Truth Magazine

By Kerry and Laura Gately

(The authors of this article are both Christians by confession and medical doctors by profession. They are members of the East Memphis church in Tennessee. I became acquainted with them during a meeting there. We discussed the issues of this article, and I requested that they share their insights with the readers of this paper. You may want to see that young people are exposed to this material. – Larry Ray Hafley.)

As we have advanced in our medical education, my wife and I have become impressed with the changing direction of medical practice. In earlier times, medical diagnosis and therapy were directed toward diseases caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria or more recently, viruses. As a result, scourges such as polio, smallpox, and tuberculosis, which terrified and decimated previous generations, have been brought to heel by advances in sanitation, vaccination, and antibiotics. Indeed, in 1979, the World Health Organization declared that smallpox had been eradicated from the face of the earth. With the decline of infectious agents as causes of disease, however, we have witnessed the ascendency of what must be called illnesses of lifestyle more directly, morbidity usually due to an immoral or immoderate manner of living. Of course, these new illnesses alcohol related disease, smoking related disorders, venereal diseases, and their associated problems, to name a few, aren’t really new at all. They have assumed a novel and ominous significance as diseases people actually choose to have by ingesting substances and committing acts which will ultimately have deleterious effects on their bodies.

There can be no doubt that excessive alcohol consumption results in harm to the body, physically and mentally. In a 1971 Department of HEW statistic, 9 million men and women (7% of the population) were said to manifest the behavior of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Men have a 5 to 1001o lifetime risk of becoming alcoholics; in women, the risk is 3 to 5%. Of adults admitted to medical and surgical services, some 15% use alcohol excessively. Suicide rates are 6 to 15% higher in alcoholics.

Alcohol is noxious to the brain cells; as a matter of fact, alcohol is second only to Alzheimer’s disease (a disorder of unknown cause which gradually leads to degeneration of the brain) as a cause of mental deterioration. Alcohol damages the heart and other muscles; it irritates the stomach and can lead to gastric ulcers and hemorrhage. Liver function is disrupted by alcohol, and prolonged usage leads to destruction of large portions of this vital organ (cirrhosis of the liver.)

The use of tobacco is nothing but a plague upon our society. Large studies in several countries have shown that smoking men, considered as a group, have 30 to 80% higher death rates than nonsmokers. Smoking is responsible for an estimated 325,000 premature deaths yearly. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), characterized by partial or complete obliteration of the arteries supplying blood to the heart, is a major malady related to smoking. The risk of having fatal or nonfatal CHD is 60 to 70% greater in smokers than nonsmokers. In the 35-54 year-old male age group, sudden death to a heart attack caused by CHD is two to three times more likely than in a comparable nonsmoking group. More Americans die from lung cancer than from any other type tumor (105,000 in 1981). Of these, approximately 80% were attributable to smoking. In 1980, 50,000 deaths were caused by lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema; 70% of these deaths were attributable to smoking. These impressive figures speak for themselves. These deaths represent not a dreaded infectious virus striking indiscriminately but a deadly conscious choice on the part of the smoker to poison his body.

Cancer of the cervix (the mouth of the womb) is the fourth most common malignancy of women some 2% of all women over 40 will develop this disorder. Although the causes of cervical cancer are unknown, commencement of sexual activity at an early age and sexual relationships with multiple partners are considered strong risk factors; indeed, the distribution of cervical cancer resembles that of the venereal diseases-.- Also -considered a risk factor for developing cervical cancer is infection with Herpes Simplex 11 virus, commonly referred to as “Herpes”. This sexually transmitted virus gives rise to a painful and sometimes debilitating disease characterized by the formation of multiple small blisters on the genitalia. These blisters break down and frequently ulcerate or become infected. Even after the initial attack resolves, sufferers are subject to identical but less severe recurrent episodes, sometimes as often as every 3 to 4 weeks. There is no cure. The number of persons afflicted by this virus has increased significantly in the past several years.

Women with syphilis and other less common sexually transmitted diseases run a significantly increased risk of developing cancer of the vulva, a dreadful disease worked by a slow, painful, inexorably declining course unless radical and disfiguring surgery is timely performed.

Conclusion

Many more such diseases could be discussed with their cold, dreary statistics. As my wife and I have spent long nights in emergency rooms and intensive care units watching smokers with advanced lung disease gasping and struggling for their final breaths and standing by helplessly as chronic alcoholics lapse into coma and death, poisoned by body products the wasted liver can no longer detoxify – it has been made exceedingly clear to us that behind every statistical tally there is a person – a suffering dying person. Those who engage in excessive drinking, smoking, and immoral lifestyles do so (often by their own admission) to help them deal with the cares, stresses and loneliness of life. We are truly fortunate, brethren, to have a loving Father who tells us to cast all our cares upon Him (1 Pet. 5:7) and to have anxiety about nothing, but “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). Even though we may feel the pangs of loneliness from time to time, we have our brethren and the promise of our Lord that He is with us always “even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). Not only does the Lord help us with our trials more than any drug or immorality ever could, we don’t destroy our bodies in turning to Him. May we always be faithful to Him who by His love and laws preserves our spiritual and our physical health!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 15, pp. 455-456
August 2, 1984

By Mike Willis

One of the areas in which Christianity and heathen ethics is in conflict is with reference to sexual conduct. That heathen ethic is gaining a greater percentage of the population than Christianity is seen in what conduct is displayed on television and in the movies. Sexual activity is frequently portrayed on television. Nothing is too intimate to be barred from television; television producers and actor have no sense of shame. The sexual activity which is portrayed or intimated is most frequently fornication or adultery; rarely is sexual activity intimated within the legitimate family relationship of husband and wife.

The stance of heathen ethics is reflected by the direct statement of humanism. The Humanist Manifesto II stated:

In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression(1), neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered “evil.” Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one (p. 18).

As this concept toward sexual activity becomes more widely accepted, th society in which we live will look with greater approval at fornication homosexuality, adultery, pornography, and prostitution. Christians will b, looked upon as prudes, out of touch and step with these modern times. Our children will be subjected to ridicule and temptation in this area with mor intensity than most of us faced as adolescents. We need to be reminded o the teachings of God’s word regarding sexual conduct.

The Conduct Of An Immoral Woman

The book of Proverbs contains the instructions of a father to his son. Repeatedly, the writer urges his son to listen to the wisdom and instruction of his father and mother. In several of the early chapters, the father warns his son of the dangers which an evil woman presents (2:16-19; 5:1-23; 6:24-35; 9:13-18). His repeated warnings remind us of what a danger sexual sin is for young people.(2) Although the Proverbs are written from the point of view of a father warning his son of the dangers of an immoral woman, the lesson are just as applicable when understood from the point of view of a mother warning her daughter of the dangers of an immoral man.

1. An immoral woman uses flattery. “For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil” (Prov. 5:3) She “flattereth with her words” (Prov. 2:16; 6:24). “With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him” (7:21). An evil woman who is seeking to seduce a man and an evil man which is trying to seduce a maiden uses flattery and smooth, sweet talk to lure the victim.

2. She flirts with her eyes. The wise man warned the young man not to allow the evil woman to “take thee with her eyelids” (6:25). Without a word being spoken, a young woman can indicate her willingness to participate through “body language.”

3. She draws attention to her body by her dress. The wise man warned the young man not to “lust after her beauty in thine heart” (6:25) and indicated that she would wear the “attire of an harlot” (7:10).

4. She is forward and bold. The evil woman has laid aside the reserved demeanor characteristic of a godly woman who has shamefacedness and modesty. “She is loud and stubborn” (7:11). “So she caught him, and kissed him, and with impudent face said . . . . ” (7:13). Notice the bold, unreserved and forward character displayed by the immoral woman.

5. She has no commitment to her marriage bond. She is ready to “forsake the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God” (2:17). The “guide of her youth” is her husband; the “covenant of her God” is the marriage covenant.(3) The fact that an immoral woman is married means nothing to her. If she desires to have an affair with another man, she is willing to turn her back on her previous commitment in favor of another man.

Reasons To Avoid The Evil Woman

Having described the conduct of the immoral woman, the wise man listed a number of reasons why the young man should avoid her. Here are some of them:

1. It is difficult to quit practicing the sin. “None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life” (2:19). Those who have tasted the forbidden fruit will return to it again and again. To bring the adulterer and fornicator to repentance is nearly impossible. They “shall be holden with the cords of his sin” (5:22).

2. The end result of this conduct is bitter. “For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead . . . . But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell” (2:18; 5:4-5). What seemed like pleasure at the beginning ends up in anguish, bitterness and sorrow. Laying aside the eternal aspects of the sin, the temporal aspects of a relationship with an immoral woman are enough reason to avoid her. She will be no more faithful to one man than another. She will dump you just as quickly as she dumped another to be with you.

3. One gives his honor, strength, and wealth to strangers. “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: lest thou give thine honor unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labors be in the house of a stranger” (5:8-10). “The meaning of the verse is that a life of impurity transfers the profligate’s substance, his wealth and possessions, to others, who will be satiated at his expense, and, being strangers, are indifferent to his ruin.”(4) The clothes, jewelry, and money which are given to an immoral woman are thrown away. She has no loyalty to her benefactor. She will dump you and keep your substance.

4. He contacts social diseases. “And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed” (5:11). Associating with the ungodly, immoral woman will bring social diseases which will destroy the body.

5. He will have mental anguish as he remembers his rejection of divine instruction. As the ungodly sits with his head in his hand reaping his harvest after sowing to the flesh, he will remember the warnings given to him “and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!” (5:12-13).

6. He will suffer the problems of jealousy. When a man commits adultery with another’s wife or girl friend, he must deal with the rage of an offended person. “For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts” (6:34-35). Those who run with the immoral frequently find themselves dealing with an enraged boy friend who wants to settle the score.

Eternal Consequences

Having described the temporal results of sexual immorality, let us also be reminded that sexual immorality has eternal results. “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings” (5:21). “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbor’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent” (6:27-29). Fornication is one of the sins which keeps a person out of heaven (Gal. 5:19-21).

Conclusion

Whatever attitude our society might develop toward sexual activity does not change God’s law on the matter. Sexual activity outside the marriage bed is sinful, a violation of God’s eternal law. If all of the world decides that homosexuality is a legitimate alternative life style, premarital sexual activity is acceptable and prepares one for marriage, and extra-martial sexual activity might help a marriage, Christians must realize that they are not going to be judged on the basis of what the world thinks but on the basis of what God says! Let those who respect God and His word be careful to avoid becoming involved in sexual sins.

Endnotes

1. Humanists state their opposition to exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression but do not explain why exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression are wrong. Is humanism manifesting an “intolerant attitude” when opposing exploitive, denigrating sexual expression! is humanism an “orthodox religion” or pan of a “puritanical culture” which unduly limits legitimate sexual expression when it opposes “exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression”? What one humanist labels “exploitive, denigrating” is just another humanists’ personal preference! Humanism is most inconsistent in this area.

2. What is happening among preachers, elders, deacons, Bible class teachers and others reminds us that the sin is not limited to the young people. Husbands and wives who have been married for 15-25 years are divorcing each other in order to seek another companion. Hence, the lesson of Proverbs are as applicable to us older sons and daughters as to younger sons and daughters.

3. Compare Jesus’ statement that God joins two together in marriage (Matt. 19:6).

4. W.J. Deane, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. IX, p. 110.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 15, pp. 450, 471
August 2, 1984

By Irven Lee

When we read the Bible, we should read with special interest because of the depth of wisdom that is there for us. The doctrine of Christ can be a blessing in any community and to any individual if there is an eagerness to learn and apply the teaching. His message is precious for any attentive student anywhere in the world in any century. This is true because the message is from our Creator who knows our need. Its universal application is proof of the divine origin of the word.

Christians are to be watchful or vigilant. One way to look around and see what is going on is to read about what others are doing. I get several papers that are published by men or churches that have their recreational centers and support some of the big central collecting and spending agencies. Some churches are publishing books of sermons. The fact that churches are publishing books interests me, but the content of some of these books interests me very much. Many of these papers and the sermons in these books are very able presentations of truth on many different subjects. Much Scripture is used in these lessons. There seems to be sincere earnestness and an eager desire to arouse all to the seriousness of our responsibility. The writings I have seen lately are not promoting the “bus ministry” craze or even referring to their “family life” buildings. Neither are they telling of the wonderful accomplishments of Herald of Truth or of their merit in building institutional homes for orphans and the aged. Topics they deal with are denominational error, worldliness and indifference among members, and of the need for more workers with knowledge, courage, and determination to spread the truth. They may have a whole book of sermons without one cutting remark about “anti-cooperationists” or about us under any other title. This reading interests me very much and leaves me wondering where we go from here. Some of their radio sermons interest me also.

The hate and bitterness of two or three decades ago built up a wall that is both sound proof and opaque. People on that side of the wall may hardly know we are over here. We must put forth some effort to know what is going on over there. When I hear that some “Church of Christ” has won a soft ball game it played with the “Church of God,” I have little desire to attend worship services at either place. It then amazes me to hear that the “pulpit minister” at that church has an excellent knowledge of the Bible and preaches the truth very effectively. These better preachers among them may be losing their zeal for these unscriptural carnal additions. It would not be easy to get them to defend in public debate the very things that brought about the pathetic division and built the wall between us.

The bus ministry, picnics, games, and steak suppers brought growth to many churches where preachers were skilled as entertainers, but this growth was cancerous. Such unhealthy growth left these churches very sick in many cases. Maybe the promoters of the bus ministry have had treatment in mental health clinics or maybe the bankers from the banks where the churches do business talked to them. It may be that the wild behavior of children brought in by the excitement of bus trips to Opryland or Six Flags, stops by the ice cream store, and cash prizes hidden under the bus seats scared parents who wanted their children to have reverence. Something, whatever it was, seems to have gotten through to these sensational promoters. they seem to be quiet now as far as I know.

Some of the churches never did buy buses, build kitchens, or organize ball teams. They just gave to Herald of Truth, some orphan home, or to some sponsoring church that had assumed the oversight of preachers in some foreign country. They were also taught to say “fanatics,” “trouble makers,” and “antis” when referring to those thus labeled by some of the influential editors and preachers. In their preaching, some never made so much change.

Some preachers became defenders of denominationalism rather than of the faith. They copied the teaching of Calvinistic commentaries and modernistic protestants until they now are a part of the crowd. They are even changing the marks of identity on the signboards in front of their buildings. They are gone. Any comments about their parents and former brethren are critical. Papers they send out should be sent to the Baptists or Presbyterians because they would be more acceptable to them.

A few men ran backward past Jerusalem and on to Jericho. So many of their scruples are made laws that they find very few followers. It is a long way from this position of these ultra strict people to the sons and daughters of church members who have become defenders of modern Protestantism, which no longer protests. No bridge will ever span this gulf. The church grew rapidly during the depression years and the war years, but there came a sort of explosion about thirty years ago. Former brethren were scattered in all directions. The Christ was put to an open shame (Heb. 6:6).

I have written to a few of my old school mates who write good articles and send their papers to me. The usual response is absolute silence. No answer is returned. I have sent copies of my book, Preaching In A Changing World, and asked them to point out errors in it. No response comes from this request, either. On a few occasions I have found men who would preach on some subject like benevolence or the sponsoring church immediately after I have preached on the same subject. The two of us would preach on the same subject to the same audience on the same night. Audiences on such occasions have been large, courteous, and attentive.

It may be that many individuals will return to the old paths. Some have returned, including some whole congregations. The only satisfactory way for us to get together is by teaching and conversion. Evidently, the more conservative among- them are not far away. They would not have to make many changes to be much appreciated brethren among us.

The apostasy of the Herald of Truth opens the way back. Some have lost all respect for this expensive project. Now that colleges can appeal to churches for money without opposition, the keen drive to build institutional homes for the aged and orphans has ended. The “homes” that are in existence generally have large amount on savings. They are quiet.

A word to devout young Christians may be in order. They need to be well informed on the principles that are involved lest they be deceived. With much patience they may reach a few. It will not be easy because so many have been taught to be blind and deaf to us. Social ties will make it very hard for any who decide they should reject the things that are without scriptural authority. The sermons and articles that are true to the book and evidently common among them give some room for hope. Compromise is no good solution to any problem. Good sermons from heretics may do much harm.

A word of caution is very much in order. Young people who have grown up since the digression of thirty years ago may visit the churches that practice several unscriptural or unauthorized things, but they may hear a few good sermons and suppose that all is well. First they should notice the announcements and look at the financial report. Is that church going beyond the doctrine of Christ? (See 2 John 9-11). If it has already added a few things, it may add others any time. If it does not hesitate to go beyond that which is written it is already in trouble. See that you walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15). Beliefs, attitudes, and practices will have to change before they are in the safe way. Preachers of the Christian Church may no longer preach on instrumental music, but it still practices it and many other unscriptural things.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 15, pp. 464-465
August 2, 1984

By Hoyt Houchen

Question: Please give your understanding of 1 Corinthians 7. 10, 11. I do not feel that Paul meant that one has the right to separate just because he does not want to live with his spouse any longer.

Reply: In this section of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, he is dealing with some matters about which the Corinthian brethren had written to him (7:1). Specifically, he is dealing with some inquiries regarding the marriage relationship.

The verses under consideration read: “But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife” (1 Cor. 7: 10,11).

This is a direct simple charge from the Lord. The wife is not to depart from her husband. This is the general rule which is explicitly laid down and must be obeyed. The idea is that marriage was never intended to be on a “trial” basis, separation allowed for any reason upon which the parties may agree. The seriousness of marriage is emphasized. Two people have made a commitment to each other for life and these vows are to be honored. A wife who simply decides to walk out on her husband and no longer fulfill her marriage contract is forbidden to do so in these verses. The wife is not to depart from her husband.

The first part of the next sentence is parenthetical, (“but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband”) and then follows the rest of the verse, “and that the husband leave not his wife.” The general teaching of not separating applies to the husband as well as the wife. It is “a two way street.” Jesus had repeated what is said in Genesis 2:24 when He asked, “Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?” (Matt. 19:4,5). So, the parallel of this basic principle of marriage is simple. The wife is not to depart from her husband and the husband is not to depart from his wife.

The parenthetical clause of verse eleven presents an exception, but Paul in no way is encouraging separation without a cause. Marriage is not always without difficulties; but, when both marriage partners are Christians, they have a common tie. They are both children of God, who can pray together and have the word of God to guide them. When each partner has the proper attitude, problems of the most difficult kind can be solved. Too many married couples fail to respect the teaching of God’s word on marriage. They either fail or refuse to recognize that marriage is for as long as both shall live. “For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth . . .” (Rom. 7:2). So, the exception in the parenthetical clause of verse eleven is to the basic or general principle of marriage. If, for instance, the marriage should reach such incompatibility (severe physical abuse, etc.) that it could no longer be peaceful and harmonious, one may resort to departing; or both parties may agree to separate. However, separation itself does not give either one a scriptural right to remarry. To simply separate and remarry would constitute adultery. The marriage is not dissolved by mere separation. Civil law allows divorce and remarriage for incompatibility and other causes than adultery, however Jesus gave but one exception: “And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery” (Matt. 19:9). In the event of separation, Paul declares, “let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband” (1 Cor. 7:11). She is not to marry someone else. The same applies, of course, to the husband. It is either live a single life or be reconciled.

The idea of the two verses (1 Cor. 7:10, 11) is not to condone the idea of separation simply because one marriage partner decides that he does not wish to continue living with the other. Many marriages fail because couples first think about separation as the solution to their problems instead of first trying to work out their problems and be reconciled. Every effort should be made to continue the marriage, and separation should be only the last resort after all efforts of reconciliation have failed. If this procedure were followed, no doubt many more marriages could be saved.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 15, p. 453
August 2, 1984