admin – Page 14 – Ministry of Grace Church

Author: admin

2 Peter 2:17 – Refreshing, Cleansing Water

Posted on May 28, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:17

These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

Truth to Learn

The Bible is like refreshing, cleansing water to the soul.

Behind the Words

The word “mists” is translated from omichlē, meaning “a mist, a fog, or a cloud.” Peter’s meaning is most likely “a cloud.”

“Driven” is from alaunō, which means “to carry or to drive.”

The word “storm” is translated from lailaps, meaning “a whirlwind or a storm.”

“Blackest” is the translation of dzophos, meaning “doom or blackness.”

Finally, the word “darkness” is from the Greek word skotos, which means “obscurity or darkness.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has said many unkind things about these false teachers; now he boils it down to a couple of very picturesque images. He says that they are “wells without water,” and he says that they are “clouds driven by a storm.” These are both descriptions of something full of promise that never delivers. Imagine a person wandering in the arid wilderness who sees a well with the anticipation of securing a much needed drink of water only to find the well is dry. Likewise, imagine a farmer who has planted his crops in anticipation of a bountiful harvest seeing clouds appear with the promise of rain only to have the clouds blown away by a strong wind without dropping a bit of water.

Water is a necessity of life that is both soothing and refreshing, and it has a cleansing effect on dirty things. The Word of God is like water to us, refreshing and soothing our souls and cleansing us as we read and understand the message of the God of the Bible. Thirsty souls come to church to be refreshed and strengthened. However, when these false teachers get up to preach, instead of providing the refreshment and cleansing that the people need, they provide no water, only dried up words.

These false teachers promise the refreshing and cleansing effect of the Word of God, but what they deliver is “waterless,” like an empty well or a cloud without rain.

Peter then makes a proclamation about the end state of these false teachers. He says that the “blackest darkness is reserved for them.” The final state of these false teachers will be the enveloping darkness of eternity without the light of God. We often think of the fiery torture of the lake of fire as the worst punishment that can happen to a lost soul, but the total separation from the light of God (for God is light according to 1 John 1:5) with no prospect for reconciliation for all of eternity is worse yet. Blackest darkness, indeed!

Challenge

Let me encourage each of you to earnestly desire the light of the Word of God. Learn to crave it as you do food and water. Make it part of your every day diet, not just an occasional snack. Let me also encourage you to seek out a church where the word of truth is preached, holding fast to the fundamental truths contained in the Bible, where those who open up the Word to you each week do so because it is their ministry, not their source of income!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:

2 Peter 2:16 – Donkey Speak

Posted on May 27, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:16

But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Truth to Learn

Following God’s leading may be hard, but it is the best way.

Behind the Words

The word translated “wrongdoing” is paranomia. This is a compound word made up of para, meaning “against or opposed to” and nomos, meaning “law.” Hence, paranomia refers to action that is, as we might say, “against the law.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we talked about the prophet Balaam who “loved the wages of unrighteousness.” We talked about how he initially refused to go with Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites as they were about to enter the promised land. The reason that he refused is because God told him not to go. When Balak promised him great honor and riches, Balaam decided to go with them after all.

He traveled on a donkey, and part way to his destination the Angel of the Lord stood in the road and the donkey refused to go forward but turned aside into the field instead. As a result, Balaam struck his donkey and brought him back into the road. Then the Angel of the Lord stood in the road in a narrow spot with walls on either side of the road. When the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, he refused to go forward and turned into the wall, smashing Balaam’s foot against the wall. In response Balaam again struck his donkey. Then the Angel of the Lord stood in yet another place where there was no way for the donkey to turn either way, so the donkey simply lay down. At this point Balaam struck the donkey with his staff. Here is what happened then, from Numbers chapter 22.

And Jehovah opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have beaten me these three times?”

Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of Jehovah standing in the way, and His sword drawn in His hand. And he bowed down his head, and fell on his face.

As a result, the Angel of the Lord allowed Balaam to proceed but strictly charged him to only speak the words that were given him from God. Balaam did go to Balak and when told to curse the Israelites, he blessed them instead because those were the words given him from God.

The point that Peter is making is that the false teachers of his day and of ours are willing to preach their own message instead of the message that God wants to be preached, and they do so for personal gain. They know that a message of acceptance and tolerance will attract many more listeners (and their money) than a message of willful submission and obedience to God as the supreme authority for our lives and actions.

Application

Which do you want from your pastor? Do you want a message that will make you feel good and allow you to indulge in the sinful practices of your flesh? Or, do you want a message that is straight from the Word, a message that demands obedience and submission to the Spirit of God?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:15 – The Straight Path

Posted on May 26, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:15

They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Truth to Learn

Follow the path God leads you on no matter how much fame and fortune are promised you.

Behind the Words

The words “wandered off” are translated from planaō, meaning “to roam, to go astray, to leave the right way.”

“Follow” is the translation of the Greek word exakoloutheō, a compound word made up of ex, used here as an intensifier, and akoloutheō, meaning “to accompany or to follow.” Hence this word means “to intensely follow” or “to imitate.”

Meaning Explained

In the close of the last verse and the first part of this verse, Peter said that these false teachers are “an accursed brood who have left the straight way and wandered off.” The way of righteousness in our traversing this world is often portrayed as walking down a path. We all have the option of following the straight path or of blazing our own path apart from the road God wants us to travel. These false teachers have gone one step farther. Not only have they left the path God has for them, but they have led others off the right way unto their own path. Though it may seem like a better way, it never works out so.

Instead, Peter says, these teachers have followed “the path of Balaam the son of Beor.” Let’s look at this prophet of the Old Testament and see what he did. This event occurred just as the children of Israel were about to enter into the Promised Land. You can read about it in Numbers 22:1-24:25. The Israelites were in the land of the Moabites just across the Jordan River from Jericho. Balak, the king of Moab, was afraid of the Israelites and called for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites so that the Moabites could attack them and destroy them.

Initially Balaam refused to come because Jehovah had instructed him that these were “blessed” people and they were not to be cursed. When Balak heard that Balaam refused to come, he offered Balaam great wealth and great honor if he would curse the people of Israel. Balaam then agreed to go with them knowing full well that God had forbidden him from cursing the Israelites.

Balaam was more persuaded by wealth and honor than he was by direct revelation from God himself. He was willing to “go along” with the evil doers even though he knew it to be wrong. It appears that Balaam’s intention was to not curse the Israelites, but he went along anyway because of his fleshly desire for fame and fortune.

There is a very real warning contained in this event. Do not stray from the path that God has laid out for you no matter what the price. Do not let the allurement of fame and fortune turn you from the straight way. Not only will the riches not satisfy you, but you will find that you are acting in direct opposition to God, and He will not bless your actions.

Application

The straight path does not always appear to be the easiest or even the best, but we can trust God when he gives us direction. Let us learn to be sensitive to the prodding of the Spirit so that we can overcome the allurements of our own sinfulness and obey the One who knows the best path for us!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:14 – Greedy Practice

Posted on May 25, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:14

With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!

Truth to Learn

False teachers serve themselves, not those whom they teach.

Behind the Words

The word translated “seduce” is deleadzō, which means “to entrap with bait.” It is a picture of a fisherman (like Peter) who baits a hook with the intent of ensnaring the fish.

“Unstable” is translated from astēriktos, which is made up of the privative a and stēridzō, meaning “firm or established.” Hence, this word means “unstable, unsteady, or unsettled.”

The word “experts” is from gumnadzō, which means “to practice.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense which implies past completed action with an ongoing effect. In other words, they are “well practiced.”

“Greed” is translated from the Greek word pleonexia, which refers to “covetousness or greediness.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has been quite open in his condemnation of these false teachers, and he has still more to say about them. He says that they have “eyes full of adultery,” which can be literally translated as “eyes full of an adulteress.” What he is saying is that even at these feasts where they are ostensibly “fellowshipping with other believers,” these false teachers cannot even look upon a woman without lustful thoughts. They are, as Peter has said previously, totally consumed in their fleshly lusts, and now he also says that they “never stop sinning;” they allow their eyes to lead their souls into sin without any hindrance whatsoever.

Once again, let me remind you that, outwardly, these false teachers are pious and righteous, pretending to teach the word of truth but instead they are corrupting the message, turning it into their own message instead of God’s message. Their purpose, of course, is to satisfy their own desires for power, possessions, and passion. These false teachers are preying on the souls of immature or unstable Christians with a message that, instead of freeing them, is entrapping them further in their ways of sin. And, these false teachers were well practiced in greedy covetousness.

These false teachers are not at all what they appear to be. Perhaps they do not even recognize what it is that is driving them. Instead of being caring and loving shepherds of the flock entrusted to them, they are more focused on what they can get out of the flock than what they can give to the flock. Their message may sound, innocent, and comforting, but their real purpose is not to meet the spiritual needs of the flock but to meet their own physical needs.

Application

The next time you hear a message that doesn’t seem quite right, let me urge you to be like the Christians of Berea in Acts 17:11 who “searched the scriptures daily to see whether these things are so.” Do not assume that because they are in the pulpit they have some special revelation from God regarding the truth of the Word. Check it out yourself and let the Spirit of God teach you.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:13 – Life of the Party

Posted on May 22, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:13

They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.

Truth to Learn

When harsh criticism is given of others, we need to ensure that we are not guilty of the same misdeeds.

Behind the Words

The first occurrence of the word “pleasure” is hēdonē, from which we get our English word hedonism. This Greek word refers to “physical pleasure, gratification, or enjoyment.”

“Carouse” is from the Greek word truphē, meaning “to be made weak by luxury which destroys the integrity of body and mind.”

“Reveling” is from entruphaō (having the same root as truphē), which means “to indulge or revel in luxuries.”

The word “pleasures” toward the end of this verse is from the Greek word apatē, actually meaning “delusion or deception.”

Meaning Explained

Peter continues his condemning description of the actions of these false teachers. This is a tricky verse to translate, so let’s look at it carefully. We also have to tie it to the previous verse to get the full meaning. My translation of the end of the previous verse and this one is:

And like beasts they too will perish, suffering wrong as the reward of unrighteousness. Considering the self- indulgence of the daytime to be pleasure, they are stains and blemishes indulging in their delusions while feasting with you.

“Suffering wrong as the reward of unrighteousness” This is a reference to what will happen when they perish and are judged by God. It should be encouraging to us as we see the ungodly seemingly getting away with, even being rewarded for, their evil deeds. Peter says that these false teachers will get what they deserve when all is said and done.

“Considering the self indulgence of the daytime to be pleasure.” These people believe in indulging themselves in pleasurable things all day long. And lest we get too self-righteous, consider that this is precisely what advertising is telling us everywhere we look: “live for pleasure, and live for today, not worrying about what it will cost tomorrow.”

“They are stains and blemishes indulging in their delusions while feasting with you” Peter is saying that these people indulge themselves in activities that they consider appropriate but that are morally wrong. And, these false teachers do such things with the pretense of fellowshipping and celebrating with you in church. But all the while they are deceiving you so as to keep you around, not for what they can give you spiritually, but for what you can give them materially.

Application

In light of Peter’s harsh condemnation of the false teachers of his day, let’s examine ourselves, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11. Let’s determine what our own motives really are. Are they selfish and self-seeking? Or, are they submissive and God-serving? Before we cast the speck out of our brother’s eye, let us deal with the beam in our own eye!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:12 – God’s Precious Word

Posted on May 20, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:12

But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.

Truth to Learn

Those who do not respect God’s word will perish.

Behind the Words

The expression “brute beasts” comes from the Greek aloga zōa. Aloga means “one who does not reason” or “irrational” and zōa (from which we get our English word zoo) refers to “a living creature or “an animal.” Hence they are irrational animals.

“Creatures of instinct” is translated from phusikos, meaning “natural, yielding only to animal instincts.”

The words “destroyed” and “perish” are both from the root phthora, meaning “corruption, destruction, ruin, or decay.” It is a picture of a piece of rotting fruit sitting out in the hot sun; in fact, Peter uses words from this root three times in this verse. A literal translation of the end of this verse is “they shall utterly perish in their corruption.” In other words, “in their rottenness, they shall completely rot away.”

Meaning Explained

Peter now gives a very graphic description of these false teachers, what drives them, and what will ultimately happen to them. He says that they are “like brute beasts, creatures of instinct” In other words, Peter says that they are irrational animals who are totally controlled by physical impulses and desires without intellectual reasoning of any kind. And, like animals, they were born only to be caught and destroyed, which is precisely what God will do to them at the end of their lives.

He also says “these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand.” These teachers are not at all shy about condemning and speaking evil of others, even though they have no real understanding of the things about which they speak so disrespectfully.

Peter is not very kind at all in his description of these false teachers. He says they take the precious message of hope and peace from a loving God and turn it into a watered down, warm and fuzzy, feel-good-about-yourself message that is designed simply to provide for their own physical desires. These foolish people are totally missing the spiritual implications of what they are supposed to be doing. Peter says that they will rot like spoiled fruit.

We all have jobs to provide income to feed and clothe us and our families. These false teachers saw their ministry as simply a job, and they were just making a living. So what’s wrong with that? Anyone who teaches or preaches the Word of God should not be doing what they do because it is a job or to earn a living. They need to recognize that it is a ministry that they are entrusted with by God, the Creator of heaven and earth. It is a sacred responsibility with eternal consequences both for the minister and those being ministered to.

Application

How do you view the Word of God? Do you look at the Bible with respect and awe; a message for mankind from God Himself?

Keep in mind that God will not treat with kindness those who treat His message as anything but precious and sacred!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:11 – Lord, or Just Savior

Posted on May 19, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:11

yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.

Truth to Learn

We all need to recognize what spiritual authority we are under.

Behind the Words

“Angels” is a transliteration of the Greek word angelos, meaning “a messenger.”

Meaning Explained

Lest we forget, the people that Peter is now talking about are those false teachers who despise the ones in authority, especially those who are in spiritual authority over them. These false teachers were not afraid of the principalities and powers, and they even spoke evil of them. Peter now contrasts that with the attitude of the spirit beings themselves, the angels.

Let’s look at these spirit beings for a minute. There are differing ranks among the angels. There are those who are simply called “angels,” like those who appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Christ; there are a few, like Michael, who are called archangels, having a superior position to the others; and there are cherubs and seraphs that seem to have special functions around the throne of God. There are also those angels referred to as “principalities,” translated from the Greek archai, meaning “those who are chiefs among the rest.”

Peter says that even angels, who are greater in power and might than the false teachers who freely blaspheme higher powers, do not bring a slanderous accusation against those with spiritual dominion over them. Peter may be referring to an incident that is mentioned in the book of Jude. Jude also talks about false teachers who have crept into the church and who have spread destructive heresies. Also, like Peter, he talks about how these false teachers do not respect the spiritual hierarchy.

Satan (the Devil) was once one of the top angelic beings and he was described as “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12) before his fall, and he remains a powerful force among the spirit beings, higher and more powerful than even Michael the archangel. Jude speaks of Michael’s encounter with Satan regarding the body of Moses.

But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9)

Michael, though he is a powerful and mighty archangel, would not bring an accusation against Satan who is more powerful, and mightier. Instead, he left the rebuking up to the even more powerful God.

Angels will not bring a reproaching accusation against another angel, but these false teachers will freely blaspheme them before the Lord. These false teachers don’t understand the very things they claim to have mastery over. Instead, as Peter will say in a later verse, they are “speaking out arrogant words of vanity…” and God will judge them for it!

Application

The false teachers that Peter has been talking about were not submitted to the lordship of Almighty God. They may have been great teachers. but without having been submitted to God’s authority, their teaching was empty vanity. In fact, none of us can be mightily used by God unless we’re submitted to His lordship. Is Jesus Christ your Lord, or just your Savior?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:10 – Selfish or Submitted?

Posted on May 18, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:10

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings;

Truth to Learn

Some false teachers only care about their own desires.

Behind the Words

The words “corrupt desire” are translated from the Greek words, epithumia miasmou. The word epithumia refers to “overly strong desires” or “lusts.” The other word, miasmou means “contaminated or polluted.” We could translate these two words as “perverse lusts.”

The words “despise authority” are from the Greek words kuriotētos kataphronountos. The first of these is from the root, kurios which means “lord or master” and the other is a compound word made up of kata, meaning “against” or denoting evil and phroneō which means “to think or have a mindset.” Hence these words mean “to think evil of their masters” or “to despise authority.”

“Not afraid to slander celestial beings” is translated from doxas ou tremousin. The word doxas means “glories” or “glorious ones.” The word ou means “not” and tremousin means “to dread” or “to be terrified of.” Hence, it literally means, “they have no dread of the glorious ones.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has just told us that the Lord knows how to keep the ungodly from escaping the judgment that is due them. Now he says that this is especially true of these false teachers, those who “follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature.” They have a way of life that caters to their appetites, especially their perverse lusts. They have so allowed their lusts to overpower them that they have become corrupt and perverse. Yet, in their mind, their actions seem normal.

Peter also says that they “despise authority.” These are people who don’t like anyone telling them what to do; that is, they don’t have respect for authority, either civil or religious. They certainly don’t want a God who tells them what to do, so they invent a theology that gives them control over their god.

But Peter doesn’t stop here. He continues to describe these false teachers as “bold and arrogant;” that is, they think far too highly of themselves. He also says that they “…are not afraid to slander celestial beings” In other words, these false teachers have no fear of those who are worthy of praise and glory and will freely slander or blaspheme them.

Wow! Peter certainly doesn’t pull any punches when he talks about these false teachers. They have become self-absorbed and self-seeking. Their entire focus is inward instead of God-ward. For the most part, however, these false teachers appear outwardly good and honorable, hiding the reality of their desires behind a façade of devoted religiosity.

We have talked in the past about the fact that the central notion of sinfulness is really “self-ness,” making our own decisions and considering only ourselves. That’s the opposite of submission to God.

Application

Now, the question is, are you submitted to God, or are you more like these false teachers who serve their own overpowering desires? Only you can answer these questions. Think carefully before you answer, and be honest with God.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:9 – Lord and Master?

Posted on May 14, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:9

if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

Truth to Learn

If you’re a Christian, God is your master and you are his servant.

Behind the Words

The word translated “Lord” in verse one is despotes, from which we get our English word “despot.” It means “one who possesses supreme authority.”

“Temptation” in this verse is from peirasmos, which means “a putting to the test.” This word is only used of people.

The word “judgment” is from the Greek word, krisis, which means “a tribunal.”

Meaning Explained

Peter now returns to his message about false teachers. In the preceding few verses he gave us examples of how God dealt with people who rejected His lordship just as the false teachers have. Now he makes a summary statement about this notion.

Before we look at it, though, let’s spend a minute talking about what it is that the false teachers have done wrong. The answer is back in verse one, “denying the Lord who bought them.” The root of their problem, Peter says, is that they refused to submit to the Lordship of the One who paid for their sins. Rather than believing that God is all powerful and able to do as He pleases, these teachers tried to bring God down to their own level.

This is nothing more than “big man, little god” theology that has been espoused by churches throughout the ages. It has been expressed in many ways, most of which sound reasonable, some of which are well intentioned, and some are out and out heresies. Whatever the case, the ultimate result is to draw people away from the type of relationship that God wants into the type of relationship that man thinks he wants.

One of the subtle points that Peter is making is that God is the one in control, not man. We are not able to control these false teachers, but God is able. That’s what these examples which Peter has just given us are all about. He now makes the summary statement that not only does God know how to deliver the godly out of temptation, but He also knows how to keep the ungodly from escaping. They will be judged and they will be punished!

It’s interesting that this verse does not say that God will keep us from being tested; it says that when we are tested God will deliver us out of it. He will deliver the Godly out of their time of testing, but He will not allow the unjust ones, those who deny His lordship, to escape the Day of Judgment. That is, the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of days where all the ungodly will be cast into the lake of fire.

The point is that these false teachers, who are teaching a theology laden with humanistic ideas and subtly denying who is really in supreme control, will eventually be judged by the Master himself.

Application

God is not looking for eloquent leaders; He is looking for submitted and committed followers. He is the Lord and Master and He wants His followers to recognize Him as their Master and to proclaim this truth. Is that what you do?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:8 – Tortured By Sinfulness

Posted on May 13, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:8

(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

Truth to Learn

Living in the midst of sin is torture for a committed Christian.

Behind the Words

The word “tormented” comes from the Greek word basanidzō, which means “an examination by torture.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verses we talked about the wickedness of Sodom and its affect on Lot. According to verse seven God delivered “righteous Lot” who had been worn down by the lustful behavior of the lawless people of the city.

Today’s verse reiterates the fact that the actions of the people of Sodom had a tormenting and debilitating effect on Lot. Peter starts off this verse restating Lot’s righteousness as if to make the point that, in spite of his constant exposure to and oppression from the acts of the inhabitants of Sodom, Lot was indeed righteous. But he was not at peace!

The verse tells us that as Lot was living among these people, day after day, he was seeing their actions and hearing them talk about them. Apparently the thoughts and actions of the people of Sodom were constantly focused on their sinful lusts. I can just imagine all their billboards and all of their television commercials were laden with sexual innuendos and overt sexuality. I can imagine their Wall Street advertisers saying, “Sex sells our products.”

Today’s society, like Sodom of old, is controlled by lust. What we see today is a world totally focused on eating, drinking, partying, and sexuality. The effects of it are all around us, from alcoholism and drug abuse to an epidemic of obesity, to the blinding lust for power and riches, to overt depraved sexuality. In 1 John 2:16 it says,

“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.”

It’s all around us. We are living in the midst of it day after day. Lot was being tortured by it. We all know what happens to people who are tortured, they will say and do almost anything just to end the torture. We need to be careful in our condemnation of Lot for his own perverse reasoning, offering his daughter to protect the angels. He was being tortured!

Application

The real question is, are you being tortured by what you see and hear around you today? Do the things you see and hear daily vex your spirit? Does it bother you to see blatant sexuality portrayed in movies and advertisements day after day? Are you able to keep your desires for food, fun, and sex in their proper place? Or have you succumbed to the constant barrage of sinfulness around you so that you spend more time during the day thinking about your own desires and things of the world than you do about the God who loves you?

Here’s a quick test. Compare the amount of time you spend daily fellowshipping with God (through prayer, reading and studying the Bible, and humbling yourself before Him) to the amount of time you spend in worldly pursuits or entertainment.

Ouch, that hurts!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –