The following headline topped the news for Veterans Day November 11th: ‘Eminem Gives Profanity Laced Performance at Concert for Vets’. There were many who tried to defend his actions by reminding us that this is the kind of freedom that our Veterans fought and died for. But is it? Doesn’t freedom come with responsibility? What would our forefathers say about this? Even more, what does God think of it? We don’t have to go far to find out. This perversion of freedom is a stench in the Lord’s nostrils, just like rotten fruit is repulsive to us. All it’s good for is to feed disgusting pests. The New Testament is quite clear on how we should act:
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, long suffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness (strength under control), and temperance (self-control). There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” (Galatians 5:16-26)
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation (consideration in all you do) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:4-5)
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:13-14)
A question to leave you with: “What kind of fruit do you pick and grow?”
Annointing 