Truth Magazine

By Irven Lee

The servants of Satan use cunning craftiness as they lie in wait to deceive (Eph. 4:11-14). This is one reason that teachers of the truth need to be strong. It is not easy to stop the mouths of false teachers, but this ought to be done (Tit. 1:9-11). If the servant of the Lord does not bring his own body into subjection and maintain a great faith, his own sins will aid the enemies of the Lord. Paul warned 6f this danger day and night with tears (Acts 20:28-31).

The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering (Heb. 2: 10). He was tempted in all points as we are, and He could not have been the Savior if He had been weak. He is looking for soldiers who will put on the whole armor and exercise their senses to discern between good and evil (Eph. 6:10-20; Heb. 5:12-14). The Christian is given good weapons, but there are some strongholds to be destroyed, and only the mighty are capable of fighting the good fight. (Read 2 Cor. 10: 1-6; 1 Tim. 1: 18; 2 Tim. 4:7,8.)

A strong Christian may be in a wheel chair. Physically he may suffer much from some thorn in the flesh. In fact, some good wholesome lessons may be learned from these trials that may strengthen him spiritually (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Certain parallels may be drawn between the true Christian and the soldier or the great athlete, but Christ leads His army in conflict against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12). A wicked person who is marching with the Lord’s army is actually an enemy in the ranks. Only a few qualify for the Lord’s spiritual army. Some profess with their mouths to be with Him, but their hearts are far from Him (Matt. 15:8).

Fornicators, drunkards, thieves, and such like cannot inherit the kingdom. Heaven is not for them. (See 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-9; Rev. 21:8.) A man who steals could hardly be expected to be a powerful influence against dishonesty. An adulterer is not the teacher the Lord wants to uphold the stability of marriage (Rom. 2:21-24). Immoral church members cause the world to blaspheme the church. The church should put away any such wicked member from its number (I Cor. 5:1-13). A little unholy leaven tends to leaven the whole lump.

Some believe for a while and then fall away (Luke 8:13). The love of the world destroyed Demas (2 Tim. 4:10). The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life entangle and overcome many in our generation. (Read 1 John 2:15,16; 2 Peter 2:19,20.) It never ceases to harm the church for teachers to be found who are thieves, drunkards, or fornicators. Have you known prominent church members to be found guilty? Have you observed the harm? Some preachers have lost their faith, and others have lost their good name. Their loss is great, and it is serious to cause others to stumble (2 Pet. 1:1; Prov. 22:1; Matt. 15:6).

“Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). Even people who make great sacrifices in this life for Christ receive a hundred fold now in this time and eternal life in the world to come (Mark 10:28-30). “The way of transgressors is hard” (Prov. 14:15). It is not evident that those who sow to the flesh must reap corruption (Gal. 6:7,8)? Be sure your sins will find you out for the Lord will see to that (Num. 32:23). Believing these facts could protect us all. Understanding these things could make us strong.

Danger of Evil Companions

Beware of evil companions because they do have a corrupting effect (1 Cor. 15:33). Some young preachers have sat at the feet of infidels in modernistic universities to learn to preach. There is great danger there. Servants of corruption have allured some through the lust of the flesh (2 Pet. 2:18-22). All of us need to be among those who can encourage others daily lest we be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:12,13). Sin is deceitful, so “be not deceived” is good advice.

Peter was very confident about his faith and loyalty to the Lord, but he failed the test (Matt. 26:33-75). One is protected by humility and an awareness of his own littleness. Pride and overconfidence prepare one for a fall. Beware of the thought that “it won’t happen to me.”

God looks on the heart because He knows that deeds come forth from that source. (Read 1 Sam. 16:7; Matt. 12:3437; Mark 7:20-23; Prov. 23:7.) If we would keep ourselves pure we should guard our hearts because the thoughts precede the deeds. The evil thought is sin, but it can lead to more sin. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).

Regular Study of The Bible

When the Master faced special temptations He answered each one with a direct quotation from the Scripture. A careful study of the whole armor for the Christian will make it clear that knowledge of and proper use of the Scripture make up the defensive armor, and this word is the only offensive weapon. It is easy to see why the psalmist could say: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11). Those who meditate on His word day and night are blessed with spiritual strength. If the heart is full of the word it will not be full of lust.

Righteousness is a very positive matter. There are, of course, many things that are forbidden by the Lord, but the perfect law also assigns good things to be done. The breastplate of righteousness is a wonderful part of the defensive armor. The fiery darts of the wicked one do not pierce a good breastplate. The one who thinks and talks about the will of God and seeks to obey it will be delivered from evil. “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46.) Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). The preacher or other teacher who becomes a fornicator has not been thinking enough about things that are lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise.

Cost of Sin

Let the Christian who is tempted stop immediately and count the cost of sin. The pleasure of sin is but for a season, but the scars that are left may be permanent. Does any one suppose that the alcoholic or drug addict is happier than the sober person or that the adulterer is happier than the faithful marriage companion? God knows what is best for us, and His counsel is “for our good always” (Deut. 6:24). The terrible cost is passed along to children of the guilty party, the marriage partner, the church, the partner in guilt, and the family.. Stop and count the cost and stand amazed. Sin becomes repulsive to one who does.

It is alarming that so many are falling into unfaithfulness after years of active service in the church. This does not prove that all that service was hypocritical. David had a good record in the sight of God before he sinned with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). That does not indicate that his sins were not grievous. (See Psalm 5 1.) Sin is failure to serve God.

Sin can be forgiven, but the effects may continue over the years. The bird with the broken wing may never fly as high again. How can one expect the brethren to pass over the unholy deed without notice? God knows when there is genuine repentance, but we may not. Pilate could not wash the blood off his hands. If a man has stood before an audience again and again as a gospel preacher and the people learn that he has been involved in immorality, it may be that his “I’m sorry” will not remove all doubt. People can be sorry they were caught. If they have been living a double life there will be questions in the minds of some in the future. We may not all forgive as we should. Those who are guilty will find that it takes a long time to prove themselves.

It has been over fifty years since I saw a certain young preacher cheating in his history class. This preacher is not young any more, but I remembered when I heard him preach several years ago. I am not boasting about my attitude. I am confessing that seeing him would bring the picture back to my mind of his almost standing to see the paper of a good student who was two seats away from him. Several other people may be a little like me in this way. “A good man is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Prov. 22:1).

People can have an influence without its being a wholesome influence. Unrighteous people can encourage unrighteousness in others. This is obvious, but to effectively encourage righteousness the teacher must be righteous. Satan can use his own ungodly servants to have an ungodly influence, and he can place some among the servants of righteousness. We remember the Savior’s remark about wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15). Let every servant of the Lord that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Cor. 10: 12).

I am asked what I think is the big problem that the church will face in the future. Worldliness is a perpetual problem. There may be special dangers lurking in the unseen future. In general terms we can say that unbelief, worldliness, and doctrinal errors are the big problems generation after generation. The popular doctrines about us and the popular sins in the world tend to come right on into the church.

Immodesty, vulgarity, alcohol, violence, and greed or covetousness to the point of idolatry are very conspicuous in the world. Expect these things to be in the church. America entertains itself by watching the sins just mentioned on the television screen. When divorce became so common among entertainers and in their dramatic performances, the church began to suffer much from the same evils. There is that ever present tendency to conform. The love of the world is in conflict with the will of God, but it obviously gets into many hearts.

It is not easy to convert men to Christ in our materialistic and ungodly world. The need for laborers is very great to turn the tide toward a reformation in America. It is sad to see one disciple after another entangled and overcome through the lusts of the flesh. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:12,13).

Unbelief may be the “besetting sin” back of the crime wave in America and the heartbreaking downfall of so many Christians. The Spirit has revealed that the unrighteous shall not inherit the eternal blessings, but people do not tremble at the thought. Men who are weak in the faith do not abhor sin. The hunter may need to keep his gun loaded. The Christian needs to have a great faith.

The television networks are directed to a great extent by secular humanists who are atheists. They seem to be about as determined to destroy faith as they are to encourage the sex revolution’. Evolution dominates many of the programs that are not given to violence and lusts. What shall the end be? Who will fight a good fight? “Keep thyself pure.”

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 1, pp. 2, 25-26
January 5, 1984

By Mike Willis

This issue of Guardian of Truth is devoted to the problem of immorality among preachers, elders, deacons, and Bible class teachers, which seems to be occurring with greater frequency each year. I cannot say that we are glad to bring this special issue to you. The truth of the matter is that I am ashamed of the ungodliness among those who claim to be spiritual leaders which has necessitated this issue of Guardian of Truth.

There is rarely a month that goes by but that I hear of some preacher, elder, deacon, song leader, or Bible class teacher who has been guilty of fornication or adultery (which generally leads to divorce and remarriage). Among those who have fallen into this sin are some whom I have respected for many years. The staff of Guardian of Truth has not escaped unscathed. What has been occurring in our society at large has spilled over into the church, spiritually destroying, not only weak members, but many of our leaders as well.

This issue of Guardian of Truth is designed to help overcome the problem of immorality among those who are serving the Lord, both in a public and private capacity. The writers for this special issue are older, mature men of faith and wisdom. They have displayed in their lives the ability to resist the temptation to be involved in these kinds of sin. Some of them have experienced first-hand the heartache which involvement in sins of immorality brings (some of their own family have been guilty of the very sins which they abhor).

Those who enter the role of public service among God’s people have an extra responsibility to be sure that they conduct themselves in a manner that is above reproach. We should so walk that “the ministry be not blamed” (2 Cor. 6:3). When Paul collected funds for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem, he made every effort to conduct himself in a manner that was above reproach. He wrote, “. . . avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor. 8:20-21). Teachers of the word “receive the greater condemnation” (Jas. 3:1). Consequently, it is absolutely imperative that gospel preachers, elders, deacons, Bible class teachers, song leaders, and others who serve in a public capacity conduct themselves in such a manner that “the ministry be not blamed.”

This series of articles calls our minds to the impact which a public servant’s sin has on the church, community, his own family, and his reputation. Material is provided to encourage each of us to be feeding habitually his own spirit to prevent falling victim to this sin. Some of the common pitfalls into which brethren are falling are discussed with suggestions being given for how to avoid them. Advice is given regarding how to put the pieces back together again once one has fallen into sin. Hopefully this material will help keep others from falling. If nothing else, it will call our attention to the magnitude of the problem.

There are occasions when an innocent brother or sister suffers because of ungodliness on the part of his mate. For this reason, I have asked a divorced, preaching brother to write on this subject. He is writing anonymously at my request, not his own. To the best of my knowledge, this brother is doing his best to rebuild his reputation which has been damaged because of the apostasy of his wife. Having gone through the crucible which one involved in this must endure, I thought that his words would be helpful to encourage those who might have to face similar problems. Those guilty of sin need to be reminded that God’s grace is sufficient to forgive any and every sin. If God could find room for penitent David to serve in his Kingdom after his sin with Bathsheba, he can find room for any other person to serve after his sin. We need to be aware of the spiritual needs of a penitent brother who is trying to rebuild his life. Paul wrote regarding the penitent fornicator at Corinth, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2 Cor. 2:6-7). If being swallowed up in over-much sorrow poses a danger for the penitent guilty party, the danger of overmuch sorrow must rest also upon the innocent from whom everyone has withdrawn because they cannot judge what has caused the marriage to go sour. The article by this brother should cause each of us to reconsider how we treat brothers and sisters who are going through a divorce.

Though I doubt that any of us will enjoy these articles, I do hope that each of us will profit from them. I wish that a copy of this special issue of Guardian of Truth could be placed in the hands of every gospel preacher, elder, deacon, Bible class teacher, song leader, man who serves in a public capacity (announcements, Lord’s table, prayer, etc.), and in the hands of the wife of each of these men. Let none of us be so arrogant that he thinks that this material is not relevant to him. Paul wrote, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Rather, let us be on guard to avoid the temptations of the devil.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 1, pp. 1, 26
January 5, 1984

By Mackey W. Harden

Alexander the Great; Napoleon Bonaparte; George Washington; Abraham Lincoln; Winston Churchill; Douglas McArthur; Dwight David Eisenhower; they all had something in common – they were all great leaders. The annals of World History are replete with these and more; men who possessed outstanding qualities as leaders. When we who are Americans reflect on the history of our great country, we are proud and feel so privileged in having had men as Founding Fathers who were indeed great and notable leaders. Had it not been for men of this stature we might not be the greatest country in the world, enjoying the freedoms we now have. We are certainly privileged above all people in the world.

Those of us who are citizens of an even greater kingdom, the kingdom of Christ, are privileged to have even a more notable Leader, Jesus Christ. While the aforementioned men were great leaders in regard to certain portions of American and World History, they do not begin to compare to the great leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ. He left the resplendent glories of heaven and came down to this earth; He went to the cross and died there so mankind might be redeemed from the power of the Devil and released from the bondage of sin. Jesus, our Great Leader, says, “Follow me” (cf. Mt. 4:17-22; 9:9; Jn. 1:37, 43, etc.).

There is a word in the Greek language that is used in reference to our great Leader, Jesus Christ. This word, archegos, connotes leadership, and is employed in the New Testament no less than four times. Through our study of this word in Scripture, those of us who are Christians should rejoice in that we have such a great Leader to follow, Jesus the Son of God.

Prince Of Life

The book of Acts records two of the four occasions where the word archegos is found (3:15; 5:31). The first eleven verses of Acts chapter 3, relate the story of Peter and John performing a miracle on the man who was lame from birth. As this trio entered the temple, the people were amazed at what had transpired. Peter took advantage of their interest, preaching them a sermon about Jesus whom they had crucified, by whom this very miracle was made possible. “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you,- and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses” (Acts 3:14-15). The word “prince” in verse 15 is from the Greek archegos. Thayer’s Lexicon says this: “leading, furnishing the first cause or occasion . . . . 1. the chief leader, prince: of Christ, Acts V. 31. ” How privileged we are – Christ is the Chief Leader of life, of eternal life! Peter said just a short time later, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:30-31).

Captain Of Our Salvation

The Hebrew writer said: “But-we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:9-10). Christ is the “captain” of our salvation, and thankful indeed we should be for such a wonderful Leader! W.E. Vine defines the word captain in verse 10: “archegos, primarily signifies one who takes a lead in or provides the first occasion of, anything …. the word suggests a combination of the meaning of leader with that from whence a thing proceeds.” Christ is the captain of our salvation, being made such because of His completeness, brought about through His suffering and death. “. . . And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . . And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:8-11; cf. also Heb. 5:8-9).

Author And Finisher Of The Faith

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2). The word “author” found in verse 2 comes from the Greek archegos, which has already been defined to denote leading. The verse states that Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith.” The word “our” has been supplied by the translators. The context, and other versions, indicate that Jesus is the author and finisher of the faith – the system of faith (cf. Acts 6:7; 13:8; Gal. 1:23; 3:23; Jude 3). The word “finisher” is also of vital importance. From the Greek teleites it is defined by Robert Milligan in his commentary on Hebrews: “it means a completer, perfecter, finisher; one who brings any scheme or enterprise to its full and perfect consummation. ” What a blessed privilege is ours in having such a leader and perfecter of the faith as Jesus Christ!

King Of Kings, Lord Of Lords

The temporal kingdoms of the world will no doubt continue to be led by great leaders, as in centuries gone by, but none can compare to the greatest Leader of all times, Jesus the Christ. He is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16; 17:14). How privileged Christians are to be followers of the Prince of life, the Captain of our salvation, and the Author and Finisher of the faith. Paul told Timothy how to conduct himself “unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.- which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords . . . . to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen” (cf. 1 Tim. 6:12-16).

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 20, pp. 632-633
October 20, 1983

By Ron Halbrook

The original Gospel Guardian was short lived, consisting of only eight issues from October of 1935 through June of 1936, but its call for sound doctrine rang loud and clear, far and wide. The editor was Foy E. Wallace, Jr. (1896-1979), who turned the subscription list over to the Firm Foundation in the summer of 1936. From 1939 through early 1949 Wallace-edited the Bible Banner, with much of the load being carried by Roy E. Cogdill during the last three years. In May of 1949 the new Gospel Guardian commenced through the consultation and cooperation of Wallace, Cogdill, and Yater Tant. Finally, in January of 1981 the journal joined hands with Truth Magazine under the banner Guardian of Truth. The call for sound doctrine, loud and clear, far and wide, still goes out!

Someone has compared the gospel journal to a blackboard – it is a place for the gospel preacher to write. The paper is no better or worse, no more helpful or harmful, than the individual Christians who write in it. Gospel preachers and papers should emphasize the spiritual nature of the gospel (it is a message for saving souls in eternity, not for social and political reform) and the spiritual work of the local church (the work is to establish saints in the gospel and to convert sinners to the gospel). The Gospel Guardian’s power for good can be seen in its emphasis upon purity in faith and practice, the spiritual nature of the gospel, and the spiritual work of the church. Those themes were written large and often on the pages of the Gospel Guardian – and need constant emphasis in the Guardian of Truth.

C.A. Norred sounded the needed theme in an article entitled “A Homily on Benevolences,” which appeared in the Gospel Guardian, Vol. 2, No. 3 (Mar.-Apr. 1936), p. 39. At the article’s head appeared the following words in large print: “The Evils of Begging Created a Multitude of Eleemosynary Institutions Established by the State and Sustained by Revenues Derived from Taxation. The Church Is Not Divinely Pledged to Public Material Benevolence; It Is Not a Glorified Relief Agency; Its Resources Relate to Spiritual Values and Lie in the Realm of True Benevolence.” Norred expressed “The Mission of the Church” beautifully in the excerpt reproduced below:

But what is the church to do in the field of benevolences? When we not only encounter the everpresent call of the needy but fall under the influence of epidemics, and general calamities – what shall we do? Is the church to have no part in general benevolence? We should do well just here to take notice of the truth that the church is not divinely pledged to public material benevolence. To say the very least that could be said, the church of the New Testament period lived in the midst of catastrophes and general calamities as numerous and pressing as we experience today. Yet if the church ever undertook to function in the field of public benevolence the fact is not stated in the inspired record. Also, it must be admitted that we are without the general machinery necessary to such a general function. The individual therefore who would employ the church in the field of public benevolences undertakes a work for which there is no inspired example and for which there exists no divinely approved machinery.

And, secondly, we should bear in mind that we are called to a benevolence supremely above that possible with this poor world. When the world gives its silver and gold it has given all it has to give. It may fill the hungry mouth, it may cover the shivering frame with warming garment, and it may work the hope of a well-fed and comfortable tomorrow – but this, in very large measure, is all it can do. But the church of God can break the bread of life to those who perish spiritually, it can clothe with the garments of a likeness of Christ, and it can fill the heart with the peace that passeth knowledge and a hope of life where life is life indeed. Ours then is the true benevolence, a benevolence in the real values of life.

This field of true benevolence is worthy of our most serious consideration and thoughtful discrimination. In times of distress and major disaster the world is quick to turn to the church for things of material sustenance. And such is easily understood; for the world thinks very largely in terms of food and raiment, even as the multitudes at Capernaum sought Jesus that they might again have bread to eat. And it is disappointing to find even some Christians falling victim to the notion that the church is a glorified relief agency. To be sure, we may share our bread with the hungry and our covering with the needy – but this is regulated by distinct statute; but we have a ministry far beyond this poor field. And it is in this higher field that our real resources should be looso. Silver and gold are not our gifts to bestow but such as we have, and our resources relate to spiritual values, we can give in profusion and unto eternal life.

Ours is the true benevolence!

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 20, pp. 632-633
October 20, 1983