"Thanks for sharing your opinion," said the man after I had answered his question about the Bible. His response caught me completely by surprise. I was speechless. I wasn't expecting him to label the answer as simply my opinion. After all, I had shown him what God specifically said in His Word—the Bible. As a minister, having studied God's Word for many years, I had tried to be as biblically accurate as possible and to keep personal opinions out of it.

Perhaps I shouldn't have been so surprised. After all, people today are encouraged to give their opinions on just about everything. And many place a greater degree of trust in their feelings—regardless of the facts—than they do in what anyone else has to say. Some have a higher opinion of their own opinion than of anything else in the world! Consider how this plays out.

When it comes to dress and appearance, people have widely divergent opinions. Styles vary and some like one better than another. Some like one color better than another. Some allow wealthy fashion designers to dictate what is fashionable and what isn't. Others have a harder time believing that one style or shade of color that was in style only a few months ago is now out of style. Some think skimpy, revealing clothing is sexy and fun. Others say such dress is immodest. Is it really just a matter of opinion?

When it comes to sexual morality, many think everyone should just decide on a personal basis what is right for oneself. This is why so many people have premarital sex and affairs when they are married. They believe they should be free to make whatever choices they want and have an inherent right to feel good about their choices and be happy.

Yet as much as people wish that all choices would lead to happy lives, it just isn't so. Researchers have discovered that those who have sex prior to marriage are less likely to have happy, long-lasting marriages. Research also shows that married people who commit adultery often find their marriages falling apart and ending in divorce. All actions have consequences. Not all choices are equal. Not all opinions are equally valid.

Through the Bible, God has given us a record of the choices made by others—and the consequences of those choices—over a span of approximately 4,000 years from Adam and Eve through the New Testament. With this instruction we can readily see what works best and what doesn't work at all. But sadly, secular humanists today falsely teach that God is simply a human invention and that mankind has outgrown its need for such a notion. The Bible—God's Word—is considered to be historical literature but certainly not a proper guide for human behavior. This conclusion is the height of ignorance and invites heartache.

In the current issue we take a look at why we can believe what the Bible says and what it teaches regarding modesty. We'll also consider its sound advice to avoid pornography and premarital sex. Following this advice will make your life happier and more fulfilling. And, by the way, this isn't just my opinion. It's what God Himself promises. VT