What Happens if I Sin? PREV NEXT

Building Your Faith in God Jesus Christ had faith in His Father because He respected His Father’s Will. He used His Father as an example. Whatever He saw His Father do, He did likewise. His Father loved Him and showed Him all things. Christ did nothing of His own initiative but He only did what He was taught by His Father to do. He always did things that were pleasing to His Father. Disciples of Jesus Christ must also learn to love and imitate the Father by doing the same deeds that Christ did—helping the poor, lame and blind; in general, living a life of doing good. We overcome our sinful natures by doing so. When we become zealous for good deeds and endure to the end, the Father is glorified. This is the way the Father wishes to be worshiped. We must be careful to do these things in the name of Jesus Christ, for the glory of the Father in heaven. Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. John 5:19-20 So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” John 8:28, 29 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. Revelations 2:26 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him. 1 John 3:18-19 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 PREV NEXT Click below for full Bible Study: How To Build More Faith

wholewheatonline.com Search God's Anointing God anoints His people with His Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20). This anointing—which is God’s Spirit—teaches you about all things so you have no need for man to teach you (1 John 2:27). However, you must abide in Him in order for the Spirit of truth to teach you (1 John 2:28; John 14:16-17). Notice, Jesus was referring to Himself in John 14:18 and 2 Timothy 2:7. Abiding in Jesus means obeying Him and living the Way He has instructed us to live. Jesus received these instructions from the Father and they are the directions to eternal life (John 6:63; 12:49-50). Not only does the anointing teach us, it also causes our spiritual growth and our change of character from that of our old nature to His new nature formed in us (1 Cor. 3:7; Col. 2:19). It is God who teaches us how to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9). All these things occur when we are obedient to God and we don’t grieve the Spirit of God in us by doing what is wrong. God commands us to love one another (John 15:12, 17; 1 John 3:10, 14, 23; 4:7-8, 11, 16, 20-21). He wants us to practice loving one another so the Spirit that dwells in us can teach us how to love as God loves (1 Thess. 4:9). Over many years, God has given us an opportunity to learn and practice His principles in different ways, with the various people that come in and out of our lives. Sometimes He can bring people in your life for the sole purpose of teaching you His principles, as well as to test you and your loyalty to Him, His Spirit and His truth. Some people struggle and many cannot receive the strong things of God because they remain spiritually immature and half committed or lukewarm. God gives people time to repent. God is patient toward us, that none whom He has called should perish (1 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:47; 13:48). However, there is an end to His patience (Luke 13:8-9). The reason people cannot receive meat is that they are still fleshly (1 Cor. 3:2-3). They are still living to the flesh, still living in the world and still holding on to their old ways. These are people who are not fully committed. They are lukewarm, inconsistent and still living to please self and not God in some areas of their lives. They are “hold outs” for God because they are holding back from being totally committed and totally of one mind with Christ. They find fault, in whatever way they can, so they can hold back. They are suspicious, and remain so because then they do not have to give their hearts totally to God, and thus, to those whom God has called. It is an awesome responsibility to make a people prepared to meet the Lord (Luke 1:17). We strive to do that every day here at Whole Wheat, to provoke and stimulate you to more love and good deeds continually (Heb. 10:24). If that does not happen and there is no one ready, God will destroy the earth with a curse (Mal. 4:6). The word “curse” is defined in Strong’s Concordance, 2764a and 2763a in the Hebrew is translated and defined as: a doomed object, exterminated, utterly destroyed, appointed to destruction. So, let’s get behind and support God’s message! Let’s help promote God’s message and get behind those who tirelessly push ahead for the meeting of the great day of God Almighty. We must discard these bodies of flesh for spiritual bodies. We must perfect the spiritual life of Christ Jesus in them by living to the Spirit, which is doing good only for God. It is no longer living to the flesh because living to the flesh is doing evil, which is Satan’s will (Rom. 8:13; 2 Tim. 2:26). God teaches you and causes you to grow when you obey His word and with the anointing of His Spirit, He will give you strength to endure all things as you honor Him and the example of His Son by living righteously each day, overcoming evil by doing good (1 Cor. 3:7; 1 Pet. 4:11; John 3:36; Rom. 12:21). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

Love of the Truth to be Saved PREV Search NEXT

wholewheatonline.com Search It's Later Than You Think For the coming of the Son of Man will be just as the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37-38). People were still going about their business as usual. No one expected anything to happen. In other words, it came upon the whole world as a snare, a trap. Will Jesus Christ’s return come upon us at the end of this age as a snare? Luke 21:34-35 says, yes, indeed it will. Not only will it come upon this present-day society as a trap, but God’s word also states He is going to do things in our day that we would not believe, even if someone described them to us (Acts 13:41). Yes, if someone would describe them to the people, they would mock and scoff at that person and as a result, they will perish. Many say, “I would not scoff.” Well, here is your chance to find out. What else was going on in the days of Noah shortly before the flood—when all of mankind came into judgment and perished, with the exception of Noah and his family? God’s word says angels assumed a physical form, came down to earth and mated with human women (Gen. 6:4). Were these good angels or evil angels? God’s word says in Jude 6 and 7 that these were evil angels who did not keep their proper abode, but interfered in man’s affairs, and as a result, are going to be destroyed in the lake of fire along with their ruler, Satan, the devil (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10). Is this happening again today? Very shortly, the man of sin, as he is called, will be revealed to the inhabitants of this world. He is also called the son of destruction, the man of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:3). This “world teacher” who possesses all the powers of Satan. God’s word mentions this individual in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. God is restraining this individual now, until the time when he will be revealed (2 Thess. 2:6-8). He will rule this earth for three and one-half years after this time. This beast will then be seized along with the false prophet—his side kick. They will be the first two to be destroyed by the Lord in the lake of fire when He returns shortly (Rev. 19:20). Notice what Revelation 12:12 says: “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” When did Satan come down to earth? Revelation 12:7-9 says it was after a war was fought in heaven. What is happening in our skies now? The mystery of lawlessness mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 are those who cause an apostasy, a falling away from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to the god of paganism. The god of paganism is the god of this world, Satan. In the Bible, he is called “the beast” because his body is not human and his spirit is that of Satan. We advise people not to watch this man when he appears on television and makes his declaration to the world, because he is coming with all the power and authority of Satan (Rev. 13:2, 6-8). The whole world will eventually be deceived into worshiping him and taking his mark (666) or his name upon their right hand or forehead (Rev. 13:3-4, 16-18). Now is the time to prepare! Now is the time to repent! Now is the time to make all your ways pleasing to God, in thought, word and deed. Now is the time to seek God by studying His word daily. Now is the time to imitate Him by practicing His Ways in your life and stay true to Him until the end (Eph. 5:1). Our Lord Jesus Christ declared, we must overcome the satanic pulls of our evil natures by keeping and doing the deeds of Jesus Christ and enduring to the end (Rev. 2:26; Rom. 2:7; Eph. 2:10; John 14:12). If the greatest in the kingdom will be the servant of the most, then what’s going to happen to those who will not serve others for the Lord now? Remember always, it is the sheep who inherit the kingdom because on a daily basis, they serve others who need help, as Jesus Christ gave them example to do. They do all manner of righteous deeds in their daily lives for the Lord, whether in word or deed, as they are commanded to do (Col. 3:17). In short, the Lord’s true disciples only live to do good, as Jesus said we should. They feed the hungry, give clothes to those in need, visit the sick, invite in those who need a place to stay and visit those who are in prison (Matt. 25:33-40). All their deeds are done for the Lord, not for their own glory (Matt. 5:16). They are continual doers of the Lord’s words, and they are the ones who will abide forever because they are daily doers of God’s Will (John 8:51; 1 John 2:17). They perform God’s Will daily on earth as it is being done in heaven (Matt. 7:21; 6:10). How ridiculous are the words of the false prophets who say there is nothing to do to be accepted by God. True repentance is a glorious new life that one lives, a life of righteous good works done to please the Lord. If you are not living it, then you’re not accepted by God (2 Thess. 1:5; Matt. 25:41). Even the thief on the cross could pray for others and for the forgiveness of his sins. If he would have been taken down from that cross, he would have been required to live as a follower of Jesus Christ. He had a good excuse why he couldn’t physically live the righteous life, but we who are free do not. Ask yourself: 1.What did I do for the Lord yesterday to please Him (John 8:29)? 2.What did I do today to please the Lord (Col. 3:17)? 3.What do I plan to do tomorrow that will please the Lord (Eccl. 10:2; Prov. 16:9)? The answers to these questions let you know who you are living for, the Lord or the god of this world, Satan. In the dictionary, the word “godless” implies a simple definition of one who leaves God out of his life. Now is the time to repent and live the righteous life so you will not perish along with those who worship the beast and receive his mark. It is most definitely later than you think! PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search How to Commit Your Ways to the Lord One should continually remind himself that Jesus Christ said His Ways are easy and very pleasant (Matt. 11:30). Jesus Christ says one must have the mind of a child to understand His true message (Matt. 11:25). A child is teachable, correctable, willing to change, and willing to admit he’s been wrong about many things (Mark 10:15). One must have this attitude to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:3-4; 19:14). With this attitude of a child, then, let the mind be in you that is in Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:5; Eph. 5:10). Jesus always did things to please the Father (John 8:29). The words that came from His mouth were the Father’s. We are to do the same (1 Peter 4:11; Col. 3:8, 10; Eph. 4:29). Whatever is good, peaceable, respectable, admirable and uplifting, we are to think on these things (Phil. 4:8-9). We are not to have a tongue that says good things one minute and bad things the next. Instead, we are to use it for good all the time (James 3:9-10). By practicing these Scriptures in our daily walk with God, we will be committing our minds and tongues to Christ. Remember, we must be diligent and zealous, and we must persevere in order to make headway. Now the only thing left is to get the body to zealously do good for God (1 Peter 3:13). Remember, doing good is how God is glorified (Matt. 5:16). It is how He is well pleased (Heb. 13:16). Doing good for God’s glory is His Will and the Way He wishes to be spiritually worshiped (Heb. 13:21; Rom. 12:1-2). Ask yourself, "Have I ever been weary in doing good for God?" (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13). If you have, you will know that you are in the process of committing your ways to the Lord (1 Peter 3:11; 1 Tim. 4:7). If not, then it is time to begin, because it is a great way to live. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

Our founder's wife wrote about her experiences as a woman of God, and the wisdom that came from them, in this beautiful series that transforms some of her most cherished writings into inspiring videos. A Woman of God Has Self-Control Learn more about being a woman of God here. PREV NEXT

wholewheatonline.com Search A Way of Escape - Place of Safety Scriptures The Bible is packed full of evidence about receiving protection from what is to come in the last days. It is a reward for those who remain zealous for good deeds and who keep the word of God with perseverance (1 Peter 3:13; Rev. 3:10). It only stands to reason that since Jesus Christ is making a peculiar people who are zealous for good deeds, they would be the ones who are continually praying to be found worthy to escape what is coming and stand before the Son of Man (Titus 2:14; Luke 21:36). It is a little flock, of that you can be sure (Luke 12:32) and few are those who find the truth (Matt. 7:14). Remember, many are called and few are chosen. You must be counted worthy to inherit eternal life (Luke 20:35). If you don’t want to be considered part of the dead, you must be living to please God (Luke 20:38). There is no question that some will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger (Zeph. 2:3). God is going to gather us together and hide us because He has redeemed us (Zech. 10:8). It will go well with the righteous (Is. 3:10). We are going to disappear, body and all, just as Philip did (Matt. 24:40-42; Acts 8:39-40). Christ tells us to go into our rooms and hide (Is. 26:20). We are going to be hidden from Satan and protected by Christ (Is. 16:4; Rev. 12:15-17). We are going to sing aloud from Sela (Is. 42:11). We are going to be met by people who will give us bread (Is. 21:14; 33:16). We will all have our mates (Is. 34:16). We will be in caves (Is. 42:22). We are going to enter the rock and hide in the dust (Is. 2:10). We will go to a place called Sela (Is. 16:1). Bible translators thought Sela was a musical interlude (Psalm 83:8—see margin note) but in reality, Sela is another name for rock, and Petra is that rock. It is the place where the children of Israel were taken and hidden when they came out of Egypt, or sin. Consider this. If those who practice righteousness are scarcely saved, what will happen to those who do not obey the gospel (1 John 2:29; 3:7, 10; 1 Peter 4:18)? Scriptures on the Place of Safety Isaiah 16:1, 3-4 — Send the tribute lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela by way of the wilderness to the mountain of the daughter of Zion. Give us advice, make a decision; cast your shadow like night at high noon; hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive. Let the outcasts of Moab stay with you; be a hiding place to them from the destroyer. For the extortioner has come to an end, destruction has ceased, oppressors have completely disappeared from the land. Isaiah 42:11 — Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the settlements where Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing aloud. Let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains. Isaiah 44:8 — Do not tremble and do not be afraid; have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none. Isaiah 3:10 — Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their actions. Isaiah 30:27 — Behold, the name of the Lord comes from a remote place; burning is His anger, and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation, and His tongue is like a consuming fire. Isaiah 26:20 — Come, My people, enter into your rooms, and close your doors behind you; hide for a little while, until indignation runs its course. Isaiah 21:14 — Bring water for the thirsty, oh inhabitants of the land of Tema. Meet the fugitive with bread. Isaiah 42:22 — But this is a people plundered and despoiled; all of them are trapped in caves, or are hidden away in prisons; they have become a prey with none to deliver them, and a spoil, with none to say, “Give them back!” Isaiah 51:1-7, 14 — Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; when he was one I called him, then I blessed him and multiplied him. Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of a melody. Pay attention to Me, oh My people; and give ear to Me, oh My nation; for a law will go forth from Me, and I will set My justice for a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands will wait for Me, and for My arm they will wait expectantly. Lift up your eyes to the sky, then look to the earth beneath; for the sky will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die in like manner. But My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not wane. Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, a people in whose heart is My law; do not fear the reproach of man, neither be dismayed at their revilings. The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking. Isaiah 55:5 — Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation which knows you not will run to you, because of the Lord your God, even the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you. Isaiah 2:10 — Enter the rock and hide in the dust from the terror of the Lord and from the splendor of His majesty. Isaiah 33:16 — He will dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the impregnable rock; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. Isaiah 34:16 — Seek from the book of the Lord and read; not one of these will be missing; none will lack its mate. For His mouth has commanded, and His Spirit has gathered them (see also Matthew 24:40-42). Isaiah 64:5 — You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, who remembers You in Your Ways. Isaiah 58:12 — Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Psalm 27:5 — For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. Psalm 32:7 — You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 94:8, 13 — Pay heed, you senseless among the people; and when will you understand, stupid ones? That You may grant him relief from the days of adversity, until a pit is dug for the wicked. Psalm 34:13-14 — Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 25:20 — Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Luke 21:36, 19 — But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may be have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of man. By your endurance you will gain your lives. Revelation 12:1 — And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 14:12 — Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. Revelation 13:10 — If any one is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if any one kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 — For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Zechariah 13:9 — And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, “They are My people,” and they will say, “The Lord is my God.” Romans 2:7-10 — To those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, and eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil; but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good… Zephaniah 2:3 — Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger. Matthew 24:40-41 — Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Acts 8:39-40 — And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus; and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities, until he came to Cæsarea. Zephaniah 3:8 — “Therefore, wait for Me,” declares the Lord, “for the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out on them My indignation, all My burning anger; for all the earth will be devoured by the fire of My zeal.” Zechariah 10:8 — I will whistle for them to gather them together, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they were before. Hosea 10:12 — Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you. Hosea 12:6 — Therefore, return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually. Revelation 3:10 — Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search How Can Teenagers Serve God? Teenagers, your parents want the best for you. All your life they have nursed you when you were sick and worried over you when you were bad. Now, you are about to become an adult. When you are an adult, you will be responsible for your own actions and behavior. Indecision will be one of your enemies. Anxiety, irresponsibility, indifference and selfishness will be other enemies. But look, this is nothing more than human nature at work in your members. The good news is that Jesus Christ came to destroy the old nature in us when we put on the new nature in Christ. The method is simple. The results are astounding, because Jesus Christ and the Father never start something they don’t finish. We could all be successful if we would just get out of our own way. Yes, we are our own worst enemy—our human nature, the fleshly nature. Read what God says our nature is in Ephesians 2:1-3; 5:5; 2 Timothy 2:26; Galatians 5:19-21 and Matthew 15:19. How do you receive a new nature? Live to please God daily, as Jesus Christ our example lived (Luke 9:23; Matt. 10:38; 1 John 2:6). Do God’s Will, which is doing righteous deeds towards others (Matt. 5:16; 12:50; Luke 8:21; 11:28; 1 Peter 2:12). These are the same works that Jesus Christ said we would do more of than He did, for He was to be crucified at the age of 33 (John 14:12; Rev. 2:26). Practice righteousness for God until He makes it come from your heart (1 Peter 4:12-13). As you practice righteousness, God will perfect you through mild testing or suffering (1 Peter 5:10). Normally you suffer for doing wrong, but when you suffer for doing what is right, you can receive His new nature and enter the kingdom that is within you (1 Peter 4:1; Rom. 6:11; Gal. 4:19; Luke 17:21 King James Version). You must force yourself into it and seize it for yourself (Luke 16:16; Matt. 11:12). Soon your righteousness will exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees and you will be a happy slave to Christ (Matt. 5:20). You will be doing all your righteous works—which is God’s Will—from your heart (Eph. 6:6). Don’t delay! Be happy today (Matt. 25:33-40). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

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wholewheatonline.com Search Perfect: A Woman to Woman Article Most every girl dreams of the “perfect life.” She dreams of that special, awesome day when she’ll walk down the aisle to wed the man of her dreams and when she’ll have her own little house to take care of. As she dreams of her perfect house with her perfect man, she tends to forget that she must become the perfect woman. Isn’t this true? Being the perfect woman is very easy. The perfect woman of God puts God first by studying her Bible, praying and looking for opportunities to serve God, and continually doing good for God each day - doing all she does, even the most mundane tasks, for the glory of God. She is prepared to serve others at anytime and prays for others continually. Perfect means spiritually mature, stable, steadfast and immovable—continually serving God. Her life is centered around helping others to please God. She is a shining light in a dark world (Matt. 5:16). When she gives a lunch or party, she includes those who cannot pay her back—the blind, lowly, handicapped, orphans or widows (Luke 14:13-14). Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the perfect godly woman and Jesus Christ says to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48). When a woman strives to be perfect, she is a jewel to God and to her husband; in fact, she is worth far more than jewels, according to Proverbs 31:10. The godly woman represents strength and dignity, and she never points her finger or speaks wickedness about anyone (Prov. 31:25; Is. 58:9). When she opens her mouth she is kind, and uses wisdom, in her speech. She is caring, loving, compassionate and understanding, teaching God’s Ways of charity to others. She takes good care of her home and sees that it is clean. She is not lazy (Prov. 31:27). Her children love her and have only good to say about her (Prov. 31:28). She is like Dorcas—continually abounding with deeds of kindness and charity (Acts 9:36). “Charm is deceitful; beauty is vain; but a woman who fears (obeys) the Lord, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30). Study Proverbs 31:10-31. It is one of the greatest sets of Scriptures in the Bible because it offers guidelines on how to be a godly woman. We want to be aware of what God expects of a godly woman, so we can please Him in all our ways and be a perfect woman of God. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Are You Convicted? Jesus was a fully convicted person. He lived only to please the Father, by being a servant of others in love. Jesus Christ, as well as many of the apostles, gladly laid down their lives for the brethren because He was fully convicted (John 10:11, 15). As we look into the meaning of conviction, we will begin to see that it is conversion. To be in a fully converted state one must be in a fully convicted state of mind—one that is not "carried away by every wind of doctrine," as God’s word puts it (Eph. 4:14). Study to show yourself approved to God—be a person who needs not be ashamed and who handles the word of God accurately (2 Tim. 2:15). The reason for studying your Bible is so that you become fully convicted by it, and thus become fully converted in the process. If you are continually in God’s word, you are continually being convicted by its words, which are true (Heb. 6:18). Have you ever wondered why there are no collection plates spoken of in the Bible? There is no mention of weekly collections made by the apostles for the support of the apostles or for a building fund. However, there is mention of a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem, which consisted of money, food, and clothing (1 Cor. 16:1-4). It shouldn’t even need to be said that every last cent collected went to the needy in Jerusalem and not to the apostles for salaries. Then how were the apostles supported? How, for that matter, was Jesus supported? Jesus had responsibilities. He had to teach the twelve apostles how to live. He also taught them all the words He heard from the Father. All this took over three years. He was constantly helping others, showing His disciples the “Way.” He also had to support His mother and His four brothers and His sisters, because He was the eldest. “Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon? Aren't His sisters here with us?” (Mark 6:3). He had a home, and with every home comes expenses (Mark 2:1). How, then, was Jesus supported? Simple: He was supported by those who were fully convicted. He was supported by people such as Joanna, the wife of Chuza, King Herod’s right hand man. Susanna and many others were contributing to the support of Jesus and the twelve disciples out of their own private funds (Luke 8:3). These women were helping to support them out of their own means. When you are convicted, you simply continually act on your conviction. This, then, is the only Scripture in the New Testament that reveals how Jesus and the apostles were supported. Notice the “many others” mentioned in that Scripture. That was many hundreds of others. How would one know that? First of all, the only people mentioned here by name are women. So it looks like women could have taken the lead in their support. Now consider this. If you were to train twelve men, and feed, clothe and lodge them over a three year period, how much would you need? If you were to take care of your very own mother and your four brothers and two or more sisters over a three year period, how much would you need? One thing is for sure, it wouldn’t be a little. So Jesus and the apostles were simply supported by those people who were convicted, right? Surely there were many who never began to live the new life, called the Way of righteousness. Also, many did not take the message of the truth to heart. Some probably were zealous at first, but when they began to be persecuted by others for living this Way, they fell away as it is mentioned in Matthew 13:20-21. Also, there had to be those who wouldn’t prove all that they heard, by looking it up in the Scriptures like the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). So they remained hearers of the word and were never convicted, and they never became converted to God (James 1:22). One definition of faith is “that which is believed.” But how can you believe unless your Spirit has been convicted? Now to strengthen the Spirit, we all need to be continually fed from God’s word, to prove all things and hold fast with conviction those things which we know and have proven to be true. That is solid faith! That is unwavering faith! Many are going to fall away from the faith because of lack of conviction. Their faith, as a result, will be weakened and continue to be weakened by their continued lack of conviction. Studying God’s word daily and continuing to do acts of kindness and charity daily will keep your conviction strong. The answered prayers you will continue to receive, along with healings and miracles, will keep your conviction strong. If you cannot convince another of the truth from God’s word, you are still not convicted yourself. The message is quite simple, so you can see many are simply not convicted yet. When a person hears a vacuum cleaner salesman give his convicting story, many are convicted enough to buy the vacuum immediately. Their conviction in the product automatically gave them faith in the salesperson. They were sold! This is exactly what happens when Jesus preached the truth from God’s word. People believed Him and, as a result of that belief or faith, many were healed (Luke 8:48). Many, however, did not continue in that truth by putting Jesus’ words into daily practice. They forgot His words. As a result, they lost their belief, their faith and their conviction. Those, however, who immediately put their hands to the plow and didn’t look back, continued to feed their conviction and fortified it with daily Bible study, good works and prayer. They kept learning, so they kept growing. As they were continually convicted by their reading, they automatically began to bring these convictions forward into their daily walk with God. When these new convictions were put into practice and thoroughly tested, they became fully convicted because they proved God’s word was right after all. One area where God wants you to test Him is in giving. Notice what the Lord says in Malachi 3:10: “...test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” The people who were convicted by the truth and began to live it gave money to the poor or needy (Acts 10:2; 9:36). They also supported Jesus Christ. Jesus took that support money and at times gave to the poor. “For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him 'Buy the things we have need of for the feast,' or else, that he should give something to the poor" (John 13:29). Conviction, then, is not only faith but faithfulness. What would have happened if people were not faithful to Jesus Christ in supporting the truth and getting it out to others who were being called into the faith to be saved? Well that didn’t happen because they stayed convicted, and as a result, they remained faithful to God’s harvest. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

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wholewheatonline.com Search Spiritually in Tune With God Have you ever telephoned someone you had on your mind and discovered that person was also thinking of you just before the phone rang? How much more spiritually in tune is God to our every thought (Psalm 94:8-11; 125:4; 1 Cor. 3:20)? There is a way to become spiritually in tune with God, just as there is a way to become spiritually out of tune with God. When we live in sin, we are spiritually out of tune with God. We are in tune with Satan’s wavelengths and we are doing Satan’s will (2 Tim. 2:26). When we repent and come out of a life of sin by living a life of righteousness, we become in tune with the Father, who is righteous (Psalm 11:7; 145:17). All unrighteousness is lawlessness or sin (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 3:4; 5:17). This is why the one who repents is to imitate what is good by doing good (3 John 11). We are to imitate God daily instead of Satan (Eph. 5:1). We are to do good daily instead of evil. Instead of being slaves to unrighteousness, God wants us to repent and become slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:13, 17-19). God’s Will is righteousness (Psalm 106:3). Satan’s will is lawlessness or unrighteousness. God is righteous and He wants us to imitate Him by practicing righteousness daily (Eph. 5:1). He wants us to glorify His name with good works (Matt. 5:16). Jesus laid out those works in the parable of the sheep and goats found in Matthew 25:33-46. Satan is an enemy of all righteousness and good works when they are done in secret for the glory of God (Matt. 6:1; Eph. 6:6). Why? Because that is how he is crushed in our natures and put under our feet by God (Rom. 16:20). Good works and righteous deeds are God’s Will. When we do good works daily on earth as they are done in heaven, we are in tune with God (Matt. 6:10). Now, all we need to do is stay in tune with God (Matt. 24:13). We will have Jesus’ nature formed in us (Gal. 4:19). We will overcome the evil in our lives by continually doing good toward others for God (Rom. 12:21; 1 Peter 3:10-11, 13). We will have our prayers answered because we are doing God’s Will and pleasing Him in all we do (1 John 3:22; John 8:29; 9:31). Not only that, because we are seeking first God’s kingdom by practicing righteousness for God, the Lord will give us all the things we need (Matt. 6:33; John 8:51). So, what are you waiting for? The Lord is waiting for you to become spiritually in tune with Him. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

CHAPTER 8 PREV NEXT We recommend you follow along in your Bible being there is a lot of information to take in, and additional Scripture references given throughout, that you will want to make note of. In addition, to really immerse yourself, we suggest using headphones to listen to the narrarted version, to fully expereinece the cinematic style bringing the chapters to life.

Our founder's wife wrote about her experiences as a woman of God, and the wisdom that came from them, in this beautiful series that transforms some of her most cherished writings into inspiring videos. A Woman of God Doesn't Worry Learn more about being a woman of God here. PREV NEXT

wholewheatonline.com Search How to Be a Friend of God Being a friend of God is not as difficult as it may seem. It involves a simple matter of respect. You do not obey one whom you do not respect. If you did not respect your earthly father, you did not obey him. If, however, he punished you for disobeying him, you would, in turn, respect and obey him. In the same manner, to obey God is to serve God. To serve God is to love God, and to love God is to serve our neighbor first, before self (1 Cor. 10:24). Even Jesus Christ, our example, did not live to serve Himself, but others (Rom. 15:3). He came to show us how to be servants of God, by being servants of others (Matt. 20:26-28; Phil. 2:5-7). He taught us to serve God by serving the sick, the blind, the lame, the widow in distress; by visiting or caring for orphans; by giving to those who ask things of us; and by doing many such acts of righteousness for God and His glory (James 1:27). These are ways we produce fruits of righteousness for God. God’s Will is righteousness, and when we perform righteousness, we are doing the Will of God on this earth as it is being done in heaven. If the Father in heaven is continually doing righteousness, which He is, and Jesus Christ constantly performed good deeds to be pleasing to the Father when He was here on earth, how much more should we strive to do good deeds for God (John 4:34; 5:30, 34; 6:63; 8:29; 12:47, 50)? We do this by practicing righteousness daily, to please Him in every way, in order to imitate and obey Him (Eph. 5:1). Once we are aware that God rewards righteousness, and punishes wickedness, on a daily basis like a loving father, we know that we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). So if all we sow is righteousness, then we will reap God’s blessings each day! PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Come Out of Their Midst and Be Separate Believe it or not, we live in an uncivilized world. God has shown man that they are but beasts (Eccl. 3:18). Mankind has a heart that is desperately wicked and more deceitful than anything you can imagine. It is so evil, it is impossible to know (Jer. 17:9 King James Version). The days are only getting darker and the world revealing more wickedness as each day goes by. When humans do not obey the Lord, they are like brute beasts (Psalm 73:22). They are self-willed and indulge in the flesh with its corrupt desires, despising the authority of God, instead of living a life of doing good and doing God’s Will (Gal. 5:18-20; Rom. 1:24-32). Doing God’s Will is practicing kindness, justice and goodness towards others. Humans remain creatures of instinct doing Satan’s will in their bodies; they are like beasts meant to be destroyed (2 Tim. 2:26; 2 Peter 2:10). When you have human nature, you are by nature a brute beast (Jude 10). Becoming civilized, then, is a process of living by every word of God (Deut. 8:3; Prov. 30:5; Matt. 4:4). It was never meant for man, whom God created, to direct his own steps and live by the way he thought was best for himself (Jer. 10:23). Mankind was to walk in, live by or keep all of God’s Ways, which God has commanded us to keep for our own good (Deut. 5:33; 8:6; 10:12-13; 19:9). God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are God’s Ways our ways. God’s Ways are all righteous; our ways are all wicked (Is. 55:8; Psalm 145:17). All our ways and thoughts are not good (Is. 65:2). This is why God says, in Isaiah 40:17, that all nations before Him are as nothing. They are accounted to Him as less than nothing, yet there were times when God would spare a whole city if there was just one person who was practicing charity towards others (doing justice) and seeking the truth (Jer. 5:1; Gen. 18:22-32; Dan. 4:35). When will mankind realize it is God Almighty who makes nations great and then destroys them when they forsake Him (Is. 60:12)? God has a policy and He does not change (Mal. 3:6). All nations who forget God will return to the grave (Psalm 9:17; 10:16). It is God who rules over the nations (Psalm 22:28; Job 12:23). Jesus is returning soon to set up His kingdom, which will have no end (Luke 1:33). It will be a kingdom where only righteousness dwells. People will only be keeping God’s Ways and doing God’s Will towards one another each and every day. All the nations who are left will come up from year to year at Jerusalem so they may learn God’s Ways in order to be civilized (Is. 2:3; Micah 4:2). Are you becoming civilized by keeping God’s Ways and doing God’s Will on this earth daily as it is being done by God in heaven (Matt. 6:10)? Are you practicing deeds of kindness and love to everyone you meet? Are you becoming born again by practicing righteousness towards your fellow man daily as Jesus gave us example to do (1 John 2:29)? Are you living this Way for Christ (Col. 3:17)? The Lord is coming soon! It’s time to get on His side, so we are off of His hit list (Is. 66:16). Separate yourself from the world and all of its foolishness (Rev. 18:4; 2 Cor. 6:17-18). Draw away from the world and its distractions, and instead draw near to God and His wisdom (1 John 5:19; Mark 4:19; Mark 8:36; James 4:8). Don’t allow yourself to be influenced by others in your life, who are not living God’s truth wholeheartedly (2 Thess. 2:10-12). Do not allow yourself to be influenced by television, movies, the internet, political figures and those of the world promoting themselves and their worldly causes (Luke 9:25, John 15:19; 1 John 2:15-17). When we look at the definition of faction, in Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary, it means - A party: in political society, combined or acting in union. It also means, discord, dissension, tumult (the commotion, disturbance or agitation of a multitude usually accompanied with great noise, uproar, confusion of voices). We know who the author of confusion is, Satan himself (1 Cor. 14:33). God uses factions, whether political or other groups in our lives, to reveal who have godly character and are approved, according to Him, so that they may clearly be seen (1 Cor. 11:19; 2 Peter 1:4). These groups reveal who is like-minded, and when it comes to factions, that means like-minded in the world. A faction is listed in Galatians 5:20 as a deed of the flesh, and it tells us that those that participate in the deeds of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). God says we are to be in full agreement in what we say, so that there be no factions among us (1 Cor. 1:10 AMP). That we be perfectly united in our way of thinking and judgement, according to God and His Ways (Phil. 2:2; Titus 3:9). We cannot be united if we are divided by anything of this world. We are to do nothing from empty conceit (through factional motives or strife) but with an attitude of humility being neither arrogant or self-righteous, regarding others as more important than yourselves (Phil. 2:3 AMP). It is more important than ever to align yourself only with God and leave all worldliness behind; whether politics, or any other worldly group or individual that promotes something other than the whole truth of God’s Will for us (2 Tim. 3:1-7 AMP). The wisdom and the knowledge of this world is foolishness before God (1 Cor. 3:19). God’s word says that the knowledge of this world is demonic, which means it comes from demons (James 3:15; 2 Thess. 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:1). And be careful, as many will seem as though they promote God but secretly have another agenda (Matt.7:15; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). Isn’t that what is going to happen when the antichrist comes (Rev. 20:1-3)? The message will be so similar to God’s truth, that even the elect, if possible, will be deceived (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22). This is why it is so important not to get swept up in what is happening in the world (Luke 21:34-35; Col. 3:2; Heb. 12:1). This is why it is so important to build, and maintain, your stand-alone faith. If we are not studying daily and reminding ourselves continually of this truth, and God’s Ways, then Satan can use that as an open door to manipulate and confuse us (1 Cor. 14:33; John 6:33; Matt. 6:11). We must be sober and spiritually aware to what is all around us (1 Pet. 5:8). It is crucial, as the world is deteriorating and more divided than ever (Mark 3:23-26). Be on the alert, at all times, for deception. We are in the midst of spiritual warfare and must have our spiritual armor on at all times (Eph. 6:10-18). We must be united with God, and only God, knowing we come under His protection and promises (Phil. 2:2; Heb. 4:2; Psalm 91:1-3; Heb. 6:11-13). Remember always that God is in control and He is in the process of fulfilling His plan for this world (Isa. 25:1; Jer. 23:20). We do not want to get in the way of His plan. And, we certainly do not want to be stumbling blocks to anyone who is trying to enter the kingdom, because God is going to make a determination between the righteous and the wicked, the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares, the good fish and the bad fish, and the hearers of His word and the doers of His word (Matt. 18:7-9; Rev. 3:15-16; Matt. 23:13). He is making a determination between the ones who are civilized and those who choose not to be civilized (Mal. 3:18; Matt. 25:40-41; 13:37-38, 29-30, 48; James 1:22; John 5:29; Rom. 2:7). The faith of those who have good works is not dead, but alive (James 2:14-26)! Doing good is what makes people civilized. Stay close to God, stay in prayer and study your Bible daily to remind yourself of the truth of His Ways (James 4:8; 1 Thess. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Pet. 1:13; 2 Pet. 3:1). If you come out of the world and are separate, standing with the Lord, you will be His and He will be yours (2 Cor. 6:16-18). It will surely serve you well in the end (Eph. 4:1-3; 1 Tim. 1:5; Matt. 25:21). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search How You Deny Christ Jesus Christ came to show us the Way to live daily to please the Father. He said His way is easy and pleasant, and not hard (Matt. 11:30; 1 John 5:3). To live this Way, we are to walk as He walked, which means we are to live as He lived. Then we abide in His love (1 John 2:6; John 15:7-9). We are to practice righteousness daily to please the Father in everything we do (1 John 2:29; 3:7, 10, 17-18). We are commanded to do all the good we do in the name of Jesus Christ for the glory of the Father (Col. 3:17). Paul understood what Christ wanted. That is why He told ministers to tell those who have believed in God to be careful to engage in good works (Titus 3:8). Jesus was zealous for good works to please God and this is what He wants us to do. There are those who profess what Jesus Christ preached but see no need for works of any kind in regard to the overcoming process. These are a people who profess to know God but are still living disobedient and detestable lives. They do not know the truth about how to overcome evil by doing good works daily for the glory of the Father in heaven (Psalm 37:27; Rom. 12:21). How do you deny Christ? By not getting involved in a life of good works for God’s glory (Titus 1:16; Matt. 5:16). You cannot expect to have Christ formed in you and living in your heart unless you imitate Christ continually by serving others with love (1 Cor. 11:1). Then, and only then, will the Father reveal His Son in you (Gal. 4:19). God bless those who begin to live this Way without delay. PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

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wholewheatonline.com Search Let’s Play By The Rules “He who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). Jesus Christ is the “door” (John 10:7). He is the Way. He is the one you should listen to. Those who do not preach His pure, complete message are blind guides of the blind, ministers God did not plant; they are Satan’s ministers disguising themselves as ministers of Christ (Matt. 15:13-14; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). They promise people freedom when they themselves are servants of corruption. “Go not after them,” Christ says (Luke 21:8). They keep you on a guilt trip while the message of Jesus Christ frees you from all the religious deception that grips this world. The message of Jesus Christ brings you into the abundant life (John 10:10). Jesus Christ was righteous, because He kept His Father’s sayings (John 12:47, 50). Jesus Christ would not have been righteous if He refused to keep His Father’s sayings. The Father’s sayings are righteous and Jesus Christ subjected Himself to that righteousness (Rom. 10:3). God’s righteousness became Jesus Christ’s righteousness (Heb. 5:9). Then Jesus Christ’s righteousness became the Apostle Paul’s righteousness, because Paul imitated Christ and taught others to do the same (1 Cor. 11:1). God is reproducing Himself. He is making more sons of righteousness. You are born again when you practice righteousness (1 John 2:29). Practicing righteousness is what makes you righteous in God’s eyes (1 John 3:7). Doing righteousness is how you glorify God (Matt. 5:16). Christ is making righteous people for Himself (Titus 2:14). You cannot grow weary in doing good deeds unless you are doing good deeds (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13). Who is there to harm you if you do not prove zealous in doing good deeds for God (1 Peter 3:13)? Your nature! We are our own worst enemy (Gen. 4:7). If we are not living for God every day, we are by nature, living for Satan (2 Tim. 2:26). Let God put him to death for you and make you a son of His (Rom. 16:20). Learn to play by God’s rules! Live a life of righteousness daily for God’s glory!❑ PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

I am full of anxiety God VO PREV NEXT

wholewheatonline.com Search Can We Be Perfect? The Lord said to Abraham in Genesis 17:1, “Walk before Me, and be perfect.” Then the Lord said to His disciples in Matthew 5:48, “Be thou perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Is Jesus lying to us or telling us to be something we cannot be? The Lord told the ancient Israelites in Deuteronomy 18:13 that they were to be perfect before Him. It may surprise you to know that the first person to be perfect was righteous Abel and the second was Enoch. Enoch was perfect because he walked with God, which means he walked like God walks or lives (Gen. 5:22-24; 1 John 3:12; Eph. 5:1). Enoch, then, knew what God’s Will was and did God’s Will (which is righteousness) daily on the earth by being a servant to others in need. God’s word also describes Noah as being perfect, blameless or complete because he, like Enoch, walked with God (Gen. 6:9—see margin note in the New American Standard Version). Job was also called blameless or perfect or complete by God (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3). It’s time to unravel the mystery of what Jesus meant when He said to be perfect. Remember the terms perfect, blameless, complete and walking with God, as they will help to unfold the true meaning of the mystery of being perfect in God’s eyes. Perfect means mature or perfect in attitude toward God—or wholehearted. Perfect means that the righteousness you do toward others (doing God’s Will for God’s glory) comes from your heart (Matt. 5:20; Eph. 6:6). Being perfect, then, is being spiritually mature (Phil. 3:15 NASV—see margin). Perfect is being wholly devoted to pleasing God in all your ways (1 Kings 8:61; 2 Chron. 16:9). Being perfect is maintaining an honest and good heart before the Lord at all times (Luke 8:15). Perfect is being complete in God’s eyes—one who is no longer struggling with the flesh with its evil passions and desires (2 Cor. 13:9, 11; Gal. 5:24). Perfect is allowing Jesus Christ to crush Satan’s nature in you and put it under your heel (Rom. 16:20). Perfect is being zealous for what is good for God’s glory (1 Peter 3:11-13). Being perfect is overcoming our evil natures by keeping Jesus Christ’s works that He came to show us. We are to endure to the end, keeping His works by putting them into practice daily in our lives (Rev. 2:26; John 14:12). Perfect is having Jesus Christ’s nature formed in us by God (Gal. 4:19). Perfect is being zealous for good works instead of making God angry by being lukewarm or cold for them (Rev. 3:10, 15). Perfect is being found worthy by God to go to a place of safety and escape what is soon to come upon the whole world (Rev. 3:10; Luke 21:36 King James Version)—because you are perfected in love, perfected in being a servant of others for God, and perfected in a life of charity towards others (Luke 11:41). When you practice righteousness daily for God in thought, word and deed, you are considered righteous, as God is righteous, says 1 John 3:7. When you continue in this holy Way of living, God perfects His new nature in you (Heb. 12:23; Gal. 4:19). You do the practicing, God does the perfecting (1 Cor. 3:7). The Lord then disciplines us for our good, that we might share His holiness (Heb. 12:10). Even Jesus learned obedience to the Father by the things which He suffered and as a result, He was made perfect by God, as all who obey Him shall become (Heb. 5:8-9). Dorcas was practicing this righteous Way of life by abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did to be pleasing to the Lord (Acts 9:36). Then she was considered perfect by God. As a result of her perfect attitude, God allowed her to be resurrected to mortal life, showing that those who have a life of good works—which is true repentance—will come to a resurrection of eternal life when the Lord returns (John 5:29). On the other hand, those who profess they know the Lord but remain worthless for living a life of good works for God’s glory, deny the Lord. They are not living the Way Jesus came to show us all how to live in order to be right in God’s sight, but rather, are continuing to live detestable and disobedient lives before God daily (Titus 1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:8). In conclusion, then, being perfect is being righteous, and being righteous is being holy, and being holy is being blameless in God’s eyes (Eph. 1:4). When you walk with God, you keep only His Ways, which are all righteous (Psalm 145:17). This is done today by keeping Jesus Christ’s words that He received from the Father, by putting them into practice in your daily life (John 8:51). This is how you imitate the Way God lives and talks and walks (Eph. 5:1; 1 Peter 4:11). It’s as simple as that! If it is with great difficulty that the righteous are saved (those who continually do acts of righteousness for God as Jesus did), what will happen to those who are not obedient to the Lord (1 Peter 4:18)? What will happen to those who refuse to obey Him (Matt. 25:41)? Jesus was righteous, perfect, holy and blameless. He came to show us, as well as tell us, how to live this Way of righteousness and, thus, come out of a life of evil and enter a glorious life of goodness (Matt. 21:32; 2 Peter 2:21). By entering a life of goodness, we leave our old lives behind and enter the life of blessings, joy and peace. This is the life He has waiting for all those who will leave their wicked ways behind them (Acts 3:26). This is how to repent and return to God, that your sins may be wiped away (Acts 3:19). This is how to be obedient to the faith and be sprinkled with the Lord’s blood for your past sins (Acts 6:7; 1 Peter 1:2). You must practice the truth daily like Jesus did to have true fellowship with the Lord (3 John 11; John 3:21). Practicing God’s word daily (practicing righteousness daily for the Lord) is how you walk in the light of God’s word, which is obedience. This is how you are cleansed from all unrighteousness and have the blood of Jesus Christ cover your sins (1 John 1:7). These truths are not known by many in the world today. These truths reveal why many people’s lives are not changing, even though they claim they are disciples of Christ. Now you know how to be perfect, complete and blameless in God’s sight. Simply walk in God’s Ways by putting Jesus Christ’s words into daily practice in your life, and you will live forever (John 11:26; 12:48; 15:22; Matt. 7:21; 1 John 2:17). God bless your every step! PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

God Who Loves & Hates VO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Jesus Command: Love One Another Conditions for the Blood of Jesus Repent to Believe the Gospel The Mystery of Righteousness & Justice Revealed Loving Your Neighbor It Pays to be Good For God Deception Who Are the Stumbling Blocks? Fruits of the Spirit / Deeds of the Flesh PREV NEXT

THE MIND Faith in Action The resources below correspond, in order, with the video to give further Scriptures and encouragement: How to do God’s Will With Your Mind Keeping the Faith Podcast How to Live a Happy Life The Positive Gospel How Do We Walk in the Spirit? Are You an Obedient Disciple of Jesus Christ? Don’t Worry Be Happy Fruits of the Spirit Ever Learning But Never Able Can We Be Perfect? Practice Makes Perfect The Benefits of Repentance Enduring With Patience Belief and Faith James 1-3 The Purpose of Your Life - to do good Scriptures of Hope It Pays to Be Good for God God’s Nature vs. Human Nature Becoming a new person Your relationship with God The importance of studying your Bible If God Told You Live the Way That Jesus Lived Gospel Song This Beautiful Message What Does Complete Mean? Understanding Grace Saved By Grace Podcast Gratefulness Jesus, Our Example Jesus Command: Love One Another Happiness Is… Seek the Kingdom First Spiritually in Tune With God Surprise Opportunities Public Enemy #1 The Resistance Factor The Secret of Perpetual Motion Study to Show Yourself Approved Daily Grains Prayer Godly Spiritual Music Spiritual Boost Camp The God of Answers How Satan Uses Your Mind Podcast It’s so Simple Christ’s Simple Message Doing God’s Will With Your Mouth The Power of God Renewing Your Mind in Christ The Purpose of Life *This information is not meant to be medical advice but spiritual encouragement based on God’s word. PREV NEXT

God Most High & Awesome VO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: God’s Message to Mankind Message of the Prophets Newsletter PREV NEXT

wholewheatonline.com Search Pure Speech Undefiled “Do not let immorality or impurity or greed even be named among you,” the apostle Paul said (Eph. 5:3). Then he went on to say what things are displeasing to God. Among the things God hates, Paul listed filthy talk, the telling of dirty stories or jokes, and coarse jesting (Eph. 5:4). All of these things are in bad taste. We know this, yet many of us continue to struggle to please God in this area. We all know what filthy talk is. God hates it, so let’s put it to death in our natures for good. Coarse jesting includes making crude remarks about sexual or private matters. Many of us kid with one another about our personal lives. This is coarse jesting and does not please God. Coarse jesting and filthy talk are often preceded by silly talk. Silly talk is constantly twisting the meaning of words to make people laugh. This kind of speech leads toward Satan and not toward God. Do not confuse this with good, tasteful humor, which we all enjoy. I am talking about the kind of humor that leads to silly talk. Silly talk then leads to jokes, first clean ones, then off-color ones, and talk that results in coarse jesting and talking about things that should be private. We are all human and all have problems controlling our speech to some extent. Many times we use impure speech because of a poor self-image, or as a means of attracting attention. The word of God says this is naughty speech. It is fleshy lust that wages war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11). God is calling us to repentance (1 Cor. 1:26-28). We have received the same power in us, which created the universe. We have God’s awesome power at our disposal. Nothing shall be impossible to us. We, as Jesus Christ’s living examples, need to be careful what we say, and be sober. We need to make the words that come out of our mouths the same as if they were the utterances of God (1 Peter 4:11). Remember, God hates a perverted mouth (Psalm 59:12-13; Prov. 8:13. Jesus Christ committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth. He is our example. We imitate Jesus Christ daily, and when we do, we are doing God’s Will (1 Peter 2:22). We are doing what is right, and by our actions and pure speech, we silence those who are ignorant, foolish and engaging in silly talk, coarse jesting and filthy, dirty or off-color jokes. The Lord also wants us to stop watching violence. God hates the one who watches violence on television, in sports, wars, etc. (Psalm 11:5). And you can be sure that God will test you on this point. God hates those who do not pay their bills when they are able. “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives” (Psalm 37:21). God also hates the arrogant and those who are full of pride (Prov. 8:13). How can we know if we are arrogant and full of pride? The arrogant refuse to be told what to do, not even by God. They are so completely into self, they are out of touch with God. They do not put God first by studying the Bible on a regular basis. They are too busy to be bothered by what God wants. They pray to God when they’re in trouble or in need of things, but rarely pray for others. They are so busy with worldly pursuits they don’t have time for God. They never seem to realize that God butters their bread and takes care of all their needs when they live to please Him in all areas of their lives. God’s self-improvement program requires daily obedience, diligence, perseverance and consistency in order to work. That is why we must put God first in all we do. By practicing the things that are right, for God’s glory, we seek the kingdom first in our lives (Matt. 6:33). How can we seek God everyday unless we read from His book, live it and pray? The person who pays attention to God’s word finds good (Prov. 16:20). God hates people who continually boast about themselves (Prov. 30:32). This is pride of self. God is a God of knowledge who weighs actions, not just words (1 Sam. 2:3). How many times have you heard someone boast of his honesty saying, “I am a man of my word. When I say I will do something, I will do it.” Other times you hear people say, “I will be there, you can count on me.” In fact, many times, this does not end up to be the case. All such boasting is evil and we should always say God willing (2 Tim. 3:1-5; James 4:13-17). God says He is going to punish today’s world for its evil. He will also punish the wicked who know the right thing to do but do not do it (Matt. 25:33-46; Is. 13:11). The wicked are an abomination to God, but those who practice righteousness at all times are His delight (Prov. 15:9; Psalm 106:3). Woe to those who rebel against the words of God, for everyone will be judged by His words (Psalm 107:11; John 12:48; Rev. 20:12). To sum it up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult. Give a blessing instead because we were called for the purpose of receiving a blessing. Do not speak evil of each other. Continually forgive others their transgressions. Love one another continually by constantly serving each other from the heart. Eat with one another often; get together often for fun times that glorify God. Go camping, have picnics, cookouts and get-togethers of all kinds for reasons of sharing love. If some of us are going to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters who are living to please God, then we had better get to know each other from the heart now! In all this, do not forget the poor, the needy, the widows, the elderly and the orphans (Luke 14:13). When we know that any kind of sin, which remains in our lives, is withholding what is good from us and is displeasing to the Lord, shouldn’t we get rid of our sin (Jer. 5:25)? Why should we, of all people, continue to live in sin when we know how easy it is to come out of sin (Matt. 11:30)? Read this article again and again, and ask God to search your heart to see if there is any wickedness in you. Ask Him to cleanse you from secret faults. Practice righteousness and practice being humble. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger, which is coming soon (Zeph. 2:3). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

Our founder's wife wrote about her experiences as a woman of God, and the wisdom that came from them, in this beautiful series that transforms some of her most cherished writings into inspiring videos. A Woman of God Has Hope Learn more about being a woman of God here. PREV NEXT

Do We Automatically Do Good? PREV NEXT

wholewheatonline.com Search What is Worldly is Not Godly "This is pure and undefiled religion, to visit the widows and the orphans in their distress, and to keep oneself unspotted by the world" (James 1:27). The people of this world are concerned about the things of this world. They are concerned about food, clothing and shelter (Matt. 6:25). They are concerned about bigger homes, stock markets and the price of gold (Matt. 13:22). They are concerned about what they read in the newspaper and what the weather is going to be from day to day. Most people worry about this and that, while the person who loves God has no such concerns (1 Peter 1:14). He knows that the Father will take care of all his needs because he has sought the kingdom first by subjecting himself to the righteousness of God, as Jesus Christ did (Matt. 6:33; Rom. 10:1-3). He knows the world is going the wrong way, but feels wonderful because he knows he is going the right way – God’s Way. He has been saved from this perverse generation (Acts 2:40). He is in God’s care now. He knows that if he lives to serve only God, as Jesus did, he will end up where Jesus is - with a new body that cannot die (Matt. 4:10; John 14:2-3). He does not live for self any longer, but he lives totally for God by serving others (1 Cor. 10:24). Continuing to live for self is Satan’s will (2 Tim. 2:26). Continually living for others by practicing righteousness and serving others is God’s Will (Matt. 25:40-41). You live for the one you serve, and God’s friends live only to serve the Lord by serving others. The people mentioned in James 4:3-4 were selfish. They were still living for self and had friendship with the world. They were lukewarm and double-minded (Rev. 3:16; James 4:7-8). They were not resisting Satan, which is resisting selfishness. They were not allowing the God of peace to totally crush their old natures by totally committing themselves to the Will of God (Rom. 16:20; 1 Peter 4:2). In Revelation 18:2 and 4, God commands His people to come out of Babylon. This means we are to come out of religious confusion by worshiping God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). How is this done? We are to be concerned about the poor and the needy, and come to the aid of a widow or an orphan who needs help. When we get involved in acts of righteousness such as this, we please God in heaven (Luke 9:23, 48; 6:46; Mark 9:35; 10:43-44; Matt. 20:26-28; 23:11). Then, we just keep ourselves unspotted by the world, which means we keep serving others in order to refrain from sinning (James 1:27). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

CHAPTER 12 PREV NEXT We recommend you follow along in your Bible being there is a lot of information to take in, and additional Scripture references given throughout, that you will want to make note of. In addition, to really immerse yourself, we suggest using headphones to listen to the narrarted version, to fully expereinece the cinematic style bringing the chapters to life.

wholewheatonline.com Search Suffering When you decided to stop living to the flesh and started to live to the Spirit by practicing righteousness to please God every day, things started happening to you that you may not understand (Rom. 8:13; 1 John 3:7; Matt. 5:16). The Apostle Peter says not to be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you for your testing. Do not think that some strange thing is happening to you. Instead, remember that you share in the sufferings of Christ. Keep on rejoicing so at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with great enthusiasm (1 Peter 4:12-13; Gal. 4:19). Look what is happening to you! "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10). You are being made complete in Christ (2 Cor. 13:9, 11). You are being made into a new creation (Gal. 6:15). God can do great things through our suffering, as He did all throughout the Bible. It is a unique way He works with us, teaches us and stimulates us in our conversion. Yes, we need endurance so that when we have done the Will of God - which is practicing righteousness - we may receive what is promised – a brand new nature created in us by God Himself (Heb. 10:36). We are told not to get weary in well-doing when we are practicing righteousness because that is how we allow God to form that new nature in us (Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13; Titus 3:8, 14; 2:7). Now you can begin to see why the Scripture tells us to consider how to stimulate, provoke or encourage one another to more love and more good deeds or works (Heb. 10:24). Doing good works is how you put on Christ (Rom. 13:14). It is how you abide in Christ (John 15:5). It is how you imitate Christ and the Father (1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1). Doing good works is how you put your old nature to death (Rev. 2:26). Doing good works for God’s glory is the way to crush your old, Satanic nature under your heel (Rom. 16:20). Yes, we must suffer to enter the kingdom within, but it is only momentary light affliction (Phil. 1:29; Rom. 8:17; Luke 17:21, KJV; Acts 14:22; 2 Cor. 4:17). By doing the Will of the Father daily, we come out of the captivity of Satan and put his will to death in our bodies (1 John 2:17; Heb. 10:36; Matt. 7:21; 2 Tim. 2:26). So let's understand suffering and know that God is working with us, making us perfect by perfecting Jesus Christ ‘s nature within us (Heb. 12:1-15, 23; Matt. 5:48; Gal. 4:19; 1 John 2:6). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

Chapter 22 PREV NEXT We recommend you follow along in your Bible being there is a lot of information to take in, and additional Scripture references given throughout, that you will want to make note of. In addition, to really immerse yourself, we suggest using headphones to listen to the narrarted version, to fully expereinece the cinematic style bringing the chapters to life.

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wholewheatonline.com Search Jesus’ Spirit Jesus said His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, would not be sent to His disciples unless He first returned to the Father (John 16:7). He also said that when that Spirit did come, it was coming to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). The whole sixteenth chapter of John concerns itself with Jesus telling His disciples He was about to return to His Father (John 16:5, 10, 17, 28). Finally, in John 16:33, He says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” If Jesus had not come to tell us how to repent by keeping God’s Ways daily in our lives, people would still have an excuse for their sins. But because He did come, we no longer have any excuse for our sins (John 15:22). God’s Way of overcoming evil by doing good is just too easy. It’s too rewarding to have an excuse not to do it. If God is for us, no one can be against us. God, who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, will also give us all things through Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:31-32). Thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14). The god of this world, Satan, has blinded the minds of the people who refuse to believe in Jesus, who is the light of the gospel and the exact image of His Father (2 Cor. 4:4). Jesus came to the earth in the flesh to show the surpassing greatness of His power, which comes from God and not from anything we do (2 Cor. 4:7). Jesus is standing at the door of our heart knocking. If we hear His voice, He promises to come into our heart and live His life in us and through us (Rev. 3:20; Gal. 2:20). We overcome our evil natures then, by allowing His spirit to put to death our evil deeds of the flesh. Jesus will then allow us to enter His kingdom and rule with Him when He returns shortly (Rom. 8:13; Rev. 3:21). Jesus’ spirit is the same Spirit that created the world. God gives that same spirit to those who will obey Him by serving others daily, like Jesus our example did (Acts 5:32; Matt. 23:11; 1 Cor. 11:1). It is with this Spirit, that we put to death the evil deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:12-13). With that same Spirit, the blind received their sight, the lame walked, the deaf heard and the dead were raised (Luke 7:22). They also had power, with that same Spirit, over the entire kingdom of Satan (Luke 10:17, 19-20). This is why we have no excuse for not living God’s special Way and overcoming Satan and sin in our lives. “For greater is He who is you than he who is in the world,” says 1 John 4:4. God’s Spirit is truly greater than Satan’s spirit! PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

wholewheatonline.com Search Are We Born Evil? Our Creator says we were created flesh with a nature of flesh, and if we continue living to the flesh we must die (John 3:6; Rom. 8:12-13). What is the flesh nature in man that we were given? The deeds of the flesh are evident (Gal. 5:19-21). They are evil. Put a “d” on evil and you have devil. That’s what man’s nature is (John 6:70). Man’s heart is more deceitful than all else and desperately sick, it is beyond understanding (Jer. 17:9). Man’s nature is capable of doing anything wicked—absolutely anything—while God’s nature is only good. Just study these Scriptures, and be prepared for a shock: Deuteronomy 28:53; Isaiah 9:19-20; Ezekiel 5:10; 2 Kings 18:27; Isaiah 36:12; Zechariah 11:9; Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21, and 2 Timothy 3:2-5. In our fleshly state, we are considered as beasts or dogs (Eccl. 3:18; Matt. 7:6; 15:26; Rev. 22:15; Psalm 22:16, 20). Man is evil from his youth (Gen. 8:21). Even Jesus was born of the flesh with a fleshly nature, not knowing enough to refuse His evil impulses and choose good over evil when He was a child. He had the same evil nature we have, for if He hadn’t, He could not have been our example of how to overcome (Is. 7:14-16; Heb. 5:8; 1 John 4:1, 2; 2 John 7; John 16:33; Rev. 3:21). Remember, everyone who comes in the flesh is born with a fleshly nature. Jesus, who created us, says we are wicked from the womb and we go astray from birth (Col. 1:16; Psalm 58:3). We have all seen a child throw a temper tantrum, so we know this is true! No, you don’t have to teach a child to be evil, do you? Instead, you must teach a child to be good, because human nature is not good. In Proverbs 22:6, it says we are to train up a child in the way he should go, they must be trained in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:15-17). This is why Jesus said He was not good (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19; Rom. 7:18). Yes, Jesus knew what was in man (John 2:25; 6:70; Matt. 16:23). We were all born with evil natures that must be overcome (Rev. 2:11, 26; 3:5). Our evil natures can be overcome, if we practice righteousness for God zealously until God gives us the desire to do good from the heart (Eph. 6:6; Matt. 5:20; 6:1). When we are zealous in doing good, God will crush Satan in us (Rom. 16:20). That is why true disciples of Jesus Christ are told not to get weary in doing good (2 Thess. 3:13; Gal. 6:9-10; Rom. 2:7). Then, with God’s help, we can truly be set free from that evil nature (1 Peter 5:10). Thank you, Jesus! Consider these Scriptures: John 6:44, 65; Ephesians 2:1-3; and Titus 1:16. Remember, the people who killed Jesus Christ and the apostles were very religious (Phil. 3:2; John 16:2). Many religions throughout history have grown great because they killed off their competitors. In the sixteenth century, for example, over 50 million people died. Those who killed them thought they were worshiping God, (Mark 7:7) however, they still had the rotten natures they’d always had, because they had not been told how to overcome. Yes, we are born evil! Yes, we must overcome that evil heart and become pure and righteous, living to please the Lord each day by living His Way (Matt. 5:6, 8; Acts 10:35; Rev. 22:12-14). We must do the practicing and God does the perfecting (1 Cor. 3:7; Col. 2:19; 1 Thess. 4:9-10). God’s word says if we do not practice righteousness for God daily, we will remain children of the devil (1 John 3:7, 10).❑ PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

Promise of Rescue Learn more about being rescued by God here PREV NEXT

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FORGIVE VO See how God is full of grace and ready to forgive here Listen to a prayer of forgiveness from the Bible here Merciful God PREV NEXT

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wholewheatonline.com Search What is Fornication? Sin will shorten a man’s lifespan, while righteousness prolongs it. Sin hardens one’s heart toward righteousness. As an example, a harlot eventually wears a hard countenance, while a virgin preserves purity and a softness of spirit. A person can actually reach a point of such hardness that it becomes impossible to repent (Heb. 2:1; 6:4-6; Rom. 1:25-26). When we are obeying God and living to please Him, we have an inner sense of peace that is always present. Yet, if we sin, we lose our peace toward God. We must immediately repent of our transgression and continue to forsake it, so our peace will return. Adam transgressed God’s covenant by hiding his sin in his bosom (Hosea 6:7; Job 31:33). He would not repent. Whereas, David, after committing adultery with another man’s wife and then ordering the man’s premeditated murder, was totally forgiven by God when he repented (2 Sam. 12:13). His transgressions were forgiven and he was restored to the position of God’s friend (Psalm 32:1-5; 51:1-17; Acts 13:22). Our bodies are not to be used for fornication (1 Cor. 6:13). Fornication is defined as; the free or uncontrolled indulgence of the passions or sexual appetites, voluntary sexual intercourse outside of marriage of any kind. The indulgence of lust, which is to desire eagerly or to long after. To have a carnal appetite, which is giving in to sensual and fleshly indulgence. It is also considered lewdness which is the indulgence of lust, fornication or adultery. It is also defined as living in sin, immorality, indecent, impure, unclean and unchaste. Fornication is a sin against our own bodies (1 Cor. 6:18). How is it a sin against the body? How is life shortened because of fornication? Just how much damage does it do to fornicate and masturbate? Adrenaline is a chemical substance manufactured by the body in time of stress or need. Adrenaline makes the heart beat faster and is used to revive people who have had heart attacks or whose hearts have stopped beating. Adrenaline is used for emergency situations such as: running from a bear or a wild bull in the pasture, swimming to shore when a boat sinks or to lift a car by hand so that it doesn’t crush someone pinned underneath. Adrenaline is used in fighting and many other physical activities. Humans use less than two percent of their strength, but when adrenaline is introduced into the body tissue, a far greater amount of strength is obtained. Adrenaline is also secreted as a result of stress and guilt. If a person steals apples out of an orchard protected by a farmer with a shotgun and a mean dog, adrenaline will be produced in the system. It’s a natural result. Fornication and masturbation are done with a sense of guilt. That guilt produces adrenaline and that adrenaline shortens our lives. When we sin, we feel guilty. This activates the adrenaline flow and the end result is that sin shortens life. God says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery [fornicate]” (Ex. 20:14). Fornication includes all improper sexual behavior, including masturbation. Masturbation is done in response to an impulse of the flesh. Eating, drinking, sleeping and crying are also responses to impulses of the flesh. Some are okay and others are not. For example, dirty thoughts are improper thoughts. These evil thoughts turn into bad actions when they are constantly or even occasionally dwelled upon, especially if there is little character or self-control in that area of your life. Having a desire to want to use one’s organs for enjoyment or sensation is quite normal, but, we are admonished by the word of God to control our vessels (sexual organs) in honor (Rom. 6:12-13; 12:1). Your sex glands are designed in such a way that if they are left alone before marriage, they will remain in a sleeping state. Many times, because of ignorance, teenagers talk about masturbation, and experimentation occurs with their glands that were asleep. After the glands are awakened, those who masturbate begin to think of members of the opposite sex in an improper manner, which is the beginning of thought patterns that are not good. Then they might begin looking at pornography or dirty magazines and they are constantly thinking about and dwelling on sexual thoughts. We can see, then, how a little sin begins to grow and grow, until it fills the body and the mind (1 Cor. 5:6). A person who has never masturbated before does not have the same temptations as one who has. If you have slipped and recently awakened those glands, ask God to forgive you and put your glands back to sleep and He will. The one who hasn’t slipped remains in a purer state of mind and can use his or her mind and energy on productive thoughts and actions. The person who is caught up in masturbation is using much of his or her thinking on non-productive thoughts—dirty thoughts. These thoughts conceive lust and wrong desire, and are sins that destroy not only the character of the person but also the mind. Consider, if you will, a society where everyone—boys and girls, men and women—controlled their vessels in an honorable way before God. Human character would be at an all-time high. Everyone would be concerned about the rights and feelings of others in all honesty, morality and integrity, keeping themselves chaste for the honor of God (2 Cor. 12:21). The Bible says that we are better off if we can remain unmarried so as to devote ourselves to the Lord, however, if we burn with (sexual) passion than it is better to marry than to burn. In this case God would have us find a mate, in the Lord, and be married (1 Cor. 7:8-9; 25-28; 32-35). Now consider a society in which everyone was ignorant of decent and moral behavior. This society would be filled with crime, movies and television filled with sex and indecent behavior, adultery and foul language. Pornography would be everywhere and easily accessible. Fornication would be commonly practiced and people would sleep with whomever they wanted, whenever they wanted without thought or concern. Prostitution would be common-place. You would find insanity, suicide, venereal disease and incest. This would all be found because they would not and did not glorify God with their vessels. Instead they ignored God’s Ways and did not glorify Him with their bodies following their fleshly desires instead (1 Cor. 6:20). GOD’S SOLUTIONS God says to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). Our existence in the flesh is temporal, whereas our existence in the spiritual state is eternal. Living spiritual lives while on earth simply means being concerned about and practicing spiritual values, while we are presently living in fleshly bodies. The Bible is very clear about living spiritual lives. If you live a spiritual life while on this earth you will live forever, eternally (Rom. 8:6). But if you choose daily to live to the flesh by masturbating, fornicating, watching pornography, abusing alcohol or other drugs, you must die (Rom. 8:13). Living to the Spirit, then, is living to please God daily while we are in our fleshly bodies, habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body. People who live spiritual lives are concerned with spiritual values (Rom. 8:5). Spiritual values uphold moral character and dignity, with decency, charity, kindness, nobility, integrity, wholeness, patience, virtue, forgiveness, thankfulness, service and chastity. In short, living to the Spirit is living as God lives daily (Eph. 5:1). Living to the Spirit means imitating the fruits of the Spirit by practicing righteousness. We do this until God has had a chance to make His character traits a part of our character traits, implementing them in our lives through daily testing and trials (Heb. 12:10-11). The spiritual life is easy, but it requires diligence and alertness (Matt. 11:30). Living to the flesh requires nothing more than giving in to the pulls of the flesh, which is living a carnal and profane life. This is Satan’s will (2 Tim. 2:26). Those who live to the flesh are concerned about the things of the flesh, such as material acquisition, lust of the eye and covetousness. For example, those who have a lot of material substance and who do not pay their bills are controlled by improper desires, such as coveting, stealing and never having enough. But those who have been blessed by God and who share what they have with others, help the unfortunate by providing them with clothes, food and lodging (1 Tim. 6:18-19). They are living spiritually by living unselfish lives to be pleasing to God, and not to man (Eph. 6:6-7). Righteousness gives peace of mind and, when done in Christ’s name for the glory of the Father, it produces a change of character. It produces godly character (1 Tim. 6:11; Col. 3:17). God in heaven wants us to come before Him daily in a purity of heart that comes from purity of character (Gal. 5:19-26). He wants us to love Him and others to such an extent that we come out of a life of sin and into a life of love. Perfect love casts out all fear or guilt (1 John 4:18). Those who are fearful or guilt-ridden are not made complete in love. Fear and guilt involve punishment, but when they are gone because of continued service in love, we have been made complete by God (James 1:4; Gal. 4:19). Daily righteousness, acts of love and charity, kindness, forgiveness and long-suffering produce patience and all the fruits of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22-23). If these qualities are in us and are increasing, we will bear fruit (2 Peter 1:8). It is righteous men who are made perfect, righteous men who are saved and righteous men who enter the kingdom (Heb. 12:23). The Way of righteousness is full of rewards and blessings. All we need to do is practice what God wants us to become—holy, blameless and perfect (Matt. 5:48; Phil. 3:12; 2:15; 1 John 3:7). It is so easy and pleasant; such a beautiful Way of life (Matt. 11:30: 1 John 5:3). So, let’s imitate God instead of Satan and enter into God’s rest (Eph. 5:1; Heb. 4:10-11). PREV NEXT 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED MORE BIBLE STUDIES PODCASTS HOME All About the Bible PDF © 2025 Whole Wheat International

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