Truth Magazine

By Kevin Maxey

“New and improved! Our product is now 100 percent natural and pure. It contains no dyes, perfumes, artificial colorings, additives, cholesterol, fat, or sugar.” Our society is obsessed with maintaining product purity. Manufacturers are rapidly selling everything from clear soft drinks to clear detergent. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum, our society is tragically selling nothing but impure and unnatural sexual standards. Apparently people foolishly care more about product purity than sexual integrity.

Society continually bombards us with explosive messages of filthy sexual immorality. The mass media has capitalized on the world’s universal appeal for sexual passion. No small number of songs on the radio have sexual overtones and themes. Television situation comedies often poke fun at circumstances involving pre-marital sexual relations. Soap operas build on similar adulterous themes. Every movie it seems must also have its moments of sexual exploitation on the screen. Even advertisers use sex to sell everything from automobiles to butter. In addition to all of this commercial pressure, our educational system has become saturated with humanistic philosophies approving sexual activity, homosexuality and abortion. We still have not even mentioned the pounding influences of a peer group that overwhelmingly flirts with and participates in sexual immorality. According to an article in Time Magazine (January 21, 1991), 80% of all youngsters in New York become sexually active by the age of nineteen.

What is a young mind to do? Is it possible to keep our hearts pure in such a godless age? The psalmist appropriately asks, “How shall the young man cleanse his way?” (Psa. 119:9) We can either allow the world to corrupt our souls or we can confidently determine to live by the principles found in God’s word.

When we look at the story of David and Bathsheba recorded in 2 Samuel 11, we discover that sexual immorality is not new to our age. Even this man after God’s own heart was subject to sexual temptations (1 Sam. 13: 14). No one is immune to the “passing pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25). No matter how long we have been Christians, no matter what good we may have done in the past, or even if we are dating other Christians, we too can be tempted. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10: 12). Since this account was “written for our admonition” (1 Cor. 10:11), let’s investigate what led to David’s fall, so that we can avoid making the same mistakes.

Neglecting Our Responsibilities

We often overlook the negligent behavior that may lead up to the sin of sexual immorality. What was David doing, or not doing we should say, before committing adultery with Bathsheba? “Now it came to pass in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem” (v. 1). It was “the time when kings go out to battle” and “David remained in Jerusalem.” The text does not say why David remained, but we do know that if David was fulfilling his work as king the temptation with Bathsheba that night would not have occurred.

David teaches us the danger of neglecting our responsibilities. If we are busy about our “Father’s business” we will avoid a great deal of temptation (Lk. 2:49). If we make God the center of our lives at school, at work, with our friends and especially in our dating relationships, we will always lessen the opportunities for being tempted. The couple who fills their time with godly activities and submits to God will be able to “resist the devil” (Jas. 4:7). Attending gospel meetings and Bible studies, and enjoying uplifting forms of entertainment with other Christians will aid in removing sexual temptations. Paul assures us that God “will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). We can find that “way of escape” through filling our time with spiritual activities. When we neglect the righteous work God has for us to do, we, like David, open the doors for the sins of sexual immorality.

Compromising Situations

After examining what we are not doing, we next must look at what we are doing and investigate whether it leads to sexual immorality. What do we find David and Bathsheba each doing before they commit adultery? “Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold” (v. 2). David was walking on the roof of his house. In and of itself, walking on one’s own roof is not a sin. But if David knew he could see such thing:; from his roof then he should have avoided that activity. B Bathsheba, the text says, was bathing. In and of itself, bathing is certainly not sinful. However, if Bathsheba knew others could see her, then she should have avoided bathing in such a visible place.

What is the lesson for us? There are many activities that in and of themselves are not wrong to participate in. However, if we know those activities may lead to temptation, we then should avoid them. Instead, we often get as close as we can to the world and subject our hearts to compromising situations that lead to sin. For example, wearing stylish clothing certainly is not a sin, but when we dress immodestly, we are inviting immorality (1 Pet. 3:3-4). This very situation with David and Bathsheba clearly proves that the lack of sufficient clothing leads to sexual sin. Swimming is another example. In and of itself swimming is a healthy activity, but swimming in mixed company in immodest clothing leads to impure thoughts. Going to a party with friends is not a sin, but attending a party where alcohol is being served or where dancing is present pro-motes lasciviousness and “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:16-21). A second way to maintain sexual purity is through avoiding compromising situations.

Dwelling On Fleshly Lusts

Being faced with a temptation is not a sin, but what we do with that temptation is crucial. What did David do upon seeing beautiful Bathsheba? “So David sent and inquired about this woman” (v.3). David allowed sinful thoughts to enter his heart, and they affected his behavior. David “inquired” about Bathsheba. The things we expose our mind to will certainly influence our actions. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7).

Paul recognized the danger of sexual pressure and warned young Timothy to “flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22). Peter likewise emotionally begs us to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Notice the power of the words used in these two verses. We are to “flee” and “abstain” from evil desires. This does not mean to try to get as close as we can to sin but instead it demands we run away from such lusts as Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:12). Fleeing and abstaining re-quire us to have nothing to do with, to avoid at all costs, to reject and to refuse lascivious thoughts. The fall of David powerfully informs us that we must avoid sexual immorality by diligently guarding our hearts against the filth of the world (Prov. 4:23).

Hardening Our Hearts

Finally, the story of David and Bathsheba teaches us the incredible power sin has to harden our hearts and turn us away from God. Once we let our guard down by neglecting our responsibilities, putting ourselves in compromising situations, and dwelling on fleshly lusts, we become easy prey for the devil who “walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). David’s heart had become so corrupt that he boldly disregarded God’s law and gave in to the temptation of adultery. “Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her” (v. 4). After David received word of Bathsheba’s pregnancy, he deceptively tried to cover his sin by shamefully murdering her honorable husband, Uriah (v. 15).

Who could have imagined that David would have committed adultery and then even participated in murder? We occasionally hear shocking stories about Christians who partake in similar sins. David is not the only one who tried to cover his sin of fornication by murder. Currently, mothers violently abort over 1.5 million babies each year. Why? Because sin hardens the heart.

Though the moral integrity of the world is crumbling around us, we can victoriously maintain our sexual purity by building our lives on God’s word. The sexual relation-ship between a man and a woman is a beautiful gift from God when reserved for the honorable state of marriage. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4). May we all learn from the tragic story of David and Bathsheba to endeavor to maintain sexual purity.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 11-12
March 16, 1995

By Heather Harshbarger

I am fortunate to have Christian parents. My parents love the Lord and help each other in every way so they can reach the ultimate goal of heaven. I have been blessed to have Christian grandparents as well. They have taught me, loved me, and shown me the importance of being a Christian in God’s family. I see through their lives how much easier it is to serve the Lord with a Christian spouse. Also, even as I am young, being together with young people my age that are Christians makes a big difference! I do not want to spend my life with someone who does not love the Lord. So, one reason I want to many a Christian is because of the example I have been shown (I Tim. 1:5; 5:2; Eph. 6:1-4).

Someone Who Loves the Lord and Cares About My Soul

I want to marry a Christian because I want to share my life with someone who loves the Lord and who cares about my soul. The simple fact that we have things in common about everyday things will make things brighter and better. I know that people who do not marry a Christian can convert them. This is shown in I Peter 3:1 when Peter speaks of wives being good examples to their husbands so “they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives.” Philippians 3:17 also speaks of the worth of a good example. I would like to marry a devoted Christian be-cause he will have the same morals and beliefs shaped by the teachings of the New Testament which will help us both to lead a Christian life. It is difficult but not impossible to do right by yourself. I do not want to wake up every Sunday morning and not be able to go to worship with my husband. No doubt, we all need encouragement. I need encouragement every day, and I want to find comfort from my husband as I do in the Lord as well. I just pray that we will have already decided to follow Jesus.

Someone to Help Me Raise Godly Children

I want my children to grow up loving to serve the Lord. There can be different beliefs between a husband and wife about moral issues such as drinking, dancing, and mixed swimming if one is not a Christian. Children lean young. They know things when we do not know they are capable of knowing, and they see things when we do not know they are capable of seeing what we do. They pay attention. If we, as members of God’s family, do not raise children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, who will? In the case of someone not marrying a Christian, when the children grow up, there will come a time when they will be asked to a swim party, a junior high school dance, or a “party.” Who will give the answer? I want to share my life with a devoted Christian who loves my soul and someone who will work together with me so that we can encourage and lift each other up.

Someone Who Respects Me As A Christian

I see even as a teenager how much easier it is to date a Christian because he will respect me as a Christian at all costs. I do not have to explain and defend why I believe what I believe, or fear how he will treat me. A devoted Christian will keep God’s commandments regardless of the cost (Eccl. 12:13). Ephesians 5:25-28 teaches how a husband is to love his wife even as Christ loved the church, and how a husband is to love his wife as his own body. This is even to the extent that he would give his life for her. This is a reason I want to many a Christian boy. I want to be respected and loved as a Christian and a wife.

To Make Our Home a Center of Christian Activity

Having a Christian family will enable us as Christian parents to do things together as the Lord wills. As a Christian family, it would be easier to help teach others. That is one of our Christian obligations. In the Great Commission we are told, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). Also, we can pray together. Without prayer, we would be without hope. And I would like to be married to a devoted Christian with whom I can pray. We, as Christians together, could pray together, study the Bible together, visit together, entertain in our home together, and most importantly, love the Lord together.

To Serve the Lord and Reach Heaven Together

Deuteronomy 6:5 teaches us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” In verse 7, we are taught to teach our children with all diligence “when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” This shows the importance of doing his will all the time. With a Christian husband, we can walk in the way of the Lord in everything that we do. Without a Christian husband, it would be difficult to do everything that the Lord commands us. I pray that in our home, we can say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). It is important to be married to a devoted Christian and not a Christian in name only.

The ultimate goal of all is to reach heaven, and I believe that a Christian husband will help to do just that. I want a husband that I can help to encourage, and someone with whom I can share my thoughts and beliefs as a Christian. Husbands and wives who are faithful Christians experience the greatness of married love. God insures us of our happiness now and for eternity if we put the Lord first. “And he said to him, `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37).

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 18
March 16, 1995

By Jason Hosfield

Picture yourself inside the largest room you can think of. Maybe its a sports stadium, a concert hall, the auditorium in your church building, etc. Now imagine all of the lights being turned out. It is pitch black. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. The darkness completely envelops you till you almost feel suffocated. Now, in the middle of this vast, dark room, someone strikes a match. It is still very dark, but you can still see the match burning brightly from anywhere in the room. Just that small pin-point of light is bright enough to be seen in the middle of all that darkness.

This world in which we live is like that huge, dark room. All of its sin and immorality can engulf us to the point that we can not see any hope at all. Those of us who are young people are affected with this just as much as older people.

One example of this is in school. We would be naive if we were not aware of all of the problems that a young Christian must face at school. With all of the false ideas that are taught (evolution, humanism, “safe sex”), all of the immoral acts that take place (immodesty, drugs, alcohol, dancing), and all of the pressures and temptations to sin, school certainly can be a very dark place spiritually.

I would like to say up front that I am not as familiar with the problems and challenges of school life as most other young people. My parents have been teaching me at home since I was in the fourth grade. I think that this is a great alternative for parents who want to ensure their kids a decent education without having to deal with the immorality that is part of the public school system in many places. But in talking with friends who go to public school I have learned what a young Christian must face in being a part of it, and, besides, the same basic temptations face us in school or out of school (1 In. 2:15-17).

A Christian needs to realize that he can be a light in this darkness. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16,

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Paul also wrote in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blame-less and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Just like the match in that dark room, you can shine as an example in the middle of all the darkness you face at school. There are, however, many things you must do in order to be a better light to the world around you.

Remember Who You Are

Everything that is worldly is darkness. If we expect to follow God, then we must leave the world and its darkness behind. John wrote in 1 John 1:5-7, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” If we have been cleansed by Christ’s blood, then we must leave the darkness that we were walking in before.

Too many young Christians are reluctant to refuse worldliness when they become children of God. So many want to live for Christ on Sunday and live for the world the rest of the week. But you and I need to realize that we cannot possibly expect to be lights in the world if we continue to walk in its dark ways of sin. Peter described these kinds of people in 2 Peter 2:20-22,

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

This is a disgusting picture, but it illustrates what God thinks of a Christian who still lives like the world.

A young Christian needs to remember who he or she is at school. You need to remember that you are a child of God. God has rescued you from the darkness of the world, and made you one of his children of light. Do not break his heart by turning again to the world and its sin. Simply make the decision to reject all of the immoral and sinful indulgences that you come across and remember to keep yourself “unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27).

Choose Your Friends Carefully

I am sure that we all have heard a lot of talk about peer pressure. It is one of Satan’s most powerful forms of temptation. Almost all of the enticements that Christian students fall into  whether they are drugs, alcohol, sex, or stealing  are a result of giving in to peer pressure.

It is a fact, though, that all of this can be avoided by simply being cautious about whom one chooses for friends. A person’s friends can either build him up or tear him down. It depends on what kind of people they are.

Solomon warned his son about falling in with the wrong crowd in Proverbs 1:10-18.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: my son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: for ‘heir feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

This passage sounds a lot like the gang problems in our day, doesn’t it? We see the same kinds of enticements: violence, money, comradeship. Yet so many teen-age deaths are a result of gang-related incidents. They truly “lie in wait for their own blood.” This is all because young people choose the wrong friends. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Be not deceived: evil company corrupts good habits” (NKJ).

What then should one look for in a friend? We need to ask ourselves, “What kind of a person is he/she?” “What is this person’s goal in life?” “How does this person spend his/her time?” “What does this person do for amusement?” “Will this person be the kind of friend that will help me get to Heaven?”

Do not let your light grow dim by choosing friends that will weaken you spiritually. Savor the relationships you have with fellow Christians. Those will be the most rewarding and most helpful to your faith.

Be Concerned About Others

Many young people do not realize what an opportunity they have at school to influence the lost. A Christian at school is surrounded by souls who will be lost without the gospel. Yet too often young people ignore their chances to shine their light on someone who does not know God. We need to realize that it is the duty of a Christian to teach others the Word of God.

We cannot hope to bring others to Christ, however, unless we are concerned about the condition of their souls. This was the very reason that God sent Christ to this earth. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God was concerned about the souls of men. Paul said that he taught the Ephesians “with tears” (Acts 20:31). He was concerned about those he was preaching to.

You and I need to be concerned about those around us. We cannot just live our own little lives and not give one thought to the spiritual welfare of anyone else, especially when we know people who desperately need God in their lives. The Bible says in James 4:17, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” If we know of some spiritual good that we can do someone, but ignore the opportunity, we are guilty of sin.

There are two ways that we can influence others for Christ. One way is by example. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” People will be more inclined to take what you say seriously if you personify it in your own life first. This is very important! Ezra saw the importance of this in Ezra 7:10. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Notice the order: he sought God’s law, he did it, and then he taught it. Jesus did the same thing. Luke wrote in Acts 1:1, “The former treatise have I made, 0 Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” He did it, then he taught it. The first step in bringing others to Christ is to study and obey the word of God for ourselves.

The second step is to bravely take the gospel of Christ to those who need it. Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Everyone in the world has a need to know the good news of the gospel, and it is our responsibility to take it to them.

There is no doubt that we will meet with opposition. We will become unpopular at times. We will be made fun of. We will be verbally abused. We might be physically abused. There are many in our nation who are trying to get all religion out of the schools. Those who want to share God’s word with others are being harassed and persecuted. But we must not let it stop us. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Nothing should discourage us from taking the gospel to the lost. We will find that the benefits will far outweigh the hardships.

Conclusion

Too often young people hide their lights from the world. They are afraid to let people know that they are Christians. Make the decision to let your light shine at school! Re-member, the light from that little match did not light up that huge hall, but it could be seen. You will not convert your whole school tomorrow, but if you are the example you should be to others, you will be noticed!

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 9-10
March 16, 1995

By Deborah Halbrook

Everyone has his own idea of success. Some think success is having a lot of money or marrying the best looking man or woman. For me, success involves three main things. They are: my family, religion, and respect for others.

First, I hope to have a family. I would like to marry and raise children. If I do, my parents’ present actions will help me to be successful in being a good wife and mother. Although when I first get married I would like to work, my career is not too important because after having a child I would like to stay home and raise him. Some people think it is an insult for a woman to be a homemaker. I strongly disagree with this, and I would like to stay home and raise my children. I think that staying home to raising children is a privilege. My mother is a homemaker, and I know that she is proud of being one.

If I become a wife and a mother, religion will be very important in my life, as it is now. I will take my children to church and live a Christian life as my parents do. We will not ever do something we know is wrong just because everyone else is doing it.

Last of all, I believe success involves respecting others. Not talking behind peoples’ backs and always being honest will earn my respect and respect from others. These are the things that, in my opinion, add up to success.

(My daughter, Deborah, made this short speech on “Success” as a part of her induction to the Soar Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at the West Columbia Junior High School in April c f 1994. She prepared this speech without any help from her mother or me. Because of her quiet personality, I was surprised at her boldness in expressing her Bible-oriented values and goals in life before a large audience of peers, parents, and teachers. I hope she will not be embarrassed to see her words in print, knowing that other young ladies may be encouraged to rise above the social, media, and educational influences which denigrate the roles of a godly wife and mother. Ron Halbrook)

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 22
March 16, 1995