that makes us “happy” if it harms other Christians?

Finally, what does our modesty/immodesty say about how we respect ourselves? As was written in 1 Peter 3, our attire reflects what we actually think about ourselves.  When we dress in inappropriate clothing, we disrespect not only God and our fellow Christians, but also ourselves! We are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27), be pure in action and thought (2 Timothy 2:22), and have purified hearts (1 Peter 1:22).  After considering all of these passages, it is impossible to honestly advocate immodest apparel!

So, as we conclude, consider that in Proverbs 7, we learn that there is attire that is “appropriate” for a harlot and that it provokes thoughts and feelings in the opposite sex that are improper! The world understands this concept and that clothing insinuates something about the wearer, but it seems that many Christians deny this fact.  We need to stop being selfish and carnally minded, and concern ourselves with the care and well-being of our fellow Christians! So, as we conclude, ask yourself what your attire says about your approach to obeying God and how you care for your fellow Christians.

Self-Control Series: Controlling Influences (Article 01)

It has been said that the greatest trick that Satan ever performed was convincing the world that he didn’t exist.  Unfortunately, many people today, both inside and outside of the church, act as though he does not really exist.  This attitude leaves a great opportunity for Satan to achieve his ultimate goal: separating souls from God! In 1 Peter 5:8, we are told to be “sober, be vigilant; because” our “adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  Using the language of battle, Peter teaches us here that Satan is not passively sitting by the sidelines and hoping that some soul will accidently end up in his hands, but rather that he is actively searching out souls and looking for opportunities to snatch souls away from salvation.  If Satan is actively working, then we must also be actively working against him!

How do we as Christians remove those opportunities from Satan? There are many ways to do this, but for the next few articles we will look at how self-control aids our battle against Satan in three key influential areas:  1.) self-control in who influences us; 2.) how modesty/immodesty impacts our spiritual life; 3.) how not controlling the previous two can lead to sins such as fornication and adultery.  The theme through all three sections is using the Bible to create proper self-control and not allowing these temptations to control us!

In order to combat the devil, we must control the outside influences on our physical and spiritual lives.  This includes the people we interact with, as well as things that impact our thinking such as books, movies, television, and many other possibilities.  For us to be able to properly control these mediums, we must first change our own hearts and minds so that we can properly identify the wrong influences.  In the book of Colossians, we are instructed to put to death the old man of sin and to put on the new man of Christ (Colossians 3:5-10; 12-17).  This dramatic alteration in our spiritual lives requires us to change at our very core: our hearts! In Matthew 15:19 we read that from “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”  Thus, if we change the heart, we can more readily identify the influences through which the devil seeks to devour us.  While our lives are to be guided by the will of God, He is not going to take control of our bodies and force us into the proper circumstances! If we control our hearts, then we will have the desire to control the circumstances into which we place ourselves and we are able to fight off temptation.

With this in mind we should remember that we cannot fully remove ourselves from the world around us. This is apparent given the infinite number of relationships a Christian will participate in throughout the course of his or her life.   Paul, in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, writes that Christians cannot remove themselves from the world and completely disassociate themselves from the people around them, whether good or bad.  We must still work with, do business with, and go to school with people from the world that are still lost in sin.  Also, take note that we are not discussing whether or not we should be teaching the world about God; we are discussing socializing with the world and the impact that can have on our spiritual welfare.  

Not being able to completely remove ourselves from the world does not give us the freedom to excuse letting such associations have control over us! A common misconception (read: mistake) that many Christians tend to make is that they should associate with the most vile of people (meaning, they make them their best friends) because they want to be a “good example” to them.  Consider also 1 Corinthians 15:33 where Paul writes that we are not to be deceived and that “Evil company corrupts good habits.” If you take a good, healthy potato and place it in a bag full of rotten potatoes, does that good potato heal all of the rotten ones?

As Solomon asks in Proverbs 6:27-28, can a man take fire to his bosom and his clothes not be burned? So it is with evil companions! While we may seek to be a good influence on our friends in the world by going out to a party with them, but not drinking, we are only opening up an avenue of temptation through which the devil may devour us.  Consider it this way: if a Christian struggles greatly with the temptation of drinking because of their past life, then why would it be a good idea to go to a party with worldly friends where drinking and getting drunk are the main forms of entertainment? James 4:7 tells us that we should “submit to God” and that we are to “resist the devil and he will flee” from us.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23, we read to “(21) Test all things; hold fast what is good.  (22)Abstain from every form of evil.  (23)Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The language in both of these applicable passages is active: we must actively battle Satan and temptation by submitting ourselves to God and controlling what events and activities influence us.  We cannot place ourselves in circumstances where we will be tempted and expect ourselves to be strong enough not to stumble (see 1 Corinthians 10:12).  Consider the example of Joseph in Genesis 39: when temptation came on him in a circumstance that he actually could not control, he literally fled.  This is a perfectly acceptable reaction to sin and temptation today!

Surrounding ourselves with worldly companions simply opens a door for those influences to lead us from the path of righteousness and into sin.  Consider how Solomon, in all of the wisdom given to him by God, chose to marry wives from pagan nations; in the end, those same wives turned his head from God (1 Kings 11:4).  Remember also the influential power of the people of Israel when they convinced Aaron to create a golden calf for them to worship (Exodus 32).  The people around us will have an impact on the way we think and the things we decide to partake in, but we must control that impact us by controlling those with whom we most closely associate!