Category: reproof

Living Defensively #4

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

It is incomprehensibly remarkable how Christian people can be so tolerant of spiritual hazards. When you warn them about false doctrine, apostate denominations, charlatan preachers and teachers, corrupt Bible versions, and other perils, they are frequently unconcerned. They have become so brainwashed, so programmed, so indoctrinated, and so desensitized that they are comfortable right where they are—no matter how dreadful it is. It makes as much sense as someone without any worries lounging near “a little” radioactive waste, swimming in “a little” sewage, drinking “a little” poison, and suffering “a little” cancer! Such is the deceitfulness of sin and the living in denial. Contrary to today’s Scripture, they have not walked “circumspectly” and reject any counsel to do so.

The English word “circumspectly” is derived from Latin components. One is “circum–,” the basis for “circumference” (the distance around a circle). The other is “spectaculum,” the origin of “spectacular” (something seen that is amazing or impressive), “spectacles” (eyeglasses), and so on. Lastly, the suffix “–ly” means “like.” Piecing these fragments together, we deduce “walk circumspectly” means “to walk like you are looking around.” You are mindful of your surroundings, careful to place your feet on solid ground and not walk into a hole or sinking sand or step off a cliffside. “Wary and unwilling to take risks,” is how the dictionary defines “circumspectly.”

Both the Corinthians and the Galatians were not cautious but willing to take risks. They were open to defilement, whether in deed or in doctrine, and it should not have been like that. We need not dismiss these passages as “dead history” or “irrelevant” to us, as public sinful behavior and false teaching have been tolerated in Christian circles throughout church history and right up to the modern age. Therefore, the name of Jesus Christ is most offensive to so many people who already dislike Him. Still, it is not too late to turn this around… not yet.

Let us proceed to expositing today’s Scripture in its context and thus gain the profit God the Holy Spirit has placed therein….

Living Defensively #3

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The Corinthians were reminded how just a small quantity of leavening agent (yeast) causes the entire lump of dough to rise. Their allowance of fornication in their local assembly threatened to conquer all of them with sin. This was with respect to evil conduct.

We find the Galatians tolerating evil teaching. The Holy Spirit through Paul cautions them how such “minor” leaven will spread and thoroughly corrupt them. Observe Galatians chapter 5: “[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. [3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. [4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. [5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. [6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. [7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. [9] A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

As the Corinthians were not walking circumspectly concerning deed, so the Galatians were not walking circumspectly regarding doctrine. The Galatians were permitting legalistic (law-based) teaching when they should have refused it. They ought to have held to God’s grace—how He accepts them in Christ because of His finished crosswork, not because of their religious works. Tolerating just a little false teaching (Galatia) is just as dangerous as allowing a little sinful conduct (Corinthians)….

Living Defensively #2

Monday, August 26, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

In the Book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, we learn of one of the chief spiritual scandals in the capital city of southern Greece. The Corinthian believers were tolerating such sinfulness, totally unaware they were exposing themselves to spiritual contamination. It was a serious problem, yet they lacked discernment to know any better. Let us read about it.

“[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” A Christian brother was having sexual relations with his father’s wife (assumed to be his stepmother, not his biological mother). Whereas such incest was punishable by death or exile in heathen Roman courts, Christians in Corinth were unembarrassed and actually boasting or finding the situation amusing (!).

“[3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” As an Apostle and mature saint, Paul had already judged the matter. That fornicating brother was destroying his edification process by filling his spirit and soul with bad doctrine instead of sound doctrine. He should be excommunicated, removed, from their local church for three reasons: he should reap the consequences of his sin, he should be discouraged from any future misconduct, and he should be encouraged to reform.

In short, the fornicating brother was not walking circumspectly but walking foolishly. His brethren in Corinth, by tolerating his sin, were also not walking circumspectly but walking foolishly. Like the thoughtless driver of a vehicle, neither party was living defensively….

Living Defensively #1

Sunday, August 25, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

Once, a family member surprised me when she declared how, even though she was greatly advanced in years, she was still able to drive her car! She complained to me how, in all the decades she had been driving, people operating vehicles on the road today were more reckless than ever. I told her, “Indeed, we are to drive defensively.” We have to watch not only what we are doing, but also be on the lookout for others (who may not be watching what they are doing)—what types of vehicles are near us or approaching us (bicycles, 18-wheelers, sedans, pickup trucks, et cetera), their distance from us, their speeds and braking habits, and any hazardous conditions that could possibly develop with them or our other surroundings.

More recently, I was instructing my 16-year-nephew how to drive his new car. As he got into the driver’s seat, and I sat on the passenger’s side, we began our trip into town. With that aforementioned lady in mind, I cautioned him to drive defensively, to not be distracted but be aware of his environment—watching out for any children or animals wandering out into the roadway, slow drivers in front of him, oncoming traffic zooming around curves and crossing into his lane, stop signs, narrow roads, speed-limit signs, puddles of water, potholes, and other potential challenges. Sure enough, we encountered perils along the way, but he managed to get us safely back home. (If you must know, I would give him a score of 95%!)

In today’s Scripture and its context, we read: “[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. [15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;….”

We now explore how driving defensively and walking circumspectly operate according to the same fundamental principles….

For Students This is Safe

Thursday, August 8, 2024

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

Liberated to Serve

Thursday, July 4, 2024 🇺🇸

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 248th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

Please see our 2011 Fourth of July Bible study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.

Father: A Godly Man

Sunday, June 16, 2024

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 KJV).

Since today is Father’s Day, we dedicate today’s devotional to the godly (Christian) fathers.

What is a godly father? Oftentimes, fathers are either too authoritative (very strict) or too carefree (little to no concern for their children). According to the Bible (today’s Scripture in particular), fathers must have a balance between setting boundaries and enforcing them, and refraining from being a heartless tyrant.

  • On one hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the nurture of the Lord.” “Nurture” is simply defined as “caring for and encouraging their growth or development.” All too often, fathers (sadly) ignore this, usually being too rough, or even, apathetic (unconcerned).
  • On the other hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the admonition of the Lord.” “Admonition” is simply defined as “authoritative counsel or warning.” He is to lovingly guide them in life, instructing them from God’s Word rightly divided.

A father is not simply one who procreates. God’s Word makes it very clear that they should serve a lifelong, active role in their children’s lives. A Christian man, especially a father, should be a godly man in beliefs as well as in deed. He needs to set an example for his children (especially his sons): it is his duty as an older Christian man to set an example for younger men.

He should be a hard worker, he should meditate on the things of God (the Bible), his speech should conform to sound Bible doctrine, he should be hospitable and caring, kind and loving, he should respect and love his wife, he should love his children, and he should be reserved and cautious in his actions.

Are you a Christian man or Christian father who desires to be the man God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest! Then, you will become the godly man described on the pages of Scripture.

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

ARCHIVED: “What does the Bible say about fatherhood?”

Jeremiah 29:11 and Right Division #7

Sunday, May 26, 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

What is the truth about today’s Scripture?

Today’s Scripture is connected to the Jews’ Babylonian Captivity (see verse 10). For 70 years, the Kingdom of Judah would live in the foreign territory of Babylonia because of habitual violation of the Law of Moses. However, a remnant would come back to the Promised Land. In the short-term, that was the return under Zerubbabel and Ezra (see the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). In the long-term, however, it speaks of a regathering of Israel even future from us. That would be Christ’s Second Coming in Matthew 24:30,31.

Read the verses immediately following today’s Scripture: “[12] Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. [14] And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Israel’s believing remnant will recognize their apostate nation is doomed under the Old Covenant—but will be blessed under the New Covenant. As God drove the Jewish people from the land of Canaan during the Babylonian Captivity, so He will bring them back to the land of Canaan at Messiah’s return. See also Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Psalm 126:1-6; Isaiah 11:11,12; Jeremiah 16:14,15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; Zephaniah 3:20; et cetera.

We study the Bible “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15), carefully separating Israel from the Body of Christ, prophecy from mystery, Peter from Paul, earth from heaven, and law from grace. After the “evil” or curses of the Law have fallen on Israel and Jerusalem (Jeremiah 21:10; Jeremiah 39:16; Jeremiah 44:27), the “thoughts of peace” will be brought to pass (the “expected end” or hope of today’s Scripture). This is the LORD dealing with Israel, not us! “For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them” (Jeremiah 32:42).

Jeremiah 29:11 and Right Division #6

Saturday, May 25, 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

What is the truth about today’s Scripture?

Notice other Pauline promises of God to the Church the Body of Christ. Unlike today’s Scripture, these verses are to and about us! “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39). “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13). “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:12,13). “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18). “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:…” (Philippians 1:6).

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

We now summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Jeremiah 29:11 and Right Division #5

Friday, May 24, 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

What is the truth about today’s Scripture?

If we resort to quoting Jeremiah 29:11 in a desperate attempt to be comforted that God will bless us with good fortune, we are also forced to “name and claim” these curses in Jeremiah!

“For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire” (Jeremiah 21:10). “Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee” (Jeremiah 39:16). “Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them” (Jeremiah 44:27). God would curse unbelieving Israel for breaking the Old Covenant, but, as today’s Scripture asserts, He would then bless them under the New Covenant at Christ’s Second Coming and subsequent Millennial Kingdom.

As opposed to taking Israel’s verses and making them our own, we can see the writings of our Apostle Paul—God’s spokesman to us (Romans 11:13)—and rejoice in His promises to and about us. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:…” (Ephesians 1:3). “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;…” (2 Corinthians 4:17). “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

There are still other Pauline promises to us….