SINS TO AVOID #2

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In this lesson we are making an appeal especially to teenagers 
      and those in their twenties.
      1. There are some temptations that are especially strong during
         these years. 2 Tim. 2:22
      2. As I stated in our last lesson, it is a matter of opinion as
         to which category some of these sins should be placed.
   B. Remember, though, they are all sins and should be avoided by   
      all.

I. REVELRIES.
   A. We are referring here to such things as rebel rousing, sowing  
      wild oats, doing unlawful things for fun and adventure.
      1. Example: speeding down the highways; getting out and
         damaging property; going to wild parties where there is
         drinking and dancing.
      2. Some young people do sinful things to have something to
         boast about. Prov. 10:23; 2:12-14
         a. They glory in things they ought to be ashamed of. Phil.
            3:19
   B. Christian young people are often lead into evil things by the
      company they keep. 1 Cor. 15:33
      1. Remember young people, the company you keep can be to
         your good or destruction. Prov. 13:20
      2. Therefore, choose friends wisely.
   C. God wants young people to be happy.
      1. They can have fun and enjoy life without resorting to sinful
         things. Eccl. 11:9-12:1

II. IMMODEST APPAREL.
   A. God has always been concerned about proper dress. Gen. 3:21;
      Deut. 22:5; 1 Tim. 2:9-10
      1. The clothing must be modest from the standpoint of cost. 1
         Tim. 2:9b; 1 Pet. 3:3
      2. It must be modest from the standpoint of decency--sufficient
         amount, proper kind, properly arranged.
         a. I have never understood how Christians who make a
            public display of their body can consider it as being
            modest.
         b. All low-cut, short hemmed, tight fitting clothing should
            be avoided.
   B. Women who do not dress properly cause a lot of damage.
      1. Women improperly dressed catch the eyes of men and cause
         them to sin. Matt. 5:27-28
      2. Some try to defend their immodest dress by saying, "If men
         look and lust, it's their fault, not mine."
         a. This sounds much like the adulterous woman of Prov.
            30:20.
         b. Think of the damage Bathsheba did by her immodesty. 2
            Sam. 11:2

III. DANCING.
   A. We are speaking here of the common dances among worldly
      people.
      1. Dancing is revelry (rioting). Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:19-21; 1
         Pet. 4:3 
         a. Vincent defines "revelries" here as "festival
            entertainment accompanied by carousing and dancing."
            (Vincent Word Studies in the N.T.)
      2. Dancing is lasciviousness. Gal. 5:19
         a. Vine defines "lasciviousness" as "that which tends to
            produce lewd emotions." (Vine's Expository Dictionary
            of N.T. Words)
      3. Dancing is of the world. 1 John 2:15-17
      4. Dancing is destructive. It is destructive to purity of      
         thought. It destroys safeguards to moral purity.
   B. A young Christian once asked, "What's wrong with a good
      wholesome square dance?"
      1. He was referring to a yearly event where the town's people
         used a mall shopping center parking lot to have a picnic
         outing with square dancing.
      2. Another Christian answered, "You know that every year
         before that dance is over several people get drunk and they
         haul them off to jail." He answered, "You are right."
      3. Worldly people are not too good at sponsoring anything that
         is good and wholesome!

IV. FORNICATION.
   A. Sexual desires are especially strong in those early years. 2   
      Tim. 2:22
      1. The fulfillment of sexual desires is a privilege of husband 
         and wife. 1 Cor. 7:1-3
      2. It is better to marry than to burn. 1 Cor. 7:8-9
   B. The unmarried must avoid things which lead to fornication. 1   
      Pet. 2:11; 1 Thess. 5:22
      1. When young people start running with the wrong crowd, not
         dressing properly, going to wild parties, what will         
         eventually happen?
   C. "Flee fornication." 1 Cor. 6:15-20
      1. Example: Joseph. Gen. 39:9,12
      2. Prov. 6:20-29, 32-33
      3. Psalm 119:9, 11
      4. Young people, keep yourselves pure. 1 Tim. 5:22; 4:12

V. CURSING, FOUL LANGUAGE.
   A. To use God's name in vain, in a light, unguarded, disrespectful
      manner is sinful. Ex. 20:7
      1. Eph. 4:29; 5:3-6
      2. To use substitute profanity is wrong. 
         a. We will give account for every idle word. Matt. 12:36-
            37
      3. Using foul language, like many other bad habits, once
         formed, is hard to break.
         a. Let us constantly bridle our tongues. James 3:2; 1:26

VI. INDIFFERENCE TOWARD SPIRITUAL THINGS.
   A. Causes of indifference.
      1. Worldliness (the sinful things above). Matt. 6:24; James 4:4
         a. The quest for material possessions. (Ex. obtaining a car)
      2. Improper concern for the cares of this life.
         a. Preoccupied with career decisions, dating, recreational
            activities, etc.
      3. Cure for indifference.
         a. Establish godly habits: study, worship, prayer, visiting,
            teaching. 1 Tim. 4:8
            (1) The more we study the Word of God, and the more
                we hear it, the more we will increase in both
                knowledge and faith.
         b. Join in the fun, wholesome things other faithful children
            of God are doing. Psalm 119:63; 1 John 3:14

Concl.
   A. The teen years are called, "the impossible years."
      1. They can be the most trying time of your life, yet they can 
         be the most enjoyable.
      2. Some of life's most important decisions are made in this    
         early stage of life.
         a. Example: What career or occupation will I follow?
            What kind of friends will I choose? Whom shall I marry?
            And the most important of all: Will I render a life of
            service to God?
   B. If young people remain faithful through all the temptation,
      decisions, and trials of the early years, most likely they will
      remain faithful the rest of their lives.
      1. We don't mean sinless perfection; but, if through it all,   
         they are still serving God with a clear conscience, they are
         well on their way to ending their life in proper            
         relationship with God.
      2. This is the goal of all of us. Phil. 3:14; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17,

        26-27; 3:5, 12, 21

Chart #1
Sins To Avoid #1
Young Christians (Pre & Early Teens)
CHEATING
LYING
STEALING
SELFISHNESS
SPIRITUAL NEGLECT

Chart #2
Sins To Avoid #2
(Teenagers & Twenties)
REVELRIES
IMMODEST APPAREL
DANCING
FORNICATION
CURSING, FOUL LANGUAGE
INDIFFERENCE