Spiritual Adultery

The word “friendship” is from the word phileo. It gives the idea of an intense fondness that is developed between people who enjoy each other’s company. It describes love between family members as well as other human relationships. It speaks of two or more people who know one another, who are fond of one another, and who are growing more deeply involved in each other’s lives.

James wrote his epistle to believers who were getting tangled up in the thinking, the behavior, and the material possessions of the world. One reason we know they were struggling with this tendency to worldliness is found in the previous verses. There James said their prayers weren’t being answered because they were asking God for things with incorrect motives. Instead of desiring things so they could help others, they selfishly wanted more and more things for themselves. James told them, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3).

He wasn’t saying that having nice things is wrong, but are those things ruling your life? Are your desires for more of these material things or for more of the Holy Ghost? When the things of the world get in your heart and you become focused on them, you have crossed a serious line.

Flirting with the world will eventually lead to an ungodly connection with the things of the world. It is spiritual adultery toward Jesus!

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:12‬
“This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age.”
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Worldliness will try to wrap its arms around as many as it can. It’s a seductive pull, and the only way to stay clear is to abide in Jesus and come out from amongst them!

Take time to honestly examine yourself. Think of the things you tolerate in your life today that you would never have tolerated after being born again.

- Do you watch television/movies, listen to music today that you would have considered a sin before? Due to how society now ranks and approves such filth on normal TV and through secular music…

- Are you more permissive in your thinking about sin today than you used to be? Telling yourself Jesus loves you and He will forgive you if you continue doing what you’re doing?

- Do you pray and spend as much time with the Lord as you did early in your walk with Him?

- Are there any areas of your life that used to be more on fire and less compromising than they are right now?

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭16‬)