A few weeks ago, the High School Youth compiled their top ten items of interest and each Wednesday for the next several weeks we’ll tackle one at a time, searching the Bible for God’s take on each one.
I’m catching up on these lesson recaps: so here are mega-brief recaps of numbers 10-8. A recap of number 7 will come sometime next week.
#10: Hanging with Non-Christians
Jesus said: You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:17-19).
Look around and see that people are stumbling like they’re walking in the dark (Proverbs 4:19). We’ve been given night-vision goggles and we’re unloving if we don’t try to point the way.
#9: Talking, Texting, and Facebook
Five principles:
1. Less is best. Proverbs 10:19 says: When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
2. Talk with your ears. James 1:19 says: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…
3. The heart starts it. In Luke 6:5, Jesus teaches that what comes out of our mouths emanates from our hearts. So, don’t try to improve your communication. Ask God to improve your heart through Jesus.
4. Truth + Love. Color between these two lines and your communication will be great (Ephesians 4:15).
5. Put deodorant on your tongue. Ephesians 4:29; 5:4 says: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Corrupt, filthy, foolish, crude, talking are the verbal equivalent of not wearing deodorant or taking a shower. Maybe all those dumb inside jokes aren’t sinful; but they make you stink…
#8: Demons, Exorcism, and Possession
Satan is real and active (1 Peter 5:8); but if we remain educated about his schemes, he won’t gain the upper hand in our lives (2 Corinthians 2:11). He and his servants work through the extraordinary demonic (things like torment, physical illness, false miracles, etc.) and the ordinary demonic.
The ordinary demonic mainly takes the form of deception (John 8:44). Satan’s deception takes primarily two forms: temptation (1 Thessalonians 3:5) and accusation (Revelation 12:10).
The bottom line: it’s best not to think in black-and-white terms of demon possession vs. demon-free. Rather, think in terms of a continuum, with total freedom from demons on one side and total bondage to demons on the other. We all fall somewhere on this continuum. The more we believe his lies of temptation (“____ will bring you more pleasure than seeking God”) and accusation (“You are hopeless, worthless, and pathetic.”) the further we’re dragged down the continuum toward enslavement. The more we believe the truths of Scripture (there is nothing as satisfying as God; there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus – only freedom and forgiveness, etc.) the further we’re pulled up the continuum toward freedom (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
So, pour the truth of Scripture into your mind and walk in the light.
