It isn’t easy to live a spiritual life in this carnal world. But that’s exactly what Christians are to do. Most of us know what’s right in God’s eyes, but we make poor choices. Well, we’re in good company:

“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not: but what I hate, that do I.” (Romans 7:14-15)

That’s Paul’s way of saying that he didn’t want to sin but he did. We’re so used to sin that it seems normal.

For that reason many of us fail to be horrified by the evil which happens all around us. Even worse, we participate in sin because everybody else does. Have you heard the story of the frog in hot water?

It’s said that if you take a frog and throw that poor creature into boiling water he will hop out as fast as he can. If you take that same frog and put him in a nice, comfortable pot of cool water he’ll sit there as happy as can be. Then if you start turning up the heat the frog isn’t bothered.

As the temperature slowly rises, the frog won’t notice how bad things are getting and will sit right there and boil to death. Is that true? I’ve never actually tried it so I don’t really know, but it’s certainly a good example of what’s happening today. The ugliness of sin is heating up, and we’re so used to it that we just sit there unaware of how bad things are getting.

Sin matters to God. It separates us from Him. It mattered so much that He chose to enter His creation and die on the cross in order to provide the only way for our salvation. That should let us know how much God loves us. After we accept Christ’s sacrifice for salvation we should turn away from carnal living.

Christians are called to be separate from the world. We have to live here until we’re called Home, but we aren’t to be a part of the sin around us. Is that possible? It is, but we have to make a choice: Live for Christ or live for the world. Take a moment here and reflect upon your life. Is there anything, anything at all, that is opposed to the example Jesus gave us? Are you quick to get angry?

Anger is a carnal way of acting:

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” ( Ecclesiastes 7:9)

We often see news articles about the results of anger when a person is out of control with wrath and harms other people. Anger is something Christians need to control.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

It isn’t easy to break a bad habit, and anger is a bad habit. Don’t give Satan a chance to cause you to sin.

Anger is just one problem that can cause a Christian to act like the world. What about stealing? Most of us have never robbed a bank or assaulted someone in a dark alley, but we can steal from our employer by not giving our all on the job.

Do you chat by the water cooler when you should be working at your desk? Do you make personal phone calls on company time and on the company phone? Do you misrepresent your income in order to qualify for government aid? There are lots of ways to steal.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28)

A Christian should have a generous, giving spirit. As you work and earn wages, what do you do with the extra money you have left after paying your bills. Do you soup up your car? Buy the latest violent video game? Party with friends? There are many ways to spend money that’s carnal rather than honoring God.

What if you took that extra money and gave to a homeless shelter or to a ministry that blesses you? You could even use the money to help a neighbor who’s in need. The carnal world we live in dictates a “Me me me” way of living, but a Christ-centered life is one that gives rather than takes.

Do you gossip? That’s your flesh getting in the way of treating others the way you would like to be treated.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

It’s easy to see flaws in other people and then degrade them to our friends. It would be better to compliment what’s right rather than gossip about what’s wrong. The other person is a human being with feelings. Do you want people to gossip about you? It hurts and isn’t what God wants. What about your choice of words?

Carnal and vulgar words shouldn’t come from the mouth of a Christian. God’s name is to be used for praise, not for cursing. How many times do you tell a dirty joke? These things are carnal, not spiritual. Would you use those words in front of Jesus or tell him the jokes you find funny? He hears you.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)

Jesus said that so we need to pay attention. The carnal people in this world have no concept of what is and isn’t vulgar, and Christians should never use a worldly person as an example. Look to Christ’s example in order to live to please Him.

The carnal attitude of Christians isn’t new to our time in history, but that doesn’t make it right. The rules God has given us are to keep us safe. Sin is hurtful to ourselves, to others, and causes disease. God loves us and will protect us but we need to stay within His rules. Lust of the flesh is from Satan and when we follow the carnal ways of the flesh we invite trouble into our life.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” (James 1:13-14)

We live in a fallen world and there are many temptations, but we don’t have to act upon those temptations. When we wander from the straight and narrow path that God has paved for us, that’s when Satan will encourage our lust. Satan can make sin look like fun, but he hides the consequence. When a Christian compromises a little in living a spirit filled life it becomes easier to take the next step down the carnal path that leads to destruction.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

Like the frog in the water we can become so numb to sin that we bring on our own destruction. When we choose to participate in sin rather than following God we forfeit joy and we bring punishment upon ourselves.

Think of the alcoholic who gets cirrhoses of the liver which causes much pain. Eventually it takes his life. Oh, this person may have professed to be a Christian, and if he had truly accepted Christ his salvation is secure, but carnal living takes away his good witness for Christ and only causes misery.

When alcoholism takes its toll on him he may blame God. Was it God who forced him into alcoholism? No, he chose to live a carnal life and his own choices caused his troubles. The same is true of any sin you participate in, such as drug use or sexual sin.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

If you choose to live a carnal life you choose to live in misery. When we accept Christ for salvation then our citizenship is already in Heaven. We should no longer succumb to the carnal pull of this world.

How do we live a spiritual life in a carnal world? We make a choice. The influence of the god of this world is strong but we don’t have to follow his lies. First of all, realize that the battle is a spiritual one. Fight with spiritual weapons, such as prayer and Scripture. Through prayer we talk directly with God. When we are weak, He will be our strength. When we fail, He will forgive us. As a Christian you can go directly to God in prayer and ask Him for help and forgiveness.

“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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Study God’s Word and write it on your heart. That way when carnal lust threatens to cause you to sin, you will have Scripture ready to fight off the lust. God doesn’t want you to fail and every word of Scripture is for our benefit. Study the life of Christ and use Him as the example to follow.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

It’s hard to see God when we live our life according to the flesh. How we view life  will determine how we behave. If we draw near to God and live a spiritually set apart life we will see God. We will see Him in our daily life and our interactions with others.

Choosing a carnal life that opposes God will only lead to bitterness and unhappiness. You may pretend you’re happy and put on a bright smiling face for the world to see, but it’s a false front. When you live a spiritual life that’s pleasing to God, you don’t have to pretend to be happy.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Galatians 5:16-17)

True joy comes from a life that honors God. Brothers and sisters, instead of watching sin-filled television and movies or listening to music designed to encourage carnal lust, think on the things of God.

“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)

You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to live a spiritual life in a carnal world when you fill your heart and mind with the things of God.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).

The United States of America will soon celebrate Independence Day with parades, fireworks, and barbecues. It’s a fun time, but do we stop and think about the history of this nation? The first settlers came to escape from religious persecution. They were Christians who loved God but the government dictated their ways of worship and sermon content. This was in conflict with God’s Word, and the pilgrims chose to leave for the shores of what we now call the United States of America.

The Mayflower sailed to the East Coast of America and landed at Plymouth Rock where the first order of business was to establish a government of sorts. The Mayflower Compact was drafted and signed and was the first document to establish governing in this new land.

The first words of that document are “In the name of God, Amen” and elsewhere it says, “Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and the advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our King and Country…” That was then and this is now.

As a nation we have turned far away from God. Shame on us. Many years after the Mayflower Compact was enacted, the Declaration of Independence was signed. That document acknowledged rights given by God:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

That document acknowledges there is a Creator and there are God-given rights. The apostle John tells us who that Creator is. In speaking of Jesus as the Word, John wrote “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Jesus Christ is the Creator.

America was founded on godly principals but has lost her moral footing. The last man who occupied the White House declared that we were no longer a Christian nation, as if that’s a good thing. It isn’t good at all.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2)

The moral decay in America is astonishing and that is a sad comment about Christians today. It’s also a reflection upon the leadership of America. We have had a long line of leaders who openly reject Christ and the evil they’ve embraced has polluted the lives of Americans. President Trump isn’t perfect but he isn’t ashamed to stand before this nation and acknowledge God Almighty.

Obama is a Muslim and he legalized sin. He’s a prime example of “when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Oh, there are those who don’t mourn, such as Kathy Griffin who thinks it’s funny to pretend to behead President Trump then whine because there was a backlash against her. Or how about Johnny Depp who “joked” about an actor killing a president. Not funny. Not funny at all.

These are just a couple of the mentally sick people who are given attention from the liberal media. Where is the outrage from Christians? Have we become a part of the problem? We need to take a stand for Christ and make our voices heard. America will only become a Muslim nation, an atheistic nation, or an amoral nation if God-fearing men and women stay silent.

Each one of us can take a stand in our own community. If we make a difference locally then that will spread nationally. Don’t compromise your walk with Christ.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34).

What does it mean to be righteous?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “Acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin.” Moral law was established by God. If a nation rejects God there can be no righteousness in that nation. A good example of a nation that rejects God is North Korea. The atrocities that happen there are truly inspired by Satan.

America was once a righteous nation, but it seems as if there are few people today who hold God’s moral guidance as a way of life. What has gone wrong? There are many causes of this unrighteousness that is gripping America, but rejection of God Almighty is the main reason. It’s been happening over time and is finally becoming so open that Christian morals are becoming illegal.

Was it the invention of television that did it? That certainly is a factor. Families stopped eating at the dinner table and talking with each other. Then it became a status symbol to have more than one television. No longer was the family gathered together in the living room but the kids had to have their own TVs in their bedrooms.

There is no parental guidance in what they watch. Do your kids watch MTV? Christians shouldn’t. Television has more influence on children and teens than parents. In a short time we’ve gone from TV shows like Father Knows Best to programming that belittles men, glorifies sin, and laughs at righteousness. Movies aren’t any better. What used to be considered R rated is now PG.

Music has gone from the Beatles singing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” to Katy Perry singing about having sexual relations with an extraterrestrial. Schools don’t focus on the three R’s but instead teach kindergarteners that it’s okay to have two mommies and that they can choose if they are a girl or a boy.

This is morally wrong and against biblical truth. Parents, where are you? Christian parents, put your foot down and stop the madness. Turn off the TV, restrict the movies your children watch, censor the music, homeschool your children, and get your family back to worshipping God. Lead by example. Sunday mornings aren’t a day for you to sleep in. Sin is a reproach, and America is full of sin.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)

The Psalmist understood that no nation can be great unless God Almighty is honored as Lord. We know that this psalm was written about Israel because they are the people that God chose as His own. The Jewish people were entrusted with the Law of Moses, Jewish prophets spoke God’s words to His people, and most importantly it was through the Jewish nation that the Messiah was born.

Yes, Israel was blessed and through them the entire world is blessed because of Jesus Christ. In reading Psalm 33 we can see that it isn’t written only to Israel, but to the entire earth:

“Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” (Psalm 33:8)

Every person on earth is admonished to fear the Lord and stand in awe of Him. Are there any nations today that truly honor the sovereign God and look to Him for guidance? I can’t think of a single one. A favorite song Americans hear is God Bless America which contains a plea “stand beside her and guide her, through the night with a Light from above.”

God cannot and will not bless any nation or person who stands against Him. It’s time for the Christians in America, and indeed the entire world—to stop listening to the god of this world (Satan) and turn their hearts, souls, and minds to God Almighty. Bless Him by following Him.

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)

David knew God’s truth and He loved the Lord. There are many prophecies regarding judgment day and it’s coming quickly. America is becoming a nation that has forgotten God and is on the edge of no return. Brothers and sisters, stand firmly upon God’s Word.

When any law is enacted that is contrary to God’s law, reject it. Write to your congressman and let the Christian voice be heard. Pray. America was given a reprieve from God’s judgment when Hillary lost the last election. Christians prayed and God answered, but now we need to continue in prayer. We need to take a stand and live our lives to honor God and lead others to salvation through Jesus.

“Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.” (Psalm 9:19-20)

We are mere mortals and our time on earth is very short. We can make a difference in the course of our nation if we turn to God and pray for our leaders. We also need to live our daily lives according to biblical ways. This world is not our home. We are passing through life and a Christian has much to look forward to in the next life.

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)

People watch Christians and see how we represent Jesus Christ in our daily lives. In this verse, the King James translation uses the word “conversation” but this means how we conduct our lives. Other translations more clearly say “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles” (NKJ) and “be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors” (NLT).

It all comes down to the fact that we are not supposed to live like the world lives and Christians in America must turn away from the evil around us.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

I know that verse was written to the nation of Israel, but so was most of the Old Testament. That doesn’t mean we ignore the truth behind the words. I am a Christian. I am called by the name of Christ. Because I have accepted Him as my Savior, I have a responsibility to live in a way that honors Him. So do you.

If every Christian in this nation would humble themselves before the Lord, pray for our nation, earnestly seek the Lord with their hearts, souls, and minds, and turn from the wickedness of sin, we would see a difference in America.

As we celebrate the independence of America from the tyranny of English rule, let’s remember that we are first and foremost Christians, and may this nation return to our dependence on God. Righteousness only comes through Jesus Christ and may His righteousness be upon America.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).