Surviving Moral Erosion

Surviving Moral Erosion

Introduction:
One does not have to look far to see moral decay all around us. Usually most people have two opposite viewpoints on the things going on in present day American society. Wish today to look at moral erosion and what we can do about it. Take a few moments and consider the statistics. The statistics about violence on television, abortion, illegal drug abuse, and deviant sexual behavior are alarming. What must we keep in mind as we seek to survive the moral erosion?

I. Must remember….moral erosion/social decay nothing new.
    A. Gen. 3, 6—Adam/Eve fall into sin. Pattern continues through to Noah’s day.
        1. 3:6-7—partake of forbidden fruit. 3:22-24—driven out of garden; sin = serious!
        2. 6:1-7—societal ills of that day. 7:21-24 moved God to destroy all sinners.
    B. Israel during days of Joshua.
        1. Josh. 24:13-14; 21-24—called on Israel to serve the Lord.
        2. But….another generation arises that didn’t serve God—Jud. 2:10-12; 3:5-6; 21:25
    C. Israel in later times & into the 1st century
        1. Jer. 6:16—return to the old paths.
        2. Israel then like present day society. See also Amos 6:5-8; 5:21-23

II. What is the cause of moral erosion?
    A. A lessoning of dependence upon God.
        1. Josh. 24:13-14; Prov. 10:8; 27-29; Js. 4:7-10
        2. God needs to be brought back in our society!
    B. A growing tolerance of that which is sinful/immoral.
        1. Standards lax & trouble sets in—2 Tim. 3:1-5
    C. A tendency to blame others for faults.
        1. 2 Sam. 12:1-15, 7—this would not be politically correct today.

III. What is the cure of moral erosion? Applying the Biblical Standard to Our Lives.
    A. Must determine to call sin what it is—sin!
        1. Psa. 51:1-6—must follow David’s example. See also 1 Jhn. 1:8-10
        2. Must take responsibility for our own actions! Why? Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:9-10
        3. Sin = serious! See Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 6:23
    B. Cease committing sinful acts….NOW!
        1. 2 Cor. 6:11—should want to rid EVERY impure thing in our lives.
        2. Eph. 5:25-27—Christ will present His church as a glorious church w/o spot.
        3. Must strive to be spiritually pure—2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:4-5
    C. Realize who the real enemy is!
        1. Eph. 6:11-12; 2:2—the culprit is the devil himself!
        2. 1 Pet. 5:8—we are at war! Satan is who we are to fight!
        3. Js. 4:7—resist the devil & he will flee!
    D. Pray for the health of our society
        1. 2 Tim. 2:1-4
        2. Pray for elected leaders, legislative actions, moral battles going on.
        3. Mt. 5:44-45—pray for those who oppose God & His ways.

We must put God in Control & rely on His power to fix society!



*Surviving Moral Erosion* Introduction: One does not have to look far to see moral decay all around us. Usually most people have two opposite viewpoints on the things going on in present day American society. Wish today to look at moral erosion and what we can do about it. Take a few moments and consider the statistics. The statistics about violence on television, abortion, illegal drug abuse, and deviant sexual behavior are alarming. What must we keep in mind as we seek to survive the moral erosion? I. Must remember….moral erosion/social decay nothing new. A. Gen. 3, 6—Adam/Eve fall into sin. Pattern continues through to Noah’s day. 1. 3:6-7—partake of forbidden fruit. 3:22-24—driven out of garden; sin = serious! 2. 6:1-7—societal ills of that day. 7:21-24 moved God to destroy all sinners. B. Israel during days of Joshua. 1. Josh. 24:13-14; 21-24—called on Israel to serve the Lord. 2. But….another generation arises that didn’t serve God—Jud. 2:10-12; 3:5-6; 21:25 C. Israel in later times & into the 1st century 1. Jer. 6:16—return to the old paths. 2. Israel then like present day society. See also Amos 6:5-8; 5:21-23 II. What is the cause of moral erosion? A. A lessoning of dependence upon God. 1. Josh. 24:13-14; Prov. 10:8; 27-29; Js. 4:7-10 2. God needs to be brought back in our society! B. A growing tolerance of that which is sinful/immoral. 1. Standards lax & trouble sets in—2 Tim. 3:1-5 C. A tendency to blame others for faults. 1. 2 Sam. 12:1-15, 7—this would not be politically correct today. III. What is the cure of moral erosion? Applying the Biblical Standard to Our Lives. A. Must determine to call sin what it is—sin! 1. Psa. 51:1-6—must follow David’s example. See also 1 Jhn. 1:8-10 2. Must take responsibility for our own actions! Why? Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:9-10 3. Sin = serious! See Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 6:23 B. Cease committing sinful acts….NOW! 1. 2 Cor. 6:11—should want to rid EVERY impure thing in our lives. 2. Eph. 5:25-27—Christ will present His church as a glorious church w/o spot. 3. Must strive to be spiritually pure—2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:4-5 C. Realize who the real enemy is! 1. Eph. 6:11-12; 2:2—the culprit is the devil himself! 2. 1 Pet. 5:8—we are at war! Satan is who we are to fight! 3. Js. 4:7—resist the devil & he will flee! D. Pray for the health of our society 1. 2 Tim. 2:1-4 2. Pray for elected leaders, legislative actions, moral battles going on. 3. Mt. 5:44-45—pray for those who oppose God & His ways. We must put God in Control & rely on His power to fix society!