Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man

Matthew 15:11   Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 

A preacher recently used this verse to justify that smoking and drinking were not sins. This was done in a conversation we were having about this topic.  It was and is my position that when one does this they are leading others astray.  

Many people today try to justify unhealthy and sinful habits by using this verse. They are in fact relegating themselves as being the ones Jesus was referring to in this very same chapter, chapter 15, when He said in verse 8, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me”.  

To take this one verse alone is not contextually correct. One can use this verse, by itself, to justify just about anything that may pass through ones lips. Again, this is not correct. Even common sense says that something is wrong in using what Jesus said in this manner. Smoking hemlock is not at good thing for a person let alone drinking it. If Socrates was around we could ask him for his take on this. It could be stated that this example is not a good example as it is a matter of spiritual defiling and sin and not about whether it is physically good or bad for someone. They would say it is a spiritual matter versus physical. The hemlock example is still valid as suicide is a physical whether over a long period of time or a short period of time is still the physical acting out of an inward sin. Drinking hemlock falls into this category easily. Doing marijuana, cigarettes or alcohol for self-gratification falls into this same category as well because serving one’s self is sin. We are not to make an occasion for the flesh but to server others instead (see Galatians 5:13). You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). You cannot have yourself and God both on the throne at the same time. God shares his glory with no one. (Isaiah 42:8 and 48:11)

The exact context of this one verse, verse 11, is about not washing the hands before eating but more importantly it is about what comes out of a man’s heart can defile him. It has nothing to do with excusing any particular substance to be allowed to pass through one’s lips. It has nothing to do with marijuana, cigarettes, alcohol or hemlock. It’s about man’s motives. It’s about following man’s laws versus following God’s.

Here is Matthew 15 verses 1 through 20 for the correct context. Verses 2 and 20 show that Jesus was talking about eating food with unwashed hands and that it had nothing to do with what kind of food they were eating. Notice it says nothing about smoking or shooting substances into the body through the skin or any other method of intake. It was about eating food with unwashed hands and nothing more. When Jesus talks about what comes out of the heart He gives some examples but the context allows for a broader range of what can defile a man. He said evil thoughts can defile a man and that encompasses a broad range of possibilities in this dark and perverse world that we live in.

Matthew 15:1-20 (See also Mark 7) Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 

2   Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 

3   But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 

4   For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 

5   But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 

6   And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 

7   Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 

8   This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 

9   But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

10   And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand : 

11   Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 

12   Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 

13   But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 

14   Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 

15   Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 

16   And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 

17   Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 

18   But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 

19   For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 

20   These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. 

Here are the first mentions of washing hands in the Bible in regards to God’s law. This was a specific temple ritual and did not include washing one’s hands before eating. As Jesus stated, Man stretched it to include that.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 

18   Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. 

19   For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: 

20   When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: 

21   So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.  Exodus 30:17-21 

And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.  Leviticus 15:11  

Verses mentioned in the writing about provided here for reference.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  Galatians 5:13

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  Matthew 6:24

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.  Isaiah 42:8

For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. Isaiah 48:11

Christian Liberty Dilemma

Our family was just thrust into a discussion of Christian liberty. I wanted to share this experience with as many people as possible as it is a much abused concept today.

I am hoping that you will take what I need to say with grace and understanding.  Please let God’s spirit guide you through prayer as you consider this.

Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

When we got home after church on September 21, 2014 I knew I had work to do in Biblically correcting what my family had just heard. To emphasize this point my 8 year old son’s daily journal writing was “Today in church the Pastor said it was ok to smoke and drink. The Bible says it is not”. Again, he is 8 years old. His younger siblings were all present to hear the man defend the use of substances that alter minds and damages bodies and cause dependencies. 

I will jump right in and say that none of these things should be done to the Temple of God’s Spirit. God does not share His throne with anyone or anything nor does He want us abusing His temple for our selfish pleasures.

This is not a matter of salvation but a matter of obedience to and the fear of God. It’s a matter of good vs. bad fruit. It’s a matter of works that either demonstrates true faith or dead faith.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Matthew 18:6

I am a father whose family was exposed to these errors and thus by God’s command I must spiritually protect and guide them into truth.

My experience and studies have led me to know that when people defend sin then there is typically some form of stronghold setup in that person’s life. We all should have the same spirit that King David did when he wrote “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”.  (Psalm 139:23-24)

Please understand that this is a seriously grave issue. The Bible, as the Pastor actually said on that Sunday, teaches that there are higher standards that religious leaders are held to. This should not be diminished in any way as he did that day. It is about God’s word and the welfare of the souls that God loved enough that He died for them. We should not be encouraging people to indulge in self gratification the things that kill the body.

Let me ask this question. Is it ok for a 6 year old girl to drink one beer or have one cigarette?  A six year old girl was present that morning to hear that pastor’s sermon where he said nothing to indicate that there is anything wrong with this. I am asking this in a hypothetical context in which the law would allow this to occur of course. In the sermon we heard it was excusable. This is the same message that many hear in congregations across the world today. 

Why does the law not allow minors to drink and smoke but it does allow adults to do so? I would submit that these laws are examples of how our society has strayed so far from God’s word. The logic behind today’s laws is that these substances are damaging to the health of individuals and that adults are allowed to be able to choose whether or not they want to take on the associated risks that come through using body and mind altering substances such as cigarettes and alcohol. Regardless of any hypotheticals the reality is, a 2, 3, 6 and 8 year old heard the pastor say drinking and smoking were not sins and they did not hear that anyone of any age or religion were excluded. I definitely heard what they heard. He stated that these were not sins and that we could not challenge him due to the rules and boundaries that he had set up prior to the sermon. (Do not ask questions and do not judge...).

I have provided many verses below. God’s Word should never be manipulated to condone sin. God’s word teaches us clearly that being addicted to any substance and allowing for personal pleasure and the damaging of our bodies is never acceptable and it is sin.

Sin is going against the nature, will and Word of God. It is serving other god’s such as one’s self. John stated in 1 John 3:4 sin is the breaking of God’s law. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost and are commanded to care for our bodies.

I was previously guilty of sin when I was careless with my diet, when I was a glutton. I put my self at risk health-wise and had to come to terms that I was guilty for tearing down the temple of our Lord for my own personal satisfaction. I repented and took the beam out of my eye. Yes, the pastor was incorrect in the contextual usage of Matthew 7:1 that we could not judge. Verse 5 states clearly that one can and in other places it is clearly stated that we should judge others for the motes in their eyes. We are supposed to lift up in correction and edification brothers in Christ who are in error. Judging is critical in order for restoration to be accomplished. How can one come up alongside another to restore if he does not first judge that there is sin in that person’s life?

Another point to Matthew 7 is that I came out of a very serious situation when I was younger. I was drinking myself to death and smoked along the way. I knew I had to quit or die so I volunteered myself to a month long rehab program while I was in the Navy. It was a challenge worth taking and I am so grateful that I left that sin behind me and have not smoked or drank since then. I give no glory to myself in conquering this sin as only through Jesus was I able to do it. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13).  I have adequately removed the beam out of my eye and now can, per what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 7, without hypocrisy reprove and correct others and protect my family as well from fables being preached to itching ears (See 2 Timothy 4:1-5 below for context).

It is my clear understanding that this pastor was aware of what my family has gone through with drinking and smoking. To preach at any level that it is acceptable reaches beyond even secular decency but that is not what our standard is as we are held to the higher Biblical standard.

We as Christians are to never conform to the world but are to be set apart (Romans 12:1-2). We are not to be friends with the world (James 4:4).  The world drinks and smokes to alter their minds and to satisfy their flesh. When we make allowances towards Christians drinking and smoking we are taking on the appearance of the world and partaking in a friendship or “party” with the world. This is an abomination to the Lord. The Israelites were told many times to not do as the heathen do and Christians are told the same thing but at a much deeper level. We are to have no fellowship at all with the dark and to not have association at all with anything that is or perceived as evil.  (Deuteronomy 18:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

This pastor tried to setup a defense around his sermon by saying no one could interrupt him and then by using the Bible in regards to judging incorrectly. Interesting side note, the Catholic Church uses this ungodly doctrine called ex cathedra where the Pope cannot be questioned whenever he speaks in this capacity, regardless whether it agrees or not with scripture. Please keep in mind that the Word of God is to be used properly for reproving, correcting and instruction in righteous and not for the approving of sin. We should challenge folks to search the scriptures thoroughly to test whatever we are saying.

2 Timothy 3:16-17   All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

17   That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

Too many people get caught up in thinking that the Bible does not specifically state that we can or cannot smoke so they dance around the subject of liberty. It may sound extreme but it is very much relative when I ask, does the Bible state it is ok to snort cocaine? If the secular law allowed it would this also be ok to do as a Christian? Is this something that is beneficial to the body that houses the Spirit of God? Why is it not OK or will folks hold to a double standard on this to justify their particular vice, whatever it may be?

My 17 year old son and I were talking about the concerns we had over this issue and he wisely stated that Peter said we were not to abuse our liberty as a cloke of maliciousness but instead be servants of God. This does not say to be servants of ourselves. Doing pleasurable things on an addictive schedule is exactly what this is. Allowing oneself to be addicted to smoking and drinking is being a servant to self and not to God.

1 Peter 2:16   As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

Jesus came to set us free, to be at liberty, from the bondage of sin. He did not spill His Blood so we could make excuses to remain in the bondage of sin.

Luke 4:18-19   The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised

King David said that he walked at liberty because he seeks God’s precepts. These precepts are God’s rules that keep us safe from falling when we walk. It is trusting in our Creator for His guidance so we can be safe in a very dark world. This does not mean we are free to do whatever we want but instead it helps us know what we should and should not be doing to keep us safe and to make God happy. This has nothing to do with being saved as only Jesus can provide that, this only highlights how a new creature in Christ naturally behaves.

Psalms 119:45   And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. 

Paul emphasized as well that our liberty was from the bondage of sin and he did not say we are free to sin within our liberty.

Romans 8:21   Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

In no way do we have the right to do whatever we want in spite of how other people feel about it. On the contrary we are to be very careful in what they see in our lives. Our lives should be an open book. We are to always be above reproach. We should desire to be above reproach. That should be our nature as new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).

1 Corinthians 8:9   But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 

Some folks cling tightly to Galatians 2:4 and 5:1 stating that it is wrong to say that we cannot do certain things because we have liberty in Christ but Paul was not saying that. He was saying that people cannot come in and tell you that you must do ‘x’,’y’ and ‘z’ to be saved when in fact Jesus did it all. Going further into chapter 5 to verse 13 we have the verse that all Christians need to clearly understand. Our liberty is that we are free to do whatever we can to bring glory to God through serving others, not ourselves. In no way can anyone equate smoking and drinking being a service to others or for the glory of God. These only feed the flesh.

Galatians 2:4   And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage

Galatians 5:1   Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

Galatians 5:13   For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 

I want to emphasize the point on the care of the temple of God. In regards to smoking in general a point needs to be clarified here. Some people defend marijuana smoking by claiming that the mind altering component of this substance does not harm the user or those around the user. The logic here is faulty as there is damage to the user because of the smoke itself. Whether the smoke comes from a marijuana joint or a cigarette it is the smoke that is first and foremost a dangerous thing to the lung and to the body overall. 

Below was taken from WebMd. It is a proven fact that it is the smoke that kills more people in a fire than even the fire itself. In other words during fires people are more likely to die from smoke inhalation than burns received from the fire. This is speaking about smoke in general. The point here is that the lungs were not designed by God to take in smoke. Smoke and the tar and other chemicals that cigarettes put out cause the lungs to be damaged and their capacity to take in the oxygen needed for life is very much diminished. There are many people in churches around the world that have health issues that are directly associated to the abuse from smoking. This highlights the effects that smoking has on what should be the temple of God’s Spirit.

http://www.webmd.com/lung/smoke_inhalation_treatment_firstaid.htm?print=true

“The number one cause of death related to fires is smoke inhalation. An estimated 70% of fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation injuries rather than burns.”

The American Lung Association gives a good description as to how smoking hurts the lungs:  http://www.lung.org/about-us/our-impact/top-stories/lungs-101-how-does-smoking.html

Lungs 101: How Does Smoking Hurt Your Lungs?

“Smoking seriously damages your lungs in several important ways.  It interferes with your lungs’ natural cleaning and repair system. Smoking destroys the tiny hairs known as cilia that line the upper airways and protect against infection. Normally, your airways have a thin layer of mucus and thousands of cilia. The mucus traps the tiny particles of dirt and pollution you breathe in, while the thousands of cilia move like a wave to push the dirty mucus out of your lungs. When you cough, swallow or spit up mucus, the dirt leaves your lungs.

Because smoking destroys cilia, the dirt and pollution stays in your lungs, along with chemicals from cigarette smoke. This gunk in your lungs can put you at risk for developing lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chest infections and chronic cough.

Smoking also damages the air sacs, or alveoli, in the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe. The alveoli at the ends of your airways are like little stretchy balloons. When you breathe in, the alveoli help absorb oxygen, and when you breathe out, they help get rid of the waste gas, carbon dioxide. When you smoke, the alveoli become less stretchy, so it’s more difficult for your lungs to take in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. As alveoli are destroyed, the lungs transfer less and less oxygen to the bloodstream, causing you to feel short of breath”

Going back to the corrupted sermon, the pastor stated that as a man of God he should not drink wine but he said he was not going to let anyone stop him at his daughter’s wedding. He then mocked God by looking up to heaven with his arms in the air and jokingly flinched to indicate that he did not get struck by lightening. Remember that Paul told Timothy “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after” (1 Timothy 5:24). 

Alcohol at any level for a Christian is not a good idea unless it is used for genuine medicinal purposes (See 1 Timothy 5:23 below). Some Christians are confused and incorrect in thinking that being buzzed is not being drunk. Even secular society has this correct in that the Adcouncil here in the US states that “buzzed driving is drunk driving” (http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/). Texas state law states that one drink is enough to put someone in jail (See Chapter 49.01(2)(a) of the Penal Code in Texas). It cannot be argued. Just one drink (beer, wine, etc) does have an altering effect to some degree on the mind. For a lot of people just one drink is typically not the norm. This also includes many self professing Christians.  How is it that people get this wrong even with clear Biblical direction regarding the care of the temple of God?

I have not yet touched on the physiological effects on the body that alcohol has even in the healthiest of people. Alcohol is seen as a foreign and dangerous chemical by the liver and the liver is stressed any time it is tasked with having to purge alcohol from a system. Many people die from liver damage due to drinking but my emphasis is not on this specifically but more so on the mental effects alcohol has on a person. In essence the pastor stated that it was ok to drink to be happy such as a party, etc. Again, this is feeding the flesh and using one’s liberty contrary to the serving of others and glorifying God (See Galatians 5:13 listed further above).

The Bible does not state that we should be entertaining or feeding the flesh as the heathen do  (2 Peter 2:13) and that the end of our being is not based around our happiness as the heathen (humanists) believe but instead the end of a believer’s being is purely for the pleasure of God.

Philippians 2:12-13   Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

13   For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Is drinking and smoking seriously something that should be condoned by anyone, especially a Christian? For the Christian the Bible gives the clear answer as NO! 

1 Corinthians 3:15-17   If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

16   Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 

17   If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

1 Corinthians 6:9-20   Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 

10   Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

11   And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 

12   All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 

13   Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 

14   And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 

15   Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 

16   What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 

17   But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 

18   Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 

19   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

20   For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 

Paul spoke clearly in Romans chapter 6 (see below) that we should not take advantage of God’s grace by making excuses to sin. We are no longer under the law but we now have the fulfillment of the law living within us, the temple of God. We are no longer bound by sin and are now living in the liberty of God’s grace and thus it should be our desire to do good at all times to please Him through server others and not our selves. It is not so much a spirit that we ‘have to’ do good but more so it is we ‘get to’ and ‘want to’ do good. We are not saved by our works (See Ephesians 2:8-10 below) but instead should have the desire to walk in good works because He has saved us. James did say that our faith is dead if there are no works to testify that the faith is alive (See James 2:17-18 further below).

Romans 6:

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 

2   God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 

3   Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  

4   Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

5   For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

6   Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

7   For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

8   Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 

9   Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 

10   For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 

11   Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

12   Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 

13   Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 

14   For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 

16   Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

17   But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 

18   Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

19   I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 

20   For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 

21   What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 

22   But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

23   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Ephesians 2:8-10   For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

9   Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

10   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

James 2:17-18   Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

18   Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James 2:26   For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 

Think of the irony coming from those who try to Biblically justify smoking and drinking in light of James 2:26. They are damaging and destroying their body which is supposed to be where the spirit lives. These are dead works such as what Jesus referred to as not being good fruits and remember what He said would happen to the branches that did not bear good fruit:

Luke 3:9   And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

At the end of everything a believer must always ask, “Does what I am doing bring glory to God? Does what I am doing have any potential to cause a little child or anyone of any age to stumble?” if the answer to the first is ‘NO’ and the second is “YES” then the true believer should stop what they are doing and repent and sin no more. Jesus did not tell the adulterous woman that she was forgiven and that she was now at liberty to continue to fornicate. On the contrary, He said “go and sin no more”.

John 8:10-11   When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 

11   She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 

Below are more verses that were either referenced above or they are included as they should be read in light of this subject.

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 

12   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. 

Romans 8:12-13 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 

13   For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 

2 Peter 2

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 

2   And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 

3   And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 

4   For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 

5   And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 

6   And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 

7   And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 

8   (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 

9   The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 

10   But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 

11   Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 

12   But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 

13   And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 

14   Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 

15   Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 

16   But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 

17   These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 

18   For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 

19   While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 

20   For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 

21   For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 

22   But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 

Galatians 5:16-25  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

17   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. 

18   But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

20   Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 

21   Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

22   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

23   Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

24   And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

25   If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Ephesians 5:14-21   Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 

15   See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 

16   Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

17   Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 

18   And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 

19   Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 

20   Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 

21   Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

2   Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

3   Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.   

Romans 8:5-8    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. 

6   For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

7   Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

8   So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Galatians 6:7-8   Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 

8   For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

2 Timothy 2:19-22   Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 

20   But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 

21   If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 

22   Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

2 Corinthians 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13   There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 

Philippians 2:12-13   Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

13   For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Hebrews 10:26   For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 

Colossians 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. 

1 Peter 5:8   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

Matthew 7:1-5   Judge not, that ye be not judged. 

2   For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 

3   And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 

4   Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 

5   Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 

2 Timothy 4:1-5   I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 

2   Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

3   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

4   And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

5   But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 

1 Timothy 5:20-25   Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 

21   I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 

22   Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 

23   Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. 

24   Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 

25   Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17   All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

17   That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

James 5:19-20  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 

20   Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

Proverbs 10:17   He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. 

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18   Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 

15   And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 

16   And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

17   Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

18   And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

Deuteronomy 18:9   When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22   Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 

22   Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

Deuteronomy 21:18-21  If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: 

19   Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 

20   And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 

21   And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

In closing I did not know how to show my sincerity and thought it best to use Paul’s closing to the Corinthian church in his first epistle to them. This was a church struggling with sin and whom Paul chastened in word with the desire of helping them set straight their thinking in regards to sin and the handling of sin within the body.

1 Corinthians 16:22-24 and 2 Corinthians 13:11-14   If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 

23   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

24   My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

I do sincerely hope this reaches everyone well and that it is taken with much prayer and consideration.

Galatians 5:13   For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 

Jude 1:21-25  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 

22   And of some have compassion, making a difference: 

23   And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 

24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 

25   To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.