Truth Magazine

By Mackey W. Harden

“Coaches Beware” was the caption of a recent article in the Family Weekly section of a local newspaper. An accompanying photograph displayed a basketball coach with both fists tightly clenched, and his mouth wide open in the middle of a yell. The essence of the article was to reveal the danger of stress placed on football and basketball coaches during a game. Dr. Phillip Allsen, a professor of physical education at Brigham Young University, said that “the heart rate of head coaches during the games averages almost 100 percent above the average resting heart rate.” Dr. Allsen was issuing a warning for head coaches to beware of stress during a game. He goes on to warn, “If the stress on the heart is not dealt with, it could easily lead to a serious heart attack.”

If you and I were to walk through our neighborhood, chances are very good that we would encounter at least one fenced yard with a sign that says, “Beware, Bad Dog!” This would inform us that we need to be very cautious because of a bad dog that could be dangerous. Those who read our electric meters, and those who deliver our mail have dealt with this problem for years. When they see a sign that says to beware of a bad dog, they know it means to be very careful.

The word beware is also one that is used extensively in the Bible. From the Greek language there are three words that are translated beware in the New Testament. We again appeal to W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. “1. Blepo, to see, is applied to mental vision and is sometimes used by way of warning to take heed against an object. 2. Prosecho, to turn one’s mind or attention to a thing by being on one’s guard against it. 3. Phulasso, to guard, watch, keep, is used in the Middle Voice, of being on one’s guard against” (all emphasis mine, mwh).

From this information we see that when the Bible tells us to beware, we need to be warned of ensuing danger so that we might be on guard against it. Let’s turn our attention now to the Scriptures, and notice some specific warnings of things (and people) we need to beware of.

(1) Lest We Forget God. In Deut. 6:10-25, the children of Israel are warned against disobedience to God. As they are encamped on the Plains of Moab ready to enter the Land of Promise, God, through Moses, renewed His covenant with them. The primary reason for the forty years of wilderness wandering, was because they had forgotten God and His commandments. Moses warns this new generation by saying, “Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage” (Dent. 6:12; also cf. 8:11-20). Even though this warning is thousands of years old, we in the twentieth century should beware lest we forget God.

(2) False Prophets. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mt. 7:15f). This stern warning comes from our Savior in the Sermon on the Mount. He tells us that we should be on our guard and take heed of the false prophets, or teachers. The reason for this is because they will come in “sheep’s clothing,” which means they will conceal their true nature, and act as though they were truly inspired prophets. The Lord goes on to say that we can know them by the things which they teach. We need to beware of anyone who proclaims the word of God, and do as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. The Bible says of these people, “. . . they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

(3) Men. When Jesus sent forth the apostles “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he told them certain things to beware of. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues . . .” (Mt. 10:16-17ff). The apostles were instructed to be on guard because of certain men they would come in contact with. These men would bring them before the rulers of the land, and would do detrimental things to them. Those of us today who preach and, teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, must likewise heed the warning to beware of men. As we venture forth in this world to preach Christ, we need to be on our guard against those who stand vehemently opposed to the Lord Jesus.

(4) Hypocrisy. Jesus said in Lk. 12:1, “. . . Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” The Pharisees were a sect of the Jews; and were very hypocritical and pretentious. They pretended to be religious, but in actuality they were fakes. They said one thing, and did another. In Matthew six, Jesus scolds them concerning their self-righteous deeds which they did “to be seen of men” (vv. 1-5). Again in Matthew twenty-three, Jesus directs His attention to the hypocritical Pharisees. The phrase, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,” is used at least seven times. ‘The Lord reveals His disdain for their hypocrisy, when he says in verse 28, “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Christians should be cautious against hypocrisy that may creep into our lives. We need to “practice what we preach.”

(5) Dogs, Evil Workers. The apostle Paul told the brethren at Philippi, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (Phil. 3:2). Paul is not telling them to be on guard against a literal dog. The word dogs is from the Greek word kuon, and Thayer defines it as, “a man of impure mind, an inpudent man.” Robinson says it is used figuratively in this passage, “where it is spoken of as Judaizing teachers.” These Judaizers were teaching that Christians must keep the Jewish ordinance of circumcision. These men possibly gave Paul more heartaches and anguish than any other one thing he had to deal with. Paul calls them evil workers, and warns the Philippians to be cautious because of their evil teachings.

(6) Lest Any Man Spoil You. To the church at Colossae Paul said, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8). He instructs Christians to be on guard and to be cautious, lest these false teachers spoil (pervert) them from the simplicity of the gospel. These men were seeking to do this by means of philosophy and vain deceit. Philosophy comes from philosophia, which “denotes the love and pursuit of wisdom” (Vine). Thus, these men were seeking to overthrow the gospel by their love for worldly wisdom. This is a problem that Christians of all time periods have had to deal with (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-2:16). Men who are advanced in worldly wisdom will deceive us, unless we are on our guard and very cautious of their subtle tactics (Cf. 2 Cor. 11:1-15). They will also appeal to the traditions of men. Beware brethren!

Truth Magazine XXIV: 42, pp. 679-680
October 23, 1980

By Keith Sharp

Professor Neal Buffaloe argued in public discussion that, if the Lord created the universe with “apparent age,” he deceived mankind into thinking the world is older than it actually is. This is an oft-repeated contention of evolutionists, such as Dr. Buffaloe. Is the assertion correct?

Suppose a highly trained engineer from the United States were to travel to a distant Pacific isle, peopled only by simple folk ignorant of modern technology. Imagine that he took with him highly sophisticated construction machinery and built a fine, enormous building of native material in a very brief time. Suppose that he then summoned the amazed inhabitants to view his handiwork, described to them in simple terms they could comprehend what he had done and even demonstrated the use of his machinery for them. Envision that these men to whom the engineer had spoken then wrote down for posterity what they had been told concerning the origin of this marvelous edifice. Suppose some of those of later generations, reading this report, reacted by claiming that, since by observed engineering processes with which they were familiar, the construction of such an edifice would take years, that the report of its erection was either erroneous or figurative. After all, they might argue, if the engineer built a building with “apparent age,” he would be attempting to deceive them.

The basic fallacy of these doubters would be that they judged the actions of one far more knowledgeable than they in terms of processes they had observed. The “apparent age” was only in terms of building techniques they knew, rather than in terms of those actually employed. How could the engineer be accused of deceiving them when he had revealed to them, so far as they were able to comprehend, how and how quickly he had completed the edifice? Besides, with their primitive construction methods, no amount of time would be sufficient to finish such a building.

The God of the universe, the great Engineer of the worlds, created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1), using means unfathomable by man (cf. Job 38-41). He revealed to Moses and others that this remarkable edifice was completed in six days (Genesis 1:1 – 2:3). He demonstrated to Moses and other inspired writers the supernatural power He possesses by means of miracles and explained as much about His divine power as ignorant men are capable of understanding. The inspired writers to whom God spoke penned for all subsequent generations the record of this creation. But many of our generation, in reading this inspired record, contend that, since by observed natural phenomena with which they are familiar the development of such a universe would take billions of years, that the Bible account of creation is either erroneous or figurative. After all, they assert, if God created a universe with “apparent age,” He would be attempting to deceive them.

The primary error of these infidels is that they judge an infinitely powerful and wise God in terms of naturally discoverable human knowledge. The “apparent age” is only in terms of observed natural processes, rather than in terms of the supernatural power really used. How could the Creator be accused of deceiving us when he made known, as well as we can comprehend, how and how quickly He created the worlds? And no amount of time is sufficient for the universe to come into being by natural processes.

Did God deceive man by creating a universe with “apparent age”? Hardly! There are simply some who are self-deceived (Rom. 1:18-25).

Truth Magazine XXIV: 42, pp. 678-679
October 23, 1980

By Earl Robertson

Recently the Gospel Advocate carried an article by Richard Black, in which he says, “When brethren endeavored a quarter-century ago to bind where God had not legislated, valiant soldiers met Anti-ism head on and it careened into death throes. Only a remnant operating underground remains. Victors, in some quarters, became enchanted with success to the extent that they now march under the banner: Anything goes! The philosophical, enigmatical errors of liberalism intended to sweep as a tide.”

Black, like others of his thinking, has the foolish notion that one can keep his cake and eat it, too. The brethren a quarter-century ago were not trying to bind where God had not bound; they were trying to get men like Black to cease and desist in spiritual efforts which transgressed the law of God (2 John 9). Those brethren could not abide within the word of God and at the same time cause the church of Christ to engage in the works they so strongly desired. They chose to go beyond the word of God and do as they pleased in the matter. When faithful men of God stood in the way and asked for Bible authority for churches of Christ to be so engaged in them, they received no verses from the word of God, but were simply called “Anti.” To be called such was not a proper response, and neither did it solve the problem created by the liberal. Others think, like Black, that liberalism conquered the plea of God’s men who stood crying for Bible to support the practice of the churches; that they went into “death throes”; that “only a remnant operating underground remains.” This is what Rubel Shelly thinks. (See Freed-Hardeman Lectures, 1970, p. 33.) But more knowledgeable men say, “A substantial number of churches have come to oppose such cooperative programs of evangelism as the Herald of Truth and the homes for orphans and aged, as they are presently organized . . . . This is the most serious division, numbers-wise, that churches of Christ have suffered” (Bill Humble, The Story of the Restoration, p. 74).

Liberalism’s problem now is, anything goes! How true it is! If one opposed the efforts of liberalism in the churches he would be an “Anti”! Perish the thought. They cannot stop the onward digressive march liberalism is making in the churches and they know it. Black is whistling in the dark. How much better to have stayed with the truth.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 42, p. 678
October 23, 1980

By Mike Willis

We are constantly reading about someone going somewhere to preach the gospel in some area where it is desperately needed. Without detracting from what these good men are doing in hard areas, I would like to suggest that there is a neglected mission field very nearby to many of us. I am referring to the home.

Many homes exist in which only one mate is a Christian. Other homes raise several children without any of them choosing to become a Christian. The number of children of Christians who are lost to the world is large enough that it should be alarming to every Christian. The rise in the number of divorces which are occurring in the families who are Christians and the number of serious family problems facing Christian families reminds us of the need of the gospel in the home. These evidences portray the “Christian home” as a neglected mission field.

Although there are many directions to go in applying these observations, I would like to primarily direct attention to the situation which exists when one marriage partner is a Christian and the other is not. We are reminded that Christianity is not revolutionary with reference to existing social arrangements; marriages are not destroyed because one person becomes a Christian and the other does not (I Cor. 7:12-24). However, there come times when a person, desiring to be obedient to the Lord, must choose between serving the Lord and holding on to his mate (Matt. 10:34-39). In cases where one marriage partner becomes a Christian and the other does not, what is the Christian to do?

The apostle Peter wrote the following instructions directed to this situation. He instructed Christian women regarding how they should conduct themselves toward their unbelieving husbands.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting tee hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement (1 Pet. 3:1-6).

Let us notice the following observations drawn from these verses.

1. These verses presuppose the study of God’s word. In the opening verse, Peter mentioned the failure of the attempt to convert the unbeliever with the word. I would suggest, first of all, that every person who is married to an unbeliever should begin by studying the word of God with him. I have frequently heard Christians warn people who came to visit them not to mention the Bible because the mate was not a Christian. A person might conclude that they are afraid that they might hear the gospel and become a Christian, judging by this conduct. If I were married to a non-Christian, I would want those who might have some influence over my mate to do what they could to teach her the gospel. Hence, if you are married to a non-Christian, begin by trying to teach the word of God to him.

2. Use the influence of a holy life. In the event that teaching the gospel does not have an impact on the non-Christian, the Christian mate has no right to use pressure to try to make the unbeliever obey the gospel. Withholding conjugal rights, pouting, and other forms of misconduct used to bring pressure on the unbeliever will only cause a deep resentment. The only influence which can be brought upon the unbeliever other than the teaching of the revealed word is the influence of a holy life. Consequently, Peter mentioned things which should be characteristic of the holy life of a Christian wife trying to influence her unbelieving companion.

a. Be in subjection. Becoming a Christian does not release the wife from her responsibility to be subject to her husband. All wives are commanded to be in subjection to their husbands (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22-23); hence, the same is required of the Christian wife married to a non-Christian husband. However, this is even more necessary for the Christian married to the unbeliever. She must so conduct herself that he sees the virtue of her life and desires to become a Christian. Refusal to be subject to her husband would be damaging to her attempts to convert her husband.

The subjection of the believer to the unbelieving husband needed to be stated for another reason. Frequently the believer is subjected to forms of abusive treatment because of her faith in God. The husband might blaspheme the Christ who died for us. He might impose hardships which make it difficult for her to assemble with the saints or in some other way make it difficult for her to serve her Lord. Nevertheless, she must be in subjection to her husband. These are not reasons for rebelling against God’s holy commandment to be subject to the husband.

b. Chaste conversation. The second thing which Peter commanded of the believing companion was chaste manner of life (conversation in the AV refers to manner of life and not merely one’s speech). The word from which chaste is translated means “pure from carnality, chaste, modest” and “pure from every fault, immaculate” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 8). Hence, the believing wife must be sure that her- conduct is above reproach.

She must be careful to maintain her-purity for her husband. Hence, she should dress in such a way that she does not call attention to her body (1 Tim. 2:9-10). She should not be a flirt or man chaser. She should not put herself in compromising situations which might make her husband suspicious or jealous. In every way, she should reserve herself sexually for her husband and him alone.

Her blameless conduct should also show itself in other aspects of her life. Her speech should be pure. Her house should be well-kept. She should prepare meals suitable to the budget and the man’s taste. In no way should she leave herself open to the criticism that she is spending all of her time at the church and leaving her responsibilities related to the home undone. In all of these matters, she should conduct herself above reproach.

c. Reverence the husband. Peter instructed that the wife should manifest “chaste conversation coupled with fear” (I Pet. 3:2). The word phobos is not referring to “terror” but to “reverence and respect.” The example of Sarah’s reverence for her husband Abraham, calling him “lord” (1 Pet. 3:6) demonstrates what Peter meant. The unbelieving husband should be respected.

Though there are cases in which a husband so abuses his wife that she cannot respect him, these cases are rare. In normal cases, the husband gets along with his wife in every respect except that he is not a Christian. The wife should respect such a man as this. He goes to work every day, brings home his pay-check for the family to use; he does not indulge his appetites by wasting his money on drinking, gambling, or wasteful luxuries. Such a man deserves the respect of his wife. The Christian wife should give the respect which is properly due such a man, not withholding it simply because he is not a Christian.

d. Limited emphasis on outward adorning. Peter commanded that the Christian wife should not place an undue emphasis on the outward appearance. Some have mistaken the construction of this verse to make it teach that this is an absolute prohibition of women wearing jewelry or plaiting the hair. If that is so, the same verse becomes an absolute prohibition against her wearing clothes, for all three are mentioned in the same list (1 Pet. 3:3)! Instead of that being what Peter is saying, he is emphasizing the need of not making these things one’s primary emphasis. John 6:27 contains a similar construction. There Jesus said, “Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life . . . .” Jesus was not commanding men not to work for a living; He was simply emphasizing the need for working for something more important than bread alone. That is exactly what Peter is saying in this verse.

The Christian woman should not place such an emphasis on the adorning of the body that the spirit is neglected. Some women chase after the things pertaining to outward appearance to such an extent that the home is disrupted thereby. I have known some women who constantly kept their husbands in debt or broke in order to pay for the clothes, shoes, jewelry, knickknacks, and other unneeded items. A Christian woman will not treat her husband in this manner; if she does, she only causes him to disrespect her.

A word of caution needs to be mentioned here. This verse is not commending the woman who has no concern for how she looks or keeps house. The woman who does not comb her hair, wash her face, spruce up a little, and otherwise take care of her body is not more spiritual than the one who does these things. The truth of the matter is that the woman who lets herself go is likely to lose a husband. This immoral world holds too many attractions to allure the husband whose wife makes no effort to be attractive to him!

e. Emphasis on the character. The Christian wife will be primarily interested in adorning the spirit, not merely the body. She realizes that the spirit is incorruptible (1 Pet. 3:4). I might add that it is also precious in the sight of man! Poverty may keep a woman from wearing fancy clothes and old age may dim the beauty of the body but nothing can prevent one manifesting a well-adorned spirit.

Beauty will fade with age. A beautiful wife with an ungodly, ugly disposition cannot hold a husband very long before he will be wanting to look somewhere else. The woman whose sole concern is an attractive body well adorned is unaware that she is “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17). The kind of spirit which this woman needs is one that is meek and quiet.

The word praeos is defined as “gentle, mild, meek.” Some equate meekness with weakness; however, it should be remembered that Jesus was described as meek (Matt. 11:29). The word esuchios is defined as “quiet, tranquil.” It is the same word as appears in 1 Tim. 2:2; hence, it is not referring to silence. Both of these words describe a disposition which is the opposite of that of a self-asserting, caustic, stormy, bitter disposition. This is quite a contrast to the picture of woman presented by supporters of the E.R.A. Nevertheless, these are the traits demanded by the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

The Christian wife who is married to an unbeliever might truly desire to do more for the advancement of the gospel of Christ. She might wish that she could go with a Christian husband into a foreign land to preach the gospel. Such cannot be the case. However, she needs to realize that there is a mission field in her home. No doubt, in addition to her unbelieving companion, there will be children born into the family. She can take the gospel to each of them. Let her begin by trying to teach the word to her husband and children. If this fails, she should try to win these people for Christ by her conduct.

Unfortunately, God has not revealed that the unbeliever will become a believer in every case in which this is done. She might do her best to teach her mate and live a blameless life before him and still lose her husband to the Devil. She should not blame herself or feel that she has failed as a Christian in such a case. Rather, she should persevere in living a life which pleases the Lord.

I remember worshiping with a woman who had several kids a few years ago. A number of times, I tried to talk to her husband about the gospel. Every time that I failed, I wondered whether or not she was leading a good example before him. As the years have passed, I have watched every one of her children grow up. All of them are faithful Christians; two are married to Christians. Nevertheless, her husband remains an unbeliever. I admire that woman more every day as I contrast the impact of her godly life upon her family with that of other women in the same situation as her who lose their children. She never dressed luxuriously, never caused any. problems in the church, was always ready to address the bulletin, clean the building, or teach a class as she had the opportunity to serve, and to do whatever she could to promote the kingdom of God. I pay tribute to her and the hundreds of God-fearing sisters which I have in Christ who are doing what they can in their own private mission field to win the lost for Christ. God bless each of them.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 42, pp. 675-677
October 23, 1980