Be very careful, then, how you livenot as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:15-18 (NIV)
Party on Wayne! Such was the main theme of the character named, Wayne Campbell, in the 1993 movie titled, Waynes World. A film that depicted spoofs of lifestyles lived in the 70s and 80s and revolved around a couple of slackers who try to promote their public access cable program. The advertisement for the movie featured the reviews of professional movie critics, which comprised the tagline, Youll laugh, Youll cry, Youll hurl.
I cant help but think of how the enemy has used the promotion of this and similar movies to propagate the fun one could have while getting drunk, and wasted in life. And to plant seeds for a future crop to tempting sins, all while simultaneously reminding us as a culture of how funny it is when people live this way.
I would think that most people could spend a few moments reflecting on past participations and say, What was I thinking? Im sure each and every one of us can fill in the blank when it came to giving a story of past times where we have done things which we would not choose to do again. After all, isnt this the point of our experience and wisdom derived through our failures associated with poor choices?
But what if we dont apply those lessons we have learned? What if we see the mistakes and yet, we still go out and participate in these same things? How are we any smarter, or wiser? Well, truth be told, were not!
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 (NKJV)
Worse yet, we can actually cause others to stumble in these same areas we are participating in. We are told in Ephesians 5:15-18 to be careful how we live. Were to take note of the way we live before others. Were no longer to live for our own personal pleasures, and ourselves but instead, with regards to indulging in drinking, were told not to get drunk on wine. Before we start splitting hairs here, we need to know that Paul isnt just talking about wine here; hes talking about alcohol in general.
There are some who would answer, But Im not getting drunk! Im simply having a few drinks. That may be true. Maybe you only have one drink, or you may have developed a tolerance for even drinking more than most without having disabling effects, but, again, that is not entirely the point here. I am not talking about being legalistic. It isnt a matter of right or wrong with regards to having a glass of wine or a beer. God has given us freedom through our relationship with Jesus with regards to attempting to live a righteous life by obeying His law.
The fact is, we could never do it. We could never perfectly keep the law, nor was it was ever established for that purpose. The law was established to show us that we were incapable of obeying it perfectly, and to show us that we were sinful and in need of a savior.
So now we have been given the Savior in Jesus Christ, and we are to live differently because of this. We now have the power to say no, to the very things that kept us in bondage before. We can see these truths in Gods Word in the following passages of 1 Corinthians:
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1Corinthians 6:12 (NKJV)
&all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 1Corinthians 10:23 (NKJV)
So even though God still gives us the freedom to choose to do these things, I now, choose not to, because these things might cause me to come under their control, and they certainly wont edify those within my life. He has enabled me to choose not to do them through the power of His Holy Spirit. And because I understand how much He loves me, I am going to choose to live in a way, which glorifies and honors Him.
We need to think of these things before we attend parties and social activities where we will face these temptations. We need to guard our minds to these temptations to live in the flesh and to appease our wanting to fulfill these desires. If we truly love others in the way God intended for us to, then we would choose to abstain from partaking in anything that might cause another person to stumble in their walk with God, or potentially knowing God. Nor should we applaud, endorse, or encourage those who are partaking in these activities.
We, as Christians, know the things that are sinful, and these lead to death. We are told in Romans, we are no better than those who practice them if we approve of those who practice them.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about our freedom to choose with regards to the effects of the choices according to the scriptures above in 1 Corinthians?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you relate to making choices that may have caused others to stumble in their walk with God?
APPLICATION: Choose to live in a way others may look freely into your life, and not be stumbled. If youre doing something which is not glorifying to God, then lay it at His feet today. Know in your heart; you have the freedom to choose to do this, but it may be causing others to stumble and fall. Once youve made the decision to do what is loving, God will provide the power to follow through on this commitment. Put your faith In Him, not yourself or your abilities.
Party on Wayne! Such was the main theme of the character named, Wayne Campbell, in the 1993 movie titled, Waynes World. A film that depicted spoofs of lifestyles lived in the 70s and 80s and revolved around a couple of slackers who try to promote their public access cable program. The advertisement for the movie featured the reviews of professional movie critics, which comprised the tagline, Youll laugh, Youll cry, Youll hurl.
I cant help but think of how the enemy has used the promotion of this and similar movies to propagate the fun one could have while getting drunk, and wasted in life. And to plant seeds for a future crop to tempting sins, all while simultaneously reminding us as a culture of how funny it is when people live this way.
I would think that most people could spend a few moments reflecting on past participations and say, What was I thinking? Im sure each and every one of us can fill in the blank when it came to giving a story of past times where we have done things which we would not choose to do again. After all, isnt this the point of our experience and wisdom derived through our failures associated with poor choices?
But what if we dont apply those lessons we have learned? What if we see the mistakes and yet, we still go out and participate in these same things? How are we any smarter, or wiser? Well, truth be told, were not!
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 (NKJV)
Worse yet, we can actually cause others to stumble in these same areas we are participating in. We are told in Ephesians 5:15-18 to be careful how we live. Were to take note of the way we live before others. Were no longer to live for our own personal pleasures, and ourselves but instead, with regards to indulging in drinking, were told not to get drunk on wine. Before we start splitting hairs here, we need to know that Paul isnt just talking about wine here; hes talking about alcohol in general.
There are some who would answer, But Im not getting drunk! Im simply having a few drinks. That may be true. Maybe you only have one drink, or you may have developed a tolerance for even drinking more than most without having disabling effects, but, again, that is not entirely the point here. I am not talking about being legalistic. It isnt a matter of right or wrong with regards to having a glass of wine or a beer. God has given us freedom through our relationship with Jesus with regards to attempting to live a righteous life by obeying His law.
The fact is, we could never do it. We could never perfectly keep the law, nor was it was ever established for that purpose. The law was established to show us that we were incapable of obeying it perfectly, and to show us that we were sinful and in need of a savior.
So now we have been given the Savior in Jesus Christ, and we are to live differently because of this. We now have the power to say no, to the very things that kept us in bondage before. We can see these truths in Gods Word in the following passages of 1 Corinthians:
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1Corinthians 6:12 (NKJV)
&all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 1Corinthians 10:23 (NKJV)
So even though God still gives us the freedom to choose to do these things, I now, choose not to, because these things might cause me to come under their control, and they certainly wont edify those within my life. He has enabled me to choose not to do them through the power of His Holy Spirit. And because I understand how much He loves me, I am going to choose to live in a way, which glorifies and honors Him.
We need to think of these things before we attend parties and social activities where we will face these temptations. We need to guard our minds to these temptations to live in the flesh and to appease our wanting to fulfill these desires. If we truly love others in the way God intended for us to, then we would choose to abstain from partaking in anything that might cause another person to stumble in their walk with God, or potentially knowing God. Nor should we applaud, endorse, or encourage those who are partaking in these activities.
We, as Christians, know the things that are sinful, and these lead to death. We are told in Romans, we are no better than those who practice them if we approve of those who practice them.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about our freedom to choose with regards to the effects of the choices according to the scriptures above in 1 Corinthians?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you relate to making choices that may have caused others to stumble in their walk with God?
APPLICATION: Choose to live in a way others may look freely into your life, and not be stumbled. If youre doing something which is not glorifying to God, then lay it at His feet today. Know in your heart; you have the freedom to choose to do this, but it may be causing others to stumble and fall. Once youve made the decision to do what is loving, God will provide the power to follow through on this commitment. Put your faith In Him, not yourself or your abilities.
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