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14. Be Different from the World

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So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:17-24)

Why should believers be different from the world?

Often Christians are no different from the world in the way they think, talk, dress, and entertain themselves. Clearly, this was a problem with the Ephesian Christians, as well. Paul writes to them and says that they must no longer live as the Gentiles.

This exhortation to them to be different from the world was particularly important, considering the ungodly culture of Ephesus. John MacArthur shares some very telling insights:

Ephesus was a leading commercial and cultural city of the Roman empire… But it was also a leading city in debauchery and sexual immorality. Some historians rank it as the most lascivious city of Asia Minor… The fifth–century B.C. Greek philosopher Heraclitus, himself a pagan, referred to Ephesus as “the darkness of vileness. The morals were lower than animals and the inhabitants of Ephesus were fit only to be drowned.” There is no reason to believe that the situation had changed much by Paul’s day. If anything, it may have been worse.1

The temple of Artemis (or Diana) was located in the city, along with thousands of temple prostitutes who promoted her worship. Many in the church at Ephesus previously worshiped Diana and indulged in her immorality. This small, despised community of believers was constantly tempted to compromise and imitate the rest of the pagan world.

Here, Paul teaches them why they must be different. In this study, we will consider four reasons for believers to be different from the world.

Big Question: Why must believers be different from the world according to Paul in Ephesians 4:17-24?

Believers Must Be Different Because God Commands It

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. (Ephesians 4:17)

When Paul says, “I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord,” he is saying the following instruction is God’s command and not his own.

God called believers to be different from the world throughout biblical history. When he called Israel to be his people out of all the nations, he said this to them through Moses:

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 18:2-4)

Later, in Leviticus 19:2, he said, “Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Essentially, while the pagan nations worshipped many gods, and were known for promiscuity, dishonest business practices, etc., Israel was called to be different.

In fact, he gave the Israelites over 600 laws to distinguish them from the pagan nations, and also to teach them how to worship him. This applies to us as well. We live in a society that is perverse, ungodly, and full of sin, and we must be different because God commands it. He commands us to be like himself—separate, holy, and righteous.

When Paul calls unbelievers “Gentiles,” he is not referring to their race. Jews used this word in two ways: “first to distinguish all other people from Jews and second to distinguish all religions from Judaism… Gentiles here represent all ungodly, unregenerate, pagan persons.”2 The Ephesian Christians previously lived like pagans, but God called them to turn away from that lifestyle.

Similarly, Peter said this to scattered Christians throughout the Roman Empire:

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. (1 Peter 4:3-4)

And Paul said this to the Corinthians:

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 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 Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The Ephesians, Romans, and Corinthians were saved out of a sinful lifestyle to worship the living God, and God called them to not go back. Similarly, many of us were saved out of all kinds of sin: drunkenness, sexual immorality, deceit, pride, rebellion, and selfishness—and we are called to not return.

Is your life different from the world? If not, remember that God delivered you from worldliness so you could know him and live for him.

Application Questions: In what ways has God delivered you from worldliness? How do you guard yourself from falling back into it?

Believers Must Be Different Because the World Rebels against God

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. (Ephesians 4:17-19)

Ephesians 4:17-19 is very similar to Romans 1:18-32, where Paul describes the consequences of the pagan world denying God. They suppress the knowledge of God because of sin (Rom 1:18) and therefore live in sexual immorality, homosexuality, idolatry, and all kinds of wickedness (18-32).

This was true of Ephesus. They rebelled against God, and the consequence was a lifestyle of depravity.

Observation Questions: In what ways does Paul describe the world’s rebellion against God, and what do these descriptions represent?

1. The world is futile in their thinking.

Paul says that people of the world live in the “futility of their thinking” (v. 17). The word “futility” means “waste”, “emptiness” or “vanity.” The problem with the world is wrong thinking—wrong thinking about God, which ultimately affects everything else. It affects how people view life, death, success, parenting, marriage, money, etc.

The Greek word for “futility” is translated “vanity” thirty-six times in the Septuagint version of Ecclesiastes.3 Throughout the book, Solomon describes how he tried money, knowledge, women, pleasure, etc., and how everything was “vanity of vanities”—a grasping of the air. This was the version of the Old Testament Paul commonly quoted in his epistles, so he probably chose this word intentionally to describe the vain thinking and pursuits of the world.

Isn’t this a true description of the world? The world tries to find success and happiness through money, education, sex, entertainment, and pleasure, and yet continually find themselves empty. When Solomon described his journey in Ecclesiastes, he called it “life under the sun” (2:17)—essentially, life without God.

As believers, our thinking should be different from that of the world—we need to consider what is above the sun. We must consider God when it comes to education, marriage, success, and purpose. The world’s thought process is vanity—just a grasping of the air—but the believer’s thought process must be saturated with God.

2. The world is darkened in their understanding.

Paul also says that people of the world are “darkened in their understanding” (Eph 4:18). In what ways is the world’s understanding darkened? Paul is primarily referring to the knowledge of God and the things of God. We see this taught throughout Scripture. First Corinthians 2:14 says, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

To the man without God’s Spirit, a world created by God in seven days is laughable. A life defined and guided by the Word of God is simply a crutch. A God who becomes a man and dies for the sins of the world is utter foolishness. Indeed, the world is darkened in their understanding.

Romans 1:22 says, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” They worship created things instead of the Creator (v. 25). They exchange natural relationships between men and women for perverse relationships between men and men, and women and women (v. 26-27). They call this wise and progressive, and the biblical view ignorant and archaic. That is the darkness of the pagan world—without God and lacking true understanding.

Now, the pagan world has much knowledge. In fact, the Greek world Paul wrote to in Ephesus was known for their advanced knowledge in philosophy, art, politics, and science. Greek slaves were highly sought after by Romans and other nations as tutors for their children.4 The Greeks were academics, and yet Paul calls them “darkened in their understanding.” It is no different today. We obtain degree after degree and have access to unlimited information on the Internet, but our world is still without true understanding because it rejects God.

3. The world is separated from God.

Paul says the world is “separated,” or “alienated,” from “the life of God” (Eph 4:18). In Ephesians 2:1, Paul describes the Ephesians as “dead” in transgressions and sins. Death really means separation. In the same way that physical death means separation of the body from the spirit, spiritual death means separation from God because of sin.

This is the problem with the world. Because God is holy and perfect, we cannot commune with him because of our sin (cf. Heb 12:14). Instead, we are under his wrath (cf. John 3:36, Rom 6:23). It is for this reason that Christ died on the cross for our sins—to pay our just penalty and to reconcile us to God (Rom 6:23).

Because of sin, the world is separated from God and dead to spiritual stimuli.

4. The world is “ignorant.”

The word “ignorant” in the Greek means “without knowledge” (Eph 4:18). It comes from the Greek word from which we get the English word “agnostic.”5 The world is alienated from God because they are ignorant of him.

Why is the world ignorant—without knowledge—of God? It is because people reject his revelation. Consider again Romans 1:18-21:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Paul describes two ways God reveals himself to man. He makes himself known through creation. The sun, moon, stars, earth, plants, animals, and humanity all boast of a Creator (cf. Psalm 19:1). They tell us that the Creator is powerful and divine (Romans 1:19). When man worships animals or claims to be God himself, he denies general revelation (revelation given to everyone). If God created the earth, then he must be greater than any created thing. He cannot be a cat, a dog, a cow, or a human. He is divine. That’s what general revelation tells us.

But God also reveals himself to man through the conscience. Romans 1:19 (NASB) says, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.” Many scholars believe this evidence “within” man refers to the conscience. God has given man an innate knowledge of him, and of right and wrong. In Romans 2:14-16, Paul says that the Gentiles, who never received the Old Testament law, will be judged based on their conscience.

God has revealed himself to all, but the world has chosen to reject his revelation. People reject general revelation through creation and the conscience, and also special revelation (revelation given only to specific people) through Scripture and the historical person of Christ. Therefore, the world is “ignorant” by choice. They don’t want to know or obey God. They willfully reject his revelation.

Why do they do this? The apostle John says,

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

People reject the light of God that shines through creation, their conscience, Christ, his Word, etc.—because they love sin. That is a description of the world—willfully ignorant of God.

5. The world is hardened and calloused to sin.

Ephesians 4:18-19a says: “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity.”

Paul describes the hearts of unbelievers as hardened and having lost all sensitivity. Kent Hughes says this about the word “hardened”: “The Greek word for ‘hardening’ is porosis, which comes from the word poros, which originally meant ‘a stone harder than marble.’ In our own terms we might call this ‘a heart of stone.’”6

“Having lost all sensitivity” can also be translated “calloused.” It literally means to be “past feeling” or “having arrived at a condition of freedom from pain.”7 This again refers to a man’s conscience. It bothers him for a time when he rejects God’s law and practices sin, but as he continues to do so his conscience hardens like a rock and he no longer feels convicted. This happens to all of us to some extent when we rebel against God. Eventually, our conscience stops working.

First Timothy 4:1-2 gives an example of this in false teachers. It says,

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

False teachers live hypocritical lives. As they reject God’s ways, their consciences become seared and hardened, and this opens the door to deception by demons and demonic doctrines.

This is what happens to people in the world. Their conscience becomes hard by accepting sin in their entertainment, education, relationships, and other aspects of their lives. They curse, fornicate, lie, steal, and sometimes kill, and yet feel no conviction or pain. And without the protection of a conscience, they are totally susceptible to deception.

Because of this, there are no concrete ethics or absolute truths in the world. What used to be right is now considered wrong and what was wrong is now considered right. The prophet Isaiah says, “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).

To be honest, I hate watching movies where the bad guy wins because it’s really a picture of the direction our world is heading. Bad is good and good is bad. This is also seen in how gangster rappers, who make music about their crimes—selling drugs and killing people—become multi-millionaires because everybody, including Christians, buys their records. Our world is backwards because it has hardened hearts and seared consciences.

6. The world is consumed with sensuality.

As Paul says in Ephesians 4:19, “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality.” “Aselgeia (sensuality) refers to total licentiousness, the absence of all moral restraint, especially in the area of sexual sins.”8 It is the “vice that throws off all restraint and flaunts itself.”9

Again, this is a picture of the pagan world described in Romans 1:24-27:

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 

A disregard for God led to the sexual revolution, as the hearts of men and women were given to sexual impurity—degrading their bodies with one another. It also led to what Scripture calls “shameful lusts,” referring to homosexuality—men burning in passion for one another, and women for women. Paul describes the world culture as sexually crazed.

In the Roman Empire homosexuality and bi-sexuality were normal. In fact, I read one historical article that said it was considered strange for a man to prefer one sex over the other. This was normative for the pagan world, as rejection of God leads to sexual immorality and shameful lusts.

7. The world is greedy for sin, and therefore makes an occupation of it.

Ephesians 4:19 can also be translated, “They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” The world is “greedy” for sin (the NIV translates this word as “indulge”)—it has an uncontrollable lust for more. This uncontrollable lust leads people to make an occupation of sin.

“Ergasia (practice) can refer to a business enterprise, and that idea could apply here.”10 When a person starts a law firm, it is called a practice—a business. This also describes our contemporary culture and how it makes a profit from sin. I read that pornography makes more money than the NFL, NBA, and MLB combined in the US.11 It is one of the biggest businesses, if not the biggest, and it’s the same with trafficking, drugs, etc., in many nations. The world practices sin as a business.

Paul essentially says, “Believers, you must live differently than the world because God commands it, and also because the world is in rebellion against God. Don’t live like the world!”

Application Question: What specific characteristic(s) of the world, as described by Paul, jumped out to you and why?

Believers Must Be Different Because They Know Christ

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. (Ephesians 4:20-21)

Observation Question: What teaching terms does Paul use in reference to Christ in Ephesians 4:20-21 and what do they represent?

The next reason Paul gives for being different from the world is the believers’ relationship to Christ. He says, “You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.” It can be translated literally as, “You did not learn Christ.” This is very unique terminology. James Boice says,

The reason this is “extraordinary” is that the idea of learning a person, rather than a mere fact or doctrine, is found nowhere else in the Greek Bible. Nor has it been found in any other pre-biblical document.12

Paul could say that they learned “about” Christ, but he doesn’t. Why not? Because Christianity is a relationship with Christ. This is very similar to Christ’s teaching about salvation in John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Salvation is knowing God the Father and God the Son.

Paul uses pedagogical (teaching) terms. The phrase “you heard of him” should actually be translated as “you heard him”—”of” isn’t in the original language. This is special. As the majority of these Asian believers had never heard Christ teach in person, Paul is saying that any time they heard Scripture, Christ spoke to them. This is very similar to Ephesians 5:25-27:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Paul describes Christ washing the church with the Word of God to make it a pure and blameless bride. When does this happen? It happens every time we hear the preaching of the Word of God. It happens when we study and meditate on the Word. Christ is involved in every biblical transmission of Scripture to his people. He is present to give us understanding and to help us apply it.

But this is not all. Christ is the subject, the teacher, and the classroom. We were taught “in him” (Eph 4:21). This refers to our union with Christ, which happens at salvation. First Corinthians 12:13 says that we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body. As believers, we are the body of Christ—forever connected to him. Throughout Ephesians, Paul mentions this reality many times. Believers are the faithful “in Christ” (1:1). We have every spiritual blessing “in Christ” (1:3). We were chosen “in him” before the foundation of the world (1:4). God has given us his grace “in the One” he loves (1:6). “In him” we have redemption through his blood and the forgiveness of sins (1:7). In Christ we have so many wonderful blessings, and it is in this dynamic union that he teaches and changes us day by day.

Finally, Christ is not only the subject, the teacher, and the classroom, but also the truth. Paul says, “Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus” (Eph 4:21). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by him (John 14:6). When speaking to Pilate before his death, Christ said he came to “bear witness” to the truth (John 18:37, KJV). There are many ways claiming to be true and the way to God; however, Christ is the truth and the only way to a relationship with God.

Essentially, Christians should be different because they are in the school of Christ. At some point, they became disciples of Christ, and now they daily sit at his feet—listening to his voice and conforming to his image. James Boice adds this about Paul’s reason for focusing on Christ’s training of believers:

It is because in the previous verse he has described the condition of the secular or gentile world as due chiefly to ignorance. He was pointing out that the depravity of the gentile world was due to its willful ignorance of God. The world has hardened its heart against God and so is alienated from him intellectually and in every other way. It follows, then, that when Paul speaks of the difference Jesus makes he does so in exactly parallel terms. The world is ignorant of God, but Christians have come to know him. The secular mind is hostile to Christ’s teaching, but the believer joyfully enrolls in and continually makes progress in Christ’s school.13

Application Question: How should we apply the reality of the teaching we receive from Christ?

1. We must be eager learners.

Our Savior wants to teach us, and therefore, we must wake up every morning ready to learn. When young Samuel heard God speak to him, Eli, the high priest, told him to say, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:9). We would do well to say the same thing to our Lord every day. Speak, LORD, your servants are listening.

Are you an eager leaner?

2. We must be obedient learners.

James said, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (1:22). What are they deceived about? They are deceived about their faith. They are not truly Christ’s disciples. Only those who hear and obey God’s Word are truly born again. Christ says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 7:21). Only those who do the Father’s will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Are you an obedient learner?

Application Questions: What have you been learning recently in the school of Christ? Is Christ calling you to make any changes to be a better student?

Believers Must Be Different Because They Are New in Christ

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Paul explains some lessons every believer learns in the school of Christ. He says,

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

When Paul uses the phrases “put off” and “put on,” these were commonly used of taking off or putting on clothing (cf. Acts 7:58). There is some controversy about the interpretation of this passage. Some believe these phrases should be interpreted as commands (as in the NIV), and others believe they should be in the past tense. In my study, I’ve found that most commentators, including John Stott, Martin Lloyd-Jones, and John MacArthur, believe they should be translated as past tense since the verbs are in the “aorist middle.” Because of this, the Holman Christian Standard Bible translates the passage like this:

You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. (Ephesians 4:22-24 (HCSB))

If this is true, Paul is describing the new identity of believers. When Christ saves us, we become new creations in him—old things pass away, and all things become new (2 Cor 5:17). We are born again through the Spirit of God.

Observation Question: How does Paul describe the changes in believers?

1. Believers put off the old self.

The “old self” refers to what believers were before salvation. It refers to the sinful life we lived before following Christ. When born again, our old self (in the sense of its power over us) dies. Romans 6:6-7 says, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” On the cross, Christ crucified our old self so that it might be done away with.

Well, why do we still struggle with sinful urges, some might ask. The answer is that we still have a sin nature; however, its power over us has been broken. Before, we sinned and lived like the world because we had to—we were slaves to our urges. But now we are not slaves of sin, but of Christ and righteousness (cf. Rom 6:13, 18).

This is important to understand when one feels bound to some habitual sin, addiction, or stronghold. Christ is our abolitionist. He has set us free. John 8:34 and 36 says, “Everyone who sins is a slave of sin… but if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.”

Paul wants believers to understand their freedom. Since they previously were slaves of sexual lusts, lying, selfishness, and discord as unbelievers, why would they run back to their slave master after being set free? We should enjoy our freedom in following Christ, and not run back to slavery to sin, the world, and the devil.

2. Believers received a new mind.

Paul says, “to be made new in the attitude of your minds.” “The word new (kainos) does not mean renovated but entirely new—new in species or character.”14 First Corinthians 2:16 says, “But we have the mind of Christ.” In salvation, we repent of our former ways and choose to follow Christ. “Repentance” really means “a change of mind.” God gives us the mind of Christ—a desire to follow and obey God.

However, this does not remove the need to continually renew our minds. Romans 12:2 says: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” John Stott says this about the renewal of the mind: “If heathen degradation is due to the futility of their minds, then Christian righteousness depends on the constant renewing of our minds.”15

Application Question: How do we renew our minds?

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

In order to think on what is good and thereby renew our minds, we must do two things:

  • We must reject the ungodly.

This is where many Christians fail. It is not that they don’t think on what is good; it’s that they still think on and enjoy the bad. This includes ungodly music, books, TV, and conversation. We renew our minds by rejecting what is ungodly.

  • We must think on the godly.

Whatever we think on, we will eventually do. The world lives in an ungodly manner because of the “futility of their thinking” (Eph 4:17). However, believers live godly lives by redeeming their minds from the foolishness of the world. They develop a biblical worldview by meditating on and obeying God’s Word.

3. Believers put on the new self.

Peter says believers participate in the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). God not only gives us a new mind at salvation, but also his very nature, including new affections and desires. Jonathan Edwards calls these “religious affections.”

True believers desire the Word of God, and God’s righteousness. Jesus says, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). We desire God’s Word and the righteousness that comes from obeying it. Christ says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matt 5:6). True believers desire to see people saved, discipled, and daily conforming to God’s image. They have a new self—a new nature from God.

Paul says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). These will be in our lives to some extent if God’s Spirit lives in us.

However, with all this said—believers having put off the old self and put on the new self, and also having a new mind—we still need to apply these realities daily. Colossians 3:9-10, a parallel passage, says: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Paul emphasizes this in the following verses and throughout the rest of Ephesians. In 4:24, he says we were “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Every day we must make it our aim to fulfill God’s original purpose in saving us—to be like him. We must get rid of sin, renew our minds, and practice righteousness.

Do you know your new identity? We must be different from the world because of how Christ changed us. We are new—created for righteousness (Eph 2:10).

Application Questions: Why is knowing our new identity in Christ so important? How is God calling you to apply your new identity today?

Conclusion

Why should believers be different from the world?

  1. Believers must be different because God commands it.
  2. Believers must be different because the world rebels against God.
  3. Believers must be different because they know Christ.
  4. Believers must be different because they are new in Christ.

Copyright © 2016 Gregory Brown

Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV or AKJV are from the King James Version or Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations and commentators’ quotations have been added.


1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 166). Chicago: Moody Press.

2 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 165). Chicago: Moody Press.

3 Accessed 9/8/2015 from https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-30-how-not-live-ephesians-417-19 

4 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 168). Chicago: Moody Press.

5 Accessed 9/8/2015 from https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-30-how-not-live-ephesians-417-19

6 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (pp. 140–141). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

7 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Ephesians (Vol. 7, p. 210). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

8 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (pp. 170–171). Chicago: Moody Press.

9 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 141). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

10 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (pp. 171–172). Chicago: Moody Press.

11 Accessed 9/8/2015 from http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=132001

12 Boice, J. M. (1988). Ephesians: an expositional commentary (p. 160). Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library.

13 Boice, J. M. (1988). Ephesians: an expositional commentary (p. 161). Grand Rapids, MI: Ministry Resources Library.

14 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 178). Chicago: Moody Press.

15 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). God’s new society: the message of Ephesians (p. 178). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Related Topics: Christian Life

16. Imitating God

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Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:1-7)

How can we imitate God?

Paul has been calling for the Ephesians to put off the clothing of anger, dishonesty, unwholesome words, etc., and to put on godly characteristics like truthfulness, kindness and forgiveness. These are clothes fitting for believers. In this passage, he calls believers to “be imitators of God” (Eph 5:1). Mimētēs (“imitator”) is the word from which we get “mimic”— someone who copies specific characteristics of another person. We must mimic God—seeking to be just like him.

It is an impossible challenge to be like God. However, Scripture commands it. Jesus says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). Peter says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). God calls us to be just like himself.

This is how God created humanity—in his own image. However, at the fall, that image was marred, though not destroyed (cf. Gen 9:6). At conversion, God begins to transform us back into his image. Colossians 3:10 says, “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” God is daily renewing believers back into his perfect image (cf. Rom 8:29).

We also have a role to play in this transformation (cf. Phil 2:12-13). How should we imitate God? How can we live like God while residing among the ungodly? Ephesus was a place of tremendous immorality, where orgies were held in the temple of the goddess, Diana. It was difficult for the Ephesians to imitate God while living among pagans, and it is hard for us as well. In this study, we will consider six principles needed for us to imitate God.

Big Question: How should believers imitate God according to Ephesians 5:1-7?

Believers Imitate God by Recognizing that They Are His Children

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children (Ephesians 5:1)

Here Paul uses terminology every person can relate to—that of being a child. There are many things we can learn about imitating God from the fact that he calls believers “dearly loved children.”

Interpretation Question: How should we, as dearly loved children, imitate God?

1. As dearly loved children, we must recognize that God’s nature is in us in order to imitate him.

It’s natural to believe that being like God is impossible. However, it is not. Because we are his children, we have the DNA of our Father. At conversion, he gave us his nature. Second Peter 1:3-4 says,

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

God gives us everything we need to be like him—we each participate in his divine nature. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “He who is in Christ is a new creation, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new” (KJV). Therefore, God’s command to be like him is a recognition of who we are as his children. Because we are his children, God gave us his Spirit to empower and change us into his image. By his Spirit, we put sin to death in our lives, and by his Spirit we cry out to God, calling him, “Abba Father” (Rom 8:13, 15). As God’s children we possess his nature, and this enables us to conform to his very image.

2. As dearly loved children, we must know that God loves us in order to imitate him.

Another implication from Paul’s exhortation is that we must know that God loves us in order to imitate him. He calls believers “dearly loved” children. If a child thinks that his parents don’t love him, he will not try to imitate them. In fact, the world is full of children who are angry at their parents and want nothing to do with them. This is also true of us. If we don’t know how much God loves us, we won’t want to imitate him.

No doubt, this is why Satan works so hard to tempt believers to doubt God’s love for them. This is what he did with Eve. He deceived her about the character of God, tempting her to think that God was the ultimate killjoy. He wanted her to think that she could not eat from “all” the trees in the Garden. He tempted her to think that God was both untruthful and unkind, keeping the best from her. Similarly, with Job, Satan tempted him to curse God to his face (Job 1:11). That was his purpose in Job’s trials. Satan works overtime to make believers doubt God’s love because he understands that if we comprehend God’s love it will change us.

In Ephesians 3:17b-19, Paul prays,

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Paul prays for the Ephesians to grasp the greatness of Christ’s love for them so that they might be “filled to the measure of the fullness of God.” To be filled means to be influenced and controlled by (cf. Eph 5:18). Paul realized that they would look more like God when they knew the greatness of his love for them.

We must pray this prayer often for ourselves and others. We must know how much God loves us if we are going to imitate him.

3. As dearly loved children, we must constantly watch God in order to imitate him.

A child watches his father walk and talk in order to imitate him. As a child, I remember standing in awe of my father. He was big and strong, and I wanted to imitate him and receive his approval. Therefore, I studied him often. In the same way a child studies his father, we must study God. Hebrews 12:2-3 says,

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

These Christians were being persecuted for their faith, and Scripture encourages them to consider Christ and his sufferings in order to endure suffering well. In the same way, we must study God through his Word to imitate him.

4. As dearly loved children, we must constantly abide in God in order to imitate him.

When we hang around a person often, his character starts to rub off on us. It’s the same with God. We must be in constant prayer—enjoying his presence. We must often fellowship with his people—where he is present (Matt 18:20). We must worship him constantly, as God inhabits the praises of his people (Ps 22:3, KJV, paraphrase). As we spend time with God, he changes us into his image, from “glory to glory” (2 Cor 3:18, KJV). Let this be true of us so we can continue to grow into his image.

Are you imitating God as his dearly loved child?

Application Questions: Name a few characteristics of God. Which communicable characteristic (one such as love, which humans can imitate, as opposed to one like omnipresence, which cannot be imitated) would you like to grow in most, and why?

Believers Imitate God by Loving Others

and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2 )

Observation Question: How does Paul describe God’s love in order for believers to imitate it?

Another way that believers imitate God is by living a life of love. First John 4:8 says, “God is love”—love is a definitive characteristic of God. Before God created man, he lived in a perfect loving relationship with God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to imitate this perfect love.

The word “live” can also be translated “walk.” This pictures believers making daily choices to love as God loves. However, we must understand that this love is not primarily emotional—it is an act of the will. Paul gives Christ’s loving sacrifice for the sins of the world as an example to model. His sacrifice was both an act of love for humanity and an act of love for God, a “fragrant offering” (Eph 5:2). John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Love is not only commanded by Paul, but by Christ as well. In John 13:34-35, Christ tells his disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Love is a fruit in every true believer—a fruit of being born again. Others will identify us by this love, and it should assure our hearts that we are truly born again.

First John 3:14-15 supports this: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” Love for the brothers will identify every true believer.

The question we must then ask is, “What does this divine love look like in a believer’s daily walk?” We can discern the answer by considering Christ’s loving, sacrificial death for the world.

Interpretation Question: What does Christ’s sacrificial death demonstrate to us about how to love others?

  • Christ’s sacrificial death demonstrates God’s forgiveness for our sins.

First Corinthians 13:5 says that love “keeps no record of wrongs.” Are you keeping a record of the failures of others? Or, in imitation of God, are you forgiving others for their failures? In the words of the English poet Alexander Pope, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

  • Christ’s sacrificial death demonstrates meeting the needs of others.

Man could not save himself—he was helpless. Christ had to die for our sins. In the same way, believers must help the hurting, the poor, the despised, and even the unborn—those who have no advocate. Paul previously called for believers to stop stealing and to save in order to help those in need (Eph 4:28). This is divine love. Selfish love only cares about its own needs, but divine love cares about the needs of others.

  • Christ’s sacrificial death demonstrates the opportunity for salvation.

We must love people enough to preach the gospel to them. Yes, it will offend and push some away, but it is the most loving thing that we can do. The reason we don’t evangelize is because we don’t love others as we should.

  • Christ’s sacrificial death demonstrates the great cost suffered by God and Christ for us.

In the same way, believers must love God enough to sacrifice everything for him—we must be willing to leave family, home, and career if needed. We must also love others enough to sacrifice for them. The believers in the early church sold all they owned to help other Christians in need (Acts 2:45). We must love one another in the same way, and by this, all men will know we are Christ’s disciples (John 13:34-35).

Application Question: How is God calling you to grow in sacrificial love for God and others?

Believers Imitate God by Abstaining from Sexual Immorality

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (Ephesians 5:3)

Next, Paul commands believers to abstain from sexual immorality. This is important since one of the results of rebelling against God is a sexually immoral lifestyle. Paul describes this in Romans 1:21-27:

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened… [24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another… [26] Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (Romans 1:21-27 )

Rejection of God led to sexual immorality and shameful lusts—including homosexuality. Historically, the Roman Empire was known for loose sexual ethics. It was normal for a man to prefer both genders, and it was considered strange for him to prefer only one. A world that rejects God is a world handed over not only to idolatry but to a sexual revolution. This is what we are experiencing in much of the world today.

Observation Question: What words does Paul use to describe the sexual behavior that the Ephesians should not participate in?

1. Sexual immorality

“Sexual immorality” (Eph 5:3) comes from the Greek word porneia, from which we get the English word “pornography.” It refers to all types of sexual immorality.

2. Impurity

“Impurity” is a more general term than “sexual immorality” in that it refers to anything that is unclean and filthy. John MacArthur says this about the term:

Jesus used the word to describe the rottenness of decaying bodies in a tomb (Matt. 23:27). The other ten times the word is used in the New Testament it is associated with sexual sin. It refers to immoral thoughts, passions, ideas, fantasies, and every other form of sexual corruption.1

3. Greed

The word “greed” can also be translated “covetousness.” In the context, it is not referring to money or wealth but to “someone else’s body.”2 Covet was also used this way in the Ten Commandments about not coveting one’s neighbor’s wife. We must keep ourselves from lusting after others. Instead, we must be content.

Sexual immorality, impurity, and greed are improper for God’s holy people. The word “holy” has to do with being “set apart” (Eph 5:3). God set us apart from the sexual promiscuity of the world. In 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5, Paul says that each believer must “learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.”

Interpretation Question: What must a believer learn to keep his body pure in a sexually charged world?

Paul says there should not even be a “hint” of sexual immorality (Eph 5:3). This is where most believers fail. They don’t understand how dangerous sexual immorality is, and therefore open the door to sexually charged music, movies, TV shows, and Internet sites. They reason that “only a little won’t hurt,” and the enemy catches and binds them in sexual addictions. Lust is like a small flame, which has the ability to burn down an entire forest.

Not only do believers allow hints of sexual immorality in their hearts through the media, but also through relationships. They practice the world’s model in their dating relationships—opening the door to the enemy. They reason that a little holding hands won’t hurt, a little kissing is harmless, and a little intimate touching is normal. By doing this, the fan the fire of lust. Paul said, “Don’t even allow a hint of sexual immorality in your life.”

Here is the model Scripture gives for one’s dating/courtship relationships. First Timothy 5:1b-2 says, “Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” Believers should treat members of the opposite sex as natural family members with all purity. There should be no hint of sexual immorality in these relationships.

Personally, because of the temptation to sexual immorality, I often recommend that unmarried couples implement a firm “no touch” policy. I think that’s in line with Paul’s exhortation of “no hint” of sexual immorality between Christian brothers and sisters. Believers should close every potential door to sexual immorality (cf. Matt 5:27-30).

Application Question: What are some other strategies for believers (married and unmarried) to practice in order to help them remain pure?

Believers Imitate God by Keeping Their Mouths Clean

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:4)

Observation Question: How does Paul describe inappropriate language for a believer?

Next, in imitating God, Paul describes the believer’s words. While Jesus was on earth, the Roman guards said of him, “Nobody ever spoke like this” (John 7:46). In addition, the people from his hometown were amazed at his “gracious words” (Luke 4:22). Our Savior’s words were always godly and gracious, and since he is our Lord, it is inappropriate for our words to be otherwise. 

Paul uses several terms to describe inappropriate language:

1. Obscenity

This refers to any talk that is degrading and disgraceful, including cursing and saying the Lord’s Name in vain.

2. Foolish talk

The word used for “foolish talk” is morologia. Moro means “fool,” or “stupid.” It is where we get the English word “moron.” Therefore, moronic talk is not fitting for a believer. “Empty, wasteful, idiotic talk is sub-Christian.” 3 Christ even says that we will be judged for every idle word (Matt 12:36).

One reason for not talking foolishly is that it leads to more sin. Proverbs 10:19 says, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Too many words lead to sin—to saying or joking about something inappropriate. People seem to be more prone to moronic talk when staying up late at night or wasting time. Their inhibitions are down, and their tongues gush foolishness and sin. Paul says to beware of this.

Now it must also be said that Paul is not condemning laughing and joking. Proverbs 17:22 says a cheerful heart is like good medicine, and Ecclesiastes says there is a “time to laugh” (Ecc 3:4). There is nothing wrong with good fun, but we must be careful of ungodly fun, which often begins with an unrestrained tongue.

3. Coarse joking

Coarse joking comes from a word that means “‘able to turn easily.’ This suggests a certain kind of conversationalist who can turn any statement into a coarse jest.”4 This type of wit is common for a late night TV show host. They are paid to turn news events, articles, and statements—no matter how innocent—into something crude and perverse. 

Though all of these terms refer to negative speech in general, in this context they probably refer specifically to sexual speech. Sadly, believers who practice sexual abstinence often find it acceptable to talk loosely about sex. They reason, “Well, I’m not having sex like everybody else, so I can at least joke about it.” However, one of the problems with this is that words reveal what is really in the heart. Listen to what Christ says about words in Matthew 15:18-19: “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”

When Christ says a man is “unclean,” he means unclean before God. This person might not be committing the physical act of adultery, but to God he is an adulterer. It is in his heart, as revealed by his mouth. Christ teaches that lusting after a woman is equivalent to committing adultery in one’s heart (Matt 5:28). Our hearts condemn or approve us before God.

What do your words say about your heart? Are you imitating your Father by only speaking gracious words?

Observation Question: How does Paul describe appropriate speech for a believer?

Paul says it should be marked by “thanksgiving.” In Romans 1:21, Paul described the unbelieving world as not glorifying God or giving thanks to him. It says, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.” People who deny God are prone to selfishness and pride, expecting the world to revolve around them and becoming angry and bitter when it does not. However, believers should recognize God as loving, wise, and working all things out for their good (Romans 8:28) and, therefore they should constantly practice speech marked by thanksgiving rather than bitterness and ungodliness. First Thessalonians 5:18 says to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

As mentioned, the negative terms describing speech are probably referring to perverse sexual talk; therefore, thanksgiving in this context might specifically refer to a believer’s view of sex. John Stott says,

But the reason why Christians should dislike and avoid vulgarity is not because we have a warped view of sex, and are either ashamed or afraid of it, but because we have a high and holy view of it as being in its right place God’s good gift, which we do not want to see cheapened. All God’s gifts, including sex, are subjects for thanksgiving, rather than for joking. To joke about them is bound to degrade them; to thank God for them is the way to preserve their worth as the blessings of a loving Creator.5

Application Questions: Why is it so common for believers to practice debased speech instead of speech that glorifies God? How is God challenging you to grow in your speech—especially in the area of thanksgiving? Why should believers possess a thankful attitude (or a holy attitude) instead of a debased one in regards to sex?

Believers Imitate God by Remembering His Judgment

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 5:5-6)

Interpretation Questions: What does Paul mean by teaching that those who practice sin have no inheritance in the kingdom? Is he saying that people are saved or condemned by their works?

The next reason given for imitating God is a warning of God’s judgment. Paul reminds believers that “no immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom.” He is referring to someone practicing the sexual characteristics that he previously addressed. He calls this person an idolater because sex has taken the place of God in his life. He constantly thinks about sex, talks about it, and practices it. This is essentially worship. Paul is clear—those practicing sexual immorality are not saved. Christ says the same thing in Matthew 5:27-30:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

The judgment for the sexually immoral is hell—eternal separation from God’s blessings. Now, Christ and Paul are not saying that a person goes to heaven or hell based on works (cf. Eph 2:8-9). However, they are teaching that a person’s works prove if he is truly saved or not. True salvation changes the direction and pattern of a person’s life. Therefore, if a person continually practices sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness—he is not saved. There is no new life in him. He is spiritually dead in his trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1).

True believers stumble in these areas, but when they do, they hate their sin and repent of it. Unbelievers practice these things as a lifestyle because that is their nature. There are similar warnings to this throughout the New Testament. First Corinthians 6:9-10 says,

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Those who practice unrepentant sin as a lifestyle will not enter the kingdom of God. It must be noticed that Paul includes homosexuality. There are a great number of Christians today declaring that homosexuality is all right with God. Here again, we must note Paul’s warning, “Do not be deceived.” Homosexuality is not all right, and neither is any sex outside of a married man and woman.

Interpretation Question: Why does Paul teach believers to not be deceived? What types of deceptions were happening in the early church? How are we experiencing them today?

When Paul says, “Let no one deceive you with empty words” (Eph 5:6), the implication is that some in the church were teaching a permissive view of morality and God’s judgment. One of the things we know about the early church is that Gnosticism was rampant. Gnosticism came from a Greek philosophy which taught that the body was evil and the spirit was good. Therefore, Gnostics believed that whatever one did with the body didn’t matter because God only cared about the spirit. This meant that believers could live in sexual immorality, stealing, lying, etc., and God would still accept them. However, this is not true. God cares about every part of us—body, mind, and spirit. One day he will resurrect our bodies to be with him eternally—he doesn’t just care about our spirits.

Today, we have a false belief system called “universalism” that teaches that all people will be saved. However, Ephesians 5:5 denies this reality—along with a plethora of other Scriptures that teach God’s judgment (cf. Matt 13:41-42, 25:46). Sadly, many professing Christians believe this false doctrine. Obviously, these Christians do not read their Bibles, or simply don’t believe them. God wiped out the entire earth with a flood because of sin. He judged the nations in Canaan, commanding the Israelites to wipe them out. When the people of Israel sinned, he judged them. In the early church, God killed Ananias and Sapphira for lying.

God is currently judging people, and there will be a future judgment as well. God will not let the world continue to dishonor him. Peter also warns of false teachers who deny Christ’s second coming and a future judgment. Consider what he says:

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.  By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:3-11)

Why should we imitate God and be holy? We should imitate him because he is a holy God who judges sin. The Lord is coming soon. Are you following him?

Application Questions: In what ways do you see this deception—a denial of God’s judgment—in the church? Why is it so prevalent?

Believers Imitate God by Separating from Those Living in Sin

Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:7)

Interpretation Question: Who is Paul referring to when he says “do not be partners with them”?

Finally, Paul says that if we are going to imitate God, we must separate from those living in sin or teaching deception—we must not partner with them. First Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Our relationships will either help us to know God better or pull us away from him. In Proverbs, wisdom and foolishness do not refer to a person’s intellect, but to his relationship with God and obedience to him. That is why Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no god.’” Proverbs 13:20 says that if we walk with those who obey and love God, we will grow in obedience and love for him. But, if we walk with those who rebel against God, we will also rebel against him.

This is why Paul says we must not partner with people practicing sin or denying God’s judgment. Second Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

Certainly, believers must be light to the world, and they must share the gospel with those who don’t know Christ. But we should not be in yoking relationships where we are pulled away from God—even with those who profess Christianity.

Are you partnering with those who deny God by their lifestyle or teaching? Paul says, “Don’t do it!”

Application Questions: How do we balance being in the world but not of the world? How can we reach the world without being contaminated by it? Also, how should we treat those who profess Christ, but practice immorality or deny God’s judgment?

Conclusion

How can believers imitate God?

  1. Believers imitate God by recognizing that they are his children.
  2. Believers imitate God by loving others.
  3. Believers imitate God by abstaining from sexual immorality.
  4. Believers imitate God by keeping their mouths clean.
  5. Believers imitate God by remembering his judgment.
  6. Believers imitate God by separating from those living in sin.

Copyright © 2016 Gregory Brown

Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV or AKJV are from the King James Version or Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations and commentators’ quotations have been added.


1 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 200). Chicago: Moody Press.

2 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 156). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

3 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 157). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

4 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 45). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

5 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). God’s new society: the message of Ephesians (p. 193). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Related Topics: Christian Life

18. How Healthy Churches Resist The Devil (1 Peter 5:8-11)

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Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him belongs the power forever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:8-11 (NET)

How do healthy churches resist the devil?

It should be remembered that these congregations throughout the Roman Empire were being persecuted. There was probably division in the church, as the young men were not submitting to the elders (1 Peter 5:5). Peter in the last chapter of the letter essentially encourages them to be healthy. He speaks to the leadership and the congregations. He calls them to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand during their trials.

He ends the letter with a final warning. He calls them to be alert and to resist the devil. This was very important. It should be noted that it is often in the midst of a trial that Satan attacks the hardest. It was while Jesus was at his weakest physically that Satan attacked him in the wilderness. It was in the wilderness that Israel was tempted to complain and turn away from God. It was when there was famine in the land that Abraham left the promise land and went to Egypt.

These scattered churches needed to be very aware of Satan and his attacks in the midst of their trials and their persecutions. No doubt, the enemy would seek to bring discord amongst the believers: try to draw many away from the faith and make many give up. It has been said God uses trials to strengthen our faith and Satan uses trials to weaken our faith. We always must be aware of his attacks, but especially during trials.

Another, aspect of a healthy church is their vigilant fight against the devil. C. S. Lewis talked about how there were two extremes in our understanding of the devil. There is the extreme of seeing Satan behind everything. He brings every sickness; he is the cause behind every sin. Satan, often, gets way too much credit in the church.

However, the other extreme, which is far more common, is that most Christians don’t recognize Satan at all. They blame their roommates, they blame the government, they blame their wives, they blame themselves and sometimes blame God, but Satan gets none of the blame. Paul said this:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12

It is possible for Christians to see and blame everybody else and not recognize the spiritual war we are in. This would be particularly important for these Christians who were being persecuted for their faith. They needed to realize that Satan is the ruler of this world (John 12:31) and he is working behind the government and all aspects of society, to come against the plans of God. They needed to be alert for the devil. This would keep them from blaming God or blaming others.

Because of this sober reality, healthy churches and church members need a strong awareness of the enemy. Look at Pauls awareness of the enemy:

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us (emphasis mine).
1 Thessalonians 2:18

He saw Satan hindering the work of ministry, as Paul was trying to visit Thessalonica. Similarly, look at what Paul said to married couples in 1 Corinthians 7:5,

Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control (emphasis mine).

Paul saw Satan active in seeking to destroy marriages. In fact, Paul was so aware of Satan that he studied his schemes in order to not be tricked by them. He said this, “In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor 2:11).

Paul saw an awareness of the devil as very important for a healthy church and thus a healthy Christian life. He calls for these Christians, who are scattered throughout Asia Minor, to be self-controlled and alert because Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

As we go through this lesson, I want you to ask yourself, “Do you have a healthy awareness of the devil? and How do we properly resist the devil, as a congregation? These questions are, especially, important as we go through trials.

Big Question: How do healthy churches resist the devil according to 1 Peter 5:8-9?

Healthy Churches Resist the Devil by Recognizing Him and His Tactics

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NET)

Peter calls for this church to be alert. This means they must recognize the devil and be aware of his works. He begins to explain a little bit more about the devil in the rest of the verse. This text doesn’t give us a full systematic theology on Satan and his works, but if we look closely, there is a lot we can learn from these few verses.

Observation Question: What does 1 Peter 5:8–9 teach us about the devil, so we can recognize him and be more aware of his works?

1. He is an enemy of the church. Peter said, “Your enemy the devil.”

The word your is plural. It means that not only do we have a personal enemy who hates us but one who ultimately wants to oppose the work of God in every church. He will harass, seek to bring division, seek to bring persecution, seek to hinder the preaching of God’s Word. This enemy works against the church of God.

We must be aware that every step that makes us closer to God or enables us to do more for the kingdom of God, will be met with opposition. The Christian must beware that when he became a follower of Christ, he also received an enemy. Jesus said that in the kingdom the devil plants false believers, tares, to choke the harvest (Matt 13:24-30). Satan is working not only from outside the church but inside the church. We must be aware that we have an enemy.

2. He is a dangerous foe.

We see this from the fact that Peter uses the metaphor of a lion in describing Satan. He is dangerous and needs to be taken seriously.

Now sometimes in certain sects of Christianity, they have lost a proper reverence for the enemy. They tend to overemphasize the fact that we have authority in Christ, and therefore, demean the enemy. Ask any person in a sporting event how a very talented team loses against a less talented team. This often happens because people don’t respect their opponent. Listen to what Jude says about this:

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them (emphasis mine).
Jude 1:8–10

In talking about false prophets, he calls them dreamers and describes how they slander celestial beings including the devil. Jude says even the archangel Michael, an angel more powerful than us, respected the devil and called upon God to rebuke him using the authority in the Lord’s name.

Sometimes, people have forgotten that Satan is a foe who knows us better than we know ourselves. He has been studying humans for thousands of years; he understands their tendencies. He also is very powerful and ferocious, as alluded to by the metaphor of a lion.

Though some may not verbally underestimate him, they live lives that do not recognize the danger he poses. They allow their kids total freedom in what they watch, what they wear, where they go. Would you do this if a lion was outside? Satan is more dangerous than any lion.

I do believe there is an authority that comes with our relationship with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), but we also must properly evaluate our enemy. He is a dangerous foe and the person who understands this will be self-controlled and alert.

How would you react if there was a lion prowling outside your apartment building? Now, how would you react if he was in your apartment building? You probably would be alert and in full control of your faculties.

3. He is an accuser.

Peter calls him the devil; the name means “accuser” or “slanderer.” This means that one of his primary assaults is accusation.

He accuses us before God. We saw this in the book of Job as Satan accused Job. Satan said to God, “Job only loves you because you bless him.” Satan also accuses God to us. We saw this with Eve. He said to Eve, “God is a liar; he doesn’t want what’s best for you. He is keeping you from being like God.” But he also attacks us. He says to us we cannot be godly, we cannot be holy—he attacks our body image, our failures, and our relationships. He is an accuser.

Listen to what Paul said: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1); “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31)

We must know that in Christ, the enemy’s accusations have lost their power. Have you recognized his accusing thoughts? He accuses to bring discord with other believers. He accuses to bring depression. We must be aware of his accusations.

4. He often uses stealth in order to catch Christians (prowl).

Look at the definition of prowl. It means “to roam through stealthily, as in search of prey or plunder.”1

We have an enemy who is trying to catch people, but he is often sly and stealthy in the process, like any good hunter. He doesn’t show up in a red costume saying “I want to kill you.” He prowls in a stealthy manner to destroy someone who is unaware. Look what Paul said about our enemy:

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve (emphasis mine).
2 Corinthians 11:13—15

Paul said Satan shows himself as an angel of light in order to deceive people and devour them. His ministers show up as apostles of Christ, those sent to preach the Word. Jesus called them wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15); they come with intentions to deceive. Many are devoured by the enemy because they are not aware of his tactics. He comes into the house by stealth through the TV, through the books one reads, through certain relationships. He comes through many ministers of the faith. He is a very cunning enemy.

Are you aware that you have an enemy who is prowling around waiting for an opportunity, a door, to snare you?

5. He often uses the tactic of fear in order to intimidate the believer (roaring lion).

It has often been said that the lion roars to paralyze his prey. In the same way, one of the tactics that Satan uses to hinder the effectiveness of believers is fear. Look at what Paul says to Timothy: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (emphasis mine), but a spirit of power, of love and of self–discipline” (2 Tim 1:7). Timothy is probably struggling with fear about doing ministry, and Paul alerts him to the fact that, that spirit is not from God.

It will commonly be fear that Satan uses to keep you from doing God’s will as well. Look at the Parable of the Talents.

Then the man who had received the one talent came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you” (emphasis mine).
Matthew 25:24–25

The man whom God had given one talent to serve, did not because he was afraid. He was afraid to lead a small group, afraid to witness, afraid to go on missions, afraid about the future and this kept him from doing God’s will.

Satan, as a roaring lion, works through fear. He paralyzes his prey with worries and anxieties about the present, the past and the future. He roars to keep people from progressing in the things of God.

Are you under the constant barrage of fears and worries? This is how Satan paralyzes people and keeps them from growing in the faith and doing God’s will. Let us remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.

6. He ultimately wants to destroy the believer (seeking whom he may devour).

Look at what Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 8:44: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him” (emphasis mine). In this context, Jesus is accusing the Pharisees of wanting to kill him. He said they were doing the will of their father, the devil. This is the reality of every believer, especially a believer who is living passionately for God.

The devil will use even, what some would call, harmless sins to ultimately destroy the believer. He is a murderer, and we must be aware of that with every temptation. We often see the male drinking on TV and laughing while surrounded by a bunch of females, but we don’t see the drunk, drowning in his vomit, who has lost job and career. Satan wants to destroy, and if he can’t kill you, he wants to destroy your witness and to shame you in such a way that you will be too scared to allow God to use you. He is a destroyer.

When you really understand this concept, you cease to give Satan any doors. You don’t listen to him through the music or TV shows because you know his ultimate plan. He is a murderer. He wants to devour not only individuals, but families and churches. His pathway is full of destruction.

We must flee from all appearance of evil (1 Thess 5:22) for our enemy desires to devour, not just tempt.

The believer, however, can take confidence that God holds the temperature gauge on every trial that he allows the enemy to bring against us and that he always provides a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13).

7. He attacks in a widespread manner (your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings).

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Pet 5:9).

Because Satan is the god of this age and the prince of this world, he has created a system that works against God and those who follow him. We should not be surprised when we are passed over for promotion because of a lifestyle that is righteous. We should not be surprised when we are mocked for our values and belief systems.

In this context, Christians were being burned in the gardens of Nero just to give light to his plants and flowers. We should not be surprised at this, for Satan is at work behind the world system. He works in the hearts of those who are disobedient (Eph 2:2), leading them even into ridiculous atrocities. The enemy’s attacks are widespread.

8. He is a liar (brothers undergoing same kind of sufferings).

Probably an implication of Peter telling this church that the brothers throughout the world were enduring the same suffering is that Satan is a liar.

Believers are often tempted to believe that they are the only one’s going through their situation. They are tempted to think no one else understands them. Satan often isolates the believer from the church or other healthy relationships with this lie. He does this by making them feel like nobody else is going through this or nobody understands. The person struggling with pornography, the woman with an eating disorder, or the man with homosexual thoughts hide in shame, thinking no one else has the same struggles. Satan condemns and shames them in order to isolate and destroy them. We see this truth throughout the Scripture; Jesus calls Satan the father of lies (John 8:44).

Peter assures them that their temptations are common to the brothers. The believer must be aware of this lie often used by the devil. “No one else understands, no one else has been through what I have been through.” This keeps the believer from sharing with others and often keeps them bound in sin. Listen to what Paul said:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (emphasis mine).
1 Corinthians 10:13

Are you alert and aware of your enemy the devil?

He opposes everything good you seek to do for God. He seeks to encourage fear in you. He seeks to encourage you to isolate yourself. He feeds you lies. He accuses you; he accuses God; he accuses your friends. Are you alert to the works of the devil? He ultimately wants to destroy every believer. He wants to destroy their testimony and ultimately kill them.

Are you aware of your enemy the devil?

Healthy Churches Resist the Devil by Being Sober and Self-Controlled

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NET)

Peter says believers must protect themselves from the devil by being sober. What does it mean to be sober?

Interpretation Question: In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter calls believers to be sober in resisting the devil. It can also be translated “self-controlled.” What does it mean to be sober and self-controlled in resisting the devil? Why is this important?

The word that Peter uses for sober here has several meanings:

1. To be sober means to be free of intoxicants both spiritual and physical. We will look at both separately.

a.) Spiritual Intoxication

A spiritual intoxicant is anything that creates apathy in your spiritual life and draws you away from God. It includes loving the things of this world and pursuing them, it includes addictions to sin that keep you from properly viewing people and the things of God.

We get a good picture of spiritual intoxication in the prodigal son (Luke 15). He leaves his father’s house in order to pursue wasteful living. He pursued the things of this world, the prostitutes and drunkenness. This ultimately led to his poverty. The prodigal son could not properly evaluate the beauty of the father’s love. Finally, Scripture says he came to “his senses” (v. 17). He sobered up and went home.

How many Christians has Satan destroyed because of spiritual drunkenness? They enjoy an ungodly relationship more than obedience to God. They enjoy the pursuit of materialism more than the joy of seeing the nations come to Christ. They are intoxicated and cannot properly steer the wheel of their lives.

Another good example of spiritual intoxication is the story of Esau and Jacob. Esau is the eldest son of Isaac. The inheritance of his father is his. However, one day he comes back from hunting in the field and has caught nothing. Therefore, he is starving. When he enters the house, Jacob has just made a wonderful dinner. Esau was so hungry that he bartered away his father’s inheritance, all the livestock, and wealth that had been stored up for generations, for one meal.

This may seem ridiculous, but it is not ridiculous in comparison to how many Christians live. They often choose to live their short 70 years on this earth enjoying the pleasures of this world, instead of enjoying their father’s love and preparing for their inheritance in heaven. Instead of living for God and storing their wealth in heaven, they store it on this earth, only to leave it behind at death. This is spiritual intoxication with the things of this world. They cannot properly evaluate the father’s love and blessing, in comparison to the fleeting pleasures of sin and the temporary things of this world. They are like Esau, spiritually intoxicated. Look at what John says:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (emphasis mine).
1 John 2:15-17

Satan works hard to deceive Christians and draw them away from the things of God. He seeks to intoxicate them. This is why Paul says: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world (emphasis mine), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

We must change our thinking. We must have a sober mind so we will not be tricked by the evil one.

b.) Physical Intoxication

But being sober does not just refer to spiritual intoxication, it also refers to physical intoxication. This is a call to be free of addictions to cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc. Scripture consistently calls Christians to live a sober life. Look at what Paul says in Ephesians 5:18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

Satan is content to control your life through a physical intoxicant, as long as you are not controlled by God. You can only have one master. You cannot have two or three. You will love one and hate the other (Matt 6:24). The person who is addicted to a drug, essentially gives the worship and dependence that only God is worthy of, to that drug. This is something that Satan is happy about, and will use to draw a person farther and farther away from God and his plans for their lives.

Also, I think the original audience would have read this command a little different than the contemporary audience. Certainly, it referred to being free from drugs. But drugs in that society were an essential part of pagan worship and witchcraft. It should be noted that the word magic or sorcery in the Bible (Rev. 18:23) comes from the word pharmakea, where we get the word pharmacy.

Typically, people who were worshiping other gods or demons would use drugs in order to enhance their worship. Witches, specifically, would use drugs in order to open themselves up to the spirit world or demon spirits. No doubt, this was in Peter’s mind when he called the Christians to be sober. The use of these drugs opened the door for Satan and Peter probably commanded them to be sober in order to protect them from demonic influence.

Does this still happen today? Is it any surprise that in the majority of heinous crimes drugs or alcohol is involved? One statistic said for sexual assaults, 75% of the time, the offender, the victim, or both had been drinking.2 I have no doubt that the enemy commonly uses people who cannot control themselves because of submission to a drug, in order to rule over them and commit many heinous acts. Ephesians 2:2 describes Satan as “the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” It is no doubt easier for Satan to “work in” someone who has relinquished their self-control to some drug.

2. To be sober also means to be disciplined, as it can be translated “self-controlled.”

One of the ways a Christian lives a sober life and protects themselves from the enemy is by being self-controlled. Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV),

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (emphasis mine).

He compares the Christian to an athlete and says the Christian must be disciplined in all things. This includes their eating, their drinking, their sleeping, and their media. The Olympic athlete does this for an Olympic crown, but we do it for an imperishable one in heaven. How much more should a Christian be disciplined in all things when we will be rewarded by God, not an Olympic committee?

Listen, many Christians fail in this aspect of Paul’s command just by the time they go to bed at night. They don’t get good sleep, which affects their ability to get up and spend time with God. They are not living self-controlled lives. They live career-controlled lives, socially controlled lives, or media-controlled lives and this opens the door for the enemy to draw them away from God.

Satan has won in many Christians’ lives just because they are not disciplined. He won the battle in church the night before when the student chose to stay out all night hanging with his friends. In church, he is “bobbing and weaving.” He wins in the battle of the mind because the Christian lets any thought come into their mind—discouraging thoughts, depressing thoughts, lustful thoughts. In Hebrew, the word for simple has the connotation of an “open door” (Psalm 19:7). Many Christians just let their mind think anything. There is no self-control which is a fruit of the Spirit. This is the Christian who is not living a sober life, a self-controlled life, and therefore, is losing to the devil.

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
Proverbs 25:28

Are you living a self-controlled life? Are you living a sober life?

How do we apply this call to be self-controlled to the church? For many churches, the world is in the church and Satan has drugged it. In 1 Corinthians 5, when the man was having sex with his father’s wife, the church was boasting in their liberality (v. 6). They were a “tolerant” church. Many churches are like that today. They accept sexual immorality and homosexuality. The church is seeking to be accepted by the world and is becoming drugged by its philosophies and worldviews. Many churches are no longer sober but are already drinking the alcohol of this world, and they have opened the door for the evil one in the church.

Many churches have accepted the wisdom of this world, instead of the foolishness of God (1 Cor 1:25). They no longer accept a Biblical creation story; they no longer accept a God who does miracles. They no longer accept the inerrant and holy Word of God. Much of the church has lost its soberness, and therefore, opened the door for Satan.

Are you a sober Christian? Are you a self-controlled Christian? Or are you a Christian that has opened the door for the devil? Christians must resist by living sober and self-controlled lifestyles.

Application Question: What ways do you see a lack of soberness in the church today, which has opened the door for the evil one? What ways is God calling you to be more sober and self-controlled so you can better resist the devil?

Healthy Churches Resist the Devil by Standing Firm in the Faith

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering.
1 Peter 5:8–9 (NET)

Peter says healthy churches resist the devil by being strong in the faith. It can also be translated “standing firm in the faith,” as in the NIV. Resisting the devil is a defensive posture. It is what we do when the enemy attacks. James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Interpretation Question: According to 1 Peter 5:9, how do we resist the devil by standing firm in the faith? What does it mean to “stand firm in the faith?”

In order to resist the devil, the Christian must put his entire trust in God. That is why Peter says “stand firm in the faith.” The only ground we can stand on when attacked by the devil is our faith—it’s not medicine, it’s not worldly philosophy.

This is one of the reasons biblical counseling is so important because the secular world does not accept the reality of Satan and his demons. Satan is too great of a foe for us to defeat on our own or in our own power.

Paul says the weapons of our warfare are not carnal or secular but mighty in God for casting down strongholds (2 Cor 10:4). It must be done by putting our trust totally in God and his resources. Listen to what Paul said in the context of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (emphasis mine). If we are to resist the devil, it must be through the Lord’s power and resources.

Interpretation Question: What does it mean to stand firm in the faith? How can we stand firm in order to resist the devil?

1. Standing firm in the faith means to resist the devil through Scripture.

When Christ resisted the devil in the wilderness, he used the Word of God. He quotes Scripture with every attack that Satan brings. Look at what Christ said:

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’” (emphasis mine).
Matthew 4:8–10

Christ always replies to the devil, “It is written.” If a Christian doesn’t know the Word of God, he will be open to many attacks from the devil. When Satan attacks a person’s body image and that person is tempted to feel discouraged, the believer must have Scripture to reply with. When the believer is attacked with lust or anxieties, he must have Scripture to reply with.

2. Standing firm in the faith means to practice a holy life.

We see this in looking at the armor of God. The majority of the armor of God is simply a holy life. By living a holy life, a Christian puts on the armor of God and protects him or herself against attacks from the enemy. To put on the breastplate of righteousness means to live a righteous life. A righteous life protects you from much of the enemy’s advances. To put on the belt of truth means to believe the truth and not accept any lies. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Eph 6:14)

When a believer instead chooses to rebel against God’s will in areas of sex, unforgiveness, cheating, etc., he opens the door for Satan. The believer must stand firm in the faith by practicing a holy life.

3. Standing firm in the faith means to live in an atmosphere of prayer

Jesus told the disciples to “pray lest they enter into temptation.” Prayer would have protected them from temptation to sin, and therefore, the devil. He called them to pray for an hour and they all failed. Consequently, they all denied him, in his time of need.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Mark 14:38).

Similarly, after Paul commands believers to put on the armor of God, he commands them to pray. Prayer is one of the ways we resist the devil. Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 6:18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Also, Jesus taught that praying for protection from the evil one should be a regular part of the believer’s prayer life. Listen to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:13: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (emphasis mine). We should pray for this for ourselves, for our families but especially for our church, whom the enemy is always attacking.

Another aspect of prayer probably includes rebuking the devil or commanding him to leave at times when it is clear that he is at work. We see this in many different parts of Scripture. In the book of Zechariah, Satan is accusing the high priest, Joshua, before God, and the Angel of the Lord rebukes Satan. Look at what he says:

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire” (emphasis mine)?
Zechariah 3:1–2

We see the Angel of the Lord, whom most scholars believe is a reference to Christ, rebuking Satan by using the name of the Lord. Essentially, God rebukes the devil by using his own name. We also see this with Michael, the archangel, in Jude 1:9. He rebukes Satan by using the Lord’s name. We, similarly, see the Apostles commanding demons to leave in the name of the Lord (Acts 16:18). There may be times where you stand firm in the faith by commanding demonic anxieties, lies of the devil, or other demonic works to cease in Jesus name.

James, like Peter, commands believers to resist the devil. He says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Sometimes, we resist the devil by rebuking him in Christ’s name. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7).

4. Standing firm in the faith means living a life of worship.

We see that David ministered to Saul, who had a tormenting spirit, through worship (1 Sam 16:23). When David, the psalmist of Israel, would play the harp, the demon would flee. Worship is a powerful weapon in resisting the devil. However, the person who lives in complaining and worry often opens the door for the enemy in their lives. It is through worship and thanksgiving that many of Satan’s arrows are extinguished.

We choose to “give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for our lives” (1 Thess 5:18). When Job gave God thanks in the midst of his trial, he essentially thwarted the attack of the devil, who was trying to make him curse God. Worrying or complaining is not far from cursing God. It says, “God, you are not all wise” or “God, you do not care.”

Are you a thankful, worshipful Christian? Or are you a worrier and a complainer? Complaining brought the judgment of God on Israel while in the wilderness (1 Cor 10:10). Complaining is also contagious, as it tends to open the door for Satan to work in other people’s lives. Paul said, “Do all things without complaining and arguing” (Phil 2:14). Stand firm in your trust for God by worshiping him and giving him thanks.

5. Standing firm in the faith means to live a life of fellowship.

Finally, a believer resists the devil by walking in right relationship with the church. They pray for one another, encourage one another, and pick one another up. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Eccl 4:12).

The Christian who walks alone is the Christian who will come under great attack. In fact, it is discord, specifically unforgiveness, that seems to open the door for Satan into many believers’ lives. Listen to what Christ said to the disciples about unforgiveness:

Then the master called the servant in. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart (emphasis mine).
Matthew 18:32–35

Christ says the person who does not forgive will be handed over to the torturers. Who are the torturers in this passage? It is the devil and his demons. Saul was handed over to a demon that tormented him (1 Sam 16). The Christian living in immorality in 1 Corinthians 5 was handed over to Satan for discipline.

God promises that when we don’t forgive others, we are handed over to the torturers. I believe there are many Christians who are going through trials simply because they have unforgivness in their hearts and are out of fellowship with the church or other Christians. The enemy torments them by bringing sickness; he torments them by bringing discord; he torments them by financial lack. If we are going to resist the devil, we must be walking in fellowship with the church, the body of Christ.

Are you standing firm in the faith?

It is the only way to resist the devil. Many Christians have begun to fall away from their firm stance in the faith. They fall away from reading and studying the Bible; they fall away from a consistent prayer life; they fall away from faithful attendance and fellowship with the church, and therefore, open the door for the enemy to attack them.

We see this all the time. When we have started to slip in practicing our faith: anxieties show up, anger shows up, and discord shows up. When we are not filled with God and living in faith, we find the enemies work everywhere in our lives.

This is particularly important for churches that have turned away from the firm stance in the faith. They do not preach the Word; they do not worship God in spirit and truth; they do not practice righteous living; they do not live in unity. It is in those contexts, you can be sure that you will find disorder and every work of the devil (Jas 3:14–16). The church must stand firm in the faith, or it will fall to the attacks of the evil one.

Application Question: How do you practice a lifestyle of standing firm in the faith in order to resist the devil? What ways does he commonly attack you?

Healthy Churches Resist the Devil by Persevering through Hope in God’s Grace

And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him belongs the power forever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10-11 (NET)

What is the final way we should resist the devil?

Christians should resist the devil by persevering through hope in Gods grace. We should not bail or quit in the midst of Satan’s attack because the one who is with us, is the God of all grace. He is the God who gives unmerited favor and blessing to those who persevere. Look at how Peter encourages these saints in their suffering. He says, “And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10, NET).

There is a measure of grace available to suffering saints. However, this grace only comes to those who persevere. Peter says “after you have suffered a little while.” A lot of Christians bail on the church when Satan attacks. They get mad at God. They get mad at the pastor and members. Many Christians are virtually “church hoppers.” They leave the church every time the enemy comes. Some pastors are like that.

Look at what Jesus said to his disciples:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it (emphasis mine).
John 10:11-12

Sadly, many of our leaders won’t stand, won’t persevere when Satan attacks. Like the hireling, the one who is only there for pay, they flee the church. However, the good shepherd stands when the wolf comes. This is how all Christians should respond to Satan’s attacks. These attacks may come through the moral failure of a leader, it may come through a spirit of division, it may come through false teaching or a cult. Either way, we must together resist and persevere.

We should persevere because God gives grace to those who do so. He blesses congregants who persevere together against the roaring lion.

Observation Question: Why should believers persevere through trials that the devil brings and what are the benefits of this perseverance according to 1 Peter 5:10-11?

1. The trial will only last a little while.

Peter says the trial will only last a little while. Trials are temporary. They are probably temporary in time, but they are certainly temporary in comparison to eternity. Soon the King is coming, or we will leave this earth to go to the King shortly. Therefore, we should not lose our confidence. Peter comforts these Christians with the brevity of trials.

2. The trial will develop our character and mature us.

Peter says through the trial we will be restored.The word translated “restore” can also be translated “mending” or “preparing,” as in Matthew 4:21 when talking about the fishermen’s nets. “Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them.”

In the context, James and John are preparing their nets to cast into the lake to catch fish. They are fixing holes and tears in order to be more effective fisherman. Similarly, God uses trials to mend us and make us more effective. The trial exposes sin or character flaws so he can fix them. The trial is used to strengthen existing virtues in his ministers such as patience, joy and peace. Through the trial, he prepares his ministers. He mends us as a fisherman does his nets, so we can better serve him and others.

Don’t quit in the trial because God’s plan is to mend you through it so you can be more useful in ministry (2 Cor 1:3–6).

3. The trial will make you strong to stand in other trials but also in order to help others.

Peter said that after we had persevered, God would make us strong. Trials are like lifting weights. They build strength so we can persevere through other difficulties in life. God, also, makes people strong through trials so they can, in the future, carry others. “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak (emphasis mine) and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up” (Rom 15:1–2).

The strong are given a ministry of caring for those who are weak. Where weaker Christians in the faith often isolate themselves during trials and become very self–focused, the strong serve others even amidst their own difficulties. This is a grace that God gives; he not only gives strength but makes strength a characteristic of this person.

Has God made you strong?

4. The trial will make you firm.

“Confirm” can also be translated “firm,” as in the NIV—God will make us firm. Young Christians are often up and down in their spiritual life; they go from spiritual high to spiritual low. In fact, Paul describes spiritual infants as those tossed to and fro like a wave by false teaching and other evils.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Ephesians 4:14

But the Christian who has persevered through suffering becomes firm. They start to have a steady consistent walk with the Lord. God makes us firm through our trials if we persevere through them. The mature are no longer tossed to and fro; they have become firm.

5. The trial will establish you.

The word “establish” actually means to “lay a foundation.” When you lay a foundation, you are preparing not only to stand in storms but to build more. Your trial is just the platform in your life for God to build you up more into the image of Christ and a vessel that is useful for him. This trial is a necessary component of that process. A house without a foundation will not stand (Matt 7:24–27).

There are some specific trials that have happened in my life that are foundational for my current ministry. My struggle with depression for a year and half during college and the military was foundational for my current ministry. I minister daily from that reservoir. It was there God gave me a love for his Word; it was there I studied the Word the hardest I have in my life (including seminary). It was there he removed much of the dross (excess) from my life and left him alone. It was there God gave me a heart for others who were hurting and the empathy to really minister to them. My sufferings are the foundations of my ministry.

In our trials, we must persevere individually and as a community because it is in the trial that God mends us and prepare us for further ministry. He makes us strong to bear others up. He makes us steady instead of up and down. He makes us steadfast, laying a foundation for future growth and ministry.

Let us resist the devil by persevering through our trials. God has promised us his abundant grace.

Conclusion

How do healthy churches and church members resist the Devil?

  1. Healthy churches resist the devil by recognizing him and his tactics
  2. Healthy churches resist the devil by being sober and self-controlled
  3. Healthy churches resist the devil by standing firm in the faith
  4. Healthy churches resist the devil by persevering through hope in God’s grace

Chapter Notes

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Copyright 2014 Gregory Brown

Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NET) are taken from the NET Bible ® copyright © 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.


1 http://www.thefreedictionary.com/on+the+prowl

2 Fisher, Bonnie S., Cullen, Franscis T., and Turner, Michael T (2000). The sexual victimization of college women. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice.

Related Topics: Christian Life, Ecclesiology (The Church), Satanology

KnowingGod -- A Disciple-Making Project

Over the years of ministry, many people have come to us, and acknowledged that they either want to trust Christ for the first time, or – having done that - they desire to move forward with Him in their faith. The excellent biblical materials on bible.org have been and continue to be an incredible blessing to these people.

But, not everyone relates as easily to bible.org and not everyone knows how to practically advance in their Christian walk. Some folks from other faith backgrounds and experiences don’t connect as easily with our current website format. As a result, we’ve engaged the need for a broader, more practically oriented, evangelistic and discipleship website that better reaches the world’s people-groups (e.g., Hindu, Muslims, etc) and helps them to intentionally grow in their Christian faith.

Enter KnowingGod.org.

Our mutual passion is to see people come to Christ and to learn the art and craft of following the Master in discipleship - just as Jesus commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20)! The ministry of KnowingGod.org is dedicated to encouraging others in their relationship with God by helping them walk a fruitful pathway of discipleship that spans their entire life. For this reason, KnowingGod.org is currently producing ministry offerings such as coaching, seminars, Bible and discipleship courses (video), forums, blogs, articles, and much more - even the opportunity to join an online discipleship group and monitor your progress. We are testing and creating content now and expect to open this up to our bible.org family in May 2017.

For a sample of KnowingGod material, see our “Renewing Your Life” series (daily Quiet-Time training). New discipleship content will be added on a weekly basis.

Renewing Your Life

There is no better way to revitalize your relationship with the Lord than to establish the holy habit of drawing aside each day to be with Him--because we need Him! We long to hear His voice in Scripture, prayer and in our daily experiences. Renewing Your Life challenges us to forge the daily practice of seeking the Lord. Come! Join us as we pursue the Lord daily through a series of successive Scripture readings and prayer. Click here to see the Quiet Times lesson on Hebrews 1:1-3 and here for Psalm 19. These two Quiet Times lesson’s form part of a larger course that will include video.

3/21/2017 One additional point:

If you would like to help us test or you are a programmer with HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript skills, we can use you to help us with this WordPress website. Just contact me by clicking here.

Related Topics: Discipleship

1. Dreams from a Big God

A Word from Kay Daigle on how to use the resources for this studyI want to encourage you to complete the personal lesson below before you click on any of the accompanying elements that may be found with this lesson (audio lecture, manuscript, PowerPoint, or handout). This study was written to help you maximize your personal spiritual growth. That means that you first spend time with God through His word, and then hopefully, discuss what you learned with a small group of women. After that, if you want to hear the audio (or read the manuscript) and follow the PowerPoint, filling in the handout, then that is a great time to do it! I cannot cover all the verses in depth, but you can read and study them for yourself. It is best for you to think through the passages before hearing what anyone else thinks, even me! You will find some lessons without lectures. At our church we use some of those weeks to spend extra time in our small groups sharing life stories, having a longer prayer time, or expressing how God is working in our lives.


Thought to Cherish

“The Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you will take the Israelites to the land I have promised them, and I will be with you.’”
Deuteronomy 31:23

What dreams have you had come true? What did you do to bring them to pass? Perhaps you dreamed of a career that you are now pursuing. Maybe it was of having a family, which you now enjoy. You may have dreamed of close friends with whom you could share your struggles in life. Perhaps you desired to make a difference in this world and have searched for the opportunities to do so.

God is a dream-giver; He has dreams for each of us that He intends to bring to pass if we listen and obey. Because of His greatness, He is able to fulfill those dreams if we follow His lead and direction.

Joshua followed God’s dream. It was not a new dream, but rather it was one that God had given hundreds of years beforehand to Abraham. It was the vision of a land. This week we will look at this dream and at the person of Joshua. Who was this man who brought the dream to reality?

Day One Lesson

God first gave the dream of the land to Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel. At this time his name was Abram; only later did God change his name to Abraham. Read Genesis 12:1-7.

1. What dream did God give Abram, and how did Abram follow that dream?

Read Genesis 15:7-21.

The ancient customs reflected in this story signify the making of a covenant, a solemn binding agreement made before God. In ancient times the covenant-makers would walk between the pieces of animals and make oaths to one another; in effect, they were asking God to slay them as they had done the animals if they were unfaithful to the covenant. In this so-called Abrahamic Covenant, God obligated Himself to fulfill the promises alone when He passed through the pieces of the slain animals by Himself.

2. What promises did God make to Abraham in this covenant?

Over and over God reinforced the dream He gave to Abraham by repeating it.

Read Gen. 22:15-18 and Hebrews 6:13-20. (This Genesis passage is the event to which the author of Hebrews refers.)

3. What truths about the character of God did the author of Hebrews emphasize in this passage?

4. Sharing question: As you think about these truths, how do the words in Hebrews encourage you today (note Heb. 6:18-20)?

Knowing God’s character and the ways by which He works with people can make a difference as we walk with Him day by day. As we experience His character in action, we learn that God is indeed the person whom He reveals Himself to be.

Digging for Diamonds: What aspects of God’s character give you hope in the midst of a hard time? Find verses that focus on those character traits. Memorize one of them if you do not already know it.

5. Responding to God: Focus on one particular aspect of God’s character and thank Him for proving it to be true as you have experienced His work in one circumstance in your life.

Day Two Lesson

Now we fast-forward hundreds of years to the time of Moses, who delivered the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt, as God had promised Abram in Gen. 15. After leaving Egypt, God led the people through the Red Sea and into the desert of the Sinai Peninsula.

Joshua was one of those who came out of Egypt under Moses. He experienced both the hardships of slavery and the freedom from bondage. He saw firsthand the plagues on the Egyptians and the miracle of the Red Sea crossing.

What else do we know about this man who would lead the people into the land?

Read Exodus 17:8-15, which describes an event that took place between the crossing of the Red Sea and the arrival at Mount Sinai.

6. What was Joshua’s role in this battle? What lessons may he have learned about God through this experience?

7. Sharing question: Describe a time when you saw the power of God in your own life. Maybe it was a situation of healing; maybe hard hearts were changed in answer to prayer. Whatever it was, share with your group how what you learned about God at this time impacted you in a later situation.

Joshua was next mentioned at Mount Sinai, recorded in Exodus 24:12-18.

8. How was Joshua described in Ex. 24:12-18, and what took place on the mountain while he stood nearby?

You may remember what happened next in the story. While Moses and Joshua were gone, there was a problem in the camp down below. Read Exodus 32:1-4, 7-8, 15-20.

Digging for Diamonds: Read all of Ex. 32 as well as Ex. 33:1-6, 12-17. Write down your insights into God’s character from these passages.

9. How would you have felt if you were observing all of these events as Joshua did? What would you have learned about God in this situation?

10. Sharing question: Think of a specific situation in the life of a friend, co-worker, or family member where you saw God work. What did you learn about God by observing what happened?

11. Responding to God: Thank God for what He has taught you about Himself as you have seen Him work in your own life or in the lives of others. Thank Him for how that knowledge has impacted your faith. Write out your prayer below.

Day Three Lesson

The people of Israel camped out at Mount Sinai for almost a year while they received God’s law and built a tent of worship. Then, they set out for the land promised by God. They were on the very brink of the dream!

Read Numbers 13:1-4, 8, 16.

12. What was Joshua’s role at this time? What does this tell you about him?

Read Numbers 13:26-14:45.

13. What happened to derail the fulfillment of the dream?

Digging for Diamonds: What lessons do you learn about prayer from the conversation between God and Moses in Numbers 14:11-20?

14. Put yourself in the camp of Israel when the spies returned. All of the men would be expected to go into battle against these giants. You might be a mother left alone with your children. You might have grown sons called upon to fight. Or perhaps your fiancé would march off. Honestly assess this question—would you have likely responded in fear or in faith? Why?

15. How were the consequences of unbelief that God handed down to the people (Num. 14:28-35) appropriate?

16. Sharing question: Either describe a time when you were paralyzed by your fears instead of trusting God, or describe a present fear that could keep you from following God’s plan or purpose for you. What consequences followed your answer to the first question?

17. Responding to God: Be honest with God about your fears. Ask for His strength and for the faith that you need in the situation you face today. Write a prayer or poem about the bigness of God and the greatness of His character so that you can focus on faith rather than fear.

Day Four Lesson

Because of unbelief fueled by fear, the children of Israel returned to the wilderness and spent another thirty-eight years there in addition to the two already spent there. After that time God would finally allow them to fulfill the dream that He had given them. In the meantime, Moses also had to give up his dream of leading the people into the land.

Read Numbers 20:2-12.

18. What happened? How did Moses lose the right to lead the people into the land?

19. What does this story teach you about the dreams given by God and about those people whom He chooses to fulfill these dreams? (Remember that Joshua was right there to learn these lessons.)

After a total of forty years in the wilderness, as the nation of Israel stood on the brink of fulfilling their dream, God spoke to Moses.

Read Numbers 27:12-23.

20. Write down your insights into God’s instructions for transferring the leadership of the people from Moses to Joshua.

Digging for Diamonds: Look up Timothy in your concordance and find the references to him in Paul’s letters. What insights do you have into the ways Paul passed leadership on to Timothy?

Read Deut. 31:1-8; 34:1-8.

21. Consider all that you know about Moses and his influence and impact in his forty years of leading the Israelites. How would you have felt to be stepping into his shoes, as Joshua did? How have you seen God prepare Joshua as you have studied this week?

22. What does the Scripture tell us here about Joshua and Moses as God’s leaders (34:9-12)?

23. Sharing question: Have you ever had to follow someone who left big shoes to fill? Perhaps you had to supervise employees who loved their last boss. Maybe you had to create something, and the previous worker was outstandingly creative. Or you may have taken on an area of ministry from someone who was very well-liked by all. Share the situation and your feelings with your group. What did God teach you through the challenge? OR tell how you can look back and see how God has prepared you for the ministry He has put you in today.

24. Responding to God: Thank God for what He taught you through challenges where you were in over your headJ If you are not sure what He taught you, ask Him and then listen for His answer. Ask Him to continue to challenge you to depend upon Him instead of yourself.

Day Five Lesson

Leader of the nation, the one responsible to defeat the inhabitants of the land, the one answerable to God for the spiritual condition of His people—what a daunting and scary position for Joshua! We have seen this week that God prepared him in many ways for the job; yet, Moses had always been there and now he was gone. Joshua was left alone to face the challenge and fulfill the dream.

Read Joshua 1:1-9.

25. What promises did God make to Joshua here?

26. What were God’s conditions for fulfilling all of these promises?

27. What did God repeat to Joshua? Why would He say the same thing over and over? Compare the words to Joshua in Deut. 31:23, our Thought to Cherish for this week. (Be sure and memorize it.)

Digging for Diamonds: Use your concordance or online resource to find other verses about being “strong and brave” (NET) or “strong and courageous” (NASB, NIV). Write down any additional insights that God shows you.

28. Sharing question: What principles do you learn about fulfilling God’s dreams for you from this passage? What specific thing can you do to apply this in your life today?

29. Responding to God: Pour out your feelings before God concerning your desire to fulfill His dreams and plans for your life. Commit to follow Him and His word above all else. Write down your thoughts below.

We gain insight on fear as two women share their stories with us this week.

Virginia’s Story

Life in this world is filled with uncertainty. No one knows what tomorrow will hand us. And through the years I have noticed that security is something very important to women. We all want to have secure lives and futures. We want to know that we will always be loved by husband and family. If we have a career, we want to know we will always be appreciated in our work. If we have children, we want to know that the future holds wonderful promises for them. We want to know that our home will stand no matter what. And so when something happens in our lives to shake the foundation that we thought was solid, we become afraid for the future.

I can tell you from experience that fear, is not only paralyzing, but destructive. As a young adult in my early 20’s, both my parents died within a few years of each other. And as a young, single mom, I had depended upon my mother for advice and direction. In the years following her death, I experienced so much fear that it controlled my life to the point of almost destroying it and every relationship I had. The foundation of my existence had been shaken and as I looked to the future, I was paralyzed with questions, doubts and fear.

It wasn’t until years later after I became a Christian and began to study God’s word that I was able to overcome the fear of not knowing what the future would bring. The first verse God used to help me was 2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB): “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but power and love and discipline.” The Greek definition for the word timidity is fear and for discipline is sound mind. And so I began to pray and claim this verse for my life everyday until I began to see a difference in my emotions. I would pray, ‘Lord, thank you that you have not given me a spirit of fear, therefore I know that fear is not of you. But You have given me power, love and a sound mind, and I pray your power will overpower my fears and push them out of my heart and mind.’

Following the realization that paralyzing fear is not from God, there had to be a change in my heart and mind regarding trust. God does not want fear to destroy our lives and He gives us the power and sound mind to overcome it. And so, the next step is to trust Him to do in the present what He has already done in the past and to rest in the knowledge of His love. God’s love is perfect and there is no fear in His love according to I John 4:18. In fact the verse tells us that His perfect love casts out fear! We can trust Him to remove the fear from our hearts as we trust Him and ask Him to do it. We can be secure in the future as we give our fears to Him and thank Him for casting them out of our lives. We can overcome! Why? “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4 NASB). This became a life verse for me and I still pray it and claim it in those times when circumstances begin to overwhelm me.

And finally, we receive the help we need to get past our fears by listening to the words of Jesus as He spoke to the disciples in John 14:27 (NASB). “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” As we recognize that fear is not from God, as we ask Him to overpower it and trust Him to do it; Jesus fills our hearts with His peace. Not the kind the world offers, but a deep abiding rest from our fears that comes from believing in Him and believing Him.

Whatever difficult circumstances you face today that are causing you paralyzing fear, Jesus says; “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1 NASB). May His peace be in you today.

Virginia Grounds

7/16, 2007

Amy’s Story

My story is about the journey of how God helped me to overcome my fear of public speaking and prepared me to go on a women’s mission trip to Kazakhstan. A few years ago, if you had told me that I would be going on a mission trip half-way around the world to speak at a Women’s conference, I would have said that it would be impossible. The thought of getting up in front of a group of people to give a presentation terrified me. Just thinking about it made my stomach knot up and I would feel physically sick. Any time I was asked to do a presentation, I would always figure out some way to get out of it.

In the fall of 2003, I was involved in a women’s bible study that focused on how we are all on a journey with God to walk closer to Him and depend on Him and cast our anxieties on Him. I realized that I needed to confront my fear and turn it over to God. Before the study ended that fall, I got that opportunity. I manage the international compensation programs for my company and our team was organizing a global HR conference in Dallas for our HR colleagues from around the world. I was asked to do a presentation, and I decided I could handle doing a 30-minute one. Well, my boss had more in mind; given the material I needed to cover, she wanted to schedule 2 hours for my presentation! I thought there was no way I could do that but there was no way I could get out of it; I was a department of one so there was no one that I could delegate this to. I had my small group here praying for me as I began to prepare. My prayer requests were for confidence and self-assurance and above all, I wanted God to be glorified in this situation. I knew that I did not have the ability to accomplish this task, and I wanted to lean on Him and allow Him to accomplish this through me. So I turned that fear over and going into the presentation, I felt calm and really wasn’t nervous. The presentation went smoothly and I was actually comfortable enough to leave the podium to walk around and answer questions from the group.

After it was over, I thought, “Great – I can now check that off the list.” However, God wasn’t finished with me; the next day, our VP of HR from China came up to me to tell me how valuable the presentation was and that I had to come to China to give it to the China Management team! I thought, “God, you have got to be kidding! You know that I can’t do that!” So I told her that I would need to talk to my boss because we didn’t budget any travel for me, and tried to think of other excuses. Well, she looked me straight in the eye and said, “China pays,” so that ended that discussion. Four months later, I was on a plane by myself, headed to Shanghai to give that presentation to the management team, not only in China but in Taiwan and the Philippines. My small group again prayed for me and all three presentations went very smoothly. Also, I experienced an amazing opportunity from God while I was in the Philippines. My husband’s grandfather served in World War II in the Philippines and was killed a couple of day s before the war ended. He was buried in the Philippines and the American Memorial Cemetery where he is buried is about 10 minutes away from our office in Manila. I was able to visit the cemetery and take pictures for my husband and his family. It was an incredible opportunity that I would have never experienced had I not turned over my fears to God the year before to do that presentation.

After that, God opened the door for me to travel for work all over the world to do management presentations at several of our other international offices. I had always wanted to travel for my job and never realized that my fear of doing presentations had prevented that from happening.

As a result of this, God opened the door for me to go on a women’s mission trip to Kazakhstan. One day in church, the song – To the Ends of the Earth touched my heart and I made the commitment to God that I would go to the ends of the earth to share His love. Immediately, I signed up for the women’s mission trip to Kazakhstan, not knowing what the objective of the trip was. A few weeks later, I met with our Women’s Minister and found out that the objective was to do a women’s conference and that each of the women going on the trip would have to pick a topic to prepare a session to present at the conference. For a split second, those old fears started to creep in, and the old me would have said thanks but no thanks. However, I was quickly reminded of everything that had happened over the past few years and how it all was preparing me to go on this mission trip. Even though I experienced feelings of inadequacies as I was preparing for this trip, I trusted God to use me. On the trip, I realized that the situations in which He placed me, the sessions I did, the home visits I went on, He had perfectly equipped me to be used in those situations. He didn’t need a polished, professional speaker or evangelist; all He required from me was to open my heart and share it with those I met. It was never more evident when we visited a group of elderly ladies in hospice. All they needed was our touch and our love, and we were perfectly equipped to be His arms and heart to those women.

So as you hear God calling you to serve Him, remember that He has not given us a spirit of fear but He has given us a spirit of power and love. And that He is faithful to those He calls. I encourage you to walk out in faith to overcome your fears and serve God, He may take you half-way around the world or next door, but where ever He takes, you will experience His blessings and it will open the doors to opportunities you can’t even imagine.

Related Topics: Curriculum, Spiritual Life

A Psalmist Speaks Of Failure

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People all too often worry about or seek to keep from failing. This is especially true of students facing an exam or finishing a course in good fashion, or politicians seeking success, or events in the sports world. Interestingly one of the great coaches of all time, John Wooden, said, “Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be.”

It is not surprising, then, that the scriptures often contain texts that speak of failing in some fashion, whether in word or event. Our study centers on the psalmists who use some form of the word “fail”. The earliest of these is found in the sixth Psalm, which is the first of several penitential psalms in the early church.1 Here the psalmist David cries out in his deep despair:

I am worn out from groaning
all night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes. (Ps. 6:6-7)2

Nevertheless he could also say:

Away from me, all you who do evil
for the LORD has heard my weeping. (v.8)

As Van Gemeren remarks, “The transition from lament to a note of victory is not unknown in the Psalter … and is an example of the prophetic element in the Psalms of individual lament.”3 David’s experience is a good example for all of us to follow. When all seems to yield despair or we are in a test condition, we should remember that the Lord knows our situation and is available to help. As a hymn writer expresses it,

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust your promises O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take as from a Father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.4

In another psalm, attributed to David, the psalmist laments the fact that he is in many deep troubles from his enemies and therefore cries out:

I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.

My eyes fail,
looking for my God. (Ps. 69:3)

He seeks God’s forgiveness, while assuring the Lord that he himself is dependent upon God’s love, mercy and compassion, whatever the situation (cf. vv. 6, 13-16).

In another psalm (attributed to Asaph), the psalmist points out that despite some former problems, he is aware that he is always in the Lord’s care (Ps. 73:23). Therefore, he can rest in full dependence on the Lord’s guidance (vv. 24-25). So it is that he can gladly depend on God as his guide and sustainer and so that with assurance he can declare that whatever may occur in his life, ultimately God is in control:

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever (v. 26)

The longest psalm (Psalm 119) contains two verses that speak of failure. In the first the psalmist longs for God’s help and deliverance. So great is his difficulty that he says, “My eyes fail looking for your promise” (cf. vv. 81-82). Yet he counts on God’s intervention and so pleads for God’s sustenance and vows that he himself “will obey the statutes of your mouth” (v. 8). In a second verse he declares his fidelity to God’s righteous standards. Nevertheless, he feels somewhat abandoned. Therefore, he makes a plea to the Lord (vv. 121-122) and laments his situation by saying, “My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise” (v. 123). All of us at times feel burdened by what is happening in our life. When this happens we must remind ourselves that God is in control and whatever happens will not only be in keeping with his purposes, but is in our best interest.

In a psalm attributed to Asaph, the psalmist records God’s faithful promise:

I will also appoint him my firstborn,
the most exalted of the kings of the earth.

I will maintain my love to him forever,
and my covenant with him will never fail (Ps. 89:27-28).5

Indeed, the Davidic covenant has far reaching promises that become encased not only for just David’s descendants. For in Christ believers have found an abundant and wonderful new life.6

As John W. Peterson expresses it:

New life in Christ, abundant and free!
What glories shine, what joys are mine,
What wondrous blessings I see!7

© Copyright 2018.


1 For details see Williem A. Van Gemeren, “Psalms” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, eds. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 5, 123.

2 All scripture references are from the NIV.

3 Van Gemeren, Psalms, 127.

4 Lina Sandellberg, Day By Day.

5 Psalm 89:27-28 stands in vivid contrast to verses. 30-32, which worn against failing to keep God’s decrees and standards.  Even so, this psalm goes on to point out that God’s love never fails, even when people fail to obey him.

6 See also Psalm 92:12-15, that ends “on a high note of praise to God, which also points to the secret of successful living into old age.  This comes though living in the conscious presence of the One who is the God of love, faithfulness, and integrity and who provides a rock solid foundation for righteous living.  When this is done, dedicated older believers can look back on their lives of commitment and service to the Lord, while continuing  to enjoy a useful life in God’s presence.”  (Richard D. Patterson, “Psalm 92: 12-15: The Flourishing of the Righteous” in Bibliotheca Sacra, Vol. 166, 2009, #663, 288.)

7 John W. Peterson, “New Life!”

Related Topics: Failure

21. When Leaders Get Depressed (Numbers 11:1-34)

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Life of Moses (21)

July 15, 2018

You might think that godly Christian leaders never get depressed. Perhaps they shouldn’t get depressed, but the truth is, many strong Christian leaders have struggled with depression.

It is well known that the famous 19th century British preacher, C. H. Spurgeon, suffered from terrible bouts with depression. He had several serious health issues that could have triggered his depression, but whatever the causes, he often was brought extremely low. Once, he told his congregation that he felt so down that he could say with Job, “My soul chooseth strangling rather than life.” He added (Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit [Pilgrim Publications], 36:200), “I could readily enough have laid violent hands upon myself, to escape from my misery of spirit.” He was suicidal!

Spurgeon wasn’t alone. Martin Luther sometimes struggled with deep depression. Several great preachers from the past—John Henry Jowett, Alexander Whyte, and G. Campbell Morgan—wrestled with depression in their ministries (Kent Hughes, Moody Bible Institute Founder’s Week Messages, 1984, p. 89).

In Numbers 10, Moses seemed optimistic about the future, but in Numbers 11 he was so depressed that he asked God to take his life. In Numbers 10:29, he appealed to his brother-in-law, Hobab, to come with Israel as they journeyed to the Promised Land, assuring him (Num. 10:29), “The Lord has promised good concerning Israel.” The future looked bright. But by Numbers 11:15, he was so down that he prayed, “So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.”

What happened? And what can leaders and all of God’s people learn from Moses’ bout with depression?

A leader can get depressed if he lets complaining people get to him; he tries to do everything by himself; or he forgets God’s promises and power to accomplish His purposes.

Before we look at why Moses got depressed, note that many other godly leaders in the Bible have been depressed. As Spurgeon mentioned, in Job’s intense suffering he wished that he could die. The author of Psalms 42 & 43 was fighting depression because he felt abandoned by God and oppressed by enemies. Jeremiah, whose message was pretty much rejected, wished that he had never been born (Jer. 15:10; 20:14-18). When God spared the people of Ninevah, Jonah, who wanted God to judge them, asked God to kill him (Jon. 4:3). John the Baptist got depressed in prison and wondered if Jesus really was the Messiah (Matt. 11:1-6). Peter wept bitterly over his failure when he denied the Lord (Matt. 26:75). And, Paul was depressed because of the attacks against him from some in the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 7:6).

Even the mighty prophet Elijah, who had seen God do many mighty miracles and had just seen a great victory over the prophets of Baal, asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). The ironic thing was that he was fleeing from the wicked Queen Jezebel, who had threatened to take his life! If he really wanted to die, she could have done the job! But depressed people don’t always think logically!

Moses’ experience here is not comprehensive, but we can see three reasons leaders may get depressed:

1. A leader can get depressed if he lets complaining people get to him.

The tabernacle was constructed after the people had given so much that Moses had to ask them to stop giving (Exod. 36:5-6)! That must have been a unique and wonderful problem! After the tabernacle was completed, God’s glory was seen as the cloud descended on it. After that, the cloud led Israel through the wilderness, reminding them of God’s presence with them (Num. 9:15-23). In the second year after they came out of Egypt, on the twentieth day of the second month, the cloud lifted and Israel set out towards the Promised Land (Num. 10:11-12). They were on their way. Things were looking hopeful!

But then the grumbling that had characterized Israel when they first came out of Egypt started up again (Num. 11:1): “Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.” We learn …

A. Sometimes people complain because they don’t like God’s ways, which include adversity.

God’s way to the Promised Land was through the barren wilderness. And His way to heaven is always through trials. As Paul told his new converts (Acts 14:22), “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” The Lord uses various trials to teach us to trust Him and to shape us into the image of Jesus, who learned obedience from the things which He suffered (Heb. 5:8).

The people’s complaining was “in the hearing of the Lord.” All complaining is in the hearing of the Lord! In Exodus 14-16 when the people complained, God graciously met their need. But now they have experienced a year of His gracious protection and guidance through the cloud, and His provision of manna and water in the desert. So now when they complained, the Lord was angry and sent fire around the outskirts of the camp. We aren’t told whether any people perished or if there was just property damage. But Moses prayed and the fire died out.

If we think that God’s plan is to give us health and material comforts and to protect us from all trials, then we’ll be prone to complain when we face adversity. To give thanks and not complain when we face adversity, we need to remember that God’s purpose is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ, not to make us comfortable and protect us from trials.

B. Sometimes people complain because they are greedy and expect leaders to meet all their desires.

Numbers 11:4-6: “The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.’”

“The rabble” probably refers to the non-Israelites who joined Israel when they left Egypt. They were not the majority, but when complainers gripe about conditions or leaders that they’re not happy with, it can spread like wildfire among the whole congregation. Pretty soon all of the sons of Israel were weeping about the “boring” manna and fondly reminiscing about how good they had it back in Egypt. This was amazing—they were slaves in Egypt, treated harshly by their masters, but they could only remember the variety of food that they used to eat for “free”! Well, sort of! They may have eaten free, but they weren’t free! They were slaves, forced to make bricks in the hot Egyptian sun every day. But now the greedy rabble stirred up everyone to complain.

One cause of greed and complaining is that you compare yourself with others whom you think are better off than you are. In the barren wilderness, the rabble thought about the Egyptians eating cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But they forgot that the Egyptians had all lost their firstborn in the final plague. They were complaining because Moses wasn’t giving them all the tasty food that they enjoyed in Egypt. But they forgot that in Egypt they were under the cruel dictatorship of Pharaoh, who didn’t care about their welfare as Moses did. And so they complained. At the root of their complaint was an even deeper cause:

C. Sometimes people complain because they have rejected the Lord.

God, who knows every heart, told Moses that the people had rejected Him, the Lord who had led them out of slavery and had protected and provided for them for the past year in the wilderness (Num. 11:20). Their problem wasn’t boredom with manna, but rejecting the gracious Lord who had redeemed them and met all of their needs. They had His presence in the wilderness and His promises to lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey, but they preferred returning to slavery in Egypt!

This would be comparable to a Christian saying, “Life was better when I was a non-Christian. I wish that God hadn’t saved me! I’d rather be back in the world, enjoying everything I had back then!” (See Ronald Allen, Expositor’s Bible Commentary [Zondervan], ed. by Frank Gaebelein, 2:793.) So the people were completely self-centered and not thankful for God’s abundant provisions and His promise for a glorious future in the Promised Land. Their continued complaining would soon result in their being excluded from entering the land.

D. When leaders listen to people complain and make impossible demands, it can lead to depression.

The people were weeping and saying, “Who will give us meat to eat?” And Moses heard them weeping (vv. 4, 10). The first time the people complained, Moses did the right thing: he prayed for them and God graciously stopped the fire. But this time, he let it get to him. He was right to pray again, but this time his prayer was a complaint to the Lord about the complainers (Num. 11:11-15):

So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers’? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat that we may eat!’ I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.”

Moses got depressed because he listened to difficult people complaining about problems that Moses could not fix. Where in the barren wilderness can you get enough meat to feed two million people? If you let complaining people get to you because they’re making impossible demands, you’re headed for depression.

There is a lesson here for leaders and those thinking about taking a leadership position: When there are problems in a group, the leader often is the focus of criticism. So before you sign up for the job, count the cost! If God is calling you to be a leader, you won’t be able to make everyone happy! You will catch flak. Even a great leader like Moses had to deal with difficult, complaining, self-centered people. But be careful, because complaining people can wear you down and get you depressed.

There is also a lesson for God’s people: Before you complain about problems in the church, examine your heart before the Lord. Are you seeking first your comfort and happiness or God’s kingdom and righteousness? Are you expecting your leaders to do what only God can do? Maybe your complaint is a valid problem that you and the leaders can resolve as you prayerfully work together in the Lord. Or, it may be a situation that everyone has to live with for the present. Wilderness camping was not the Promised Land! The people needed to adjust to the reality of the journey.

So, a leader can get depressed if he lets complaining people get to him. But there’s a second reason a leader can get depressed:

2. A leader can get depressed if he tries to do everything by himself.

God graciously did not rebuke Moses for his accusation that the Lord had loaded him with more than he could handle. Instead, the Lord instructed Moses to gather seventy men from the elders of Israel. He promised to take of the Spirit on Moses and put Him on them, so that they could bear the burden of the people with Moses (Num. 11:16-17). The idea was not that Moses would have less of the Spirit than he presently had, but rather that the same Spirit that was on Moses would now rest on these men, who would help him lead the people.

When the Spirit rested on these men, they prophesied once, but didn’t do it again (Num. 11:25). Their prophesying was a temporary gift to establish their credentials before the people. Their main task would not be to speak God’s word to the people, as Moses did, but rather to help Moses meet the needs of this huge group (Allen, ibid., 2:794).

Two men (probably two of the seventy) did not go out to Moses at the tent of meeting where the others prophesied. Rather, they prophesied in the camp (v. 26). A young man came and reported this and Joshua, who was jealous for Moses’ leadership, entreated him to restrain these men. But Moses replied (Num. 11:29), “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” Moses wasn’t after glory for himself. He wanted the Lord’s work to get done, whether through him or others. Moses’ attitude was the same as that of the Lord Jesus (Mark 9:38-40):

John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us.”

The apostle Paul reflected the same spirit when he told the Philippians (1:15-17) that some in Rome were preaching Christ out of envy and selfish ambition, trying to cause Paul distress in his imprisonment. He concluded (Phil. 1:18), “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.” Paul’s aim was to see the gospel preached, not to get glory for himself. F. B. Meyer (Moses [Christian Literature Crusade], p. 155) wrote, “There is no test more searching than this. Am I as eager for God’s kingdom to come through others as through myself?”

Moses’ attitude here also anticipated the prophet Joel (2:28),

“It will come about after this
That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will dream dreams,
Your young men will see visions.”

That prophecy was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church (see, also, Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-27). Now, every believer in Christ possesses the Holy Spirit and is given a spiritual gift to use in serving Him (Rom. 8:9; 12: 1 Cor. 12:7, 13). The church is strong in proportion to how many of its members are using their spiritual gifts to serve the Lord. Pastors who try to do everything by themselves are headed for burnout and depression.

Thus a leader can get depressed if he lets complaining people get to him and if he tries to do everything by himself. Finally,

3. A leader can get depressed if he forgets God’s promises and power to accomplish His purposes.

A. A leader can get depressed if he forgets God’s promises to accomplish His purposes.

In Exodus 33, the Lord responded to the incident with the golden calf by telling Moses that He would send His angel with Israel to take them into the Promised Land, but He Himself would not go with them, lest he destroy them because of their disobedience. But Moses told the Lord, in effect, “If You don’t go with us, we’re not going. It would be better to stay here in this barren desert with You than to go to the Promised Land without You.” The Lord responded by promising to go with them. The fulfillment of that promise was seen in the cloud, which Moses could still see (Num. 10:34). It was a visible sign of God’s favor. But now, because of the people’s complaining, Moses asks the Lord (Num. 11:11), “Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me?” He had forgotten God’s promise to bring the people into the Promised Land.

Speaking as a pastor, it can be very discouraging when people complain about some problem in the church and leave the church because you haven’t fixed it. Often they don’t even tell you about the problem; they just leave. At such times, I have to claim Christ’s promise (Matt. 16:18), “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Or, if you aren’t a leader, but something happens in your life that is discouraging or depressing, remember the Lord’s wonderful promise (Rom. 8:31-32), “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

B. A leader can get depressed if he forgets God’s power to accomplish His purposes.

Moses thought that maybe the Lord had forgotten how many people were out there in the wilderness. So he reminded Him (Num. 11:21) and then asked rhetorically (v. 22) whether Israel should slaughter off all their livestock or catch all the fish in the sea to feed them. The Lord replied by reminding Moses of His power (Num. 11:23): “Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” The Lord then sent quail in such abundance that the ones who gathered the least gathered ten homers (about 500-800 gallons!). The Lord never lacks resources to meet our needs!

But the people were greedy and God judged them for it, striking them with a plague, so that many died (Num. 11:33-34). John Currid (Numbers [EP Books], p. 172) points out that they were craving for Egypt, so God gave them a taste of what Egypt experienced—plagues. They did not acknowledge God as the provider of the meat or give thanks, so He gave them over to their own lusts (see Rom. 1:21-32). Those who sow to the flesh from the flesh reap corruption (Gal. 6:8).

Moses’ asking the Lord where he can get enough meat to feed this huge group in the desert reminds me of Jesus and the disciples when they were in a remote place with 5,000 men, plus women and children. Jesus asked Philip (John 6:5), “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” Like Moses trying to figure out where to get enough meat, Philip did the math and figured that 200 denarii (which they didn’t have) wouldn’t be enough. Jesus proceeded to multiply the meagre five loaves and two fish to feed that hungry crowd, with twelve baskets full left over.

The late Chinese evangelist, Watchman Nee, has a wonderful sermon on the feeding of the 5,000, “Expecting the Lord’s Blessing” (Twelve Baskets Full [Hong Kong Church Bookroom], 2:48), where he makes the point, “Everything in our service for the Lord is dependent on His blessing…. The meeting of need is not dependent on the supply in hand, but on the blessing of the Lord resting on the supply.” I first read that sermon years before I became a pastor, and its message has sustained me over the years as I have constantly felt inadequate for this ministry. I would have been overwhelmed with depression years ago if I didn’t keep in mind that the Lord doesn’t work by my might or power, but by His Spirit (Zech. 4:6).

Conclusion

Whether you’re a leader or not, don’t listen to complainers. People complained about Moses’ leadership and about God’s plan to take them to the Promised Land, in spite of His abundant provisions. No matter how faithfully you serve the Lord, someone is sure to complain. If the complaint is valid, then try to deal with it. But if not, then keep serving by the Lord’s strength. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Ask God to raise up others who will serve Him in the Spirit. And, don’t forget His promises and His power. Moses was an imperfect mediator, but we have a perfect high priest who will give grace to help in our time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).

Application Questions

  1. How can you know whether a complaint is valid or not? What guidelines apply?
  2. The psalmists often pour out their complaints to the Lord. Is this okay? When does it cross the line into sinful complaining?
  3. Is depression sinful: always, sometimes, or never? How can you know the difference?
  4. We all know that God is able to supply our needs. But how can we know whether it’s His will to do so in a specific instance?

Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2018, All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition © The Lockman Foundation

Related Topics: Christian Life, Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry

20. Entering God’s Holy Presence (Exodus 40:1-38)

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Life of Moses (20)

July 8, 2018

I’ve never met the Queen of England (and probably never will), but I understand that before you meet the Queen, you need to learn some rules of proper etiquette of what to do or not do and say in her presence. The basic rule is not to be chummy and overly familiar. Respect and proper formality are essential. Even Prince Charles bows to his mother and calls her “ma’am.” (sandradodd. com/ideas/etiquette1) In America, we don’t have royalty, so we’re probably a bit too chummy on how we might greet our leaders.

But the far more important question is, how do you enter God’s holy presence? Is He your Good Buddy in the sky? Can you just barge into His presence and ask whatever favors you need? Or, is there a right and wrong way to enter the presence of the King of kings? The truth is, one day we all will stand in God’s glorious presence, either for commendation (“Well done”) or for condemnation (“Depart from Me”). The difference will be determined by whether in this life you have come into His holy presence through the way that He has provided.

The Old Testament tabernacle was designed to teach Israel how to enter the presence of the Holy One. It’s been pointed out that the Bible has only two chapters to how God created the universe, but it devotes 50 chapters to the tabernacle (Stephen Olford, The Tabernacle: Camping with God [Loizeaux Brothers], p. 22). In fact, more space is devoted to the tabernacle than to any other single subject in Scripture (A. W. Pink, Gleanings in Exodus [Moody Press], p. 180)! But I’m guessing that if you’re honest, you’d have to admit that when you read the Bible, you either skip or skim the chapters that describe this structure that Israel built and carried through their wilderness journeys. If you’re really honest, you might even admit that you sort of dread coming to these chapters!

The late M. R. DeHaan said (cited by Olford, p. 15), “There is no portion of Scripture richer in meaning, or more perfect in its teaching of the plan of redemption, than this divinely designed building.” A. B. Simpson wrote (Christ in the Tabernacle [Christian Publications], pp. 5-6),

The Tabernacle is the grandest of all the Old Testament types of Christ…. In its wonderful furniture, priesthood, and worship, we see, with a vividness that we find nowhere else, the glory and grace of Jesus, and the privileges of His redeemed people.

Since books have been written on the tabernacle, I can only skim the surface in this message. But in studying the life of Moses, I thought that I should give an overview of this central feature of Israel’s worship that God directed Moses to construct. Applied to us, the message is:

To enter God’s holy presence you must come through the only way that He has provided.

If you try to approach God in any other way, the consequences could be severe. Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s two sons who were priests, got creative and offered “strange fire,” which God had not commanded. Immediately (Lev. 10:2), “Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” You may think, “But that was the Old Testament!” But, if you try to come into God’s holy presence by your own way rather than God’s way, one day you will be eternally shut out of God’s presence (Matt. 25:10-12). So it’s important to get this right!

1. God’s way into His presence was through the tabernacle, which pictures Jesus Christ.

In Exodus 25:8-9, God commanded Moses, “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.” Thus, by God’s command, the tabernacle was to be His dwelling place among Israel. When you get to the New Testament, you read (John 1:14), “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The word “dwelt” is literally, “tabernacled.” Just as God’s glory was revealed in the Old Testament tabernacle, so He revealed His glory in our tabernacle, the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter, James, and John saw that glory revealed on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured before them, with Moses and Elijah present (Matt. 17:1-13).

The glory of God’s love, holiness, justice, and grace was also displayed supremely at the cross. Jesus, the perfect and final high priest, through offering Himself as the Lamb of God, opened the way into God’s presence for all who come through Him! When He died, the veil in the temple separating the holy place from the holy of holies was torn from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51) The Old Testament tabernacle pictured Jesus and His sacrificial death as the only way we can enter God’s holy presence. In fact, this is where God is taking all of history. In Revelation 21:1-3, John wrote,

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.”

Because the tabernacle is such an amazingly accurate type of the Lord Jesus Christ, written about 1,400 years before He was born, it serves as strong evidence for the divine inspiration of Scripture and proof that Jesus is God’s Messiah. It could not be coincidental that Jesus fulfilled so many aspects of the tabernacle, some of which I’ll mention as we walk through it!

A. God ordained every detail of the tabernacle.

In Exodus 39 & 40, which describe the construction of the priestly garments and the tabernacle, the phrase, “just as the Lord had commanded Moses,” occurs 17 times (Exod. 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 42, 43; Exod. 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32; cf. 25:8-9)! Seven times in the Bible we are told that Moses made the tabernacle after the pattern that was shown to him on the mountain (Exod. 25:9, 40; 26:30; 27:8; Num. 8:4; Acts 7:44; Heb. 8:5). Again, this shows the detailed inspiration of Scripture! The tabernacle wasn’t Moses’ brilliant idea. It came directly from God to Moses to Israel and us as a portrait of the Savior who would provide the way for all people to enter His holy presence.

B. A guided tour: the tabernacle is set up.

The tabernacle, called “the tent of meeting,” was first set up one year to the day from when Israel came out of Egypt (Exod. 40:2). For the next 39 years, it would be set up and taken down every time that Israel moved to a new place in the desert (at least 31 different camps after Mount Sinai, Num. 33:5-49!). If you’ve ever camped with your family, you know how time-consuming it is to set up and then take down everything in your camp. This would have been far more complicated! The tabernacle measured 45 feet long by 15 feet wide and was covered by three layers of animal skins. Here’s a brief sketch of it, based on Exodus 40:

1) The ark of the testimony and the veil:

The ark (Exod. 40:3, 20, 21), placed in the holy of holies, was made of wood overlaid with gold, representing Christ’s humanity and deity. It measured about 4x2x2 feet, with golden rings for carrying. It contained the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and (later, Num. 17:1-10) Aaron’s rod that budded. The Ten Commandments represented God’s holy law for His people. Jesus kept God’s law perfectly. His atoning blood on the mercy seat stands between us and God’s holy presence. The jar of manna reminded Israel of God’s daily sustenance of them in the wilderness, just as Christ sustains us daily. Aaron’s rod that budded pictured Jesus as God’s chosen high priest, who alone possesses life in Himself.

The pure gold mercy seat on top of the ark was where the high priest sprinkled the blood once a year to atone for Israel’s sins. Two cherubim hovered over the ark with their faces toward the mercy seat and their wings touching above. The holy of holies where the tabernacle was housed, was a perfect cube, as the new Jerusalem will be. The only light came from the Shekinah glory, also true in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:23).

The blue, purple, and scarlet veil (Exod. 26:31-32; 40:21), made of woven linen with cherubim on it, separated the holy of holies from the holy place. Tradition says that it was a handbreadth thick. It was miraculous when the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died! Only the high priest, only once a year, could go beyond the veil to make atonement for the people.

2) The table of showbread:

Moving into the holy place, the table of showbread on the north side (Exod. 25:23-30; 37:10-16; 40:22-23) was about 3 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high. It was made of acacia wood covered with gold, with gold rings attached for carrying it. On top of the table the priests placed twelve loaves of bread, one for each tribe, and replaced them with fresh loaves each week. There were also vessels for the drink offerings of wine.

The table itself, as with the ark, made of wood covered with gold, pictures Jesus in His perfect humanity and undiminished deity. The bread was called “the bread of the presence” (Exod. 25:30). Along with the wine, the bread pictured Jesus as the Bread of Life, whose flesh is true food and whose blood is true drink (John 6:55). He is Immanuel (Matt. 1:23), God present with us. He provides spiritual food and sustenance to all who feed on Him.

3) The golden lampstand:

The lampstand was made of one talent (about 75 pounds) of pure gold and put in the holy place on the south side, opposite the table of showbread (Exod. 25:31-40; 37:17-24; 40:24). It consisted of one stem or branch in the center, with three branches coming out on each side. The pure gold pictures Jesus in His deity as the one who reveals the Father to us (John 14:9). The seven lamps picture Jesus as the perfect revelation of the Father to us. The lampstand was the only source of light in the holy place. Jesus is our only source for true wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3; Prov. 21:30). The lamps burned pure olive oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did everything in His earthly ministry in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:1). In the same way, the Holy Spirit reveals the wisdom of God in Christ to us (1 Cor. 2:6-13).

Jesus proclaimed of Himself (John 8:12), “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” No one but God in human flesh could legitimately make such a claim! Of the new Jerusalem, we read (Rev. 21:23), “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.”

4) The altar of incense:

The altar of incense (Exod. 30:1-10; 37:25-28; 40:26-27) was three feet long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches high, with gold rings to carry it by. It was made of acacia wood covered with pure gold, again picturing Christ in His humanity and deity. It was placed just outside of the veil that separated the holy of holies from the holy place. Every morning when Aaron trimmed the lamps he was to offer fragrant incense on this altar (Exod. 30:7). Once a year he sprinkled it with the blood of the sin offering.

This altar and the burning incense pictured Jesus Christ as our high priest, who now is at the Father’s right hand, praying for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). And, since we are now believer-priests, the incense also represents the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8; 8:3, 4).

5) The altar of burnt offering:

Moving out of the holy place and into the courtyard, the altar of burnt offering (Exod. 27:1-8; 38:1-7; 40:29) was the first item that a priest or worshiper would encounter after entering the compound. It was wood covered with bronze, a symbol of judgment, and was seven feet square and four and a half feet high, with horns on the four corners and rings for carrying. It taught Israel that the only way into God’s holy presence was through the proper sacrifices (described in Leviticus 1-7, 16; Numbers 19). God ordained blood sacrifices because the life of the flesh is in the blood (Lev. 17:11) and the penalty for our sin is death. God accepted these substitute sacrifices in place of the guilty sinner. But all of the Old Testament sacrifices pointed ahead to Jesus, God’s perfect and final sacrifice for our sins (Heb. 9:11-14; 10:1-18). Now there is no further need for animal sacrifices.

6) The laver:

Between the altar of burnt offering and the entrance to the holy place was the laver, or basin for washing (Exod. 30:17-21; 38:8; 40:30-32). It also was made of bronze, made from the mirrors of the women who served at the doorway of the tabernacle. The priests had to wash their hands and feet at this laver before they entered the holy place and when they approached the altar to offer burnt offerings. It pictured Jesus as the one who cleanses us from all defilement and sin through the water of the Word and His Spirit (John 3:5; 13:1-18; Eph. 5:26; Ezek. 36:25; Zech. 13:1). Through faith in Jesus we can have our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (Heb. 10:22).

7) The court:

The court (Exod. 27:9-18; 38:9-20; 40:33) was formed by linen curtains, hung between pillars. It measured about 150 feet long by 75 feet wide. The court separated God’s presence from the rest of the camp. But there was an entrance, showing that we may enter His presence through proper sacrifice, who is Jesus Christ.

The tabernacle was located at the center of Israel’s camp, but it was entered from the camp of Judah, suggesting that Jesus would be born of the tribe of Judah (David’s tribe). Its centrality showed that Jesus should always be at the center of His people.

C. The dedication: the tabernacle is consecrated.

After the tabernacle was completed, God told Moses to anoint the tabernacle and all that was in it with the anointing oil (Exod. 40:9-11). This symbolized the Father’s anointing Jesus with the Holy Spirit at His baptism. In the same way, every believer in Christ receives the Holy Spirit, who sets him or her apart unto God (Rom. 8:9).

Thus, God’s way into His presence was through the tabernacle, which pictures Jesus Christ, the true tabernacle. But, also,

2. God’s way into His presence was through the consecrated priests, now fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

All Israelites could enter the courtyard of the tabernacle to bring sacrifices to the altar, but that’s as far as they could go. There were no guided tours to show people what the inside of the tabernacle looked like! Only the priests could go inside the holy place and only the high priest could enter the holy of holies once a year on the Day of Atonement. He could only enter after offering a sacrifice for his own sins and then taking the atoning blood there for the sins of the people.

But when Jesus died, the way into God’s presence was opened through His death. Now every believer in Christ is a priest with access, not only to the holy place, but even into the holy of holies, into God’s holy presence (Heb. 4:14-16; Eph. 2:18; 1 Pet. 2:9)! But just as the Old Testament priests had to be anointed and cleansed before they entered the tabernacle (Exod. 40:12-15, 31-32), so we can only enter God’s holy presence when we are yielded to the Holy Spirit and cleansed by confessing all of our sins (1 John 1:9).

3. God’s glory through the cloud, now fulfilled in the Holy Spirit, showed His approval of the tabernacle.

After the tabernacle was set up for the first time, the cloud covered it and God’s glory filled it to such an unusual extent that Moses was not able to go in (Exod. 40:34-35). The people could see that the tabernacle was not due to the genius of Moses. He had only carried out God’s specific design. All he could do on this occasion was to fall down with all the people and worship the God of glory who was pleased to dwell with His people in this tabernacle.

The cloud that settled on the tabernacle from here on during Israel’s time in the wilderness provided at least three things. First, the cloud was a visible reminder of God’s presence with His people. The Israelites could see it during the day and at night it became a pillar of fire. It showed Israel God’s transcendence: He is far greater than we are and separated from His creation by His holiness. And it showed God’s immanence: He is gracious to dwell with His chosen people. When the risen Lord Jesus returned to the Father, He promised not to leave us as orphans, but to send His Spirit to dwell in us (John 14:16-17), which was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.

Second, the cloud represented God’s protection over Israel. The cloud shielded them from the desert heat during the day. As a fire, it illumined and warmed them at night (Ps. 105:39). When Pharaoh’s army was pursuing Israel on the shores of the Red Sea, the cloud moved behind them to provide a barrier of darkness for the Egyptians, but a source of light for Israel (Exod. 14:19-20). The Holy Spirit’s presence with us assures us that no one can harm us apart from His sovereign will (John 16:1-7; Luke 21:12-19).

Third, the cloud provided God’s guidance of Israel through the wilderness. When the cloud moved, Israel moved. When it stayed still, Israel stayed still. At first, you might think, “I wish God’s guidance was so clear for me!” But, as James Boice humorously pointed out (The Life of Moses [P & R Publishing], pp. 216-217, crediting Donald Grey Barnhouse), the cloud’s guidance could have been a real pain. You just got your tent set up and your stuff unpacked and the cloud started moving! So, you packed up everything and followed. You stopped for dinner and wanted to bed down for the night, but that cloud, now a pillar of fire, kept going! So the next time you said, “Let’s not unpack this time. We’ll wait till it moves.” But this time it didn’t move for weeks! So you finally unpacked and set up your tent, only to see the cloud moving! God didn’t give them any warning: they just had to follow that often frustrating cloud!

God doesn’t guide us through the cloud, but through His Holy Spirit. He dwells in us to guide us into all His truth through His Word, which reveals God’s will for how we should live (John 16:13; Rom. 8:15-17; 1 Cor. 2:6-13). But, we have to follow Him when He leads, even if it isn’t convenient! We have to obey His commands, even when they may not be what we wanted to hear!

Conclusion

You may not even want to come into God’s holy presence, but as I said at the beginning of this message, someday you will be there! It’s far better to come now through the only way He has provided: by trusting in the death and resurrection of Jesus on your behalf. He is God’s tabernacle who dwelled among us. He invites you to enter God’s holy presence through His blood.

As believers in Christ, since Jesus is both our tabernacle where we meet God and our high priest, we have the great privilege of daily drawing near to God through Him (Heb. 4:14-16):

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Application Questions

  1. Action point: If you don’t own a good study Bible (ESV, MacArthur, etc.), buy one and use it as you read the portions describing the tabernacle and Old Testament sacrifices.
  2. Where is the balance between being God’s friend and yet maintaining the proper reverence?
  3. How would living daily in conscious awareness of God’s holy presence change your present lifestyle and habits?
  4. How can a believer know God’s guidance? Are subjective feelings ever valid? How so, or how not so?

Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2018, All Rights Reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition © The Lockman Foundation

Related Topics: Character of God, Soteriology (Salvation)

Q. What Do I Do About Returning Stolen Goods To A Person I Cannot Locate?

I know that God said thou not shalt not steal for it is wrong. But I have an item that belongs to a person, but I can no longer find them. What should I do with the item? Give it to donation and give the church money for how much the item given cost?

Answer

Dear Friend,

This is an interesting question, but an important one for you. I am pleased that you recognize that what you have kept is stealing, and that you wish to make it right.

The Scripture which comes to mind is this text in Luke 19:

1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. 7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. Luke 19:1-9 (NASB)

It appears to me from this text that Zaccheus promised to do two different things as a new believer: First, he gave half of his possessions to the poor. His wealth, it seems, had been gained by a misuse of his authority. There was no way he could go back and quantify every instance of injustice, and so he resolved to give half of his wealth to the poor. Secondly, he promised to pay back any specific individuals and amounts that he was (or would be made) aware of, four-fold.

This could serve as a pattern for you. First, make every reasonable effort to find the person to whom the item in your possession belongs. This may require both effort and expense. It is hard to believe that this individual could not be located, if a diligent search were conducted. If the value of the item is minimal, and would not justify such an intensive search, then you could take the other step which Zaccheus took – give a contribution to the poor and needy. (It would seem from Luke 19 that the amount should be greater than the value of the object.) And from there I would hold onto that item, without gaining from its use, with the hope that the owner might someday be located.

Bob Deffinbaugh

Related Topics: Christian Life, Ethics

Q. Is Working For Personal Gain Profaning The Sabbath?

Answer

Dear Friend,

Let first clarify the question you’ve raised, and express it in my own words: “Jesus could justify His working on the Sabbath (for which He charged nothing), but does this justify men working for pay on the Sabbath today?

First of all, I would not use the example of our Lord Jesus healing on the Sabbath as my primary text on the Sabbath. It does show why He could “violate” the Sabbath in Jewish minds, and not be guilty, but I would not use that as my main reason for justifying worshipping on the first day of the week, or for not keeping the 7th day as the day for worship.

The first text I would turn to is Isaiah 58, especially verses 13 and 14 to demonstrate the fact that God wanted His people to set aside a time to worship and focus on Him. I have dealt more extensively with this matter in this sermon:

https://bible.org/article/christmas-message-unexpected-text-fasting-and-incarnation-isaiah-58-61-matthew-2-philippians

So, I believe we should set aside a time, a day, when we put aside our normal daily activities and focus on worshiping God. The question which follows must be this: Is Saturday, the seventh day of the week, the day which God now requires Christians to observe as that day for worship? Too many New Testament texts tell us otherwise.

We know that the early church met on “the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). I believe this was to celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; etc.).

Further, the New Testament clearly indicates that a particular day (e.g. the seventh day) is not required. This day of rest and worship could well be some other day of the week. There should be “a” day (Isaiah 58:13-14), but not necessarily Saturday (Romans 14:1-13, especially verses 5-6). But listen to what Paul writes in Colossians chapter two:

13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. 16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ (Colossians 2:13-17, NAU; emphasis mine).

Finally, I am quite concerned that this matter (which day you choose to worship God), which Paul calls a matter of Christian liberty, should become the litmus test for whether or not a church is legitimate. To begin with, there are a good number of Seventh Day Adventists who would not make this a fundamental issue. But more importantly, God does not make it a primary concern, but rather a matter of freedom.

The real test of a biblical, legitimate, church is whether or not it preaches a pure gospel (see how important this is to Paul in Galatians, especially chapter 1, verses 6-10). Is Jesus Christ God’s only provision for sinful men to find forgiveness of their sins and the assurance of eternal life? Are we saved by faith alone in His work, or by faith plus our works? This is the issue to which Paul devotes the entire Book of Galatians. This is what really separates the “sheep” from the “goats” church-wise.

Bob Deffinbaugh

Related Topics: Sabbath

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