Fall 1973
The Whole Counsel of God
Paul Caram
Teacher PBTC

Deuteronomy 4:5-6 “Behold I have taught you statutes and judgments . . .keep therefore and do them; for this is your understanding . . .” This is where Solomon (The Preacher) failed. Though endued with special wisdom and comprehension, his spiritual life was ruined because he did not practice what he preached. He gives excellent counsel and advice in The Proverbs, but somehow he drifted from those convictions and eventually fell into some of the very vices he warned against. Solomon is written for our learning.

In carefully considering the life and ministry of The Preacher, we will find that he fell into the three biggest snares that a preacher can fall into. (Pride, Women, Money). (Today how much more is this statement true of oh so many preachers and ministries all across the US. Prideful beyond all measure about themselves, their ministry, and even their very words as if every jot and tittle of these flowed forth from on high, Women the meaning here is Immorality, Adultery, Fornication and Divorce -- In 1973 threse where but a whisper compaired to the flood that we see in our day. Money since the coming of the Prosperity Gospel the church and the ministry has become overthrown with an endless lust after riches and the things of the world -- And as a result this generation's heart has turned away from the Lord like no other. These are fearful times.) Solomon failed because he neglected to follow the commandments that God gave in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 concerning how a king was to conduct himself.

Early in his ministry (even in his twenties) he was beginning to take paths and make decisions which were going to become his eventual downfall. He started turning to the right hand and to the left which the law said not to do. He was violating God’s law by multiplying much silver and gold, by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter, by promoting himself, and by other things. And all these things eventually ruined him.

Solomon; a most able preacher failed because he didn’t take heed to follow the laws of the Lord (all of them) with all his whole heart. Somewhere he lost the fear of the Lord. And this is why people backslide; it is from a lack of the fear of God. But there is a promise in Jeremiah 32:40 that can save God’s people from backsliding. “But I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me.” It is a good thing to pray for the fear of the Lord. I do it often. The fear of the Lord keeps us from living carelessly and irreverently . . . which robs us from the anointing and reality.

Acts 18:24-26 Apollos is another great preacher. But he was faithful to the truth that he presently had. He was eloquent, fervent, mighty in the scriptures, but he was incomplete because he only knew about water baptism and not about the baptism in the Holy Ghost. And without that, he had no spiritual gifts . . . no word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, etc. Here was a whole spiritual territory in this man’s life that had never been touched. And because of this lack in his life, he was unable to teach and preach the whole counsel of God.

The Lord wants the whole counsel of God to be taught to His Church today, and Apollos represents a godly minister who is incomplete in some area of his life and ministry, and this is why a good minister will say things from the pulpit that aren’t entirely correct sometimes.

In Colossians 1:28, Paul sums up the goal of all his teaching and preaching. “That we may present every man perfect.” The apostle realized that sound teaching was essential for a Christian to be presented perfect and entirely fit. He also realized that wrong teaching would mar a Christian, and that a lack of teaching would leave a person deficient and incomplete. Paul got his teaching by revelation from God, and then faithfully taught the whole counsel of God, and not just the convenient things.

Acts 20:28-35 Paul practiced what he preached. He received from God and faithfully declared “all the counsel of God.” He didn’t turn to the right or to the left, but ran the race with patience and by continually pressing toward the mark, he finished his course. This is my desire and I’m sure it’s yours too.