Sneaky Little Foxes

Where in the Word does God allow us to curse or use vulgar slang? When did we decide that these words substitute curse words (crap, freaking, frigging, etc) are better than the ones they are substituted for? Look them up in the dictionary, side by side, you will find that they are both identified as "vulgar slang" and when used in the same manner with the same attitude it is no different than the "vulgar slang" used by "sinners". The World knows they mean the same thing yet we call the World cursing when they use the original words.  These words are not supposed to be coming out of Christian’s mouths! It is NOT Christ like. We have allowed too much of the Secular habits and ways into the Church that it no longer is any different from the World.

Our members, children and adults run around in two piece bathing suits with very little left to the imagination.  AND post it online no less. Where is the difference? We preach “just get them in and God will change them” – as I read the Word, it says for the elder to teach the younger.  Not wait and let God do it. Yet, the “elder” are doing the same things, using the same words, and undressing in public too.

We are supposed to teach a Younger Christian that you have to leave the World behind and you cannot do that by continuing to do as you did before in word, actions, or dress.  A poured on, shape molding dress is every bit as wrong as the bra and panties in public (bikini). I believe we have failed to follow God’s directions when our leadership is acting, talking and dressing just like the secular world.

     God asked “how did you know you were naked”? They knew but the deceiver convinced the woman it was okay, God was being selfish and it was okay for her to eat that. Then she offered it to Adam and he took it because she wanted him to. Is this what we are doing, allowing ourselves to believe that it is okay to do as the secular world? That we must entice them to serve the Lord by doing what they do? Are we so blind that we now think that sin is okay? IF bikinis are okay, why don’t we wear them to church on Sunday Morning? IF pole dancing is okay outside the church why is it not okay inside? God stills sees and hears us. We have even allowed the sanctuary be a place to eat and drink now. Have we really changed our minds that much? That the “holy” place is no longer HOLY? I am not talking about children now, I am referring to the adults that eat and drink in there; soda pop and such.

Where did it start? What little fox crept in and brought its friends and cousins in later? How long do we turn a blind eye or stick our head in the sand and say “it is okay, God will handle it?” How do I tell my children and grandchildren it is wrong to curse, go in public in skimpy bathing suits and you cannot eat or drink in the church when the “leadership” is doing it? 

John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

I have heard this message preached many times and I wonder why I have never heard any preacher say WHY Peter grabbed his coat and jumped in the sea? Why preachers won’t tell the church that Peter was ashamed for Jesus to see him naked? Because Peter knew he was not supposed to be naked in front of Jesus or anyone else.

God made the coats of skin to cover them (Adam and Eve). Now it does not tell us how he did it or what size they were. And many pictures in story books show leaves over the male and female but in reality…God covered them. We have uncovered ourselves like Peter did and then we want to “cover up” to waltz into church as if we are righteous and holy. But we do not wear our speedos and bikinis to church, oh no that would be wrong.

Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

 23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.

 24 ¶ And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

Noah cursed the son that saw him naked and blessed his sons that covered his nakedness, even though he was in his own dwelling. His sons, guys, men folk…not women, nor was he public. In his own dwelling he was naked and needed covered. I don’t mean to sound like a dress code critic. I am gleaning from the very Word of God to say that we are slack in obedience to God’s Word. We have allowed the deceiver to beguile us just like he did to Eve. IT IS NOT ALRIGHT.

1John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you

 Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Collossians 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary

 It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every one to be holy, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.

Song Of Solomon 2:14  O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

The church is Christ's dove; she returns to him, as her Noah. Christ is the Rock, in whom alone she can think herself safe, and find herself easy, as a dove in the hole of a rock, when struck at by the birds of prey. Christ calls her to come boldly to the throne of grace, having a great High Priest there, to tell what her request is. Speak freely, fear not a slight or a repulse. The voice of prayer is sweet and acceptable to God; those who are sanctified have the best comeliness. The first risings of sinful thoughts and desires, the beginnings of trifling pursuits which waste the time, trifling visits, small departures from truth, whatever would admit some conformity to the world; all these, and many more, are little foxes which must be removed. This is a charge to believers to mortify their sinful appetites and passions, which are as little foxes, that destroy their graces and comforts, and crush good beginnings. Whatever we find a hinderance to us in that which is good, we must put away. He feedeth among the lilies; this shows Christ's gracious presence among believers. He is kind to all his people. It becomes them to believe this, when under desertion and absence, and so to ward off temptations.

I pray that this writing is a help to all who read it. A testament to the Love God has for us and a warning to defeat the little foxes before the vine is spoiled. Please note that I do not apologize for any concept herein but don’t want a war started over it either.  I believe that the end of time is near and it is VITAL that we spoil the fouler’s plans now. Prepare for the battles ahead and be ready, willing, and able to fight the good fight and finish our race by keeping the FAITH.

Collossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans :12:2

What words are coming out of our mouth, what actions are we presenting before the King of Kings every day? Is He pleased with it? Honestly.......