Today’s Scripture: Galatians 5:16-25
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. – Ephesians 5:3
Some years ago I became acquainted with a young man who lived on the West Coast. He had become a Christian and was showing great promise in his life of daily discipleship. Scripture memory came easy to him; he soon became consistent in his morning prayer and Bible reading; he joined a Bible study group; and he enjoyed going to church. His witness to fellow students at the university was clear and effective.
Gradually I began to notice a change. Although he continued to be involved in discipleship activities, the sparkle was gone. Then one day we happened to meet, and I asked if there was anything he wanted to talk over. He didn’t answer for a few minutes, and then finally said yes, there was. He had gotten to know a group of students on campus and had begun to hang around them so he might witness to them concerning faith in Christ.
He began to adopt their lifestyle, drinking with them, laughing at their crude jokes–all for a good purpose. Then it happened. He went with them to X-rated movies, and the war that never ends began to rage in his soul. The Bible describes it this way: “The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17, KJV). It wasn’t long before his walk with God became a shambles and his witness ineffective.
Fortunately, through the prayers and loving care of some friends, he was restored. He came back to the Lord in true repentance, and today he is walking with God. But it was a very costly lesson.
Prayer
Lord, as I live among the lost and witness to them, keep me from crossing the line into their lifestyle. Amen.
To Ponder
Never underestimate the power of the lust of the flesh.
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