http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-8k 11-18-14- Me Teaching at NeWay
http://wp.me/a4V5qQ-Y Radio show 705- have to listen with Internet explorer
browser only [it’s a Wave file]
WEDNESDAY-
The video
for this week was one of the ‘spur of the moment’ teachings- that I said I
would do every so often.
There was a
new guy in the group- he’s from Canada and said he was here in Texas doing
street ministry.
I don’t doubt
him- not 100% at least.
He said he
has studied the bible in its original languages for many years- and seemed to
know some stuff.
After I shut
the video off- I took questions- it seems as if the brother had some
questionable stuff- which is ok- that’s why I’m there.
I did my
best to try and get some of his beliefs on track- and did some church history-
ways we understand scripture.
He kept
asking me what the original sin was- I did talk about the creation story
somewhat.
I said they
disobeyed God [don’t eat from the tree of knowledge] and the bible says sin is
the transgression of the law- meaning- they disobeyed what God told them
[simple?]
I did my
best- he had a few other questions- sort of along the lines of a test.
If I may be
so bold- I do know this stuff- and he seemed a bit off.
I found out
later that he believed- from the original ‘languages’- that the sin was Eve had
sex with the Serpent.
Ok- after I
left the meeting I went to visit another friend- he also is involved with
ministry- good guy- don’t get me wrong- I like these brothers.
Sure enough-
he ‘taught’ the same thing.
When I was
in North Bergen- yeah- this same question came up.
Ok- do the
‘original languages’ say this?
No- that’s
the problem.
This belief
does exist- like many others- in some other writings- but these were rejected
by the church early on- as a matter of fact a guy at Timons had some questions about
the ‘DaVinci code’- again- I taught the same thing.
Saying ‘just
because a belief has been around- for a while- and you might find it in some
very early documents [2nd, 3rd century Gnostic writings] - yet- this
does not mean they are valid’.
The Canadian
‘preacher’ was at the mission today with a few other friends.
Normally I
would take the guys with me- spend the day doing stuff- but to be honest- I
stopped doing that- they saw.
What’s the
problem here?
All 3 of
these friends should be working- and in the old days I did do stuff with them-
but no more.
I’m a
retired fire fighter- I can- with a clear conscience- spend the day doing
ministry.
But- if you
are on the streets- doing ministry- and bumming cigarettes [yes- when I first
met the brother- he is in the meeting on this week’s video- I told him ‘hope you’re
not offended- but I smoke’- sure enough- he bummed one from me]!
The point-
all the guys I was with today- yes- doing some ministry stuff- yet- they should
have all been working- not looking for a day to just hang out.
This is
indeed one of the changes I have made- and I think it’s best for all of us.
NOTE- In
scripture- stealing- lying- ‘sinning’ in general- well- is bad.
Now- I’m no
‘saint’ [well actually I am- in the bible this word refers to all believers- it
means ‘sanctified ones’].
But I
noticed a funny thing- since I made some changes.
At the Coffee
shop- sometimes I leave the laptop inside- and go out to smoke- a nice sitting
area.
I always
felt uncomfortable doing it- because if I did this with some of the ‘old crew’
it would be gone.
So- I have
had to ‘learn’ not being around people who will steal- again- and again- and
ag…
The other
day- just as I was getting comfortable with it- I walked back inside and went
to my chair- sure enough- my stuff was gone!
I asked Alex
‘I think someone stole my stuff’- does that happen?
He went up
to the cashier- and before he could ask- I realized I was at the wrong chair-
my stuff was at another spot.
I never
realized how this affected me- and how it affects everybody.
Today at the
mission a friend said someone stole the keys to his car- his wife was upset
[they live on the streets].
He told his
wife ‘look- what do you expect- we all do it to each other’.
It’s sad- I
love all my friends- but I have felt for a while that things needed to change.
The friend
who stole 2 packs of cigarettes from my glove compartment one day- I had him in
the car a few weeks later.
I asked him
to get something out of my glove compartment [I started locking it- but it was unlocked
this day].
He opened it
up- I forgot I had a pack in there.
As soon as
he saw it- jokingly- he grabbed it and- without even realizing he was actually
doing it as a joke- but I could see it was a ‘natural reflex’-
He acted
like he was going to steal it.
I don’t
think many of these friends realize that unless this lifestyle changes- they
will never get anywhere in life.
THURSDAY-
I’m going to do something right now- that I never planned on doing again.
What’s that?
Write a bit more
about AA/NA.
The main
reason I did not want to write on this subject anymore- is because I never was
really ‘in the program’- in the sense that I never did a step.
I never had
a sponsor- but only attended some meetings early on- and did read the big book.
Now- why
write then?
Good
question.
One of the
changes that I felt needed to be made- in my ‘transition’ season that I have
been writing about- was I felt in all good conscience that I can’t be
affiliated with previous ministries- for a few reasons- but one is they are
strong in AA- to the point where at times I see many ‘cultic’ signs in some of
the people I associate with.
What do you
mean Cultic?
Since I’ve
been back in Texas- I have had friend’s relapse- again- and they start the
whole routine over ‘John- I called my sponsor and…’.
Ok- if
that’s the track you feel you need to be on- fine.
But if after
30 years- and the track never lead to anywhere [in around 90% of the cases-
this is true. The latest statistic I read was the success rate is about 10%-
many in the movement do not know this- because they do not read the most up to
date data on addiction- many feel it is in a way wrong to be informed about the
issue].
So- even
though I am now clean for almost 2 years- yet- in a sense- when I run into some
old friends still in the movement- and not clean themselves [many are addicted
to prescription pills- and some use pills that are not prescribed to them- yet
they still count their clean date from the last time they drank a beer].
It’s almost
like trying to escape a cult- they view all of life thru the paradigm of AA/NA-
which is a danger sign.
These are
all good people- and when I first started writing on AA I did not want to side
track those who are finding help thru it- the 7-10 % of success stories.
But- there
are the other 90 %- who still need help- and often times the relapse is indeed
because they are in a legalistic bondage to AA/NA.
I’ve taught
on this a lot- and this is the basis of Christianity [many of the videos I’m making
deal with this- the freedom from a system- the law- and having a new life in
Christ- not focused on some system- that’s the heart of the New Covenant].
So- even
though I have determined to try and cut all ties with the movement- in some
ways those who are in it- however well intended- seem to take a cultic
approach.
If you
attempt to keep a relationship- with others in the movement- you are viewed as
needing to ‘get with the program’.
I fear many
of the well meaning people in the movement do not see the danger.
When I was
in N.J.- not this last time- but about 2 years ago.
The last
meeting I went to there was a speaker [note- I do realize you are not supposed
to talk about what was said in the meetings- let me say- I am not in AA- and I
am trying my best to not step on too many toes here- one of the aspects of a
cult is you do not talk about what’s going on in their meetings- so- when I
share the things I learned- it’s so we can all benefit- I also realize the
reason people do not share is so they can be anonymous- which is ok- I get it].
So- one of
the last meetings I went to- there was a guest speaker.
As he spoke-
he said he wished he could live his life without being in a never ending
process of depending upon meetings- sponsors- the whole thing.
He described
it as a sort of bondage-
But he said
because he was an addict- he can never have a normal life- being free from addiction-
unless he did this- for the rest of his life.
I didn’t say
anything- and maybe he was having a bad day.
But his own
testimony- from his mouth- was what I already began seeing at the time.
The fact is-
the free gift of grace- does indeed free us from focusing our lives around
overcoming addiction- that was indeed the great break thru of the Cross- that
God would set us free- for FREE [meaning you do not have to focus your life
around a system to be free- Paul the apostle taught in Romans 7 that if you do
try harder to keep the law [any program that you think you need to follow to be
free] that it actually strengthens the sin [addiction]. This is what is indeed
happening in many of the 90% of those who are relapsing].
NOTE- When I
read other literature on addiction recovery- just to broaden my understanding-
I did not realize that there were many others who saw major flaws with AA/NA-
many of these alternative approaches were developed because of some of the
stuff I mentioned above.
Any movement-
must in time be open to new things- and I have had people tell me that AA/NA
was given by God to Bill W- and because it was given- by God- that’s why it
‘rarely’ fails for those who do it.
But it does
fail- often-
And it’s ok
to say this- it needs to be said-
But if your
view is because it is a God given program- that man never had before- then you
become a defender of a movement- much like a cult defends their beliefs- this
is happening with many in the movement.
Some of the
teaching that I did recently dealt with the SEX issue- how in the bible
adultery [any sex outside marriage- even Porn addiction] is considered very
serious.
The bible
says ‘drunkards- adulterers- etc.’ will not inherit the kingdom.
Now- if you’re
in AA/NA just to try and get free from a substance- that’s your prerogative.
But- in the
biblical teaching- if you are ‘under’ [meaning sponsor type thing] people who
do practice sexual sin- then those under you will never get free- from the
thing the leader is in bondage to.
That’s a biblical principle.
[I have had
many friends tell me that the porn/sex problem is one they cannot overcome- yet
they stopped using substances- they do not realize the biblical principle I am
writing about now- they need to know this- or the train will never stop]
I was
invited to an AA celebration last year- I was told ‘you might not want to go-
they are all renting rooms already- to sleep with each other’.
The person
knew I would have a problem with that.
I said ‘what
you have is hedonism- without the alcohol’.
Now- if
that’s what you want- fine.
But Christians
in the movement are submitting to sponsors- if they are involved in this- that
the bible teaches you should not submit to.
Because the
sex issue- in scripture- is just as bad [or worse] if done outside of marriage-
as the substance.
The biblical
principle is you can’t help others- if you’re in bondage yourself.
I often tell
people ‘look- if you want help quitting smoking- I can’t help you’.
Why?
Because I
smoke.
I wrote in the past that I felt the underlying
issue to most addicts is lust- The BIBLE says ‘we have escaped the corruption that
is in the world THRU LUST’.
If you are
in a fellowship- that actively practices lust- you will never get free from it-
and many of the people who have overcome drugs and drink thru the program- do
indeed struggle with lust- porn- adultery.
Why?
Because of
what I just told you- the bible is a higher authority than man- and any
movement that allows you to develop your own conscience on sex- leads to a
bondage- if at the end of your ‘sex inventory’ you come to a conclusion that is
not compatible with scripture- which is God given.
This past month
those of you who have followed my journey- you’ll notice some of the verses and
old radio quotes dealt with the issue of how should believers relate to those
living in sin.
I tried to
strike a balance between being ‘in the world’ yet not of it.
I mentioned
that in the letter to the Corinthians the apostle Paul did say to have no
fellowship with the brother who was in sexual sin- because his sin was open-
and accepted.
Yet- in the
‘world’ you will have people who are living in all types of situations- and
it’s ok to have ‘friends’ that are sinners.
Jesus was
called ‘a friend of sinners’.
Now- the problem
with joining with a group/fellowship that practices sexual sin [not all- but
many- and I covered in previous posts that the movement has decided to take no
stand against adultery- in the big book I gave you the section that left that
open-and I have known people in the movement that said when they did their
sexual inventory that their conscience permitted various sexual sins that
scripture forbids].
Now- I’m not
nit-picking here- the point I’m making is if a believer puts himself under the
authority of a movement/sponsor- that permits sexual sin [which is very
different then someone who struggles with sin- yet does not condone it].
Then they
are violating the mandate to not be unequally yoked together- meaning when you
voluntarily submit to the leadership of a person- or movement- that permits
this- you are indeed violating scripture- in this area.
I read a
book from some pastors who were pro AA.
At the time
I too was ‘pro’ AA- until I saw some of these things.
In my time
in AA- there was more than one occasion that I knew of younger kids- struggling
with porn- who were getting advice/sponsorship from men who themselves permitted
it- they told me that to them it was not a sin.
Yet- the
younger ones they sponsored did not know they were under the ‘covering’ of men
who practiced the same thing [as far as I know].
There was a
very respected older man- in his 70’s- who is well known around the country for
having brought many to sobriety thru AA.
One day I was working with a person from the
streets- and I mentioned how I thought the sex issue- being openly practiced-
was a problem.
I later
found out that this highly respected older man- well did the same thing [I
can’t explain it all- but the girl knew the man].
I said ‘I
can’t believe it’!
The person
told me that he’s just a leader in AA- and it’s not ministry.
Now- that
might be ‘ok’ if your not a Christian- but if churches and pastors are
‘partaking’ of a movement that permits a very serious sin- bondage- and many
young men in the movement are seeking deliverance from this very thing [lust-
porn- etc.].
Then the
church leaders need to re-examine their support- because if they are
recommending to join a ‘fellowship’ that permits this- then in my view they are
violating the scripture in the area of not associating [or at least
recommending] a movement that permits this.
Now- this is
not a critique of others who are just in the movement to get free from
drugs/alcohol- this is a Christian based view that I feel is scriptural.
In essence-
church leaders are telling their people to submit to leadership- that is in
violation of the scripture willingly- openly- and not ‘repenting’- like the
Corinthian brother.
And many of
the younger [older] leaders in the movement practice sexual sin- because they
permit it.
This is much
different than working with people struggling to overcome sin- but know it is
wrong.
The sinning
brother at the church of Corinth was engaged in sexual sin- and was open about
it- he saw nothing wrong with it.
That indeed
is the position of many in the movement- those they sponsor WILL NEVER GET FREE
from a lifestyle that the leadership condones- Do you now see?
THE DALLAS
BUYERS CLUB-
Right from
the start of me going to the AA meetings- my friends knew that this was an area
that I had strong problems with.
Meaning they
knew that I felt the ‘addiction’ to sex sin- be it porn- sleeping around- etc.-
was a sin/addiction that was just as strong [or worse] then drugs or alcohol.
And my
friends knew that I had a problem with those who openly slept around with other
people in the group.
In Texas at
the end of the meetings we did pray the ‘Our Father’ which was a good thing-
but some in the prayer saw nothing wrong with leaving the meeting- with someone
else from the group- and having sex.
It was simply
acceptable.
One day one
of the old timers- famous in AA- he knew I had these strong reservations.
He told me a
story from back in the day- that there was a famous Dallas AA group- and one member
was jealous that another member had sex with his girl.
He went to New
York City and brought back 2-3 hookers- who had aids.
He didn’t
tell anyone in the group- he just brought the girls to the meetings- knowing
the other members would sleep with them.
According to
the old man- many [he said all] of the the men in that group contracted aids-
and it became a famous story in the movement.
One of the
kids that was at our halfway house- James- he was very paranoid from his use of
Meth.
Some days I
would go the halfway house- and the door was locked with a chain- I couldn’t
get in.
I liked the
kid- and he knew I was doing the Christin aspect of recovery [the meetings you
see me do on video- actually the video for this week was done at the halfway
house where James was staying].
James eventually
left our halfway house- and I saw him about a year later.
I was at
Timons [a feeding mission] and he said ‘Hey John- don’t you remember me’.
I didn’t
recognize him- he was clean- gained weight- and ‘on fire for Jesus’.
He went to a
Christian based recovery group- called Rapha House [I have taken guys there
before- also to the Victory Outreach- these are Christian based recovery
groups- many in these groups are very anti AA].
He said
‘John- I found true recovery thru Christ- I’m sorry- but the halfway house and
AA thing – to be honest- were of no help’.
Now- I share
these stories to let Christians- who advocate for AA/NA- see that from the Christian
view- it’s problematic.
I want to
make a note- many who struggle with Porn- sleeping around- etc. - have actually
justified it thru their reading of the literature in AA/NA.
Yet- some
have also expressed- to me- that they feel tremendous guilt when they practice
these things.
I have
always told them that the bible is a higher authority then what they are
reading in the Big Book- that even if you develop a view on sex- that in your
mind is acceptable- because of what you found in the Big Book- yet- you have to
decide if you will hear God’s view [from scripture] or man’s view.
But- some of
these people have a view of the movement- that says ‘because God gave this
movement to Bill W- for the first time a way has been made- therefore what the movement
says- has God’s approval’.
I don’t know
how many times I have told my friends- in this area- they have it wrong.
Now- I had
no plan on covering this issue again- but in the last week I have run into some
of the guys- and the cycle repeats ‘I relapsed- called my sponsor- …’
All of these
guys are also struggling with sex issues- one told me ‘Johnny- I’m doing ok-
but I’m still looking at porn on the phone’.
Others are
still sleeping around- I mean you can’t get ‘free’ if you do these things- and
view them as acceptable.
Look- if
your struggling with these things I’m not condemning you- struggling means you
see it’s wrong- and are trying- by God’s grace- to stop.
But many in the
movement condone- practice- and teach that it is ok- that they are simply
trying to stop substance abuse- and in many cases they have.
But they are
using their ‘freedom’ from drugs/drink- to go full speed ahead in a practice
that the bible clearly condemns- adultery- in just about every form you can
imagine.
The BIBLE
says ‘do not use your new found freedom to engage in sexual desires’.
For those of
you who are not getting this yet- this book is called THE BIBLE- It trumps all
other man made books- including the big book- get it?
Now- I’ve
already gone too long here- my advice for Christians in the movement- the bible
forbids being in fellowship [meaning a spiritual community] of people who
practice adultery.
If you are seeking
freedom from bondage- all forms- you will not find it in a fellowship that
allows/practices it- period.
If you have
found freedom from substance abuse in the program- I bless you- great.
But in my
experience- I have seen younger kids battle with the lust issue- and calling
their sponsors- who do the same thing- and have justified doing it- because of
all I wrote in this post.
These kids
will struggle with that addiction- for life- if they submit to a leader/movement
who approve of it- that’s the biblical teaching on this- ‘A bad tree cannot
produce good fruit’ if the ‘tree’ [movement- etc.] permits a practice that the
bible condemns- then it’s considered a bad tree- in that area- it will never be
able to help you- in that area- because it is the nature of the tree to
re-produce after it’s ‘kind’- this is a biblical principle that will never
change.
There’s a
verse that says ‘blessed are those who do not condemn themselves in the thing
they allow’.
Some have
told me that after they did the sex inventory- their conscience permitted
certain sex practices that the bible forbids- but ‘their conscience is God
given- so God ok’s it’.
WRONG!
The bible
says our consciences can be ‘seared with a hot iron’ meaning you can violate
Gods word- and actually manipulate your ‘conscience’ to justify sin.
That’s what
these guys are doing.
Once again-
it’s an issue of believing God’s word- or the words of men in some book.
ESACPED A
CULT?
The other
day one of my friends- who I have helped over the years- who recently relapsed-
again- asked me something about AA.
I told him
‘brother- I’m out of that cult’-
Now-
understand- me and the boys are open- those of you who have seen my site
realize this.
So- I would
not have said it like this to a normal ‘AA’ member- get it?
Cult?
When I first
started attending meetings- meeting the guys- I did express to the older guys
‘look- I’m getting free from alcohol addiction- but I think the underlying
issue to addiction is lust- so- no more porn for me- or sex at all- I’m doing
the celibacy thing’.
Now- I can’t
say much more here- you say ‘brother- you’re married’.
Just trust
me- I’m doing the celibacy thing- ok?
Now- I had a
friend who fought me on this- he told me it was impossible- and every time I
saw him he tried to discourage me.
He justified
masturbation to porn- he justified sleeping with people you are not married to-
and I would say ‘look- the bible does say some men- not all- practiced this’.
He would
tell me ‘no- these guys all did it- it’s impossible’- He was a Christian!
Now- I
didn’t make it an issue- he made it one!
Always
telling me ‘it can’t be done’-
It would be
like me saying ‘you can’t stop drinking- or using drugs’.
He was trying
to pull me down- because he engaged in this stuff.
Now- this is
the principle I’m writing about- how can kids being sponsored by these guys-
who come to them- about this very issue- ever get clean?
They can’t-
and the sponsors [in some cases] just keep reassuring the kids- and then when
they hang up the phone they engage in the practice.
This is very
problematic-
In order to
get free from an addiction- you must admit that it is wrong- and it has power
over you.
But- if you justify
the sex issue- then you are violating the whole procedure of getting free.
And this
issue- porn- sex sin- many of the kids in the movement are wanting to get free
of it- do you now see the problem?
I want to
make a note- I’m talking about the snare of porn and all- if you are a girl who
made porn- and have seen that is was wrong- and stopped.
Then don’t
let that effect you any more- God forgives- and you can move on.
Don’t live
in the fear of ‘what if they see my videos- or on-line stuff’.
God forgives-
and if people are seeking it- they are just as in the wrong as the poor girl
who made them.
So- for you
girls who made it- you’re forgiven- ok?
A few months
ago I lent my phone to a new friend- Jacob- He was living on the streets.
He called
his ex-girlfriend in San Antonio- fine.
But later I
kept getting texted by someone I didn’t know.
Then I
realized it was his girl- I said ‘hon- I’m not him- I lent him my phone’.
So- she
texted me a few more times- and one said ‘check out my pictures here’.
Now- I was
with another friend- older then me, a Christian- he saw the texting thing.
Then I said
‘I’m deleting all of this right now’.
He said
‘wait- let’s look at the pictures’.
I deleted
it- before I opened it up.
I realize
that this issue is big- and lots of kids do the ‘sexting’ stuff- I’m not
writing any of this to be judgmental- I want you to understand I’m dealing with
an issue where kids in a movement- who are trying to overcome these things- are
in the wrong movement- for this thing.
1Corinthians 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1Corinthians 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Revelation
21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he
shall be my son.
Revelation
21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death.
Ephesians
2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians
2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience:
Ephesians
2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of
our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians
2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Ephesians
2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians
2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians
5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Ephesians
5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Ephesians
5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once
named among you, as becometh saints;
Ephesians
5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians
5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of
God.
Ephesians
5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Ephesians
5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Ephesians
5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light:
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit.
Romans
8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and death.Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Colossians
3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where
Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians
3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians
3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians
3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with
him in glory.
Colossians
3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which
is idolatry
Colossians
3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience
Colossians
3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
1Peter 2:11 Dearly
beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul;
1Peter 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1Peter 4:3
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings,
banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1Peter 4:4
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of
riot, speaking evil of you:
1Peter 4:5 Who
shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
1Peter 4:6
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that
they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God
in the spirit.
1Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto
prayer.
Revelation
21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he
shall be my son.
Revelation
21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death.
These are
from the King James bible- but much of the language is referring to sexual sin.
In
scripture- you’ll notice- that drinking alcohol [which I do not do] is actually
not forbidden- drunkenness is.
But- in the
area of sexual sin- there is no moderation- meaning- you can’t do ‘a little’
and get away with it.
It is not
like substance abuse- according to God’s word- it is only permitted in the
marriage covenant.
What I fear
has happened in AA- is some have a false reassurance- because they don’t drink
at all [like me] and somehow think the sex issue is ok.
Actually-
the sex issue- is worse- according to scripture.
I obviously
am not condoning alcoholism- or drug abuse- but- the scripture puts a much
higher price on those who commit sexual sin.
LAST WORD-
as I get ready to post this- to be honest- I hope it’s the last time I write on
this subject.
Yesterday I
made a couple of new teaching videos- which I will upload in the next few days.
Some of the
guys are already talking about making a trip to San Antonio again- and doing- a
‘spur of the moment’ meeting- with our friend in San Antonio.
In the next
few weeks I’ll text some of our former home groups- and see if they want- we
will do a meeting or 2- like I said we would.
Now- in this
post- I know I hurt some friend’s feelings- my purpose is not to offend anyone.
These past
few years- as I saw some of these things- I went out of my may to let my
friends see these things-
I copied-
printed- these posts for friends who do not have on-line access.
I hand delivered
the posts- told my friends ‘I think you need to read this’- I really felt like
some of my friends needed to take a strong- hard look at what was happening.
So- I’ll
post this in a few minutes- and God willing- move on.
facebook.com/john.chiarello.5
ccoutreach87.wordpress.com
Note- Do me a favor, those who
read/like the posts- re-post them on other sites as well as the site you read
them on. Thanks- John. Don’t forget to scroll down on the timeline [FaceBook#]
- I have posted lots. visit- ccoutreach87.wordpress.com- my radio shows.
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