Truth Decay

I spent an hour on Tuesday morning at one of my least favorite places (sorry Dr. Crowe)—the dentist office. I was there to have a cavity filled. My dentist told me my problem: too much Dr. Pepper and sweet tea, too little flossing—a lethal combination for teeth. Tooth decay is caused by the over-consumption of sugary foods along with neglect of proper teeth cleaning and maintenance. If the cavities are not dealt with, they will lead to more serious problems that require more severe treatments. So children, get in the habit of brushing and flossing your teeth now.

In a similar manner, there is a growing malady in the “teeth” of Christianity. As the spiritual diet for God’s people shifts from the meat of God’s Word to the comfort foods of cultural-Christianity, great cavities are forming. Bible exposition is replaced with sugary feel-good “sermonettes” (which produce “Christianettes”). Bible doctrine is substituted with laboratory-created artificial teachings of health and wealth. The preference (and pocketbook) of the consumer is what is driving the spiritual food industry rather than the decrees of God.

How do we deal with this “dental” problem? First, through the painful yet necessary surgery that gets to the “root” of the problem. The Psalmist gives the only sure cure; the "double-edged" scalpel of the sufficient Word of God:

"The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward."
-Psalm 19:7-11

The Word of God is both the means of correction and of regular maintenance. This is why we must be careful not to neglect the daily reading of God’s Word. The effect of Bible reading is sure, though it is not always immediately felt or seen. It is like the movement of a glacier across the landscape of our lives. At times it seems to be doing nothing. However, it is always moving and always affecting us. It is constantly, though sometimes imperceptibly, making subtle changes to your thoughts, words, actions, motives and desires. As the weeks, months, and years go by, you will be able to look back and see the cumulative effect of this essential habit in your life.

If daily Bible reading is not currently a habit in your life, begin now. Many in our church have been following a Bible reading plan that we distributed at the beginning of 2005. If you did not begin with us or stopped somewhere along the way in 2 Chronicles or Lamentations, now is the time to get back on board. We just began reading Matthew yesterday, so why not finish the year out having read through the entire New Testament? Plans are available at the information table or on the website.

Please commit with me and to one another, that we will never substitute a consistent and healthy diet of God’s Word for the cotton candy of our culture. Let us make every effort to do the spiritual flossing and brushing that is necessary to maintain and strengthen the teeth of the church.

Justin Culbertson
Berachah Bible Church