Month: May 2026

The BIBLE VIEW #1050 — Hatred

In This Issue:
 Hatred and Love
The Old Nature
A Life Long Battle

Volume: 1050   June 1, 2026
Theme: Hatred

Hatred and Love
Bill Brinkworth

As biblical principles have been ignored or not taught, personal and social standards have changed drastically.  For millennia, God’s standards have been ingrained in most behaviors and have permeated society.  Those norms, however, are no longer at the forefront of social behavior, and harmful attitudes and ways have become the new standard.

Restraint over emotions and feelings is uncommon today.  Opinions rule the roost, and strong feelings against those who disagree are rampant.  Many are so vehemently opposed to any opposition that hatred is expressed.

Angry parents demand special treatment for their children, and their red-faced shouting shows their anger.  Screaming and sometimes cursing are unleashed against a politician who does not agree with what another believes.  Fistfights have broken out in government chambers over disagreements.

News anchors are no longer polite and even honest when they attack those with whom they disagree.  For much of mankind’s existence, hatred was viewed as a negative character trait, and it was most often kept private, but not now!  

Kindness and understanding are now replaced by hatred in so many walks of life.  The Bible, however, teaches and warns much about such feelings:

Hatred is not of God.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” I John 4:8

Hatred is forbidden by God!
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” Leviticus 19:17

Hatred is wicked!
‘Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.” Proverb 26:26 

Hatred is unwise.
“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18

Hatred is damaging and hurtful!
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12

Hatred’s root cause against Christianity can be deceptive.
“The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” John 7:7
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” I John 3:13

Hatred will be more prevalent as we approach the end days.
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one
another.” Matthew 24:10


However, love should be experienced, not hatred, especially for Christians:

Love should be the prevalent emotion for all!  A godly attribute is love.
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” I John 4:7
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you;” John 15:12

Love everyone, even those who hate you!
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

Love is commanded by God!
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Levitcus 19:18
“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” I John 3:11

Love for the Lord should be great!
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:5
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” I John 4:20



Hatred can lead to alienation from others, even those doing right.  The separation between people and nations should help those involved understand who is often behind the spewing of hatred and anger — Satan.

Hatred, no matter the reason or circumstances, is not of God.  It is unacceptable and destructive to people and nations.  It certainly is not the emotion our God of love desires for any of us!

“We may fight against what is wrong, but if we allow ourselves to hate, that is to insure our spiritual defeat and our likeness to what we hate.”
— George William Russell

The Old Nature
Bill Brinkworth

In Romans 6, Paul let us know that when one trusts Christ as Saviour, the sin-desiring “old man” should be dead (Romans 6:6).  That part of us was removed when one is saved.  Also, the believer’s new nature does not want to do what is against God’s desires.  On the right side of salvation, one no longer must serve the flesh’s desires.
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6

Romans 7 takes that understanding and explains how we are no longer under sin’s dominion and the Old Testament laws that identified the sins.  Paul likens the new arrangement of being saved to a new marriage (Romans 7:2-3).

In a marriage, one is bound to one spouse as long as they are alive.  Before we were saved, we were bound to sin until that nature died.  It led us where we allowed it to take us: into bars, adulterous relationships, bitterness, hatefulness, blasphemy, and a host of other regrettable places and feelings.  Our sinful nature was in control.

A saved person, however, is “… dead to the law by the body of Christ…” (Romans 7:6).  Our first “spouse” “died” when we got saved.  That “husband” contained over 600 Old Testament laws.

The law is important, however.  It shows us what God likes and dislikes.  From it, we learned that lying is wrong, as are adultery, deceitfulness, disobedience, rebellion, hatred, and on and on the list goes (Romans 7:7). Without the law of God, we would not have known the whole mind of God concerning sin.

The law is very hard, however.  It curses and condemns us for the sins we have committed.  When accepted, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross pays for our sins, and now one can have grace and mercy.  As Matthew Henry put it, “The sentence of the law against us is vacated and reversed by the death of Christ, to all true believers.”

For the believer, the “old man” is dead.  We can be “married” to another.  The second spouse is Christ.  We are not bound to the “old man” and His laws.  Yes, the old and new nature will still battle for control (Romans 7:18-19), but with the altered mind a Christian has, one can be free from the power of sin (Romans 6:7).
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?  But we have the mind of Christ.” I Corinthians 2:16

“If you are saved, you sin by choice, not by chance.” — Barbara Brinkworth



A Life Long Battle
Bill Brinkworth

A Christian may be saved on the inside, but he will still fight the temptations of the flesh until the day he dies.  Paul gives the only solution for keeping the sin-seeking human nature we were born with at bay.  That temptation-resisting advice is “… Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

To avoid life-controlling temptations and often the life-ruining consequences they bring, be wary of where suggestions to do something arise.  Recognize if the enticement comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit or what feels good to the flesh.

Paul explained some “works of the flesh” so one can avoid them.  They are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (“lustfulness and indulgences of animal desires” 1), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (“disputing that causes disagreement, discord, and dissensions” 1), emulations (“contentions” 1), wrath, strife, seditions (“causing commotion”), heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like…1 (Galatians 5:19-21).  His checklist should make it easy to evaluate whether a behavior or feeling one is having is the old sin-nature controlling a person.

The preacher also listed some things that, if one were doing them, could indicate that the Holy Spirit was involved.  An old nature would have nothing to do with committing these activities, so one could know that God’s Spirit was probably engaged in them.  The “fruit of the Spirit” included: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).

If we can detect what we are involved in or are feeling is of God, we may avoid temptation’s grasp (Galatians 5:25).  If one keeps far from sin, they will rarely be in danger of falling for iniquity’s commission!  Obey the Spirit, and one will not give the sin-desiring flesh any control.

1 Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language, Facsimile First Edition, Foundation for American Christian Education, 1828

“Sin will keep you from this Book.  This Book will keep you from sin.”
— Dwight L. Moody 

The BIBLE VIEW #1049

In This Issue:
The Interpreter
The Unhindered Holy Spirit
The Comforter

Volume: 1049   May 25, 2026
Theme: Holy Spirit


The Interpreter
Bill Brinkworth

The preacher stood behind the pulpit and shared what God had laid on his heart.  All ears and eyes were attentive, especially the eyes of the small, deaf ministry sitting on the front, right side of the church.

As the pastor spoke, a deaf interpreter stood up to relay the message to the deaf congregation.  He stood between the preacher and the deaf and did his best to let the deaf “hear” what was said.

The hearing and the deaf were soon moved.  Every once in a while, a soft “amen” could be heard from the hearing congregation.  Sometimes, a loud clapping-type sound emanated from the deaf section.  It was from a non-hearing person slapping a thumbs-up fist into his open palm; it was the deaf sign language for “amen.”

On and on, the stirring message touched hearts, until an unusual thing happened to the sound system.  It stopped.  The soundman attending the system was perplexed.  He interrupted the preacher to explain while he tried to fix the equipment.

Not wanting to halt the working of the Holy Spirit, the pastor continued what the Lord had him share.  Although some in the front row could hear what was being said, many could not.  The interpreter was still close enough to hear, so he continued relaying the heart-stirring message to the deaf.

While some soft “Amen”s could still be heard, the pounding of the loud deaf’s “Amen”s increased.  More non-hearing people signed their amens in response to the message. 

One deaf lady left her seat and almost ran to the altar steps to get alone with God and get things right with Him.  Shortly, an older deaf man kneeled next to her; his face was wet with tears.  The Holy Spirit was working in the hearts of those who “heard” God’s message to them.

However, those in the back of the church heard very little.  Many looked to their neighbors with perplexed “what’s going on” looks on their faces.

There were no “amen”s coming from the back of the church, and little evidence of the Holy Spirit doing anything back there.  However, a revival was going on in the church’s front, but those towards the back were not affected.

This fictional account illustrates what happens in good, Bible-believing churches during most services.  Many hearing and non-hearing  “hear”  the message, but the “interpreter,” the Holy Spirit’s whispering to hearts is not heard, ignored, or purposely disobeyed.

Hardened, disobedient, and even unsaved hearts refuse to obey or do what the Holy Spirit has convicted them of.  In so doing, the Lord’s “voice” is not heard by them.

Many in the service have heard what the Lord would have them do, and they do it.  However, there are always some who wonder why others are excited about what was preached and are satisfied to continue daydreaming or on their cell phones while the message is delivered.

The Word of God, when preached or heard, will change lives and hearts.  Unfortunately, many sin-deafened ears do not do what is laid on their hearts.  After seeing that the Holy Spirit’s help is not obeyed, He decides to no longer speak to the person who is ignoring Him or is determined to do their own will rather than what God knows is best for them.

Are you attentive to the Holy Spirit’s attempt to interpret God’s will and way for you, or are you deaf to His prodding?  Submit to His calling, or one day He may never give you the opportunity again.

“When men surrender themselves to the Spirit of God, they will learn more concerning God and Christ and the Atonement and Immortality in a week, than they would learn in a lifetime, apart from the Spirit.”  — Brown



The Unhindered Holy Spirit
Bill Brinkworth

The Holy Spirit indwells a Christian.  Those who have trusted Christ alone as Saviour become the residence of the Spirit of God.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” I Cor. 3:16

God’s Spirit never leaves the person, as some unbiblically teach.  The Spirit is “sealed,” or permanently confirmed, and the matter is closed in His eyes (Eph. 4:30).  He does not come and go out of the believer’s life.

However, there are some things in a believer’s life that can prevent God’s Spirit from working or exercising the control He desires.  Sin is the culprit that can sadden the Spirit of God that wants to work in a Christian.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph.  4:30

I understood this best after raising a child.  On a very rare occasion, my child would do something that broke my heart.  I did not do it out of spite, out of anger, or to “teach a lesson”, nor was it a planned reaction, but the child’s commission of some wrongdoing made me so sad that I could not talk to or even look at the child. 

The act did not change my love for the child one bit.  In a short time, I was “over it,” and things were back to normal, but for that brief moment, my spirit was crushed.  That is exactly how the Holy Spirit must feel when we commit sin or violate what God intends for us.  Our activity, or lack of it, can grieve the Holy Spirit.

Not only can the indwelling Spirit be saddened because of what we do or do not do, His excitement and zeal in working in us can also be “quenched.”  Just as water puts out a fire, our sin can put out the flames of anticipation God has for using us for His glory.  The “putting out” of the Holy Spirit’s activity in one’s life may be why so many have lost the joy of being saved (Psalm 51:12) when their sins prevent God from working in their lives.
“Quench not the Spirit.” I Thes. 5:19

Nowhere in the New Testament is it suggested that the Holy Spirit comes and goes from one’s life like He is in a revolving door, as some would have us believe.  He is in us for good.  We do not have to be saved again, but we do have to resolve some things with the Holy Spirit in order for Him to work in us again.

The easy and fast way to resolve my broken heart when my child grieved my spirit was for my child to admit the wrong-doing and apologize.  After that was done, everything was back to normal, and it was never spoken of or thought of again (on my part).

The loving Spirit of God reacts much the same way.  Although He knows exactly what we have done, humbling ourselves and admitting the sin is the first step in soothing the broken heart of the Spirit. 

Secondly, a genuine apology and a sincere desire not to commit the sin again are what it will take to have the Holy Spirit working in our lives again.  There is not one sin He will not forgive.  The Holy Spirit will always love the believer and always desire the best for his life.

“The Spirit-filled life is life at its very best.”  — Author Unknown

The Comforter
Bill Brinkworth

Jesus told His disciples that it was essential for Him to leave so that the “Comforter” would come (John 16:7).  Acts 2 related the unusual instance when the Holy Ghost came upon some disciples.

It is not the first account of the Holy Spirit working in people.  We read that John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:15), as was Elizabeth (Luke 1:41), Zacharias (Luke 1:67) also had that experience, and many others did as well.  Some disciples had the Holy Ghost descend on them earlier, as told in John 20:22.

That experience, however, differed from all other biblical accounts when one was filled with the Holy Ghost.  There came a sound from Heaven as a great wind.  Over each individual, “cloven tongues like as of fire… sat upon each of them.”

Those disciples then spoke in a language they had never learned to those who spoke it. Those people marveled that those filled with the Holy Ghost talked to them in their native tongue.

Soon, other foreigners came to see that miracle (Acts 2:5, 6), and they, too, heard God’s message in their tongue.  They were all spoken to in their native language to understand God’s “wonderful works.”

There was a purpose for these miracles.  They were not performed to “wow” the Christians and prove that they were saved or had some supernatural “power.” The purpose was to teach others about the things of God.  Today, many try to duplicate that miracle unbiblically, but it is never used as it was then to reach others with God’s message.

The early church’s leader, Jesus, had just left to return to His home in Heaven.  Those early Christians did not have the One who gave them the truths from God. They did not have the whole compiled Word of God, which would come later.  Until they had all the words God wanted them to have, God used speaking in unknown languages and other miracles to encourage them in His direction.

When we received all the Scriptures, there was no longer any need for thosse sign gifts (1 Corinthians 13:8-13).  The Holy Ghost still indwells all believers, although He may be grieved at times because of our sins and may not be working in our lives.  We can still have the comfort of the Holy Spirit to guide us, and we will see His workings when we live by faith.

“Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work.  But, when you are filled with the Holy Spirt and obeying His leading then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.”  — Corrie Ten Boom

The BIBLE VIEW #1048 — Church

In This Issue:
Family Time
Back Seat Problem
What My Absence in Church Did
Upper or Supper Room?
The Devil’s Tactics in Today’s Church

Volume: 1048   May 10, 2026
Theme: Church

Family Time
Bill Brinkworth

As Paul concluded his letter to the Roman church in Romans 16, the preacher spent the whole chapter remembering Christians he knew in the ministry.  He named 28 individuals and remarked on what they had meant to him, or how they had been useful in the ministry.  

Those believers were more than acquaintances to him. The people in the church were close to his heart.

Going to church for us should also be more than just nodding at people as they pass us in the aisle or shaking their hands as we see them in Sunday school.  Church is where those of like faith and beliefs gather.  

Church should be a place removed from the world, where we can be with our own kind — Christians. In that place, we are no longer a “peculiar” people as the unsaved see us.  In that fellowship, we are with others who share our beliefs.  We are with members of the family of God.

Church is a place where some hear the Gospel for the first time and get saved. It should be a place where the Bible is taught, and people learn more about God’s Word. 

In church, Christians can hear what the Lord has laid on the under shepherd’s heart, and learn how they can be better Christians.  It is a place where people can be burdened for needs they see or hear about and can get involved in a ministry themselves.

The church is also a place where we are among those of like faith.  I know I cannot speak for all churches, as too many have too much of the world in them, but church should be a place where we can be far from godless living and closer to God.  

In church, we can be encouraged by other Christians. All week, we are swimming against the current of the world. It can spiritually tire us. 

Being around other believers can reward us with advice, encouragement, and even with seeing how other Christians handle their problems, so we can run our own spiritual race successfully.

Those Christians who are not faithful in church attendance miss the help and encouragement of being around their own kind.  It is not just the preaching, teaching, church dinners, and special events that we need.  We need to feel, for the time we are with others of like faith, that we are not alone in this world. 

We need to know there are others like us.  No wonder Paul addressed many individually.  They were important to him because they were part of his spiritual family — the family of God.

“Going to church is family time.”  — Charles W. Tobey

Back Seat Problem
Author Unknown

“I wonder,” said good Parson Jones
With a little troubled frown,
“If there is any way to get
You folks seated farther down?

“You see I have to talk across
So many empty pews,
Before my voice can reach the back,
I fear my point you lose.

“And then I feel so lonesome,
Way up here and you clear back there,
It’s hard to feel you’re with me
When I come to God in prayer.

“I wonder if you folks are scared
Of what I’m going to preach
That you hurry so to park
In the fartherest back seat?

“Or do you fear the church some day
Will suddenly catch afire?
Or do you want to slip out quick
If of my subject you tire?

“I wish you’d come up closer
So I wouldn’t have to shout;
If you don’t, I’m going to have
Those back seats taken out!”

“A lot of church members who are singing ‘Standing on the Promises’ are actually just sitting on the premises.”  — Author Unknown

What My Absence in Church Did
Author Unknown

  • It made some question the reality of Christianity.
  • It made some think that I was a pretender.
  • It made many regard my spiritual welfare and that of others as a matter of small concern.
  • It weakened the effect of the church service.
  • It made it more difficult for the preacher to preach.
  • It discouraged the brethren, and therefore robbed them of a blessing.
  • It caused others to stay away from church.
  • It made it harder for me to meet the temptations I faced this week.
  • It gave me a poor Christian testimony with those that know I am a Christian.
  • It gave the Devil more power over lost souls.
  • It encouraged the bad habit of non-church going.

“God wants full custody of His children, not just Sunday visiting rights.”
— Author Unknown

Upper or Supper Room?
Author Unknown

The early church prayed in the upper room.  Today’s church cooks in the supper room.  Today the supper room, or the church kitchen, has taken the place of the “upper room”.

Play has taken the place of prayer, and feasting has taken the place of fasting.  There are more full stomachs than there are bended knees and broken hearts.  There is more fire in the range in the kitchen, than there is in the pulpit. 

When you build a fire in the church kitchen and the smells permeate the building, it often puts out the fire in the pulpit.  Ice cream awaiting to be eaten chills the fervor of spiritual life.

The early Christians were not cooking in the supper room the day the Holy Ghost came.  They were praying in the upper room.  They were not waiting on tables.  They were waiting on God. 

They were not waiting for the fire from the stove, but for the fire from above.  They were detained by the command of God, and not entertained by the cunning of men.  They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, not stuffed with a stew or roast.

Oh, I would like the cooking crew put out, and the praying band put in.  We need less ham and sham, and more Heaven; less pie, and more piety; less use for the cookbook, and more use for the old Book. 

Put out the fire in the kitchen and build it on the altar; more love and more life; fewer dinners and getting more sinners in the church.  Let us have a church full of waiters on God, and a church full of servers, serving God.

“The church is to feed the sheep, not to entertain the goats!”  — A. W. Tozer

The Devil’s Tactics in Today’s Church
J. Vernon McGee

When the Devil saw that persecution would not stop the church, he changed to a different tactic.  He joined the church.  He began to hurt the church from the inside. 

Satan still does that today.  He attacks the validity of the Word of God, and he tries to discredit the Gospel.  If that doesn’t work, he tries to discredit the man who preaches the Gospel. 

“The Christian church is a society of sinners.  It is the only society in the world in which membership is based upon the single qualification that the candidate shall be unworthy of membership.” — Morrison

The BIBLE VIEW #1047 —Difficulties

In This Issue:
God Will Protect His Own
Don’t Mess with Me!  I’ve Got Bodyguards!
Only with God’s Permission
God Has A Purpose

Volume: 1047      May 11, 2026
Theme: Hardships

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God Will Protect His Own
Bill Brinkworth

Biblical Israel faced a plethora of attacks from their godless enemies (Psalm 129:1).  Modern-day Israel is facing similar assaults against it.  Through all the attempts of destruction upon them, that nation has persevered and even prospered. 

Israel’s enemies’ attempts to weaken and destroy the nation have failed.  The adversary’s advances came to naught.  The attacks failed, not because of Israel’s strength and might, but because the attacks against the people God cares about, although often spiritually wayward, were foiled by their faithful God.

The Bible is packed with other accounts of God protecting His own.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of a devouring, fiery furnace without harm because God delivered them (Dan. 3:16-17, 26) from the danger.  Daniel was spared the ravaging appetite of a den of lions because of God’s protection (Dan. 6:22).  Israel learned many times that, no matter the attacks from their enemies, no one could harm them unless it was God’s will at the time. 

In the story of Job’s trials (Job 1:8:22, 2:3-10), one reads that Satan could only attack God’s man if God granted the enemy permission.  God allowed His own Son, Jesus, to be tested by Satan, but no harm came to Him.  Paul faced beatings, being stoned, robbed, and many other perils (II Cor. 11:25-28), yet God delivered him from all situations.  No harm can come to His people unless God allows it!

Today’s Christian can also have similar safety and security.  We will have attacks from enemies, disappointments, and trials, but they will never harm us unless God allows them to do so.  Most of the time, if the enemy’s assaults are seemingly victorious, it is to teach a deserved lesson or to move the believer in the direction God wishes for him.

There is much in tis world that can be feared.  However, the child of God, if he is within God’s will, has nothing of which to be afraid.  God will protect His own and often destroys the intentions and devices of the wicked.  We are safe because of God’s watchful eye and protective hands.
“The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.” Psalm 129:4

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side for God is always right.”  — Author Unknown

Don’t Mess with Me!  I’ve Got Bodyguards!
Bill Brinkworth

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7

I cannot read the first part of Psalm 28:7 without smiling, as it reminds me of a time in my youth.  As a scrawny, 89-pound (when-soaking-wet) kid, I had to be careful who I said what to and where.  It would not take much of a bully to teach me a painful lesson because of my sometimes big, provoking mouth.

One day, I met a boy much bigger than me.  He had a reputation as a tough and rough person, and people had to be careful what they said around him.  We got to be good friends, and I hung around him at home and at school.  He had a friend who was also large, and we became friends too.

I found I wasn’t as shy or quiet around those two.  Sometimes, with one on my left and the other on my right, I even found myself being brave, trying to be tough, and letting my provoking mouth have its way.  I knew I could get away with it because I had my “bodyguards” protecting me.  Anyone who wanted to shut my foolish mouth would have to deal with my rough and tough defenders.  I certainly felt safe when in that situation.

Soon, I outgrew my “protection” and went on with my life.  I went back to wisely watching what came out of my mouth.  Then, 13 years later, something wonderful happened in my life: I got saved!

It was not long afterward that I started reading my Bible.  I learned that I did have to watch what my unkind mouth said, but I also learned that, since I was now a child of God, I had protection all around me.  I had no reason to fear because nothing could happen to me that God did not allow or know about.  I was safe and secure.

I learned that:

  • “The LORD is my strength ….”  Psalm 28:7   God will give me strength that I usually do not know I have to face any trial or tribulation this life throws at me.  A situation may look frightening and with no hope in sight, but He WILL give me the power to face and defeat my “Goliath” (I Samuel 17)!  He has done it thousands of times in my life!
  • “… and my shield; …” Psalm 28:7 Just like a soldier’s shield shunned any arrows, rocks, or spears thrown at him, the Lord will protect His own from what he faces in this life.  He is the “shield” that will protect him when he drives down the road, from the plans of our enemies, from sin, and whatever can happen in his life.
  • Not only do we have God’s protection, but we have His heavenly host surrounding and protecting us.  Angels do God’s bidding on Earth and protect His own.  I am supernaturally protected!
    “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7
  • God knows the dangers we will face well in advance and will protect us from dangers we may not even know are there!  He is our “high tower” observer and defender!
    “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2

It has been a long time since I had my “bodyguards.” However, I am safer and more secure than I have ever been.  I have better protection.  I have the Lord protecting me, and nothing can happen to me unless it is God’s will, and if it is God’s will, He will give me the strength and grace to face that challenge.

If you are born again, you too can have that security.   You can be “safe and secure,” as an old hymn reminds us.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6



Only with God’s Permission
Bill Brinkworth

Many Christians are more fearful than they should be.  A child of the King should never fret or worry because nothing can happen to him unless God allows it for the person’s or other people’s betterment.

According to Psalm 91, our Lord is:

  • Our safety and protection (Psalm 91:2, 9)
    “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Psalm 91:2
  • Our protector from life’s traps that are set to get us to fail (Psalm 91:3).
  • Our protector from life’s storms (Psalm 91:4).
  • Our source of truth (Psalm 91:5).
  • Our protector from what scares us (Psalm 91:5-6).
  • Our protector from the attacks of our enemies (Psalm 91:5-7).
  • Our protector from health problems (Psalm 91:6, 10).
  • Our protector from evil (Psalm 91:10-12).
  • Our protector from danger (Psalm 91:14-15).
  • Our rewarder (Psalm 91:15-16).

One born into the family of God by the spiritual birth (John 3:3) has nothing to fear.  You are safe in the hands of your heavenly Father.  Frightening situations will occur to all, but God is always in full control.  Nothing is a surprise to Him.  You will be safe.  Fear not!
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7

God Has A Purpose
Bill Brinkworth

Living the way God commands us to live is not easy.  So many people are under the false impression that once they submit to the Lord’s will, problems will never occur.  They think they will be exempt from heartaches, hardships, hazards, and life’s hiccups.  That certainly is not true.

The godly may have God’s protection and guidance, but we are in a sinful world, and we face the consequences of our and others’ sins.  We experience it today, and David faced it as he wrote in Psalm 31.  The King dealt with:

  • Traps sent for him to make him fail (Psalm 31:4).  A foiled believer makes the ungodly triumph as they see that Christians “are not so holy and perfect ….”  Somehow, a defeated Christ-follower eases their guilt in not living a godly life.
  • Lies, all around him (Psalm 31:6, 18).
  • Troubles, and plenty of them (Psalm 31:9).  However, those troubles and trials are not always a “bad” thing.  Often, undesirable occurrences draw us closer to the Lord as we seek His help.  They can also help us grow in our faith as we see that God will protect and help us through the tribulations.
  • Grief.  Because of sin, there will be death and many let-downs.  Hearts will be broken, but we have a God who will fix and comfort broken, discouraged, and sad believers (Psalm 31:10).
  • Those who forgot him and his needs (Psalm 31:12).  We are not the first to have invested a lot of time and trust in a person and later been cast aside.  David had experienced the hurt of abandonment more than once.

Although we do not have a get-out-of-pain-and-suffering card just because one is a child of God, we do have something that the godless do not have when they go through hardships.  We have the Lord.  He is our God (Psalm 31:14), and we will have his watch-care, guidance, and protection. 

We will experience what God allows in our life for our or someone else’s benefit.  We may not always like the trials we face, but God has a purpose for us: to learn and to grow spiritually through our tests and tribulations.
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”  Psalm 31:24

“Courage: Being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”  — Wayne

The BIBLE VIEW #1046 —Separation

In This Issue:
There Are Accursed Things Among Us!
Do Not Yoke Up
Do You Really Want What It Has To Offer?

Volume: 1046   May 4, 2026
Theme: Separation

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There Are Accursed Things Among Us!
Bill Brinkworth

“Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” Joshua 7:13

Joshua and the people of Israel had seen God’s hand in their victory over Jericho.  All marveled at how that mighty fortress collapsed with God’s help (Joshua 6).

The leader’s further instruction to the people was to enter the flattened city and not spare any enemy lives (Josh. 6:17, 21).  All were to be killed. 

Israel was also strictly forbidden to take any of the riches of the city for themselves.  All the treasures of the fallen city were to be given to Israel’s treasury.

As Israel’s army entered the city and did to it as they were commanded, one man could not resist the temptation of all the valuables he saw, and took some for himself.  That man, Achan, took a Babylonian garment, silver, and some gold.  He took it back to his tent and buried it.  The thief thought no one knew, but God knew of his disobedience.

Later, when a small force of Israel’s army went to attack the nearby town of Ai, they were easily defeated.  Joshua and the people were horrified over the defeat and the death of some of their soldiers.  The thrashing from a weaker enemy led Joshua to believe that God’s hand was no longer with His people.

Joshua was grieved.  He prayed, and God revealed that the defeat was due to one man’s disobedience (Josh. 8:13). Because of one man’s sin, all of Israel was guilty (Josh. 7:1, 11) of rebelling against what God had commanded them to do.  

One man’s iniquity cost the lives of others.  Israel’s testimony was tarnished, and God’s hand was no longer helping His people.

Later, with God’s help, Joshua discerned who was responsible (Joshua 8:17-19).  Achan was revealed to be the culprit.  He confessed, and what had not been put into Israel’s treasury was recovered.  Because of the sin that cursed the people, Achan and his family were killed (Joshua 8:25).  Many suffered greatly because of one man’s sin.

Today, that principle still applies.  Others suffer great loss because of an individual’s sin. 

Families are split up because of an adulterous parent’s sin.  Friends who innocently ride along with a friend who commits a crime often see jail time as accomplices to the wrongdoing.  

New laws rob many of their freedoms because of others’ wrongdoing.  A family can get a bad reputation because of one misbehaving child.  Whole communities have been looked down upon because of the belligerent attitudes of some.  Sin’s tentacles often reach further than the one sinning.

In the account in Joshua 6-8, one individual’s sin affected all of Israel.  Perhaps two million people suffered loss of God’s guidance and protection!  It was not a “little” sin. 

With Achan’s treachery in mind, and how it affected so many, imagine how the sins that are rampant today are harming nations.  Although many are ignorant of God’s commandments, and many refuse to obey the ones they know, God has not changed. 

What was sin in Joshua’s day and biblical days is still iniquity today.  Sins that cost nations in the past are causing much suffering today.

God is aware of today’s national tolerance of sins such as abortion, sexual deviancies, acceptance of man-made religions, mockery of God and biblical morals, lessening punishments for crimes, reliance on government rather than God, attacks on Christianity, and scores of other “acceptable” behaviors.  Although much of society tolerates current immoralities, God does not.  He did not tolerate it with Achan, and He will not put up with it today.

Because of Achan’s transgression, Israel could not stand against a smaller, insignificant enemy.  Today, we have small, terrorist cults creating great havoc to very powerful nations.  Small minorities seem to hold the power to control vast majorities.  

Common sense is dumped for philosophies that have failed countless times previously.  Once great nations are now cowering under pressures from small groups of radical extremists.

Why all the chaos?  Why is sin prevailing and righteousness failing?  

As a nation was judged because of one man’s disobedience after the Battle of Jericho, so are some being judged today for sin.  No one person or country gets away with wrongdoing. 

There may be no thunderbolts being hurled from the heavens or earthquakes swallowing the sinning individuals, but unless sin is dealt with directly, God’s helping and protecting hand will be withdrawn from many.  It is far past time we learn the lesson that Israel learned the hard way; that unless sin is judged, halted, and repented, many will suffer — even today!
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chron.  7:14

“Oil and water do not mix; neither do the saved and the unsaved.”

Do Not Yoke Up!
Bill Brinkworth

One of the principles that will distinguish a strong Christian from a weak one, when practiced, is taught in II Corinthians 6.  Not adhering to God’s teaching on this doctrine has ruined many Christian lives and testimonies.  It is the number one robber of joy for a child of God.  Paul taught that there should be a separation of a Christian from those who are not saved. (II Cor. 6:14-17).
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14

The double-negative “not unequally yoked” can be somewhat confusing to our modern vernacular, but it simply means “do not be yoked together with unbelievers”.  The yoke spoken of here refers to the wooden implement that binds two farm animals together. 

It was common for two oxen or mules to be joined together with that device so they could plow a field together.  We are not going in the same direction as the world is going.  We should not be plowing the same “field” as they.

We should not be yoked to unbelievers in marriage, business relationships, friendships, or other close relationships.  When we are yoked together closely in such a relationship, we can end up going the wrong direction.  

We are in the world, and we may naturally be in close contact with the unsaved.  That happens and is a good opportunity to be a witness and an example to them, but getting into the position that we are going in their direction is what God is warning us against

A child of God is on the winning side.  Why in the world would he want to go in the same direction as the losing side? 

We have a Leader who will take us in the right direction.  We should not be following those who do not know the way.  We should be guiding others in the right direction, not following their wrong pathways through life.

The Bible says there are two spiritual sides in this life:  God’s and the devil’s (also called Belial).  What can we possibly have in common with an unbeliever’s thinking and goals? 
“And what concord [agreement, union in opinions, sentiments, views or interests] hath Christ with Belial?  or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” II Cor. 6:15-16 

“The pull to have what the world temporarily has to offer has cost countless Christians their joy, testimony, and futures!” — Author Unknown

Do You Really Want What It Has To Offer?
J. Mason

If you love your soul, beware of what the world has to offer.  It has slain millions.

  • What ruined Lot’s life?  The world!
  • What ruined Haman?  The world!
  • What ruined Judas?  The world!
  • What ruined Demas?  The world!

And you really believe you can survive what the world will give you unscathed?

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36