The Many Faces of Adultery

Post 110

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:22
‘’flee all appearances of evil’’ (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

Generally, adultery is willful sexual intercourse with someone other than your husband or wife or a married person cohabiting with another who is not his or her lawfully wedded spouse.

Adultery is not limited to having real sexual intercourse with another, other than one’s husband or wife. Adultery can be committed subtly in the name of intimacy in many other ways that constitute unfaithfulness to one’s spouse.

Did Jesus Christ not say in Matthew 5:28 that if you look at a woman lustfully, you have committed adultery with her in your heart?

Therefore the thought is as deadly as the deed!
Remember that in Luke 12:16-21, the rich fool was condemned by his thoughts even before he implemented his wishes.

The many faces of adultery (marital unfaithfulness) include the following:

1. Touching any woman or man for the purpose of having sexual fulfillment

2. Allowing any man or woman to touch you for the purpose of attaining sexual fulfillment

3. Kissing the opposite sex: a man or woman secretly, on the hand, jaw or lips

4. Embracing a man or woman secretly

5. Squeezing a man’s or woman’s hand secretly

6. Touching any part of the body of the opposite sex with a lustful desire

7. Touching any part of the body of the opposite sex without a lustful desire but in ways that you would not want anyone else to know about it

8. Writing love letters or sending love text messages to a man or woman that you would want kept as a secret

9. Calling a man or woman a pet name that you do not want anyone else to know, which indicates that the intimacy is shady

10. Cherishing a love letter or text message by a man or woman that you would not want anyone else to know about it

11. Visiting the opposite sex - a man or woman - you do not want anyone to know about

12. Receiving a visit from the opposite sex - a man or woman - which you do not want anyone to know about

13. Watching porn films

14. Gazing at the photo of a naked man or woman who has sensitive parts of his/her body exposed

15. Deliberately looking at the opposite sex in nude or when dressing and sensitive parts are exposed

16. Imagine yourself having any form of sexual relations with a man or woman

17. Talking immoral words to the opposite sex

Ayodele Adegbulugbe.
www.xtianrace.blogspot.com.ng.
Lagos, Nigeria

Retaliation and Revenge: A Wrong Spirit in the Life of a Christian (Luke 9:51-56)

Post 109

In Luke 9:51-56, because Jesus and His disciples were not received in a Samaritan village they visited, two of the disciples asked their Master for permission to call down fire from heaven to consume and destroy the village and its inhabitants.

Jesus rebuked them for the spirit of retaliation and revenge, letting them that His mission was to save (salvation of souls) and not destruction of souls He came to save. The disciples were yet to understand the mission of their Master.

The true Christian spirit is not one of revenge and retaliation for hurt and offence and Christianity is not to be propagated by forceful and violent methods.

In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18 forbade grudge and vengeance against neighbors. The New Testament also commands love rather than hatred for enemies.

Matthew 5:44-45 says:
‘’ but I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you

That you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends His rain on the just and the unjust.’’

Though the Law of Moses and the New Testament forbade revengeful retaliation, they allow the law to take its course where sin occurred (Exodus 21:23-25) (Romans 13:1-10).

Though as Christians, we are bound to bear injuries and injustice without revengeful retaliation, we are privileged to call to question any maltreatment meted to us.

This was the example of Jesus in John 18:23 when He was struck on the face during His trial. Calling to question a mistreatment does not violate the principle on retaliation in Matthew 5:39. We are to leave vengeance for God (Psalm 94:1) to avenge for us.

Zeal is good but a zealous Christian must be self-controlled and act with knowledge else he will destroy the work he is doing (Romans 10:1-4). Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

In John 16:2, Jesus said that the times will come when people will persecute His followers and think they are doing service to God, indicating zeal without knowledge.

Ayodele Adegbulugbe
www.xtianrace.blogspot.com.ng
Lagos, Nigeria.

The One Accord Church

Post 108

Jesus says in John 13:35 that when Christians love themselves, it is then that all men will know that they are His disciples. Therefore, if Christians want to convince the world that their religion is of God and win their favor, they must be united as God and Christ are One (John 10:30).

Being one in accord was at the root of the recognition of the early day church of the apostles.

In Acts 1:14, the members of the early church continued to fellowship with one accord in prayer and supplication. In Acts 2:1, they were gathered in one place in one accord on the Day of Pentecost.

In Acts 2:46, ‘’they continued daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house, and eating meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.’’

In Acts 4:24, they lifted their voices to God with one accord when the authorities threatened them to stop preaching in the name of the risen Jesus the Christ. Acts 4:32 says that the multitude of the believers were of one heart and one soul, possessing and sharing things in common.

Acts 5:12 says that the hands of the apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people and were all with one accord.

In today’s divided Christendom, can we find these characteristics of the early day church in operation?

James 1:26 says that ‘’where there is envying and strife, there will be confusion and every evil work’’ and is this not the sad situation in the modern day churches and a far cry from the early day church of the apostles?

Ayodele Adegbulugbe
www.xtianrace.blogspot.com.ng
Lagos, Nigeria.

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Self-Righteousness: A Wrong Spirit in the Life of a Christian (Luke 18:9-14)

Post 107

In Luke 18:8-14, Jesus spoke a parable about two men – a Pharisee and a Publican – who went into the temple to pray. The Pharisee’s prayer illustrated a self-righteous attitude before God and pride in religion.

He bragged that he was not a sinner like the Publican; that he was not like other men –unjust, extortionist and adulterers. Further, he boasted about his fasts twice weekly and payment of tithes.

The Pharisee trusted in himself that he was righteous and despised others the way many Christians do today. They trust themselves and their church denomination and despise all others – fellow Christians and non- Christians – who do not have the same faith as theirs or belong to their church denomination.

Unlike the boasting Pharisee, the Publican simply humbled himself before God, expressing grief at his lost condition and acknowledged that he was a sinner. The humble Publican’s prayer illustrated himself as the sinner and God as the One to be appeased.

Contrasting the Pharisee and the Publican, their standing in society were different. Their sources of trust were not the same. While the Pharisee trusted in his self-righteous attitude, the Publican trusted in God for mercy and forgiveness.

Their prayers were also not the same. While the Pharisee’s prayer indicated hypocrisy, the Publican’s demonstrated a humble heart before God.

The results of their prayers were also not the same. Jesus said the Publican went home justified while the boastful Pharisee, who exalted himself before God, and his prayer were rejected.

Ayodele Adegbulugbe
www.xtianrace.blogspot.com.ng
Lagos, Nigeria.

Why did Jesus Wash the Feet of His Disciples (John 13:1-17)?

Post 106
Jesus humbled Himself to take the place of a slave to wash feet which in those days in Israel, was considered the duty of the meanest or lowest slave.

Before the feet washing event, the disciples had argued about who would be the greatest among them (Luke 22:24). Jesus had rebuked them by setting a little child in their midst, stated that they had become as little children and were not to seek lording it over each other (Matthew 18:1-10).

By humbling Himself to wash their feet, He sought to rid them of their passion for worldly honor and dignity which would have shaken the foundation of the church after his departure.
Jesus set an example to emphasize the necessity to get rid of self-exaltation in the life of a Christian.

A Christian must rid himself of the spirit of wanting to lord it over others or he will not be saved (Matthew 18:1-10; 23:8-12) (Luke 14:7-11; 18:14). By washing their feet, He rebuked their spirit of strife over leadership.

The feet washing event was to teach Christians to be willing to condescend to render the lowest services to each other and to prefer the least in honor to themselves (Philippians 2:1-7).

It was to also inspire self-denial acts of kindness to those in need; to render service to the needy and those who are the least.

Ayodele Adegbulugbe.
www.xtianrace.blogspot.com.ng
Lagos, Nigeria.

Stress: The Silent Killer

Post 105

Stress is a killer and is the biggest silent killer in recent times. Many diseases are linked with it or are compounded by it. Stress has devastating consequences on one's health.

If you allow yourself to be killed by stress especially marital and relationship challenges, life continues and you are the loser. Do not take life too seriously.

There are 4 thought patterns that make life stressful.

1) Self-blame e.g. 'I locked my car keys in the car. How foolish i was?

2) Blaming others e.g. 'How could my wife be so callous?

3) Urgency e.g. I cannot wait for the panel beater. I have to force the car door open'

4) Worrying. Most of the things we worry about or fear about never happen. Then, why do we worry e.g. worrying whether your spouse will separate from you or divorce you?

45% will never happen because stress often results from tiredness.

25% of our worries concern old decisions that cannot be altered.

12% relate to health which gets worse through worry.

8% of worries relate to criticisms that are largely untrue.

10% of our worries are legitimate indicating that life has real challenges that can be tackled when we eliminate senseless worries and anxieties.

When you are tempted to worry, first ask yourself what percentage group your intended worry belongs and you will discover that most of the time, it belongs to the 45% group. Your worries will never change the outcome of a thing.

It will not eliminate tomorrow's troubles but will steal today's peace and rest. Stop worrying about what you can go wrong and focus on what can go right. Stress can be killed by patience and being positive.

Resist anxieties (Philippians 4:6). Do what U can do and leave the rest in God's hands. He is in control and will work out the best for you (Proverbs 3:5-6) (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Ayodele Adegbulugbe.

www.xtianrace.blogspot.com.ng.

Lagos, Nigeria.

Prayers for a New Heart

Post 104
Prayers for a New Heart

 The heart of a man is full of evil:

Genesis 6:5 says ‘’ God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.’’

Jeremiah 17:9 says, ‘’the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Mark 7:21-23 says ‘’ Far from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
All these come from within and defile the man.’’

 God assesses us by the state of our hearts:

1 Samuel 16:7 says, ‘’…for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, for the Lord looks on the heart.’’

Jeremiah 17:10 says, ‘’ I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.’’

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, ‘’ for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards Him.’’

Deuteronomy 5:29 says ‘’ O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever.’’

 Only those with clean hearts can see God.

Matthew 5:8 says, ‘’ blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’’

Psalm 15:1-2 says, ‘’ Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart’’

Psalm 24:3-4 says, ‘’ who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean hands and a pure heart’’

Psalm 51:17 says, ‘’ the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.’’

 God has promised to give us a new heart:

Deuteronomy 30:6 says, ‘’ and the Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou may live.’’

Ezekiel 11:19 says, ‘’ and I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.’’

Ezekiel 36:26-27 says, ‘’ a new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them.’’

 King David, the only man in the entire Bible described by God as the ‘’man after My heart’’ prayed to God to give him a clean heart:

Psalm 51:10 ‘’ Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me.’’

Prayers as follows:

• Blood of Jesus, purify my heart in Jesus name (Matthew 5:8)
• Blood of Jesus that cleanses from sin (1 John 1:6-7), cleanse my heart of all evil, deceitful and ungodly thoughts in Jesus name
• Lord God, circumcise my heart and the hearts of my children to love you with our hearts and our souls that we may live (Deuteronomy 30:6)
• Lord God, give me a heart that will be perfect towards you (2 Chronicles 16:9) in the name of Jesus
• Lord God, give me a broken spirit and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17) in Jesus name
• Lord, put a new spirit within me, take away from me the stony heart and give me a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26-27) in Jesus name
• Lord God, let the power and the grace to follow you to the end with a whole heart like Caleb and Joshua rest upon me in Jesus name (Numbers 32:12)
• Lord God, give me a heart that will love and fear you all my days in Jesus name (Deuteronomy 5:29).

Ayodele Adegbulugbe
www.xtianrace.blogspot.com.ng
Lagos, Nigeria
Phone: +2348035978352