Reports of suicide among young people sadden us. Such reports are strikingly similar: the young person faced a situation that seemed beyond repair to the young person. Perhaps they faced shame and humiliation for an indiscretion and sin that became public. Perhaps they were being bullied by others. Perhaps it was a deep depression that led them to what they thought was the only option they had left. We ought to be immediately concerned when someone thinks the only way out of a difficult situation is to end this or her life.

     Suicide is irreversible. Without debating the mental state of one who takes his life, we can confidently affirm that suicide is not the only alternative available to one’s dilemmas.

     A society that presumes social status and acceptance along with material possessions defines happiness and success devalues life. The world always offers a distorted view of a happy life (see 1 Tim 6:6-10).

     Life is a great gift from God (Gen 2:7). Eternal life in the Son is even greater (1 Jno 5:11; Eph 1:3). Suicide leaves nothing but pain, sorrow and questions to those who remain. The gospel answer to sin and trouble brings forgiveness and the joy of a new life in Christ (Jno 3:3-5; 2 Cor 5:17).

     Suicide expresses helplessness, but Jesus Christ is the great Helper of all who come to Him. Suicide, whether contemplated or applied, reveals helplessness of heart. That is the perception; it is not the reality. There is always help, whatever trial and trouble you face. You may be facing financial ruin, bullying or some other trial. Whatever it is, Jesus said to come to Him and He will give you rest (Matt 11:28). His help saves your soul – regardless of what others say and do to you (or what you may have foolishly done to yourself and others).

     Suicide expresses haplessness, but Jesus Christ is the great joy Giver. Sin invariably brings sadness and sorrow to life; the way of the transgressor is hard (Prov 13:15). Depression can leave people with a sense of being overwhelmed with no way out. But Jesus gives a joy that no one can take from you (read Jno 16:22, 33). Go to Christ for salvation from your sins and in Him find peace and joy (Rom 5:1-2; Phil 4:4).

     Suicide expresses hopelessness, but Jesus Christ is the Life who gives us living hope. God raised Jesus from the dead, assuring our hope of heaven (1 Pet 1:3-5). There is no situation in your life beyond God’s ability to mend and make whole. Jesus is “the Life” (Jno 14:6).

     Let Christ live in you through faith and you will see that life truly is worth living (Gal 2:20). This is accomplished by first hearing the gospel, believing Jesus is the Son of God and confessing your faith before men (Rom 10:17; Jno 8:24; Matt 10:32-33). Then, upon repenting and being baptized for the remission of your sins and you can “go on your way rejoicing” (Acts 2:37-38, 41; 8:35-39). By faithfully following the will of Christ you can face every situation of life with confident joy and enduring hope (Heb 6:17-20).

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It is thinking the worst of somebody. That is a pretty good way to define evil surmising in everyday language. The lexicons define surmise as “to suppose, conjecture, suspect” (Vine, I:284; Thayer, 644; Moulton, 418). The Greek-English Interlinear by George R. Berry translates the word huponoia in 1 Timothy 6:4 as “wicked suspicions” (the NKJV translates it, “evil suspicions”). It is conjuring up, by way of conjecture, evil and injurious suspicions against another person. According to 1 Timothy 6:4 evil surmising is the product of pride and obsession over disputes and arguments. Its companions are envy, strife, reviling and wrangling (1 Tim 6:4-5). Without question, evil surmising is a divisive and destructive sin.

At times we are tempted to think badly of others. We know we should not do it. But, we judge a person’s motives, charge him with evil purposes and impugn his character – merely on the basis of conjecture and suspicion. “Evil surmising” names that sin. It is assuming an evil motive, attitude and/or character upon a person without sufficient evidence or accurate information. “Why did she say that?” and “Why did he do that?” can be heard, and before we know it, we answer ourselves and unjustly assign an evil intention to the person. We must abstain from this evil (1 Ths 5:22).

Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (Jno 7:24). We must be careful not to make a judgment about a person, thing or event unless and until we have the proper information from which to make a “righteous judgment”.

So, the next time you wonder why someone said or did something, instead of letting evil suspicion form your judgment about that person, do what Jesus commands and judge righteously.

If it involves a personal issue between you and another, go directly to that person to verify the facts and resolve every sin and disagreement in a godly way. Reconcile and if necessary, warn and admonish him of his sin (Matt 5:21-26; Matt 18:15; Gal 5:13-15).

If it is a public matter, get the correct information and if necessary, withstand the sinner to his face to save him and others (Gal 2:11-14).

By all means, do not carry around in your heart wicked suspicions of others. To do so betrays prideful arrogance that damages your relationship with God and with the one you ought to love as yourself (Gal 5:14). Bitterness of heart will result from evil suspicions (Eph 4:31-32).

Give others the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. Such is an action of love that overcomes the sin of evil surmising (1 Cor 13:5).

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. Dog: Figure of contempt, scorn and insignificance, Mk 7:25-28; 1 Sam 17:43; 1 Kgs 21:19, 23.
2. Figure of evil doers barred from heaven in Revelation 22:15.
3. NT: “Beware of dogs”! Phil 3:2

I. BEWARE FALSE TEACHERS, Phil 3:1-3.

  A. Unbelievers who Lead Souls into Error, 2 Pet 3:17.
  B. Binders of Opinions and Human Doctrines, Matt 15:7-9; 1 Tim 6:12; Jude 3-4; 2 Pet 2:1-2.

II. BEWARE OF WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM WHO DO NOT WATCH AND WARN, Isa 62:6.

  A. Dumb Dogs who will not Bark, Isa 56: 10; cf. Acts 20:20 (2 Tim 4:2).
  B. Greedy Dogs, Isa 56:11. (Matt 23:14; Jno 10:12-13)
  C. Watchmen in the Lord’s Church who must not be Silent: Elders, Preachers, Teachers, every Christian.

III. BEWARE OF THOSE THAT HOLD TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CONTEMPT, Matt 7:6 (cf. Prov 9:7-8).

  A. Those that Reject the Apostolic Gospel, Matt 10:7, 13-15 (Lk 10:16; cf. 1 Ths 4:8)
  B. It May be Friends who Love the World more than Christ, 1 Cor 15:33-34; Matt 5:11 (Psa 22:16; cf. 1 Pet 4:4-5).

IV. BEWARE OF THOSE WHO FALL AWAY, 2 Pet 2:20-22.

  A. Spiritual Condition is Like a Dog that Returns to Eat its Vomit, Prov 26:11.
  B. Harmful Influence, 1 Cor 5:6, 9-13.

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I. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY IN THE HOME, 2 Tim 1:5.

  A. When it is not Learned and Lived in the Home, Matt 19;6; Eph 5:3-7; 6:1-4.
  B. Make Room in Your Home for God’s Word, Jno 8:37.

II. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY IN DIVISION, 1 Cor 1:12-13; 4:6.

  A. Twisted to Satisfy Carnal Impulses Like Selfishness and Pride, 1 Co 3:3-4; 3 Jno 10f
  B. Be Committed to God’s Truth and Committed to Serving Others Instead of Yourself, Eph 4:1-6.

III. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY IN APATHY, Zeph 1:12; Rev 3:15-17.

  A. Apathy Prepares the Heart to Drift Away from God and His Word, Heb 2:1-3.
  B. Apathy and Neglect Shows Misplaced Values, Mk 8:36-38 (Psa 19:10-11).

IV. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY IN SENSATIONALISM, Acts 8:9-11.

  A. This is Following Men that Causes the Bible to be Lost on Personality.
  B. The Gospel of the Cross is Based on Divine Wisdom, 1 Cor 1:18-21; 2:1-5.

V. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY ON EMOTIONALISM, Jno 6:44-45.

  A. God Calls Sinners with the Gospel, not Feelings, 2 Ths 2:14; Tit 2:11; Acts 2:37-38.

VI. THE BIBLE IS LOST TODAY IN THE PULPIT, 2 Tim 4:1-5.

  A. Preaching that turns into “Feel Good” Sessions.
    -Whole counsel of God, Acts 20:27.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Rainbow Cupcakes
Joe R. Price

According to Robert Vane, spokesman for Indianapolis, Indiana Mayor Greg Ballard, a local bakery’s refusal to sell cupcakes to an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) diversity group for October’s National Coming Out Day is making of litmus test for buying and selling in the public market place. He said the decision interferes with providing a service and allowing others to buy their goods (http://tinyurl.com/2b8gdtz, FoxNews.com). Owner David Stockton “explained we’re a family-run business, we have two young, impressionable daughters and we thought maybe it was best not to do that” (Ibid.).

The mayoral spokesman has thus stated that a privately-owned business cannot express the owners’ moral conviction toward homosexuality by refusing to do business with a customer. I remember the days when storeowners put signs up that read: “No shoes, no shirt, no service.” Were they discriminating against barefoot business and shirtless shoppers?

During the Roman Empire only those who pledged worshipful allegiance to Caesar could freely buy and sell (see Rev 13:16-17). It now appears some would subject the moral conscience of American citizens to similar pressures.

Will we suffer as a Christian when the world pressures us to conform and consent to sin (1 Pet 4:16)? We must be vigilant: the time is at hand to “stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Cor 16:13).

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Created by Chuck Sibbing.  10/23/2010