The sanctity of marriage

Heb 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." (ESV)

I think the problem with the phrase "sanctity of marriage" is that people today have no idea what that word really means.  The word "sanctity" comes from the Latin root sanctus which means sacred or holy.  Sanctity is supposed to mean the state of being holy.  But even in our churches today we rarely use these terms.  Holy means; sacred, pure, morally blameless.  Holy is not only a state of something we are to be, it is the state in which God exists.  We are to strive to be holy because God himself is holy.  

1 Peter 1:16 "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (ESV)

But we do not like to talk about things like holy anymore.  We like to talk in terms of good and bad.  We try to live a "good" life but often make poor or "bad" choices.  We even go so far to as to label "bad" things as diseases or conditions.  Drunks are now alcoholics and angry people lacking self control are diagnosed with a defiance disorder and offered anger management classes.  It is never the persons fault.  While the behavior may be "bad" we seldom call the person "bad."

The problem with that train of thought is that it is not true.  When something is not good it is evil.  You are either holy and pure or you are tainted by the world and are evil.  This is the state that all mankind finds themselves in.  We are all evil and living in a sin filled body and deserve death and eternal punishment in hell for that sinfulness because sin is evil. So how did we go from being sinful and evil to simply "bad" or worse yet, "sick?" 

We stopped allowing the Bible to be the final authority in defining what both holy and evil are.  Years ago we allowed our schools and science to start making the false claims that man was not created but rather evolved over time and that the nature of man is basically good.  When that supposed goodness does not seem or appear good to us we label it as some sort of malfunction.  But who gets to decide what is or is not good? What is the proper and appropriate condition upon which to label those who fall short?  Without the Holy and perfect Word of God to guide us we end up making stuff up.  Therefore our positions, much like the president's recent decision on gay marriage, evolve and change as time goes by.  We are being taught (and schools are teaching our children) that all change is good.  It's trendy to be a "progressive" because progress is considered a good thing. But is it?

Why did the president supposedly change his mind about gay marriage? Has the Bible changed and progressed?  No.

In 2008 candidate Barack Obama said, "I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman.  Now for me as a Christian it's also a sacred union.  God's in the mix."  Today he has changed his mind on that.  Here was his reasoning for his change of mind.

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married"

Now what changed?  Is God still in the mix for Christians?  Is marriage still a "sacred union?"  Yes! The only thing that has changed is that society (through the help of the media and our educational system) has began to accept the behavior.  Homosexuality is not wrong because homosexuals can not remain monogamous, or serve their country well or can not be nice family, friends or neighbors.  Every reason Obama stated had nothing to do with why it is sinful in the first place.  Homosexuality is wrong because it perverts the purpose and plan of God.

 Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it"

Sexual immorality of any kind is a sin.  That has not, nor will it change.  We need to be careful about letting society, Hollywood or politicians try to define right and wrong for us.  It can lead to our eternal destruction if we do.

1 Corinthians 6:9 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

We were not given the task of defining what is sinful.  God has already done that for us and His word is very clear. Those who practice sexual immorality and those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God. It's sin.  It's an abomination to Him (Lev. 18:22).

That does not mean that people who choose the homosexual lifestyle can not have some good qualities about them.  Many are nice people who like to help their family, friends, neighbor and country.  But all those other qualities do not make that one sin excusable.  They are still living a sinful lifestyle and until they repent they will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But people might argue that since the state is not religious it has no right to define marriage in religious or "sacred" terms.  The problem with that is, that marriage was a sacred practice long before the state began to regulate and tax it.  Marriage, has always been the union between a man and a woman.  Even in non-religious cultures there has been no recognition of marriage between persons of the same sex until recent times.  The problem with allowing it now will be the effect on the religious freedom of those of us who believe that marriage is sacred and is only between men and women.  It will not be long before Christians will be punished for not recognizing same sex marriages, even in their own churches.  And that is the heart of the issue. 

The fight for gay marriage is not about giving them access to a sick spouse in the hospital, access to insurance coverage, or tax breaks.  It is not even about taking our right to religious freedom away (which it would ultimately do).  This is about sinful men and women throwing their fists up at the face of God and saying, no we do not want you or your holiness.  Those fighting for gay marriage are rejecting God and all He stands for.  Those who, like President Barack Obama who claim to be Christian but support gay rights, are living a lie.  There is nothing Christian about supporting something that God's Word so vehemently opposes.  

Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools...26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

You can quote your experiences and earthly reasoning as long you as you like, but God's Word will never change.  It is time that the church got back to using God's Word as the source of all truth and abiding by what it says. After all, while marriage is a sacred union, it is not the act of marriage that sanctifies us, it is through God's truth that we are sanctified. 

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

The church needs to get back to not only preaching the Word of Truth, but abiding by it.  Christians should treat their marriages as the sacred unions they claim that they are. They should wait until they are wed before they enter into a sexual relationship and they should remain faithful once they are married.  If Christians truly lived out their faith there would be no reason for a Christian to get a divorce.

Christians should also be living out the Word in all areas of their lives and that includes the way we treat those who are opposed to the truth.  Yes, we should fight to protect the sacred union of marriage but we must do so with the gentleness and respect that God's Word demands.  We are a sinful people trying to live for a holy God, we are not His hand of justice.  Let us not claim a role that does not belong to us, but rather let us show others the freedom, love and forgiveness that God offers to anyone who chooses to believe.  We need to do what is right to be able to stand up for what is right.

Psalm 25:8 "Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies."

 

He is not Here, He is Risen!

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

If you ever been to Sunday School you have most likely heard that verse. It is so well known among Christians that we seldom really feel the depth of what all it has to say. This verse IS the gospel, the good news, that explains to us all how to receive eternal life.

No matter what some people try to say, the words are true. God loved the whole world, each and every person on it. Man was created by God and mankind is offered redemption by him. God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) and wants all to have eternal life (1 Tim. 2:4).

God showed this love by sending His Son. That is what many Christians are celebrating today. The fact that Christ, who lived a sinless and perfect life, was sacrificed and sentenced to a death which he did not deserve to pay the penalty for sinners like us so that we can have a life that we do not deserve.

Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

So to pay for our sins Christ was nailed to a tree and crucified. What a beautiful and sad story, at least if you end it there. Too often many of us do. If asked why they are saved they will answer quite readily because Jesus died on the cross. But that is only half of the story!

Luke 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!

Jesus did not remain dead, but instead he was resurrected. As Paul reminds the Corinthians, if Christ was not raised from the dead then our faith is futile and we are still dead in our sins. It was his resurrection that allowed us to receive the ability to be raised again as well and live eternally with Him.

1 Cor 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins...
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead... 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Because Jesus was not in that tomb, because he was not there but had risen, we too will be raised again when we meet death. Those who believe in Him, who place their faith in Jesus Christ will also be raised and given everlasting life. But that is only given to those "who believeth in him." Those who do not believe will perish and spend eternity apart from God in everlasting punishment. The question you must answer this day is, "do you believe?"

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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The Armor of God: The enemy

Continued study of the Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

It is obvious from this passage that there is a spiritual battle taking place in the church. While many Christians rightly divide the Word of God in regard to spiritual battles, there seem to be two extremes that often cause confusion and danger on this topic. The first is to give the devil too much credit. Some churches claim there is an "evil" spirit for every sinful thought, desire and or feeling they hold too. They blame the devil every time they do something wrong, as if the devil can take control of a Christian and make them sin. We know, however, that is not the case.

Surely there are times when Satan is tempting us and we certainly need to be guarded against that as the verses above warn us to do. However, sometimes our temptation is nothing more then our own flesh. Sometimes we simply desire to do wrong. The book of James explains this.

James 1:14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)

Sometimes that sinful thought is simply our sinful nature showing itself. If we act upon that desire, then it becomes sin. That is a spiritual battle we must deal with, but it is not the battle described in Ephesians. We can't blame the devil every time we have a desire to do wrong.

The other extreme is to act as if the devil is absolutely powerless against a Christian. In James we are also told to "resist the devil, and he will flee from you" but sometimes Christians act as if resisting him is easy. Resisting the devil is likened to resisting the desire to eat a piece of dessert, all you have to do is simply walk away. However, while the dessert is powerless to get up and follow you out of the room, the devil is not. The word resist in the Greek literally means "to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose." In fact, that is the same exact word used in our verses in Ephesians 6:13 which says we need to wear the whole armor of God so that we may "withstand in the evil day." If we are not armored, we can not "resist" or stand against the devil. We will lose the battle.

No, if we want to be strong in the Lord with His power and His might we need to be armored. We need to be dressed, prepared and ready. If you try to stand against the devil and oppose Him without the spiritual armor, you will not win.

Now, the first step in any battle is to know your enemy. Before telling us what armor we will need, Paul tells us about the enemies that we are fighting. Let us look at the definition of each one of them in the Complete Word Study Dictionary to give us a better of understanding of who we are fighting against.

against the rulers: "spoken of the princes or chiefs... among demons."
against the authorities: "Those invested with power"
against the powers of this dark world: "referring to Satan and his angels."
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms: " 'the spirits of malice' means the evil spirits"

We are fighting against an entire army. Our enemy consists of the commanders or "chiefs" among the demons, those invested with power, evil spirits and and the powers of the dark world which includes Satan himself. Would any officer allow his soldier to go against an army of that size unequipped and unarmed? No. So why do we head into spiritual battle as if it is no big deal?

Satan, along with every evil spirit that is invested with power is trying to kill and destroy us. If they can destroy our lives, it ruins our testimony and the witness that we might have to share the gospel with others. If we sin and fall short and hurt others, they are not likely to follow in our footsteps and follow God. And we certainly will not experience the peace of God and live in victory if we fall prey to these attacks.

Putting on the full armor of God not only helps us stand up during the battle but it allows us to stand firm, each and every day. In a day like today where I see people falling into sin all around me we need be armored more than ever. When people are leaving the faith and following after false doctrines and lies we need to be sure that we will be able to stand. As this passage so clearly warns us, if we are not mindful to stay in the Word and pray for it to be applied to our life and if we do not call on the name of the Lord and armor ourselves every day, we will not stand.

Think about that carefully. We need to be armored with the Word of God for battle, but we do not need to run out into battle ahead of God. It is not our job to seek after Satan, chasing him. We do not seek the battle, we simply stay armored and prepared in case Satan attacks us. Our focus needs to be on our commander, not our enemy. We must know our enemy so we can be armored against him, but our time, attention and devotion needs to be on God, and God alone.

Know your enemy and be prepared for battle, but more importantly, "be strong in the Lord and strength of His might." That will only happen if you armor yourself for the war. Knowing God is not enough. You must also believe what He says in His Word enough to equip yourself for the battles ahead. Do not assume that God will not allow you to fall into temptation simply because you are saved. He is warning you for a reason. You can know this: You will fall if you ignore the Scripture and do not put on the armor He has given you to wear. "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Overruled

Overruled is a 35 minute docudrama that examines real cases in American courts in which parental rights were denied to parents.

Can you imagine having your child taken from your custody simply because you make them attend church 3 times a week? One judge in America did just that. He ordered that their child (who had already been taken from their custody) not be returned to the home unless the parents agreed to only take him to church once a week! A JUDGE decided how much church was too much church! An AMERICAN judge had the power to make that decision!

And parents of kids in school, did you know that you are checking your parental rights at the school door? Want your child opted out of sex education that might conflict with your personal views? A parent in this video was arrested for trying to opt his child out and the school never consented to do so!

Or what about medical information for your child? Do you know that you must sign for permission for medical treatment for your child and even must pay for that treatment but unless the child gives you permission you do not have the right to see the results of tests from that treatment!? Parents in this movie were denied access to the results of a drug test given to their son because of the new HIPPA laws we now have in place.

These are REAL cases that have happened in US courts. In the country where we thought we had the right to raise our children according to our own values, how could this be possible?

Here is the trailer to the Overruled Docudrama (in case you don't have time to watch the full movie now) and below that is the full version of Overruled. Please, make sure you make the time to watch the entire movie when you have a chance. Then please share it with everyone you know! This information needs to get out! We need to fight for our rights before they are long gone! Also, be sure to "like" the videos (if you agree of course) or comment below them.

Official Overruled Trailer



Overruled 35 Minute Docudrama



Visit Overruled Movie or Parentalrights.org to learn more of how you can help to protect parental rights.

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (ESV)

Guided By Truth was founded because we saw the destruction of churches that teach lies. Lies are powerful things and only the truth can overcome them. In fact, I believe that every sin can be traced back to the belief in a lie. The one who is unfaithful believes the lie that their happiness trumps the commitment they made to their spouse. The person who steals has bought the lie that they deserve something they did not work for. The abuser believes the lie that those whom they abuse have no value. From the garden to today, Satan has done what he does best, deceive.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (ESV)

Unfortunately too often, we buy his goods. Here we focus on those who have bought the lies he has taught us in the name of religion, and that is an important feature. But truth is only one layer of the armor of God. It is imperative that we do not get so caught up in the search of truth that we forget to be mindful of the rest of the armor we should be adorning.

What is truth without the breastplate of righteousness? To be true in your doctrine but err in your conduct is not being girded with truth. It's a belt that holds nothing in place. That is only partial truth which in essence is a lie. What about truth without the helmet of salvation, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, or the sword of the Spirit? Without any one of these pieces of armor you are not ready for battle. A belt alone is not enough to keep the arrows from piercing the skin and causing you to fall. No, you must "take up the whole armor of God" in order to be able to withstand.

It was never our intention to only share one piece of armor, it is just the piece that we became most mindful of. In order to be sure that we do teach the full truth, we will be sharing more on the armor. In the weeks ahead we will be delving into the armor, piece by piece, taking a closer look at how we need to be prepared in order to face the battle that we are all in, the battle for truth. We can not have victory if we are not prepared. For now, consider the entire armor, the completed picture.

1 The belt of truth - If truth is not at the core, then the rest of the armor will do no good. It is the piece that ties the others in place.
2. The breastplate of righteousness - Right living, purity, integrity, and virtue. These are absolutely necessary to be in this battle. If your heart is not protected in this battle, it will be pierced and you will die.
3. The shoes of the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace - If we are not living in peace with all men, as much as we are able, then we are not ready for this battle. Peace does not mean that we check truth at the door, but it certainly means that we are peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy when speaking it. Those are the attributes of the wisdom that comes from God (James 3:17).
4. The shield of faith - Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). Our faith must be in God, not in faith itself. It's not what you believe, but in whom you believe that makes the difference.
5. The helmet of salvation - Like a physical helmet protects the brain, our spiritual helmet protects our mind. Our salvation is in Christ and we are told to "guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7) and "to set your minds on things that are above" (Col 3:2). If our minds are not focused on Him it leaves us thoroughly unprotected in a firestorm of battle.
6. The sword of the Spirit - The passage tells us what this piece is, "which is the Word of God." This piece is imperative in battle. No one goes into battle without their weapon and we can not enter our spiritual battle without reading, studying, meditating on, and knowing the Word of God. It takes more than knowing John 3:16 to have victory.

Are you ready, are your armored? If you answer no, then decide today to put it on. If you have never before been armored for battle, you can start now. Pray over each piece of armor, study God's Word to learn more about what each part entails. God will equip you if you ask Him to (James 1:5).

If you read this and find you are only partially armored, then put on the other pieces now. To have truth, but no sword is not OK. You can not bypass or find an easy alternative to carrying a weapon. Only your personal time and study will do. To be in the Word but be blinded from the truth will not work either. As you read the Word be sure that you are believing what it actually says, not what someone else is telling you it means.

And finally, if you have once been armored but for one reason or another took it off, place it back on. It is not too late. Armor is heavy and if we focus on that heaviness it can wear us down. It is only when we keep that helmet on and protect our minds by focusing on the things above, not our burdens, will we be able to carry the weight of it all. No matter what piece you threw to the ground, the belt because you bought into false doctrine, the breastplate because you lacked purity, or the shield because you just couldn't place your faith in Christ for whatever reason, it's not too late to pick it up again. The battle is not over. Put on the armor today. Then, and only then, will you be "able to withstand in the evil day." Not only will you be able to stand, but you will "stand firm."

The Armor of God Part 2 - The Armor of God: The enemy

Human Trafficking Awareness Video

GBT Will Not Use or Endorse NIV 2011

The NIV version of the bible was updated this year. Unfortunately part of the update included the use of gender neutral language. We have never considered gender neutral language as a legitimate method of translation. While the NIV 1984 version is still accurate, from this point on we will begin using different translations in our articles as we do not want people to confuse the endorsement of one NIV as an acceptance of the other. At this time we will not be going back to remove the use of the NIV 1984 in past articles, this will only affect future ones.

The Baptist Press reported that "Douglas Moo, chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation -- which translated the NIV 2011 -- previously told Baptist Press there was no agenda in the translation process other than to render a Bible into more contemporary language."

However, one needs to understand that the changes that are taking place in contemporary English are themselves, agenda driven. People are not changing the use of the language of their own accord rather it is politically driven, which is why we call it "politically correct" language. The rise of feminism, secular humanism, liberalism, and homosexuality have all played a role in forcing our society to accept gender neutral language. Most Americans are not offended by the statement that, "all men are created equal" as mentioned in our constitution any more than they are by the words that that God wants "all men to be saved." Only those with an agenda want that wording changed, and our society, unfortunately has given in.

While society may have accepted gender neutral language as the norm, that does not mean it is appropriate. To Christians who believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, totally infallible in the original texts, must be very careful about translating it. If God chose to use a male pronoun, then that is what we should use. If the text meant the use of the pronoun to be inclusive, then the reader will know that.

One significant change in the NIV 2011 that reveals how dangerous this translation can be is the passage in Timothy 2:12. Compare these two translations below.

1 Tim 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. NIV 1984

1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[a] she must be quiet. Footnotes:1 Timothy 2:12 Or over her husband NIV 2011

The NIV 2011 changed the wording from "have authority" to "assume authority." This will allow feminists to suggest that women can be pastors as long as the authority is given to them by someone else. They simply can not "assume" that authority on their own. It also adds a footnote that this is in only in relation to her husband. This really is getting into agenda driven translating at this point.

The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood was the first major organization to speak out against this translation. You will find their extensive Evaluation of Gender Language in the in the 2011 Edition of the NIV Bible to be very insightful.

The Southern Baptist Convention recently endorsed a resolution critical of this translation as well. And while Focus on the Family has not been vocal about it, their organization is not recommending this new translation but rather they are sending people to the CBMW's response to the NIV 2011.

We are hopeful that other Conservative Christian organizations will speak out against this translation as well. It is important that you be confident in the translation that you use.

Guided By Truth recommends the following contemporary translations as accurate:

1. New American Standard Bible (NASB) http://www.lockman.org/nasb/
2. The English Standard Version (ESV) http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/browse/
3. The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) http://hcsb.org/
4. New English Translation (NET) http://www.netbible.com/netbible/index.htm

The King James Version and New King James Version are also acceptable translations to use, though not as contemporary.