{"id":835,"date":"2021-04-11T09:12:03","date_gmt":"2021-04-11T09:12:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=835"},"modified":"2024-01-17T01:23:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T01:23:14","slug":"speaking-boldly-in-the-face-of-the-cancel-culture-better-know-gods-word-and-strengthen-your-resolve-to-stand-part-three-of-a-multi-part-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/?p=835","title":{"rendered":"Speaking Boldly in the Face of the Cancel Culture: Better Know God\u2019s Word and Strengthen Your Resolve to Stand – Part Three of a Multi-Part Series"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INTRODUCTION AND SYNOPSIS OF THIS ARTICLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article looks at the third and fourth steps to prepare to boldly speak out in the face of the cancel culture.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third step to prepare for battle is to spend the time to better know God\u2019s Word, and especially the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  In speaking out on biblical issues in the face of the cancel culture, confidence and courage are inherent results of gaining a better knowledge and comprehension of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fourth step is to strengthen your resolve to obey God and not mankind.  A look at God\u2019s command to Joshua (Joshua 1:6-9) gives pertinent guidance to a 21st<\/sup> Century believer.  The Acts 5:29 narrative demonstrates a situation in which believers had the resolve to obey God and not mankind.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPEND THE TIME TO BETTER KNOW GOD\u2019S WORD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third step to prepare for battle is to spend the time to better know God\u2019s Word, and especially the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  In speaking out on biblical issues in the face of the cancel culture, confidence and courage are inherent results of gaining a better knowledge and comprehension of God\u2019s Word.  Common sense teaches that for one to better know God\u2019s Word, one must engage the Bible which can take on many different forms (e.g., hearing, reading, studying, meditating, etc.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus made it clear that a believer ought to learn and obey God\u2019s Word by his response recorded in verse 28 of Luke 11:27\u201328 (NASB95):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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27<\/sup> While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, \u201cBlessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.\u201d 28<\/sup> But He said, \u201cOn the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the context of the above passage, one commentator[i]<\/a> points out Jesus\u2019 emphasis on what is really important, \u201cTrue happiness comes from hearing and obeying God\u2019s Word (v. 28).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible teaches that hearing, reading, studying, and meditating are important way to engage the Bible.  Paul instructed Timothy to carry out public reading of Scripture according to 1 Timothy 4:13 (ESV), which reads, \u201c13<\/sup> Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.\u201d   Hearing Scripture is within the ambit of the public reading of Scripture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Probably, the most common ways to engage the Bible is through reading and studying.  Paul encouraged Timothy to read and study when he wrote 2 Timothy 3:16\u201317 (NET), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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16<\/sup> Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17<\/sup> that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The desire to study God\u2019s Word is an important attribute for a believer as shown by Ezra 7:10 (ESV):10<\/sup> For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.\u201d  The Apostle Peter stressed the importance of longing after Bible engagement when he wrote 1 Peter 2:2 (NASB95), which reads, \u201c2<\/sup> like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,\u201d The Bereans were praised for their studious behavior as reported in Acts 17:11 (ESV):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11<\/sup> Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Another way to engage the Bible is through memorizing God\u2019s Word.  The Psalmist made that clear when he wrote Psalm 119:11 (ESV), which reads, \u201c11<\/sup> I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Psalmist recommended meditation in Psalm 119:98\u201399 (ESV):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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98<\/sup> Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99<\/sup> I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to engage God\u2019s Word and gain a better understanding and knowledge of what God has chosen to say to a 21st<\/sup> Century believer.  It is God\u2019s Word that will help a believer speak out in the face of the cancel culture.  The Psalmist made that fact clear when he wrote Psalm 119:25, 29 (NASB95):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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25<\/sup> My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. \u2026 28<\/sup> My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

STRENGTHEN YOUR RESOLVE TO OBEY GOD AND NOT MANKIND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fourth step is to strengthen your resolve to obey God and not mankind.  God gave Joshua valuable advice in Joshua 1:6\u20139 (NASB95):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6<\/sup> \u201cBe strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7<\/sup> \u201cOnly be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8<\/sup> \u201cThis book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9<\/sup> \u201cHave I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In light of what God said to Joshua, a 21st<\/sup> Century believer can strengthen his or her resolve to obey God by the following takeaways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1) God gave Joshua a specific task which is like the assignment to boldly speak the saving gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of the cancel culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) God told Joshua to be strong and very courageous.  The 21st<\/sup> Century believer needs to be strong and courageous if he or she is going to speak out in the face of the cancel culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(3) God gave Joshua the formula for success which was to obey.  More specifically, the formula in vv. 7-8 works for the 21st<\/sup> Century believer who boldly speaks out in the face of the cancel culture.  In this regard, God told Joshua to that he should \u201cbe careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8<\/sup> \u201cThis book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;\u201d  The same advice applies to the 21st<\/sup> Century believer who boldly speaks out in the face of the cancel culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to obeying God and not mankind, one very well-known passage is Acts 5:27\u201329 (NASB95), which reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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27<\/sup> When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28<\/sup> saying, \u201cWe gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man\u2019s blood upon us.\u201d 29<\/sup> But Peter and the apostles answered, \u201cWe must obey God rather than men.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The NASB95 translates the Greek verb peitharchein as \u201cobey\u201d and it means to submit to authority or reason by obeying.[ii]<\/a>  The NASB95 translates the Greek dei as \u201cwe must\u201d and it means to be something which should be done as the result of compulsion, whether internal (as a matter of duty) or external (law, custom, and circumstances).[iii]<\/a>  Both verbs are in the present tense which signals that the obedience is an action in process or a state of being with no assessment of the action\u2019s completion.[iv]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to preaching the gospel, the obligation to obey God and not mankind is the same today as it was for Peter et al.  Because boldly speaking on the biblical issues normally encompasses the gospel, the obligation of Acts 5:29 applies to a believer to boldly speak out on biblical issues in the face of the cancel culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reference to the third step, in speaking out on biblical issues in the face of the cancel culture, confidence and courage are inherent results of gaining a better knowledge and comprehension of God\u2019s Word.   The advice of Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16\u201317 (NET) bears repeating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

16<\/sup> Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17<\/sup> that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In reference to the fourth step, when it comes to preaching the gospel, the obligation to obey God and not mankind is the same today as it was for Peter et al.  Acts 5:29 sums it up the best:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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29<\/sup> But Peter and the apostles answered, \u201cWe must obey God rather than men.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If you are reading this post and are not a Christian, unless God intervenes, your eternal destination is hell.  But, your destiny can change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today can be the day of your salvation.  Please see my blog (https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/2020\/04\/20\/for-god-so-loves-you-2\/<\/a>) for a description of how you can be saved and a more concise description at my (https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/2020\/10\/20\/there-is-hope-even-when-there-seems-to-be-no-hope-2\/<\/a> ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTICE OF PERMISSIONS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am mindful of and respect the rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  I thus try my best to not violate any copyright rights other authors and\/or publishers possess in their works.  The below copyright permission statement is the result of my best efforts to understand that limited usage or \u201cfair use\u201d is available and\/or to secure direct permission for specific works.  The quotations from commentaries are considered to be \u201cfair use.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked \u201cESV\u201d are from the ESV\u00ae Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cNASB95\u201d are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE\u00ae, Copyright \u00a9 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cNCV\u201d is taken from the New Century Version. Copyright \u00a9 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scriptures marked \u201cNET\u201d are quoted are from the NET Bible\u00ae  http:\/\/netbible.com copyright \u00a91996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright \u00a9 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture marked \u201cGW\u201d is taken from the God\u2019s Word Bible that is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[i]<\/a> Schreiner, T. R. (1995). Luke. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 822). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ii]<\/a> Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 466). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[iii]<\/a> Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 669\u2013670). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[iv]<\/a> Heiser, M. S., & Setterholm, V. M. (2013; 2013). Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology. Lexham Press.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

INTRODUCTION AND SYNOPSIS OF THIS ARTICLE This article looks at the third and fourth steps to prepare to boldly speak out in the face of the cancel culture.   The third step to prepare for battle is to spend the time to better know God\u2019s Word, and especially the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.  In speaking […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[322],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gospel"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=835"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2123,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/835\/revisions\/2123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevebelsheim.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}