Articles
Saying "No" To Self
Some people believe the Bible is just a bunch of "Thou shalt not's" and restricts us from doing anything remotely enjoyable. Such a view most often comes from a misunderstanding or a lack of understanding, rather than from a deep study of God's word. Yes, God certainly forbids and prohibits certain behavior, but there is positive instruction, too; such is the case with most all instruction, where both positive and prohibitive commands and instruction are given.
We should not be surprised by this fact, for any parent will tell you that he or she wonders sometimes if all that is ever said to a toddler is "No! No! No!" No doubt, the child might begin to think that all the parent ever says is "No," but it is said so often because the child is attempting behavior that is destructive, hateful to others, or even harmful to the child. For awhile, the parents do say "No" far more frequently than words of permission, and only because the child is learning and pushing the boundaries to see what is acceptable. During those times, the prohibitive commands far outnumber the positive instruction, but there comes a time when the parent must start teaching his or her child what can and should be done. Eventually, if the child learns the boundaries, there will be more and more positive instruction and more freedom because the child has learned what is and is not acceptable, and is able to exercise self-control in making wise decisions.
In spiritual matters, it will seem like the Bible is a bunch of "No's" at first — when we are spiritually immature and even as babes in Christ. When we have little knowledge of God's word, or when we are new to the faith, it may certainly seem like the Bible says nothing but "Thou shalt not," but spiritually maturity will help us to see that the prohibitions are for our spiritual good, and that there are many positive commands and permissions. The key here is spiritual maturity; without growing in knowledge and in spiritual strength, we may never get to see that the Bible is profitable and beneficial.
And, as with raising children, there may be occasions where some get to a certain level of maturity where they are expected to make sound decisions, and do not have to be closely monitored in everything they do. Unfortunately — whether speaking of raising children or speaking of spiritual matters — some will use this newfound liberty and trust to then do the very things they taught not to do. Some will again test the limits and boundaries, constantly challenging the rules to see what is allowed or what they think they can "get away with," but there is a certain mindset that believes that once they become a Christian, they are now free to do whatever they want.
The apostle Paul addressed this attitude when writing to the brethren at Rome, and it was in his letter he asked, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Rom. 6:1). Some were apparently thinking that since God's grace covered their sins, they were then free to live however they wanted and God's grace would "take care of it." Paul's immediate answer to this question was clear: “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Rom. 6:2). He would later add, “we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin” (Rom. 6:6, 7), and concluded, “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:11).
As Christians, we must learn to do the positive commands of our Lord, but we must also not forget the "No's" we learned; what was forbidden is still forbidden, and just because we wear the name of Christ doesn't not mean those laws no longer apply. In fact, wearing the name of Christ should cause us to be all the more cautious to not do the forbidden things, for it is His name we disparage and besmirch when we do the prohibited things. As Christians, we should not be seeing how close to the world we can get and still be deemed 'acceptable' to God, but rather striving to be more like God and Christ; we should be showing the world what godliness and holiness is, because God's people are supposed to be different.
Paul's admonition to the early disciples was that they “walk properly toward those who are outside” (1 Thess. 4:12), and, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Col. 4:5). Peter also admonished the early disciples to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles” (1 Pet. 2:11), and to live “as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God” (1 Pet. 2:16). Why is it so important that Christians live godly lives? Peter answers: “that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God” (1 Pet. 2:12). If we use our liberty [in Christ] as a cover for sinful behavior, the world will certainly not glorify God!
Unfortunately, there are many who believe that how a Christian lives doesn't matter. In fact, one man said, "…all the sins he may commit from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any more danger...The way a man lives has nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul." [Sam Morris, "Do a Christian’s Sins Damn His Soul?", 1948.] Sadly, many believe this, and live as if they were still in the world and not in Christ; many more may not claim to believe this, but live like they believe it!
Brethren, let us not fool ourselves, for we are certainly not fooling God, and not likely fooling anyone else. James reminds us, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:21, 22). His charge to the early disciples was that they put away the worldliness and ungodliness of the former life, and be “doers of the word” — to live as Christians are supposed to live.
Spiritual maturity is not a matter of simply attaining to some point where we have gained the trust of others that we are knowledgeable and trustworthy, only to then live unrestrained and lawless lives. Spiritual maturity is getting to a point where we are knowledgeable enough and strong enough to exercise self-control when we are faced with temptations and opportunities to sin. Spiritual maturity is being able to say "No" to self when no one else is around to say it for you, and recognizing God's word still says "No" to sin — even when it is very appealing — and accepting that "No." Spiritual maturity comes from a constant desire for, and application of, God's word (1 Pet. 2:2), and it is when we cease going to God's word that we 'forget' those commands and prohibitions, and we convince ourselves what we once knew to be sinful behavior is not somehow 'acceptable.'
Becoming a Christian is not a "get out of jail free" card that gives us license to live however we want without fear of the consequences; becoming a Christian is a conscious decision to “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts…and…put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-24). Becoming a Christian is a choice to deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts, [and] live soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:12). Let us choose to put away these things, and strive for godliness.
—— Steven Harper
