Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 213

"They which do such things _shall not inherit the kingdom of G.o.d_." Verse 21.

9. Against keeping company with whom are we warned?

"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be _a fornicator_." 1 Cor. 5:11.

10. Why are evil a.s.sociations to be avoided?

"Be not deceived: _evil communications corrupt good manners_." 1 Cor.

15:33.

11. What inexorable law is laid down in the Scriptures?

"Be not deceived; G.o.d is not mocked: for _whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap_. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. 6:7, 8.

"Keep virtue's simple path before your eyes, Nor think from evil good can ever rise."-_Thomson._

12. Instead of sanctioning evil, what should we do?

"And have no fellows.h.i.+p with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather _reprove them_. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." Eph. 5:11, 12.

13. How should we guard our conversation?

"_Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth_, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Eph. 4:29.

14. What scripture shows that social impurity was one of the chief sins which brought on the deluge?

"And it came to pa.s.s, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of G.o.d saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and _they took them wives of all which they chose_.... And G.o.d saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that _every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually_.... And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.... The earth also was _corrupt_ before G.o.d, and the earth was filled with violence." Gen. 6:1-11.

15. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?

"But the men of Sodom were _wicked and sinners_ before the Lord exceedingly." Gen. 13:13. "And they were _haughty_, and _committed abomination_ before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good." Eze.

16:50. See also verse 49.

NOTE.-Gen. 19:1-9 and 2 Peter 2:6-8 show that they were exceedingly corrupt in morals.

16. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second advent?

"_As it was in the days of Noe_, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.... Likewise also _as it was in the days of Lot_; ... even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30.

17. What does the Lord call upon the wicked man to do?

"Let the wicked _forsake his way_, and the unrighteous man his _thoughts_: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our G.o.d, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:7.

18. What are the proper things to engage one's mind?

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are _true_, whatsoever things are _honest_, whatsoever things are _just_, whatsoever things are _pure_, whatsoever things are _lovely_, whatsoever things are of _good report_; if there be any _virtue_, and if there be any _praise, think on these things_." Phil. 4:8.

NOTE.-The greatest foes to social purity are immoral a.s.sociates, impure literature, improper dress, idleness, intemperance, and theater-going, including questionable picture shows, all of which are confined almost exclusively to city life. For this reason parents should look well to their children's home life; their companions; the books, papers, and magazines they read; how their time is occupied; what they eat, drink, and wear; where they spend their nights; and the character of their amus.e.m.e.nts. "Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness" were contributing causes to the gross immorality of Sodom, and its consequent downfall. Eze. 16:49, 50.

PART XVII. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Life In The Country. "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health." 3 John 2.

Good Health

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of G.o.d." 1 Cor. 10:31.

1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?

"Beloved, I wish above all things _that thou mayest prosper and be in health_, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2.

2. What did G.o.d promise His people anciently?

"And ye shall serve the Lord your G.o.d, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and _I will take sickness away from the midst of thee_." Ex.

23:25.

3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?

"_If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy G.o.d, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes_, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." Ex. 15:26.

4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?

"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; _who healeth all thy diseases_." Ps.

103:3.

5. What const.i.tuted a large part of Christ's ministry?

"Who went about doing good, and _healing all that were oppressed of the devil_." Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16. "And Jesus went about all Galilee, ... _healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people_." Matt. 4:23.

6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?