21--BEHAVIOR

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." – Romans 12:1, 2


Note: Our behavior is important to God. Our bodies and minds belong to Him. We are not to let the customs and traditions of this world draw us away from God and His service. God wants a transformed people with minds in harmony with His mind.

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." – 1 John 2:6


Note: We are to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

"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. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is]. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." – Ephesians 5:1-21

Note: Our fellowship is to be with God and those who serve Him. Our contact with the world should not lead us to compromise God’s heavenly principles. When we need to spend time with those who are not in harmony with God, we should pray much and try to love them in a way we can win them to our Saviour. Jesus did spend time with sinners, but the time He spent was in teaching them the way of salvation. He did not compromise in any way. Not everyone will appreciate us, but some may admire us, when we reflect Jesus in our lives. What we want them to do is not see us, but see Jesus in us.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things." – Philippians 4:8


Note: Our behavior includes our thoughts and words. God would have us learn control over all of our thoughts. Only in His strength can we do this.

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" – 2 Corinthians 10:5


Note: This is a tall order for us to do on our own, but God has promised us “divine power” to gain victory over the temptations that may easily beset us.

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." – 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Note:When it comes to marriage, business partners, or any other close association, we need to on guard. We cannot safely have a close relationship or spend much time with those who might lead us astray. We cannot trust in ourselves to resist temptation if we put ourselves in the way of it. When, at times, we need to be near temptation we need to pray much then and ahead of time for special protection. But it’s better to avoid associations that could be detrimental to our spiritual welfare.

"Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear. 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." – 1 Peter 3:1-4


Note: It is hard for us who are women to take this text to heart, but we must. Many times unconverted men will take advantage of a text like this and make a woman’s life miserable. But a truly Godly man will love his wife and wish for her happiness. He will do all he can to promote her welfare and allow her to be an individual with abilities and tastes of her own. This text also brings out the need of women (this applies to men also) being modest. She should dress neatly and avoid drawing undue attention to herself. She belongs to Christ and everything about her should reveal this fact.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20


Note: We are stewards of our body temples. We need to keep our mind and bodies as healthy as we can, because this is where the Holy Spirit dwells. A mind that is not clear and a body that is not healthy cannot serve the Lord in the best manner possible. Some substances are particularly harmful to us, as they make it hard for us to commune with God.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:31


Note: This is quite plain. When we partake of harmful food, drink, or any other substance, or when we fail to exercise and obey health laws, we are not glorifying God. When we say, do or think anything we shouldn’t we are not glorifying God. May the Lord help us all to put away everything of this nature.

Read: Leviticus 11:1-47


Note: God goes into some detail to explain what meats are clean and unclean in the time of ancient Israel. Was this part of a ceremonial law? No, it was a health law. This was to help the people escape disease. So it is today. We need to study the problem of lifestyle out carefully. What can harm our bodies and minds today? Much more than when the Israelites were given health laws. God is preparing a people and they need to be in the best condition possible for the trying times ahead and even in their present life.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." – 3 John 2


Note: Certainly God wants us to be healthy and happy, because He loves us so much. He also knows what will help us to be clear minded and receptive to His Spirit.

CONCLUSION:

When we learn to keep God’s commandments in thought, word, and deed our behavior will be better also. Do we love God and our fellow beings. enough to learn to live in the best way possible, even if it might seem we are making a few sacrifices? In the end, any sacrifices we make will seem tiny in comparison with what God offers us.