“I Cast My Vote”

Jarrod Jacobs 

            In this country, we are familiar with voting for certain candidates, amendments, and the like. In the Bible, we see where Paul also cast a “vote”. Acts 26:10 records that Paul spoke to Agrippa about his life before becoming a Christian and said it was his “voice” (KJV) or his “vote” (ASV, ESV, RSV, etc.) that helped condemn Christians to death. There is a connection in the words “voice” and “vote”, for certainly one is “speaking” and rendering a choice through one’s votes.

            Friend, which way are you “voting”? I do not speak of political parties, but am asking what you favor. Is your life showing that you favor the Lord or Satan? You see, these are our two choices! We are either for the Lord or against Him (Matt. 12:30). We must choose. In our speech, actions, and even our thoughts, we are making a choice, and thus “voting” daily. Who will we follow?

            In the long ago, God told His people, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deut. 30:19). He wanted His people to make a choice. In like manner, we have to choose today whom we will serve (Josh. 24:15). What decision will it be? Paul voted at one time and it was the wrong choice. Later, he changed his “vote”. What will you do? Make your choice today while you can (II Cor. 6:2).

Some Thoughts About Diotrephes

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Diotrephes is mentioned in only two verses in the entire Bible. Yet, what is said about him echoes to this present day. His life and actions stand as a warning to us in the 21^st century. The apostle John said, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (III Jn. 9-10).

            After reading about Diotrephes and his actions, let us consider his life and make some applications to ourselves. 1) Diotrephes loved to have “preeminence” among folks. Yet, did we notice that there are only two verses in the entire Bible that even mention him? 2) In those two verses that mention him, he is referred to as a very wicked man. Think about it! 3) Jesus told His followers (and us today), “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). We are warned about the dangers of pride in passages such as Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6, and many others. Let us examine our lives and see if pride is keeping us from doing what is right. Friend, is pride ruining you, or are you too proud to admit it?

Lies The Devil Tells

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Satan has many lies that he tells people (Jn. 8:44). We have studied several of these lies in earlier articles. One very common lie justifies sin by saying, “It is acceptable/legal in society.”

            This popular lie allows society to determine what is correct or incorrect. Of course, we see many things that society accepts that are unacceptable with God. For instance, homosexuality is accepted in society, though the Bible says it is a sin (Rom. 1:26-27; I Cor. 1:9-11). Society allows a man and woman to divorce for any cause, even though the Bible does not allow this (Matt. 5:32, 19:9). Fornication is portrayed in society as acceptable and “loving”, but God says that sexual relations are only acceptable in the marriage relationship (Heb. 13:4). Society also accepts such things as gambling (or lotteries), drinking alcohol, smoking, immodest dress, etc. We must never base our decision to do right or wrong simply because it is “legal.”

            Doesn’t it make sense that as society gets worse and worse, our laws will change, and things once illegal will become legal? However, God’s word will never change (Ps. 119:89)!!

            The Bible makes it clear that we must do what is right regardless of what society accepts or legalizes! For example, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex. 23:2). Further, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (I Thess. 5:22). Peter said, “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Pet. 2:11). Jesus said that there are only two ways to live this life — the broad way or the strait and narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14). Let us obey Christ regardless of what society does or does not accept!

Lies The Devil Tells

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Satan has many lies that he tells people (Jn. 8:44). “It does not bother my conscience” is a lie used to justify sins. Put another way, “Let your conscience be your guide” is the advice given to many when faced with a questionable situation. While this can be good advice, remember our conscience can be trained not to bother us when we sin. The Bible tells us that our conscience can be “seared” (I Tim. 4:1-2) or “defiled” (Titus 1:15-16). Would a “defiled” conscience be a very good guide?

            Before he became a Christian, Paul was with those who stoned Stephen and consented to his death (Acts 7:58, 8:1). Paul found Christians and put them in prison for being Christians (Acts 8:3). Acts 9:1-2 reveals that his trip to Damascus was to obtain more authority to persecute the Christians. He declared that he wasted the church and was more zealous than his fathers in doing so (Gal. 1:13-14). Then, as Paul looked back on his life, he said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Did Paul’s conscience bother him as he consented to the death of Stephen, or as he took Christians and tried to get them to blaspheme the Savior (Acts 26:11)? No! Friends, our conscience cannot be the standard for judging right from wrong in every situation.

            Friend, when we sin, we will be held accountable for sin regardless of whether or not it bothered our conscience! Let us follow God’s word as our only standard of authority. When we justify sin by our conscience, we are falling for one of the Devil’s lies!

Lies The Devil Tells

Jarrod Jacobs 

            Satan has many lies that he tells people (I Pet. 5:8). Unfortunately, many have listened to his lies to justify sin and error. Let us study another lie Satan tells us.

            Some justify themselves by falling for the lie that says, “There are others doing worse.” How many times have we heard this? Perhaps our children have said this to excuse their behavior. Did you accept it from them? Would we accept this excuse in any other area of life? Why then would we expect God to accept this excuse? While we may categorize sin, God does not. He says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:20). He says that our sin (all sin) will separate us from Him (Isa. 59:1-2)! Remember King Omri (I Kings 16:23-26)? The Bible records that he was the most sinful king up to that time in the history of Israel. Since this was true, did Omri’s sins justify past kings who were “not as evil” as Omri? Of course, not! Saying we are “not as bad” as someone else is not a wise comparison (II Cor. 10:12).

            Our standard today is the word of God. We must speak by the word of God (I Pet. 4:11). It will make us complete (II Tim. 3:16-17), allow us to grow (Heb. 5:12-14), and one day will be our standard in the Judgment (Jn. 12:48). The Bible reveals that we will be judged based upon what we have done (Ecc. 12:13-14), not on what someone else has or has not done that makes us look better! Let us not fall for a lie that we would not accept from anyone else!