Immorality and the Disciple of Christ

We live in a very immoral age. We should not be surprised that this is so, as the Lord himself told us that the days just prior to his return would be like the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26–33). In the days of both Noah and Lot, the world was morally corrupt and utterly perverse - and the tragedy was that most people did not believe it was evil but were enjoying it.

For example, Lot went to his family with the message: “Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked [‘joked’] unto his sons in law” (Genesis 19:14). They did not believe that God would do such a thing, and so perished in the inferno of that city. God destroyed the wicked in the days of Noah and Lot and has said He will do this again. Sadly one of the problems today is that we can become so accustomed to the ways of wickedness now accepted in this evil age that we may not see the seriousness of God’s warning of coming judgment.

Paul lists some of the things that should form no part of the life of the disciple, but which are so often accepted in the world about us in 1 Corinthians 6:9–11. Note that Paul says that those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. It is a serious matter.

• “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

• Be not deceived:

• neither fornicators - Indulgence in a sexual relationship outside of marriage or before marriage is not permitted for the disciple of Christ. The world today condones this immoral behaviour but it is wrong - it is sin.

• nor idolaters - Idolatry can take many forms other than the pagan worship of idols. The disciple of Christ knows that there is one God whom he will love with all his heart. Anything else that takes the place of God as a priority in his life is an idol, whether a possession, job, sport or hobby. Covetousness is a form of idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

• nor adulterers - To have a sexual relationship with another person’s wife or husband is a serious sin. The disciple should not even look on another woman to lust after her, Christ said (Matthew 5:28).

• nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind - This is referring to immoral behaviour, including homosexual acts. Such behaviour has become widely accepted in the world today, but the disciple will have nothing to do with such evil practice (Romans 1:26–32).

• nor thieves, nor covetous - Stealing is wrong, and to desire or covet other people’s possessions is also a sin. Paul gives good advice to those who have had a problem with theft: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28).

• nor drunkards - see the section below on drinking, smoking and drugs.

• nor revilers, nor extortioners - This includes people who speak evil against others and those who take from others, usually by force.

• shall inherit the kingdom of God - Here is the power of Paul’s comment. If we do these things he has listed we will not inherit the Kingdom of God. God will not accept people who indulge in such practices to share the blessing and joy of His Kingdom.

• And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Note what Paul is saying in this last comment. Some of the Corinthian disciples had been involved in these things before they believed and obeyed the Gospel. The same is true today. When a person comes to hear the Gospel he or she may have been involved in some of this wrong behaviour. However, when they believe, repent of this way of life and are baptised into Christ their past sins are washed away - they are completely forgiven. What a relief to realise that through Christ we can be freed from our past sinful ways. But Paul warns that we must not return to those evil ways again.

Fashion in Dress

The disciple of Christ should also be aware of the world’s influence in this area. Fashion designers have no interest in God’s way; they focus on appealing to those three basic desires inherent in each one of us—“the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16) - and their advertising is all based upon this principle. The Scriptures clearly indicate that anything that is immodest or provocative is not fit apparel for the disciple of Christ. This particularly applies to women’s clothing. Paul gives guidance on this: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9).

Drinking, Smoking and Mind-Altering Drugs

The greatest faculty we have to serve God is our mind. Any substance which deliberately dulls the senses in any way hinders the disciple’s ability to follow Christ. We need to have a clear mind at all times to devote to meditation on His word, prayer and praise to Him. We need our full mental faculties to ward off temptation.

It is a well established fact that drinking alcohol or taking drugs can alter our mental judgment very readily. In those countries that have ‘drink-driving laws’ the penalties are very severe if a person drives while under the influence of alcohol. The reason is that their judgment is not sharp - they are endangering the lives of others as well as themselves. The disciple of Christ will always want to keep their mind sharp and clear.

Peter puts it this way: “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13–16).

Peter says that we need to have our minds under complete control because we must be striving to be holy as God is holy. To be involved in drug-taking or smoking certainly does not help the disciple to present his body “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”. Likewise the disciple will not allow alcohol to be his master, and also be thoughtful of the fact that if he drinks he may cause another disciple to stumble in his walk in Christ.

Many will be aware of the medical problems associated with these different substances. Most western countries now have clear warnings stating the dangerous effects that smoking can have on the lives of those who smoke - for example, one of those statements is “Smoking Kills”. As disciples of Christ we need to examine very thoughtfully and prayerfully why we would smoke if it could shorten the life God has given us to serve Him. To say that we enjoy the feeling we get from it is certainly not a valid answer, as there is no consideration of service or self-sacrifice in that.

Wise and faithful disciples will address these problems if they have been involved in them prior to coming to a knowledge of God’s ways of holiness.

We are not, of course, referring to the use of drugs for medical reasons, but to their recreational use indulged in for pleasure.

Entertainment and Free Time

How does the disciple relax and spend free time? This needs to be given serious consideration as the world has prepared endless ways to entertain people. The disciple needs to take control of the way they use the time they have been given by God - and spend it wisely and not in a way that will be detrimental in their service to Christ. The warning is: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16).

There are many positive ways to spend such time profitably, which still allow the relaxation which we all need in this busy and often stressful life. If possible it is good to visit others who share the same hope of the Gospel and enjoy time together. The sick and lonely need to be visited, and messages sent to fellow disciples to encourage and comfort them.

Physical activities can include walks, gardening, sports or hobbies with others of like mind, and then there is always the reading of uplifting books. Times spent with family, playing with children or helping those in need are very enjoyable and profitable. Indeed there are many activities that give good stimulation to mind and body for the disciple.

However, as we have said, the world is endeavouring to fill our free time. But the world’s idea of what is a ‘good time’ is far from the disciple of Christ’s ideal. The world will fill our minds with the most ungodly thoughts and pictures. It will offer the most ungodly activities. Invitations to such places as nightclubs, gambling places or the like should be declined - these places are not a wholesome environment for the disciple of Christ. Would we choose to be there if Jesus were with us?

Then there is the entertainment offered in film and video. Movie producers are well aware of how to capture our interest, and play upon arousing those very “lusts” which the apostle John says are “not of the Father, but of the world”. So much of what they offer is based upon those activities that Paul warned would prevent the disciple of Christ from inheriting the Kingdom of God. The disciple then would be foolish indeed to see a film that placards those evils before his eyes, leaving a lasting impression on his mind. Instead, he is “to gird up the loins of his mind” that he might be holy. The entertainment of this age being “of the world” and “not of the Father”, is “enmity against God”. If we extend this a little further, the disciple of Christ would need to seriously weigh up his use of television and entertainment, knowing it can bring such evil things into the heart of his home.

Also, we need to be cautious regarding the use of internet. The computer is an electronic tool that is very helpful in many areas. But it can also very easily be the means of allowing the disciple to view things that he ought not to allow his mind to dwell on - pornography and other shameful things that are contrary to the holiness he is striving to maintain in thought and action. If there is any likelihood of that, the disciple must take drastic action to remove such temptation. Christ warns: “If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (Mark 9:47). Note the uncompromising tone - he counsels us to be severe with ourselves, taking stern measures to remove anything that will hinder our whole-hearted and pure service to Him.

Adapted from “The Exploring the Bible Course” by David Evans