Self-construct NOT self-destruct

Here's a question that shouldn't be asked --

"Do we want to succeed or fail?"

Unfortunately, the longer we live the more likely it has been that we've acted like we want to fail.

Lifestyle habits in thoughts, words, and actions can lead to destructive outcomes. Galatians 6:7-8

Why?

Sin. Psalm 51:1-5

It's in our nature. Romans 5:12

Maybe we became lazy. Proverbs 6:9-11

A problem is that small turns can lead us astray, IF we're not careful. 

We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1

CELEBRITIES

Some of us take delight in reading, viewing, and hearing about famous people and their lifestyles.

We think that they've "made it" and we're glad for them.

Maybe their success inspires us.

Peter wrote that even the non-famous can also win in life.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it." 1 Peter 3:8-11

FEET OF CLAY

How do we feel when those we've admired get into scandals or other types of ruin?

"What on earth happened?" we may ask.

Flies in the ointment spoil it all. Ecclesiastes 10:1

The little foxes spoil the vines. Song of Songs 2:15

Beware of a little leaven [incorrect doctrine, hypocrisy, and actions] that leavens the whole lump. Matthew 16:6, 12; Luke 12:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6

Yes, the human condition of imperfection is hard to hide. Romans 3:9-18

OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE WHO SELF-DESTRUCTED

Their mishaps are recorded for our instruction so we don't make their errors. 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

CAIN Genesis 4:2-8

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother.

And why did Cain slay him?

Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 1 John 3:12

SAMSON Judges 15:20

"How can you say, 'I love you,'" she [Delilah] asked,

"when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and failed to reveal to me the source of your great strength!"

Finally, after she had pressed him daily with her words and pleaded until he was sick to death,

Samson told her all that was in his heart: 

"My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb.

If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man." Judges 16:15-17

His eyes were gouged out by his enemies when the Lord's strength left him. Judges 16:20-21

But the Lord restored Samson to victory Judges 16:26-30 and he is in the Hall of Faith. Hebrews 11:32-34

DAVID 2 Samuel 11:1-27

"Why then have you despised the command of the Lord by doing evil in His sight?

You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own, for you have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own." 2 Samuel 12:9-10

David is still in the Hall of Faith. Acts 13:22; Hebrews 11:32-34

SOLOMON 1 Kings 10:1-9, 23-25

King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. 1 Kings 11:1

He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.

For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been. 1 Kings 11:3-4

Despite his failings, Solomon wrote 3 books of the Bible. Proverbs 1:1-3; Ecclesiastes 1:1; Song of Songs 1:1

NEW TESTAMENT PEOPLE WHO SELF-DESTRUCTED (or were headed that way)

Some believers have the idea that to sin everyday is normal.

"We're all sinners, you know." Romans 3:23

Others are shocked that some accept lifestyles that continue in sin.

They probably believe that the Bible condemns this because it turns the grace [undeserved favor] of God into a license for immorality. Jude v.4 

As Paul wrote,

What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?

Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2

Some of those the New Testament talks about errored temporarily and were restored. 1 Corinthians 5:1, 3-5, 13; 2 Corinthians 2:4-8

Others, we don't know what happened to them.

JUDAS ISCARIOT Luke 22:48

Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked,

"What are you willing to give me if I hand Him [Jesus] over to you?"

And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.

So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus. Matthew 26:14-16

After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified,

"Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me." John 13:21

Leaning back against Jesus, he [John] asked, "Lord, who is it?"

Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it."

Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.

And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. John 13:25-27

"Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. Psalm 69:25; 109:8

He was one of our number and shared in this ministry." Acts 1:16-17

And they prayed, "Lord, You know everyone's heart.

Show us which of these two You have chosen to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place." Acts 1:24-25

If we put our hand to the plow, Luke 9:62 let's fulfill the ministry we've been given. Colossians 4:17

Let's not look back Luke 9:62 nor abandon Acts 1:25 what has been entrusted to us. 2 Timothy 1:14

JEZEBEL Revelation 2:20-21

She had at least 2 errors, maybe 3.

To teach believers the "deep things of Satan" Revelation 2:24 that included to sin sexually and to eat foods sacrificed to idols were UNACCEPTABLE to the Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 2:20-21

Perhaps her third mistake, which might have led to the other two, was pride. Proverbs 16:18

She called herself a prophetess.

Other believers wrote that they were in ministry offices Ephesians 4:11 as apostles such as Paul 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1 and Peter. 1 Peter 1:1

And Luke wrote that there were certain prophets and teachers in the church in a city. Acts 13:1

But to call yourself something doesn't mean that you are.

Jezebel wasn't a true prophetess according to Jesus' pointing out her self-identification, particularly when her teaching led believers astray. Deuteronomy 13:1-4

Jesus could have said, "She is a prophetess but her teaching is wrong."

Instead, the Lord said,

"...Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess." Revelation 2:20

So, we need to be careful that this naming of ourselves isn't motivated by pride.

But He gives us more grace. This is why it says:

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

Jesus gave Jezebel time to change her evil ways but He said, "She is unwilling." Revelation 2:21

Maybe she did turn around later.

The Lord further said that bad things would happen UNLESS her followers didn't change, which some translations include her in that offer to get back on the right path. Revelation 2:22

NAMED & UNNAMED OTHERS ON THE ROAD TO SELF-DESTRUCTION

1. Paul urged Timothy:

Hold on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.

Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:19-20

New Testament faith is NOT to be blind Acts 26:22-23 nor is it to be without a good conscience.

Believe what He and His messengers proclaimed Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39; 20:30-31; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 3:15-16 but don't tempt Him with unworthy requests. Luke 4:9-12

2. A couple of believers had a major error in what they believed.

They first spoke unholy and idle words.

But avoid irreverent [unholy], empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. [cancer]

Among them are Hymenaeus [another error from this believer or someone with the same name 1 Timothy 1:19-20] and Philetus, who have deviated [gone astray] from the truth.

They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine [destroy] the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:16-18

3. Sometimes a believer is NOT satisfied with their place. 1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Hebrews 13:5-6

They want to be a very important person. 3 John vs.9-10

They may desire to draw away other believers to form their own group even when their beliefs are perverted, twisted, and therefore, false.

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:30

Unfortunately, some believers who are drawn away, want this.

For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.

So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

4. False apostles, false brothers and sisters, & false teachers.

A problem with deception, that is false thinking and believing, is that the deceivers don't even know that they're being deceived by Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. Revelation 12:9

While evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13

So, they believe that they're okay but end up described in Scripture as false.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.

Their end will correspond to their actions. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses [faked their way] to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. Galatians 2:4

Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.

They will secretly introduce destructive heresies [opinions, lies], even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Peter 2:1

Jesus said, 

"Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you." Matthew 7:15

The same could be said of false apostles, false brothers and sisters, and false teachers.

None will say, "Hi, I'm false. You better get away from me."

5. Another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel. 2 Corinthians 11:4

Paul wrote,

Now the Spirit [Holy Spirit John 16:13] expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1

If one isn't careful, they may be influenced to accept another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel, which would lead them to SELF-DESTRUCT. 2 Peter 3:15-16

I [Paul] am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

BIBLE AS BRIDGE TO JESUS

People sometimes wonder,

"Why have 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Don't they just confuse things?"

Others may never dig deeply and study the other books of the New Testament because they think,

"There are so many of them with too much information."

To those who are sincere Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7; Hebrews 11:6 and NOT afraid Proverbs 29:25 to challenge their cultural and religious beliefs, the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal the TRUE Lord Jesus Christ, Luke 24:25-27, 32, 44-47; John 5:31-36, 39, 45-47

His AUTHENTIC Holy Spirit to receive, John 7:37-39; 14:15-17; Acts 2:4; 8:14-17; 10:44-48; 11:15-18; 19:1-7 

and the REAL gospel of His salvation to believe. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Romans 1:16; 10:9-10; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 1:13; 2:4-10; Titus 3:4-7

We need to receive the love of the truth from Him and NOT be like those who won't. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

JESUS must have the number one position.

Jesus answered,

"I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.

If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well.

From now on you do know Him and have seen Him." John 14:6-7

Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." John 14:8

Jesus replied,

"Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me?

Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.

How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?

The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. 

Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves." John 14:9-11

Peter preached,

"This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men [people] by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11-12

WICKEDNESS IN THE LAST DAYS

Paul warned,

But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. 2 Timothy 3:1

Why?

He goes on to list 18 descriptions of evil, then concludes with,

Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! 2 Timothy 3:5

Some of those 18 sinful qualities are in those who,

worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions,

who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:6-7

Paul also wrote that the Lord WANTS ALL to get His salvation and truth. John 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Do you and I care that some have self-destructed or are on a path towards it because they believe in another Jesus, receive another spirit, and trust in another gospel to save them? 2 Corinthians 11:4

If we do, it could motivate us to pray without stopping. Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Be a witness to the One and Only Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16; 15:26; Acts 1:8; 17:2-3; 26:22-23

Have compassion and pull people out of the fire. Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:19-20; Jude vs.22-23

And make sure that we're being holy as He is holy Matthew 5:8; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:11-12; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16 so that we don't self-destruct. 

SELF-CONSTRUCTION

Have you ever thought,

"How did that person make it?"

We may wonder why some win and others lose.

The Old Testament books of the Psalms and Proverbs include ways to get on and stay on roads to victory. Psalm 112:1-9; Proverbs 3:1-6; 4:1-9; 7:1-5; 18:21

Those in the New Testament's Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter 11 sometimes stumbled as one looks at their lives written about in the Old Testament. 

But they did make it in.

In this section, consider these to be basic principles that we could follow so that we can agree with Paul...

But thanks be to God, Who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Be PURE. Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; Hebrews 12:14; James 1:27

FORGIVE. Matthew 6:12; 18:21-22; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 17:3-4

JOIN to the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 6:17

COMMUNICATE TRUTH with love and grace. Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:15, 29; Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 4:1-2

SERVE. Mark 9:33-35; 10:42-45

BELIEVE. Luke 8:50; John 12:44

PRAY. Luke 18:1-8; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Jude v.20

OBEY. John 14:15; Romans 13:1-5; Ephesians 6:1, 5-8; Titus 3:1; Hebrews 5:9; 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-16

KNOW the Scriptures. Acts 17:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17

LISTEN & SPEAK. 1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:1, 26; Ephesians 4:11-12, 15; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:13; 1 Peter 4:11

WALK in the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16, 25

Be THANKFUL. Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1

DON'T SPEAK evil. James 1:26; 1 Peter 3:9-10

HONOR all people. 1 Peter 2:17

SELF-CONSTRUCTORS

The following believers are given as examples. 

We might say that they were doers of the word, not hearers only. Matthew 7:24-25; James 1:22

HELPED.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you.

For she has been a great help to many people, including me. [Paul] Romans 16:1-2

RISKED. 

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their lives for me. [Paul]

Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles [non-Jews] are grateful to them. Romans 16:3-4

SERVED.

You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints.

Now I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 1 Corinthians 16:15-16; Galatians 5:13

SACRIFICED.

But I [Paul] thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs. Philippians 2:25

For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

He was sick indeed, nearly unto death.

But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Philippians 2:26-27

Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,

because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me. Philippians 2:29-30

PRAYED.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.

He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.

For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Colossians 4:12-13

BUILD UP BUT DON'T BURN OUT

We want to learn from Jesus to be gentle and humble so that His yoke is easy and His burden for us is light. Matthew 11:28-30; Galatians 6:4-5

We want to say as Paul did,

"We proclaim Him [Jesus], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me." Colossians 1:29

Your thoughts?

R. Jason