Stepping in It
Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman; it is an abhorrence. Leviticus 18:22 JPS
Abhorrence – When it comes to the Hebrew word to’evah (abomination, abhorrence), most discussions move immediately to this verse. Why? Because homosexuality is such a hot political/religious topic. The incendiary comments on both sides offer plenty of garbage and confusion. But little progress can be made without first understanding the framework and intention of the biblical concept of to’evot (plural). After you have digested what we will discover, you might want to look at Jay Michaelson’s article claiming a mistranslation of the term (he misses the point of to’evot because he stands outside the culture).
To’evot are prohibitions within the cultural framework of Israel. What is an abomination for those in the household of Israel is what God calls an abomination, period. It doesn’t matter what the other nations do or what other arguments suggest. If you are part of Israel, the things God calls abominations are prohibited to you. Claims that other nations would not call some of these practices abhorrent are correct. Other nations have different prohibitions. But that is beside the point. As followers of YHWH, we are not held accountable to the standards of other nations. We are held accountable to the standards God sets for His nation. In fact, the biblical record specifically demands that the followers of YHWH do not live as the other nations live in all kinds of areas, not just sexual practices. With all of the contemporary fuss over homosexuality, we may overlook that fact that eating pork and forsaking the Torah are also considered to’evot. The Tanakh lists several other practices, some considered perfectly acceptable in contemporary society, as abominations. This should help us realize that we are not dealing with universalized human mores. We are dealing with what God expects of His people. And God expects that His people will not eat certain things, will not worship in certain ways, will not make certain vows and will not engage in certain sexual practices even if the rest of the world does so. In other words, to’evot are marks of distinctive difference; the difference in behavior that accompanies being a citizen of the Kingdom.
Let’s set aside the claim that some people are born with homosexual proclivities. Frankly, it doesn’t matter. The biblical issue with homosexuality is not about DNA, cultural mores or legality. It is about identification with the tribe of Abraham. Just as the tribe of Abraham is distinguished by its dietary restrictions, so it is distinguished by its sexual restrictions. If you want to belong to the tribe, you live by the rules of the tribe. You can live by other rules, but you won’t belong to the tribe. You will belong to the “nations.” You decide. It’s still a choice. It has always been a choice. Of course, living by the mores of the nations ultimately means death, but that has always been the choice too.
Topical Index: to’evah, abomination, prohibition, Torah, homosexuality, Leviticus 18:22
This is a hard hitting article today. I again have to affirm for me that those I love must make their own choices. It is not for me to judge them. They will face their judgement from the Ultimate Judge, not me. As for me, I will work to follow His rules.
Thanks Skip.
As always, you don’t soft peddle the truth…and neither does Scripture. And as believers, we have to come to terms with that.
Sin comes knocking at our doors every day in hundreds of different ways, and, your teaching today could be applied to ALL of them. Thanks again.
Praying for your time in India.
Yes, indeed, Skip well said.
“There is a way which seems right to a man / woman but the end thereof is the way of death”
JW
There are some temptations I have not had to struggle with. However, I can and should always have empathy for someone who – like me – is struggling with the flesh.
Short Story:
A gay man named Matthew came to our Friday night bible study 10+ years ago. I think he had gone to some evangelistic meetings prior, and met a member of our group there. On this particular Friday night we were watching a video of a preacher,… who seemingly randomly, broke into a 1-2 minute rebuke of homosexuality and the whole lifestyle. Everyone’s head was just locked, staring forward, mortified, and afraid to look and see Matthew’s reaction.
Well, I was the one giving Matthew a ride home that night – and more specifically – to the appartment where he lived with his partner. On the way, I mustered some bravery and asked him what he thought of the preacher in the video, and particulary the part condemning homosexuality. To my astonishment, he said, “Oh, I totally agree.”. I didn’t understand at first, but he continued to explain and I kept asking questions. You see, Matthew was very easy to talk to, and not the kind of person who wears his sexuality on his sleeve or demonizes people. To be completely frank, he was one of those rare homosexual men who PRACTICED tolerance – EVEN TOWARDS Christians.
He then elaborated on why he agreed with the preacher in the video. He had spent a significant amount of time in San Franscisco (I know, it seems stereotypical), and he still felt dirty from the sex and drug culture he was involved in there. He wanted out, but he didn’t exactly know how — so he decided to try and find someone who he could be monogomous with. He moved up to Oregon, and was still seeking God/forgiveness/something – when I met him. At the time of that conversation, he felt the typical homosexual lifestyle was something dirty and to be shunned, and I believe he was trying to find peace, security, and a clean conscience with his monogomous partner.
Well, I ended up moving away. He kept going to our church, and he soon became convicted that he needed to quit practicing ANY form of homosexuality. He moved out and away from his former partner. Later, he moved again — and I found out a couple of years ago that he died suddenly from an overwhelming infection.
I can’t forget Matthew. And I often wonder if he would have continued going to our church – if he had heard a message that was SUPPORTIVE of that lifestyle. Instead he heard a message that CONDEMNED it (not hatefully, of course), and it CONFIRMED the truth that he was already feeling.
Good afternoon, this article has given me a lot to think about because I have a cousin whom I love dearly that is homexesual and all of us have been practicing hate the sin and love the sinner but now it is all upside down ’cause it is his choice and in his world it is OK, so why do we have to pray for people to come to God for forgiveness or anything at all if in their world it is OK?
Hi Benny,
I encourage you to pray that your cousin comes to realize that his choices are creating a barrier between G-d and himself. Homosexuality is O.K. in your cousin’s world and in his mind, but, it’s not O.K. in G-d’s eyes. So, that creates a problem whether he knows it or not, and an obligation for you, since you do know the truth. Your cousin can choose to stay in his world, but, I believe G-d wants him to recognize his sin, leave it behind and become a member of “the tribe of Abraham” that Skip refers to.
I believe that the best way to show love to him is to continue praying and sharing with him
compassionately, but truthfully whenever the opportunity presents itself. You can still love the sinner yet hate the sin…but, to demonstrate that love, you’re probably going to have to speak some “tough love” into his life. And, in the process, you might have a HUGE impact on his life, (and certainly, honor G-d.)
We should never feel like we have to apologize for His word.
Blessings.
“Homosexuality is O.K”
Hi Judy,
In my view, being a homosexual is O.K., because God creates most homosexuals that way
But homosexual sex is not O.K., because it is taboo; it is forbidden by God, like pork
While most of us could probably enjoy a juicy pork tenderloin
How many of us could enjoy homosexual sex? Or sex with our parents? Or children?
Probably none of us, because it is unthinkable, abhorrent, and disgusting
In my neighborhood growing up, the “sissy” homosexuals played with the girls
Because if they had come around the boys, they would have been beaten up and ridiculed
Frankly, I always felt sorry for them, and was grateful that I had not been designed that way
But I would never treat them like they were not OK, because they were designed that way
The argument about God “creating” some people homosexual is quite controversial. It would perhaps be better to say that SOME members of the professional clergy and SOME claimants to Christian faith argue that God created SOME people homosexual. Whether He did is still a matter of theological debate.
Hi Skip,
I understand that it is debatable, but it also seems to be a matter of pure logic
God created:
Homosexuals who have homosexual sex
Homosexuals who don’t have homosexual sex
Heterosexuals who have homosexual sex
Heterosexuals who don’t have homosexual sex
It seems to me we all fit in one of those boxes 🙂
“Some of the professional clergy and claimants to the Christian faith argue that God created SOME people homosexual.” Whether He did is still a mater of theological debate.”
That’s very true, and not just in the theological world, but, the secular world also. The debate is alive and well.
While it’s not politically correct to state this nowadays, there is MUCH research to indicate that only a very small minority of gays are born with a genetic predisposition. For the overwhelming majority it’s a CHOICE. Granted, there can be traumas or circumstances that occur early in their childhood that can cause them to have negative sexual feelings about the opposite sex and positive feelings about their own sex, but, these are considered circumstantial, NOT genetic. Nevertheless, we can still have compassion them and their circumstances. But, that’s difference than condoning the behavior or looking the other way.
If a child grows up in poverty and is encouraged to steal by others in his life, does that make stealing O.K.? No, of course not. But, we can certainly understand HOW the child came to be a thief. Then, our responsibility is to teach him the right way. The same holds true for any sinful behavior. The issue becomes whether or not we have the courage to speak the truth in love. I totally get that it’s easier said than done. Society puts a lot of pressure on us to not only tolerate sin, but condone it.
Our church (PCUSA) has been having this debate for quite some time. Funny, however, while everyone has a opinion, no one seems to be able to define their terms on what one means when one says “homosexual”. A true debate cannot happen because we never define what we mean. Perhaps if we could agree on what our terms mean, we could come to some solution. Meanwhile, the powers that be are getting ready to “define” marriage. When that happens, we have a problem. Those definitions are a bit more clear.
MICHAEL, I HAVE A QUESTION – IF GOD DESIGNED HOMOSEXUALS TO BE THAT WAY WHY WOULD HE DENY THEM TO HAVE SEX IN THAT WAY – THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
JAN
THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE
Hi Jan,
Actually, for me it does make sense, perfect sense
Yahweh designed me to have a desire for sex with any number of women
But then he gave me a commandment that forbids Adultery, which is taboo
He also gave me the old Yetzer Hara, which desires all sorts of things
The he commanded me to domesticate that desire 🙂
MICHAEL, HE DOES NOT PROHIBIT SEX IN A COVENANT MARRIAGE BETWEEN HETEROSEXUALS – SO WHY WOULD HE NOT PERMIT SEX IN A HOMOSEXUAL COVENANT IF HE MADE THEM THAT WAY.
Heterosexuals who have homosexual sex – WOULD THAT BE HETEROSEXUALS THAT ARE BISEXUAL??? I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT IF YOU ARE BISEXUAL YOU ARE HOMOSEXUAL ALSO OR AT LEAST IN ACTIONS…
Homosexuals who don’t have homosexual sex – MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE CALLED HOMOCOMPANIONS (SAME GENDER COMPANIONS/FRIENDS) SINCE NO SEX IS INVOLVED BUT HOMOSEXUAL HAS SEX IN THE NAME WHICH MOST DO IMBIBE…
MICHAEL,
Yahweh designed me to have a desire for sex with any number of women – DID YAHWEH REALLY DESIGN YOU/MEN TO HAVE A DESIRE FOR SEX WITH ANY NUMBER OF WOMEN OR JUST ONE??? SEEMS TO ME JESUS TAUGHT MONOGAMY & COMMITMENT TO ONE NOT MANY WOMEN.
But then he gave me a commandment that forbids Adultery, which is taboo – IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT ADULTERY – IT IS ABOUT FORNICATION OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE TOO… PREMARITAL SEX…
He also gave me the old Yetzer Hara, which desires all sorts of things
The he commanded me to domesticate that desire – I THINK HE GAVE US THE DESIRE TO HAVE SEX WITHIN A COVENANT OF MARRIAGE WITH ONE WOMAN – NOT MUCH MORE HUMANS CAN HANDLE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US – OUTSIDE OF THAT BOUNDARY – WE ALL FALL SHORT & SIN.
“DID YAHWEH REALLY DESIGN YOU/MEN TO HAVE A DESIRE FOR SEX WITH ANY NUMBER OF WOMEN OR JUST ONE??? SEEMS TO ME JESUS TAUGHT MONOGAMY & COMMITMENT TO ONE NOT MANY WOMEN.
Hi Jan,
Yahweh designed us to learn how to behave according to his commandments
What we do is what he designed us to do; we are not perfect
JESUS TAUGHT MONOGAMY (I think you mean that MOSES TAUGHT MONOTHEISM 🙂
I don’t recall anything regarding monogamy in the Bible
But I do know that David commited Adultery
MICHAEL, IF GOD/JESUS DID NOT INTEND FOR US TO BE MONOGAMOUS – THEN HOW IS IT THAT DAVID COMMITTED ADULTERY???? IF THERE IS NO MONOGAMY OF A COVENANT OF MARRIAGE THEN HOW IS THE ACT OF ADULTERY JUST THAT???
What we do is what he designed us to do; we are not perfect – HE DID NOT DESIGN US TO BE FULL OF LUST & PERVERSION – HE DESIGNED US TO BE AS HE IS WHICH IS HOLY & PURE & TO BE PERFECT AS HE IS PERFECT WHICH IS WHAT WE STRIVE FOR & IS CALLED OBEDIENCE…
HE DESIGNED US TO WORSHIP HIM & LOVE HIM ENOUGH TO BE OBEDIENT – HE DID NOT DESIGN US TO BE DISOBEDIENT IN HOPES WE WOULD BE OBEDIENT ONE DAY ON A WHIM – HIS DESIRE FOR US HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR BEST INTEREST & NOTHING LESS…
MICHAEL, IF GOD/JESUS DID NOT INTEND FOR US TO BE MONOGAMOUS – THEN HOW IS IT THAT DAVID COMMITTED ADULTERY???? IF THERE IS NO MONOGAMY OF A COVENANT OF MARRIAGE THEN HOW IS THE ACT OF ADULTERY JUST THAT???
Hi Jan,
I would agree that God “intends” for us to do good, but he designed us to desire evil
We desire good (Yetzer tov) and bad (Yetzer hara) by his design
The Jews, if I’m not mistaken, had multiple wives, so they were not “monogamous”
But having sex with someone other than one of one’s wives was prohibited (Adultery)
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the American writer, very convincingly described how perfectionism
Could lead one into the most grievous kinds of sin; a most dangerous form of intolerance
At best, according to Hawthorne, we are angels with dirty faces 🙂
MICHAEL, IT IS KINDA HARD FOR ME TO WRAP MY MIND AROUND THIS: but he designed us to desire evil – SO YOU SAY GOD DESIGNED US TO DESIRE EVIL – THEN WHY WOULD HE THROW THE EVIL ONE/lucifer TO THE EARTH & OUT OF HIS KINGDOM – DID HE CREATE lucifer FOR EVIL – NOT IN THE BEGINNING – HE CREATED him/lucifer TO BE THE HIGHEST ANGEL OF WORSHIP & THEN lucifer DECIDED HE WANTED TO BE PRIDEFUL & SINFUL – NOT AT ALL WHAT GOD CREATED HIM TO BE…
I’M REALLY NOT SURE ABOUT YOU HYPOTHESIS IN REGARD TO THIS ISSUE – WE THINK & BELIEVE SO DIFFERENTLY & I’M NOT SURE I WILL EVER WANT TO BELIEVE AS YOU OR THAT IT/YOUR BELIEF(S) ARE CORRECT… ♥
I’M NOT SURE I WILL EVER WANT TO BELIEVE AS YOU OR THAT IT/YOUR BELIEF(S) ARE CORRECT
Hi Jan,
I think that theologically speaking it is important to be correct
But most of us are novices when it comes to Hebrew theology
It seems to me Jesus was primarily focused on the golden rule
He wanted us to act with lovingkindness and worship his Father
In the movie Hombre, the people believed Paul Newman was bad
In the end, Paul Newman says they can believe what they want
He was only concerned with getting the money back to his tribe 🙂
MICHAEL,
I’M NOT SURE I WILL EVER WANT TO BELIEVE AS YOU OR THAT IT/YOUR BELIEF(S) ARE CORRECT
Hi Jan,
I think that theologically speaking it is important to be correct – I DO TOO…
But most of us are novices when it comes to Hebrew theology
It seems to me Jesus was primarily focused on the golden rule
He wanted us to act with lovingkindness and worship his Father
In the movie Hombre, the people believed Paul Newman was bad
In the end, Paul Newman says they can believe what they want
He was only concerned with getting the money back to his tribe – THIS I READILY BELIEVE & IT CONTINUES ON TODAY – IT IS MOSTLY ABOUT MONEY… MAMMON – DIDN’T JESUS SAY YOU WILL SERVE ONE OR THE OTHER – GOD OR MAMMON – I CHOSE GOD… CAN YOU SERVE BOTH – NOT ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE…
A LITTLE SOMETHING WORTH READING…
Go… And Sin No More
John 8:3-11
This message, as I stated in my last message, will be on a subject which is touched on very briefly but rarely ever dealt with in depth in the church today. The Bible speaks of it quite frequently and consistently, and although it is rampant both within and without the Body of Christ, it seems as though those who are in the leadership positions would rather bury it than bring it out to the light. The subject is sexual immorality, a multi-faceted problem which plagues our homes and our churches from the children on up. It is a cancer that is destroying the very fabric of our society, having crept into every avenue of life including the highest office in the land, that of President of the United States. Because it is a subject that wears many faces, rather than try to cover it all in one short article, this time I will deal specifically with the sin of adultery, in an effort to share with you the horrendous damage this sin can and does cause, both for the ones involved in it as well as their spouses and children. Most of all I want to show you the grief on the heart of God when His children become involved in this most destructive and self-defeating behavior.
What the Bible has to say on the sin of adultery can be found easily by going to any good concordance and looking up the word ‘adultery’. The scriptures are clear cut and easily understood, so rather than go into a study and discourse on what they say, allow me to give you an example out of life that will demonstrate the problem, the sin, the ramifications of that sin, the answer to it, and the grace and mercy of God.
Some time ago, my husband prayed for deliverance for a lady who had been involved in adultery. This lady had a husband and children who dearly loved her and, in her own words she, ‘lacked for nothing’ in any area of her life, with the possible exception of spiritual commitment on her part. Her husband was always there for her. He loved and encouraged her, and her children adored her. She had a nice home and lived a storybook life. I am sure they had their problems as we all do, but for the most part they seemed to be very happy and close.
I don’t claim to have a complete understanding as to why this lady allowed herself to fall into this terrible sin. I know from talking to many women that most of them do not get involved in adultery as a result of sexual desire. More often than not it has to do with some emotional need or problem in their lives, and rather than talk about it with a loving husband, a sister in the Lord or even God, they are drawn away into sin.
The basis for it, whether we want to admit it or not is rooted in selfishness. The ‘I’ syndrome that is pounded into us today. ‘I don’t feel good about myself, so I need this or that.’ ‘I want to do this’. ‘I, I, I…’. But it is a fact that focusing on yourself will always get you into trouble of some kind. Jesus commands us to ‘love one another,’ and ‘consider others more important than yourselves.’
At any rate, because of the problems this lady was having within herself, and her lack of commitment to Jesus, she was ripe for a major attack from the devil. (Not that I am advocating blaming all our sins on the devil. We can’t do that, but our own weaknesses make us more susceptible to his schemes and snares.) In any case, she became involved in adultery. She soon reached a point where she knew she could not go on and so she stopped her sinning and cried out to God in repentance for her actions. I need to tell you that had she not done this she would have been found out anyway. You cannot hide sin forever for the Bible clearly tells us that our sins will eventually be brought to the light.
Although she had stopped the adultery and repented to God, she needed to confess to her husband and obtain forgiveness from him as well because he was aware of the affairs for the Lord had spoken to him about them. She was deeply afraid she would lose her husband and family but she did finally tell her husband, which is how we came to be involved in her deliverance. Ron was the primary person who prayed for her to be delivered from the spirits of lust, luring, sexual immorality, adultery and all of the spirits that go along with them. She experienced a total and complete deliverance and cleansing from the Lord. She committed her life wholly to Jesus and was forgiven, purified and set gloriously free. She became a new creation in Christ and her life changed totally.
But although her sins were forgiven by everyone, nevertheless there were consequences of that sin that needed to be dealt with. You see, sin never just affects the one who is involved in it. This lady’s husband, although he completely forgave her and still loved her, experienced a degree of hurt and betrayal that was painful to see. He lived in agony because of the love he had for his wife. She lived in agony because of the pain she had brought to him. Their children lived in fear and insecurity wondering if their parents were going to split up. It was a situation that took all of the faith and prayer the body of Christ could send forth to the Lord, and, in their case, He answered gloriously. Not only did God set her free, but He touched her husband and took away all of the hurt and heartbreak and today their love for each other is deeper, richer and stronger than ever before, as is their marriage.
Lest you think there is an easy way out of this sin, let me tell you at this point that this couple is the exception, not the rule. Her husband is a devout man of God and a devoted husband and father who was not willing to let the devil break apart his family, and she is a fighter who refused to give in to the fear and guilt, which would have allowed the enemy to destroy her home. Together they hung on to Jesus and prayed and believed the Lord for a miracle, and God did answer their prayers but it took awhile.
Most people who get involved in adultery end up divorced. That’s the sad truth, but it doesn’t have to be. All that is needed is for the one who is tempted to resist the devil and say, ‘NO I will not get involved in this.’ They need to think about what they could be losing and count the cost. They will find it is not worth it.
This lady and her husband and children still live with the specter of her sin hanging over them, for regardless of all of that God has done in their lives, the devil is always there to try and bring back the hurt, to split them apart, destroy her with guilt and him with pain. They remain strong but they go through trials that did not need to be there. Once a wrong is done we can never go back and undo it. The things you do, the words you speak are not retractable. They can be repented of and forgiven but the consequences of the sin still remain. Yes, the Lord can and does do miracles for people but He will never condone sin.
Can you be so sure you will not die before you have the chance to repent? Are you willing to take a chance on losing everything that makes life worth living? Don’t be fools. Sin is crouching at your door and desires to have you – so says the Word of God. Tell the devil to ‘get thee behind’ you and flee from all evil desires that will take you to hell for all eternity. Whatever problems you have, however unhappy you are, whatever temptations you may encounter, the answer will never be to go into sin. Just turn your eyes upon Jesus and thank Him for all that He has done for you. Commit your life and your way unto Him and He will never forsake you.
I pray this message reaches and touches the hearts of all those who are considering becoming involved in adultery before it is too late. I pray you will open yourself up to the Holy Spirit and let Him lead you back to the right path. Take seriously the warnings in this message and in the Word of God, for once you commit yourself to the sin you cannot stop the consequences from happening and you cannot undo the wrong. You can only then seek the forgiveness of God and of your loved ones and pray you do not lose everything that you have ever loved as a result of your foolishness.
Being in the ministry we see so much needless hurt, so much devastation. If people only understood the horrible results of their sin before hand they might stop to consider the outcome before taking that final step on the path that leads to death. All of the answers are there in the Word of God. Study to show yourselves approved. Listen to those who have been there. They know. Get rid of that pride and selfishness that will only lead to a fall and humble yourself before God. Cry out to Him and He will be there to meet all your needs.
Allow me to close with the following example out of our own history: In 1918 at the end of WWI and during the height of the terrible influenza epidemic, there was no accurate count of how many hugs and kisses led to a death sentence for people. Today there is no accurate count of how many of those same kinds of hugs and kisses lead to the death sentence of the sin of adultery. Is it your prayer and hope to grow old alone, with no husband or wife by your side, no children to care for you? Most of those who would answer ‘of course not’ are the very ones who either have or are considering becoming involved in adultery either actively or in the heart.
Remember, the Bible says if you lust in your heart you have already committed the sin. I venture to say you would not be willing to gamble with your life by playing Russian Roulette, yet you will gamble with your home and family and even eternity by getting involved in this most devastating of sins. Back in 1918 some villages lost 80% of their population to the influenza virus. Today some churches lose up to that same percentage of their congregations to the sin of adultery, yet there is no fear of reprisal. But Jesus said, “outside are the dogs, the sexually immoral…”. Wake up people, before it is too late. Sister, don’t look away from your God and your husband, but go back home where you belong. Brother, do not forsake the wife of your youth. Keep the vows you made before God for nothing and no one is worth breaking them for.
Again, I pray you hear and heed this alarm call.
He was only concerned with getting the money back to his tribe – THIS I READILY BELIEVE & IT CONTINUES ON TODAY – IT IS MOSTLY ABOUT MONEY… MAMMON – DIDN’T JESUS SAY YOU WILL SERVE ONE OR THE OTHER – GOD OR MAMMON – I CHOSE GOD… CAN YOU SERVE BOTH – NOT ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE…
Hi Jan,
That is very funny Jan and I noticed the innuendo the moment the comment was sent 🙂
But the director Martin Ritt was not making an innuendo about the spirit of capitalism
Hombre was taking the money, which had been stolen from his poor Indian tribe, back to its rightful owners
Many years after watching Hombre many times, my old professor, Fredric Jameson, turned me on to another movie by the director Martin Ritt called the Molly Mcguires
As it turned out the director Martin Ritt was a Marxist, who valued community over self interest and admired the revolutionary spirit of Sean Connery and Richard Harris in their respective roles as Molly McGuires
“Life is rough in the coal mines of 1876 Pennsylvania. A secret group of Irish emigrant miners, known as the Molly Maguires, fights against the cruelty of the mining company with sabotage and murder. A detective, also an Irish emigrant, is hired to infiltrate the group and report on its members. But on which side do his sympathies lie?
I have observed that sometimes those we think are “so far from God”, are in truth, not really so far as we think, & truth spoken in love reaches them. We have to not be afraid of “them”.
let me preface my comments (worth at least 2¢ per pound..) by saying “in my view..” Would you rather hear what I have to say about (any given subject) or are we here on this website and on this day, to hear what G-d the LORD, (our LORD) has to say about (any subject)? Have we forgotten His life imparting words, (I believe we have..) “It is written?”
Friends, I will hear what G-d the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace unto His people (us) and to His saints, but do not let them turn again unto folly. (Psalm 85.8) Faith comes by hearing and hearing by our opinions.. er.. (sorry), may I try this again? Faith comes by hearing (yes, shema, O Israel) and hearing by the word of G-d. (Romans 10.17)
A question for “whosoever will”- Shall we pay any attention at all to the book G-d wrote or should we turn our backs on His words (it’s okay, we did the same to the Living Word) and depend upon our own superior intellect, experiences and technology? After all- certainly there’s an “app” for that.. Yes, friends, there is… What is the “app” for sin? It is the applied blood of Yeshua HaMashiach, crucified by the same ones He came to save.. “us.”
Now it’s your turn to speak.. – and what sir or m’am..is your opinion concerning the life, death, burial, resurrection,ascension and soon return of the King?
I was born with and cultivated a high strung personality. I especially acquired the rationality to speak out regardless of the effect on others. I did what came “naturally” and gave in to the emotionally driven desire to voice my opinion and however I felt. And in my own world/culture, it was permissible to do so.
Only through Scripture, some Divine intervention, did I, however, come to the knowledge that I not only hurt others and provoked them to hostility, I was behaving in a manner that was unlike Messiah. It seems to me that it is the same with homosexuals, fornicators, adulterers, thieves, liars, gossips, coveters…the list grows on. In a culture that promotes self autonomy, why would we think anyone would stop behavior that is unChristlike simply because someone is thumping their Bible in a hateful manner toward others MORE unrighteous than themselves?
By the way, I am still a recovering type A, or should I say, progressing toward Christlikeness?
Mary, -we are all quite capable of speaking the truth, but speaking the truth in love? – oh!- quite another story..If I cannot speak the truth in love, I do not need to speak at all. lol!- (I have the right and responsiblility to remain silent!)
I also remember the words of Yeshua- “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” There is only ONE who is capable of wielding this Sword and that ONE is Christ, who is Love incarnate.
Just as an added bonus(?)- one statement that has recently been an “aha” moment for me is this: “sin short-circuits the mind”- none of us think clearly or lucidly or correctly because of sin. These words from the inspired prophet Isaiah: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” (Isaiah 5.20)
We are now living in a very similar situation to what Abraham’s nephew, Lot went through- the land of “anything goes” (now that we have “attempted” to outlaw G-d from all government property and functions)- does this strike you as strange? or are you okay with -One nation under whoever..or whatever?
What does the Bible say concerning sin or do we even know?- Boy, are we ever back to the tired twosome..- (it’s deja vu all over again!..)- Our two greatest problems have ever been – “Ignorance and apathy”- but (of course..) I’d bet (if I was a bettin’ man) you didn’t know that and I’ll also bet you don’t care.. The Bible says.. (do these three words grate on you?- I hope so..) ~ Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people~ (not just the nation Israel!). The wages (consequences) of sin is death (separation). Separation from G-d (who is holy) and separation from each other. Hell is a lonely place- no, you won’t be there with all your buds, – you will be alone forever, separated from any form of life or light. As the book of Jude tells us- “the blackness of darkness- forever..”. Not a very happy place. And who is this place reserved for?
Hello Carl,
It seems to me that the whole point of Skip’s blog is to point out the mistranslations of G-d’s Word and to possibly clarify some of the hard to understand words/phrases. So to say…”the Bible says” does not always work. Not saying the Word does not work, but the manner man wields the Sword of the Spirit, may prove ineffective.
It almost sounds comical to me to hear some complain about removing the 10 commandments from public venues when the 4th is so blatantly bypassed and reconstructed. Do away with one and the foundations crumble. I am soooo glad He came to restore all things…my portion is to work with him so He may work with me.
Good to hear from you!
~If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them ~ (Leviticus 20.13)
Shall we doubt the word of G-d? Did G-d really say that? (sound familiar?)- these words were the same words used by our adversary, Mr. Twister, back in the garden.. “Hath G-d said?” Oh please.. go ahead and doubt the word of G-d! (really?) G-d says what He means and means what He says.. the living Word of G-d is quite capable of speaking for Himself, er.. itself. “For You have magnified Your word above all Your Name.” (Psalm 138.2)
Does abomination really mean abomination? Is black really black or white really white? It is not my ideas or opinion that comes into play here, it is what is written in the book G-d wrote.. Is, (or is not) the Bible, G-d’s Blessing Book? Are these His inspired written directions, our User’s Manual for living or are we wasting our time even looking into these things?
~ Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter ~ (Isaiah 5.20)
Ah.. but we are so “enlightened” today, aren’t we? (Why am I thinking of the “D” word here?) After all- what does “perverted” mean anyway? Or “twisted” or “sick?” “D….”
The battle is for the Bible, isn’t it? Do we spend more time reading the morning paper or the rags sold for magazines in the convenience stores than we do the living word(s) of G-d? – Guilty as charged.. “I” do err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of G-d.. Friends, remember..- G-d spoke this world into existence.. He said (and I quote, of course..)- “Let there be..” and?.. – lo, and behold..- “there was..”- “and it came to pass..”- it came into being, it materialized- G-d (the Creator) created.. (by speaking).
Now throw your Bible into the trash can and see just how long you can survive without it.. – It ain’t gonna happen. You won’t make it- you friend, are goin’ down.. – you will crash and burn- I guarantee it. Ignore G-d’s book- live life on your own terms.. Party hearty boys!- but remember!- you gotta’ pay to play.. – the wages of sin is death! (oh.. sorry!)- I forgot already – my Bible and all that is contained within it- has been tossed into the trash.. LOL!- He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh!- G-d will have the “last laugh..”
“If you remain in Me and My words remain in you..”-(John 15.7) -There’s goes that ol’ Bible thumper again!.. lol!-thump, thump.. “My words?” -Just Who is speaking here? me or Him? (Am I having too much fun with this?) – maybe so..
Oh, BTW, we need to address the question: why aren’t these “abusers of themselves with mankind” put to death as the (bad ol’) Bible demands?- Because, (praise G-d!) Christ was crucified. He took upon Himself the full wrath and punishment of YHWH for every sin from Adam forward on Calvary’s cross and paid in full our sin debt. “All have sinned, homosexuals and heterosexuals included..”
~ For this cause G-d gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: In the same way, their males also abandoned their natural sexual function toward females and burned with lust toward one another. Males committed indecent acts with males, and received within themselves the appropriate penalty for their perversion ~ (Romans 1.26,27)
Perversion? Shameful acts? – We report..- you decide. Me?- I goin’ with what G-d has to say about it.. Appears to me, G-d is not for it.. Therefore, -neither am I. He says it’s wrong. Who am I to argue?
~ and that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ and by the Spirit of our G-d ~ (1 Corinthians 6.11)
Skip, I have a question. Is an abomination to G-d different than sin? If so, then why would G-d make an abomination unto Hisself?
sorry, that should be “Himself”