Truth Magazine

By Irven Lee

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God (Eph. 6:17). It is the only offensive weapon given to Christians in the battle for right, but there are several other pieces of equipment needed by every soldier who is fighting a good fight. These weapons are for his own protection and strength so that he can stand against the fiery darts of the wicked one. He must have on the shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness, and he must have his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. He should know and practice the truth. If he fights error there will be contrary reactions, so he should not be one who lives in a glass house and throws stones.

The advice to Timothy and Titus did not include any comments on posture, gestures, enunciation, grammar, or volume in speaking. It is a matter of common judgment that a speaker should give thought to these things because the effectiveness of his lessons might be hindered by his lack of skill, but it is much more important that he be an example or pattern of good behavior (1 Tim. 4:12, 16; 2 Tim. 2:21-26). There are times when people put too much emphasis on the tone of voice, the smooth flow of words, and other physical attributes, while there is very little notice given to the message. It is the truth that can make men free; it is the gospel that is the power of God to salvation; it is the word that can save the soul (John 8:31, 32; Rom. 1:16-18; James 1:21-27).

A beautiful voice may be pleasant to the ear, but the beautiful voice cannot save the soul. We should speak so as to be heard and understood, and our earnestness of soul may be indicated by our manner of speech, but pure emotionalism will not reach the intellect with knowledge, or put strength in one’s will, or supply purity in one’s life. Emotionalism may bring tears to the eyes and cause some to come to the front during an invitation song, but this approach to the work will reach the shallow soil type which will wither when the sun appears.

Preachers are to encourage or exhort, but they are to instruct, warn, reprove, and rebuke as well. Lasting results come when the whole counsel is declared with boldness. Paul reminded the elders at Ephesus of his three years’ work among them. He said, “Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:18-21, 26, 27).

Paul’s emotions are very evident in his preaching, but his boldness, hate for sin, love for souls, and love for God are also evident. He was fully aware of the sinfulness of sin and of the great need for repentance. He loved God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. His effort was to please God rather than men, so he had no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but he rather reproved them. The great Teacher said, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26). Stephen asked his Jewish brethren, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?” (Acts 7:52). They killed Stephen, but no pleasant answer has ever been found for his question.

We are not trying to teach brethren to be needlessly offensive or to forget kindness and wisdom. We are to be as harmless as doves and as wise as serpents (Matt. 10:16). We are to be “blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke” as we shine as lights in a dark world. We may wisely adapt our lives to be more likely to accomplish the worthy work our Lord has assigned. Paul could say, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake” (I Cor. 9:22, 23). He used the milk of the word, and, at the proper time, he used the meat of the word.

Paul’s task was to pull down some mighty strongholds. It is amazing that the pagan gods and the Roman Empire fought the servants of God so bitterly, but the gospel is still here while the Roman Empire and the pagan gods are completely destroyed. That is possibly the most remarkable victory of recorded history. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5). The-Greek philosophers mocked, the idolaters raged, and Rome fought; but the little rock cut out of the mountain prevailed. Humble men who were armed with the gospel, for which they were willing to die, won an absolute and complete victory. No Roman ruler, pagan priest, or Greek philosopher dreamed of such defeat when the struggle began.

Emotionalism would not have crushed the powerful foes of the early Christians. They had conviction, knowledge of God’s wisdom, courage, and zeal. There was the power of lightning in their message and example. They did not,try to destroy these strongholds with thunder. Sensationalism, excitement, and the waving of flags would never have done the job. Compromising truth in order to make friends with the dragon, the beast out of the sea, and the beast out of the earth would have led to failure. It was a fight unto the death of the weaker.

Today atheism, evolution, fornication, alcoholism, robbery, blasphemy, ignorance of the Bible, materialism, and denominationalism are as powerful as the ancient foes of Christ. Brave men who are well armed are needed now for the fight. Gideon’s army was cut down to three hundred men who would surround the innumerable host of the Midianites, hold up lighted torches, and stand in their places. God can win by few or by many. The strongholds of our day can be pulled to the ground if there can be found an army of faithful men who will faithfully follow and boldly proclaim the whole counsel of God regardless of the sacrifices.

The fornicators, social drinkers, lovers of the praise of men, blasphemers, materialists, and unconverted ignorant men are found among the influential church members in some places. If the ground should open and swallow all such nominal church members, the pure in heart that remain would make a smaller but more powerful army against the devil’s strongholds in our day. Emotionalism, compromise, and noise will not clean up our wicked world. Who has the whole armor of God at hand and a willingness to use it? The host of the Midianites heard the trumpets and saw the torches of Gideon’s three hundred brave men. The victory was not won by the men who were hidden in caves. If God be for us who can be against us?

Truth Magazine XXIII: 47, pp. 759-760
November 29, 1979

By John McCort

I am at the same time saddened, sickened, and angered at a brand of journalism which has cropped up among brethren the last few years. Several “reactionary” journals and bulletins have been started which major in taking potshots at the rest of the brotherhood, especially at fellow gospel preachers. They will not come out in the open and name who they are talking about specifically so the issue can be dealt with in the open. Instead, they are content to play the part of the sniper hidden in the bushes.

I read references to alleged power combines between major journals and even Florida College. I read where editors or certain journals are trying to take over the brotherhood. These editors are constantly being assailed as brotherhood popes with evil motives. In some circles it has become fashionable to take unwarranted potshots at the “powers-that-be” (as they put it).

I recognize the danger inherent in large journals and foundations but I do not approve of the constant motive judging which has been going on. I know many of the editors personally and most of them are honest, godly, upright, and very humble Christians. It is unfair and ungodly to assail the motives of godly men without sufficient proof. Judging a man to be power hungry just because he edits a large journal or holds a lot of meetings is downright sinful. If there are men like this in the brotherhood, then name them by name then present the facts. If you do not have the facts then hush!

We all need to realize that some evangelists are going to exercise more influence than others. We need to recognize that some brethren have more ability than others. Some have more experience and have worked harder to develop their talents. Men of ability do not have to seek influence; influence seeks them. Men of ability do not seek to hold meetings; the brethren seek them. Men with good writing talents will be asked to write articles for the benefit of brethren. There might be a few that play “brotherhood politics” but I have more confidence in the good intentions and motives of brethren than to make a nearly blanket condemnation of all editors and influential preachers.

We all need to give each other the benefit of the doubt. That does not mean that we overlook sin in each others lives but it does mean that we are obligated to put a good construction on the actions and motives of others until facts force me to do otherwise. I think it is arrogant and egotistical for anyone to mount an ivory tower and pretend to be able to read the minds and motives of other preachers. I know that we are all to be constantly on guard against evil men but some have made nearly all of us evil. Let us all be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 47, p. 758
November 29, 1979

By Jack H. Kirby

We are in the Christmas holiday season as all are aware, I am sure. This is the season of travel, visiting, exchanging gifts, or perhaps just sitting around the fire with the family at home. We wish each of you a pleasant holiday season, and a safe one. We trust you will not let the many activities and the hustle-bustle of the season crowd out your responsibility to God. His children have the responsibility of worshiping Him each first day of the week and giving of our means to support His cause.

The Bible gives no occasion to cause men create special worship services at some other day of the week, and bind it as Christ’s birthday. Any informed person knows or can find in any encyclopedia that December 25th is not Christ’s birthday. It is a fact that we do not know when it is. This is important because it was never intended that man remember Christ’s birth, but we are to remember His death instead. The only thing important about His birth is the fact that he was born of a virgin. This is the fact that most people deny, or fail to emphasize. We are commanded by Christ Himself to remember His death until He comes again (1 Cor. 11:23-26). This highly commercialized age of ours has perpetrated this holiday under a religious guise simply to sell more merchandise and make more money.

One strange thing to observe, at least to us, is this: with all the religious meaning that men have attached to the secular holiday, most ,people celebrate it in a way so foreign to the principles of Christ. To many people, Christmas is not Christmas without their whiskey, vodka, or gin. While they maintain a belief (although false) that this holiday is a celebration of Christ’s birth, they do it in a drunken condition much against Christ’s teachings.

In Gal. 5:19-21, the writer lists several kinds of sins. He says that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Among these sins is drunkenness.

Much has been said and written about the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages are usually classified as: (1) Distilled, including whiskey, gin, brandy, etc. (2) Malt, including beer and ale; and (3) Vinous, or wines. All of them contain ethyl alcohol, which is a habit forming, narcotic drug, a poison which is harmful to every form of life. Distilled beverages are usually 45% to 50% alcohol. Malt beverages are of lower alcohol content, beer usually having 4% to 6% and ale about 1 %. Wine is usually from 10% to 14%; but fortified wines may run 20% or more by reason of the addition of more alcohol.

The average “drink” of beer, wine, or whiskey contains about the same quantity of alcohol (by weight), although the amounts of liquids differ. So the drinker can get practically the same effect from a 10 ounce bottle of 4 1/2 % beer or 2 1/2 ounce glass of 20% wine, or 1 ounce shot glass of whiskey. And if he drives, the pedestrian he hits will be just as dead.

While many individuals deplore drunkenness, they at the same time uphold social drinking. Yet it has been established that one drink has its influence on the brain and that, as a result of one drink, one is in a degree of drunkenness. One does not have to be what we call “dead drunk” to have his inhibitions weakened by alcohol. A small amount is enough to make a fool out of an individual, or result in a serious accident. Alcohol is a depressant and dulls the brain almost immediately after taking it internally. .It requires no digestion, enters the blood stream immediately and reaches the brain in less than two minutes.

The fruits of alcohol should be enough proof for any right thinking person to abstain from it. The latest figures I have seen stated that there are 60 to 70 million people in these United States who drink – 60% of the adult population. Four to seven million Americans are alcoholics, about one out of every sixteen drinkers. Three million more are problem drinkers involving them in business or marital problems or accidents. These alcoholics and problem drinkers have approximately thirty-five million relatives suffering heartache and injury because of alcohol. More arrests are made for drunkenness than for any other breach of law besides traffic violations. Alcohol is a factor in at least half of all the more serious crimes committed, according to a survey of 13,000 convicts. Drink is the largest single factor in marriage breakdowns according to a study of 7,000 broken marriages. Yet, in spite of these things, heavy, addicted drinkers are increasing by over 250,000 yearly. And the alarming thing is that one recent survey revealed that approximately one-half of all college students had their first drink at home (a bad example set by father or mother, or both).

Many a moderate drinker has set the example that made an alcoholic out of some weaker person. Paul said, “It is good not to eat flesh or drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth” (Rom. 14:23). Every person who has become an alcoholic did so unintentionally by first taking a “social drink.” Becoming an alcoholic is not in the plans of the person who takes his first drink. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Prov. 20:1). Alcohol deceives, particularly young people.

Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (Prov. 23:29-32).

The social drinker – not the drunk – is the biggest problem on our streets and highways, especially during holiday seasons. The social drinker often shows little or no sign of being under the influence of intoxicating beverages. Many social drinkers have mastered the technique of being able to walk straight, talk coherently and give every sign of sobriety while they are in an intoxicated condition. However, no matter how sober the social drinker may appear, it is a scientific fact that his critical judgment and ability to react quickly in emergencies are seriously impaired after only a few drinks.

Contrary to popular belief, coffee or other stimulants will not overcome the effects of alcohol. Only time and body processes will accomplish this. A full stomach tends to slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream, but it does not keep the alcohol from reaching the brain. It only delays it.

When alcohol enters the stomach, it is absorbed through the walls of the stomach and the small intestine into the blood stream. The blood carries the alcohol to all parts of the body which contain water, including the brain. In the brain, alcohol depresses first the area of higher function, which includes judgment and social restraint. It then attacks the simple motor functions, reaction time and vision. Balance, coordination, and sensory perception are the next faculties to be impaired. Special studies made by safety experts show that more than half the drivers involved in fatal accidents had been drinking.

A recent development is to treat drunkenness as a disease – maybe it is a disease, but it is also sin and caused by sin. Are stealing, gambling, cursing, etc. diseases? Drunkenness is sin and, as such, must be repented of. People do become sick and diseased who drink alcoholic beverages, but they become sick or diseased after they start drinking. They were not sick before and then started drit;king as a result. The important thing is never to start drinking – never take that first drink.

A few years ago the San Angelo (Texas) Standard Times had a bold front page headline story called “Boys, Beer, Bullets; Night Brings Death.” The story concerned three 13 year old boys and one 12 year old who robbed a service station, shot the attendant to death with a .38 caliber pistol and then wrecked their car in a chase with police. They had stolen the car from a Catholic priest’s home, and that is where they got the beer. They found five cans in the refrigerator and a case and a half on the back porch. The death of the attendant and the car wreck were the result. How far have we come when young boys can steal enough beer from the home of a religious leader to cause such a tragic occurrence.

And yet many people say, “Oh a little beer won’t hurt you.” Or, “one toddy or cocktail won’t kill anyone.” Yes, it can, and the police records are full of the evidence. Young people – resolve to abstain from all alcoholic beverages, and older people – do not urge nor lead the young by your example to become drinking individuals. Remember that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 47, pp. 757-758
November 29, 1979

By Mike Willis

One Must Be Wise To Win Souls

The Psalmist also said, “He that winneth souls is wise.” Of course, in that passage he was showing that the man who considers the value of the soul and sought to win the soul rather than something else, was indeed exercising wisdom. However, there is another aspect that I would like to mention to you: namely, that a person must be wise in order to be successful in winning souls. Here are some things that are necessary to be successful in winning souls which show that wisdom is needed.

1. A man must have a working knowledge of the Bible. Truth sometimes suffers in the hands of the unlearned. When men abuse the scriptures, quoting passages out of context or failing to teach the whole counsel of God, truth suffers, souls are led astray, and untold damage is done to those who are seeking knowledge of God. The scriptures mention that the sword of the spirit is the word of God (Eph. 6:17). A man needs to become skilled in the use of the sword of the spirit so that he will know when to administer exactly which portion of the scripture to meet the spiritual needs of the given individual.

There are many times when people have spiritual questions that, if answered, would remove the obstacles preventing them from obeying the gospel. They sometimes ask, “Does a man have to be baptized in order to be saved?” “Is baptism an immersion in water?” “Don’t you think all churches are acceptable before God and that some people out of each one will be saved?” The list of questions that could be mentioned as having been asked by those interested in the gospel of Christ could be extended to a length that would be tiring to read. The person who is going to try to win souls will be confronting such questions frequently in his life. He is going to need a working knowledge of the Bible in order to give answers to these questions. Hence, a person must have enough wisdom to spend his time studying God’s word so that he can learn to teach others the gospel of Christ.

2. He must be one who practices godly living. A man who is going to try to win others for Christ recognizes that he can not live the hypocrite’s life. He knows that whatever moral blemishes are in his life will be quickly spotted by those whom he is trying to convert. Consequently, he makes quite an effort to be sure that his life is morally pure so that those who speak against him as an evil doer can be openly shown to be lying about him (1 Pet. 2:11, 12). He knows that the manifestation of good works will cause men to glorify God in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16) and, consequently, he spends his life trying to do good works.

3. He manifests a zeal for the Lord. A dead saint never won anyone to Christ. The man who is bored with worship and has no desire to study his Bible or to pray to God regularly, will not be the kind of person interested enough in the Bible to lead someone to the Lord. Consequently he will begin by being full of zeal himself, loving truth and souls enough that he is constantly looking for someone to whom he can talk about Christ.

4. He will adjust himself to the customs of the people. Paul made every effort to fit to the customs of the people with whom he worked. He became a Jew to Jews and a Gentile to those who were Gentiles (1 Cor. 9:21f). An individual who is trying to win someone to Christ will do everything he can to avoid things that will unnecessarily prevent him from talking to someone else about the gospel. If there is something in his life that he can quit doing which might cause someone else to avoid studying with him or listening to him less willingly, he will quickly remove that from his life so that the gospel might run and be glorified as much as possible. Hence, he will do everything that he can to get along with people in such a way that he can lead them to Christ.

5. He will use all the diplomacy he can. When Jesus sent the disciples out on the limited commission, he charged them saying, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). This instructed the Christian who was trying to lead someone else to Christ to use every form of diplomacy he could without compromising truth to avoid being unnecessarily offensive with the gospel of Christ. In a similar way, Paul said, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6). We, as Christians, have a responsibility to do our best to study not only what to answer but how to answer. Not all people are to be answered in the same way or taught in the same way. Paul alluded to this fact whenever he wrote the following. He said, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thess. 5:14). The person errs who thinks that he ought to come on as strong as he can with every person whom he confronts with the gospel of Christ. We need to learn exactly which approach is the most effective with each individual character. Thus, Paul was teaching us, as also Christ had done, to learn not only what to say but how to say it.

The Word of God Is Powerful to Salvation

Lest someone get the impression that everything depends upon saying the right thing at the right time and in the right tone of voice, we need to emphasize the fact that the word of God is effective to salvation. We need to be concerned with preaching the word and letting it sink deep down into honest hearts. I have never felt during the time that I have been preaching the word of God that everything depended on me saying the right thing at the right time.

Some of the articles which I have read on personal evangelism emphasize saying the right thing in the right way to such a degree that one would get the impression that the conversion of a soul rests upon wording the question about baptism in the right way. For example, some tell us, “You are not to say `Would you like to be baptized?’, rather you are to say `Would you like to be baptized tonight or on Sunday?”‘ Now frankly, I am just not persuaded that the conversion of an individual depends upon such a trivial thing. Rather, Jesus taught that the power of salvation was the gospel. If we would be careful to preach the gospel, the gospel itself would produce the conversions.

Read the parable of the sower and the parable of the kingdom being compared to a man casting seed into the ground in Mark 4:3-20, 26-29. These verses emphasize that if we will be careful to preach the word of God, the seed of the Kingdom, it will bring forth the fruits in its time. Though I am going to do everything I can to learn the best ways and techniques I can to teach someone and to do everything I can to avoid being offensive to them, I am still going to preach and emphasize that the power for conversion is in the word of God. If I will be busy planting and watering the seed, God will take care of producing the increase.

Busy In The Lord’s Kingdom

Let each of us resolve in his heart that he is going to be diligent in spreading the glorious gospel of Christ. Let us not depend on someone else, such as the elders, preachers and deacons, to do the winning of the lost to Christ for us. Rather, let us understand that we each, individually, have a responsibility to do all that we can to spread the gospel of the kingdom of God. And, as much as within us is, we are going to be busy doing the Lord’s work.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 47, pp. 755-756
November 29, 1979