By: Zach Teasley
Because we have heard the gospel and voluntarily agreed to obey that form of doctrine to which we were delivered, Rom 6:17. Verse 18 of Romans 6, states “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” In this saved condition, we are sanctified (set apart) through the blood of Christ, so then, we should have our focus on things above where Christ sits on the right hand of the Father, and we should also be engaged daily in the book which came from above, which is the Bible. Our thinking, speech (vocabulary), and actions should clearly show those with whom we associate with, like a beacon of light, that we are Christians and followers of Christ. Because we live in the world, we are exposed to multiple mediums through which communication is transferred whether we are the receiver or sender. Consequently, because of this access to these various networks or platforms of communication such as: television (via cable, satellite, or web TV), the information superhighway (the Internet) or cellular phone technology which allows instant and portable access to the aforementioned mediums and even more mediums such as social media and texting, etc… My point is that this increased and rapid access to these different communication channels increases our exposure to this world or society which is moving further and further away from God. Jehovah God forewarns us in many passages of scripture that we need to be very careful to what type of communication that we volunteer our eyes, ears, and mind to because it can entice and influence us to follow the current pattern away from God and His divine plan and commands for mankind. There are many scriptures to site, but two scriptures come to mind, 1 Cor 15:33-34, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God, I speak this to your shame.” James 4:4, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” If we lack the spiritual knowledge, how then are we going to know how to navigate out in the world to be able to identify and resist the alluring influences and temptations this world is constantly bombarding us with? Brethren, beware because this physical makeup of ours is impressionable to follow what the norm or the masses are doing in our society, we need to be watchful, sober, and vigilant because current societal norms are attempting to change God’s unchanging word! Religious sects of different beliefs are attempting to alter God’s divine word and redefine conditions (lying, fornication, homosexuality) that are clearly sinful according to scripture “to now not considered to be sinful any longer” because of societal influences and preferences. We cannot reject or ignore the divine authenticity of the Bible that has been God given or God breathed, II Tim 3:16, to mankind for the salvation of our souls. God warns us about attempting to alter and sidestep His will in Galatians 1:6-9, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, which is not another, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Remember the title of this article is “Doing Bible Things In Bible Ways,” which means we need to allow the word of Christ to dwell in our hearts and minds richly and that we are required to replace our old worldly thinking with spiritual Godly thinking, II Cor 5:17, says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Because we have been enlightened and called out of the world by the gospel, our focus must no longer be on the dangers and attractions of this world, but heavenward on Christ and His instruction that he has left us through His written word; Eph 2:1-2 magnifies this point for it says, And you He made alive (quickened), who were dead in trespasses and sins, In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” If we are “Doing Bible Things In Bible Ways” we are no longer going to make provisions for our body to give in to the desires of the flesh but we will allow our faith to sustain us when tempted. Romans 13:12-14 expounds on this point, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, fulfill its lust.” Saints, we all are in this fight between the spirit and the flesh together and we all have physical desires that are provoked or influenced by daily temptations, but we also through Jesus Christ are given the power to resist our lust and avoid temptations. Through God’s word, we have the ability to be prepared as to what is on and in the battlefield which is the world that we are warning you about. A sampling of some of God’s advice and warnings regarding our spiritual battle in this world are: II Timothy 2:3-4, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” Also, II Cor 2:11, says, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Please remember that the playing field is not level in the world and Satan’s key tactics are deception and enticements to our weak spots so we must be equipped with God’s tools (His mighty armor), see Eph 6:10-17 and stay sober and vigilant. In closing, I redirect your attention back to the fact that as Christians we are pilgrims living in this present world and due to the increase in access to this world through the numerous communications platforms the potential to fall by the wayside and transgress is continuously increasing daily. We must believe, obey and trust God because He has given us His word which provides us the roadmap for a safe journey through this world ultimately arriving in Heaven! James 1:21 tells us to, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” In our quest to stay faithful in 2022, let’s rededicate ourselves in word and deed to God increasing in faith!