Truth Magazine

By Irvin Himmel

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears (Prov. 26:17).

No lesson could be more obvious than that taught and illustrated in this proverb. However, some people have not learned the lesson.

It seems difficult for certain persons to tend to their own affairs and avoid meddling in things “belonging not” to them.

Why There Is Meddling in Affairs of Others

Before turning attention to the mischief caused by meddling, consider some basic reasons for meddlesomeness.

(1) Not usefully occupied. The fellow who has too much free time on his hands is more likely to pry and intrude into things that are none of his business. One who keeps busy with his own work has not time to delve into another’s business.

Recognizing the mischief to which idleness can lead, Paul issued a warning about young widows who “learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” He advised therefore “that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house,” in other words, keep fully occupied with useful domestic duties (1 Tim. 5:13, 14).

(2) Nosiness. It appears that some people are obsessed with curiosity, especially about the personal affairs of others. They are preoccupied with the desire to pry, ask questions, inject themselves, pick up tidbits of news and gossip, and intrude into all the concerns of others.

This inquisitive disposition leads to unwelcome and harmful intrusiveness.

(3) Conceit. Many times it is one’s ego that contributes to his being a meddler. He really thinks he can manage the lives of others better than they can manage their own; he believes he can solve their problem better than they can; he is convinced that he has superior knowledge.

I know a preacher who has the reputation of meddling in the problems of young people (especially girls) in their relationship with their parents. I suppose he is egotistical enough (1 Pet. 4:15,16). to think he knows more about how parents ought to be raising their daughters than the parents know. He had made a real nuisance of himself in some cases.

Meddling Invites Trouble

To interfere in disputes which are not our concern is to invite trouble. “We should be sure of our call to act before we meddle in others’ affairs. It is rare that it can be our duty to volunteer the office of judge” (E. Johnson).

One time a certain man said to Jesus, “Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.” Some who claim to follow Jesus would have jumped at the chance to get involved in this domestic problem. Jesus answered, “Man, who made me a judge or divider over you?” (Lk. 12:13,14) Jesus refused to be drawn into this case.

The meddler in strife invites double trouble. Both parties may become enraged. He is indeed as foolish as one who grabs a strange dog by the ears! The old Septuagint translation renders this proverb as follows: “As he that lays hold of a dog’s tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another’s cause.” Well, whether you take the dog by the ears or by the tail, you invite barking, snapping, biting, and injury to yourself!

The Mischief of Meddling

The meddling spirit leads to misunderstanding and much mischief. People who fancy that everybody they come across is somehow under their jurisdiction cause more problems than they solve.

Both Paul and Peter warned against our becoming busybodies. Adam Clarke describes busybodies as “impertinent meddlers with other people’s circumstances and domestic affairs; magnifying or minifying, mistaking or underrating, every thing; news-mongers and telltales; an abominable race, the curse of every neighborhood where they live, and a pest to religious society.”

But, as Albert Barnes aptly notes, “there is no class of persons who will so little heed good counsel as those who have a propensity to intermeddle with the affairs of others.”

The meddler in strife belonging not to him often brings suffering to himself. He needs to learn the difference between suffering as a busybody and suffering as a Christian

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 13, p. 405
July 2, 1987

By Paul K. Williams

Solomon Mzolo

In September 1986 brother Solomon Mzolo phoned me. He is 53 years old, was converted about 1959 by the preaching of brother John Hardin, and has been preaching most of the time since. When the split came in South Africa (1963), he aligned himself with the institutional brethren.

However, some things happened in the Edendale, Pietermaritzburg church which disturbed brother Mzolo. This is the church which runs the preacher training school for blacks and is, therefore, the most influential of the black churches in the province of Natal. They had a youth camp, and brother Mzolo did not agree with what they were doing.

I began making trips to Greytown to teach him and the small church which meets in his house. He drove (2 hours) to Eshowe on two occasions to worship with the church here.

Then he arranged a meeting for Saturday night, March 7, at a school in Greytown. He invited his liberal brethren from all over Natal to attend and I spoke concerning institutionalism. Present were more than 40 men from various churches in Natal, plus brother Paddy Kendall-Ball from Pietermaritzburg, and brother Aaron Mthembu and Freddie Mmbengwa who came from Soweto at my invitation. Brother Aaron interpreted for me.

I distributed charts concerning the two main divisions which have occurred in the church in the middle 1800s and the middle 1900s. I tried to show why they occurred, what errors were taught, and what the Bible teaches concerning these things.

When the question period came I faced quite an hostile audience. One black preacher took up most of the time with irrelevant attacks on my supposed actions in America in the 1950s. Then one of the American preachers from Empangeni (near Eshowe) asked, “Paul, do you teach these things to new converts?” I replied with a decided affirmative and he said, “Then you make them two-fold more sons of perdition than they were before they were converted! ” I thought that was a very loving comment coming from one who is always talking about love. The other white preacher, a South African who has a brand-new M.Th. degree from ACU, said that his education was equal to mine and he was sure that the liberal practices were right. I said, “Brian, I am only asking for the Scripture which authorizes youth camps and church entertainment.” He said, “I will give you the Scripture. The Bible says to preach the gospel, and that is what I do when I go to the youth camp.” So now we know what Scripture authorizes church entertainment.

After that meeting brother Mzolo was completely cut off by his former brethren. According to their interpretation of 2 John 9-11 they are not even allowed to say hello to him. When he drove to a nearby congregation he was told to take his car out of the yard. A new congregation was formed in Greytown and for a while brother Mzolo and his family worshiped absolutely alone. Then one by one a few returned to worship with them. One family is also worshiping alone in Kranskop, 50 km. away, rather than worship with the liberal church there.

The Mzolos are standing firm. Brother Mzolo knows that many of his former brethren will start talking to him about these things. He has been one of the best known preachers among them, having established many churches in Natal. We thank God for his steadfastness and are grateful that God has granted him repentance after all these years. We also believe that his example and teaching will help others see the truth.

Brother Mzolo is not in need of financial support. He owns a small grocery shop which is now being leased by another person, and he owns some small houses which he rents out. He is therefore able to go to teach those who make inquiries, and he is eager to do so. He has five children, from 9 to 18 years old, and a wife who is giving him moral support.

Conrad Steyn and George Harris

Brother Ray Votaw will soon be writing an article concerning brother Conrad Steyn, a white liberal preacher who was converted in the early 50s, and his son-in-law George Harris, who have been sponsored by the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston. Rather than agree to letting the Memorial church take the oversight of the congregation where they were preaching in Capetown, they left with about 6 other Christians to take their stand with the Lord. Conrad and George immediately lost their support and are suffering. Brother Steyn is one of the best-known preachers among the liberals in South Africa. He turned to brother Votaw when this problem came up, and brother Votaw gave him much help in his decision.

These developments give us hope that others will also begin questioning the greater and greater departures of the liberals, will study the Scriptures and come to the practice of the New Testament in the work and organization of the church. Pray that this will be so.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 13, p. 396
July 2, 1987

By S. Leonard Tyler

I am alive. I must five. Life abounds on every hand bidding me to follow into the enormous perplexity of the future. For what purpose or goal are these beckoning hands directing me? Death is just as prevalent as birth, sorrow as joy, failure as success and falsehood as truth. Hopelessness and despondency which lead to despair and death are lurking in the way. However, ambition with determination and expectation to see good, peace and joy and success in life overshadows the ill advised as they succumb to moments of passion, pleasure, environmental situations and youthful explorations with pitfalls so deceitful and appealing. Men need to grasp a firm hold to higher plains, nobler thoughts and clearer visions to a committed life even in a society searching for an answer to, “What is good for a man to do all the days of his life?”

I am unable as Solomon did to take each hand and follow it until I have experimented and learned ’tis vain or worthy -but I have his answers and life’s history to read. I have not a God-given wisdom by which to test each path in which the hand points – but I can read his holy word and understand. I can not wait and observe other travelers and see their end – but I can look through the windows that both sacred and secular history open and observe the kind of life offered with the resulting consequences. The way of the transgressor is hard. There is peace and victory in the way of righteousness. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. . . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (Jas. 5:7,8,10).

One must search for an unbruised staff upon which to lean, a true standard by which to evaluate and a guiding light by which to travel life’s highway. The journey is on both land and sea. It is both rough and smooth. I need a motivating power, a compass and a stablizer to help move me in the right direction and keep me traveling the strait and narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14).

A purpose in life is an essential in right living, if one reaches a projection of righteousness. Knowledge is required by which to design one’s life and then it must be lived or practiced, patiently and courageously. Without God, the very thought of what lies ahead is frightening. But with God, “I will fear no evil.” With all the uncertain voices crying, “Lo here, lo there and lo everywhere in any and all directions,” “where shall I go but to the Lord.” I will “hold to God’s unchanging hand.” His voice is heard through His written word, the Bible. Read and think as you read, this beautiful expression of the Bible and its contents.

The Bible

“This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Herein Paradise is restored, heaven is opened, and hell is disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in judgment, and remembered forever. Its involves the greatest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its savored contents. It offers protection for infancy, happiness for childhood, inspiration for youth, strength for maturity, assurance for old age, comfort for death and salvation and riches and glory and reward for eternity. ” (Author Unknown)

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 13, pp. 395, 402
July 2, 1987

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: In Genesis 4.2-7, was Cain’s offering rejected because it way not authorized or because it was a mediocre offering, while Abel’s was his best? Did not God accept offerings of the fruit of the ground (Lev. 2, Deut. 26. 1-11)?

Reply: It is true that under the law of Moses, God accepted offerings of the fruit of the ground such as meal offerings (Lev. 2) and the first fruits of the ground (Deut. 26:1-11).

Cain’s offering (the fruit of the ground) was not offered by faith, thus it was unauthorized. It is evident that God had instructed Cain and Abel as to the kind of offering they were to make. We are told in Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” We learn from Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Whatever is acceptable to God must be by faith; that is, it must be authorized by the word of God by command, example or necessary inference (implication). God’s word, then, should be the authority for all that we do. If a practice is not authorized by the Bible, it cannot be an item of faith. Since it is not an item of faith, it is therefore prohibited.

Mechanical instruments of music are not authorized in the worship of God. We are told to sing; therefore, vocal music is authorize4by the Scriptures (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; etc.). We are instructed as to the kind of music we are to use in worship, which is singing. The New Testament is silent upon the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, thus they are unauthorized and prohibited. Furthermore, they were not introduced into worship until centuries after the New Testament was written.

Numerous examples can be given of practices which are not authorized by the Scriptures. The reason is: they are not by faith. Sprinkling and pouring instead of baptism (immersion) are not by faith because there is no command or mention of their practice in the New Testament. There is one baptism (Eph. 4:5); it is a burial in water (Acts 8:38,39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) and it is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). God has taught us his will about the act of baptism, so when we submit to it we do so by faith (Rom. 10:17).

The only way that Abel could have offered his sacrifice by faith was to have done so according to God’s will (his instructions). This is the only way that we live by faith today. The offering of Abel was “more excellent” than Cain’s, not because it was of greater value materially, but because it was offered by faith. Cain did not follow God’s instructions; therefore, his offering was not by faith. Abel obeyed God; therefore, his offering was by faith. This is why Abel’s offering was acceptable to God and Cain’s was not.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 13, p. 397
July 2, 1987