
“Praying for Salty Conversations” Colossians 4:2-6

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“The Supreme Life”
A Sermon Series in Colossians
“Praying For Salty Conversations”
Colossians 4:2-6
Introduction
The opening of Colossians spells out how Christ is preeminent over all things, especially over the work of salvation. He lays a foundation that Jesus was God and His work on the cross is sufficient for salvation. Then he turns to how the church should relate to each other, and how believers should put off sinful behavior, and put on godly behavior. Then Paul addresses the family and how it was to function specifically dealing with the issue of authority. All of these things have been inward focused; in today’s text and in his closing of the book Paul points the church outward.
Paul is addressing the church and a major drive of the book has been to avoid false teachers, but we don’t avoid false teachers by distancing ourselves from the non-Christians or the world. They need to resist the false teaching, while at the same time share the gospel with their neighbors. But before we get into today’s text, I want us look quickly at an OT passage, 2 Kings 13:14-19,
Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15 And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16 Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17 And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” 18 And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. 19 Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.”
Joash the king did what Elisha the prophet told him – take a bow and arrows, shot an arrow out the window, strike the ground with the arrows – why was Elisha the prophet angry? He said, “You should have struck five or six times, . .” Joash did what he was told but he had no zeal, no enthusiasm – just doing enough to get by. Today we will discuss basic Christian things (moral living, praying, sharing the gospel, thinking about time, etc.) but in all these things we must be zealous for the Lord.
The Christian Must Pray Continually (v. 2)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Paul’s pointing the church outward begins by encouraging them to pray, “Continue steadfastly in prayer.” The word used here means prayer that is habitual and with perseverance. Jesus told parables about how believers should pray, Luke 18:1 “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (from the parable of the persistent widow).
Paul then adds the manner of the consistent prayer is, “watchful in it with thanksgiving.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:6 believers are to be alert and watching for the return of Christ. But this is not what Paul is referencing here, instead they are to be prayerful and watchful – and they are “to be “awake” to the nature of the times they live in – and to orient their lives accordingly.”[1] You are not watching to see something (as in a passing falling star), instead one is to watch so they can take an action. I am watching and alert to things going on around me, then I seek counsel and petition the Lord in prayer, and all the while I do it all thanksgiving.
With regards to prayer “Christians have always interpreted the splitting of the temple veil during the crucifixion as symbolic of their liberation from the mediated presence of God. Henceforth they were “free” to approach him directly – which is almost like telling someone he is “free” to stick his head in the lion’s jaws. For once you start praying there is no guarantee that you won’t find yourself before Pharaoh, shipwrecked on a desert island, or in a lion’s den.”[2]
In Genesis 32 Jacob wrestled with God, and he never walked the same for the rest of his life. To approach the throne of God and to wrestle with him in prayer, you are in a dangerous place in that you may be called to do the difficult – but there is also no safer place to be than in the will of God. Prayer will often not lead to an easier life, but a more difficult one filled with purpose and adventure.
The Christian Must Use His Words and Time Wisely (vv. 3-6)
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Paul now moves from encouraging them to consistently pray, but to pray for him and his team specifically. “The prayer is not for the personal benefit of the apostle and his companions, but for the promotion of their work.”[3] Paul asks the church to pray, “that God may open to us a door for the word,” The emphasis is on the Word of God getting out to the world. “Paul does not pray that he or some other minister might have an open door to walk through, but that there might be ‘an open door for our message’.”[4]
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” The Word of God needs entrance because it is the word that has the power to transform human beings.
Earlier in Colossians 1:5-6 Paul says, “Of this (the hope laid up for you in heaven) you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing. . .” When the gospel is released in a community it begins to exert its’ power there. Everywhere there is an open door for the gospel to be proclaimed, its’ power is the same – lives are transformed. The gospel itself is powerful and life changing (nothing needs to be added to it or taken from it, just proclaim it).
There is power in the proclamation of the gospel, but that does not mean it will always be well received by all. Paul was “declar(ing) the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison.” Paul is in chains because he was proclaiming the gospel to a lost world. God’s word will always have power to expose sin, and discern the true thoughts of the heart – but people will respond differently to that power of the truth. Some people may kneel before the Lord, repent of their sin, and follow Christ, others will pick up stones to throw at the messenger.
Some Bible scholars believe that Acts chapters 22-24 describes this same imprisonment. In Acts 24:5-6 the Jewish elders have beaten Paul and the Romans authorities have him in prison more to protect him from the mob, “For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.” Paul does not change the gospel based on how he thinks the audience will respond. He speaks the truth. Sometimes churches are brought into existence, other times he is punished.
So then we jump to Paul’s prayer request is that when he presents the gospel, “that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Paul is in prison, probably chained to a guard – yet his mind is on his next opportunity to proclaim the gospel. Paul is asking for prayer that he may be set free again to preach.[5] For Paul, there were no devastating circumstances, only unique opportunities.
Nothing is so far gone that the prayer of the saints,
and the proclamation of the gospel can’t change. Don’t give up.
(v. 5) “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time,” – “As believers immerse themselves in the life of Christ, having put on the “new man” (Col. 3:10-11), their minds are renewed by God’s Spirit (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23). Wisdom will enable us to determine just how, in given situations, our new way of thinking, our new set of biblical values, should be put into effect.”[6] “It takes wise walking to win them to Christ.”[7] And Paul’s words of instruction “imply that believers are to be cautious and tactful so as to avoid needlessly antagonizing or alienating their pagan neighbors.”[8]
Earlier in Colossians Paul was praying for the church that they would be 1:9-10 “asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, . . .” Here in 4:6 Paul picks back up with this same idea, but now he is focusing them (and us) on the outside community. He has warned the church to distance themselves from false teachers, and from worldly influence in their lives – but the Colossian Christians must also stay engaged with their fellow citizens and seek to lead them to Jesus.
Christians are to walk the narrow path of being
“in the world but not of the world.”
(v. 6) “making the best use of the time.”[9] – Greek uses a couple of words to indicate time; one is Kairos (used in v. 6) as in a duration of time, a season like harvest season, an opportunity. And Chronos refers to a specific measurement of time like days or hours.
In the context of Christians using wisdom to reach the lost community, and the original language has the idea of “buying up” time, as in “I need to purchase this segment of time, and make it my own.” There are ways that we spend our time that is wasteful, buy that time back and put it to godly use.
Also, Paul has been asking for prayer for “open doors” to share the gospel. Our wisdom that we need is that there will be moments presented to us, and we have an opportunity to share the gospel, so we need to seize that time – make the best use of that opportunity and not let it pass us by. Don’t waste time.
But we also can prayerfully plan out our days (Chronos), consider what is of greater value and make sure that gets accomplished. Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” So, we can plan out our days with wisdom, and there are unplanned things that happen (Kairos), and we seize the opportunity. Both require wisdom from God.
And in that moment, (v. 6) “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – in our sharing the gospel with others, our way of talking and over all attitude should convey grace. It carries the idea of “pleasantness,” “attractiveness,” “charm,” and “winsomeness.”[10]
What we say preserves the relationship and draws a person closer; we should not use speech that decays the relationship and drives a person away. Speak the truth plainly, but without judgment and condemnation.
1 Peter 3:15b gives a similar teaching, “. . . always being prepared to make a defense (to give an answer) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, . . .”
“know how you ought to answer each person,” – In Acts 16 Paul is going to a Gentile city where there are not enough Jews to even have a synagogue. Paul’s method of evangelism was to enter a town, figure out where the Jewish synagogue was and show them how Jesus fulfilled Scripture and share the gospel, but when he gets there –where he had heard there were Jews gathered to pray, there were only women who had gathered,
“And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.” What Paul had planned to do, now had to change. So in Colossians Paul asks for prayer, “which is how I ought to speak.” How you share changes, not the message, but the method. The seasoned-with-salt conversation must be appropriate for each person we speak to.
If you were to evaporate a ton of water from the Pacific Ocean, you would get approximately seventy-nine pounds of salt. A ton of Atlantic water would yield eighty-one pounds. And from the Dead Sea you would get almost five hundred pounds. As these statistics demonstrate, the earth’s bodies of water vary greatly in their degree of saltiness. So do Christians. Jesus said that we are “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). But we all have different levels of “salt content.”
A few Scripture verses tell what it means to be “salty.” Salt enhances flavor (Job 6:6). Salt indicates purity in speech (Colossians 4:6). Salt symbolizes keeping a promise (Numbers 18:19). Salt speaks of goodness (Mark 9:50). Now, check your salt content. re you the kind of person who enhances the lives of those around you? Is your conversation pure? Do you keep promises? Are you characterized by goodness? An unbelieving world is watching and listening to you. What do they see and hear? Perhaps your life needs more salt.[11]
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[1] Douglas J. Moo, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008) 320.
[2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Colossians & Philemon (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Bible Institute, 1992) 180.
[3] T.K. Abbott, The International Critical Commentary, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and to the Colossians (Edinburgh, Scotland; T&T Clark, 1946) 297.
[4] Moo, 322.
[5] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume 4 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 509.
[6] Moo. 327.
[7] Robertson, 510.
[8] Frank E. Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing House, 1978) 222.
[9] See also Ephesians 5:15-15 and he adds, “because the days are evil.”
[10] Gaebelein, 222.
[11] https://www.preceptaustin.org/colossians_illustrations_4#colossians%204
Seeking Wisdom in Difficult Days
A Study of James
Worthless Religion Is A Waste of Time
James 1:19-27
Introduction
More than half of the world’s oil paintings come from Da Fen in southern China. Located in China’s manufacturing hub, Shenzhen, Da Fen thrives on the mass production of art. It exports millions of replicas of Van Goghs, Monets, and Picassos to the world, generating billions in revenue for painters who were once farmers or migrant workers. The founder of Da Fen, the 69-year-old artist Huang Jiang, spoke to BBC News about his miracle business model and the challenges his team faces now. Video journalist: Xinyan Yu[1]
Painter after painter lined up in warehouses, each looking at the original and creating and exact replica. The original is worth millions if not priceless, these copies are worth a few hundred in China, or maybe 1,000 if exported to the US. But if compared to the original, the fakes are essentially worthless.
If we look at the outside of many religious people, there is little difference in the actions they take in their religion. But today we will see that there are some people who will go through the motions of religion that are the genuine real deal – and there are those that have deluded themselves into believing they are being authentic. I want to make sure I am the real deal, and have not fooled while being a forgery of the authentic.
The book of James was not written to a specific church, but to those that were scattered because of persecution. In these diaspora churches there were issues that they were working through. “The church was divided over many issues. Some sought to use the church as a means to display wealth and to exercise power. Others had shown favoritism toward to the wealthy.”[2] James specifically discusses today those that have an authentic faith and what it looks like.
Not Listening and Getting Angry Is Worthless (vv. 19-21)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
The word of God is described as already being implanted in the believer’s heart and now it must grow and flourish. But there are things that will keep it from producing “the righteousness of God” in the person’s life. You have heard the gospel, but something is keeping you from growing in your walk with the Lord. It is the word of God that is on the inside, and moves to actions on the outside.
James first addresses a general way of living where the person is not meek. They are not listening to others, they are talking all the time, and acting out in anger. All of this is rooted in pride, which is the opposite of meekness. “Pride is a reliance upon the self, and the root of sin.”[3] Meekness is “the proper attitude of complete dependence upon God, and secondary the attitude shown toward others. . .”[4]
“I know what’s right so I really don’t need to listen to what you have to say”, “what I have to say is way more important than what you have to say – I’m better than you,” and “I have my rights, I am entitled to certain things which I am not getting – so I feel justified in being angry.”
To be meek, is not weak, it is allowing yourself to be led. Titus 3:2 uses the same Greek work and it translated there as “perfect courtesy.” “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” When you are courteous you are deferring yourself to others. They get the seat to sit down, they are not interrupted when they are talking, they are spoken of with respect and honor. The apostle Paul wrote regarding “love” – “does not insist on its way” (1 Cor. 13:5).
In 1 Peter 3:4 it is used with “quiet” to describe what the attitude of a Christian woman, a “gentle and quiet spirit” in contrast to “outward adorning.” “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”[5]
Typically, we take these verses “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”[6] in discussing how we relate to each other – but what if James is meaning how we react to the Word of God.
Quick to hear the Word of God, Slow to quickly explain or even explain away the Word of God, or we get truly rocked by it and we get angry as a response to the Word of God.[7] We are to receive the implanted word of God with meekness, not anger or excuse.
“As the Word of God roots itself more deeply in us, the new life develops and the old life dies.”[8] James says, “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness” The Christian must recognize sin for what it is, stop justifying it, and decisively reject it – if they don’t then any spiritual growth is not likely.[9] When we remove filthiness and wickedness it’s like removing a soiled garment.
Several times in Scripture when we are told to take off (put away) the soiled garment of filthiness and wickedness we are to replace it with something else to ‘put on.”
“receive with meekness the implanted word” a better word for implanted is engrafted. When you engraft a plant to take one variety of a tree, cut off a branch, carefully cut a slit in it’s bark and then take another branch from another variety of tree and put the stump and the branch together. You can have lemons growing from an orange tree, or pears growing on the same tree as apples.
So in James’ passage our heart’s are described as the tree, and the Word of God is carefully engrafted into it, so that it will grow. God carefully places the Word of God in our lives, we must receive it with meekness. Sometimes grafts fail on trees, the tree has to receive the foreign branches and it has to grow.
“which is able to save your souls.” Is not a reference to salvation, but “refers to the redeeming of the Christian from sins to his life as he grows and matures (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18).”[10] When we have a relationship with God is one of constantly removing sin from our lives, or being saved from
Listening But Not Doing Anything Is Worthless (vv. 22-25)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James describes two groups of people to explain his previous points; there are the “doers of the word,” and the “hearers only.” The doers look into the perfect law (the Bible) and persevere (do something).
The hearers only group are people who go through religious actions but there is no action with regard to rooting out sin in their lives. They are content with an outward appearance or being religious (they are the fake Van Goghs). James wants to warm them of the danger.[11]
All of these things have to do with the church gathering together. “The practical value of church attendance, according to James, is realized only when the word heard becomes the word in action.”[12] If you go to church and hear the message, but God’s Word doesn’t carry over into everyday living and life then it’s useless.[13]
“he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” The natural face is uncovered, no make-up, as-it-is blemishes and all. Take long hard real good look at yourself.
One commentator (Hort) emphasizes that the word genesis is in the original language in verse 23. The Greek literally reads “the face of his genesis.” And genesis carries the idea of ‘birth’ or ‘creation’ “Verses 23-25 would then contrast the man who sees what God intended him to be, but does nothing about it, with the man who sees what God wants him to be and strives to attain it.”[14] In the mirror of God’s Word you get a glimpse of the man you could be.
In worship and the gathered church, the Holy Spirit reveals things to us as we encounter the Word and compare our lives to it – like looking into a mirror, the Word of God shows us where things are out of place. There will be will be things the Lord will show us – but if we immediately talk about where we are going for lunch, or the things we need at Wal-Mart and don’t remember the things God showed us (they are immediately forgotten) – what’s the point?
“the one who looks into the perfect law”— to look into literally means to stop and bend over in order to see better or to inspect.[15] The same word is used when Mary inspected the tomb of Jesus. So, in reference to the Word of God, a believer really makes and effort to intently grapple with it and seek its’ meaning and how to apply it to their lives.
God shows us how we fall short in His Word. We must continue to look into God’s Word, and do what it says and then, “he will be blessed in his doing.” It is the doing, not just the hearing, that brings the blessing. It’s not enough to show up to the game dressed in the uniform – You have to go out onto the field and play the game.
In the parable of the sower, only one of the four classes of hearers brought forth fruit. That is the test. “By their fruits you will know them.”
A Self-Deceptive Religion Is Worthless (vv. 26-27)
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James is not addressing the hypocritical person who pretends to be religious – or wears a mask at church and then takes it off in the community. He is talking to people who actually think they are religious, but are deceived. There is a possibility that we deceive ourselves.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” This passage should move all of us to evaluate our relationship with God.
In the culture of James’ day, to be religious referred to the exterior or visible aspects of religious behavior.”[16] James is not giving the totality of this is what it means to be a Christian, but he giving practical examples for a person to evaluate their relationship with the Lord, specifically self-deception. We are to act and do – outward behavior, but those actions have to come from an inner right relationship with God.
For the Jewish people “The regular attendance at the hours of prayer, faithful observances of the rules of ritual purification, payment of the tithes – these things constituted worship. Finally, these alone constituted worship. Religion came to consist in the ceremony alone, the letter and not the spirit, the hull and not the kernel”[17]
Christianity does not require the follower to do anything, no ceremonies, no prescribed rites, no memorized protocol, no court etiquette. “Our relationship with God is simply dependent upon a simple and sincere devotion to God.”[18]
It is an outflow of our love and devotion to God that we love our neighbor as yourself, Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
The Christian religion that God accepts is described in three activities. 1) care of speech, 2) concern for the helpless in our society or our concern for other people 3) avoidance of worldly attitudes and values.[19] “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” and “to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
“It is just as revolting to God for a person to have personal holiness but not have a redemptive involvement with others as having social action without concern for personal holiness.”[20]
“Religious practices are fine (church attendance, giving, serving, etc.) but if they are not coupled to an ethical lifestyle they are worse than useless, for they become self-deceptions.” James wants his readers to be able to see that these religious actions and recognize their true condition before it is too late.[21]
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[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZVJTW4jpck
[2] David P. Nystrom, The NIV Application Commentary, James (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1997) 92.
[3] George Arthur Buttrick, Dictionary Ed., The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, K-Q (Nashville, Tennessee; Abingdon Press, 1980) 335.
[4] Ibid, 334.
[5] Buttrick, Dictionary, 335.
[6] Zeno of Citium is attributed to the idea, “we have two ears and one mouth, therefore we should listen twice as much as we talk.”
[7] Clifton J. Allen, Gen. Ed. The Broadman Bible Commentary, Volume 12 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1972) 112.
[8] Lehman Strauss, James Your Brother (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers, 1956) 59.
[9] Strauss, 40.
[10] Allen, 112.
[11] Doulas Moo, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, James (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1990) 82.
[12]George Arthur Buttrick, The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 12 (Nashville, Tennessee; Abingdon Press,1957) 31.
[13] Pious genuflection.
[14] Moo, 85.
[15] Allen, 112.
[16] Allen 113.
[17] A. T. Robertson, Studies in the Epistle of James (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Publishing, 1959) 71.
[18] Buttrick, 34.
[19] Clinton Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 4 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 2002) 97.
[20] Allen, 113.
[21] Peter H. Davids, New International Biblical Commentary, James (Peabody, Massachusetts; Hendrickson Publishing, 1989) 43.
Last week Playboy magazine announced that it would no longer publish nude pictures of its’ models. Video killed the radio star, and the internet killed the “angel in the centerfold.†With an internet browser search one could pull up literally millions of pornographic websites, with thousands being added daily. The magazine that led the way into this industry has now been surpassed by a deluge of images and video. Scott Flanders, Playboy’s chief executive said, “You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it’s just passé at this juncture.â€[1]
That which was “groundbreaking†is now old fashioned. In by-gone days pornography was limited to seedy book/video stores that required parking one’s car and entering an establishment. Now, porn is just a click away of a phone, tablet, or computer. No accountability, easy access, and complete anonymity. The access is getting faster, more precise, and with better wifi strength.
As a Christian father who is trying to rear faithful Christian children, that which was difficult in a previous generation, has now become extremely difficult. The “rebranding†of Playboy is a marker that, in order for them to continue to be viable in the porn industry, they have to either take the industry further (add even more content, or more profound evil) or change to set itself apart from the industry (an inventing of a new type of evil). They are working hard to see what kind of new evil they can create (which really isn’t new) and to see how they can get it into people’s hands.
But sin and sin taken to its’ extreme is nothing new. Even with all that we see with Planned Parenthood and videos of their depravity[2] – it is nothing compared to parents (God’s own people) throwing their children into a fire to a false god as an act of worship.[3] Sin and its’ continuing morphing and reshaping is always the same. It may change in form and how it operates, but at the root level it looks the same.
Every generation has to figure out how to navigate the evils of its’ day and to face the future with faith. In every generation there are those that rail against the evil of it’s day, and has a belief that it is growing worse. But the Bible has stood the test of time and as God’s Word tells us how to navigate these treacherous waters.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.â€
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In the following passage from Psalm 119:9-16 we see that there are three components to consider when desiring to walk before the Lord in holiness.
Psalm 119:9-16
I.  To Treasure God’s Word
9Â Â Â Â How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10Â With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11Â I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
 How a person keeps his way pure deals directly with the Word of God. It’s power and influence overcomes anything the world and its’ manifestations of generations has to offer. Now matter what orientation or design, and as new it may seem to us, God’s Word is sufficient to give you what you need to maintain purity before the Lord. The outward obedience before the Lord begins with an inward love and seeking after the Lord.[4] The Scriptures sanctifies the believer and enables him to resist the temptations of the world.
“sanctification†is a translation of the Greek word hagiasmos, meaning “holiness†or “a separation.†In the past, God granted us justification, a once-for-all, positional holiness in Christ. Now, God guides us to maturity, a practical, progressive holiness. In the future, God will give us glorification, a permanent, ultimate holiness. These three phases of sanctification separate the believer from the penalty of sin (justification), the power of sin (maturity), and the presence of sin (glorification).[5]
God’s Word is seen as a treasure that is sought after, guarded, and buried in the heart so that the person may not sin against God. When we begin to see God’s Word as being precious, it enables to see the world around us clearer and how the lies of this world are false. If we are to help the next generation, the best thing we can do it is point them to the priceless treasure of God’s Word.
II. To Understand God’s Word
12Â Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13Â With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
Having established that the young man in order to keep his way pure must treasure the Word of God, he must now properly understand it. God must reveal its’ meaning to the heart of the reader. Again what begins as a treasure of the heart now overflows out of the mouth. What God changes on the inside becomes manifest on the outside.
A false sanctification begins on the outside, but does not touch the heart. This is religion rooted in external behavior and legalism. God teaches the heart that loves Him through His Word, and this overflows into action.
III. To Keep Your Focus on God’s Word
14Â In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15Â I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16Â I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Once again the Word of God is seen as a treasure and once found there is delight. But not just in found riches, it is all riches combined. To meditate is not the eastern philosophy of emptying the mind. Instead, the biblical definition of meditation is to fill the mind with God’s Word. The word meditate carries the idea of a cow chewing cud, chew, chew, swallow, and then chew again.
If we see it as having great value, and we fix our mind on it, and meditate on it, it then sanctifies us and it becomes apart of who we are – it changes us (and our outward behavior.) If you have wandered from God’s Word His grace will allow you to start again, refocus on His Word and watch how he changes your heart (once again).
So no matter how crude and vulgar the world may seem around us, we must keep our focus on the Word of God and allow it to guide our steps. Our steps are guarded because the Word of God is apart of who we are. Parents do not fear; just keep focusing your children on the Word of God. Teach them to love it, treasure it, and fear the God who wrote its’ words.
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[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/13/business/media/nudes-are-old-news-at-playboy.html?_r=0
[2] http://thefederalist.com/2015/09/29/a-quick-and-easy-guide-to-the-planned-parenthood-videos/
[3] 2 Chronicles 28:3, 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 19:2-6.
[4] Holman Old Testament Commentary, Psalms 76-150, Max Anders Ed. (Nashville, Tennessee; Holman, 2006) 242.
[5] http://www.gotquestions.org/sanctification.html