29/09/2013 - OBEY THE PROHIBITION

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But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

I Corinthians 5:11

Always obey the divine prohibitions. With the Gospel expansion we have seen in our country, we have to keep an eye out so as not to be fooled by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Perhaps, due to lack of time – or zeal of the preachers – many converts do not learn how to abandon the “pleasures” of the world. As a result, the Christian testimony is jeopardized, making the saved ones believe at some point that what the lost ones do is normal.

Another fact to consider is that a false brother might be more dangerous for new converts than an unbeliever who never knew Christ. This is because the example that these hypocrites set may lead the “newborns” in Christ to think that deep down the Most High does not mind certain wrong practices provided they are not “big sins”. Now, this is a serious danger because sin, albeit small, separates us from God (II Corinthians 6:14-15)!

Beware of the sexually immoral, who have no moral restraints. They do not mind telling what they do in secret, and they even brag about it. If a true Christian rebukes them, they call him old-fashioned. He who acts with debauchery has lost all sense of holiness and therefore may lead the most God-fearing people to fall into transgression. By distorting Paul’s word – according to which everything is lawful (I Corinthians 6:12) – they insist that everything is permitted.

Idolatry is like the “twin sister” of witchcraft. Whoever indulges in one will, with rare exceptions, fall into the other. Idolaters will divert your eyes from the Lord so that your focus will be on someone else and, in addition, they will have you believe that those who served the Most High in the past will intercede for your life. The idolaters are heavily used by the devil in the art of making people turn away from the Truth.

Those who are always complaining may leave such a harmful imprint in you that instead of doing what the Bible commands – which is to bless (Romans 12:14) – you will be caught by the clutches of the cursing spirits. Revilers are always grumbling and suspecting everyone, and they do not spare efforts to get what they want. It is important to understand that the mouth that curses cannot bless (James 3:9-10).

According to the Word, we should not keep company with the drunkards and those who do drugs, for example. They are at a stage similar to Eva’s when she spoke to the serpent and was easily deceived by it (Genesis 3:1-6). In this same situation are those who steal taxes, copyright laws or any other thing.

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares