Christian Magic And the Sciences

I Timothy 4:7

Almost no one still believes that seeing a black cat will cause bad things to happen, but we find a number equally unfounded teachings in churches. A well known evangelist claimed that if you just said “the blood of Jesus” repeatedly, demonic spirits would be forced to leave you alone, as if it were a magic spell. Some teach that saying the words “in Jesus name” will make a prayer come true while at least one prominent Television preacher says that is only true if you say it out loud. A pastor preaching on I Corinthians 11, said that the reason a woman was to have a head covering was to keep angels from getting tangled in her hair. These are just a few of the ones I have run into.

An old advertisement Asked can a hundred million people be wrong?, implying that we should buy their product because others did. As it turned out, they were wrong. People believed investing in Bernie Madof’s company would make them rich. They lost over 50 billion dollars by not verifying his claims. Being widely accepted does not make a belief true. We are to avoid these kinds of teachings just as diligently as we are other false teachings.

“But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (I Timothy 4:7)

The New Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, published by Consolidated Book Publishers of Chicago, 1972, defines the primary meaning of profane as “Not sacred or devoted to sacred purposes, not possessing any peculiar sanctity, secular;” Strong’s Greek dictionary defines it as heathenish. Literally, it is of the world, and has no real spiritual value. Scientific demonstrations, health symposiums, Christian psychology seminars, financial forums, and political discussions are examples of worldly or profane programs.

While some of these programs may appear valid, they are primarily human ideas, and may be disproved in the future. Gods Word is eternal. As Paul directed Timothy, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith…“ (I Timothy 6:20-21) As II Timothy 2:16-17 says, “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker:…”
In my own marriage, a ‘Christian’ counselor, using secular tests and principles cloaked in biblical terminology and misapplied scripture magnified problems rather than leading to a resolution. Various others have had the same experience. Rather than focusing on such things, we ought to be focused on Godliness or being like God. Paul says to exercise ourselves unto Godliness.

The principle of exercise is that repeated use of the muscles strengthens them resulting in better health. In out day, fitness is a major issue, and as Paul states, it has some value. Unfortunately, the value is lost rather quickly when one stops exercising, with the muscles quickly losing tone. Excessive or improper exercise can do serious damage, and no amount can resolve certain physical problems, nor can it eliminate many other types of problems.

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach.” (I Timothy 4:8-11)

Like physical exercise, many profane or worldly things have some value. However their value is limited to this life. Godliness or holiness, on the other hand, have both earthly and eternal benefits. Hebrews 12: 14 advises, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Without it there is no eternity except in Hell. Furthermore, it reduces interpersonal problems on earth as well as allowing God to bless us freely. Proverbs 16:7 states, “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Those who do not exercise godliness are subject to Gods wrath according to Romans 1:18. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”

It is the very basis of being Christian, and if we truly believe God, this will be the focus, rather than the things of the world. Christ provided salvation for everyone, but only those who accept it receive it. We cannot be Christians unless we are willing to give up the world’s things, as Luke 14:33 stresses. “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus summed it all up in Luke 18:29-30. “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”