1Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" 3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
Lord, please help me to live not for myself but for your glory. Don’t let me be an embarrassment to you, don’t let the heathen look at me and say “where is your God? There is no proof of Him in the way you live”. For my God is in heaven and He doses as He pleases! Lord, thank you so much that you have pleased to justify me by your blood. Please sanctify me by your spirit.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Jeremiah 10:1-16
1 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.
2 Thus says the LORD:
“ Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5 They are upright, like a palm tree,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good.”
6 Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD
(You are great, and Your name is great in might),
7 Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
For this is Your rightful due.
For among all the wise men of the nations,
And in all their kingdoms,
There is none like You.
8 But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish;
A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.
9 Silver is beaten into plates;
It is brought from Tarshish,
And gold from Uphaz,
The work of the craftsman
And of the hands of the metalsmith;
Blue and purple are their clothing;
They are all the work of skillful men.
10 But the LORD is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.
11 Thus you shall say to them: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”
12 He has made the earth by His power,
He has established the world by His wisdom,
And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
13 When He utters His voice,
There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:
“ And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”
14 Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge;
Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image;
For his molded image is falsehood,
And there is no breath in them.
15 They are futile, a work of errors;
In the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16 The Portion of Jacob is not like them,
For He is the Maker of all things,
And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance;
The LORD of hosts is His name!!!
Lord help us to know you in spirit and in truth. Next to You this world has nothing to offer us.
“ Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5 They are upright, like a palm tree,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good.”
6 Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD
(You are great, and Your name is great in might),
7 Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
For this is Your rightful due.
For among all the wise men of the nations,
And in all their kingdoms,
There is none like You.
8 But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish;
A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.
9 Silver is beaten into plates;
It is brought from Tarshish,
And gold from Uphaz,
The work of the craftsman
And of the hands of the metalsmith;
Blue and purple are their clothing;
They are all the work of skillful men.
10 But the LORD is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.
11 Thus you shall say to them: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”
12 He has made the earth by His power,
He has established the world by His wisdom,
And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
13 When He utters His voice,
There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:
“ And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”
14 Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge;
Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image;
For his molded image is falsehood,
And there is no breath in them.
15 They are futile, a work of errors;
In the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16 The Portion of Jacob is not like them,
For He is the Maker of all things,
And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance;
The LORD of hosts is His name!!!
Lord help us to know you in spirit and in truth. Next to You this world has nothing to offer us.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
No One Can Serve Two Masters!
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24
It's not just money or other gods. I want to serve God. But I also want to serve myself, my lusts, and my pride. I want to be the master!
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
Okay I will sever Him on my terms though.
Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. Joshua 24:19
So on His terms then, hummmm that's really hard! How can I choose to serve God? I know He must first choose me, but after that in the day by day?
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11
It's not just money or other gods. I want to serve God. But I also want to serve myself, my lusts, and my pride. I want to be the master!
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
Okay I will sever Him on my terms though.
Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. Joshua 24:19
So on His terms then, hummmm that's really hard! How can I choose to serve God? I know He must first choose me, but after that in the day by day?
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11
Father please help me to serve You as my only master.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Is Masturbation a Sin
I sent this question below to Bibleinfo.com looking for a way get by with sin. Here is what they sent me back. Let me know your thoughts, if this was helpful, if you agree or disagree.
What dose the Bible teach about masturbation? I know lust is sinful, but have read of people being able to masturbate without lust. I am struggling with lust pornography and masturbation, I know at lest 2 of them are sin. the thought comes, if God made me sexual and I haven't found a wife (not for like of trying) am I then supposed to kill or suppress those longings (and if so how) or is there such a thing as a non-lustful release?
Dear Matthew,
First of all I would like to thank you for sending your question to Bibleinfo.com and commend you for wanting to learn right from wrong. You’re on the right track, for it is only as we seek answers for the tough questions in life that the Lord can truly bless. And no, when I say “tough” I am not merely referring to those which are of a sexual nature, even though this one can rightly be labeled “tough.” Rather, the definition of a “tough question” is best illustrated by asking an “easy one” so you can see the difference.
Here it is: “The Easy Question.”
QUESTION: “Is it wrong to murder someone, steal their money, and then lie about it when asked?”
Let me guess. Your answer is an emphatic, “Well duh! Everyone knows that would be wrong!” And this is precisely why we asked it!
A “tough question” on the other hand, is one whose answer falls in the category most refer to as one of those nebulous “gray areas of life.” In other words, because there is no definitive proof-text saying such and such a thing is wrong, then the person considering the question reaches the conclusion that it’s up to the individual to decide. Know what I mean? And then the afore mentioned individual (having cloaked the whole issue in a mantle of grayness) takes it one step further saying, “Hey, if you feel guilty about doing it, then for you it would be a sin. But don’t pass judgment on me because as far as I’m concerned this is between myself and the Lord, and my conscience doesn’t bother me in the least!”
And guess what my friend? This same rational is then used to justify a whole host of other issues, great and small, ranging from how fast over the speed limit we are entitled to drive; to the kind of music a Christian should or should not listen to; to the rights or wrongs of gambling, or getting a tattoo, or what we should or should not watch on TV, and so on, and so on, and so on.
But perhaps nowhere is this “gray area” thinking more apparent than when it comes to issues which involve “like” versus “lust,” “art” verses “pornography,” and/or the age old question you posed which was:
“Is masturbation the same thing as having sex?”
“But wait a minute,” you cry! “That wasn’t my question! All I wanted to know was if masturbation (or oral sex, or the use of sex toys) is a sin!” Well, yes, this is indeed what you said. But guess what? Rewording your question like this is the quickest way to get to the heart of the matter. Remove any doubts that may arise in the future. Teach you how to walk in light instead of darkness. And most importantly, this will help you know how to avoid the pitfall of camouflaging spiritual issues in shades of gray! (Are you starting to see why your question is so important?)
For all the reasons just mentioned above we simply rephrased your question. Because hey, when you stop to think about it, anything less than sexual intercourse between a husband and wife, whether its oral sex, or the use of sex toys, or anything else the human mind can think of; each and every one is just another form of masturbation, is it not? Do you follow me here my friend? Hopefully so, and with this in mind let prayerfully proceed and see where all this goes…
Several thousand years before the Internet was invented they had something even better. Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Lawgiver, (James 4:12 2 Corinthians 10:4) personally descended to earth to dispel the darkness and misunderstandings with which man had shrouded His Law. And what kinds of questions do you suppose Christ was most often asked? Easy ones or tough ones? Those which the answer was as obvious as black is from white? Or were they hard ones cloaked gray?
Gray! Oh they were gray alright! That’s because the only answers they’d received to date were as gray as driftwood, and as lifeless as and useless to the one pursuing righteousness as the beachcombers valueless find! So with this in mind, listen closely to what Christ had to say. For at its core, the rich young ruler’s question is identical to the one you posed. And hey, when he’s through talking with Jesus it will be our turn!
THE RICH YOUNG RULER.
“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.’ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-22.
Wow! Did you catch what just happened there? Did you see how clearly and concisely Jesus answered this young man’s question? No, no, no, not the last half where He asked him to sell everything and become one of His disciples. Sure, we can apply this part to our lives in a spiritual sense as well. But what we are referring to the first half of Christ’s response where He summed everything up in one breath saying, “You know the Ten Commandments. Just obey them and you will be saved.” (Paraphrased.)
And now for “Today’s Application”:
More often than not, what do Christians do when they discover a “gray area” in life, one for which they cannot find a definitive proof-text in the Bible? Well, sinful human nature being what it is, people usually tends to over complicate things by writing volumes and volumes of books filled with conflicting philosophical, physiological, and scientific data to the point where everyone gets thoroughly confused! When hey, all they really needed to do was simply read what Jesus just said! “What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it?” (Luke 10:25-28.)
So now do this. Let’s re-ask your question will all this in mind, and see what the Law really says!
QUESTION: “Is masturbation a sin?” (Also know as: “Is masturbation the same thing as having sex?”)
ANSWER: Commandment #7:“You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:13.)
Commandment #8: “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:14.)
“And how, pray tell, are we supposed to get our answer out of that!” you say. The same way God expects us to answer every question we encounter in life, an example of which follows:
1. First of all we must recognize our need for Divine guidance; because if “spiritual things are spiritually discerned,” then “spiritual things must be Spirit-learned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14.)
2. Secondly we must believe and claim promises in the Word of God like those which say, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.“ (James 1:5.) Or verses like this one. “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God…” (John 7:17.)
3. Thirdly, we need to recognize the principle that a sin, is a sin, is a sin. By this we mean that all sins have one thing in common. If every sin known to man were written down, sorted out, and then categorized under various heading, and subheadings… Guess which one would be at the top of the list and define them all? SELFISHNESS, for there is no sin that does not fall into this category!
4. And fourthly, we need to stop looking to the wisdom of man which tends to cloud spiritual issues. And we need to stop thinking the Commandments are incomplete or flawed. And if we do? Then God’s promises are sure and He will surely reveal His will and the path we should follow!
For you see, when we grasp the concept that all sins have one thing in common (selfishness); and when we recognize the fact that the Ten Commandments really do define all sin; then after prayerfully considering the matter each of your conclusions will sound something like this:
QUESTION: “Is masturbation a sin?” (Aka: “Is masturbation the same thing as having sex?”)
ANSWER:
1. In light of the fact that there are numerous and various kinds of sexual sins and yet God only tells us to “not commit adultery,” then there must be a principle involved in committing adultery which defines what is, and what is not, a sexual sin. Discover this principle, and you have discovered your answer! (Let’s prayerfully walk thorough this together and see how it plays out.)
2. Adultery is when a person who is married “cheats” on their spouse, right? So when God explicitly said it was wrong to commit adultery it was the same as saying this. “Save your sexual desires for one person and one person only, your husband or wife.”
3. Fornication (sex before marriage) is likewise forbidden for the very same reason. The principle evoked in the seventh Commandment which is: “Save your sexual desires for one person and one person only, your husband or wife.”
4. Masturbation therefore (which is the same as having sex with yourself) is also forbidden. For the Lord said, “Save your sexual desires for one person and one person only, your husband or wife!”
5. But why do we also include the eighth Commandment which says, “You shall not steal”? Because adultery, fornication, masturbation, oral sex, and/or any other sexual practice which goes beyond that which God invented… They all have one thing in common. They are stealing! How so? They are stealing in the sense that they are taking something which is intended solely for your spouse’s enjoyment, and SELFISHLY (there’s that word again) using them for your own enjoyment!
See how simple that was! “But wait! What if I’m already married or plan on being married someday soon!” you say. “What if this is about something my wife and I would really enjoy doing together?” (Referring to things like masturbation, oral sex, “sex toys,” etc.) Okay, so these kinds of thing may or may not apply to your situation right now. But if for no other reason than future reference, let’s bring this into the equation and see what we find out.
QUESTION: “Can a man and woman do anything they want as long as they are husband and wife? And if not, then which one of the Ten Commandments forbids it?”
At a glance it may seem there’s nothing in the Law which speaks to this point, but in reality the principle upon which all ten are founded, shouts out the truth of the matter! It’s like Jesus Christ said in Revelation 2:6, “He who has an hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Or in other words He is saying, “Please carefully and prayerfully read on and you will discover the answer, My friend!”
Note that even though the things we are about to say apply to each and every one of the Ten Commandments, for starters let’s only examine the more obvious ones. Pay attention to the three reoccurring words throughout, which are: “For the purpose of…”
Commandment # 6: “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your hands were not created for the purpose of shedding innocent blood.”
Commandment # 8: “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your mind was not created for the purpose of plotting a theft, nor your hands for the purpose of grasping the property of another; nor your feet for the purpose of carry it away.”
Commandment # 9: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your mouth was not created for the purpose of spreading lies about your neighbor.”
Commandment # 10: “You shall not covet…” (Exodus 20:17.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your eyes were not created for the purpose of looking of on something which belongs to your neighbors, and wishing it was yours.”
Commandment # 7: “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14.) And finally, the principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “The sexual members of your body were not created for the purpose of your own selfish enjoyment. Rather, they were ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ for the purpose of enhancing your spouses sexual enjoyment!” (Psalm 139:14.)
You see where this is headed, don’t you? Now let’s re-ask our question and see how all the above applies:
QUESTION: “Can a man and woman do anything they want, as long as they are husband and wife?”
ANSWER:
1. In light of the fact that there are numerous and various kinds of sexual release, is there any principle in the Law which forbids a husband and wife from engaging in a sexual act other than intercourse together?
2. In each of the Ten Commandments listed above, God makes it clear that the members of our body were created for a very specific purpose, and any deviation from this purpose is denied. Each of God’s pure and holy purposes for the individual members of our body have one thing in common. They are all UNSELFISH! (Let it be noted that Selfishness = Sin. Unselfishness = Love.)
3. While it’s very obvious from reading the Law that everything from our head to our feet was created to help and bless others, when it comes to the sexual members of our body this doubly applies in a very unique way. How so? Because not only were they created to being a blessing to our husband or wife, they were also uniquely fashioned in such a way that it happens simultaneously!
4. Therefore, masturbation, oral sex, and/or the use of sex toys, even when performed by a husband and wife, are prohibited because none of the above fulfills the simultaneous purpose for that member of their body was created. In other words, the sexual members of our bodies are the only members of our bodies, which can (and must) simultaneously give as much ecstasy as they receive, just as our wonderful God of true love intended!
So once again we find that we that a prayerful reading of the Ten Commandments always reveals the truth of the matter, doesn’t it? And hey, when you think about it this should come as no surprise. Because after all, these ten holy precepts were “written with the finger of God,” and everything God touches is “good,” indeed it is “very good!” (Exodus 31:18 and Genesis 1:25, 31.) Or like the sweet psalmist of Israel puts it…
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:7-11.)
So in closing please let me say this, my friend. Please keep the tough questions coming, because Christ is always eager to reply! Just remember to apply these four principles and you will never be confused or misled:
1. If spiritual things are spiritually discerned, then spiritual things must be Spirit-learned. (1 Corinthians 2:14.)
2. Trust Him, for God has promised to be your Teacher and Guide. (Isaiah 30:21.)
3. A sin, is a sin, is a sin, and SELFISHNESS is the definition and root cause of every sin. (James 2:8.)
4. And, there are no “gray areas” in life. The principles embedded in the Ten Commandments clearly define every known, and as of yet unknown sin! (For further study please see: Isaiah 8:20. Matthew 5:17-19. Matthew 22:34- 40. Luke 10:25-28.)
Thank you again for posing this “difficult question.” May the Lord continue to richly bless you in the years to come, and guide you around the muck and mire that ensnares both young and old alike. The “fuzzy thinking” which leads men to regard sin lightly. (Isaiah 20:18-24.)
And if you do, then God’s promises are sure: “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:3. KJV.
Follow this course of action, and on the day of Christ’s soon return you will hear the glorious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant…, enter into the joy of your Lord!” Matthew 25:21. I am looking forward to, and so counting on meeting you there my friend! So please, if you have any further questions, or if you need a better understanding of how we are supposed to overcome sin in our life, please do not hesitate to write back because there is so much more we could share with you!
God bless and keep,
Your Friend in Christ, and a Bibleinfo.com Volunteer
Roger
What dose the Bible teach about masturbation? I know lust is sinful, but have read of people being able to masturbate without lust. I am struggling with lust pornography and masturbation, I know at lest 2 of them are sin. the thought comes, if God made me sexual and I haven't found a wife (not for like of trying) am I then supposed to kill or suppress those longings (and if so how) or is there such a thing as a non-lustful release?
Dear Matthew,
First of all I would like to thank you for sending your question to Bibleinfo.com and commend you for wanting to learn right from wrong. You’re on the right track, for it is only as we seek answers for the tough questions in life that the Lord can truly bless. And no, when I say “tough” I am not merely referring to those which are of a sexual nature, even though this one can rightly be labeled “tough.” Rather, the definition of a “tough question” is best illustrated by asking an “easy one” so you can see the difference.
Here it is: “The Easy Question.”
QUESTION: “Is it wrong to murder someone, steal their money, and then lie about it when asked?”
Let me guess. Your answer is an emphatic, “Well duh! Everyone knows that would be wrong!” And this is precisely why we asked it!
A “tough question” on the other hand, is one whose answer falls in the category most refer to as one of those nebulous “gray areas of life.” In other words, because there is no definitive proof-text saying such and such a thing is wrong, then the person considering the question reaches the conclusion that it’s up to the individual to decide. Know what I mean? And then the afore mentioned individual (having cloaked the whole issue in a mantle of grayness) takes it one step further saying, “Hey, if you feel guilty about doing it, then for you it would be a sin. But don’t pass judgment on me because as far as I’m concerned this is between myself and the Lord, and my conscience doesn’t bother me in the least!”
And guess what my friend? This same rational is then used to justify a whole host of other issues, great and small, ranging from how fast over the speed limit we are entitled to drive; to the kind of music a Christian should or should not listen to; to the rights or wrongs of gambling, or getting a tattoo, or what we should or should not watch on TV, and so on, and so on, and so on.
But perhaps nowhere is this “gray area” thinking more apparent than when it comes to issues which involve “like” versus “lust,” “art” verses “pornography,” and/or the age old question you posed which was:
“Is masturbation the same thing as having sex?”
“But wait a minute,” you cry! “That wasn’t my question! All I wanted to know was if masturbation (or oral sex, or the use of sex toys) is a sin!” Well, yes, this is indeed what you said. But guess what? Rewording your question like this is the quickest way to get to the heart of the matter. Remove any doubts that may arise in the future. Teach you how to walk in light instead of darkness. And most importantly, this will help you know how to avoid the pitfall of camouflaging spiritual issues in shades of gray! (Are you starting to see why your question is so important?)
For all the reasons just mentioned above we simply rephrased your question. Because hey, when you stop to think about it, anything less than sexual intercourse between a husband and wife, whether its oral sex, or the use of sex toys, or anything else the human mind can think of; each and every one is just another form of masturbation, is it not? Do you follow me here my friend? Hopefully so, and with this in mind let prayerfully proceed and see where all this goes…
Several thousand years before the Internet was invented they had something even better. Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Lawgiver, (James 4:12 2 Corinthians 10:4) personally descended to earth to dispel the darkness and misunderstandings with which man had shrouded His Law. And what kinds of questions do you suppose Christ was most often asked? Easy ones or tough ones? Those which the answer was as obvious as black is from white? Or were they hard ones cloaked gray?
Gray! Oh they were gray alright! That’s because the only answers they’d received to date were as gray as driftwood, and as lifeless as and useless to the one pursuing righteousness as the beachcombers valueless find! So with this in mind, listen closely to what Christ had to say. For at its core, the rich young ruler’s question is identical to the one you posed. And hey, when he’s through talking with Jesus it will be our turn!
THE RICH YOUNG RULER.
“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.’ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-22.
Wow! Did you catch what just happened there? Did you see how clearly and concisely Jesus answered this young man’s question? No, no, no, not the last half where He asked him to sell everything and become one of His disciples. Sure, we can apply this part to our lives in a spiritual sense as well. But what we are referring to the first half of Christ’s response where He summed everything up in one breath saying, “You know the Ten Commandments. Just obey them and you will be saved.” (Paraphrased.)
And now for “Today’s Application”:
More often than not, what do Christians do when they discover a “gray area” in life, one for which they cannot find a definitive proof-text in the Bible? Well, sinful human nature being what it is, people usually tends to over complicate things by writing volumes and volumes of books filled with conflicting philosophical, physiological, and scientific data to the point where everyone gets thoroughly confused! When hey, all they really needed to do was simply read what Jesus just said! “What is written in the Law? What is your reading of it?” (Luke 10:25-28.)
So now do this. Let’s re-ask your question will all this in mind, and see what the Law really says!
QUESTION: “Is masturbation a sin?” (Also know as: “Is masturbation the same thing as having sex?”)
ANSWER: Commandment #7:“You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:13.)
Commandment #8: “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:14.)
“And how, pray tell, are we supposed to get our answer out of that!” you say. The same way God expects us to answer every question we encounter in life, an example of which follows:
1. First of all we must recognize our need for Divine guidance; because if “spiritual things are spiritually discerned,” then “spiritual things must be Spirit-learned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14.)
2. Secondly we must believe and claim promises in the Word of God like those which say, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.“ (James 1:5.) Or verses like this one. “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God…” (John 7:17.)
3. Thirdly, we need to recognize the principle that a sin, is a sin, is a sin. By this we mean that all sins have one thing in common. If every sin known to man were written down, sorted out, and then categorized under various heading, and subheadings… Guess which one would be at the top of the list and define them all? SELFISHNESS, for there is no sin that does not fall into this category!
4. And fourthly, we need to stop looking to the wisdom of man which tends to cloud spiritual issues. And we need to stop thinking the Commandments are incomplete or flawed. And if we do? Then God’s promises are sure and He will surely reveal His will and the path we should follow!
For you see, when we grasp the concept that all sins have one thing in common (selfishness); and when we recognize the fact that the Ten Commandments really do define all sin; then after prayerfully considering the matter each of your conclusions will sound something like this:
QUESTION: “Is masturbation a sin?” (Aka: “Is masturbation the same thing as having sex?”)
ANSWER:
1. In light of the fact that there are numerous and various kinds of sexual sins and yet God only tells us to “not commit adultery,” then there must be a principle involved in committing adultery which defines what is, and what is not, a sexual sin. Discover this principle, and you have discovered your answer! (Let’s prayerfully walk thorough this together and see how it plays out.)
2. Adultery is when a person who is married “cheats” on their spouse, right? So when God explicitly said it was wrong to commit adultery it was the same as saying this. “Save your sexual desires for one person and one person only, your husband or wife.”
3. Fornication (sex before marriage) is likewise forbidden for the very same reason. The principle evoked in the seventh Commandment which is: “Save your sexual desires for one person and one person only, your husband or wife.”
4. Masturbation therefore (which is the same as having sex with yourself) is also forbidden. For the Lord said, “Save your sexual desires for one person and one person only, your husband or wife!”
5. But why do we also include the eighth Commandment which says, “You shall not steal”? Because adultery, fornication, masturbation, oral sex, and/or any other sexual practice which goes beyond that which God invented… They all have one thing in common. They are stealing! How so? They are stealing in the sense that they are taking something which is intended solely for your spouse’s enjoyment, and SELFISHLY (there’s that word again) using them for your own enjoyment!
See how simple that was! “But wait! What if I’m already married or plan on being married someday soon!” you say. “What if this is about something my wife and I would really enjoy doing together?” (Referring to things like masturbation, oral sex, “sex toys,” etc.) Okay, so these kinds of thing may or may not apply to your situation right now. But if for no other reason than future reference, let’s bring this into the equation and see what we find out.
QUESTION: “Can a man and woman do anything they want as long as they are husband and wife? And if not, then which one of the Ten Commandments forbids it?”
At a glance it may seem there’s nothing in the Law which speaks to this point, but in reality the principle upon which all ten are founded, shouts out the truth of the matter! It’s like Jesus Christ said in Revelation 2:6, “He who has an hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Or in other words He is saying, “Please carefully and prayerfully read on and you will discover the answer, My friend!”
Note that even though the things we are about to say apply to each and every one of the Ten Commandments, for starters let’s only examine the more obvious ones. Pay attention to the three reoccurring words throughout, which are: “For the purpose of…”
Commandment # 6: “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your hands were not created for the purpose of shedding innocent blood.”
Commandment # 8: “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your mind was not created for the purpose of plotting a theft, nor your hands for the purpose of grasping the property of another; nor your feet for the purpose of carry it away.”
Commandment # 9: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your mouth was not created for the purpose of spreading lies about your neighbor.”
Commandment # 10: “You shall not covet…” (Exodus 20:17.) The principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “Your eyes were not created for the purpose of looking of on something which belongs to your neighbors, and wishing it was yours.”
Commandment # 7: “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14.) And finally, the principle behind this commandment is simply this. God is saying to each and every one of us, “The sexual members of your body were not created for the purpose of your own selfish enjoyment. Rather, they were ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ for the purpose of enhancing your spouses sexual enjoyment!” (Psalm 139:14.)
You see where this is headed, don’t you? Now let’s re-ask our question and see how all the above applies:
QUESTION: “Can a man and woman do anything they want, as long as they are husband and wife?”
ANSWER:
1. In light of the fact that there are numerous and various kinds of sexual release, is there any principle in the Law which forbids a husband and wife from engaging in a sexual act other than intercourse together?
2. In each of the Ten Commandments listed above, God makes it clear that the members of our body were created for a very specific purpose, and any deviation from this purpose is denied. Each of God’s pure and holy purposes for the individual members of our body have one thing in common. They are all UNSELFISH! (Let it be noted that Selfishness = Sin. Unselfishness = Love.)
3. While it’s very obvious from reading the Law that everything from our head to our feet was created to help and bless others, when it comes to the sexual members of our body this doubly applies in a very unique way. How so? Because not only were they created to being a blessing to our husband or wife, they were also uniquely fashioned in such a way that it happens simultaneously!
4. Therefore, masturbation, oral sex, and/or the use of sex toys, even when performed by a husband and wife, are prohibited because none of the above fulfills the simultaneous purpose for that member of their body was created. In other words, the sexual members of our bodies are the only members of our bodies, which can (and must) simultaneously give as much ecstasy as they receive, just as our wonderful God of true love intended!
So once again we find that we that a prayerful reading of the Ten Commandments always reveals the truth of the matter, doesn’t it? And hey, when you think about it this should come as no surprise. Because after all, these ten holy precepts were “written with the finger of God,” and everything God touches is “good,” indeed it is “very good!” (Exodus 31:18 and Genesis 1:25, 31.) Or like the sweet psalmist of Israel puts it…
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:7-11.)
So in closing please let me say this, my friend. Please keep the tough questions coming, because Christ is always eager to reply! Just remember to apply these four principles and you will never be confused or misled:
1. If spiritual things are spiritually discerned, then spiritual things must be Spirit-learned. (1 Corinthians 2:14.)
2. Trust Him, for God has promised to be your Teacher and Guide. (Isaiah 30:21.)
3. A sin, is a sin, is a sin, and SELFISHNESS is the definition and root cause of every sin. (James 2:8.)
4. And, there are no “gray areas” in life. The principles embedded in the Ten Commandments clearly define every known, and as of yet unknown sin! (For further study please see: Isaiah 8:20. Matthew 5:17-19. Matthew 22:34- 40. Luke 10:25-28.)
Thank you again for posing this “difficult question.” May the Lord continue to richly bless you in the years to come, and guide you around the muck and mire that ensnares both young and old alike. The “fuzzy thinking” which leads men to regard sin lightly. (Isaiah 20:18-24.)
And if you do, then God’s promises are sure: “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:3. KJV.
Follow this course of action, and on the day of Christ’s soon return you will hear the glorious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant…, enter into the joy of your Lord!” Matthew 25:21. I am looking forward to, and so counting on meeting you there my friend! So please, if you have any further questions, or if you need a better understanding of how we are supposed to overcome sin in our life, please do not hesitate to write back because there is so much more we could share with you!
God bless and keep,
Your Friend in Christ, and a Bibleinfo.com Volunteer
Roger
Monday, April 6, 2009
Asking for Effectual Fervent Prayer
In my Devotions today I came across James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." So I thought I would do a bit of confessing and asking for prayer. If you know know me you know I have had some ruff times the last 9 months or so. During that time I started to run from God and by His grace He is bringing me back. I still have a very corrupt mouth, a problem with lust, and worst of all a stiff pride that doesn't want to acknowledge God. Please pray that God would / help me to, put these sins to death, to learn humble obedience to His word, to trust Him with my future and to find my satisfaction in Him alone.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Us in God's Glory
So I was feeling spiritually out of it today. When that is the case and I have the time (Thank God for slow morning at work) I like to read a large portion of scripture. Today I did 1 Thessalonians and 2 verses caught my eye, the second part of 1 Thessalonians 2:12 “God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” and 5:24 “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” The first verse because I was thinking that we hear a lot about entering into God kingdom but I don’t think I have heard much about entering into His glory. It immediately sounds like a good thing as my pride acknowledges it wants glory like or grater than God’s glory. Thankfully The Holy Spirit convicts reminding me that my own glory has no place in the kingdom of heaven. It is Gods glory we are called to not our own. I can imagine walking into a kingdom and it a stretch but I can even imagine getting caught up into the kingdom of God when the trumpet sounds, but glory, God’s glory? Exodus 33:20 comes to mind where God says “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” This is might be on of those divine mysteries that we will only know when we get to “glory”. One thing is clear to me today if God Calls He will do and He has called us into His kingdom and His glory so let us work hard to toward that kingdom and toward His glory and enjoy His calling.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Christ in Combat – Defense by The Spirit
This morning on my ride to work I listened to John piper give a message entitled Christ in Combat – Defense by The Spirit the passage was Luke 4:1-12. He starts with Jesus being filled with The Holy Spirit, this is really important because if Christ was filled and lead by The Holy Spirit then so should we be. Piper says that if even Jesus depended on The Holy Spirit we would be fools not to. John moves on the why would the spirit lead Jesus off to be alone and fasting. John shared that times of ministry must be preceded with times of solitude to keep us focused on God and that Jesus fasted to build up spiritual strength by subjecting His body to His will. He then pointed out that Satan when grappling with a strong saint doesn’t waste time on little stuff, he shoots straight for religion and quotes the bible at them. In conclusion, and it was a good one, he said that all Satan’s temptations of Jesus and many of them for the United States today where/are aimed keeping us from suffering in the here and now. Satan wants to keep us safe (un-serving) satisfied (un-praying) and not a threat to him at all. Once he has us there he can run our lives into the ground whenever he pleases. It has me seriously thinking about fasting to get my gluttony and sexual sin under the control of The Holy Spirit. These are my thoughts of what was said not “” which is why I didn’t use “”.
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