Know Your Bible

VOL. 12 May 5, 2013 NO. 14

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GET THE FACTS

All too often brethren hear some rumor or are treated to one side of a story and swallow it all. They may jump to conclusions, spread the story and even condemn those they have heard about. This has always been true, but is perhaps worse in the day of e-mail. It may be that some do this with evil intent. However, others may do this with pure motives because they have confidence in the source of their information.

If we would listen the the Proverb writer we would gain a little wisdom and keep ourselves from trouble. Two of the Proverbs come to mind as I reflect upon the problem described.

Proverbs 18:13 - "He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him." Matthew Henry comments: See here how men often expose themselves by that very thing by which they hope to gain applause. 1. Some take a pride in being quick. They answer a matter before they hear it, hear it out, nay, as soon as they but hear of it. They think it is their honour to take up a cause suddenly; and, when they have heard one side, they think the matter so plain that they need not trouble themselves to hear the other; they are already apprized of it, and masters of all the merits of the cause. Whereas, though a ready wit is an agreeable thing to play with, it is solid judgment and sound wisdom that do business. 2. Those that take a pride in being quick commonly fall under the just reproach of being impertinent. It is folly for a man to go about to speak to a thing which he does not understand, or to pass sentence upon a matter which he is not truly and fully informed of, and has not patience to make a strict enquiry into; and, if it be folly, it is and will be shame.

Proverbs 18:17 - "The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him." This tells us that there may be another side to the story. There may be information that has been omitted. Again Matthew Henry comments: This shows that one tale is good till another is told. 1. He that speaks first will be sure to tell a straight story, and relate that only which makes for him, and put the best colour he can upon it, so that his cause shall appear good, whether it really be so or no. 2. The plaintiff having done his evidence, it is fit that the defendant should be heard, should have leave to confront the witnesses and cross-examine them, and show the falsehood and fallacy of what has been alleged, which perhaps may make the matter appear quite otherwise than it did. We must therefore remember that we have two ears, to hear both sides before we give judgment.

From these Proverbs we learn a valuable lesson. Before we swallow a story, retell it and pronouce condemnation upon another, we would do well to get the facts!

---Donnie V. Rader

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ATTENTION LADIES

Ladies, your short dresses are making it more unlikely for you to be surrounded by honorable minded gentlemen. Dresses too short, too low, and too tight may attract men, but such do not attract gentlemen. And, they are not inclined to produce honorable thoughts. Think for just a moment — honestly now; you must admit this is true. If you want the men around you to be gentlemen and think about you as gentlemen should, dress (and act) like a lady — better still, as “becometh women professing godliness.” (1 Tim. 2:10)

Ladies, you sometimes make it uncomfortable for a gentleman to be in your presence. Your dresses are too short when you are standing, and when you are seated a gentleman can not look in your direction without being embarrassed for you. This presents no problem to unprincipled men, but a gentleman expects, and respects the privacy of a lady. He seeks to maintain her dignity, and looks the other way when she is uncovered. But your indiscretion shows no respect for yourself, nor for his manners.

Frankly, you are embarrassing us. We cannot help being embarrassed when you do not wear enough clothes to hide your nakedness. One high school Bible class studied around tables arranged in a horseshoe shape. The young men continually refused to sit at the tables but rather went to the rear of the room. Finally it was discovered that they were embarrassed to sit facing the short skirted girls seated at the tables. But the brethren corrected the problem; they enclosed the tables with wooden skirts. I thought then it would be better to put skirts on the girls rather than on the tables.

I understand the boys’ problem. I teach classes and it is sometimes embarrassing to stand before the class. You find it impossible to freely look at the audience because some of the women do not have on enough clothes. If we can’t get ladies to wear more clothes, churches may need to consider buying some lap robes.

Ladies, can you honestly say you think these short, tight skirts are modest apparel? Not “Are they the style” but “Are they modest?” If so, how would a woman be immodest? A belt is about the only article of outer clothing that is tighter or shorter! Women who profess godliness ought to be concerned with adorning themselves “in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.” (1 Tim. 2:9-f.) They should learn to be “discreet, chaste.” (Titus 1:5) Styles should be considered, but I fear some of my sisters in Christ have sacrificed modesty and discretion for style.

Ladies, consider the impression left by such scanty attire. It is by such “advertising” that the lewd and vulgar appeal to their counterparts. These are the “tools” of risqué cartoons, dirty “jokes”, and outright pornography. Do you suppose anyone suspects you are a Christian, on the basis of such clothing?

Ladies, wake up! Adorn your inner person for heaven, and allow this primary consideration to dictate correct outer garments.

---Joe Fitch

From Plain Talk, Vol. 7, No. 1. March, 1970.

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