Nothing Embarrassing in the Bible
Say the quiet part out loud
On Sunday I encouraged Christians to enjoy sex inside their marriage.
That wasn’t the central point of the message, but it reflects part of Proverbs 5’s warnings against adultery.
Proverbs 5:18–20
18 May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife?
Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
I read this section of Scripture from the pulpit with my 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son listening. Many families with teens were sitting in the room.
I felt the impulse to whisper “her breasts satisfy you always” in hopes that the junior higher in the room would not be carried away with the giggles of “Pastor said breasts!”
Nevertheless, I read the passage confidently because I know it is the Word of God for God’s people.
There are other passages in the Bible that I might warn parents about before I read. The Bible has unbelievably raw places that describe the brutality of sin, use graphic imagery, or simply provide nightmare fuel.
Using discretion in reading God’s Word to young children is part of loving wisdom. Our words should be chosen as master craftsman.
As Ephesians 4:29 says, “…only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Yet, I write to you today because I was reminded of a grave danger that has infiltrated the church.
There are many parts of the Bible that we whisper out of self-love, not service.
There are passages we keep in the dark, not waiting till someone is ready, but hoping we never have to figure out why God is like that.
When it comes to the Word of God–there is a fine line between discretion and distrust.
You can wait to talk about some parts of God’s Word as children mature. But eventually, they need the whole counsel of God, down to the smallest letter and punctuation.
Sure, you might wince at some passages, but which passages and why you wince are crucial.
The pain in some passages is unavoidable. Our hearts should ache when we read of grievous suffering or graphic sin.
I’m not concerned about that.
I’m seriously concerned about Christians trying to protect God from His Word.
Many people seem fearful that God must be rebranded or crafted for consumption if anyone will trust Him.
We do not need pasteurized passages!
There were many schools and (false) teachers in the past that tried to fact check God’s Word. The Word deserves deep study and our interpretations are not flawless. But we must be aware of being better informed or morally above the Bible.
Rather than sitting under the Word, many inspect which parts are believable or fanciful.
This higher criticism endures when Christians feel that God’s Law in the Old Testament must be avoided lest someone misunderstand Him. The conquest of the Promise Land or God’s commands on marriage and sexual ethics need not be whispered.
The Word of God is worthy of our undivided and unflinching trust.
Beware of people who make excuses about the Bible rather than explain the Bible with confidence in It.
Rather than sitting under the Word, many now inspect which parts are ethical or outdated.
Has the Enemy sown seeds of this distrust in your mind and heart?
Here’s a mental exercise– Think of the “toughest” part of God’s Word for you–What is hardest for you to sit with?
Got it? Great… now think of that as you read Psalm 19:7–11,
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
You wrestle with your “problem passages” for a reason. There are people who have influenced your values, teachers who shaped your mind, and desires that influence your heart. You exist in a swirling storm of influences called a culture.
Which of those teachers, influences, or desires can be described like David describes God’s Word? Perfect, Trustworthy, Right, Radiant, Pure, Firm!
It may feel like an incredible act of faith, but it’s also one of the simplest (and first)– You and I need to settle in our hearts that God’s Word speaks truth, without any error. God’s Word speaks goodness, with no evil. God’s Word speaks beauty, without flaw.
Stand against the world, your flesh, and the Evil One– there is nothing embarrassing in the Bible!
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” t made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:1-6