Worldliness

The doctrine concerning

WORLDLINESS Preface

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OD makes no difference whatever between sin and worldliness, though the Church in

general, these last days, has left doors wide open, granting the world a right royal welcome into her sanctuaries. The Church and the world are wedded together by the bond of questionable defilements, through the deceitful working of Satan. The union is so intimate that we find the Church in the world and the world in the Church. The Church has lost her vision of chastity and her espousal with Jesus Christ, her only Bridegroom, who is coming soon. This book is dedicated to those who love the Lord and His word. God has reserved the best for those who delight in His word. "Hear the word of the Lord", says Isaiah, "Ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed" (Is. 66:5). While seeking God's guidance through His precious word, much pains have been taken to define clearly what worldliness is and how to face the problems of FILM, TELEVISION, DANCING, DRESS, COSMETICS, JEWELLERY and HAIRST- YLES of both men and women. It also deals with the problems of SMOKING, DRINKING, WEALTH and MARRIAGE. "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom. 12:2). "Come out ... and be ye separate ... and touch not the unclean thing" (II Cor. 6:17). "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4). "We wrestle ... against the rulers of the dark- ness of this world" (Eph. 6:12). "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world"(Phil. 2:14,15). "Set your affection ... not on things on the earth" (II Tim. 2:22). "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him ... the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (I Jn. 2:15,17). "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Tit. 2:11-13). ------

CONTENTS CHAPTER

1. The problem of the Saved 2. Worldliness — What is it? 3. God's command concerning Worldliness 4. How to define Questionable Pleasures 5. Film, Television and Dancing

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6. Dress, Cosmetic and Jewellery 7. Smoking 8. Wine and Alcohol 9. The Wisdom of the World 10. Riches of the World 11. Marriage

2. ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION

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3. OVERCOMING LIFE

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4. PERFECTION

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5. CONSECRATED MINISTRY

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6. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST 7. HEAVENLY INHERITANCES

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Chapter 1 THE PROBLEMS OF THE SAVED When we repent, confess our sins, and accept Christ in our hearts, we are truly saved; but we go still further; we take baptism and receive the Holy Spirit. From the day we were saved, we are faced with a problem called WORLDLINESS. Even Jesus had to face it in the wilderness. Worldliness meets us different levels and in different ways, according to our age and stage of life. Christians are divided in their opinion and teaching concerning worldliness. One advises one thing and the other takes a different view. Therefore the advancing Christians and Christian youths have to thoroughly study this subject clearly in the light of the word of God so that by "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Tit.2:12,13). DILEMMA OF THE YOUTH The world offers many things that thrill and excite the youths of today. Fashions, friends, fun, film, sex, seduction, comics, cosmetics, dance, drugs, drinks, pornographic literature and many other things that caotyre their eyesm ears, imaginations, and desires and affect their total personality. They do not know where to draw the line. NOT TOO FAR The majority of Christians profess, by word or deed, that there is no harm in enjoying the world, as long as they do not go too far. However, they never explain what things a Christian can enjoy in the world, and how far. There has been always a line of demarcation between the Church and the world; between the children of God and the children of the world. Yet today we hardly find this separation. We find the Church in the world and the world in the Church. They walk together through the broadway to

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destruction. Even the convicted preachers are afraid to teach the Church clearly, lest they should offend the listeners. If at all we labour for Christ, our aim must be to prepare a Church that will be ready to meet our Lord and Master at His coming. THE CROSS OF THE YOUTH When a girl is saved in a family, she is faced with many problems with the rest of the family who are not converted. She prefers a Bible study to a film or television; a youth fellowship, to her worldly friends; a Sunday service, to Sunday motoring or picnic; and a prayer meeting to a dance. So the family is divided. They are disappointed n and grieved over her new decision and change of life. They are up against her, saying, 'You are spoiling everything for us. Why should your religion interfere with our pleasure and pastime?' It is quite embarrassing when the affectionate father and mother and even her brothers and sisters remark, 'What has come over you; are you mad?' She is sure to face the same problem both at school or college and with her friends. The same difficulty exists for all youths and children of different age. In this hour of crisis, he or she needs sound instructions from the word of God and sympathetic help from the matured Christians who have already overcome such temptations. DUAL VIEWS At the outset we must realize that the converted Christian and the nominal or non-Christian will approach these problems from two opposite directions. The reason is obvious. The truly converted Christian is born again. He has dedicated himself to do the will of God, being guided by the Spirit of God. He has a new life, a new goal, a new purpose and a new ambition. He looks at the world through the word of God, which is the law of his life. Therefore, in order to preserve his spiritual life and growth, to keep his vision clear, and to serve his Master, faithfully and holily, he lives day by day unspotted by the world. But the nominal Christian or the non-Christian has none of these experiences. His God is 'the god of this world’, the devil. For him, to live is not Christ, but the world. His destination is not heaven but vanity, which leads to everlasting destruction. He has no eternal life, no real joy and peace. As he is not born again his soul is dead, his mind is blinded and obsessed with corruption. Therefore, he has nothing to lose, and he lives by the animal instinct of his flesh. His approach to the question of worldliness will be, therefore, quite opposed to that of a converted Christian. - - - - - -

Chapter 2

WORLDLINESS - WHAT IS IT? WHAT is worldliness? What does the Bible teach about it? The word `WORLD' is used in three ways in the Bible. Firstly, the physical world which God created. 'God that made the world and all things therein' (Acts 17:24). Secondly, the humanity who inhabit the earth. "God so loved the world (the inhabitants of the earth), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). Thirdly, all that is in the world, even the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life about which John writes saying, "Love not the world; neither the things that are in the world" (I Jn. 2:15,16). Worldliness is the way of life which Satan inspires into the lives of those who reject and depart from God, His word, His government and eternal life to walk after the 'things of the world'. Jesus calls it the broad way 'that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat' (Matt. 7:13). Paul calls it the course of the world which is planned and arranged by the "prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that now worketh (rules, prompts to action, and demands submission) in the children of disobedience: ... fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath" (Eph. 2:2,3). Worldliness legalizes everything that is corrupt, sensual and evil, which are dangerous to one's spiritual life. So a true Christian who loves the Lord and serves Him, and who has received heavenly experiences, must learn to live above worldliness, in order to preserve his Christian life and commitments and to save the world by the light he has received. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT WORLDLINESS?

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Our rule of faith is the word of God. It is the 'light that shineth in a dark place' (II Pet. 1:19), leading us day by day in this dark world. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Tim. 3:16,17). The Psalmist says, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Ps. 119:9). The Bible teaches the following facts concerning the world and worldliness: 1. The world is in the hands of Satan who has filled it with sin, corruption and vanity: John says, 'The whole world lieth in wickedness (in the wicked one - Original)' (I Jn. 5:19). Peter speaks of the 'pollutions of the world' and 'the corruption that is in the world through lust' (II Pet 2:20; 1:4). The Preacher declares that he built houses, planted vineyards and "gathered ... silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings ... And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. ... and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun" (Eccl. 2:4-11). True children of God, though in the world, are not of the world (Jn. 17:16). 2. Satan rules the world which he has deceived: Satan who is called by names such as 'the prince of the world' (Jn. 12:31), and 'god of this world' (II Cor. 4:4) has his own army of fallen angels who work together with him called 'the rulers of the darkness of this world' (Eph. 6:12). He is "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan which deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 12:9). However, the Spirit-baptised children of God have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13). 3. Satan captivates man through his physical instincts and senses: Man has three realms within him: (i) The realm of physical desires; (ii) The realm of imagination; (iii) The realm of earthly desires. When Satan captures these realms the outcome is: (i) The lust of the flesh - All sinful, physical desires and appetites which include desire for alcohol, gluttony, lust for clothes, make-up, uncontrolled sex-appetite, desire to be attractive and beautiful etc. (ii) The lust of the eyes - The eyes are drawn away by the worldly things, and the heart follows the eyes (Job 31:1,9; Matt. 5:28). (iii) The pride of life - An earthly ambitious life, to be very great in the world in the way of education, position, wealth, fame and name etc. (I Jn. 2:16). In such a state, worldliness appeals to man in the three realms. It is through the flesh, the eye gate and the heart that Satan captures these realms to destroy the soul. Eve saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh) and pleasant to the eyes (the lust of the eyes) and a tree to be desired to make one wise (pride of life). Achan who was stoned to death confessed, 'I saw ... (the accursed thing) I coveted ... took ... hid' (Josh. 7:21). 'The rich fool' who was full of earthly ambitions to have health, wealth and all greatness, catered to the desires of his flesh but had no vision of the salvation of his soul and eternity (Lk. 12:19,20). Demas loved 'this present world' and departed from the Lord (II Tim. 4:10). Thus the Devil robs all the inner spiritual blessings of a child of God. However, those who abide in the word of God (I Jn. 2:14) and are filled with God's love, possessing an inner vision (I Jn. 2:15), count earthly greatness as dung (Phil. 3:7,8) and overcome 'the wicked one', the Devil. 4. Worldliness is an enemy to spiritual progess hindering one from doing the will of God:

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The children of God who go hand in hand with the world will come to a stand still in their spiritual life. For long they will be in the same state, and eventually backslide. Worldliness will creep into them bit by bit, blinding their spiritual mind, quenching their zeal and dividing their interest from formed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2). The main feature of the true Christians is doing the will of God. Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). Those who conform to the world will become earthlyminded; hence they cannot discern the perfect will of God. From the moment we tamper with the things of the world, we begin to deteriorate and drift from God, we will lose the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, the real joy, peace, victorious life and even salvation. Thus we enter into the realms of Satan who blinds our mind and takes us captives at his will. "... The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (I Jn. 2:17). 5. Worldliness is a hindrance to our being a pattern to others: Every converted soul is 'the salt of the earth'. He manifests the divine nature and character to the worldlings who are 'by nature the children of wrath' and 'children of disobedience'. Further he is 'the light of the world' while the world is emrpbeed by sin and by the power of darkness. Of a Christian compromises with the world and partakes of worldliness, he will have no testimony to give, and no boldness to face the world. Even in the church he will be a misfit. That is why Jesus said, "If therefore the light that is in thee (turns to) be darkness, how great is that darkness" (Matt. 6:23). 6. Those who love the world will be judged with the world: Paul says, "When we are judged, we are chastened (disciplined) of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world" (I Cor. 11:32). Here is what Isaiah prophesies about the judgment of the world. "Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him ... The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and a few men left" (Is. 24:1-6). 7. Those who are overcome by the world cannot overcome the world: We are in the battlefield of the world. We wrestle against 'the rulers of the darkness of this world' who resist us through worldliness and sin. Jesus told His disciples, "If ye were of the world (compromising with their way of life), the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (Jn. 15:18,19). In this continuous battle, either we must overcome worldliness, or worldliness must overcome us. God's desire is that we should overcome the world. 'For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world' (I Jn. 5:4). 'He that overcometh shall inherit all things' (Rev. 21:7). A Christian who compromises with the world and allows worldly passions, lusts and other evils to overcome his body, soul and spirit, lives a defeated life, overpowered by the god of this world, the devil. - -----

Chapter 3

GOD'S COMMAND CONCERNING WORLDLINESS WORLDLINESS is sin. God deals with worldliness just as He would deal with sin. Worldliness is the offspring of sin, and God judges them both alike. We are sure to be led astray if we view the question of worldliness in the same way as the men of the world present it to us. We, the children of God must seek the word of God to arrive at the right decision. 'The whole world lieth in wickedness’ (I Jn. 5:19). Similarly, Satan is the father of lust, deceit, murder and lies. He has no truth in him. He is unclean, wretched and miserable, void of God's life in him. God condemns him and his children. Once Jesus said, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (Jn. 8:44). Therefore it

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is most foolish to accept the deceitful counsel of the devil or the worldlings to help us define what worldliness is. God sent His own Son, not only to deliver us from sin, but also to set us free from worldliness. "Our Lord Jesus Christ, ... gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Gal. 1:3,4). The purpose of His sacrifice includes, therefore, our deliverance from worldly desires, carnal appetites and earthly ambitions, which the devil would use to side-track us from our heavenly vision, spiritual race, fervent ministry and holy consecrations. Let us study what God's commandments are concerning worldliness. 1.

God commands us to separate ourselves from those who are not His children:

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Cor. 6:14-18). OBSERVATION (i) In these scriptures we see two groups of men. One group do not know God. They do not practise righteousness. Evidently they are ruled by the 'rulers of the darkness of this world' and they serve the devil, knowingly or unknowingly. They are alienated from the life of God. Sin or worldliness are their main source of joy and pleasure. They serve the world night and day. The other group comprise the Spirit-baptized believers, who have Christ in them. The life of God has formed a new nature in them to practise righteousness and holiness. They have their fellowship with the apostles who say, "our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (I Jn. 1:3). They have become the temple of the Holy Spirit. These two groups have two opposite objectives and pursuit. Their existence together would be as hard and as impossible as darkness with light. (ii) Compromise is not the solution. If compromise is preferred one has to sacrifice his loyalty to God, his salvation, eternal life, good conscience, holiness, service, and other spiritual principles which make him a disciple of Christ. (iii) Therefore, the only alternative is to 'come out from among them and bee separate', so that the Almighty God might dwell with us and be our Father. 2. God commands us to 'shine as lights in the world' and to be His faithful witnesses: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). "...Be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ..." (Phil. 2:15,16). OBSERVATION (i) The world depends upon our Christian light which shines forth in our everyday life. Every part of our life - our appearance, dress, speech, behaviour, and character - shines silently and steadily in the darkened soul of sinners. They see our good works and 'glorify (our) Father which is in heaven'. Our real Christian life leaves a deep impression on their heart. (ii) If we compromise with the world for fear, imitating what they do, making no difference in our pursuit, speech, behaviour, dress and friendship, we cease to shine as lights. The light which is in us will either go out, or be found covered 'under a bushel' of material gain.

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(iii) We will be found as hypocrites both by the world and by God. We will not be able to please God. (iv) If we live contrary to the truth wee have known, we will be denying Christ. Jesus said, "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 10:33). (v) We are called to 'hold forth the word of life' or to preach the word to the world. This cannot be possible, unless the world could see our light and life and testify that we are 'blameless, and harmless ... sons of God'. 3. God commands us not to love the world or worldliness, but to overcome it: To conclude God says that, if we love the world we do not have genuine love for Him. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (I Jn. 2:15-17). "... Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (I Jn. 5:4). "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (Jam. 4:4). OBSERVATION (i) By the means of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, Satan turns our affections away from God and fills us with the affections of the world in order that we may love the world and live for him as his faithful citizens. (ii) If we love the world we will get defiled in our body, soul and spirit, by the pollutions that are in this world (II Pet. 2:20). (iii) If we love the world we cease to do the will of God. The world and the lust thereof will pass away. Only those who do the will of God will remain. (iv) If we the love the world, the world will overcome us, instead of our overcoming it. (v) If we love the world, we begin to gradually lose the divine life in us, as a dying man. (vi) If we love the world, our conscience being defiled will affect our overcoming faith in Jesus. Besides, 'because of the constant condemnation of sin in us, we will lose our faith in the word of God, in prayer, in a victorious life, in the power of God and in the very coming of Jesus Christ. (vii) If we love the world, we are reckoned as 'adulterers and adulteresses' in the sight of God. Our chastity and holiness get corrupted by the unclean things of the world. Christ is coming for a chaste virgin or a group of people who have cultivated purity of love and holiness. (viii) If we love the world, we are sure to become the 'friend of the world' and consequently, we become 'the enemy of God'. 4. God wants us to offer our body as a living sacrifice to Him and commands that we be not conformed to the world. Surrendering of ourselves to Christ means surrendering our total personality - body, soul and spirit. Some say that they have given their hearts to Jesus, but in fact they please themselves in their physical realm. Logically, such a thing is impossible. One cannot say that he walks, talks, eats, works, droves his car, builds his house, and enjoys his holiday in his heart, while his body is bound and piled up in the corner of his house. His actions will not be complete if his body is not in a position to carry out what his mind and heart have proposed and desired. Similarly, as long as we live in this world, if our body is not dedicated to God together with our soul, we will be vain dreamers, false professors of Christ, and hypocrites in the sight of both God and man. Let us consider the following scriptures.

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"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:1,2). "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour" (Eph. 5:2). "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in his resurrection (original): Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hence forth we should not serve sin" (Rom. 6:4-6). "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:12-14). "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid". "What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own" (I Cor. 6:15,19). "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away" (I Cor. 9:27). "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil. 3:20,21). OBSERVATION (i) As we present our heart to God, we are also called to present our 'bodies a living sacrifice to God. Our body must be alive unto God but dead to the things of the world, which would corrupt the inner man, thus hindering us from rendering 'a holy, acceptable (service) unto God'. Thus, our body must be trained both to be alive and to the dead. (ii) If our body is not dedicated to God, our nature, habits and manners will get 'conformed to this world' sharing its sins, pleasures and wickedness. (iii) An unconsecrated body or a body conformed to the world will be a hindrance to the transformation of our character and the renewal of the mind. It is the renewed mind that can discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. (iv) Christ has set us an example by giving Himself completely. He not only 'poured out his soul unto death', but also gave His body as 'an offering and a sacrifice to God'. (v) As we gave our heart to Jesus Christ, when we accepted Him as our personal Saviour, we must also give our body entirely to Him, confirming our decision by 'baptism unto death'. We must learn to walk in newness of life. A Spirit-baptized body belongs to Christ. It is not ours any more. We are only caretakers of our body, to keep it in sanctity. It is the dwelling place of God. (vi) The members of our body which we once yielded to sin, are now yielded to God, as the "members (of the body) of Christ". Sin therefore has no claim or dominion over our body. We are not debtors to Satan, sin and the world. (vii) Our Spirit-baptized body has been consecrated to God and becomes the 'temple of the Holy Ghost' or the dwelling place of God, where our spirit serves the Holy Spirit. (viii) We must learn to bring the body under subjection; the body should not be allowed to master our inner personality and individuality. The inner man must discipline the body. Otherwise we will not be able to run the race to the end and we shall be a cast- away.

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(ix) Our physical body is not meant to perish like that of an animal. It must be preserved for a glorious resurrection. A well-disciplined body, led by the Spirit of God, will be raised up from the earth, being 'fashioned like unto his glorious body', and be caught up to heaven at His coming. We shall be like Him, when He comes. It is, therefore, our duty to preserve our body from the corruption of this world, and to use it to reveal Christ who dwells in us. ------

Chapter 4

HOW TO DEFINE QUESTIONABLE PLEASURES WE have been studying in the previous chapters certain scriptural truths in general about worldliness. We shall deal more directly, in this chapter, with questionable amusements. Our main endeavour is to know what God's word has to say about these questionable pleasures that may endanger our Christian life and that of others who follow our example. SIN AND WEIGHT Paul speaks of two things that have to be laid aside in our Christian race. They are sin and weight. "...Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). We who are saved have no problem to define what sin is; but what is the weight which Paul speaks of? Evidently it is not sin. It is something different from sin; it weighs heavier than worldliness or 'the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches' and pleasures? (Lk. 8:14). Some pleasures are seemingly harmless, attractive, promising, cheerful, as good as innocent, yet undermining our love and loyalty for our Master. They are 'the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines' (S.S. 2:15). They are cunning and deceptive. We are called to overcome both sin and the world (or worldliness) as we have already seen. Some ask, "Why does not the Bible define clearly that smoking, gambling, movies and other such things are sinful or harmful?" The answer is simple. These pleasures and several others which exist today such as carnivals, T.V., modern fashions, cigarettes, etc., were not known in the Bible days. However, the word of God lays down clearly-defined-principles which could be used to test the modern pleasures in order to ascertain whether they are harmful to our spiritual life or not. TWO-FOLD RESPONSIBILITY How sad it is that some children of God can never see that their personal influence could either edify others or destroy them completely. Consciously or unconsciously, we carry our influence with us, whether good or bad, constructive or destructive. They are as good as our shadows that follow us. By our behaviour, attitude, appearance, and way of life, we either give life or death to those with whom we come into contact, help some one to run the race or stumble him, build one's faith or destroy it, strengthen some one or weaken him. Our first responsibility is to see that we do not fall ourselves and endanger our own spiritual life with the questionable pleasures of these last days; secondly, to see that our bad example does not stumble others. Certain things we do may not be harmful to us, but may be highly disastrous to others. God's word teaches clearly that we have to give an account to Him for stumbling others, which is counted as sin against Christ. Thus, our responsibility is two-fold. Paul had a similar difficulty. Some in the Corinthian church that ate meat offered to the idols, felt that there was nothing wrong in eating that polluted meat; but there were some others who felt that it was wrong. It is evident from the context that those who ate that questionable meat were supposed to be more spiritual and elderly than the younger, weaker Christians who felt that the older believers should not have eaten that defiled meat, but should rather have set a better example to the younger. Thus they were stumbled. So Paul writes to the older Christians thus. "But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

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But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ" (I Cor. 8:8-12). OBSERVATION (i) The older believers were self-centred. They were concerned about their own knowledge and conscience only. (ii) They thought that every Christian had his own liberty to please himself. (iii) They did not realize that the evil influence of their (supposed to be justified) liberty would serve as a 'stumbling block to those who were weak'. (iv) Some other weak Christians were 'emboldened to eat those things which are offered to the idols' - which they would never have done before. (v) By the (false, imperfect) knowledge of the older believers 'the weak brother perish(ed) for whom Christ died'. (vi) Such foolish actions of the older believers causing new souls to stumble, be rendered weak, and to perish, is reckoned as 'sin against brethren' and 'sin against Christ'. Therefore we conclude that we should set an example to those who are newly saved, or those who are younger in experience; and should avoid every appearance of evil, lest they stumble. A GENERAL PERSONAL CHECK UP Our first responsibility is to see that we do not fall ourselves into the pits of the seemingly harmless pleasures, habits, and other vices. We can test every questionable pleasure in the light of the following scriptures to ascertain whether they are good or bad for us. 1. "Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink or whatever ye do, do all for the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). If the motive of our pleasure or habit or pursuit is not for the glory of God, then it is selfindulgent; therefore, self and the world will take the place of Christ. The world offers us a life of selfgratification. But Christ calls us for a life of self-renunciation. 2. 'Proving what is acceptable unto thee Lord' (Eph. 5:10). Ask within yourself whether the desire you have is acceptable in the sight of God. 3. "When I was child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (I Cor. 13:11). Perhaps God allowed you to continue with a certain habit, or thing, as you were still a 'babe in Christ'. Now that you are sufficiently grown, you realize that the childish habit or thing you have is a hindrance in your spiritual life; therefore, it is high time that you had put it away. 4. "All things are lawful (permitted) for me, but all things are not expedient (useful, beneficial, adviceable): all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not (does not build up the spiritual life)" (I Cor. 10:23). Here we understand that we have liberty to choose what we would as long as it is not classified as sin, but we have to stop and think a little further. We must ask two more questions personally. (a) Is it useful for my spiritual life? (b) Does it build my spiritual life? A thing which is not useful and which does not build up our spiritual lives would turn out to be harmful. Such things therefore must be rejected, because they will be weights on us as we run our spiritual race. WE ARE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER We have considered elsewhere that we live for others also. We are members one of another in the body of Christ. Life or death flows through our influence into the life of others. Consciously or unconsciously we are channels of blessing or curse. We shed our light on them or we blind them with the darkness we carry. Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth ... Ye are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13,14). Both salt and light are not aware that they are also useful to the earth; similarly the serpent and the scorpion do not know how harmful they are. In like manner, we also carry an influence or power, highly magnetic to draw others to Christ or to Satan. That which we admit in our life as

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harmless, may be most harmful to others. To study to be a good example to others is an asset and an art of a Christian. Let us see some scriptures which govern this principle. "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth (interest). ... Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other; for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? ... Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (I Cor. 10:24,29,32). As we have seen before, Paul warns us that our liberty should not be a cause of the fall of our weak brethren. We must be willing to give up even a harmless pleasure if our weaker brethren are stumbled by it, or emboldened to think that they also have the liberty to choose something similar to our choice, but more harmful and worse in its nature. Some use the verse 'Give none offence neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles' to justify 'compromise' with the world. They say that we should not shock the world with our Christian doctrines and dresses. We must realize that Paul talks about 'conscience' and Christian behaviour which must be right with God. If Paul was for compromise, he would have justified those who ate the polluted meat. But on the other hand, he condemned them in every way. Paul evidently means that the Jews and the Gentiles who are to be saved by us, should not be stumbled by our unchristian example. We are expected to present them with something better, because they are in darkness while we have received the light through the gospel. His whole argument, therefore, is 'that they may be saved' (I Cor. 10:33). If we compromise with the world, doing just what they do, how can they be saved? Does not God say, 'Come out from among them', 'Be ye separate', 'Touch not the unclean thing'? (II Cor. 6:17). 'Abstain from all appearance of evil' (I Thess. 5:22). Here again we have to question ourselves, whether the good thing we do or possess or manifest, presents an 'appearance of evil', though there is no evil in itself. By asking such questions, we can avoid all traces of worldliness in our life and be helpful to others who struggle to go forward. ------

Chapter 5

FILM, TELEVISION AND DANCING SHOULD a Christian frequent theatres and dance halls and be influenced by the television? Should he be captivated by television? FILMS Let us take for instance the question of FILM. What is it, that hypnotizes thousands of men, women, youths and children into the theatres where they get their eyes glued to the silver screen? Is it not because movies feed the eyes and mind with something sensational and sensual, filling their heart with lustful pleasures and suggestive evil desires? The varieties of shows are well calculated and fully organized to satisfy the diverse lusts of the eyes, and of the flesh and the pride of life. It is commonly accepted that almost all actors and actresses are of create such emotions, passions and thrills making their gestures as good as real. Let us see another side of it. The stories that are screened may not be harmful in themselves, but they are sure to contain intermittent love scenes with sexual vices, including obscenity, profanity and nudity. Can a true Christian, who wants to be found blameless at His coming, feed on these corrupt scenes, displayed by unregenerated men and women, whose only realm of joy is this passing world of vanity? 'Well', you say, 'Unto the pure all things are pure'. Let us accept for the sake of argument, that everything that is seen in the theatre is clean and pure; the question then arises that if these things are clean and pure, what are the 'unclean' things we are commanded not to touch? Can we expect to see these supposed to be 'clean and pure' things in heaven? When Paul says 'Whatsoever things are pure ... think on thesse things' (Phil. 4:8), does Paul include into the list of the 'pure things', these sensual and sensational plays featured on the screen? Some say that there are, at times, somee good films, quite spiritual. May we ask how far are they spiritual? Who are the actors and actresses? Are they really converted people? It is possible that

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converted people can produce films of spiritual value, that could be used to save sinners. They will be no means include scenes of sex and vulgarity. But the worldly theatres will never accept such films that would bring people to salvatgion, because they will lose their clients. TELEVISION Let us take for instance, TELEVISION. The television set in itself is not evil. It only televises what the organizers choose to sell or show and what the viewers choose to see. In a survey of one week of television views between 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., the following shows have been realized: 113 shootings, 92 stabbings, 168 beatings, 9 stranglighs, and 179 violent acts, apart from various scenes of questionable amusements. It feeds the innocent minds of the infants and children with thoughts of crime, revolt, violence, and practice of all corrupt unsocial vices. Admittedly there is the right use of the television. It keeps us in the know of all important incidents, activities, inventions, scioentific developments etc., which are very instructive for an average man. But we cannot deny that television is mostly to be blamed for all the crimes, ssuch as thedft, robbery, shooting, stabbing, safe-cracking, dynamiting of trains, mines and buildings, smuggling, hijacking, divorce, juvenile delinquency, nude fashions, and various other vices. Today one need not go to the theatre to see a movie. Where there is a television, there are always the movie, dance and other entertainments. Some say, 'Oh, I watch just what is besst for me, and I know when to turn it off'. You may have a perfect control over the television; but, what about your children who live in your house, and friends, visitors and guests who frequent your home? All may not have the same moral strength as you have. DANCING Let us take the matter of DANCING. Young people who are saved, long for purity, Christian character and power to overcome sin and pleasure. Due to lack of growth and maturity, they lack sufficient knowledge and power, to overcome all temptations. Could such thirsty souls have their thirst satisfied in a dance hall or by a dance show relayed on the television? Wine, dance and music go together in a seemingly harmless way for some time, among the scantily clothed dancers and the audience in a dance hall. When wine overpowers their mind and spirit, their emotions, passions, conduct and movements catch fire, leaving no restraint over their seductive, immoral behaviour. Could such revelling be harmless pleasure to a child of God, who desires spiritual growth and power? The Bible says, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). If we are tolerant with such pleasures, they may easily captivate us and house themselves in our body, soul and spirit as inerent evils. We are also responsible for the souls who follow our examples. What is harmless for us could become a fierce temptation and eventual moral disaster for them. OBSERVATION (i) The movie plant, and the television set are not evil in themselves, but for the misuse they are put into by the producers of the play and their viewers. (ii) The shows are aimed at producing thrills, excitement, sex appeal, and other sensations which are not Christian by nature and out-look. (iii) They feed the young mind with lust, passion, revolt and violence. (iv) The shows and plays are produced by those who are not saved. They are of questionable character. They are ruled by the powers of darkness, which want to invade the viewers through the shows displayed. (v) When a Christian is influenced by these things, they are bound to corrupt his mind, quench his zeal, dim his vision, divide his interest for Jesus, and retard his spiritual race.

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(vi) Those who have us for example will also be stumbled. (vii) The fact that we feel bound by these eevil forces, being unable to have a control over them, shows that we need complete deliverance from such bondages. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS ON FILM, AND DANCING

TELEVISION

1. Do they hinder or slacken by spiritual race? 2. Do they affect my zeal, love, vision, interest and service for my Master? 3. Could my time be used for something better, and more constructive? 4. Do they interfere with my personal devotion, reading of His Word, prayer life, and my close fellow- ship with God? 5. Do I sumble someone else who has made me to be his or her example? -------

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chapter 6 DRESS, COSMETICS AND JEWELLERY

BUSINESSMEN have one of the biggest markets for fashions. They have captured the passions and the eyes of the growing youths by supplying them every- thing that would satisfy the lust of their eyes and of the flesh. Almost every-day a newly designed suit or another pair of shoes with a different shade and shape replaces the previous model. The businessmen know that the youths look for something new everyday, and that if they do not design new patterns competitively, the fashion industry will dwindle. Most fashions are designed with a sex-appeal. Transparent see-through dresses, colourful cooats, miniskirts, hot pants, slim;one slacks, patterned stockings, pop jewellery, tightfitting pullovers, and several other forms of dresses are the product of the unregenerate, carnal mind. Most of them are deliberately shaped and fashioned to make a strong appeal to the lower passions. To match these kinds of costumes, they also sell cosmetics of various sorts, such as eyeshadow, eye-liner, eye-lasher, etc. They have learnt that a girl of the world, however beautiful she might be is not satisfied with the charm she possesses; she craves for beauty, and loves to be attractive. Does it not show that she suffers from a beauty complex? The high-heeled pointed shoes have lost their place and praise to-day. They do not seem to go with the new set of dresses turned out these days. So the shoe-makers havee cleverly presented the low-heeled, broad-toed buckled shoes, convincing the boys and girls that these shoes could be worn by both sex, to match with the modern dress and pop jewellery and other make-up. Man manifests physically what he really is at heart; he eats what he relishes, talks what he thinks, exhibits by his nervous actions his imbedded emotional temperaments, sees and covets what he craves for within, and similarly clothes and adorns himself with what his heart longs for. OBSERVATION (i) Fashion is a commercial racket, designed to deceive and exploit the youths. (ii) They are deliberatly designed to have a strong sex-appeal. (iii) Not all businessmen are saved. The unsaved businessmen are the children of the world, and therefore, 'the lust of (their) father (they) will do' (Jn. 8:44). (iv) They are not stable in themselves. They are double-minded. As they change in their mind and heart, so do their fashions change. (v) The world is the only sphere they know of; therefore their pursuit, pleasure and labour are

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all earth-bound. They have no hope beyond the grave, and beyond this world. Their enjoyments are fleshly, carnal, and sensual. They are strangers to the new life of pure joy in Christ Jesus. (vi) They know evidently that theeir fasshions, beauty ad make-up will take wings after some time, leaving them wrinkled in years, being wretched, miserablee, only to die in despair. But, a strange deceptive power has blinded their eyes, and bound their soul. They need to be delivered. (vii) New fashions do not make a Christian uptodate, but his walk with God. A christian is one who does not conform himself to the ways and the fashions of the world. He goes strictly by the word of God. MODEST APPAREL AND ADORNING When mini skirt made its first appearance few years ago, people were taken by surprise. The public were against it. It was badly criticized in the papers. Girls who wore them were run down as flirts and sexy. They were exposed to ridicule, scandal and attack byboys. There were manifestations ofall sorts on the streets. Modest girls were ashamed to wear it. Today the sense of shame is lost. But, on the contrary, they are now ashamed to wear anything longer than a mini or short skirt. Even in the world, those who come from decent families have kept up their modesty and decency by wearing skirts or gowns which reach up tothe knees or even lower. Girls are strictly forbidden to wear mini skirts in some schools. The railway servants, doctors, factoryworkers, salesgirls, stewards, attendants in different business and so many others who are attached to important firms and organizations wear dresses of modest length suitable, convenient, impressive and appropriate for their work and publicity. How much more should Christians be willing to wear modest apparel which will reveal the Christian character in us, and help us build the kingdom of God? The church, including the youths and children, are not indebted to go by the principles of model-makers who are sensual and earthly minded and commercial in their project and approach. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? The Bible says: "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women profes- sing godliness) with good works" (I Tim. 2:9,10). "Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (I Pet. 3:3,4). OBSERVATION In these scriptures we gather how a Christian must dress. (i) The outward garments must manifest the inner purity, godliness, meekness and other Christian virtues. (ii) Therefore, the garments must be modest, simple, decently shaped, so as to cover the body in such a way as to avoid sex appeal and immodesty, which would cause embarrassment to the opposite sex, and stumble those who have us for their example. Short skirts, mini skirts, sleeveless blouses, tight garments, which are designed to bring out the shape of the body, specially in the case of women, must be completely avoided by converted children of God, who profess godliness with good

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works. Such dresses are abominable in the sight of God and in the Church. (iii) The Bible forbids facial make-up. The face expresses the state of the mind and heart. 'Shamefaced' simply means that it should not be attractive with added make-up, but must be plain and simple, calm, cool and collected, to express the inner peace and purity. (iv) The Christian principle is not to do anything to satisfy the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life. By yielding to the cravings of the body, supplying it with pomp and polish, we crown the flesh with power over the soul. Thus we become self-conscious, world-conscious and earthbound. It is therefore 'enmity with God'. (v) Christians must not wear costly or expensive dresses or suits (I Tim. 2:9). (vi) It is forbidden for women to wear clothers similar to those of men, and for men to wear those of women. This will cause confusion. Youths of today desire to hide the identity of their sex so that they might freely move, unnoticed with the other sex. This appearance of similarity will only lead to sex-perversion and other vices. God calls it an abomination. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord they God" (Deut. 22:5). (vii) We should not stumble those who hold us for example. We must give them a Christian influence of chastity, purity and modesty. (viii) It is quite obvious that in most churches Christians accept the worldly dresses and fashions, as granted, not because they are carnal-minded, nor because they want to attract the attention of the opposite sex, but because (1) they see that everybody wears them; (2) they fear that they would offend the world and their friends if they do not dress as they do; (3) or, they have got used to such forms of clothes from childhood, without having been corrected by their parents, Sunday school teachers and the servants of God; (4) they do not realize that conversion means complete change of total personality - body, soul and spirit, including their dress, facial make-up and appearance; (5) they do not understand the word of God clearly on this point. HAIR - STYLE AND JEWELS (ix) God's word is against 'broided hair' (I Tim. 2:9; I Pet. 3:3). (x) Ornamental decorations of gold or precious stones are not a part of the garments of the converted Christians. (xi) We are commanded to adorn our inner man with meekness and a quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (I Pet. 3:4). (xii) It is impossible to adorn both the inner and the outer man. One is contrary to the other. The worldly unconverted prefer to adorn the exterior, while the converted spontaneously choose to adorn the interior with the beauty of Jesus Christ. COVERING OF THE HEAD BY WOMEN IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD A woman's hair has much to do with her personal life and worship. It is, as it were, part of her garments. Let us quote a portion from Paul's letter to the Corinthians: "Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without of woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman: but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God

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uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God" (I Cor. 11:4-16). Women are forbidden to cut their hair short, in the light of the above scriptures, because 'long hair ... is a glory to her'. In addition to having long hair, which is given to her for her glory and covering, she has her own part to do. Therefore, it is considered to be a shameful thing, if she cuts her hair short, as much as 'If a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him'. ARGUMENTS 1. Women who have cut their hair short think that they are exempted from covering their head. They argue that Paul commands only those who have long hair to have their head covered. It is a mere presumption and shows the lack of knowledge of the scriptures. Let us quote the relevant passage which they have in mind. "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn; but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn (cut off) or shaven (completely be removed by a razor), let her be covered" (I Cor. 11:5,6). OBSERVATION (i) Paul spoke thus, not to the short-haired women, but to those who had long hair. (ii) No woman had short hair in those days. All women, in general, had long hair. Short hair became a style only since World War 1. (iii) There seems to have been some women (of course, with long hair) in the Corinthian church, who contested against Paul's instruction to them to have their heads covered when they came to the presence of God, or to the church to worship God. To such women he says, "If it be a shame for a woman to be shorn (cut short) or shaven (completely shaven by a razor) let her be covered". If it was considered a fashion in those days to have their hair short, Paul would not have used the word shame. Only the captivewomen had their heads shaven (Deut. 21:10-14). (iv) Paul's argument is that she must grow her hair, because it is her glory. It is God who covered her head through nature so that she might voluntarily realize and do her part of covering her head when she comes to the presence of God. God teaches this truth to women in two ways. Firstly by nature: "Doth not even nature itself teach you ... if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given her for a covering" (I Cor. 11:15). Secondly through the word of God (or by the writing of Paul): 'Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?' (I Cor. 11:13). Therefore the word of God concludes that woem should cover their head when they come to the presence of God. 2. Some contest that the unmarried need not cover the head and that Paul commanded only the married women to cover the head to honour their husbands. (i) In the above quotation of Paul, he never uses the word 'husband' or 'marriage'. He continues to say that 'the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man'. Thus he speaks of the general creative order of man and woman. (ii) In the spiritual plane, the personal head of each woman is Jesus. She is not praying to her husband or man, but to God. Therefore Paul syas, "Judge in yourselves; (reason out within your heart according to the mind of God) is it comely that a woman (married or unmarried) pray unto God (not to the husband or man) uncovered?" It is clear that any woman who prays to God, irrespective of her secular position, must cover her head. 3. Some Christian women neither grow their hair long, nor cover their head when they pray or gather together in the name of Jesus Christ. They say that Paul said 'We have no such custom, neither the churches of God' (I Cor. 11:16). Their contention is that growing their heir or covering their head is only a CUSTOM and not the commandment of God.

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If Paul thought that growing of hair or covering the head was only a custom of the Jews those days, he would not be teaching the Corinthians (who were converted Gentiles) to follow the Jewish customs. Paul believed that the doctrines of women grow-ing long hair and covering their head were committed to him by Jesus Christ, as any other doctrines, just as the Lord's supper, etc. So he says 'keep the ordinances, as I delivered them unto you' (I Cor. 11:2). And again, he says in the same chapter, 'For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you' (I Cor. 11:23). So we conclude that the doctrines of growing hair and covering the head were not just customs of the Jews but instructions received from the Lord by Paul and were delivered to all the churches. LONG - HAIRED MEN In every age, there seems to have been a temptation, even among great prominent men, to have long hair; but neither the great men of the past, nor the modern men of the present are our authority. Our soul authority is the word of God which will judge the nations one day. We gather the following points from I Corinthians Chapter 11 and other scriptures concerning men growing long hair. (i) It is a shame 'If a man havee long hair' (I Cor. 11:14). (ii) Paul did not have long hair. If he had long hair, he would not have said 'If a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him' (I Cor. 11:14). (iii) The Spirit of God inspired Ezekiel to write thus: "Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads" (Eze. 44:20). (iv) It is most incredible that Jesus had long hair. If Jesus wore long hair, Paul for one who kept Jesus for his pattern and example, would have grown his hair long; but, on the contrary he says clearly, "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto Him?" Some think that Jesus should have had long hair, because He was called 'Jesus, the Nazarene'. Perhaos they have confused the word Nazarene with Nazarite. In Matthew 2:23, it is said, "He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth". This happened in fulfilment of the prophecy which we read, 'He shall be called a Nazarene'. Thus Jesus acquired the name 'Nazarene' not because of keeping the Nazarite vow but because He dwelt in Nazareth. The Nazarite is one who consecrated himself to perdform certain vows as explained in Numbers Chapter 6. The Nazarite does not necessarily come from Nazareth. A Nazarite is governed by the following laws: He must not drink or eat anything that is made of the vine. He is forbidden to eat even moist grapes or drink strong wine, or vinegar of wine or even any liquor of grapes (Num. 6:3,4). No rasor should come upon his head (Num. 6:5). He should not come near any dead body (Num. 6:6). But there are evidences that Jesus had been taking grape juice (Lk. 22:18; Lk. 7:34). Jesus not only came near the dead bodies, but also touched them, defiling Himself against the Nazarite consecration (Lk. 7:14; Mk. 5:41). So Jesus did not practise any of the Nazarite vows, and there is no proof that He had long hair. In conclusion, we are sure that no one can prove that Jesus wore long hair. The reason is this, the Jews were strictly forbidden to make any images of "any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down theyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God" (Exo. 20:3-5). We therefore conclude that all the pictures of Jesus, in every form and shape, wearing long hair are the products of the imagination of men. MODERN HAIR CUT Some young men who are evidently saved, and are zealous for God, do not realize that they are folowing the world in adopting the various trends of modern hair cut. They allow their hair to grow uncontrolled and unkempt, hanging loose over the ears, sometimes over the eyes and faces, with long sideburns linked with oddshaped beards. If we follow the world, either in the way of clothes or of hairstyles, we have nothing better to give the world.

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Giving in to constant change of fashions and hair-styles shows lack of stability of character. To overcome the temptations of worldliness, let us resist them, claim and receive victory through Jesus. ------

CHAPTER 7

- SMOKING

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OME Christians who make no effort to refrain from the habit of smoking concole themseelves saying that the Bible does not say anywhere that smoking is wrong. They are not aware that tobacco was never known in the days of the apostles or before. Here is the history, in brief, of tobacco. Columbus who discovered America in the 15th century, saw the aboringines of the new world enjoying the practice of smoking tobacco. He took a fancy to smoking tabacco and imported it into Europe. Thereafter it spread like a plague all over the world. So we do not see the word 'tobacco' or the habit of smlking mentioned anywhere in the Bible. But from the Christian point of view, based on certain scriptural principles, we can safely and surely condemn the habit of smoking as unclean and unchristian. Let us study in brief the various ways tobacco affects its victims. Chemical analysis show that tobacco contains certain toxic poisons such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, methyl, pyridine, furfural and arsenic. These poisons have about the same effect on the body, nervous system and mind as cocaine, and heroin. Nicotine is the chief poison in tobacco. Nicotine is habit-forming, and it leads to heavy smoking, impairing the health of the body, causing mental and nervous deficiency, loss of memory, physical disorders, such as lung cancer, coronary diseases and gastric ulcers. Real athletes do not smoke; because smoking makes them less energetic, less active, less steady and less sober. It has also been observed that students who smoke are physically, morally and mentally impaired, and are rendered incompetent in their studies. In addition to these draw-backs, the addiction brings them to a low moral state. They are given to bad manners, irritability, poor scholarship, slow thinking, lack of neatness and cleanliness and carelessness in dress. A regular smoker is a confirmed slave of nicotine. He has no physical or mental power to free himself from such slavery. The habit of smoking has such a hold on their will that they might walk miles to get a cigarette. When they are short of money they would rather spend the little money they have to buy a cigarette, than to buy some food to satisfy their hunger. NOTE: (i) Tobacco is not a food but a poisonous weed, which on consumption in any form, is sure to produce deadly diseases such as lung cancer, gastric ulcers, coronary diseases and various other ailments. Those who smoke wilfully destroy their own bodies; it amounts to thwarting the gracious work of redemption and healing in the atonement of Jesus Christ. The Word of God says that “if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb.10:26,27). (ii) Smoking is an unclean habit: it is unsocial and unholy by nature. A man or woman who smokes does not honour God. Some years ago children would not dare to smoke in the presence of their parents; even the adults were forbidden to smoke in schools, offices, and workshops. The church-goers do not smoke in their churches of temples, because they fear that God is dwelling in such places. They are not aware that the “Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:24) and that our ‘body is the temple of the Holy Ghost’ (I Cor.6:19). Therefore, we must preserve our body from being defiled by the habit of smoking and thus honour the presence of god who dwells in us. God's word says, “if any man defile the temple of God (i.e., our body), him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (I Cor.3:17).

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(iii) Smoking is habitforming. It creates an unnatural lust and passion which must be satisfied constantly and regularly. The victim has no power to resist this carving and lust. He is a virtual slave of tobacco. Jesus said, ‘Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin’ (jn.8:34). Given to the craving of smoking which is definitely ‘the lust of the flesh’, the smoker is a ‘servant of sin’, needing deliverance. His deliverance is only in Jesus. ‘If the Son therefore small make you free, ye shall be free indeed’ (Jn.8:36). (iv) The same principle applies to all other drugs which are habit-forming, captivating their victims, destroying their body, spirit, mind and character. Their deliverance is in Jesus only.

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CHAPTER 8

- WINE AND ALCOHOL

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HRISTIANS think that the word of God has fully sanctioned the habit of drinking wine, and any other alcoholic beverages. Before we examine what the word of God says about wine (old wine and new wine), let us examine what wine and liquor indicate in the scriptures. Alcohol, without any doubt, indicates wine which has fermented and creates intoxication. It is important to know that in the scriptures the word ‘wine’ is used both for newly-pressed unfermented grape juice as well as the fermented, intoxicating wine. So we have to carefully sort it out from the context. Let us examine the verses mentioned below: “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled” (Dan.10:2,3). This verse clearly reveals that Daniel was in the habit of drinking a particular type of wine but while waiting in fasting and prayer he took no wine. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Dan.1:8). It is clear that in order that he may not defile himself, Daniel refused to drink the wine which the king drank. From these two incidents it is evident that the wine which he refused to drink was one which could defile him, and that it was wine which was different from the one he was habituated to drink. Hence, we can infer that the wine mentioned in Daniel 10:2,3 is harmless, unfermented grape juice, and the wine mentioned in Daniel 1:8 is one which could have affected his body, soul, spirit, thought and behaviour. NEW WINE The new wine was undoubtedly free from fermentation. Dr.Lyman Abbot says, in his Dictionary of Religious Knowledge, ‘Fermented wine was the least common in Bible times’. New wines were wholly without alcohol, and were easily preserved in that condition for several months. There were also wines which by boiling, or by drugs, the process of fermenting was prevented and alcohol excluded. These were mixed with water and they constituted the most common drink of the land. In most cases the new wine refers to the fresh grape joice or the grapes themselves. The Lord has commanded this new wine as a blessing to His people. Let us examine some scriptures. “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine” (Gen.27:28). “A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of oil olive and honey” (Deut.8:8). “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt” (Amos 9:13). “And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and

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upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands” (hag.1:11). “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and of the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim” (Joel 3:18). The wine mentioned in these passages refers to grapes or the juice of fresh grapes. Neither the mountains nor the vine can produce alcoholic wine. They can only supply fresh grapes which contain sweet or new wine. The grape juice that the Levitical priests who ministered in the Old Testament tabernacle, the Nazarites and the Rechabites, were forbidden to drink refers to unfermented, freshly pressed grape juice. God is not against our drinking grape juice, if it is really fresh and unfermented. If the grape juice is not carefully processed it will become alcoholic in a warm climate. God was careful that certain men whom He had separated unto Himself did not take any risk in drinking even the grape juice, as there was a possibility of this getting fermented. If it was not processed effectively, such fermented juice could develop a craving and taste to drink alcoholic wine. 1. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT They were forbidden to drink wine when they ministered in the tabernacle. “The Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughtout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses” (Lev.10:8-11). Note: (i) The wilful offenders were threatened with the capital punishment - death. it is obvious that God is strongly against His servants drinking alcohol. (ii) Drinking alcoholic wine is ‘unclean’ and ‘unholy’ in His sight. His children, especially His servants, cannot profess to be clean or holy as long as they continue in the habit of drinking. 2. THE NAZARITES WERE FORBIDDEN TO DRINK WINE “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When wither man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord: he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink andy liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk” (Num.6:1-4). Some men and women among the children of Israel felt a stong urge in their heart that they should ‘separate themselves unto the Lord’. They had to make a ‘vow of a Nazarite’ according to which they were forbidden to drink wine, strong drink, vinegar, any liquor of grapes, and in short, not even fresh grapes. Note: (i) Those who want to ‘separate themselves unto the Lord’ must ‘separate themselves from wine and strong drink’ (Num.6:2,3). In other words, those who continue to drink wine and other alcoholic beverages, have not separated themselves to God. (ii) Samson, one of the judges in Israel, and John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, were both Nazarites and were forbidden from wine so that they might accomplish the ministry which God had given them (Judg.13:1; Lk.1:15). 3. THE HOUSE OF THE RECHABITES “Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive

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instruction to hearken to my words? saith the Lord. The words of Nonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me ... And jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith that Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me forever” (Jer.35:12-14,18,19). God showed a great appreciation to the house of the Rechabites and blessed them for obeying their father Jonadab who commanded them not to drink wine all the days of their life. Note: (i) Jonadab commanded his sons not to drink. It is apparent that Jonadab had nothing to do with alcoholic wine. (ii) The exemplary life of Jonadab had a great influence over his children, who implicitly obeyed his commandments. Christian parents must therefore set an example to their children, and should have nothing to do with alcoholic drinks. (iii) “Notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me” (Jer.35:14). God who is our Father in heaven had clearly spoken through His ‘servants the prophets’ that His children should not defile themselves with alcoholic drinks. Neither the children of Israel, nor the present Christians have hearkened unto His voice. We quote below some utterances of certain prophets who, by His Spirit, prophesied against the sin of drinking. Isaiah: “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them” (Isa.5:11). “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine ! ... The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet; ... They also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drinki, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment” (Isa.28:1,3,7). Hosea: “Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God” (Hos.4:11,12). “In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners” (Hos.7:5). Amos: “And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the Lord. But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not” (Amos 2:11,12). Micah: “If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people” (Mic.2:11). Habakkuk: “Yea, also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people” (Hab.2:5). Those who really search the word of God and delight to do His will can easily see the mind of God through these prophecies. God and His prophets are totally against the habit of drinking alcoholic wine. but the modern preachers, pastors and teachers say, “I will prophesy unto thee of wine and strong drink [that it is a scriptural that we may drink]” (Mic.2:11). 4. A WARNING FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS A fatherly warning is clearly given in the book of Proverbs to all the sons of God. These warnings are clear, direct, expressive, appealing and ultimate. No sincere man who loves the word of God can gainsay it. Let us read them as they are in the book of Proverbs.

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“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or he that lieth upon the top of a mast” (Prov.23:29-34). “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Prov.20:1). “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted” (Prov.31:4,5). OBSERVATION (i) Those who are addicted to wine inherit ‘woe’, ‘sorrow’, ‘contention’, ‘wounds without cause’ and ‘redness of eyes’; because wine inflames their lust, overpowers their passions, distorts their thoughts and deprives them of their proper senses. (ii) ‘Wine is a mocker’. Fresh, non-alcoholic grape juice can never be considered as a ‘mocker’. We are permitted to drink it. When wine turns to be alcoholic, it begins to mock at men. Deceitfully, it ‘moves itself aright (promising safety and freedom from any harm and evil), and at the last, it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder”. Its effect on human soul, mind, behaviour and character is like the deadly poison injected by a serpent or an adder, when they bite or sting a person. (iii) Wine and sexual vices go together. They have no restraint over passions and lust when their ‘eyes shall behold strange women’. (iv) Their memory will fail them to such an extent that they would not mind whether they ‘lie down in the midst of the sea’ or ‘upon the top of a mast’. (v) We are called ‘kings and priests’ in the New Testament (Rev.1:6). Our ultimate eternal position is the very throne of Christ in order to reign with Christ (II Tim.2:12; Rev.3:21). Being kings and priests, we are equally forbidden to drink wine or strong drink. Further, we observe clearly that those who give themselves to wine cannot delight in the word of God to keep it, and will have no real love for the afflicted. Considering these disastrous effects of alcoholic wine, is it Christian to drink, knowing the dangerous consequences one would have to reap? Let us now consider the three common excuses under which some Christians have made themselves habitual drunkards. Excuse no.1: ‘Certain Old Testament saints, such as Noah and Lot, have been associated with drinking wine’. We agree that the Bible has recorded clearly that these men of God had been drinking, but the same Bible shows clearly where their drinking habit led them to. Of Noah it is said: “and he drank of the wine, and was drunken, and he was uncovered within his tent” (Gen.9:21). What a reproach, and what a shame! Similarly, are we not aware that the drunkardness of Lot led him to commit fornication with his own daughters? “And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose ... And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, now when she arose” (Gen.19:33,35). It is apparent that the Spirit of God has faithfully endorsed both the act and the consequence of th drinking habits of these two men of God with the view that we might not repeat the same sin lest we should reap the same. Excuse no.2: ‘Jesus turned water into (alcoholic) wine in Cana’. We gather the following facts concerning the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. 1. Jesus never drank any alcoholic wine, but it is evident that He drank grape juice. At the

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Passover, He served the grape juice saying thus: “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come” (Lk.22:17,18). Jesus was not a ‘wine-bibber’ as He was condemned by His enemies. It was only a false accusation, as much as they criticised Him saying: “This fellow doth not csat out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils” (Matt.12:24). Likewise, he was condemned as ‘a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber’ (Matt.11:19) which is also a false accusation. 2. When He was given ‘to drink wine mingled with myrrh: ... he received it not’ (Mk.15:23), because it was a mixed alcoholic wine intended to deaden His pain and senses. 3. Jesus is against alcoholic drinkers. He told His disciples that the unfaithful servant who began ‘to eat ... and to be drunken’ would be cut asunder and be reckoned with ‘unbelievers’, and ‘shall be beaten with many stripes’ (Lk.12:45-47). 4. We understand that Jesus and His disciples were invited to a marriage at Cana. ‘And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage’ (Jn.2:2). If they were alcoholic drinkers, He would not have accepted the invitation to go there, as He would have classified them as ‘unbelievers’ (Lk.12:45-47). Jesus would never have chosen that place to ‘manifest forth his glory’, and perform His first miracle. With no strength of imagination could we believe that Jesus could choose to make water into alcoholic wine as His first miracle. We know that God created all things through Jesus Christ, however, He never created alcoholic wine. Vine and grapes come fresh from God, but it is man who turns grape juice into alcoholic wine. All the miracles of Jesus revealed His creative power. We could therefore conclude that He turned fresh water into fresh grape juice. It is said that He had made ‘good wine’ (vs,10) and not alcoholic wine. Excuse no.3: ‘Paul advised Timothy to drink wine saying: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities (I Tim.5:23)’. The ‘wine’ that is spoken of here is grape juice (OINOS - Gk.). We have so far learnt that God commanded the men of God both in the Old and in the New Testament not to drink alcoholic wine and that all the servants of God, including all the prophets, priests, kings and others like the Nazarites, and the Rechabites should have had nothing to do with fermented wine. Paul himself tells that a bishop should not be given to wine, because he realised that God forbade His servants to drink wine so “that (they) may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that (they) may teach ... all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them” (Lev.10:9-11). He realised that the Lord had commanded that His servants should not drink wine. Paul did not encourage drinking alcoholic wine. Let us imagine that Paul encouraged Timothy to drink ‘a little (alcoholic) wine’. There is one point to observe here. Timothy had an infirmity in his stomach, and was drinking only water till that moment; therefore Paul advised him to take a little grape juice. It is only the craving for drink that makes those who drink argue on the pretext that St. Paul had advised Timothy to drink wine. Some argue that Paul's exhortation, ‘not given to much wine’ (II Tim.3:8) or ‘not given to wine’ (Tit.1:7) proves that Paul permitted moderate drinking. This could be easily disproved. There were mainly two kinds of wine in the days of Jesus Christ, namely, the ‘new wine’ and the ‘old wine’. The old wine was definitely a strong alcoholic drink, but the new wine was processed with drugs to keep it from fermentation for a long period. But it was liable to get fermented slightly after a certain period, if it was not processed properly. It is this ‘new wine’ or grape juice (OINOS Gk.) which Paul warned the bishops against, that they should not be given to it, lest the new wine which they consumed be found fermented unawares. Let us not forget that Paul was willing to give up drinking even the new wine of the grape juice, if it should stumble a weak brother. “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine (OINOS - Gk.), nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak” (Rom.14:21).

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This verse proves that there were some Christians who did not have anything to do with wine. Perhaps they were once drunkards, but were delivered by Christ when they gave their lives to Him. They did not want to have anything to do with wine. Lest taking ‘a little wine’ could prove to be a fall into the habit of drinking again.

CHAPTER 9

THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD THE WISDOM OF GOD As children of God we unanimously agree that the universe was created by the wisdom of God. The Word of God confirms this truth very clearly. “To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth forever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth forever” (Psa.136:5,6). “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches” (Psa.104:24). “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb.11:3). God intended that His creation should serve us as an object of instruction that we may by studying them comprehen the wisdom, the knowledge and the power of God our Father in heaven. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Rom.1:20). THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD It is also evident that Satan, the subtle serpent and the archenemy of God, who, having taken the human race captive by the deceitfulness of sin has blinded their minds so that they might neither believe God nor His word (II Cor.4:4). He is also called the spirit of world, who has filled the world with his own perverted wisdom. By this wisdom we cannot know God (I Cor.2:6; 12; 1:21). That is why man is at a loss to believe in God, though he has found remarkable treasures of infinite wisdom in every new discovery he has made in the world. The spirit of the world will not permit man to confess that, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psa.19:1). The more he discovers new, hidden, mysterious laws of nature, or objects of great scientific value, never hitherto known, or a new complex invention, he is all the more crazy to take for himself all glory at the expense of denying the very existence of God. THE HOPE OF SOME SCIENTISTS Most scientists consider the Bible to be a product of mythology. In their view God is an imaginary Creator who claims Himself to be a Law-giver, Saviour, Judge and the ultimate destroyer of the world and the wicked. Christian faith, in their estimation, is a verbal formula, unreasonable, unreliable, and unreal. The whold Christian set-up bears no sense to them. They pride over their scientific discoveries and modern inventions. Science is their god because it has helped them to fly through the air and space, to see the events which take place on the other side of the earth, to send or to receive messages from the moon, or to destroy the whole world and humanity in seconds. So they think it is up to them to form moral and social laws, and to train their conscience according to the knowledge they have received through science. They do not believe in God or heaven. Their heaven is down on earth. They advise the young people to live as happy as they can, by virtue or by vice, as there is nothing beyond death. This is the wisdom of the world. St. Paul says, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, ... which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have curcified the Lord of glory” (I Cor.2:7,8). Here we see why they crucified Jesus. They had only the wisdom of dthe world, in the most distorted form, corrupted by the deceitful working of the spirit of the world or the god of this world.

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We who are the children of God have to be most cautious in accepting what the world offers us as ‘wisdom’. We must have spiritual discernment to know how far they are correct according to the word of God, so that we might accept that which is right and reject that which is wrong. If we accept every knowledge that comes to us from the world, in the way of higher education, we are bound to become vain in our imaginations, and foolish at heart, professing to be wise we will remain fools in His sight (Rom.1:21,22). THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM Does God want us to remain fools without any form of education? No! insist that the right type of education and the right application of knowledge are indispensable in every walk of life, and they are of great value even in our spiritual life and ministry. Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, Paul and other saints were learned men of God. The secret of their success was, that, through the Spirit of God they were able to discern the right from the wrong, and thus saved the nations from the deceitfulness of sin and Satan. To quote for example, Nebuchadnezzar had ‘wise men’ to advise the king in his personal and political affairs. They received their inspirations from Satan, the prince of the world. They never knew the God of Daniel — “ The God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets” (Dan.2:47). But Daniel had a spirit of wisdom from God who guided him discreetly and clearly to know the dream and its interpretation and to convey it to the king. The worldly wise men of Babylon could nneither recall nor interpret the dreams. Thus, Daniel excelled far higher in wisdom and discernment than all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan.2:48). GOD'S INFINITE WISDOM God wants to fill us with His wisdom which is infinitely great and unsearchable (Rom.11:33; Isa.40:28). We receive it through Christ “in whom are hid all the treasures of widsom and knowledge” (Col.2:3). When our will is dedicated to God we begin to share this widsom. We are not confined to the widsom that pertains to this world only. Unlike the wise men of the world, we have access to the hidden mysteries of His eternal kingdom also. St.Paul says that the wise men of the world are blind to the wisdom that pertains to His eternal kingdom. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (I Cor.2:7-10). God reveals His hidden mysteries to us by His Holy Spirit. We learn from the word of God that a special judgment is awaiting the wise men of the world who have rejected Christ. “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent” (I Cor.1:19). Note: (i) God created all things by His wisdom that we may comprehend His hidden wisdom by studying His creation. (ii) But satan, called the spirit of the world or the god of this world has so distorted the mind of man through the deceitfulness of sin that he is unable to comprehend the wisdom of God. (iii) Scientists consider the Bible as a product of mythology. They do not believe in God or in eternity. They are convicted that there is no life after death. Their god is science which has helped them to make the world ‘a heaven on earth’ to enjoy the pleasures of sin. (iv) God has always been granting His servants the spirit of wisdom and discernment so that they might differentiate between the wisdom of God and the perverted wisdom of the world. Today, God continues to reveal His wisdom to His children through the word of God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us into all the truth, and also reveals the hidden things of eternity. Christ and the Holy Spirit are sufficient for us in this world and in the world to come.

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CHAPTER 10

RICHES OF THE WORLD

W

orldly wealth is one of the dangerous spells which Satan casts upon saints to make them completely materially minded. It affects their mind and heart causing them to depart from God and to turn their back to eternity. When riches enter a home they forget heaven, despise the heavenly riches and inheritance, disregard the powers of the world to come, and become aliens to God who sent His Son to die for them and their salvation on Calvary. They get settled in their mind being fully deluded that there is nothing greater than the earthly pleasures and nothing beyond this life. They comfort themselves saying, there is no paradise, no heaven, no God and no judgment. A backslider may not confess this in words but such a thought is set deep in his heart. The Bible gives us a list of all the devils that befall those who hold fast to the riches of the world. THE EVILS THAT BEFALL THOSE WHO HOLD FAST TO EARTHLY RICHES 1. It destroys the innocency of the heart (Prov. 28:20). 2. It robs us of our eternal rewards (Lk.6:24; 16:25). 3. It hinders us from entering into a deeper consecrated life and ministry (Lk.18:23). 4. It draws us into temptation, snares and foolish, hurtful lusts (I Tim.6:9). 5. It drowns us in destruction and perdition (I Tim.6:9). 6. The (I Tim.6:10).

love

of

money

is

the

root

of

all

evil

7. It severs us from the love of God, faith and confidence in Him (Matt.13:22; I Tim.6:10; Psa.52:7). 8. (I Tim.6:10).

Greater

the

riches,

greater

the

sorrow

9. It makes us proud and self-confident (I Tim. 6:17; Ezek.28:5). 10. It deprives us of sound knowledge, making us wise in our own conceits (Prov.28:11). 11. It robs us of peace, rest and sleep, leaving us with a troubled mind which cannot concentrate on spiritual things; makes our heart void of joy, love, hope and glory (Eccl.5:12,13). 12. It creates a craving for power to rule (Prov. 22:7). 13. It prompts us to be insolent (Prov.18:23). 14. It makes us violent (Micah 6:12). 15. It alienates us from the kingdom of God. Jesus said that the rich could hardly enter into the kingdom of God (Matt.19:23). 16. It encourages us to have the spirit of oppression in the place of the spirit of compassion (Lk.16:21; Jas.2:6). 17. It causes us to fade away without any purpose in life (Jas.1:11). 18. It gives us boldness to speak evil of saints, and to condemn and to kill the just (Jas.5:6). 19. It induces us to live in pleasure, depriving us of the great privilege of suffering with the children of God (Jas.5:5; Heb.11:25). 20. It tempts us to wear costly, glamorous, transparent, alluring clothes, and to adorn ourselves with expensive jewellery and accessories to increase our beauty (Lk.16:19). 21. It tempts us to be gluttonous, stealing away the compassion for the poor and the hungry (Lk. 16:21).

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22. It encourages us to depend on wickedness for safety, rather than in the power of God (Psa. 52:7). 23. It is a diabolical driving force towards vanity. It makes one to labour untiringly without any aim or purpose (Eccl.4:8). 24. It increases ungodliness (Psa.73:12). 25. It does not follow us after death (Eccl.4:8). 26. It will surely cause us to fall away from God one day (Prov.11:28). 27. It makes us to rebel against God (Neh. 9:25,26). 28. Riches reserved for use turn to be the hurt of the owner (Eccl.5:13). 29. It will hurt us into the torments of the unquenchable fire in hell after this life is over (Lk. 16:24). 30. It is a big deception. ‘For riches certainly make themselves wings and fly away’ (Prov.23:5). It never satisfies (Eccl.5:10). FACTS ABOUT RICHES We learn the following facts concerning the riches and wealth of the world. 1. ‘The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof’ (Psa.24:1). In the book of Haggai, we read, ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts’ (Hag.2:8). Similarly king David affirms in his prayer to God, “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great and give strength unto all” (I Chron.29:12). So it is evident that all the riches come from God but the unregenerate man who is carnal, corrupt and covetous, mishandles them as he does with anything else which God has created in this world. So the riches which God creates to be a blessing to humanity turns to be the curse of the fallen man. Nevertheless it is a blessing in the hands of the righteous people of God. God has commanded Joshua that “... all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron are concrecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of sthe Lord” (JJosh.6:19). As long as they belonged to God they were a blessing. But Achan coveted after “two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight” (Josh.7:21) and hid them in his tent. Then it brought a curse on Achan, his family and on all the children of Israel (Josh.7:11). The curse was removed when he and his family were stoned to death (Josh.7:25,26). 2. God has His stewards in the Church: ‘He gives them power to get wealth’ (Deut.8:18). They are not appointed by the Church but by God Himself. He entrusts them with riches in order that they may use them towards the extension of His work. David was blessed with all the riches of the world. He was not a covetous man because he loved God and His work. He realised that God increased his riches to extend His kingdom and to build a house for Him. Therefore he collected all his wealth faithfully to build a house for God. Handling his riches to Solomon his son, he said, “Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be s et, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mind own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and avove all that I have prepared for the holy house” (I Chron.29:2,3). Similarly, those to whom God has entrusted riches must not set their heart upon them (Psa.62:10) but prove themselves faithful to use the riches for God's work. Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (money) who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Lk.16:10-12). If they are not faithful in their tithes, offerings and the major expenses and needs of

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the Church, God can no more bless them either materially or spiritually. They will lose the vision of the true riches of heaven and their money will turn to be their curse. St. Paul instructed Timothy to exhort the believers to be ‘ready to distribute’ (I Tim.6:18). 3. God has some poor people in the Church: The poor people in the church are to be looked after by those who are entrusted with earthly riches. The first century believers distributed teir riches to the poor among them. “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44,45). Apostle John says, “But whose hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (I Jn.3:17,18). God commanded Moses to instruct the children of Israel that they should open their hands wide and help the poor in their land because, He said, ‘the poor would never cease out of the land’. “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But hou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never c ease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land” (Deut.15:7-11). 4. Tithes and offerings belong to God: Some comfort themselves saying that tithes belong to the Old Testament period, but Jesus does not say so. While rebuking the Pharisees He said, “Ye pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matt.23:25). The Preacher says, “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Prov. 3:9,10). It is an act of faith and godliness. When we honour God with our riches He increases our prosperity. Some contend saying, ‘Let God make me rich first, then I shall pay my offerings and tites’. Such a thougt is as illogical as trying to reap where nothing is sown. We so first and then reap the fruit in due season. Jesus also said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Lk.6:38). We need the same type of faith as that of a farmer to give our tithes and offerings to God. Jesus is coming soon. Those who are unfaithful and led astray by the riches of the world will never be ready for His coming nor be comforted by their riches in the days of tribulation. “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land” (Zeph.1:18). There will come a time soon when, “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their god shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is stumblingblock of their iniquity” (Ezek.7:19). CHAPTER 11

RICHES OF THE WORLD

M

ARRIAGE is instituted by God. It is sacred, honourable and permanent unto death. Being ordained by God, it is divine. It is God who joins the couple together than they, by mutual consent, love and unity accept a life of honour and responsibility to live for His glory. Therefore it is not a human institution. Children of God should carefully seek and know the mind of God for their marriage and their married life, totally rejecting the unscriptural ways adopted by the world.

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TEEN-AGER AND MARRIAGE Marriage is not for a teen-ager. It is for adults, well over 25-26. We shall give the reason why. Let us study the different levels of g rowth of an average boy. This applies to the girls also. Till the age of 6, he spends his years in childhood. He picks up the most elementary knowledge of life; he learns to talk, to think, to play with toys,to remember names and places, to love and obey his parents and other members of his family. From 7 to 12 he grows to be a boy. He sees the need of mental development and takes delight in learning his lessons taught by his teachers at school, and takes keen interest in out-door games. From 13 to 14 or 15 he speeds up his physical growth rapidly to his own surprise and that of his parents and friends. His body builds up as tall and big as an adullt. But his mental and spiritual growth is slow and gradual. From 16 to 25-26 he passes through a very difficult, but a very interesting and important period. In his spirit and soul he comes to the realisation that he is no more a boy, but a growing teen-ager. He is also aware that he is going to be an adult soon. So he begins to lay a sure foundation, safe and secure, to build up his future enterprises on it, and to shoulder heavy responsibilities in days to come. He theefore occupies himself studying the serious problems of life, such as the political state of the world, the social state of the society he lives in, above all his own spiritual state and the need of spiritual force in order to discipline himself to gain control over his passions and emotions, to be temperate in all things and to patiently face all trials of life. This spiritual and mental growth is gradual, leading him to adulthood, when he shall be stable enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a family life. A normal teen-ager or youth must think before he leaps into the thought of marriage. To begin with, marriage is not for a teen-ager but for an adult of 25 or 26 the least, as explained above. Marriage is not a day-dream or a romance. The married couple cannot live on sentiments, thrills and emotions for ever. They will wear out soon. Marriage is one of the most serious responsibilities of life. It is, therefore, worth asking the following questions, before seeking a partner. Questions to ask before marriage 1. Am I old enough for marriage? 2. Have I finished my education? 3. Have I got a good job and a home to support a family? 4. Have I achieved character-stability to run a home peacefully? All these questions are basically most necessary to consider the question of marriage, though tat is not all. If you are a child of God, we strongly discourage you from following the ways of the world in the interest of your own soul and your future. TEEN-AGER AND HIS FIANCEE Teen-agers, whether boys or girls, have not sufficiently grown mentally, spiritually and emotionally to take up family responsibilities, though the world has fed their mind and desire with sex knowledge through various literature and television etc. By getting involved with fiancees their immature spirit, mind and emotions will be distracted to make their new romance a thrill. Such a life will impair their spiritual progress and retard their studies at school. If they continue a little longer, they will engage themselves in sexual vices and become a reproach to themselves, to their faimilies, to their church and Christ. To crown it all, to avoid further reproach, they will have to soon get married, though they are not prepared for any family responsibility as yet. After that, what? They would soon realise, they should not have made a mess of their life in that manner; because, apart from spiritual immaturity and other problems they find it hard to live together due to having difference of views and decisions, even over the most trivial things. Their thrills, excitements, romances and sentiments have vanished like a dream. Now, there is no proper home to live in, no parents to go to, and above all, no money, no love between them. They exist from day to day in misery, torments and anger, planning a separation or divorce.

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Youths of the world have formed their own principles of life to satisfy their carnal desires and emotions. They do not have a yardstick by which they realise that they have to live in a particular frame wwork. Most of them have no vision of moral values. They get excited with the modern teachings of free-sex, and new morality. Their emotions get fired with the pornographic literature, obscene scenes in the films and television. They follow the ‘course of the world’. Being not saved, they have no spiritual values to lose. But Christian youths have a salvation to preserve, a pure conscience to practise, a fellowship with God to maintain, and a task to perform. A Christian youth has the confidence that his God is interested in his future and that He will find the right partner for him, if he commits that problem into the hand of his Creator and wait for His time. It is God who unites them. FORNICATION It is common today, in the western countries well-accepted by the men of the world and also by some Christians, that a boy may date with several girls, as far as they do not go very far, to decide upon the right partner whom he would marry eventually. This unsound procedure having gone beyond control, the society of the world has accepted this as something ‘permissible’; but it is ‘unclean’ and nothing less than fornication in the sight of God. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt.5:27,28). “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Heb.13:4). “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (I Cor.6:18-20). BIRTH CONTROL AND ABORTION Christians are divided in their views about ‘birth control’ or taking pills to stop having any more children. Some think that it is left to the option of the couple concerned to decide what they have to do about it. Not with the view to embarrass anyone, but to clearly reveal the mind of God to all concerned, we bring the following scriptures to the knowledge of the converted couples who grow in the Lord: “Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?” (Job 31:15). “But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breats” (Psa.22:9). “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psa.139:13,14). “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto nations” (Jer.1:5). “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace” (Gal.1:15). “For he (John the Baptist) ... shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb” (Lk.1:15). “And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed” (Mal.2:15). The above scriptures clearly show:

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(i) That saints like Job, David, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul and several others were formed, preserved and brought to birth according to the foreknowledge of God with a specific purpose. Let us suppose that their parents were in the habit of using birth-control and had decided that these children should not be born, how much would they have grieved God and deprived the world of their ministry and teachings. (ii) It is the will of God to beget a godly seed. SELF CONTROL God is evidently against birth-control (Gen.38:7-10); but the teachings of self-control is widely taught in the word of God. Though sex-relationship is strictly reserved for the married only, God has not given them undue liberty for the misuse of it. ‘Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled’ (Heb.13:4). St. Paul speaks of three levels of spiritual growth among the spiritually-minded married couples. 1. “To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife” (I Cor.7:2-4). 2. “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency” (I Cor. 7:5). 3. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away” (I Cor.7:29-31). Self control or temperance comprises the fruit of the Spirit. Married or unmarried, God cannot perfect the work of sanctification in us unless self-control, self-denial and temperance are practised. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteous- ness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God”(Rom.6:12,13). “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service” (Rom.12:1). “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (I Cor. 6:19,20). “The fruit of the Spirit is ... meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal.5:22,23). Victory over such sins is a great possibility, if one is really keen to get rid of it. First of all, we must believe that God who said that “they which do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21) has also made provision to cleanse us and to deliver us from such uncleanness. He shed His blood to ‘cleanse’ us and to ‘sanctify’ us “that he might present (us) to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that (we) should be holy and without blemish” (Eph.5:26,27). Let us not forget that we have our part to play, in full co-operation with the miraculous work of deliverance and sanctification which He wants to perform in us graciously. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, exposing the subtleties of Satan, and at the same time delivering us from his snares, if we are willing to follow His instructions. The most preliminary steps to overcome all sexual vices are given below. 1. Give the first place of loyalty and love to God: Let Him be your King, Lord, Master and Father. Let not sex take that place. Sex is not your master, but only a servant. If God becomes your Master, He makes you the master over sex.

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“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master. If then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord ... ” (Mal.1:6). “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psa.16:8). “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they might” (Deut.6:5). “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt.10:37). 2. Take time to study the greatness of God and praise Him: Praise Him for what He has done for you and what He has promised to do for you in His word. Determine to fill your mind and heart with the word of God. This decisive step dethrones sex from your imaginations and desires, bringing peace and order in your body. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened ... wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves” (Rom.1:21-24). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col.3:16). “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psa.119:9). “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (II Pet.1:4). 3. Be honest with yourself: Find out where your weakness lies and gain strength to over-power you (It may be, the means is an unclean person, or an object, or a literature, etc). Decide to put it away by the strength and grace which God is sure to grant you, if you are determined to get delivered. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil.4:13). “Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me ... And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me ...” (II Tim.4:17,18). “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; ... He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me” (Psa.18:2,17). “... Ye put off concerning the former conversation (former life and behaviour) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph.4:22,23). 4. Be filled with the Holy Spirit: Get used to His fellowship, power, presence, guidance and comfort. He is a Person who wants to lead you into all the truth. He fights for you and delivers you from the onslaughts of the enemy. He gives you power to resist and to subdue him. Read Romans chapter 8 frequently and meditate on it to know the power of the Holy Spirit. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isa.59:19). “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph.6:10,11). “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Gal.5:16).

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“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you ... For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Rom.8:11,13). 5. Learn to cry to God in prayer: Cry to God as the saints of old, till He comes down to deliver you. Pour out your heart like king David, as you hear him cry in the book of Psalms. One aspect of manifesting faith in God is to pray effectually and continually for complete deliverance. “When I cry unto thee, then shall my enemies turn back: this I know: for God is for me” (Psa.56:9) “Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; then he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving s trength of his right hand” (Psa.20:6). “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears ... This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles ... The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psa.34:4,6,17). 6. Serve Him with all your heart : Jesus needs you because you are a member of His body. Your church and the servants of God need your ministry. When we consecrate ourselves to serve Christ, we are raised by the power of the Holy Spirit from the carnal plane to the spiritual plane. The Holy Spirit overpowers all the carnal desires and makes us zealous for His kingdom. Wherefore we make efforts to gain souls for Christ; filled with His love, we will be able to work for His kingdom in the midst of any kind of hardship. “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve (who forsook their all) were with him. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, ... and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance” (Lk.8:1-3). “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:3) “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad througout the regions of Judaea and Samaria ... Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:1-4). “... And there be eunuchs (rendered impotent of sexual power) which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake” (Matt.19:12). [Jesus does not speak here of men who made themselves impotent medically or surgically, but by consecrating their legitimate sexual desires to a higher, creative work in the kingdom of God] “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world; how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband” (I Cor.7:33,34). DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE It is worth knowing what God has to say concerning divorce and remarriage. The following facts are clearly taught in the Word of God. ‘Divorce and remarriage’ was never in the mind of God when He instituted marriage. It was the invention of the fallen man. It crept into the Mosaic Law permissively due to the ‘harness of (their) hearts’ (Matt.19:8). God ordained marriage with no divorce attached to it. The married couple make a mutual covenant ‘unto death’, never to depart till death separates them (Rom.7:3). As such, as long as both live, they should not divorce each other, God hates divorce is not from God. His word says, that it is God who ‘joined (them) together’ but it is man who ‘puts (them) asunder’ (Matt.19:6). Therefore, one commits sin by putting away one's wife; ‘... from the beginning. It was not so’ (Matt.19:8).

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Divorce, in the case of adultery is permitted if there is a real reason. Yet, it is not in the direct will of God. Some argue that God does not approve the first marriage before conversion, as the partner is not of God's choice; so they feel that they should divorce their present wives and get remarried to converted women. This is not scriptural. Saint Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says : “If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him” (I Cor.7:12,13). While living together, the converted wife or the husband could bring the other to the Lord. There is no proof in the word of God to show that they could get separated in order to get married to someone else. On the contrary, marriage is binding unto death, whether married before or after conversion, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law of her husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man” (Rom.7:2,3). God says that ‘whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery’ (Matt.19:9). In other words God is against anyone marrying the divorced. What is said of the wife applies to the husband also. Epilogue The children of Israel who were delivered from the bondage of Egypt, crossed the Red Sea and came into the wilderness. Wilderness is a dry expanse of sand. Being delivered from the bondage of sin and having obeyed the truth of Water baptism, spiritually we come into the wilderness but we, the spiritual Israelites, should see this world as a wilderness. All the sinful pleasures which our mind and eyes took delight in before we were saved, should now appear as sand to us. About the Old Testament saints we read, “These all died in faith, ... having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” ‘Of whom the world was not worthy’ (Heb.11:13,38). “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way” (Psa.119:36,37), says the Psalmist. If the Old Testament saints who had not enjoyed the rich blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ's death lived seeing the world as vanity, how much more should we hate the world ! The Word of God says, the Lord Jesus “... gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Gal.1:4). As children of God, though we have been delivered from sin, if we are not delivered from worldliness, His purpose in offering Himself will not be fulfilled in us. Apostle James says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, ... to keep himself unspotted from the world” (Jas.1:27). The Lord Jesus offered Himself to present unto Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Eph.5:25,27). Therefore, keeping ourselves from being defiled by the world, we should be prepared and wait for the Lord's coming. From what we have read so far in this book we have understood what worldliness is and the definition of worldliness. In these days when worldliness has crept into the church and the church into the world let us discern the spirit of worldliness which is subtly trying to gain entrance in our individual lives, in our families and in the Church, place it within the right limits and overcome it. The grace of God which appeared to bring us salvation is “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Tit.2:11-13). Therefore, let us hate worldliness, and get ready to meet that Blessed Day !

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