Response to Teaching

A Hard Lesson for Many Sowers to Learn

When I was a young preacher, I had an important lesson to learn about people responding to my teaching and preaching. In those years, I tended to measure the impact of my efforts by the numbers who responded immediately. I failed to see the many different ways the Bible describes how individuals respond when they are taught.

Are you sowing the seed? Are you teaching?

Are you sowing the seed? Are you teaching?

In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes some who turned to the Lord when they first hear the gospel. Jesus spoke of the seed, the word, which fell upon this kind of listener. “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles” (Matt. 13:20-21). We have all seen this happen in His kingdom. Immediate response is not always a blessing. The truth is that it takes longer to plant the seed and have a hundredfold response.

Mark records a parable of Jesus which is not found in the other gospel accounts. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head” (Mark 4:26-28). The spread of the kingdom involves far more than just sowing the seed. It involves sowing the seed and the waiting day and night before it begins to grow.

However, even after it begins to germinate there is first the blade, then the head and then later there is the grain fully grown and ready to harvest. Paul described the planting of the church in Corinth as him sowing and Apollos watering. Time is so often involved in these matters. Then Paul adds, “God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6).

Sometimes we get frustrated when we try to teach others and there is no immediate response. We need to spend more time meditating on this parable in Mark. Our work is to sow the seed and remember that it is God who gives the increase. The power of conversion does not lie in us. Inherent in the seed is the power to change the lives of those we teach. The increase comes from God and not from us.

This is not to say that we should not think there will never be times when individuals immediately obey the gospel. How wonderfully fulfilling is this event when we teach others. But may we never forget that God does not measure us by whether individuals respond to our teaching. The point is that God did not send us to be harvesters, but to be sowers!

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Homosexuality

Homosexuality

In any discussion of opposing groups regarding the topic of homosexuality, there are a litany of “Facts” provided.  Whether the issue is the number of practicing homosexuals, the health risks, the prevalence of violence in homosexual relationships, the number of faithful or promiscuous partners, the conversion to heterosexuality, or the genetic factors suggested to influence homosexuality, there is debate.  An examination of human studies, polls of acceptance, or agendas of various homosexual proponents is not the focus of this article.  What does the Bible say regarding the practice of homosexuality?  This is the central thrust.  Christians as a priesthood of God (I Peter 2:9) have a responsibility to teach the truth of God’s Word (Matthew 28:19-20) and protect it (I Peter 3:15).

What does the Bible say regarding the practice of homosexuality?

What does the Bible say regarding the practice of homosexuality?

I John 4:21 declares:

“And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

This is the obligation of a Christian.  The command of loving mankind applies to everyone.  It applies to those in all manner of goodness or sin.  Jesus came to save those in sin (I Timothy 1:15).  “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” according to Romans 3:23.  However, the times of ignorance are over and man is called upon by God to repent (Acts 17:30).  Thus, it should be the loving motivation of Christians to share the truth of God’s word to all mankind with no partiality (James 2:1).

Christ declared he would establish his Church in Matthew 16:16-18.  After Jesus’ resurrection, He declared, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).  He promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit would reveal to them “all truth” and “bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26, 16:13).  This leads us to the following statement by the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:20-21:

“ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

 The great importance of this verse is the fact: the apostles did not write by conjecture, cultural teachings, or personal opinion.  The words they wrote were directly from God and are the teachings of Jesus. 

The gospel which Jesus preached was heralded with the coming of John the Baptizer (Mark 1:1).  Under that gospel Jesus declared the only people who would enter the eternal kingdom of heaven would be “he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven”.  This was the one gospel of the kingdom (Ephesians 4:5, Galatians 1:6-9, Jude 1:3).  With the crucifixion of Jesus, the Law of Moses [given only to the nation of Israel] which was old and ready to disappear, became obsolete (Hebrews 8:13).  On the day of Pentecost, when the first Christians were added to the Church (Acts 2:47), the new covenant of the teachings of Christ came into effect.  The Holy Spirit was poured out and the apostles were given the promised truth. The keys of the gospel were used as commanded by the apostles. The teachings Jesus taught during his life were being taught to the world.  The entire world became subject to the law of Christ.

As the teachings of Jesus Christ from His apostles are examined, it is of interest to note that there is no same sex married couple every mentioned in the New Testament (nor is there in the Old Testament).  When Jesus discusses marriage, he talks of man and woman (Matthew 5:31-32 [based on man and woman command in Deuteronomy 24:1-2], Matthew 19:1-19, Mark 10:6-9, & Matthew 15:1-12 for example).  The apostles sharing Christ’s teachings through the Holy Spirit also spoke of marriage between man and a woman (Romans 7:2, I Corinthians 7, I Timothy 5:9-14, Matthew 22:25, Mark 6:17, Luke 14:20, & Ephesians 5:22-33 for example).  The absence of any marriage by the same sex is completely absent from scripture.  The question of whether or not man is authorized to marry a woman or a woman a man is clearly answered in scripture and its guidelines are also clearly taught.  God has authorized the marriage of a man and a woman (Matthew 19:5) and Jesus establishes that as a teaching from the beginning of mankind.

Matthew 22:23-32 discusses the resurrection of mankind.  Jesus demonstrated from the Old Testament scriptures that there is an afterlife.  He was encouraging the Sadducees who were questioning him to use the Words of God to infer a given truth.  There must be an afterlife if physical beings who had died were spoken as of alive.  Following the example and authority of Jesus, if scripture only speaks of a man and a woman being married, then marriage applies to only them.  It does not authorize the marriage of a man and an animal.  It does not authorize the marriage of two non human beings.  It does not authorize the marriage of two people of the same sex. It authorizes only the marriage of a man and a woman.  By this alone, this discussion could finish.  However, we will continue.

The New Testament is not silent about the sexual habits of same sex individuals.  Romans 1:18-2:8 establishes that those who engage in activity that is ungodly and unrighteous will face the judgment of God.  If they do not repent, their stubborn disobedience will cause them to experience the wrath of God.  Is the activity of homosexuals ungodly and unrighteous?  This passage says yes.  The women desired women – something God calls unnatural (vs. 1:26).  The men desire men also abandoning their natural function.  What is the natural?  God established man and woman to come together to create offspring.  They were to share their desires together in marriage, not in non-authorized, unnatural, sexual sin.  God declares such people who do not repent are worthy of death (vs. 1:32).  That judgment is in the hand of God.  Understand clearly, God does not wish that upon them (Vs. 2:4, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:19).  However, if homosexuals reject God and continue in an unauthorized lifestyle, death by God is what they choose.

The covenant of Christ in the New Testament in I Timothy 1:8-11 says:

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

The words, “for them that defile themselves with mankind” is the Greek word arsenokoitēs – G733 and according to Thayer’s Greek Definitions means: “someone who lies with a male as a female”, in other words, a homosexual.  This passage speaks of such behavior as contrary to sound doctrine.  It is lumped in with other sinful behaviors and appropriately that which is called lawless and disobedient.  2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 declares those who are disobedient will “pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord…”

In I Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul discusses the sinful behavior of the Corinthians.  He declares they had repented from a number of sins which would have kept them from the kingdom of God.  Among those sins from which they had repented was homosexuality [the same Greek word as previously discussed].  While the ultimate penalty is the same as previously mentioned – punishment – the concept of repentance is still very alive in the text.  One practicing homosexuality does indeed have the option of stopping his or her behavior and thus, able to be pleasing to God.

There are those who declare they were born with desires for the same sex.  As mentioned at the beginning of this article, I will not argue genetic factors.  An examination of scripture finds an answer for the proposition that at birth there was such a desire.  I Corinthians 10:13 states:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Furthermore, James 1:12 says:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Temptation is part of our life upon the earth.  But giving into it is not something from which we cannot escape.  There are all manners of sins which entrap mankind every day.  Through Christ we can triumph in this swiftly fleeting stay on earth.  We can overcome our trials with love for God and one another by authorized behavior in Christ (I Corinthians 14:15).

 

 

 

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AYUNO CONGREGACIONAL

AYUNO CONGREGACIONAL

Conversaba con una persona no cristiana y él decía lo siguiente: “Yo no puedo entender porque hay gente religiosa que se abstienen de alimentos (ayuno) como para la gente los vea que están siendo buenos y parece que eso nos les ayuda en nada porque siguen igual o peor. Creo que Dios hizo los alimentos para disfrutarlos, realmente no puedo entender esa práctica”.  Ahora bien permita ayudar a nuestros pensamientos sobre este tema al establecer que el ayuno es total y absolutamente bíblico tanto en el A.T como en N.T.

El Señor remueve la práctica del ayuno como mandamiento y como público y lo coloca como algo opcional y privado en estos versículos.

El Señor remueve la práctica del ayuno como mandamiento y como público y lo coloca como algo opcional y privado en estos versículos.

La Biblia registra  una sola ocasión en el que Dios ordena el ayuno a su pueblo en Lv. 23:32  por periodo de un día. Aunque el Señor Jesús se haya referido en más de una ocasión no es para nada algo que esté ligado a un mandamiento para los cristianos ni para la Iglesia. Es preocupante el hecho de que haya personas en las sectas religiosas y también algunos hermanos en la Iglesia que estén enseñando la necesidad del ayuno como algo que el cristiano tiene que hacer y mucho peor aún algo que toda la congregación debe de realizar. Al parecer hay gente que no ha estado entendiendo correctamente las santas escrituras al hacer del ayuno un mandamiento de Dios. ¿Porque? es mi cuestionamiento, ¿de donde nace la práctica del ayuno congregacional? El trasfondo es sin duda más que preocupante, esta costumbre no nace de que otra parte más que el denominacionalismo. Pareciera ser un tema inofensivo y quizás que muchos no tomarán el tiempo ni siquiera de leer todo el contenido aquí plasmado pero Pablo exhorta a Timoteo predicar a tiempo y fuera de tiempo (2Tim 4:2). La Iglesia de Cristo en muchos lugares está perdiendo su identidad única y está comenzando a copiar prácticas sectarias. Quien escribe lo hace en un tono de amor cristiano realmente preocupado por ¿donde vamos a parar? Hoy por hoy recibimos invitaciones a vigilias de la Iglesia de Cristo que hace 10 años jamás pensaríamos que eso tuviera relación a la Iglesia de Cristo, pero ahora es muy normal. Regresando al tema hay dos cosas que debemos prestar atención para luego arribar a una conclusión.

  1. LO QUE ES EL AYUNO: El término Hebreo es tsoom  literalmente significa “cubrir la boca” ocurre 40 veces en el A.T. En el N.T podemos obtener con facilidad una idea del ayuno de la siguiente lista
  • Mt.4:2— Cristo ayunó cuarenta días.
  • Mt.6:16 — Cuando ayunéis no seáis austeros como los hipócritas.
  • Mt.6:17— Pero tú cuando ayunes, unge tu cabeza y lava tu rostro
  • Mt. 16:18— Para no mostrar a los hombres que ayunas
  • Mt. 9:14— Los fariseos ayunaban más que los discípulos
  • Mt.9:15— Pero vendrá el día cuando el esposo les será quitado y entonces ayunarán.
  • Mr. 2:19 — Cuando el esposo está presente, no hay ayuno.
  • Lc. 18:12— El fariseo ayunaba 2 veces a la semana.
  • He.10:30— Cornelio ayunaba.
  • He. 13:2— Hubo ayuno cuando Pablo y Bernabé fueron seleccionados para la obra misionera desde Antioquia.

Es muy significante el hecho de que Jesús alertara a los discípulos  sobre la costumbre de los judíos y especialmente la práctica del ayuno que caracterizaba a los fariseos (Mt.6:16-18). El Señor remueve la práctica del ayuno como mandamiento y como público y lo coloca como algo opcional y privado en estos versículos. El hermano Wayne Jackson, experimentado predicador del evangelio escribe en su página web un artículo sobre el ayuno y menciona lo siguiente:

“El ayuno para el cristiano es una cuestión estrictamente voluntaria. Debe nacer de una intensa necesidad, y no como un mero resultado de formalidad” (Wayne Jackson, Christian courier website).

Para nada el hermano Jackson se equivoca en su apreciación bíblica sobre el ayuno. Me parece que debemos de quedar absolumante claros que no estamos en contra del ayuno, pero al mismo tiempo estemos claros que el ayuno bíblico no es algo obligatorio y ni si quiera es mandamiento para la Iglesia hoy. El hermano Jesús Martinez instructor en la escuela de predicación en Brown Trail, Texas de una manera acertada menciona:

“El ayunar nos sería de beneficio, siempre y cuando lo hagamos por las razones correctas, de voluntad y por los propósitos que nos muestran las Escrituras; tengamos cuidado, no sea que buscando ayunar caigamos en la misma posición que los judíos en tiempos de los profetas los llegaron a practicar por costumbre y no de corazón humilde, o como los fariseos en tiempos del Señor Jesús, los cuales lo hacían para ser visto de los hombres y así ser considerados como más espirituales, mas religiosos. Para la pregunta, ¿Qué acerca del ayuno? Podemos dar una contestación simple. El ayuno puede ser practicado por el cristiano, siempre y cuando no lo tome como un mandamiento, sino que lo haga voluntariamente” (Jesús Martinez, ¿Que acerca de? El ayuno pg.31 Editado por la palabra publisher).

Apropiadamente podemos Concluir 1) Cristo no participó del ayuno público realizado en sus tiempos. 2) El enseñó, la observancia en lo privado. 3) El ejemplo y enseñanzas de Jesús son autoridad para la iglesia hoy en el 2017, claro está, para la verdadera Iglesia del Señor.

  1. LO QUE ES EL AYUNO CONGREGACIONAL: Con absoluta firmeza en lo que la Biblia enseña el ayuno congregaciones es una clara violación a las enseñanzas de Cristo. Cuando el Señor usa la frase “no seáis” está dando ha entender que no deseaba ver a sus discípulos en la misma categoría, usando el mismo método, teniendo las mismas razones. Cuando una congregación se reúne para tener un día de ayuno juntos alguien puede decir: ¿que hay de malo en eso? tal vez la pregunta más bien debería de ser; ¿y quién autorizó eso? estimado lector el ojo del problema se encuentra en entender el concepto de autoridad bíblica, ya que la Iglesia debe proceder en conformidad con las instrucciones señaladas. Col 3:17 “hacedlo todo en el nombre del Señor Jesús” es decir; bajo la autoridad del Señor. Aunque suene muy bonito el estar reunidos con propósito de ayunar simplemente no hay autoridad bíblica para que la Iglesia lo haga. Es bastante fácil comprender la motivación de muchos hermanos que están viendo a la iglesia de Cristo como muerta, que la manera como hemos procedido durante años ahora no es suficiente para algunos hermanos y necesitan buscar nuevos métodos. Las sectas religiosas de hecho siempre nos han catalogado así como los “muertos”, y tristemente me temo que hay hermanos que se han pasado a ese bando diciendo “amén” a ello. Lo que hace a una iglesia no estar muerta sino vivificada para Dios en primer lugar es la predicación pura de la palabra, el estudio intenso de la misma y la práctica de ambas. Ezequiel veía un valle de huesos muertos y secos en gran manera, para que estos huesos vinieran a tener vida Dios le dice a él “Hijo de hombre profetiza (predica)” (Ez. 37), la aplicación está ahí para nosotros, para revivir muertos Dios no nos ha ordenado copiar prácticas sectarias, sino a predicar con denuedo su infinita palabra. El ayuno es totalmente bíblico, pero el ayuno congregacional, carece de toda autoridad por parte de Dios. Ojalá este artículo nos motive a todos a indagar, estudiar y predicar con profundidad la santa inspiración, la Biblia.

 

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Where in the New Testament?

Where in the New Testament?

I need help. I need help finding an answer that makes any kind of sense, to the following couple of questions: How can anyone, who claims to believe that the bible is God’s word (the same bible that repeatedly reiterates and reinforces the fact, that in it we have every last thing we will ever need in order to please and stand complete before almighty God – Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:2-4; and etc.), then turn right around and: adamantly and militantly believe and defend that they were saved by a process which is totally foreign to, and never once ever found or seen in God’s New Testament; go to a church which is never seen, named, or even remotely referred to in God’s New Testament; and/or practice worship which, once again, is totally foreign to, and therefore never found in God’s New Testament? And then, on top of that, how can they possibly somehow convince themselves further, that the God of the Bible, who fully and completely outlined and commanded exactly how all of those things were to be done, is somehow going to be okay with their doing everything completely differently from the way in which He commanded, and still take them to the heaven found in that same bible? That same bible which they aggresively claim with their lips to believe in, but with their actions and religion, absolutely deny outright?

Why does man follow something not even in God’s New Testament?

Why does man follow something not even in God’s New Testament?

If anyone truly believes that the bible is the divinely-inspired, eternally inerrant, and all-authoritative word of God (which it claims to be – Psalm 19, 119; and again, which also claims it contains everything we need to know and to do to in order to stand complete before, and please God as outlined above), then they need to back it up with obedient action, humbling themselves in the sight of the Lord (Luke 6:46-49), while being saved, living, worshipping, and working with the church of God’s choice, as seen in God’s word (Romans 16:16)! Or else they don’t truly believe the bible is the word of God, but are just paying it lip service… aren’t they? If they truly believe that within the bible’s sacred pages is found the one and only way (or roadmap) to heaven, then how on earth can they ever convince themselves to believe that they are still going to get there by following a completely different, never found or seen in Scripture, and man-made route instead?!?!?

Jesus dealt with all kinds of devout and pious, religious lip-service paying people just exactly like that in His day – and rightly judged (John 7:24) and said that their worship was vain, futile, useless, and worthless (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:5-13). And He will deal with them once again on Judgment Day; pious and devoted religious people who did some really good things to be sure, but just not the will of God and what He said He wanted in the Scriptures. See Matthew 7:21-27. And then, please go see one of your religious denominational friends, neighbors, or family members, and ask them the questions that I asked at the beginning of this article. Maybe they can shed some sort of light on it. If they do, please e-mail me back so I can be enlightened too (doug.dingley@gmail.com). But if they can’t provide you with an adequate, common-sense, and biblical answer, who knows? You might just maybe find yourself involved in an in-depth bible study… and perhaps gain a new brother or sister in Christ before too long!

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For Men Shall Be… Blasphemers …

For Men Shall Be… Blasphemers …

The apostle Paul warned Timothy, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers …” (2 Tim. 3:1-2, ESV, emp. added).

Blasphemers... do we speak evil of Good... complain and grumble?

Blasphemers… do we speak evil of Good… complain and grumble?

“Blasphemers” comes from the Greek term blasphemos, which literally means, “speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive.”  So Paul was warning of those who would speak evil, who would be slanderous and reproachful, who would be railing, people who would be abusive.

The enemies of Stephen used this same word to falsely accuse him of blasphemy against the law of Moses, God, and the temple…and in doing so they were ironically guilty of the very thing they accused him of doing (Acts 6:11, 13).  We therefore see how it is possible to blaspheme men, to slander or speak evil of others, to be reproachful of brethren or to rail against them, and to be verbally abusive towards them.

Paul also used this same word to describe himself before he was converted, when he was a blasphemer and persecutor of Christ and the church.  By doing so, he shows us how it is possible to blaspheme God as well.  Normally that’s what we think of when we think of blasphemy.  I would like to challenge the reader to consider how we can blaspheme our fellow man as well, especially in the context of discussing church leadership.

Our Lord commanded us to put away “slander,” along with anger, wrath, malice, obscene talk from our mouths, and lying (Col. 3:8-9).  Slander (blasphemia) literally means, “slander, detraction, injurious speech, to another’s good name; impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty.”  It is no coincidence that it is listed right alongside of anger, wrath, malice, obscene talk, and lying.  Why would we slander someone, speak reproachfully and detractingly about them, or try to injure them with our words?  Why gossip about them, or unrighteously criticize them and spout off at them?  Why insult them?  Because of anger, wrath and malice.  We’re mad at them.  We hate them.

Brethren, we’re Christians.  And as Christians we are called upon to be different from the world.  We are commanded to let no “corrupting talk” come out of our mouths.  Instead, we are to allow “only such as is good for building up…that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).  Do we really want to be the type of Christians condemned by James, people whose tongues are proven to be “a restless evil, full of deadly poison,” who use our tongues to bless God one minute and curse each other the next?  (James 3:8-10)  Because if we ARE that type of Christian, we need to know that our religion is “worthless” in the sight of God (James 1:26).

This brings me to Titus 3:1-2:  “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”  “To speak evil” (blasphemeo) literally means, “to blaspheme, revile.  To hurt the reputation or smite with reports or words, speak evil of, slander, rail.”  Notice how God lists the command to avoid this sin right alongside the command to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, to avoid arguing, and to be gentle and show perfect courtesy to everyone.

You know, it is very easy to speak evil of rulers and authorities rather than be submissive and obedient to them when we disagree with them.  We currently have many leaders in our government who act in very ungodly ways and promote many ungodly things.  As Christians, we are obligated to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29) and oppose all ungodliness while exposing it for what it is (Eph. 5:11).  If the President, Congress, or the Supreme Court command us to do something that violates God’s Word, we are not obligated to obey them.  That said, many Christians seem to think that having a blatantly ungodly man in office gives them a free license to not only speak out against what he’s promoting that is ungodly, but also to blaspheme the man personally by insulting him as a person.  Yet, God inspired Paul to tell Christians who were living under the rule of Nero, a man for more ungodly than any American president, governor, or congressman, to be submissive while speaking evil/blaspheming no one (Tit. 3:1-2), and to be subject to the governing authorities while giving respect and honor to them (Rom. 13:1, 7).  Not only is it possible, it is also commanded for Christians to still show respect and honor to a governing authority while at the same time actively standing against whatever policies he promotes which are ungodly and/or with which we disagree.

This not only applies to the government.  Take the leadership in the church and in the home.  Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands AND respect them (Eph. 5:22-24, 33).  Children are commanded to obey AND honor their parents (Eph. 6:1-3).  Christians are commanded to obey the bishops of the church and submit to them (Heb. 13:17) AND respect them and esteem them very highly in love (1 Thess. 5:12-13).

In these cases, the principle of Acts 5:29 also applies.  Wives are not obligated to obey their husbands in something sinful.  Children are not obligated to obey their parents if their parents want them to disobey God.  Brethren are not obligated to obey elders if the elders are promoting false doctrine.

However, what about when husbands, parents, and elders ask of us something that is completely scriptural…but we just happen to disagree with it and have a different opinion about it?  Over the years, I’ve observed more and more Christians blaspheme these authoritative figures in their lives and not even know it.

In more and more homes wives are either refusing outright to submit to their husbands or they’re doing so with a complete lack of respect…and in either case they blaspheme – speak evil against – their husbands while doing so.  Wives, that’s not respecting your husbands (Eph. 5:33).  That’s blaspheming your spouse!

More and more children are either outright refusing to obey their parents while blaspheming them, or else they obey while refusing to honor their parents by slandering and grumbling against them.  Children, that’s not honoring your parents (Eph. 6:2).  That’s speaking evil against your parents who brought you into this world!

And in the church, friends…even in doctrinally sound churches which promote healthy teaching about the gospel, worship and morality…there is a growing problem of blaspheming the eldership, speaking evil and railing against them when brethren disagree with them over a matter of expediency, opinion, and personal judgment.  Christians, that’s not respecting those who are over you in the Lord and esteeming them very highly in love because of their work (1 Thess. 5:12-13).  That’s not letting the leadership of the church keep watch over your souls with joy and not with groaning (Heb. 13:17).  No, that’s blaspheming your fellow brothers in Christ who are trying to keep watch over your souls and help you grow spiritually!

American brethren, I know we value our freedom of speech and expression…but the Constitution doesn’t trump the New Testament!  It’s one thing to disagree with the government, one’s spouse, one’s parents, or an eldership with respect and love.  It’s quite another to do so while blaspheming them.  To disagree with respect and honor is a sign of maturity, love, self-control, and having the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  To disagree blasphemously by speaking evil against them and railing against them shows nothing but worldliness, spiritual immaturity, and that you’re on a road you don’t want to be on…a road that leads to hell.

What’s especially terrifying about this is that we don’t realize that we blaspheme GOD when we blaspheme our brethren in the church, whether they be elders or not!  Look at Paul.  He referred to himself as a blasphemer before he became a Christians…but what was he doing during that time?  He was persecuting the church.  Yet, according to Jesus Paul was actually persecuting HIM (Acts 9:4).

Therefore, we are blaspheming and hurting GOD when we purposefully blaspheme and hurt our brethren.  Think about that for a minute.  We speak evil against the elders or that brother or sister we don’t like and in the process blaspheme our Lord and Redeemer…but that’s not all.  We are also causing division and contention in the church, something which God hates (Prov. 6:16-19) and causes the church to become weaker before breaking the congregation apart completely.  And because we spend our time doing that, guess what we’re NOT doing?  We’re NOT shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation because we’re too busy grumbling and complaining (Phil. 2:14-15).  We’re NOT spreading the gospel in this lost world because we’re too focused either starting or putting out small fires of pettiness in the home and in the church, and we wonder why the church isn’t growing and our country and world is growing farther and farther away from God…

            And Satan is laughing and laughing and laughing…

What’s the solution?  How are we to react to blasphemy against us or our brethren?  How are we to repent of our own blasphemy should we be guilty of it?

We must keep our conduct excellent and let our light shine among everyone with whom we come in contact, both in the church, outside of the church, and in the home (1 Pet. 4:12; Matt. 5:16).  We must consciously choose to treat EVERYONE the way we would want to be treated (Matt. 7:12); if everyone in the church did that, no blasphemy, gossip, or backbiting would exist and the gospel would be proclaimed to every single person on earth.  We must hold fast to God’s Word in all aspects of our lives and in our relationships with everyone rather than grumble or complain (Phil. 2:14-16).  When we encounter a brother or sister who speaks evil against someone, we must gently correct them rather than joining in or keeping silent (Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:24-26), and if need be withdraw fellowship from them (1 Cor. 5:11-13; Matt. 18:15-17).  Do this, and we WILL shine as lights in the middle of this dark, blasphemous world!

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