"comiendo sapos"

Some years ago I was discussing with another preacher some of the things we do to serve others, particularly the brethren. He summed it all up in a very colorful expression--at times we have to "comer sapos"--eat toads. Obviously he didn't mean literally eating a toad, but rather do something that would be as odious as eating a toad. There are a lot of things I will eat and have eaten, from nutria to crawdads and frog legs, but the very thought of eating a toad almost gags me.

In our work as preachers we are often called upon to perform just such tasks, for the good of the church and frequently a particular brother or brethren. Whether we have wronged someone (intentionally or unintentionally) the preacher is the one who must humble himself and begin the "confession" process. How often have I thought to myself, "why do I always have to be the bad guy?" because it doesn't seem to matter whether I am really or not, that's the way it comes off. What is particularly galling is when it happens over and over with the same person.

At other times we are asked to perform menial, even unpleasant physical tasks--running people to the Dr., caring for them, etc. As that is part of the work of every Christian and since preachers frequently are more flexible in their time use, some of this is expected and just part of the job, but it can also get out of hand.

Then are those times that we are called upon for "counseling". Usually by the time it gets to you, it is a fullblown crisis, so not only is it painful for all involved (including the preacher and/or his wife) but takes a lot of effort and time to resolve it, if it can in fact be resolved. How disheartening it is to spend hours over several months time with a couple, only to have them divorce anyway. Or there are those people who aren't really seeking counsel, but rather approval, or just someone to listen to them. Again, we all need a shoulder to cry on sometimes, but this can be overused too.

But before we begin bemoaning our lot, and how the brethren "abuse" us, let us remember that the word minister means servant--in choosing to be a preacher or minister we are choosing to be a servant. Service to the brethren is what binds them to you and gives you the influence with them to "kick em in the pants" at times when needed. It also gives you the credibility to teach them things they may not want to accept. Service is part and parcel of the preacher's job.

This is true not only of preachers though, but of all Christians. We are called to be servants of God, not masters for Him. Should we not be willing to suffer a wrong if it will strengthen another? Paul said he would never eat meat again if it caused his brother to stumble--do you have that attitude? As servants of God it is our duty to obey His will, not my desires.

Tol

Our new "digs"

Everything is coming together for our move to Puerto Rico--our monthly support is committed, our house is under contract (it should close the 27th of March), and we are well on our way to having enough to move.

So, I thought it might be appropriate to show the church building where we will be working and worshipping from mid May onward, for at least 5 years. The churches (Spanish speaking and English speaking) in Caparra Terrace meet in a house that has been converted. The auditorium is in the middle and will seat 60-70 easily and there is one room there are using as a classroom on the right. There are 2 bathrooms and a couple of other rooms that could be used as kids class rooms, so we have a good start.

The brethren are very excited--they have been sprucing up the building, trying to do what they can to clean it up. Funds are limited, but they are making the effort.

I will post our new address, phone number, etc. when we get it. We plan to be in Puerto Rico from the 29th of March for 6 days to look for a house, set up a bank acct., get a P.O Box, etc. The blog will continue at the same address but my e-mail address will change. More on that later.

We first of all thank God for all of this, as well as those of you who have been praying for us. This has all come to pass in record time. Please continue to pray for us as we begin our labors in Puerto Rico. Also remember Edward Rangel, that things may go as smooth for him as he moves to work with us there.

Tol Burk

"Tengo un proposito"

In the Dominican Republic and Venezuela particularly before services begin there is likely to be a time for anyone to ask for the prayers of the church. Often times it is for someone who is sick--the member themselves or some relative or friend, but another common request is our title, which I think translates more or less "I am planning something and ask for your prayers". The plan or intention is seldom specified, it is just "I have a plan and need your prayers." The first time I heard this I was struck by it, as it is very different than our custom in requesting prayers in this country. Normally we are more specific (in the islands they can be embarrasingly specific--you wish you didn't know what they were asking for prayers for).

Which one of these three customs is "right"? I suggest it is the one that fits their culture. I started musing about this today when a brother called me and asked Dana and I to pray for him concerning an unspecified high point in his life. He said, "I believe that prayer has an effect, as I know you do, so I'm asking you to pray for us about this."

Brethren, do we really believe prayer can change things? If so, why don't we ask each for prayers more often? James tells us, "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." He goes on to cite the example of Elijah--he prayed that it might not rain and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years--until he prayed again that it would. He goes on to point out that Elijah was just a man, a man like you and me.

As we are gearing up for our move to Puerto Rico I ask you to pray for us, that the move may go smoothly and that we may find a house we can both afford and enjoy.

Tol

"This old house . . . "

You may remember this old song, I think the best known rendition was by Rosemary Clooney--"This old house". It talks about how the house needs lots of repairs but nothing is being done cause they're getting "ready to meet the saints".

The same could be said of the human body--as we get older it begins to need a "little" repair here and there. In my wallet I have cards giving the details of my two stents and the lens in both eyes and those are only the most obvious signs--that kneww, the inability to read fine print, etc. all make me think more about that place where we won't have any of those.

Dana is recovering well from her hernia surgery, but it is going to be a slow process. In a year or so she will be fully recovered but in the meantime she feels very keenly the weakness of an aging body.

As Paul says in both of the Corinthian letters this body is decaying but for the Christian that is not the end of the story--we have a glorious body awaiting us, a body without the possibility of pain or death.

Tol

Putting a face on immigration

This is Dana with a sister from Dominica. She recently received her green card to live in the US permanently. People from many countries can wade through endless hassles, spend 1000's of dollars, and wait 5-10 years for the green card. She was one of the lucky ones--she had a close relative who applied for her so it only took a couple of years. Unfortunately, she and her husband thought the relative had applied for both of them, but it was only for her. When his card didn't come they waited a month or two before they were informed that he hadn't been applied for. She has since applied for him.

There is little work in Dominica so it really doesn't matter how hard you study (she is a teacher) or how hard you work you can't get ahead. If you're fortunate and everybody in the family works long hours 6 days a week you can make it. Dominica, like most of the islands of the Eastern Caribbean is okay though--most people have food to eat, a house to live in, clothes to put on, etc. In Mexico and Central America, not to mention Africa and Asia, many don't have a job (because there is no work) and wonder where their next meal will come from. Is is surprising they are willing to do whatever it takes to come to the States?

I do not condone breaking the law, any law, but I do understand why people do it. Usually it isn't that they can do "better" in the States, but rather that they can support their family.

When we talk about "illegal aliens" as a group it's easy to forget they are just people too. But when you get to know some of these people you understand why they do it--that doesn't justify it, but at least you understand why.

Tol

"Never give up"

The photo is of Dana and I and Sister Inez LeBlanc, of Vielle Case, Dominica. Although Sister Inez passed away last year her influence is still felt. This picture was taken in 2005 and Rusty Taylor, a young man who was in our preacher training program for that summer was with us. Sister Inez told him, "Never give up." She went on to say that most young people do give up, but that he should not. That conversation is something Rusty still remembers and talks about.

You never know what chance remark will have an impact on someone else for good. Several years ago I preached about raising children and said "some children require more raising than others" and one Mother reminds me of that frequently--she quit working to stay home and raise her kids. Sister Inez was giving good advice--advice that I know she had given to other young people, most of whom did not follow it. Isn't that what Paul told Timothy, be ready in season and out of season to preach the Word?

Tol

Dana's surgery

If all goes as planned Dana will be having hernia surgery tomorrow (Friday the 16th) morning. It is scheduled for 7:30 and I would ask for your prayers on her behalf.

The doctor wanted to do it as soon as possible so that if there were any complications we would have plenty of time to deal with them before our move to Puerto Rico in May.

The plans for our move continue to fall into place--the Lord continues to provide and thus confirm that this is what we need to do at this point in our lives. Now if we can sell our house we will be able to wrap this whole thing up and concentrate on the move.

Tol

One flake at a time

I could actually see the snow flakes this morning, not very many, but they were big enough to see. Since it was in the 50's most of the day yesterday the snow didn't stick to anything--it melted on contact. For snow to stick today (it's 22 degrees right now) there would have to be alot of it--probably a couple of inches would have to fall and melt in order to cool the ground enough for it to stick.

Have you every thought about those first millions of snowflakes that have to melt to prepare the way for the others to stick? It's not the wind, or even the temperature, but rather the effect of literally millions of snowflakes hitting the ground and melting, but as they melt each one cools the ground a tiny bit. With enough snowflakes hitting, the ground cools to the point that they stick. If snowflakes were people we could use the image of them giving their lives so that others might live.

A local church should operate in much the same way--each Christian has an impact on the people around him or her and the effect of those impacts eventually cause that person to want to know more about the Christ that motivates the Christian. Ideally, each person is impacted by more than one Christian and comes to realize that it's not just "Joe" or "Sue", but everybody that goes to this "church". Rather than cooling people the impact of Christians should warm them.

I baptized a man recently who has lived a rough life--drag racing, alcohol, etc. I know why he asked me to baptize him but his change was much more the effect of many Christians than of anything I had done. Certainly his wife, who is a Christian, had the greatest effect on him, but in explaining it he told me, "I enjoy going to church, listening to the teaching, and just being there." Everybody receives him well, including his in-laws, and it has had the intended effect on him. Those millions of little things--greetings, good sermons, just accepting him where he is, paved the way for him to make changes in his life. His parents are very strong members of a denomination and harp at him every chance they get, but that has had little effect, compared with the effect of the local church.

Most of us don't live in a small community where outsiders see that all the members of this church are good people, who have a good life and so the cumulative effect is blunted. But brethren, if we will live as we should--going the extra mile consistently, people around us will notice and at least some of them will want to know why. Your first actions may seem to have the same effect that the first snowflakes have--none at all, but if the heart is honest over time they will have an effect.

Tol

The death of Anna Nicole Smith

If you catch the news anywhere you've probably heard that Anna Nicole Smith died last week at the age of 39. My first thought was something along the line of: Well, she was under suspicion for her son's death and her life seemed to be unravelling, so it's probably just as well she died and doesn't have to deal with all that.

Later Dana and I were talking about it and she said her initial reaction was basically the same, then she began to think, No matter how horrible her life was, her death has cast her into a place far, far worse than anything this life could throw at her. I don't presume to "judge" Ms. Smith (or anyone else), for that is God's job, but everything I know about her leads me to the conclusion that she was not living for God and therefore she is now in torment. When you look at her death in that light it is truly tragic--she has no more time to repent and be saved.

All too often we look at people just like Anna Nicole--their life is such a mess death is a blessing, but such is not true. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should repent. He gives them time to repent, but finally death comes and they just ran out of time.

Brethren, do we comprehend that everyone who is not in Christ cannot afford to die--they will be lost eternally. Nor can we take their imminent death casually. We need to work all the harder to rescue those who are closest to death, while they still have time. Until we see people as they really are, lost and on the road to eternal torment, we will not feel the urgency of teaching others. Both Matthew and Mark record an occasion when Jesus saw the multitudes "as sheep without a shepherd" and was moved with compassion for them. I'm sure He would view most people today in the same light--lost, not having a clue where or how to go, following the devil blithely into the lake of fire and brimstone. Jesus' reaction was "he began to teach them many things". What is your reaction?


Tol

Church in the heart of the city

Caracas, Venezuela is a large metropolitan area of 6 million people.

There are now 3 churches in this city, one of which meets right downtown, only a few blocks from the presidential palace in a rented facility, down a long hall. Although they put a sign out when they are meeting, that is the only time it is advertised in this way, so it's not a place you are likely to "happen onto".

Caracas is no different than most big cities--most of the people in the area don't live there, the people aren't "neighborly", they're in a hurry, etc. In spite of that the men meet once or twice a month to pass out tracts, flyers about correspondence courses, etc. The preacher, Gerardo, does this by himself several days a week as well. From a beginning 4 years ago of 8 people they have grown to over 20 and continue to grow. A couple of months ago a man (Victor) visited with his two daughters. He had visited a number of churches and still hadn't found one that was following the Bible. After that initial service he agreed to study in his home and within 6 weeks was baptized. His wife was baptized in Jan. and they both continue to study. Little by little the Gospel is being spread.

Tol

Fruit in La Plaine

To the right is a photo of the church that meets in La Plaine, Dominica. All the white people are visitors, but you see Elkin, the preacher in the back corner. They meet in the Village Council building, as they have practically since they began. Attendance that Sunday was 21, which is typical.

In this group there are 3 Haitans who have been attending for over a year. Elkin and I studied with them twice last Feb.--I taught in English, then he would translate it to the broken French (Patois) and of course any questions were handled in reverse--he would translate it to English so I could answer it and then he would translate it back to Patois. One of these 3, Pierre, was baptized in Jan. I believe he may start a chain of baptisms, as over half of the 20 present each Sunday are not yet Christians.

Please pray for our new brother in Christ. Also pray that others will be motivated to follow his example.

Tol

Being clever

We have a new business in town but all I know is its location and its name--"Solutia Tas Inc.". I'm sure the name means something, in Latin I suspect, but it doesn't mean a thing to me. In fact, I suspect it is probably something clever, if you happen to know Latin. Instead of helping me (and everybody else) know what this business does it, the name just makes it more confusing.

Brethren, sometimes our preaching is just like solutia tas--in trying to be clever we lose the audience. Perhaps we use big words that sound educated, and may indeed be the perfect word for the thought we are trying to express, but if no one understands them the point is lost. Or maybe our reasoning is so stretched that even we have trouble following it. The end result is that our "profound" teaching is lost on our audience. The object of preaching is to teach, clarify, and/or motivate the audience--if that is not accomplished then our preaching has failed.

People don't remember what they don't understand. And as Brother N.B. Hardeman said, "Never underestimate the ignorance of your audience." We are all ignorant of some things and in most audiences for the Gospel there are some, who because they are children, or new converts, or visitors, know practically nothing about the Gospel. There are others who know something, but have gaps in their knowledge. Unless you lay the foundation the conclusions of your lesson will likely be lost on them. When people don't understand what is preached they aren't likely to remember it and are even less likely to put it into practice.

Tol

Looking for Bible studies in Antigua

Around 1993 I was in Antigua to help with a Gospel meeting and one of the brethren who had lived in Puerto Rico for awhile wanted me to go with him and try to study with some of the Dominicanos (natives of the Dominican Republic) there. Of course I agreed and we were to go on Saturday morning--they would be working at other times.

Saturday morning we went to the houses of a couple of contacts he had made, but with no luck--one was busy washing and the other was not there. Because we were walking this took about 45 minutes. He then said he knew a place where we would find people who spoke Spanish. After walking about 10 minutes he told me the place was just a block away now. As I looked around I didn't see anything except a small, neighborhood bar and yes, that was our "goal". He didn't really know anything about it, he told me, but he had heard music in Spanish coming from it.

We went in--it was about 12' X 8' feet in size, with two doors and that many windows, which of course were all open for the breeze. By this time it's about 11 AM so there's only one customer, besides us, and he is quietly sipping on a beer. We sat down on the bar stools and asked for 2 cokes, which we promptly received. The music is soo loud you can barely hear yourself think--I had to shout to ask for the cokes. There are two women working there--the one serving us is busy taking beer bottles out of cardboard boxes and stacking them into a small refrigerator. The other is cleaning up and you can tell is preparing for the afternoon/evening, when business should be brisk. We sit there for a few minutes--he's waiting on me, the older, more experienced preacher, to "say something" and I'm trying to figure out what to say--I've never looked for prospects in a bar before (or since).

Finally, after about 3-4 minutes the women approaches me again and I tell her that I am here preaching the Gospel and we are looking for people to study the Bible with in Spanish. I acknowledge that a bar is not the place we usually come, but ask her if either of them would be interested. She doesn't even acknowledge what I said either way, but goes back to stacking beer bottles as quickly as she can. I wouldn't even guess how many beers she put in there, but she had been doing it rapidly the whole time we had been there. After a few more minutes the casette stopped and about a minute later she had filled the refrigerator. She approached me and said (in Spanish) "Well, tell me something about the Bible." I began a short Bible study and the three of them entered into it, listening and even asking a few questions. Then customers began to arrive so we left after getting the address of the first customer.

Now brethren, I do not relate this to encourage you to go to bars looking for people to study with. My purpose is to open our eyes to the fact that many people we "know" would not be interested in the Gospel may at least be willing to study a little. Once the seed is sown we have done our part and what they do about it is up to them. Even the smallest portion of His Word can have an effect; if not now, maybe later. While not real common in the States, there are many people who have been converted in just such sessions, being baptized that very day.

Let us not be weary in well doing, for we shall reap, if we faint not.

Tol

Serious preaching

My sermon tonight was titled "After death, what then?" My last point dealt at some length with heaven as home. I then made the point that if heaven is so much greater than this life, should we go to extraordinary lengths to preserve life? It was a sobering sermon, but of course that was my intent.

One couple politely criticized the whole sermon as too serious--she was feeling so good until she came to services then she was down.

There are a couple of observations I will make about this.

1) You can't please everybody. I had a number of people who thought (or at least so they said) that it was excellent. Any sermon can offend someone and any action you take can do the same. Knowing this, you prayerfully do what you believe is right, making provision for the opinions of others. If you wait to move only once everyone agrees you will soon be unable to move--you've been still so long.

2) There is a need for serious preaching from time to time. Certainly preaching needs to be balanced but there is a need for serious preaching. Much motivational speaking moves the audience all the way to their car. Then they promptly forget it and go their merry way. Serious preaching/teaching is needed to help the audience realize their sins/shortcomings and then motivate them to change.

Tol

When you can't think

If you preach, write articles, or anything else creative you've been stumped from time to time--you need to prepare a sermon but nothing comes to your mind. Or you have a bulletin article to write but just can't get in the mood. You sit there and stare into space, or worse yet you are distracted by every little thing. What do you do when you just can't think?

A mistake the inexperienced frequently make is to wait until the mood strikes them. What most of us eventually notice is that at the eleventh hour, when you cannot wait a moment longer the mood will suddenly overtake you. We make the mistake of thinking our mood brings about certain actions, when actually it is the other way around. If you will sit down and make yourself write, even when you don't really know where to start, you will usually get it done. Our actions influence our moods much more than the other way around.

So next time you don't know what to write (like I haven't for most of this month) force yourself to sit down and begin.

Tol

Fields ripe unto harvest

I just received Elkin's report (that's him in the photo) from Dominica. During the months of November and December he had 107 Bible studies and 17 that were scheduled did not meet--they were sick, had to go to town, etc. That's over 50 Bible studies each month, over 60 if you count the ones that cancelled.

I've done that before, for 3-4 months at a time, but there aren't many places you could find that many people who will commit. In the States most people are "too busy" or satisfied, so while Bible study may be a "good thing" it's not urgent, it's something you do only if you have nothing else to do. But in Dominica and other islands like Grenada and St. Vincent, where most people live on agriculture, there is a greater recognition that they need God. It seems that when any minor crisis can disrupt your whole life, it is much clearer that you need help from God. I'm certain this same willingness to study is manifested in other agrarian societies throughout the world--I'm just familiar with the Eastern Caribbean. While there are always those seeking the truth at home, many times the opportunities are greater in other places.

Or perhaps the reason we don't have as many studies in the States is also because we Christians are not talking to as many people. If someone comes to us for a Bible study we are glad to teach them, but we don't really go out seeking them. We tell ourselves "no one is interested" or "I can't do that" or even "I just don't know how to approach people". The first excuse is basically untrue--there are always people looking no matter where you live--I've preached in Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, St. Croix, and in every place have found those who are looking. I've preached meetings, etc. in 10 other countries and always meet those who were seeking and found the truth, besides those that are still seeking. The other two excuses reflect more on the one making them than anything else--like everything else we can learn how to approach people. Even if we can't teach them ourselves we can make the initial contact and set them up with someone who can study with them.

Tol

Saving it for "special" occasions

I was listening to a song the other day about Grandma's crystal. Grandma had received some beautiful crystal glasses--12 in number, which sparkled so, but spent most put away in a box because they were sort of fragile, much too fragile for everyday use. When Grandma died they were passed on to the daughter, who left them packed up for 10 or more years, but when she finally unpacked them used them regularly, not just on special occasions. She had received 10 glasses (2 had been broken) and when she passed them on to her daughter there were only 4 left. But she had enjoyed them and their sparkle in the light, which Grandma only rarely did.

Brethren, what do we do with the abilities the Lord has given each of us? Do we save them only for special occasions, or do we use them every day? Some preachers just can't preach regularly for a small congregation. Are you only willing to help others when it: a) benefits you or b) you get praise and glory from it? There's not much "glory" preaching in small congregations and there can be many heartaches because of the immaturity of the brethren there, the lack of leadership, etc. You're not going to be asked to preach too many Gospel meetings, Lectureships, etc. but the Lord needs men in those situations too.

We bought some new bath towels before we finished our temporary house in St. Croix. Dana put them until we got finished because she didn't want to ruin them. We finally got to the point that all we lacked was 3 sheets of sheetrock for the bathroom ceiling, but before we could finish it Hurricane Marilyn came calling and I guess she needed towels because she took those brand new towels with her--she scattered a couple of them through the brush on our hill but we never found some of them. We decided we would never hold anything back again like that, because who knows what the future will bring.

What about you?

Tol

Young christians preaching

Jose Barros (in the green shirt) and Carmelo Fricano are the preachers working in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. The church there is small--10 or so on Sunday and has been meeting about 2 years. Puerto Ordaz is a good sized city and is one of the petroleum centers in the Eastern part of the country.

Even though Carmelo and Jose are young physically and spiritually, they are the most knowledgable and mature in the church there. Paul told Timothy to let no one despise his youth, yet often we do. It's easy to say,"What do they know? They're still young." or perhaps "Just wait until you 'grow up' and then we'll see what you think about that." If what the young person says is Biblical, does their age matter? Or for that matter, if what they say is not scriptural, does their age matter?

To be sure, younger people often lack wisdom in the ways they deal with people, how to hand certain situations, etc. Looking back, it is easy to see that I've learned alot in these areas through the years and I see mistakes I made, but remember that God expects my best, no matter who or what age I am. The Lord recognizes the inexperience of young people and accepts their best efforts; so should we.

I would ask you to pray for these two brothers as they labor in Puerto Ordaz. They don't have mature Christians close to them--the closest church is a couple of hours away. They are both single, which also brings it's own set of temptations. They need our prayers.

Tol

Changes in the Caribbean

This picture, taken in 1994 or 5 in Antigua, captures the transformation taking place in the islands--the blending of the old and the new, the past and the modern.

Donkeys are much less common than they were even 15 years ago. They used to be tied up along the road grazing in Dominica frequently but I've only seen one the last couple of visits. Now everyone has access to transportation--if they don't have a car there are taxi buses, which are very reasonable. Even farmers have their truck to carry produce back home. Picture an older man (70's) and a donkey with one half of an aluminum extension ladder and a burlap bag full of root crops, with a machete sticking out tied on to its back. 10 years ago that would not have been uncommon in say St. Vincent, but those days are past.

The house in the background departs from tradition in two aspects. First it is set on blocks, not rocks. I figure this change is agreeable to everyone--blocks keep the house a lot more stable than rocks can. Also it is of plywood, which is only a temporary house--the kind you build so you can move on to your land and stop paying rent while you build your permanent house out of blocks. If a hurricane comes you know this house is gone, but people take that chance because they have to--you can't get a mortgage to build a house, so you have to cut corners everywhere you can to get the house built.

The "good old days" are passing in the Caribbean, just as they have in the States. As Dana's Grandmother used to say, "You can call them the good old days, and I guess they were, but I don't want to go back to them." Ecclesiastes agrees with that--"Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not inquire wisely concerning this." (7:10) How often do we long for "the good old days", when things were better. No doubt they were in some areas but in other areas we are much better off today.

Sometimes we get stuck in the glory years of the church of Christ--the 50's and early 60's, when we were the fastest growing church in the USA, when people would still attend Gospel meetings, learn the truth and be baptized. When we do this Solomon says we are not wise. We cannot live in the past, whether it was good or bad, but must live today. When we fail to adapt our methods of teaching or making contacts to today, the local church must eventually die.

Tol

"It doesn't count if . . . "

I commend this article about sin by our brother Greg Gwin.

You've no doubt seen those tongue-in-cheek diet guides that allow a person to eat anything and everything if certain conditions are met. For instance: If you eat something and no one sees it, it has no calories! If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the calories in the candy bar are cancelled out by the diet soda. Calories don't count if you eat standing up. Cookie pieces contain no calories; the process of breaking the cookies causes ‘caloric leakage!’ Foods that are the same color have the same number of calories; example: spinach and pistachio ice cream.
This "diet plan” is an obvious joke. No right thinking person would eve rbelieve that eating like this could result in weight loss. Yet some folks try to reason this way when it comes to sin. They seem to think that: An act is not sinful as long as it is unknown to others. A thing is not sinful if everyone else is doing it. You are not guilty of sin so long as you can identify others who are doing things that are "worse.” If you like something, then it is not a sin. Sin only involves things that you don't personally like.
The Bible, on the other hand, says that sin is transgression of God's law (1st John 3:4). If a thing is contrary to God's will, it is a sin. It is a sin even if it is hidden from others, accepted by the majority, or considered less "serious" than other acts. Sin is always wrong. Think!