Austin Bible Church
Nice kids go bad generally because they have been fed a substitute for categorical Christianity and Bible doctrine. In some instances, a child will go wrong with godly parents because of the child’s free will or volition.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, NASB)
Nice kids go bad when Christianity is reduced to only ethics or morality. Unbelievers are to live under morality and the four Divine Institutions. Nice kids go bad when Christianity is reduced to a human good system. Human good is not rewarded by God and human good cannot save anyone. Gen. 2 – Gen.11; Eph. 2:8-9.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NASB)
Some unbelievers try to be saved by keeping the Law. With believers, human good is carnality. Human good comes from the old sin nature. Rom. 4; Rom. 8:8; Heb. 12:1.
“and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8, NASB)
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1, NASB)
Ignorance of Bible doctrine plus carnality equals human good. Human good is condemned by God and burned up at the Judgment Seat of Christ for the believer. 1 Cor. 3:3.
“for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3, NASB)
Nice kids go bad when they get involved in religion and religious programs. So again, the problem is religion. Nice religious kids go astray. Religion makes you work the flesh to impress God. Religion makes you work the flesh to keep on impressing God. In contrast, Christianity is a dynamic personal relationship with Jesus Christ and marvelous fellowship through the controlling ministry of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is learned on the basis of Isaiah 28:10-13 and Isaiah 33:6. Order on order, line upon line. Spiritual growth is based on promises, techniques, doctrines, and principles to put it one way.
“"For He says, 'Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there.'" Indeed, He will speak to this people Through stammering lips and a foreign tongue, He who said to them, "Here is rest, give rest to the weary," And, "Here is repose," but they would not listen. So the word of the LORD to them will be, "Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there," That they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared and taken captive.” (Isaiah 28:10-13, NASB)
“And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6, NASB)
The believer is to make use of God's promises instead of worry. Bible doctrine as communicated by a pastor-teacher goes into the mind as gnosis and spiritual facts. Faith applied to the Bible doctrine taught causes the Holy Spirit to transfer these facts to the right lobe of the soul as epignosis. In order for this to operate, the believer must at each stage be filled with the Holy Spirit, in fellowship. This is the faith-rest life that produces an inner stability and inner confidence. It really works. See category on the Grace Apparatus for Perception.
The believer is to make use of biblical techniques instead of schemes and gimmicks. They are to make proper use of 1 John 1:9 and related passages to confess their known sins to God the Father and thereby be cleansed from all unrighteousness and returned to fellowship with God.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NASB)
The greatest attacks on Christianity today are focused on the plan of salvation and how the believer regains a state of spirituality where the Holy Spirit controls the believer’s soul. The believer must understand the faith rest life. They must learn how to live in the Word through face-to-face teaching at Bible classes, taking notes during Bible class, listening to previously recorded Bible doctrine lessons and by applying what is learned to life’s situations. The believer must gain an understanding how the Holy Spirit controls the soul. Eph. 5:14-18. See category on Spirituality.
“For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:14-18, NASB)
The believer must learn from God the Holy Spirit (Bible doctrine) how to think divine viewpoint and mature spiritually that results in the edification structure of the soul. They must learn how to use Bible doctrine in daily living. If you use the biblical techniques, you are applying Bible doctrine. Bible doctrine can only be learned through a prepared pastor-teacher who teaches Expositional, Categorical, and Systematic doctrine. He should be teaching from the simple to the complex, from the simple basics to the most detailed analysis.
The believer should understand the power of prayer. Prayer is applying faith to the promises of God and directing them to a specific area. Prayer also involves the Lord Jesus Christ praying for you and interceding for you and God the Holy Spirit praying for you. You use the word in daily living. Rom. 8. See category on Prayer.
The believer should understand the principles of the Word of God. They need to understand that God's grace always precedes judgment. The believer needs to understand how to direct their prayers. In that time you can pray for your loved one who is going astray. The battle is the Lord’s. Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound. If God be for us, who can be against us. Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. Rely on Him, trust Him. 1 Sam. 17:47; Rom. 5:20; Rom. 8:31; 1 John 4:4; Prov. 3:5-6.
“and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands."” (1 Samuel 17:47, NASB)
“The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” (Romans 5:20, NASB)
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31, NASB)
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NASB)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB)