ABOMINABLE PRACTICES

Introduction

To say that God is only a God of love is to distort God. God is also holy. One attribute is not above another. They all are equal within the Godhead. Romans 7:12 reads, "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." The law is holy because the giver of the law is also holy, just, and good. God is the one that legislates and defines what is sin and what it is not. Man is to obey the commands and precepts of God. Anything else is lawlessness as 1 John 3:4 explains, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." To transgress is to go beyond what was prohibited. In other words, it is to trespass boundaries.

Psalm 5:4-5 describes what God thinks about all such, "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity." It is plain that He hates sinners. What else could a worker of iniquity be? Psalm 7:11 further says, "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Obviously this God of love is not too pleased with the wicked. If He was, then the Lord Jesus Christ died in vain.

Application

To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines "abomination" as, "Extreme hatred; detestation..." Leviticus 20:13 reads, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." This act is an act of defiance against God and His order. God requires the death penalty for the sodomite. If God did not hate them, then why does He require the death penalty for them? Based upon the definition of "abomination," God has extreme hatred towards these wicked perverts.

Romans 1:19-31 says, "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." When one refuses to acknowledge God even though he knows the truth, he heads down a dark path that increases and intensifies in wickedness. In other words, no sin is too degrading.

Romans 1:27 in the Amplified Bible reads, "And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another–men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrongdoing and going astray, which was (their) fitting retribution." When sodomites get sexually transmitted diseases, they are receiving what they deserve for their wicked and shameful acts. The sodomite is consumed with lust. He is going to burn himself out trying to prove that there is no God. He is the most consistent sinner. He is out to commit suicide.

Look what happened to Israel during King Rehoboam’s reign in 1 Kings 14:22-24, "And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. 23For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. 24And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel." The children of Israel had now become like the Canaanite. They allowed sodomites in the land. They did not put them to death.

Conclusion

God’s solution to the sodomite is simple, the death penalty by the civil government. This is what Paul affirmed in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine." The civil law was instituted to deal with such sinners.

ACCURATE STATEMENTS

Introduction

When speaking about others, our statements concerning them is to be accurate. We are not to make up stories and then pass those stories on to others. Some people desire to make others look bad, so they make up tales. People do not follow the injunction of Proverbs 18:13, "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." They do not check out what is being said about others. They form their opinions based upon what others have said. Proverbs 22:1 says this about someone's name which is also one's reputation, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." We are not to destroy the reputation of others.

False statements are malicious in their intent. They are designed to bring others into disrepute. The apostle John spoke of such a one in 3 John 9-10, "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church." The Amplified says the malicious words are "casting malicious reflections upon us with insinuating language." In other words, his statements are inaccurate and purposely misleading. This gives a false impression.

Application

To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.

Leviticus 19:16 reads, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD." The Amplified renders this verse as, "You shall not go up and down as dispenser of gossip and scandal among your people, nor shall you (secure yourself by false testimony or by silence and) endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the Lord." Gossip and slander about our neighbor is prohibited here as well as endangering our neighbor's life by way of false testimony or silence when enjoined to speak. Positively, our statements are to be accurate, in regard, to our neighbor.

Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary's third definition of "gossip" is "One who runs from house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler." The apostle Paul speaks directly to this in 1 Timothy 5:11-13, "But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also andbusybodies, speaking things which they ought not." When a young widow is not busy at home, she may go about being busy in other people's affairs. They watch and report to others what is going on in town. They do not have anything better to do with their time.

When a story starts getting passed around, it begins to grow and takes on more false elements along the way. We are to mind our own business. This is the message of 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." When people have to much time on their hands, their tongues begin to get a work out. Some cannot wait to hear the latest gossip and pass it on to others. They like to hear all the juicy details. They have garbage cans for ears. No filth is to good for them. Christians are to keep busy and stay out of the affairs of others.

The apostle Peter applied Leviticus 19:16 in 1 Peter 4:15, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters." Most people do not recognize that the New Testament is a restatement of Old Testament law. It applies what has already been laid down. Peter here equates being a gossip with being a murderer and a thief. Obviously, not the best of company.

The Lord Jesus had this to say in this regard in Matthew 12:36-37, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Gossiping is the use of idle words. They will give account of it. Our words will justify or condemn our souls. Gossiping comes from an idle heart.

Conclusion

The third chapter of James speaks much about the tongue. James 3:8-10 says, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." A restless tongue comes from a restless, gossiping heart that loves to spread false rumors and being an idle tattler. These things ought not to be!

SUPERSTITION AND THE LAW

Introduction

There is no such thing as an atheist. If someone could be neutral religiously that would be the first time. Atheists are not neutral. They are extremely religious. In their demented minds, they believe they are god. They are idolaters pure and simple. Paul said in Acts 17:22-23, "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." These materialists, at the very least, recognized a spiritual realm, even if they did this in stupidity. Most evolutionists do not even realize this. They think that the material realm is all that there is. Paul told these Greeks that they were being reverent to demons. This is idol worship.

Paul said in Romans 1:19-25, "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." If man does not worship God, it is a no brainer, he will worship the creature and created.

Application

To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.

Leviticus 19:26 reads, "Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times." The Amplified Bible renders this verse, "You shall not eat anything with the blood; neither shall you use magic, omens, or witchcraft (or predict events by horoscope or signs and lucky days)." There can be no such thing as luck. God has created all things and rules by His law. Luck denotes chance. If God did not create the heaven and the earth, then evolution would be true and all things would be here by chance and randomness would prevail. If all is by chance, then this world is meaningless and no facts relate to any other facts. This is the philosophy of chaos and anarchy, which is the logical conclusion of evolution.

Why is eating blood prohibited? Leviticus 3:17 says, "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood." Jews eat meat that is kosher i.e. the blood has been drained out. Eating fat and blood are extremely unhealthy. The blood carries in it many pathogens. The Lord made this point clear in Leviticus 17:10-12, "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. 11For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 12Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood." This is a mark of satanic worship to drink blood because God has forbidden it. Blood in this state is usually out of something that has died and therefore it would be a celebration of death, not life.

Someone who is superstitious believes that religion is by the using of exact ritual. It is a search for secret knowledge whereby the created order can be manipulated to do what one desires. Moses said in Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." These individuals despise law. They are heart lawless. They are manipulators, desiring to go where only God can go. Only God knows how things work exhaustively because He is God. These individuals try to think about themselves as not being creatures.

Wherever God’s law is disregarded, then magic will begin to predominate. This was the case throughout the Roman Empire in Paul’s day as Acts 16:16 makes clear, "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying." The Amplified Bible’s version is in part, "...we were met by a slave girl who was possessed (by a spirt of divination (claiming to foretell future events and to discover hidden knowledge)..." These individuals are trying to claim that there is not a God who has created a preordained world that is ruled by His law and with the right knowledge, one can attain to the level of a god. This is the lie of Genesis 3:5, "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." We can try to attain to this, but it is an impossibility.

Conclusion

God has given us His objective law. We are to follow His law, not seek to manipulate things to our advantage. This is demonic trying to seek our own way apart from God. 2 Kings 17:17 reads, "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger." Idolatry brings the wrath of God.