Here are some scriptures about your question, I hope you will read them to better understand.
Matthew 23:33
Luke 10:15
Luke 16:23
Psalms 86:13
Proverbs 7:27
Psalms 9:17
Psalm 16:10
Revelations 1:18
2 Peter 2:4
Matthew 16:28
Revelations 20:14
Luke 12:5
Psalms 139:8
Please note this is not a complete study, there are many more scriptures on this subject & while reading these, please read around the noted scriptures for best understanding.
How can I pray in the Spirit when I've grieved and quenched the Holy Spirit ? A friend of mine gave me Godly advice to pray in the Spirit to get back in a right relationship with God. But I'm having a difficult time doing that because of sin in my life
I believe Homosexuality and same sex marriage has overtaken the nation to where its the norm, And being legalized by the government that is when our cup is filled!!
Not to mention abortion!!
We have a lot of blood on our hands from the beginning,
Unrepentant Homsexuals is going to have a lot of company in Hell.
And prayer, how important is that?!
We have taken it out of school!!
"All" this dark world will be under judgment,
"We the Church" is to be a light to lead people out of darkness.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Peter 2:9.
We're strangers and pilgrims. We should walk that way, but the world, Apostasy, and pride has crept in the Church.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
We parallel with Sodom in more ways than just Homosexuality. Look at the sins of Sodom here in
Ezekiel 16:49-50.
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
God has never done more for a nation than what he done for Israel, but look what he says about Israel.
Ezekiel 16:48. As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
They had written laws by the hand of God that had no need to be AMENDED!. Laws written on stone condemned the word!!
Us like them started with written laws we never held true to.
But now we have in the Church what the world nations never had and never will,
THE HOLYSPIRIT IN US. A Royal priesthood, A Holy Nation, Called out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Hi Carleton, as I read your worthy comments & considered the world's condition & the temporal residence of the believer here, the verses that continually came to mind are in Matthew 5:13-16:
"Ye are the SALT of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the LIGHT of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Regardless of far removed the world has gone from the holy requirements of the Lord, as children of the Light we must continue to beam out its rays to a world overcome in darkness. The world must never lose that witness of God's Presence & Love that they may come to know Him & have a mighty standard before them to reveal their gross errors & departure from the Truth. However, with the Church at large resembling more of the world than the Holy Body of Christ (by its Love, Purity & sharing the Gospel), the focus ought to be turned upon ourselves first to see how dim our light beam has become & how savourless our lives have been to the world. God will use our lives to be witnesses of His Grace but unless we walk as children of that Light & affecting the world around us in some way, our lives are near to being useless & all we do is to live for our comfort & security in our 'holy huddles', alienating ourselves from a desperate dark perishing world. We ought to "be hated of all men" - then we know that the world of darkness is being shaken by God's Light. But unfortunately, we prefer to be loved by all. Every blessing to you brother in the Truth.
Hello Chris, I agree that things will not go well for an individual or individual's country the more they turn by the hardness of their hearts or agreements and promises of God. However, 1 Peter 2:9-12 , gives us a better hope and rest as well as expectation. We need as Christians to abstain from fleshly lusts to keep our stranger and pilgrim status and protect our soul from the world. The decay of the world in sin is expected because it is not our home because God gave His only Son for us who is in Heaven. So whom is the minority? the stranger or the worldling? But we as Christians can have an honest walk (our conversation) for the hope that they too may someday glorify God in the day of visitation. We as strangers and pilgrims are the chosen generation and the peculiar people and by our Faith we protect the world in time continuing for others like ourselves who were once in darkness to be called out of the same by repentance and faith. My belief is the more we participate in trying to outwardly hold the world in order the more we are quickening it's end and thereby upsetting the harvest.
When a government no longer has God's Word at its base & to be used for administering proper conduct & justice for its citizens, it has then descended into the deceptions & grips of Satan believing it is serving the people well.
And this applies not only to America which has had a strong foundation on God's Laws & some God-fearing men but to many other countries who are so deceived. When the voices of the people (often the minorities) move the government rather than the clear mandate from God & clear code of conduct for righteous living & governing no matter what the era, then society begins to collapse both morally & spiritually. And so what we have today are countries who believe that their citizens are now well served by fairness, equality, & opportunities for all, but care not at all for the real reasons for the rampant crime, breakdown of societal values, & complete disregard for the God Who was once permitted to fill the hearts & minds of His appointed leaders. It is very pleasing to see your strong stand Tomas, & your correct perceptions of depraved societies that we have now, glossed over with niceties that obscure their true condition.
There has been a moral collapse in America of colossal proportions. America has gone from a morally healthy, God-fearing country to a world center of gross depravity and immorality, a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah. We live in a country that has lost its moral bearings, a country that doesn't know right from wrong. It is a society where shocking, numbing, gut-wrenching things are happening. Our supreme court has openly affirmed the dominance of the rights of gays. Our country has openly taken its stand - a stand against Goodness, Righteousness, and Morality. It has affirmed its commitment to Immorality and Depravity.
The position of the Bible on homosexuality is crystal clear. There is no ambiguity in it. Its position is that it is the wickedness of the n-th degree, that it leads to hell, that those who practice it will be damned.
Homosexuality is a grievous sin and has severe consequences, including AIDS, STDs, etc. Homosexuality is demonic, and any who practice shall be cast into the lake of fire and burn and be devoured by the worm--for eternity.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Just to add to the other brothers' good comments & to present another dimension to this difficult & awkward matter: I believe that if a person is convicted over sin or in the case you presented, if one should approach you to ask of a biblical perspective of the matter, then one is rightly obligated to reveal God's Word to them in a gentle, loving way that presents the Heart of God to gather in & save all sinners.
But if I could direct you to God's unchanged determination. When God declared the 'moral' laws & requirements to His people, it wasn't because the people suggested it to Him & wanted instruction, but that God took the initiative to give His people moral direction & the penalty that resulted through disobedience. What we have today, is that God's Word, indeed the Living God Himself, is no longer in the minds of the people, but that "every man does what is right in his own eyes" (as Israel often did). What should have been the foundation & pursuit of governments to hold onto God's directions for mankind, has become to pass laws that reflect community inclinations & desires & the voices of the 'academics' that present the result of their studies & their imaginations.
So when the committing of adultery, murder, striking one's parents, witchcraft/divination, incest, homosexuality, etc. were brought before Moses & others, the death penalty was given. How far we have moved from God's requirement for such sins. Instead, many of these sins are seen as a normal part of human behaviour & not subject to any laws. As far as I know, only Islam pursues these actively. And so over time, society has been conditioned to accept such behaviours & sins as acceptable. So what I'm saying here, is that in a society as we are in now, it would be very difficult to promote God's requirements when even the acceptance of a God in Heaven or His moral code for us is both unknown & unacceptable. If someone enquires of this, then the Word & your explanation of it can only be shared.
Here's a verse to consider when witnessing to those in question and when using those great scriptures Brother Adam gave.
Often when we try helping someone or pointing out some wrong in them, then they seem to get offended and turn the focus on you,
Here's Paul:
Galatians 6:1 (KJV) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Note:
"He that is spiritual."
"considering thyself."
Listen at the Lord:
Matthew 7:2-4 (KJV) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Please understand I'm saying anyone's a hypocrite,
I'm saying THAT WE DO MINISTER TO PEOPLE IN A WE TO RESTORE THEM OR/AND TO LEAD THEM TO SALVATION.
"Using the word of God and you're not condemning. The truth and the word is simply being displayed.
I personally think it's our duty to be a instrument that bares light, and if my light is dim it's me lacking spirituality in my life but THE WORD REMAINS TRUE.
Hopefully someone else can shed more light on this.
As far as whether appropriate to call out others' sin, I personally would not in most situations. If openly called out to someone's face or in public, I think it sometimes has the opposite effect, because someone may be viewed as 'judging' others, and since everyone is imperfect, you may be highly scrutinized and the next time you sin yourself or make the slightest mistake you might be branded as a 'hypocrite' and their perception of Christianity may be even lower than before.
I personally think everyone is born with right and wrong- a moral conscience. When people who don't know God commit sin they usually feel guilt in my opinion. I think only through conditioning can this be suppressed. I think people know homosexuality is unnatural and wrong and will have feelings of guilt already that they have to suppress in order to continue that. I think the same guilt is present for a variety of perversions like sodomy, incest, bestiality. Of course those committing it will defend it rigorously with a logical fallacy by claiming you're denying them the ability to 'love', but obviously it's the act itself. People are commanded to love everyone as ourselves. Love the sinner, hate the sin. ButI personally think the best strategy is to love others and withhold your comments until you build rapport and if you show you care they someday may ask you your opinion and you may at that time have credibility. No one would be alive today without the symbiosis of male/female.
What does The Bible say about someone being gay ? Homosexual and telling them that it is against God am I wrong for doing This? What Bible verses can I share ? Where does it say woman was created for man from his rib ? man is not to lay with man ? Woman is not to lay with woman ? man and woman was made for each other ?
Rick, rather than analyse the two scenarios you gave, we could look at the human emotions & responses that we give to external influences. We often categorize such emotions as being good or evil; that we should cleave to the one & avoid the other. But is that the correct way to consider them?
Often such emotions & resulting responses are not necessarily bad or evil in themselves: they're dependent on the reason for it & the manner in which it is given. Even Love: we often see that as a good emotion to have & the highest form of expression to another. But Love could also be carnal & not for the other's benefit but maybe because of self-centredness. Or, Honesty: 'honesty is the best policy' is the adage, but one wouldn't share all the good & bad of a person when an enquiry is made - one could then be accused of being judgemental or biased. Obedience: a good trait, but should we then obey the Devil or one who's leading us into error?
You mentioned Anger. Anger is also one that can be good or bad. We have to ask: 'for what reason are we found with anger in our hearts?' Are we angry because our sins/weaknesses have been exposed or are we angry because God's Name is defamed or someone has been treated badly or unfairly? And then comes Vengeance (as you asked): this is one emotion/action that falls into the 'bad' category. Vengeance can never be good as it requires one to commit a wrong to try & correct a (supposed) wrong. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19. This is one emotion/action that we have to withdraw from as only God can deal properly with the perpetrator of the wrong.
So David's emotion of Obedience & Anger would be justified, if his only desire was obedience to God & having the same emotion as God had towards idolators or the enemy. And Jesus' venting of Love or Anger too, can be seen for His Love for the Father, being in one Mind with Him, & angered at the abuse of the Temple of worship & prayer - yet He loved the people.
Sometimes it helps to use the word SEARCH box. Search wrath, anger, backbiting. You get the whole panorama on the word and it's use in a sentence.
Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Question I have. When king David led Israel's army to defeat all enemies, clear the land of inhabitants so Israel could live in the land promised by God, can we say David's motive was love and obedience or anger and vengeance? Also, when Jesus cleared the temple of money changers and vendors was His motive love and obedience or anger?
How can we use our mouths (voices) to speak what is good or bad?
The mouth is used for speaking:
To speak what is good
Proverbs 10:11 See also Job 16:5; Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
To praise
Psalm 71:8 See too Psalm 89:1--"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations."
Romans 15:6 (NLT) -- "Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To testify about God
Psalm 71:15 Compare Romans 10:10 (NLT) -- "For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved."
To speak what is bad
Psalm 10:7 other references: 1 Samuel 2:3 --
"Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed."
Proverbs 5:3 --
"For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil" -- NIV
Proverbs 7:21 -- New King James Version
"With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him."
Luke 6:45 Jesus said, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
I agree that Cain inherited his sinful nature from Adam. Before Adam & Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good & evil they knew no sin because they were made in the image of God. It was only after they ate from the tree that they new good & evil.
Jesus is our role model on how we [should] live. [If] it was [impossible] for us to [sin no more] then Jesus wouldn't of commanded us to [do] it.
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: [sin no more], lest a worse thing come unto thee.
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and [sin no more].
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we [keep] his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
John 15:10 [If] ye [keep] my commandments, ye [shall] abide in my love; even as I have [kept] my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, [if] we [keep] his commandments.
Leviticus 22:31 Therefore shall ye [keep] my commandments, and [do] them: I am the LORD.
John 14:15 [If] ye love me, [keep] my commandments.
Leviticus 26:3 [If] ye walk in my statutes, [and keep] my commandments, and [do] them;
Numbers 15:40 That ye may remember, and [do] [all] my commandments, and [be holy] unto your God.
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, [and keep all] my commandments [always], that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Proverbs 7:2 [Keep] my commandments, and [live]; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto [thousands] of them that [love me], [and keep] my commandments.
Deuteronomy 5:10 And shewing mercy unto [thousands] of them that [love me] [and keep] my commandments.
Deuteronomy 11:27 A blessing, [if] ye [obey] the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day.
Not only does this proverb use the example of a man giving into sexual desire, I can't help but to hear Satan beguiling Eve in the garden and she ultimately falling out of favor with God because of it. And then suckering Adam into the same trap. At the end of the day, this is a great example of how Satan constantly tries to beguile born again believers into his traps of sin and bondage, whether it be sexual sin, drunkenness, greed, or whatever sin we are prone to be weak for. No matter how beautiful an opportunity may be, we must never be so quick to "Jump into bed" with every opportunity that is presented to us. If we would only be strong enough to respond in true Christ Likeness Character, we would respond in the same manner that Jesus responded to Satan when he was tempted in the wilderness.... "It is written"....
I pray that everyone who struggles with temptations be strong enough to withstand the devils offers on Jesus Name.
GOD's WORD says seek & you shall find, knock & it shall be opened, Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9, Luke 1:37, Luke 18:27, Mark 10:27,
Ask & you shall receive, say with your mouth believe with your heart & it will happen. Mark 9:23, John 16:23,24, John 14:13,14, John 15:16,
Mark 11:22-26,
That doesn't just apply to believers GOD even gives people over Romans 1:18-32,
Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 11:6,
Mark 14:36,
James 4:3,
James 4,
Please stay within scripture, write it upon your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3, Deuteronomy 11:18, Proverbs 3:3,
Mark 7:9, Mark 7:13, Colossians 2:8,
Hopefully these are helpful & insightful
one who has none. Verse 7 a youth void of understanding [this word means no heart] who is lured by someone
with no heart and the ends are destruction to his soul.
Matthew 23:33
Luke 10:15
Luke 16:23
Psalms 86:13
Proverbs 7:27
Psalms 9:17
Psalm 16:10
Revelations 1:18
2 Peter 2:4
Matthew 16:28
Revelations 20:14
Luke 12:5
Psalms 139:8
Please note this is not a complete study, there are many more scriptures on this subject & while reading these, please read around the noted scriptures for best understanding.
Hopefully this is helpful for seeking truth.
Someone who is born again, stops all the plans God had for your life. Maybe you're old and sick?
You don't even know how your life impacts others.
There's a link on this website: BECOME A CHRISTIAN. See.I think if you're going to throw your life away, you should just give it to Jesus.
Don't be hasty. Jesus is returning real real soon.
We're going to see signs and events that positively mean Everything he said about it, is true. We've all come this far. Why skip the best part.
Check out that link. K? I was gonna take my life too. (36 yrs ago). I stuck it out. I'm happier than puppies playing in a mud puddle.
Keep coming back in here. God uses people like me and you. It's gets better.
Mishael
Which I have repented of.
Thank you brother.
I believe Homosexuality and same sex marriage has overtaken the nation to where its the norm, And being legalized by the government that is when our cup is filled!!
Not to mention abortion!!
We have a lot of blood on our hands from the beginning,
Unrepentant Homsexuals is going to have a lot of company in Hell.
And prayer, how important is that?!
We have taken it out of school!!
"All" this dark world will be under judgment,
"We the Church" is to be a light to lead people out of darkness.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Peter 2:9.
We're strangers and pilgrims. We should walk that way, but the world, Apostasy, and pride has crept in the Church.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
We parallel with Sodom in more ways than just Homosexuality. Look at the sins of Sodom here in
Ezekiel 16:49-50.
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
God has never done more for a nation than what he done for Israel, but look what he says about Israel.
Ezekiel 16:48. As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
They had written laws by the hand of God that had no need to be AMENDED!. Laws written on stone condemned the word!!
Us like them started with written laws we never held true to.
But now we have in the Church what the world nations never had and never will,
THE HOLYSPIRIT IN US. A Royal priesthood, A Holy Nation, Called out of darkness into his marvellous light.
God bless you brothers.
Matthew 5:13-16 ,that you would confirm this in me as also one in Truth.
"Ye are the SALT of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the LIGHT of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Regardless of far removed the world has gone from the holy requirements of the Lord, as children of the Light we must continue to beam out its rays to a world overcome in darkness. The world must never lose that witness of God's Presence & Love that they may come to know Him & have a mighty standard before them to reveal their gross errors & departure from the Truth. However, with the Church at large resembling more of the world than the Holy Body of Christ (by its Love, Purity & sharing the Gospel), the focus ought to be turned upon ourselves first to see how dim our light beam has become & how savourless our lives have been to the world. God will use our lives to be witnesses of His Grace but unless we walk as children of that Light & affecting the world around us in some way, our lives are near to being useless & all we do is to live for our comfort & security in our 'holy huddles', alienating ourselves from a desperate dark perishing world. We ought to "be hated of all men" - then we know that the world of darkness is being shaken by God's Light. But unfortunately, we prefer to be loved by all. Every blessing to you brother in the Truth.
And this applies not only to America which has had a strong foundation on God's Laws & some God-fearing men but to many other countries who are so deceived. When the voices of the people (often the minorities) move the government rather than the clear mandate from God & clear code of conduct for righteous living & governing no matter what the era, then society begins to collapse both morally & spiritually. And so what we have today are countries who believe that their citizens are now well served by fairness, equality, & opportunities for all, but care not at all for the real reasons for the rampant crime, breakdown of societal values, & complete disregard for the God Who was once permitted to fill the hearts & minds of His appointed leaders. It is very pleasing to see your strong stand Tomas, & your correct perceptions of depraved societies that we have now, glossed over with niceties that obscure their true condition.
The position of the Bible on homosexuality is crystal clear. There is no ambiguity in it. Its position is that it is the wickedness of the n-th degree, that it leads to hell, that those who practice it will be damned.
In addition,to other Appropriate comments.
God said 'If any man lie with another man,They shall surely die'
He's not talkin about natural death,but Hell death.
the book of Leviticus is another,that shows God's decree's of this subject matter
just a reminder/suggestion,type in subject matter in this sights Search engine box.
It will bring up anywhere in the Bible that has those words.....
its the Best thing a computer can do
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
But if I could direct you to God's unchanged determination. When God declared the 'moral' laws & requirements to His people, it wasn't because the people suggested it to Him & wanted instruction, but that God took the initiative to give His people moral direction & the penalty that resulted through disobedience. What we have today, is that God's Word, indeed the Living God Himself, is no longer in the minds of the people, but that "every man does what is right in his own eyes" (as Israel often did). What should have been the foundation & pursuit of governments to hold onto God's directions for mankind, has become to pass laws that reflect community inclinations & desires & the voices of the 'academics' that present the result of their studies & their imaginations.
So when the committing of adultery, murder, striking one's parents, witchcraft/divination, incest, homosexuality, etc. were brought before Moses & others, the death penalty was given. How far we have moved from God's requirement for such sins. Instead, many of these sins are seen as a normal part of human behaviour & not subject to any laws. As far as I know, only Islam pursues these actively. And so over time, society has been conditioned to accept such behaviours & sins as acceptable. So what I'm saying here, is that in a society as we are in now, it would be very difficult to promote God's requirements when even the acceptance of a God in Heaven or His moral code for us is both unknown & unacceptable. If someone enquires of this, then the Word & your explanation of it can only be shared.
Here's a verse to consider when witnessing to those in question and when using those great scriptures Brother Adam gave.
Often when we try helping someone or pointing out some wrong in them, then they seem to get offended and turn the focus on you,
Here's Paul:
Galatians 6:1 (KJV) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Note:
"He that is spiritual."
"considering thyself."
Listen at the Lord:
Matthew 7:2-4 (KJV) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Please understand I'm saying anyone's a hypocrite,
I'm saying THAT WE DO MINISTER TO PEOPLE IN A WE TO RESTORE THEM OR/AND TO LEAD THEM TO SALVATION.
"Using the word of God and you're not condemning. The truth and the word is simply being displayed.
I personally think it's our duty to be a instrument that bares light, and if my light is dim it's me lacking spirituality in my life but THE WORD REMAINS TRUE.
Hopefully someone else can shed more light on this.
Fruit inspecting, restoring,
I hope that helps
God bless your thoughts.
Link
As far as whether appropriate to call out others' sin, I personally would not in most situations. If openly called out to someone's face or in public, I think it sometimes has the opposite effect, because someone may be viewed as 'judging' others, and since everyone is imperfect, you may be highly scrutinized and the next time you sin yourself or make the slightest mistake you might be branded as a 'hypocrite' and their perception of Christianity may be even lower than before.
I personally think everyone is born with right and wrong- a moral conscience. When people who don't know God commit sin they usually feel guilt in my opinion. I think only through conditioning can this be suppressed. I think people know homosexuality is unnatural and wrong and will have feelings of guilt already that they have to suppress in order to continue that. I think the same guilt is present for a variety of perversions like sodomy, incest, bestiality. Of course those committing it will defend it rigorously with a logical fallacy by claiming you're denying them the ability to 'love', but obviously it's the act itself. People are commanded to love everyone as ourselves. Love the sinner, hate the sin. ButI personally think the best strategy is to love others and withhold your comments until you build rapport and if you show you care they someday may ask you your opinion and you may at that time have credibility. No one would be alive today without the symbiosis of male/female.
Adam and Eve: Genesis 2:23
God bless...
Often such emotions & resulting responses are not necessarily bad or evil in themselves: they're dependent on the reason for it & the manner in which it is given. Even Love: we often see that as a good emotion to have & the highest form of expression to another. But Love could also be carnal & not for the other's benefit but maybe because of self-centredness. Or, Honesty: 'honesty is the best policy' is the adage, but one wouldn't share all the good & bad of a person when an enquiry is made - one could then be accused of being judgemental or biased. Obedience: a good trait, but should we then obey the Devil or one who's leading us into error?
You mentioned Anger. Anger is also one that can be good or bad. We have to ask: 'for what reason are we found with anger in our hearts?' Are we angry because our sins/weaknesses have been exposed or are we angry because God's Name is defamed or someone has been treated badly or unfairly? And then comes Vengeance (as you asked): this is one emotion/action that falls into the 'bad' category. Vengeance can never be good as it requires one to commit a wrong to try & correct a (supposed) wrong. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19. This is one emotion/action that we have to withdraw from as only God can deal properly with the perpetrator of the wrong.
So David's emotion of Obedience & Anger would be justified, if his only desire was obedience to God & having the same emotion as God had towards idolators or the enemy. And Jesus' venting of Love or Anger too, can be seen for His Love for the Father, being in one Mind with Him, & angered at the abuse of the Temple of worship & prayer - yet He loved the people.
Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Galatians 5:20
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Ephesians 2:3
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
The mouth is used for speaking:
To speak what is good
Proverbs 10:11 See also Job 16:5; Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."
To praise
Psalm 71:8 See too Psalm 89:1--"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations."
Romans 15:6 (NLT) -- "Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To testify about God
Psalm 71:15 Compare Romans 10:10 (NLT) -- "For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved."
To speak what is bad
Psalm 10:7 other references: 1 Samuel 2:3 --
"Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed."
Proverbs 5:3 --
"For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil" -- NIV
Proverbs 7:21 -- New King James Version
"With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him."
Luke 6:45 Jesus said, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
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I agree that Cain inherited his sinful nature from Adam. Before Adam & Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good & evil they knew no sin because they were made in the image of God. It was only after they ate from the tree that they new good & evil.
Jesus is our role model on how we [should] live. [If] it was [impossible] for us to [sin no more] then Jesus wouldn't of commanded us to [do] it.
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: [sin no more], lest a worse thing come unto thee.
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and [sin no more].
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we [keep] his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
John 15:10 [If] ye [keep] my commandments, ye [shall] abide in my love; even as I have [kept] my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
1 John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, [if] we [keep] his commandments.
Leviticus 22:31 Therefore shall ye [keep] my commandments, and [do] them: I am the LORD.
John 14:15 [If] ye love me, [keep] my commandments.
Leviticus 26:3 [If] ye walk in my statutes, [and keep] my commandments, and [do] them;
Numbers 15:40 That ye may remember, and [do] [all] my commandments, and [be holy] unto your God.
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, [and keep all] my commandments [always], that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Proverbs 7:2 [Keep] my commandments, and [live]; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto [thousands] of them that [love me], [and keep] my commandments.
Deuteronomy 5:10 And shewing mercy unto [thousands] of them that [love me] [and keep] my commandments.
Deuteronomy 11:27 A blessing, [if] ye [obey] the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day.
I pray that everyone who struggles with temptations be strong enough to withstand the devils offers on Jesus Name.
Resist the devil and he shall flee from you.
Amen.