Truth Magazine

By John A. Smith

What Can Be Done?

Parents need to teach their children how to say “no.” We need to help our children recognize the cycle of temptation and sin (Jas. 1:14-15).

stimulus + thought + meditation + determination + opportunity =Action

Once they understand how they face temptation, they will be better prepared to break the cycle. We need to help them understand how to break the cycle by rejecting the meditation or determination (Phil. 4:8) or by denying the opportunity (Eph. 4:27).

Young people need to set dating standards before they begin dating. They should never be afraid to tell a date what those standards are. If the date won’t respect those standards, then he don’t deserve you. Some questions to consider when arriving at dating standards:

1. What is a good age at which to begin dating?

2. What are some guidelines to follow about whom to date?

3. What are some guidelines to follow about where to go on a date?

4. What is the purpose of dating?

Young women and men need to dress in keeping with their conviction to remain morally pure (I Tim. 2:9). Immodest clothing (and if you’ll be honest with yourself it’s not very difficult to determine what is immodest) fosters a state of mind which sets the stage for sexual activity. Regarding dress one teen put it this way: “Keep all of your clothes all of the way on all of the time. Don’t let any part of anyone else’s body come anywhere between you and your clothes. Avoid arousal!” The cycle of sin can be impeded by dressing in a modest manner and keeping dressed.

There are a number of ways that a young person can express love without acting it out in a sexual way. Think about it for a moment. You love your parents and perhaps even your little brother, but I doubt that you are tempted to act out that love in a sexual way! How can you show a boyfriend or girlfriend that you love them?

• tell them
• do something nice
• write them a note
• hug and a kiss
• hold hands
• buy flowers, candy, etc.
• be kind to them
• spend time with them

With a little creativity, I am sure that you can come up with more expressions of love. The point is simple: if you love a young man or woman, you do not have to act it out in a sexual way. There are safer, healthier and more moral ways to tell and show someone that you love him. If a date insists that you act it out sexually, you can be sure of one thing: they do not love you! If they did, they would not pressure you.

A few other common sense precautions will go a long way. Young people need to choose friends and dates carefully. There is no reason to get in a hurry. Make definite plans for dates and avoid situations in which you know you will face temptation. If you do find yourself in a tempting or compromising situation, look for a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).

Mom and Dad, stay married. You can teach by example what joy and pleasure can be found in a mutually faithful marriage. Strive to maintain a happy home where you talk with young people – really talk and more importantly listen! Take your responsibility as a parent seriously – provide the leadership needed. Daddies – love your daughters; mommas – love your sons! Many sexually active young people are looking for the affection that they did not get at home.

Young people are intelligent, morally responsible creatures capable of making right choices. They are more than “primates in tennis shoes” driven by ungovernable desires to mate. The unique dignity that is in man, but absent in the rest of creation, allows man the freedom to make choices. We need to equip our young people with the knowledge and morals to make informed, healthy and morally responsible choices.

Remember, if you mess up, life isn’t over. God still loves you and longs to forgive you!

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 10, p. 299
May 16, 1991

By Don Partain

An expedient is a spiritually profitable or advantageous method for carrying out the Lord’s instructions to us. To be a true expedient the practice must first be lawful – that is, it must lie within the scope of direct statement/command, apostolic example, or implication of either of these. Then, too, it must not cause any to stumble (1 Cor. 10:23f), must be spiritually profitable (though not necessarily convenient), and must be selected with consideration for the feelings and needs of all concerned.

Several years ago, members of a large congregation were wanting to use an overhead projector to aid in teaching and preaching. But for no real reason, the elders refused. When the leaders of another large church were considering a change in Sunday evening meeting times from 6:00 to 4:00 for reasons of expediency, several members threatened to pull away. Many more examples could be listed to illustrate the difficulty many brethren have when it comes to accepting expedients they are not used to.

What are some reasons for such resistance?

1. Ignorance about how to test the scripturalness of a practice. In other words, members are not confident in their ability to establish scriptural authority for a practice. This lack of confidence produces a kind of paranoia about any practice they are riot used to. So, such brethren simply cling to whatever expedients they have traditionally used (thus, placing their faith in their tradition). Or, they also look to expedients practiced by churches they consider faithful (and thus, place their faith in the practices of these churches). The unhealthiness either of relying upon church tradition or relying upon other churches’ judgment as to what is scriptural should be obvious.

Forty years ago, we were stressing the need to teach brethren how to establish scriptural authority so that they could recognize the unscripturalness of institutionalism. But we have still another reason for such teaching – namely, so that brethren will also know how to recognize what is scriptural, whether it has been traditionally practiced or not. Thus, they would not be found condemning (or at least shying away from) perfectly scriptural practices just because such expedients are unfamiliar to them. And, on the positive side, they would be able to take advantage of the benefits these expedients could afford them.

2. Complacency and laziness. As he anticipated one of the hindrances to replacing the Old Covenant with the New, Jesus made a very astute observation on human nature: “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough'” (Lk. 5:39). In a word, having settled into one way of doing things, we do not want to go to the trouble of changing and having to re-adjust. It’s just too much trouble of changing and having to readjust. It’s just too much trouble to do things differently from the way they have been done – even in cases where doing them differently would be better. It just requires too much thinking. It’s the law of inertia operating in the church – “a body at rest tends to remain at rest.”

Having done things the same way over and over, we no longer have to think in order to do them. We can pray the same prayers, sing the same songs – and in the same order, and mumble the same remarks before the Lord’s Supper. Easier to worship. Yes. But edifying? “In spirit and truth”?

3. Making commonly used expedients into law. When we limit ourselves to using only the same expedients year after year and decade after decade, we tend to promote our expedients to the status of law. That is, we begin to think that all other congregations should use the same expedients we use – not adding to or taking from them. Thus, we begin to bind where God has not bound. In fact, this was one of the errors of the Pharisees Jesus exposed. Over the centuries, they had come up with a number of religious practices as expedients to their religion. Some of these traditions were in themselves unlawful, such as, “Corban” (Matt. 15:5). But others were, in themselves, at least innocent. For example, there was nothing wrong with washing one’s hands before eating. And there was certainly nothing wrong with observing the sabbath’s day journey restriction. But what was wrong was that the Jews began to bind these traditions as law. We see this as the Pharisees and scribes rebuked Jesus for not requiring his disciples to wash their hands before eating bread (Matt. 15:2). Yet, we dare not denounce these Jewish leaders, and then turn around and do essentially the same thing ourselves!

4. Denominational thinking. In order for an expedient to be acceptable to them and beyond suspicion, it must first have been practiced by most other congregations. In effect, an expedient must be “standardized” by the brotherhood before it can be totally acceptable to them. On this basis, many brethren (at least in the past) prima facie rejected any translation other than the KJV. Here in Missoula, the church uses a notebook collection of hand-written songs in addition to using a standard hymnal. Most of these songs contain lyrics straight from Scripture, and they are sung in an orderly and reverent manner. Yet, because this collection has not been standardized by use throughout the brotherhood, some of our visiting brethren (including a preacher’s wife) have expressed at least serious concern. Such brethren do not understand local church autonomy. Rather, they think of the church as a collectivity of congregations governed by an unwritten, yet real, set of rules that tell us which expedients we can and cannot use. Such thinking is indeed denominational.

Have any of the above hindrances kept you from considering expedients that could prove to be more edifying to your congregation?

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 10, pp. 296, 301
May 16, 1991

By Larry Ray Hafley

When angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner that repenteth (Lk. 15:7, 10), we can know that “the holy Spirit of God has been offended, grieved, made sad by sin” (Eph. 4:30; Psa. 78:40; Isa. 63: 10). Jesus keenly, deeply and emotionally felt pain as he saw blind eyes, hardened hearts and closed minds (Isa. 53:3; Mk. 3:5). It is no less true today. Angels have rejoiced over me and over you, but only after “the holy Spirit of God” has been greatly grieved.

It is by one Spirit that we have access or entrance unto the Father (Eph. 2:18). That access is implemented by the Spirit through the gospel (Eph. 3:6; 6:17; 2 Thess. 2:13,14). This gospel is that which “the holy apostles and prophets” preached “with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven” (1 Pet. 1:12), Hence, through an obedient faith we are made fellow heirs (partakers, sharers) of the Spirit’s promise in Christ (Eph. 3:6; Rom. 5:2; 1 Pet. 1:22). No wonder, therefore, that we read of “the communion of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor. 13:14). It is a common, shared relationship, an inheritance, executed by the “holy spirit of God” in, by and through the gospel (Jn. 14:26; 15:26,27; 16:13; 17:17,20).

Every spiritual blessing, every morsel of hope, every mountain of mercy and every ray of grace that we have comes through the Spirit in his law, the gospel (Rom. 1: 16; 8:2; 16:25,26; Eph. 2:18; 3:6). With an “everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” how do we dare to grieve “the holy Spirit of God”? Surely, only a vile, depraved wretch would curse his aged, loving mother and scorn a sacrificing father. How low am 1, then when I do despite and insult unto the Spirit of grace? That is what I do when I sin. I spurn the only One who has never done an ill thing toward me, the only One who would die for me and gently apply the soothing balm of the gospel when I need it most but deserve it not at all.

So, the next time you are tempted to lie or to lust, to hate or to hurt another, reflect on the grief you will bring, not only to yourself and your soul, but also to “the holy Spirit of God.” Certainly, such thoughts should stifle your tongue when it would lash out in anger; such remembrances should purify your heart from its pride and bitterness and cleanse your hands of evil. “Grieve not,” my brother, “the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 10, p. 295
May 16, 1991

By Harry R. Osborne

Patience is one of those grand virtues which we as human beings universally admire, but scarcely practice. In our daily lives, the priority of patience is often forgotten in our quest for instant gratification. The rush of the moment and the desire for instant response make patience to be forgotten.

Even in the search to acquire patience we too often resemble the frantic child. The story is told of the child who repeatedly demanded his supper before his mother could complete its preparation. Finally the mother turned to the child and said, “What you need is a big helping of patience!” The child replied, “Okay, but I want it right now!” Patience can only be acquired by patience.

The word translated “patience” in our Bible is an interesting word in the original language. It is a combination of the Greek word meaning “under” and the word meaning “to abide.” Of course, words are formed by people in order to convey or picture an intended idea. Therefore, the Greek idea of patience was to abide under a matter or situation.

Please notice that the idea conveyed is not pictured as a “pause” under or a “momentarily delay” under, but “to abide” under. From the very word itself, we should understand that patience demands time to develop. It is not a virtue which is fully matured the day after we decide such is needed in our character. Let’s spend a few moments in our Bibles to study what God says about the matter of developing patience.

Before we go any further, it should be clear that patience is a necessary part of the Christian’s character. In 2 Peter 1:5-11, the apostle lists patience among those essential components of the one who is to make his “calling and election sure.” It is not, therefore, an optional attribute. As Christians, we must be characterized by patience – our soul’s destiny depends upon it!

Peter begins by noting that all of the listed attributes are to be sought with “diligence.” A diligent pursuit demands that one press on through the difficulties to accomplish the task. Furthermore, diligence requires a concentration upon the goal sought and the road to that goal. No language could more aptly describe how one attains patience. If we are to enlist patience into our character as it ought to be, we must do so in a means which parallels the nature of the virtue itself.

Various passages in the Scriptures relate patience to the tribulations around us. In Romans 12:12, Paul uses the term “patient in tribulation.” James writes of this saying, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. And let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing” (Jas. 1:2-4).

Difficulties of every kind will come our way as children of God. We must learn to “abide under” them and let them bring about good in our character. If it is physical hardship which confronts us, we must learn the priority of the “inward man which is renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). The most handicapped person in the word can through patience be joyful in recognizing the glory he has as a new man in Christ waiting for a spiritual body “conformed to the body of his glory” (Phil. 3:21; 2 Cor. 5:17).

If it is emotional turmoil that confronts us, we must learn to cast all of our anxiety upon the Lord in prayer recognizing that he cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:6). The most heart-burdened Christian ever can through patience be joyful in recognizing that “God will take care of you.” If it is spiritual trial that confronts us, we must learn to look for the way of escape as temptations occur (1 Cor. 10:13). As Satan’s darts are hurled around us, we can be joyful, knowing that overcoming evil now helps us overcome it in the future.

Jesus is our perfect example in patience and all other things. The Hebrew letter says that he was “in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Imagine that! Satan used all of his weapons on Jesus, but none was successful. We sometimes think of Jesus as being isolated from the effects of temptation since he never sinned. Actually, the opposite is true. You and I have never felt the full effect of temptation in the points where we sinned. Satan did not have to keep intensifying the pressure because we gave in early. Jesus is the only one ever in human history to feel the full effect of temptation. He is the perfect example of patience! He “abided under” the burden, let it have “its perfect work,” and he was “perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.”

To this point, we have discussed patience in its passive sense. In other words, we have considered how patience causes us to deal with things happening to us. But patience also has an active side. It is the persistence or perseverance in well doing (Rom. 2:7), in bearing fruit (Lk. 8:15), or in running the appointed race (Heb. 12:1). (See W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of N. T. Words 3:168.) Patience demands of us that we understand the constant nature of our service to God. It is not a sprint, but a marathon. We cannot decide to declare an intermission in our service to the Lord’s cause. Sometimes, we find our zeal on the wane and our strength at a low, but patience causes us to press on to the task. No human battle was ever won by an army full of soldiers without any fatigue, but by armies full of men bone-tired and weary who fought on to win the victory. Our service to Christ in the war for the soul is the same.

A wonderful picture of patience is painted in the words of James 5:7:

Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord, Behold the husbandman (farmer) waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.

The illustration is of the farmer who realizes that even after he has done all he can, he has to wait for the rain over which he has no control. He waits, not just for the early rain which would prepare the ground and provide for sprouting, but also for the latter rain which made possible the maturing of the crop. That crop could not grow and mature in a day no matter how hard the farmer worked.

Patience will cause us to see that the fruit of spiritual service is not an overnight matter either. That farmer has a great deal invested in the crop that impetuousness could ruin. Brethren, how much more is at stake in the cause which we serve? How terribly tragic it would be for impatience to squander what Christ shed his blood to achieve. We must “abide under” both the tribulations which come our way and the work we must do.

In a very real sense, we need to see that patience depends on the trials and problems before us. Without them, we could not “abide under” anything. If not for the trials, we would have no need to “give diligence” to our life and service to God. If patience could not so be learned, we would never realize the joy that God prepared for his children in serving him. Our lives would be dependent on self and our surroundings for pleasure instead of God and his grace. Indeed, “count it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into manifold temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.”

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 10, pp. 291-292
May 16, 1991