Introduction

Robert Chapman (1803–1902) of Devon, England, has blessed and encouraged many with his description of the Bible:

This Book contains: The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It’s the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the Judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its contents.

The Bible, with its laws and statutes have formed the basis that has underpinned our Western society. In doing so, it has given us the security and prosperity we have. Although these are departing as our society departs from the Bible.

Contents

Sex before marriage

The Bible does not specifically refer to this, but it does make clear that sexual intercourse is permitted only between married couples.

Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

1 Corinthians 7:3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

Marriage

God created Adam and Eve most likely in their late teens. Next, the covenant of marriage is affirmed as the two coming together as “one flesh:” an inseparable union for life. The Divine intention is monogamy and for children to be procreated and raised under this protective situation.

Marriage partners are to leave all others and cleave to each other. Genesis 2:24 states: For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall be-come one flesh.

Marriage is for procreation. Genesis 1:28 says: And God blessed them; and God said to them, be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. Children are to be born of parents who are married to each other. The home is the basic unit of society and is ordained of God.

Marriage is also required to avoid fornication. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:2-5: But since there is so much immorality, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband must fulfil his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise, also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Divorce

It must be stated straight off that God hates divorce: Malachi 2:16 and that Jesus said that it was only because of the man’s “hardness of heart” that God allowed divorce for reasons other than adultery (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Jesus explained this as recorded in Matthew 19:8-9:  Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Since the time of Jesus, God allows only two reasons for the dissolution of a marriage and one reason for separation which may be able to be extended into a general principle.

The first reason is obvious — the death of one of the marriage partners.

Romans 7:2-3 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

The second reason is adultery (fornication) on the part of one of the marriage partners.

Matthew 5:31-32. It was also said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. Matthew 19:9, which is also repeated in Mark 10:2-12 and Luke 16:18. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.

The reason for separation appears in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 and is this; If the unbelieving party, man, or woman, separates him/herself from the believing party on account of Christian faith, and in hatred to it, and will not live with the believer unless Christ is denied; let him/her depart. However, this is clearly a separation and not a divorce because Jesus states very clearly that the only reason for divorce, apart from the death of a spouse, is adultery (fornication).

1 Corinthians 7:12-16 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Paul makes the point that God wants the marriage relationship not to be one of enslavement and this could possibly allow for separation when one of the marriage partners is subject to habitual abuse either physical or mental. Please note that this is separation and not divorce consequently, no partner has the right to remarry.

Adultery

Adultery is specifically mentioned as the seventh of the Ten Commandments. It is the breaking of the marriage covenant and the vowels that were taken at the ceremony and God condemns it.

Remarrying after Divorce

The right to remarry only applies to those whose marriage has been dissolved for either of the two God-allowed reasons: death and adultery. For all other reasons by which there has been a separation; remarriage is not acceptable to God.

Prostitution

The Bible condemns it. These are some of the verses.

Do not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be filled with prostitution and wickedness (Leviticus 19:29).

No Israelite, whether man or woman, may become a temple prostitute (Deuteronomy 13:17).

Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” (1 Corinthians 6:15-16).

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words are smoother than olive oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave (Proverbs 5:3-5).

Homosexuality

Homosexuality, the practise, and thought are condemned by God as it is a violation of His original creation: one man and one woman united in the bond of marriage for procreation for life, which He declared to be very good (Genesis 1:31).

Old Testament scriptures condemning homosexuality:

Genesis 18:16-19:29 gives the account of the Lord’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous (Genesis 18:20) and that their sin was one of homosexuality is shown by the fact that when two men (angels) visited Abraham’s nephew Lot, who lived in Sodom with his wife and two daughters; all of the men from every part of the city of Sodom both young and old surrounded the house (Genesis 19:4-5) so that they could pack-rape Lot’s two male visitors. Consequently, God destroyed both cities and the practise of homosexuality has become known as sodomy.

Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

New Testament scripture condemning homosexuality:

Paul writing to the Romans under the influence of God’s Holy Spirit states that since they have rejected God, His wrath is to abandon them to their sins. Of the 20 plus sins listed (Romans 1:26-32); homosexuality is the first: Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Please note verse 11; all these ongoing practises are an offence to God and would prevent the offender from inheriting the kingdom of God. But since such people have desisted from these practises and have been justified through their belief/faith in Christ they now can enter the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:9-11: Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.

Please Note, for those people who want to be released from the enslavement of homosexuality, there is hope: There is no sin so great that Jesus cannot forgive, because He has already paid the penalty with His sacrificial death on the cross. Through faith in Him and seeking his help, he will provide the means for you to break free. There are also, people who are willing to help you see:

exodusinternational.org, newtestamentchurch.org/outlines/Topical…/hom_06

Transgenderism

This practise is clearly condemned by the Bible.

So God created man in his own image. In the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).

“Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female” (Matthew19:4 and Mark 10:6).

A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this (Deuteronomy 22:5).

Pornography

Watching/viewing pornography is not permitted as it corrupts the mind.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28).

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world (1 John 2:16).

I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin (Job 31:1).

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death (James 1:14-15).

Abortion

The Bible makes clear that even a fetus in its mother’s womb is a person:

Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? (Job 31:15).

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God (Psalm 22:9-10).

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:13-16).

This is what the LORD says, he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you…(Isaiah 44:2).

Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (Isaiah 46:3-4).

And now the LORD says he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honoured in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength (Isaiah 49:5).

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:41-42, 44).

Clearly, abortion is murder.

But what happens if you have had an abortion already and are racked with guilt? See “forgiveness of sins” in the next section.

Raising Children

The most often used biblical quote on raising children is: Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

How do you train a child in the way he should go? The Bible supplies the answer with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17):

1. Teach the child to know and worship God.
2. Teach the child not to worship any other person or object.
3. Teach the child to work diligently — commandment number 4 says in part; six days shall you work.
4. Teach the child to honour (respect) his/her father and mother.
5. Teach the child not to murder, commit adultery, steal, or tell lies. Jesus extends these commandments to include the intents of a person’s heart (Matthew 5:21-22; 5:27-28).
6. Teach the child not to covet (desire) anyone else’s property.

The other biblical quotation often used is: spare the rod and spoil the child or more correctly: He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him (Proverbs 13:24). If a child is not disciplined, he/she will become unruly and will eventually be disciplined by society and in most cases, this will be much more severe.

Wealth

The Bible does not condemn people being wealthy; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Solomon were all wealthy. But it does condemn the love of money or anything else for that matter that people put before/in place of, God. Jesus said that a person cannot love both money and Him.

This was true of the Rich Young Ruler whose story is recorded in Mark 10:17-31. God also expects us to be wise, prudent, and generous with the money He has blessed us with. He also expects us to give at least 10% of it back for His work. Some other relevant verses follow:

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be de-voted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24)

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced them-selves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4-5)

Work

Interesting, after God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, He put Adam to work to take care of the garden (Genesis 2:15).

And the requirement to work is emphasised in the fourth commandment: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God (Exodus 20:9).

Paul commands the Thessalonians about the requirement to work: “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Work occupies time in a meaningful way. It is a means of income and can provide a sense of satisfaction. In the correct measure, physical work exercises the body which the body requires. It is God ordained.

Suicide

God created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). So, each human life possesses the image of God. All human life belongs to God. It is never our place to take our own life or someone else’s life. Paul tells the Corinthian church:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

God has a plan and a purpose for each person’s life:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Personal problems both great and small

Pray about everything, worry about nothing which is the advice Paul gives in Philippians.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Jesus bids us to lay all our worries and concerns on Him because He cares for us. We need to do this through prayer. Anyone who is weighed down by troubles should tell them to Jesus; get down on your knees and pour your heart out to Him. He cares and He is all-powerful.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Love your enemies

Jesus makes it very clear how Christians should treat other people, especially those who may be regarded as enemies in His beatitude recorded in Matthew 5:43-48).

You have heard that it was said, love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Death/salvation

We will all die physically because we are born sinners and continual to sin. This is because of the original sin of Adam and Eve. However, because of the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross, those who truly believe will not die spiritually. Spiritual death is a separation from God (Genesis 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2) also called the Second death (Revelation 21:8). We will forever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Blasphemy

We are told specifically in the fourth commandment not to use the Lord’s name as a swear word. Note that this is a commandment with a warning for those who break it.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name (Exodus 20:7).

Swearing in general

There are many verses in scripture condemning the practise of swearing. A few from both the Old and New Testaments ae given.

Old Testament

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips (Proverbs 4:24).

He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil (Psalm 109:18).

There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed (Hosea 4:13).

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity (Proverbs 21:23).

New Testament

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4).

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8).

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be (James 3:10).

Forgiveness of Sins

There is no sin that you can commit that is beyond God’s forgiveness for those who are truly sorry, repent and ask for His forgiveness, because Jesus Christ has paid the penalty already, for your sins:

Come now and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquit-ted. (Isaiah 43:25-26)

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus … (Romans 8:1)

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Conclusion

God has given us His Holy Word, the Bible. Its directives are for our benefit and for the benefit of the society in which we live. Our Western society has prospered immensely when its doctrines were upheld. Now they are not, we see a concomitant rise in juvenile crime, children born outside of wedlock and in an increasing number of cases, children born and raised in the absence their biological parents, sexual perversion, and its associated defilements, suicide, and of course, the Lord’s name being used as a swear word and an filthy language fills modern books and films.