Does Our Soul Loathe This Worthless Bread?

Recently, in our Wednesday evening Bible class we’ve been studying through Philippians.  As part of this study, we looked at the life of the Apostle Paul and how the events of his life tied into many of the encouragements that are included in the epistle.  In today’s world the rise of social media brought with it a rise in publically airing our complaints and the day-to-day difficulties of our lives (it is likely that most, if not all, who use social media have fallen prey to this at some point or another, myself included).  However, Paul wrote a few things that should change our perspective as Christians concerning complaining and the need for being content.

The book of Philippians is ripe with quotable verses, many of which you’ll see held up on cardboard signs at football or baseball games.  For instance, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:8).  Was Paul expressing that Christ helps football players win championship games? No, rather he was expressing a much deeper sentiment; tie this passage back to Paul’s plight as he was writing the epistle.  In chapter one, we learn that Paul was in prison, that he was unaware as of yet whether he would live (physically) through the ordeal, and that he needed boldness to persevere. There is an important application, then, to what Paul was writing in Philippians 4:8.

Sometimes we couch complaints about our lives with such verses.  Often, it is expressed in manner such as the following (paraphrased):

Some days, it is good to know God exists. My A/C went out, and so did the oil pump on my truck.  My dog ran away, and my kid has a cold (which means I can’t sleep either!).  The hot water tank leaked all over the floor and my boss has been really hard to work with lately.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

All this really does is let everyone know how “hard” our lives are.  It is a way of complaining that expresses the complaint, but spins it in a way that appears godly-minded.  Is it really godly, or is it merely complaining like the Israelites in the Old Testament (see Numbers 21:5 for an example)?

If we study the life of Paul, we can glean the deeper meaning to many of his writings.  In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Compare this to 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 where we see the sufferings of Paul and how he endured them (note: Paul wrote of these sufferings not to complain, but rather to express a specific point and to refute the false “apostles” discussed in 11:13). 

Remember that Paul wrote that we are to do “all things without complaining and disputing” (the ESV uses “grumbling” rather than “complaining” in Philippians 2:14).  Grumbling means “a mutter of discontent: complaint” (Merriam-Webster) and can easily be connected to the previous reference in Numbers 21:5 (“…our soul loathes this worthless bread”).  In the context of Philippians 2:14, Paul was expressing that we live our lives in obedience and as lights in this world, which requires that we live contentedly and peacefully (please see the context).  If we are grumbling over the bad things in our lives and ignoring the blessings of God (think of how the Israelites were freed from slavery and provided with food in the wilderness, but complained over the TYPE of food that was given them), then are we living as such lights? Or are we telling God that we loath the “worthless bread” He has given us? If our concentration is on all the so-called bad things that happen in our lives, are we meditating on all the good things God has given us (see Philippians 4:4-9)?

Near the end of Paul’s list of his sufferings (see above for his rationale for including such a list!), Paul wrote, “…besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28).  In other words, Paul wrote off his own sufferings and was concerned more for the welfare of the church.  We should echo this concern! Similarly, in Philippians 2:25-30, Paul discussed the sickness that plagued Epaphroditus, who worried not about being in such a plight, but cared more that the Philippian brethren were so concerned about him.  Rather than complaining, Epaphroditus focused his attention beyond the immediate physical difficulties he was experiencing, which mirrors the attitude of Paul himself in Philippians 1:19-26.  Consider also the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  If Paul could refer to a physical death as a “light affliction” (think also of his list of sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11 again), then do we have room to complain in our own lives?

When Paul included a list of his own sufferings, it was not meant as a competition FOR complaining.  Too often today, complaints are used to show how much worse our lives are than someone else’s might be.  “Oh, that’s what YOU have to deal with? Well let me show you what I have to deal with!” Such perspectives are not Christian in nature.  Consider the words of Paul, who wrote, “Let nothing 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” (Philippians 2:3-4).  This requires humility, which is an attribute that needs constant maintenance rather than viewing it as having been achieved (those who list themselves as humble probably are not so).  Paul went on to say that we need to have the same mind as Christ, who lowered Himself and became obedient (see Philippians 2:5-11). 

Finally, let us live out the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Do all things, as Paul wrote, without grumbling!

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Abomination

Recently, we studied the concept of "abomination" in a Sunday morning sermon here in Bozeman, MT.  Abomination means, "something regarded with disgust or hatred: something abominable" and "extreme disgust and hatred: loathing" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). This is a rather strong term to utilize, especially by God; if He says that something is an abomination to Him, then we should take note and avoid that which He hates and is disgusted by.

Paul wrote, "Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord" (See Ephesians 5:8-12). Clearly, if an action is an abomination to the Lord, then it would not fit the criteria discussed by the Apostle Paul. Further, John wrote, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:1). If we are the children of God, then that designation determines what we participate in and what we support. The term "pure" means, "free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes,” “containing nothing that does not properly belong,” and “free from moral fault or guilt" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Clearly, works identified as abominable to God are not pure (remember the description of sin in 2 Peter 2:18-22). If they are not pure, then Christians are not to partake in or condone such activities. Paul also wrote, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret" (Ephesians 5:11-12).

Our current society mirrors that which the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 1. Reading through that passage, it is clear that a society without God digresses into debauchery. Unfortunately, many today advocate for the sins discussed in that passage, which is contrary to Paul's command, "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." Sadly, it fits more with the Romans 1:32, "...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." That is a sad, but sobering thought. It is best, then, to adhere to the admonition of "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). The King James translation reads, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil."

"Nor Did They Know How to Blush"

Jeremiah 8:10-12

Over the last few weeks, there have been numerous marches that have taken place in Washington, D.C.  One such march was the “Women’s March,” in which the following ideologies were promulgated: homosexuality, transgenderism, and “reproductive rights & justice,” among other agenda driven goals.  Some Christians chose to drive hundreds of miles in order to participate in this event and proudly wielded signs declaring not just their “tolerance” for the aforementioned ideologies, but their support of them.  These Christians argued that this approach should be used in hopes that someone might eventually obey the Lord, and therefore homosexual/transgender and “reproductive” rights were “stood up for” in the name of Christ.  Additionally, these Christians argued that this is exactly what Christ would want them to do and that the Bible supported this perspective.  Any opposition to this view was shot down as uncaring, unloving, and uncompassionate and any use of Scripture used to correct the view was condemned as a twisting.  Arguments such as these are nothing new.  In fact, the Corinthians were puffed up in their so-called tolerance for a brother in sin in 1 Corinthians 5.  However, did the Apostle Paul applaud their tolerance of sin or did he condemn it? The question was clearly answered in the context when Paul wrote, “And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:2).  To argue that the Apostle Paul, who was directly inspired by the Lord God Himself, would have condoned this man’s sinful lifestyle would be a blatant twisting of Scripture (reference also 2 Peter 3:16). 

To accompany the opening discussion, the argument is often made that Christ would not have wanted to offend those who might become Christians. It should be asked, do the Scriptures support this claim? One clear example is that of the “rich young ruler” in Matthew 19:16-22.  In this passage, Jesus dealt with the specific sin in which the young man was entangled: materialism.  Jesus instructed him on exactly what he would have to do, and that was to give up that which was separating him from God.  The young man “went away sorrowful” because he did not like the answer.  Did Jesus change the answer? Did Jesus comfort this man’s ungodly sorrow (reference 2 Corinthians 7:8-12)? The message was the same and Jesus did the man the service of being clear and forthright about what obedience would cost him.  John 6:60-66 presents another clear example of this principle.  In this passage, Jesus taught very difficult concepts and the result was the offending of many of His disciples.  In John 6:61, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked, “Does this offend you?” The indication is that the majority had been “offended” by His teachings, and we are told that from “that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66).  Those who chose to leave Him at this time were not justified in their walking away merely because He had “offended” them.  Hiding the truth under the guise of “compassion” is not compassionate in the least, but rather it is to the detriment of those who need salvation. 

What about treating sin as something disdainful? Often, people argue that it is more compassionate to not say anything than to address what sin really is in the eyes of God.  Sin is an abomination (see Proverbs 6:12-19 and 2 Peter 2:18-22), and not an “alternative lifestyle.”  The inspired Apostle Peter compared sin to “a dog returning to his own vomit” and “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”  Which of these depictions of sin leaves the impression with the reader that they are acceptable or something to be desired and advocated for? This is, in fact, how God sees sin.  Further, Paul wrote that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).  At what point in God’s wrath has He ever condoned sin? Paul also wrote that “God gave them up to vile passions.  For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful” (Romans 1:26-27).  While some argue that advocating for homosexual “rights” is the moral thing to do, Paul defined these as “vile passions.”  Vile means “morally despicable or abhorrent,” “physically repulsive: foul,” and “disgustingly or utterly bad” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).  How can something defined by God as morally despicable, abhorrent, disgustingly and utterly bad be the “moral” thing to advocate?

Additionally, Paul wrote that “they did not retain God in their knowledge” (Romans 1:28).  If we willfully choose to support sin when God has so clearly condemned it, then we have certainly not retained Him in our knowledge.  Paul continued the thought and wrote that, “God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting,” after which he included a rather extensive list of sins.  Paul did not call these sins “alternative lifestyles,” nor did he depict them as something to be advocated.  Rather, he stated that taking part in them was due to a “debased mind” that came from not retaining God in our knowledge. 

But what about supporting those who commit such sins? Can we not advocate for their “right” to commit these sins in hopes that they will one day turn to God? Paul actually addressed this in Romans 1 as well.  In Romans 1:32, Paul wrote, “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.”  Advocating for sin is the approval of sin and clearly fits with what Paul wrote.  Earlier in Romans 1, Paul wrote, “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen” (Romans 1:22-25).  While some claim moral superiority and great wisdom because they advocate for such “rights,” Paul defined them as “fools” because they have corrupted the glory of God.  They have “exchanged the truth of God for the lie” in an effort to fit in and not “offend” sinful men.  In doing so, they have exchanged God for the worshipping and serving of the lustful desires of mankind.  Why does such happen? As Paul wrote, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

Contrary to an ever increasingly popular argument, standing opposed to sin is not a twisting of Scripture.  The passages utilized here clearly condemn sin and the advocating of such lifestyles, and these are but a few among many.  The twisting of Scripture is not, in this instance, found among those condemning such lifestyles, but among those who advocate for them.  For the words of Paul in Romans 1 to be misunderstood, they must be twisted.  Peter wrote concerning Paul that “untaught and unstable people twist” his words “to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” and he then warned us to “beware lest” we “also fall from” our “own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (2 Peter 3:16-17).  Finally, Paul wrote, “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 NKJV).  In the KJV, this is translated as “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”  Christians cannot advocate for sinful lifestyles and choices without partaking in such evils, and we are foolish to believe that such is acceptable to the Lord God above.  Such sins are not “what is acceptable to the Lord,” but they are rather “the unfruitful works of darkness” and it is “shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:8-14).

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.