Historical Posts
It is Hip to Call Evil Good and Good Evil
It May Be “Hip” To Call Evil Good, But God Says, “Woe Unto Them That Call Evil Good, And Good Evil”
In Isaiah 5:20, the prophet of the Lord pronounced “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Lately, I find myself shaking my head more and more frequently at the news that comes from every corner of the United States. Things that once were universally considered evil, wicked and sinful seem no longer to be seen as such by the majority of the population. Things that were once universally considered good, wholesome, and right are now seen as hateful, oppressive and wrong by an increasing number of people. When I was young, I used to think that old people were irrational for grumbling about how bad things were, in society, when compared with how they used to be. Now, I find myself grumbling in exactly the same way. I guess it means that I’m getting old – but it also means that I’m finding out just how right my elders were in their assessment of the world.
In Isaiah’s day, there were probably quite a few people who thought that he was just a grouchy old man who didn’t know what he was talking about, but they ought to have been listening to him. He tried to warn the people of his generation about the error of their ways, calling evil good, and he pleaded with them to repent before it was eternally too late. But most of the people were bent upon doing what they wanted to do, and they paid no attention to the Lord’s prophet. Jeremiah summed up the attitude of the people very well, “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so” (Jeremiah 5:31). We are living in a topsy-turvy world, and it seems that the people love to have it so.
Consider how society’s attitude toward sin has changed. Sin has always been part of the human condition (Romans 3:23). But, in days gone by, people knew what sin is, and if they committed sin, they were not proud of what they had done, calling evil good. People used to feel ashamed of themselves, when they did something they knew they ought not to do, or failed to do something they ought to do (Hebrews 10:26-27; James 4:17). But, nowadays, people are proud of their sins, and because of their pride, they see no need to repent of their sins.
Ezra wrote about people who had a proper perspective on their own sins, “And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased overour head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens” (Ezra 9:6). Jeremiah, on the other hand, wrote about people who are very much like modern Americans, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: in the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 6:15).
Today, people are proud to be homosexual, fornicators, adulterers, and to commit all manner of abomination. The very notion of “Gay Pride” is an affront to all that is good and holy. But, if any Christian dares to oppose such a thing, he is called “bigot” and “intolerant” and “hateful.” This is how the world calls evil good and good evil. It’s enough to make many Christians want to give up the good fight of faith!
But, I want to encourage Christians to hold fast against the rising tide of the world’s love for sin and hatred of righteousness. We can’t be calling evil good and good evil. Paul said it best, when he wrote to Timothy, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But, evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou inthings which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:12-15). Every new generation thinks that the world is only getting worse. From the stand-point of morality, maybe that is true, but the key to coping with the ascendancy of sin in the world is to build your personal faith (Hebrews 11:6).
Without a doubt, society is moving swiftly to transform what people think about sin and righteousness. Things that people once did not talk about, because they were sinful, are now graphically displayed on television and the internet. Preachers and teachers who tell people what the Bible says about sin are vilified, as hate-mongers who want to keep people from being happy. However, now is not the time to shrink from the challenge before us. We all must stand up and speak out for what is true and right, in every public forum. God has not given up on trying to save the world, and neither should we (2 Timothy 4:1-5)!
1 Peter 05:08 Satan’s Work in the World
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Text: 1 Peter 5:8
Introduction
- The Bible describes Satan as the enemy, adversary, murderer, tempter, and the wicked one – 1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31-32. Because Satan and those angels that followed him rebelled against God, they were cast out of their heavenly habitation – Luke 10:18; Jude 6.
- The devil and his angels have no hope of redemption. The blood that was shed in Jesus death, that washes away our sins when we believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16), cannot save Satan and his angels. The devil and his angels have a place reserved for them – Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4.
- Since Satan, and his host of angels that followed him, will never enjoy the beauties and splendor of heaven again, Satan is determined to destroy man, doing his best to make sure heaven is not man’s eternal home.
Satan Uses Deceit and Lies to Eternally Destroy the Souls of Men and Women
- If Satan and his angels are able to convince you to believe and live a lie, instead of obeying the living truth of God’s Word, he has you captured and placed you in the bondage of sin. This will lead to your eternal damnation if you don’t turn from error to the truth – Genesis 3:1-7.
- Satan has an arsenal of weapons to deceive you with. These include covetousness (Matthew 19:16-22), lust of the flesh (2 Samuel 11, David & Bathsheba), and an unforgiving heart (Matthew 6:14-15), to just name a few. Therefore, you must take heed and become aware of the deceiving power of Satan, so that you don’t fall into sin and death – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
- Satan also uses lack of Bible knowledge (Hosea 4:6) to deceive, and ultimately damn, souls. A number of people today believe aborting an unborn child, taking an innocent life, is acceptable behavior. Others contend that there is nothing wrong with fornication, or sodomy. Satan has greatly deceived many – 2 Timothy 3:13.
Satan’s Work is to Accuse Christ, and His Servants, to Turn Many from Saving Truth
- A proper name for Satan is the devil which denotes, “an accuser, a slander.” In Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, the devil tempts Jesus to sin by challenging Jesus Divinity. After each temptation Jesus directs the devil to the written Word of God.
- There will be people, led by the spirit of Satan, who will falsely accuse the character and faith of Christians. This is because it is the work of Satan to turn people from the truth – Galatians 1:6-8; Acts 13:6-10. For example, many believe the lie that the devil has espoused in the religious world, that water baptism is not necessary for your salvation – Mark 16:16.
- God loved us and sent His Son to die for the sins of the world. God raised Him from the dead, giving victory to those that obey Him, rejecting Satan, sin, and death. Why not come and be free today – John 8:36.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Proverbs 01:10-19 Beware Evil Companions
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Text: Proverbs 1:10-19
Introduction
1. In our study of Proverbs thus far, we have seen that wisdom requires…
a. Fearing the Lord, so that we heed His Word – Proverbs 1:7
b. Respecting our parents, so that we listen to their advice – Proverbs 1: 8-9
2. What about our friends…?
a. Our peers with whom we spend so much time?
b. Might they not be a source of good counsel, i.e., wisdom?
[Indeed they can (cf. Proverbs 27:9). But the wrong kind of friends must be avoided. This is illustrated in our text for this study (Proverbs 1:10-19) which contains…]
Body
I. FATHERLY WARNING CONCERNING EVIL COMPANIONS
A. DO NOT CONSENT TO THEIR COUNSEL…
1. A father’s advice: “If sinners entice you, do not consent” – Proverbs 1:10
2. Especially when they seek to entice you to do evil – Proverbs 1:11-12
3. When they tempt you with promises of easy gain – Proverbs 1:13-14
— The example is enticement to murder and robbery
B. DO NOT WALK WITH THEM…
1. Keep away from such “friends” who are quick to do evil – Proverbs 1:15-16
2. Their efforts are ultimately in vain – Proverbs 1:17
3. Eventually they will pay with their own lives – Proverbs 1:18-19
— Such is the way of greed; it destroys those who possess it
[While the example in our text pertains to murder and robbery, the principle holds to true to all kinds of sinful conduct. So let’s expandon the lesson to be learned here…]
II. THE DANGER OF EVIL COMPANIONS
A. THEY PERSUADE THROUGH ENTICEMENT…
1. Like the serpent tempted Eve, sinful friends will appeal to:
a. The lust of the flesh (“good for food”)
b. The lust of the eyes (“pleasant to the eyes”)
c. The pride of life (“desirable to make one wise”) – cf. Genesis 3:6
2. Evil friends will offer easy gain
a. Such as wealth without work
b. Such as pleasure without commitment
c. Such as companionship without cost
— It sounds so good and easy, doesn’t it?
B. THEY IGNORE THE COST OF SIN…
1. That sin destroys those who possess it
a. So called “friends” will eventually turn on one another
b. If they will sin with you, how do you know they won’t sin against you?
c. They will be friends only as long as it benefits themselves
2. That sin eventually exposes those who continue in it
a. “Be sure your sin will find you out” – Numbers 32:23
b. Sin requires lies and deception; eventually one gets caught in their web of lies
c. Sin often carries a physical price that cannot be hidden
1) Addiction (drugs)
2) Disease (STDs)
3) Unwanted pregnancy
— Evil companions never talk about the cost of sin, do they?
[Finally, let’s glean from our text what is…]
III. THE SOLUTION TO EVIL COMPANIONS
A. DON’T LISTEN TO THEM…
1. “Do not consent…” – Proverbs 1:10
2. What they promise they cannot really deliver, at least for long
3. The truly blessed man does not walk in their counsel – Psalm 1:1
— Be wise enough not to heed their enticing words
B. STAY AWAY FROM THEM…
1. “Do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path” – Proverbs 1:15
2. Do not let them be your companions – Proverbs 13:20
3. Especially if they are unbelievers – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
— Be even wiser to avoid letting them become your companions
Conclusion
1. This is not to say that we cannot try to save them…
a. We must be separate from the world, but we cannot isolate ourselves – cf. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
b. Even Jesus was a friend to sinners – Matthew 11:19
2. But we must be honest with ourselves…
a. Do we influence them more than they do to us?
b. If not, then we should stay away until we are strong enough to be a positive influence
3. What we have studied in Proverbs 1:10-19 perhaps is best summarized by the apostle Paul:
a. Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
b. To be wise, we must know who to listen to (God, parents, and good friends), and who not to listen to (anyone who would entice us to do evil)…
Galatians 01:03-05 Deliverance from an Evil Age – powerpoint
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Galatians-01-03-05-Deliverance-from-an-Evil-Age.pdf
Galatians-01-03-05-Deliverance-from-an-Evil-Age.pptx
Text: Galatians 1:3-5
Introduction
1. Paul’s greeting to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 1:3) contains words of grace and peace
a. From God the Father
b. And our Lord Jesus Christ
2. As an illustration of such grace and peace, Paul continues in Galatians 1:4
a. “who gave Himself for our sins” (grace!)
b. “that He might deliver us from this present evil age” (peace!)
3. I would like to direct our attention to the latter phrase
a. Undoubtedly we have heard much about Jesus dying for our sins
b. But what of this idea of delivering us from an evil age?
4. The word “age” (aion) as used here means “period of time”
a. Paul has in mind the present period of time
b. Paul views this time as evil – cf. Ephesians 5:16; 6:13
5. Do we take seriously the evil of this age? Do we appreciate the deliverance that Jesus provides?
Body
I. THE EVIL OF THIS PRESENT AGE
A. EVIL IN PAUL’S DAY
1. Paul described the sins of those in his day – Romans 1:18-32
a. Against whom the wrath of God was coming
b. For denying the Creator and suppressing the truth
c. Given up to their own vile passions, they fell into depravity
d. They were filled with all sorts of unrighteousness
2. He called such sins ‘the works of the flesh’ – Galatians 5:19-21
a. Sins that are evident (to those not blinded by them)
b. Sins unrepented of that will keep one out of the kingdom of heaven – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
B. EVIL IN OUR DAY
1. Today, many think lightly of such things as: fornication, adultery, divorce
2. One is considered enlightened when they support: abortion, homosexuality, same -sex marriage
3. More and more our culture is accepting: lasciviousness, pornography, drug abuse
4. All of which reflect a world view impacted by: humanism, evolution, selfishness
5. Yes, things are not much different today than they were in Paul’s day. Yet Jesus gave Himself for our sins “that He might deliver us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4).
II. THE DELIVERANCE THE LORD PROVIDES
A. DELIVERANCE FROM THE GUILT OF SIN
1. Sin is a transgression of God’s law – 1 John 3:4
2. All have sinned, for which the punishment is death – Romans 3:23; 6:23
3. Jesus’ blood frees us from the guilt of sin – Ephesians 1:7
4. We receive remission of sins when we are baptized – Acts 2:38; 22:16
5. In Jesus, there is no condemnation for sin – Romans 8:1; 3:24
B. DELIVERANCE FROM THE POWER OF SIN
1. Sin enslaves, but Jesus provides freedom from the dominion of sin – John 8:31-36
2. This He does by giving us the Spirit – John 7:37-39
3. We receive the Spirit when we are baptized – Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27; 4:6
4. With the Spirit’s aid, we can put to death the deeds of the flesh – Romans 8:12-13
5. In Jesus, we are set free from the law of sin and death – Romans 7:24-25; 8:2
C. DELIVERANCE FROM THE TEMPTATION OF SIN
1. We continue to be tempted by fleshly desires – 1 Peter 2:11; James 1:14
2. Jesus teaches us to watch and pray that we might avoid temptation – Matthew 26:41
3. His Father will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear – 1 Corinthians 10:13a
4. In every temptation He will provide a way of escape – 1 Corinthians 10:13b
5. In Jesus, the godly can find deliverance out of temptations – 2 Peter 2:9
Conclusion
1. Living in a morally confused and spiritual dark world, in Jesus we find
a. Deliverance from the guilt of sin
b. Deliverance from the power of sin
c. Deliverance from the temptation of sin
d. Deliverance from the world that is passing away
2. We note that such deliverance is “according to the will of our God and Father” – Galatians 1:4c
What is Right and What is Wrong – Hebrews 5:12-14 – audio
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Text: Hebrews 5:12-14
Introduction
A. What is “spiritual maturity?” Able to have our “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
B. We are to be able to prove or to determine the good, perfect and acceptable will of God – Romans 12:2
C. How?
Body
I. QUESTIONS AND BIBLICAL ANSWERS.
A. Is it condemned in the Bible? – Galatians 5:19-21; 2 John 9
B. Will it harm me spiritually? – Romans 8:1-17; Galatians 5:16-26
C. Will it harm me physically? – 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1
D. Will it hurt others, causing them to go astray? – Romans 14:1-15:3; 1 Corinthians 8
E. Will it take too much of my time and money? – Luke 12:16-21; Ephesians 5:15-16
F. Will it hurt my influence for Christ and the church? – Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:12
G. Will it hurt my conscience? – Romans 14:21-23
H. If Christ was here, would He disapprove? – 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Corinthians 11:1
II. TWO THOUGHTS!
A. Sin is not hereditary.
1. Sin is of such a nature in its very meaning that it cannot be inherited.
2. Sin is something committed – 1 John 3:4; John 8:34
3. We neither inherit the act or the guilt of our parent’s sins.
4. We suffer the consequences of their sins – Exodus 20:4-5
5. We do not suffer the guilt of their sins – Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 18:1-4
B. Sin is no laughing matter.
1. Sin is rebellion, lawlessness, perversity, and failure.
2. It is a disease that needs curing.
3. It is a taskmaster that needs forsaking.
4. It is an insanity that needs healing.
5. It is a filth that needs cleansing.
6. It is a debt that needs paying.
7. It is a stain that needs removing.
8. It is a darkness that needs light.
Conclusion
A. An understanding of “what is sin” constitutes a strong argument against sinning.
B. Obey the Gospel of Christ – quit the sinning business – John 8:32
Hebrews 05:12-14 Exercising Our Senses to Discern Good and Evil
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Text: Hebrews 5:12-14
Introduction
Throughout the beginning, there has been a war between good and evil.
Can you tell the difference?
Body
I. In the Garden of Eden
A. Adam and Eve were commanded not to eat nor touch the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; yet the serpent tempted them saying, “your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be gods, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:3-5).”
B. Solomon requested an understanding heart to discern good and evil (1 Kings 3:9).
C. Christians must exercise senses to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14).
II. The disciples. Many that were with Christ exercised their senses to discern the truth, and share it with others.
A. John exercised his senses to learn Christ (1 John 1:1-3).
B. The disciples exercised their senses to discern Christ’s resurrection (Luke 24:38-43), especially Thomas (John 20:25-28).
C. Peter and John preached what they have seen and heard (Acts 4:20).
III. The Lord. The Lord has made us, and not we ourselves (Psalm 100:3). Therefore He knows our senses, and wants to help us use them.
A. Old Testament example: Isaiah 42:16-21.
B. New Testament example: Matthew 13:13.
IV. Exercising Our Senses.
A. Hearing.
1) Faith comes by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17).
2) Seven churches in Asia must hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2,3).
3) We must hear and do God’s word (James 1:22-25).
B. Seeing.
1) Isaiah tells us to stop our ears from hearing of blood, and eyes from seeing evil (Isaiah 33:15-16).
2) People saw and heard the miracles Philip did (Acts 8:6).
3) Search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15).
C. Touching.
1) Do not touch unclean things (2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Isaiah 52:11-12).
2) The woman with an issue of blood touched Jesus (Matthew 9:21).
3) Uzzah touched the ark to steady it, but died (2 Samuel 6).
D. Smelling.
1) Epaphroditus brought Paul a good report of the Philippians, a sweet smell to God (Philippians 4:18; Romans 12:1).
2) Jesus Christ was a sacrifice, a sweet smell to God (Ephesians 5:1-2).
3) Christians are the fragrance of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
E. Tasting.
1) The master of a feast knew Jesus turned water into wine by tasting it (John 2:9).
2) Some have tasted the heavenly gift and the good word of God (Hebrews 6:4-5).
3) Newborn babes in Christ taste the graciousness of the Lord (1 Peter 2:2-3).
Conclusion
We can follow the example of David to exercise our senses to discern good and evil (Psalm 101:1-8).