Being a Saint
Today's Three-minute Bible Study
Print, Study and Apply
Title: Being a Saint ------------------- Date: 7/14/2001
Keywords:
"saint"
Welcome
to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual
temptation.
Passage: Ephesians 5:3-4*
3. But immorality and any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4. and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Questions
1. List the behaviors that are consistent with the Christian walk in verses 3 and 4.
2. Do you see a difference between the three listed in verse 3 and the three listed in verse 4? Describe the difference.
Practical help
Where does pornography fit in the list above? Some folks work so hard at justifying their behavior that they don’t see it there at all. The fact is, pornography is consistent with the six behaviors listed above and then some! Let’s go down the list.
"Immorality" is defined in the World Book Dictionary as "wickedness; wrongdoing; vice, lewdness and lack of chastity." A "vice" is "an evil, immoral, or wicked habit or tendency." And when we say something is "lewd" we are saying it is "not decent; obscene; and lustful." If it is so good and decent, why are porn addicts always hiding and keeping secrets from others?
"Impurity" is another way of saying "unclean" or "dirty." Porn addicts as a group share the common feeling of shame. One way they sometimes describe this is, "I feel so dirty!"
"Greed" is defined as "the quality of wanting more than one’s share." Meaningful relationships built on love and trust are not enough for the porn addict. He or she wants more arousal and willfully overlooks the terrible harm it causes others. Just as long as the habit is met, nothing else is more important. Sounds like greed to me.
The list in verse 3 are the drivers. They are the controlling thoughts that ultimately result in actions like those found in verse 4. Some people justify their excursions into dark side of the Web by sharing it with friends. Basically they are exporting immorality, impurity and greed (building bad appetites in others). Selfishness never sees the bigger picture and the harm that results in perpetuation of even the smallest vice.
The life of a saint results in healthy growth and development for not only the individual, but for others in his or her sphere of influence. I encourage you to thank God for His gift of love to you. Confess your sins and ask Him to forgive you, then walk away from the list above. Believe me, its a better life than the one you are living now. If you need more information click here.
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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright
The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by
permission."
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