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Proverbs 10:2a cautions us: “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing”. This warning is more pertinent than ever before. Countries, organisations and individuals who once advocated and promoted a morally upright way of life, and who also flourished economically, today appear to have lost their determination and mettle to continue in the same perspective about life. In the name of economic security and progress, immorality and destructive lifestyles are accommodated everywhere. This tolerance of an immoral lifestyle for economic reasons will not bring any true gain, according to the Bible.

“Treasures”

The Hebrew word for “treasures” (אֹוצָר [ʾowtsar]) refers to wealth and possessions. “Treasures” are often mentioned as God’s gift, and as His reward to His servants. The Bible promises “treasures” to those who will love God and live by His Word. For instance, Proverbs 15:6a says, “In the house of the righteous is much treasure”. Likewise, Proverbs 21:20 affirms, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise”. Therefore, treasure (or wealth) is in itself not evil.

However, if wealth is regarded above all other matters of life, especially spiritual and moral principles and duties, it becomes an evil thing. So says Scripture: “Labour not to be rich” (Proverbs 23:4). It is a great evil to give pre-eminence to affluence and prosperity. Scripture also warns, “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him” (Proverbs 28:22). So, let our conviction be thus: “Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6)!

“Treasures of Wickedness”

“Treasures of wickedness” refers to ill-gotten wealth. Greed and covetousness lead man to earn money through all kinds of unjust, deceptive, violent, sensual and cruel methods. “Treasures of wickedness” are the fruits of selfish desires.

That kind of wealth which men get unjustly will do them no good, because God will blast it. Proverbs 22:16 says that there is one that “oppresseth the poor to increase his riches”. There are also those who borrow much to appear rich (cf. Proverbs 13:7a), thus making themselves enslaved to worry and work.

Proverbs 13:11 warns against “wealth gotten by vanity”. It is referring to wealth gotten through greedy and wicked means; such will prove to be of no lasting value. James 5:1-5 decries such wealth gained through vain means — “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.”

“Treasures of Wickedness Profiteth Nothing”

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.” Such rancid wealth rots the heart of the one who gets it, and it cannot save one from his ultimate demise. Righteousness, however, is a far more precious treasure. The righteousness of the Eternal God – a gift endowed on us by grace through faith – is greater than the limits imposed by our mortality, and it is powerful enough to redeem our souls from death.

“Treasures of wickedness” may dazzle and furnish a greedy heart with gratification. The treasures of wicked people – even the treasures which they have acquired through wicked or ungodly means – will profit nothing, no matter how safely they are laid up. They will profit neither the soul nor the body. They will not secure any true comfort or happiness. Instead, such treasures, gained through wicked means, will bring much trouble and sorrow!

Dear readers, keep yourselves away from every ungodly and filthy place set up to provide jobs and businesses. The money they offer may be huge and very attractive, but do not forget the warnings of God’s Word. Working in such places can destroy you, your family, friends and others. It is better to be poor and pure than wealthy and filthy.

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Testimonies of Youths Who Have Reaffirmed Their Faith

Abigail Chung

Being in a Christian family, my parents have always faithfully brought my siblings and me to church every week to attend worship services and fellowship meetings. I thank the Lord that my parents have been strict with my spiritual growth from young. My family came from a traditional Methodist background, and my mother tried for several years to find a more suitable church for my family’s spiritual growth. I thank the Lord that my mother came across Calvary Kuching BPC back in 2015 “by accident”, when she went to a nearby bank. In the beginning, it was difficult to be accustomed to BPC’s lengthier worship services; I was still young and was used to attending shorter services in our previous Methodist church, so sitting through the service was arduous. I thank God for granting me strength and patience during this transition. 

As I grew older, my understanding of God’s Word increased. But this led to new challenges. In secondary school, I was often asked, “Is Jesus real?” and “Can you prove that he is real?” I had many non-believing friends, and they raised many questions about Christianity. I’ve tried to answer as much as I could, but at times the things they said seemed to make more sense, which caused me to waver. I was often made fun of for being the “Christian girl”, because I turned down many group hangouts during the weekends to attend church activities. Before this, I was certain that I loved and trusted in Jesus Christ, but I realised that I lacked earnestness and sincerity. I was not reading God’s Word every day and often fell into temptation. I’ve also started to doubt the words of the Bible. But as I continued attending church services, I came to understand that this was a trial for me. During this difficult time, I’ve learned to look to God and pray for guidance and wisdom. I also became more aware of my sins and the need for Christ, the Saviour, whom I trusted for salvation. I am grateful for the assurance of salvation that Jesus gave me through His Word. “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me” (Psalm 7:1).

I thank the Lord for guiding me to Gethsemane BPC, and giving me the opportunity to study God’s Word weekly. I thank God that I am able to attend the Youth Fellowship and serve Him in the youth choir. Through Pastor Koshy’s teaching and Catechism lessons (by elders), I realise the importance of taking my stand as a Christian. The world will not get any better, and it is crucial that, as God’s children, we will not be swayed by worldly distractions. I pray that I will continue to have trust in the Lord and not allow worldly distractions to draw me away from serving and loving Him. I also pray that the Lord will help me to guide more people, especially my close friends and relatives, to believe in the Lord. 

God’s love for us is so great that He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins, to grant us everlasting life. “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:15-16).

Hans Lee

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

I am grateful for the various different struggles that God has put me through in my life. Whatever they be, I thank God I still trusted and relied on Him. Having godly parents and being in a Bible-teaching church certainly help me in this regard. I thank God for my parents’ teaching, which I think have laid the foundation for me to further understand the teachings during the Catechism Class, especially on the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). I understand a lot more about the acronym ‘TULIP’ and many other things that I’ve learned from the WCF. So, I am really thankful for both parents and church leaders, who teach me the ways of the Lord. 

I’m also thankful for the lessons learnt from Youth Fellowship meetings, which help me understand more about discipleship and spiritual vigilance. One thing that I feel that I have not been doing is following God’s will. I sometimes follow my own desires when deciding on major things. But from the Catechism Class, I now understand that I must follow God’s will. I acknowledge that my salvation is only through Jesus Christ, that I am a sinner and that Jesus died for sinners to save us from our sins. As such, I trust in God to lead me all the way through trials and testings. To end my testimony, I like to draw inspiration from Jesus’ example – “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Nathanael Chung

Growing up in a Christian family, going to church easily became a routine for me. My parents are faithful to the Lord and they took my siblings and me to church weekly, without fail. However, my childish idea of a church was that it was a place where I could play with friends, and where sermons and children’s Bible classes were simply background programme. My parents often told me stories from the Bible and helped me memorise parts of Scripture, but the precious meaning never sank in until much later. 

After moving to Kuching, I joined my school’s Christian Fellowship group, but it didn’t bring me any closer to God. Eventually, God led my family to Calvary Kuching BPC, where my spiritual eyes were opened through video recordings of Pastor Koshy’s sermons, as well as preachers who flew over to minister to us. I started to have an interest in the Word of God. After moving back to Singapore and attending Gethsemane BPC, I can still feel my love for hearing His Word grow more and more. I’m thankful to God for Pastor Koshy and the many preachers and elders who are devoted to serving Him, especially Pr Samson.

I thank the Lord for saving me and I am learning to fully trust Him with all my troubles, for He is the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. The Lord has been gracious to bless me with many blessings, such as godly parents and a God-honouring church, despite my many sins and spiritual shortcomings. He has helped me resist following my worldly friends down a worldly path, even giving me the opportunity to share the Gospel with some of them. Praise God for sending His only Son to die in our place, that we may have the gift of salvation and eternal life. May my faith not falter, and I pray the Lord will continue to lead me in my spiritual walk with Him, for He is my Shepherd.

Goh Xin Yi

Growing up in a Christian family, I have been taught by my God-fearing parents to love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul and all my might. Even though I had been exposed to biblical doctrine at a tender age, learning about the truths and Gospel preached, I felt I was still lacking something: the desire to find out more of God’s truths. There were countless times when I felt lost, when I could not resolve my troubles not only in school but also troubles that were all bottled up inside me. Instead of going to the Lord in prayer, I would often try to find a way out through listening to music. However, I felt that the content in the music I listened to was in fact not biblical, but actually erroneous and not God-honouring. 

Slowly, I felt myself drifting away further and backsliding, which in turn caused me to act a lot like my non-Christian schoolmates for a period of time and made me seriously doubt my salvation. I felt the need to change, and I am thankful that God has called me back to His flock. Through the series of lessons in the Catechism Class, I learnt precious spiritual lessons that have changed not only my mindset, but also rekindled my love towards learning more about God and His truths. As Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Indeed, even though I have sought the forgiveness of my Lord, this verse reminds me of how evil the heart is, serving as a lesson that I never want to forget and repeat. All praise and glory be to God!

Isaiah Wong

Growing up, I always thought I was different, for I am homeschooled. Now, I appreciate why my parents made that decision. I understand that they wanted to expose God’s Word to me at an early age, that I may have a strong and firm foundation in the Lord, and not be too greatly influenced by the world and its devices. I am truly grateful for all the godly influences in my life – God-fearing parents at home, godly examples in church and, most importantly, God’s Word, the Bible. I only realised I was a sinner and that all have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), when God pricked my heart through the messages from the Bible and from admonitions of godly people. 

Now I can say, “I am a sinner saved by grace!” Praise be to God! My prayer is that I will continue to bear a good testimony and to live my life for the Lord. Knowing that all things of this temporal world will come to an end, except the Word of God, may I echo the words of Jim Elliot, that my life may be so – “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” As the psalmist says, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified” (Psalm 70:4; cf. 40:16). Amen!

Parousia Chan

My name “Parousia” was given to me by my parents as they wanted me to look to the “Coming” of the Lord. When I was young, I did not give much thought to its significance even though I understood its meaning. Over the years, as many teachers and friends have commented that my name is unique, its significance slowly dawns upon me.

I thank the Lord that I was brought up in a Christian family. Since young, my parents have been bringing me to attend Sunday services, prayer meetings, GCM sessions, and other activities organised by the church. These gave me an early exposure to Bible truths, which led me to confess my sins and trust in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to redeem me.

As I grew older, I started to encounter people who have ungodly views and behaviour in school and other places that I frequent. At times, they could be very influential and it is a challenge for me to uphold a good Christian testimony. However, through the Word ministered clearly by our pastor and preachers in church services and Youth Fellowship meetings that I regularly attend, I have gained a deeper understanding of the doctrines and commandments in the Bible, and have understood that I have to separate myself from the world – “for what fellowship … hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14). I am encouraged by the fact that Jesus has promised to send the Holy Spirit to believers, who will guide us and prompt us to turn back to Him when we have sinned.

I also thank God for the recent Catechism Class that I attended, where Eld Francis and Eld Choy reinforced in us the key doctrines of our Christian faith, including the signs of the last days (warning us to be ready for the Lord’s “Parousia”) and the characteristics of the true Christian church. I pray that I will continue to place my trust in God and grow in my walk with Him. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is” (Jeremiah 17:7).

Rebuke by Preachers is the Best Remedy for Carnality Within the Church

Scripture clearly teaches us that the remedy for the onslaught of carnality is preaching that confronts sin with burning words and bold rebuke. Consider the preaching of the prophet Isaiah. In the very first chapter itself, Isaiah delivered a startling rebuke of sin. Isaiah denounced the Israelites’ sacrifices as hypocritical. He boldly declared that God despised their oblations, their incense, their holy days and feasts. Then in no uncertain terms, he told them that God would not hear their prayers because their hands were full of blood. Again in that chapter, he denounced them for their oppression of the poor, for their rebellion against God, for their spiritual harlotry. He was unflinching when he remarked that their princes “ran” with thieves (with everyone looking for bribes), and that their leaders did not give honest protection to widows and orphans. And that is only one example from many in the preaching of Isaiah. He preached gallantly against sins!

Consider Nathan, the prophet who rebuked David. He is a fine example of a God-honouring preacher who preaches succinctly against sin. Even King David’s royal pomp was no hindrance to his preaching against sin. So Nathan boldly preached a sermon, using a parable to show the wickedness of David’s sin. Then when anger within David was aroused against the hypothetical rich man who had taken his neighbour’s little ewe lamb, Nathan, with crushing and powerful effect, pointed his finger in the face of King David and said, “Thou art the man” (2 Samuel 12:7)! Nathan showed David his horrible sin of murdering Uriah in order to take his wife, Bathsheba. Nathan did not fear the royalty of David. Therefore, he stood up for God and openly denounced David’s sin.

Consider John the Baptist. He sharply rebuked sin. He did not try to be tactful or mild in his rebuke. He firmly told the Jews, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:7-8). He made no exception for the Jewish leaders either. He told them they would be hewn down like fruitless trees to be cast into the fire of hell. He was just as bold when he confronted Herod the king, and told him plainly that he had no right to take his brother’s wife (cf. Matthew 14:3-4). 

Consider the preaching of Stephen. Acts 7 recounts the episode of his rebuke of the sins of the Jews. He loudly declared to them, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it” (7:51–53)!

Though many more of God’s servants can be mentioned, let us look at just one more preacher, the apostle Paul, for our consideration. On his first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas came to Paphos. When Elymas the sorcerer withstood them and tried to keep Sergius Paulus, the deputy ruler of the country, from being saved, Paul, being filled with the Holy Ghost, faced him and said, “O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10).

Preachers who refuse to preach against sin for fear of being branded as negative, certainly do not follow the pattern of these great men of God. However, those who do preach against sin hurt the feelings of their carnal hearers and made some of them angry, causing frustrations amid the crowd. But they are faithful to God and to the Bible.

As much as preachers are called to preach about God’s love, they are also called to preach against sin. The Lord Jesus loved men, and loved sinners enough to die for them, but how He hated sin! Remember how He made a whip to drive the traders from the temple, overturned the tables of the moneychangers, and scattered the money on the stone floor! Preaching ought to be like that sometimes. With holy boldness, preachers ought to hate sin and expose it.

Oh, how Jesus preached against sin! He preached against covetousness; He preached against unbelief; He preached against adultery – including even looking on a woman to lust after her. He preached against holding grudges and said that if men did not forgive, neither would the Father in Heaven forgive them. He said to the Pharisees and scribes, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do” (John 8:44). Men hated Jesus because He preached against sin. May God forgive us preachers who do not preach like Jesus because we fear the anger of men.

Today, we need preachers who refuse to be influenced by the sophistry of the popular preachers who do not preach against sin. It is true that preachers ought not to be cowards. They must be courageous to rebuke from the pulpit, as well as privately, if need be. The preacher who never has a word to say against immodest apparel, drunkenness, adultery, lewdness, covetousness and blasphemy is a “dumb dog” who cannot bark. He is a “Balaam” preaching for profit. He has fallen into the snare of the fear of man. We need preaching against sin, against particular sins. May God give us many youthful, vibrant and fearless preachers everywhere, who will speak for God against the carnality that has invaded churches of our time.

Carnality is a swelling tide in churches everywhere, pushing godliness out of the ministries and lives of their leaders and members. Churches are crowded with carnal and materialistic people. Any form of emphasis on modesty, purity and godliness is considered weak and useless, while tolerance of carnality and worldliness is cherished as profitable virtues.

The appearance, mannerisms and pursuits of many members of modern churches speak volumes about the tragic level of accommodation of worldliness that exists within the churches today. It is all too obvious that preachers, who have been entrusted to “preach the word… reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”, have drastically failed in their duty. Many preachers, even those who claim to be biblical preachers, shy away from rebuking carnality within their congregations. In fact, preaching has become much worse than that. Licentious preaching is heard everywhere. Many preachers have deteriorated to the point that they even make fun of preachers who warn relentlessly against the worldly mentality of churchgoers. The “acceptable preaching” of our times requires refraining from the rebuking of carnality, and the dishing out of ready reassurances and blessings to all churchgoers, even to those who indulge in carnal living.

Reasons for Preachers’ Tolerance of Carnality

The Bible clearly speaks about the reasons for the tolerance of carnality by preachers. Three of those reasons are discussed below:

Fame

The insatiable desire for popularity is often the cause for preachers’ tolerance of sin within their congregation. They would rather maintain a comfortable relationship with their carnal members than have to deal with their ire when rebuked for their carnal living. Tolerance of sin is a very different issue from being patient with a man who is repentant and submissive to the rebuke of the Word. Tolerance is to permit members to continue in their unchaste behaviour without being rebuked or warned. A preacher, who wants to be in the good books of all men, hardly dares to expose or confront his members’ sins.

A pastor who rebukes the carnality of the people is often called “a negative preacher”. He receives comments such as, “O, his preaching is too negative”; “he is a narrow-minded and intolerant preacher”; or “he has this ‘holier than thou’ attitude”. The “crime” of such a faithful pastor is that he calls their sins, “sins”. How should God’s people read and apply the Ten Commandments that God has given through Moses? Eight of them are negative! Jeremiah’s preaching ministry is summarised as: “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). Four negatives and two positives! So was the preaching of every other faithful servant of the Lord.

Our Lord Jesus preached fearlessly against the sins of His hearers. He did not mince His words against the sins of His “religious” hearers so that He might become more popular among them (cf. John 8:44; Matthew 23). Would modern churchgoers that dislike preachers who strongly warn them against their carnal living, ever have God’s prophets like Moses, Jeremiah, Malachi, John the Baptiser, etc. to preach to them in their churches? Would they have Christ and the apostles to preach to them?

The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). In the context of this instruction to preachers, Paul warned, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:3-5). Irrespective of people’s opinions, faithful preachers must preach against the sins of their hearers.

Greed

Another reason for preachers’ present lack of rebuking of sin is their greed. Today, many who fill the role of pastors are men of “corrupt minds”, whose philosophy is “supposing that gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5). The prophet Isaiah mentioned greed as the reason why false prophets of his time stirred up the wayward nation of Israel, instead of rebuking it sharply. Read carefully Isaiah’s words that rebuked the prophets who failed to warn against the sins of the people – “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant” (Isaiah 56:10-12).

Many pastors are wary of offending prominent and rich members of the church who are carnal men. The covetous hearts of these pastors would rather speak words that please the wealthy and the prominent ones than offend them. They gather people by means of pleasing music and other entertainments, and then send them away in ‘high spirits’ to continue in their sins. It is no more uncommon to see skimpily dressed singers and dancers on the church stage during worship services. Undiscerning men and women gather around these performers with loud applause and screams. Sunday services are increasingly becoming religious entertainment for a “carnally thirsty” crowd. Why would Christian preachers promote such activities? One reason, according to the Bible, is that these provide them with many gains. In turn, they also teach their congregations that “gain is godliness”. Peter describes them as “beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children” (2 Peter 2:14b). Likewise, Jude warns, “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core” (v. 11)!

Lust

Another biblical reason accounting for preachers’ tolerance of carnality within the church is that they themselves are carnal men. The apostle Peter wrote, “Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin” (2 Peter 2:13-14). They will not rebuke but quietly approve the carnal mannerisms of the congregation because they themselves are men with “eyes full of adultery”! It is impossible that a righteous man would tolerate carnal behaviour and activities within his congregation. Preachers ought to be “preachers of righteousness”.

Church leaders, who know of carnality in their congregations and yet do not reprove it, may well be living in the lust of the flesh. Outwardly, such men may look religious and pious, but the Lord who knows all hearts, says that these are men full of lust. 2 Timothy 3:5-7 says of such men in the churches, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Christian youths – even young teens – have been following the worldly practice of dating, which is thoroughly unbiblical. Many seem to be totally unaware of the dangers of “dating”. Now, what is biblically wrong about modern “dating”?

Generally, what is called “dating” today refers to the maintaining of a romantic relationship with someone of the opposite sex. To an increasing number of youngsters in our society, dating is simply “having fun” with someone of the opposite sex, with no strings attached. In Singapore, dating is becoming common even among young teens in secondary schools. The dating activities of youths in tertiary educational institutions frequently involve booze, drugs, going on holidays together, sexual intercourse, etc.

Dating is largely patterned after the lifestyles portrayed by the entertainment world in movies and suchlike. It is a relationship based on sensual feelings and fantasies. In dating, friendships are struck up through fleshly attractions, such as good looks, a cute smile, an amorous voice, sensual appearance, flirtatious speech and behaviour, fashionable and trendy attire, a groovy car, etc.

Even Christian youths begin dating on the basis of such sensual appeal. Christian couples, who date much like the world, fall into many spiritual, moral, emotional and social problems. Dating opens the youths to temptations of sin. Improper sexual conduct, sin and a damaged testimony often plague such youths. That’s not all. More troubles and evils will ensue – disappointment, depression, guilt, shame, quarrels, resentment, vengeful spirit, etc. Furthermore, the relationships with parents and friends will likely also become tumultuous.

When a dating couple agree not to date others and stay together for an extended period of time, they are considered as “going steady”. They become attached romantically, emotionally, and often sexually. They often behave like a married couple. However, it does not have the commitment of a faithful marriage relationship. Their relationship is generally unstable and unpredictable. It is a phoney, sensual liaison – a counterfeit marriage relationship! Then when the boy or girl gets bored with the relationship, or becomes suspicious of the other, or catches the other cheating, or simply decides that someone else is more desirable, the relationship is ended.

Unsurprisingly, dating is so often a temporary, flirtatious rather than a permanent, godly relationship. Many of those dating relationships do not end up in marriage. The resultant break-up often involves heartache, anger and many negative emotional consequences. Although some “succeed” only after going through several dating experiences, they often manifest the distasteful experiences of distrust, suspicion, anxiety, etc. which have been engendered by their string of failed dating relationships. It is not uncommon that such marriages end up on the rocks.

Dating, which is founded on worldly principles, promotes fornication and destructive behaviour among young people. Hedonistic attitudes maintained in such relationships, which drive one to be obsessed with deriving as much pleasure out of life as possible, engender disrespect and ill-treatment, as well as desensitise moral discernment. The resultant marriages are much like houses built upon sand, ready to collapse.

The apostle Paul viewed very disapprovingly those who conducted themselves in an impure and sensual manner. He warned the Corinthian church, “And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed” (2 Corinthians 12:21). This shows that in the Corinthian church, some members had been living sensually. Paul was appalled and mindful that such members who conducted themselves in a sensual and worldly manner would bring shame to the Lord and His church. It is utterly humiliating to a godly congregation when some members live in worldliness and in fornication. Paul spared no effort in warning against the destructive effects of fornication: “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand” (1 Corinthians 10:8); “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Do realise that a life of fornication not only destroys relationships, but also one’s emotional, mental and physical health!

Dear youths, do not engage in the worldly kind of dating. Let every young Christian know that “this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). God’s Word clearly admonishes us in Colossians 3:5-6 to “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience”. Dearly beloved, keep yourselves unspotted from the world and worldly trends (cf. James 1:27) – especially regarding “fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 5:3)!

All Christian youths must be warned about the dangers of the dating practices that are prevalent in our society. It is generally a relationship whereby two unmarried individuals of opposite genders pursue a close friendship purely based on their carnal senses. The outcome is flirting and fornication, and most of such relationships do not culminate in marriage either. Christians should not follow this worldly and sensual kind of dating that is so widely accepted as the norm in our society. 

Such dating habits in schools and colleges lure many Christian youths into intimate relationships with unbelievers. This is creating a serious spiritual situation in Christian homes and churches. Increasingly, Christian youths allow themselves to be entangled and become “trapped” in the sticky web of carnal relationships, eventually betraying spiritual truths, holiness and even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself whom they once professed. Tragedy, O utter tragedy! These are souls being “drugged” and dragged into the darkness of wild, sinful passions! 

Dear youths, do not casually regard or view with nonchalance the evil of this unguarded pursuit of the world’s dirty game called “dating”. If I would not warn you of its dangers, I will have to bear the awful guilt of not telling you of the divine warning against cultivating intimacy with the unbelievers. After reading what has been written in this article, if you would still flirt with the worldly ones, then I cannot be held responsible for your choice of the worst for yourself. 

Please read carefully and take heed of what God’s Word teaches you:

Christians are commanded not to be in any kind of close relationship with unbelievers

This prohibition is most succinctly expressed in 2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers”. The imagery used here is that of two incompatible animals being put together under the same yoke. They would be such a mismatch! For such a pair to work together for long is just not possible, as they are of different natures and temperaments. It is not only unwise conduct, but also a sin for a Christian to choose an unbeliever to be a life-partner.

The apostle Paul further exposes the foolishness of such an “unequal yoke” through a series of rhetorical questions: “for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14b-15).

There can be no spiritual wholesomeness in a marriage between a Christian and a non-Christian. There will be no harmony whatsoever, but the worst conflicts of eternal proportions! The disparity and conflict between a Christian and a non-Christian will be just as between light and darkness, between Christ and false gods like Belial. Certainly, there will be no blessing of the Lord upon such an unbiblical union.

Christians will be tarnished and corrupted by such relationships

In 1 Corinthians 15:33, believers are warned – “Be not deceived: evil communications corruptgood manners.” The term “evil communications” means the associating with evil or ungodly individuals. You deceive yourself when you choose to cultivate a close relationship with an unbeliever. Self-deception is the worst kind of deception, because you eventually betray yourself.

When you choose an unbeliever, you will have deceived yourself to accept the worst choice you could have made. An unbiblical alliance is an unholy alliance. It will prompt you to ungodly conduct. Corruption is a gradual change. Silently but surely, evil communications corrupt good manners. All the good manners that you have learned as a Christian child will eventually be lost.

There is no safety in the company of those who have no fear of God. They have no spiritual and moral principles to abide by. They are openly immoral or unprincipled. Such association is dangerous to a true Christian. To have one who is destitute of faith and holiness to be your trusted friend is to endanger yourself with all sorts of ungodly evils.

Christians will not have the power and blessings of Christian faith and virtues

A couple’s faith and commitment to Jesus Christ is vital to overcoming challenges and hindrances to a blessed marriage life. Christian husbands are commanded to love their wives like Christ – “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). A man, who has not known the love of Christ, certainly will not know how to love sacrificially, genuinely, and purifyingly as Christ loves. A woman, who has not known how to be submissive to Christ, will not know the joy and blessings of submissive conduct.

Mutual prayers and biblical exhortations will not grace their family life. Worshipping and praying together as a family will also not be possible. Christ will not be the Head of their home! Without spiritual unity with Christ, there can be no ultimate marital unity marked by Christ-like love, submission and oneness. Marital life is not just a sexual union. A proper relationship with God is undoubtedly more important than sexual intimacy. Though there is physical pleasure and satisfaction in family life, it will not at all be joyful and successful without dependence on and obedience to God.

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1). Consider the remarkable description of a godly home in Psalm 128:1-3 – “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.” Just imagine the precious spiritual heritage and the wonderful blessings you would be forfeiting when you choose an ungodly relationship!

Christians will be without spiritual aid and examples for the nurture of their children

Trying to bring up children in a disobedient relationship, where one of the parents is a non-Christian, is like swimming against a strong current. Without leadership or support of the other parent, it will be very difficult – to say the least – to nurture a child in godly ways. In fact, in such a family environment, there will be constant opposition to wholehearted commitment to the biblical upbringing of the children. The conflict of faith among the parents will not only be confusing but also disheartening to the children.

Conclusion

If you are single, the most obvious thing to do, in the light of the above biblical counsels, is to avoid any intimate companionship with an unbeliever. Do not begin an ungodly relationship with an unbeliever. If you are dating a non-Christian, you should leave that relationship at once, for the Bible admonishes unequivocally in 2 Corinthians 6:17 – “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”.

Strong warnings concerning churches and their congregants departing from biblical faith are sounded out repeatedly in Scripture. For instance, 1 Timothy 4:1 – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (cf. Matt. 24:5, 11-12, 24; Mk. 13:21-22; 2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:4; 2 Pet. 2:1-2; Jude 5-11). 

In no uncertain terms, Scripture foretells that many shall depart from the faith in the last days (“latter times”). The apostasy (departure from the biblical faith and living) of some in the church came about because they are “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”. 

Modus Operandi of Seducing Spirits

Just as “the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,” so their “minds (would) be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Satan and his demons’ evil modus operandi is not always discerned and resisted by people. We mustn’t be ignorant of Satan’s devices, lest he should get an advantage of us (cf. 2 Cor. 2:11).  

Demonic powers are actively working to instil apostasy in the hearts of people. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:13-14). Satanic deception is effective because Satan and his messengers disguise themselves as “angels of light”.

While Satan leads some astray through ungodly educators and influencers of the world, he seduces others through false believers and teachers within the church. In every realm of human society, there is satanic deception. In education, politics, science, arts, media, sports, and church, unregenerate people promote seductive falsehoods. The devil, “the father of lies” (John 8:44), empowers them. Having turned their backs on God and the truth (cf. Rom. 1:18-32), the unregenerate become instruments of Satan’s plots (cf. 2 Tim. 2:26; 1 Jn. 2:26). They are beguiled and seduced from the beginning to the end of their lives (Eph. 2:2-3)! 

The apostle Peter speaks of their pernicious ways – “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Pet. 2:18-19). 

Are You Succumbing to the Doctrines of Seducing Spirits?

The Biblical prophecy is that “some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”. The words “giving heed” (from the Greek word, prosechō) denote more than merely listening to something. It means “to assent to”, “to devote oneself to”, or “to cling to something”. The present tense of the participle shows that apostates continually cling to demonic teaching. Though they identify with the Christian faith, their hearts and minds are lured away by deceitful spirits. While the Holy Spirit leads genuine Christians to God’s truth and righteousness, these apostates within the church, led by the unholy spirits, follow damning errors and unholy ways.

Some in the church are led away by sophisticated university professors, wickedly clever writers / speakers, or false religious leaders, who are themselves already victims of demonic spirits. They are peddlers of satanic lies. Their controversial yet fascinating ideas are nothing less than the doctrines of demons! Satan and his agents have fabricated all kinds of lying philosophies and theologies to confuse and deceive. To sit under false teaching that contradicts the truth of Scripture, is to be taught by demons and to put one’s mind and soul in jeopardy. 

It is no wonder that the Bible cautions against exposing oneself to false doctrine. Exposing ourselves to such satanic influence is like walking carelessly into a satanic entrapment. To become prey to their ideologies endangers our souls. They are under the sway of “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2; cf. 6:12; John 8:44; 12:31; 1 John 5:19). Why would we expose ourselves to that which will cause our souls to be damned? 

Resist the Devilish Doctrines!

The apostle John said, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Many deceivers, Satan’s agents, have gone out into the world. Therefore, we should watch ourselves so that they might not easily influence us. We must also abide in the truths of God’s Word.

As John cautioned, “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:20-25). 

The above admonition is that anyone, who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. But the one who abides in the teaching, has both the Father and the Son. The apostle John advises, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 10-11).