It’s Tempting

In the tab “What I Believe”, the Bible is listed first, with an explanation:

I place this belief first, not because it is the most important, but because it explains and provides answers for so much of the following. Without the Bible, there is not a foundation for believing ...

The Bible is not the most important part of our faith, but it does explain a good bit of it. Christians need to remember how easily it has been misused. Examples of this abuse are contained in the Bible, and should never be used as reasons for doing wrong.

Satan knows God’s word. He used them in his first temptation.

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1 KJV)

Then, he lied, and Eve fell for the temptation.  He used them again when tempting Jesus in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-12.

He still lies and still uses God’s word to mislead, confuse and confound. It is quite possible to pull a verse, or several verses, to support what any individual wishes to do.

If a divorce is desired, there are many verses that give reasons for divorce and how to accomplish it. A thorough reading also brings out that this is NOT God’s plan. Divorce was created by and for hard-hearted people who bypassed God’s marriage plans.

One verse that will be of most help when the world uses God’s word as temptation would be:

Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)

There’s another verse in that chapter that we should take to heart. We need to memorize:

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (1 Thessalonians 5:12 KJV)

When a fellow Christian, having a great deal more experience in dealing with the world’s temptations, admonishes us, we would do well to heed the words.  Especially when they come from God’s word and appear to be applicable to our situation. Rather than defend our actions, we’d be better off spending time in prayer to be certain our actions do not have the appearance of going against God’s will.

There will be valid differences between children of God, but temptations to live by the world’s standards instead of God’s should not be one of them.

As imperfect humans, we can find justification for everything we want to do.  We live in a “Just Do It” world, but our instructions from God require careful consideration as to whether God is glorified, or we are being selfish. For example:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

When admonished by fellow Christians caring for my soul, my answers should include the virtue and the praise to God – or I need to change what I am doing.