Considering Validity

“The real Wild West had faded into memory and history books by the start of the twentieth century, but it lived on in the minds of many Americans thanks to the embellished stories produced in dime novels, pulp westerns, traveling wild west shows, and early Hollywood motion pictures. These things made men like Buffalo Bill, Kit Carson, Gen. George Custer and others bigger than life. They became legendary figures, and helped to make the settlement of the American West romantic and colorful. It was then that many old-timers began setting down on paper what they remembered, or thought they remembered, about helping to settle the West. They wanted their share of the glory. Many books of old-timer tales were published even though many of the works were poorly written and garbled. Many people, even a few scholars, believed the accounts. After all, the writer said he had been there. What other proof was needed? Why should they not accept what a man had to say about his own life and times and believe the stories about what he did and the people he said he knew. Some suspected the accounts were not true but refused to correct them and repeated them because they had been accepted as authentic by the masses for many years.

By the middle twentieth century a new generation of scholars were becoming interested in the history of the West. They began to check the old-timers’ accounts and it soon became evident that many such accounts were not accurate, that the writers’ minds were hazy. They had not checked the facts, and their fading memories remembered only rumors or conjecture and not the truth. Scholars began to write books containing the truth. When the real lives of many legendary characters were compared to the true facts, their real lives were hardly recognizable.

While scholars excused the errors made by old-timers because of their ages and a lack of scholarly training, they were more critical of another type of old-timer who told outright lies in writing about the old west. This type of old-timer deliberately made up stories apparently to elevate their stature in history. Many such men had really led dull lives which they regretted in old age. Certainly it is not uncommon for people who have led dull lives to dream of being associated with prominent persons and events. There is nothing wrong with such dreaming, but when one put his dreams into words on paper and publishes them as the truth, it is wrong. Claiming to have been associated with well-known historic or notorious persons and events is simply fraud. Such people apparently counted upon the reader’s ignorance to believe instead of challenging what is written…”

Reference: Hopkins, F. (with Dary, D.). (2003). Hidalgo. Glasgow, KY: The Long Riders’ Guild Press.

There are a lot of different observations that can be made about the points in this quotation, but I want to focus in on the fact that the author speaks of real people, real places, and false "facts." The stories that Dary (2003) discusses were often created in order to elevate the author to prominence (in other words, they had something to gain by lying). Because of such lies when the testimonies were examined, the truth was exposed. Additionally, each of these stories contradicted one another, which is why they can be dismissed.

When it comes to the Bible, some claim that it is merely an invention of men...men who had something to gain from it...men who would gain prominence from it. When we examine the testimonies in the Bible, however, do they fall under the same category as those "testimonies" described in the quotation above? While the "old-timers'" discussed in the quotation were contradictory to one another, the testimonies within the Scriptures are not. Note how many different witnesses the Apostle Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, and yet they all testified with unity. When a lie is told in order to gain prominence, the liar does not welcome an investigation into their testimony. The Bible openly encourages an investigation of the evidence included because God wants His children to be convinced based on that evidence (reference Acts 17:10-12; Acts 17:2, 17, 18:4, 1 John 4:1, etc.). Likewise, John leveraged evidence in 1 John 1 to show that multiple people were witnesses to what has been presented in the Bible and that they were all in 100% agreement (see 1 John 1:1-4).

Lesser Discussed Sins Series - 07 - Debates and Disputes

A brief venture into the world of either social media or the comment section of a news article would reveal our next discussion topic: debate/disputes.  In our series to this point, many of the discussed sins are easily understood and the application is clear once the sin has been understood.  However, in the case of debates/disputes, a certain amount of judgment (based upon the Scriptures) must be applied to whether the debate or dispute constitutes what is condemned by God.   Perhaps this topic is discussed more often by Christians than some of the others in the series, but too often the concept of “debate” is considered to be something that is entirely evil.  This topic, like all others, is one that Christians need to carefully examine and seek to understand what the Scriptures teach.  Are all debates and/or disagreements condemned in the Bible? What do the Scriptures teach?

In Romans 1:29 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul wrote, “…being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers…” In the KJV, “strife” is translated as “debate” and considering these two translations together provide modern Christians with a more accurate understanding of what Paul was addressing.  In this context, debate is used in reference to specific subcategory of debate rather than being addressed in general.  How might we discern this from the context? Debate is surrounded in this passage by other sins, such as wickedness, maliciousness, deceit, and the like, which modifies that application of the word “debate” or “strife,” which means that Paul never intended it to be a blanket statement concerning all disagreements. 

Not all disagreements and resulting discussions equate to what Paul condemned in Romans 1:29.  Simply because two people disagree, even vehemently, does not necessarily mean that any discussion of their two alternative perspectives should be dismissed.  Unfortunately, too many Christians have fallen prey to the misconception that the discussion of opposing viewpoints will turn off any non-Christian that witnesses it, but if we look to the Bible it is clear through multiple examples that the Apostles disputed alternative viewpoints (even among those seeking to be faithful to God).  However, Paul did instruct Timothy to “avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2 Timothy 2:23).  Likewise, Paul instructed Titus to “avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9).  Was Paul insinuating that all disputes fall under this category and should therefore be avoided? The answer is clear from the context; Paul denotes the specific type of dispute he was condemning by modifying them with the words “foolish” and “ignorant” because such only lead to strife (remember how “debate” is translated as “strife” in the NKJV and similar translations). 

Return now to the example of social media and news articles; such examples show that it is easy to see what constitutes a foolish dispute.  Consider this rather silly, but pointed example from a few years ago: a popular musical artist posted a photo of his truck on social media.  In the comment section, many people began to argue, cuss, swear, and call each other names because of the kind of truck it was and the size of the vehicle.  Is there any wisdom in such argumentation? Was there even a valid reason for a disagreement? On a more serious level, however, there are many people claiming to be Christians that arrogantly assert their expertise on all things Biblical and will debate anything, anywhere.  Oftentimes, those asserting such claims will present arguments that are self-serving in many ways and will lead to unrighteous behaviors rather than godly ones. 

It is clear that discerning between a foolish dispute and a disagreement that may yet yield a positive benefit can be difficult.  However, the Scriptures provide Christians with a few guidelines to help with such discernment.  In the context of Paul’s words to Titus, he also wrote, “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11).  How might this help modern Christians determine where a healthy discussion ends and a foolish dispute begins? Can a person misunderstand certain Scriptures, yet continue to work towards a clearer understanding via discussion without being divisive? Perhaps a consideration of Apollos in Acts 18:24-28 would be prudent; Apollos was zealous in his teaching, although he was incorrect.  In spite of being so zealous, Apollos was clearly open to discussion and evidence, and when Aquila and Priscilla taught him, he accepted the truth.  It is clear that such is not a foolish dispute and that there was a benefit to such a discussion.  The example of Apollos is important because his attitude proved his desire to be acceptable to God.  Unlike the examples in Scriptures of false teachers, the teachings of Apollos would not lead to ungodliness; in other words, Apollos did not teach a doctrine that abused the grace of God and what he taught was correct at one point in time. Likewise, Christians should consider both the attitudes and the doctrines brought by those who would fall under the divisive category. 

A few years ago, an individual stated that he held a position on the topic of modesty that was unheard of among Christians, which is often a good indication of the value of such a position.  Based upon the twisting of a few Scriptures (reference 2 Peter 3:16), he claimed that only married women needed to be modest and that unmarried women could dress in whatever manner they deemed necessary so as to attract a mate.  At that time, this man was young and unmarried; might such an argument be rather self-serving? Such an argument made it excusable for him to lust after young women and still claim it to be a Scripturally supported stance.  Consider the words of Jude who wrote, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).  Likewise, Jude also wrote “that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.  These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit” (Jude 18-19).  When an individual consistently presents arguments that glorify lewd behaviors and carefully twist Scripture to fit their desires, then they are the divisive man discussed in Titus 3.  Should Christians continue to discuss and debate with such an individual?

While it is often tempting to continue to debate with such individuals and believe that potential “others” will benefit from it, there is a reason that the Apostle Paul warned against such.  Modern Christians should carefully consider the reasons for which Paul wrote to reject such an individual after the first and second admonition; do we consider ourselves to be better equipped than Paul to handle such discourse? If the continuation of such disputes can be excused by saying that “others might benefit from it,” then could the same not have been said during Paul’s time? When such a command is found in the Scriptures, then modern Christians should work towards an understanding of that command and the reasons for which it was issued by God through His inspired writers.  As a final admonition, consider the words of Paul found in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  These words follow up Paul’s discussion of those in Israel’s past that thought themselves able to be entangled with the world and yet endure it.  As Paul stated in that context, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written down for our admonition…” (1 Corinthians 10:11).  Let us take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul!

Lesser Discussed Sins Series - 06 - Pride

In Romans 1:28-32, the Apostle Paul included “proud” and “boasters” among the list of sins that the rejection of God brings about.  Consider also that Solomon included this concept in Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”  Jesus included it among a list of rather despicable transgressions when He stated that what “comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:20-23).  While being prideful might be overlooked often as being a “lesser” sin (compared, for example, to murder), Jesus said “All these evil things”, which means that Christians should take note of it.

While pride is an issue that may frequently be mentioned in passing, how often do we sit and consider this concept specifically? However, being prideful and even boastful is an issue that is all too prevalent in our society today.  For men (perhaps pride is more of an issue with men, generally speaking, but Christian ladies should be wary of it as well), pride can come about through a number of different factors; for instance, men might be proud of their academic achievements, their professional achievements, their material wealth, their fame (even perceived fame), and the list goes on.  One problem that often develops due to pride is that an outlook on life is cultivated in which an individual believes themselves to always be correct and no amount of evidence to the contrary will convince them otherwise.  For instance, someone with this outlook might put forth the argument that since they are “well educated,” everyone should listen to them on the topic rather than someone who is not so “educated”.  Naturally, such an attitude will not be stated in such obvious terms, but the attitude is present nonetheless; last year, I read an article in which the author was clearly trying to exert their intellectual abilities and he disparaged anyone who potentially disagreed with his stance as being less educated and of lesser intelligence (he even went so far as to mention his academic degrees and where he obtained them).  Such is prideful and inappropriate on many levels.

In Proverbs 16:18, King Solomon wrote that pride “goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Likewise, in Proverbs 11:2, he wrote that when “pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.”  Again, he wrote that a “man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).  From just these few passages, it is easy to ascertain that pride will only bring shame upon the prideful.  Pride can often lead to other sins; think back to Proverbs 6:16-19.  How often does pride lead to these other abominations? For instance, mankind has become so prideful in their so-called evolved state of being that they determine that unborn babies are not human and therefore, in their pride, they extinguish those innocent lives (“…shed innocent blood…”).  Likewise, in James 4:1-10, it is stated that fighting and war comes about due to pride; this is contrasted with the concept of submitting to God (which requires humility rather than pride), resisting the devil (again, requiring submission), and finally it is stated, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

The Bible contains multiple examples of those that God humbled, which included mighty kings of great empires.  One such person was Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon; in Daniel 5:18-31, Daniel went before Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, to interpret the writing on the wall.  Speaking of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel stated that God had given him a great kingdom and had placed him in power, yet “when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.  Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys.  They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.” However, Belshazzar, who knew of these events, had not humbled himself before God (Daniel 5:22) and God removed the kingdom from him because of this fact (Daniel 5:30-31). 

Similarly, we have the accounts of King Manasseh, his son Amon, and his grandson Josiah.  Manasseh allowed his pride to lead to further wickedness, and like Nebuchadnezzar, God removed him from power until he “humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (2 Chronicles 33:1-17).  On the other hand, Amon “did not humble himself before the Lord, as his father Manasseh had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more” (2 Chronicles 33:22), and so God allowed Amon to be murdered (2 Chronicles 33:24).  Unlike Manasseh and Amon, Josiah followed the will of God from a very early age; at age 16, Josiah “began to seek the God of his father David” (2 Chronicles 34:3).  Reading through the account of Josiah, it is easy to determine that he had humbled himself before the Lord God without having to be taught in the same manner as Nebuchadnezzar or Manasseh (2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27). 

These are but brief examples from the Bible that teach the followers of God about the need for humbleness.  It is clear from these passages where the sin of pride can lead and while pride may not be the first step in a long list of possible transgressions, pride can lead us down the wrong road.  When we consider our own attitude, do we have a hardened heart like Belshazzar and Amon that will not be humbled? Have we had a heart like Manasseh that has been humbled by God? Or do we have a heart like that of Josiah?

Consider those that God has named as being humble; in Numbers 12:3, the following was stated; “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the face of the earth.”  If we stop and consider who Moses was, we realize that he had grown up in the house of Pharaoh, which means that he was well educated and, prior to his yielding to the will of God, very rich and powerful.  Think also of the submission of Jesus to the Father, which required humility.  Are we greater than Jesus? If Moses was powerful, Jesus was more so since He had all of the legions of heaven, yet He chose to do the will of the father. 

When the disciples asked Jesus about who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven would be, “Jesus called a little child to Him” and then said in answer to those disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-5).  As Christians, we are to be like Christ, which requires us to deny ourselves and submit to His will; this requires us to put aside pride and arrogance, and to be humble (not in word, but in action).

Lesser Discussed Sins Series - 05 - Haters of God

In our last article, we focused on Romans 1:28-32, in which the Apostle Paul included a rather extensive list of sins and actions that are manifested through the rejection of God.  There are a lot of rather distasteful activities associated with such a rejection; fornication, envy, murder, strife, inventors of evil things, and the list goes on.  Sadly, a brief look at modern culture proves that the words of Paul are true and applicable throughout every time period and culture.  We see hatred being spewed by those who have rejected God and many of the actions that Paul describes in Romans 1 are easily seen simply by watching the news each evening.  The foundation for Paul’s description of society is the rejection of God, which can often come through one of the problems that is contained in Paul’s list: “haters of God” (1:30).  In our own culture, we’ve seen this concept at work; society has come to hate God and therefore reject Him, His commands/word, and His followers.  But what does it mean to hate God? How does one come to hate God?

Recently, there was a video online in which an individual was offered a Bible for free and was told that she could do with it as she chose.  Her response was to take the Bible (multiple Bibles, actually) and then say that she would burn them.  Instead of burning them, however, she proceeded to walk outside and start throwing the Bibles against the outside of the building.  Where does such hatred come from? Does she even understand what she purports to hate? Often, “haters of God” become such simply because they do not understand Him, nor do they care to understand Him.  Many reject the Bible and argue against the principles set forth in it without ever actually considering it; there are many “articles” out there condemning the Bible, but they arrive at their conclusions not through the careful preponderance of evidence, but rather through the twisting of the Scriptures into what they are not (2 Peter 3:16).  Through many of the arguments this particular individual stated, it was clear that she lacked any actual knowledge concerning what she so vehemently hated.  Some things never change; remember that many were extremely angry with Paul in Ephesus and were rioting, but most of them had no idea why they were so mad (see Acts 19:21-41). 

On this same concept, King Solomon wrote that “it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.  The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord” (Proverbs 19:2-3).  Too many arrive at the conclusion that society suffers because of God and religion (“without knowledge”) and therefore support outright wickedness (“hastens with his feet”).  In a list of what God hates, Solomon included a “heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil” (Proverbs 6:18).  The principle is that those who hate God and all that He represents will hasten to do the exact opposite.  While the NKJV version of Proverbs 19:3 states the people described “frets” against the Lord, the NASB translates it as “And his heart rages against the Lord.”  How else could “haters of God” be perceived? The wicked of the world rage against the righteousness of the Lord and support the wicked deeds described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 1. 

Frequently, coming to hate God is a gradual digression; many do not start out with hatred for Him, but the world will happily teach this hatred.  In Matthew 6:24, Jesus said that no “one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”  In the context, Jesus spoke of obedience to God and aligning our priorities correctly (such as directing what we see appropriately, laying up our treasures in heaven, etc.).  If our focus is primarily on the things of this world and pleasures of sin, then we will come to hate God and everything that He stands for.  Where we align ourselves will direct our perspective towards God; do we seek this worlds treasures to the detriment of our obedience to God? Then we will come to despise God and love materialistic things.  In the context of our original passage, Paul wrote that those who reject God in favor of sin seek to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” and will exchange “the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:18-32).  Why would truth be rejected in favor of an ungodly lie?

Jesus expressed the principle that those who love darkness (wickedness/lawlessness) will hate the light, the deeds of the light, and those who practice the light.  In John 3:19-21, Jesus stated that “this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”  Interestingly enough, Jesus also stated that “it [the world] hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John 7:7).  Not only do many hate God, but that hatred extends to His followers.  In John 15:18-20, Jesus said that “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own.  Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.  If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

There is a clear connection between loving this present world and the hating of God.  The point is clearly made by Jesus who said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).  The alternative is clearly true – if we love the things of this world, and refuse to do His will, then we become haters of God.

Lesser Discussed Sins Series - 04 - Whisperers

The concept of gossip is often depicted as amusing in our society.  For instance, in The Andy Griffith Show, the humorous problems caused by gossip were the underlying plot in numerous episodes.  While this was amusing in a fictional context, it is too often assumed that gossip is a rather harmless activity to participate in, and therefore it is one of the lesser of the sins discussed in the Bible.  However, gossip is tied intimately with a few different things that ought to result in our reexamination of our approach.  Frequently, gossip is tied to or incorporates the concept of “whispering” and “backbiting.”  Merriam-Webster defines “backbite” as saying “mean or spiteful things about a person (such as someone who is not present).”  This stands as a concise definition for gossip and whispering as they are utilized within the Bible as well.  Who gossips about a person to their face (which goes against the very definition of gossip)?

In Romans 1:28-32, the Apostle Paul wrote:

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

In the context, Paul was discussing those who would reject God and among the characteristics of such people he includes “whisperers” and “backbiters”.  When we often look at passages such as Romans 1:28-32, we focus on the sins that we see as being particularly transgressive, such as murder, sexual immorality (fornication in the KJV), and violence.  However, examining “whisperers,” “backbiters,” and the like is really an examination of the mindset of the person committing those transgressions.  If, as Paul established in Romans 1, those who commit such actions have rejected the Lord, do we want to travel down that path?

In Psalm 41:7, King David wrote, “All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt.” In this context, David was not speaking about the physical act of whispering, but rather he spoke of a malicious act of hate and cunning.  In the context, David wrote of those who were once counted among his friends that would then turn against him, such as King Saul.  Consider Proverbs 4:16 where King Solomon wrote, “For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.”  In Romans 1, this is the state of mind of that Paul was speaking about; as he stated, God gave them “over to a debased mind” (Romans 1:28). 

This article does not argue that in order to participate in gossip, backbiting, and whispering that we must have gone completely over to a “debased mind” as Paul stated in Romans 1.  Participating in these activities will lead us down the path to a debased mind, however.  Even within the body of Christ there are some who are not happy unless they are causing a problem of some sort; whether it be for some perceived power (which is in itself a complete lack of understanding when it comes to what we are to be as Christians) or because of some personal issue, it seems that some continually try to tear others down.  In many contexts in the Bible, the underlying concept is that of gossip, which frequently separates even the best of friends.  For instance, King Solomon again wrote in Proverbs 16:27-29, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire.  A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.  A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.”   Again, there is a steady digression depicted within this passage that points to a debased mind.

Participating in gossip is detrimental to our souls; again, Solomon wrote that the “words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body” (Proverbs 18:8; 26:21-23).  Often, gossip reveals information that is not correct about a person; however, even if some of the information is correct, the whole picture is not stated.  Consider that some talebearer may reveal sin in the life of another; has that person been approached per the Scriptures? Have they repented and therefore the sin is no longer in their life? How we handle gossip is important; for instance, Solomon wrote, “Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another; Lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined” (Proverbs 25:9-10).  Do we consider how we talk of such matters even if we have a right to be either offended or if we have been wronged (see also Matthew 18:15-17)?  Consider also that one who brings those “tasty trifles” (Proverbs 18:8) to you will also gossip about you; in Proverbs 20:19, Solomon wrote that he “who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” 

As noted previously, we have not necessarily gone completely over to a “debased mind” when we participate in gossip, backbiting, and whispering, but we tread dangerously close with our mouth and such a digression becomes a true possibility if we do not repent and guard against it.  In James 3, it is written that the tongue “is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” and that out “of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing” (James 3:1-12).  Further, James wrote that “For we all stumble in many things.  If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).  Perhaps this was written with a somewhat sarcastic tone in mind; further, this was not written as an excuse to sin with our tongues, but rather it stands as a warning about the dangers of the tongue.  This is not an amusing anecdote about gossip that too often flows from the tongue, but rather counsel that should be taken with the utmost seriousness.   James stated that the “tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity” and that it is “so set among our members that it defiles the whole body.”  Perhaps this latter phrase is a play on words in that it refers to the harm that the tongue can do to our own bodies and the harm that it can do to the body of Christ. 

Finally, consider Provers 10:31 where Solomon wrote that the “mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.”  What comes from our mouth, blessings or cursings? Likewise, Solomon wrote that there “is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18).  Do others benefit from what we say or do we tear one another down? Again, Solomon wrote that a “wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).  With our words, do we set the goal to establish life or to destroy? Where is our mind? Do we have a mind that is either debased or steadily approaching that state? Solomon also wrote that an “evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue” (Proverbs 17:4).  We must guard against such and ensure that our minds and tongues are where God would have them to be (reference Philippians 4:8). 

The Digression of King Saul

There are two well-known individuals in the Bible that bear the name of “Saul”; one was the first king of Israel, the second would be renamed Paul and would become an Apostle.  Ironically, King Saul started his reign as a faithful servant of God and would later digress into wickedness, while our introduction to Saul (later called Paul) informs us that he was persecuting the church of God  (Acts 7:58; Acts 9).  While the change in the Apostle Paul can be discussed at a later time, we will spend some time looking at the digression of King Saul; how does a faithful servant fall so far? How did his faith fail?

In 1 Samuel 15:15, while Saul was speaking to Samuel, he stated that the people had not destroyed the goods of the Amalekites because they wanted “to sacrifice to the Lord YOUR God” (emphasis added).  While this is not the first instance in which we see King Saul digressing, his attitude towards God in this passage marks the true problem and not just a symptom.  The phrase “the Lord your God” is used frequently throughout the Bible, but the context of the phrase dictates whether it is a sign of respect or a sign of disobedience; in this instance, King Saul was rebelling against the commands of God and his attitude indicates that he no longer believed God to have authority over him.  As noted, this accentuates the real problem and not the symptom; in earlier chapters, Saul presumed to offer sacrifices that were meant for only a priest (1 Samuel 13:8-14).  Was the offering of the sacrifice the true problem or was it a symptom of the problem?

The activities of disobedience (offering the sacrifice or refusing to destroy Amalek) were truly sins against God, but they stemmed from a heart that no longer acknowledged the power and authority of God.  Not that in response to Samuel, Saul said that he “felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering” (1 Samuel 13:12).  By what authority? What lead to this digression away from trusting in God and submitting to His almighty authority?

Saul Chosen as King

When David was chosen to be the one who would follow Saul as King, God told Samuel “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.  For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).  And yet, our introduction to Saul included that there “was not a more handsome person than he” and that from “his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people” (1 Samuel 9:2).  At the anointing of Saul, there was no mention concerning his heart; at that point, it is clear that he was a servant of God (he prophesied in 1 Samuel 10:10-13), so obviously God was with him at that point.  However, Saul had only reigned two years when he chose to make the sacrifice in 1 Samuel 13:1, 8-14. 

Saul’s Pride

While it is not explicitly stated within the Scriptures, it appears that Saul’s pride lead to his digression; consider the rash vow in 1 Samuel 14:24.  In this passage, Saul stated that “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies”; he was clearly focused on his own desires rather than what God wanted him to do.  Later, when Saul discovered that Jonathan had eaten, he refused to acknowledge the ridiculous nature of his rash vow and commanded that Jonathan be executed (the people of Israel refused to a part of this evil; 1 Samuel 14:44-45).  Saul’s pride is again emphasized in 1 Samuel 18:6-9; here, the people were praising David for the death of Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and Saul was “very angry, and the saying displeased him” because they placed him at a lesser value than David.  Further, Saul said, “Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” Additionally, Saul believed that he had the power to thwart the plans of God; he frequently tried to kill David so that he would be unable to reign in his or Jonathan’s place.  In 1 Samuel 20:31, Saul stated that if Jonathan wanted to reign, David would have to be killed; the pride and arrogance inherent in such a thought is astounding.  The true depths to which Saul had sunk was shown through his willingness to murder the priests who had helped David and his men in 1 Samuel 22:6-23; the Israelites with Saul would not kill the priests!

What we learn from Saul is that pride fails, that we are not as powerful as we think that we are, and that God is always in control.  In addition to this, we learn that while we respect our leaders and we submit to them, we are not required to obey ungodly commands (note again Saul’s command to execute Jonathan and the priests).  

There are many other passages that we could examine in order to understand the digression of Saul; for instance, he consulted a medium in 1 Samuel 28, which again shows that he no longer cared about the commands of God.  In the end, we see that Saul did not have a heart dedicated to God; while other men, such as David, committed sin against God, their hearts drove them to repent and submit to God, but Saul relied only on himself.

Love the Brethren

In 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, the Apostle Paul provided a detailed description of love; the essential nature of love is that it is all encompassing and that it drives our every motive.  In the overall context of this passage, Paul was correcting the attitude of the Christians; if we tie what Paul wrote in chapter 13 to the rest of the book, we note that the Corinthians had been envious, they had paraded themselves, they had rejoiced in iniquity, and their love for one another had failed.  Their care for one another was lacking because of their own selfish ambitions; desires for their own “rights” (as some today call it) trumped their willingness to look out for the spiritual wellbeing of one another.  This was accentuated by their desire for the “best” spiritual gifts, their sectarianism concerning by whom they had been taught, and participating in the activities directed towards idols (this is not a comprehensive list).  A key element in Paul’s description of love is that Christians need to consider the wellbeing of one another; this is something that needs to be on our mind with each decision that we make.  Does our decision glorify God? Does it help others in reaching their goal of heaven? Does it help me present myself as a servant of God who has denied the things of this world?

How imperative is it that we love one another? In 1 John 3:10, we read that in “this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.”  After referencing the murder of Abel by his brother Cain, John also wrote that “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).  In writing this, John was not literally stating that we are murderers, but that the end result is the same if we hate rather than love one another.

In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul again wrote on the concept of loving one another and expressly stated that we should overlook our own desires in light of those of our brethren.  Nothing is to “be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (2:3-4).  Why are such passages so important to us today? Many Christians speak about how much love they have for one another, and indeed that is likely to be their intent; however, what do their actions more often portray? Remember that the Christians in Corinth believed themselves to be longsuffering and loving of the brother in error, but Paul corrected their attitude and their method of discipline in 1 Corinthians 5. 

There is an attitude the creeps up now and then that can be summed up as “If that person doesn’t like what I’m doing, then that is THEIR problem and not mine”.  There are a plethora of topics through which this attitude is manifested, but perhaps the most common one (or at least the one we will use as an example) will be on the topic of modesty.  Too often, it is expressed that how we dress should not impact the spiritual lives of others and that our “freedom” (although this is not an established concept from Scripture) should not be impeded by the perceived weakness of others.  Is this an appropriate attitude for a Christian to parade around with?

Consider that John also wrote that “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16).  What if Jesus had the attitude that we too often have towards one another? What if Jesus stated that His life should not have to be sacrificed for our iniquities? Instead, Jesus led the way for us and in “this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).  Therefore, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11) and “we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).  If we are unwilling to forego immodest apparel for our brethren, would we be willing to lay down our lives for the brethren? Are we echoing the love of God (1 John 3:16, 4:7-11) if we do not care for the spiritual welfare of our brethren? Or are we allowing things to be “done through selfish ambition” (Philippians 2:3)?

Part of what leads to such an attitude is that we do not concentrate on having a godly perspective rather than a worldly one; in other words, we allow the cares and desires of this world to outweigh what God would have us desire.  Are we keeping up with the latest fashion? Do we look good in our clothes? Do people of the world find us attractive? While many argue that it is merely for the sake of comfort that they wear immodest apparel, are we being honest with ourselves when make such an argument? For instance, how many times do young ladies wear shorts that are hardly longer than underwear compensate by wearing a sweatshirt or coat? How often do young men do the exact same thing? Is this for comfort in the heat, or is it for something else?

In 1 John 2:15-17, we are told not to “love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”  If our main concern is keeping up with the latest fashion or being seen as attractive by the world, then we clearly have placed the love of the world over the love of the Father.  If we refuse to consider the spiritual wellbeing of our brethren in order that we might wear our favorite shirt, shorts, dress, etc., then “the love of the Father” is not in us.  Additionally, John wrote that “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).  Do we consider the needs of our brethren ahead of our own desires?

As Paul wrote, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seeks its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).