Do you remember when you use to dance, party, listen to the music, and maybe even went to the club? Well to those that participated in such actives, they should know that there is residue of those lifestyles that are still in some of us today, waiting to rear their heads and present themselves when its sees an association of situation or participation. Sin doesn’t have any love, nor does it have any forgiveness and neither does it honor you. The way that you walk will let others know if you are a Child of Yah’shua (Jesus). Sometimes we think that being at a certain place because every body else was going there so you don’t see any harm in being their at the time. For example, going to a bachelor or bachelorette party is ok, but when you look at the meaning of a bachelor or bachelorette party it is only given to celebrate your last time for being free as a single man or women. So family or friends tend to go over board, for instance for male or female bachelor or bachelorette parties, their friends or family usually try to bring infidelity into the marriage, under the concept that this is going to be the last day and chance of your freedom to get some free sex with someone other than your fiancé. They would invite or pay female or male dancers so that they would entice the soon to be married man or woman to commit an adulterous act. The very act of committing adultery is the very thing that is committed in the party.
6) Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Proverbs 23:6-7
The ways of the world have been so ingrained in us in so many ways that it has come to a point where we believe that because we’re not to be allowed do the ways of the world, its not fair and to be denied us the same opportunity to do as the world. To some, it would fill that their right has been taken away. I want to be able to do that or do that, to drink, to go out and carouse, because they’re having so much fun. Why did the Lord say we can’t? Why can’t we go out and enjoy ourselves? Why should I deny the opportunity to be fulfilled. It feels like I have the right taken away from me. I would say, “that their right to commit the sins of the world.” Think about all the events that take place in your life. Should you be there, just because a friend or relative said you should? No one can give account of you accept you. If you’re a Child of God, then do what your daddy tells you to do. The Bible says have no dealings with the world. But you say you have to work. Well just because the office is going to the bar after work, doesn’t mean you have to go. I’m just going to help them out. Are Christians designated drivers for when someone is drinking? No, you’re not to validate their drunkenness. If they committed a murder or robbed a bank, would you drive the car for them. Its the same as driving a person from drinking so they can get home. That person needs to understand what the consequences are when drinking. Why do you go to a place where there is alcohol? Because Jimmy will be there? Well Jimmy may slip you a Micky Finn in your drink. The Bible says we’re not suppose to be of that lifestyle. They talk like they’re your friend, but their heart is to make you fall. Sometimes the things in your mind, the curiosities of knowing go beyond the step that it should, and next thing you know, you’re participating in something you shouldn’t.
Another example, is when you become a new dad after having baby, in the world there is the tradition of handing out cigars. This was done for more than 70+ years. In the dictionary it states that its from the American Indian because the only tobacco that was sent back to England was traded by the Indians of the north at that time. A wood carver in England who’d never seen an American Indian before would be contracted by tobacco stores to carve an Indian from America to be placed in front of their store to direct people to where tobacco and cigars were sold. The carver would base his carving of an America Indian from the description he got from sailors back from America. This was seen as an early sign of a smoking advertisement. This in essence was saying that its ok to smoke after having your child. Today we fully know the causes and cost of smoking. Let’s go deeper. When you look at it, it sends a strong message and that massage is the old dying out upon new birth. There is another example of something we have to watch out for in our participation, and that is living together instead of getting married, the later of which is honorable and the bed is undefined.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans Chapter 12
As you can see that no matter how alone you may feel in your walk you got to know that Jesus will never leave nor forsake you, so stand for what is right when its popular or not even if you are standing alone around others.
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
Proverbs 14:15-16
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:1-17
We have to be very protective of our walk, not compromising it with worldly participation. You can’t say its alright, its only that one time. How would you feel if the Lord came back on that one time and you were lost? But you only did it one time. How many have ever done something, and the Lord told you not to do it and you felt guilty for that whole day? We’ll do things, and ask Him to forgive us later on. You have to be more understanding and have more vision about what is going on in your walk, not be deterred by things in this life. Love not the world. Count it all joy when you are tested because the test you endure builds up in you true faith and love and also peace and patience in you. And it is so in Jesus.
