What to Do With Our Sins

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverb 28:13)

The Bible plainly teaches us that, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) There are numerous support verses that verify that truth. But, what can one do with his sin. Adam and Eve attempted to hide their sin behind fig leaves. Others have claimed that they have no sin, thus making God a liar. Some have even tried real hard to “do better.”

Our text says that the proper way to handle our sins is, first of all, to confess our sins. God’s Word says that, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins…” (I John 1:9) Secondly, we are to forsake our sins. In other words, we are to repent, to turn around. We are not to confess our sins and accept His forgiveness and then continue in our sins. We must turn around and go in the opposite direction.

God is merciful. The Holy Spirit will aid us in our new walk with the Lord. Trust the Lord. Let Him be your Savior and Lord.

What We Think About and What We Say

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, Oh LORD, my strength and my redeemer.”(Psalm 19:14)

A man was using profanity in my presence until he realized he was in the presence of a preacher of the Gospel. He was embarrassed and apologized for using that kind of language in the presence of a “man of God,” as he put it. I said, “Don’t be concerned about what I think, but be concerned about what God thinks.”

Our words mean something. Not only that, but what we think about has consequences. Someone said, “You may not be what you think you are, but what you think, you are.”

The Psalmist, David, viewed God as Jehovah God, the eternal, self-existent, master and ruler. He recognized Him further as his strength and his redeemer. Above all else, David wanted to please God even in the smallest detail of his life.

Our view of God will affect our way of thinking, speaking and behaving.

Having the Last Word

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

I heard a man say of his sister, “She had rather be shot between the eyes with a poison dart than not to have the last word.” That man’s sister is not the first nor will she be the last person with that attitude.

“Road rage” is another attempt to have the last word. Unfortunately, the last word some folks have in this life is just before they are fatally wounded by a gun shot by someone expressing road rage from another vehicle.

It is not necessary to have the last word. Road rage, temper tantrums and other flare ups of hateful words would cease if we would let the Lord Jesus be in control of our speech. Our Lord began His seven last sayings from the cross with, “Father, forgive them…”

Godly Instruction for Young Pastors and Other Servants of God

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)

I call First and Second Timothy, “Instructions for Young Pastors.” Paul was writing to his young Christian friend, Timothy, who was pastor of the Church of Ephesus. There is much instruction here with which all Christians should be acquainted.

Our text instructs the young pastor to study. Newer translations say, “Give diligence.”  “Diligently study” would be appropriate. A preacher or pastor who doesn’t study has nothing to feed the sheep. He is to study, to show himself approved unto God, not ashamed when he stands before the people. The exhortation is to “rightly” divide the Word of Truth. The implication is that if one does not “rightly” divide the Word of Truth he will “wrongly” divide it, a grave mistake that happens too often. 

If you are not a pastor I strongly encourage you to insist that your church give your pastor time and space to study the Word of God. And tell him he is not to use that extra time to go fishing or golfing!!!

Search the Scriptures Daily

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

The people in Thessalonica did not readily accept the teaching of Paul and Silas concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and of His person. In our text we find those two servants in Berea, in the Jewish synagogue where the people receive the message and confirm it as they search the scriptures daily.

One must read his Bible to be able to search out the teachings of it. There is a spiritual anemia resulting from Biblical ignorance in our land. Today it seems that one is regarded as an excellent Christian if he is busy doing “church work,” keeping the religious machinery organized, oiled and running smoothly.

We must get in the word. Study. Blue ribbons are not given for not knowing the Bible. Clichés and cute little “one-liners” are not substitutes for reading and studying the true Biblical text.

Pleasing God in the Little Things

“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.”

(Proverbs 11:1)

When my older brother was about fourteen years old our dad let him raise a small portion of his allotment if my brother would help with the rest of the crop. When it came time to sell his crop the warehouse-man weighed the first of five baskets of his tobacco. To everyone’s surprise that first little basket lacked thirteen pounds weighing anything. You can imagine the concern of the farmers who had had large crops of tobacco weighed that morning before my brother arrived with his crop. Not only were the farmers irate and demanded their crops be re-weighed, it was an abomination to God.

I remember an elderly gentleman from whom I bought corn for my cows. He would weigh each grass-sack of corn individually. After weighing each one and making sure the weight was correct, he would put three or four more ears of corn in the top, “for good measure,” he said. I believe that deed delighted the Lord.

Self Deception

“For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” (Galatians 6:3)

After preaching a sermon which was accepted by the church as, “the best they had ever heard,” the pastor was feeling pretty good about himself. On the way home from church he turned to his wife and said, “I wonder how many real good pastors there are in our state.” Without hesitation his wife said, “There’s one less than you think there are.”

It’s easy to have an inflated opinion of oneself. Some folks think they don’t need Jesus the Savior because they are too good to need to be saved. Some Christians never look at the Biblical standard of goodness and never hear a sermon on God’s expectations for the Christian life. They think of themselves to be so good they can stay home from church and never hear a message from God’s Word. They think there is no room for improvement. They are deceiving themselves.

Be honest with yourself and with God and let Him make you into what He wants you to be.

Bear Your Own Burden

“For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Galatians 6:5)

There are burdens that may be shared with someone willing to lend a helping hand, a shoulder or a strong back, someone that can assist in the carrying of a heavy load, as in verse two.

Then there are burdens that cannot be shared with anyone else. They must be borne by the individual alone. The burdens of honesty, truthfulness, moral purity and the individual Christian life must be borne by the individual alone, with the help of God but of no other. The things of the living of the Christian life are the personal responsibility of each individual.

At the Judgment Seat of Christ we will be on our own. Each person will be responsible before the Lord for his own life. The Judgment Seat of Christ is for the saved only and is not to determine whether or not we are saved, but to determine our rewards or loss of rewards. What are you doing and what have you done in the Christian life since you were saved? Are you being a good steward over your responsibility for living the Christian Life?

Are You a Burden Bearer

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Robin Roberts of Good Morning America, co-wrote a book entitled, “Everybody’s Got Something.” Published in 2014 when she was struggling with cancer and its treatment, the title comes from her mother when Robin was a child. Robin acknowledged that she was not the first nor would she be the last person to go through a similar battle with cancer or something just as bad or worse.

As a pastor I have ministered to parishioners going through that or some other dreadful disease. I must agree; everybody’s got something. It is not always physical nor is it always related to health. But it’s a burden and it’s real. They should not have to bear it alone. Everybody needs someone to reach out a hand and help bear their burdens.

We are to bear one another’s burdens. It is the Christ-like thing to do. Be the kind of person that fulfills the law Christ, of loving others as we love ourselves.

Setting Broken Bones

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

The only people who never make mistakes or commit errors or faults are found in the cemeteries. The rest of us have plenty of faults.

At times people are led astray and are overtaken in a fault as our text says. It was not planned. It just caught up with them. So, when we see someone in such a case we are not to gossip and spread the bad news about them. We are to “restore” that person. The word “restore,” means, “set the break.” It is like setting a broken bone in someone’s arm or leg and restoring that limb to usefulness. As sad as it is to say, often instead of setting the broken bone, folks gather around and “break some more bones,” permanently disabling the person who has the fault.

Setting a broken bone can be painful to the injured person and requires skill, meekness, patience, energy and time on the part of the one restoring the break. He must ask himself, “How would I want to be treated if I were the one with the fault?”

A Friend that Sticks Closer than a Brother

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

Miserable is the man who goes through life with no friends. He has no one in whom to confide, no one from whom to seek advice, no one with whom to share his burdens and sorrows. With no friends there is no one coming to him for comfort, advice, or help. He is, “alone, all alone on the wild and dangerous seas.”

Perhaps he did not “break the ice” and offer himself as a friend for fear of someone taking unfair advantage of his friendship. He needed to take the initiative and be a friend.

Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. My two brothers, now with the Lord, were my two best friends of all earthly men.  I never called on either of them in the middle of the night for help. However, I have called on Jesus, who sticks closer than a brother, many times and He has always been there.  He will do the same for you. 

All This and Heaven Too

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” (Psalm 73:24)

As Christians we have experienced God’s counsel numerous times, first receiving His counsel in the matter of salvation.  His word said, “Come unto me,” and we came.  His word counseled, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.  His word secured us a place in Heaven.

Following salvation He has counseled us in many things including choosing a spouse, selecting a vocation, and many large and small things in between.  Our Savior is called, “Wonderful Counselor.”  We seek His counsel through His word and through prayer.  Sometimes He stops us in our tracks and counsels us to consider our ways and then shows us the way we should go. 

One day He will say it is time to come home.  He will receive us into His presence in Glory.  What a time that will be!  I look around at all His provision down here and then think about the home over there and I exclaim, “All of this and Heaven too!”

The Pure Word of God

“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

 (Proverbs 30:5-6)

I remember as a child going to a spring of water flowing from a hillside and drinking pure, clear water unlike any water I have had since. Houses and their accompanying septic tanks and lateral lines have been built above that spring since then. That water is no longer safe for drinking.

In God’s pure word we find warnings about hell, about Godless living. We also find heaven, grace, hope and forgiveness. Unfortunately, some folks have attempted to add to His pure word thus polluting it as the old spring is polluted. As the Bible says,“Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4) The pure Word of God is still the pure Word of God. Accept none of the corrupted words of men who, being not led of the Holy Spirit, are inspired by the devil.

A Good Day to Fight the Devil

“Benaiah… went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.” (I Chronicles 11:22)

The Bible describes the devil as a roaring lion walking about, seeking whom he may devour. The devil is relentless in his attacks on churches, homes and individuals. He is described as our adversary. He is the tempter and a deceiver.

We are told to withstand the devil, to make a stand against him. We are told to put on the whole armor of God. Our loins are to be girt about with truth. We are to have on the breastplate of righteousness. Our shoes are to be the preparation of the gospel of peace. We are to have the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. Our offensive weapon is to be the sword of the Spirit, which is the Bible. (Ephesians 6: 14-17)

Benaiah could have excused himself from the fight because of the snow and the accompanying cold. He could have put off fighting with the lion until a better day. He could have waited for the other thirty warriors to be appointed by the “Lion Fighting Committee.” But remember, the Bible says Benaiah was one of the three mighty men of David, the King of Israel.

We Christians are told to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)

Throw Yourself on the Mercy of the Court

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

What did these two men have when they left the house of God that they did not have when they arrived? The Pharisee still had his worthless self righteousness but in addition, our text suggests that he had abasement. For hundreds of years his story has been told thousands of times . He left the house of God with a bad reputation, something he will carry with him forever.

When the publican left the house of God he had justification and a right standing with God, something he did not have when he arrived. I believe he arrived as a lost man and was a saved man when he left. He had thrown himself on the mercy of the court.

What do you have when you leave church on Sunday morning that you did not have when you arrived? I hope you can say that you left with a “clean slate,” that all your sins have been forgiven and that if you were lost when you arrived you were saved when you left. If you arrived at church with a guilty conscience you left with a clean conscience. If you arrived with ill feelings toward others that you now have love toward them.

The Sinner’s Prayer

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner.’” (Luke 18:13)

Unlike the Pharisee in this parable, the publican knew he was a sinner. He would be one who would have acknowledged,“…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) His concern was not that he would be accepted or liked by the Pharisee, but that he would be accepted by almighty God. He needed mercy, not justice.

In contrition he stood some distance away. He would not look up to heaven. He beat upon his chest as a sign of his impoverished, sinful condition. His only words were, “God be merciful to me the sinner.” (NASB)

Too many of us fail to see our own sins and consequently never seek forgiveness from God. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Are you a sinner? His blood was shed for us at Calvary to pay for our sins. Acknowledge your need and accept His payment.

The Prayer of the Self Righteous Pharisee

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:11-12)

I think it was the late, Robert G. Lee who said that one Sunday after he preached he gave the invitation for anyone who would to come to the altar and confess their sins to God. A lady came forward, whispered in the pastor’s ear, and said, “I would confess my sins, but I can’t think of any.” He said, “Just guess at it.” He said that she guessed it right the first thing.

Look at the Pharisee’s prayer. There was no contrition, no confession, no expression of repentance and no praise toward God. The only words of thanksgiving were that he was thankful that he was not as other men, especially this despised publican. There was no plea of intercession for others. He could only brag about how good he was. No wonder Jesus said the Pharisee, “Prayed thus with himself.”

Join me as we look at the prayer of the publican tomorrow.

Two Men

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.” (Luke 18:10)

We are expected to pray. Jesus taught His disciples to pray. It is the right thing to do. We are told that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1)

Both of these men in this parable of Jesus, the Pharisee and the publican, were doing the right thing in the right place designated for prayer. Jesus said, “It is written, my house is the house of prayer…” (Luke 19:46).

Both men were Jews. One of the two men was a Pharisee. The Pharisees were very religious, pious, strict keepers of the Law of Moses. In their minds they set the standard for righteousness.  The other man, also a Jew, was a tax collector for the Roman government. Consequently, the publicans were considered by the Jews to be traitors to their nation. They were thought of as the scum of the earth, the lowest of the low and chief of sinners.

These two men happened to meet in the same place at the same time for the same purpose. When the “welcome” mat is put at the door of a church, a house of God, we should be ready to minister to all who walk through the door. Read on and join me tomorrow.

A Parable for the Self Righteous

“And He spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” (Luke 18:9)

This is one of thirty-nine parables of our Lord. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning. Jesus was the master story-teller and teacher. He still gets the attention of man-kind with His stories two-thousand years after He told them.

There are people today as there were then, self righteous, with feelings of superiority toward others. Our Lord did not need to call anyone’s name. He just told the story and if the shoe fit, they could wear it. If it “made a blister” they could change shoes.

For the next few days let’s dissect this parable and see if the shoe fits and if it does, see if we will allow God to remedy our problem. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through this story.

Grace, God’s Favor

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” (I Thessalonians 5:28)

Paul closes this first letter to the Church of Thessalonica just as he had opened it, with an expression emphasizing the grace of God. All thirteen of Paul’s letters, whether to churches or to individuals, begin with a reference concerning the grace of God. The word, “grace,” means favor. He is expressing his desire for God’s favor to rest upon them.

Paul knew and understood the grace of God. He knew that he was saved only by the grace of God, and not by anything that he had merited. He knew he was kept by the grace of God. If ever anyone were saved by grace it would be Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus. He was guilty of persecuting the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. He despised Jesus and all His claims. He knew the sufficiency of God’s grace in trials and infirmities. So, his best closing was to share his feeling that he had for them that the grace of God would be with them. 

Then there came that final word of conclusion. “Amen.” Or, so be it. As Walter Cronkite would say at the end of his evening news casts, “And that’s the way it is.”

Read it Again and Again

“I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.”  

(I Thessalonians 5:27)

It has been my observation that the reading of scripture to someone in the hospital or grieving over the recent death of a family member or friend is excellent comfort.

Paul put much confidence in what the Holy Spirit inspired him to write in his letter to the Thessalonians. “Have it read to all the holy brethren,” he said. It was read to them in the first century. That epistle and all other scriptures ought to be read to the brothers and sisters living in this twenty-first century.

This is why the great apostle instructed Timothy and all other pastors from that day to this to, “Preach the Word…” (II Timothy 4:2) Churches must get their operating instructions from the Bible. No other book of instructions for living the Christian life and guiding the function of a church can match it.

Sanctified

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:23-24)

The word “sanctify” means to be set apart. It comes from the same root as the word “saint.” Believers, Christians, are set apart. We are saints. You were not made a saint by a vote of some men impressed with your good deeds. Neither will you need to wait hundreds of years for that decision to be made by some earthly counsel of men. You were made a saint, or set apart to the Lord, when you accepted Christ as your Savior.

You have been set apart completely-spirit, soul and body, and will be preserved blameless by Him until the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are safe because you are saved.

If you have not received Christ as your Savior I pray that you will take care of that before it is too late.

Check it Out

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5: 21)

It is of utmost importance that Christians practice discernment, especially in spiritual matters. Many a poor soul has gone down a path of doctrinal heresy having been convinced by someone with half truths that that this or that new point of view is correct. It has just enough Biblical truth to make it sound plausible.

John warns his readers, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (the doctrine of Christ), receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. (II John 1) Check Scripture with Scripture. Ask yourself how this new doctrine lines up with the tested, tried, true and complete Word of God?

Then we are told in our text to hold fast that which is good. We must not trade true Biblical doctrine and teaching for something that sounds good just because it is new and everyone is embracing it. Many churches are in turmoil and confusion today because the devil has been allowed to park near the pulpit and the choir loft.

Pray for the Family of Faith

“Brethren, pray for us.” (I Thessalonians 5:25)

The word, “brethren,” is an inclusive word, including all the members of the family of God. Used in this context where Paul is addressing a church the word, “sisters,” would be equally inclusive. Examples are found in Romans 16:1, 15 and I Timothy 5:2.  I believe the word “brethren” used here is including both men and women.

He refers to the fellow believers, these members of the household of faith, these spiritual brothers, a number of times in this epistle. Paul is probably still a member of the church of Antioch when he writes this letter or perhaps a member of the church of Corinth, his location as he writes. Even though he is not a member of the Thessalonian church he considers them to be his brothers. To be called “brother” by a fellow believer is one of the greatest blessings I know of.

The apostle is requesting the prayers of the church for himself, Silas and Timothy. Many of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world are being persecuted and even killed because of their faith in Christ, their Biblical beliefs and their Christian walk. They are part of our family and desperately need our prayers.

Hear the Word of the Lord

“Despise not prophesyings.” (I Thessalonians 5:20)

Before the New Testament was complete there was the gift of prophecy, which according to I Corinthians 13:8 was one of the temporary gifts of the Holy Spirit. When the New Testament canon was complete that gift was no longer necessary.

Other preachers and I give accurate and true prophecies as we preach from the prophetic books of the Bible such as Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Revelation and many other books of the Bible. There is no new prophecy in our day. The old prophecies concerning the future are very appropriate for today. Someone said, “Bible prophecies are more up to date than tomorrow’s newspaper.”

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul is telling his readers of his day to accept the prophetic utterances of that day as being from God and telling us today to accept the written prophecies as true, God-sent and infallible.

When the preacher stands behind the sacred desk with an open Bible and expounds the Word of God only a fool would despise, mock or ridicule it. We “fore-tell” coming events with true Biblical prophecy and “forth-tell” or “tell-forth” all the rest of the inspired Word of God. Which ever one your preacher is doing, “fore-telling” or “forth-telling,” don’t despise it.

Don’t Put Out the Fire

“Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 5:19)

The Holy Spirit has been likened to a fire, sometimes flaming high, and other times more like glowing embers. In either case He is doing His work.

When the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Word of God, through prayer or through the spoken word from the pulpit we must not “put out the fire” or quench the Holy Spirit. When we feel the urge to share a word of witness or testimony of salvation in Jesus, or we are impressed to share some of our goods with someone less fortunate than us, or when we know that God is calling us to ministry to be a missionary, a preacher or pastor or a Sunday school teacher, we must not throw cold water on that fire. We must not be guilty of quenching the Spirit. Don’t put out the fire.

Let the Lord through the Holy Spirit have His way in your daily life.

Pray

“Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17)

The old hymn, “What a Friend,” says, “…What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” And then it says, “… Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

One would think that we would feel so fortunate to go into the presence of God that we would be begging for the opportunity to pray. But, sadly, that is not the case. We get busy working, making a living, pursuing our dreams and goals, planning for the days ahead, going to sporting events and taking vacations that we neglect our time with God. We can’t pray in the morning because we are in a hurry to get to school or work. We can’t pray in the evening because we are too tired.

God wants to hear from you. He wants to hear your requests. He wants you to trust Him and to express faith in Him. So, He welcomes you into His presence. Life is much better when we do not let weeds grow over our prayer path or moths take up residence in our prayer closet.

A Good Story with a Point

“Rejoice Evermore.” (I Thessalonians 5:16)

The late, W. A. Criswell, told the story of an old gentleman who happened to attend one of the refined churches in his community one Sunday morning. When the choir sang a beautiful Gospel song the old fellow raised a hand and shouted, “Amen.”

When the preacher was preaching the fellow said, “Well, praise the Lord.” It shook up the pastor so much he lost his place. Finally the preacher regained his composure and started preaching again. The preacher made another good point and the old man raised both hands and cried out, “Hallelujah.”

A deacon went over to the fellow and said, “Sir, you’re disturbing the service. The choir lost its place and the preacher can’t finish his sermon.” The old man said, “I got salvation recently and I can’t help myself.” The deacon responded, “Well, you didn’t get it here, so be quiet.”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem and the people were rejoicing, the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His disciples. Jesus said, “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:39-40)

Guard Your Testimony

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (I Thessalonians 5:22)

When my father was a young man, before he had answered God’s call to preach the Gospel, he was a Sunday school teacher of teenage boys.

He, like many farmers, would go into town on Saturday afternoons. On these Saturday afternoons he would go into a local billiard hall, better known as a pool room. They served beer there but my father never drank. He just watched the pool games and talked with the other men.

On one Saturday afternoon, as he was leaving the pool room, he was greeted by a long time friend, an elderly gentleman who was a deacon and a much respected Christian in the community. His first words of greeting were, “William, I know you don’t drink and I know you don’t gamble on these games or use foul language as some men in there do. But these teen age boys you are teaching on Sunday don’t know that. And it would be easy for one of them to think you go in there to drink beer and he might think because you do it that it is alright for him also. I can’t tell you what to do but the Bible tells us to avoid every appearance of evil.”

Years later my dad told me that he never went back into that or any other pool room. He considered his testimony to be too valuable to be destroyed by a careless activity, even though he never participated.

How much do you and I value our testimony, our witness and our good name? Do your children see you watching questionable movies and TV shows?