Test the Teacher - Part 1

James 3:1-2 " 1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check."

I am amazed at men and women of God who have taught the Word of God consistently and accurately for years. Even the greatest of preachers and teachers are prone to mistakes though, and need others around them to be accountable to the content of their messages. The foundation of all Christian teachings must be the Bible...not personal experience, opinion, or philosophy.

The examples of the Bereans should always be on our mind when we open ourselves up to teaching and instruction.

Acts 17:11 "11Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

We must examine the Scriptures EVERY DAY and measure any teacher and their teachings by God's Word to make sure they are true.

Integrity in the Face of Temptation

I heard a great message today by Dr. Bill Henard, president of the Kentucky Baptist convention, about Integrity. He looked at Joseph's reaction to temptation in Potiphar's house in Genesis 39:1-9.

I love the description of Joseph's reactions to temptation..."but he refused," "day after day," "did not listen," "he left," & "he fled."

Dr.Henard's three applicational points were:

1)Know when to say no

2)Don't compromise with temptation

3)God rewards the faithfulness of His people

A definition of integrity? "Choosing to do what is right in the eyes of God even when no one is looking"

Another example of a Biblical response to temptation...look to Christ's example in Matthew 4:1-11 when He is tempted by the Devil. That passage convicts me of my need to have Scripture always ready as a defense and a weapon against Satan!

Artwork attached is:

Satan Tempting Christ to Change Stones into Bread, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1635/1640

The Christian & War

I heard a great message yesterday from the current Chief of Chaplains of the US Army, MG Douglas Carver.

The message reminded me of how many people struggle to reconcile the issue of Christians serving in the military. Officers' Christian Fellowship has lots of great resources on this subject...

May a Christian Serve in the Military?
Can a Christian Serve in Combat?
A Christian's Perspective on Killing (you may recognize the author of this one...)