Truth Magazine

By Louis J. Sharp

“Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things” (1 Tim. 3:11). A man who does not have the respect of his wife enough to cause her to conduct her-self properly should refuse to allow himself to be appointed as an elder or a deacon. More attention should be given to the qualifications of the wives of men whom we seek to appoint. Often, this is overlooked.

Occasionally, there are delicate matters these men must deal with and should be kept to themselves. A woman once asked for a meeting with the elders to discuss a very delicate matter. She believed she was talking to men who had her best interest at heart. Soon after the meeting, the entire discussion was known throughout the church because an elder went home and related the whole story to his wife (first mistake). His action indicated his own lack of qualification, and his wife was likewise guilty as she spread the story. “Gossip is an insect without any wings or legs but with many tales and in each of them a stinger.”

Wives of elders and deacons should not make the decisions for their husbands in matters pertaining to the church. Any man who must go home and talk with his wife before he can make up his mind is not qualified to occupy that important position. This does not rule out discussing certain questions with one’s wife, but does say the man himself is the decision maker. God did not command that the wives of elders should take the oversight of the church. For a wife of elders and deacons to be “faithful in all things,” she might ask: “How can I help my husband be a better elder or deacon?” Let us look at some ways these good women may help.

1. “Be sure you are everything a Christian wife should be.” A good ex-ample will assist your husband greatly. Your poor example can destroy the good influence of your husband.

2. “Encourage your husband in his work.” He has grave responsibilities. He can use an encouraging word rather than a hassle, about what he is doing. Many men would be much better elders and deacons if they received more encouragement at home.

3. “Never demand that he tell you anything that you should not know.” Never question him about what was discussed in the meetings he attends. He will feel free to tell those things that are public information, but delicate matters must be treated as such.

4. “Never place a burden upon his heart with unjust criticism.” One who watches over the affairs of the church hears enough criticism with-out having to hear it from his wife.

5. “If you happen to learn some-thing that is not general knowledge, never repeat it to anyone.” It hurts the influence of your husband when you relate anything that is not general knowledge.

6. “Do not try to run the life of your husband by making his decisions for him.” Such women are never happy with themselves or their husbands.

7. “Do not complain about the time it takes for him to do the work of an elder or deacon.” Keep in mind he is doing an important work!

8. “Help him to grow in his work  to be stronger in his service.” Talk to God about him and the great work he is doing. Let him know you are proud of him, and the great trust that has been placed in him by the congregation that he serves.

We may have been a little blunt in some statements, but our only concern is that God’s great women help God’s great men.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 17, p. 1
September 1, 1994

By Ron Halbrook

At a wedding in a southeast Texas nudist camp, the bride wore a veil, the groom a bow tie, and the minister his glasses  nothing more! No, this is not a joke, nor is it funny. Such events are degrading to marriage and the home, and demoralizing to our nation, state, and community. This mockery of a marriage ceremony was covered by Richard Kotrla II in the “Browsing on the Brazos” column for 23 September 1993 (Brazoria County News). Can’t the press report on Peeping Toms, voyeurs, exhibitionists, nudists, and other perversions without going along for the ride? Public nudity is a moral outrage. Indecency does not become pure when those who practice it gather into a camp. How about an incest community (for consenting children only, of course), a free-sex commune, a polygamy colony, or a bestiality camp? This is like sanctifying the sin of homosexuality by forming a homosexual church, or sanctifying the slaughter of infants by calling an abortion death house a “health and reproductive services clinic.” Shall we sanitize murder by establishing a Mercy Assisted-Suicide Hospital? Almost anything is possible in a society where the “proper” technique of committing fornication is facilitated by teaching “safe sex” to unmarried teenagers.

When people lose their moral bearings, they consider perverted practices to be “freedom of expression in its purest form.” They consider clothing and standards of decency “a facade.” They may hide their practices for a while but then they want to come out of the closet and be accepted as “a part of the community.” Some of us may feel we could not join such infamous camps and communes, but we “admire” how “friendly and open” their inhabitants are “about their lifestyle.”

We need to get back to the Bible, back to its family and moral values, back to its teaching on how to truly love God and our fellowman (Matt. 22:37-40). We are losing sight of our very purpose for existing: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 Jn. 5:3). Every word of God was given for our good. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

We need to put our clothes back on and respect Bible standards of modesty and decency. God himself put proper clothing on man and woman after sin entered the world, for their protection from temptation (Gen. 3:21). This garment covered more than their fig-leaves briefs, covering the upper body and hanging down around their knees. Since that time, God has taught that it is shameful for men and women to uncover their nakedness in whole or in part (Isa. 47:2-3; 1 Tim. 2:8-10). Proper clothing prevents displaying “the shame of thy nakedness” (Rev. 3:18). When men harden their hearts against God, they lose their sense of shame and no longer blush at immodesty, indecency, or immorality (Jer. 6:15).

Let us forsake our sins and hardness of heart. Believe in Jesus, repent of all sin, confess him as God’s Son, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38).

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 17, p. 5
September 1, 1994

By Irvin Himmel

An “ism” is a distinctive doctrine, cause, or theory. Peculiar presumptions and well-defined views are commonly dubbed as “isms.”

Christians are confronted with a wide range of “isms,” and many of these threaten our spiritual welfare. In this article I mention a few of them so that we may guard against them.

Materialism

There are religious people who suppose that man is wholly material or physical in his nature. They therefore see death as cessation of existence. They are like the ancient Sadducees (Acts 23:8). There is more to man than physical life (Matt. 10:28). Others hold to materialism in a different sense. They know that man has a soul or spirit made in the image of God, but they over emphasize material things. They permit the material to crowd out the spiritual. Jesus taught that temporal things are not the most important (Matt. 6:33; 16:26).

Sensualism

Commercial advertisers, entertainers, movie producers, many book and magazine publishers, TV programmers, many video makers, and others are promoting sensualism. The public is being flooded with pictures, words, and suggestions that develop and encourage lewdness, licentiousness, sexual permissiveness, carnality, fleshly lusts, and wantonness. Moral impurity is flaunted, paraded, and exhibited openly. The Bible includes as works of the flesh “immorality, impurity, sensuality” (Gal. 5:19, NASB), warning that “those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Pharisaism

The members of the ancient Jewish sect known as the Pharisees were noted for hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and insincerity. A splendid example of their attitude is found in the parable in Luke 18:9-14. Jesus exposed their wickedness in Matthew 23. Many today are given to Pharisaism. They are sanctimonious in their own eyes. They see themselves as righteous and virtually all others as less than righteous. Some of the most severe denunciations delivered by Christ were directed against the pharisaical outlook. It is much easier to see fault in others than to admit one’s own sins.

Liberalism

Some take very broad views politically and socially. The same is true in religious matters. Many indulge in practices which the New Testament does not allow. They throw off the restraints imposed by apostolic authority. Some are so tolerant and unrestricted as to fellowship people who do not believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, deny the inspiration of the Scriptures, and do not believe that Jesus arose bodily from the grave. Some are not that liberal, but they accept sprinkling and pouring for baptism, think one church is as good as another, and sanction denominationalism. Others take undue liberties with the word of God on such subjects as worship, the organization and work of the church, and women’s role in the church.

Creedalism

A creed is a brief authoritative formula of religious belief or a set of guiding principles. Human creeds have been the occasion of division and discord through the centuries. Pioneer preachers in America spoke and wrote against such creeds, urging that we have no creed but Christ and no guide but the Bible. There is today a subtle tendency among well-meaning brethren to revive creedalism. Questionnaires circulated as tests of faithfulness carry a creedal flavor. There is a danger here that must not be overlooked. The New Testament is all-sufficient as a measure of soundness. The Lord will judge us by his word.

Defeatism

There are people who convince themselves that failure is inevitable. Ten of twelve spies took this attitude in Numbers 13 and 14. God had promised Israel the land of Canaan. The defeatism of the ten spies spread to the whole congregation. God punished them with forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Some Christians constantly focus on difficulties and dangers. They see a mirage and throw on the breaks. They are full of pessimism. Weak faith prompts them to suppose that we are whipped before we ever start, no matter how worthy the undertaking. But victory belongs to God’s people who persevere (Rom. 8:37; 1 Cor. 15:57,58).

Let us not be deterred by “isms” such as those mentioned in this article.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 17, p. 9
September 1, 1994

By Ron Halbrook

At a wedding in a southeast Texas nudist camp, the bride wore a veil, the groom a bow tie, and the minister his glasses  nothing more! No, this is not a joke, nor is it funny. Such events are degrading to marriage and the home, and demoralizing to our nation, state, and community. This mockery of a marriage ceremony was covered by Richard Kotrla II in the “Browsing on the Brazos” column for 23 September 1993 (Brazoria County News). Can’t the press report on Peeping Toms, voyeurs, exhibitionists, nudists, and other perversions without going along for the ride? Public nudity is a moral outrage. Indecency does not become pure when those who practice it gather into a camp. How about an incest community (for consenting children only, of course), a free-sex commune, a polygamy colony, or a bestiality camp? This is like sanctifying the sin of homosexuality by forming a homosexual church, or sanctifying the slaughter of infants by calling an abortion death house a “health and reproductive services clinic.” Shall we sanitize murder by establishing a Mercy Assisted-Suicide Hospital? Almost anything is possible in a society where the “proper” technique of committing fornication is facilitated by teaching “safe sex” to unmarried teenagers.

When people lose their moral bearings, they consider perverted practices to be “freedom of expression in its purest form.” They consider clothing and standards of decency “a facade.” They may hide their practices for a while but then they want to come out of the closet and be accepted as “a part of the community.” Some of us may feel we could not join such infamous camps and communes, but we “admire” how “friendly and open” their inhabitants are “about their lifestyle.”

We need to get back to the Bible, back to its family and moral values, back to its teaching on how to truly love God and our fellowman (Matt. 22:37-40). We are losing sight of our very purpose for existing: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13). “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 Jn. 5:3). Every word of God was given for our good. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

We need to put our clothes back on and respect Bible standards of modesty and decency. God himself put proper clothing on man and woman after sin entered the world, for their protection from temptation (Gen. 3:21). This garment covered more than their fig-leaves briefs, covering the upper body and hanging down around their knees. Since that time, God has taught that it is shameful for men and women to uncover their nakedness in whole or in part (Isa. 47:2-3; 1 Tim. 2:8-10). Proper clothing prevents displaying “the shame of thy nakedness” (Rev. 3:18). When men harden their hearts against God, they lose their sense of shame and no longer blush at immodesty, indecency, or immorality (Jer. 6:15).

Let us forsake our sins and hardness of heart. Believe in Jesus, repent of all sin, confess him as God’s Son, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38).

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 17, p. 5
September 1, 1994