Truth Magazine

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

By David Posey

Definitions are important, but I’ve decided to keep them to a minimum in this article. For one thing, so much has been written on the definitions of the terms assigned to me, that it is impossible to completely review even the recent material. Furthermore, that material is readily available. But more to the point, we hardly need more definitions; what we need is more obedience!

Therefore, I’ll define the terms only insofar as necessary to clarify my use of them in the article. The Greek word porneia, according to Bauer (Arndt & Gingrich, p. 693), is defined as unchastity, prostitution, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse. Louw & Nida (p. 771), define porneia as follows: “to engage in sexual immorality of any kind, often with the implication of prostitution  to engage in illicit sex, to commit fornication, sexual immorality, fornication, prostitution. The Greek word moicheia (etc.) is defined in the same work (p. 772), as “sexual intercourse of a man with a married woman other than his own spouse.” In light of Mark 10:12, what applies to the husband applies also to the wife.

I’ve found no lexical support for non-sexual concepts of “adultery” that would limit it to “covenant-breaking.” “Adultery” is a more specific term. For example, a covenant that an Israelite made with an idol was to be broken, but he was not committing “adultery” when he did so. Some of the “latter-day” definitions we are reading in articles on marriage, divorce, and remarriage fit a bit too neatly into the various “anyone can (re)marry” theories.

Regarding fornication, there are no safe reasons to treat fornication as something other than physical sexual contact with another being. While it includes every form of sexual perversion, it does not extend to “lust in the heart” of Matthew 5:28. Such lust does not provide grounds for divorce any more than getting angry subjects one to the death penalty (Matt. 5:22).

Sex is for Marriage Only

So much for definitions. What is the bottom line? God’s standard of sexual conduct can be summarized by the following statement: Sex is reserved for scriptural marriages only. Stated negatively, there is no proper sexual activity outside a scriptural marriage. A “scriptural” marriage is one between eligible parties. According to the Bible, there are three classes of people eligible for marriage: those who have never been married; those whose spouses have died; and those who have put away their spouses because of the spouse’s fornication (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Unfortunately, we must add this: people in these situations are eligible to be married if one partner is a male and the other is female. I’m aware of no other parties who can scripturally wed.

Sex within such scriptural marriages is a beautiful expression of the mutual love of the parties and is pleasing to God (Heb. 13:4). Sex outside a scriptural marriage is ugly and sinful. Violations of God’s sexual standards are either fornication or adultery and place the soul in danger of eternal dam

Satan’s Tools

The devil has won more victories on the battlefield of sexual desire than perhaps any other in recent years. There are three approaches he routinely uses to win people over, both individually and as a culture. First, he seeks to desensitize us by bombarding us with sexual images, and innuendo. He has found a willing partner in the media. On the three major television networks one will witness an average of 6-7 sex scenes per hour. Considering the average child watches 4-6 hours of TV per day, the impact is immense.

Next, the devil seeks to normalize deviant behavior (see Isa. 5:20). He’s succeeding. Homosexuality is now viewed by most people as “normal for certain individuals.” Even the military, one of the last bastions of gender distinctness, is crumbling under the onslaught of liberal pressure. In addition, the incidence of couples living together without benefit of marriage has increased 400% since 1970 and suggestions that it is wrong subject you to mocking derision. I’ll concede that these are “alternative life-styles.” But they are deviant, perverted, lewd, and unnatural life-styles. Same-sex “marriages” are a legal and scriptural fiction and God categorically condemns all these arrangements when he condemns fornication and homosexuality (see Rom. 1:26-27).

The third device that the devil uses to win his prey, and we dare not be ignorant of it (2 Cor. 2:11), is that of rationalization. He supplies an end-less stream of handy excuses for those who wish to engage in sexual misdeeds: “My wife is not affectionate, and so. . .” Or, “my husband doesn’t give me enough attention, and so…” So what? Even if true, these statements provide no excuse for the one who abandons his vows of marital fidelity. All sex outside marriage is sin and will doom the unrepentant soul to eternal destruction, “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48).

Our youth need to be sensitive to the devil’s schemes. In a survey of”churched” youth, 46% said they would have sex if they were “in love.” In other words, these young people have not been persuaded, by parents or church, that sex outside marriage is wrong. Or they don’t care. “Love” is not the condition for proper sexual expression  only marriage is. After all, 3,502 fifth graders fall in love every day! We need to remind our youth that sex outside a scriptural marriage is fornication and fornicators will in-cur the wrath of God (Col. 3:5-6).

How Can We Avoid Sexual Sin?

What can we do to evade the devil’s flaming darts? First, remember that looks can kill. Jesus taught that looking at a woman to lust after her creates adultery in the heart (Matt. 5:27-28). Not only is the “second look” sinful in itself, but habitual looking may embolden one to commit the actual act. Don’t swallow the myth that some forms of sexual involvement outside marriage are OK because they are “not as bad” as actually committing adultery. Don’t dabble in pornography or subject yourself to movies, TV pro-grams, music, and other media that make light of fornication. Jesus tells us that the state of mind is the same whether the actual act of adultery is committed or not.

Secondly, learn to turn. In other words, “flee immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18). React like Joseph did with Potiphar’swife (Gen. 39:7-12). Get away, leave lust in the dust and get your mind on wholesome things. Remember the words of Proverbs 7  a man who falls prey to the seductions of a wan-ton woman is “lacking sense” (v. 7) and is as an ox going to slaughter (v. 22). Her house is the way to Sheol descending to the chambers of death (v. 27). God has promised to provide a way of escape with the temptation (1 Cor. 10:13); but if you don’t take the exit when it opens, it’s your funeral.

Thirdly, for those who are married there is an ironclad guarantee of marital fidelity: love your spouse with the love of Christ (Eph. 5:25ff.). Love is a force that expels the magnetic power of a new affection. Cultivate your love for the one to whom you have promised to be faithful for life. Or, as someone has wisely said, the secret to marital happiness is to fall in love many times over the years, with the same person.

Remember that a scriptural marriage is the only avenue of proper sexual expression. “Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well . . . let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Prov. 5:15, 18).

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 24-25
July 4, 1996

By John M. Trokey

Morality is concerned with establishing and disseminating principles of right and wrong in conduct or behavior. Morality and ethics are closely associated. “Ethics is that branch of philosophy which is concerned with human character and conduct…. It has to do with life or personality in its inward dispositions, outward manifestations and social relations (Alexander, 1013). “Ethics is that branch of philosophy that deals with how we ought to live with the idea of the Good, and with such concepts as right and wrong” (Pojman, Xiii).

Free To Choose

Morality is real only if mankind is free to choose. In a world of fate or determinism, in which all things are predetermined and fixed, mankind has no responsibility. “Freedom is an absolute essential to a truly moral universe” (Greisler, 58). The Bible clearly shows man is a creature of choice, free to choose whatever he wills (Acts 10:35; Deut. 11:26-28; Josh. 24:14, 15). Early in time, when God rejected Cain’s offering, “… the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Gen. 4:6b, 7). Cain was instructed that he had a choice between right and wrong and was responsible for his choice. Also, Cain’s choice would determine whether or not he would be happy.

John M. Trokey

“Ought”

“We are discussing no small mat-ter, but how we ought to live” (Socrates in Plato’s Republic). How we “ought” to live presupposes that there is an absolute standard of right and wrong. The study of “ought” in Deontic logic “is an attempt to put in formal structure the functioning of the word `ought’ in moral contexts, particularly in moral commands” (Geisler Feinberg, 29). In the Epistle of John, for example, John writes: “he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked.” The idea is we “ought” (are under moral obligation) to walk as Jesus walked. Unless there is an absolute standard of conduct, one would not be under obligation (ought) to act in a certain manner.

God is the Standard

The biblical morality is rooted ultimately and inseparably in the unchanging nature of God. When God ordained the standard by which man should live, he set the standard in him-self. To have done otherwise would have been a denial of his own charac-ter and a denial of an absolute standard. Man may be unfaithful (unbelieving and immoral) but “he (God) abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself ” (2 Tim. 2:13). The philosophic argument of whether something is right because God wills it or God wills it because it is right is answered in the biblical perspective that God’s expressed will of right is an expression of God’s essential and unchanging character. Right does not exist as something apart from God upon which he arbitrarily decides or upon which he stamps his approval.

God has revealed to man how man ought to live based on his own character. “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Pet.1:3, 4). God’s nature or character revealed in the Bible is that God is holy (1 Pet.1:15; Lev. 11:44); God is Light (1 John 1:5); God is love (1 John 4:8, 16; Matt. 5:48); God is righteous (1 John 2:29); God is good (Psa. 118:29); God is merciful, gracious, kind and true (Psa. 116:5; Exod. 34:5-7). What God “is” we “ought” to be.

Jesus the Messiah, God’s Son, came to this world and gave us an example of moral living. And, “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6). The apostle Peter stated, “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21b, 22a). The apostle Paul said, “There-fore be imitators of God as beloved children” (Eph. 5:1).

False Standards of Morality

Might is right. Ancient Greek philosopher, Thrasymachus, is supposed to have held that “justice is the interest of the stronger party.” This makes right to be defined by “power.” There are many powers which are exercised upon others; political power, physical power, psychological power, and economic power to name some.

Morals are mores. Right is deter-mined by the group. In our schools, value clarification is this method whereby students themselves deter-mine what is right in any circumstance. A local news program (Sacramento, Ca.) on NBC  Jan. 26, 1996 had a report on “Teenagers and Sex.” The question was, “When should I have sex?” The question was answered by a round table discussion. (The conclusion was there is no real or absolute right or wrong on this issue. Right was whatever each individual would deter-mine for themselves.)

Man is the measure. Greek philosopher, Protagorus, said: “Man is the measure of all things.” Therefore right is whatever I determine is right. This was the error in the day of the judges when “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6; 21:25).

Right is whatever brings pleasure. This was the Epicurean philosophy of Bible times. It is the spirit of Hedonism.

There is no right. Antinomianism is the philosophy that denies that any-thing is right or wrong. Philosopher, A J. Ayer, insisted that all “ought” sentences actually translate to “I feel” sentences.

Conclusion

God has revealed to man the absolute standard of morality, which is rooted in his own character, exhibited by his own Son, and contained and explained in the Bible.

Today’s church must believe in, defend, and live up to the standard God has given. The great moral questions of today are all answered in the Bible.

God’s people discredit themselves and dishonor God when they complain the moral standard is too high. What the church ought to do is to do their best to bring their lives up to the standard. The church should never allow compromise on God’s moral standard.

Alexander Campbell summed up the standard of morality in seven words, “One God, one moral system, one Bible” (Campbell, 15).

 

Bibliography

Alexander, Archibald, I.S.B.E., Vol. II, Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974.

Campbell, Alexander, The Christian System, Standard Publishing Co. (no date).

Geisler, Norman L. The Roots of Evil, Zondervan Publishing House, 1981.

Geisler, Norman L. and Feinberg, Paul D., Introduction to Philosophy, Baker Book House, 1980.

Poiman, Louis J., Ethics, Wadsworth Publishing House, 1990.

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 13, p. 22-23
July 4, 1996