[Biblemat] S) TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files.  Use to the glory of God.

TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

     In a period of time when morals are sagging, Satan provid-
es many rationalizations for improper behavior.  His "terms of
endearment" make him very popular and well liked.  People
develop an intimate relationship with him because of his ex-
pressions of affection and generosity.  On the other hand, 
those who would live faithful as Christins must not be "ignor-
ant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11).  Disciples of the Lord must 
be spiritually awake to see the deceiving ways in which Satan
would draw us away from God (Heb. 3:12,13).

     Notice how the devil draws people to him through express-
ions of affection:

"EVERYBODY DOES IT!"  "The more the merrier," "Every-
body's going to be there," or "Everybody's done it once."
These are just a few of the statements people make to let you
know that if everyone things, does, or says it, it must be right.  But just 
who is everybody?  In the mind of most people
"everybody" usually means the majority.  The numbers are
against you if you are in the minority.  But just because the
numbers show more people do a certain thing does not prove
it is right before God.  If the majority of the country voted to
legalize the practice of prostitution, gambling, pornography,
or homosexuality, is it then made legal in the eyes of God?
No matter how many acts of ungodliness are legalized, it does not mean God 
approves of such (Prov. 14;12; Jer. 10:
23).  If God's Word describes your conduct as sin, it is still
considered sin no matter how many or how few participate.
Are you more interested in what the world expects of you or
what God expects of you?

"I'M NOT AS BAD AS..."  If Satan can get you to compare your
actions with others, he has succeeded in helping rid you of
accountability.  Assessing the character faults of others is
one of the greatest hindrances to being honest about our own sin.  People 
like the devil more when they can sweep
their own 'trash' under the rug while at the same time con-
demn in others what they allow in their own life.  Paul rebuk-
ed those in Rome for minimizing their own sin while in the
process of exposing the sins of others.  "For in that which
you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge
practice the same things" (Rom. 2:1).  "You, therefore, who 
teach another, do you not teach yourself?" (Rom. 2:21).  Paul
even said he would not submit to judging ourselves or com-
paring ourselves with certain of them that commend them-
selves (2 Cor. 10:12).  Is it a fair and honest assessment to
compare self with how bad or how good you perceive another
to be?  For example:  Is the sin of adultery worse than lying?
Is being immodest better than cursing or swearing?  Is failure
to become a Christian better than not assembling to worship
God?

     According to Rom. 14:12 and Jas. 1:14,15, each is account-
able for his own sin and life.

"THE CHURH MUST KEEP UP WITH THE TIMES!"  This useful
tool of Satan promotes a "spirituality" that de-emphasizes
sin, guilt, and hell and sympathizes with -- instead of -- corr-
ecting those who are engaged in any act of immorality.  For
the chruch to keep up with the current trend of culture, it 
must entertain its people with "upbeat music," "life-related
drama skits," and singing groups (i.e. duets or choirs).  Acc-
ording to some, a church should incorporate more testimon-
ials from both men and women and hear speakers who are
better at humor and storytelling.  Scores of people are turn-
ing to "mega" or "community" churches because of a one-
size-fits-all mentality.  They seek a church that has every-
thing from baby-sitting services to aerobic classes to addict-
ion counseling to ball teams.  Who would not want a "one-stop-shopping" 
church like that?

     The only thing that has changed about the times is man,
not God (Matt. 16:18; 24:35; 2 Tim. 3:16,17).  People have
chosen not to "endure the sound doctrine, but...will heap to
themselves teachers after their own lusts" (2 Tim. 4;3).  We should hold dear 
to the truth of God's Word and be the church for which Jesus died.  We need 
to keep up with Script-
ure and not worry about keeping up with the changes in cul-
ture.

     Be alert to the "terms of endearment" offered by the devil
(1 Thes. 5:21,22).  Be drawn, instead, to God's "terms of end-
earment" that are manifested in Jesus (Jno. 3;16).   ------------
Shawn Bain in Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 3, March 2007.   </HTML>
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