- Our natural inclination is to do what feels good rather than what is good for our eternal welfare.
A. Look at the way Esau acted, Gen. 25:29,34; Heb. 12:16,17.
B. Our inclination is so strong, that even knowing what is right and wanting to do it is not enough, Rom. 7:15-21.
C. Like Paul, we need help from outside of ourselves if are to do right in practice, Rom. 3:23,24; 5:1,2; 8:13; James 1:13-17. - Recognizing our own frail natures, let us consider some specific things we should not do.
A. Fornication is condemned in God’s commandments. We must not do it, I Cor. 6:6-10; 10:8.
B. We should not fill our minds with garbage. If we do, it will be garbage in, garbage out. Some things that pour garbage into our minds are:
1. Sex-filled and violent movies, books, videos.
2. Suggestive talk and dirty jokes.
3. Other?
C. We should not go where sin is easy.
1. Bars
2. Parties of young people where there is no supervision.
3. Parties where drugs and alcohol will be present.
4. Intimate places providing too much time alone.
5. Other?
D. We should not dull our minds and release our inhibitions with drugs and alcohol. - There are also specific things we should do.
A. Develop respect:
1. For the Kingdom of God as a worthy goal for our lives. Promises of the kingdom can become an anchor to us in life, Heb. 6:10-20.
2. For other people, for we must love our neighbors as ourselves.
3. For our parents whether we think they deserve it or not, Eph. 6:1.
4. For all members of the ecclesial community, Phil. 2:3,4.
5. For yourself as someone God loves and wants to save, John 3:16.
B. Practice respect for our place of worship by:
1. Being willing to help in maintaining the facility.
2. By being careful with the books and furniture.
3. By picking up dropped paper or other items.
4. By keeping our conversation and conduct friendly and devout.
5. Practicing respect for the place of worship helps us develop respect for the principles associated with right worship.
C. Read our Bible every day because:
1. It is God’s message to man.
2. It explains how man came into being and how sin entered the world.
3. It explains how sin will be removed and mankind can be redeemed.
4. It tells about people in such a way that we can learn from their experiences.
5. It tells us about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, that we might come to know him and believe in him.
6. It tells us about the future and of the wondrous kingdom which God has planned for His children.
7. It shows us how to live that we might step out of the procession of humanity that is walking to the grave and accept God’s offer of life.
D. Prepare ourselves for worship services by:
1. Organizing things the night before to avoid a last minute rush.
2. Get adequate sleep.
3. Review the chapters to be read and material to be covered.
4. Arrive with our minds centered upon worship.
5. Other?
E. Make prayer an important part of our lives.
1. Jesus spent much time in prayer, Lk. 6:12; 9:28; 14:32-35.
2. Jesus commanded us to pray always, Lk. 18:1; 21:36; 22:40.
3. The prophet Daniel prayed three times a day, Dan. 6:10.
4. We need God’s help. Even Christ said, “I can of mine own self do nothing,” John 5:30.
5. Other reasons to pray?
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One