Rage or Wrath

Today's focus is on "fits of rage". I did a search on the phrase (NIV) and did you know that phrase is used only once in the NIV Bible? Does that mean that is the only time the Greek word is used? No. In fact the same Greek word is used several times. And that is what I am going to check out in today's study.
Here is the definition of the phrase "fits of rage":

Fits of Rage: thumos (pronounced: thoo-mos'):

• Passion (as if breathing hard): - fierceness, indignation, wrath.
• Passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again.
• Glow, ardour, the wine of passion, inflaming wine (which either drives the drinker mad or kills him with its strength).

Actually, in the NIV you will find the word "wrath" used a good deal instead of "fits of rage". This I can take to the English dictionary and get a good definition.

Wrath (noun):

• Strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire.
• Vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger.
• Forceful, often vindictive anger
• Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger; Divine retribution for sin.

What in the world is "ire"? I can't say that I've ever heard of that word...

Ire (noun):

• Intense anger; wrath.
• A strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance.
• Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)

Wrath is one of the so called "7 deadly sins" along with lust, pride, gluttony, greed, sloth, and envy. I don't think it is just limited to seven. It should be expanded to all sixteen of these. After all, it is written that if any of these are pressent, there is no door pass inside. Heaven help us all.

Romans 2:1-16

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

This was all that I read... I didn't comment on anything on Saturday.

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Am I a Sybarite? Are You?

Today, it is a continuation of the sin list. The sin that I'll look at today is "Debauchery". This should be interesting since I have my own idea of what debauchery is, but I also have some questions about debauchery and what it can entail. Without further ado...

Debauchery (noun):

• Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance.
• Extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures; dissipation.
• A wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity.
• Too much indulgence in pleasures usually considered immoral, especially sexual activity and excessive drinking.

I honestly was expecting a different definition for this word. I wasn't so much surprised by "excessive indulgence", but everything else pretty much surprised me. Now, let's see what the Bible has to say...

Romans 13:8-14

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Ephesians 5:15-20

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1st Peter 4:1-6

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

2nd Corinthians 12:19-21

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

Debauchery: aselgeia (pronounced: as-elg'-i-a):

• Of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent; licentiousness (sometimes including other vices): filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness.
• Unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.

Debauchery: asōtia (pronounced: as-o-tee'-ah):

• An abandoned, dissolute life
• Profligacy, prodigality
• Properly unsavedness, that is, (by implication) profligacy: - excess, riot.

Now, with all these definitions, even the definitions throw some question marks into mess. So, back to the dictionary...

Licentiousness (adj.):

• Sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd.
• Unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral.
• Going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules.
• Lacking moral discipline or ignoring legal restraint, especially in sexual conduct.
• Dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure.

Wantonness (noun):

• Deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful.
• Without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless.
• Sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd.
• Extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.

lascivious (adj.):

• Inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd: a lascivious, girl-chasing old man.
• Arousing sexual desire: lascivious photographs.
• Indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness.
• Given to or expressing lust; lecherous.
• Exciting sexual desires; salacious.
• Reflecting or producing sexual desire or behavior esp. that is considered indecent or obscene.

So, I have a great feeling of what debauchery is... it is more than just excessive eating or excessive shopping... it is focused more on the excessive actions of excessive drinking and excessive sexual behavior. The other things are more or less included, but the real focus is on those two: drinking and sexual behavior. Johnny Out.

P.S.

Sybarite (noun):

• A person devoted to luxury and pleasure.
• A person devoted to pleasure and luxury; a voluptuary.

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No Ambition Like Selfish Ambition

Selfish Ambition. That's today's topic. So... the Greek defines selfish ambition as...

Selfish Ambition: eritheia (pronounced: er-ith-i'-ah):

• Electioneering or intriguing for office.
• Apparently, in the NT a courting distinction, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts.
• Partisanship, fractiousness.
• Properly intrigue, that is, (by implication) faction: contention (contentious), strife.

This is the definition of the Greek word found in Galatians 5. Let's check out scripture found with the phrase "selfish ambition".

James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Philippians 1:15-18

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerity, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Philippians 2:1-11

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So the opposite of Selfish Ambition is humility. In other words, selfish ambition is an earnest desire for some type of personal achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment. Humility is considering others needs before my own. Humility is considering others better than me. Talk about a tough pill to swallow. Anyway, this is pretty much it for today. Johnny Out.

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Thirteen - Edition #13

So, I figured that since I didn't know what the last scripture is, I thought I would do a few of the Proverbs that contain a verse 31. Now, I don't know if I have the right chapter or right verse (because one of them is wrong), but I do know the passage is in Proverbs. So, here is the bonus and final edition of THIRTEEN.

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 11:31

If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Proverbs 14:31

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 15:31

He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

Proverbs 16:31

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

Proverbs 21:31

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

Proverbs 31:31

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The reason for choosing these particular verses over others is simply because the passage that is in Proverbs that we had looked at weeks ago was a stand-alone verse... the other verse 31's in Proverbs really need the surrounding verses for explanation.

How do witches spell "witchcraft"? With a wand.

Here's what I am going to do with each day of this study:

This way you will know what is the focus. Today: witchcraft.

Deuteronomy 18:9-13
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

Micah 5:10-15

"In that day," declares the LORD, "I will destroy your horses from among you and demolish your chariots. I will destroy the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds. I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells. I will destroy your carved images and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands. I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles and demolish your cities. I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me."

Nahum 3:1-4

Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims! The crack of whips, the clatter of wheels, galloping horses and jolting chariots! Charging cavalry, flashing swords and glittering spears! Many casualties, piles of dead, bodies without number, people stumbling over the corpses- all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.

2nd Chronicles 33:1-9

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever." In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

He took the carved image he had made and put it in God's temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, "In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your forefathers, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and ordinances given through Moses." But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

Acts 16:16-18

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

Article on Tarot Cards

If you go to wicca.com (which I am purposely not making a hyper-link), you will find that they have tarot card boxes, but I didn't see any tarot cards for sale. They also have wands, crystal balls, altar statues, athames, and I am sure you can pick up a boline from there if you call.

So what are these things? They are what a wiccan (those who practice witchcraft) use for their religious worship. Athames are a knife used to harness energy, from what I gather. A boline is a knife that is used for cutting things, unlike the Athame, which apparently is just for show.

A crystal ball is what a spiritist uses to contact the dead. Altar statues are used for worship. They might be an object of worship, although I am really not sure. I am just going from the name and coming up with my conclusion simply from that. The wand, I would guess, is used to cast spells, al la Harry Potter. Well, probably not that elaborate, but I would assume it is generally like that...

Leviticus 20:27

"'A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.'"

1st Samuel 28:4-12

The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all the Israelites and set up camp at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her."

"There is one in Endor," they said.

So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name."

But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?"

Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this."

Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?"

"Bring up Samuel," he said.

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!"

1st Chronicles 10:13-14

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

OK, key words:

Wicked (adj.):

• Evil by nature and in practice.
• Evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful; iniquitous.
• Mischievous or playfully malicious.
• Spiteful; malevolent; vicious.

Tarot (cards) (noun):

• Any of a set of (usually 72) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used by fortunetellers.

Fortuneteller (noun):

• A person who claims the ability to predict the future.
• One who professes to predict future events.
• A person who foretells your personal future.

Medium (noun):

• A person through whom the spirits of the dead are alleged to be able to contact the living.
• A person thought to have the power to communicate with the spirits of the dead or with agents of another world or dimension. Also called psychic.
• Someone who serves as an intermediary between the living and the dead.

Psychic (noun):

• A person apparently sensitive to things beyond the natural range of perception.
• A person apparently responsive to psychic forces.

Spiritist (noun):

• The belief that the dead communicate with the living; spiritualism.
• The practices or doctrines of those holding such a belief.

These are all definitions from dictionary.com. Now, to use the E-Sword to see what the Greek and Hebrew definitions are for these words.

Wicked: râshâ‛ (pronounced: raw-shaw'): morally wrong; concretely an (actively) bad person: condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.

Fortuneteller: manteuomai (pronounced: mant-yoo'-om-ahee): (meaning a prophet, as supposed to rave through inspiration); to divine, that is, utter spells (under pretence of foretelling): by soothsaying.

Medium: 'ôb (pronounced: obe): water skin bottle, necromancer, one who evokes the dead, ghost, spirit of a dead one, the practice of necromancy, one that has a familiar spirit.

Spiritist: 'ôb (pronounced: obe): water skin bottle, necromancer, one who evokes the dead, ghost, spirit of a dead one, the practice of necromancy, one that has a familiar spirit.

Yes, medium and spiritist are the same thing, according to the Hebrew. Enlightning stuff. Tomorrow, well, I will do selfish ambition. Johnny Out.

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