Men look at pornography out of an arrogant desire to see women in a way that God does not allow. They show arrogant defiance to God's commands, rejecting the delight of sexual intimacy in marriage and deciding for themselves what they believe is better — looking at naked women in porn. They show arrogant disregard for God's call to selfless marital love. They show arrogant derision for the female actresses whom they should be seeking to respect as women who need to hear the good news of Jesus. They show arrogant disdain for their own children by hiding their sin and inviting the enemy into their home and their marriage. They show arrogant disrespect toward all those who would be scandalized if their sin were known. The root problem with men who look at porn is not neediness — it is arrogance.
Heath Lambert

Love The Social Test I John 4

Love The Social Test I John 4 48 First Epistle of John Chapter 4 LOVE: THE SOCIAL TEST

BACKGROUND:

  1. Second of three tests of discipleship
    1. Moral Test – Obedience
    2. Social Test – Love
    3. Doctrinal Test – Belief
  2. Given to teach unity of doctrine

    (which brings joy and fellowship to believers)

  3. CAUTION CONCERNING LYING SPIRITS: FALSE PROPHETS
  4. The existance of lying spirits (v. 1)
    1. False prophets set themselves as teachers
    2. If not “of God” then “of whom?”
    3. “Many” are around
    4. Existance of “false” proves existance of TRUE PROPHETS
  5. The examination of lying spirits (vv. 2-6)
    1. First Test: WHO they teach/preach about
      1. Some glorify self with stories of battles won
      2. True prophets glorify Christ
        1. As Jesus taught (Mt. 5:16)
        2. As Holy Ghost does (Jn. 14:26 & 16:13)
        3. As the Apostles did (Acts 14:11-15)
    2. Second Test: WHAT they teach
      1. True prophets teach that Christ has come in the flesh (vv. 2 & 3)
      2. False prophets speak of the world (and its glory)
        1. Beauty of riches
        2. Desire for “things”

II. CAUTION CONCERNING LOVING SPIRITS: FALSE PROFESSION

  1. The ground of love (vv. 7-10)
    1. Love is of God (vv. 7,8)
    2. Perfect Love was revealed in Christ (v. 9,10)
  2. The glories of love (vv. 11-21)
    1. God’s example was given to be followed (v. 11)
      1. The expression of love is proof of God in us (v. 12)
      2. Love is a fruit of the Spirit (v. 13 & Gal. 5:22)
    2. The testimony of Christ is the greatest expression of love

      (vv. 14-16)

    3. Love brings confidence (vv. 17-19)
    4. Can one LOVE simply in obedience to a command? (cf. vv. 20-21)
      1. Love God first
      2. THEN you will be able to love others “also”