Truth Magazine

At the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, there is a sign reading, “Known But To God.” There are some things known but to God:

1. The Hairs Of Our Head. Most people do not know how many hairs there are on their head. God does. Jesus said, “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7). And, yet folks want to worry about things over which they have no control.

2. When A Sparrow Falls. It is asked, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father?” (Matt. 10:29). I have no idea how many sparrows fall on the ground, do you? This is known only to God. Surely he cares for us. “. . . ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7).

3. The Thoughts Of A Man. The Psalmist penned, “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of a man, that they are vanity” (Ps. 94:11). I do not know what men are thinking, unless they tell me. God knows our every thought! “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:11). The only way that we can know the mind of God is to read what he has revealed in the Bible. So, we need to quit saying, “I know what you are thinking,” when we don’t know the thoughts of a man.

4. The Number Added To The Church. I often see men trying to guess as to the number of members in the Lord’s church. This is known only to God. We can read in Acts 2:41 as to how many were baptized on Pentecost, “Then they that gladly received the word were baptized     . . .” “. . . And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). Do you know how many that is? I read of “multitudes” being added to the Lord (Acts 11:24). Can you tell how many that is? There are some things known but to God.

5. When Christ Will Return. Time and date setters, as to the second coming of Christ, have come and gone over the years. And he has still not come! Jesus said of his second coming, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). Peter said that Jesus will return as a “thief in the night” ( 2 Pet. 3:10). So be ready!

6. What We Will Look Like In Heaven. If you will read Philippians 3:21, 1 John 3:2, and 1 Corinthians 15:36-54, you will know all that any man knows about it. There are some things known as, “the secret things” which “belong unto God . . .” (Deut. 29:29).

By Clarence W. Fell

For many people the very idea that any book could be more loved and trusted than the Bible is nothing less than blasphemy. Yet, it’s true. What is even  more surprising is that some people who love and trust these other books claim allegiance to the Bible!

Many people are surprised to learn that there are seven books more loved and trusted than the Bible. Let’s look at those seven books to see if they are worthy of your love and trust.

For many people the very idea that any book could be more loved and trusted than the Bible is nothing less than blasphemy. Yet, it’s true. What is even more surprising is that some people who love and trust these other books claim allegiance to the Bible! Other embrace these books and don’t even realize that they are doing so.

How could this be? Especially when Jesus warns, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). How could people follow some other book than the Bible? As you will see, it is actually very simple. In fact, you could be a victim of one of these false books and not even know it.

The Book of Opinion

This book is probably the most popular of the seven. It is frequently used  to replace the actual study of God’s word. You know that people are using this book when they say something like, “It just seems to me. . . “

When people build their hope on the Book of Opinion they are headed for trouble because the Book of Opinion is not inspired. It is not the gospel (Rom. 1:16).

Compare the ever popular “It just seems to me . . .” statement to the teaching of Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,” or Jeremiah 10:23, “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

The Book of Opinion does not lead to eternal life. Toss it out. Build squarely on the Bible. After all, it is the word of God, not the Book of Opinion, that will judge you in the last day (John 12:48).

The Book of Emotionalism

Quotes from this book often include the phrase, “I just feel in my heart . . .” It is amazing that anyone would use this book for spiritual guidance. Proverbs 28:26 warns, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.” Yet, it is a popular book in many religious circles.

The danger of this book is further seen when we consider that everyone feels that he is right. No one becomes part of a religious group because he feels that the group is wrong.

If feeling right makes a person right then most people will be saved and Jesus was wrong. He said, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 7: 21; cf. Matt. 7:13- 14; Rom. 10:1-3).

Don’t trust the Book of Emotionalism. Toss it out. Build squarely on the Bible. It is the Bible that makes man wise unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:15; cf. John 8:32).

The Book of My Preacher Says

Many people substitute this book for study. The problem with this book is that everyone has his own version and the versions are as different as night and day. If this book was truly inspired by God then all the versions would be the same because God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).

God anticipated this book and warned, “If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:9). It does not matter who your preacher is, or what he thinks; the Holy Spirit has told him, if he teaches anything different from the Bible he is wrong. You are to count him among the “ac- cursed” (2 John 9-11).

God is not inconsistent. After inspiring Galatians 1:9, God will not contradict himself by telling your preacher to preach a different message than the Bible message.

Preachers can make mistakes and be wrong. Don’t trust the Book of My Preacher Says. Toss it out. Build on the Bible.

If you feel a little guilty about double checking your preacher ’s teaching then read about the Bereans.

They were praised for double checking the teachings of the Apostle Paul (Acts 17:11). If Paul can stand double checking, then certainly preachers can today. The truth has nothing to lose and everything to gain when double checked.

The Book of Sincerity

This book is being used when you hear the phrase, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just so you are sincere.” Most people are sincere, yet that does not make them right. Sincerity alone is not enough.

Paul said that Jesus will take vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:8). He also said that those who do not obey the truth will receive tribulation (Rom. 2:8-9).

While we must be sincere, we must also be right. Those who are sincerely mistaken are in for a rude wakening in the judgment day (Matt. 15:14). Toss out the Book of Sincerity. Build squarely on the Bible.

The Book of Tradition

Quotes from this book sound some- thing like, “It was good enough for Grandpa, so it’s good enough for me.”

Jesus scolded people for mixing tradition in with the word of God (Matt. 15:8-9).

There is no doubt that following the religion of our ancestors will bring us to be eternally with them. The question is: “Where will it be? Be careful! Just because grandpa did it does not make it right.

Toss the Book of Tradition out. Build squarely upon the Word of God.

The Book of Want-To Some people think that just because the majority want to, that makes it OK. Folks, it just isn’t so. If a mil- lion people believe in a stupid idea, it is still a stupid idea. The majority walk the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14).

To assume that the “want-to” of the majority is acceptable to God is the ultimate in pride and arrogance. We please God by following his word, not the “want-to” of man. (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2-5) Toss the Book of Want-To out. Build squarely on the Bible.

The Book of Up-Dating Quotes from this book sound something like, “We need to get with the times.”

To up-date the Bible is to doubt the sufficiency of the original (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). Up- dating necessarily infers that the Bible is not good enough the way that God wrote it. Now tell us. Where is the man or woman qualified to judge God’s word in this manner?

It gets worse. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will endure forever” (Matt. 24:35). Was Jesus right or wrong? If the Scriptures need up-dating, then Jesus’ word did not endure but grew old and in need of repair. Are you really willing to take such a stand against the Scriptures and call into question the power and Judgment of God?

Toss out the Book of Updating. Build squarely on the Bible.

There you have seven books that some people love and trust more than the Bible. Others have been deceived. Are you a victim? Take the test and see.

Take the Test!

Paul said, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5).

Instructions: Answer the questions based on what your church teaches. Then list the verses that teach what your church teaches. (Ask your preacher for help if necessary.) Finally, compare your answers to the verses listed.

1.  Is the name of your church in the Bible?

Give the verse. See 1 Cor. 1:10-13.

2.  Does your church use titles such as Pastor, Reverend, or Father?

Give the verse. See Matt. 23:8-11.

3.  Does your church teach that obedience is not necessary to be saved?

Give the verse. See Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21; 2 Thess. 1:8.

4.  Does your church teach that baptism is optional?

Give the verse. See Luke 7:30; 2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Peter 3:21.

5.  Does your church teach that denominational division is of God?

Give the verse. See John 17:20-23; 1 Cor. 1:10-13.

6.  Does your church observe the Lord’s Supper once a year, twice a year, quarterly, or monthly?

Give the verse. See Acts 20:7.

7.  Does your church teach that you just have to be sincere for God to save you?

Give the verse. See Matt.7:21-23; 1 Peter 1:22.

8.  Does your church teach once saved, always saved?

Give the verse. See John 15:1-6; 1 Cor. 9:27

9.  Does your church borrow practices from the Old Testament? (such as candles, incense, instrumental music, or priestly garments).

Give the verse. See Gal. 3:23-25; 5:1-4; Heb. 8:7.

10. Does your church baptize infants?

Give the verse. See Acts 8:12.

11. Does your church have women preachers?

Give the verse. See 1 Tim. 2:12.

12. Does your church practice sprinkling or pouring for baptism?

Give the verse. See Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12.

13. Does your church teach that if God did not specifically speak against any of the things listed above that it is all right to practice those things?

Give the verse. See Lev. 10:1-2; Gal. 3:15; Rev. 22:18-19.

14. Does your church refer to any of the other seven books to authorize their practice of any of things listed above?

Give the verse. See Gal. 1:6-9; 3:15; Rev. 22:18-19.

By Donnie V. Rader

Psalm 34 is a Psalm of David. It is an acrostic (Alphabetic) Psalm where in Hebrew each line begins with the successive Hebrew alphabet. However, it is irregular. One letter (vau) is missing and another (pe) is repeated. It is the second such Psalm. The twenty-fifth Psalm is one also.

The title of the Psalm says, “A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.” This refers to the events of 1 Samuel 21:10-15 where David, because he was afraid, acted like he was crazy before Achish, the king of Gath. The Psalm does not indicate any attempt to vindicate David’s action. In fact, in the Psalm, David makes no reference to his conduct. He makes no comment upon it. He merely recalls his feelings at the time of his deliverance. We are not to assume that this was necessarily written at the time of the events of 1 Samuel 21.

A quick reading of this Psalm suggests there are two divisions: (1) vv. 1-10 and (2) vv. 11-22. Charles Spurgeon calls the first part a hymn and the second a sermon. The first ten verses deal with thanksgiving and praise for deliverance. The last twelve deal with instruction.

The Point Of Psalms 34

The point of the Psalm is that Jehovah is our provider, protector, and deliverer. Albert Barnes wrote, “The general purport and bearing of the Psalm, therefore, is to furnish an argument for trusting in God in the time of trouble, and for leading such a life that we may confidently trust him as our Protector and Friend” (Barnes Notes, Psalms, I:286).

We also learn some lessons about the fear of God and the blessings that those who fear receive.

An Outline

1. David’s Praise Toward God (vv. 1-10)

a. Pledge to praise God always (vv. 1-3).

b. David’s experience: The Lord heard and delivered

(vv. 4-7).

c. God blesses those who trust and fear (vv. 8-11).

2. Instructions To Fear (vv. 11-22)

a. How to fear God (vv. 11-14).

b. The blessings of those who fear (vv. 15-22).

A Closer Look At The Psalm

David begins with a pledge to praise God at all times (vv. 1-3). In every circumstance and situation whether in trials and darkness or calmness when all is bright. In this, he makes a statement of his dedication and devotion of which he is not ashamed (v. 2). He stirs others to magnify God’s name with him (v. 3).

In the next four verses David tells of how he cried to the Lord and the Lord heard and delivered him from his enemies. He shows his confidence in the Lord. It is in this section that he introduces us to the fear of the Lord (v. 7). His point is that the Lord protects and delivers those who fear God.

Verses 8-10 describe how God blesses those who trust him and fear his name. He said, “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear him” (v. 9). He concludes the first part of this Psalm saying, “But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (v. 10).

The second part of the Psalm (vv. 11-22) is instructions to fear God. First, he invites all to come and learn about the fear of God (v. 11). In the next verse he tells us that those who fear God are the ones who truly enjoy life and see good days (v. 12). The writer then tells us how to see those good days (thus telling us how to fear God): (1) Control the tongue (v. 13). (2) Depart from evil (v. 14). (3) Do good (v. 14). (4) Seek peace, and pursue it (v. 14).

Verses 15-22 tell of the blessings that those who fear God receive. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous (those who fear) and his ears are open to their prayer (v. 15, cf. 1 Pet. 3:12). The Lord delivers his people from their troubles (vv. 17, 19). He redeems the soul of his servants (v. 22).

Lessons About Fear From This Psalm

There are several practical lessons we learn from this Psalm about the fear of God.

1. Fear must be taught (v. 11). If we fear God, we have been taught to fear God. If we want our children to fear God, we must teach them to fear God. When we wonder why some of our children have no use for God or his word, we would do well to consider that maybe we didn’t teach them to fear God.

2. What it means to fear God. The term “fear” is equated with several other expressions in the context. These terms serve as a commentary on what is involved in fearing God. What verses 7, 9, and 11 refer to as one who “fears,” v. 8 describes as one who “trusts in him.” Verse 10 says “seek the Lord.” Verse 15 calls this one “righteous.” Verse 22 says he is a servant.

3. The Lord protects those who fear him (vv. 7, 15, 17, 19). The Lord cares about his people. He delivers them from their troubles.

4. The Lord blesses those who fear him (vv. 8-10). God gives us all that we need (2 Pet. 1:3). There is no promise that the Lord would give us all we want. He did promise that he would grant all we need. While the young lion may hunger, his people will not lack any good thing (v. 10).

5. Those who fear God are those who really enjoy life (v. 12). Those who seek pleasure from life without the fear of God, have no idea what real joy is. In fact, they don’t really understand what life itself is all about.

6. God’s listens to those who fear him (vv. 15-22). What a privilege to have God’s ear tuned to our request! Such an honor is not granted to just anyone. It is an honor bestowed only on those who fear God.

I don’t know if you read the following article but it is worthy of note. It appeared in the June 18, 1998 Arizona Republic.

“It’s the common dilemma every parent faces. You nurture them, guide them, lead by example, but once they reach their teen years, it often goes right out the window as adolescents try to reinvent themselves and recommit the mistakes their parents made.

Mike Balis, a Paradise Valley ophthalmologist, could see it coming. His younger daughter, Elizabeth, 14, was trying out her wings, and Balis wasn’t too sure he liked her cruising altitude.

Then something happened. The father found out that his usually-health- conscious daughter had sampled a cigarette. ‘When I found out she had experimented with smoking, I was disappointed.’ Balis said. ‘Initially, I was angry.

‘I decided that rather than confront her with rage or anger, that the best thing would be to write her a letter that was informational and instructive, and would convey to her my reasons for not wanting her to do it.’

Here is that letter . . .

“Dear Elizabeth:

I have written this letter to you because I love you. When I heard that you had smoked, I was not angry. I was sad, but mostly I was disappointed. You had led me to believe that you understood the risks involved in smoking, and that you would ‘never try it.’

I know how important peer pressure is, and how trying something new is exciting and fascinating. Exploring new territory is usually a positive endeavor, as long as the end result isn’t potentially self-destructive. Often our judgment is clouded by emotions that are stronger than wisdom or reason. We all make mistakes. I don’t want you to make a mistake that could affect the rest of your life.

Please take the time to read this letter in its entirety. I wrote it to inform you, not to harass you. Although everyone knows about lung cancer and smoking, there are many other considerations regarding this addiction that merit consideration.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a huge federal agency that studies disease patterns, nicotine addiction is more powerful than heroin or cocaine. One out of four intravenous cocaine users become addicted. One out of two smokers become addicted. There is no safe level of tobacco use.

Each day, 6,000 kids smoke for the first time. Three thousand of these kids become regular smokers, and the vast majority continue smoking for the rest of their lives. The CDC estimates that 5 million children living today will die early

because of the decision they make as adolescents to use tobacco.

Tobacco companies spend over $5 billion a year on advertising, and most of their ads are designed to appeal to kids. Virtually all adult smokers began their habit as children. Many internal memos and documents that have been circulated within the tobacco industry reveal the strong motivation that the cigarette manufacturers have to hook kids on smoking. Here are some examples:

Memo from a tobacco company:

Realistically, if our company is to survive and prosper, over the long term, we must get our share of the youth market. In my opinion, this will require new brands tailored to the youth market.

R.J.R. should make a substantial long-term commitment of manpower and money dedicated to younger adult smoker programs.

These companies recognize that the vast majority of smokers start before the age of 18.

Since older smokers either quit (if they can) or die from smoking-related illness, the youth market is the major source of replacement smokers.

Memo from another tobacco company:

Today’s teenager is tomorrow’s potential regular customer, and the overwhelming majority of smokers first begin to smoke while still in their teens. Tobacco advertising works, and children are the ultimate victims. The strategy of the manufacturers, marketing companies and retail stores is to hook kids on smoking. Health is not their concern — making money is their only motivation.

The average smoker begins at age 13 and becomes a daily smoker by age 14½. Cigarettes kill more than 400,000 people a year. Smoking causes more deaths in women than breast cancer. That’s more than from alcohol, crack, heroin, murders, suicide, car accidents and AIDS combined. Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death in this country. Most adult smokers realize the dangers but they just cannot stop smoking. Indeed, the business of “stop- smoking” remedies is a multibillion-dollar industry.

Some of these remedies include hypnosis, biofeedback, psycho-therapy, subliminal tapes, motivational seminars, group therapy, stop-smoking clubs, and support groups. The store shelves are full of nicotine chewing gum, skin patches, tobaccoless cigarettes, and pills, all of which are designed to help ‘kick the habit.’ Few of these ‘cures’ work. Most smokers go right back to the habit after a brief period of time. Forty percent of teenagers who smoke daily have tried to quit and have failed. Forty-two percent of young people who smoke as few as three cigarettes go on to be- come regular smokers.

Why start smoking when the vast majority of existing smokers regret that they ever started, and are so desperate to stop that they are spending billions of dollars per year to free themselves from this horrible addiction?

Why start a habit that makes your breath bad, almost always causes a chronic cough, and stains your teeth and fingers? Why join that group of desperate individuals who, after a brief flight, run through the airport with an unlit cigarette dangling from their mouth, in desperate anticipation of lighting up? Why assemble in those little alleys outside office buildings with other nervous smokers get- ting their fix, as they stand around, inhaling those precious fumes amid piles of crushed cigarette butts? Tobacco use accounts for over one-third of all cancer-related deaths. Do you know what a carcinogen is? A carcinogen is a chemical that is known to induce cancer in healthy tissue. Cigarette smoke contains 43 known carcinogens. That means that these 43 agents have been proven, in laboratory tests, to cause cancer.

We all know about smoking and lung cancer. What about other cancers that are caused by smoking? The following list includes the cancers that are known to be associated with smoking: lung, colon, rectum, anus, liver, stomach, bladder, throat, tongue, lip, esophagus, breast, kidney, cervix, ureter, pancreas, leukemia, myeloma.

The negative effects of smoking are not limited to cancer causation. Some other disorders caused, or made worse by smoking, include: back pain due to lumbar disc disease, spinal fractures, hip fractures, emphysema, bronchitis, influenza, pneumonia, diabetes, high blood pressure, in- fertility, osteoporosis, stroke, heart attack, dental cavities, tooth loss from gum disease, premature wrinkling, delayed wound healing, ear infections, headaches, premature menopause, stomach ulcers.

Why are smokers at so much greater risk for heart disease and stroke? Because nicotine is a powerful vasoconstrictor. It causes blood vessels to narrow so that they carry less blood. Another effect of nicotine is that it raises blood pressure. High blood pressure is a known cause of heart attack and stroke. Smoking also causes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a condition that narrows and clogs blood vessels.

When I do an eye exam, I know if the person I’m examining is a smoker. I can determine this by looking inside their eyes. The blood vessels in the eyes are much smaller in smokers. They are very narrow and they contain many areas called focal constriction. The vessels look as if they are in spasm. Smokers also have a greater incidence of macular degeneration and ischemic optic neuropathy, two serious eye conditions that can often cause blindness.

You’re a great kid. You’re full of life and energy. You’re just a normal, rebellious teenager who wants to experience life to the fullest. That’s OK, but please consider the risks of some of your explorations. You have a healthy body — it is essentially brand new. Please consider the consequences of smoking before you try it again. Why start a habit that is responsible for more disease and death than any other voluntary endeavor?

I respect you immensely, and I love you as much as I respect you. Please choose wisely.

Love, Dad”

The letter you just read was not written by a Christian (at least I am unaware of him being a baptized believer) nor a preacher-type with something “spiritual” to prove. It was written by a doctor of medicine and a father to his daughter. Lessons can be learned from the letter.

If you are a Christian there are more considerations of smoking. It violates 1 Corinthians 3:16 which says we must take care of our body. It violates 2 Corinthians 6:17 which says we must come out and be separate from the world. Smoking is worldly. If you are an adult smoker you violate Luke 17:2 which says it would be better if you were drowned than for you to set a bad example, thus causing a little one to stumble. Smoking sets a bad example. Smoking is a waste of money and violates the principle of steward- ship outlined in 1 Corinthians 4:2.

Add to the things above that smoking makes your breath bad, your temper short and your clothes stink. I know, I was a smoker.