Holiness – Part 2
Bibleway Christian Life Centre
Here are some important areas in which the principles of separation and dedication must be applied:
1. Attitudes
For example: jealousy, bitterness, envy, a critical spirit, rebellion OR kindness, patience, obedience to authority, etc. (Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 4:31-32)
2. Thoughts
Evil thoughts will defile us for we will become what we think about. We are taught in scriptures that our thoughts can become obedient to Christ, thus we are told to think on good things. (Prov. 23:7, Matt. 15:18- 20, 2 Cor. 10:5, Phil. 4:8)
3. The Use of the Tongue
(Jam. 1:26, 3:1-12, 4:11, 5:12)
4. The Use of the Eye
The eye is the gate of the soul. Whatever we allow into our eyes we are allowing into our souls. We ought therefore to choose carefully our reading material such that we do not fill our minds with sensuality, vulgarity and sin. Furthermore, because all of these evils and many more are openly displayed on television we advise that it should be avoided, as far as is possible.
(Ps. 101:3, 119:37, Matt. 6:22-23)
5. Adornment and Dress
The Bible clearly teaches the principle of sex distinction in dress. Applying this teaching to modern culture, it is clear that men ought not to wear dresses and women ought not to wear trousers. The Bible also teaches the modesty of dress, in its teaching against jewelry, clothing that immodestly exposes the body or extravagant attire. (Deut. 22:5, 1 Tim. 2:9, 1 Pet. 3:1-6)
6. Hair
Hair length is another God-ordained means of establishing sex distinction. The Bible teaches that men should have short hair and that women should have long uncut hair. (1 Cor. 11:13-15)
7. Stewardship of the Body
Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. As such, it should not be defiled with anything that causes intoxication or addiction, e.g., alcohol, tobacco, drugs. (1 Cor. 3:16-17, 6:12, 19-20)
8. Sexual Relationships
The Bible soundly condemns all sexual relationships outside of monogamous marriage. It also condemns lustful actions or thoughts. (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Col. 3:5)
9. Respect for Human Life
(Ex. 20:13, Matt. 5:44, Acts. 15:29)
10. Prejudice
The Bible soundly condemns all prejudice, partiality or favoritism, based on either race, social class or gender, all should be treated equally. (Acts 10:34, Rom. 2:11, Gal. 3:28, 1 Tim. 5:21)
Conclusion
God’s law can be summed up in this saying:
Love God with your entire being and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:35-40, Mk. 12:28-31, Rom. 13:8-10)
The above ten points ought not to be viewed as rules, regulations or laws but ought to be seen as God’s will for you. The supreme goal of every Christian ought to be to live a life that is pleasing to God and a testimony to men. He that would please God and testify to men can only do so by being holy. If these ten principles are faithfully implemented one has began to please God and speak to men.
Holiness – Part 2
1. Please name two bad attitudes and two good attitudes. __________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Please explain why our thoughts must become obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) ______________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Please explain why our words need to be controlled by the Spirit. _________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is wrong with feasting our eyes upon evil?_______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Where does the Bible teach the principle of sex distinction in dress?
Scripture: _______________________________________________________________________
6. In what way does the Bible teach the modesty of dress? _________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Is hair length another God-ordained means of establishing sex distinction? If so, how. ________
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8. Why ought not a Christian to drink alcohol, use tobacco or drugs? Please quote a scripture to support your views. _______________________________________________________________
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9. Does the Bible soundly condemn all sexual relationships outside of monogamous (one man-one woman) marriage including lustful actions or thoughts? Please quote a scripture to support your answer. _________________________________________________________________________
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10. Under what circumstances are we allowed to be violent and even kill? ____________________
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11. Is prejudice, partiality or bias based on either race, social class or gender a sin? Please quote a scripture to support your answer. ____________________________________________________
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12. What one sentence would you say sums up the law of God? ____________________________
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This article ‘Holiness – Part 2’ was excerpted from: Milk of the Word: Discipleship Manual by Bibleway Christian Life Centre. 1993. It may be used for study & research purposes only.
