SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                              1359        

“Relaxed Fit”

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:18-19

I like relaxed fit clothing. I don’t want to feel constrained or uncomfortable in restrictive clothing. I like the freedom of movement that a relaxed fit provides.

While this desire to be unrestricted is acceptable with respect to clothing, it is far from acceptable with respect to the Truth of the Word of God. We must not relax the Truth of the Word, no matter how restrictive the teaching seems to us. The fact of the matter is that the Truth of God’s Word actually sets us free – from sin, condemnation, and from spiritual death.

Relaxed Fit Doctrine – We must avoid false teachings and doctrines that relax the Word of God to fit current societal norms and desires. These teachings seek to make us more comfortable in our sin.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. – Deuteronomy 4:2

Hard Truths Define the Narrow Path – The Word of God defines Truth that seems hard to our flesh, yet it is for our eternal good.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. – Matthew 7:13-14

Satan is a liar, and he has deceived and clouded the minds and thinking of many in our world leading them to the wide and easy path. We who hold to the Truth of God must hate the sin and false teachings all the while loving the sinner with the love of Jesus. We must remember that we are not better, we are sinners also, saved by the grace of God.

He (Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. – John 8:44

Abortion – Life begins at conception and abortion is murder no matter what society legislates as acceptable.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb… Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:13-16

Gender Identity – God created two sexes, male and female. There is no binary neutrality sex. There are no other sexes. Humanity, created in the image of God does not transition from one to the other.

So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

Homosexuality – The Truth of the Word calls this an abomination to God.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. – Leviticus 18:22

Adultery and Sexual Immorality – Our society is steeped in sexual immorality. We must fix our eyes on Jesus and His narrow path of righteousness and flee the temptations.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. – Matthew 5:27-28

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body… You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Covetousness, Lying, Falsehood, and Theft – Our society is fraught with falsehood in marketing, advertising, and sales practices. Cheating on taxes and fraud to steal from the government and others permeates our society. Politicians speak out of both sides of their mouths. Fake news inundates us through the media. The idolatry of covetousness is at the root of it all.

You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. – Leviticus 19:11

Marriage and Divorce – The relaxed fit teachings about marriage and divorce have been a destructive force on the integrity and unity of the family and robbed many children of stability.

So, they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. He said to them, Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so – Matthew 19:6,8

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. – Hebrews 13:4

The Relaxed Fit Of Conformity – Seek the narrow path of the Truth of the Word of God.

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 12:2