"I hate every false way"

Twice in Psalm 119 is the expression “I hate every false way” (vss. 104, 128). Although the word refers to something that is deceptive, anything that is against God is a “false way.”

A faithful Christian is dedicated to turning away from the false way. Romans 12:19 says, “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Positively speaking, the Hebrew writer said, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Turning from evil or falsehood requires discipline or self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). If you are sinning, you have to get a hold of yourself and repent. John admonished, “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God” (3 John 1:11).

Simply put, people who want to see God hate every false way, while people who are rebellious will die in their iniquity. Two paths are before you. Which one will you choose?

Kyle Campbell

A sacrilegious display

A story today reported that a picture showing Jesus Christ holding a beer can and a cigarette was discovered in primary school handwriting textbook in India. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, an education minister in the Meghalaya government, said, “We strongly condemn such a blasphemous act. Legal action has been initiated against the publisher.” English-language daily The Shillong Times said New Delhi-based publisher, Skyline Publications had apologized for “hurting people’s religious sentiments,” but had offered no explanation as to how the error occurred. Efforts are underway to recall all copies of the book, the publisher was quoted as saying.

This type of insulting caricature is nothing new, but it is still sad that some people see Jesus in this way. Revelation 19:16 calls Jesus the “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” When John saw the glorified Jesus (and he was the last person on earth who ever saw Him), he fell at His feet as a dead man (Revelation 1:17). He is not someone to be trifled with! He deserves our respect.

There have been several stories in the past few years about the outrage of Muslims regarding caricatures of Muhammad. I personally have not promoted or endorsed those kinds of images because of the “Golden Rule.” Jesus said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12). I don’t want these images circulating about Jesus, so I don’t advocate inappropriate images about Muhammad, Confucius, Buddha, etc.

Kyle Campbell

How the Bible helps us

Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” If we went wrong as children, our parents would correct us. When we are adults, we have to correct ourselves. Thankfully, the scriptures can help us.

Jesus, in Matthew 15:14, called the Pharisees “blind leaders of the blind.” Their problem was that they took the law and added to it. Because of that, they could not show people the true intent of the law, thereby causing their damnation.

The Lord told Joshua, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:7–8). It was the law that could keep him on the “straight and narrow,” and it will do the same for us if we are only willing to listen and obey.

The psalmist (probably David) wrote, “I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments” (Psalms 119:105-106). The Bible is our greatest helper because it comes from the mind of God who made us. Why don’t you use it’s wonderful wisdom to make your life fuller and secure your eternal future?

Kyle Campbell

Courage

Courage, according to the dictionary, is the ability to do something that frightens one. It is what makes someone capable of facing extreme danger and difficulty without retreating. It implies not only bravery and a dauntless spirit but the ability to endure in times of adversity.

The apostles and early Christians certainly had courage. Joseph was courageous when he asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43 says, “Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.” Stephen and James, when being persecuted for their obedience to the gospel, were courageous enough to go to the death (Acts 7:59; 12:2).

Although the vast majority of Christians will never have to go to the death, that does not mean that we are any less of a Christian nor that we do not need courage. Paul wrote, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We need to hold fast our confidence (Hebrews 3:6), but it will take courage and boldness (Philippians 1:20).

Kyle Campbell

Preparing yourself to serve God

When we first meet Saul in the book of Acts, he ranks among one of the worst characters in biblical history. Acts 9:1-2 says, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” He had the power to kill!

Something happened to Saul, however. on the road to Damascus. He was converted and became a Christian by virtue of being baptized into Christ (Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27). He wouldn’t allow the sins of the past to bring him down. He rose above it. He wrote in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Let’s prepare ourselves to serve God!

Kyle Campbell

Archaeology: The Siloam tunnel inscription

Two boys discovered this ancient Hebrew inscription carved in stone along the wall of a tunnel as they were wading through the southern end of the tunnel’s waters in 1880.

The inscription comes from the days of King Hezekiah (701 B.C.) who ordered the tunnel to be made so the water from Jerusalem’s Gihon Spring could be brought into the city to a man-made reservoir, the Pool of Siloam. This tunnel provided water to Jerusalem during the anticipated siege of King Sennacherib of Assyria.

The inscription celebrates the completion of this remarkable tunnel as mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:30.

Kyle Campbell