An Allegory of Illegitimacy
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000
An Allegory of Illegitimacy
"Cast out the bondwoman AND her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not
be heir with the son of the freewoman." (Galatians 4:30) (emphasis mine)
Before you read this, please leave all your prejudices at the end of
this sentence. You may have a viewpoint on this subject more or less strict
than the author, but I hope to make some Biblical points that might help
many people. Please hear me out to the end. You may agree much more than
you think at first.
I was walking and praying one morning with a burden on my heart. I was
greatly concerned about a person who attended the church that I was trying
to pastor. You see this person had been a member in the past, but had been
breaking at least one of the church rules that they had promised to keep.
That rule involved abstaining from the use of the Television.
As I continued in prayer, I know that God inspired me with truth from
the life of Abraham. The thoughts came on the basis of Genesis chapters 16
and 21 where we read of the illegitimate son of Abraham by the name of
Ishmael. God helped me to see a correlation between the truths here and the
way in which the Devil has used technology to make evil more accessible and
devastating to the souls of men.
Abraham, at the bad advice of his wife, went about to obtain a child --
especially a son -- by having a sinful relationship with her handmaid,
Hagar. Abraham and Sarah's desire for a child was perfectly legitimate,
but the way they tried to fulfill that desire was totally impure and wicked.
The "marriage" of the legitimate desire with the bondage of wickedness
(which Hagar represents) resulted in an illegitimate child, which represents
the principle of compromising with evil just because there is something
legitimate involved. This results in illegitimacy!
"Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from
the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar
is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is
in bondage with her children."(Galatians 4:24, 25).
Remember that the Pharisees were under this bondage about which Paul was
writing. They were supposedly keeping all the law, but they were also
making
allowances for various wicked practices, which caused Jesus to say, "How
shall ye escape the damnation of hell?" (Matthew 23:33)
Now, let's make some application of this truth as it relates to the
Devil's use of technology. Most if not all people who profess to be
Christians will at least admit that modern technology provides various media
that has been used extensively to propagate much wickedness. I would like
to deal with some of these technological advances.
TELEVISION
I have heard many on the radio proclaiming how great and evil an
influence the television is upon the youth (I would say upon all people who
watch it.). However, seldom if ever do I hear these same people propose
that the parents REMOVE the television from the home.
I grew up with the television as a piece of furniture in my living room.
I well remember shortly after having been converted, that God dealt with me
about the wicked movies I had been watching. We had a pay TV service which
provided more -- and more wicked -- movies. I decided to go through the
catalogue that told what was in the movies. As I read along I began to say,
"I know that God doesn't want me to watch that." about all sorts of movies.
Some of the things I read in the descriptions were words like "vulgarity",
"nudity", and "violence".
I had eliminated most of the movies from my list of "safe to watch".
Then I realized that the martial arts movies should be avoided on the same
basis. Then the pull of the world was strong! My carnal heart did not want
to let go. But, God spoke to me and said, "It is either the martial art
movies or Me." I then and there settled it that I was done with martial art
movies forever. A little later I realized that I must give up all
television watching in order to be obedient to God.
Those who used to abstain from the theater, because of the awful
wickedness spewed out by Hollywood, later compromised and brought
television into their homes. The television has some legitimate things that
it
transmits, but it is the "illegitimate son" of legitimate technology and the
wickedness of the theater. Many of the very same movies that churches
used to oppose in the theater are now transmitted right into their homes.
The Bible says in principle to CAST OUT the illegitimate son of this ungodly
union. The psalmist said, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes"
(Psalm 101:3).
RADIO
Now, I already mentioned that I use the radio. I believe however that
we need to be extremely cautious with it. In many cases there are radio
stations that provide good Christian programming, but even then I am
cautious. There is a tremendous amount of wickedness that is transmitted on
rock, country, and other stations to which people should not listen.
The late I. Parker Maxey told a theology class that he did not have a
radio in his home while rearing his children. Also, his son, Ross Maxey did
not allow his children to listen to the radio unsupervised. Do people
really know to what their children are listening?
Someone told me that the television is much worse than the radio. To
this I agree, but that does not make what sinfulness we allow into our homes
through it any less sinful. "Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the
whole lump?" (I Corinthians 5:6)
VIDEO
Some may actually use their video cameras and a video machine for
nothing but good, but I highly advise against having the equipment, because
of the awful potential to view wicked movies. Many people who decided
that they could control this technology have given in to a landslide of
wickedness in their hearts and lives.
CASSETTES & CD'S
Again, there is a tremendous amount of good for which cassettes and CDs
may be used. I have listened to numerous and wonderful messages of truth on
cassette along with blessed, wholesome gospel music. But, here also is
great availability of corruption. I knew a very good pastor whose children
had become well acquainted with some immoral country music through this
medium.
INTERNET
This is a subject of hot debate within some circles. I feel like I am
in the middle on this issue. I hope I do not get shot from both sides!
Obviously, I believe that the Internet has good and legitimate uses, for
without the technology I could not e-mail Bible Notes. Also, I would like
to point out that for the most part people go where they want to go on the
technological highway. Although, some types of Internet service providers
advertise for various types of wickedness and thus present temptations that
a person could otherwise avoid.
As a rule I believe it would be best to exclude the use of full Internet
access from our homes, especially if there are children in the home, who
many times can run circles around their parents on the technological track.
The potential for evil is presently greater than that of television. For
instance there are thousands and thousands of pornographic sites and the
number grows daily at a fast rate. The Internet provides the possibility of
people involving themselves in all sorts of wickedness without ever letting
anyone know. The secrecy factor can provide a powerful source of
temptation.
There are ISP's and software controls which can provide a more or less
effective way to limit access to the potential corruption. If someone is
going to use full Internet in the home, I recommend the use of any and all
means to protect the children from -- even unintentional -- contact with
corruption.
THE POLICING OF TECHNOLOGY
Regardless of how much control or exclusion in which one may believe
concerning any or all forms of technology, the blessed Holy Spirit will
faithfully guide us if we will listen to Him. Neither the church nor any
other authority figures in our lives can legislate against every possible
form of wickedness that Satan can pull out of his bag of tricks. With
things becoming so technologically complex we should be sure not to
lose our spiritual and moral direction.
The pleasing of God and the keeping of His peace within our souls
should be the rule for every one of us in every situation of life.
Col:3:15: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also
ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
(Note: As of July 2002, I am aware that my view has somewhat
changed on this issue, especially since I have become involved in the
health and life insurance business. But, I am still very much in favor of
keeping the Internet usage to a minimum and of immediate parental -
or other trusted adult - supervision of our youth's usage of the Internet.)
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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