It has been my privilege to serve on different boards in ministries that recognize the distinctiveness of the Dispensation of Grace and the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Another board member once casually remarked what a blessing it had been for several years to enjoy sweet unity free of controversy and divisive doctrines. Then he said, “But we must be vigilant, because it seems like every few years, Satan sends some kind of doctrinal problem that threatens the integrity of our message, and the harmony of our fellowship.”

In most Christian circles, dangerous doctrines seem to regularly arise. Though it may be surprising to many, these instances are actually necessary. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For there must be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (I Corinthians 11:19). The word “heresies” means a disunion, sect, or party. This implies a division that separates those in error from those who are maintaining proper doctrine. These divisive heresies often come from unexpected sources. Paul warned the elders at the church at Ephesus: “…also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them…” (Acts 20: 30). Therefore, all the leaders were to be vigilant to protect sound doctrine in their assembly. Leaders of local churches must be ones who are “holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9). However, every believer has the responsibility to not be “…tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive…” (Ephesians 4:14). Instead, we must be wise enough to compare what all teachers promote with the Scriptures to see “…whether those things were [or are] so” (Acts 17:11). Historically, many stubbornly persist in doctrinal error out of foolish loyalty to men, and seem to willingly embrace whatever error their leader teaches. However, some can be rescued by sound doctrine when their primary loyalty is to God’s truth. Moreover, those who do stand consistently true and capable in the Word of God are manifest, or “approved,” by sound doctrine and behavior that “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10).

Believer, don’t despair when division over doctrinal issues comes. These heresies must come to expose those in error and distinguish those who are standing for God’s truth.

Several months ago, our oldest grandson got a pair of scissors and really butchered his hair. His mother was particularly unhappy with him because they were leaving in a few days to see family who live a great distance away. The only way to make his hair look remotely presentable was to basically buzz it all off. Sound familiar?

It might be surprising, but God’s Word has a great deal to say about the hair of men and women. In the context of proper worship within the assembly at Corinth, Paul told the women that there were at least five reasons why they should wear long hair. First, doing so is a demonstration of godly submission to the headship of God and the man who is the head in her home (I Corinthians 11:5). To do otherwise is an expression of rebellion that “dishonoureth her head.” Second, it was “a shame” for a woman to be “shorn [hair cut short] or shaven” (vs. 6). It is believed that prostitutes in the temples of idols wore extremely short hair; so wearing short hair had this evil association. It was also seen as a form of public shame or mourning, as when non-Jewish women were taken captive. Before marrying a Jewish man, she had to “shave her head” and bewail her parents for one month (Deuteronomy 21:10-12). Therefore, Paul said, “…let her be covered” (vs. 6). Third, “…the woman is the glory of the man” (vs. 7). This simply acknowledges the inherent beauty of a woman, making her the ornament, jewel, or honor of her man. Longer hair magnifies that feminine beauty. Fourth, “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels” (vs. 10). Whether these “angels” were human messengers to the church or holy angels observing the conduct of women seeking to honor the Lord, longer hair was considered a proper example. Fifth, Paul teaches that “even nature itself teach [es] you…if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her…[as a] covering” (vss. 14-15). Conversely, men are not to have long hair because nature teaches it is a “shame” for men to wear long hair (vs. 14), and doing so dishonors their ultimate head: God.

Before the Lord, there is certainly great liberty in acceptable hairstyles and length. However, a woman’s hair should always be long enough to be distinctive from a man and a man’s hair short enough to be clearly distinctive from a woman. Is this your standard?

My wife and I were blessed to attend a large Christian university in preparation for our life’s work. There was required attendance at evening meals in a huge dining common that seated 3000 people who ate at tables family style. Ministerial students took turns leading the entire group in giving thanks prior to eating. It was a neat experience to have so many pausing in prayer before meals. I often thought, wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone likewise paused in thanksgiving? This should be a regular practice for all who know Christ as Savior, and doing so can even be a good testimony.

In the days when the final books were being written to complete our Bible, there was a big controversy about Christians buying and eating cheaper meats that had been offered, in part, to idols. In I Corinthians Chapter 10, the Apostle Paul made a statement we could easily miss: “…why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks” (vs. 30)? In other words, Paul is saying it was his practice to stop and give God thanks for everything he ate. Regardless of how hard we may work to put food on our tables and a roof over our head; ultimately all we have is a provision from the Lord. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). This means that our jobs are a blessed provision from the Lord, as is being healthy enough to work, and that makes anything we eat a provision from the Lord, for which we should always pause to give thanks. We would, or at least should, express our thanks to someone who graciously invites us into their home for a meal or helps provide food in our home during a time of need. Likewise, but even more so, we should willingly and sincerely give God thanks for the food He provides for us each day. The Apostle Paul confirms this principle again when he writes, “For every creature of God is good [for food], and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified [meaning set apart for a holy purpose] by the word of God and prayer” (I Timothy 4:4-5).

Whether in private or in public, we encourage you to pause before every meal to give God thanks for His loving provision.

I have a brother who is six years younger than I am. As a youngster, when I was caught doing something wrong, my parents would scold me saying: “You’re the big brother, you’re supposed to be setting a good example for your younger brother. Shame on you.” When I think of my failure as an example or others who likewise failed in the Scriptures, I’ve often said, “Everyone is good for something, even if it’s only to be used as a bad example.”

In I Corinthians Chapter 10, the Apostle Paul is dealing with the issue of bad examples. He tells the believers of his day that in Israel’s history, many lusted after evil things. Many were idolaters, fornicators, disobedient to the Lord, and constant murmurers (I Corinthians 10:1-10). Given the pattern of sinful carnality that existed in the Corinthian Christian community, the Apostle Paul wanted to give them the solution to these problems. Paul begins by telling them: “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (10:12). When believers fool themself into thinking they are just too spiritual to sin like others, they become easy targets for Satan. The truth is, any believer can commit any sin given the right opportunity and the wrong spiritual condition. Beware. Next, Paul informs them: “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God…will…make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (10:13). We don’t really have to sin. We can choose to draw on the power of Christ and find a way, provided by the Lord, to get far away from the sin that tempts us. In verse 14, Paul urges, “…my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” As pure Joseph fled from the presence of Potiphar’s wife, even when she literally tried to pull him to her bed of sin, we are to vigorously and immediately flee from the presence of sin. Paul also didn’t want the Corinthians to confuse their liberty with a license to sin. He told them: “…all things are lawful…but all things edify not” (10:23). Our standard must become doing only what will build up other believers and avoiding anything that would lessen the spiritual walk of others. Finally, live by the rule of only allowing self what will give “glory to God” (10:31).

May we all ask ourselves today: “What kind of spiritual example am I leaving for others?” Let’s choose to be a good example, not a bad example.