How Can I Disinfect the Past? The secular world pays less and less attention to this problem, but the Bible indicates that all should be concerned about it because “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). The world’s psychiatrists consider it mor bid to think of it for they have no solution for it. A recent writer about the harm of sex guilt, gave this abrupt advice, “Forget it.” But the Christian has found a way to rid himself of the sordid past which is accumulated by all human nature: “Through his name whoso ever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). The transgressions of the believer are re moved from him, “As far as the east is from the west” (Psa. 103:12). A Christian himself should not sin, but when he does, he has this promise of Fatherly correction: “If we con fess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This forgiveness is, of course, true, whether one feels forgiven or not, and when it is thus experienced, it is so definite an experience that it is commonly described as the lift ing of a burden from the heart. How Can 1 Overcome Bad Habits? The world has considerable to say about this matter. For instance, if a man of the world has some success in overcoming the alcoholic habit, or other worldly habits, he proceeds to pat himself on the back, and boast about will power. Then, sooner or later, he slips again. The world has established institutions for the cer tain cure of bad habits, but even tually they all fail. One specialist even suggests that a habit may be overcome by freely practicing it. The Christian, however, has a real means for overcoming evil habits, and that power comes through Calvary. If Christ had not died and risen again, then would we still be in our sins, unable to enjoy victory. There are two considerations involved in the overcoming of Satan, and the sinful habits of the world. "And they over came him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11). This passage, of course, refers to the converted Israel of the future, but it may be applied to all children of God. Many are the Chris tians who are living compromising lives of partial defeat, who need to claim this promise for themselves. Isn't All of Life Futile Anyway? More and more the world becomes discouraged, despondent, depressed, suicidal. Everything seems vain and hopeless. True, there are new meth- AUGUST, 1947
ods of psychiatric treatment, which may help one temporarily. But sooner or later, the downright pes simism of a non-Christian philos ophy drives man mad again, and so the attack is repeated. On the other hand, even though the Christian must bear repeated defeat at the hands of the world, to the extent that he thinks and enacts the im plications of the cross, he must ever be an optimist. "Jesus . . . who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” for us. "For con sider him that endured such con tradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Heb. 12:3). “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31). Upon What May I Depend? This is the manner in which the world asks this question, but, scrip- turally, it should be worded: "Upon whom may I depend?” The world is confused, and knows not which way to turn. The only worldly remedy is “whistling in the dark,” but that becomes a swan song and proves not to be the “song of deliverance.” The world sees only a perfunctory rela tion to a human organization, which they know as a church. They cannot see above the heads of men. “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” (Isa. 2:22). There must be a real, vital, personal, rela tionship with the supernatural Per son of Christ. The word faith always involves a personal relationship. “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psa. 56:11). But here we find it still more personal, “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion” (Psa. 71:1). Faith involves dependence upon a stronger person. The Bible is filled with more knowledge of human nature, more information on the subject of “What is in man?” than any modem source of such knowledge, and it is correct as well. Many of the so-called dis coveries of modern psychology and psychiatry were stated in the Bible hundreds of years ago, in simple, non-technical words. The life of the human spirit has many psycholog ical ramifications, and there are many psychological results in the personality. But let us not make the mistake of viewing all spiritual things as psychological or emotional, —but rather let us study our think ing and our acting in the light of the best textbook in the world — the Word of God.
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