And Let Me Remind You of What The Bible Says...
I can't let this baseless charge go unchallenged. Where did I say PROUD? My words were that I would be privileged if I had the chance to visit a work like Hamilton Square and help in their ministry.
As far as being 'in over my head' I am 100% sure you are correct. I am every time I am in a difficult situation. That is what I am grateful that it does not depend on me.
....In Luke 9:3-5 and Matthew 10:14 we are reminded to shake off the dust and move on down the road from the house/city that doesn't receive the Word.
Proverbs 13:20, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."
1 John 1:5-6 says, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled; bad company corrupts good character.”
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
1 Thess. 4:3 - It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.
And Finally, the Bible does tell us to FLEE/Run from sexual immorality in 1 Cor. 6:18. in the New Living Transaltion "Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body." In the God's Word Translation "Stay away from sexual sins. Other sins that people commit don't affect their bodies the same way sexual sins do. People who sin sexually sin against their own bodies."
The Bible in Basic English Version says, "Keep away from the desires of the flesh. Every sin which a man does is outside of the body; but he who goes after the desires of the flesh does evil to his body." The Websters Bible Translation says, "Flee lewdness. Every sin that a man doeth, is without the body; but he that committeth lewdness, sinneth against his own body".
And the best commentary of all is: in
Barnes Notes on the Bible - "Flee fornication - A solemn command of God - as explicit as any that thundered from Mount Sinai. None can disregard it with impunity - none can violate it without being exposed to the awful vengeance of the Almighty. There is force and emphasis in the word "flee" φεύγατε pheugate. Man should escape from it;
he should not stay to reason about it; to debate the matter; or even to contend with his propensities, and to try the strength of his virtue. There are some sins which a man can resist; some about which he can reason without danger of pollution. But
this is a sin where a man is safe only when he flies; free from pollution only when he refuses to entertain a thought of it; secure when he seeks a victory by flight, and a conquest by retreat. Let a man turn away from it without reflection on it and he is safe. Let him think, and reason, and he may be ruined. 'The very passage of an impure thought through the mind leaves pollution behind it.' An argument on the subject often leaves pollution; a description ruins; and even the presentation of motives against it may often fix the mind with dangerous inclination on the crime.
There is no way of avoiding the pollution but in the manner prescribed by Paul; there is no man safe who will not follow his direction. How many a young man would be saved from poverty, want, disease, curses, tears, and hell, could these two words be made to blaze before him like the writing before the astonished eyes of Belshazzar,
Daniel 5 - and could they terrify him from even the momentary contemplation of the crime.
Every sin ... - This is to be taken comparatively. Sins in general; the common sins which people commit do not immediately and directly affect the body, or waste its energies, and destroy life. Such is the case with falsehood, theft, malice, dishonesty, pride, ambition, etc. They do not immediately and directly impair the constitution amid waste its energies.
Is without the body - Does not immediately and directly affects the body.
The more immediate effect is on the mind; but the sin under consideration produces an immediate and direct effect on the body itself."
What I understand this verse and its extensive commentary to be saying is that we should avoid sexual immorality at all costs, do not try to reason with it; and flee from its presence.
It would be unwise, in my opinion, to place oneself, and their loved ones in a place where sexual immorality freely runs loose. :thumbs:
Even Joseph, when in the presence of Potipher's wife, decided to flee, rather than stay and reason with her.
This is wisdom, and let me note that as far as we know, Joseph had no issues with sexual sin. There was every reason for him to remain and try to convince this lustful, seductive woman to se the evil with her, but he chose to run.
So, yes I would suggest that anyone considering a visit to Frisco, to avoid it at all costs. And as for those living there, to cover and clothe themselves in His Word and armor whenever they are out and about on the streets of this city.
San Francisco is more evil and seductive than Las Vegas, and the spirit hanging in the air over Vegas is one of seduction, too! This city should also be avoided at all costs.
Most of the time, we find ourselves in DIFFICULT situations by no choice of our own. I can't think of too many believers who go out looking for the most seductive, difficult situation possible in order to prove their self to God.
There is a difference between getting into a difficult situation by now fault of our own, and choosing to willingly be there.
While I realize that you may be a very strong man of God (spiritually speaking), I also think it would be unwise not to give the devil his due in some situations. You really could be over your head and not even realize it until your head is corrupted, and your heart turned away from God.
As as far as what I meant when I said to stand up to city hall. I do it all the time, by going to meetings and making my voice heard.
Marching and protesting to affect change do not work. In fact, most of the time protesters are arrested, or more frustrated when a deaf ear is turned from their cause.
More can be done by making your voice known in a civil, lawful way, and then by voting on the issue you believe in. We are a nation of laws, and we must learn to obey those laws and work within the perimeters of the laws in which we live.
Happy hunting in Frisco my brother! :thumbsup:
