Summer Sins
Our Associations and Our Resources
We have been studying a
number of sins associated with summer time.
We have noted more than once that while some of these things are
not exclusive to this season, because of the longer days, warmer weather
and more activities available, there is greater opportunity and perhaps
temptation to engage in some of the conduct we have discussed.
We have addressed immodest dress, remembering God while on
vacation (i.e. attending while away from home), how do we use our time,
and what activities are we participating in (dancing, places where
immodesty is prevalent, drinking alcoholic beverages, the movies we go
to, etc.). In this final
article, we are going to address two final points.
Who are you associating with & using your resources for godly
reasons.
Who are you associating with?
One of the greatest things that will impact the way we live our lives is
the people we choose to associate with.
This applies to many of the things we have discussed.
Immodest clothing can cause others to lust.
Therefore we don’t want to be around people or go places where we
will be tempted by such lusts (cf. 2 Tim. 2:22).
In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul said, “Do
not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.”
This is such a true statement.
In the Bible we can find plenty of examples of both good and bad
associations. When Jeroboam
decided to reject the advice of the elders it was because of his
association with his contemporaries.
Solomon said in Proverbs 1:10-19, “My
son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent
without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like
those who go down to the Pit; We shall find all kinds of precious
possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among
us, Let us all have one purse”— My son, do not walk in the way with
them, Keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, And
they make haste to shed blood. Surely, in vain the net is spread In the
sight of any bird; But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk
secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy
for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.”
In
addition to such direct passages, many others outline principles that
enforce the commands. For
example, we are told in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, walks about like
a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.”
When Timothy was told, “Flee
youthful lusts” in 2 Tim. 2:2, it certainly would have included the
temptation of friends that seek to entice you.
Ephesians 5:11 says, “And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
expose them.” 2
Corinthians 6:14-17 says, “Do not
be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?
And what communion has light with darkness?
And what accord has Christ with Belial?
Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God…Therefore, ‘Come out
from among them and be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you.’”
Perhaps many others could be added to these which strengthen our
understanding about how important it is to choose who you associate
with.
And
that brings me to another point.
Just as important as who you should NOT associate with (or at
least limit your exposure and approach them with caution – cf. 1 Cor.
5:9-12, John 17:15-17, etc.)
is who you SHOULD associate with.
As Christians we need to prefer our brethren over the world.
Hebrews 3:13 says, “but
exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’, lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sins.”
Heb. 10:24,
“And lest us consider one another in order to stir up love and good
works…” One of the
best ways to stay out of trouble is to associate with brethren who will
build you up spiritually.
The book of Acts records a brotherhood among the believers.
They associated with one another daily “from house to house” (Ac.
2:46). Principles apply
here also. Continually we
are told to “love one another.”
What better way is there to demonstrate that love than by being
there for one another when it is needed?
Gal. 5:13 tells us, “Through love serve one another.”
1 Thess. 4:9b-10 says, “you
yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so
toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia.”
Romans 12:16 says, “Be of
the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the
humble. Do not be wise in
your own opinion.” When
presented choices of association, who do you prefer to be with?
Is it your brethren or those of the world?
In this season with longer days, we have shown how it is easier
to “get into trouble” spiritually.
One of the best ways to combat that is by being around those who
will NOT accept or approve of your ungodly behavior.
It will help you determine how you dress, what movies you go to
(if you go at all), where you go, and what you spend your time doing.
It only makes sense, that if we are considered brethren (Eph.
2:19 – members of the household of God) we ought to act like a family.
ONE
other point as we move on to our final thought.
As Christians we should never minimalize the importance of being
a proper example. That has
a lot to do with who we associate with and what we do with those we are
around.
Clearly, we are not to be total isolationists, as that removes our
charge to seek the lost to bring them to Christ.
Therefore, as we consider our associations, let us weight the
importance of being a godly example. In
Matt. 5:13-16 Jesus said, “You are
the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be
seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled
underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on
a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the
house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In both examples we see how our example is designed to influence
others. Philippians 2:15
speaks of us being blameless and harmless, “children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Think about this: Where you go and what you do IS setting an
example before others. When
we go places where ungodly conduct is promoted are we lending approval
to such conduct by simply being there?
You might say no, BUT while there, are we making a distinction
between us and the ungodly?
Do those who know you to be godly THINK that you approve of their
conduct? Also, what about
when we choose NOT to go to such a place.
Is it possible that our absence is an example of our disapproval
of such conduct? Certainly
it is. And who knows whether
or not such a decision will eventually lead to an opportunity to teach?
How are you using your resources?
WE have discussed many different topics in this series of
articles. As I conclude I
want to make a final appeal to wise stewardship.
We know that all we have comes from God (Jas. 1:17) , let us use
it whatever we have for His glory.
In our article dealing with “redeeming the time” we noted that we
are to be zealous for good works (Titus 2:10) and we challenged
ourselves to spend our time doing good works for others.
But that doesn’t just apply to our time, it applies to ALL our
resources, whatever they may be.
If you have abilities, why not use them to do something
productive for the cause of Christ? Devote
some time to encouraging our struggling brethren (with visits, phone
calls, helping them with their needs, etc.).
How about taking some time and resources to increase your
knowledge? (2 Pet. 3:18)
Finally, use some time to try and reach the lost.
I know of brethren who have used their vacations to go to foreign
lands and seek the lost. I
know of some who have taken vacation to go to a gospel meeting or
lectureships, in another city, etc.
My point is that we evaluate our lives (2 Cor. 13:5) to ensure
that God truly is first in all that we do.
We’ll spend $10-18 for a movie ticket (a family of four, with
snacks, can run upwards of $50-60 for a movie), why not give a little
extra to the cause of Christ instead?
And by ALL means, do not let your extracurricular activities take
away from what you have laid aside for Him (1 Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor.
9:6-8).
My
point in this study is not discourage us from having a little fun and
relaxing during this season, but rather it is to remind us that we
should not forget God. The
way we view such opportunities as summer time (longer days, better
weather, etc.) is a pretty good indicator of where God stands in our
lives. Is He truly first?
Think about it!