A Minute With The Bible Aired during May, 2002 The wise man said, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding"(Proverbs 3:5). Men are fallible creatures. They make mistakes. In fact, there is no human who lives a perfect life, free of errors. All of us, man, woman, and child, make mistakes. In fact, you, like me, made one today. When we realize our own weaknesses, we become aware of the necessity of depending upon a higher power than humanity. "Our own understanding" changes easily and will provoke us to say, "Now why did I do that?" Men even rely on their "own understanding" in religion. Thus, the writer of Proverbs points out that we should "trust in the Lord," not just a little, once in a while, but "with all your heart." Humans must trust in a higher power in regard to morals and religion. Be wise, trust the Bible, the book of God with all your heart.
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth" are the words of the beloved John in I John 3:18. Did you know that if we trusted in this admonition there would be no wars, fightings, divorces, murders, stealing, unkindness, lies, hypocrisy and a multitude of other transgressions. Can you envision an association where love is practiced in every facet of life? What a wonderful state and what a privilege it would be to belong to such! While many use the tongue to profess their love for others or for the Lord, they offer only empty words that have no value. When one loves, he performs. Or as John said, "...in deed and truth." Human speech is a gift not bestowed upon the lower creatures. Through this wonderful communicating power, we can express that we love someone. However, it does not count unless it is practiced.
Listen to the sound advice of the Proverb writer, "Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding"(4:1). As you have heard many times, the voice of experience can teach you something. Parents fall in this category. They have been there before; they have been there and done that. They can assist and help you to understand the safe ways to travel in your life. They will take the time to share their experiences and failures. Be wise: take time to listen! And listen carefully! Many a youth has failed because they ignored the wise counsel of their parents. When you get to the point that you are too old to learn and profit from those who are your elders, you need to stop and think: they understand more than you recognize and they are willing to assist you in not making the mistakes they made. Just take time to listen; you will be happy you did.
"How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding"(Proverbs 3:13). We live in a materialistic society. A society that places its hopes and dreams upon the accumulation of worldly goods and earthly power. The wise man learned better. He recognized that it was not how many toys one can accumulate, but how much wisdom will guide one's life. With wisdom, comes understanding. Do you want to be truly happy? Seek the wisdom that comes from God. Do you want to better understand yourself and others? Then read, study, and obey the Word of God. There are great lessons on its pages. It is filled with examples of those who were wise and those who were not so wise. The wise person seeks that which will be profitable to the soul; the unwise person seeks that which will satisfy the flesh. My friend, which are you?
"Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world"(I John 4:4). When one has the Lord on his side, he has the greatest power that can be obtained. It is through the care of God that many of the Old Testament prophets survived. It is through the care of God that many of those about whom we read in the New Testament survived. Even today, we can survive by putting our hope in the Lord and His way. I speak specifically of moral and religious principles. If you desire to overcome the world and its temptations, seek the will of Christ in the New Testament. If you desire to overcome those who would lead you astray through false doctrines, turn to the New Testament. There is no power greater than the word of God for our day. Study it daily; trust in it daily; obey it daily: accept its power!
The Proverb writer knew the source of creation. "The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens"(Proverbs 3:19). Men have sought the answer to the origin of the earth through the centuries. Many hypotheses have been offered; speculation abounds. Each year brings more speculation on the earth's origin and man's origin. The Proverb writer did not have to speculate or guess how the universe came into existence. In his wisdom, given by God, he settled the matter for those who have faith in Jehovah. How can we view the earth and all of its magnificence and not be amazed and filled with wonder at its completeness. It was no accident that the earth hangs in space, rotates on it axis, and supports life. Jehovah, by wisdom, created such and put it in motion. By the wisdom and power of God our universe exists.
"And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son"(I John 5:11). Men will go to great lengths in order to preserve the physical life. Yet, there is a greater life than what we have upon this earth. It is eternal life, given through one accepting and obeying Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost, when the Lord's church came into existence, the people were listening to the apostle Peter and the other apostles. The message was plain: they had heard the Gospel, noting their belief by asking what they were to do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins. They had been charged with crucifying Jesus Christ. Now, through the blood he shed, they could claim eternal life. By continuing faithful after they obeyed the message of inspired men, they would be given a home in heaven with the Lord. So can you!
The writer of Proverbs advised, "Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways"(Proverbs 3:31). It is unfortunate that we live in a time of violence. One has only to read the local paper or watch the news on television to be aware of such. Perhaps you have been the victim of violence or someone close to you has suffered. It is not any wonder that people are conditioned to such behavior. The movies, the television programs, the books that are published, as well as other means, violence is seen and absorbed by many of our society. Violence never healed a wound; violence never settled an argument; violence does not make peace between men. Jesus Christ provided the solution for wars, conflicts, physical hurts, and emotional injuries when he said, "Love your enemiesand pray for them that persecute you"(Matthew 5:44).
The apostle John said, "For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith"(I John 5:4). Faith is the basis for all belief in Jesus Christ. Faith is the basis for one overcoming the world. The faith of which John speaks is not just the consenting that Jesus lived and died, but an active faith in which one learns and follows the commands of Jesus Christ. How can one believe in the Lord and not be willing to follow what he teaches? Victory over sin comes through faith. Faithfulness to the Lord comes through faith. Overcoming the world with all of its sins requires the faith of which John speaks. Faith only will not avail. Only a working faith that leads one to "overcome the world" is acceptable to the Lord. "Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith"(James 2:24).
The Proverb writer observed, "A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a perverse mouth"(Proverbs 6:12). You read it in publications, you hear it on the radio and television, you hear it in the movies, you hear it in schools, you hear it in the neighborhood, you hear it the home: foul and perverse speech seems to be spoken everywhere. Did you know that profanity never added anything worthwhile to a conversation? Did you know that it is reflection upon the person who uses such? Solomon said such speech makes one "worthless." Is it not time that we cleaned up our own speech? It is not time that the media cleans up their words? Under the guise of "free speech" we have perverted our language with vulgarity and ugliness. My friend, why not resolve to make decent speech a part of your conversation? It starts with you and me.
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous"(I John 5:3). When one loves the Lord, he obeys the Lord. Love is not passive. It is shown by the action of the individual. When you love someone, you try to do what they desire. The same is true in regard to one's relationship to Jehovah. If I love the Lord, I will do as He has commanded. When I possess the proper attitude, the commandments are not burdensome. Rather, it is a joy to be able to follow the instructions of the Lord. When my heart is right, I will be willing to accept and fulfill that which is commanded by the Lord. How difficult it is to convince folks of this truth. Why not resolve, today, to open the New Testament, learn the commands of Jesus Christ and follow them faithfully? Do you really LOVE THE LORD?
Solomon said, "The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it"(Proverbs 6:32). A great portion of our society has not read this passage. When two people are married to each other, they are to be devoted to each other. In most vows, one is asked to "love and honor" the mate. When one has due respect and love for the husband or wife, adultery will not occur. When one marries, it is to be for life with the mate. There will be difficulties and there will be problems. Yet, when the two love each other as they should and respect what God has commanded, adultery does not occur. Our society may justify it and our laws may allow it, but such does not make it right. Jesus identified the problem by saying, "...that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart"(Matthew 5:28).
"Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth"(III John 4). Whether John refers to his own children or those whom he has taught does not detract from the truth. Conscientious parents are happy when their children walk in the paths of righteousness. Friends are happy when they observe young people walking in the ways of God. The future does lie in the hands of youth. How they are taught and how they react to the teaching decides the fate of the home, of the neighborhood, and our nation. All children need to be taught proper morals. When they learn how to treat others and how to obey the laws of society, it will bring joy to their parents and those with whom they are acquainted. The truth of which John speaks is the word of God. As a parent, have you been teaching the principles of the New Testament to your offspring?
Solomon stated, "He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out"(Proverbs 10:9). The American Heritage Dictionary defines integrity as, "Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code." What our society needs, badly, is the integrity the wise man mentioned. If our society is to be secure, we must practice integrity. A person's word should be his bond. A person's life should demonstrate his honesty and uprightness. Over the past few years our courts have interpreted laws to allow man to "pervert" his ways in many different approaches. The immorality of our society may well be the downfall of our country. Did you know that other nations have fallen because of their lack of strict moral standards? Integrity begins with you and with me. Let each of us walk "securely" living a life that pleases Jesus Christ.
John advised, "Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God; he that doeth evil hath not seen God"(III John 11). The majority of men are followers. There are a few leaders: some good and some not so good. John was aware of the nature of men and their susceptibility of being influenced in the wrong way. His warning is that one is not to follow someone who is evil(or evil teachings). Rather, one is to follow the example of those who are following Jehovah. When one honors and believes the New Testament of Jesus Christ, he turns away from evil and has the approval of the Lord. Evil, as John said, shuts out God. Evil is blinding in nature for it covers the good and exalts the bad. Who contributes to a better society? Those who are good or those who are bad? My friend, you know the answer to these questions!
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty"(Revelation 1:8). Jehovah is the everlasting God, who is present from before the beginning of time and will continue after time is no more. It is difficult for the human mind to understand the nature of God since we are "time-locked." Only the powerful Jehovah could create our world and sustain our lives. Always existing and always present, he is, as John says, "The Almighty." There is no way to compare Jehovah to any other "god." There are no others, merely inventions of men's minds. Idols and fantasies have a beginning: Jehovah is eternal. Idols and fantasies have an end; Jehovah is always, hence, never ending. Put your trust in the God of the Bible and refuse to be deceived by any god devised by the fertile mind of man. Bowing before an invented god is foolishness!
"Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candle-stick out of its place, except thou repent"(Revelation 2:10). The church at Ephesus had a problem. They had not continued to respect and follow the will of Jesus Christ(that is, the New Testament). They had left the earlier teachings from the apostles and had needed to return to their "first works." The Lord is giving them an opportunity to repent. They could change and not lose their identity as the church of Christ. Churches could(and can) leave the principles of Christ and cease to please him. Individuals can also give up the way of a Christian and no longer be a follower of the Master. The impossibility of apostasy doctrine is a lie. If a church could not fall(or an individual), the message to Ephesus would be without meaning. The Lord said it; I believe it; that settles it.
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life"(Revelation 2:10). The Lord has always expected those who would serve him to follow his commands, being faithful to the word of God. He expected Adam and Eve to respect his will in the Garden of Eden. Jehovah expected men to obey Him under the Law of Moses. His attitude toward faithfulness has not changed in the age of Christ. The church at Smyrna had been tried and many had suffered(and would suffer). A literal interpretation of "be thou faithful unto death" is be faithful, even if it means death. Living in a country of peace, free to worship and serve the Lord without opposition, it is hard for us to comprehend what early Christians faced. Yet, the Lord expected them to continue to follow the New Testament in all their beliefs and conduct. Only faithfulness is rewarded by the Lord. Be diligent in obeying His will.
Jesus told the church at Thyatira, "I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first"(Revelation 2:19). The Lord knows about individuals; the Lord knows about churches. He commended Thyatira for their diligent efforts as they worked in the cause of Jesus Christ. Their love and faith were examples for others. Their ministry(service) and patience would be appreciated by those who desire to please God. They grew spiritually as their "last works" were greater than the "first." Yet, they had one problem. They tolerated a false teacher. The teacher had been given time to change, but had not. Now it was time for the church to recognize the harm that resulted. God's message to those saints: "hold fast...and overcome..." The Lord would reward the faithful and punish the disobedient.