Truth Magazine

By Steve Wallace

Alcohol is such an accepted part of American society and society in general that our title may strike some as odd. After all, so many popular, fashionable, and successful people are known to drink. Also, commercials, movies, advertisements, etc., picture drinking as something to be desired, as it seems as proper to have a drink in one’s hand in many different settings as it does to be wearing the latest fashion. Plus, it has become so socially acceptable that one can be led to think it necessary to fit in. Indeed, many Christians work with or have as relatives those who cannot think of a social gathering without a bar or a “bring your own bottle” type of invitation. When we add to all of this the seemingly endless number of brands of hard liquor, wine, and beer available, the picture is complete. Intoxicants are popular, acceptable, and accessible in our world.

In light of the above facts why would the child of God or any other person want to refrain from drinking? After all, it seems like a proper activity for anyone. Are there facts which would give us a view more balanced than that so apparent in our world?

There are, but as we approach them we must recognize that they are not as popular or widespread as the facts in our opening paragraph. The liquor industry is big business and has money for advertising and promotion necessary for such a business, that its victims and opponents usually do not have. Plus, institutions and associations that help said victims must put the bulk of their funds into the services they render rather than into publicizing the facts they glean from their work. Hence, what we say herein does not rest or rely on popular notions. Rather, it appeals to truth and fact with the hope that the reader will weigh them against the ideas common in our society. What, then, are the dangers of alcohol?

•  Alcohol perverts judgment (Isa. 5:22-23). King Ahasuerus, when “merry with wine,” attempted to show his wife off before a crowd of his subjects (Esth. 1:10-11). Lot would never have committed incest had he been sober (Gen. 19:32-35). People “utter perverse things” under the influence of alcohol (Prov. 23:33). Statistics often do not show the effects alcohol has in this area. Marriages are entered into by people who have met and courted under the influence of alcohol; they later dissolve or lead to the kind of terrible homes that abused spouses and children, and criminals come from. Alcohol can cause one to wrongly invest or spend his money, think he is capable of driving, enter into strife, or make a multitude of other mistakes. Alcohol-influenced judgment leads to other sins! By contrast, sober minds are necessary for one to live the life of a Christian (1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet. 5:8). 
• People become dependent on alcohol. The Bible warns against being “given” or “addicted” to wine (1 Tim. 3:3). The pull of drink is clearly seen herein: After experiencing the effects of it the man arises from his stupor and says, “I will seek it again” (Prov. 23:35). When hard times come, as they will to all, the one who depends on alcohol will turn to his “help.” The Christian must remember the song that says, “Savior in my joy or sorrow I will ever go to thee” (Phil. 4:11-13). If I become dependent on alcohol it will endanger my relationship with God from this standpoint alone.
• Alcohol ruins lives (Prov. 23:29-30). As one considers how popular alcohol is among the stars of Hollywood he would do well to also consider the high rate of divorce, alcoholism, and drug abuse among these people. Further examples of this point come from our experiences in Lithuania. It is common there to meet men who live on the street because their wives have thrown them out of the house because of their drinking habits. A man with ability in his profession became a crazed woman beater when under the influence of alcohol. He was later put into prison. A talented musician has ruined his marriage and chances for success because he will not keep away from alcohol. A number of brethren have tried in vain to help him. His father, by the way, died in his 40s from alcohol abuse, something not uncommon there. Such stories could be multiplied many times over in our own country. Christians are stewards who must be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2). They must keep themselves from the blight of alcohol if they are to lead faithful lives. 

Conclusion

Our study has touched on the social, physical, and spiritual dangers of alcohol. We have not dwelt on how drinking will harm a Christian’s influence or the high financial cost that our country is paying for alcohol abuse. However, in light of all these things, why would any Christian want to use alcohol? 

2103 Rexford Rd., Montgomery, Alabama 36116

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Rom. 8:6-8).

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind (Col. 2:18).

This issue of Truth Magazine is a study of morals, including some of the areas impacting twenty-first century Americans. The Scriptures warn Christians not to allow the morals of the age in which they live to become their own morals. 

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (Eph. 2:2-3).

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance (1 Pet. 1:14).

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom. 12:1-2).

Every generation of men has its own “worldly mindset.” What is esteemed in one age differs from what is esteemed in another. The kinds of sin that become most predominant from one age to another may shift. Consequently, Christians must be aware of those things that are esteemed by the world, lest he conform in his mind to the spirit of the age in which he lives.
John wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17). The word “world” is translated from kosmos. In Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament, he distinguishes the kosmos from the aionos, but makes this insightful comment about the moral use of the world “world”:

We speak of “the times,” attaching to the word an ethical signification; or, still more to the point, “the age,” “the spirit or genius of the age,” “der Zeitgeist.” All that floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world, which it may be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitute a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale, — all this is included in the aion, which is, as Bengel has expressed it, the subtle informing spirit of the kosmos, or world of men who are living alienated and apart from God (217-218).

Christians must beware of allowing themselves to adopt the worldly mindset. Here are some of its characteristics:

•    The worldly mindset has a different standard of authority. In the early twenty-first century, that standard of authority may not be obvious to many of us. We live in an age of relativism. Relativism asserts that every man is a law to himself. What is right for one person may not be right for another. Here is what we mean by relativism: One person may believe it is wrong to have an abortion and for him it is wrong to have an abortion; another may think there is nothing wrong with having an abortion and having an abortion is the morally right thing for her to do when having a baby that is not desired interferes with her plans for life. Lying underneath this approach to morals is a rejection of God’s word as the absolute authority for determining right and wrong. Usually those who accept relativism base it on humanism or atheistic presuppositions. However, many have accepted relativism who also believe in God.

When discussing issues pertaining to morals and doctrine, science becomes “god.” If science says the age is 4.5 billion years old and that man evolved from inanimate life over billions of years, that becomes the truth without regard to what the Bible speaks on the subject. If psychologists, psychiatrists, religious leaders, and teachers tell us that there is nothing abnormal about homosexual relationships, that becomes the truth, in spite of the plain teachings of the Bible to the contrary. If psychologists, talk show hosts, and others tell us that spanking children is destructive, that becomes the truth to many Americans. 

Christians must be aware of the standard of authority that is being accepted by such people. Even when such Americans quote the Bible, they quote it not because it is a standard of authority but becomes it re-enforces what they already believe; they use it to change the minds of those who disagree with them, not as a standard of authority to measure their own teaching.

•    The world mindset has different priorities. What is important to the world? The pursuit of pleasure, hedonism, has become life’s chief goal. That pleasure may be sexual licentiousness, the accumulation of things, or some other personally defined goal. Understanding these priorities helps us to understand the worldly mind.

A few years ago, one was appointed coach of America’s most popular football team. He was married and had children. Knowing that his new job was going to take a lot of his time, this man left his wife and child in order to devote his time to coaching the football team. Obviously, that man believed success as a football coach was more important than being a successful husband and father.

Our age places great importance on accumulation of wealth, education, success in the business world, and sexual gratification. Things that might interfere with the accomplishing of these priorities are set aside as lesser important. If telling the truth interferes with one’s ability to make money, the truth is thrown aside. If attending church interferes with one’s participation in bowling or soccer, attending worship services is thrown aside. 

To the Christian, the chief priorities are spelled out in such verses as the following:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Eccl. 12:13-14).

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you  (Matt. 6:33).

The Christian needs to be aware that the world has a different mindset and order of priorities.

•    The worldly mindset has different morals. The conduct that early twenty-first century America views as morally acceptable behavior includes such things as easy divorce and remarriage, drinking intoxicants, using marijuana, immodest dress, fornication, adultery, lasciviousness, abortion, euthanasia, foul language, etc. Even as first century pagans accepted infanticide, polygamy, fornication, and other forms of immorality as acceptable behavior, so does our own age have a different set of moral values.

The warnings of Paul about being deceived by these different morals is apropos:

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

We still need to be warned that the moral standards accepted by the world are different from those of Christ. He who is the judge of the living and the dead will judge us, not by the standards of the age in which we live, but by the absolute standard of God’s word (John 12:48).

Conclusion

We must ever be on our guard to keep our mindset different from that of the world in which we live. As we see our age becoming more secular and its morals changing, Christians will need to be reminded that we have really never lived in a Christian society and be willing to be different from those about us. What Peter said about the saints of his day will have to be emphasized anew for another generation: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (1 Pet. 4:3-4). We must accept the fact that the world will not approve of us, just as we do not approve of them.

6567 Kings Ct., Avon, Indiana 46123 mikewillis1@compuserve.com

By 

There is more to life than what you have. Jesus explained that to the man who came to him with the request that he speak to his 
brother about their inheritance. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke12:15). What one owns is in his power to use for good or ill (Acts 5:4), but his attitude toward it determines whether he owns it or it owns him.

The Ambition To Be Rich

Money, or what it represents, has no character of its own. It takes the character of the owner. You could use it to gamble or buy whiskey, or to help the needy or preach the gospel. Paul warned, “But they that will be (desire to be, NKJV) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9). The problem here is not money itself but the driving ambition to have it. That is what consumes a person. He becomes a slave to his ambition. It owns him. The counter-balance to that is in the same context. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Tim. 6:6-8). It is the “love of money” that is the root of all kinds of evil (v. 10).

Things Do Not Satisfy

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes 5 laid it out for us. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth substance with increase: for this is vanity. when goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes” (vv. 10-11)? The more silver the lover of it has, the more he wants. But he has a problem. As his goods increase, so does his staff. It takes more people on the payroll to take care of his enlarged holdings. He needs cooks, housekeepers, grounds keepers, tax consultants and money managers. Someone is always trying to get his hand in the rich man’s pocket. While the laboring man finds sweet sleep at night, “the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep” (v. 12). Oh, for the good old days!

Families can be torn apart over “things.” Keepsakes and heirlooms become bones of contention. Jealousies and envyings are not far behind when estates are to be settled. Objects with sentimental value loom larger than family solidarity and closeness. Things change, never to be the same again.

Some are into collectibles. After a while they just about take over the space in a house. We have a collection of souvenir plates from different states and some countries we have visited. While we enjoy remembering, we are going to have a problem when we move to smaller quarters and don’t have room to display them. What would our children want with them? Some of the grand-     children would use them for frisbees!   Antiques which have come down through a family for generations are good conversation pieces but we have to take care that they do not become objects of veneration.

Have you noticed that the more toys children have, the less they play with any of them? Sometimes they have more fun with the box than with the toy itself. The pleasure is momentary. Equipment for sporting interests must be justified and so it is off to the lake, or the woods or the golf course to use our things. Never mind that Sunday is the Lord’s day and that there are divine appointments to be kept.

The financial means to buy season tickets to sporting events creates a spiritual problem for many. What if that event conflicts with a gospel meeting or Bible study or worship on the Lord’s day? Some are so possessed by this possession that the Lord and what concerns his work takes second place.

Rich in Good Works

It is not wrong to own property. It is not wrong to eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of our labor. “Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage” (Eccl. 5:18). Is one to be blamed because he worked hard and prospered? The Lord taught, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might . . .” (Eccl. 9:10). There are a few who are rich from inheritance. Others before them labored and they reap the benefits. But many have prospered because they were diligent. One successful business man said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Work is honorable and has its own reward. But when we use the health and strength given by the Lord and take advantage of opportunities opened to us in congenial circumstances, and prosper accordingly, then what are we to do with what we have?

It is proper to provide for our own needs and to give to those in need (Eph. 4:28). It is right to provide for our children. “For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Cor. 12:14). It is also right for children to “requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God” (1 Tim. 5:4). We are to “maintain good works for necessary uses” (Tit. 3:14). It is right to sacrifice property to meet the urgent needs of our beloved brethren. “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35). Here were people whose possessions did not possess them.

Paul summarized all of this for all time to come. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for them­selves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:17-18). You see, what we do with our possessions has to do with laying hold on eternal life. If we are possessed by our possessions then we will lose our souls. Things are just not worth that much.

P.O. Box 69, Brooks, Kentucky 40109

By Archie Proctor

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications . . . (Mark 7:20 ).

Our nation and society are awash in pornography. Playboy and other sexually oriented photography magazines are available at almost all corner grocery stores; R-rated films are readily available on cable TV systems and at the local video rental outlet. A product that once was stigmatized by American society, is now considered harmless entertainment. This persuasive leaven has had its effects on Christians as well. Many use this type of “entertainment” regularly.

Pornography is far from being a “harmless” product. Its influence has destroyed countless lives and marriages, and has brought many, many souls to eternal destruction. When heroin was first synthesized, clinical trials were not required before the drug was released. Many of the developers of this drug tried it on themselves, and found it highly effective as a pain reliever. Unfortunately, those who had first tried it were immune to the addictive effects of this powerful drug. When it was released, the addictive properties appeared, and far from being a blessing, heroin became a curse for mankind.

Pornography is like heroin; it has little or no effect on some; it’s mildly attractive to others. But for many, it is far more addictive and dangerous than heroin or other drugs. This greater danger is due to the fact that it is not recognized for the damage it can do. The numbers of those who are addicted to it grow daily. It is the root and substance of sexual addiction.

Until the affairs of Bill Clinton, John Kennedy, and other famous men were brought to light, sexual addiction was not widely known to the American public. In the past, when famous and powerful men were caught with a prostitute, or a woman not their wife, it was dismissed as a problem that comes with wealth and power. 

We now know that these things are often the result of sexual addiction. It is not just famous and rich men who are cursed with this problem; it consumes millions of men and women at all economic levels of our society. In a recent year, it’s estimated that the American public spent 13 billion dollars for all forms of pornography. That’s more than the combined annual revenues of Coca-Cola and McDonnell Douglas. It’s no wonder we are plagued with this filth. It is a major source of revenue to the entertainment business.

Christ knew that this material is dangerous to our souls. In the Sermon on the Mount, he condemned the practice of looking on a woman’s beauty for the purpose of gratifying lust (Matt. 5:27, 28). Just because the technology of photography was not known in that ancient time, it does not mean pornography did not exist; it simply found expression in other forms. The practice of beautiful women appearing before men in revealing costumes is as old as mankind (Esth. 1:11). Archaeologists have found paintings and sculpture which could have been used for sexual stimulation. Prostitution was accepted as a form of worship by many peoples. Sexually stimulating novels and other writings have appeared throughout history.

The danger that faces Christians today who fall under the spell of pornography is that this addictive material lends itself to secret sin, the type Paul describes in Ephesians 5:12. It begins with the pleasure of lusting for a man or woman without the difficulty of human interaction, progresses to the act of erotic stimulation, and ends in self gratification of lust. This process repeats, and each time the pleasure of sexual release causes the chemistry of the brain to change under the stimulation of pleasure and release. After a longer time, this stimulation may no longer be satisfactory, and a greater pleasure is sought. Hard core material is obtained, even that which is not normally accepted in our decadent culture. For others, it takes the form of visits to topless bars or massage parlors, even to purchasing the services of a prostitute. Each time, the addict goes through the same cycle — uncontrollable lust, surrender to the addiction, self gratification, and then, overwhelming guilt and remorse. Forgiveness is sought through fervent prayer, but again and again the cycle repeats, dragging the soul into greater and greater self-loathing, and depression.

Teenagers and young adults, both male and female, are most susceptible to the influence of this material. In the Song of Solomon 2:7, the preacher tells us, “Stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.” He is speaking of not awaking the sexual desire and pleasure of sexual gratification, until it can be discharged within the safety of marriage.

According to Thayer, the phrase “stir not up” means “to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite.” It is the same concept as when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of knowledge of good and evil. They were awakened to a new and unknown world. So it is with pornography and the virgin. Passions and lusts, which are difficult even for older and mature Christians to control, can become a great fire which consumes the young. As in 1 Corinthians 7:9, they “burn with lust.” Energy that should be spent on education, development of a good character, and a godly soul is abruptly diverted to a new and exciting form of pleasure. The fire of sexual passion consumes all, sending young and old into a life of misery and destruction. Consider Proverbs 7:13-23.

Marriage is sometimes sought as a hope to end the addiction of pornography, but it almost never does. The lust will not go away; it simply forces the addict to violate the command: “defraud ye not one the other” (1 Cor. 7:5). Often, the resulting emotional separation and lack of intimacy will destroy the marriage, or simply turn it into a sham, where both partners become victims of the evil of pornography. The congregation where I am an elder has seen this evil destroy a young gospel preacher, who had promise of great work for the Lord. It reduced him to a hollow shell, and eventually destroyed his work, his influence, his family, and his faith in the word of God. All came as the result of “harmless” pornography.

There is hope for those addicted, but it must be found in the word of God. Paul wrote that some ungodly persons at Corinth were “abusers of themselves with mankind,” but he also proclaims that those who did these things were “washed . . . sanctified” . . . and “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Dealing with this sin is the same as other addictions. It is not a “do it yourself” matter. Professional help and a firm commitment to leave the sin and serve the Lord are required.

A number of resources are available which can help the Christian in overcoming this addiction, but space will not permit them to be listed here. The best source of such may be found on the Internet by entering the words “sexual addiction” at a search engine such as Yahoo.com. It is my hope and prayer that this article might save some, and prevent others from having the great loss and pain our congregation has endured from this evil and destructive substance.

8102 Fox St., Baytown, Texas 77520