RE Verse reading–Genesis 1:1, Psalm 100, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 8:8-9, Philippians 2:5-8, James 1:17-18 (day five) “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17) The Greek word for perfect is teleios. It means “that which accomplishes its purpose” or “that which reaches its intended destination”. I remember in college the attempt to justify the use of marijuana by this verse. The argument went something like this, “If God made it, why shouldn’t we be allowed to use it?” James would have been quick to challenge such logic. Not every gift but every good gift, every perfect gift comes from God. Those things that are used by man in keeping with the eternal and wise purposes of God are “from” Him. In the same way, marriage and scripture and prayer and church and physical health. . .perfect gifts from a perfect God, but only when used for His intended purposes. May our hearts be grateful. May our wills be soft.
I honestly do not follow your logic. Just because man uses something that God made in a way that is contrary to His will does not mean He did not make it… or intend it for good purposes…He just did not make it for man to pervert.
One of my biggest questions for God is why did he make men the way He did. If they are supposed to display in their actions within marriage His protection/provision/faithfulness/love, etc. Why does it seem that ALL men… even “good” ones …. act/desire in a way that displays the exact opposite. The truth is that what he made IS Good. It is just that (especially in our current culture) men have been heavily indoctrinated to act/desire in fleshly ways. They do not see that it is even possible to “see” females not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
We changed churches in the past and one of the many reasons was because I have beautiful daughters and the church we were in tolerated/encouraged a fleshly view of attractive females. It is wrong/repulsive and as a parent I just would not raise them in that environment….. they can get that in the world. Church should be different.
This is such a big issue in our culture (and thus in the church) today. How my heart breaks at the fact that men are caught in perversions (the numbers are staggering) and believe that there is nothing they can do about it. It is such a problem that the odds are great that someone reading this blog is caught in such a struggle.
I just want you to know you are not alone in your struggle. I am standing with you in prayer. Father, my heart’s cry/prayer is for their freedom. I pray that they would see the lie/trap for what it is and have faith to believe that You can set them free. Open their eyes to the reality of what is really going on. Help us all to see that you love us right here, right where we are and all we must do now is turn to You. You are our answer/way out. Keep me faithful in prayer for this issue in our churches/Nation. Amen.