We all have different opinions on marriage, sin, morals, homosexuality, purity, etc. the list goes on. But in the end it does not matter what I think, or what you think, but what God thinks. Here is a quick collection of direct quotes from His word, using the ESV translation. More topics and verses to come. What does God say about:
List of topics in order:
1. Homosexuality
2. Adultery
3. Sexual immorality
4. Divorce
5. Marriage
6. Abortion/Sanctity of life
7. Sin
8. Salvation
9. Repentance
10. Living out our faith
11. Personal holiness
12. Himself (God)
13. His Son (Jesus)
14. Bible
15. Pride
16. Humility
17. Gossip/slander
18. Friendship
19. Prayer
20. Heaven
21. Hell
22. Overview-false religions/cults
23. Mormons-LDS
24. Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Matthew 19:4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female”, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?”
Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
Romans 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Corinthians 6:9–10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Jude 1:7 Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Mark 10:11-12 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.
Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery.
Proverbs 6:32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
3. Sexual Immorality
Mark 7:20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sine a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy,d drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
4. Divorce
Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Matthew 19:6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.
Matthew 19:8 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.
Malachi 2:16 For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.
5. Marriage
Matthew 19:4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Proverbs 19:14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Romans 7:2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…
Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.
Job 31:15 Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
James 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out…
Psalm 38:18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
James 4:8 Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
1 Peter 3:10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
*For more on repentance Click here to see the article: They Won’t Repent*
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
James 1:25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Hebrews 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”
Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God;
Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 3:17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (At Jesus’ baptism)
Luke 9:35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (At the transfiguration)
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Hebrews 1:8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Proverbs 11:13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Proverbs 16:28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Jeremiah 29:12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Luke 23:43 And he said to him,“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.
*For more on Heaven click here for the article: The Reality of Heaven*
Psalm 145:20 The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
2 Thessalonians 1:9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might…
*For more on Hell click here for the article: The Reality of Hell*
22. Bible warnings about false religions and cults:
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
As we take a look at the popular false religions and cults we see the same pattern: There are supposed ‘visions and divine revelations’ that were almost the exclusive experience of and witnessed by (one) person…no witnesses.
False religions: There was Joseph Smith and his ‘visitation’ by the angel Maroni……no one else saw the vision. There was Mohammed’s mystical experience of being attacked and two men cutting his belly open to search for something. He later claimed his attackers were angels who cleansed his heart.
Jesus: The Bible tells us on a number of occasions that Jesus’ claims were witnessed by three or more people and between his resurrection and ascension into heaven…over 500 people saw the risen Savior. People were present at his baptism and heard God’s voice from heaven. Peter, James, and John all heard God’s voice from heaven, witnessed Jesus’ clothes turn brilliant white like the sun, and saw Moses & Elijah talking with Jesus at his transfiguration. Jesus’ life, ministry, death, burial, and appearances following the resurrection were all out in the open and witnesses by many. This distinction separates him and makes it clear to anyone that his claims are true.
23. Mormons – LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Mormons have three sacred books (in addition) to the Bible. They are: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Mormons believe the Trinity consists of three gods born in different times and places; the Father begot the Son and the Holy Spirit through a goddess wife. Mormons believe salvation is resurrection, but for us to be exalted to godhood in the celestial heaven, we must earn heaven through works. The founder of the Mormon religion was Joseph Smith aka “The Prophet.” Smith engaged in divination during his life and practiced using divining rods, talismans, and magic for treasure hunting. In 1820, Smith claimed to be singled out through a vision to be the Lord’s anointed prophet and in 1823 he claimed to be visited by the angel “Moroni” three times to receive his commission. In 1827, Smith claimed to receive the “golden plates” …later becoming The Book of Mormon. The early history of Mormonism is a contradiction as “The Prophet” makes an early mistake and in 1853…..30 years after his ‘divine visitation’, he identifies the angel who visited him as “Nephi” not “Moroni.” *see footnotes
A Christian response to Mormons:
Mormonism (LDS), at it’s core…represents a false gospel. When we examine three beliefs of LDS in light of scripture, it’s clear this religion is diametrically opposed to the gospel of Christ. 1. The Bible is the word of God, yet LDS have three other sacred books. The Book of Mormon is subtitled: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This is clearly a violation of Jesus’ warning when he said, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book…” Revelation 22:18
2. Mormons believe Jesus is one of three gods who was begot via God and his goddess wife. This is a direct contradiction of the Bible and what it says about Jesus. One God in three persons (Trinity) and the fact that Jesus isn’t a created being….he has always existed along with the Father and Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This is just one example of Jesus being present with the Father from the beginning.
3. Passage to heaven is earned or payed for via works and then we are exalted to godhood in heaven. Two issues here….the first is of course the fact Mormons believe we will be exalted to godhood. The Bible is clear that we will not be gods, or little gods, or part of the godhood. Second…..there is no way to heaven or God the Father except through His Son. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 The tragic and sad lie of Mormonism is that salvation and eternity in heaven can be earned through works.
I have had Mormon friends….a few of them I would consider close friends. This is an important point. Before you slam the door in someone’s face, remember you are dealing with another soul…a lost soul. If it wasn’t for the grace of God, we’d all be deceived. Am I advocating sitting around the coffee table and finding ‘common ground’ with them? Certainly not and the Bible warns against it. The fact is we are to confront this false gospel and contend for the faith. Mormons are (not) Christians and we cannot engage in Christian fellowship just because they name the name of Jesus….because they represent a different Jesus. We should reach out to them in love and be a bold witness for the gospel and Jesus. Mormons believe they are the true church…..they are deceived by satan. When engaging in witnessing and refuting their false gospel beliefs…it should be approached with prayer, fasting, and preparation in the reading of the word of God. The Bible says that those who teach a different gospel are “wolves” and it is true that some will only fall and bring others with them into greater deception. I do hope through the bold witness of those reading this commentary…..many Mormons will leave the false church and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
24. Jehovah’s Witnesses – Watchtower Society
What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe?
Jesus is not Jehovah God; he is the first and only direct creation of God and the agent through which God made all other things. Jehovah’s Witness teachings attack the Lordship and deity of Jesus by adding a very key word in John 1:1. They add the word/letter A. to this key verse John wrote and diminish the place of Jesus.
The Bible says:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Jehovah’s Witness Bible (New World Translation) reads:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a God.
God and Jesus are not trinity or part of one. The resurrection of Jesus wasn’t a physical event, rather he was raised as a mighty spirit creature. The second coming of Jesus was an invisible spiritual presence which began in 1914. The Watchtower Society denies the Holy Spirit’s personality and deity.
Regarding the dead who left this life in a state of wickedness……they believe there is (not) eternal conscious torment in hell. They teach that the wicked will simply be extinguished forever. Jehovah’s Witness doctrine teaches that the atoning work of Jesus on the cross is only partial. Final atonement comes only after Armageddon, when the survivors return to God through free will and become subject to the theocratic rule of Jehovah. Therefore they believe atonement is partially of God and part of man’s work. Charles Taze Russell was the founder of the Jehovah’s Witness cult. The teachings of C.T. Russell and the Jehovah’s Witness cult are pockmarked with inaccuracies and contradictions. The Watchtower periodical is distributed to the tune of 17.8 million copies per month in 106 languages. The other monthly magazine ‘Awake’ is distributed in 34 languages and 15.6 copies.
A Christian response to Jehovah’s Witnesses:
First of all, you must remember you are dealing with people who teach ‘a different gospel.’ In his book The Kingdom of the Cults, Walter Martin writes: Jehovah’s Witnesses thrive on the confusion they are able to create and they don’t identify themselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses while door to door canvassing. Walter Martin’s book goes on describe the Watchtower’s methods through the words of a former Watchtower Society member. He says: “The Watchtower leadership sensed within Christendom were millions of professing Christians who were (not) well grounded in ‘the truths once delivered to all the saints,’ and who would rather easily be pried loose from the churches and led into a new and revitalized Watchtower organization.”
Knowing how deceptive and organized this cult’s practices are, you should be grounded in the word of God, prayer, and ready to confront the lies they proliferate through their Watchtower propaganda and door to door canvassing. I want to warn you about these people and the teachings they promote. They are operating in the spirit of antichrist by attacking the very deity of the Lord Jesus. If you are grounded in the word then by all means engage and contend for the faith. Warn people of the deceptiveness of this cult and stand against this ‘different gospel.’ As the coming of the Lord nears, I expect to see false teachings, apostasy, and counterfeit Christianity crescendo.