1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 "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 honor God with your body."
Psalm 97:10 "Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."
Proverb 8:12 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."
Ezekiel 20:31 "For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves (continue to defile yourselves NIV) with idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not let you inquire of me.
Testimonial
I quit smoking on November 1, 1994. I woke up and decide that I couldn't keep hurting myself. My lungs ached. My hair and fingers smelled. I decided that morning, that I would never smoke again. I threw out everything that reminded me of smoking. Ash trays, cigarette boxes, extra matches, Marlboro miles. I wouldn't let people smoke in my house or on my balcony. If I saw them smoking, I may want to. If I let them smoke in my house, I would be advocating their habit. I began chewing gum when I felt an urge to smoke a cigarette. I went to Bible studies and listened to Christian music. Now, I can celebrate that I quit over a decade ago! You can do it!
Here is an acronym I learned in Health Psychology. It is called DEADS:
D istract: do something else to take your attention away from smoking
E scape: leave other smokers
A void: don't put yourself in certain compromising situations or circumstances
D elay: put it off
S ubstitute: chew gum, candy, straws
-find something you can do perfectly and do it instead
-avoid dichotomous thinking: either I'm great or I'm a failure
TODAY'S DATE,
I realize that smoking is hurting my body. I know that we all sin, and my salvation is no better or worse than anyone else's, who is saved by grace. But this is a visible sin, unlike many others, and it is one that I need to quit today. I hereby declare that I will smoke no more. I believe that Jesus Christ will save me and deliver me from evil. I will no longer put idols before God. I will cry out to Him in my hour of need. I want the Lord to forgive me for defiling my body for so long. I repent and turn 180 degrees in sincerity, knowing that He is ready to forgive me and heal me, immediately. I realize that if I pass up on this opportunity to make a change for the best, that I may never have another chance. I also realize that I would be continuing a sinful habit. I sign my name because I will use the power of God to overcome the temptation of smoking. I sign my name because I am a Christian, saved by God's grace, who no longer wants to pollute His temple.
Signature _______________________________
Luke 9:59-62 He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Here is a man that seems resolved to follow Christ, but he begs a short delay. To this man, Christ first gave the call; he said to him, Follow me. Religion teaches us to be kind and good, to show piety at home, and to requite our parents; but we must not make these an excuse for neglecting our duty to God.
Here is another that is willing to follow Christ, but he must have a little time to talk to with friends about it, and to set in order his household affairs, and give directions concerning them. He seems to have worldly concerns more upon his heart than he ought to have, and was willing to enter into a temptation leading him from his purpose of following Christ. No one can do any business in a proper manner, if he is attending to other business. Those who begin with the work of God must resolve to go on or they will make nothing of it. Looking back, leads to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. He only that endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:22 "And ye shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
Enduring to the end is not a way to be saved but the evidence that you are really committed to Jesus. Persistence is not a means to earn salvation, but the by-product of a truly devoted life.
John 14:21-24 "Whoever has my commandments and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him". Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
Jesus said that his followers show their love by obeying God. Love is more than lovely words; it is commitment and conduct. If you love Christ, then prove it by obeying what He says in His Word. Not everyone is receptive to the teaching of God. Jesus saves the deepest revelations of himself for those who love and obey Him.
