I happened to land on station where a Church of Christ preacher was trying to convince us that The Church of Christ is the only true church. He said it is only logical as it is named The Church of Christ. Better for him to teach about Jesus and salvation than to take such pride in his church. I mean, he has the attention of people for 15 to 20 minutes. Is it more important to speak on the Church of Christ or about Christ and salvation in that short time.

I listened to him for a while. I found it rather interesting the mental gymnastics he was going through to prove his point. The thing is, it had no standings. There is nowhere in the Bible that says that only the church named, Church of Christ is the real church. On the contrary. In the one place where people were trying to do anything like that, Paul scolded them. He said that some were saying that they they only believed Jesus, and some only Peter. (I Cor. 1:12…)

The only real important thing was what they taught. If they taught the word of God accurately, then they were part of the church of Christ. For years, the Catholics tried to claim they were the only Church. Today, there are still some that believe it. The hitch is that many of the things they teach are not biblical.

The way I judge a Church is very simple. If they teach the word of God accurately; if the church, especially the leadership practices what they preach, then I will give that church at least part of my approval. However, to give it my full approval, I have to see evidence that the Holy Spirit is moving in the church. If the Spirit of God approves of the church, who am I to say any different.

How do I know if the Holy Spirit is moving in the Church? It’s easy. If you have seen the Holy Spirit move in a church, you’d never again ask that question.

How-some-ever, here are some hints. The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus. It is part of his mission. If the preacher tries to claim the glory, he is not working under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If he says, his church is the only church, it is time to get highly suspicious. I believe there are likely 4 or 5 major denominations are valid representatives of God, though there may be more.

I am Southern Baptist. However, I have listened to several Presbyterian preachers that I respect very much. I have heard some non-denominational preachers too that I believe teach the word accurately. I have heard a few, not many, Lutheran preachers who knew of what they spoke. And, yes I have heard a few Church of Christ preachers who I respected. Strange as it may seem, I have even heard a few Catholic preachers who seemed to have it right.

The thing this. We really need to be careful about who we say are not of Jesus Christ. If the church is teaching good sound doctrine and the Holy Spirit is on them, maybe we should just hold our tongue.

If they are teaching unbiblical doctrine, yeah, then it is open season on them. However, take care. Before you open your mouth, open the Bible and make sure of your position.

Finally, one more thing. I have noticed that preachers of different faiths do have discussions with each other from time to time. This, believe it or not, without throwing bookends at each other. The good thing about that, each preacher will go away better for it. They will both understand the Bible better after when their ideology is challenged.

At one time, movies were actually censored officially. Whenever a movie was produced, it had to be previewed by sensors and if it didn’t pass the sensor’s rules, it could not be released until it did.

I guess it was continued until some time in the seventies. Until then, the content was guarded, both visual and audio.

Even today, in theory, what goes out into the world of radio and TV is regulated. I get the feeling that many FCC regulators intentionally look the other way. I can’t imagine that it is legal for some of what is broadcasts meets specs. Moreover, they are all the time pushing the envelope, always just pushing it more and more, day by day. The swimsuits keep getting smaller; the language is getting worse; and the activities/subjects becoming more graphic.

That is not to say that we don’t still have sensors. Only the sensors have started limiting in other ways. Already, preachers are beginning to have some fears in preaching about homosexuality. If churches wonder into the politics, they stand in danger of losing their tax free status, unless it is a Black church. Then it is encouraged.

Worse, there is the unspoken censoring. Preachers aren’t kept from preaching on certain subjects, but when they do, the media launches assaults on them. They joke about them and they search for ways to make them look like hypocrites. Look how they went back into the pasts of the more recent judge appointments, also coined as Borking. Moreover, there is no shame, even when there is no proof. In the court of public opinion, none is needed. The allegation is all they need. Saying it enough makes it so.

These same methods are now used on preachers and conservatives. I am not proud of some the things Trump said and did, but no one gets called on any of it if they have a D after their name. Perfection is required for republicans only.

Moreover, politically incorrect things are not permitted on radio, TV and even on college campuses. This censoring is more powerful and stringent than any of the old censoring. Worse, things such as the Ten Commandments are not permitted in many places and it’s getting even more so disallowed over time.

Could it be that they will even be disallowed in our churches; or Bibles; or casual conversation, or thoughts.

I mean what is so objectionable about the words, “Thou shalt not bear false witness?” Why does anyone want to block the words, “Thou shalt not murder,” from our schools or courts? Why is it so bad to suggest that we encourage our nation to honor our fathers and mothers?

It would seem that there are those afraid of the words. If I put them out on my front lawn, I suspect that someone would sue me the next day to have it removed. They just can’t stand to have the words in their face reminding them daily of what they are doing wrong. If there is no God, why are they afraid of His law? Why to they fear His words?”

Why is it so important that they censor every word of the Bible? What harm does it cause them?