Avoiding Adultery, Sin, Idolatry, and Intemperance

Avoiding Adultery, Sin, Idolatry, and Intemperance

Positive Christianity Series Episode #171

We learn in the Proverbs of Solomon about the need to avoid the practice of sin that is disobedience to the commandments of Moses. We know that the snake wants to lead to sin based on idol worship, adultery, temporary lies, lust, envy, and coveting. This is to attempt to lead to vices that then lead to grave sin. We can choose to avoid the practice of sin and instead obey the commandments of Moses with sincerity of heart. We learn that instead we develop virtues in obedience to the commandments of Moses that prevent vices from occuring. We can choose to remove sin from our lives and instead improve with fidelity and wisdom. 

We learn that we can combat lust seeing the manner that the snake attempts to lead to envy and hate based on lust, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality. We learn that idolatry tries to lead to adultery, and adultery tries to lead to idolatry. For this reason we can not practice lust. Even when post-modernism wants to normalize the practice of sin and lust, we are supposed to accept correction and avoid sin and lust. We learn that in the times of Lot, there were wicked individuals that practiced homosexuality because they started practicing lust, fornication, and adultery. We learn that the snake does not want individuals to stay at lust and instead wants to lead to adultery and homosexuality. We learn that Lot did not practice lust, fornication, nor adultery and was saved. We know that Solomon described that individuals are not supposed to practice adultery because it tries to lead to destruction. Historically, adultery was practiced in polytheistic pagan temples and by adulterers and adultresses. Solomon describes in the Proverbs to be far apart from the practice of adultery and avoid adulterers and adultresses. This is because adultery tries to lead to idol worship, anger, hate, envy, and coveting.

"For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adultress is a narrow well. She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind."- Proverbs 23: 27-28

Solomon allowed us to know that we can not practice adultery and sin. This describes not practicing idol worship that attempts to lead to fornication, adultery, orgies, and homosexuality. Solomon describes that idolatry leads to bitterness and envy. We learn that the adultresses and adulterers are not loyal and attempt to cause adultery. This is so that there is no monogamy and instead there is lust and adultery being practiced. We learn that the snake had attempted to use adultery and idolatry to tempt Moses and Israel through Balaam's error of suggesting the practice of idol worship and adultery, yet Moses and Israel persevered without practicing idol worship and adultery. We learn that Lot persevered without practicing lust and adultery. We learn that Jehoshaphat also removed pagan temples of adulterers where there was adultery and idol worship practiced. Jehoshaphat was also considered righteous. Salomon describes that the adulterers and adultresses attempt to increase 'the traitors among mankind' describing how there is no stability and no monogamy in adulterous relationships. Instead there is envy and coveting that idol worship and adultery tries to cause. 

We learn that we are also supposed to practice temperance in the manner that we do not consume large quantities of alcohol, do not need to be gluttenous, nor use illicit substances. We know that drunkeness and intemperance is a vice. Intemperance tries to lead to idol worship, adultery, and envy that are not necessary. We learn that Salomon describes in the Proverbs the need to practice temperance. We are able to drink a glass of wine with moderation, yet it is better to be sober due to the times we live in. In fact, due to the times that we live in, it is better to abstain from wine and alcoholic beverages. We can persevere being sober knowing that these are not the best of times. We can not allow alcohol, overeating, or unnecessary illicit substances (poison since the brain receptors do not need any of the unneeded illicit substances. We learn that the brain's receptors decrease with use of illicit substances and lead to the dangers of overdosing. This allows us to know that there is no need for illicit substances, not even once). We can not practice intemperance and instead we can have dominion over alcohol, avoid overeating, and avoid illicit substances (poison). We can keep persevering with temperance knowing that we do not need alcohol and instead we need to keep persevering worshiping GOD Almighty above everything. 

"Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder."- Proverbs 23: 29-32

January 6, 2024 Monday's Publication