GLEANINGS FROM THE SCRIPTURESVisible Evidences Of Moral ImpurityBy Keith L. EstesA man's morality tends to dictate his philosophy and his theology. Because of this, it is important that we learn to be keen observers of the visible evidence of a man's life as well as discerners of the truth of a man's ideas. 1. Claiming That Under "Grace" We Are Free To Do What We Want. "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness..." Jude 1:4 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid..."Romans 6: 1, 2. 2. Despising Submission And Speaking Evil Of Those In Authority. "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. "Jude 1:8 "...to be punished: but (are) chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities…” .2 Peter 2:9, 10. 3. Scoffing At Spiritual Truths That Are Beyond Human Reasoning. "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves." Jude 10. 4. Complaining About Moral Strictness And Developing New And Fashionable Philosophies. . "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage." Jude 16. "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error." 2 Peter 2:19. 5. Arguing Irrationally Over Psuedo-Philosophies That Contradict God’s Word. "But avoid foolish questions...A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Titus 3: 9-11. 6. Using The Guise Of Religion To Cover Pride, Lust And Rebellion. "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (without self control), fierce, despisers of those that are good: "Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3: 2-5. Oswald Chambers writes: “The moral miracle of redemption is that God can put a new nature into me through which I can live a totally new life. But I must get to that point. God cannot put into me, the responsible moral person that I am, the nature that was in Jesus Christ unless I am aware of my need for it.” Ref. Inst. in Basic Life Principles, Box 1, Oak Brook, IL 60522. |