What's Your Favorite Scripture (Part 2)

Another favorite scripture of the group was Matthew chapter five.  Also known as the "Sermon on the Mount".  I encourage you to read the entire chapter this week, but will touch on a few verses that stuck out to one of the Bible study's members...

While discussing verses 13-16, we began asking each other if we were the salt and light that we should be to those around us.  We also asked each other what this area of scripture meant, and how we could apply it to our lives.  One member mentioned that darkness is only the absence of light.  How we speak or what we talk about/call other people is our representation of Christ.  Reconciliation, forgiveness, repentance, and loving others are all ways we can shine our light in the darkness.

Verse 28 brought up a bit of discussion... We all agreed that, when we think of lust, we usually associate it to men.  Women are not as drawn in by the looks of a guy, while men can totally fall into sin just by looking at a woman.  We asked each other if, in society today, men fall prey to the lust of the eye as much as they used to, since provocative clothing etc... is all around them all the time.  One of the girls gave this great analogy: Dogs love treats.  A dog could be in a room surrounded by treats, and he could enjoy eating every single one of them.  But when tomorrow comes around, he will still love treats.  He will not get tired of them or say "Oh, I've had a lot of treats lately..." or "I can get a treat whenever I want, so why would I want one now..."  He would always want more treats.  Our conclusion... It doesn't matter how much we are surrounded by the provocative clothes or sexy advertising of this world... It is still tempting, and it always will be. 

Part two of this verse's discussion brought up the point of how we as women can help prevent lust.  Dressing appropriately, not flirting, etc... are great examples of how we can be a better sister in Christ to all of our fellow brothers out there.  One idea is to think of the people around you (especially guys) as true brothers and sisters.  This will help you put your actions and reactions to people in a better perspective. 

Verses 31-37 talk about Divorce and Oaths/Promises...  What great topics to put one after another.  One more downfall of our current world is not keeping our promises.  Don't make a promise that you can't keep.  When you say I do, that means for better or for worse, in sickness and in health...  Not divorce when: I don't feel the spark between us anymore, I see another person over there that I would like to get to know better, or you don't have any money anymore so why are we still together...  A promise should be a lasting covenant.  Also like verse 37 says so clearly, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."  If you don't make promises, you can't break them.  Be a person of your word... Don't allow the words of your mouth to become unreliable.

Verse 48 is very humbling.  "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  He wants us to strive for perfection.  This is a verse that gets overlooked a lot.  Yes, it is impossible for us to be perfect, but we should have the same attitude as Jesus had... We should strive for perfection as best we can. 

What are some of the verses of Matthew chapter five that really stand out to you?  Have you ever thought about what we discussed above?  What would you add to our discussion about these selected verses?

Blessings!

~ S*

In My Modest Opintion...

Last week I shared some of the discussion we had at the Bible study... This week, I am going to list the scriptures found pertaining to modesty!

Scriptures for this week (All verses are in the NLT unless otherwise stated):

Modesty:

1 Corinthians 12:22-26, "In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."

1 Timothy 2:9-10, "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do."

Clothing:

Deuteronomy 22:5, “A woman must not put on men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the Lord your God."

Matthew 6:28-34, "“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘...What will we wear?’ 32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."

Proverbs 31:22b, "She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns." Only verse of physical appearance

Lust:

Proverbs 6:20-25, "My son, obey your father’s commands,

and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

21Keep their words always in your heart.

Tie them around your neck.

22When you walk, their counsel will lead you.

When you sleep, they will protect you.

When you wake up, they will advise you.

23For their command is a lamp

and their instruction a light;

their corrective discipline

is the way to life.

24It will keep you from the immoral woman,

from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.

25Don’t lust for her beauty.

Don’t let her coy glances seduce you."

Mathew 5:27-28

Colossians 3:5, 10, 12, 14, 17,  "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

Matthew 5:27-28

1 Peter 4:1-5

1 John 2:15-17

Eyes:

Numbers 15:39 (NIV), "You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes."

Proverbs 4:25-27, "Look straight ahead,

and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

26Mark out a straight path for your feet;

stay on the safe path.

27Don’t get sidetracked;

keep your feet from following evil."

Brother:

Hebrews 13:1, "Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters."

Philippians 2:2-5, "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had."

1 Peter 3:8, "Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude."

Causing Others to Stumble:

1 Corinthians 15:33-34, "Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 34Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all."

1 Corinthians 8  
Matthew 18:5-9
Mark 9:42-46
Luke 17:1-3

Lust is a very bad thing, and you can cause others to stumble by dressing or acting immodestly...  So we should make every effort to do everything we can to prevent our brothers in Christ from stumbling!  

Blessings!

~ S*

PS Next Study's topic is Joy, so feel free to post some verses and quotes on Joy between now and then as well!