Tag: Proverbs 29:1
Abstain from sexual immorality!
Scripture reading for June 20th: Proverbs 29-31, 1st Thessalonians 4
1st Thessalonians 4: 3-8 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, Who gives His Holy Spirit to you.”
Paul called believers to clearly know and follow the Lord’s will for them and their sexuality. They were to abstain from all forms of immorality as decreed in God’s Word. They were to control their bodies and live in holiness since the Holy Spirit lived in them and they were His temple. When a person engages in immorality, adultery, fornication, or homosexuality, they are doing wrong not only to their own souls, but to the one they are involved with. God promises to avenge this wrong. Paul told them about this and warned them solemnly. If they disregarded his warning, they were also disregarding God Himself! Beware!
1st Thessalonians 4:10-12 “. .for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with you hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
Prayer: Father God, I desire to be holy as You are holy! Thank You for the Holy Spirit and Your Holy Word to lead me in Your way everlasting. Help me to never wrong others by sexual misconduct and to faithfully warn those who are engaged in that life-style that they may escape Your holy wrath. Help me to live quietly and walk properly before outsiders.
Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” Proverbs 29:3 “He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.”
Sexual purity is not optional!
Scripture reading for June 18th: Proverbs 29-31, 1st Thessalonians 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 4:3-8 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.”
Paul solemnly warned the Thessalonians against sexual immorality. God’s Word is very clear about what He considers “immorality”. Adultery is sexual immorality in a marriage covenant when one partner steps out on another. Fornication is any sexual acts outside of a marriage relationship. Homosexuality is any sexual acts between those of the same sex. Bestiality is sexual misconduct with animals. Pornography is lusting for sexual contact through images or imagination. These acts “transgress and wrong” those involved and they must and will answer to God. We disregard God Himself when we claim to be a believer and still continue in sexual immorality. Be warned: God will avenge!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, have mercy on our land and its people. We have transgressed against Your Holy Word and Spirit and each other in these sins of sexual immorality. Help me to control my own body and thoughts and solemnly warn this people about Your plan for our sanctification in Jesus Christ. turning away Your wrath.
Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”
Proverbs 29:8 “Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.”
Called to Holiness!
Scripture reading for September 17th: Proverbs 29-31; Ecclesiastes 1; 1st Thessalonians 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 4:3-7 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”
The idols that the Thessalonians once served promoted sexual immorality. Their culture was very permissive. But Paul’s pastoral warning stood against this pervading sin in the culture. He was proactive and now reinforcing what he had earlier taught them. God would avenge all wrong of sisters and brothers through immorality! God calls all to holiness.
Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”
Proverbs 30:20 “This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your loving reproof and solemn warnings against this sin of immorality. May I live to truly love You and as a result, my brothers and sisters, never violating them. Amen.