Truth Magazine

By Gary L. Fiscus

My wife told me that two first graders came into the school library. Both children had notes pinned to their clothing. When asked what the notes said, the two replied that they did not know what they were for, or who they were to! They were not the least bit curious.

When I was a child, kids slapped stickers on each other’s backs. They read, “Kick Me,” or some such thing. If I were wearing a note pinned to my shirt, I would surely want to know what it said! Seemingly, these little ones could not care less.

In the Saturday Evening Post (Vol. 256, No. 8, November 1984), Dr. Lewis Thomas writes an article: “Making Science Work!” It is prefaced by a subtitled statement, “We need . . . the brightest and youngest of our most agile minds, capable of dreaming up ideas not dreamed before . . .”

He writes of scientists who are up against barriers. Those barriers come from people saying, “. . . give it back . . . it doesn’t really work, we’ve tried it and it doesn’t work, go back 300 years and start again on something else less chancy for the race of man.” Dr. Thomas, of course, refutes such a postulation.

Now consider the parallel of the above paragraphs. What have they in common? A need for young people to activate curiosity; and the apparently void, empty, and mundane mind of some young persons who could care less about knowing what is going on!

Please understand that I am not categorizing all young people as being devoid of curiosity. Many kids are curious, and they show it. I am concerned, however, when anyone, young or old, develops such a status quo acceptance of anything that comes his way. Let’s look at this problem from a Christian’s point of view.

The child of God understands his search for spiritual development is based on “the old paths” of God’s word (Jer. 6:16). He knows nothing will change as far as the authority is concerned. In Ecclesiastes 1:9, Solomon advises “there is nothing new under the sun.” We, as Christians, recognize our finite knowledge and wisdom as men compared to the infinite intellect and wisdom of Jehovah. The Hebrew writer says:

In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us (Heb. 6:17-18).

His Word “framed the world” (Heb. 1:2).

Consider, just here, however, the real importance of curiosity. What if the Christian was not curious about that Word? He would not grow. He would stagnate. He would die. Therefore, even though God’s Word is confirmed (Heb. 2:3-4; Mk. 16:20; Jude 3; etc.), man must be curious enough to investigate what it says. His “mind is (always) centered on things above” (Col. 3:2), but he constantly strives through investigation to better his relationship to God.

Let’s consider preachers especially. A man aspires to preach the gospel of Christ. By most standards he is pursuing an admirable profession. This man, however, is not curious about what God’s Word says. He is just going to give a speech; yell in a few places; throw in some Scripture and “tickle the ears of his hearers.” He starts. A note pinned to his chest states: “I can preach. I know how. Just ask me.” Well, you ask him. He cannot reply because he knew the note was there, but he didn’t know what it said; and he was never curious enough to rind out. All he knew was that he was supposed to be a preacher, but he never “searched the scriptures” to rind “eternal life” (Jn. 5:3 1; Acts 17:11).

“Absurd,” you say? Not so. Some preachers today are evidently relying on outline books, and theological philosophers to carry them. There are several good sermon outline books. I have used them. They are useful in their proper place, and I am grateful for the men with the ability to write them. On the other hand, they can be detrimental to a student who should be “searching the scriptures” and finding God’s information “from scratch.”

Recently I have been working with a young man who desires to preach the gospel. He has the ability. He has the (Bible) knowledge. He works hard. He recently received a call from a congregation to do some part-time preaching for them. In studying for his first two sermons, we had two day’s notice in which to prepare. He had an outline he had heard some preacher deliver. He had taken his own notes and wanted to “work it up himself.” He did, and he delivered it well.

While pondering the future and the essence of time in preparing lessons, I pointed to my bookshelf and said, “Now these are my cheaters.” “What?” came the reply. “My cheaters,” I repeated, “when I get caught unprepared, i.e., without a new sermon, I look up an outline in one of those books. I don’t like to them but justify myself with some excuse. I change a title, insert some preached. studied, Scriptures, invert some points, and call it mine! That, my friend, is cheating!”

In short, I have cheated myself to be curious because I allowed some other problem, challenge, entertainment, etc., enough ourselves to take priority that week. My curiosity lay dormant in matters of to study “searching the scriptures.” I have not utilized my “youthful,” “agile,” for ourselves! “dreamer’s” mind to curiously seek Jehovah’s truths.

What about your mind in search for truth? Do you let it idle in neutral as pertaining to Bible study? Do you accept what the elders, preacher, class teacher, or fellow-student says without question? Do you study on your own? Is the only time you read your Bible in a class or during a sermon? I am concerned that many in the church are believing what men say the Bible says, rather than studying the Bible on their own. I am not against classes. I am not against commentaries. I believe, however, we need refreshing. We need the word preached, studied, believing, accepted. We need to be curious enough ourselves to study for ourselves!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 4, pp. 112-113
February 21, 1985

By Don R. Hastings

In the first part of James 3, God revealed the tremendous power of the tongue. In James 3:7-12, God made known to us some outstanding evil characteristics of the tongue. We need to be aware of these characteristics and diligently guard our tongues to keep them from practicing these things (Prov. 13:3; 21:23). With David, we should pray and ask Jehovah to, “set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips” (Psa. 141:3). God has told us how to possess happiness (1 Pet. 3:10-12). Refraining one’s “tongue from evil” is essential to living a good life!

Studying James 3:7-12, we learn several evil characteristics of the tongue. An outstanding evil characteristic of the tongue is that it:

Cannot Be Tamed

God intended that man should “have dominion” over all animals when He created them (Gen. 1:27, 28; 9:1,2; Psa. 8:4-9). Man has used the animals of this earth for his benefit. He uses them for food, work and enjoyment. It is not wrong to kill and eat animals (Gen. 9:3; Acts 20:13).

Man can subdue and control animals, but he hasn’t learned to subdue and control his tongue. You cannot trust your tongue to always speak words which are good and proper. You cannot trust your tongue to the point that you unloose it and let it speak without first carefully considering what it will say. In an unguarded moment, it will say very cruel and ugly words.

Is A Restless Evil

Like a wild beast moving back and forth in its cage, seeking an opportunity to escape and mange its victim, so is the tongue. The evil that the tongue is capable of doing cannot be quenched and pacified to the extent that it ceases to desire to work its harm. That’s why it can’t be tamed!

Is Full Of Deadly Poison

We fear the rattlesnake, coral snake, etc., because they possess deadly poison. If you live in Florida long, as I have, you probably have many snake stories to share. I am no exception, as I have had many close calls, being the outdoors man that I am.

We fear a bottle with the picture of a skull and crossbones on it, and the word “poison” written on it. If you were to walk into a room and your little child was holding such a bottle with the cap off, a feeling of horror would come over you. I am sure my mother and father had the same feeling the time I was two years old and swallowed roach tablets. I assured my mother, on the way to the hospital, “I not die. I not a roach.” But, my reasoning didn’t calm her at the time.

We should greatly fear the improper use of the tongue for it can kill physically and spiritually (Prov. 18:21). People, who gossip and slander, are like slithering snakes carrying a sac of poison, ready and eager to strike and inject the poison (Psa. 58:4; 140:3; Mt. 3:7). Guy N. Woods put it this way,” Those who would shrink in horror from the thought of plunging a sword into the heart of another will, nevertheless, indulge in malicious gossip that drives a sword through the heart in a manner far more painful than any possible physical injury” (New Testament Commentaries: James, Guy N. Woods, p. 168).

Do your words ever kill good intentions, good will, initiative, hope, good morale, good reputations, or spiritual-mindedness? The person who said, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” – lied.

Is Often Used Inconsistently

Christians should use their tongues for the most noble use of all and, that is, to praise, glorify and bless the Lord. The Christian’s tongue may also be used for an evil purpose – cursing men.

What a great, inconsistent and unholy use of our tongues. William Barclay writes, “Many a man speaks with perfect courtesy to strangers and even preaches love and gentleness, and yet snaps with ungracious and impatient anger and irritability at his own family at home. It has not been unknown for a man to speak with piety on Sunday and to curse a squad of workmen on Monday. It has not been unknown for a man to utter the most pious sentiments one day, and to repeat the most questionable stories the next. It has not been unknown a woman to speak with sweet graciousness at a religious meeting, and then to go outside to murder someone’s repetition with a malicious and a gossiping tongue” (The Letters of James and Peter, William Barclay, p. 105).

Man is “made after the likeness of God” (Gen. 1:26, 27). The person who despises a human-being despises God (1 Jn. 4:20,21). How we treat our fellow man is how we are treating the Lord (Mt. 25:24-36; Acts 9:5). The person who blesses God but curses man is a hypocrite (Psa. 62:4)!

How can we curse mankind: Who are God’s handiwork? Whom God loves (Jn. 3:16)? For whom Christ died (Heb. 2:9)? Whom God desires to save (1 Tim. 2:3,4)?

If we think that God is going to be pleased with the honor we give Him with our lips, while we speak vile, filthy, hateful words about and to others, we are deceived! Christians required by God to bless those who “persecute you” (Rom. 12:14). We are not to return evil for evil (Rom. 12:17, 21). If we curse those who curse us, we have lowered ourselves to their level and encouraged them to continue in their sinful ways. Under the law of Moses, children who cursed their parents were to be put to death (Ex. 21:17). There is no justification for cursing others. Christians are required by God to bless those who “revile you” (1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Pet. 3:8,9). Jesus didn’t curse those who reviled Him (1 Pet. 2:23; Mt. 27:39-44). How can we claim to be disciples of Christ when we curse others?

This inconsistent use of our tongue is contrary to nature for nature is consistent. A spring would not give good water one time and bitter water another time. The fig tree does not produce olives for every seed brings forth “after their kind” (Gen. 1:11).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 4, pp. 109-110
February 21, 1985

By Steve Wolfgang

The title above was the headline for an interesting article which was carried by the New York Times News Service on December 14, 1984. The article reported a University of Chicago survey which found that “Americans are turning away from the dictates of organized religions and drawing upon spiritual feelings of their own to define their faith.” Furthermore, “for growing numbers of people an individual search for meaning has become the central religious experience, replacing unquestioning obedience to religious authority,” according to the results of the opinion poll.

As a result, “60 percent of Americans recently surveyed rejected the concept ‘absolute moral guidelines'” while they “think of their faith in ‘mythic, imaginative, and reflective’ terms rather than as standards fro behavior.” The director of the survey was reported to have observed many indications of “declining influence of religious authorities on behavior” since Americans have “been told to trust their consciences, and that’s what they’re doing.”

There is both good news and bad news in the results of this survey. To the extent that individuals are exerting the right to think and study for themselves without some priest or preacher telling them what they are supposed to believe, this survey is encouraging. As more people do so, pollsters will find increasingly less dependence upon “organized religion.”

However, the survey also seems to indicate that people are rejecting not only human religious “authorities,” but also the authority of God’s word as well. If people are freeing themselves from someone’s human philosophies of religion, that is good; but if they are replacing what someone else thinks and “feels” with their own “feelings” and surmisings, what is the difference? What makes their feelings and ideas better than someone else’s? What gives your religious ideas more validity than mine? And why should you think the way I do if all I can offer you is just “my opinion”?

Isn’t that the way all these “institutional churches” got started in the first place? How can such inclinations do anything more than create yet another hundred or so religious bodies and create even more confusion? The only answer is to study the Bible – for yourself, rejecting human creeds and opinions – and let it, not some vague feeling called “conscience,” be your guide.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 4, p. 107
February 21, 1985

By James Hahn

The title of this article may seem foolish at first, but as I observe the actions of many, I am convinced that this is a question that needs to be asked and answered. There are some who do not seem to understand what sin really is and therefore do not understand when a thing should really be considered as sin.

Some seem to think that an act is not sinful as long as it is unknown to others. A man may drink, lie, steal, or any other act and have no sense of guilt or shame. He seems to think that his actions are acceptable because he is able to keep them hid from others. When his actions are exposed, the only thing he seems sorry of is that he “got caught.” This same attitude is often demonstrated on the part of some members of the church when it comes to dealing with sin in the lives of some members. If you dare expose the sins of some, you may be accused of “causing trouble” or dealing unfairly with someone. The attitude seems to be that, so long as nothing is said about the sins, everything will be fine. It only becomes a problem when something is said about it. How foolish can we be? We need to learn that the teaching of truth or the exposing of error does not cause the wrong; it just brings to light wrongs that were already present.

There are others who seem to think that a thing is not sinful if everyone else is doing it. The common practice of a thing tends to make it acceptable in the eyes of the majority. Sometimes even members of the church tend to become tolerant of things that should be considered sinful simply because the majority of the people have accepted them. Some who are guilty of sinful acts may be led to think that their actions are not wrong because they are accepted by members of the church without question or rebuke. Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for not putting away one from among them who was guilty of immorality (1 Cor. 5). This man was not made to feel ashamed or guilty at all because the church was not questioning his action but was actually glorying in such (1 Cor. 5:6). Again, we need to learn that acceptance of a thing is not what makes that thing right in the sight of God.

Another problem that exists along this line is the attitude of some who have determined that the only things to be considered sinful are th tings they don’t like. If they like it then it is not sin; if they do not like it, then it is sin. This is the reason for many becoming angry and upset when you speak out on various sins. If you condemn something they like, you are wrong since their likes cannot be sinful. When a person thinks in this manner, he is in reality setting himself up as the standard for determining right and wrong. His likes are right; his dislikes are wrong. He, in effect, becomes his own “god.”

The Bible teaches that sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 Jn. 3:4). If a thing is contrary to the teaching of God’s word, it is sin. It may be hid from men, it may be accepted by the majority, you may not be questioned by anyone, but it is still sin! Sin is against God. When we learn this very important lesson, then we will be ready to examine our lives in the light of God’s word and will allow it to guide us in whatever we may do. iF a thing is right, then we will do that which is right even in the majority does not do so or ever opposes us in the doing of that which is right. If a thing is contrary to the word of God (sinful), we will refrain from such. Yes, sin is always sin.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 4, p. 110
February 21, 1985