Six Things to Avoid

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
Romans 13:13

Paul tells us to walk honestly in this verse…this means that we are to live truthful (truth-filled) lives before God, with the understanding that He (and other people) are watching our conduct.

Then Paul goes on to list six things that we are NOT to be engaged in.

Rioting.
Paul isn’t talking about the street riots which lead to looting and burned cities. This “rioting” relates to the loose and rowdy partying that’s typical of college spring breakers…or those who only live to “whoop it up” on the weekends.
God wants us to exercise restraint and self-control…which is the fruit of the spirit known as “temperance”.

Drunkenness.
There should be no explanation needed here. Alcohol use and abuse is a major contributor to robbery, domestic assault, rape, broken homes, car accidents, child abuse, and homicide.
Is it any wonder that alcohol is widely accepted and promoted in society? The devil wants to keep the booze flowing so that souls will continue to suffer from it.
My advice: drop it and leave it, my friend.

Chambering and Wantonness.
Put simply, chambering means “sleeping around” with whoever comes along.
A wanton heart is one that has unrestrained sexual passions that are never satisfied.
God has a great plan for a man and a woman in a relationship: it’s called marriage, and it’s the covenant which God designed and is pleased with.

Strife.
Trouble. Drama. Turmoil. Stress.
There are some people who thrive on strife, but that’s an ungodly way to live. God has called us to live peaceably with all men, to the best of our ability. (Romans 12:18)
“Less strife for a longer life.”

Envying.
God provides what you have need of, so why waste ANY time longing for what other people have?
There will always be people who are stronger, smarter, wealthier, taller, more qualified, and more talented than you…the sooner you can learn to just be content with YOUR blessings, the happier you’ll be.
(1 Timothy 6:6)

Any one of us can get caught up in any of these sins…but a daily prayer life and Bible reading is the BEST preventative to keep us from falling. The Bible will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from the Bible.

Have a great day and keep your armor on, friends!