Avoiding Pitfalls in Christian Living Through Biblical Examples
Avoiding Pitfalls in Christian Living Through Biblical Examples
The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how to avoid pitfalls in Christian living. Self-denial is a crucial aspect, as exemplified by Christ, who set an example by denying himself worldly desires and comforts (Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8) [1]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling one's appetite, and abstaining from fleshly lusts (Tit 2:12; Pr 23:2; 1Pe 2:11).
Christians are also called to avoid strife, which is described as a work of the flesh (Ga 5:20). The Bible warns against the dangers of strife, citing its causes, such as hatred, pride, and wrath (Pr 10:12; 13:10; 15:18) [2]. Instead, believers are encouraged to follow Christ's example of avoiding strife (Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23).
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God. This involves believing in God, fearing God, loving God, and following God's example (Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12; De 6:5; Mt 22:37; Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16) [3]. Believers are called to live soberly, righteously, and godly, and to walk honestly (Tit 2:12; 1Th 4:12).
Furthermore, Christians are warned against the dangers of malice, which is described as springing from an evil heart (Mt 15:19,20; Ga 5:19) [4]. They are encouraged to avoid malice and instead to pray for those who injure them (Mt 5:44).
The Bible also teaches believers to be mindful of their priorities and to avoid excessive care for earthly things (Mt 6:25; Lu 12:22,29; Joh 6:27) [5]. Instead, they are encouraged to cast their cares on God and trust in His providential goodness (Ps 37:5; 55:22; Pr 16:3; 1Pe 5:7).
By following these biblical examples and teachings, Christians can avoid common pitfalls and live a life that is pleasing to God. As John Calvin notes, believers must "withdraw the dominion and government of themselves from their own reason that they may give them to God" [6]. This involves living a life of obedience to God's commands and following the example of Christ.
The early church fathers also emphasized the importance of living a virtuous life. For example, Augustine exhorted believers to remember that "your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Malice — Springs from an evil heart -- Mt 15:19,20; Ga 5:19. Forbidden -- 1Co 14:20; Col 3:8; Eph 4:26,27. A hindrance to growth in grace -- 1Pe 2:1,2. Incompatible with the worship of God -- 1Co 5:7,8. Christian liberty not to be a cloak for -- 1Pe 2:16. Saints avoid -- Job 31:29,30; Ps 35:12-14. The wicked Speak with. -- 3Jo 1:10. Live in. -- Tit 3:3. Conceive. -- Ps 7:14. Filled with. -- Ro 1:29. Visit saints with. -- Ps 83:3; Mt 22:6. Pray for those who injure you through -- Mt 5:44. Brings its own punishment -- Ps 7:15,16. God requites -- Ps 10:14; Eze 36:5. Pun”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Care, Overmuch — About earthly things, forbidden -- Mt 6:25; Lu 12:22,29; Joh 6:27. God's providential goodness should keep us from -- Mt 6:26,28,30; Lu 22:35. God's promises should keep us from -- Heb 13:5. Trust in God should free us from -- Jer 17:7,8; Da 3:16. Should be cast on God -- Ps 37:5; 55:22; Pr 16:3; 1Pe 5:7. An obstruction to the Gospel -- Mt 13:22; Lu 8:14; 14:18-20. Be without -- 1Co 7:32; Php 4:6. Unbecoming in saints -- 2Ti 2:4. Uselessness of -- Mt 6:27; Lu 12:25,26. Vanity of -- Ps 39:6; Ec 4:8. Warning against -- Lu 21:34. Sent as a punishment to”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: therefore, let his wisdom and will preside over all our actions. We are God’s; to him, then, as the only legitimate end, let every part of our life be directed. O how great the proficiency of him who, taught that he is not his own, has withdrawn the dominion and government of himself from his own reason that he may give them to God! For as the surest source of destruction to men is to obey themselves, so the only haven of safety is to have no other will, no other wisdom, than to follow the Lord wherever he leads. Let this, then be ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — TO MY MOST BELOVED BRETHREN, THE CLERGY, ELDERS, AND PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH OF HIPPO, WHOM I SERVE IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST, I, AUGUSTIN, SEND GREETING IN THE LORD. (part 5): so long as a guilty conscience does not blot his name out of the Book of Life? , 5. Wherefore, my brethren who fear God,: remember what the Apostle Peter says: Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."2 When he cannot devour a man through seducing him into iniquity, he attempts to injure his good name, that if it be possible, he may”