Lesson : The Damnable Sin Of Self
Waiting for his first orthodontist appointment, a 12-year-old boy was a bit nervous. He was completing a patient questionnaire and apparently had high hopes of winning the dentists favor. In the space marked Hobbies he wrote, Swimming and flossing . That humorous story reflects how we all want to portray ourselves to others as better than we really are. We all want to make a good impression!
But when we do that, were forgetting something important, namely, that all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do . God knows the very thoughts and intentions of our hearts . Someday we will stand before Him to give an account of our lives. So we must judge our sins on the thought level. And especially we must be on guard against the damnable sin of self-righteousness.
In Romans 1:18-32, Paul indicts the Gentiles for their many sins: idolatry, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and a long list of destructive relational sins. Being a Jew and a former Pharisee, Paul knew that his fellow Jews would be sitting on the sidelines, cheering him on: Give it to those pagan sinners, Paul! They smugly would be thinking, Thank God that Im not like those awful Gentile sinners .
If you do not repent of your self-righteous hypocrisy, you are storing up wrath for the day of judgment.
What Does The Bible Say About Transgenderism
More By Kevin
Some would argue that the Bible says nothing about the explosion of the transgender phenomenon in the Western world. After all, there is no verse that says, Thou shalt not transition from a man to a woman. But neither are there any verses that talk explicitly about gun violence, anorexia, waterboarding, fossil fuels, vaccines, GMOs, HMOs, or Pokemon Go. We should not expect the Bible to speak in 21st century terms to every 21st-century eventuality.
But that hardly means the Bible provides no guidance for Christians trying to make sense of our transgender moment. In fact, when it comes to transgenderism, the Bible actually has a lot to saynot by a prooftext here or there but by a rich and pervasive understanding of gender and sexual identity.
Obviously, transgenderism, as a cultural trend, is massively complex, touching on fields as disparate as genetics, fashion, medicine, law, education, entertainment, athletics, and religious liberty. We need Christians thinking through, and talking to, all of these issues. We also need Christians patiently loving, counseling, and befriending those who feel that their psychological identity as male or female contradicts their assigned biological sex. In asking the question, What does the Bible say about transgenderism? we are asking a question that can take us in a dozen different directions.
And what is that understanding?
1. Gender Binary
Three Areas Of Sin Distinction
1. Greater harm Some sins cause greater levels of spiritual and physical harm than others. Jesus repeatedly gave strong warnings against harming others. For instance, He condemned the Pharisees for taking advantage of marginalized people like widows and He warned of great punishment for anyone who causes someone else to sin .
The mishandling of Gods Word is also a sin that causes great spiritual harm to others. Peter wrote that false teachers will bring swift punishment on themselves . And James wrote that those who teach Gods Word will be judged more strictly .
2. Greater knowledge Jesus taught that greater knowledge incurs greater punishment. Those who know more of Gods expectations, yet sins, will be judged more severely than those who dont know Gods expectations and commit the same sin .
The more we know about God, the more we are responsible to God.
3. Greater dishonor When Jesus stood trial before Pilate, He declared that the one who had handed Him over had committed a greater sin than Pilate who confirmed His death sentence . Whether Jesus meant the betrayer Judas, or the Jewish high priest, this guilty one blatantly rejected Jesus and submitted Him to great ridicule.
Like this rejection, some sin causes more harm to the name of Christ. Any blatant, unrepentant sin dishonors Gods name and harms the fellowship of the church .
So how does forgiveness factor in?
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What Does This Mean And Can Christians Get Tattoos
For those whose bodies already bear the marks of a pre-Christian past, take comfort: they are still part of personal testimony. In conversation with others who sport tattoos, they provide a natural avenue to discussing the gospel and demonstrating that the important change has taken place inwardly, where Christ has exquisitely and tenderly marked the inner person.
What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality
This article is an exploration of the specific passages that mention homosexual behaviour, but its important to remember that Gods blueprint for sexuality is interwoven throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. The passages below need to be set in the wider biblical framework of teaching on sex.
It is a surprise to many people to discover that there are only a handful of passages in the Bible that directly mention same-sex relationships. Yet despite its infrequent mention, where the subject does come up, the Bible has some very important things to say about it. We need to understand them if were to avoid the twin mistakes of homophobia and thinking God is indifferent about how we use our sexuality.
The first two passages that directly mention homosexuality come from the Old Testament, the other three are from the New Testament.
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In Our Struggle To Avoid And Overcome Sin It Is Vital That We Understand Exactly What It Is Let’s See How The Bible Defines Sin
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What exactly is sin? Do you understand how the Bible defines it? As Christians, we are to avoid sinbut how can we avoid sin if we don’t fully comprehend what it is?
The Bible defines sin in several scriptures, each of which gives us a better understanding of what it is. But, before we look at these scriptures that define sin, we should first understand what the word sin means.
Broader Definition Of Sin
We have seen one standard God has set for mankind: He expects obedience to His laws. God’s law defines acceptable behavior and actions, and, when we break the standard of God’s law, we step across the bounds He has set. But has God set other boundaries for us, other ways in which He defines sin? What about actions and behavior that aren’t covered by specific laws?
In 1 John 5:171 John 5:17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not to death.American King James Version×we find a much broader definition of sin: “All unrighteousness is sin . . .”
Other Bible versions help us more fully understand the meaning: “Every wrong action is sin” . “Every act of wrong-doing is sin” . “Any kind of wrongdoing is sin” . “All iniquity is sin” .
The basic thrust of this scripture is that, if any action or behavior is wrong, it is sin. The word translated “unrighteousness,” “wrong action,” “wrongdoing” and “iniquity” in these versions is the Greek adikia. The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words defines this word as “action that causes visible harm to other persons in violation of the divine standard” .
Other meanings of this word and its verb form are “evildoers,” “dishonest,” “unjust,” “wickedness,” “to be unfair,” “to harm,” “to mistreat,” “to hurt” and “to wrong ” .
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I Have A Friend Who Is Caught In A Sin I Care About Her So I Try To Talk To Her About It But She Just Says The Bible Says Not To Judge Am I Being Judgmental By Trying To Point Out Her Sin
Where dont judge comes from
Our world promotes the idea of tolerance. In fact, it seems the only sin is to say that someone else is wrong. The policy of tolerance promotes the unbiblical philosophy that truth is determined by each individual person, not by the moral absolutes of God.
Sadly, when people say, The Bible says not to judge, they usually desire the freedom to do what they want without you or their conscience getting in the way. This is dangerous thinking because unrepentant sin separates a person from God .
What Jesus means by dont judge
But does your friend have a point? Doesnt Jesus say, Dont judge?
Actually, yes. However, it is important to know what point Jesus is making. The section most often referenced about making judgments is Matthew 7:1-5:
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye.
Jesus says to remove the plank out of your own eye. Then you are in a position to judge in the sense of pointing out someones sin because you are concerned for that persons soul.
Transgressing The Law Of God
What, then, are the boundaries and standards God has set for us that define sin? The most basic definition of sin is in 1 John 3:41 John 3:4Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.American King James Version×: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” . Here God defines a boundary for mankind. He says that sin is transgressing His holy, spiritual law . Breaking that lawcrossing that divine boundary, that limit God set for usis sin.
When we look at 1 John 3:41 John 3:4Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.American King James Version×in other translations, we see another important perspective. Here’s how the New King James Version translates this verse: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” The word translated “lawlessness” is the Greek word anomia, meaning without law or against law. The concept conveyed here is that sin is active violation of God’s laws and basic moral principles. This refers to actions that are not just outside the bounds of God’s law, but actions that are in deliberate rebellion against those lawsdeliberately trampling on and rejecting that boundary.
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Shall We Continue In Sin
Paul demolished this dangerous line of thought in Romans 6. Christ died to free us from sin, not enable us to sin. When Jesus died, he was releasing us from our bondage to sin, because that is what sin is slavery. Sin is what separates us from God. Its damaging, and for the unredeemed, it is damning .
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7
So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound? Paul replies with a resounding God forbid . To desire to continue in sin shows a misunderstanding of this abundant grace and a contempt for Jesus sacrifice. Either we believe what God says is true or we dont. Either we take him at his word when he equates sin to death, or we do not believe him at all .
What is the point of the Christian faith if we get to pick and choose what we want to believe? Do we think God is that small, insignificant or somehow uninformed? Do we trifle with the very thing that God sent his Son to save us for? Do we misuse the grace that he gifted us with in his death and resurrection? Surely not.
Bible Verses About Technology
You canât escape technology.
Itâs a part of your everyday life.
Not in a scary sense like being watched by Big Brother from George Orwellâs classic book 1984. But in the sense that technology plays an essential role in your daily life.
From the time you wake up to the moment you hit the bed at night, you will live beneath the umbrella of technology. From the lights in your house, the smartphone in your pocket, and the clothes on your back, you benefit from technology.
Not only does technology play a significant role in your life. It also has a ubiquitous role in the presence of your church. Your worship facility, the church management software you use, your church app, and your online giving platform are all testaments to the benefits of technology you enjoy.
Since technology is akin to the air we breathe, some people are hitting the proverbial pause button and asking:
Are there downsides to technology?
Is the growing influence of social media bad for the Church?
Regardless if you consider yourself a futurist or envision life on the prairie, these are insightful questions you need to ask.
To get the right answer to these questions, you have to study the Bible verses about technology to get the lowdown from God. Itâs a good idea to hear what others have to say about this topic. But knowing what God has to say about technology is the anchor that will help you to navigate the use of it in your life and the life of your church.
- What is technology?
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If You Do Not Deal With Your Hard Unrepentant Heart You Are Storing Up Wrath For The Coming Day Of Gods Judgment
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Frederic Godet captures the grim irony of Pauls words, Every favor trampled under foot adds to the treasure of wrath which is already suspended over the heads of the impenitent people. James Boice pictures it as a miser who for years stores his horde of gold coins in the attic above his bed. Its his treasure. But then one night, the weight of all that gold breaks through the ceiling and comes crashing on his head, killing him. He thought he was storing up treasure, but he was only adding to his own judgment.
Its the same for the self-righteous person who presumes on Gods kindness and patience. He judges others, but does not judge his own sin. He goes on in his pride, thinking that his outward righteousness is amassing a great treasure in heaven. But, actually, he is amassing a treasure of wrath for the judgment day!
Note that Paul isnt talking here to idolaters or to the sexually immoral. Hes talking to the moral, religious person. Also, the day of wrath points to its certainty. There will be a day of wrath for those who have not repented of their sins, especially the sin of self-righteousness. Its on Gods calendar. He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness . Since it is absolutely certain, we need to be ready for it. How?
Talking To The Dead In The Bible
- The Old Testament teaches that believers are defiled by their attempts at communicating with the dead, a practice that is detestable to God.
- The New Testament instructs believers to seek guidance from God and his Spirit only.
- The Bible reveals that psychic experiences are real but demonic, and that deceiving sprits are counterfeits for the true Spirit of God.
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Does The Bible Say Not To Eat Pork
Bible Gateway Leviticus 11:: NIV. You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses they are unclean for you.
The Riches Of Gods Kindness Tolerance And Patience Should Lead You To Repentance Not To Presume On His Grace
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
In verse 4, Paul introduces a rhetorical question that brings to light the false assumptions of the person who is addressed in v. 3 . Paul is saying, If you think that you can get away with sin because God is kind, tolerant, and patient, youre greatly mistaken! His kindness should lead you to repentance, not to self-righteous complacency. If you go on sinning, presuming on His grace, youre only storing up wrath for the day of judgment .
Gods kindness, tolerance, and patience overlap somewhat, but have different nuances of meaning. His kindness points to the many good gifts that He bestows on this rebellious human race. He gives us air to breathe, food to eat, homes to live in, families that love us, beautiful scenery to enjoy, and bodies and minds that function as they are supposed to. He treats us far better than we deserve.
Gods tolerance points to the fact that He does not strike us dead instantly when we defiantly sin against Him. How many times we have known what is right and deliberately disobeyed! God could have struck us dead on hundreds of occasions and He would have been perfectly just, but He did not. He is tolerant.
Gods patience is similar to His tolerance. The word literally means long on wrath, or slow to anger. He gives us opportunity after opportunity to repent, without inflicting judgment.
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