What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 1 / No. 28”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. I - No. 28 / April 21, 2019
MODESTY & PURITY
Modesty and purity of life are very close companions. The society in which we live gives little heed to the need for modesty in dress and behavior. Semi-nudity is so commonplace that a person who is dressed modestly is quite noticeable. People have forgotten or never have learned that God has spoken on this important aspect of human behavior. We do not set the standard for dress and conduct.
Adam and Eve made themselves aprons of fig leaves to cover their nakedness, but evidently still felt naked (Genesis 3:7-10). God was not satisfied, either, and made them tunics of skin and so clothed them (Genesis 3:21). To uncover the thigh and thus expose the upper leg brought shame (Isaiah 47:2,3). This principle is applied to men as well as women (Exodus 20:26). The principle of physical modesty is so clear that it is used to illustrate the godliness needed to avert spiritual nakedness (Revelation 3:18). The attire of a harlot showed what she was (Proverbs 7:10; Genesis 38:15; Judges 16:1).
Nowadays, excuses to undress almost completely are multiplied. Hot weather, swimming, sports, and even simply styles of fashion are all used to try to justify immodesty. God’s message is ignored, and conformity to ungodly undress is embraced. Those who wish to please God need to “awake to righteousness” (1 Cor. 15:34). “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds...” (Romans 12:2).
Immodesty of dress interferes with purity of mind and with purity of behavior. It is a trial of faith and a challenge to one’s spiritual perspective even to walk the streets and shop in stores. Added to the daily menu are television programming, the Internet, many of the new cell phones and how they are being used and abused, and the language of so many of the contemporary “songs” on radio. How can a Christian maintain purity of mind while filling his ears with the vileness and corruption of this world of darkness? When teen idols debase themselves in lewdness and lasciviousness, what are their worshippers going to do? “Keep yourself pure” is God’s injunction (1 Timothy 5:22). Indecent exposure provokes lust and demonstrates base immodesty (1 Peter 2:11,12).
—Gilbert Alexander
DON'T PREACH TO ME
In regard to religious and moral matters, a major portion of today's society doesn't want to be preached to. For preachers or anyone to insist upon an agenda where the commands and principles of God's word are to be applied in folk's lives, many have the attitude, "Don't preach to me!". Yet, these same individuals allow other "preachers" to preach to them and they delight in what they hear and are eager to conform their thinking and their lives to the message of these preachers. To what other "preachers" am I referring?
PREACHERS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. The rock, rap, heavy metal, and country music singers are preachers. When you consider the definition of "preacher" and what it involves, Webster defines it as "to declare in public", "to proclaim", "to deliver a sermon". "Sermon" is defined as "a serious talk on behavior or responsibility." Are not all these ingredients in the songs that singers sing? Are they not advocating and proclaiming their agenda for a certain type of behavior upon their listeners? What about the message of violence, hate, fornication, lying, and lose morals that far too many of these preachers advocate? Let's get our heads out of the sand and realize that preachers aren't just in pulpits but they are on CD's, VH-1, MTV, and CMT preaching their message with the lyrics of the songs they sing. There is more to this than just pure entertainment. A message is being sent.
PREACHERS OF THE TALK SHOWS. Television and radio are filled throughout any twenty-four hour period with talk shows. They all have their agenda which is generally to bring about a point of view intended to affect the way we think on a variety of social, political, and moral matters. Talk show hosts fit every aspect of the definition for preachers but, in far too many instances, their message is anti-Christian and anti-moral. Public opinion is easily swayed by these smooth talking sympathizers of a new morality. A message is being sent and we are the receivers of it.
PREACHERS OF TV AND THE MOVIES. We refer to them as "actors" but in reality they are preachers. With the TV sitcoms and movies in which they act, they "proclaim to the public" a message that can and will affect our attitude toward the family, homosexuality, sexual behavior in general, honesty, vulgarity, and will give new definitions for decency in far too many cases. They are making us to laugh at things that ought to be to our shame (Philippians 3:19). They are preaching an agenda and we are buying into it under the disguise of comedy and entertainment.
So, let us not be so naive as to think that preachers are only the ones dressed in suits and mount a pulpit with a Bible under their arms. No doubt they proclaim a message and have an agenda but they are not the only ones. In reality, we are being preached to every time we turn on our radios and listen to a singer declaring his message to us. What message is he trying to convey? In what way is he wanting to change our attitude and mold our thinking? Let us realize that whatever our attitudes and thoughts are will determine what we do. ”For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:21-23). We are being preached to every time we turn on a television or sit down to watch a movie. What message is the actor acting out before us?
We need to be careful of the preachers that are preaching to us and always examine their message for it will influence and affect us far more than we are willing to admit.
—E.R. Hall, Jr.
JUST A LITTLE CONTAMINATION
One day a mother was preparing vegetables for a salad as her daughter came in to ask permission to go to an "R" rated movie.
“But all the kids are going," She said, "And their folks don't think it will hurt them."
As she talked, she saw her mother pick up a handful of peelings and put them in the salad. Rather startled, she shouted, "Mother, you are putting the garbage in the salad!"
"I know," her mother replied, "but I thought if you didn't mind garbage in your heart and in your mind that you wouldn't care about a little in your stomach."
Thoughtfully, the girl picked the peelings from the salad and then smiled at her mother. "I guess I'll just tell them I'm staying at home tonight." she said as she went through the kitchen door.
—Author Unknown
It is wise to direct your anger towards problems – not people;
to focus your energies on answers – not excuses.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. eastalbertville.org
