Some time ago I heard a radio talk show host make the following statement, “There are some things that the Pope espouses that we decide for ourselves to ‘take it or leave it’. For example, ‘abstain from pre-marital sex’ – many will decide for themselves whether to ‘take it or leave it’.” After hearing that statement, it caused me to ask, “Regardless of one’s church affiliation, how many [so called] Christians actually adopt this same position – concerning the doctrines taught in the Bible?”
God’s Word teaches the following.
1 Thessalonians 5:22,
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
According to Webster, the word “abstain” means: to refrain from, voluntarily, but used chiefly to denote a restraint upon the passions or appetites; to refrain from indulgence.” And the word “indulgent” means: to yield to wishes, desires, appetites or passions; compliant; not opposing or restraining.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 instructs,
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.”
Now before we attempt to isolate the word “abstain” to just fornication, let’s review other “works of the flesh” that we are to abstain from.
Galatians 5:19-21 states,
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:3-4 states,
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
It is true that you can “take it or leave it” – that is, you can reject God’s Word; you can reject abstaining from all appearances of evil; you can also indulge in your deepest passions through the works of the flesh; for, you can choose to rebel against God. (And this is not limited to sins of the flesh; but also to spiritual sins; such as idolatry.) But there is one important fact that you must remember – that being, you do not get to choose the consequences for your decision.
Now, let’s turn this discussion in a different direction.
Romans 12:2 states,
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states,
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Galatians 5:24 states,
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Colossians 3:5-7 states,
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”
When you choose to not conform to the ways of this wicked world – but to be transformed by the Lord – that is, to lead a changed life patterned after Jesus Christ – the Lord will greatly bless you. May we choose to ‘take the Word of the Lord’, wholeheartedly apply it to our hearts – and live according to it.
