(07/20/2016) Why Is Lust Condemned?

Scripture points intended for priests, kings, and the sons and daughters of GOD through Jesus Christ are shared, today, to show why lust is condemned in the Bible.  Existence, life essence (we say, breath, spirit, word), and sacred knowledge appear only through operations of divinity.  It does not offend GOD that humankind requires correct knowledge and healthy understanding of a physical body that must endure aging, cleansing, dying, growing, maturing, sexual-joining, and reproducing.  As a mechanical aspect of the living, appetite should become focused and regularly express restraint through discipline, practice and training.  (For example, when we hunger, we can not remove the discomfort to our flesh by simply exercising imagination, logic, reason, and thought.  There must be observable movement in space to obtain and take in food.  More than this, one must be careful to avoid eating what is dangerous and poisonous.)  Where covetousness, carnal knowledge, and lust dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures their consciousness of divine law, sacred duty, eternal purpose, and their own status as heirs and offspring of GOD may be forgotten and suppressed.  What we might call the “appetite” and cravings by human flesh, our physical organs, and the four basic types of tissue (connective, epidermal, muscle, nerve) include chemical balance (called equilibrium or homeostasis), controlled motion, moisture, oxygen, rest, and refreshment.  The activities that appear through and within our emotional and intellectual faculties (we say, heart and mind) that also are regarded as forms of “appetite” include attraction, desire, fantasy, fervor, fixations, infatuation, longings, and passion.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information) posted the following:

Why is lust condemned in the Bible?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  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.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  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.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once:  but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  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.  For sin shall not have dominion over you:  for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  (Romans 6:  3-14, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016); On Controlling Lust (01/05/2016); The Origin of Sin? (07/31/2015); Is Sin a Matter of Temptation? (04/22/2015); When People Covet (12/22/2013); On Judging Preachers as “Fake” (12/23/2013); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)

“Anonymous”, Consider again the counsel for the sons and daughters of GOD recorded in the Bible:

(1.)  James 4:  1-6, King James Version (KJV):  1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  2 Ye lust, and have not:  ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:  ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.  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.  5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

(2.)  Galatians 5:  16-24, KJV:  16 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.  19 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.

(3.)  1st John 2:  15-17, KJV:  15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 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.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX 
Washington, DC

(02/28/2014) Behold What Manner of Love

A Scripture study on divine love is shared, today, with the focus upon sacred actions and deeds, rather than carnal affection, feeling, and passion.  For GOD, and those who are his children by faith, love appears through divinity allocating and distributing abundance, authority, and duty as well as continuing divine operations that include absolution, anointing, atonement, correction, forbearance, forgiveness, harvest, healing, incarnation, judgment, longsuffering, promise, prophecy, protection, repentance, revelation, sacrifice, and sanctification.  Divine love is inseparable from wrath against sin, and thereby, wrath is also an expression of divine love.

SOME THOUGHTS ON

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.  (1st John 3:  18-19, KJV)


Genesis 1:  26-28 (KJV)  26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.


Genesis 2:  18-25 (KJV)  18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them:  and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.  20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.  21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept:  and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;  22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:  she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:  and they shall be one flesh.  25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.


Genesis 3:  21-24 (KJV)  21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.  22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:  and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:  23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.


Deuteronomy 4:  26-31 (KJV)  26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.  27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.  28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.  29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.  30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;  31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.


Proverbs 27:  4-6 (KJV)  4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?  5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.  6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.


Psalms 141:  5 (KJV)  5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness:  and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head:  for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.


Micah 6:  8  (KJV)  8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?


Zephaniah 3:  17 (KJV)  17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.


Romans 8:  38-39 (KJV) 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


1st Corinthians 8:  3 (KJV)  3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.


2nd Timothy 1:  7-9 (KJV)  7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:  but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,


1st John 3:  1-3 (KJV)  3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.


1st John 4:  6-8 (KJV)  6 We are of God:  he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.  Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.  7 Beloved, let us love one another:  for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.


1st John 5:  1-3 (KJV)  1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:  and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:  and his commandments are not grievous.


Hebrews 12:  6-11 (KJV)  6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence:  shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:  nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.


There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood.  Again, readers are welcomed to add any verse or passage from Scripture that they would like to share in the comments area (see below).  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the workings of the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth, and the Testimony of Jesus in you.  Grow in grace.


This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  (1st John 1:  5, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/29/2013) Separated and Sealed?

      Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, keeping pledges and promises to the church, and the role of apostles concerning spiritual gifts are topics along with more on the passion of Christ at Gethsemane. A “Yahoo! Answers” Top Contributor using ID “cricketlady” (Level 7 with 109,398 points, a member since February 9, 2009) posted the following:

Who were the two people That God struck dead because they did Not keep their word?

There was this person or persons in the Old Testament that promised God that if they could sell a plot of ground that they would give all the money to “someone” and they sold the plot of ground and they kept part of the money it sold for. And God struck them Dead because they had lied. I believe they were even Asked~~”Is this all the money Or all that you got for the plot of ground: and the lied and said Yes.

Additional Details

And what was the role of Peter in the New Testament??


THE BATTLE AXE: The Passion at Gethsemane (03/28/2013)—Just as Jesus endured many experiences of inner disquiet that could only be resolved through prayer, reflection and unselfish service, every believer must experience unresolved spiritual events. What we typically call a “crisis of faith” in fact may be “such as is common to man,” and an aspect of spiritual growth that should be regarded as customary, predictable and standard (see again Psalms 37: 1-40, KJV). Only where properly anchored in things past and strengthened though the indwelling spirit, are followers of Christ able to embrace all the things that are ongoing as well as things prophesied and things yet to come. Where Jesus was in agony and sorrowed, it was not from self-pity, a notion that his ministry had failed, or for fear of suffering and death. His inner nature was resisting and fighting off the transformation whereby he would portray all sin upon the cross, and he was increasingly aware that the Father’s withdrawal had begun (see 2nd Corinthians 5: 21, 2nd Chronicles 24: 20, Psalm 22: 1, Mark 15: 34, KJV). His prayer vigil and submission at Gethsemane would also be Jesus’ answer to charges by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin that he was guilty of defiance, rebellion and blasphemy (see Matthew 26: 58-68, KJV).

  

THE GOLDEN ARROW: I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. (Isaiah 63: 7-10, KNV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Caesarea Philippi (10/22/2012); Upon This Rock (02/21/2012); Why Only Luke? (02/22/2012); Returning To GOD (02/23/2012); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Sin Against The Spirit (01/26/2012); Blasphemy? (03/06/2011); In The Rain? (03/07/2011); Conspiracy? (12/08/2010); Lost Faith? (12/09/2010); False Witness? (10/31/2010); Bible Complete? (11/01/2010)


      A husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira, are reported having “lied to the Holy Ghost” in Acts chapter 5, King James Version. The nature of their sin went beyond betrayal of the early church community, covetousness, debt, disorderly conduct, fraud, and perjury. The pair demonstrated blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. As new creatures alive in ongoing judgment before GOD through the Spirit of Jesus, the pair annulled their rebirth, broke covenant with the congregation of believers, and denied union with the Father and the Son. The two had no other source for life, and so, dropped dead as victims of their own choices for materialism. Given it is the absolute and total rejection of divinity, blasphemy against the Holy Ghost places a seal upon ones inner nature so that there can never be the rebirth and repentance that comes only by the operation of the Holy Spirit. The grace of GOD is permanently refused (see again 2nd Chronicles 24: 20 and Hebrews 10: 23-31, KJV).

      As an apostle, Peter had learned directly from Jesus as a constant companion, such that Peter was a living ark of testimony. While the work of the apostles did include baptizing new believers, exorcism, healing, preaching, and establishing new local congregations, their preeminence was that they had been specially prepared to serve as witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, and as witnesses for the Advent of the Holy Spirit. Peter, John and others were not given authority to bestow or remove the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. However, their demonstrations and prayers for others to receive the Spirit were usually answered; and the apostles then certified whether the manifestations were the same as those at Pentecost.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, Ananias and Sapphira are figures (types) like Adam and Eve. Neither pair assigned right value (judgment) upon their inheritance from GOD (the Holy Spirit that covered their nakedness, and the Holy Ghost that fell on Pentecost). Therefore, righteous judgments from GOD were revealed to admonish, benefit and guide all who thereafter would be endowed with spiritual gifts from GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/28/2013) The Passion at Gethsemane

      Focus, today, is upon the passion of Christ, and there is more on the Advent of the Holy Spirit. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Billy” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since March 27, 2013) posted the following:


Why did jesus sweat blood?


THE BATTLE AXE: The Spirit and Pentecost (03/27/2013)—The holy seeds planted by Christ were words of proclamation, promise, and prophecy while the actual harvest was to be the glory of the earth contained as the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD. Called the “promise of the father” (see Acts 1: 4 and 8, KJV), the Comforter (John 14: 26, KJV) and the Spirit of Truth (John 15: 26, KJV), the Spirit found in Jesus was to indwell and transform mankind. The entire Holy Spirit as a person of the GODhead cannot be deposited into mankind. However, mankind receives peculiar gifts that are divine substance representing the life of Jesus, and permitting the further revelation of GOD. As joint-heirs with Jesus, only partial authority and power are bestowed upon mankind, while Christ as the firstborn from death is exalted and preeminent above all (Matthew 28: 17-19 and Colossians 1: 18, King James Version).


THE GOLDEN ARROW: And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. (2nd Samuel 15: 30, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Accomplished in Christ? (01/16/2013); The Need to Purify Heaven (01/17/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012); (09/15/2011) Dispatch 36: His Grace; (08/24/2011) Dispatch 16: The Ally (Wounded); To Save Jesus? (03/12/2011); Having Life? (03/13/2011); The Lord’s Prayer (12/18/2010); Awesomeness? (12/19/2010)


      Billy, many mature Christian believers understand the passion and suffering of Jesus began immediately following the last Passover meal and introduction of the Lord’s Supper that we call “Holy Communion.” His thoughts regarding the purposes of GOD became increasingly troubled and unclear. Jesus did not doubt, yet, he experienced a frightening uncertainty, and an overwhelming sense of sorrow. The agony of crucifixion began within his spirit through the separation for betrayal that was committed by Judas. Just as the rebellion of Absalom against his father King David displayed the wrath of GOD against David in particular, against his entire household and against the covenant nation, Judas leaving the assembly depicts the rejection of Christ by the Temple elders, by all Israel, and by the world as described through the Roman Empire. More than this, Jesus again saw the unchanging wrath of GOD against sin leveled against all the earth as at Noah’s day, and that, both the condemnation and salvation for mankind was being sealed.

      The holy writings report his prayers at that time (see Matthew 26: 36-46 and Mark 14: 32-43, KJV). Specifically we read: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (See Luke 22: 44, King James Version.) Many read this as saying, Jesus was pouring out his life as he prayed. More correctly, the aspects of flesh are brought into view, for sweat represents effort (works rather than faith) as well as uncleanness (we say “dis- fellowship,” “enmity” and “sin”). His mortality is affirmed, and his death is again foreshadowed as the sweat is swallowed up by the earth (from dust thou art…).

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, in spirit, the trial initiated by Judas was a continuation of the trial from Satan that followed the baptism by John at the Jordan River (e.g., Matthew 4: 1-11, KJV). Many things were unknown to Jesus, and he had to go forward on the basis of his faith not having seen or heard the testimony from heaven that had been given to John (the dove, the voice). Forty burning days and freezing desert nights without food and drinks challenged Jesus to commit himself to a total dependence upon GOD, as would the lash, the crown of thorns, the nails and splinters of the cross.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC