It Teaches Me About Denial
When we talk about
denying or denial we mean rejection. The word is defined as “to forsake, to
renounce such a thing.” Think of a person who is so fed up with an individual
that he says, “I will have nothing to do with him ever again!” The idea is
having nothing to do with something. God’s grace teaches me about having
nothing to do with certain things ever again.
Denying Ungodliness. Ungodliness means, “a
failure to perform our proper duties to God.” It is basically acting in a
manner which would show defiance to the will of God. Paul used this word to describe
those who would choose to defy God in order to worship false idols. “For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who
hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). There are many in this
world who, while not worshipping idols, refuse to honor and worship God. Therefore,
they are ungodly in their actions. There are just as many, if not more, who
claim to worship Him but live in defiance to Him through the lives which they
live. They are ungodly in their actions. Consider what Paul said concerning the
wrath of God and the ungodly. God’s wrath is placed against those who fall into
the category of the “ungodly.” “It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Heb. 10:31).
Deny Worldly Lusts. Worldly describes that which
is of this earth. Lusts is defined as, “a longing, a forbidden desire.” There
are things in this world which would entice man to commit sin. Individuals have
strong desires for: wealth, honor, pleasure, personal exaltation, and the like.
As one studies through the Bible, he would come to understand the need to deny
these things (1 John 2:15-17). “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers
and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter
2:11). Those are things which are going to fight against us in a bid to
conquer us. The grace of God teaches us to deny them.
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