<\/a>A friend recently recommended that I read a book that she thought might be helpful to me.\u00a0 It was written by a Christian and referred to her by another Christian.\u00a0 In fact, she used the words “Christian book” to describe it. \u00a0I was able to find a free ebook version online as a promotional offer designed to garner a following for the author. Those who know me will not be surprised to hear that I snapped it up immediately, pleased to find both “free” and “Christian” in the same deal.<\/p>\n

And then I read the first chapter.\u00a0 I’ll admit, I was disappointed. \u00a0It was very poorly written.\u00a0 Many of our posts lately have been about good and great books.\u00a0 Right away I was able to see that this was not a well-written book.\u00a0 I recalled a quote from The First Five Pages <\/em>by Noah Lukeman: “. . . by scrutinizing a few pages closely enough\u2014particularly the first few\u2014you can make a determination for the whole [manuscript].”\u00a0 That was true for this book.<\/p>\n

However, value in literature comes not only from the skill of writing and I have experienced spiritual encouragement from several less-than-stellar books.\u00a0 I kept reading . . . Chapter 2 . . . Chapter 3.\u00a0 Wait a moment, what is the author saying?\u00a0 The sin involved in the actions of the character doesn’t need to be confessed, repented of, or forsaken as long as the character makes the right choice next time? \u00a0Maybe I am misunderstanding the author?\u00a0 Not wanting to invest a lot of time in further reading of the book, I flip ahead to investigate the ending.\u00a0 No misunderstanding.\u00a0 The character does not change.\u00a0 After removing the “free” download from my e-reader, I sit in thought for a long time.<\/p>\n

I have come to the conclusion that placing the word “Christian” before an item does not make it godly.\u00a0 We, as believers, are called to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21\u00a0 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8\u00a0 What a successful lie from Satan, that all things labelled Christian are good for us.\u00a0 If our beliefs and morals are subtly shaped away from God’s word by reading material that we think is okay, then the devil’s job is much easier.<\/p>\n

Be vigilant, brothers and sisters, in choosing literature that is not ‘Christian’, but biblical.\u00a0 Prove the books that you read and that you give your children to read and hold fast only<\/em> to that which is good.\u00a0 Compare everything that you take into your mind with the authority of God’s word.<\/p>\n

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