Truth Magazine

By Danny Graham

On Monday, January 9, 1989, the Florence Times Daily ran an Ann Landers column which contained a letter from a lady in Chicago. What she had to say about herself and her situation are very enlightening. Her letter reveals very well what most people in the world think about such topics as morality and wisdom. It can serve as a vivid reminder to those of us who endeavor to serve Christ that we must always follow the wisdom of God’s word and forsake the wisdom of this world. Consider what she said.

She described herself as a heterosexual woman, divorced, mid-40’s, white, upper middle class, living a modestly fast lifestyle not unlike many of her friends. She claims that she carefully screened the 4 or 5 bed partners that she might have each year because she wants nothing to do “with drugs or drug users or men I think are promiscuous or bisexual.” Although she sometimes insisted on her partners using condoms, she just found out the previous week that she had tested positive for the AIDS virus. She goes on to say that she was stunned, and that other people better pay attention. However, the conclusions she drew from her experience are worth discussing.

First, consider that she lived a “modestly fast lifestyle not unlike many of my friends.” It shows how times have changed when a woman who has 4 or 5 sexual partners a year is considered modestly fast. Thirty years ago such a woman would have been considered in the same class with a prostitute. We know this is not the case today because many of her friends do the same thing, and indeed many of us know of people who do the same thing. Times might have changed, but God’s law has certainly not changed. Sex outside of marriage is still fornication or adultery, and it is always wrong. It is never right under any circumstances, no matter what society happens to believe at the moment. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21. It is almost laughable that she did not want to be with”Promiscuous” men as if she were not herself promiscuous. Even sinners have their scruples. They just aren’t the right ones.

Second, let us consider the lesson she learned from her experience on how such can be prevented or at least the likelihood lessened. She immediately urges all of Ann’s readers to use condoms 100 percent of the time. She realizes they are not 100 percent protection, but she says 90 percent is better than zero. At the same time, she will not take a chance at infecting anyone. It seems to me that the self-control she is now willing to practice should have been practiced sometime ago. Rather than urge the readers simply to continue their promiscuous lifestyles and simply be a little more careful, why didn’t she urge them to practice the same self-control she was about to start practicing? When a child touches a hot stove, we tell him to stop doing it so he won’t get burned; we don’t give him a glove and tell him to use it every time. He can still get burned! Exactly the same is true with the case she describes. We don’t give alcoholics smaller glasses; they must quit!

Third, consider that she also encourages the readers to be tested themselves and donate money to further research. We live in an age when many who are filled with the pride so encouraged by Humanism seem to think that all we have to do to solve any and every problem is to pour money into research and science will be our savior. Such is not the case. Yes, AIDS does kill a lot of people, and yes, if a cure or preventative is going to be found, it must be done through research, but there is a much greater problem than a syndrome that is taking human lives. It is the problem of sin which is destroying even more souls. Not one word is mentioned in her letter about living lives on a higher moral plane. Not one word of regret is found about her promiscuous ways. Sin separates from God (Isa. 59:1-2). The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), which many will find out in the day of judgment. A cure for AIDS will not help anyone get to heaven. The emphasis in her letter is on the physical and earthly, but we must emphasize the heavenly and spiritual (Col. 3:1-2).

Finally, consider this letter in terms of what it shows about earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. Wisdom is defined as the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc. Earthly wisdom, then, is in a limited sense wisdom. People find a course of action that works in a given situation and then follow it. That is why so many think that the use of condoms is a wise thing. In terms of earthly wisdom, it is the proven method. However, James 3:13-18 reminds us, this wisdom is earthly, for it is not from God when men say that adultery and fornication are all right as long as you prevent anyone from getting AIDS. It is certainly sensual, for it encourages the fulfillment of natural desires without any constraint whatsoever except the spread of disease. It certainly is devilish, for such a plot was concocted by the devil. As he has done throughout time, he has shifted’ our focus from what is right and wrong to something else. As he did with Eve, he has people thinking only about not spreading the diseV6n the other hand, the wisdom from above is first pure. The primary concern of the child of God who is using the wisdom God gave is to do right. Therefore, he does not have to worry about contracting AIDS from promiscuity because he will not engage in such. It is also without hypocrisy, so he won’t pretend he is not engaging in it when he really is if he is following heavenly wisdom. Finally, he will be sowing and reaping the fruit of righteousness because he will be busy doing the Lord’s will and will not become involved in such sinful activities as these. If on occasion he does sin, he will quickly repent and resume serving the Lord. Let us not be led astray by the world’s wisdom. Yes, the use of condoms might work, but so will biblical morality. In fact, it will prevent a lot more than just a disease. Using heavenly wisdom will eventually help us obtain eternal life.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 11, p. 334
June 1, 1989

By Mr. and Mrs. Clifford W. Bell

Respect for others is grounded in respect for God himself. From the beginning of time, man has been taught the importance of having respect for God, for his word, and for our fellow man.

Respect Begins With Parents

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve learned a great lesson of the unhappiness that comes in life when we fail to respect God’s law. Their own failure to submit to the Word of God contributed to failure and great tragedy in their family. Cain did not have respect for God, which caused him to commit murder (Gen. 4). These accounts show us how disrespect leads to sin.

We, as parents, must have respect for God’s law, which includes civil laws as they are ordained of God. If we fail to be the right examples before our children and the world, how can we expect our children to respect us or the law of God. This training must begin when we bring them into the world. Respect must first be taught and learned at home. Please do not wait until they are toddlers! If we fail to teach them in the very early years of life, the task will become more difficult with every passing day.

As we teach our children to have respect for others, let us remember that wives must set the right example by respecting their husbands as the leader in the family; likewise the husband should respect the wife as she assumes her role in the home (Eph. 5:22-33).

We only need to look around us to see the many problems that have arisen in our society today because of the lack of respect for authority in the home, school, the Lord’s church, and our nation. Let us say again, as parents we must set the proper example along this line if we expect our children to listen to our teaching on respect. I am reminded of a story told by brother Bobby Thompson (faithful evangelist at Pruett and Lobit church of Christ) about the father who was walking across a freshly plowed field, when he heard someone behind him. As he turned he saw his young son trying to place his small feet in the large steps his father had made in the fresh soil. The youngster eagerly said, “Keep on, Daddy, I’m walking in your steps.” Do we want our children walking in our steps? Oh, how careful we must be!

How to Show Respect

There are many ways in which we show respect: by the things we say and the way we say them, by the things we do and our attitude when we participate in daily activities, and also by taking care of the property of others.

Brother Bell’s Comments

When I was in college during the 1930s and when I was in the Armed Services from 1940-1945, 1 rode on buses and trains a lot of the time. If a young lady or an elderly person got on the bus or train and there were no empty seats, I would immediately offer that person mine. Today we rarely ever find anyone getting up to offer his chair to anyone – young, elderly, or crippled. This is an example of the change in our society in failing to show respect for others.

We need a revival in learning the importance of showing respect in every walk of life and especially toward the aged.

How can we show respect? Young people, think with me as I list some of the ways:

1. Listen to your parents when they address you.

2. Don’t talk back to your parents.

3. Never talk about them in a disrespectful manner such as “the old man” or “the old lady.”

4. Be attentive to them and give them a kind and honest answer.

5. Be a “man of your word. ” Promises should not be broken. You want them to trust you so always be honest. Parents should realize that these items just listed apply to them as well as to their children, especially number 5.

6. Show respect to the boy or girl you are dating. Treat them like you would want someone to treat your brother or sister when they date.

Respect for the Elderly

Young people generally do not outwardly show a lot of respect for elderly people. We notice this at worship services and also in the home. Why? Probably, because very few people take the time to train their children as we are commanded (1 Tim. 5:12).

We must respect our parents, grandparents, neighbors, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Someone has said, “Don’t let your parents down, they brought you up.” Parents are willing to go without many things, just to make life easier for their children. They have loved and cared for you through the years when the going wits rough. They will continue to pray for you and help in every way possible as you prepare to take your place in this life and look for a city whose builder and maker is God.

Let us all respect the elderly and let them know they are “special.” We honor our aged parents when they are unable to care for themselves by providing for their every need physical, spiritual, and emotional. They cared for us when we were unable to care for ourselves.

Sister Bell Comments Regarding Her Aunt and Mother As I think of the years when I was a teenager at home some fifty years ago, I well remember when an elderly aunt, 85 years of age, came to live with us for about four years. My parents had 10 children. Our only brother was not living at home, but there were nine of us girls living with our parents in a five room house. There were beds in every room in the house I think except in the kitchen, but we found room for Aunt Allie. I will never forget how my mother was willing to make room for my Daddy’s aunt. The respect that Mother showed for Daddy, by willingly making room in our house for his elderly aunt made a lasting impression on her children. This is a good example of “respect for the elderly.”

My daddy died when Mother was 78 years old. Mother lived alone for eight or nine years, but in 1980 she felt the need to be with some of us.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:2, “Honor thy father and mother.” In 1 Timothy 5:4 and 16 we learn that we have the responsibility to care for our parents, that the church be not charged. We are thankful to have been taught to respect God’s laws by respecting our mother and doing our part to help make her last years on this earth as pleasant as possible.

All the girls decided that she would live with each one of us for one month; in 1981, she began living with her children. She has an extended visit of a month. While in our home she enjoys seeing our grandchildren more and it works the same with the other sisters. Since there are about seventy grandchildren and great grandchildren, she enjoys seeing a few of them each month.

Learning Respect From Our 95 Year-Old Mother

Mother is now 95 years old and she seems to have aged faster these past two or three years; she needs more loving care than she once did. When she comes to spend a month with us now, other things must be set aside so that her needs are not neglected. While we have tried to show love and respect to her, she has continued to teach us the meaning of love and respect even in her declining years. There was a time a few years ago that she helped in the kitchen and folded clothes (maybe not the way I would have done it), but that meant so much to her. “Why?” you may ask. She still felt she was able to do something to help others. She spent many hours and days piecing quilts for her loved ones.

Times have changed. She isn’t able to do things for us in a physical way any more. Her eyesight isn’t good, her hearing is almost gone, and her body is frail. She needs help sometimes just to get from the chair to the table. She isn’t able to dress herself or take care of her personal needs, but she spent the month of December with us and did not miss any of the worship services at Pruett and Lobit. She is not able to hear much of the sermon; she can’t read well enough or hear the song leader to sing much, but she tries sometimes. She readily partakes of the Lord’s Supper and begins to look for her check when the time comes for her to contribute of her means. When her mind was good she told me many times, that even though she may worship at other congregations, she wanted her contribution to go to Pruett and Lobit, because she knew the truth was taught there and her membership was there. Mother is still teaching us today by demonstrating great respect for God and his laws. She is due our respect.

Examples of Younger People Showing Respect

There are not many pleasures for Mother in this life anymore, but she still enjoys being with her family and especially the little ones; they have time to make her laugh. It means so much if you just stop long enough to give “Mee-Maw” a hug or kiss; that just makes her day and the days are long for her now. Besides giving her a little attention, we can be helpful in other ways. Even though you are young in years, the elderly need you and it is appreciated so much. Just watch them smile when you are kind or show them a little respect by lending a helping hand.

Our 17-year-old grandson was here in December while Mother was with us. He helped “Mee-Maw” from her chair to the table when it was time to eat. We have a four-year old grandson who spent several days with us while Mother was here. He would go to her chair and ask, “Mee-Me, do you want me to get you something?” He held the quilt pieces for her when she worked on a quilt.

You should have seen Mother smile when her grandson helped her to the table. She rewarded the four-year-old with a kiss for being her little helper.

We were getting out of the car one Sunday morning in time for worship services. While Cliff was parking the car, a young man in his thirties came by and said, “Sister Young, take my arm and I will help you go into the building.” Mother looked up at him, smiled, and took his arm as they walked into the building. She was so pleased. Thank you, Marcus Suttle.

There , are many elderly people who are not as blessed as “our” mother. There are nine daughters along with eight sons-in-law who love and respect her.

Some do not have children to care for them and some have children who do not care for them. Sometimes the children are unable (physically) to care for them. There are those who are not willing to give up other pleasures to spend the time (sometimes twenty-four hours a day) caring for the aged.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 12, pp. 358-359
June 15, 1989

By Ronny E. Hinds

One Old Testament story that has always interested me is found in 2 Chronicles 34. It involves the finding of “the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses.” Obviously, it must have been lost! Implied in this is the carelessness and indifference of the people. They had allowed it to become lost.

We are exceedingly careful with the things we treasure and usually they do not get lost. Antiques, family heirlooms, old faded cards with loving messages inscribed, locks of baby’s hair, photographs of past generations, these are the items we pass from generation to generation with love and sentimentality. That is the way we are and that is the way it should be.

If that is the way we are with “this world’s goods,” then what should be our attitude toward God’s inspired book the Bible. The answer is simple. It should be treasured beyond all treasures. Never should we become so careless as to “lose it.”

In a world filled with Bibles, that would seem to be impossible. And, I guess that is right, physically – that is; we can always find a copy somewhere. Yet, what good does it do to hold a copy in our hands and fail to allow its words (teachings) to direct our lives. It might as well be lost!

A significant part of the story of 2 Chronicles is when they found it they “read it. ” An even more significant act was when the king “heard it” he realized the conduct of Israel and Judah was not acceptable to God and he set about to correct it. That is exactly what God’s words are designed to do. They are to be read, listened to, obeyed! They are to correct our false ways. They are to bring redemption and salvation to us.

We must learn from this that it does no good to have Bibles if we do not read them. They might as well be lost. And, it does no good to read them if we are not willing to do what they say. They might as well be lost. Living in a house with Bibles stacked to the ceiling will not change this. Is your Bible lost?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 11, p. 335
June 1, 1989

By H.E. Phillips

As parents, do you believe you must give account to God for the training of your children? Do you believe it will have anything to do with your eternal destiny? Do you believe it is possible for you to rear your children in the chastening and admonition of the Lord? What is your present attitude toward rearing your children? These are very challenging questions for every father and mother and they must be addressed.

It is important to use time in the most profitable way. Parents have approximately twenty years to develop, teach, train, and prepare a child for adulthood and eternity. To fail at either is to make a grievous mistake that will have disastrous consequences in both time and eternity. It is therefore of the most serious importance that parents begin with the birth of the child to use these twenty years to complete the greatest task they can undertake.

When Should Parents Begin to Teach Their Children?

Many traits of character and habits begin with the first weeks after birth. Every child goes through these stages: infancy, babyhood, childhood, adolescence and adulthood. In every stage there are special things to teach and emphasize. Through these stages the child is continually changing, accordingly, the things taught and the method of teaching must change. Many important things should be said on this subject, but space prohibits further discussion at this time.

Parents must learn the needs of their children early and adapt the substance taught with the best method for the child’s disposition and age level. Successful teaching requires understanding, patience, vigilance, persistence, determination, and a lot of faith and prayer. Good parents will teach the important things over and over again through these years of development, and with greater intensity as the child matures. The early years are vital to proper development of character, disposition and obedience, and are the stepping stones to a strong faith in God and his word.

How Should Parents Teach Their Children? ‘

The place to begin is with a genuine love for the child and his welfare. The inspired apostle Paul said that even if he had the speech of angels, and the understanding, knowledge, and faith to move mountains, and sacrificed his body to be burned, and had not love, he was nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). This love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; it suffers long. A child knows when he is loved and when he is not. This is true of all of us. I can tell when a brother or sister does not love me, even though he smiles and says nice things.

The love that parents should have for their children will be kind and longsuffering. That does not mean that parents should be compromising with truth or tolerate disobedience. Discipline is necessary in expressing true love. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Heb. 12:6). Firm, just, and fair discipline, administered with love for the child, is essential to the child’s good, and parents rob their children when it is not lovingly, justly and impartially given to every child. The real problem with discipline is that often parents lack the love, patience and understanding of the child’s need. The physical and emotional abuse of children results from the unjust, impatient and ignorant discipline by parents.

Unselfishly giving to the children the necessary things of life. The Father of lights gives us every good and perfect gift from above (Jas. 1:17). Parents owe their children so much in preparing them for life here and hereafter. Children know when parents give them the leftovers of their time and energy. Parents should give some prime time to their children. They should talk to them often about things that are important to them. Show a genuine interest in their problems as well as their goals and aspirations.

Parents must do their best to provide their children with food, clothing, shelter, education and other necessities of life. If one does not provide for his own, and that includes his children, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel (1 Tim. 5:8). If you stop to think about this statement, the one who does not provide for his own house, has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. Such a person will certainly not go to heaven!

What Do Parents Teach Their Children?

The physical condition of your child depends upon what you feed him and how he exercises. The same is true of his mental, emotional and spiritual being.

The most important thing you can put into the mind of your child is the Word of God. Respect for it as the only standard of right and wrong must become as much a part of your child’s life as his awareness of his own personal needs. When children know and believe the Bible, they will understand the importance and place of true love (1 Cor. 13), the real meaning and purpose of life (1 Pet. 3:10-12), the place and importance of law (Jas. 1:22-27; Gal. 6:2), and the strength and anchor of the hope of eternal life (Rom. 8:24,25; Tit. 1:2; 1 Jn. 2:25).

Teach your children to pray every day, and to expect God to hear and answer their prayers for their good and God’s glory. Teach your children to seek truth and right, and to shun evil and evil companionship (1 Cor. 15:33). Do this on every level of their lives. Teach them that they will reap what they sow (Gal. 6:7,8). Teach them to have responsibility from early age. Teach.them good manners and respect for others and their property. Teach them to honor their parents (Eph. 6:2,3). Teach them to have respect for themselves, their minds and bodies, and to have good conscience in all things.

Teach your children about sex and its place in their lives. Instill in their hearts the evils and consequences of fornication, adultery and homosexuality. Teach them the dangers and consequenc s of premarital sex. Teach them about drugs, alcohol and tobacco and their destructive power. Teach them about the danger of yielding to peer pressure. Teach them the importance of selecting their companions.

Teach your children obedience from childhood; this is very important for them to go to heaven (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20; Rom. 1:30-32; 2 Tim. 3:45). Disobedience involves several things which are condemned in the word of God. It means to despise authority; to be stubborn. It means to be unthankful (Rom. 1:21), which is a dangerous attitude. It means to be unholy (1 Tim. 1:9). It is without natural affection (Rom. 1:31); implacable: unreconcilable. It is characteristic of children of hell (Jude 3; Rom. 1:26). Most people do not include all of this in disobedience, but it involves all because it is motivated by a mind that will not submit to authority, but walks by one’s own will and sensual appetites. Children must be taught obedience all their lives, and must learn that they are to teach this to their children.

There are three main areas your child needs to be developed:

1. Prepare them to serve God. No phase of your child’s life is more important than his spiritual life. Fail at this, and a soul is lost in eternity. Your child must be taught the word of God so that he becomes a Christian. A great ball player, lawyer, doctor, teacher, is a failure if he is not a Christian because life is short and eternity never ends (Jas. 4:13). It is not enough to be just a Christian, he must be a true wor shipper of God (Jn. 4:22-24). Children should be taught to have the love and desire to evangelize the world.

2. Prepare them for marriage and parenthood. The serious problem of divorce in this age attests to the failure of parents to prepare their children for this very important part of their lives. Most of your children will select a mate and marry at some time in the future. The teaching and training of your children will assure the care and teaching of your grandchildren (2 Tim. 1:5). Teach your son and daughter how to select a mate and how to be good husbands and wives. Teach your children how to be good parents to teach their children the right things and prepare them for life and eternity.

3. Prepare them for this life with success. Every child needs direction and encouragement in becoming a good citizen. Obedience to civil law is obedience to God’s law (Rom. 13:1-5; 1 Pet. 2:13,14). Not only must parents tell the child how to be an honest and submissive citizen, but they must show them by being good citizens themselves. Children and teenagers need strong teaching and supervision in this area of their lives.

Children must be provided with education and skills to prepare them for the business world. They must be taught to have good and honest attitudes toward work and money.

Children must be taught to honor their fathers and mothers (Eph. 6:2). Honor means to hold in high regard. It also means to provide for their needs when they are old. They should also learn to show piety at home and to requite their parents (1 Tim. 5:4). Parents should so conduct themselves during the lifetime of the children as to be honored and respected by them while they are young and when they are grown.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 12, pp. 354, 390
June 15, 1989