{"id":2496,"date":"2019-12-02T08:46:47","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T13:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2496"},"modified":"2019-12-02T08:46:47","modified_gmt":"2019-12-02T13:46:47","slug":"signs-of-the-end-times-unholy-december-1st-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2496","title":{"rendered":"SIGNS OF THE END TIMES – UNHOLY, DECEMBER 1st, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"download<\/a><\/p>\n

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CENTRAL THOUGHT<\/strong><\/h2>\n

All forms of unholy living will attract God\u2019s judgement.<\/p>\n

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TEXT:<\/strong>\u00a0 2 Timothy 3:2<\/p>\n

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INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n

A closer look at the events in our society today will reveal how the devil is mounting pressure on people to lower moral standards and holy living so as to distance them from God.<\/p>\n

The worrisome aspect of the growth of sinful living is that Satan\u2019s deception is not restricted to the unbelieving larger society alone.\u00a0 Some churches and their leaders are getting increasingly infested by this \u201cend time bug\u201d of \u201cit doesn\u2019t matter\u201d mentality, which condones and compromises unholy, sinful, lifestyles.\u00a0 It is indeed increasingly becoming difficult to distinguish some Christians from unbelievers as a result of similarities in their lifestyles.<\/p>\n

The aim of Satan in this regard is very clear.\u00a0 He knows fully well that this time (reign), is running out and that the second coming of Christ is closer than ever.\u00a0 Satan would therefore want to keep people from meeting God\u2019s standards through unholy living, and for believers, he would work relentlessly to de-emphasize the place and importance of holiness.<\/p>\n

However, holiness remains and all-time standard that God demands of his children as a condition for pleasing Him and for gaining access to His kingdom, 1 Peter 1:15-16.<\/p>\n

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LESSON OBJECTIVES<\/strong><\/p>\n

The objectives of this study are:<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To understand the meaning of holy and unholy.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. To know practical situations that promote unholy living.<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. To know the consequences of unholy living.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    BIBLE TRUTH<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE TERMS \u201cUNHOLY AND HOLY LIVING\u201d?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u201cHoly living\u201d is a wholesome life-style (in words and deeds) that conforms with God\u2019s standard of decency, moderation, and devoid of any form of corruption, defilement or ungodliness.\u00a0 It is a lifestyle that shuns sin, conforming with God\u2019s nature and character of holiness. Holy living consists of whatever thoughts, words or deeds that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praise worthy, Philippians 4:8.\u00a0 It follows from the above that a life of holiness is a life lived in love as it also has all the attributes of love, 1 Corinthians 13:4.<\/p>\n

      One therefore wonders about the folly of some Christians who regard holy living as a preserve of some particular church denominations only.\u00a0 Holiness demanding as it may seem, remains both an old time (Leviticus 11:44), and present-day standard (1 Peter 1:16), that commands universal acceptance and practice for the Christian faith.\u00a0 It is an unwavering requirement for pleasing God and \u201cmaking\u201d heaven.\u00a0 Without holiness, it is impossible to see God, Hebrews 12:14.<\/p>\n

      \u201cUnholy living\u201d on the other hand, remains thoughts, words and conducts that are carnal, sinful and unacceptable to God.\u00a0 There is no middle course between holy and unholy living, as God does not only regard the direct and indirect sinful deeds and words as unholy but equally condemns the encouragement, appreciation, condonement and approval of people who practice them.<\/p>\n

      The standards for holiness can be obtained from no other source \u2013 (be they persons, church denominations or culture) other than God\u2019s word.<\/p>\n

      It is therefore dangerous to use the personal standards or biases of the church leader or particular denomination or tradition as standard for holiness.\u00a0 For in God, we live, move and have our being; and no other foundation can any man lay than Jesus who is the author, finisher and example for our faith, (Act 17:28;1 Corinthians 3:11; Hebrews 12:2).<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      1. CONTRAST THE\u00a0CHARACTERISTICS\u00a0OF HOLY AND UNHOLY LIVING. Galatians 5:19-23; Romans 12:1-2; Mark 7:20-23<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Holy living is generally characterized by whatever is true, honest, just, lovely, pure, virtuous, praiseworthy and of good report, Philippians 4:8.<\/p>\n

        However, it takes both spirit-filled and led, born again Christian to live a holy life. Holy living naturally results from the fruit of the spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, temperance, etc., Galatians 5:22-23.<\/p>\n

        Also, holy living can only result from a life that abides in or that is well stuck to Christ (the true vine). John 15:4-5. We can only radiate the glory of God as we offer our lives continually to Him as living sacrifices. Romans 12:1.<\/p>\n

        Holiness or holy living is not by any way restricted to outward, appearance, visible consumption or physical comportment of any man. It is a radiation of God\u2019s glory in all facets of life of the believer. Holiness is the character of them that have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, Galatians 5:24.<\/p>\n

        Unholy living on the other hand is deceptive of the manifestation of works of the flesh which include adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murderers, drunkenness, revellings, etc. Galatians 5:19-21.<\/p>\n

        Unholy living is the identity of men and women who live after the flesh, and not after the spirit.\u00a0 It is also reflective of lives that have not crucified the flesh with the lusts thereof.<\/p>\n

        Unholy living, unlike holy living is a characteristic of backsliding and detachment form Christ, the True Vine, John 15:4-5.<\/p>\n

        \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. DISCUSS PRACTICAL SITUATIONS THAT PROMOTE UNHOLY LIVING IN OUR SOCIETY.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Matthew 24:36-42<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          One of the practical situations that promote unholy living is the downright relegation of teachings and admonitions on holy living to the background.<\/p>\n

          Prosperity and get-rich-quick messages have been overplayed out of proportion to detriment and admonitions on holiness and righteousness.<\/p>\n

          While it is the wish of God for us to prosper in body, soul and spirit, conditions on which such prosperity is based, Joshua 1:8, are never given equal attention by preachers.<\/p>\n

          Closely following the lack of sincere attention to the propagation or moral ideals in the society, it is the undue recognition, attention and respect that are undeservedly being paid to conspicuous consumption patterns of people.\u00a0 The society and even the church seem to encourage moral laxity and unholy living through the special value, attention and recognition given to people that display their wealth by the cars they drive and the quality of dresses they put on, without regard to the lifestyle and sources of the individual\u2019s income.<\/p>\n

          Such social events like weddings, birthdays, burial ceremonies and house warmings have become venues for promoting unholy living in the society which most Christians have unwittingly enmeshed themselves in.<\/p>\n

          With flagrant displays of wealth at such occasions, many armed robbers and fraudsters have gotten their minds made up inevitably to attack such individuals.\u00a0 Some people, by the things they have personally caused others to lust and dwell in envy.<\/p>\n

          The golden all-time noble principle of \u201cwhatever you think or do, do all to the glory of God\u201d, 1 Corinthians 10:31, is normally thrown to the dust bin at such occasions.\u00a0 Many activities at these social occasions are done to match up with societal traditions in vogue (no matter how opposing these may be to God\u2019s commandments).<\/p>\n

          The present upsurge of home videos, pornographic pictures and blue films which can readily pass for end time phenomenon have in no small measure promoted unholy living.\u00a0 It is disheartening to observe that some mode of dressing and dancing styles are copied directly from these sources no matter how demonically oriented the styles or fashions may be and are freely imported into the church.<\/p>\n

          The upsurge of sexual immorality and promiscuity amongst youths also owe their origin to corrupt films and television programs which most unwary Christian parents not allow their children to pollute their minds with, but are themselves active consumers.\u00a0 It is not uncommon these days to find that some films that pass for Christian films on their covers actually present pictures that do not present any Christian values.\u00a0 The appearance of near nude individuals on the streets today have perhaps accounted for more cases of rape than all other factors put together.\u00a0 Standards of morality in the educational sector are daily lowered when parents help their children through examinations as well as admissions.\u00a0 On a gradual basis, these unholy acts are fast becoming the social value.<\/p>\n

          Culture is the way of life of a people or community.\u00a0 Understandably, as cultures and traditions are not completely ungodly as some have inbuilt, moral codes that could even promote, discipline, peace and progress of the people.<\/p>\n

          However, some traditional practices exist in all communities which are designed to glorify fetish gods, and Satan.<\/p>\n

          Some practical examples of these practices can be found in some burial ceremonies where sacrifices of animals to ancestors and fetish gods are prevalent.\u00a0 Most, is not all, annual traditional festivals in our villages, such as manhood\/age group ceremonies and new yam festivals have one aspect or the other that is designed to honor Satan.<\/p>\n

          Christians have to be wary of all cultural and traditional ceremonies and festivals, as they are not of the world even though they are in it, John 17:16.<\/p>\n

          Satan is making the love of money a veritable tool in pulling down some individual Christians and church denominations today because such Christians and denominations already have distorted opinions of scriptural teachings on prosperity.<\/p>\n

          The moving force behind most Christian ministries is fast becoming money and money alone!\u00a0 The Biblical injunction to first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Matthew 6:33, is treated with all levity by most Christians.\u00a0 The virus of mammonism or money worship is about the most powerful end-time pollutant of the holiness of the church and individual Christians alike.\u00a0 This also explains the upsurge of fraudulent practices and financial unfaithfulness of Christians in employment and business.\u00a0 The causes of many wrangling\u2019s, scheming and unholy divisions in churches today are easily traceable to conflicting financial interests among members and their leaders.<\/p>\n

          \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. DISCUSS PRACTICAL WAYS THROUGH WHICH SOME CHRISTIANS DEFILE THEMSELVES. Romans 6:12-13; 1 John 2:15-16<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            In no other practical ways do some Christians defy themselves than in those situations that promote unholy living as discussed in question 3, above.\u00a0 Some of these practical situations are:<\/p>\n

            Social Ceremonies:<\/p>\n

            Many Christians are found to exhibit unholy dispositions while organizing one social activity or the other.\u00a0 Such activities could be wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, obituaries, etc.<\/p>\n

            On these occasions the temptation to either exhibit their wealth and please the world catches up so fast with them that they throw overboard spiritual principles and standards.<\/p>\n

            Some Christians spend fortunes in marriage ceremonies and end up in penury after such wedding.\u00a0 Other areas of indulgence by believers is with respect to the worldly practices of spraying money and feasting during obituaries.\u00a0 Some Christians are even tempted to organize some burials (not memorial or remembrance services) under different guises with the trappings of cultural rituals and sacrifices.<\/p>\n

            The scriptural injunction that the believers are peculiar people, a royal priesthood whose actions and deeds at all times must please God remains an enduring principle to guide all believers.<\/p>\n

            Christians are expected to show examples in moderation and godliness in all (conducts) social ceremonies.<\/p>\n

            The recent initiative of some orthodox church denominations in banning all-night obituaries (funeral), or elaborate feeding arrangements in social wakes is an admission of the unholy excesses of Christians in this regard.<\/p>\n

            \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF LIVING HOLY OR UNHOLY LIVES? Matthew 5:8, Revelation 21:27; Ezequiel 18:4<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              A Christian who first pleases God also stands the chance of having favor with man.\u00a0 Another benefit of living a holy life is the privilege of seeing God, Matthew 5:8, Hebrews 12:14.\u00a0 The heart is the fountain out of which comes the issues of life.\u00a0\u00a0 These issues of life determine the believer\u2019s character and nature which are themselves reflective of God\u2019s nature.\u00a0 Man is best able to relate with God when he is in a state of being exactly in the very likeness of God in thoughts, words and deed (character).<\/p>\n

              For the few who will not defile their garment (who live in holiness) they shall walk with Christ in glory as they shall be accounted worthy, Revelation 3:4.<\/p>\n

              Unholy living in contrast to holy living, attracts consequences and not benefits.\u00a0 All who live unholy lives shall be denied entry into the kingdom of God, Revelation 21:27.\u00a0 Unholy living is characterized by sinful living and eternal death remains the judgement of whosoever choses to remain in sin, Ezequiel 18:4.<\/p>\n

              The so-called civilization does not reduce God\u2019s expectation of us with regards to holiness neither does it lower His approved standard or holiness with his own life style.\u00a0 Consequently, the wages of sin (unholy living) remains and will always remain death to whosoever unrepentantly remains in sin, while the gift of God (eternal life) shall remain the portion of those who refuse to defile themselves.<\/p>\n

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              \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

              DAILY LIVING APPLICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

              Christians are enjoined to always watch out against anything that could defile their holy state by being always in a state of prayerfulness and watchfulness, Matthew 26:41; Mark 13:33.<\/p>\n

              One of the ways to keep off sin and other forms of defilements is to always keep to heart and appropriately apply the word of God, Psalm 119:9-11.<\/p>\n

              Many mighty men of God go into sin simply because they believe and wrongly too that they have risen to such a level of spirituality where they can no longer fall.\u00a0 They therefore fall into the temptation of becoming careless with their lives,<\/p>\n

              1 Corinthians 10:12. Holy living should be the preoccupation of every Christian rather than just the leadership.<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

              MEMORY VERSE<\/strong><\/p>\n

              1 Peter 1:15<\/p>\n

              \u201cBut as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                CENTRAL THOUGHT All forms of unholy living will attract God\u2019s judgement.     TEXT:\u00a0 2 Timothy 3:2 \u00a0 INTRODUCTION A closer look at the events in our society today will reveal how the devil is mounting pressure on people to lower moral standards and holy living so as to distance them from God. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2497,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/download-11.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2496"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2504,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2496\/revisions\/2504"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}