Raise X - X-Rated for Christians

There are some things a Baptist ought NOT do.
Were it not for the clear teachings of the Word of God, it would be easy for the believer to be swept along by the tide of sin and lawlessness. Thank God we have the Bible!
One of the “criticisms” of the Bible is that it is so NEGATIVE—full of “thou shalt not’s,” etc. The fact is, the Bible IS negative in the majority of its teaching—for the simple reason that man has a POSITIVE tendency toward sin.
This study will look at some of the current “sociological sins” facing you today. They are widespread and generally acceptable in the community today. That doesn’t make them right — it’s what the Bible says that counts.

According to II Timothy 3:1, these last days will be characterized by __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ times, while Matthew 24:12 predicts that __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ shall abound.

PREPARATION FOR THIS STUDY

A. Review Lesson #19 — Separation

B. Review Lesson #22 — Victory

WHY BAPTISTS DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL

A. Drinking is a real problem in this country—hundreds of lives are lost, thousands of homes are destroyed, and millions of dollars are wasted annually as a direct result of the liquor industry.

And yet, for all of that, consuming alcohol is one of the most socially acceptable (and expected!) pastimes in the nation.

B. The Bible has much to say concerning liquor, and is very clear in its teaching on the subject.

C. Before studying the scriptures, it is vital to keep in mind the fact that the word “wine” in the Bible is a generic word which applies to all products derived from grapes—both natural grape juice and man-made alcoholic wine.

The context of the passage determines what is meant in each case.

Proverbs 31:4,5 refers to the practice of “drinking to drown your sorrows” — but drink NEVER removes the sorrows, it only compounds them, as Proverbs 23:29,30 teaches.

D. The temptation for the Christian is to drink “socially.” To this we answer:

1. Every drunkard began with just one drink.
2. First, man takes the drink — then, drink takes the man.
3. Liquor is deceiving — Proverbs 20:1 says so!!

E. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverage is a man-made product.

The process of fermentation requires special conditions and human intervention. The exact proportions of sugar, yeast, and water must be present, and a temperature range of between 10C and 22C (50-72F) maintained — otherwise vinegar will be produced.

F. Many try to argue for drink by citing the first miracle of the Lord Jesus Christ where He turned the water into wine.

But oriental weddings were religious occasions, not festive — and God never contradicts His Word. This wine was grape juice.

WHY BAPTISTS DON’T GAMBLE

A popular slogan promoting a lottery says, “Millions Won Weekly” —but fails to tell the other side of the story — “Countless Millions Lost Weekly” — not to mention ruined lives, broken homes, hungry children, and the accompanying rise in organized crime, prostitution, and theft. Our country is a nation of gamblers. From raffles, bingo, and lotto, to racing and casinos, many alluring opportunities are presented to the child of God.
What Does The Bible Have To Say On This Matter?

A. Gambling is an insult to God

When we gamble we are in effect saying to the Lord, “I do not think you will keep your promise.”

B. Gambling is spiritually dangerous

T __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
A S __ __ __ __
F __ __ __ __ __ __ and H __ __ __ __ __ __ lusts

C. Gambling is basically selfish

Gambling seeks prosperity at the expense of others.

No one gambles to lose. The prime motivation for all forms of gambling is to gain what is not owned. That is covetousness.

It is a principle of God that there must be:
WORK BEFORE WEALTH
SOWING BEFORE REAPING
Gambling abrogates God’s natural law because the gambler seeks to reap what others have sown.

D. Gambling is poor stewardship

Nobody ever really wins by indulging in gambling.

E. Gambling is often plain "superstition"

It often involves “lucky numbers,” “lucky systems,” “keeping your fingers crossed,” etc.
Read what God has to say about such things in Isaiah 47:12,13.
One word that needs to disappear from the Christian’s vocabulary is “LUCK.” Luck plays no part in our Heavenly Father’s loving and providential care for His own.

F. Gambling makes one insensitive to God's will

According to John 19:23,24, the Roman soldiers gambled for the clothes of the crucified Lord. They were completely unaware of the event transpiring in their presence. When anyone is consumed with self-interest, they are most insensitive to the things of the Lord.
Resist any temptation to win something. Avoid gambling as an enemy of your soul. Lean wholly upon the Lord for everything good.

WHY BAPTISTS DON’T SMOKE

Smoking (like many other drugs) is addictive. That’s why so many Christians have a real problem in this area.
Smoking (and other harmful drugs) should be absent from your life — for three basic reasons:

A. For physical reasons

It is common knowledge that smoking is harmful and even deadly. Unsaved people quit smoking for this reason: even the more ought a Christian.

It is sacred, and ought not to be defiled by any known harmful substance.

In other words, he was not going to allow his body or his flesh dictate what he could do, or not do, for the Lord.
Remember — it is with your body that you serve the Lord. Harming it only hinders effective service.

B. For emotional reasons

Many people take up serious smoking (and drugs) because of underlying emotional causes —insecurity, anxiety, etc. It quickly becomes a deadly crutch. Addiction is a terrible thing.

Experiencing Philippians 4:7 (by applying Philippians 4:6,8,9) does away with any need for addictive substances.

C. For spiritual reasons

A smoking Christian is a poor testimony because, rightly or wrongly, the world believes the Christian is supposed to be clean in his habits.
One of the great obstacles to winning a soul for Christ is a stale tobacco breath (or any bad breath, for that matter).

WHY BAPTISTS DON’T DANCE

A. Dancing is a practice with strong sexual overtones

- be it “ballroom” style with its intimate embrace, or the latest body-shaking “gyrations” which flaunt the flesh and lower God-given inhibitions. If dancing has any place whatsoever in the life of a Christian, it could only be between husband and wife in the privacy of their own marriage relationship.

B. The Bible associates dancing with evil

Verse 4 — _______________________________________ .
Verse 6 — D __ __ __ __ I N G.
Verse 25— N __ __ __ __ N E S S.

C. Some point to King David’s dancing before the Lord, as recorded in II Samuel 6:12-21 as an allowance for dancing.

It is important to understand some facts relating to this case.
1. David danced alone.
2. David danced out of extreme joy before the Lord.
3. Even so, it seems this kind of dancing led David to uncover himself — verse 20.
As innocent as this dance of child-like excitement and praise to the Lord may have been, it was nothing like the kind of dancing seen in today’s society.

WHY BAPTISTS DON’T LISTEN TO ROCK AND ROLL “MUSIC”

Many Christians believe the issue of music is simply a matter of personal taste. Some like classical; others prefer jazz; many love “Country&Western;” and a lot go in for rock and roll. However, this is not the case!
There is much more to rock and roll than meets the ear, as any careful study of the subject will reveal. Rock and roll especially is a downright dangerous music form. Not only should Christians avoid listening to it, but our young ones must be protected from
its Satanic influence.

God's standards for music:

1. P __ __ __ __ __ = scripture set to music.
2. H __ __ __ __ = songs based upon scripture.
3. S __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ = music that is Christ-exalting, speaking to the spiritual man, not the old nature.

Music profoundly affects us

Think of how a stirring march picks us up—how soft organ music makes many people feel “religious” — how a love ballad can make you feel melancholy. Music can give a man courage in battle, or reduce him to tears. Thus we see the importance of music—and, for the Christian, the importance of the right kind of music.
The following will explain the effect of music upon a man:
Melody --> affects the spirit
Harmony --> affects the soul (intellect)
Rhythm --> affects the flesh

The difference between godly music and rock and roll is that godly music emphasizes the melody and controls the harmony and rhythm—whereas rock and roll is heavy on the beat, with little attention to the melody. In this way, rock and roll appeals to and arouses the flesh.

C. Why Rock & Roll music is harmful

1. Its emphasis is on the beat, and the kind of beat (throbbing, pulsating) appeals to the flesh; and in conjunction with everything else about rock and roll, it arouses impure thoughts and actions. (By the way, putting “Christian” words to a rock beat—as does so-called ‘Christian Rock’ — or to other worldly forms of music (like much of the Contemporary Christian Music [CCM], ‘Christian’ Rap, etc. do) is just as wrong! Sacred music should always move the spirit, not the feet!)
2. The lyrics of rock and roll music are usually wicked, perverse, immoral, and just plain ungodly. With so-called “heavy metal” rock, they are often occult.
3. Some heavy metal rock recordings contain “back-masking” or subliminal (unheard) sounds which the brain unscrambles. Experts say these messages preach rebellion and occultism.
4. The “Rock Culture” is hardly a model for Christians to follow. The majority of “performers” are living immoral lives, associated with drugs, sex, sadism, etc. Many performers end up committing suicide, or dying at a young age through drug overdoses..

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