Know Your Bible

VOL. 15 June 4, 2017 NO. 12

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EASY, OR RIGHT?

If a friend or family member is known to drink alcoholic beverages and then drive his or her car, would you say anything about this, preventing a disaster? Or, would you keep silent for fear of hurting their feelings?

If a friend or family member is harming and abusing a child, would you speak up about it, or would you keep silent because you didn’t want the trouble it could bring to you?

If a friend or family member is teaching false doctrine which results in someone being led away from the truth (and thus, lost eternally) would you keep silent because it is the easier thing to do, or would you confront the false teacher and try to correct him?

If a friend or family member is making a spiritual choice which leads him or her into unfaithfulness, would you say something about this, or would you keep quiet because you fear the wrath of the erring brother or sister?

“Easy” is seldom “right,” is it?

—Mark White

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HANDICAPPED BY PRIDE

Those who suffer physical handicaps are, of course, limited in their ability to effectively accomplish certain manual tasks. We sympathize with their hardships and are sensitive to their special needs.

Sadly, there are many who – while having no physical impairment – are seriously handicapped by their own attitudes and actions. Among the worst of these injuries is the common malady of pride.

Consider some of the constraints that result from pride:

• Pride keeps one from accepting helpful advice and constructive criticism. Thus, the proud man misses out on the benefits he could gain through the words of wisdom offered by others (Proverbs 10:8).

• Pride prevents one from being corrected when he is wrong. He simply can’t accept that something he has said or done could be in error. He feels a heavy burden to justify himself regardless of how glaring his mistake may be. He is simply blind to his own faults (Revelation 3:17; Galatians 6:3, 1 Corinthians 10:12).

• Pride keeps one in a continual state of strife and contention. He is forever ‘at odds’ with someone over something (Proverbs 13:10, 28:25).

• Pride blocks confession and repentance. Both of these are essential to gaining forgiveness (1 John 1:8-10, Luke 13:3). Therefore, the proud person continues in his sin, ignoring the pleas of faithful brethren to turn back.

• Pride will ultimately keep one out of heaven (Mark 7:20-23)

—Greg Gwin

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”JUST ONE DRINK”

In May 2003, in a report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, under "Key Facts," the second bullet point reads: "The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) position on the relationship between blood alcohol concentration and driving is that driving performance degrades after just one drink."

Just one drink. Some foolishly reason, "Surely just one drink won't be bad for me." "Just one drink won't harm me." And yet, NHTSA clearly states from their thorough research "that driving performance degrades after just one drink."

Many Christians through the years have ardently defended the consumption of "just one drink," or "just one beer." "That surely one drink of alcohol would not be wrong." "How could one drink be sinful?" "Yes, drunkenness is certainly wrong, but not just an occasional drink."

The child of God is commanded to be sober and alert (1 Thess. 5:6-8). But just one drink negatively impacts our soberness and alertness. The child of God is commanded to add self-control to their faith (2 Peter 1:6). It's a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). However, we begin to lose our ability to practice self-control after just one drink.

In fact, the wise man warns us to not even "look on the wine" because of the negative ways it will affect us (Prov. 23:29-35). In the New Testament, the apostle Peter wrote: "For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in...drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties..." (1 Peter 4:3). Drinking parties (or "banquetings") comes from the Greek word potos. The emphasis of "potos" is simply drinking in general, whether a little or a lot. And the Holy Spirit declares that Christians are not to act that way anymore.

Stop defending it and arguing in favor of it. Just one drink is wrong for the Christian. Those who truly reverence God & His all-sufficient Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17) will whole-heartedly agree.

—Jessee Flowers

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Know Your Bible" is e-mailed weekly by the church of Christ which meets at 112 Roberts Avenue in Wise, Virginia. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in next week's mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and we will remove your address promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page and further instructions will be given as to how you may contact us.

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