Truth Magazine

By C. Dale Garrison

As I read the article, “Immodesty” by brother Abernathy (June 4, #11), I had several thoughts which I must express. I would be greatly amiss in my duty to the Gospel of Christ and my fellow Christians if I were not to voice them. First, I must say, “Amen” to the truth which was taught in the writing of brother Abernathy’s article. Today’s Christian needs to hear the truth of the Word of God taught in this loving, but clear manner. Amen!

All Christians need to study, keep in mind and live by these verses; “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14). “Come out from among them and be separate, do not touch what is unclean” (2 Cor. 6:17; also read Phil. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:9-11; 4:3-4).

In short, what these verses are saying is very simple. If we are to live a godly life, all Christians, male and female alike, must live according to the standard which is set by God and not the standard set by the world! We are God’s people and must come out of the world! We are a special people who must live by God’s Word and Will, not man’s fashions or morals. We are not to be like those who are children of Satan! They openly disobey the Word of God, live guided by their own passions and are involved in things which are abominable in His sight. We are not to let the world set our standards for speech, lifestyle, relationships or our dress.

Christian men, both old and young, we need to understand that like the women, we must also wear modest clothing. Some of us seem to be caught up in the double standards of the world when it comes to dress. All too many Christian men see nor think anything about wearing see through shirts or going around with no shirt at all. It seems to be considered to be “ok” for our young men to wear shorts, but it is a sin for the ladies. Men wear tight jeans, yet teach that it is sinful for the ladies. My brothers in Christ, God’s command for modesty applies to us as well as our sisters in Christ. God does not have a double standard for that which is modest, moral or appropriate. Paul writes, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge, practice the same things” (Rom. 2:1ff). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

We do not control the world or the people who live according to the doctrine of Satan, but we can teach our children to observe God’s Word. We are to teach our sons and daughters to dress in a godly way. We can teach our young men and our young women to seek to date, befriend, admire and marry those who choose to serve God in not only in Word, but also in dress and manner of life. When as children of God we admire those who are worldly, immodest and immoral, we are condoning their sin. When we choose Satan’s children above the children of God, we are not living by what Paul teaches in Romans 12:9-17. Note verse 10, “we are to prefer one another.”

Brothers, young and old, husbands and singles, we need to show our sisters in Christ that we appreciate their godly dress and modest ways. We must go to those who are living in sin and teach God’s Word. We can not only edify our sisters by preferring them over the women of the world, but we can help them continue in their righteous ways. Men and brethren, each and every one of us plays a big role in what our sisters in Christ, our wives and our daughters choose to wear. Is it not time we Christian men start living by the same Word we use to judge and admonish our sisters in Christ? Are we going to honor the women who live in God’s way and rebuke those who are living by Satan’s way? Or are we going to conform to the double standards of this world? “Choose you this day whom you will serve.”

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, p. 420
July 16, 1987

By Jamie Sloan

Preaching does not have to be stopped to be rendered ineffective. If it can be generalized and impersonalized so that it no longer convicts one of sin or instructs one in righteousness, that preaching is worthless. Preaching is not pure oratory nor fluent journalism. The kingdom of God does not depend upon man’s ability to tell the story. The power of God to save is in the story itself. However, such qualities as courage and knowledge are greatly needed in preaching and teaching what is needed to whom it is needed. A handle must be put on the preaching; too much of it is left up in the air.

Often those who preach the gospel, either orally or by the printed page, emphasize that their remarks are not directed toward any one individual – a “don’t take this personally” attitude. Surely it would be an abuse of the right to publicly teach the Word of God to use that right in prosecuting and persecuting anyone for personal reasons. If a teacher or preacher has something to say to a person, the courage which it takes to publicly rebuke a person will be sufficient courage to approach that person privately. The abuse of the pulpit and editorial chair is a problem of malice and ill will -not courage. We agree that such is the lowest kind of conduct, and would not want to say anything that could be construed as approving of such.

However, since Bible truths are addressed to all in a general way this is often taken by many as a justification for not making a personal application. So, this article is written to prompt you and me to take teaching and admonition personally – to examine our own heart and life by the Word of God. If what you know you are is not consistent with what you know you should be, then admonitions to repentance are for you. You see, you must personally give an account unto God (Rom. 14:12). You will not be able to become “lost in the crowd” in the day of judgment. And, please do not become angry with the one who preaches the word of God when you rind your heart pricked by that word. Paul asked, “So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) The Hebrew apostle wrote that the word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword . . . quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

The philosophy of the compromiser seems to be that the most sanitary and painless way of dealing with sin is to “preach the principle, and let them make the application.” Jesus did not operate on that basis. He told the chief priest and Pharisees the parable of the wicked husbandmen in Matthew 21:23-46. When he asked them about the Lord’s predictable attitude toward the husbandmen, they said, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men. . . ” (v. 41). They had heard the principle, but failed to make the application. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you,” and that was plain enough. Verse 45 informs us that the Pharisees “perceived that he spake of them.” It did not take real intuitive folks to reach that conclusion. Peter on Pentecost preached the lofty principle of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He also added the personal note, “whom ye crucified.” Preaching should be plain enough to get the point across, and provocative enough that the sinner is convicted.

A lot is being taught today from pen and pulpit regarding what is called “preaching opinion.” It seems to me that some are teaching that we cannot reason to a conclusion or apply revealed principles in some areas. Specific conclusions need to be reached and preached regarding such matters as modest apparel, social drinking, business ethics, parental and marital responsibilities, etc. It’s time some good and godly men and women expressed their sound judgment in these and other matters, and were not intimidated by those who would justify their worldliness by shouts of “opinion, opinion.” If those principles revealed in Holy Writ to govern our lives are not workable, then they are fallible and worthless.

This failure to see our specific duty is further seen in our lack of emphasis on individual effort in the kingdom of God. We have a collective mentality that judges success by what is accomplished by the local congregation, rather than taking account of our individual responsibility. You have been created by God in His own image – a being that is capable of understanding Truth, of knowing the difference between right and wrong, and of faithfully serving either God or Satan. God has chosen that through you His will be done on the earth. You, individually, are responsible for using your abilities and opportunities to the fullest. Some brethren are famous for attributing their “success” to their huge, costly organizations. However, true, lasting good in the Lord’s church is dependent upon you – your work, your sacrifice and your prayers.

We have a trite expression that says, “If the shoe fits, wear it” and another like unto it, “If I am ringing your number, answer it.” I will just say that when the things we write and speak from time to time do apply to me, you, or all of us -then for that person or group it was intended.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, pp. 419, 440
July 16, 1987

By Irvin Himmel

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him (Prov. 18:13).

This terse verse merits meditation. The lessons suggested by it should be of concern to all who want to serve God and be of help to mankind.

A Sad Fact

Sometimes when two people are trying to discuss opposing views, one displays rudeness by interrupting the other repeatedly. This discourtesy reflects a simple problem- There is a greater desire to reply to the other person than to hear his side of the matter.

Snap judgments are made relative to subjects and problems which ought to be weighed and studied carefully. It is a sad fact that many people are swift to draw conclusions before investigating.

Some people are quick to speak about things concerning which they know precious little, and to criticize the motives of others. James said, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1: 19). The wisdom of this course should be self-evident.

Why Some People Answer Before Hearing

(1) Pride. Inordinate self-esteem makes certain individuals stubborn and tenacious in their wrong views. They may deceive themselves into thinking that they are thinking when they are only rearranging their prejudices to bolster their ego.

Such persons may pride themselves on their ability to size up an individual or situation from the outset. In their conceit they suppose that they can draw the right conclusions without examining facts. How little do they realize that most first impressions are notoriously inaccurate.

(2) Impatience. Some “minds cannot bear anything that requires close and long-sustained attention. They become uneasy, fretted, and fidgety; and are ever anxious to catch at any occasion for cutting the matter short and being done with it” (Ralph Wardlaw).

Learning the whole truth is sometimes a rather tedious process. It requires neither time nor effort to leap to a conclusion without learning what one should know before reaching a determination in his own mind. Before answering a matter, give yourself time.

(3) Partiality. A person who is partial to a particular view is tempted to weigh the facts with his thumb on the scales! Some are not really honest in their handling of the Scriptures on certain points. They tend to bend and twist the word of God to make it say what they desire to hear.

When two people are alienated from each other, some who pretend to seek information so they can help achieve reconciliation are interested only in what supports their personal preference. A mediator needs to be without bias, and this is seldom the case unless he is equally related to both parties. Partiality is a barrier to candid listening.

(4) Laziness. Prejudice is a lazy person’s substitute for thinking. He does not want to put out the mental energy necessary to learn the truth, so he forms an opinion which he voices strongly, but there is nothing to support his point of view.

In religion, some had rather drift along with whatever traditions they have inherited than to search the Scriptures. “A minimum of evidence and maximum of prejudice contribute to form the faith of many people” (W. F. Adeney).

(5) Reliance on feelings. “I can’t prove it, but I have a feeling,” says someone. Feelings are feelings and facts are facts, and the former cannot change the latter. While we rebuke our religious neighbors for following their feelings rather than the Bible, many of us talk a lot about our hunches and nebulous notions when we ought to keep quiet unless we have solid evidence.

Some Christians are strongly opinionated and highly vocal about their opinions. Blessed is the man who can keep his personal opinions to himself and not attempt to bind them on others!

The Art of Listening

“A listening ear leads straight to an understanding heart” (Andrew W. Blackwood, Jr.). No case can be decided correctly without the truth and the whole truth. We should be willing to hear all sides of a question.

Digging for facts is much better exercise than jumping to conclusions. After “fact-finding” comes “fact-facing.” Naked truth can be embarrassing, but we must develop the art of listening before speaking. And after we have gathered the facts, let us have the courage to face up to the truth.

Nicodemus said to the other Pharisees, “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?” (John 7:51) Many of the Jewish leaders were more interested in condemning Jesus than in hearing his case.

The New English Bible translates this proverb as follows: “To answer a question before you have heard it out is both stupid and insulting.”

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, p. 422
July 16, 1987

By Dennis G. Allan

More popular than Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit, this game has more participants than Monday Night Football has spectators. It can be played without fields, courts, balls, boards or game pieces. Games are played at home, on the job, while shopping and even “at church.” Its closest relatives are “dodge ball” and “hot potato,” though they have never attained its popularity. What is this great American pastime? The ever popular sport of “Passing the Buck.”

You’ve seen it before (perhaps even played a time or two?). . . An employee is faced with admitting an error or shifting the blame to another, so he “passes the buck.” A politician’s policies fail, so he finds another “culprit” to take the heat of public scrutiny. A child is caught at the scene of catastrophe at home, so he. quickly points to a sibling or playmate and exclaims: “He did it!”

Such games can lead to serious problems, but never so serious as when played in the realm of spiritual responsibility. Consider some examples of the deadly game of buck-passing:

Adam blamed Eve, and she blamed the Serpent. God’s verdict: Each one was guilty! (Gen. 3)

Saul denied that anybody had really sinned, and then tried to shift blame to the people under him. God’s verdict: Saul was guilty! (1 Sam. 15:10-33)

David tried to cover his sin by diverting attention to the innocent Uriah. God’s verdict: David was guilty! (2 Sam. 11-12)

Men try to blame their errors on external factors, even heredity. God’s verdict: The one who commits sin is guilty! (Ezek. 18)

The Bible is so full of such examples that you would think we would all learn the futility of passing the buck of spiritual responsibility, yet the same goes one. Instead of repenting of our sins, we seek to minimize their significance and shift the blame to others. Some blame God, saying “He made me this way,” or “That’s just the way I am.” Others blame circumstances, saying, “I just can’t help it.” Some even blame the very ones who seek to convert them from sin to God (Jas. 5:19-20), acting as if the offender is the one who echoes the warnings of God – not the one who has violated God’s will. The Lord didn’t buy that argument from Israel (Ezek. 18:29-32), and he surely won’t accept it from us. We will never stand justified before God until we recognize that the buck stops here!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 14, p. 423
July 16, 1987