Know Your Bible

VOL. 11 April 1, 2012 NO. 10

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SHOULD I STOP?

I am sometimes made to wonder if I should shop preaching and writing about certain things. What do I have in mind and why do I raise such an issue? Allow me to share with you some of my frustrations.

I have often preached and written about the need to be more selective about the television shows and movies we watch. I have sounded warnings about the negative influences these and other bad entertainment choices can have on our thinking and our actions, yet I still read and hear about Christians going to movies and watching shows that are filled with profanity, or sexual innuendo, or scanty dress (even to nudity), or encourage sexual immorality, or all of these. I’m sometimes made to wonder if I’m wasting my time with lessons on the dangers of these evil influences.

Dress is also a subject I have addressed many times in an attempt to get all, both men and women, young and old alike, to have within themselves a sense of modesty and purity that will keep them sufficiently and properly covered. I have pointed out that since even those of the world who make no claims to be holy recognize one’s clothing, or lack thereof, can be a sexual stimulant, as Christians who seek to be holy we need to be extremely careful with our dress. And though I have never tried to lay down my own formal dress code, I have sought to provoke thought about the dangers of clothing that is too short, too low, too sheer, too tight, and too brief. I have also reminded everyone that their clothing should not just be modest when standing, but also when sitting. After all that I still sometimes see Christians out and about or posting pictures on Facebook in clothes that are anything but modest. There are times when some will come to worship assemblies in clothing that appears to be a second skin or so low that it is awkward and embarrassing for a man to talk with them.

I suppose most who know me realize I have no intention of keeping silent on these and other subjects or else I wouldn’t have written this article, but why would I keep saying these things if people are going to ignore them. Two key reasons:

FIRST, despite the fact some choose not to apply them to their entertainment and clothing choices the Scriptures still say...

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Cor. 15:33

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Phil. 4:8

“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Pet. 1:15,16

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mt. 5:13-16

“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Rom. 13:13,14

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart...Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” Mt. 5:27,28; 18:6,7

“Flee sexual immorality.” 1 Cor. 6:18

SECOND, I keep writing and preaching about these things because there are those who are listening. While disturbed by some of the dress I see, and truly puzzled by the entertainment choices of some, nevertheless, as Paul said to Philemon in verse 20 of that brief epistle, “you refresh my heart in the Lord” when I see the concern for holiness and purity manifested by so many of you saints, including some who are quite young. Yes, there are those who willfully set aside the teachings of the Scriptures on these subjects, but I am encouraged by those making good choices and am cognizant of the fact that many who are making the wrong choices in clothing and entertainment are not rebellious in nature and will change as they acquire more spiritual maturity and grow in their discernment (Hebrews 5:12-14). Yes, I get discouraged at times, but keep on keeping on with the assurance that the word of God will break through to take control of even more hearts.

Will I stop preaching, teaching, and writing on these things? I must not; instead, I must, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2-5

---John Gibson

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***SENTENCE SERMONS***

To have God in our life, doesn't mean sailing on a boat with no storms, it means having a boat that no storm can sink!

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Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be famous; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth.

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Don’t pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.

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Ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.

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A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

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If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.

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One slip does not make a person forever a failure anymore than one good deed makes him a saint forever.

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