The Examined Life. Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: "The Examined Life." ------------- Date: 09/30/1998 Keywords: "evil" "good" "examination" "evaluation" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22* But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil Questions 1. The apostle Paul urges his readers to lead examined lives. What areas of life might Paul have had in mind when he urges us to "examine everything"? Write down some areas of your life that need periodic examination and evaluation (ex: relationships, finances, physical condition, etc.....)   2. After examination, Paul gives further instruction. What specific action are we to take with respect to those things in our lives which are good? (By good, Paul meant "morally excellent" "exemplary")   3. What are we to do with those things in our lives (or in our world) which are tainted with evil?   Practical help Web porn fails just about every test for "goodness" we could dream up. While there is no denying its appeal, it is not morally excellent and it destroys rather than builds up. The Bible says that when we examine something carefully and find that it is evil, we are to abstain from it. "Abstain" is what a recovering alcoholic does when offered strong drink, because he knows where that strong drink will lead if he partakes. "Abstain" is what God wants you and me to do when it comes to viewing web porn. A policy of abstinence is smart. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1998 by eXXit *"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."