Truth Magazine

By Scott Wiginton

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord” (Prov. 18:22). We know from the Bible that marriage is a blessed union, established by God with the marriage of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). It is therefore scriptural, and natural, for a young man to seek out a woman who would become his wife. Aside from the decision to surrender one’s life to Christ, choosing the person to be your mate for the rest of your earthly life is probably the most important decision a Christian can make. This is evident for two main reasons: it will deeply affect a man’s life on earth, and it will most certainly affect a man’s ability to have eternal life in heaven.

A Worthy Woman

The ways that a wife can affect the everyday life of a man are extremely obvious. People in the world who have no concern for spiritual matters still seek out a wife that will make their life a pleasant one. A man of God is advised to do the same. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is as rottenness in his bones” (Prov. 12:4). Solomon points out the value of a good wife to a husband. She is priceless. Giving her up would be like a king renouncing the throne and giving up his crown. “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels” (Prov. 31:10). The rest of that chapter describes a worthy woman: she does good and not evil, she is industrious and keeps the affairs of the household in order, she is compassionate and generous, and she knows the teachings of the Lord. Who is better qualified to fit that description than a Christian girl? Christians are commanded to overcome evil with good works (Rom. 12:21). Christians are not slothful, but labor so that they might have something to share with those in need (Eph. 4:29). Christians are to preach the word and teach the ways of God to their children (2 Tim. 4:2; Deut. 4:9). The Christian wife is commanded to fulfill these attributes and duties (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Tim. 3:11; 5:13,14; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). Again, who can live up to this pattern better than one who walks in the ways of Christ?

God also warns man of the potential strife that can result in marrying an ungodly woman. We already saw in Proverbs 12:4 that “she who shames him [her husband] is as rottenness in his bones.” ” When someone does not use the Lord’s will as his standard for living, there is really no telling what he will do or say. Any sense of morality is purely subjective to such people. In their minds, one person’s ethics are as good as another person’s. It is not hard to see how a wife who thinks this way can bring shame to her Christian husband. “The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands” (Prov. 14:1). Anyone who ignores the warning of God is guilty of foolishness. A divided house is doomed for destruction (Lk. 11:17). Proverbs explains three times how undesirable it is to live with a contentious and vexing woman (21:9,19; 25:24). Such is not a trait of the Christian woman. The Scriptures make it clear that a good, prudent wife is a blessing from the Lord, not the world (Prov. 19:14). Therefore, it would be wise to look for a wife who walks with the Lord.

Although it is possible for a young man to marry a girl who is not a Christian and still have a peaceful life on earth, it is not a very likely prospect. Even less likely is the prospect of this unbelieving mate helping him reach the ultimate goal of heaven. “Do not be deceived: `Bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor. 15:33). Is there any company more intimate or influential on our lives than our spouses? If a Christian marries “bad company,” can he escape her evil influence when such a huge portion of his life is spent with her? Of course, this corruption of good morals would not likely be a sudden change, but a gradual one. The unbelieving wife exerts more influence over her husband as the years go by: convincing him that he does not really need to go to every single worship service, constantly questioning why he gives money to the church when they really need it, perhaps encouraging him to engage in various sorts of sin that seem perfectly OK to the world, encouraging him to let the kids stay home from church if they do not really want to go, and steering him away from the fellowship with his brethren that every Christian so desperately needs.

I Want to Marry a Christian Girl .. .

On the other hand, a righteous wife who fears God can be just as strong of a positive influence on our spiritual lives. She can encourage and teach through her example, she helps to raise and teach the family in the ways of the Lord, and she can help us find the error in our ways when we sin. A loving Christian wife would do all that she could to help her husband get to heaven. Why then are there those who still consider marriage with a woman of the world? Here are some common “reasons:”

(1) She is not a Christian, but she is basically a good person. It is good that a Christian man is attracted to someone who is morally good. However, if her reasons for living that way are not because of Christ, there is nothing to stop her from simply changing her way of thinking. As was mentioned before, any sense of moral standard created by man is completely subjective. What was considered wrong one day may be considered perfectly acceptable in a few years. Also, take into consideration how difficult it would be to raise children in the ways of God in such a marriage. They see Daddy going to church and doing certain things because he believes that God wants him to do it. They also see Mommy, who does not go to church and does basically what she wants. Which is an easier path to choose in the mind of a child? Won’t Mommy and Daddy seem like hypocrites if they cannot agree: on what the children should be allowed to do? Think of the constant turmoil and heartache such a relationship would cause.

(2) I can teach her about Christ after we are married. I have seen many cases where that is exactly what happened. My own parents are such an example. It is fortunate that such happy “endings” came from these marriages. However, if you were to keep a tally of all of the marriages between Christians and unbelievers, the large majority of them have ended with the Christian falling away from the faith. Our eternal soul is not something we should gamble with, especially on such poor odds. Would it not be better to teach her about Christ and try to convince her to obey before a permanent commitment is made? There are several issues about the home that couples try to agree on before they are married. Wouldn’t it be easier to reach such an agreement when both parties are trying to mold the home as a Christian home? Do not be put in the situation where there will always be arguments about issues that could easily be avoided if both husband and wife are Christians.

(3) I am a strong enough Christian to resist any bad influence that she might be. This is probably one that is not often said aloud, but is believed by some young men. That may just be true. You may be able to resist the daily temptations to fall away from Christ. However, keep in mind what is at stake  your soul. Are you willing to bet your life, your eternal life, on it? Remember that King Solomon, a man who was blessed from God with the wisdom to rule his kingdom, fell prey to the evil influences of his foreign wives (1 Kgs. 11:1-13). He began to worship the foreign gods and idols of his wives and even built high places for their worship. This is the same man who had built the temple of Jehovah! “For it came about when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God” (v. 4). Can we keep our hearts wholly devoted to God with a worldly wife when even wise Solomon could not? I would rather not even take the chance.

(4) She is religiousa member of the (fill in the blank) church. Again, it is good that a young man is attracted to a woman who believes in God and his values. However, wouldn’t it be rough on a marriage if every Sunday morning the couple left in separate cars to go to separate places (or if one did not go anywhere)? How will this look to the children when they come into the picture? Will it not be more difficult to teach them the truths of the Bible? “He who is not with me is against me” (Matt. 12:30). As with the point #1 above, a wife that does not believe in Christ or who practices and teaches error is against Christ. Can that sort of a person be a good influence? Is it a good idea to marry such a person?

(5) I am in love with her. Here is where the emotional part of this issue comes into play. How often have apostasies in the church been justified by some sort of emotional argument? The problem is that such reasoning might help justify what we are doing in our minds, but it will not matter when we are ultimately judged by the word of God. Such an argument will not convince God to change his will, for he has already stated it in the Scriptures. That is where we need to find our justification for our practices.

So you may love this girl. Do you love God as well? Which one comes first in your life? “If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14:26). God must absolutely be first in our lives in order to be pleasing to him. Your first concern should be spiritual matters, not the physical.

Perhaps there is something to be said, then, for young men to date Christian girls to find a mate. Oftentimes we hear the argument, “There are no girls my age at my congregation.” Parents might even try to take this into consideration when they decide where they will live and worship. Even still, efforts can be made to find Christian women in the local area. Try visiting some congregations that are not too far from the one you attend. A little effort is not asking much for such a serious matter.

I have been resolved for some time now. I do want to marry a Christian girl. The reason is because I have a simple goal: I want to be with God in heaven. I want my kids to be with God in heaven. I want my wife to be with God in heaven. And knowing that such a goal is possible with a good Christian wife, makes life on this earth a more pleasant thing.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 19-20
March 16, 1995

By John Isaac Edwards

I want to preach the gospel of Christ! I believe that preaching the gospel is the greatest work to be done. When I think about why I want to preach the gospel of Christ, many reasons come to mind. Here are a few reasons why I want to preach the gospel of Christ:

It Is God’s Will

It is God’s will that those who hear and obey the gospel learn how to teach it to others. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15). Matthew’s account says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt 28:19-20). It is written, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

In Hebrews 5:12-14, Paul rebuked the Hebrew Christians, a saying,

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Evidently there is a time after one’s conversion when the Lord expects his child to be able to teach others.

To Be Pure From The Blood Of All Men God said unto his prophet Ezekiel,

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezek. 3:17-19).

I want to preach the gospel of Christ because I realize that if I fail to warn the wicked of their wicked way, I will be held accountable. I want to be able to say as Paul said, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26).

Preaching Saves

Paul wrote, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). It may seem foolish to some that I want to preach the gospel of Christ, but preaching saves! The gospel of Christ has saving power! The apostle Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Christ is able to save men from their sins (Jas. 1:21), but it must first be preached!

We Are Going To Be Judged By The Gospel

I want to preach the gospel of Christ because we will be judged by it at the last day. Paul revealed, “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Rom. 2:16). This judgment will be world-wide in scope, but individual in nature. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Since the gospel will be the standard of judgment, folks need to have the gospel preached unto them.

The Influence of Godly Parents and Grandparents

I have been blessed with one of life’s greatest treasures:godly parents and grandparents. My desire to preach the gospel of Christ did not just happen accidentally, but rather, it is the result of being brought up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). The duty to “fear God and keep his commandments” (Eccl. 12:14) was impressed upon me at an early age. While I was yet in my mother’s womb, I was at every church service and attended many gospel meetings. My parents tell me that I was about two-years-old when I began preaching. I would stand on a footstool and “pretend” that I was preaching. One time, as Dad was preaching in a gospel meeting, he said, “Let there. . . . ,” and before he could finish, I hollered, “be light.” I still remember the times that I went on gospel meetings with my granddad, Johnie Edwards. In a hotel one Sunday afternoon, when I was only about seven or eight years old, we both sat at a table and he showed me how to put a sermon together. My dad and granddad have helped me tremendously. There is no way that I would be where I am now if it had not been for them. No doubt Timothy’s background influenced him to want to preach the gospel of Christ. As Paul wrote this young man, he said, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Tim. 1:5). I have been taught, as was Timothy, to “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” (1 Tim.4:12).

The Encouragement From Others

I have received much encouragement from members of the church and other gospel preachers. When I felt as if I had preached the worst gospel sermon ever heard, there were those who said such things as, “Keep up the good work,” and “You did an excellent job.” There have been times when I have felt like “throwing in the towel,” but when I called to remembrance those encouraging words from others, that was enough to motivate me to keep on keeping on. Just those small, kind words have been a great source of encouragement. There have also been those who have helped me financially. I have received checks and gift certificates from several individuals to help me purchase books and other tools necessary for preaching the gospel of Christ. Cletus and Lorena Dowden have encouraged me greatly. Cletus is one of the elders of the Downtown church of Christ in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The Dowden’s have extended many kind words of encouragement and have had me in their home on many occasions. Also, it has been very encouraging to be around other young men who want to preach the gospel of Christ. The preacher training program, a work of the Ellettsville, Indiana church of Christ, has been a tremendous encouragement.

Paul’s Charge

Paul charged Timothy and all future generations of gospel preachers when he said,

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry (2 Tim. 4:2-5).

I will make every effort to keep that which is committed to my trust (1 Tim. 6:20).

To reach my goal of preaching the gospel of Christ on a regular basis, I preached my first gospel sermon when I was 14 years old before a church in Oblong, Illinois. Further, I gave Wednesday evening talks, did Scripture readings, and waited on the Lord’s table. I served at every opportunity realizing that I was gaining much needed experience. When I was 15 years old, I preached occasion-ally for different area churches. I also started attending the Ellettsville preacher training program taught by my granddad, Johnie Edwards, and my dad, Johnie P. Edwards. When I turned sixteen, I sent out letters to some of the churches around Indiana expressing my interest in preaching the gospel of Christ. Before long, I was preaching every Sunday. Now that I am seventeen, I have been preaching every Sunday for different churches within a 150 mile radius. Just recently I completed my work in the Ellettsville preacher training program and have begun working with the Westside church of Christ in Salem, Indiana. I hope this article will inspire other young men to want to preach the gospel of Christ.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 22-23
March 16, 1995

By David Halbrook

I would like to discuss with you some basic Bible reasons why I did not go to the prom. Prom time is decision time. Those who serve God have always had to face difficult decisions and make tough choices with the help of God. To begin, please consider Hebrews 11:24-25.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Here we see that Moses had a decision to make, whether to stay in the house of Pharaoh and some day become the Pharaoh and live a life of luxury, or to be with God’s people and be a slave for a certain time. The problem with the prom is that it is primarily a dance. In the dictionary a prom is simply defined as a “formal college or school ball or dance.” Therefore, the prom presents God’s people a decision on whether to attend a dance. We need the courageous faith of Moses.

As a Christian, I look to the Bible as God’s Word and especially to the New Testament as the teaching of Christ that guides me in my decisions. I want to share with you how the teaching of the Bible convinced me not to go to the prom. Three points I would like to discuss from the Bible are lasciviousness, the influence on others, and some areas of personal choice.

Lasciviousness

The first reason I am not interested in attending a prom or any other dance is that the things that go on there can cause lasciviousness. Please turn to Galatians 5:19-21.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Bible says lasciviousness will keep us out of heaven. Lasciviousness is defined as “wanton acts or manners, filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females.” This definition is given in Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Such conduct gives dancing its sex appeal. Sexual foreplay and sexual intimacy are reserved for marriage.

When questioning whether or not to go to a dance, there are three questions that I thought one should ask himself. First of all, can you control your thoughts so that you will not lust? Second, can you control the thoughts of the person you are dancing with and be sure that they are not lusting? Finally, can you control the thoughts of those who may be watching you and be sure that they are not lusting? If the answer to any of these is “no,” then a person should not go to the dance. I do not think there is a person alive who could answer all three of these as “yes.” One may think that he is able to control thoughts that he has, but once you get to the dance things can change. There is no way to control the thoughts of others. If we cause others to sin, we are partly responsible. Jesus said in Matthew 18:6-7,

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

We can see from this how God hates for people to be lost. You can see the severity of being responsible for someone being lost. Christians are to be the light of the world. Bill Reeves, who has done a lot of gospel preaching in Mexico and America, once gave me this piece of advice. Christians should not feel peer pressure because Christians are leaders, not followers. Christians are the light. And when you turn on the light, darkness scatters. There is no pressure on the light. By the good example of Christians, there ought to be pressure on people not to go to the dances instead of to go to the dances. Exodus 23:2 teaches that we should not be followers but leaders. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.” So we can see from this we are not to do something just because everybody else does.

Influence

But another reason I am not going to the prom or any other dance is because I want to have the right influence on others. The matter of personal influence should be very important. In considering dancing, there are several things to think about in terms of what the effect would be on other people. The first point to consider is what would be the effect on non-Christians. When non-Christians see some Christians dancing and others taking the stand of not dancing, what message is this sending? All they are going to see is a double standard, and they will not see any difference in our standard and the standard of the world with its error and confusion. The second point to consider is what would my influence be on other Christians? If I go to the dance, I may influence others to go, causing them to be weak and fall away from Christ. We have seen what God thinks of those who cause others to fall away.

Thirdly, what would the influence be on the church? Because some may go dancing and others not, the world may view the church of Christ as hypocritical, which may directly or indirectly keep them from learning what is right and being saved.

Finally, I will lose the power of my personal example if I attend dances such as the prom. How can you expect someone to listen to you when teaching them if you are not living your life in the way you should? I Thessalonians 5:22 teaches, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” This is a simple verse and easy to understand, but it has a message we should consider. Christians should abstain from all forms, fashions, and appearances of evil. Christians should not give Satan any opportunity to cast a shadow of doubt on our character. Christians should be willing to give up some things in order to be sure that nobody would get the wrong idea about what we believe and how we live our lives. Attending the prom and other dances shows that we flirt and compromise with evil rather than abstaining from it.

Areas of Personal Choice

Some things in the Bible are concrete and leave no doubt about what we are to do in order to be pleasing to God. But there are also some areas of personal choice which must be decided by each individual. One thing would be going to the prom just to get your picture taken and then leaving. While there is not a book, chapter, and verse to prove this either way, there are a couple of things that I myself have to consider when making a decision on this. First of all, how do people who only see the picture know that I did not dance? Every time someone sees that picture, I am not going to be there to defend myself and say, “Oh.. I just got my picture taken there and left, and I did not dance.” I am not always going to be there when the picture is seen. Secondly, my presence could be misleading. People may only see me going or coming out. How are they going to know I did not dance?

Another area of personal choice would be going to a banquet that is given at a site other than where the prom is being given on prom night. Some schools sponsor banquets at one site, and then those who are going to the prom leave there and go to the prom. A Christian might attend the banquet without attending the prom. These are just a couple of examples of personal matters that must be carefully decided by each individual.

While looking through some material on the history of dancing, I found something I thought was interesting to share with you. On October 12, 1778 the Continental Congress of the United States ruled dancing as an act that produced idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners. Dancing was ruled illegal. Surely dancing has not gotten any better from that time until now. My, how we have changed in some two hundred years!

Conclusion

Let us remember again the courageous faith of Moses in Hebrews 11:24-25.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

I would have to say that verse 25 pretty well summarizes why I did not go to the prom. I have chosen not to enjoy the deceitful pleasures of sin for a season. To follow Christ, we must fight the temptations of this world. We cannot be afraid to be different.

We must let our lights shine no matter what the cost. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16,

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 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 our Father which is in heaven.

It is clear Christ would not be a part of dances with their sexual appeal. If we allow ourselves to fall into these traps of Satan, our salt will have lost its strength, and we will allow our light to be blown out by Satan. Christ is the great light of the world and Christians must reflect his light to the world by following Christ. Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Since I first believed in Christ and was baptized into him, I have been trying to follow his teaching and his example. That is why I did not go to the prom.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 7-8
March 16, 1995

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