BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

Sin doesn’t only affect the sinner; it also affects others around them. That’s why Church leadership must take immediate and strong measures when sinful situations arise. They have to look out for the rest of the flock. Paul knew that. That’s why he warned the Corinthians, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.” Sin won’t get better; it’ll get worse. If it isn’t handled, before long, something more degrading will happen. Beautiful Repentance One of the greatest words to ever exist is repent. It’s a gift that means, “I can acknowledge this sin, deal with it and change.” Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad. It’s about receiving forgiveness and changing. In 2 Corinthians 2:5-6, we discover that the church at Corinth dealt with the sin Paul called out. I believe there are even indications that the couple wasn’t together anymore because Paul told them to “forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (verse 7). Paul’s direction to the church to forgive and comfort the man was a guard against them becoming judgmental. Yes, we want to deal with sin, but we don’t want to become hypocrites. Maybe we didn’t commit the exact same sin, but the spirit behind it was the same. The disobedience was the same. The rebellion was the same. Flesh is flesh, and disobedience is disobedience. If you say, “That sin disgusts me! I can’t imagine anyone doing that,” you’re kidding yourself. If you stopped attending church, quit praying, quit reading the Word, quit hearing good preaching and started yielding to the flesh, you’d be shocked at what you would end up doing in a matter of months. Don’t say, “I could never....” Instead say, “By the grace of God, I’m not there.” Be Transformed Do you love people enough to call out sin? Will you take the world’s mockery and shame when you speak the truth about sin in love? Taking a stand is not for wimps. It will make you unpopular with the world. You’ll be called names and hated. The world will try to convince you that if you were enlightened, you’d be more tolerant. They’ll say you’re uneducated, undeveloped and in need of the crutch of religion. The enemy will try to shame you into turning loose of the message of faith and becoming so contaminated that it’s impossible to tell the difference between you and the world. But Romans 12:2 tells us, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Avoiding Satan’s devices requires a quality decision. Thankfully, with the leading of the Holy Spirit and the armor of God, we can stand firm in faith and in love so that through us others, too, can be transformed, not conformed! V Keith Moore is founder and president of Moore Life Ministries and Faith Life Church in both Branson, Mo., and Sarasota, Fla. For more information or ministry materials visit moorelife.org. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ********** ADVERTISEMENT ********** Watch Keith on VICTORY™ dish® Channel 265 DIRECTV® Channel 366 Daystar Television Network Roku® apple tv® YouTube® KCM.ORG GOVICTORY App | GOVICTORY.COM ******************************************* BVOV : 11

• Cover