Keeping My Soul Untainted

Keeping My Soul Untainted

Four young men were taken captive by an Oriental monarch. Placed in the palace school, they were trained in the king's service. When confronted with pagan practices which were a violation of their religious principles, they prayed that God would keep their souls from evil. Disregarding the possibility of severe punishment, they stood for right, and God was with them. Daniel and his three young friends would not pollute their minds and bodies with the harmful food and drink of the Babylonian court. (Daniel 1.)

Later, when they refused to bow before the king's golden idol, Daniel's three companions were arrested and interrogated. They did not hesitate to tell their king that they could not, even to save their lives, disobey a law given by the God of the universe. God honored these three young men. When the angry ruler ordered them thrown into a fiery furnace, God guarded their lives. "One like the son of God" walked with them in the fire. (Daniel 3.)

When today we make a total commitment to Jesus, He will walk with us even in the face of death. The true Christian will not indulge in the sinful things of the world, for he walks in the footsteps of Jesus.

"He that saith he abideth in [Jesus] ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."—1 John 2:6.

1. CHRISTIANS ARE DIFFERENT

Christians as members of the universal family of God, have standards and habits that are different from those of the world. Jesus prayed for His followers:

"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou SHOULDEST KEEP THEM FROM THE EVIL. . . . Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."—John 17:15, 17.

Christians are in the world, but they are never to let the world get inside them. How can we live in this world but not let it live in us?

Christians are different because Jesus is different, and He dwells in them by His Holy Spirit.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. . . . For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."—Romans 8:1, 5.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Christian is dead to the sins which once held him captive. Through a spiritual rebirth he has a new nature and a completely new life. Christ now lives in him. (Galatians 2:20.)

Christians are different because they belong to God's royal family.

"But YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."—1 Peter 2:9.

The marginal reading for the phrase "a peculiar people" is "a purchased people." Those who are purchased, no longer belong to themselves.

"FOR YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."—1 Corinthians 6:20.

As people purchased by the blood of Jesus, we "glorify God" in all things. Because we love Him, it is our joy to live for Him and to do only those things which will glorify His name.

2. SATAN'S CAMOUFLAGE

Jungle troops deceive their enemies through camouflage. Satan too is a master in the art of camouflage. He makes sin look attractive; for when men see sin as it really is, they will fear and shun it.

If we could actually see Satan planning our destruction, would we yield to his temptations? Even though we cannot see the tempter, he is there. His suggestions may appear innocent and harmless; but temptation leads to sin, and sin leads to death.

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."—Proverbs 16:25.

Liquor and cigarette ads always seem to picture a vigorous young man or a charming woman. Suppose they pictured the man as he will be if he continues to drink? Suppose they pictured the wrinkled skin and haggard look of a woman dying of lung cancer? If the facts were so dramatically pictured, who would drink or smoke?

But Satan's temptations are always camouflaged to trap innocent souls. His decoys are fashioned to deceive and to appeal to the human senses.

3. TEMPTATION IN THREE FORMS

Eve ate the forbidden fruit because it tasted good, was beautiful to look at, and would supposedly increase her wisdom. (Genesis 3:1-6.) She was tempted through the three avenues by which sin appeals: APPETITE, LOVE OF THE WORLD, and PRIDE.

Following His anointing by the Holy Spirit, Jesus met these same three temptations — appetite, love of the world, and pride. Jesus saw through each of Satan's temptations and He did not yield.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED LIKE AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN."—Hebrews 4:15.

All our temptations can be placed in one of these three categories. The lesson "My Health and Happiness" discusses the temptations of appetite, and the way the devil destroys our bodies by wrong habits of eating and drinking. In this lesson we will examine the temptations of pride and the love of the world.

4. TEMPTATIONS OF PRIDE (Part 1 of 3)

Lucifer, a leading angel in heaven, fell into sin through pride, and became Satan.

"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness."—Ezekiel 28:17.

Is it any wonder that God lists pride first among the sins that He hates most?

"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A PROUD LOOK, . . ."—Proverbs 6:16, 17.

"PRIDE goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."—Proverbs 16:18.

Lost in sin, doomed to eternal death, why should sinful men and women be filled with pride? The mysterious thing about sin is that it leads to pride even when one has nothing of which to be proud. Men may become proud of their intelligence, skill, personality or looks, and oftentimes of their possessions — all of which have been given them by God.

Pride — which has been called "the most hopeless, the most incurable" of all sins — is "not of the Father" (1 John 2:16) but is the child of sin. How contrary to the haughty spirit of the proud is the humble spirit of the lowly Jesus.

"LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."—Philippians 2:5-8.

In his book The Seven Deadly Sins, Billy Graham makes a classic analysis of pride. "Pride is . . . the mental and moral condition that precedes almost all other sins. . . . Pride may take various forms, but it all emanates from the haughty human heart. Some take pride in their looks, others in their race, others in their business, others in their social life. In other words, pride may be spiritual, intellectual, material, or social."—Pages 15, 16.

Of spiritual pride, Dr. Graham states:

4. TEMPTATIONS OF PRIDE (Part 2 of 3)

"There are some people who think they have a corner on the Gospel. They have become conceited, smug, proud and pharisaical. There are others that glory in their self-righteousness, and think that they are better than other people. They don't do this, and they don't do that. They keep the letter of the law, but have long since forgotten the spirit of the law. They are guilty of spiritual pride. There are also others who think themselves to be pure and all others impure. They have forgotten that there is no such thing as a completely pure church. . . .

"Another form of pride is intellectual pride. . . . This kind of pride manifests itself in arrogance toward the unlearned, the illiterate and the oppressed. It forgets that the knowledge we attain is largely the labour of others. . . .

"In material pride, self is enthroned instead of God. Secondary things are exalted to a place of first importance, and life gets out of balance. The individual then begins to concentrate on what he has rather than on what he is in the sight of God, and the soul begins to shrivel. . . .

"Then there is social pride. This manifests itself in class, racial and caste arrogance. A world statesman has said that the tiny atom made us all the same size. God does not make the distinction in men that men make between themselves." Pages 17-21.

Let's take one practical example of the way pride may trip up the Christian. Take as an example the Christian and his dress. Walking as Jesus walked, the Christian will be modest even in the matter of how he dresses, avoiding extreme fashion and excessive adornment. While sinners are engrossed with pride, God is searching hearts for evidence of meekness.

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be THE HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART, in that which is not corruptible, even THE ORNAMENT OF A MEEK AND QUIET SPIRIT, which is in the sight of God of great price."—1 Peter 3:3, 4.

4. TEMPTATIONS OF PRIDE (Part 3 of 3)

"In like manner also, that women ADORN THEMSELVES IN MODEST APPAREL, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."—1 Timothy 2:9, 10.

The reformation in Bohemia was speeded by the silent testimony of two young men who set up their easels in the city market place. With canvas and brush they illustrated the contrast between the lowly Jesus, simply dressed, and the pompous display of scarlet and gold by those in the church of their day.

Genuine Christlikeness has always been marked by its modest simplicity in dress and adornment. Apostolic Christians laid aside their jewelry and gaudy apparel as they walked with Jesus.

Real beauty is found in simplicity, neatness and cleanliness. Good taste and modesty mark the apparel of the Christian. He will not become a spectacle by wearing the garments of a fanatic or adopting the extremes of fashion.

"Let your MODERATION be known unto all men."—Philippians 4:5.

Christians are different; it is their privilege to display the character of Jesus to the world. God's followers should be admired not for outward adornment, but for the beauty of their characters which point men to the meek and lowly Jesus.

"Blessed are the MEEK: for they shall inherit the earth."—Matthew 5:5.

Paul counsels us to lay aside every hindrance to the development of Christian humility:

"LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS the author and finisher of our faith."—Hebrews 12:1, 2.

Will you let Jesus complete His work of grace in your life?

5. LOVE OF THE WORLD

The historian Edward Gibbon tells us that when Galerius sacked the camp of the Persians, a shining leather bag filled with pearls came into the hands of a looting soldier. He carefully preserved the bag but threw away the precious pearls.

Men and women who throw away eternal life for the pleasures of a wicked world are even less wise than this simple Roman soldier. Foolish men grasp the leather sack and toss aside the salvation of their souls. Therefore we are warned:

"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."—1 John 2:15.

The Christian belongs to Christ and is preparing for heaven. He loves heaven, not the world.

"No man can serve two masters."—Matthew 6:24.

Satan has gilded his temptations to worldliness with glittering tinsel. His wares are made to look rich and desirable. But the cheap, idle follies of the devil's shallow amusements are doomed to eternal destruction.

Some say that the life of the Christian is a series of dont's. They are deceived by the devil's counterfeits. THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN IS ONE OF JOYFUL DO's. What should the Christian do? Let's make a list:

Think heavenward.

Drive out wrong thoughts by filling the mind with good ones.

"Finally, brethren, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, whatsoever things are HONEST, whatsoever things are JUST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are OF GOOD REPORT; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS."—Philippians 4:8.

Learn to think God's thoughts after Him.

"For as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he."—Proverbs 23:7.

Associate with the good.

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"—2 Corinthians 6:14.

The child of God will look for associates among those who have a common interest — eternal life with Jesus. We are not to take part in the sins of others. (1 Timothy 5:22.)

"Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."—James 4:4.

Look for the beautiful.

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes."—Psalm 101:3.

How can the Christian who is "looking unto Jesus" allow his eyes to look at scenes that drag the standards of right living in the dirt?

As Christians we look for the pure and the beautiful as we build characters for eternity. By beholding we become changed. So let us be careful to choose only the things that will fit us to live in a pure and holy eternal world.

6. HAPPINESS IS . . .

Some men search a lifetime for happiness, but never find it. Why not? Because true and lasting happiness is found only when we give it away. When we bring wholesome pleasure into the lives of others, true pleasure fills our own hearts.

Experience teaches us that much modern amusement fails to bring lasting happiness. A loud laugh is no evidence of a happy heart. A laugh may conceal a shallow mind or hide a broken heart. Pleasure that does not flow out of a heart filled with the love of God brings no peace.

A little girl blowing bubbles watched them float through the air.

"I'll give a nickel for a bubble, Miss Janet," someone said.

"Just a minute and I'll get you one," was the eager response, as the child reached out to catch a bubble. But when she opened her hand there was nothing in it. Such are the empty pleasures of the world.

Life is a serious business; yet, amazingly, many people chase the bubbles of passing amusement, supposing that contentment can be obtained in that way. They reach out, only to find their hearts and hands empty.

"The fashion of this world passeth away."—1 Corinthians 7:31.

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."—1 Timothy 6:11.

The life of the true Christian should be governed by the soul-searching question, "What would Jesus do?" When we are invited to engage in worldly activities we should ask ourselves whether Jesus would indulge with us. If in doubt — don't!

The Christian has more to make him happy than anyone else. The life of a true Christian is running over with pleasure. He does not search endlessly for happiness; happiness comes as he gives it away.

Are you looking for true and lasting happiness? The sinful pleasures of this world, the possession of things, can never supply the inner longing of one in search of lasting peace and contentment. Read the warning of Scripture:

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment."—Ecclesiastes 11:9.

7. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

When we leave the old life of sin, Christ buries it, and we come forth as new creatures in Christ. If we have truly surrendered to Jesus, we will find within us a great desire to be like Him and to please Him in word and action. We will not see how near to the borderline between right and wrong we can come.

Have you heard the story of the rich Eastern prince who advertised for a coachman? Three men applied for the position. He led them to a great precipice and asked each in turn how near to it he dared to drive the coach.

The first driver looked over the edge of the chasm and said that he would be willing to drive the royal coach within three feet of the cliff.

The second man, anxious to outdo the first, asserted that he would drive within two feet of the edge.

The third backed away from the cliff and said to the prince, "Your Highness, I'd stay as far as I possibly could from the edge of that precipice."

"You are the man I want," said the prince, "for I don't intend to have anyone drive me to my death unnecessarily."

Your soul is involved in these issues of life.

"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"—Matthew 16:26.

In view of the lasting happiness of the life to come, will you not forsake the empty things of earth, which are included in the three temptations of appetite, pride, and love of the world. There is endless pleasure awaiting every Christian.

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are PLEASURES FOR EVERMORE."—Psalm 16:11.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."—1 Corinthians 2:9.

Will you, because you love Jesus, surrender the things of this earth for the glories of the world to come?

Dear Father in heaven: I thank Thee for Thy promise of joy forevermore. As I grow in grace and in the knowledge of Thee, guide me into pleasures that will never fail. May I always let Jesus live His perfect life in me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.