Attacks Against Your Morality

INTRODUCTION.

A.        The Bible directs Christians to live by a certain standard. Consider the following examples from 1 Peter.

1.         Peter instructed the saints to be holy. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

2.         Peter told the brethren to lay aside sin. (1 Peter 2:1-2)

3.         Peter told the brethren how to treat one another. (1 Peter 3:8-9)

B.        We could list several Bible passages which define the standard of morality expected by God. However, we will save that for another lesson.

C.        Christians face enemies and obstacles which attack and lower their standard of morality.

1.         Some times the attacks are small and seemingly minute.

2.         There are other times when the attacks are blatant and easily identified.

D.        With this lesson, we will consider three ways in which the devil attacks the godly standard of morality found within the Bible.

I.         “ENTERTAINING” INFLUENCES

            A.        We should set no wicked thing before our eyes. (Psalms 101:1-8)

            B.        Consider the following examples, through which wicked influences can be brought into our lives.

                        1.         Television

                        2.         Internet

                        3.         Movies

                        4.         Books

                        5.         Songs

            C.        There are television shows, books, movies, songs, etc. which attack our:

                        1.         Standard of morality

                        2.         Standard of sexual purity

                        3.         Standard of language

                        4.         They do away with “black and white” and leave only shades of gray.

II.       FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES, STRANGERS, ETC.

            A.        We must not follow the wicked into their sinful needs.

                        1.         Psalms 1:1-3

                        2.         Proverbs 1:10-19

                        3.         Proverbs 4:14-19

            B.        There are people in the world who would lead you into and encourage you to:

                        1.         Lie to and about other people

                        2.         Cheat other people

                        3.         Dress immodestly

                        4.         Use filthy language

                        5.         Use alcohol

                        6.         Throw sexual purity out the door.

III.      FAMILY MEMBERS.

            A.        We are to love the Lord more than we love our families. (Matthew 10:34-39; Luke 14:26)

            B.        There are times when our family members may pressure us to lower our standards of morality.

                        1.         A spouse could influence the other spouse into doing something that is sinful.

                        2.         Parents could teach or pressure their children into a sinful way of life.

                        3.         Children could pressure their parents into allowing compromising and sinful situations to develop.

                        4.         A family member living in sin could tempt other family members to become more lenient or tolerable towards that sin.

CONCLUSION.

A.        As Christians, we must not be tossed back and forth by sin. (Ephesians 4:11-15)

B.        We must be willing to take a stand for the Truth. (Ephesians 6:10-14)

C.        We must not let our homes be destroyed by the outward attacks against the Bible taught morality and righteousness.

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Attacks Against Your Morality -- May 5, 2005 -- File # 2377 - Morality

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK