In Touch Ministries

Dr. Charles Stanley: Living in the society in which we live, you cannot hold this book loosely. You can't hold it loosely. Cling to it in your mind, in your heart, and on your lips. This is the living Word of God. Not only that, cling to it because of its awesome power in a person's life. You can't read this book and be absolutely, totally unaffected.

Guest (Male): The Bible is God’s instruction book for life. It gives guidance when we’re unsure, peace when we’re anxious, and comfort when we’re distressed. Today on In Touch, the teaching ministry of Dr. Charles Stanley, we’ll learn how the ancient scriptures give strength for surviving our present culture. Here’s Dr. Stanley’s message.

Dr. Charles Stanley: Christians fall into two categories. There are those who are the committed followers of Jesus, and then there are those who are carnally minded believers. When you think about that, you think about what is the difference. What about these committed followers of Jesus? First of all, they are guided by the Holy Spirit. Committed believers have a passion for God. Committed believers want and desire to share their faith. They desire to walk obediently before God. They trust the Lord Jesus Christ for all of their needs.

Their whole life takes on a whole different perspective because they’ve trusted Jesus Christ as their savior. They’re growing in their Christian life, and so they’re committed followers. But then there’s the other group, carnally minded Christians. For example, as he says here, you’re like babes. I can only feed you milk because they have convictions, but they compromise. They’re inconsistent in their Christian walk. Doctrinally, they are very weak, and they are usually self-centered.

What they’re interested in primarily, for example, are those things that give them pleasure, comfort, and ease. They’re the attenders and the observers, but they don’t get very much involved. They’re people who’ve been highly influenced by the world culture, the culture we live in. And so there’s a great difference between the two. They have little interest in serving God, but rather serving themselves, and they have become entangled and oftentimes trapped by the very culture they live in.

Now, only you can decide which one of those two categories you fall into. Paul is writing to young Titus, who’s a young pastor whom he has left on the Isle of Crete, a very, very difficult place. He’s instructing him as to how to choose elders and how to establish the churches all over the Island of Crete. I want you to turn to the little book of Titus.

Beginning in verse five, he gives us a little reasoning here. He says, "For this reason, I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you." Then he tells him what kind of people he should be looking for and so forth. Then he comes to verse nine, and he talks about one of the key qualities that these people are to have, and that’s this: "Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able to both exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict."

Then he gives us a little insight into the society, the culture on the Isle of Crete when he says, "For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain, or they’re doing it for money. One of themselves, a prophet of their own said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. For this reason, reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds, they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good thing."

Here’s the phrase I want you to notice. He says, "Holding fast the faithful word." Why did he use that terminology? Let’s think about for just a moment, let’s think honestly now about the culture you and I live in, the environment, the society we live in. Here’s what you’re going to have a little inclination to do and say, "Well, you know, things are not all that bad." And we sort of rationalize. I’m going to show you in a moment why you rationalize it.

Let’s think about the culture in which you and I live. First of all, it’s a secular culture, which means it has little or no interest in spiritual things or religion whatsoever. It is a materialistic culture, which means its primary interest is on material things and wealth and at the expense of all spiritual things. It is an immoral society, this awesome over-emphasis on sensuality and sexuality and perversion and all the rest.

This is the message of our culture. You can do as you please, don't worry about the consequences. There'll be no negative consequences. And so we live in a culture with this question. As a child of God, as a follower of Jesus Christ, how do we live in such a culture with all of its avenues reaching into the depths of our lives and our homes, and all that we are in our families? How do we live in this culture and at the same time live above it? How do we live in the midst of all the influences and at the same time not be influenced by it?

The primary key is this. What did he say? "Hold fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching." Now, what does he mean when he talks about holding fast? Simply this. When you hold something, you hold it by your hand. When he says holding fast the faithful word, the word means to cling to, to hold it tight, to hold it close, that is, to apply it to your life.

So here’s what Paul is saying. He says teaching them to hold tightly to the Word of God, cling to the truth of the Word of God, apply it to your life, because he knew that the Christians that live in that culture of Crete, they would be so highly influenced, very subtly influenced that before long, you couldn’t tell the Christian from the non-Christian. What a message for our day and time, because we live in that kind of a culture.

We could use many other words to describe the things that go on around us, the laws that are being passed, the attitudes that people have, and the way Christians oftentimes find themselves, oftentimes too late, caught up in this culture with its vain philosophies, with its immoral attitudes and actions. Then we wonder why the church has such little influence and impact on our society. It does have a relationship with the fact that we have ceased to cling to, we have ceased holding tightly to the principles and the teachings of the Word of God.

Now, why would the Apostle Paul say to him, teach them to hold fast to the faithful Word of God? Well, one of the primary reasons is this, and that is the nature of what the Word of God is. What is this book? This book is the most unique book in the world because there’s none like it, because this is the one that God wrote. Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of men, God has given us the revelation of Himself.

That is, this book is the unfolding revelation of God. If you want to know what God is like, you read the scripture. If you want to know how God acts, you read the scripture. If you want to know what God believes, you read the scripture. If you want to know how to live the life, you read the scriptures. This is God’s instruction book. This is the story of God’s redeeming love to mankind.

This is the one book when you and I stand before Him one of these days, all the excuses and the rationalizations in the world won’t matter. The issue is how has our character, our conversation, and our conduct matched the truth of the Word of God. God has taught us in His Word how to live and why we’re to live that way. And so one of the reasons he said, teach them to cling to the word, the faithful word, teach them to hold it tightly, teach them to apply it to their lives, which is one admonition we so desperately need in the church, among God’s people, and that the world needs to see that you and I are clinging to the truth.

And so here’s what he says. He says teaching them to hold fast the faithful Word of the living God. Why? Because of what this book is all about. This is God’s book. Not only that, because of the primary purposes for which God gave us this. Somebody says, "Well, God gave it to us so we can read it and sort of be happy." No, He didn't. He gave us His faithful word in order that you and I may be saved, be forgiven of our sins, be reconciled back to God.

He also gave it to us in order to equip us to serve Him. But He also gave it to us for the reason that you and I would understand the truth of it and therefore be able to defend what we believe. If you are going to be a godly person living in the society in which we live, you cannot hold this book loosely. You can't hold it loosely. Hold it tightly, cling to it in your mind, in your heart, and on your lips. This is the living Word of God.

Not only that, cling to it because of its awesome power in a person's life. If you’ve been through some difficulty, some hardship in your life, some trying time, and you’ve picked up the Word of God and began to read, something began to happen in your life. You can't read this book and be absolutely, totally unaffected. Because as you read it, that’s the awesome power of the word.

Why are these words so powerful? Why can they bring hope and help to people who are going through difficulty and hardship? Simply reading these words, why? Because they’re the words of God, because you know what’s behind the words. What’s behind the words is the awesome power of the infinite, eternal, all-loving God. It is the power of the word because it is the Word of God. That’s what makes it indestructible no matter what.

That’s what makes it so powerful to change people's lives. That’s what makes it possible to reach down in the lowest depths of life and pull people out of the hogpen of life. It is the awesome power of the Word of God. So He says hold it tightly, hold it close. It will give you guidance when you’re seeking guidance. It will give you wisdom when you’re seeking wisdom. It’ll lift the burden. It’ll bring joy into your heart, peace into your heart, confidence into your life, courage in your life. Why? Because it is the awesome power of God.

Not only that, it’ll keep you from sin. You remember what David said? He said, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against God." It’ll bring you back to God. It will also equip you to identify error, to refute error. It’ll make it possible for you to defend yourself against those who would have you to believe all kinds of false doctrine and false ideas. The world is full of it. And very subtly, very subtly, they keep sending out the message, one message after the other.

And that is that that’s antiquated, that’s old fashioned. This is a whole new century, this is a whole new time, this is a different day, and therefore this is the way you ought to think. They want you to change your thinking. And what are they doing? They’re working hard to change the thinking of your children. We live in a society in which while we live in it, we must not let it overcome us, change us, dominate us, control us, or change what we believe.

He says therefore hold this precious word, hold it tightly, hold it close to you. Cling to it because this is a word of hope. This is a word of assurance. And this is the word by which the living God equips us to serve Him in all different kinds of ways. And when I think about it, I think about the fact of how it does affect people. This book affects people in ways that no other book in all the world. He says cling to it.

So let me ask you this question. Where does this book fit into your life? Do you bring it to church on Sunday and lay it down until the next Sunday? Or do you have it close by? Do you take it with you at some portion? What part does the Word of God literally play in your life? How much effect does it have? Do you only read it when you go to church? Do you only listen to it when you hear the pastor speak? Or do you cling to it? Do you value it for what it is? That is the awesome, living, eternal Word of God.

We are continually being bombarded by the world. For example, you sit in front of a television set, and if you watch some programs, here’s what they’re saying to you: It’s okay. That’s no longer immoral. That’s what everybody’s doing. It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s all right. It’s all right. It’s all right. It’s popular. They say it's the thing to do today. And you know what? You keep watching that, you keep listening to that. And if you don't think you’re being impressed, then let me ask you this question. How many of us would have to say, am I accepting things today as just seemingly this is the way it is today that I would never have accepted ten years ago?

How is it affecting my life? I’ll tell you. You listen to the same thing over and over and over again, before long, you start believing it. Why? Because that’s just the power of words. And the world is doing its best to drag us away from God, drag us away from the one thing that anchors us that never changes. And as long as you and I adhere to the principles of scripture, as long as you and I see this as the anchor of our whole belief system, and we see this as the anchor of that which keeps our thought life right, our actions right, our attitude right, our character right, we can never be changed except change into more godliness.

And what I want you to see is this. This isn't some suggestion, but this is serious business. You see, here’s what’s happening. Because people have neglected the Word of God so long, they don't know the truth. And therefore, when false ideas, erroneous ideas come along, they just say, "Well, that sounds pretty good." I can tell you right now, everything the devil has to offer is going to sound rather good and inviting. That’s his whole approach. So if you say, well, it doesn't sound bad, don't expect Satan to offer you anything that sounds bad, looks bad, or feels bad, because that’s not his approach. He knows exactly how to get to you.

So he said, here are the reasons: Because the nature of this book, because the power of this book, because the purpose of this book. And so we have to ask the question, what’s involved? What is involved in holding fast to the Word of God, clinging to it, as he says here? What’s involved? Well, first of all, unwavering faith in it. Now, watch this carefully. If Satan can get you to doubt one verse of scripture, just one, if he can get you to doubting a passage of scripture.

And here’s the passage you’ll doubt. It’ll be something that you want to do and God forbids you to do it. And you say, "Well, now, that was written back in those days. But this is a whole different day, and you can't always interpret things today like it happened, things happened before." And so you rationalize a passage or two or three verses or whatever. What happens is you say, "Well, you know, we can sort of massage that verse a little bit."

Then something else comes along, and that doesn't quite fit what you want to do as you read the scripture. And so you say, "Well, you know what? That’s the Apostle Paul. And the Apostle Paul was this, and he was that, and so forth. That’s what Jesus said. I mean, Jesus was perfect." You know what you’ve done before long? Before long, you have rewritten your own scripture. And what you’ve done is you have eliminated, begun the process of eliminating those things that interfere with your lifestyle.

And so now, you don't want to believe that anymore. You say, "Well," and you begin to rationalize it. And what I want you to see is this. He said to us we’re to cling to it, and we’re to have unwavering faith in it. Somebody says, "Well, now, sometimes I doubt this book." I want to tell you how to stop doubting the Word of God. Some of you will laugh at this, but it’ll be to your great destruction. If you are wise, you’ll listen carefully.

Here’s how you deal with your doubts. You get on your knees, humbling yourself before the living God. You put your hands on this book, and you tell God, "Lord, I don't fully understand everything in here. There’s some things I don't fully understand, Lord. But I need a foundation to live by, and I want to know what is the truth. And just because I don't understand it all, and just because it convicts me of things I don't particularly want to give up right now, I’m making a decision today. I make a decision to trust this book, the Holy Bible, to be Your eternal, truthful, faithful word. And I trust it, and I will trust it to the day I die. I may not always agree with it, God, but I’m going to trust You that this is Your word. You wouldn't give me something that’s false because You said You couldn't lie. You couldn't be a holy God and give me anything less than a holy Bible. I’m going to begin to trust the Word of God today."

He says the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. This is the eternal, life-changing Word of God, indestructible truth that can defy every error, every false doctrine, and put it to death. That’s what this is. This is God’s holy word. So when he says, hold it close, cling to it very tightly. It also means to apply it. That is, if I’m going to do that, I’ve got to trust it. Secondly, I must apply it to my life. That means it just is not some object in which I believe, but a message that’s in my heart and in my mind and before my eyes and on my lips. It is that which is within us.

You want the Word of God in you. If you want your heart to be pure, fill it with that which is pure, the pure Word of God. If you want your mind to be pure, you fill it with the Word of God, the pure mind of God, the awesome, powerful mind of God. That’s what this book is all about. This is the foundation. When you depart from it, here’s what you do. You sever your life from the anchor that keeps you steadfast, godly, walking holy before Him, obedient to Him, walking wisely in the will of God, with the power of the Spirit of God in your life and the assurance of heaven in your heart.

Guest (Male): You’re listening to In Touch, the teaching ministry of Dr. Charles Stanley. When you read God’s word with humility and honesty, you’ll find an eternal source of strength to sustain you through any and every difficulty. If today’s program has generated other questions about sharing the gospel and living for Jesus in today’s world, visit our website at intouch.org or go back through this lesson when you click on Today on Radio.

If you’d like to have a copy of Dr. Stanley’s complete message, you can order over at the bookstore. The title is "Surviving Our Present Culture." Our web address again is intouch.org. Call or text to 1-800-INTOUCH. If you prefer, you can write to us at In Touch, Post Office Box 7900, Atlanta, Georgia, 30357. You’ve asked God for some direction. The question is, are you really ready to hear His answer? Today’s Moment with Charles Stanley is coming up.

Dr. Charles Stanley: What are you living for? What is your goal and objective in life?

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You’re listening to In Touch. When you ask God what He wants you to do, how can you be sure you’re hearing His answer? Thoughts on seeking God’s guidance in a Moment with Charles Stanley.

Dr. Charles Stanley: The first thing I do is I get in the Word of God to say, "Lord, here’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for guidance and direction here. Speak to my heart in Your word." Sometimes that comes soon. It may be several weeks. It may be longer than that. But what you and I want to do is to seek His guidance not only in reading His word but in asking Him and then listening.

And this is the wonderful thing about personal private meditation. When you get by yourself, reading the Word of God, you will be amazed sometimes at a verse of scripture that you’ve read many times. All of a sudden, it jumps off the page, and there is your particular answer to something specific that you’ve been asking Him for.

The key is this. You read His word, you listen to what He says, you watch how God works, you watch how God works in other people's lives. God is absolutely committed to showing you the truth. And for me personally, it’s reading the word, listening, watching, comparing what I’m asking with how He has answered that in the Word of God in all kinds of different situations. He’s more than committed to showing you the truth. And I tell you, you can be very confident when you’re asking guidance because He’s committed to giving you guidance.

Guest (Male): For help digging into God’s word and growing as a Christian, visit us at intouch.org. When In Touch continues next time, the people we’re with, the places we go, they all influence us in ways we don’t always appreciate. Be back with us for more on surviving our present culture on In Touch, the teaching ministry of Dr. Charles Stanley. This program is a presentation of In Touch Ministries, Atlanta, Georgia, and remains on this station through the grace of God and your faithful prayers and gifts.