ANSWERS TO ASSIGNMENTS FOR 1995

1a. Phil. 1:15,16 (write out).

1b. Acts 17:4,5 or 32,34 (write out).

2a. Stephen (Acts 6:5 and 7:55); Paul (Acts 13:9).

2b. Stephen did great wonders and miracles (6:8), preached boldly (7:1-53), and was calm and forgiving when being put to death (7:54-60); Paul rebuked the sorcerer and caused him to become blind (13:10,11).

3. He didn’t revile or threaten (1 Peter 2:23) and kept His mouth shut (Isa. 53:7) (write out verses).

4. Riches (Psa. 52:7), our own understanding (Prov. 3:5), and falsehood (Jer. 13:25) (write out verses).

5. Moses (Num. 12:3); he prayed for Miriam rather than seeking vengeance (Num. 12:13) (write out verses).

6. On the earth (Job 1:7), in the presence of the Lord (Zech. 3:1), and in high (or heavenly) places (Eph. 6: 12) (write out verses).

7. Preaching the gospel of peace (Rom. 10:15), living peaceably with all men (Rom. 12:18), and following after the things that make for peace (Rom. 14:19) (write out verses).

8. Satan will be cast out of heaven into the earth (Rev. 12:8,9); cast into the bottomless pit and bound for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2,3); and finally cast into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 20:10) (write out verses).

9. The angels brought messages of encouragement, hope, assurance of God’s presence, and instruction (give at least two of these).

10. John 3:16; 10:27-29; Rom. 8:35-39, among others.

11. Short and acceptable answer: Job 1:6 and 2:1, 2 Pet. 2:4-9, and Jude 6-8 suggest that the sons of God were angels. Matt. 22:30 suggests that they were human beings.

More complete answer for instructional purposes: Job 1:6 and 2:1 suggest that the sons of God refer to angels (since Satan is an angel). Jude 6-8 compares a class of fallen angels with men who have gone “after strange flesh” (that is, homosexual) and with those who “defile the flesh,” suggesting that the angels in verse 6 may have been the “sons of God” in Genesis 6. In 2 Pet. 2:4-9 we read of three examples where some were saved and others brought into judgment. Ignoring the man-made division between verses 4 and 5, we see a connection between sinning angels and the time of the great flood. Again, this suggests that the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 may indeed have been angels. Matt. 22:30 says that angels do not marry, which suggests, at first glance, that “the sons of God” who took wives of “the daughters of men” could not have been angels. However, upon looking at this verse more closely, we see that the angels “in heaven” are not given in marriage. Jude 6 refers to angels who did not keep the state in which they were created and left their own “habitation.” This word “habitation” is the same in the original Greek New Testament as the word “house” in 2 Cor. 5:2 which refers to the new, resurrection body which believers will receive when the Lord comes to take us to heaven. Putting this all together, we see that the angels in heaven as they were originally created do not marry; but those angels who have fallen from their created state may have that ability upon earth.

12. They minister to heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14).

13. Blindness in order to manifest the works of God (John 9:3); sickness and death resulting from partaking of the Lord’s supper unworthily (1 Cor. 11:29,30); chastening so that we might become more holy (Heb. 12:10; also 12:20).

14. Satan parades as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14; write out).

15. Do not cut down fruit trees (Deut. 20:19,20; write out).

16-1. No, our gift is to be used in subjection to and dependence upon the Lord (1 Cor. 12:5; write out).

16-2. Write out Eph. 5:18. To be filled with the Spirit means to allow the Spirit to work freely in our minds and lives.

16-3. Meekness (verse 29) and gentleness (verse 30, “easy”).

16-4. Love is the opposite of indifference. Write out Eph. 5:2.

16-5. Pride. Write out personal experience with pride.

16-6. The breastplate of righteousness (Eph. 6:14).

16-7. No, Satan will be forced to bow and submit to Jesus (Phil. 2:10; write out).

16-8. Angels sometimes bring judgment upon sinners (Acts 12:23; write out).

16-9. Write out Matt. 18:10.

16-10. Fortune tellers, if not total frauds and deceivers, receive their power from demons (Acts 16:16-18). Also fortune telling or soothsaying is an abomination to the Lord (Deut. 18:10-12). (Write out one of these passages.)

16-11. To the editor’s knowledge, only reason “c” for administering the death penalty is given in the Bible (Gen. 9:6; write out).

16-12. Write out Heb. 4:12.

Foundations of Faith

Running the Race

Foundations of Faith
MAN (II)

Man is made up of three parts. The one we know best is the physical or material part, the body. There are also the immaterial or invisible parts, the soul and spirit.

Man is like the plants (Gen. 1:11,12) and the animals in having a physical body. Just as the Bible says, “You are dust, and unto dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19), man’s body is made up of 16 chemical elements also found in plants and animals and in the earth. These elements are, using their symbols, C, Ca, Cl, F, Fe, H, I, K, Mg, Mn, N, Na, O, P, S, and Si. (How many of these symbols do you recognize? How about C, H, and O in H2O and CO2?)

Man is like the animals in having a soul. “God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has life [or literally, soul]” (Gen. 1:20). The Hebrew word, nephesh, is the one translated “soul” throughout the Old Testament. For example, “He restoreth my soul” (Psa. 23:3). “Bless the Lord, O my soul” (Psa. 103:1). “I will speak in the bitterness of my soul” (Job 10:1). Man and animals alike can learn, remember, and have appetites, desires, and emotions.

Man is alone among the inhabitants of the earth in having a spirit. It is the possession of a spirit that sets man apart as created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26,27). The attributes of the spirit include reasoning power, creativity, conscience, responsibility, moral qualities, and ability to know and believe the invisible God. These set man distinctly apart from the animals. It is well to note that the Hebrew and Greek words denoting the spirit of man in both the Old and New Testaments are the same words used to denote the Spirit of God or Holy Spirit. “The [Holy] Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:16).

Biologists have defined basically two kingdoms of life–the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom. (More recently they have added three more kingdoms to adapt to various one-celled organisms that are not clearly plant or animal.) But in Genesis 1 God clearly shows us that there are three main kingdoms of life–plant, animal, and man.

It is only fair to say that some Bible scholars believe that man is made up of only two parts, that soul and spirit are synonymous. They base this on the fact that in many passages of the Bible, soul and spirit seem to refer to the same thing. For example, we read both of Jesus’ soul being troubled (John 12:27) and of His spirit groaning and being troubled (John 11:33; 13:21). On the other hand, there are passages that clearly distinguish between soul and spirit. Perhaps the clearest is the one that contrasts the human body as it is on earth and as it will be in heaven:”It is sown a natural [literally, ‘soulish‘] body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:44; see also 1 Cor. 2:14; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 4:12). In other words, our bodies on earth are particularly suited to, and tend to be controlled by, our souls–that is, our emotions, desires, appetites, and all that would cater to self. The new bodies we shall have in heaven will be totally controlled by our spirits–that is, our desire to know God, communicate with Him, please Him, glorify Him, and worship Him.

When we speak of the three parts of man, we usually follow the order, “body, soul, and spirit.” This is the order of importance most often displayed in the lives of humans. However, God’s purpose and desire for man is just the opposite–“spirit and soul and body” (1 Thess. 5:23). God would have the believer overcome his or her natural (or “soulish“) desires and tendencies and let the qualities of the spirit have first place.

Some people have the idea that God created man because He was lonely. They suppose that because He is a God of love He needed an object for His love. This is a mistaken idea because God already had a perfect object for His love before the creation of the Universe. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit had always, from eternity past, enjoyed the deepest, closest possible love and fellowship among themselves. This fact makes it even more wonderful that God created man in His own image, and made it possible for finite, sinful man to be brought into a close relationship with the infinite, personal, holy God by His grace. Surely this wonderful truth should cause each of us to praise God with all of our heart and might!

This may seem like a silly question to many of our readers. However, some of you may meet people who, while claiming to accept the Bible, still argue that Adam and Eve were not real, historical people, but mythical people introduced to illustrate certain spiritual truths. If you ever encounter such arguments, it would be well to review the several references to Adam and Eve by Christ and by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament (for example, Luke 3:38 Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:22,45; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:13,14). These passages show that there is as much historical basis for the existence of Adam and Eve as for Moses and Jesus Christ.

Running the Race
IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD: HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME? (II)

4. Marital separation and divorce, and couples living together without being married, have become so common in today’s society that most people probably have come to think that this is one of man’s basic freedoms–freedom from marriage. But permanency of marriage (“till death do us part”) is rooted in man being made in the image of God.

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them…. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 1:27; 2:24). The Lord Jesus referred to this when discussing people’s ideas about marriage and divorce (Matt. 19:4-12). Marriage is uniting two different, but equal, persons into one. In some ways this is a bit like the Trinity–the three Persons of God united as one. Perhaps that is why “the image of God” is linked with “male and female” in Gen. 1:27. To break up a marriage is to destroy a two-dimensional image of the Trinity who created us.

You young people are going through a period of life in which you are building friendships, getting to know different members of the opposite sex, and starting to think about who would make a good marriage partner for you. Do not follow the pattern of the world in looking for the most attractive young woman or most handsome fellow, or the person whom you think will best meet your needs and bring you the most happiness. Instead, pray for, and be on the lookout for, one with spiritual beauty, one who truly loves the Lord. Ask the Lord to lead you to one who can help you to grow in your likeness to Christ, and with whom you can be the best possible reflection of the image of God.

Assignment 16: The following is a review quiz based on the 1995 issues of GROWING. Please refer back to the indicated issue when answering each question.

1. (Jan.) Is it okay for a believer to use his/her spiritual gift in any way he/she pleases? Write out a verse in 1 Corinthians 12 that answers this question.

2. (Feb.) Write out a verse in Ephesians 5 that speaks of being filled with the Spirit. Then in your own words tell what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

3. (Mar.) What two aspects of the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22,23) are found in Christ in Matt. 11:29,30?

4. (Apr.) What fruit of the Spirit is the opposite of indifference? Write out a verse in Ephesians 5 that shows that people having this fruit are anything but indifferent.

5. (May) In one word, what was the main reason both for Satan’s fall and for man’s fall? Briefly describe an incident in your own life in which you have displayed this same characteristic.

6. (June) Suppose Satan taunts our minds concerning a sin we have committed. What piece of the armor of God do we particularly need to have on when this happens?

7. (July) Will Satan continue to fight against God throughout eternity? Write out a verse in Philippians 2 that helps to answer this question.

8. (Aug.) Are angels always engaged in showing God’s love and helping people, or do they sometimes bring God’s judgment upon sinners? Write out a verse in Acts that answers this question.

9. (Sept.) Write out a verse in Matthew that tells us that at least some human beings have angels watching out for them.

10. (Oct.) Is there anything wrong with a Christian going to a fortune teller? Write out a verse in the Bible that supports your answer.

11. (Nov.) Which one or ones of the following reasons for administering the death penalty for convicted murderers is/are found in the Bible:
a. To discourage other people from murdering.
b. To make sure the murderer does not have an opportunity to kill any more people.
c. Because the person who was murdered was made in the image of God. For each reason you select, give a Bible verse to support your answer.

12. (Dec.) Write out a verse in Hebrews 4 that indicates that the soul and the spirit are two distinct parts of the human being.

Foundations of Faith
MAN (I)

We have been studying beings created by God. So far these include Satan, angels, and demons. These are spiritual beings, though with the capability of appearing in human form or indwelling the bodies of men or animals. We now continue this subject with a study of the nature, character, and spiritual history of man.

Who are we? Why are we here? Where did we come from? What is our significance in the Universe? These are questions often asked by man. Here are some conclusions man has reached concerning the origin and nature of the human race:”Man is the highest of all living creatures, the result of millions of years of gradual evolution from a few basic chemical elements.” “Man is a collection of chemicals with a total value of $31.” A famous philosopher has declared that “man is a useless passion,” meaning that he goes through life having intense feelings such as love, hate, lust, fear, and ambition, and all for no purpose. Centuries earlier, Shakespeare likened the human race to a poor actor who does his thing on the stage for an hour and is never heard of again. All these statements of man leave God out of the picture. If this is what man is, how utterly hopeless and depressing! The question, “What is man?” is posed in the Bible. And what a hopeful, encouraging response is given:”Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou made him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet” (Psa. 8:4-9).

After “God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1), He said, “Let the earth bring forth grass … let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature … let the earth bring forth the living creature” (1:11,20, 24). But when it came to God’s highest creation, He said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness … so God created man in His own image” (1:26,27). The word “created” in verses 1 and 27 means to bring into existence out of nothing. So man is a special, unique creation of God, distinct from the rest of creation.

What does it mean for man to be made in the image and likeness of God? The word “likeness” refers to a resemblance of appearance or behavior. Since God is a spirit, it is not a physical but a moral resemblance. Man was created as a sinless being, morally like God. (We shall see in a later issue how this likeness was affected by man’s fall into sin.) The Hebrew word translated “image” literally means “shadow,” or a shadowing forth or representation of something or someone. The image of Caesar on a coin (Matt. 22:20) represented the man in power at that time in the Roman Empire. So man has been created to represent God on the earth. As one example of this, God delegated to man rule and authority over the plant and animal kingdoms (Gen. 1:26-29). Man, as made in the image of God, has a God-consciousness with the ability to learn about and know God through His Word, and the ability to communicate with God by prayer.

Running the Race
IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD: HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME? (I)

Does the Biblical truth that we are made in the image and likeness of God make any difference in how you and I go about living our daily lives? It surely does! (At least it ought to!) Let us learn what the Bible has to say about these things.

1. Why is it a serious crime when one person murders another person? Why are not cats punished for killing mice, or humans punished for slaughtering cattle for food? Do the animal rights activists have a valid point in their bumper stickers that declare “Meat is murder”? The Bible gives a clear answer to these questions: “God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them,… every moving thing that lives shall be meat for you, even as the green herb have I given you all things…. Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man” (Gen. 9:1-6). Here we see the reason for the death penalty for murderers: Every man, woman, and child has great significance in God’s eyes, having been made in the image and likeness of God; therefore, woe to any who dares to snuff out the life of a fellow human. More generally, we have here the basis for placing value upon and showing respect to all human beings.

2. This need for respect for our fellow human beings is carried further in the New Testament: “The tongue can no man tame…. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the similitude [or likeness] of God…. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (Jas. 3:8-10). When we are tempted to lash out in anger against another person, or to call that person ugly names, we must remind ourselves that we are behaving this way toward one who has been made in the image and likeness of God. Our angry name-calling must surely sting and grieve the Creator!

3. Has God given to man the liberty to use the natural resources of the earth in whatever way he pleases? Not really. As made in God’s image, man is to “have dominion over the fish … the fowl … the cattle, and over all the earth” (Gen. 1:26). Also, God has given to man the produce from plants and trees for food (1:29). On the one hand, this means that the natural resources of the earth are available for man’s use and benefit; on the other hand, there are many scriptures that tell us that we are to use these resources carefully and wisely without being wasteful.

God preserved endangered species in the ark (Gen. 6-8). He instructed Israel to leave the farm land idle every seven years to allow it to recover its fertility (Lev. 25:1-7). When the Lord Jesus miraculously multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the 5,000 people, He instructed His disciples not to be wasteful with the leftovers (John 6:12,13). So let us follow God’s instructions and the Lord Jesus’ own example in ruling wisely over the natural resources God has graciously given to us.

Assignment 15: Write out a pair of verses in Deuteronomy 20 which speak of conservation of natural resources.

Foundations of Faith
DEMONS

In the last few issues we have had lessons on angels and on Satan, the chief of the fallen angels. For completeness of our subject, let us say a few things about the followers of Satan, known as Satan’s angels (Rev. 12:9), devils or demons (Matt. 7:22; Luke 8:27-38), unclean spirits (Matt. 12:43; Acts 8:7; Rev. 16:13), or evil spirits (Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12,13). The King James Version uses the word “devil” for both Satan and his angels. However, the words are different in the original Greek text; most other versions of the New Testament properly translate the Greek word diabolos as “devil,” referring to Satan, and the Greek word daimon as “demon,” referring to Satan’s angelic followers. The demons were created by the Son of God (compare Col. 1:13-16 with Eph. 6:12). They apparently fell along with Satan from their original state of perfection, and are ruled by Satan (Matt. 12:24-26; Rev. 12:7-9). Demons are spirit beings without bodies (Matt. 12:43,44); however, their full power seems to come from occupying the bodies of humans or beasts (Matt. 9:32,33; Mark 5:1-13; 9:17-26; Acts 19:16).

Demons have the power to cause physical disease (Job 2:7; Matt. 12:22; Luke 9:39), insanity (Luke 8:26-35), and even death (Job 1:15-19; Rev. 9:14-19), However, their power is limited by God (Job 1:12; 2:6), and they have nothing to do with many cases of illness and death (see Assignment 13).

Demons, like Satan their leader, have great knowledge, and they communicate their knowledge to people such as fortune tellers who yield themselves to demonic power (Acts 16:16-18). They also impersonate the spirits of the dead; thus through mediums (or those having “familiar spirits”) people think they are communicating with their departed loved ones (Lev. 20:6,27; 1 Sam. 28:3-8; 2 Chron. 33:6). When King Saul was in trouble, he went to a medium and asked her to bring up Samuel–who was dead–so he could get Samuel’s advice. The medium got the shock of her life when Samuel himself appeared, rather than a demon impersonator (1 Sam. 28:11-15). The Bible strictly forbids every kind of communication or playing around with evil spirits:”There shall not be found among you anyone who … practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord” (Deut. 18:10-12, The New King James Version).

Can a born-again Christian be possessed by a demon? There is no evidence of this in the Scriptures. The Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9,11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19), and so cannot be demon-possessed (see also Col. 1:13; 1 John 4:4). However, the Christian can be oppressed or influenced by demons who seek to hinder him from following the Lord (Eph. 6:11-18; see May-August issues of GROWING).

Running the Race
DEMONS LURKING–KEEP OUT!

Have you ever thought it would be cool to go to a fortune teller, have seances with the dead, or observe a witchcraft ceremony? Here is just one of several experiences a young woman had when she tried to get herself out of a very deep involvement with evil spirits:

“The dark mist was swirling, alive, filled with the presence of something more monstrous than anything I had ever before encountered…. Voices shrieked in hideous laughter. ‘We’re going to kill you!’ I panicked and broke into a run. Something like a giant fist slammed into my back between my shoulders…. I tried to scream out ‘Jesus!’ but an iron hand closed upon my throat choking off the word. All I could do was scream in my mind, ‘Jesus, Jesus, help me!’ ‘He can’t help you,’ the voices shrieked…. Suddenly the grip around my throat loosened–the blackness lifted…. I could see the faces of countless demons, contorted, twisted in indescribable rage” (from The Beautiful Side of Evil by Johanna Michaelsen, Harvest House Publishers, copyright 1982; used by permission).

Ms. Michaelsen tells how she had many beautiful, peaceful, ecstatic experiences while communicating with evil spirits. But once she began to be convicted that she ought to get away from such activities and return to following the Lord Jesus, it was anything but peaceful for her. (See Assignment 14)

Ms. Michaelsen, along with others who have written on this topic, say that occult practices (that is, getting involved in the world of demons) are often disguised as innocent games. Many young people have no idea what they are getting into.
Have you ever played around with a Ouija board, tarot cards, tea-leaf or palm reading, or crystal ball gazing? Have you played Dungeons and Dragons or other fantasy role-playing games that involve casting spells or other magical arts? Do you play video games that involve the same kind of thing? Are you attracted to movies or television programs that focus on ghosts, witchcraft, communication with the dead, psychic powers? Have you ever visited a fortune teller (usually advertised today as “reader and advisor”)? Do you have a fascination with astrology or do you look to the daily horoscope for guidance?

All of these may involve dabbling in Satan’s world, the world of demons and evil spirits. The Bible warns us against astrology and turning to sources other than God and His Word for guidance: “Take … heed … lest you lift up your eyes unto heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them and serve them” (Deut. 4:15-19; see also 18:10-12 quoted earlier). Every excursion that you make into the world of demons only encourages the demons to pay more attention to you–often with tragic consequences.
If you have already gotten involved in the world of demons, confess this to the Lord and call upon Him to help you to escape from it. Seek the aid of a godly counselor as well. While you may experience much opposition from the demon world, as did Ms. Michaelsen, you will also find, as she did, that “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Assignment 13: Write out verses in John 9, 1 Corinthians 11, and Hebrews 12 that give causes of illness and death other than the activity of demons.

Assignment 14: Write out a verse in 2 Corinthians 11 that tells why one might find it enjoyable to be involved with demons.

Foundations of Faith
ANGELS (II)

In the previous issue we discussed some general characteristics and attributes of angels as well as the ministry they carry out.

Thrones, dominions (or lordships), principalities, powers (or authorities), might, angels–these are different words found in the New Testament in reference to angels (Rom. 8:38; Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:16). These words may refer to different ranks among angels, or else different degrees of excellence or different offices and employments. Above all these is the rank of archangel, or “chief angel.” Michael is designated as “archangel” in the New Testament (Jude 9; see also Rev. 12:7); in the Old Testament Michael is “one of the chief princes” (Dan. 10:13). Possibly more than one angel occupies the rank of archangel.
High ranking angels apparently are assigned to different nations. “The prince of the kingdom of Persia” withstood the angel sent to minister to Daniel (Dan. 10:13), and Michael is “the great prince who stands for the children of [Israel]” (Dan. 12:1).
In the Old Testament we learn of two more kinds or ranks of angels–cherubim and seraphim. Cherubim served God in covering His Throne and keeping any evil from coming into His presence. They were assigned to guard the tree of life in the Garden of Eden after man’s fall (Gen. 3:24). Two golden cherubim were crafted on the mercy seat, signifying their guard over the most holy place of the tabernacle (Exod. 25:18; see also Ezek. 10). Hezekiah prayed to the “God of Israel who dwells between the cherubim” (Isa. 37:16; see also Psa. 80:1; 99:1).

Seraphim are referred to only once in the Bible:they stood above the throne of Jehovah where one of them proclaimed His holiness and glory (Isa. 6:1-3). In the same scene, one of the seraphim (meaning “burning ones”) took a burning coal and touched Isaiah’s lips, cleansing him of his sin. By these angelic creatures we see God’s glory linked with the righteous cleansing of sinners (see John 17:4). (See Assignment 11)

This question has become a hot topic during the past two or three years. Shelves of book stores and libraries are overflowing with books about angels and people’s experiences with angels. People are wearing angel pins on their blouses or lapels. There are angel stores, angel clubs, angel newsletters, angel hot lines, and angel seminars. Authors of angel books and lecturers at angel seminars teach people how to pray to and get in touch with their own personal guardian angel. Many people have their own “angel experiences” to tell. I remember as a child my mother telling me the story of when her mother was a child. My grandmother used to play in a crawl space underneath the barn. One day she heard her name being called and obediently came out from under the barn and ran to the house. But nobody had called her. Just then the barn collapsed in a heap!

Was it my grandmother’s guardian angel who had called her, thus probably saving her life? Thousands of people today would vehemently exclaim, “Yes!” and would hasten to tell their own angel stories. Does the Bible say anything about guardian angels? Two verses are often cited in this regard:”He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hand, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psa. 91:11,12; Matt. 4:6); “Despise not one of these little ones, for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 18:10). These verses suggest the possibility of personal guardian angels. However, they do not support the claim made by many today that everyone in the world has one or more personal angels assigned to him/her for life. (See Assignment 12.) Even less do they support the notion that we are to try to get in touch with our personal angel or to pray to him.

The angel movement seems to be just another diabolical plan of the one who was once the highest angel of them all–Satan. It shifts people’s attention off of Christ–their Creator, Saviour and Redeemer–and onto created beings–angels. When such a person experiences a miracle or some kind of help that is unexplainable in human terms, the first person to receive credit is the guardian angel.

While there are many examples in the Bible of angels helping man (see the last issue of GROWING), there are at least as many examples of Jehovah of the Old Testament or the Holy Spirit of the New Testament warning, encouraging, guiding, or in other ways helping man. How can we tell the difference between an angel or the Lord Himself (with human voice or human form) helping us? In most cases we can’t, and should not even try. When “three men” appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre, it later turned out that two were angels and one was the Lord Himself (Gen. 18:1-19:1). Scripture tells us that angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister” (Heb. 1:14). We are never instructed in the Bible to worship or even thank angels. Whenever we experience some kind of divine help, our thoughts, thanksgiving, and worship should immediately be directed to God Himself; if an angel was involved, it was only because he was sent and given power by God to meet my need. When the Apostle John fell at the feet of an angel to worship him, the angel said, “Don’t do it, I am your fellow servant … worship God” (Rev. 19:10; 22:8,9). While many today are seeking by meditation and mystical means to be taught and guided directly by angels, we are instructed in the Scriptures, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in … worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen” (Col. 2:18). It would be well if there were as much attention being paid today to studying the attributes of God and the Person and work of Christ in the Holy Scriptures as there is to the study of angels!

Running the Race
Assignment 11: Bible scholars disagree as to whether “the sons of God” in Gen. 6:2,4 refer to the descendants of Seth or to angels. Read Job 1:6; 2:1; Matt. 22:30; 2 Pet. 2:4-9; and Jude 6-8, along with Gen. 6:1-5. What verses support the opinion that the sons of God were human beings, and what ones support their being angels?

Assignment 12: Write out the verse in Hebrews 1 that tells for which class of people angels are sent to minister.

Foundations of Faith
ANGELS (I)

The past three issues of GROWING have dealt with Satan, the chief of the fallen angels. Let us now look at what the Bible says about angels in general.

1. Angels were created by God (Col. 1:16). According to the original creation, angels are higher than man (Psa. 8:5; Heb. 2:7). According to the new creation, the redeemed children of God will be given a place higher than the angels (1 Cor. 6:3).

2. Angels are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14), and so are basically invisible. On special occasions they become visible. Sometimes they take the bodily form of humans, as when two angels came to Lot in Sodom (Gen. 19:1). Or they may appear to man as heavenly beings, that is, with wings (Isa. 6:2; Ezek. 1:6), or surrounded with bright light and dressed in shining white robes (Dan. 10:6; Matt. 28:2,3; Luke 24:4; Rev. 10:1).

3. Angels possess greater intelligence (2 Sam. 14:20), greater speed of movement (Dan. 9:21), and greater power than man (Psa. 103:20; 2 Thess. 1:7; 2 Pet. 2:11). As an example of their power, one angel killed 185,000 Assyrian warriors in one night (Isa. 37:36). However, as created beings, angels do not possess God’s attributes of being omnipotent (Dan. 10:13), omniscient (Mark 13:32; 1 Pet. 1:12), omnipresent, eternal, or infinite.

4. Angels do not intermarry and reproduce themselves (Matt. 22:30). They apparently do not age, for the same angel who appeared to Daniel (Dan. 8:16) also appeared to Zacharias and to Mary (Luke 1:19,26), 600 years later. Angels do not die (Luke 20:36).

5. While “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10), the angels do not know that extra-special joy of a sinner who has been saved by grace and redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. There is no evidence in the Bible that angels know God as “Abba, Father,” as the redeemed believers do.

6. Angels worship God around His throne (Isa. 6:2,3; Rev. 5:11,12), just as the redeemed children of God will do in a soon-coming day. Angels are not to be worshiped by man (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10), just as man ought not to be worshiped by other men (Acts 14:13-15).

7. There are large numbers of angels in existence:”10,000 times 10,000″ (Dan. 7:10; Rev. 5:11), or “an innumerable company” (Heb. 12:22).

1. Angels are messengers of God. Indeed, the Hebrew and Greek words translated “angel” in the Bible mean “messenger” or “agent.” It was probably the hand of an angel that wrote on the palace wall the mysterious words that pronounced the doom of King Belshazzar (Dan. 5:5,24-28). An angel gave to Daniel the prophecy of the 70 weeks (Dan. 9:20-27). Angels brought messages from the Lord to Hagar (Gen. 16:9-12), Abraham and Sarah (Gen. 18:10), Gideon (Judg. 6:11-16), Manoah and his wife (Judg. 13:3-5), Christ’s disciples (Acts 1:10-11), Philip (Acts 8:26), and Paul (Acts 27:23,24), among others. (See Assignment 9)

2. Angels are sent by God to protect, deliver, or strengthen God’s people (Psa. 34:7). “He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psa. 91:11,12). People of the Bible who received this kind of help from angels include Lot (Gen. 19:1-16), Elijah (1 Ki. 19:5), Elisha (2 Ki. 6:17), Jesus (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43), the apostles (Acts 5:18,19) and Peter (Acts 12:7-10).

3. Angels are employed by God to bring judgment upon sinful individuals and nations. We already mentioned the destruction of the Assyrian army by an angel of the Lord. Other instances include the slaying of 70,000 inhabitants of Jerusalem (1 Chron. 21:14-17), the fatal smiting of King Herod (Acts 12:23), and the future casting of the wicked “into the furnace of fire” (Matt. 13:50).

4. Finally, it is not “all work and no play” for the angels. They are interested spectators of humankind, and seem to derive joy and pleasure in seeing souls saved and believers walking in obedience to the Lord (Luke 15:10; 1 Cor. 4:9; 1 Tim. 5:21; 1 Pet. 1:12).
We shall continue this topic next month, considering especially the role that angels play in our lives today.

Running the Race
IN WHAT WAYS DOES SATAN TEMPT AND HARASS US? (IV)

We now conclude our study from Eph. 6:14-18 of ways in which Satan tempts and harasses the Christian.

5. “Take the helmet of salvation.” Our failure regarding other parts of the armor may result in doubts arising in our minds about whether we are saved. Also, it is common for a believer who is deeply depressed to become easy prey to Satan’s whispers that he/she no longer is saved or never was saved. To combat such efforts of Satan to make us doubt our salvation, we need to be armed with the “helmet of salvation” by keeping fresh in our minds and memories those scriptures that speak of the assurance of our salvation. (See Assignment 10)

6. “Taking … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word [or saying] of God.” This reminds us not to try to fight Satan with our own wisdom. Jesus answered each of Satan’s temptations by quoting an appropriate passage from the Bible (Matt. 4:4,7,10). As we learn our Bibles better, we will be better able to respond to Satan’s temptations and harassments. “The word of God” in Eph. 6:17 refers to that particular saying of God or scripture verse that defeats Satan’s attack.

7. “Praying always … for all saints.” Satan likes for me to think that I am the only person in the world who really counts, or that I am the only one who experiences certain troubles or problems. But God wants us to get out of ourselves and begin praying for other Christians besides ourselves. On the principle of Matt. 5:7 (“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”), no doubt the more faithful you are in praying for other Christians, the more faithful other believers will be in praying for you.

Assignment 9: Look up the seven references just given where angels brought messages to people. Write down two or three words that describe the common theme of these messages.

Assignment 10: Give two Scripture references that provide you with assurance of your soul’s eternal salvation.

Foundations of Faith
SATAN (III)

Satan’s chief work today seems to be directed at those who are following God. For example, we find Satan opposed to the first man and woman created by God and who enjoyed communion with God (Gen. 2:16-3:8). He was opposed to Job who “was perfect and upright, and one who feared God” (Job 1:1). He was opposed to the One whom God declared to be “My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17-4:11). And he is opposed to the believers in Christ who are seeking to lay hold of their “spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3; 2:6; 6:11-18). Satan may try to discourage believers by means of affliction and persecution (Job 1,2; 1 Pet. 5:8,9; Rev. 2:9,10). More often, it seems, he tries to get God’s people off track by means of his cunning lies, accusations, suggestions, and temptations (Gen. 3:1-5; Matt. 4:1-10; John 8:44; 2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:11-18; 2 Thess. 2:9-11; Rev. 12:9; 20:8). Satan wants to keep as many souls as possible out of heaven. He seeks to accomplish this goal by blinding the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4), and also by destroying the gospel testimony of the believers by discouragement, discontent, defeat, and depression.

Satan continues his attempt to gain equality with God (Isa. 14:14). Thus, he opposes God at every opportunity. Since the believers in Christ have become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4), Satan delights to thrust his “fiery darts” at the divine Person who indwells them. Every time we remain “strong in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10) and resist Satan’s temptations and attacks, he will flee from us (Jas. 4:7). In this way, we are privileged to manifest to the heavenly hosts the superiority of God to Satan.
Specific ways in which Satan tempts and harasses the believer are given in the current series of articles under The Race.

Satan is already judged. The Lord Jesus, speaking to His disciples of His impending death, declared, “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out…. The prince of this world is judged” (John 12:31; 16:11). We also read that Christ, “through death,” destroyed “him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14; see also Col. 2:14,15).
But if Satan was “cast out,” “judged,” and “destroyed” through the death of Christ, how is it that he seems to be very much alive and active today? It is because it was a legal sentence that was pronounced upon Satan at the cross; that sentence is yet to be carried out. (It is similar to the judgment pronounced upon King Saul and the anointing of David as the new king many years before David actually ascended to the throne; 1 Sam. 15:28; 16:13). But at the same time, the believer is privileged to view Satan as a defeated enemy. The power of God is far greater than the power of Satan, and God wants every Christian to draw upon God’s power and resources to resist Satan at all times (Eph. 6:10-18). The actual judgment of Satan will begin during the period of great tribulation that is to come upon the earth. A further stage of judgment will come upon Satan at the return of Christ to set up his 1,000-year reign over the earth. Satan’s final and eternal judgment will come to pass at the end of the 1,000 years. (See Assignment 8)

Will Satan continue to rebel against God throughout eternity? Perhaps in his heart he will, but he will be among those spoken of in Phil. 2:10,11:”At the name of Jesus every knee [shall] bow, of [beings] in heaven,… in earth, and … under the earth, and … every tongue [shall] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Running the Race
IN WHAT WAYS DOES SATAN TEMPT AND HARASS US? (III)

Let us continue our study from Eph. 6:14-18 of ways in which Satan tempts and harasses the Christian.

4. “Taking the shield of faith … to quench the fiery darts of the wicked [one].” In addition to reminding us of past sins, Satan may toss other kinds of unwanted thoughts into our minds. These “fiery darts” may be blasphemous thoughts or doubting questions: “How do you know there really is a God?” “The Bible is a bunch of lies and myths.” “Jesus was an imposter, not the Son of God.” No doubt, all believers, at some time or other, have experienced some such thoughts. Most are able to dismiss them immediately as untrue. However, some believers may become very upset and agitated by such thoughts, thinking that they initiated the thoughts, and wondering if they could really be saved and think such thoughts. To protect against these “fiery darts” we need to take “the shield of faith,” that is, unwavering belief in the Word of God.
Satan may also at times plant impure pictures or profane words in our minds. I am not talking about the impure, sinful thoughts that may flood one’s mind while trying to read the Bible or pray or worship after having filled his mind with an R-rated movie/video or a pornographic magazine. Such thoughts are probably not from Satan, but from one’s own sinful flesh. However, on other occasions such thoughts may indeed be from Satan. But we have power from God–“the shield of faith”–to dismiss such thoughts immediately from our minds. Such thoughts only become sin if we dwell on them rather than immediately dismissing them.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Three of our readers completed all of the assignments for 1994. For the second straight year, the top scorer was Julie Johnson of Bedford, Pennsylvania (98.1% correct answers). Close behind were Philip Johnson of Anoka, Minnesota and Andrew Johnson of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Three others–Lisa and Carrie Keillor of Acton, California and Sue Butler of Ramsey, Minnesota–completed the assignments for only part of the year, but got at least 13 correct answers. Finally, Kevin Bennett of Jessup, Maryland received the back issues of GROWING in January 1995 and completed all of the 1993 assignments by the following month.

Assignment 8: Write out verses in Revelation 12 and 20 that describe the three stages of judgment to be carried out against Satan in the last days.

Foundations of Faith
SATAN (II)

Do you remember what you learned in earlier issues of GROWING about the attributes of God? God is self-existent, eternal, infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, present everywhere, holy, righteous, good, gracious, love. It is well to understand that none of these are attributes of Satan! Satan is surely powerful, but his power is limited and restrained by the All-Powerful One. For example, Satan was given the freedom to afflict Job, but was restrained by God from taking Job’s life (Job 1:12; 2:6).

Is Satan all-knowing? Satan is extremely intelligent and, no doubt with the assistance of his army of demons, has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge about man in general and each individual in particular. But Satan is not omniscient; he doesn’t know all things. People often ask the question, “Can Satan read our thoughts.” Scripture does not say one way or the other, but it is probable that he cannot, since he is not God. However, he and his demons have observed each of us so long and carefully, and with such superb memory, that they probably have a pretty good idea what is going through our mind just by the look on our face or by noting the circumstances.

Can Satan be everywhere at the same time? It may seem like it when we consider the large numbers of people around the world who seem to be falling under satanic attacks or influences. However, unlike God, Satan is not omnipresent or present everywhere (Luke 4:13). Being a cherub he is able to travel very rapidly (2 Sam. 22:11); also he has a huge host of demons who assist him in his terrible work (Matt. 12:24,43-45; 25:41; Mark 5:9; Eph. 6:12; Rev. 12:7-9). This helps to explain why Satan’s influence seems to be present everywhere.

In the next issue, we shall consider Satan’s methods. Satan’s names show us much about his methods. Satan is a Hebrew word which means “adversary” or “one who opposes.” This word is found in the Old Testament a number of times in reference to human adversaries:”They who render evil for good are my adversaries” (Psa. 38:20; see also 1 Ki. 11:14,23,25; Psa. 109:4,20,29). When there is a definite article (“the”) before this word it becomes a proper name–Satan, or The Adversary.

“Devil” is from the Greek word diabolos meaning “accuser” or “slanderer” (see 1 Tim. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 2:3), or literally, “one who throws across” (that is, hurls charges at another).

“Satan” and “devil” are found together with two more names for Satan in Rev. 12:9. He is “the great dragon,” signifying his great power. And he is “that old serpent,” reminding us of the one who lied to Eve in the garden. Other names given to Satan are Apollyon, meaning “destroyer” (Rev. 9:11; the word apollyon is related to “perish” in John 3:16), and “the tempter” (1 Thess. 3:5). These several names or descriptions of Satan identify him following his fall. His title in heaven before his fall was “Lucifer [or shining one], son of the morning” (Isa. 14:12).

Running the Race
IN WHAT WAYS DOES SATAN TEMPT AND HARASS US? (II)

In Eph. 6:11 we are instructed, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Each of the pieces of armor described in this passage (verses 14-18) is designed to protect against a particular kind of temptation or harassment of Satan.

1. “Your loins [or waist] girt about with truth.” If Satan cannot keep one from becoming a child of God, he tries particularly hard to get the newborn soul entangled with a cult or false teaching of some sort (1 John 2:18-29). To prevent this, every believer must become firmly grounded in the truth of the Word of God; this is accomplished by diligently studying the Scriptures, and testing every new teaching that he/she hears or reads against the Scriptures.

2. “Having on the breastplate of righteousness.” Satan delights to remind us of our past sins–especially recent ones and those committed since we have been saved. Even though we have confessed those sins and have turned away from them, Satan may taunt our minds: “How can you call yourself a Christian when you sin like that?” When this happens to us, we must remind ourselves of the truth of our justification: “To him who works not, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5; also 3:21-28; 4:1-8). If we truly believe in Christ’s atoning work on the cross, then we can confidently stand up to Satan with the “breastplate of righteousness” when he attacks us with respect to our past sins. Another thing we can do to reduce Satan’s harassment is this: don’t sin! Of course, this is easier said than done, but the more pure and holy our lives are, the less ammunition Satan will have for accusing us.

3. “Your feet shod with the preparation [or readiness] of the gospel of peace.” Another way Satan harasses the believer is to bring conflict into his/her life. The source of the conflict may be a person in our life–perhaps a family member or a schoolmate–who is difficult to get along with. If we respond to a person’s offense by defending ourselves or trying to get even, the resulting conflict will get us “off the track” with regard to following and serving Christ. This is just what Satan wants us to do! But just as we who are “justified by faith” have “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1), let us seek to be ready at all times to bring peace into a potentially explosive situation.
Satan also tempts us to pass up opportunities to witness to others about Christ. He is always ready to whisper into our minds a thousand excuses for not sharing the gospel with others: “too busy,” “too tired,” “have a headache,” “not the appropriate time,” “might not want to be my friend anymore,” etc. If our feet are shod with the preparedness of the gospel of peace, we will not allow Satan’s excuses to hinder us from going where God sends us and speaking to those to whom He directs us.

Assignment 7: Write out three verses from Romans 10, 12, and 14 that illustrate how the Christian can have his/her “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Foundations of Faith
SATAN (I)

We have devoted the last 22 issues of GROWING to a study of the nature, attributes, and works of God. The three Persons of the Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- acted together to create the universe; they themselves have always existed and so are uncreated. We now begin a study of the highest created beings, namely angels and man.

The highest angel of all, and the chief enemy of God, is Satan. In this and coming issues we shall try to answer from the Scriptures a number of questions about Satan.

What pitcure comes into your mind when you read or hear the words “Satan” or “devil”? Is it a semi-human form with leering face, cunning grin, bright red suit, horns, hoofs, and forked tail? In this way Satan is often represented by artists. But actually, Satan, like all the angels, is a spiritual being without a body at all. Sometimes he may clothe himself with the body of a human or an animal (Gen, 3:1).

Michael is the only angel called an “archangel” (or chief angel). Yet, even he dared not bring a strong rebuke against Satan, but said, “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 9). Michael recognized that Satan possessed a dignity higher even than his own. Thus, it would appear that Satan is the highest of all the angels.

A picture of Satan’s early position before God is given in Ezek. 28:14,15:”You are the anointed cherub that covers, and I have set you so; you were upon the holy mountain of God…. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” Those particular angels known as “cherubim” (this word is the plural form of “cherub”) served God in covering His Throne and keeping any evil from coming into the presence of God (see Gen. 3:24; Exod. 25:17-22; Isa.37:16; Ezek. 10). So Satan, as originally created by God, occupied a very high and important position in connection with the throne of God.

A description of Satan’s fall is found in Isa. 14:12-15:”How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!… For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” In a word, it was PRIDE that was Satan’s undoing (see 1 Tim. 3:6). He already occupied the highest position of any created being, but still was not content. He wanted more! (Do you know any Christians who are never content with what they have? See Heb. 13:5.) He wanted to be “like the Most High” -God Himself!

Many think of Satan only as the king of hell and “prince of the devils” (Matt. 12:24). But he is more. What are the titles given in the Scriptures to fallen Satan? He is “the god of this world [or age]” (2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31); he has “the kingdoms of the world” at his disposal (Matt. 4:8); he is “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2).

Another common misconception is that Satan’s greatest activity takes place in taverns, theaters, and the like. But it seems from Scripture that he is most active in places where Christians and seekers of God may be found. Satan has trained a human army of false teachers. These pretend to be “apostles of Christ,” just as “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:12-15). (See Assignment 6)

We shall study the attributes, methods, and present and future judgement of Satan in the next issues of GROWING.

Running the Race
IN WHAT WAYS DOES SATAN TEMPT AND HARASS US? (I)

Let us draw some lessons from the ways in which Satan tempted Eve in the garden and the Lord Jesus in the wilderness.

1. The primary reason for Satan’s fall was pride-the desire for a higher place than God had given him. Perhaps Satan’s most common way of tempting man to sin is by stirring up is pride. He tempted Eve by appealing to her pride: “You shall be as God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:5). Just so, he tempts us today to exalt ourselves to a place of equality with God or independence of God. It is a place where I am sitting on the throne, I am in control of my own destiny. In place of depending upon God for all things, we are encouraged by Satan through our well-meaning earthly instructors to be self-confident and assertive, to elbow our way to the top, and to fight for our rights.

2. We read of three ways in which the Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. The first was to provide food for Himself (after fasting for 40 days) by turning the stones into bread (Matt. 4:3). Here, like his temptation of Eve, Satan tried to get Jesus to act independently of the will of His Father. And in like manner, Satan is always busy trying to distract the Christian from seeking to know and to do God’s will.

3. Satan tempted Jesus to jump off the roof of the temple to display to the people in the courtyard below how the angels would protect Him from harm (Matt. 4:6). In a similar way, Satan tempts us to engage in risky, unwise, dangerous or sinful behavior, with the idea that all we have to do is pray for God’s forgiveness and protection from harm. However, Satan carefully avoids reminding us of the scripture, “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).

4. In the third temptation, Satan offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” if He would fall down and worship him (Matt. 4:8,9). Likewise, Satan tempts us with the glitter of material wealth and possessions and with the promise of fame, promotion, high position, athletic prowess, or earthly glory. Satan may not come right out and say that we have to bow down and worship him to gain these things. However, the end result often is not much different- an 80 hour work week, ruined health, and little or no time with the Lord, with the assembly, or with family.

Assignment 6: Write out verses in Job 1, Zechariah 3, and Ephesians 6 that tell of places where Satan is active.

Foundations of Faith
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (VI)

In the previous issue we showed how the Lord Jesus Christ displayed the ninefold fruit of the Spirit:”love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22,23). The Holy Spirit wants to teach us about our Saviour and attract our hearts to Him. The more we get to know and appreciate our Lord, the more we shall show that fruit in our lives.

In this issue we shall try to define these nine characteristics by way of contrast with their opposites.

1. Love. The most obvious opposite of love is hate (1 John 3:14-16). Another opposite of love is selfishness:”Love seeks not her own” (1 Cor. 13:5). This “agape” love is a very active quality. It seeks the blessing and benefit of others, often at a cost to itself. Therefore, a third opposite of love is indifference. (See Feb94 for more on love.)

2. Joy. Opposites of joy are sadness, gloom, depression, or despair. 1 Thess. 5:14,16 brings the opposites together:”Comfort the fainthearted [or depressed]…. Rejoice evermore.” David, when King Saul sought to kill him, despaired of ever being free of those trying circumstances (1 Sam. 27:1). At the opposite extreme, Paul and Silas “sang praises unto God” in the jail of Philippi (Acts 16:25). How do you respond to the difficult circumstances in your life?

3. Peace. One opposite of peace is war or fighting. Rather than having “a quarrel against any,” we are to “let the peace of God rule in [our] hearts” (Col. 3:13,15). The Lord Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9). This includes (1) those who seek to bring peace between warring parties (1 Sam. 25:24-35; Phil. 4:2); (2) those who try to live peaceably with all people (Rom. 12:18; 15:19); and (3) those who bring the “gospel of peace” to lost souls (Rom. 10:15). Another opposite of peace is anxiety, worry, or fear. A woman came to the Lord “fearing and trembling,” and was told, “Go in peace” (Mark 5:33,34). The apostle Paul writes, “Be careful [or anxious] for nothing, but … let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God … shall keep your hearts and minds” (Phil. 4:6,7). Joy has to do with our response while in the middle of a problem. Peace has to do with our attitude in the face of a possible problem that may–or may not–happen in the future.

4. Longsuffering. Since this word in the original Greek language means “long-tempered,” the opposite obviously is short-tempered. The Bible tells us to “put off … anger, wrath [or short temper]” and to “put on … longsuffering [or long temper]” (Col. 3:8,12). There may be people in our lives who are difficult to get along with. We must pray often to the Lord for the ability to be longsuffering (Eph. 4:2,3) and “slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19) toward such people.

5. Gentleness. This word is generally translated “kindness” in the New Testament (Eph. 2:7; Tit. 3:4). “Be kind [or gentle] one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another” (Eph. 4:32). The opposite is cruelty, harshness, or severity (Heb. 11:36).

6. Goodness. The opposite of this word in the New Testament is not badness or evilness. Rather, it is lack of concern or apathy. The Lord’s parable of the Good Samaritan clearly shows the contrast (Luke 10:25-37). You all remember the story. The priest and the Levite lacked concern for the robbed and wounded man lying in the road. The Samaritan, on the other hand, was good in the sense that he helped the man. (See Dec93 for more on goodness.)

7. Faith. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). So the opposite of faith is the attitude, “Seeing is believing.” In order to be saved, we place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins on the cross. We did not see Him do it, but we believe what the Bible says about it. Once we are saved, we continue to live and walk by faith. We have confidence in God to supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19). However, we are often tempted to trust in objects that we can see rather than in God whom we cannot see. These objects may include walls, swords, our fellow man, and ourselves (Deut. 28:52; Psa. 44:6; 118:8; Prov. 28:25,26). (See Assignment 4)

8. Meekness. The opposite of this is aggressiveness or assertiveness. A macho person would be the opposite of a meek one. The macho man or woman does not admit to any weakness or wrongdoing. Such a person is generally very defensive (and often offensive). A meek person will receive reproof or insult or injury without defending self and without trying to get even. A meek person will give up his/her rights, if necessary, to magnify God’s rights and God’s glory. (See Assignment 5)

9. Temperance. Since another word for this is self-control, the opposite is out-of-control. What part of our bodies is most likely to get out-of-control? James 3 tells us it is the tongue. “The tongue is a little member and boasts great things…. The tongue is a fire…. It defiles the whole body…. The tongue can no man tame…. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing” (verses 5-10). Another opposite of temperance is incontinence (2 Tim. 3:3). This word in Scripture seems particularly tied to lack of control of one’s sexual desires (1 Cor. 7:5). The apostle Paul reminds us that our “body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). We must always use every part of our body, soul, and spirit to bring honor and glory to God (1 Cor. 10:31).

This concludes for now our study of God. We have discussed the nature and attributes of God, the Holy Trinity, and details concerning the Person and work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Later we shall return to a consideration of the death of Christ as it relates to the doctrine of salvation. In the next issue we shall begin a study of created beings, starting with Satan and other angels, and then going on to a study of man.

Running the Race
Assignment 4: Write out verses in Psalm 52, Proverbs 3, and Jeremiah 13 that speak of man trusting in something other than the Lord.

Assignment 5: Write out a verse in Numbers 12 in which a man is described as being “very meek.” Also, write out a verse in this same chapter that illustrates this man’s meekness.

Foundations of Faith
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (V)

We learned in the December 1994 issue of GROWING that a most important work of the Holy Spirit is teaching the believer about the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:13-15). Such teaching helps us to follow Christ’s perfect example for us (1 Pet. 2:21-23) and to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

What is the fruit of the Spirit? It may be described as the attitudes and behavior of Christ reproduced in the lives of believers. It consists of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22,23).

While teaching His disciples about bearing fruit, Jesus tells them (1) “Abide in My love“; (2) “these things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you”; and (3) “My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27; 15:10,11). Do you see the connection? The disciples (that is what you and I are) bear fruit by allowing the love, joy, peace, and other attitudes of Christ to come out in our lives. We can also see Christ in the other six aspects of the fruit of the Spirit.

4. “The Lord is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish” (2 Pet. 3:9; see also 1 Tim. 1:16).

5 and 6. “Take My yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart…. For My yoke is easy [literally, gentle] and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:29,30).

7. “Good Master, what shall I do…?” (Luke 18:18). “Some said, He is a good man” (John 7:12).

8. The Lord Jesus, being the eternal Son of God, did not really need to have faith in God. He fully knew who He was and who His Father was. But the Scriptures declare Him as “Faithful and True” (Rev. 19:11; see also 2 Thess. 3:3).

9. See Assignment 3.

Running the Race
HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT AFFECT OUR DAILY LIVES? (IV)

Scene: Teen-age Sunday school class.

Teacher: Last week I promised to relate a couple of true stories that illustrate the Holy Spirit’s work of prompting the believer to prayer or other actions.
A friend of mine, Jean Huang of Baltimore, Maryland, told me this story about 20 years ago. A few years previous she was serving as a missionary nurse in Honduras. She had just begun receiving training in helping mothers during labor and performing deliveries. When her instructor became ill and returned to the United States, Ms. Huang was left to run the clinic by herself.

One day a woman named Mary came into the clinic in active labor. A few minutes later she delivered a child. To the dismay of both Mary and Ms. Huang, the child was born dead. That evening Mary’s husband came into the clinic, drunk and carrying a pistol. He was very angry that the child had died and he blamed the nurse for having killed it. There he stood, pointing the pistol at Ms. Huang; there she stood trembling, facing him. Suddenly, he turned and walked out of the building.

Ms. Huang related this incident in a letter to her family in Pennsylvania. One dear elderly lady, hearing the story, asked what day and hour the incident occurred. It turned out that at that very hour, the Holy Spirit had impressed this lady with the thought that Ms. Huang was in trouble and that she should pray for her.

Thus, the Holy Spirit found a willing servant who obeyed His prompting to pray, and He provided a wonderful answer to that prayer.

Katy: That reminds me of a story my mother told me of a couple named Ted and Nell. Ted was stationed at a mission center in Vietnam in 1961 during the war. His wife waited in neighboring Thailand for his return. One evening the Viet Cong attacked. Guns and artillery were blazing everywhere. The mission personnel hurried to their shelters and stayed for two hours. Returning later to the mission center, they found no civilians wounded, only light casualties among the government troops, and the mission center unharmed.
Weeks later, Ted and Nell learned that a friend of Nell’s in Australia had awakened in the middle of that very night with the strong impression that Ted and Nell were in special need. She got up and prayed for her friends, and she found out later that the Lord had wonderfully answered her prayer.

Teacher: Thank you, Katy. Isn’t it exciting to know that God is real and living? He knows all of our needs and He helps His people in wonderful ways.

Tom: Yes, and it really is encouraging to realize that sometimes God allows us to be a part of His work in helping others.

Teacher: I have another story which shows that the Holy Spirit does not always have to speak to people directly and supernaturally to stir them into action. In this story, the Holy Spirit spoke to a certain woman through a news report on the radio.
Francis and Edith Schaeffer told this story in one of their books. Mrs. Schaeffer had the radio on one evening in 1947 when the program was interrupted by a news flash that a plane was in distress over the Atlantic Ocean. Realizing that her husband was flying home from Europe that same night, she gathered her three young daughters together and they knelt down and prayed.

At that same moment, midway between Europe and North America, Mr. Schaeffer was also praying. The co-pilot had just come out and told the passengers to put on their life jackets. Both engines on one wing of the DC4 had stopped.
Just as everybody could see the waves breaking below them and were preparing for the crash, suddenly the two engines started. They proceeded safely to Gander, Newfoundland. Later the pilot told Mr. Schaeffer that he just could not explain it. He said it was very rare that two engines stop on one wing; when it does happen, one can be absolutely certain they are not going to start again. Mr. Schaeffer responded, “I can explain it. My Father in heaven started them because I was praying.” Many hours later he learned that his family was praying too.

Assignment 3: There is no verse that states specifically that the Lord Jesus had temperance (or self-control). Write out a verse from 1 Peter 2 and a verse from the prophecy concerning Christ in Isaiah 53 that demonstrate His self-control.

Foundations of Faith
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (IV)

The Holy Spirit guides the believer. Individuals in the church at Antioch, while praying and fasting, were directed by the Holy Spirit to send out Paul and Barnabas as missionaries (Acts 13:1-3). During one of his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul was directed by the Spirit not to go to Asia nor to Bithynia, but rather to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10). Such guidance is not just for “spiritual giants” like the Apostle Paul, but “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). In a later issue we shall discuss in much more depth this matter of spiritual guidance and knowing the will of God for our lives.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us begin with the most ideal response of the believer to the work of the Holy Spirit and work down. We are exhorted, “Be not drunk with wine … but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). What does it mean to “be filled with the Spirit”? Does it mean that there can be a greater measure of the Holy Spirit indwelling us at some times than at others? No, remember that the Holy Spirit is a Person; He either dwells in us (if we are believers in Christ) or He doesn’t (if we are unbelievers). The first part of verse 18 helps us to understand the second part. To be drunk with wine means to be under the influence of it or totally controlled by it. So to be filled by the Spirit means to be totally controlled by the Spirit, or allowing the Spirit to work freely in our lives and being totally obedient to His directions for us.

Common behaviors of those filled with the Spirit in Bible times included speaking prophetically (Luke 1:41-45,67-79), testifying of Christ (Acts 2:4,14-36), and preaching the gospel with great boldness (Acts 4:31). (See Assignment 2)

We are told in Gal. 5:17 that “the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary the one to the other.” Thus, in every area of our life in which we, in self-will, are retaining control and allowing the flesh to act, we are keeping the Holy Spirit from having control and thus are limiting the degree to which we are filled with the Spirit.

Grieving the Holy Spirit. The commandment given to believers, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 4:30), is sandwiched among commands against stealing, lying, using bad language, and having bitterness and anger toward others. When we sin in these and other ways, we force the Holy Spirit to give up His normal activities in us–such as guiding us in our service for Christ, helping us in our praying and understanding of the Scriptures, and teaching us about Christ. Instead, the Spirit must turn His attention to pleading with us to recognize, confess, and turn away from our sin.

Quenching the Holy Spirit. A fire is quenched when it is put out and not allowed to carry out its natural effect of burning. The Holy Spirit is quenched when He has a burning desire to do a particular work in a believer’s heart, and that person ignores or disobeys the Spirit’s instructions. In order not to quench the Spirit, we are told, “Despise not prophesyings” (1 Thess. 5:19, 20). If the Holy Spirit gives one a message–say, a word of rebuke or warning–to give to me, and I toss it off, or throw it back in the face of the messenger, I am despising the prophesying (or message given from God) and thus am quenching the Spirit.

Committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The three responses–being filled with, grieving, or quenching the Holy Spirit–considered above apply to believers in Christ. However, it is important to state at the outset that committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can only be done by an unbeliever. The Pharisees claimed that when Jesus cast out demons, He did it by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the demons (Matt. 12:22-24). Jesus responded by saying, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men” (verse 31). The unpardonable sin, then, is being in such opposition to Christ as to give Satan credit for the works that Christ or His servants have done through the power of the Holy Spirit. This results from a steady course of unbelief and rebellion against God, and cannot possibly be committed by a true believer in Christ.

Running the Race
HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT AFFECT OUR DAILY LIVES? (III)

We continue to listen in on a teen-age Sunday school class where the pupils are discussing ways they experienced the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives during the previous week.

Teacher: Tom, you have been patiently waiting to speak.

Tom: Something weird happened to me Friday afternoon. I was driving home from college on the freeway and all of a sudden this thought came into my mind, “Get off at the next exit and take the back roads the rest of the way home.” It didn’t make any sense to do that because it would have taken at least a half hour longer.

Katy: So what did you do?

Tom: I didn’t do anything, and a couple of miles past the exit I got into the longest traffic backup I have ever experienced. There was a bad accident several miles ahead and it took two hours longer than usual for me to get home.

Susan: Something like that happened to me once.

Tom: Do you think the Holy Spirit was the One who put that thought into my mind?

Teacher: Yes, I certainly do. I guess you will pay more attention next time something like that happens. Katy, you had your hand up.

Katy: Last Monday I was walking to school and just like a bullet the name of my best friend in first and second grade popped into my head. I hadn’t even thought about her for the past five years since she moved away. Could that have been the work of the Spirit?

Teacher: Quite possibly. What did you do then?

Katy: I started praying for her. I wasn’t saved when she and I played together. But now that I am saved, I have begun praying that she will be saved too.

Teacher: Is that the end of the story?

Katy: For now it is. But I want to find out where she lives and write to her.

Teacher: Excellent! Katy’s experience reminds me of a couple of true stories. Don’t let me forget to tell them to you next week.

Assignment 2: (a) Give the verses in Acts 6, 7, and 13 that tell us that Stephen and Paul were filled with the Holy Spirit. (b) Based on the chapters just mentioned, describe the actions of each of these men when filled with the Holy Spirit.

WELCOME TO GROWING

With this issue we begin the third year of publication of GROWING which is devoted to describing the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. If you are missing some or all of the 1993 and 1994 issues, please notify the Editor or Distributor who will be pleased to send you the copies you need at no cost to you.

Foundations of Faith
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (III)

The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to the believer. In 1 Corinthians 12 we find lists of several different spiritual gifts given to believers by the Holy Spirit. These include the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, apostles, teachers, helps, and government (1 Cor. 12:8-10,28).

We shall study each of these gifts in detail in a later issue. But let us make some general points at this time. First, a believer’s spiritual gift helps to define his or her special role and responsibility in the Church, the body of Christ. Just as the human physical body has many different members (eyes, ears, arms, legs, heart, liver, muscles, nerves, etc.), so the body of Christ, the Church, has many members with many different gifts and many different roles to play. And in order for the local church or assembly of believers to function properly, each member must be ready and willing at all times to use his/her spiritual gift for the benefit of the whole assembly.

Second, based on what you have just read, you may be asking the question, “How do I know what my own special spiritual gift is?” The Bible doesn’t come right out and tell us how to find out what our gift is. But a good starting point is given us in the question asked by Saul of Tarsus when he had just been converted:”Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”
This is what each believer in Christ should be asking of the Lord. And if we are truly sincere about wanting to serve the Lord and to do what He wants us to do, He will show us work to be done and people with needs and will burden our hearts to do something about those needs. A person with one kind of gift will often be especially sensitive to one kind of need or work to be done, and a person with a different gift may be sensitive to a completely different area of need. If you keep track of the persons and situations that concern you each day, and what you do to help in each situation, after a while you may see a pattern forming that will help to define what your spiritual gift is.

Third, since we have been studying the three Persons of the Holy Trinity in the past few issues, it is well to see that the entire Trinity is involved in this matter of spiritual gifts:”There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations [or services], but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations [or effects or outcomes], but it is the same God who works all in all” (1 Cor. 12:4-6). So while the gifts are given by the Holy Spirit, the person who receives a gift is not free to do whatever he/she wishes with this gift. Rather, that person is to be subject to the Lord in the use of that gift in service for the Lord (verse 5) and for building up the body of believers (verses 7,25). And finally, each time we faithfully use our spiritual gift as directed by the Lord Jesus, we are to leave the results with God who “works all in all” (verse 6). It is He who brings about the desired effect in the heart and life of the one to whom we have ministered. We are not to be discouraged if the use of our gift does not immediately yield positive results. (See Assignment 1)

Running the Race
HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT AFFECT OUR DAILY LIVES? (II)

Scene: Teen-age Sunday school class. The members of the class are discussing different ways in which they recognized the Holy Spirit working in them during the previous week. In the last issue, we heard from Susan, Jim, Sarah, and Joanne. Now Robert has his hand raised.

Teacher: Yes, Robert.

Robert: I learned that it isn’t very pleasant having the Holy Spirit living in me.

Teacher: Could you explain what you mean, Robert?

Robert: Well, um, I did something wrong to one of my friends. I lied to him. Really, I was just kidding, but he believed my lie. And ever since then I have been worrying about it, I haven’t been able to eat very well, I haven’t been able to sleep very well, and I try to avoid my friend whenever I see him. If I didn’t have the Holy Spirit, I would probably feel a lot better.

Teacher: Class, do you think Robert made a mistake in receiving Christ as his Saviour? Why is the Holy Spirit making Robert feel miserable?

Susan: Robert reminds me of Psalm 32 which speaks of King David feeling miserable until He confessed His sin unto the Lord.

Tom: I heard somewhere that real happiness can only be where there is real holiness, and to be holy we need to confess and repent of our sins daily–both to the Lord and to those we sin against.

Teacher: Those are very good points both of you made. Yes, I believe one of the most important works of the Holy Spirit, as His name suggests, is to help the believer to become holy himself. Can anyone think of a verse that suggests that holiness leads to happiness?

Katy: The Lord Jesus said, “Blessed [or happy] are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).

Teacher: Excellent! So Robert, why don’t you try confessing your lie to your friend, and report back to us next week what happens. Now, what other ways have any of you experienced the working of the Holy Spirit in your lives during the past week?

Assignment 1: (a) Find and write out a verse in Philippians 1 that speaks of persons who did not use their gift in subjection to the Lord. (b) Find and write out verses in Acts 17 that illustrate the truth of 1 Cor. 12:6, namely, that speak of people having totally opposite responses to the same preaching.