What Does the Bible Say About Morality #4?

In this final episode on morality, Arnie and Fred begin by discussing the fact that immorality is the same as sin. We note that James discusses what happens when an individual knows what is good to do but decides not to do it. John in two passages identifies what sin is. We look at what he says there. Paul has a discussion in Romans 14 relating to one that has doubts about what he is doing and what the result is if he continues to do it. We discuss this situation. Paul also has a long discussion of quite a few different sins in Romans chapter 1. Arnie spends some time looking at what Paul says about those sins. Fred discusses what Paul said to the Christians in Galatia when he listed a similar number of sins in Chapter 5. We move on to talk about what Paul wrote to the brethren in Ephesus about other sources of immorality which are equally serious. We complete this episode by looking at the consequence of unrighteousness and note that Adam and Eve understood that in the very beginning. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.

Transcript

Fred Gosnell: 0:00

This is a presentation of the Woodland church of Christ meeting at 3370 Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina. We meet for worship on Sunday at ten thirty am and five thirty pm. We meet for bible study at nine thirty am on Sunday and seven pm on Wednesday. If you have questions or comments on this lesson, you may email them to Fred Gosnell at fgosnell@ftc-i.net or to Arnie Granke at agranke440718@twc.com

Arnie: 0:33

Good afternoon. This is Arnie Granke and Fred Gosnell. And we are members of the church of Christ at Woodland in Sumter, South Carolina. We're about two miles east of the Shaw Air Force Base main gate, and it may be that you're here on a permanent assignment at Shaw or or perhaps you're here on temp, on temporary duty; with either case, we would certainly welcome you to come worship with us, or if you're just visiting in Sumter and looking at the some of the beautiful sites around our area, why we hope that you'll take time out on the Lord's Day or on the Wednesday evening and and come to Bible class, come to a worship service, and do that with with us. Fred and I have been talking about the subject of morality here in the last couple of sessions that we've that we've had. We began by thinking in terms of morality, not being of human, human origin, but rather being something that that God has has mandated. And so it's not decided, we don't decide ourselves whether something is good or bad. God's word tells us whether we should engage in it or avoid it. It's not legislated by the majority. It's not philosophized, we it's not just decreed by somebody that seems to regulate what churches do. Government certainly doesn't generally try to enforce it, and, and it's not even ordered by some, some judicial fiat. Morality is, is ordered by God. And and is is the same as, immorality is the same as sin. Then and then, not only did we look at God being the author and determiner of morality, we we looked at the fact that God even gives us a conscience, and so it's possible for us to really ourselves, understand what is right and and what is is wrong. What's what's the next point that we want to look at with regard to morality, Fred?

Fred Gosnell: 3:15

Well, Arnie, James makes a statement from from the standpoint of us knowing the things that we ought to do, the things that are good and right and proper. So in James 4, 17, James says, Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin. Of course, you know, we make decisions all the time about the things that we do. And James looks at it from the standpoint that, well, sometimes we know something is right and good to do, but then we make the decision not to do it. We choose to do something different, and that's something that we decide to do is not good. So when we do that. It's not, it's not good. It's it's a sin, as James identifies it. So and of course, you know, a lot of times we don't, we just do things. People do things, sometimes without even thinking. But when those things that we do, we have made a choice to do whatever we it is that we do. And if we know to do good, and if we don't do it, we choose something that is not good, then it's sin, and we will be held accountable for that. So you know, we're, we're created by God. God's our Creator. God's the one that, as we have already talked about, he's the one that specifies what's moral, what's right and what is not moral, and consequently, what is sin. And sin are the things that we ought not to do that God, they're bad for us, and that's why we ought not to do them. So if we know what we ought to do, and we don't do it,doesn't matter what we think, it's sin, as James says.

Arnie: 5:04

And that covers a wide variety of of different topics. And in fact, John even speaks about that in in First John, chapter three, verse four, he says, Whoso ever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of law. Transgression has to do with violation of a thing, going over and beyond what they what the law allows. And we had looked at, at one point, I think, in a in a previous session, we'd actually looked at the 10 Commandments and and read all of that from from the the book of Exodus, in Exodus, chapter 20. So that it that's a, it gives us a wide variety of things that we need to avoid. And while it's was written before certain things that that are available now came into existence, the doing, the deeds that are involved in those things are pretty well covered in in the 10 Commandments, it was a law that was based on what God was authorizing man to do and and what man was was to avoid doing. In while I'm in First John, if, you are looking, if you're looking in your Bible, First John chapter five, just turn a page or two and you'll be there. And in verse 17, John tells us, All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death. And what sin would that be not unto death? It would be the sin that you repented of and sought forgiveness as as a child of God. And God has has removed that, that sin from your from your record. So but, but it's better, of course, to avoid unrighteousness and and that's a part of the function, really, that parents have in raising their children, is teaching them right from wrong. We can't teach all of the mechanical things of of life. We can't turn them into mathematical geniuses when they're three or four years old, but we can teach them things that are right and things that are wrong and things that they they ought to do and things that they ought to avoid. And of course, the problem is that many parents themselves have never come to an understanding of what God allows and what he disallows and and so the result is that that's passed, that misunderstanding is passed on to their children as well.

Fred Gosnell: 8:14

Yeah.

Arnie: 8:14

I see you've got a passage open. Fred.

Fred Gosnell: 8:17

Yes. I've got Roman Romans, 14. Uh, Paul discusses some things in in Romans 14. Of course, the the the Romans were idolaters, Gentiles primarily, and idolaters. And part of their worship was offering sacrifices to the idols. And they would, they would offer this, these sacrifices, meat sacrifices, and whatever was left over wasn't consumed, they would take it down to the market, and then it would be sold in in the market. So, so a lot of the Romans became Christians. So, so then, when they became Christians, then they knew what happened to this meat that had been offered to these idols. So, so, so a lot of them wouldn't eat the meat, and they had become basically vegetarians. So, so So Paul, at the end of chapter 14, he says in verse 22, Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God? Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. So and he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because eateth not of faith. For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So, so, so he's telling the the Romans. Now, if you have doubts about this from the standpoint of the truth, it doesn't matter. You know, as long as we can eat anything that we want to eat as a Christian, as long as we give thanks for it. There's, there's no restriction on, on, on any food that we consume, like there was under the old law. So, so that's not a problem to the Christian. But to the. The Romans to those who had been idolaters, they had some doubts about that, so Paul's telling them, well, okay, if you have doubts about it, then don't eat it. Because if your conscious conscience isn't clear, and then you violate your conscience and you eat this meat that you're doubtful as to whether or not it's right, then to you, that's a sin, so, so don't do it. And of course, what he's told the Christians is that that, you know, allow these, these, these Roman Christians to make these decisions, and they don't have to eat meat. It doesn't matter. You know, if they don't, that's okay. Doesn't matter. And if you have them over for dinner. Don't serve it to them when you know that they have a scruple against it. So, but if you have doubts about something and you're well, I'm not sure whether that's right to do or not, then don't do it. Because if you do what you doubt is right or wrong, then that's basically sin. Is what Paul says.

Arnie: 11:00

Yeah, you've, you've allowed yourself to to create a violation there. Well, you know, while you're in the book of Romans, I've, I've turned back here to Romans chapter chapter one. And this is a passage not only about morality, but but it also involves same sex relations and and a few other things as well. So let's look at that, because that's a form of of immorality too, homosexuality or lesbianism, or or, you know, anything that's that's similar to that. Romans, one beginning in verse 27 Paul said, Likewise, also the man leaving the natural function, or the natural use of the woman burned in their lust, one toward another, and and then he said, Men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error, which was meet. And, and the word meet, there would be apro, appropriate, not talking about meat that you, that you eat. This is m, e, e, t, an old fashioned word that we usually don't use anymore in that in that regard. Verse 28 says, 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 or appropriate. Uh, again, another word that that's used differently today than it used to be. Verse 29 Namely, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity whisperers, back biters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without natural, I'm sorry, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who knowing the judgment of God that they which do, which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Fred, I made a little note in my margin here that that's those are 20 items that are, that are listed there in in that passage that, no, I didn't count them as we were going along. I'd already done that once before, 20 different items. That's a pretty, that's a pretty, pretty powerful list.

Fred Gosnell: 14:19

Yes, it is. And and, you know, the last thing he says there notice, notice what it is. The last thing he says, he says that they which commit such things are worthy of death. Then he says, Not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. So those who have pleasure in them that do them would be someone, for instance, that that would be watching a movie, and they like the movie, and in the movie, there's a scene of two people having a relationship of a sexual nature. Well, why are they watching this movie? Well, because they like what they're seeing so and they like what they're seeing. These people doing so it's just as critical you are just as guilty, if you like, to watch what people do that are sinful, as if you are doing it yourself and and, of course, that's the that's that's the problem with with pornography. You know, pornography are those things that are that are expressed, shown that other people are doing, and then there are people that like to watch it. So those who like to watch it, Paul says they only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. If you like watching sin, that you're just as guilty as those that are involved in it. So understand that. And, you know, don't participate in any way, watching or otherwise. So, you know Paul, Paul has a Paul has a list too, of of various sinful things.

Arnie: 15:53

Let me, let me butt in and just, just say what you're talking about is, is being an accomplice, really so. And not all of these issues that are listed here are necessarily of a sexual nature, all kinds of sins and crimes and whatnot listed there and and if you allow someone to do that in your presence, or if, if you assist them in some way, you're an accomplis you're as guilty as as they are. So that's a good point. I'm glad you raised it. I'll come. I'll let you have your well, you have another point there.

Fred Gosnell: 16:37

Yeah, Paul. Paul has a similar situation. He talks about to to the Galatians. And again, you know, these are, these are Christians who were, who are Gen who were gentile, who are Gentiles, but used to worship idols and whatnot. So to the Galatians. In Galatians five, beginning verse 19, Paul says, Now the works of the flesh are manifest. Now these are works of the flesh. Here identified. Then he says, which are these? Then he says, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings and such like. Of the which I tell you tell you before, as I have told told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Now notice, he ends the list with and such like. So this is not a complete list. This is a list of all these different fleshly behaviors, and he says, Now and such like. So there are more not to think that Paul or the writers identify all sins, and that, while we have to do is, well, let's see. I'm not doing that. I'm not doing that, so I'm okay. Well, no, there are lots of things that are unrighteous. And of course, we have to find out what the Bible says, what God says, what is right, what is wrong. But again, he says they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. So, so, so we will, God will hold us accountable for our behaviors, for what we do in this life, and we will have to answer for it. Uh, he's provided us with the guidance and we have the capability to know what is right and wrong. He gave us a conscience to help us out on that so of course, we have to educate that conscience as as we get older, we learn about these things we ought not to do. We study our Bibles and and we implement those behaviors, those righteous behaviors, so that we might be faithful Christians and live faithful lives, so that we can, in fact, inherit the kingdom of God when we leave this life. But if we're not careful, if we don't pay attention to what God says, and we are loose in our behaviors, then we can easily be led astray by the world and by the things that the world does. So study your Bible and find out what's right what's wrong, and be faithful to God and live righteous lives, not immoral lives.

Arnie: 19:15

That list that you read there from Galatians chapter five has 17 items in it, some of those duplicate what Romans, Romans chapter one had, but others are different. And so it's quite a quite a pretty detailed list of things for us to avoid. And let me. Let me take us now to to Roman, chapter, to Ephesians, chapter four and and beginning in in verse 25; Paul writes, he says, Wherefore, putting away, lying. Course, that that's one of those items that's in that list. Putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbor, for we are members, one of another. Be you angry and sin not. It's not saying that you should be angry, but not sin. It's being angry and sinning is the point that is, that it's making there, uh, avoiding, be ye angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more. But rather, let him labor, working with his hands, a thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace under the hearers. Pretty clear passage on profanity there and and hate speech and a number of other things that might be involved in that. Verse, 30, And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking, be put away from among you with all now malice, and be kind one to another. Tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children, and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. For, but for fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not once be made named among you as becometh saints, Neither filthiness nor foolish, talking nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know that no whoremonger or fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man who's an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of God and of Christ. Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. So if someone tells you that, oh, well, I'm just doing this. It's not really that bad. Or, you know, in some way, wants to persuade you to become an accomplice with him and and that kind of behavior. Understand that you can become a child of disobedience as far as God is concerned, and that's just as serious as the doer of the misdeed himself. Yeah.

Fred Gosnell: 23:13

Exactly. And and remember, these are, these are And but he's saying, put to death these sins, is what he's and he's going to list them. He then says, instructions that are being given, given to Christians. And remember, Jesus had had told the apostles go into all the world and teach the gospel. Every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence and covetousness. And he he identifies what covetous is. Covetousness is idolatry. So some people might damned. But he didn't stop there. He then said, Teaching think, well, you know, we don't worship idols anymore. Well, if you're covet, if you're covetous. You are an idolater. Covetousness is idolatry. So which things sake the wrath of them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. God cometh on the children of disobedience in the which ye also walked sometime when you lived in them, but now you also put off all these. Then he goes on, Anger, wrath, malice, So these instructions include those things that Christians are blasphemy. There's the filthy communications out of your mouth. Lie not one to another seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds, the old man being the sins that you were forgiven of when you became a Christian then, And have put on to be taught. Once they become Christians. There's more to the new man. When you were baptized. You were baptized, you were dead when you were baptized. When you went down into the water, when you came up out of the water, you were a new man, a new creature. And put on the new man, which is renewed in learn and to the Colossians, Paul gave some similar, similar knowledge after the image of him that created him. And so a similar list of things that the Colossians were to put to death, instructions in Colossians chapter three, and beginning in that is, quit doing these things, and so that you might live righteous lives, faithful lives to the Lord and and so in verse five. Notice, notice what he says, Mortify, therefore doesn't matter. And notice, some of these things get a lot. And I think you mentioned something, sometimes people seem to think that the worst sins are kind of sexual sins. No, there are other things. Lying is, is just as bad as anything else. Wrath, you your members which are upon the earth. Mortify means put to death. know, overly angry at people holding things against them. None of those things are good. They're all sinful, and those are things we have to put off.

Arnie: 25:55

Yeah, there's, there's no gage that God has provided of of what sins are not too bad, and what sins are really, really bad. Sins are all really, really bad. So let's, let's not be deceived into into thinking, well, it I only did this. I only did that. Yes, but if this or that was was a sin, you need to repent of that, and don't become involved in that again, especially if you're interested in in God's will and going to going to heaven. Romans, chapter chapter six and verse 23 Paul writes, he said, The wages of sin. What do you what do you get for having sinned? Yes, it pays. It pays in death. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So so let's keep that in mind, because all unrighteousness has the same consequence, death and and eternal condemnation are the are the consequences of of those sins. And and I would have to say, you know, even even as far back in in human history as as Adam and Eve they understood these, these things. In Genesis chapter three and and beginning in in verse nine, The Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him, Where Art Thou? This is after they had had eaten of the tree that God forbade and and gone and had hid.Where art thou? And he said, I heard the thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee thou was naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree? Whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man didn't say, yes. The man said the woman, whom thou gavest to to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. The Lord God said unto the woman, what is this that thou hast done? The woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Did you you notice both of them were were trying to pin the blame on somebody else, but God understood who it was that had had transgressed and and it was both of them were were involved in in that. You you hadn't read Genesis three, verse two, had you Fred?

Fred Gosnell: 29:00

Genesis Chapter three, verse two

Arnie: 29:01

I mean Genesis.

Fred Gosnell: 29:02

Yes, no, no, I didn't. And that's where Satan had had deceived the woman. And it says, The woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, you shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. So So Adam and Eve knew exactly what God had told them, what they could do and what they could not do. And of course, Satan deceived her into saying that, well, you're not really going to die, is what he said. But she said, No, you know, God said, if you eat of it, we'll surely die. And of course, they were provided by Satan the choice. They say, Well, look at that fruit there. Looks good. Nothing wrong with the fruit, you know? Why can't you eat it? And of course, Adam looked at it. Yeah, fruit looks good. I think I'll try it. And of course, take a bite. And of course, that's the problem. Problem that all have sinned come short of the glory of God. Romans 3, 23, says, and that's what we do. We make choices. We choose things that God said not, don't do, and when we do that, we sin and we die.

Arnie: 30:15

And and Paul notes in Romans, chapter three, verse 23 for all have sinned and come short of of the glory of of God. So even though different people sin in different ways with different frequency, every accountable human is equally guilty of sin. Everyone is is a sinner, and we need to as quickly as possible, as soon as possible, obey the gospel, have those sins washed away, and then strive to live as righteously as as you can, so that you can take advantage of the offer that God has made of heaven. Well, we're out of time now, and we appreciate you listening. We hope that these lessons on morality and and equating it to sin and and unrighteousness and and a number of other things have been helpful for you, and we hope that you'll seek to do the will of God. Also hope that you'll be with us next, next Lord's Day. Have a good week.