The Christian Life—Part 2

(Jn 14:21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ...

(Jn 14:23) ... If a man love me, he will keep my words ...
(Jn 14:24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings ...

This article lists a number of Scripture passages addressing the following topics:

Accusations    Admonish    Anger    Outward Appearance    Approval    Authority    Authorities    Burdens    Bless    Boasting    Celibacy    Children    Commandments    Compassion    Concerns    Confesions    Confronting sin    Contentment    Courage    Covetousness    Disputes    Divorce    Edification    Enemies    Esteem    Evangelism    Evil    Opposing Evil    Example    Exhortations    Faith    Fasting    Fear    Favoritism    Fellow believers    Forgiveness    Greetings    Helping Others    Holiness    Honor    Hospitality    Humility    Joy    Judging Others    Kindness    Love    Loving the Lord    Marriage    Mind    Mistreated Believers    Money    Obedience    Outsiders    Parenting    Parents    Partiality    Love Peace    Perfection    Planning    Prayer    Prayer Topics    Pride    Priorities    Prophecy    Readiness    Readiness for Evangelism    Resistance    Restoring Others    Do Not Retaliate    Reviling    Riches    Service    Singing    Slander    Speech    Do Not Steal    Submission    Teaching    Temptations    Tempting God    Thanksgiving    Trials    Truth    Watch!    Withdrawal    The Word    Work    Works    The World    Worries    Zeal

The Greatest Commandments

(Mk 12:30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
(Mk 12:31) And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Dealing with Accusations

(2Co 13:1) ... In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

(2Ti 3:2, 3) For men shall be ... false accusers ...

Admonish

(1Th 5:14) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly ...

(Col 3:16)ESV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom ...

Anger

(Eph 4:26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath

(Jms 1:19) ... let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
(Jms 1:20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

(Eph 4:31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice

Outward Appearance

(1Co 11:4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
(1Co 11:5) But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

(1Ti 2:9)MKJV ... I desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness, not adorned with braiding, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothing

Approval

(1Th 5:21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
(1Ti 5:22) Lay hands suddenly on no man ...

(1Jn 4:1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Authority in Church

(Heb 13:7)ESV Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

(1Th 5:12) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(1Th 5:13) And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

(1Co 16:15)ASV Now I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints),
(1Co 16:16) that ye also be in subjection unto such, and to every one that helpeth in the work and laboreth.

(Heb 13:17)EMTV Obey your leaders, and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls, as giving an account, in order that they may do this with joy and not groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Ideally, as leaders follow the Lord, the believers under their authority recognize the leading of the Lord and submit themselves. So a good leader will encourage his people to have a strong relationship with the Lord, to read the Bible and to seek God's will through prayer. However, a leader who seeks to impose his own will is likely to claim that his will is God's will and discourage people from checking it with the Bible or through prayer. He will seek to dominate his people in order to carry out his own will.

(1Pt 5:1)ESV So I exhort the elders among you ...
(1Pt 5:2) shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, ...
(1Pt 5:3) not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

(Lk 22:25) And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
(Lk 22:26) But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

(Mt 23:8)MKJV But you must not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers.
(Mt 23:9) And call no one your father on the earth, for One is your Father in Heaven.
(Mt 23:10) Nor be called teachers, for One is your Teacher, even Christ.
(Mt 23:11) But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
(Mt 23:12) And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted.

(1Jn 2:27)MKJV But the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him.

Authorities

(Ro 13:1)Darby Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him . For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God.
(Ro 13:2) So that he that sets himself in opposition to the authority resists the ordinance of God; and they who thus resist shall bring sentence of guilt on themselves.

(Tit 3:1)Darby Put them in mind to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient to rule, to be ready to do every good work,

(1Ti 2:1)KJV I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
(1Ti 2:2)EMTV on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Bear Your Own Burden

(Ga 6:5)Darby For each shall bear his own burden.

(1Ti 5:8)Darby But if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of his house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever.

(1Ti 5:16) If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Bless

(Mt 7:12) ... all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(1Th 5:15)MKJV ... always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all.

(1Pt 3:9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

(Ro 12:14) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Boasting

(1Co 4:7) ... who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

(1Co 3:21)ASV ... let no one glory in men. ...

(2Co 10:17) But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

One could boast about the Lord by boasting about men while acknowledging God's work (2Th 1:3-4). Now the Greek verb translated "to glory, to boast", has also been translated "to rejoice, to joy" in Ro 5:2, 11 and Jms 1:9.

(Ro 5:1) ... we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
(Ro 5:2) ... and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(Ro 5:11) ... we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

(Jms 1:9) Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
(Jms 1:10) But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

In the context of teachers who would have been proud of themselves if people followed them (Ga 6:13), the words of the apostle Paul in Ga 6:14 could be literally translated "But may it not be to boast to myself, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world is crucified to me, and I to the world."

In the context of people boasting about themselves (2Co 11:18), the apostle wrote "I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities" (2Co 11:30). By doing this, people could see better the work of the Lord and give the credit to the Lord, and not to Paul. Additionally, in this way the power of the Lord rested on him.

(2Co 12:9) ... Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Celibacy

(Mt 19:10) His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
(Mt 19:11) But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
(Mt 19:12) ... He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

(1Co 7:32) ... He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
(1Co 7:33) But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

(1Co 7:7) For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
(1Co 7:8) I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
(1Co 7:9) But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Children

(Eph 6:1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
(Eph 6:2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
(Eph 6:3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Commandments

(Mt 5:19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

(1Jn 3:24) And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

(Heb 10:16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

(Ro 7:22)Darby ... I delight in the law of God according to the inward man

Compassion

(Mk 12:31) And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

(Lk 6:33) And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
(Lk 6:34) And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
(Lk 6:35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

(Mt 6:3)MKJV But when you do merciful deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does

Concerns/Worries

(Php 4:6)EMTV Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, along with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

(Mt 6:34)EMTV Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own affairs. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Confessions

(Jms 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Confronting sin

(Mt 18:15) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

(1Th 5:14) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly ...

Courage and Fear

(1Pt 3:14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

(Heb 13:6)ASV So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?

(Mt 10:31) Fear ye not therefore ...

(Ne 6:13) Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin ...

(Mt 10:28) And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

(1Pt 2:17) ... Fear God ...

Contentment

(Php 4:11) ... I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

(1Ti 6:6)ASV ... godliness with contentment is great gain:
(1Ti 6:7) for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;
(1Ti 6:8) but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.

Do Not Covet

(Col 3:5) ... covetousness ... is idolatry

(1Co 6:10) ... nor covetous ... shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Disputes

(2Ti 2:24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
(2Ti 2:25) In meekness instructing those that oppose ...

(Tit 3:1)ASV Put them in mind ...
(Tit 3:2) to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.

(Mt 12:19) He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

Divorce

(Mt 5:32) But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

(Mk 10:11) And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
(Mk 10:12) And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

See also the article Divorce and the Law.

Edification

(Ro 14:19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

(Ro 15:2) Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

(1Co 14:26) ... Let all things be done unto edifying.

Love Your Enemies

(Mt 5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

(Ro 12:14) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Esteem/Honor

(1Th 5:12) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(1Th 5:13) And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

(1Pt 2:17)ASV Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Evangelism

(Mt 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

(2Co 4:13) We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Evil

(1Th 5:22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.

(Ro 12:21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Opposing Evil

(Jms 4:7) ... Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

(Eph 6:13) ... take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

See also Carnal Resistance and Do Not Retaliate.

Example

(Tit 2:7) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
(Tit 2:8) Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

(1Ti 4:12) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Exhortations

(Heb 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Faith

(Ro 14:23) ... whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Fasting

(Mt 6:16) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(Mt 6:17) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
(Mt 6:18) That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

(Mt 9:15) ... the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

(Ac 13:2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

No Favoritism/Partiality

(Jms 2:2)EMTV For if a man enters into your assembly with a gold ring, in fine clothes, and there should also come in a poor man in dirty clothes,
(Jms 2:3) and you have respect for him that wears the fine clothes and you say to him, "You sit here in a good seat," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here under my footstool,"
(Jms 2:4) and so did you not differentiate among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

(Ro 2:11)EMTV ... there is no partiality with God.

Fellow Believers

(1Jn 3:17)EMTV But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother having need, and shuts off his compassion towards him, how does the love of God abide in him?

(Ga 6:10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

(1Co 10:24)MKJV Let no one seek his own, but each one another's.

(Ga 6:2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

(Jms 4:11) Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

(Zec 7:10) ... and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

(Ro 12:10) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

See also the article Christian Fellowship.

Forgiveness

(Mt 6:14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
(Mt 6:15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Greetings

(1Th 5:26) Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

(2Jn 1:9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(2Jn 1:10)Darby If any one come to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into the house, and greet him not;

Helping Others

(Ga 6:2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

(Ro 12:13) Distributing to the necessity of saints ...

Holiness

(1Pt 1:15)ASV ... as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;
(1Pt 1:16) because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.

(2Co 7:1) ... let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

(Heb 12:14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Hospitality

One should pursue hospitality (Ro 12:13).

(1Pt 4:9) Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

(Heb 13:2) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Humility

(1Pt 5:5) ... be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
(1Pt 5:6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time

See also Pride.

Joy

(Php 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Judging Others

(Jms 4:11) Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
(Jms 4:12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

(Mt 7:1) Judge not, that ye be not judged.
(Mt 7:2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

(Ro 14:4)Darby Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own master he stands or falls. And he shall be made to stand ...

Kindness

(Eph 4:32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted ...
(Eph 5:1)EMTV Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.

Love

(Jn 15:12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
(Jn 15:13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
(Jn 15:14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Loving the Lord

(Mk 12:30) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

(Mk 8:35)Darby ... whosoever shall desire to save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it.

(Mt 10:37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
(Mt 10:38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Marriage

(Eph 5:22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
(Eph 5:23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
(Eph 5:24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
(Eph 5:25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

(Col 3:18) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
(Col 3:19) Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Mind

(Col 3:2)Darby have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth;

(Php 4:8)Darby For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are noble, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are amiable, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if any praise, think on these things.

Mistreated Believers

(Heb 13:3) Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

(Ga 6:2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Money

(Mt 6:19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
(Mt 6:20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal

(Ro 13:8)Darby Owe no one anything, unless to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.

(Col 3:5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth ... covetousness, which is idolatry

Obedience

(Eph 6:1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
(Eph 6:2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
(Eph 6:3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Outsiders

(Col 4:5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Parenting

(Eph 6:4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Parents

(Mk 7:10) ... Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
(Mk 7:11) But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
(Mk 7:12) And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
(Mk 7:13) Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

(1Ti 5:8)Darby But if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of his house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever.

Love Peace

(Ro 12:18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

(Mk 9:50) ... Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

(Jms 3:17) But the wisdom that is from above is ... peaceable ...

Perfection

(Mt 5:48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The Greek word τελειος "perfect" should be taken in an absolute sense when referring to God. However, it does not have to be taken this way when referring to man. The word itself does not require to be taken in an absolute sense in every circumstance, as describing something to which no change can be made without diminishing it. For example, τελειοτερας "more perfect" in Heb 9:11 speaks of something considered to be perfect that was not perfect to the same extent as something else. The word τελειος "perfect" describes that which is complete or completed. In the context of Mt 5:48, "perfect" refers to integrity. In Heb 5:14, Php 3:15, and Eph 4:13, it refers to spiritual maturity. Thus, the word is translated "them that are of full age" in Heb 5:14 in KJV. This word and the related verb τελειοω "to make perfect, complete" can refer also to those who are saved, who are made complete in the sense that they lack nothing for heaven (Mt 19:21, Heb 10:14).

(Heb 5:13) ... every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(Heb 5:14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

(Eph 4:11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(Eph 4:12) ... for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(Eph 4:13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(Eph 4:14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

(Jms 1:4)Darby But let endurance have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Planning

(Jms 4:13) Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
(Jms 4:14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
(Jms 4:15) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

(Php 2:4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

(Col 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Prayer

(Lk 18:1) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

(1Th 5:17) Pray without ceasing.
(1Th 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

(Mk 11:24) ... I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Note that Mk 11:24 and its related passages are discussed in the article Asking and Receiving.

Prayer Topics

(Lk 10:2) Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

(Jms 5:16) ... pray one for another ...

(1Th 5:25) Brethren, pray for us.

(Col 4:3) Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
(Col 4:4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

(Eph 6:18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Eph 6:19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(Eph 6:20) ... that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

(2Th 3:1) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
(2Th 3:2) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men ...

Pride

(Pr 16:18) Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

(1Co 10:12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

(1Co 8:1-2)Darby ... knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. If any one think he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know it .

(Ga 6:14)MKJV But may it never be for me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

See also Humility.

Priorities

(Mt 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Prophecy

(1Th 5:19) Quench not the Spirit.
(1Th 5:20) Despise not prophesyings.
(1Th 5:21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Readiness

(Tit 3:1) Put them in mind ... to be ready to every good work,

(Lk 12:35) Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
(Lk 12:36) And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Readiness for Evangelism

(Eph 6:14-15) Stand therefore, having ... your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

(1Pt 3:15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

Carnal Resistance

(Mt 5:39) But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
(Mt 5:40) And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
(Mt 5:41) And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
(Mt 5:42) Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

(Ro 12:21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

See also Opposing Evil and Do Not Retaliate.

Restoring Others

(Ga 6:1) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

(Heb 12:15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(Heb 12:16) Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Do Not Retaliate

(Ro 12:17) Recompense to no man evil for evil. ...

(Ro 12:19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
(Ro 12:20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink ...

See also Opposing Evil and Carnal resistance.

Reviling

(1Co 6:10) ... nor revilers ... shall inherit the kingdom of God.

(1Pt 3:9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Riches

(1Ti 6:9)ASV ... they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.
(1Ti 6:10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(1Ti 6:11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

(Lk 12:33)EMTV Sell your possessions and give alms; make for yourselves money bags which do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where a thief does not come near, nor does a moth destroy.
(Lk 12:34)KJV For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(1Ti 6:17) Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
(1Ti 6:18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
(1Ti 6:19) Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Service

(Ga 5:13) ... by love serve one another.

(Mk 10:45) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

(Jn 13:14) If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
(Jn 13:15) For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Singing

(Col 3:16) ... singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

(Eph 5:18) ... be filled with the Spirit;
(Eph 5:19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

(Heb 2:12) ... I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

Slander

(Tit 3:1)ASV Put them in mind ...
(Tit 3:2) to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.

Speech

(Col 4:6) Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

(Eph 4:29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

(Eph 5:3)EMTV But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
(Eph 5:4)MKJV neither baseness, foolish talking, jesting, which are not becoming, but rather giving of thanks.

One should speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).

(1Pt 4:11) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God ...

See also the article Speaking in Church.

Do Not Steal

(Mk 10:18-19) And Jesus said unto him ... Thou knowest the commandments ... Do not steal ...

(Mt 21:12) And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
(Mt 21:13) And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

(1Th 4:2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
(1Th 4:3, 6) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification ... That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

(1Co 6:10) Nor thieves ... nor extortioners ... shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Submission

(Eph 5:21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

(1Pt 5:5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Teaching

Christians should be able to teach:

(Heb 5:12)EMTV For indeed, although you ought to be teachers by this time, again you have need for someone to teach you what are the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God ...

(Col 3:16)ESV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom ...

(Tit 2:3) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
(Tit 2:4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
(Tit 2:5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Temptations

(Jms 1:13)ASV Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:
(Jms 1:14) but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

The statement that "God cannot be tempted with evil" speaks of the fact that evil does not attract him at all; evil is not tempting to him. The possibility that a man be tempted and fall into a sinful temptation is not at all attractive to God; in fact, he hates it. So it is not God the one who tempts man with sin. Indeed, the enemy is said to be the tempter (Mt 4:3, 1Th 3:5); see also 1Co 7:5 and 2Co 11:3.

(1Co 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

(2Ti 2:22)ASV But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Tempting God

The verb translated "to tempt" means also "to test". When a person departs from his normal manner of life and does something unusual that is sinful, he tests God, for by his action he invites God to respond to an unusual circumstance.

(Mt 4:6) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
(Mt 4:7) Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

(Ac 5:9) Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

(1Co 10:9) Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Thanksgiving

(Eph 5:20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

(1Th 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Trials

(Jms 1:2)EMTV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials

Truth

(Eph 4:15)ESV ... speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

(Col 3:9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

(Rev 21:8) ... all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Lk 12:1) ... Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Watch!

(Mk 13:37) And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

In its context, Mk 13:37 refers to people who are susceptible to allow things of this life to keep them from following the Lord. Another kind of watching is mentioned in the following passage.

(Heb 12:15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(Heb 12:16) Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Withdrawal

(2Th 3:6)MKJV Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks disorderly, and not after the teaching which he received from us.

(2Th 3:14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

(1Co 5:11) But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner ...

The Word

(Mt 4:4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

(Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ...

(Jn 6:63) ... the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Work

(Col 3:23) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
(Col 3:24) ... for ye serve the Lord Christ.

(1Co 10:31) ... whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

(Col 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Works

(Eph 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(Eph 2:9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Eph 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(Jn 3:21) ... he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

(Tit 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(Heb 10:24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works

(Heb 6:10) ... God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
(Heb 6:11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
(Heb 6:12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(Tit 3:8)MKJV ... I desire that you strongly affirm that those believing God might be careful to maintain good works. ...

The World

(1Jn 2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
(1Jn 2:16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Zeal

(Ro 12:11)MKJV As to diligence, not slothful, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord

(Jn 2:17) And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

(1Co 9:24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

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