Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Taking care of our environment
is a very popular topic today. We are besieged with facts and
figures concerning the sad state that our physical world is in.
Melting polar ice caps, high mercury levels in fish, declining
air quality in our larger cities, and toxic waste seeping into
our water supply are just a few of the concerns that are voiced
daily by many so-called scientists and activists who warn us of
impending doom if we continue to neglect their advice. Now
while we must have a certain level of concern for our physical
environment and should take definite precautions against unnecessarily
polluting it, there's another aspect of our lives wherein a
different kind of pollution should be of even greater concern to
us. One of the ongoing failures of Israel as a nation was that
they did not utterly destroy the inhabitants of the lands
into which the Lord brought them. As a result, they mingled with
these pagan cultures and inevitably their own culture was polluted.
This pollution did not even seem dangerous to them initially,
but it ultimately caused great weakness among the people who
were a great nation and eventually brought about their subjugation
to foreign rulers. The mighty Israel, who once conquered
every nation in its path and caused great trembling among
the inhabitants of those lands, became the slaves and bondmen
to those who mocked their God. The people of God are called
to battle. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after
the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ. This is a much more
serious warfare than the nation of Israel was called to. Whereas
they were called upon to preserve a culture of flesh and blood,
the sons of God are called to battle against those enemies
who would destroy their very soul through the corruption and
pollution of this wicked world. The customs and mindset of this
world would seek to turn their hearts away from total submission
and devotion to the way of Christ. The sons of God have been given
the charge to keep His commandments and to keep themselves unspotted
from the world. Satan's chief desire is to destroy
God's creation. Since the Lord is determined
to redeem His people out of Satan's place of dominion, He increases
His efforts against them and seeks with great deception and
appeal to their flesh to bring them back into the bondage from
which they have already been set free. It is a total waste
of time to try to persuade the unregenerate to honor the way
of the Lord by pressing them to walk in holiness. But the
awakened children of God must be admonished and provoked unto
good works, mortifying the deeds of the flesh for the glory of
their Savior. Satan would seek to entrap them by capturing their
minds with the design of capturing their hearts. His greatest delight
is to pollute their intellect so that they think like the world.
He is very patient and subtle as he plies his craft, but nonetheless
deadly. Consider these things. The use
of the Lord's name is an acceptable expression rather than blasphemy.
What once was considered public nudity is now the ladies' style.
Underwear is no longer a hidden garment. Fashion is dictated
by sex appeal rather than a consideration of modesty. Mothers encourage
daughters to pursue boys rather than chastity. Sexual activity
outside of the bonds of marriage is called normal rather than
fornication. Living together is an arrangement
instead of shacking up. Virginity and the young has become
quaint rather than expected. Homosexuality has become a lifestyle
rather than an abomination. Divorce is a convenience rather
than a shame. A sexual liaison with someone
other than a spouse is an affair rather than adultery. Child-rearing
is replaced by careers in daycare. Worship is an entertainment event
rather than a soul experience. Sermons, seminars, and counseling
have replaced repentance and seeking. Prayer is something
men are led in rather than something they participate in. Giving is
measured by percentages rather than a cheerful heart. Come out
from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord. And touch not
the unclean thing, and I will receive you. And will be a father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty. O Lord, revive thy work in the
midst of the years. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.