Maggie said:
"i need some help to encourage people in their new faith. cause my friend just because a christian and i need some verses to tell him bout, swearing and things of the world and reading the bible. i'm a fairly new believer myself and just a teenager, i need some help."
Jim's Reply:
You say that you would like some verses to help those
new to living as Jesus would have us live. I offer the following verses from
Saint Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I choose to use the quote from the New
Living Translation instead of my usual preference for the King James Version,
because of the more easily understood wording. See if this helps:
Ephesians 4:17-32
17 With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do,
for they are hopelessly confused.
18 Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of
God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
19 They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves
over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and
greed.
20 But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ.
21 Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in
Jesus,
22 throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten
through and through, full of lust and deception.
23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.
24 You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's
likeness — righteous, holy, and true.
25 So put away all falsehood and "tell your neighbor the truth" because we
belong to each other.
26 And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you." Don't let the sun go
down while you are still angry,
27 for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.
28 If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work,
and then give generously to others in need.
29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and
helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember,
he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be
saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as
all types of malicious behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as
God through Christ has forgiven you.
NLT
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You also might take a look at some of the rest of my website. Along the left
margin of the index page, take a look at the links and select at the least "The
New Man" and "Arrogance" for some additional biblical guidance.
j_b@holyscriptures.com