Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

I read a sermon from Fred E. Dennis with this title sometime ago which suggested some things we can do to prevent backsliding. Jeremiah told Israel to repent of backsliding saying, “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings” (Jer. 3:22). We need to prevent backsliding. Here are some suggestions from brother Dennis:

Let God Say Something To Us Every Day

We need to make a study of the word of God a part of every day’s activities. Through the word of God, the Lord speaks to us. So many go day after day without opening a Bible or hearing it preached. By not studying the Bible, we prevent God speaking to us.

The Bible prevents our wandering in darkness. David said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). We should delight to listen to God’s word. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa. 1:1-2). We should search the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).

Do you know anyone who has backslidden who made the reading and study of the word of God a part of his daily life?

Say Something To God Every Day

Not only should we allow God to say something to us every day, but we should say something to him every day as well. We should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

Someone has said, “Prayer will stop sin or sin will stop prayer.” Sin has stopped prayer in many lives, but thanks be to God that prayer has stopped sin in many others. The psalmist wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psa. 66:18).

We cannot pray to God while clinging to our sins. Solomon said, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Prov. 28:9). If you will make prayer a part of your daily life, you will rid yourself of sin which causes backsliding.

Do you know anyone who has backslidden who made daily prayer a part of his life?

Say Something For God Every Day

We are too prone in our speech not to speak a word for God every day. Our speech needs to have more of God and more for God in it. God is not speaking directly to poor, lost souls today, but we are. We can tell them about the love of God.

Many have been restored to the Lord because of someone speaking a word for God. Paul wrote, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). James added, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). Opportunies lie about us to say something in behalf of God and his salvation. While others are busy promoting error, we should be busy talking about God.

Do you know anyone who has backslidden who was constantly working to say something for God to others?

Do Something For God Every Day

Our days are packed full of activities. Not enough of those activities are done for the Lord. Paul said, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38). By doing good deeds, we allow our lights to shine to show those in darkness the way of life (Matt. 5:13-16). Powerful influences for God are exerted by humble and sincere Christians whose lights shine as they go about doing good.

There are a lot of things we do in life that will be meaningless, but not what is done for Christ. Jesus said, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matt. 10:42). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Do you know anyone who has backslidden who was constantly doing things for God every day of his life?

Conclusion

These are some things which prevent backsliding which each of us can do. We are responsible for our own wayward condition. Let us do what we can to prevent being consumed by the Devil and conformed to the world.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 2
June 17, 1993

By Paul C. Keller

Inasmuch as Jesus died for all (Heb. 2:9) and God would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4), it is tragic that any should be lost. Yet, the Bible teaches that many will be lost (Matt. 7:13-14; 22:14). Included among the lost will be many people who had greater opportunities, and hence, greater responsibilities than others. Jesus indicated that “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required” (Lk. 12:41-48), and Peter wrote of some that “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” (2 Pet. 2:20-22). Tragic, indeed, is the case of a person who has had greater opportunities to learn God’s will  and who has learned it  then rebels against it and deliberately walks in disobedience to it, defying the authority of, and willfully pursuing a course known to be contrary to the will of Almighty God! Read Hebrews 10:26-31  carefully and thoughtfully.

Human beings are prone to categorize sins, regarding some greater or lesser than others, and having done this they excuse themselves for the practice of those sins they have decided are lesser sins  even deciding that the practice of these is of no consequence in their proper relationship with God. But, all sin is serious. It separates men from God (Isa. 59:1,2) and will bar one’s entrance into eternal glory (Rev. 21:27). Even one sin is to be regarded as significant and important (Jas. 2:10; Gal. 5:1-4). Hence, all accountable per-sons need forgiveness. Forgiveness is available only to those who will obey Christ (Matt. 7:21; Rom. 6:16-18; Heb. 5:8,9; Rev. 22:14, etc.). Repentance is ever involved in the obedience the Lord requires (Lk. 13:3; Acts 8:22; 17:30; Rev. 2:5; 2:16; 2:22; 3:3,19, etc.). Whatever the sin, one must repent and turn from it. How dare one go on in impenitent disobedience to God?

One of the sins that some seem to regard lightly and of little consequence is that of being a busybody. Mark it  and mark it well  the practice of being a busybody is sinful! The busybody is a sinner! Such persons need forgiveness, which means that she/he needs to repent and cease the practice!

That being a busybody is a very real and serious danger is evidenced by the fact that New Testament writers warn against it. To Christians Peter wrote, “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters” (I Pet. 4:15). While we recognize the sinfulness of murder, theft and evildoing, how many consider it sinful to be a busybody? Yet, Peter warns against this right along with these other sins. While a Christian is to be concerned with the spiritual welfare of others there are many things which are one’s own business, and with which others have no right to meddle. To be a busybody is to seek to be “the overseer of another’s matters not within his province.” This, the Christian is warned against.

Yes, a Christian is to be actively concerned with the spiritual welfare of others. He is to be watchful for his brethren and “if any. . .err from the truth” he is to try to “convert him” (Jas. 5:19-20). If a brother is “overtaken in a fault” he is to “restore such an one in the spirit of meekness,” at the same time considering himself lest he also be tempted (Gal. 6:1). Christians are to “exhort one another daily” (Heb. 3:13), and are to “warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thess. 5:14). But, a Christian is not to be a busybody. She/he must recognize that there are some personal affairs of others which are none of her/his business! And a Christian should not “poke her/his nose” into such business of others!

Idlenss is a stepping-stone to meddlesomeness. It is often true that those who have the least business of their own to attend to are the ones who are so “nosey” about the business of others. Thus, Paul counseled that younger widows should “marry, bear children, guide the house.” Unless busy with these worthwhile things “they learn to be idle wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not” (I Tim. 5:13,14). This principle which is recognized in the Scriptures is also borne out by observation. The woman who spends excessive time on the telephone, maintaining contacts to pry into the personal affairs of others, is never known as a good housekeeper, cook, seamstress, etc. She and her husband will probably “eat out” for several meals each week at the restaurants, cafeterias, or the fast food outlets. Often, this serves as a double purpose  it gives them more time to maintain their “telephone network” and provides them additional opportunities to hear the latest gossip, so they can enlarge their nefarious practice of being busybodies “in other men’s matters.” Possibly one of the reasons why older women are so often busybodies is that they are no longer occupied with the responsibilities of former years, when their children were at home and they were busy attending the needs of a growing family (although we know some women who were busybodies during all those years as well!). A lack of duties to occupy their time, as was formerly true, may also be a reason why so many older men are busybodies  but, of course, some of them were busybodies even then. But the sin of being busybodies is not confined to older men and women. It is altogether too prevalent among those who are younger. And idleness is a factor which so often contributes to it. But, regardless of age, it is wrong to be a busybody. It is sinful  and one should repent and cease the practice.

Peter indicates that one’s being a busybody brings “suffering” upon himself (1 Pet. 4:15). And surely, this is the case! Nor do we question the justice of it. The busybody suffers the loss of respect of other people. She/he experiences the bitterness of loneliness  of feeling “left out”  because their meddlesomeness quite naturally causes others to shrink from their company. And while such people may blame others, they brought it on themselves! Some-one has well said: “One who is too wise an observer of the business of others, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.”

Are you a busybody? If so, you are a sinner. The busy-body who does not repent, cease the practice, and comply with God’s conditions for forgiveness is as sure of hell as if she/he were already there! This is a blunt statement. It is plain. And it is the truth! Someone has said: “no man ever pries into another man’s concerns, but with a design to do, or to be able to do him a mischief.” This, the Christian must not do.

One can more readily recognize this sin in others than in himself. Each of us needs to make a personal self-examination  and eliminate every vestige of this sin from his life. And each of us needs to heed the counsel of the apostle Paul, “And that ye study to be quite, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands” (I Thess. 4:11). To this end may God bless us.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 4-5
June 17, 1993

By Burl Young

The tragedy which occurred in Waco, Texas is indeed a terrible thing. The loss of innocent children, misplaced adoration, and the pain that all of them must have endured was surely horrendous. When we see or hear of such happenings, it is only normal to second guess the authorities, and to be upset at such happenings. However, there is something that occurs every day that is much worse than this tragedy. The loss of souls to fanatics and false teachers in a spiritual sense. This article will deal with this issue.

The loss of a soul is worse than a physical death. Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Should we not be even more disturbed that false teachers are leading countless millions down the broad way to the fires of Hell?

What should be the punishment of a man that allowed innocent children to die? We might quickly answer that he deserves the worst possible punishment. Some of us might be willing to administer the death penalty to such a man if the law determined it to be needed. Yet, oftentimes we let false teachers and preachers go unopposed in the spiritual realm. Could it be that we are not seeing the real problem? The real problem is the salvation of souls rather than the preservation of our physical bodies.

False Teachers Are Supposed To Be Confronted

Again, whether you agreed with the tactics of the authorities in Waco or not, rest assured they realized the problem would not go away on its own. The same can be said of false teachers. Paul said when speaking of the gain-sayers in the book of Titus, “Whose mouths must be stopped.” The Apostle was pointing out that the duty of an elder in the Lord’s church was to make sure that error was con-fronted. Leaving error alone is not what God wants.

Our weapons are not carnal. In the second Corinthian let-ter, Paul asserts that our weapons are not fleshly ones, as were used in Waco, but rather we are in a spiritual battle that must be won. Christians are not only to be confrontational, but also to use the right weaponry. The word of God will cast down imaginations (false doctrines) and win every battle (2 Cor. 10:5). However, we Christians must be willing to use the weaponry that God has assigned to this war. The gospel is still God’s power to save men from the fires of hell (Rom. 1:16).

The Soul More Important Than The Body

Man just can’t seem to grasp this important point. Most churches have been overtaken by the desire to cater to the needs of the physical body, rather than the needs of the soul. I am sorry to say that even churches of Christ have joined in the rush to capture the body and push the spiritual needs of man to the back burner. For instance, the social gospel is plaguing us. Many churches of Christ in this area are picking up debris along the roadside trying to enhance the beauty of the highway system, and allowing little or no attention to be given to spiritual needs. The gospel is the only power that will save us from hell. Therefore, we should be more attentive to the holy highways that we are to trod instead of the interstate system.

A neglect of our spiritual well being has also come to the church of Christ because of our incessant desire to be like the religious world around us. Will we adopt the philosophy that the Grand Avenue Baptist Church here in Fort Smith adopted when it showed the Super Bowl Game live on a large screen television accompanied by hot dogs and cokes during their Sunday evening service?

It is evident that we are overcome by the desires of the physical body. When tragedy occurs that kills the body we are rightfully incensed. But, dear friends, the real tragedy is the loss of millions to false teachers every day that we live.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 7
June 17, 1993

By Connie Adams

In the March 4, 1993 issue of Guardian of Truth I wrote an article entitled “Serious Charges” which dealt with a report sent out to part of the mailing list of Christianity Magazine. In that article I made the following statement:

Yet, all that is on the record in Christianity Magazine about brother Hailey and his position is a defense of his personal integrity (which nobody has ever disputed), severe criticisms of those who have publicly opposed what brother Hailey has publicly taught, and a door left open in the series on fellowship to accept and use brethren who give their encouragement to those in adulterous marriages. That is exactly where the record stands in that magazine and it is not irresponsible to state that fact.

It should be pointed out, in all fairness, that there was a special issue of Christianity Magazine edited by Paul Earnhart which dealt with the position of brother Hailey, though it made no reference to his name, and which also examined and refuted the position advocated by Jerry Bassett and others on the subject of marriage, divorce and remarriage, though their names were not mentioned either. Brother Earnhart himself wrote two of the articles in that special issue on this matter and other very good articles were carried as well. My objection to brother Ed Harrell’s article in defense of brother Hailey still stands. He did make unbrotherly charges which have not been corrected to this day. Also, the criticism of the series on fellowship, specifically what was said in application of Romans 14, still stands.

We do not mean to misrepresent anyone, much less brethren whom we love. It is a fact that this initial report was sent out whether or not it was intended to be sent. A number did read it. The report did contain serious charges and insinuations against unnamed brethren. If the report was sent by mistake and without the full approval of the editors, then that is all very well. If a different statement was drafted and approved by all the editors (which did appear in the January issue of Christianity Magazine), then that is good, even though the revised report still contained some strong references to unnamed brethren. But, mistake or not, the initial rough draft was sent out to a good many readers and it did make the statements to which we referred in our article. What would help would be for the editors to simply forward a statement of apology to the readers who received the first report. Had that been done, I would never have written my article. In fact, I delayed the writing of the article in hope that such action would be taken.

We certainly do not wish harm to the editors of Christianity Magazine and deeply regret the feelings of resentment and suspicion toward some of the brethren which I believe that initial report indicated.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 12, p. 3
June 17, 1993