We Can Say, "No" To Ungodliness!

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:11-15 NIV

When people make excuses for living in opposition to God's Word, it is because they have either not been taught how to live The Word of God or they simply choose not to do so.

If  parents live an ungodly life before their children and all the children ever see is ungodliness around them, there is a great likelihood that the child will think that ungodliness is normal. We tend to think what we've have seen is all there is and unfortunately, for some children, ungodliness is all they will ever see. And for these we pray--that some day soon--they will see others live Godly lives and want to change their ways.





What do children see that is not of God? They see parents engrossed in all types of negative behaviors--watching porn on television, leaving bedroom doors open so the kids see all they should not see. They see parents getting high on drugs and selling drugs, and dealing in illegal activities--openly. They see parents start fights and brawls over trivial matters and they see parents set fires to home simply because they were evicted. They see parents cuss at anyone who dares to cross them or disagree with them. They hear parents when they lie and know when they are lying. And all of the ungodliness they see--becomes a part of their lives when they become adults and the cycle begins again.

If we understand the behavioral cycles that have led to the demise of respect and peace in our communications, we will see the need to teach better behaviors. There is but one simple rule to govern what we do--LOVE--and if we love--self and others--we can say, "No" to all ungodliness. If we teach children to respect others by showing them how we respect others, we can eliminate a lot of the violence in our society. Much of it is caused by a lack of respect--for self and others--especially when people think they have a right to infringe upon the rights of others--without consequences.
We are told in The Word that whatever we sow (plant), that is all we can expect to see. If we plant the seeds of ungodly behavior in our children, then all we can expect is ungodly behavior. If we plant Godliness (nurturing it our own behavior as a living testimony), then we'll see Godliness in our children.

We have to remember that children are not stupid nor blind. They see much more than we think they see and they imitate what they see. So before we get upset with our children and others around, we need to reflect upon our own behavior. Are we saying, "No" to ungodliness or have we deceived ourselves into thinking there is nothing wrong with us?
 
Getting into The Word on a daily basis and seeking God's Wisdom, puts us on the right path to living Godly lives before Him and others--alleviating any need to be ashamed of what we do--in the eye of the public or in our private lives. Please God--not man--and say no, to all ungodliness!

Living Wisely!

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV).

How do we live wisely--understanding what the Lord's will is?

The first thing we must do is to seek God's wisdom in all things and we can find His will in His Word--His Word is His Will for us and how we live.

After admonishing the church at Ephesus to live as children of the light--doing all things that can be openly examined and scrutinized without shame or fear, Paul continues with instructions based upon the Word and their circumstances. He reminds them that once upon a time--they walked in darkness--not knowing truth and doing all sorts of things that were too shameful to even discuss.
 Now, he tells them--find out what pleases The Lord and live accordingly.

Those words--"and find out what pleases The Lord" (Ephesians 5:10) speak volumes to us today. If we're going to live wisely, doing what pleases The Lord, we must know what it is that pleases Him. The only way we can discover that is to read His Word and get understanding.

Notice what Paul doesn't say--live to please self or others. There's a reason he doesn't say that. If we learn to live to please God, in all things--He will give us favor with others and therefore--they will be pleased. However, we cannot attempt to please man (our fleshly desires) and think that God will be pleased with us--especially if what we do is in opposition to His Word.

The Word never tells us to be politically correct in order not to offend others with truth. The Word tells us to be bold and very courageous in promoting the Gospel. If people are offended by Truth, it is because Truth exposes their lifestyle that opposes God. In other words--Truth pulls the cover off those things that people think they do in secret or in dark places where they cannot be seen.

Being politically correct--sugar-coating truth or exchanging truth for a lie--has become the blueprint the enemy uses to cause many to fall away from living according to The Word. This is foolishness, not wisdom. And because of the foolishness, we see changes in just about everything, made to accommodate the ungodly. Changes in school curriculum that expose young children to lifestyles that are in opposition to God. Changes in how those in authority seek to please people in ungodliness more than they do about upholding righteousness. Changes in how churches abdicate their responsibilities and duties to God in order to win favor with the masses who are on a path going directly to hell. All these changes--allowing evil to reign--unchecked--is the reason we see so much violence and killing. The prince of the air--is amassing an army that is willing to defy God no matter what the consequences are and foolish people are being led by the nose--into the lake of fire. 

That is not living wisely. If what we do in private cannot stand the test of microscopic examination, we shouldn't do it for surely, we will be exposed by the light of Truth and all things done is darkness, will eventually be exposed by the light.

Now is not the time to back away from God's Will; now is the time to endeavor to seek His Will on a daily basis and live as wise people, not foolish ones.

Beginning to Understand!

Trying to find something worthwhile on television these days is an exercise in futility, unless a person likes watching people being killed, autopsied, betrayals, conspiracies, no integrity, and celebrations of sin.  I'm beginning to understand why many older citizens prefer not to watch television at all. These shows are really debilitating to the spirit.

Reality shows that have no basis whatever in "reality."

Sex, adultery, backstabbing, mothers sleeping with daughter's husbands and boyfriends. Fathers sleeping with anyone they can get their hands on.

New murders, old murders, incest, rape, ridicule of real life situations by writers intent on keeping wounds bleeding.

Women exposed for their inability to know who their baby's father is.

Young people thinking it's okay to sleep with as many people as possible and teenage parenting celebrated on television.

Celebrities and their offspring get national attention for being vulgar and undisciplined with their use of drugs and alcohol, and many sit glued to a television set, just waiting for the next episode of the stupid and inane, watching their parents applaud their lewdness.

Is there one program on television that is truly geared for viewing by families with morals and values that are based on a wholesome relationship with God (not televangelism)? Now, if the one program is found, is it on local networks or cable? Does a person have to watch the same show over and over again or is there any variety available?

I'm beginning to understand that our society has become so amoral that we need to re-define morals and values.  In the midst of all this "ungodliness" portrayed on television, is there any wonder that many people don't understand that not having a relationship with God is the reason we're at this crossroad?  On the television, for all to see, we celebrate the worthlessness (as they see it) of life by repeatedly showing kids how to steal, kill, and destroy.  We teach them to not value their bodies or the bodies of others. Where is the outrage? Do the writers of these shows care? Do they have children of their own?  Do the actors allow their children to watch the smutty shows in which they perform?

I'm beginning to understand and pray others do as well.  It's time to make a change, but will we do it or just complain?

Lord, help us to not invite the spirit of evil into our minds by what we watch on television, in the movies, and listen to on radios. Help us to maintain our focus on You and in doing good for all people.

Stimulating Wholesome Thinking!

"Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking" (2 Peter 3:1 NIV).

When I read this passage this morning, I was reminded of the reason I write. I don't expect people to agree with everything I say; not even some of what I say, but I write to encourage and stimulate wholesome thinking especially in how we treat people.

We live in a society where are constantly bombarded with everyone's thoughts through various types of media--online media, television, radio, blogs, all the social media, books, magazines, hand-bills, posters, bill-boards, and online news commentaries. Some of the thoughts we read can readily be dismissed when we recognize the influence behind the thoughts. Some of the thoughts, we may actually consider to be genuine from rational people, until we continue to read what they write. And some, thoughtful writers will actually challenge us to think.

How do we know when we see "wholesome writing" that will ignite "wholesome thinking?"

If what someone says aligns with The Word, explains The Word, expounds on The Word, and is not judgmental, obscene, or profane, or full of hate; we can probably conclude that the writer is thinking wholesome thoughts.  If what someone says, denies or scoffs at The Word, is in opposition to The Word, then we know who is influencing the words they write. What they say will not lead to wholesome thinking, but to chaos and confusion designed to get people off track.

How far off track are we in our society today? Should not our thoughts be the same as the thoughts of Christ?  If we have the mind of Christ, should we not have the conduct of Christ? Should not our heart be as His--loving, full of compassion, and always forgiving?

Nothing in life is fair--God did not promise us fairness. He said, "the just shall live by faith."
 So, don't be bitter about things that didn't "seem fair", move forward and know that if we continue in The Word, we shall receive God's many benefits and He is not slow to fulfill His promises to us! We are the "just" and "the righteousness of Christ" because He said so, not us.

Now, think on these things--whatsoever is pure, lovely, and of a good report--all leading to wholesome thinking. Remember to love and forget all the things that would cause you to hold onto bitterness and unforgiveness. Keep your focus on the prize ahead of you in Christ Jesus! Rational Thinking > Rational Decisions > Rational Behavior--towards all!