Slaves of Depravity

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Stephen Nielsen

I have been reading from 2 Peter. Chapter two has got my attention and I will try to bring it out. I’m not sure if Peter is trying to pinpoint any particular group or just generally speaking of depravity. What comes to my mind most is the gay crowd, those who call themselves the LGBTQ community. They are probably the most depraved, and most of chapter two seems to fit them. Also, it seems to fit the context, where Peter began talking of how God had to destroy the ancient world because of their sin, and also of Sodom and Gomorrah. I will just go through the chapter and highlight a few verses and show how it seems that God is speaking to us today on the same type of thing.

Starting at verses 6-9. If we think this world is like the ancient world we should be warned, but also take heart. He will keep us who are righteous like He did Noah. But He will also punish those wicked like He did before.

From verse 12. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct. I would say that all those who are of the porn industry and users, and of the gay pride group are like animals. They don’t stop to reason what they are doing and what the consequences will be. They just follow their lustful desires.

From verses 13-14. They seem to get pleasure in carousing in broad daylight—reveling in their pleasures—eyes full of adultery. I especially see this in the pride parades where you see all kinds of lewd things, anything that will shock you. It gives them pleasure because it breaks down their consciences so that they have no sense of what is right and wrong. They are just being rebellious toward God—as a rebellious child.

From verses 18-19. By appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people; they promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity. This is so sad. They think they live in freedom, freedom to do whatever they want. But in doing what they do, they are enslaving themselves to depravity. They are becoming addicted to it. They are unaware that their addiction to sensuality is destroying their body.

In 1 Cor. 6:18 Paul tells us that “whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” Yes, that sin slowly destroys their body. Many end up with anxiety and depression problems, and mental disorders. And I am afraid for all of the pride people. They are destroying themselves—mentally, emotionally, and physically; and they are making it harder for themselves to repent and come to the truth. Though God can still save them.

Dressing Modestly

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Timothy 2:8-10

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

This passage is good for me as a man, because my lustful old nature is attracted to women who are not modest. And those women are also acting on their old lustful nature. Hence, there is sin on both sides. Also, the Christian man is wrong if he does not keep himself in prayer always—not committing all things to God.

In this passage Paul is addressing the Christian woman especially, who are to dress modestly. They should know better. And so, they should be an example to other younger women and women of the world, as well as to be an example of a pure women to all men.

In this evil world, all of us who are believers should do all we can to encourage purity and holiness. And this issue of being modest in our dress, is such an easy thing for us to do. It is how we should start the day. Let not any Christian do otherwise. Also, let every man look away from any woman who is dressed inappropriately!

Be Not Overcome of Evil, But Overcome Evil with Good

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Stephen Nielsen

That verse, from Romans 12:21, was put in front of me last night after I prayed, “Lord, give me a Scripture verse to guide me.”

Sometimes, occasionally, I feel overcome by evil. But here, I reasoned, is a way to counter it. I can overcome evil when it comes against me by doing good. It does not have to overcome me—and get me down.

Another verse, earlier, verse nine, says “Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

I am wondering how exactly to read these verses; in what context? Well, certainly, as it is here, it is regarding evil men of the world. But in a broader sense we can take it as all the evils of the devil and the world and the flesh. It all will overcome us if we let it. How many ways can evil overcome us? Many ways! But we can overcome it all by doing good—in the will of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I think there are as many good things we can do as there is evil. And in every good deed there is prayer behind it, and hospitality. And in all the good we do we are loving God and are looking up to Him. If we are weary and feel beaten down, we can have hope in Him and rely on Him in all we do and in all we think about.