pc52 The Party Animal – We live for the party!

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pc52 The Party Animal – We live for the party! Defining the Christian position towards parties and partying.

[pc52] v1 ©2018 www.folletosytratados.com This tract may be freely photocopied and printed

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

It seems that nobody likes going to funerals. Some absolutely refuse to attend one (until it’s their turn to die!). But you don’t need to invite these same people twice to a party. There are people (and many of them) who are always looking for a reason to have a party.

While there is no sin in throwing a party or attending a party (Jesus did it once), the party-going mentality and the lack of seriousness is the problem. A meal with friends is one thing, and there’s no moral problem, but a moral frenzy to do whatever one pleases is pure sin, and it must be recognized for what it is . Doubt about attending a party is never raised about wholesome Christian parties. But doubt always arises at parties of non-believers where questionable things are happening. For example, probably where there will be worldly music, dancing, alcohol, cigarettes, and maybe drugs. And the possibility that from one of these parties they enter into illicit sex is also present.

The Sin of Partying

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, (things against the law) lusts (desire for what is forbidden), excess of wine, revellings (orgies), banquetings (binge drinking), and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Definition of a “partying”: Lively fun, especially one that involves going to different places where people drink or dance. A group of people who go out at night playing music or singing to have fun.

So, a party is a gathering, an event, with a purpose and often resulting in sin. Peter warns us that it is wrong and improper for us as Christians, children of God, to continue seeking and indulging in the bad habits of unbelievers . The idea of parties and revelry is on the list of things we as Christians have cast aside in order to live for Christ .

Completely Forgetting God

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands.

The mentality of these people who live for worldly celebrations is to forget spiritual things, and in itself, the worship of “parties” is a false god for them . A partygoer rarely wants to attend any church or temple of any religion. The party is their god.

Tests to Evaluate a Party

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them;

Here is the rule that faithfully guides you. If the gathering is of Christians (or even non-Christians or mixed) who are meeting without any intention of engaging in sinful activities such as drinking alcohol, smoking, using drugs, or having sex outside of biblical norms, and there is no sinful atmosphere with worldly music, dancing, etc., then there is no problem with going, eating, and socializing. As a Christian, you can go with a clear conscience. But at any party, when they start drinking and smoking, and playing loud worldly music, a good Christian should get up and leave. By leaving and refusing to participate or be present, you are condemning what is wrong. It would be better to never be in the spotlight. To stay is to give your blessing to what is happening.

Be not deceived: evil communications (associations with companies or friends) corrupt good manners (good morality).

Bad friends cause the moral downfall of many Christians. The question isn’t whether you can go and not fall into sin; the question should be, why do I allow myself to be in a place where there is so much sin and temptation? Why do I want to get close to sinful things?

I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers (those who do things in secret) . 5 I hate the congregation of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteous? And what communion hath light with darkness?

The people you hang out with, especially for “recreation” and socializing, say a lot about your morality.

Alcoholism and Parties

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

It seems that partying and alcohol are synonymous. The Bible warns us that alcohol produces bad consequences, and the person who succumbs to its delusion is not wise.

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way (were they out of control); the priest and the prophet erred through strong drink, were they are swalliwed up of wine; they are out of the way through strong drink (were they out of control), they err in vision, they stumbled in judgment.

Alcohol is a chemical that produces effects on the mind to reduce and impair the logical and moral capacities of the person under its influence. The problem here is that a little alcohol tricks a person into thinking they “still have control” when in truth, they have no control at all. They keep drinking.

Drugs and Parties

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery… drunkenness, revellings, and things like these; of the which I have told you before, just as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God .

“Witchcraft” is the word “farmacos ç,” which refers to illicit drugs used to induce an altered mental state. These are hallucinogens that open the mind to spirits and demons, facilitating communication with them.

Sex and Parties

Many parties have the hidden purpose of bringing men and women together, ultimately leading to the men having sex with the women. They’re called orgies, but often they’re presented differently, with a facade that’s not so unpleasant. Alcohol, or worse, drugs, are common at these parties, used to lower women’s moral defenses.

Let us walk honestly, as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chamberin and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

“Gluttony” (G2970 κῶμος komos) actually means “unrestrained indulgence,” or doing things without moral restraint. Although it is correct to translate it as gluttony (eating without moral restraint), it can represent much more than just eating, and morally unrestrained action is the point of a party for many. “Drunkenness” (G3178 μέθη methe) means to ingest alcohol (in excess or not), to become intoxicated. “Lust” is the word (G2845 κοίτη koite) from which the word “coitus” (sex) comes, which refers to the female sexual organ. It means having sex, and in the context, it is an orgy, whether or not it was planned. The point is that partying lends itself to this.

Vanity and Folly

He that walketh with the wise shall be wise, but a companion of fools will destroyed.

Parties, especially among young people, are known for entertainment, fun, and a lot of foolishness. A party is where one can be the craziest and most foolish. But the Bible warns that associating with fools and the vain, especially at events prone to such behavior, will lead to spiritual ruin or defilement.

Therefore See then that ye walk kcircumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 wherefore be not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

Many young Christians want to identify with some of these things: rebellion, waywardness (excessive behavior, extremism), pleasure, and wild desires. But people who are enslaved to these things , given to worshiping them by constantly prioritizing them in terms of time, importance, and resources, are marked as unconverted.

For the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor, and drowsiness will clothe them with rags.

People who always seek parties, where there is alcohol and banquets, will end up poor. It is the same with the person who does not work honestly but always seeks entertainment.

Flee also youthful lusts, and follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace, with them who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

The young Christian is marked by righteousness, faith, love, peace, etc., not by pleasure.

Living a Good Testimony of Christ

Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Many Christians think they can go and participate in the parties of the ungodly and sinful, and they won’t be affected. They’ll resist the temptation to drink, dance, smoke, take drugs, etc. They go simply to keep them company. But God will provide a way out of temptation, and that is if you are wise enough to recognize it and take it. The way out is to avoid going to the places where sinners are most prominent!

For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through, as it is written…

… but judge rather that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man sees thee, which hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weaker brother perish, for whom Christ died. 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

We need to think beyond whether you personally can avoid sinning at a party. What impact will it have on vulnerable people who see you in such a sinful environment?

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: The Lord knoweth them that are his; and, Let every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity .

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

If it is shameful to speak of these things, we should certainly not go and participate with them or accompany them.

Let not let your heart envy sinners, but be thou in the fear of the Lord at all the day long;

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pc52 The Party Animal – We live for the party!

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