ARE YOU A MAN OF BELIAL? PROVERBS 16:27

From the Advisory Pastor

Dear Members in Christ,

Are you a Man of Belial?

Proverbs 16:27 “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.”

The literal translation of the verse is “A man of Belial digs up evil: and upon his lips are as a burning fire.” He is definitely an ungodly man who follows in the footsteps of worthlessness. How worthless you might ask? Let us look at the first occurrence of the word to find out its usage meaning.

The first occurrence of the word “Belial” in the Old Testament was in Deuteronomy 13:13, “Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;” The context of Deuteronomy was a stern warning to all Israelites that if anyone in any city in Israel were to bow down to idols and teach others to do the same, then the city had to be completely destroyed. This would be done after due diligence has been taken to make certain the facts of the case as thousands could die because of such an evil teaching.

The whole city would become unclean and must be razed to the ground as it was under a curse! Deuteronomy 13:15-17 “Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword. And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again. And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers.”

The compound word “Belial” literally means “without profit”. He is one who is worthless in the eyes of the LORD. In all the 37 occurrences of the word in the Old Testament, the usage remains the same in every context. However, hundreds of years later after the close of the Old Testament canon, the word was used to refer to Satan. 2 Corinthians 6:15 “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” It became a nickname given to Satan, describing him as one who is worthless. Anyone who follows him will also be considered worthless by God. In the eyes of the world he might be a brilliant man in his field of expertise. He could also be very well respected and connected to people in authority. He is probably very wealthy and influential and commands respect from the people around him based upon his worldly accomplishments. The people will usually whisper whenever he approaches because he seems to have a self-aggrandised aura. He thinks that everyone wants to know him and be connected with him because of the great things he has done and is able to do in the world.

Such a one is a prime example of an ungodly man or a man of Belial. He is worthless in the eyes of God because mammon is his god. He lavishes in it. All that he has is worthless in eternity. He fails to realize that naked he came into his world and naked he will return. All that seems to be gold and precious in his blinded eyes is nothing but fool’s gold. It has the appearance of something precious but he wasted his life pursuing this vanity. Such a one cannot accept rejection and being marginalised. What will he do to anyone who does not “kowtow” to him and refuse to gravitate to him?

Proverbs 16:27 teaches us that such a man will dig up evil especially when evil is nowhere to be found. He will dig up the evil of the people whom he despises and envies. His aim is to destroy them. Everyone makes mistakes in life and service. It will not be hard for the man of Belial to dig up evil. He will obviously spin it to his advantage to cause maximum damage. Half-truths are the best because they have the semblance of truth. One of the most common ways is to befriend as many people as possible especially those who are gullible and without discernment.

Another way is to make them beholden to him so that they will feel compelled to take his side even though they know that he is spinning them half-truths. The modus operandi is through his words, either in writing or verbally. The LORD describes such lips as “burning fire.” A burning fire cannot be put out and will spread and destroy everything it touches. There is not enough space in all the pages of the books of the world to contain all the accounts of careless words and the innumerable lives they have destroyed through the ages. The frightful thing is that its destructive power still burns brightly and with greater speed now that the internet world is a world where words thrive. The kinds of platforms available for billions of people to upload their “words” are inexhaustible. It is so large that it is called a virtual world!

The expected great tragedy is that these burning fiery lips are found inside churches today. They belong to the wolves in sheep’s clothing or angels of light masquerading as children of God to deceive and to destroy the work of God. One of the most effective ways is to sow seeds of discord to ruin relationships and destroy brotherly love among the brethren. Some of them even infiltrate the leadership to inflict maximum damage. This is the devil’s ploy. Whatever it takes to succeed, the devil will employ. He has no principles and scruples being the father of lies. Deceptions, lies and manipulations are all used diabolically with masterful success. These lies include false doctrines and character assassinations. Seminaries, Bible Colleges and churches have been laid to waste by the devil and his evil minions.

Lives have been ruined by undercover agents of the devil who infiltrate by becoming members. They will befriend children of God who unsuspectingly trust them, believing that they are also believers. One of the more common methods is to garner support through so called friendships and when they are exposed and are about to leave huffing and puffing they will try to burn as many lives as possible. They leave behind a trail of ruined and hurt lives as an evil legacy of their tenure in the ministry. They just will not leave quietly but will drag some broken and disillusioned victims with them. There is an element of the Belial in them that seems to trigger such fiery evil from their lips. Not all will leave. Some will remain to continue the work of Belial. They will gossip and speak ill of people to burn lives and reputations like flame throwers pouring oil to keep their fire burning. They do so in the guise of “sharing.”

The only way to deal with men of Belial is to rebuke them the moment they open their fiery lips to destroy lives. They must be stopped to save the God-given unity among brethren and also the lives of God's people. We must be our Christian brothers’ and sisters’ keepers to protect each other’s spiritual well-being for the glory of God and Christ. True Christian love among brethren is hard to find. Once it is present, protect it at all costs. This is how the psalmist David described it in Psalm 133:1-3 “A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Amen.

In Christ,

Rev. (Dr.) Quek Suan Yew

 

The Fellowship in the Gospel (Philippians 1:5-6)

Some children are going to be baptized and adults are going to be transferred to the membership of Calvary Jaya Bible-Presbyterian Fellowship today. For this we give thanks to the grace of our Triune God. Let us welcome these new members, they had been attending our fellowship for three years. They had attended the Basic Bible Knowledge Class, understood our beliefs and practices, also willing to obey the leadership of the Fellowship. May God use us to labour together for the Lord, bring people to know Christ, build up the lives of one another, glorifying the Saviour Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

Rev. Lee Kim Shong

 

Infant Baptism (Chinese Congregation)

• Hannah Wong Yu Han (Daughter of James Wong Mun Kee and Wong Ai Wee)
• Sofia Wong Yu Heng (Daughter of James Wong Mun Kee and Wong Ai Wee)
• Ryan Wong Hoong Ern (Son of Peter Wong Mun Tuck and Koh Tang Suan)
• Matthew Wong Ee Shen (Son of Simon Wong Mun Leong and Chok Fui Yee)
• Marcus Wong Wai Shen (Son of Simon Wong Mun Leong and Chok Fui Yee)

Transfer Of Membership (Chinese Congregation)

1. Hon Mee Lin

I was born in a Christian home. I attended Sunday school, teenager’s fellowship and various meetings regularly.

I left my hometown, Sedenak to another town since 16 year-old due to studies, I departed from God gradually, even stopped attending gatherings. I came to work in Kuala Lumpur since 1997, after that I was married. Even though I had my work and family, but I had no peace and joy in my soul.

Thank God for such love for me, though I had stayed far from Him, but He never give me up. My family members always pray for me and reminded me to attend gathering to worship God. God’s timing is the best. Thank God for preparing His servant Preacher Lim to come to minister at Sedenak Gospel Hall. My family members came to know the church Pr. Lim served is near my residence, they encouraged me to attend the Lord’s Day Worship Service. Later God moved me in a wonderful way to have the courage to contact Preacher Lim.

God led me to attend Lord’s Day Worship Service at Petaling Jaya North Gospel Centre in October 2015. I was strengthened to trust in the Lord after almost 2 years of spiritual exercise and church life. Later I attended the Basic Truth Class to learn the truth with Pr. Lim. I realised that I am a sinner, not able to save myself and the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sin, shed His precious blood to atone for my sin. He died for my sins and he was buried and rose up from the dead physically on the third day. Preacher Lim led me to profess Christ through prayer. I admitted that I am a sinner, willing to accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord of my life.

I was baptized into Christ’s body on 22 Sept, 2017. Praise and glory unto God. I had decided to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, to give my life unto the Lord’s hand, to live for the Lord. May God bless my family, to show grace and mercy to my husband and children to trust in the Lord as soon as possible. I was led to Calvary Jaya in April 2019. Let us encourage one another, pray for one another to grow spiritually.

2. Wong Hean Cheow

I came from an idol-worshipping family. I believed in the Lord Jesus on September 16, 1981. I was 36 years old then. I was baptised on December 13, 1981 in Kuala Lumpur Gospel Hall. Thank God for using my uncle, Mr. Chew Fook Wah to lead me to know the Lord.

I encountered problem in business and experienced financial difficulty in that year. Therefore, I went to enquire idol. The answer I received caused me to be frightened as a result. I was told that I will not live beyond 39 years old, even though I may survive, I will be paralysed. I became very discouraged. At that moment, I heard a voice said to me, “Go and look for Jesus”, “He will save you”. As I had no way to turn to, I believed in Jesus. I believed and know myself as a sinner, the Lord Jesus was nailed at the cross for my sins. After three days, He rose from the dead. I accepted Lord Jesus as my only God and Saviour.

After I believed in the Lord, I asked God to help me to change my work. Under God’s guidance, my work changed from repairing air-conditioners to plumbing. Through the guidance of the Lord, my work and family life had improved. The first church my family attended was Calvary Jaya, after that we went with our friends to another church, thank God for bringing us back here to worship after many years.

3. Wong Sang

I was born in a Buddhist family. But I was not committed to Buddhist beliefs. I believed in the Lord Jesus on September 17, 1981 after my husband’s conversion.

At first, I was not too willing to trust in the Lord all the way, I always used my ways to solve the problems in life. I believed that I am a sinner, it’s the Lord Jesus who was crucified for my sins and shed His precious blood to atone for my sins. God caused the Lord Jesus Christ to rise from the dead on the third day.

Thank God for sending Mr Chew Fook Wah and church leaders to remove the idols from our home. After we trust in the Lord, we see God’s grace in bringing changes and improvements in our family.

Thank God for His grace is enough for us. I need to remember God’s grace regularly.

4. James Wong Mun Kee

My name is James Wong Mun Kee. I believe ‘James’ is a name granted by God. My father requested to put the name of ‘James’ when he applied for my IC when I was 12 years old. This brought a big dispute between the IC department officers and my father as they refused to register ‘James’ in my IC at first. I thank God as ‘James’ finally is registered in my IC now.

I was born in a non-Christian family, but with His mercy, my brothers and I were not being obstructed to get to know God and learn His Words when we joined Sunday School even before our parents became Christians.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my God and Saviour and admitted that I am a sinner that Jesus died for my sin. I also believe that God had raised Him from the dead after three days.

I was then baptised at the age of 16. With God’s guidance, He has paired me with a sister in Christ to form a family with 2 lovely daughters.

Currently, my family and I are worshipping in Calvary Jaya BP Church.

5. Wong Ai Wee

I was born in a traditional Chinese family. Even though we worship idols, but these idols did not have much influence in our life.

Through a friend’s guidance, I went to a church worship service in 2008. I was moved by the hymns in the worship. Then I know there is God who is powerful to create everything and comfort my soul. I began to know the Lord Jesus through the Worship Service. I knew that I am a sinner, He was crucified for my sins at the cross, God caused Him to rise again from the dead on the third day. I acknowledged Jesus as my personal Saviour, I believed Him as the living and true God in my heart.

Soon after that, I was baptised in the church on July 13, 2008. God supplied all I need whether in work, marriage or family. His grace is enough for us.

Thank God, my children could grow up in a Christian family, hearing God’s Word from childhood.

I thank God for He is protecting me, hearing me and help me all the time.

6. Peter Wong Mun Tuck

My name is Peter Wong Mun Tuck. I am from a non-Christian family and get to know Jesus Christ through my father. I follow my parents to church when I was young and attended Sunday school and youth fellowship. I believe Christ died for my sins on the cross, buried and rose again after 3 days. I confessed I am a sinner, repent and accepted Christ at the age of 13. I was baptised at Jalan Tiga Gospel Hall at the age of 13. I’m glad that I am able to lead my wife to know Christ before we got married in year 2004. Now, me and my family attend service at Calvary Jaya BP Church.

I’m glad that I’m chosen by God as a child of God and to serve Him. I will continue to worship and serve the Lord at Calvary Jaya.

7. Koh Tang Suan

My name is Koh Tang Suan. I’m born in a non-Christian family. I get to know my husband Peter Wong at my workplace and He brought me to Calvary Jaya church to attend worship and to know Jesus Christ. I came to accept Christ as my personal Saviour in year 2004 by confessing I am a sinner and repent for my sin to Christ. I also believe that Christ died on the cross for me, buried and rose again after 3 days. I was baptised in year 2004. Now myself and my whole family is worshiping and serving in Calvary Jaya. Thanks to God for choosing me as His child and I will continue to worship and serve Him.

8. Simon Wong Mun Leong

I have two brothers and my parents. I got to know about Christ through my father during my younger days. He introduced Christ to me and my brothers, I was 6 years old. My parents brought us to Calvary Jaya at Damansara Jaya to worship and later we moved to PJ Old Town Gospel Hall. We spent most of our childhood time at Sunday School and attended meetings held by church during school terms break holiday. I acknowledged that I’m a sinner and believed that Lord Jesus died on the cross for my sin and rose again from dead physically for my justification. Thereafter, I was baptised at the age of 15 years old. Throughout my life with God, I experienced many deliverances and blessings from God. For example, I became a victim of car robbery. It happened on 10^th May 2008; with God’s protection, I was not injured and able to escape with the knife of the distance 2cm reaching my neck. Another incident happened on 11^th March 2013, I was heading home from Ipoh, I met a major accident on NKVE Highway and my car was damaged with total loss condition, as my car ramped over a 3 ton tyre left in the middle of the highway unattended. Thank God, during the time I was with my working partner, both of us escaped with zero injury.

I understood that it is crucial to let God direct our lives and He is the One and Only Saviour. Now I bring my own family to worship in Calvary Jaya Petaling Jaya.

I want to continue to praise and worship God and glorify His Name alone.

9. Chok Fui Yee

I grew up in a Buddhist family. Many a time the traditional culture at home caused me to question much out of curiosity. I always felt that the answers received are not logical.

It’s my husband who introduced me to know Jesus and to attend Lord’s Day Worship Service every week. I understood that I am a sinner and my sins and unworthiness. But the LORD had chosen me to be His child out of multitudes of people. God had prepared for me and led me to live according to the Spirit.

Jesus died for my sins at the cross. He laid down His life to save me, He applied His precious blood to wash away my sin. He rose from the dead after three days to justify me.

Thank God for His love. May the Lord help me to obey. God’s grace is enough for me. He saved me from troubles. He is my trust. I am willing to serve Him all my life.