“DO NOT!” Lesson 179

Do not are two words that every parent has said to their child at some time and most likely many times. Parents tell their children, “do not” to keep them from harm, keep them from falling and to guide them to maturity. Our Father in Heaven has written a host of “do not” scriptures for the same reasons. “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

The book of Romans carries a lot of do not scriptures starting with Paul stating general implications of a believer offering his life to God as a sacrifice. Such an offering represents a complete change in lifestyle, involving both a negative and a positive aspect. Paul commanded, ‘do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world’ (Rom. 12:1-2). Living according to the lifestyle of the present evil age (Gal. 1:4, Eph. 1:21) must now be put aside. Then Paul commanded, ‘but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’. The Greek word, transformed, means a total change from inside out (2 Cor. 3:18). The key to this change is the mind, the control center of one’s attitudes, thoughts, feelings and actions (Eph. 4:22-23). Do not be proud and do not think too highly of yourself and be willing to associate with people of low position (James 2:1-9, Rom. 12:16). These orders are summarized in the command, do not be conceited or do not become wise concerning yourself, an attitude that makes empathy impossible. The Old Testament principle of justice was an eye for an eye but Paul commanded, ‘do not repay anyone evil for evil but rather Christians are to do what is right, good noble and honorable. Do not take revenge after you are misused but leave room for God’s wrath because He has promised to avenge His people (Deut. 32:35, Heb. 10:30). David’s refusal to kill Saul on two occasions when it seemed that God had delivered Saul into David’s hands is a classic biblical example of this principle.

Paul and Apollos served as examples of men under authority who did not go beyond what was written (1 Cor. 4:6). They obeyed the Word of God, not their own inclinations or worldly opinions. By example, Paul hoped the Corinthians would learn humility and grow to become those who practice what they were taught. This was a difficult lesson, because the Greeks believed humility was a despicable trait of a slave, a sign of weakness and not a characteristic of a great man. What hampered the Corinthians’ open, loving response which Paul called for, were the rival pagan idolaters or more likely false apostles (2 Cor. 6:14-15, 10:14, 11:2-4). Paul did not say that Christians should have no contact whatever with unbelievers but considered the false apostles to be unbelievers from whom the Corinthians needed to separate. Religious unbelievers might lead believers astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ and this concerned Paul leading him to write, ‘do not be yoked to an unbeliever’. Believers do not speak unwholesome, rotten words but rather helpful, good, beneficial words for the purpose of edification (Eph. 4:29-30). One’s words are to be true and pure and also are to contribute to benefiting others and we are kept on track by the Holy Spirit who guards one’s speech. The fact that the Holy Spirit may be grieved points to His personality and confirms the seal of ownership upon the believer until the day of redemption, at which time the believer receives his new body (Phil. 3:20-21). Going from the general to the specific, Paul commands ‘do not’ get drunk on wine which causes wasteful living for a drunken man acts abnormally (Eph. 5:18).

The Bible likens the Holy Spirit to a flame (Isa. 4:4, Matt. 3:11, Acts 2:3-4). He warms the heart, enlightens the mind and empowers people’s spirits. Paul warned against hindering the Holy Spirit’s fire since His fire can be diminished or even snuffed out if resisted. Sine His working can be opposed by believers it is this that Paul warned against (1 Thess. 5:19). “Do not believe every spirit” John warned, but test them to distinguish God’s Spirit from false spirits. John explained the necessity of this was because many false prophets had gone out into the world and are here today (1 John 4:1-6). The failure to acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is precisely what exposes the spirit of the antichrist which John had already warned his readers about (2:18-27). Continuing in the truth about Jesus Christ calls for a firm response against those who have become teachers of false doctrine, therefore, John added ‘if anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching (God’s) do not take him into your home or welcome him (2 John 10). Diotrephes had been guilty of gossiping maliciously refused to welcome the brothers and wanted to put them out of the church. He forced other believers to be inhospitable or if they were not, even prevented them from gathering with the church. John wrote to Gaius that he was not to imitate what was evil but what was good. Diotrephes’ behavior was to be avoided and not copied. Anyone who does what is good is from God and anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. This statement should not be watered down, for evil never comes from a real spiritual perception of God but is always a product of darkness of heart and blindness toward Him (3 John).

James is point blank in saying that we can read the Bible daily and not benefit anything from this unless we do what it says. ‘Do not merely listen to the Word, do what it says’! One must become or keep on becoming a doer of the Word! To look into the marrow of the Word of God involves an obligation. One must look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and is the key to spiritual growth and continued maturity. The word for ‘looks intently into’ literally means ‘to stoop down’ in order to have a good close look (James 1:22-25). “Do not be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:16-17). James threw this statement in for those who were trying to free themselves from sinful actions by blaming the temptation on God. James made it clear that God could not be tempted, furthermore He tempts no one (James 1:13-14).

“Do not harden your hearts” is Paul’s writing and to reinforce the lesson he quotes from Psalm 95. The choice of this psalm is highly appropriate in a context that is concerned with worship and priestly activity. Psalm 95 is, in fact, essentially a call to worship; “come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care”. The following words in Hebrews go along with this psalm in saying that we should be careful to guard against a sinful, unbelieving heart which God’s flock in the wilderness displayed. This is the heart that turns away from the living God and to prevent this we must encourage one another so that none be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. This statement should hold true today in any local congregation where the hardening tendencies of sin can often be counteracted by truly concerned fellow Christians. The expression ‘as long as it is called today’ means something like ‘while you still have opportunity’ (Heb. 3:7-13). This opportunity will not last forever! Take advantage now and do not be left out of Revelation 22. MARANATHA!