Text: Matthew 15:16-20

Galatians 5:16-19, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.”

One of the major problems in our country is that there is far too much emphasis on self, and it has come into the church. God is working, whether man recognizes it or not.  God is making man accountable.

Matthew 5:27-28, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

We as Christians are to avoid things that lead us into sin, such as Hollywood movies, rock music, fornication, improper dress on ladies, being alone with the opposite sex, etc.

The Bible has some clear teaching on these subjects.  The Christian is going to answer for the evil desires in his heart in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Paul said to young Timothy, keep thyself pure.  In other words, be an example in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

In Galatians 5 we are told that we have a fight going on all the time, because we still have the old nature, and we are still in the flesh with fleshly desires in the heart.

The way to adultery is through the heart, “Out of the heart are the issues of life.”

It is interesting that adultery is mentioned before idolatry.

James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Every Christian is to avoid temptation because there is a conflict when yielding to temptation.

I. WE ARE IN BUT NOT OF THE WORLD

The world is not for God or Christ.  We need to face the fact that they hate God and the Christian.

They live in a different world; they are headed for a different destiny; they serve a different master. We are not to be like the world, and God says, “Be ye not conformed to the world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

No wonder God says we are “not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”

The world’s way is not the way of the Lord.  The way of sin leads to death and destruction.

  • Our jails are overcrowded.
  • We are plagued with liberalism terrorism and war.
  • We are a nation of divorces, drugs, alcohol, and suicide—they often go together!

The Bible warns that “the way of transgressors is hard,” and “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

If you want to be happy, be a good Christian, win others to Christ, and serve Him with all your heart—

  • Live a life that is different from the world.
  • Be an Ambassador for Christ.
  • Watch the company you keep.
  • Watch what you eat and drink.
  • Be careful of what you read.
  • Remember your Master.
  • Watch your speech.

Salvation should make a difference in your life and desires. But you say, “How can I have any fun?  My answer is simple, “If you have to have fun that way, don’t have fun.”

The ideas that you have to have a dirty mind, a wicked heart, live a lie, cheat on your taxes, break promises and vows, fail to keep your obligations and be unfaithful to your spouse or parents are all from the devil and the pits of hell.

II. WE ARE TO AVOID WORLDLY PLACES

It is sad that some try to emulate movie stars, not real heroes of the Bible and others. As Christians, we have no business going to worldly entertainments and supporting them in any way. That’s the crowd that ridicules you, Christianity, and God. A Christian has no business going to movies—ungodly men and women produce most of Hollywood movies. That’s the crowd that comes out of the closet, when they ought to stay there and pray.  That’s the crowd that teaches situational ethics. Adultery and homosexuality have become commonplace in movies and television and have destroyed the heart of America from the way we used to know it. Today there is no division between black and white and right and wrong, which has led to no absolutes. Movies and TV are filled with carnality, violence, murder, hate, and adultery; and frequently these are the central themes.

Next time, we will look at the final point on having a heart for God.

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Hans Nikoley, GSBC Staff

Bro. Nikoley emigrated from Germany to the United States with his family at age 13. He served full time in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years. At age 32, He was saved, and in 1977, he graduated from Bible College. He pastored for over 31 years, 27 of them at Pomerado Road Baptist Church in Poway, California. Bro. Nikoley has served at Golden State Baptist College in the Bible Department and also as the Student Employment Director since 2007. He and his wife Mary have two children and have been married for 58 years.