THE BASIS OF A DELIVERANCE

This is a very simple look into the world of deliverance. It is by no means a complete manual, but I hope it helps to give a better understanding of how this process works.

Know who you are in Christ

For one, we must understand what Christ has done for us, and where we stand. If we are believers in Christ Jesus, then we are seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph 2:6). This places us up above the angelic (and demonic) realm, and right up there next to Jesus! So instead of looking up at the demons, we can now look down upon them, which makes a big difference when you're doing spiritual battle.

Understand our authority over the enemy

It is also vital to understand the authority given to us over all powers of the enemy. We have been given authority over all powers of the enemy (Luke 10:19 & Mark 16:15-18). I believe with authority, we are given responsibility. I don't believe we are to pray and ask the Lord to cast the demon out, I believe that is something we ourselves are to do. I know when it comes to binding and loosing, there is nowhere in the NT that it tells us to pray and ask God to bind the devil. But it does say that WE are to bind, and WE are to loose. Matthew 16:19, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever *thou* shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever *thou* shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Jesus gave us the keys, but it's up to us to use them!

"Legal rights"

There are a set of 'rules' that apply in the spiritual realm. When we violate these rules, it opens us up to the enemy. The Old Testament is a great place to learn about these rules. For example, if a man sleeps with his brother's wife, this can bring a curse upon them of childlessness (Lev 20:21). Getting involved with the occult is a big door opener, and so are sexual sins. Sometimes our ancestors don't help matters any (Exodus 20:5). Some other common doors include being bitter and unforgiving (Matthew 18:23-35), un-confessed sins, and holding onto cursed objects (such an occult rings or idols).

Understanding what Jesus did for us

Jesus shed His blood to set us free from the "curse of the law." Therefore, if we have picked up any curses (from our actions, our family bloodline, etc.), we can be freed from them! It is important to understand that Jesus has paid the price for our complete (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, etc.) freedom! If you don't believe it, it's hard to claim it.

Closing doors and destroying legal rights

Before a demon is cast out, it is important to close the doors that have been opened to him and any rights he may be using to stay there. This is most often done through repentance (confessing and turning from our sins - more serious sins may need to be confessed by name), renouncing (this means to formally give up - do this out loud so the enemy can hear you), taking a stand to forgive those who have wronged you, and breaking of curses (this is done using our authority in Jesus). If there are any physical objects that you've been holding onto that are tied in with the occult, then those need to be destroyed, as they can hold demonic spiritual value.

Cast the demon(s) out!

Now stand on your authority and cast those demons out! I do caution to read more on deliverances before attempting this, because dealing with the demonic when you are unexperienced can be dangerous and unless you feel God leading you to flush the demon out of hiding, you might better grab a book such as Unbound by Neil Lozano and get a better understanding of how this ministry works. Once you understand it, you will feel a lot more relaxed and know how to handle the demons as they manifest.

It's important to know our 'rights' (what Jesus did for us, our authority, etc.). It is also important to know who we are in Christ. One of the most important steps in a deliverance, is to figure out what opened the door to the enemy (legal rights), and close those doors. Then it's a matter of using our authority to cast out the evil spirits out.

MULUNGU ANALI MISIRI WA DANIELI

Iwo amene andilemekeza Ine ndidzakhala ulemu. 1 Samueli 2:30.

Mu kupeza nzeru ya Babulo, Danieli ndi anzake anali kutali bwino kuposa anzawo ophunzira; koma kuphunzira sanabwere mwangozi. Iwo analandira nzeru zawo ndi wokhulupirika ntchito mphamvu zawo, motsogozedwa ndi Mzimu Woyera. Iwo anaika okha mogwirizana ndi Gwero la nzeru zonse, kupanga kudziwa Mulungu maziko a maphunziro awo. Chikhulupiriro iwo anapempha Mulungu kuti amuthandize, ndipo anakhala mapemphero awo. Iwo anaika okha kumene Mulungu awadalitse. Iwo kupewa zimene zingachepetse ulemu mphamvu zawo, ndi bwino mpata uliwonse kukhala wanzeru zonse a maphunziro. Iwo anatsatira malamulo a moyo sakanakhoza kulephera kuwapatsa mphamvu ya nzeru. Iwo anafuna kukhala kudziwa cholinga chimodzi-kuti amalemekeza Mulungu. Iwo anazindikira kuti kuima monga oimira chipembedzo choona pakati pa zipembedzo zonyenga za chikunja ayenera clearness wa nzeru ndi ungwiro ayenera Mkhristu khalidwe. Ndipo Mulungu mwini anali mphunzitsi. Nthawi zonse kupemphera, kuphunzira mosamala, kulemberana makalata ndi Zosaoneka, anayenda ndi Mulungu monga anachitira Enoch.

Moyo wabwino uliwonse mzere wa ntchito si chifukwa cha mwayi kapena ngozi kapena mapeto. Ndi cholinga cha Mulungu providences, mphoto ya chikhulupiriro ndi nzeru, ndi ukoma ndi kulimbikira. Zabwino maganizo makhalidwe ndi makhalidwe kamvekedwe si chifukwa cha ngozi. Mulungu amapereka mwayi; tipambane pa ntchito anapanga a iwo.

Pamene Mulungu anali kugwira ntchito mu Danieli ndi anzake "kufuna ndi kuchita zomukondweretsa bwino" (Afilipi 2:13), iwo ankagwira ntchito chipulumutso chawo. Umo chaululidwa kukwaniritsidwa kwa Mulungu mfundo za mgwirizano, akapanda ichi, palibe moyo wabwino angakhululukidwe. Umunthu avails kanthu mphamvu; ndipo popanda zochita, Mulungu khama ndi ambiri, koma analephera. Kuti chisomo cha Mulungu wathu, tiyenera kuchita mbali yathu. Chisomo chapatsidwa kwa ntchito mwa ife kufuna ndi kuchita, koma m'malo mwa kuyesetsa.

Monga Ambuye mogwirizana ndi Daniel ndi anzake, kotero Iye kugwirizana ndi onse amene amayesetsa kuchita chifuniro Chake. Ndi impartation Mzimu Wake Iye kulimbikitsa aliyense cholinga chenicheni, aliyense wofuna kusamvana. Amene amayenda m'njira ya kumumvera amakumana ambiri Zolepheretsa. Wamphamvu, zikoka kuti amange kuti dziko; koma Ambuye amatha amamasulira kanthu aliyense Bungweli ntchito kugonjetsedwa kwa osankhidwa Ake; mu mphamvu iwo kugonjetsa mayesero onse, kugonjetsa aliyense movutikira.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP?

If you are a person who wants to be in a relationship, have you thought about why? Actually, there are two very different reasons for wanting a relationship. The first is about what you want to get, and the second is about what you want to learn and share.

Wanting a Relationship in Order to Get

If you ask people why they want a relationship, many will say things like:

I want someone to love me and make me feel special and worthy.

I don't want to be alone and lonely anymore.

I want to have children.

I want to feel safe and secure.

What they might not say outright is that they want a relationship to:

You Are Your Own Worst Enemy and You Are Your Own Worst Enemy If You Think That You Are Your Own Worst Enemy.

Fill the empty place within them.

Complete them. They hope that their partner will give them what they are not giving to themselves and what they might not have received as children.

Make them feel taken care of emotionally, financially and/or sexually.

You might be thinking, "Right! Aren't these the reasons everyone wants a relationship? Why be in a relationship if not to be loved, cherished, made to feel special, safe and secure? What's the point of a relationship if not to fill me, take away my loneliness and make me feel okay about myself?"

There really is another reason for wanting to be in a relationship.

Wanting a Relationship in Order to Heal, Learn and Share Love

The other reason for being in a relationship stems from the fact that relationships are the most fertile ground for learning about what is unhealed in us, and for having an arena to heal. Most of us have baggage from childhood that we carry into our primary relationship -- such as fears of rejection and fears of engulfment. These fears generally get played out with a partner, which offers us an incredible opportunity to learn about and heal them. Relationship can be the Ph.D. of personal growth!

Learning about your fears of intimacy, as well as about control issues that may surface with a primary partner, can lead to much personal growth -- enhancing your ability to love. The more you learn to take responsibility for your own feelings -- learning to love yourself, cherish yourself, make yourself feel special and valued -- the more you may want a relationship in order to share your love rather than to get love. Contrary to what many believe, it's not the getting of love that takes away loneliness, but the sharing of love.

The most profound and beautiful experience in life is the sharing of love. But we can't share our love unless we are filled with love. When we learn to fill ourselves with love from our "Source" -- whatever that is for each person, such as nature, spirit, God, the energy of the universe -- then we come to our partner with inner fullness rather than with inner emptiness. Rather than needing a partner to complete us, we desire to share our completeness with our partner.

When two people come together to get love rather than to learn, heal and share love, there is a strong possibility that their relationship won't last. With both partners trying to get loved and filled by the other, and neither one having learned to love and fill themselves, each will ultimately be disappointed. Very often, one or both might believe they've picked the wrong partner.

When two people come together because they want to learn together, grow together, heal together, share their time and companionship, and share their love and passion, they have a good chance of creating a lasting, loving relationship.

When these people are asked why they want a relationship, they say:

I have a lot of love to give and I want to share it with a partner, who also has a lot of love to give. Possibly, we might want to have children with whom to also share our love.

I want to learn and grow with someone who also wants to learn and grow.

I want to share time, companionship, lovemaking, laughter and play with someone with whom I feel deeply connected.

If you tune inside and honestly ask yourself why you want a relationship, and you find yourself on the first list rather than on the second, do not despair. You can learn how to love yourself and fill yourself with love so that you have plenty of love to share with a partner.

It's important to realize that we attract people at our common level of health -- which is the level of taking personal responsibility for our happiness and wellbeing -- or at our common level of self-abandonment -- which includes making someone else responsible for our feelings. Given this reality, you have a far better chance of creating a healthy and loving relationship with a partner when you have a healthy and loving relationship with yourself.

  

ANGER

Handling anger is an important life skill. Christian counselors report that 50 percent of people who come in for counseling have problems dealing with anger. Anger can shatter communication and tear apart relationships, and it ruins both the joy and health of many. Sadly, people tend to justify their anger instead of accepting responsibility for it. Everyone struggles, to varying degrees, with anger. Thankfully, God’s Word contains principles regarding how to handle anger in a godly manner, and how to overcome sinful anger.

Anger is not always sin. There is a type of anger of which the Bible approves, often called “righteous indignation.” God is angry (Psalm 7:11; Mark 3:5), and believers are commanded to be angry (Ephesians 4:26). Two Greek words in the New Testament are translated as “anger.” One means “passion, energy” and the other means “agitated, boiling.” Biblically, anger is God-given energy intended to help us solve problems. Examples of biblical anger include David’s being upset over hearing Nathan the prophet sharing an injustice (2 Samuel 12) and Jesus’ anger over how some of the Jews had defiled worship at God’s temple in Jerusalem (John 2:13-18). Notice that neither of these examples of anger involved self-defense, but a defense of others or of a principle.

That being said, it is important to recognize that anger at an injustice inflicted against oneself is also appropriate. Anger has been said to be a warning flag—it alerts us to those times when others are attempting to or have violated our boundaries. God cares for each individual. Sadly, we do not always stand up for one another, meaning that sometimes we must stand up for ourselves. This is especially important when considering the anger that victims often feel. Victims of abuse, violent crime, or the like have been violated in some way. Often while experiencing the trauma, they do not experience anger. Later, in working through the trauma, anger will emerge. For a victim to reach a place of true health and forgiveness, he or she must first accept the trauma for what it was. In order to fully accept that an act was unjust, one must sometimes experience anger. Because of the complexities of trauma recovery, this anger is often not short-lived, particularly for victims of abuse. Victims should process through their anger and come to a place of acceptance, even forgiveness. This is often a long journey. As God heals the victim, the victim's emotions, including anger, will follow. Allowing the process to occur does not mean the person is living in sin.

Anger can become sinful when it is motivated by pride (James 1:20), when it is unproductive and thus distorts God’s purposes (1 Corinthians 10:31), or when anger is allowed to linger (Ephesians 4:26-27). One obvious sign that anger has turned to sin is when, instead of attacking the problem at hand, we attack the wrongdoer. Ephesians 4:15-19 says we are to speak the truth in love and use our words to build others up, not allow rotten or destructive words to pour from our lips. Unfortunately, this poisonous speech is a common characteristic of fallen man (Romans 3:13-14). Anger becomes sin when it is allowed to boil over without restraint, resulting in a scenario in which hurt is multiplied (Proverbs 29:11), leaving devastation in its wake. Often, the consequences of out-of-control anger are irreparable. Anger also becomes sin when the angry one refuses to be pacified, holds a grudge, or keeps it all inside (Ephesians 4:26-27). This can cause depression and irritability over little things, which are often unrelated to the underlying problem.

We can handle anger biblically by recognizing and admitting our prideful anger and/or our wrong handling of anger as sin (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9). This confession should be both to God and to those who have been hurt by our anger. We should not minimize the sin by excusing it or blame-shifting.

We can handle anger biblically by seeing God in the trial. This is especially important when people have done something to offend us. James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28-29, and Genesis 50:20 all point to the fact that God is sovereign over every circumstance and person that crosses our path. Nothing happens to us that He does not cause or allow. Though God does allow bad things to happen, He is always faithful to redeem them for the good of His people. God is a good God (Psalm 145:8, 9, 17). Reflecting on this truth until it moves from our heads to our hearts will alter how we react to those who hurt us.

We can handle anger biblically by making room for God’s wrath. This is especially important in cases of injustice, when “evil” men abuse “innocent” people. Genesis 50:19 and Romans 12:19 both tell us to not play God. God is righteous and just, and we can trust Him who knows all and sees all to act justly (Genesis 18:25).

We can handle anger biblically by returning good for evil (Genesis 50:21; Romans 12:21). This is key to converting our anger into love. As our actions flow from our hearts, so also our hearts can be altered by our actions (Matthew 5:43-48). That is, we can change our feelings toward another by changing how we choose to act toward that person.

We can handle anger biblically by communicating to solve the problem. There are four basic rules of communication shared in Ephesians 4:15, 25-32:

1) Be honest and speak (Ephesians 4:15, 25). People cannot read our minds. We must speak the truth in love.

2) Stay current (Ephesians 4:26-27). We must not allow what is bothering us to build up until we lose control. It is important to deal with what is bothering us before it reaches critical mass.

3) Attack the problem, not the person (Ephesians 4:29, 31). Along this line, we must remember the importance of keeping the volume of our voices low (Proverbs 15:1).

4) Act, don’t react (Ephesians 4:31-32). Because of our fallen nature, our first impulse is often a sinful one (v. 31). The time spent in “counting to ten” should be used to reflect upon the godly way to respond (v. 32) and to remind ourselves how the energy anger provides should be used to solve problems and not create bigger ones.

At times we can handle anger preemptively by putting up stricter boundaries. We are told to be discerning (1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Matthew 10:16). We need not "cast our pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). Sometimes our anger leads us to recognize that certain people are unsafe for us. We can still forgive them, but we may choose not to re-enter the relationship.

Finally, we must act to solve our part of the problem (Romans 12:18). We cannot control how others act or respond, but we can make the changes that need to be made on our part. Overcoming a temper is not accomplished overnight. But through prayer, Bible study, and reliance upon God’s Holy Spirit, ungodly anger can be overcome. We may have allowed anger to become entrenched in our lives by habitual practice, but we can also practice responding correctly until that, too, becomes a habit and God is glorified in our response.

THE STOREHOUSE OF HEAVEN

Financing  God's  work  costs  money.  It  is  the  privilege  of  all  who  believe  in  Him  to  contribute  according  to  how  God  has  blessed  them.  

Paradoxically,  some  of  the  richest  blessings  and  promises  in  the  Scriptures  are  given  to  those  who  willingly  give  up  their  finances  for  the  ministry.  

Everything  we  posses,  we  possess  by  the  grace  of  God.  He  grants  us  our  abilities  and  capabilities  including  the  capacity  to  make  money.  Everything  belongs  to  God,  but  He  has  granted  us  the  privilege  of  managing  the  earth:  

The  God  blessed  them,  and  God  said  to  them,  'Be  fruitful  and  multiply;  fill  the  earth  and  subdue  it;  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  over  the  birds  of  the  air,  and  over  every  living  thing  that  moves  on  the  earth  (Genesis  1:28  NKJV,  see  also  Deuteronomy  8:18  NKJV).  'The  silver  is  Mine,  and  the  gold  is  Mine,'  says  the  LORD  of  hosts  (Haggai  2:8  NKJV,  see  also  Psalm  24:1  and  50:10  NKJV).  
Giving  in  Scripture  

God  has  spelled  out  the  methods  of  financing  the  Gospel.  They  are  divided  into  two  categories:  tithes  and  offerings  (Malachi  3:8  NKJV).  

Tithe  means  "a  tenth."  The  tithing  system  was  introduced  by  God  for  the  financing  of  the  ministry.  The  tithe  was  to  be  used  to  pay  the  priests.  The  first  instruction  about  tithing  is  in  the  book  of  Leviticus.  

The  tithe's  purpose  is  recorded  in  the  book  of  Numbers:  

Behold,  I  have  given  the  children  of  Levi  all  the  tithes  in  Israel  as  an  inheritance  in  return  for  the  work  which  they  perform,  the  work  of  the  tabernacle  of  meeting"  (Numbers  18:21  NKJV).  

Some  might  argue  that  the  tithing  system  was  only  applicable  in  the  Old  Testament  times  and  that  it  was  meant  only  for  the  Jews.  However,  the  system  of  tithing  was  in  operation  before  the  nation  of  Israel  was  called  by  God  (See  Genesis  14).  

Also,  in  his  letter  to  the  Corinthians,  Paul  applies  the  system  of  tithing  to  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel:  Do  you  not  know  that  those  who  minister  the  holy  things  eat  of  the  things  of  the  temple,  and  those  who  serve  at  the  altar  partake  of  the  offerings  of  the  altar?  Even  so  the  Lord  has  commanded  that  those  who  preach  the  gospel  should  live  from  the  gospel"  (1  Corinthians  9:13-14  NKJV).

 God  has  commanded  that  the  minister  be  paid  in  the  same  way  as  those  who  ministered  in  the  temple—the  system  of  tithing.  In  no  way  does  the  New  Testament  negate  the  system.  Rather,  it  elevates  tithing.  We  should  not  pay  tithe  out  of  a  forced  feeling  of  duty.  It  should  come  from  the  heart,  "for  God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver"  (2  Corinthians  9:7).  

The  Heart  of  the  Matter  

The  Pharisees  did  everything  according  to  the  law,  but  they  neglected  the  matters  of  the  heart.  

Jesus  rebuked  them,  saying,  "Woe  to  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites!  For  you  pay  tithe  of  mint  and  anise  and  cummin,  and  have  neglected  the  weightier  matters  of  the  law:  justice  and  mercy  and  faith.  These  you  ought  to  have  done,  without  leaving  the  others  undone"  (Matthew  23:23  NKJV).  

It  is  a  change  of  heart  that  God  requires.  God  knows  our  selfish  natures  and  so  He  has  promised  rich  blessings  to  those  who  will  heed  His  command.  God  does  not  need  our  money,  but  He  wants  us  to  be  co-‐workers  together  with  Him  so  that  we  may  become  co-‐sharers  in  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel.  

'Bring  all  the  tithes  into  the  storehouse,  That  there  may  be  food  in  My  house,  And  try  Me  now  in  this,'  Says  the  Lord  of  hosts,  'If  I  will  not  open  for  you  the  windows  of  heaven  and  pour  out  for  you  such  blessing  That  there  will  not  be  room  enough  to  receive  it'  (Malachi  3:10  NKJV).  

God  challenges  us  to  put  Him  to  the  test.  He  will  not  let  His  children  suffer  want,  poverty,  pain,  or  emotional  hurt  because  we  pay  tithe.  

God  promises  to  meet  our  temporal  needs  and  we  must  learn  to  take  Him  at  His  word.  The  tenth  of  our  income  goes  to  finance  God's  ministry.  We  cannot  choose  what  our  tithe  will  be  used  for.  God  has  already  made  that  choice.  Once  the  tithe  is  paid,  the  responsibility  for  its  correct  application  lies  with  the  church  administration.  

Unfortunately,  some  have  had  experiences  where  they  believed  the  Church  has  misused  their  money.  And  although  it  is  important  in  such  circumstances  to  be  wise  about  to  whom  we  will  give  our  tithe,  we  must  remember  that  tithing  is  an  act  of  worship  and  of  trust  to  God.    His  plans  cannot  be  stopped  by  any  misguided  administration,  nor  is  He  constrained  to  work  within  what  we  give.  He  asks  that  we  tithe  regardless  of  the  circumstances,  because  He  wants  us  to  join  Him  in  His  mission  of  saving  the  lost.  Offerings,  on  the  other  hand,  are  freewill  offerings,  and  the  choice  as  to  their  application  lies  with  each  individual.  We  should  not  neglect  offerings  because  we  pay  tithe.  The  blessings  promised  by  God  cover  tithes  and  offerings.  

But  this  I  say:  He  who  sows  sparingly  will  also  reap  sparingly,  and  he  who  sows  bountifully  will  also  reap  bountifully.  So  let  each  one  gives  as  he  purposes  in  his  heart,  not  grudgingly  or  of  necessity;  for  God  loves  a  cheerful  giver  (2  Corinthians  9:6-7,  see  also  Matthew  6:31-33  NKJV).  

The  blessings  of  God  carry  with  them  eternal  consequences  and  should  be  sought  diligently.  Do  not  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  on  earth,  where  moth  and  rust  destroy  and  where  thieves  break  in  and  steal;  but  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  destroys  and  where  thieves  do  not  break  in  and  steal.  For  where  your  treasure  is,  there  your  heart  will  be  also  (Matthew  6:19-21  NKJV).  

The  Promise  God  promises  rewards  for  our  diligence.  Give,  and  it  will  be  given  to  you:  good  measure,  pressed  down,  shaken  together,  and  running  over  will  be  put  into  your  bosom.  For  with  the  same  measure  that  you  use,  it  will  be  measured  back  to  you  (Luke  6:38  NKJV).  Our  blessings  come  from  God  and  we  should  acknowledge  this.  
We  should  also  make  sure  that  we  do  not  fall  into  the  same  trap  as  the  rich  farmer  in  Luke  chapter  12  who  had  a  great  crop  but  then  decided  this:  I  will  pull  down  my  barns  and  build  greater,  and  there  I  will  store  all  my  crops  and  my  goods.  And  I  will  say  to  my  soul,  'Soul,  you  have  many  goods  laid  up  for  many  years;  take  your  ease;  eat,  drink,  and  be  merry."  But  God  said  to  Him,  "Fool!  This  night  your  soul  will  be  required  of  you;  then  whose  will  those  things  be  which  you  have  provided?"  So  is  he  who  lays  up  treasure  for  himself,  and  is  not  rich  toward  God  (Luke  12:18-21  NKJV,  see  also  Matthew  16:24-26).  

  True  repentance  brings  faithfulness  in  all  things,  including  paying  tithes  and  offerings.  God  will  never  let  us  down.  There  may  be  times  when  we  have  no  money,  but  God  will  always  provide  when  we  are  obedient  and  trust  Him.  God  has  taught  us  wonderful  lessons  of  trust,  not  only  in  terms  of  tithes,  but  also  in  terms  of  offerings.  Sometimes  He  has  required  of  us  to  sell  something  which  we  felt  we  could  not  afford  to  lose,  or  to  take  steps  in  faith  and  spend  money  that  we  did  not  have  on  furthering  His  work  but  every  time,  

God  poured  out  a  blessing  in  accordance  with  His  promises.  

God  is  not  a  man,  that  He  should  lie,  Nor  a  son  of  man,  that  He  should  repent.  Has  He  said,  and  will  He  not  do?  Or  has  He  spoken,  and  will  He  not  make  it  good  (Numbers  3 23:19)?  

CLOTHING & MODESTY

WHY write about clothing? Surely God doesn’t care about what we wear, does He? The Bible says man looks on the outside but God looks at the heart. So all that matters is our hearts, right?

Certainly choices in clothing are far less important than many other issues in the Christian life. Nevertheless, clothing was important enough for God to give a few specific instructions in the Bible through the writings of Moses, Paul and Peter. Besides these, some further insights can be obtained by studying other Biblical references to clothing. 

Where do Christians stand on questions of how we should dress? Most Christians seem to follow the current fashions with little concern with where they lead. A minority of Christians seeks to dress significantly more modestly than the society at large. An even smaller minority advocates a strict code of dressing both modest and plain. 

There was much Christian teaching about dress in earlier centuries. Early church fathers, Protestant reformers, and many church leaders (at least through the 1800s), exhorted Christians toward modest clothing. Why is this rarely taught today? It may be that all the Christians that proceeded our time were mistaken. Perhaps only the Christian teachers since the mid-1900s have applied the Bible correctly to this issue - or perhaps not!
The consistent teachings of earlier ages should really make us think. It is arrogance to just assume that the Christians of today are right and all those before have been wrong. It is certainly possible, but is it likely?

As Christians, we are not "of this world", but we are of necessity "in the world". We ARE influenced by the world system and the values of those around us. Even when following the examples of our Christian brethren, we must consider who has influenced them. They, like we, struggle to find and follow God's ways, without being conformed to this world. We must remember that some practices completely accepted by the Christian community, may be from the world rather than from the Lord.

The purpose of this article is to encourage us all to examine this issue in the light of God’s Word - prayerfully, objectively, putting aside as many of our biases as possible. Have we erred in either direction? Have we followed the world where we should have taken a different course? Or have we adopted convictions that go well beyond the Word and what God would have us do?

In this article, I will review a number of Scriptures and discuss some of the opposing arguments about clothing and modesty. The decision is yours! I will not be held accountable for your decision, any more than you will be for mine. We will each give account to the Lord.

The Scriptures

 

1 Timothy 2:9-10. Paul's first letter to Timothy offers many instructions to Timothy about what to teach to the churches and how to deal with various controversies and false teachings. In chapter 2, Paul touches on some specific instructions regarding Christian women.

In the King James Version (KJV): “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 

The same verses in the New American Standard Version (NAS): “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.”

For understanding, we need to look closely at the words (my primary sources used: Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words & Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

"Modest apparel" (KJV) and "proper clothing" (NAS) come from the Greek words, "kosmios katastole". "Kosmios" means orderly, well arranged, decent, modest. "Katastole" refers to a garment, the word being derived from the verb meaning ‘to send or let down, to lower’ (kata, "down," stello, "to send"). By its meaning, it is believed to refer to a long, flowing garment. This is not the only Greek word used for clothing or a garment.

"With shamefacedness and sobriety" (KJV) or "modestly and discreetly" (NAS) are the Greek words, "aidos" and "sophrosune". "Aidos" refers to a sense of shame, honor, modesty, bashfulness. "Sophrosune" refers to soundness of mind, self-control, and sobriety. 

This was evidently a matter of some concern to Paul. His concern seems to be that the Christian women be good testimonies for the Christian faith, even in their attire. Many pagan women dressed indecently, immodestly, without any bashfulness or shame, with costly clothes and jewelry and extravagant hairstyles.

Christian women were not to dress the same way these pagan women did. In contrast to the pagan women, who adorn themselves to draw attention to their beauty, attractiveness or wealth, Christian women are to be adorned with good works. This is what is proper for the godly woman. Jesus also reminds us, in Matt 5:16, that it is our good works that bring glory to our Father.

 

1 Peter 3:2-4. The apostle Peter, writing to the churches in Asia Minor, also addressed much of the same issue as Paul did. After teaching submission to governing authorities and of slaves to their masters, he then begins to address Christian wives, saying, “In the same way ...”. He urges wives to be submissive to their husbands and explains how important this can be in winning an unbelieving or back-slidden husband to Christ. In verses 3-4, he further instructs the wives:

In the KJV: "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

In the NAS: "Your adornment must not be merely external -- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."

Again an apostle speaks of a Christian woman's "adornment" (her clothing, jewelry, hairstyle, etc.). Peter seems to be speaking against "looking good" in accordance with the styles of that time. Rather, a Christian woman's prime concern should be her heart and her spirit, not her outward adornment. A meek and quiet spirit is the type of adornment to be truly valued, not the worldly and extravagant styles of the pagan women. Simple, modest and functional would seem sufficient for external adornment.

 

Deuteronomy 22:5. This verse, from the Law of Moses, raises a different issue concerning the clothing of both men and women.

In the KJV: “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."

In the NAS: "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God."

Note that though many think that women and men dressed much alike in Bible times, from this verse we see that there must have been a very clear distinction between the clothes of a man and that of a woman. There is no further elaboration on this verse in Deuteronomy, so there are differences of opinion as to the exact meaning and reason for this command. It was clearly a matter of importance to God, as breaking this command was referred to as an abomination. Many believe this command stems from God's original creation of male and female and the very distinctive natures and functions of each. Any blurring of these distinctions in the realm of clothing might also blur the differing roles God prescribed for each.

 

Genesis 3:7 & 3:21. In Genesis 2:25, we read that before they sinned, Adam and Eve were naked but not ashamed. Immediately after their sin, they became aware of their nakedness. In verses 7 and 21, we read of their first clothes.

In the KJV: 7 "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." … 21 "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."

In the NAS: 7 “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings." … 21"The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them."

After they sinned and knew good and evil, they were concerned over being naked and God seeing them in that state (even with loin coverings). Note that their prime concern was to cover one particular area of their bodies. Yet when God came walking in the garden to see them, they hid, because they still regarded themselves as naked. Then in verse 21, God made clothing for them from animal skins. Both by comparison with the “aprons” and by the Hebrew word used, a garment that covered much more of their bodies (and that hid their bodies better) is implied.

Why did God provide them with this clothing? Was it to cover them well enough so that they no longer felt naked? Was it because God wanted them to have more modest clothing? They had not been cold before without clothes, so I assume it was not for warmth. 

 

Deuteronomy 22:11-12. Shortly after the passage above concerning women wearing men's clothing and vice-versa, are two other commands relating to clothing:

In the KJV: 11 “Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together. 12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.”

In the NAS: 11 "You shall not wear a material mixed of wool and linen together. 12 You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself."

There is much uncertainty about the reason for the prohibition in verse 11. Is there some health issue related to such blended fabrics? Was this sort of material related in peoples' minds with certain pagan worship practices? It is also mentioned in Leviticus 19:19, but with little help for understanding the "why". 

The requirement for tassels in verse 12, is elaborated on in Numbers 15:38-40, explaining that these were for the Israelites to look at and remember all the commandments and to be holy to God. In effect, they were to wear one piece of distinctive clothing that set them apart from all other peoples, as a special reminder that they were holy to God and were to obey His commandments. 

 

Prov 31:21-22. In Proverbs, we read of the excellent wife and how she clothes herself and her family.

In the KJV: “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”

In the NAS: "She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple."

The excellent wife is praised for clothing her family and herself well. Use of fine material and beautiful colors are not condemned, but praised. Her family looked very nice - wearing, perhaps, higher quality and better looking clothes than most. Perhaps this example is needed to balance the New Testament verses, that we not go too far and conclude that God prefers ugly clothes with no color.

 

Other Scriptures to Consider. There are many other Scriptures we could look to with passing references to clothing. There are also Scriptures relating to worldliness, causing a brother to stumble, looking with lust, etc., all of which might be applied to this question.

Applications / Opposing Arguments

Stylish Dress / Extravagance

The passages in 1 Timothy and 1 Peter seem to argue against extravagance in dress, hairstyles or use of jewelry. As was the case in ancient times, many styles of dress popular with unbelievers may fail this test. Christians should not thoughtlessly follow the dictates of fashion without considering what sort of dress is pleasing to God.

We should not dress so as to call attention to our wealth or social status. Clothing should not become a status symbol for us. We should be concerned with our hearts and with serving God with good works - not with impressing others or "fitting in" with our clothing. This may be best achieved by very simple and plain clothing.

On the other hand, the excellent wife of Proverbs 31, did show some concern with looking good for her husband and clothing her family well. Just because a style is new, does not mean it is bad. If it did, we would need to revert back to the oldest style of clothes (Adam and Eve's animal skins). Clothing can look nice and be colorful without being extravagant.

Sloppy or Disorganized Dress

Paul speaks of Christian women dressing in an orderly fashion and dressing properly. Some of the styles of today are extremely informal, with little concern for looking neat or orderly. Such clothing was first popularized by those living very undisciplined lives. Does adopting such a mode of dress give good testimony to our God, who is a God of order and the creator of all the beauty around us? If we are His servants, shouldn't our example show a little of what He is like? Can you picture Jesus in "sweats" or shorts and T-shirt? (But maybe that’s just because we have only thought of him in the robes of the first century.)

On the other hand, the verses in 1 Timothy and 1 Peter seem more concerned with not dressing very formally or richly. Is it not possible to dress informally without being considered "sloppy" or "disorganized"? Perhaps the best testimony is simply dressing with the degree of formality that the occasion calls for.

Women's Clothing: Dresses Only? 

This is perhaps the most controversial question today about clothing.

For Dresses Only - Argument #1 - Violation of Deut 22:5. Pants have historically been men’s clothing, only recently (1900s) being adopted by women. When women wear pants, they violate the Deuteronomy 22:5 prohibition of women wearing a man's clothing. Though some women's pants are considerably different from men's pants, women's jeans and some other pants are virtually identical to the male version - the only recognizable difference is the shape of the body inside them. By adopting men’s clothing (pants), women are obscuring the God ordained differences between men and women's roles and this is an abomination to God.

Against Argument #1: 1) The Deut 22:5 passage is fairly obscure and may be just condemning what we refer to as cross dressing (where a man or woman truly tries to disguise themselves as being of the opposite sex). 2) Deut 22:5 is an Old Testament law pertaining to the Jews only. As Christians we are not under the Law. There are many other detailed rules like this in Deuteronomy that clearly do not apply to those outside the nation of Israel. 3) In Bible times, both men and women wore long robes similar to dresses. There is probably as much distinction today between men and women's pants and tops as there was then between men and women's robes. 4) Pants have now become women's dress in our society, so when women wear pants, they are not dressing in men's clothing. 5) Women in eastern Asia have worn pants for a very long time. Pants were not exclusively men's clothing there, as they were in the West.

For Dresses Only - Argument #2 - Obscuring God’s Design / Origins of Women’s Pants. Wearing only dresses maintains the clear distinction in dress taught in Deuteronomy 22:5. When women always wore dresses and men wore pants, there was a clearer distinction between the sexes. The significant difference in external clothing affirmed the significant differences in God given roles. Women looked very different - feminine - and were generally treated very differently by men.

The adoption of pants by women was brought about by the early women’s rights advocates, women wanting to eliminate or obscure all God ordained differences between the sexes. It was these same women who advocated sexual freedom for women (aided by both birth control and abortion), and tried to encourage women to forsake their traditional roles of wives and mothers.

Though women today wear pants almost as much as men, still our culture views pants as men’s clothing. Look at the restroom signs. Consider expressions we still use, like, "Who wears the pants in the family?" By this we mean who is the true leader of the family (the role God ordained for the husband, but often usurped by the wife). 

The frequent unisex dressing of our society, as well as the prevalence of women working alongside men in nearly every occupation, has greatly narrowed the differences between male and female -contrary to God's design. There are many women today who choose to dress basicly the same as men nearly all of the time. Many also cut their hair very short, almost in a man's cut. Women choosing distinctively feminine clothing and hair styles, communicate that they embrace their different role as women.

Many Christian women of today, who have begun wearing modest dresses only, testify how men treat them differently when they are so dressed. They find most men to be more courteous and respectful. They are never treated like "just one of the guys". Maintaining distinctiveness in dress, as God intended, serves as a protection for women.

For Dresses Only - Argument #3 - Modesty. Pants are inherently immodest for women. Even loosely fitted pants reveal a great deal of a woman's shape in a way that encourages men to improper looks and lust. Tight pants (the way most are worn) clearly reveal every detail of a woman's shape below the waist. Pants quickly draw many men's eyes, at least long enough to assess how sexually attractive the woman is or isn’t. Many women do not realize how much many men appreciate this exhibition (some women do realize, but enjoy this form of admiration).

Is this not the essence of immodesty - dressing in a manner that regularly attracts attention to your body in this way? Is any form of clothing that strongly draws men's attention to a woman's body and her sexual attractiveness, properly classified as "modest", "discrete", or "proper" as described in 1 Tim 2:9-10? 

With most women wearing pants much of the time, don’t men become desensitized to pants? Yes, they do - somewhat. A woman in pants does not generate the level of excitement and attention that would have resulted when women were rarely seen in pants. Yet even so, men today do commonly notice what is before them. Many Christian women might be a little embarrassed to find how many men could quickly recall the details of their shape in pants and perhaps even pick them out of a crowd by the same.

Aren't loose pants modest? They are certainly more modest than tight pants, but are not nearly as modest as a well chosen dress. Why? Virtually any motion that results in a little bending or just sitting, tends to pull the material of even loose pants close to the body, clearly showing the form. If a man or boy has any slight interest in determining the attractiveness of the woman, he will be ready to get an eye full at the appropriate moment. Looser pants of stiffer material and long tops that cover both the rear and the upper legs, help the cause of modesty a lot, but not like well chosen dresses.
Aren’t loose pants more modest than many dresses? Yes they are! The fashion designers have perfected the art of making immodest dresses. However, there are many types of dresses that are more modest than loose pants.

Looking at many different cultures over many centuries, why is it that women's clothes have generally revealed very little between the waistline and the knees? Perhaps it has been due to husbands and fathers trying to protect their wives and daughters from other men. Even in very primitive societies there are commonly significant differences in mens and women's clothing. The men may wear the barest of loincloths, but the women are usually much better covered below the waist, often with grass skirts. There seems to have generally been a concern for modesty in this area, with a loose garment like a skirt or dress preferred.

Arguments Against #3: 1) When a type of clothing has become common and widely accepted, can it still be considered immodest? If modesty is measured only by community standards - that which is accepted and deemed appropriate - then pants would meet this definition at this time and in this place. 2) If men want to look and lust, they are going to do so whatever you wear. It's their problem. It's not the woman's concern. What's the big deal about men seeing the shape of your body? They see a lot more when you go swimming. 3) Loose pants are as modest as most dresses - sometimes even more so!

Reasons for Women Preferring Pants 

Reason #1 - Comfort: Pants are more comfortable than dresses (both in terms of how they feel and not worrying about keeping the dress down and your legs covered).

Response to #1 - Comfort: Many women will say that dresses are much more comfortable - IF you choose to wear comfortable dresses. Many women associate dresses with wearing pantyhose and high heels. If you choose to wear long and loose fitting dresses, jumpers or skirts, made from comfortable material, and wear socks and comfortable shoes - they are very comfortable. With long and full skirts, there is little problem with keeping your dress down. With pantaloons (or pantalettes) underneath dresses, even small girls can play and tumble with no concern of exposure.

Reason #2 - Practical: Pants are more practical than dresses for sports, outdoor activities, working in the yard or garden, climbing trees, or just for keeping warm.

Response to #2 - Practical: Long, full cut dresses actually work very well with most any sort of activity. Prior to 1900, women and girls did most everything in dresses. Women who wear only dresses can tell you how little they are hindered in any activity. Little girls can easily run and play, tumble, climb trees, without problem or discomfort and with complete modesty (with pantaloons underneath). Dresses can be plenty warm in most climates. Women used to only wear dresses, even in the coldest states of the U.S. Stockings, leggings and pantaloons can be used under dresses for added warmth. 

Reason #3 - Fitting In: With so many other women wearing pants, it is easier to "fit in" when you dress the same. If you wear a dress in a place where most are wearing pants, you stand out and draw attention. Dressing differently sometimes leads to rejection by others.

Response to #3 - Fitting In: Should Christian women be afraid of looking different? Or of being rejected because of their clothing choices? If we are so different on the inside after coming to Christ, shouldn't we look a little different on the outside too? Is it bad to be different in terms of dressing in a more modest and feminine way than most?

Immodest Dresses, Skirts & Blouses

Dresses and skirt outfits can sometimes be very immodest. There are many ways that the female figure can be shown off to allure men. Dresses can be made tight fitting (showing a clearer shape) or short (showing more leg), or with a low neckline or low back (showing more flesh), or with clingy or see through material (more shape or flesh). 

There are also many little things in the design of clothing or in the placement of decorations that can cause undue attention to a woman's body. Husbands and fathers should be of help in recognizing these smaller problem areas.

Modesty for Men and Boys

Scripture makes no general mention of modest dress for men, though there is a general concern with nakedness. Most Biblical instructions to modesty are addressed to women (though there is one pertaining to the Levitical priests and their clothing). 

Modesty in women’s dress is of particular importance because of the way men are attracted by sight. Most women are much less affected in this way. However, there is still some impact, and increasingly so in our society, which has tried to condition women to respond like men in this area.
So it seems only wise for men and boys to also be reasonably covered in the presence of women. Running around shirtless in the sight of women or wearing very tight pants, might not present the best example. Though men have most always labored and fought less covered then their women, this is usually in the presence of other men or around immediate family. 

Husband & Father's Role in Clothing Decisions

Wives, consult your husbands on this matter. Do not make major changes in how you or your daughters dress without your husband's approval. He is responsible for the whole family. Also listen to his advice about what things may attract improper looks from men. 

Sometimes a husband wants his wife to dress immodestly. Why? Husbands enjoy looking at their wife's form. This is fine when there is no one else around. The problem is that there usually are others around, so the wife's attractiveness is displayed to any number of other men - men who have no business seeing her in this way.

A husband may also want to show off his wife's attractiveness to other men. He is proud of what an attractive wife he has. However, there is a difference between looking nice and looking very attractive. Husbands should carefully consider what they are encouraging others to admire - and possibly desire.

Wives, appeal to such a husband to reconsider what he is asking of you. His attempts to show you off also communicates something else - an advertisement to other men. In some cases it can expose you to other men’s advances and possible temptations to infidelity.

Where We Are

As you probably know by now, we hold to the dresses only position. Lori was not "dresses only" when we married, but shortly thereafter came close to that position (with my encouragement). 

However, we made compromises on this conviction, most of which we came to regret as the years passed. With our first daughter, we began as dresses only, but then allowed her to follow her Christian peers in many ways during the teen years. We reestablished some of the dresses standard with her at a certain point, but with many exceptions where pants or shorts were permitted - to “fit-in with the group”. Perhaps we should have been stricter. Changing the dress standard during the teen years can be very difficult. 

With our much younger girls, we have tried to be very consistent with holding to our convictions. Lori truly and totally wears dresses only. She makes nearly all of the girls’ clothes and chooses styles and materials that are very practical and modest. She also makes pantaloons for underneath the dresses, usually out of the same material as the dress. That way, even when a skirt rides up, it is hardly noticeable as the pantaloons look just like the dress. Even for nightclothes, the girls wear long gowns and pantaloons underneath.

There are also many practical advantages to making the girls’ dresses. Lori usually makes matching dresses and makes both at the same time (more efficient that way). Their clothes look very nice, but are very low cost. Their dresses also fit them for a longer period than pants would, as they start out near ankle length, then before they get too near the knees (if they are not worn out yet), Lori may add a ruffle to the bottom to extend the length again. 

Another benefit of dresses for mothers: Jumpers and dresses with full skirts and loose waists can continue to be worn through a significant part of pregnancy and also work well for moderate variations in body weight. A well chosen dress or jumper can also make a very thin woman look a bit fuller, can hide excess weight and lumps, and can cover up either spindly or chunky legs. In comparison, pants tend to show all - the good, the bad and the ugly of your shaping. Dresses can make almost any woman look better, without disclosing all the details of her shape, for modesty's sake.

An added benefit of making your own clothes is being little impacted by the whims of fashion. However, it does take a little scrounging to find and stock up on good patterns. Sometimes a little mixing of pattern elements is also called for. Yet, this is a lot easier than finding ready made clothes that do not exhibit the excesses of whatever is the current season's fashion. 

                     CONCLUSION

Probably no two Christian families will make exactly the same decisions on clothing. We must prayerfully apply the few scriptures we have to the clothing choices we make. 

None of us are likely to perfectly please God with our family’s standards - we are too lacking in wisdom and sometimes resist where God may be leading. We need to extend grace to our brethren to be different in these areas. 

However, that does not excuse any of us from the responsibility to carefully study the Scriptures and to apply them as fully as we are able. To reject the instruction of Scripture because you have already decided what you want to do, is sin and rebellion against God.

THE SILKEN CORD THAT BINDS HEARTS

By love serve one another. Galatians 5:13.

Love is the silken cord that binds hearts together. We are not to feel that we must set up ourselves as a pattern. As long as we think of ourselves and what is due to us from others it will be impossible for us to do our work of saving souls. When Christ takes possession of our hearts we shall no longer make the narrow circle of self the center of our thoughts and of our attentions.

What a wonderful reverence for human life Jesus expressed in His life mission! He stood not among the people as a king, demanding attention, reverence, service, but as one who wished to serve, to uplift humanity. He said He had not come to be ministered unto but to minister.... Wherever Christ saw a human being, He saw one who needed human sympathy. Many of us are willing to serve particular ones—those whom we honor—but the very ones to whom Christ would make us a blessing if we were not so cold-hearted, so unkind and selfish, we pass by as unworthy of our notice.

The great lesson of forgiveness must be more perfectly learned by all of us.... The greatest wrong we can do to others is to be unforgiving if we think they injure us in any way. This is a most dangerous position for a professed Christian, because just in the manner in which he treats his brethren so will the Lord of heaven treat him.

We need to have higher and more distinct views of the character of Christ.... We are not to think of God only as a judge and to forget Him as a loving Father. Nothing can do our souls greater harm than this, for our whole spiritual life is molded from our conceptions of God’s character. We have lessons to learn of Jesus’ love.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:1, 2. This is the height of the love we are required to reach. And the texture of this love is not tainted with selfishness.

WAGOLIDE UNYOLO WA CHIKONDI

Lamulo latsopano Ndikupatsani inu, kuti mukondane wina ndi mzake; monga ndakonda inu, kuti inunso mukondane wina ndi mzake. Mwa ichi anthu onse adzadziwa kuti muli ophunzira anga, ngati mukondana wina ndi mzake. Yohane 13:34, 35.

Chikondi cha Khristu ndi golide unyolo chopanda mamalire, anthu amene amakhulupirira Yesu Khristu kwa Mulungu wopandamalire. Chikondi chimene Ambuye ana ake kudutsa apa kudziwa. A sayansi sangakhoze motani kapena kufotokoza izo. Palibe nzeru angathe kuzindikira kuziwa izo.

Kuzikonda ndi kunyada kulepheretsa choyera chikondi chimene chimatigwirizanitsa mu mzimu ndi Yesu Kristu. Ngati chikondi moona minda amalire adzakhala zimafanana ndi amalire, ndi onse pamoyo mu wopandamalire. Anthu adzagwirizana ndi anthu, ndi onse adzamangidwa ndi mtima zopanda malire Chikondi. Kuyeretsedwa chikondi ndi opatulika. Mu ntchito yaikulu Christian chikondi-kutali apamwamba kwambiri nthawi zonse, more ulemu, wosadzikonda, kuposa kale anawona-zimasunga Christian mwachikondi Christian wabwino, ndi ulemu, ndi enfolds anthu ubale mu kukumbatira kwa Mulungu, pozindikira ulemu umene Mulungu padera ufulu wa munthu.

Lagolide unyolo wa chikondi, ndi kumanga mitima ya okhulupirira mu umodzi, mu nsinga za chiyanjano ndi chikondi, umodzi ndi Khristu ndi Atate, imapangitsa kugwirizana wangwiro ndi zimbalangondo kwa dziko umboni wa mphamvu ya Christianity kuti sangakhale controverted .... Pamenepo kudzikonda kuti anawazula ndi kusakhulupirika sikudzakhala. Sipadzakhala mikangano ndi magawano. Sipadzakhala kuuma mwa wina amene limakhudza Khristu. Palibe mmodzi ati achite osamva ufulu wa wopulupudza, mopupuluma mwana amene akutsikira dzanja akutsogolera iye ndi kusankha kukhumudwa pa yekha ndi kuyenda m'njira yake.

Chikondi ndi chifundo chomera, ndipo ayenera kukhala ndi osangalatsa, ndi mizu ya mtima onse kuti anakhwathulidwa kuzungulira kuti izo kukhala malo zimafala, ndiyeno adzabweretsa imawalamulira mphamvu zonse za maganizo, mtima wonse, kuti ife udzikonda Mulungu yekha, ndi anzathu monga momwe timadzikondera ifeyo.

KUGONJETSA MDANI ULIWONSE

Ndi mawu a chowonadi, mu mphamvu ya Mulungu, ndi zida za chilungamo kudzanja lamanja ndi lamanzere. 2 Akorinto 6: 7.

Kupyola mu mibadwo ya makhalidwe mdima, zaka mazana nkhondo ndi chizunzo, mpingo wa Khristu wakhala monga mzinda oikidwa pa phiri. Ku m'badwo m'badwo, kupyolera mibadwo mpaka ku nthawi ino, oyera ziphunzitso za Baibulo akhala zikuchitika m'mimba mwake malire. Mpingo wa Khristu, enfeebled ndi vuto ngakhale iye akhoza kuoneka, ndiye chinthu padziko lapansi limene apereka mwapadera chikondi Chake ndi nkhaniyi. Mpingo la zamasewero ku chisomo Chake, mmene Iye amasangalala kuti zatsopano chifundo m'mitima ya anthu.

Mpingo wa Mulungu linga, mzinda wothawirako, umene Iye akufuna mu anagalukira dziko. Aliyense apereke wake wopatsidwa ndi chinyengo kwa Iye amene wagula iye ndi mwazi wa Mwana wake wobadwa yekha. Konse kudutsa mu mbiri ya dziko, wokhulupirika miyoyo kuti munamutcha mpingo padziko lapansi.

Today, monga kale, onse kumwamba Woyang'ana kuona mpingo kukhala woona sayansi ya chipulumutso .... Khristu akuitana ife kulowa yopapatiza njira, pamene aliyense kukutanthauza kukana okha. Iye akuitana ife tiyime pa nsanja ya choonadi chamuyaya, ndi kulimbana, inde, kulimbana ndi mtima wonse, chifukwa chikhulupiriro chimene chinaperekedwa kamodzi kwa oyera.

Pamene ife pafupi nthawi ... pamene Satana chinyengo adzakhala wamkulu kuti, ngati n'kotheka, iye akanati adzanyenge Osankhidwa, kuzindikira kwathu ayenera lakuthwa Mulungu chidziwitso kuti tingakhale mbuli makhwekhwe a Satana. Lonse chuma cha kumwamba ndi pa lamulo mu ntchito ya kukonza njira ya Ambuye.

Ndi mamangidwe a Mulungu kuti mpingo ati patsogolo mu ungwiro ndi chidziwitso, kuchokera kuwala kuwala, kuchokera ku ulemerero kumka ku ulemerero.

Chiyembekezo chathu si munthu, koma Mulungu wamoyo. Ndi chokwana chachikhulupiriro, tikuganizira kuti Iye adzagwirizana umphamvuzonse Wake ndi zimene anthu instrumentalities, chifukwa cha ulemerero wa dzina lake. Atavala ndi chamuna cha chilungamo chake, tikhoza kugonjetsa mdani aliyense.

BWALO LA MZIMU MOYO

Koma inu ndinu mbadwa yosankhika, ansembe achifumu, mtundu woyera, anthu achilendo; kuti mukakhale muzisonyezera matamando kwa iye amene adakuyitanani mutuluke mumdima mu kuwala kodabwitsa. 1 Petro 2: 9.

Mpingo wa Khristu padziko lapansi pakati pa makhalidwe mdima wa dziko osakhulupirika, amene kupondereza pa chilamulo cha Yehova. Koma Muomboli, amene anagula awo dipo ndi malipiro chake mwazi, anapanga makonzedwe alionse kuti mpingo adzakhala kusandulika thupi, illumined ndi Kuwala, okhala ndi ulemerero wa Emmanuel. Yonyezimira matabwa a Dzuwa la Chilungamo ndi kuwala mwa mpingo Wake, adzasonkhanitsa mu khola aliyense atayike, akusochera nkhosa amene adzabwera kwa iye ndi kupeza chitetezo mwa Iye. Iwo kupeza mtendere ndi kuwala ndi chimwemwe mwa Iye amene mtendere ndi chilungamo mpaka kalekale.

Mamembala a mpingo payekha kusunga kuwala kwa chikondi cha Mulungu chotentha pa okha, kuti nawonso kuwala kwa ena. Tili kwambiri pangozi kulola ulesi mwauzimu kuti ingayambe pa ife. Tiyeni chenjerani amachitira ndi disrelish misonkhano ya chipembedzo ndi chipembedzo ntchito. Tiyeni akunenetsa kulimbana kuti sluggishness wa moyo umene uli chakupha ku kukula ngakhale moyo wa Mkhristu. Kuti mpingo wathanzi abwino amene mamembala ukuyika kanthu, khama kuti azichitira ena zabwino, kupulumutsa miyoyo. Zimenezi zidzakhala chingatilimbikitse kuti ntchito yonse yabwino. Akhristu oterewa adzakhala ntchito kwambiri khama kupeza chipulumutso chawo. The matalala mphamvu adzakhala zinapatsa, chonsecho moyo ouziridwa ndi unconquerable mtima kuti tipambane Mpulumutsi plaudit a "Chabwino," ndi kuvala mgonjetsi korona.

Khristu amapanga mpingo Wake kachisi wokongola Mulungu. "Pamene awiri kapena atatu asonkhana m'dzina langa," Iye anati, "ndiri komweko pakati pawo," Mateyu 18:20. Mpingo wake ndi bwalo la moyo woyera, wodzala ndi mphatso zosiyanasiyana, ndipo anapatsidwa Mzimu Woyera. Yoyenera ntchito amawatumiza ndi kumwamba kuti aliyense mu mpingo pa dziko lapansi, ndi zonse zili kupeza chimwemwe mu chimwemwe cha anthu amene amathandiza ndi kudalitsa.

SOLDIERS ON LIFE ’S BATTLEFIELD

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12.

When souls are converted, their salvation is not yet accomplished. They then have the race to run; the arduous struggle is before them to “fight the good fight of faith”.... The battle is lifelong, and must be carried forward with determined energy proportionate to the value of the object you are in pursuit of, which is eternal life.

Satan is ever seeking to destroy; he is casting his hellish shadow between our souls and the light of the Sun of Righteousness. When you talk doubts, and distrust your heavenly Father’s love, Satan comes in and deepens the impression, and that which is shadowed is made the blackness of despair. Now, your only hope is to cease talking darkness. In dwelling on the dark side, you cast away your confidence in God, and this is just what Satan wants you to do. He wants to sift you as wheat; but Jesus is making intercession for you; His love is broad and deep. Perhaps you will say, “How do you know He loves me?” I look where you may look, to the cross of Calvary. That blood shed upon the cross cleanseth from all sin.

We are daily working out our destiny. We have a crown of eternal life to win, a hell to shun. We certainly cannot save ourselves, and we know that Christ wants us to be saved. He gave His own life that He might pay the ransom for our souls. When He has made this infinite sacrifice, He does not regard us with indifference.

We want to cling to the Way, the Truth, and the Life.... We have a living Saviour, a living Intercessor, one who will help us in every time of need. When tempted to go into the dark cave of doubt and despair, sing, “Arise, my soul, arise! Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding Sacrifice in thy behalf appears; Before the throne my Surety stands; My name is written in His hands.”

THEMBERERO KAPENA DALITSO?

Ikani Musadzikundikire nokha chuma padziko lapansi, pamene njenjete ndi dzimbiri apenya achinyengo, ndiponso pamene mbala zimathyola ndi kuba kupyolera. Mateyu 6:19.

Chuma zimene engross maganizo ndi kuwaphunzira chidwi, popatula Mulungu ndi choonadi .... Mpulumutsi wathu anapereka anaganiza kuchenjeza hoarding mmwamba chuma cha dziko lapansi.

Onse nthambi za malonda, za mitundu yonse employments, ali pansi pa diso la Mulungu; komanso Mkhristu aliyense wapatsidwa mphamvu kuchita chinachake chifukwa cha Master. Kaya kuchita ntchito m'munda, mu nyumba yosungiramo katundu, kapena countingroom, anthu mlandu kwa Mulungu anzeru ndi woonamtima ntchito ya maluso awo. Ngati mmene mlandu kwa Mulungu chifukwa cha ntchito yawo, monga mtumiki amene amagwira ntchito mwakhama mu mawu ndi chiphunzitso chake.

Katundu amene n'zofunika pa dziko lapansi adzasonyeza yekha temberero, koma ngati zoyenera kumanga chifukwa cha choonadi, kuti Mulungu ulemu, ndi kuti miyoyo akhoza kupulumutsidwa sadzachita temberero, koma dalitso. Kudzera ndi zofunika yokweza iliyonse yabwino chifukwa; ndipo monga anthu ena akhala anapatsidwa mphamvu zambiri wolemera kuposa ena, ayenera anatambasula maluso awo ndi ndalama, kuti Ambuye alandire Ake, ndi katapira, pa kuwonekera.

Amene ali okonzeka komanso ofunitsitsa kuti aganyali chifukwa cha Mulungu, adzakhala wodala pofuna kupeza ndalama. Mulungu analenga gwero la chuma. Iye anapereka dzuwa, ndi mame, ndipo mvula, ndi kupangitsa zomera kukula. Iye anadalitsa anthu ndi maganizo ndi thupi mphamvu, ndi woyenera kuti tipeze chuma, kuti wake chifukwa akhoza anathandizira mwa amati ana. Osowa ali ponseponse, ndipo Mulungu alemekezedwa, pamene osauka ndi ovutika ndi mothandizidwa ndi kutonthozedwa. Ndi tchimo kukhala ndi kulamulira katundu monga adindo Mulungu, atagwira kokha mpaka Iye adzakhala amafuna kwa zofunika ntchito Yake.

Tisamaiwale kukumbukira kuti tili copartnership ndi Mulungu. Ntchito yake ndi chifukwa amafuna choyamba kuganizira.

KUKOMA KUDZIMANA

Lemekeza Yehova ndi chuma chako, ndi zipatso zoyamba za zako zonse kuchuluka: kotero yako nkhokwe kudzazidwa ndi chakudya chochuluka, ndipo wako osindikizira adzakhala adzatuluka ndi vinyo watsopano. Miyambo 3: 9, 10.

Mulungu amanena nthanthi ena onse amanena. Iye wagona dzanja Lake pa zonse zimene Iye, ku chidzalo Chake ndi beneficence, anapereka kwa munthu, ndipo anati: "Ine ndine mwiniwake wa chilengedwe chonse, ndipo katundu ali Anga. Ntchito yopititsa patsogolo wanga chifukwa, amange Ufumu wanga, ndi My madalitso udzapumula pa inu. "

Ena mwa zochuluka zawo, panopa palibe kusowa. Iwo sachita kudzimana chifukwa cha Khristu. Iwo anapereka manja ndi mtima wonse, komabe zonse zimene mtima ndikukhumba. Mulungu amauona. Zochita ndi zolinga ali mosamalitsa chizindikiro mwa Iye, ndipo iwo anataya mphoto. Koma anthu amene ali ndi mwayi wochepa njira ayenera si zifukwa okha chifukwa sangathe kuchita zambiri ngati ena. Chitani zomwe mungathe. Kudzikana nokha ena nkhani mungachite kunja, ndi nsembe chifukwa cha Mulungu. Ngati mkazi wamasiye wosauka, kuponyedwa mu wanu tiwiri. Inu n'kupatsa kuposa onse amene zochuluka zawo; ndipo mudzazindikira lokoma ndi kukana kudzikonda, kupereka kwa osowa, kupereka nsembe chifukwa cha choonadi, ndi kusunga chuma kumwamba.

Mnyamata ... amene amati choonadi, ayenera phunziro la kudzimana kuphunzira. Ngati awa anapanga nsembe choonadi, iwo kulemekeza kwambiri kwambiri. Zikanakhala bwanji mitima yawo, ndi kuyeretsa moyo. Nthawi zambiri achinyamata sititenga yakalavulagaga chifukwa cha Mulungu, kapena kumva chilichonse udindo za izo. Kodi chifukwa Mulungu ndisafike iwo? O, ayi; iwo mundikhululukire okha. Iwo sakuzindikira kuti sali okha. Mphamvu zawo, nthawi yawo, si zawo. Iwo munagulidwa ndi mtengo; ndipo ngati iwo adzatenga mzimu wa kudzimana ndi nsembe, iwo sangakhoze konse kupeza wachisavundi cholowa.

Perekani zomwe mungathe tsopano, ndipo ogwirizana ndi Khristu, dzanja lanu adzatsegula opatsa kwambiri. Ndipo Mulungu anaperewera dzanja lanu, kuti chuma cha choonadi atengeredwe miyoyo yambiri. Iye adzakupatsani kuti kwa ena.

NDI MASO A CHIKHULUPIRIRO

Maso anu a kuzindikira kuti anaunikira; kuti mukadziwe chiyembekezo cha kuitana kwake, ndipo chuma cha ulemerero wa cholowa chake mwa oyera mtima. Aefeso 1:18.

Apamwamba ziyeneretso za maganizo ayi, sangakhale, kupereka malo oona kuphweka, enieni zachipembedzo. The Bible akhoza kuphunzira monga nthambi ya sayansi adzakhala; koma kukongola kwake, umboni wa mphamvu yake kupulumutsa moyo wokhulupirira, ndi phunziro limene konse Izi zinandithandiza. Ngati mchitidwe Mawu sali nawo mu moyo, ndiye lupanga la Mzimu osati anavulazidwa zachilengedwe mtima. Zakhala ateteze mu ndakatulo zapamwamba. Sentimentalism chotero n'kulikulunga za kuti mtima sachita anaona keenness a m'mphepete, kuboola ndi kudula anachotsa uchimo akachisi kumene kudziona akupembedzedwa.

Maso a luntha ayenera kudziŵa, ndi mtima ndi maganizo anabweretsa ugwirizane ndi Mulungu, amene ndi choonadi. Iye amene wandiona Yesu ndi diso la chikhulupiriro amaona ulemerero yekha, kwa ulemerero wa Muomboli zimaonekera m'maganizo ndi mumtima. Chitetezero cha mwazi wake kuzindikira, ndi kulandira kuchotsa tchimo akusokoneza mtima woyamikira.

Kulungamitsidwa mwa Khristu, wolandirayo wa choonadi adamuwumiriza kupanga lonse kudzipereka kwa Mulungu, ndipo amaloŵa sukulu ya Khristu, kuti aphunzire za Iye amene ali wofatsa ndi wodzichepetsa mtima. A chidziwitso cha chikondi cha Mulungu chinakhetsedwa mumtima mwake. Iye anati, O, chikondi! Kodi kudzichepetsa! Atazindikira wolemera malonjezano mwa chikhulupiriro, iye amakhala nawo Umulungu. Mtima wake kuti anadzikhuthula okha, madzi a moyo nthenda mu; ulemerero wa Ambuye akuwala. Muyaya kuyang'ana kwa Yesu, munthu ali anaphatikizana ndi Mulungu. The wokhulupirira anasintha mu mawonekedwe Ake .... The chikhalidwe cha anthu ndi tisandulika m'chithunzithunzi Mulungu.

Khristu akuyang'ana pa anthu ungwiro ndi ungwiro monga mphoto ya onse kuzunzika, kudzichepetsa Kwake, ndi chikondi, ndi zowonjezerazo a ulemerero Wake, Khristu wamkulu pakati, amene imathandiza onse ulemerero.

CHETE PAMASO PAKE

Ambuye ali m'kachisi wake wopatulika: dziko lonse lapansi likhale chete pamaso pake. Habakuku 2:20.

Kuyambira kupatulika amene anaphatikiza mmenemo, Akristu aphunzire mmene tiyenera kuona malo Ambuye akumana ndi anthu ake. Pakhala pali kusintha kwakukulu, osati kwa zabwinopo, koma choyipa, mu makhalidwe ndi miyambo ya anthu onena za chipembedzo kulambira. Wamtengo wapatali, zopatulika, zimene kugwirizana ife ndi Mulungu kudya akusiya kugwira pa maganizo ndi mitima yathu, ndipo akutuluka nawo mpaka mlingo wa wamba zinthu. Ndi ulemu umene anthu anali kale kwa kachisi kumene anakumana ndi Mulungu mu utumiki wopatulika wakhala makamaka zapita. Komabe, Mulungu adapereka dongosolo la utumiki Wake, kumukweza izo pamwamba chirichonse kwa kanthawi chikhalidwe.

Nyumba ndi malo opatulika kwa banja, ndipo chipinda kapena yakhalapo kwambiri wopuma pantchito malo munthu kulambira; koma mpingo ndi malo opatulika kwa mpingo.

Mu dzina la Yesu ife mwina kwa Iye chikhulupiriro, koma sitiyenera kum'fikira ndi kulimbika mtima kwa kungoganizira, ngati kuti Iye anali pa mlingo kudzifufuza. Pali anthu amene kuthana wamkulu ndi wamphamvu zonse ndi Mulungu woyera, amene akukhala mu kuwala kosakhozeka kufikako, monga iwo kuthana ndi zofanana kapena zosapindulitsa. Pali anthu ochita nyumba Yake monga iwo sayesa n'komwe kuchita mwa omvetsera chipinda cha padziko lapansi wolamulira. Ayenera kukumbukira kuti pamaso pake amene Seraphim kulipembedza.

Amene kusonkhana kulambira Iye Muvule aliyense choipa chinthu. Kupatula iwo kumupembedza Iye mu mzimu ndi choonadi ndi mu kukongola kwa chiyero, anabwera pamodzi adzakhala opanda kanthu.

Ndi mwayi wanu, wokondedwa anyamata anzake, kutamanda Mulungu pa dziko lapansi. Kuti zimenezi, muyenera kulongosola maganizo anu kutali zinthu n'zozama, zosafunikira, ndi moperewera, kwa iwo amene ali wa muyaya wokwanira.

TO DRUNK TO THINK

Esther 1:1-12
When the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded ... to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. Esther 1:10, 11.

When this command came from the king, Vashti did not carry out his orders, because she knew that wine had been freely used, and that Ahasuerus was under the influence of the intoxicating liquor. For her husband’s sake as well as her own, she decided not to leave her position at the head of the women of the court.

It was when the king was not himself, when his reason was dethroned by wine-drinking that he sent for the queen, that those present at his feast, men besotted by wine, might gaze on her beauty. She acted in harmony with a pure conscience.
Vashti refused to obey the king’s command, thinking that when he came to himself, he would commend her course of action. But the king had unwise advisers. They argued it would be a power given to woman that would be to her injury.

However high their office, men are amenable to God. The great power exercised by kings, often leads to extremes in exaltation of self. And the worthless vows made to enact laws which disregard the higher laws of God, lead to great injustice.

Occasions of indulgence such as are pictured in the first chapter of Esther, do not glorify God. But the Lord accomplishes His will through men who are nevertheless misleading others. If God did not stretch forth His restraining hand, strange presentations would be seen. But God impresses human minds to accomplish His purpose, even though the one used continues to follow wrong practices. And the Lord works out His plans through men who do not acknowledge His lessons of wisdom. In His hand is the heart of every earthly ruler, to turn whithersoever He will, as He turneth the waters of the river.

MAKING MARRIAGE LAST - WHAT IS THE KEY?

The Apostle Paul says that the wife is "bound" to her husband as long as he lives (Romans 7:2). The principle here is that either the husband or wife has to die before the marriage bond is broken. This is God's command, but in our modern society marriage ends in divorce over 51 percent of the time. That means that over half of the couples who make the vow "Till death do us part" break that vow.

What can the married couple do to ensure that their marriage will last? The first and most important issue is one of obedience to God and His Word. This is a principle that should be in force before the marriage. God says, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (Amos 3:3). For the born-again believer, this means not beginning a close relationship with anyone who is not also a believer. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). If this one principle were followed, it would save a lot of heartache and suffering later in marriages.

Another principle that would protect the longevity of a marriage is that the husband should obey God and love, honor, and protect his wife as he would his own body (Ephesians 5:25-31). The corresponding principle is that the wife should obey God and submit to her own husband "as to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). The marriage between a man and a woman is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church. Christ gave Himself for the church and He loves, honors, and protects her as His "bride" (Revelation 19:7-9).

When God brought Eve to Adam in the first marriage, she was made from his "flesh and bone" (Genesis 2:21) and they became "one flesh" (Genesis 2:23-24). Becoming one flesh means more than just a physical union. It means a meeting of the mind and soul to form one unit. This relationship goes far beyond sensual or emotional attraction and into the realm of spiritual "oneness" that can only be found as both partners surrender to God and each other. This relationship is not centered on "me and my" but on "us and our." This is one of the secrets to a lasting marriage. Making a marriage last until death is something both partners have to make a priority. Solidifying one's vertical relationship with God goes a long way toward ensuring that the horizontal relationship between a husband and wife is a lasting, and therefore God-honoring, one.