My son’s church is involved in Reformer’s Unanimous. One Tuesday morning while waiting for ladies to gather for prayer, I read a poster of the Reformer’s ten principles. As I read those principles, I realized that the Scriptures are very familiar and can help me in my own life and those I might have opportunity to counsel.
1. If God’s against it, so are we. Galatians 5:19-24
2. Every sin has its origin in the heart. Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 4:23, Romans 13:14
3. It is easier to keep the heart clean than after it has been defiled. Proverbs 22:3 & 6:27-28
4. It is not possible to fight a fleshly appetite by indulging in it. Ecclesiastes 5:10, James 1:14-15
5. Small compromises lead to great disasters (or little sins lead to big sins). Luke 16:10, Matthew 6:24, Romans 6:16
6. Those who do not love the Lord will not help us serve the Lord. John 5:18-20, Proverbs 25:15
7. Our sinful habits do hurt those who are following us. Romans 14:7, I Corinthians 10:23-24
8. It is not possible to fight a fleshly temptation with fleshly weapons. II Corinthians 10:3-5, I John 4:4
9. We lose our freedom of choice after we have chosen our actions. The consequences of our choices are inevitable, incalculable and up to God. Proverbs 5:22-23, 20:17, 9:17-18
10. God balances guilt with blame. When we accept the blame for our actions, God, by our repentance and confession, will eliminate the guilt. I John 1:9