Truth Magazine

By Carlos M. Aguilar

Those that inhale, inject, drink, snort, or by whatever means they put chemicals into their bodies have become a tragedy, spinning uncontrollably towards death. Not only do drug users destroy their own lives, but the effect of their dependence stretches out to many people. It is to this lifestyle that many succumb everyday and cannot by themselves escape it. When one is serving God correctly his life must demonstrate the basic principles taught within his sacred writings. Matthew 7:14 instills within us the importance of faithful living knowing that the way unto heaven is a narrow and difficult one, and it is for this reason that a strong devotion and commitment to God is critical. The Apostle Peter begins his second epistle by referring to the brethren as “those who have obtained like precious faith” and have “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:1-4).

All, of course, made possible “through His divine power” (2 Pet. 1:3). But Peter doesn’t stop there. In v. 5 he tells them to now do their part, God has already done his part, man’s participation is trivial compared to what God has done but nonetheless it is absolutely essential and he admonishes them to act with “all diligence” so that they might enjoy the blessing which the Father had made available to them. They were to demonstrate diligence by adding the following characteristics to their faith; virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These are all characteristics which we must constantly build upon in order not to be lacking or short-sighted to the point of blindness (v. 9).

It is this blindness created by the world that forces many into a destructive lifestyle, a lifestyle which is nearly impossible to escape. One particular Christian grace which Peter mentions is self-control. Literally it means “one who holds himself in.” It denotes self government, discipline, the ability of one to control his own life. The drug user lacks this characteristic in his life. He would argue that he is in control, but take away his drugs and the effects of his dependence are evident. Withdrawal from narcotics will cause his muscles to ache, chills to occur, fevers, and stomach cramps; the dependence becomes very evident. Withdrawal illness from sedatives causes a high fever and convulsions, it also causes a condition in which the victim is shaky and sees and hears things that are not present. Too swift a withdrawal from sedatives can cause death. The addict would say, “. . . but, I’m in control.”

Many addicts spend so much time under the influence of drugs that they neglect their health, work, family, and friends. They find it difficult to keep a job or to handle family responsibilities. They fail to eat well and to maintain personal cleanliness. As a result, many addicts suffer from malnutrition. Addicts who inject drugs may get any number of diseases from an unsterile needle. For most addicts, the chief goal in life is obtaining more drugs. Since this addiction is costly and many cannot keep their jobs, they turn to crime to support their habit. Hollywood portrays the prostitute as glamorous and appealing, engaging in prostitution to maintain her lavish lifestyle. The truth is seen everyday on certain streets of just about every town. Tragic lives are sustained by an even more tragic lifestyle. It is the drug addict that must engage in prostitution, not to live in wealth, but to maintain her heroin dependence, to provide a rat infested roof over her and her family’s head.

Yes, a family! Yes, a husband! Yes, children! Not quite the glamorous life that is portrayed. But before I forget, let the addict respond, “. . . but, I’m in control.” Control? There is definitely control. This is the “corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1:4). We are told in 2 Thessalonians 2 that the coming of the lawless one will be a direct result of Satan himself, “with all power, signs, and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception” (vv. 9-10). For those who did not receive the love of the truth it will be particularly tempting, and God says that he “will send strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (v. 11).1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments,” and Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

This is possibly one of the most dangerous conditions a man can enter into, to know the truth and not obey it. If one does this he will make his eternal condemnation sure. When one is in this condition he is ripe for the picking when sin enters the field. He is seeking to satisfy his lusts and desires and not that of God. Isaiah 66:3, 4 teaches the very principle discussed in 2 Thessalonians. All too often man thinks he is in control of his life. He gives himself credit for his accomplishments and does not acknowledge God. It is this man who sins and becomes ensnared by its deceitfulness. While it is true that any one who has sunk to the level of drug use has certainly “believed the lie” and has made every provision for sin to take a hold of his life, it is equally true of any sin, and the way of escape is also similarly found. The world has spent much effort in writing laws to make drug use and drug sales illegal, but it has not put an end to it. The only laws that will prevent and end it is the spiritual law found within God’s inspired word.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” What sinners’ heart cannot be touched by those words? What sinner has not spent many hours in sorrow not knowing how or what to do next? God has promised that he will make the way of escape from sin possible for us (1 Cor. 10:13). But it takes a willingness on the sinners part to acknowledge his sin, to humble himself before God and pray  pray for forgiveness and for help. We all are susceptible to sin, that is why Peter admonishes us in 2 Peter 1:10, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”

The road back from drug dependence is not an easy one, it is one which will have to be traveled one day at time, one step at a time, one prayer at a time. It will mean letting Christ rule your heart and allowing him to be in control. The apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” These are words for all of us to live by.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 12-13
July 4, 1996

By Jeff Griess

Before we answer this question, we must first under-stand that some forms of dancing do not involve male and female interaction, and are not sinful (Exod. 15:20; 2 Sam. 6:14; Psa. 149:3; 150:4; Jer. 31:13; Ecc. 3:4); while others most certainly do involve sin (Matt. 14:1-12; Exod. 32:19). After reading the latter two references in which Herodias danced before Herod and his guests, and the children of Israel were involved in revelry around the golden calf, we should realize that there are several factors involved in dancing that contribute to making it ungodly. They are as follows:

The Emotional State of the People Involved

Dancing invokes emotions that are either sinful in nature, or sinful due to circumstances. These sinful emotions include lust and jealousy (envy), which can also include anger and even hatred. Passions such as these need to be subdued.

“Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11).

Adultery, fornication, divorce, pregnancy out of wedlock, and many acts of hatred and violence, including murder take place as a result of emotions stirred up on the dance floor. Even Christians can get caught up in these sins if they are not attentive to God’s word.

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).

Paul has some good advice for someone who “is drawn away by his own desires.”

“. . . but if they cannot excercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (1 Cor. 7:9).

Men and women need to stop dancing in harmony with Satan’s rhythm, and start marching down the aisle to avoid sin. For those who cannot enter into a scriptural marriage, let them learn to live like the apostle Paul in dedication to the Lord and in abstinence from licentious acts such as dancing.

The Destructive Influence of Dancing

First, let’s talk about the important role of parents in teaching their children not to dance. Many Christian parents allow their children to attend dances. Most of them will not openly acknowledge that they do so, but I have seen the prom pictures hanging on their walls. Other parents will allow their teen-agers to attend as long as they don’t take part in the actual dancing. These parents are either afraid that their children will be considered social outcasts if they do not attend these events, or they do not comprehend the danger involved. We need to remind our-selves of who we are.

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:13-14).

Brethren, dancing is a “lawless deed.” We need to teach our children to “purify” themselves, and to act like God’s “special people,” instead of teaching them to be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2). It is even wrong for parents to allow their children to “just attend” a dance. Even if their child does not dance, he or she will still be exposed to the lust and the other elements that exist in and around the dance.

Even people who are not members of our Lord’s church recognize dancing for what it is.

William Prynne (1600-1669) wrote:

“Dancing is for the most part attended with many amorous smiles, wanton compliments, unchaste kisses, scurrilous songs and sonnets, effeminate music, lust-provoking attire, ridiculous love pranks, all of which savour only of sensuality, of raging fleshly lusts. There-fore it is wholly to be abandoned of all good Christians. Dancing serves no necessary use, no profitable, laud-able or pious end at all. It is used only from the inbred depravity, vanity, wantoness, incontinency, pride, profaneness or madness of men’s depraved natures. Therefore it must needs be unlawful unto Christians. The way to Heaven is too steep, too narrow for men to dance in and keep revel rout. No way is large or smooth enough for capering roisters, for jumping, skipping, dancing dames but that broad, beaten, pleasant road that leads to Hell. The gate of Heaven is too narrow for whole rounds, whole troupes of dancers to march in together. Histriomastix (1632)

Now, if men who were not Christians in the true sense, such as William Prynne, and who lived during a time when the dances were not half as lust provoking as they are today understood the dangers involved in dancing, just think about how people outside the Lord’s church must consider Christians who participate in the modern dances of our time.

What is the Christian’s Responsibility Concerning Sinful Activities?

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:8-11).

Paul said that we are to “expose” the “unfruitful works of darkness.” Let’s “expose” the “darkness” of dancing rather than trying to illuminate it.

Is the Dancing Environment Hazardous to a Christian’s Spiritual Health?

We have already revealed some of the lusts that are associated with the act of dancing itself; now let’s take a look at some other sinful elements that are usually present at a dance.

1. Revelry and Drunkenness (Rom. 13:13). Modern dances almost always include or incite revelry (carousing) and drunkenness. Revelry can include all types of disruptive, destructive, partying behavior. Even the music used in some dances can influence people’s behavior in a negetive way. Drunkenness can be brought about through the means of either alcohol or drugs. When people are under this type of influence they will do things that under normal circumstances they would not even consider. The end result of this behavior at the very least will result in a hangover, at the most it can result in death, both physical and spiritual (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

2. Immodest Clothing. What does a dance and a beach have in common? They are both places where people try to see how little clothing they can get away with wearing in a public place. Immodest dressing is not approved by God’s word (1 Tim. 2:9-10). Even men are expected to dress modestly (Exod. 28:42-43).

3.Filthiness/Foolish Talking/Coarse Jesting (Eph. 5:4). A dance can also be conducive to the same type of verbal activity as a shipyard full of drunken sailors. Foul language and dirty jokes go hand in hand with revelry and drunkenness, and Christians should not willingly subject themselves to this type of atmosphere.

What is Wrong With Dancing?

On the surface dancing may appear innocent to the naive, but even a non-Christian can explain what dancing is all about.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

On dancing: “A perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire” quoted in the New Statesman, March 1962.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 10-11
July 4, 1996

By Alan Hitchen

Good men and women with wisdom instinctively fear alcohol. They fear it because it is a portal, a pathway into realms that godly people dare not tread. Considering where it took Lot (Gen. 19: 30-38), and where it takes millions today, the pure both fear and detest what it has the ability to do. It makes fools of the righteous, steals the reason and stalks the inhibition and conscience. Alcohol leads to temptation while decreasing the ability to resist and flee it. Like the serpent in the garden, it makes lying promises. Those deceived by it are led into slavery, misery, and the ruin of their souls.

Yet in spite of clear and compel-ling evidence, there are still some who advocate recreational and social drinking. We hear: “The Bible only condemns drunkenness.” “The Bible doesn’t say anything negative against drinking.” “The problem is not alcohol, it is the weakness of those who drink it.” “Strong Christians can drink alcohol, only the weak need to fear it.”

But neither Scripture nor life validate these supposed “proofs.” They are based on a mixture of prejudice, ignorance, and/or deception. The Bible has much to say about “wine.”

But it is the ambiguity of the term that has created much of the problem. Sometimes God uses the term “wine” to de-scribe fresh or preserved grape juice with no alcohol in it. Sometimes God uses the same term to refer to grape juice that contains alcohol. Some passages extol wine as a wonderful blessing, and others condemn it as a curse. A careful study reveals that alcohol is the determining factor. Wine is a blessing without alcohol and a curse with it. Unfortunately, this unclear distinction makes the passages on wine difficult enough for ignorant and unstable souls to twist (2 Pet. 3:16). A careful methodical study of God’s word reveals a consistent condemnation of alcoholic beverages of all sorts. It also makes it very clear that there is nothing in Scripture to justify social or recreational drinking.

Alcohol is of the world. It is an unfruitful work of darkness. Christians who drink are dimming the light of their influence and losing the salty savor of integrity and honor. True Christianity and alcohol do not, cannot and never will peacefully co-exist. The more Christianity takes root in a good and honest heart the less likely one is to drink alcohol. The more alcohol takes root in the heart the less likely one is to become or remain a faithful Christian. They are paths to entirely different destinations. One who tries to do both is torn in two different directions. Sooner or later they must go one way or the other. God states this very clearly in the Proverbs.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and who-ever is led astray by it is not wise” (Prov. 20:1). Wine (Yayin): Grape juice (fresh or fermented) Isa. 16:10; Jer. 48:33; Gen. 19:32-35; Mocker: To make mouths at, i.e. to scoff; Strong Drink: An intoxicant; in-tensely alcoholic; rawler: To rage, to roar, to make a great noise; Led Astray: To stray, mislead, to mistake, to transgress; Wise: To be or become wise. Denotes the acquisition of the habit of wisdom.

The Holy Spirit here warns the saints that wine (and the context demands alcoholic content!) makes mouths at us! It scoffs, mocks and scorns us! When the mask is torn from this supposed friend, it has the hideous face of malicious deception. It bids us drink, then mocks us behind our back for our senseless folly! In classic Hebrew poetry the second thought of the couplet elaborates on the first. Not only does wine mock and scorn us, but intoxicants (of all forms) rage, growl, and roar at us. Like a cunning animal hiding its intentions until some-thing is close enough to strike! The Spirit concludes by stressing that all who begin drinking alcoholic beverages have been led astray and have entered a path leading them further and further from wisdom. The farther down the path of alcohol consumption one walks, the further from the habit of wisdom they get. The Spirit is too clear to misunderstand! The only way to gain wisdom is to stay off the path of alcohol.

This Proverb strips away the deception of alcohol and shows those who trust God and don’t lean on their own understanding (Prov. 3:5-7) what it really is. Though it appears friendly, it sticks its tongue out at and sneers at us when we’re not looking. It appears kind, but mocks, scorns, and derides us if we use it. Like a cunning dog it wags the tail until we are close enough to bite. Alcohol is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the friend who loves us when present and ridicules and seeks to destroy when absent.

This one verse takes away any desire on the part of God’s people to touch it. It is too close to the warning not to touch the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God warns that using alcohol will keep us from becoming wise. Satan tells us it is a safe, sophisticated, and enjoyable practice. Who will you believe? Ask the same questions today that the Holy Spirit bade them ask then. Has anything really changed?

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perverse things (Prov. 23:29-33).

Wine (with alcohol) always begins red and sparkling in a cup, going down smoothly, looking friendly and safe. To this day, alcohol is portrayed and advertised like this: The sophisticated friend that brings popularity and success. The alcohol industry spends millions annually to portray it like this. God freely admits that this is how it begins, but tells the wise and godly to look deeper than the surface. How does it end? What are the fruits of a long term relationship with it? God warns that woe, sorrow, contentions, complaining, wounds, and red eyes will result if you make alcoholic beverages your friend! At the last, alcohol bites like serpent and stings like an adder. The bite and sting of alcohol is drunkenness. Here we reach the very depths of the deceptive nature of alcohol and the arguments used to defend it. Medical science and public safety agencies now tell us that the first effects of alcohol occur after the first or second drink. It affects the inhibitions. Things godly people would never do sober, they will do after one or two drinks. The first sip often makes the impossible frighteningly possible! Those who refuse the sparkling cup insulate and protect themselves against a masked deadly enemy. Those who make alcohol their friend don’t need enemies!

Thousands of years later in a different culture, America still validates God’s wisdom. Alcohol still leads to woe, sorrow, etc.! About one of ten sipping this sparkling red cup become problem drinkers. This cup is responsible for nearly 50% of all traffic fatalities, murders, divorces, crimes,etc. Alcohol is a close companion to nearly all the misery on earth. We would be staggered if the woe, sorrow, fighting, complaining and wounds caused by alcohol could actually be tabulated. Promising lives cut off, shattered homes, children crying themselves to sleep, lost jobs, ruined health, and wasted youth are what this friend offers. We can’t add it up, but we can we trust God! He warns us to look at alcohol as a biting adder and stinging viper!

These two verses in Proverbs undermine and remove one of the strongest arguments put forth by defenders of alcohol consumption by faithful Christians. That Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast is an established fact. But did it have alcohol in it? The text in John leaves the issue completely alone, but Jesus was born under the Law (Gal. 4:4)! The Proverbs directed his conduct. He would not break Scripture! Since these Proverbs reveal alcohol as a biting serpent, stinging viper, and growling mocker, Jesus did not make it! Wine with alcohol is a curse! Wine without it is a blessing! Did Jesus create a blessing or a curse? What a question!

There is so much more that could be written on this theme. The ambiguity of “wine” may allow some to twist Scripture, but humble submissive servants seeking to please the Lord will not be fooled! Don’t be fooled and deceived by worldliness. Alcohol is an unfruitful work of darkness.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 8-9
July 4, 1996

By Mel Browner

Few words, in any language, warm the heart and stir the memory like the word, “home.” Our love for and respect for the home, or lack of love and respect, are a reflection of the teachers or parents in that home.

It is well for us to remember that there is always a place and a time for the beginning of all things in which we have a part. Therefore, there is a be-ginning, for those who would seek the better life. A wise man wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole mat-ter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). It is evident, that to be well pleasing to the God of heaven, one must first love the creator and keep his commandments. Also, he must seek God and his righteousness; this is the place of beginning, seeking after God and obeying him.

The home, is to be the school of morality, but it can never achieve this lofty goal without love, faith, and continued obedience; these values are the key. Every honest student of the Bible recognizes that our God from man’s creation originated this great institution, and for man’s well being. We cannot over emphasize the importance of the home, in example, influence, and proper training. It is a known, basic truth, that these things have much to do with the saving of the soul as men march into eternity.

The beloved Apostle Paul penned these words to the saints in Ephesus, to the faithful in Christ, and they have stood the test of time: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth, and ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:1-4). The rules are plain, simple, easy to understand and they are “right.” Failure to follow these rules will result in heartaches now and put many souls in jeopardy.

Children are usually born to young parents and such parents are usually inexperienced. They need the help of godly parents and grandparents, who can lead them to rear their children after the pattern in God’s word. What parent can look back without some reservation and remembrance of things that were said and things that were done, that could have been said and done in a much better manner. Young parents are to be taught, and these parents must teach their children and thus we see the importance of the teaching function; it is to be a continuing process, over and over again.

Several years ago, while working in and with brethren in a congregation in southern California, my wife and I had this experience. After services one Lord’s Day, we were invited to the home of a young couple for the noon meal. The couple had two lovely young daughters ages about five and seven. After the meal and when all had re-tired to the living room, the youngest of the little girls came over to the couch, crawled upon my lap, and with a smile on her upturned face, said: “You said a prayer at the table; my Daddy never does that.” Need I mention the red faces and the embarrassment of the moment.

My point in relating the above story is to impress upon our minds the importance of in the home examples and their effect upon the young absorbing mind. The home offers the greatest classroom for teaching. If prayer was missing, it follows that other things were also missing in the home life of this young family. In a few short years, these young parents divorced, leaving the children in even a more distressing situation.

We know that many opportunities become lost opportunities. Here is an example of such: After an assembly had been dismissed, I had occasion to speak with a couple that we were concerned about, mostly regarding lack of attendance. We discussed several things, Bible study, their children and their jobs, etc. The wife, in a joking manner, made mention of the fact that she and her husband were so busy that they just waved to one another as one was going and the other coming from their respective jobs. She also stated that they seldom had meals together because everyone was so busy. This young family, to a degree, tried to at-tend the Bible classes and regular services, but money and material things were having the greater influence. Yes, they desired money, but their home life was bankrupt. To our knowledge, the children from this home never obeyed the gospel. Think of lost opportunities.

So many families forget the great worth of the dinner table and therefore neglect it. It is not only a place of physical nourishment, but can be a place of spiritual nourishment also. Here the family can give thanks unto God for all blessings. The family can share the day’s events and problems; all can have a part in encouraging one another. The family can be drawn together and love will grow. Parents, please do not neglect the lowly dinner table for it will work wonders in bringing a family together.

We know, all too well, that the child of God can fall from his or her steadfastness. This can be brought about by many things which are far too numerous for us to list or give due consideration to at this time. We have no guarantee that children brought up in a God fearing home will obey the gospel, nor do we have assurance that, having obeyed the gospel, they will remain faithful. Having written these things we ask, which is the best path to follow? Shall we let children rear themselves? Should we allow children to decide that they know more about life than do their parents? Shall we allow the secular schools to teach the children that homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle? Shall we let the schools and society in general teach the children that imbibing of alcohol is acceptable for all people of proper age. Shall weallow secular school teachers to teach so called “safe sex” to children? Shall we allow evolution to be taught in the classrooms? Shall we overlook any of these things that are taught by the humanistic element without teaching against and contradicting such curriculum? The answer is obvious. It’s No! This is where “The Home: The School of Morality,” enters the picture and comes into its true value and worth.

Parents, love your children enough to prepare them for eternity. Children and young people listen to God fearing parents, look to them for guidance and encouragement. Also, hear the words of Solomon, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, `I have no plea-sure in them”‘ (Eccl. 12:1).

How wonderful it would be, if all of God’s people would say: “. . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15) .

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 7-8
July 4, 1996