NO MORE

Have you ever given any consideration to what a fable is? Does the idea of children’s stories come to mind when you think of a fable? Here are the synonyms for what a fable is: allegory, fabrication, fairy tale, fib, falsehood, fiction, hoax, legend, myth, lie, tall story, and untruth. Wow, what a list of misleading ideas. By the definition, a fable is a fictitious story handed down from earlier times, often by word of mouth, intended to teach a moral lesson. However, the last part is not always the case.

Here is what the Holy Scriptures say about fables in Paul’s letters to Timothy:

1 Tm. 1:3-7 ” . . . that you notify some not to teach other doctrines, nor to give heed to fables and interminable genealogies, which brings questionings rather than [Elohiym’s] administration which is in faith. But the end of the command is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and unfeigned faith, from which some, having missed the mark, turned aside to vain talking, wishing to be teachers of the law not understanding neither what they say nor concerning what they strongly affirm.” G-EINT.

” . . . that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” KJV

In these verses, we notice that fables are grouped with endless genealogies and vain talking (which is prideful boasting). We also see that fables bring about what? Questionings. That is the same as saying doubt. We are to have faith and doubt not. The verses say that fables oppose Elohiym’s administration which is in faith. Lies, falsehood, untruth, and etc. are all the opposite of Elohiym’s purpose and will.

1 Tm. 4:1-2, 7, “But the Spirit expressly speaks, that in latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, being cauterized as to their own conscience” – “But the profane and old wives’ fables refuse, but exercise yourself to piety.” G-EINT.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” – ” But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” KJV.

Here we see some very interesting correlations. Fables are associated with old wives (widows), which I will discuss more in the next part, and that they are profane. The word for profane literally means “that on which any one may step.” Do you get the idea? Trash, garbage, or nothingness. An alternate meaning is unsanctified. Notice also that those not of the faith give heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, which is the same as fables. They speak lies (repeating what they heard) in all hypocrisy (falsity, fakery, deceit).

1 Tm. 5:13, “But with togetherness and lingering they learn, going about to the houses; but not only lingering, but also tattlers and busy-bodies, speaking things they should not.” G-EINT.

“And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.” KJV.

This verse is referring to young widows that allow the world to distract them. They go around tattling (telling tales) and being busy-bodies (getting into other people’s business, intermeddling), speaking what they should not. This is where old wives’ fables come from – rumors, gossip, and telling on others. What does this cause? It causes doubt, misinformation, lies and untruths. It definitely does not create piety or Elohiym’s Will because Paul says to refuse them and exercise piety showing that they oppose each other. Let me elaborate a little here. In these times now it is not only young widows (old wives) that are in this category. There are lots of others going around doing the same thing, such as some of the “news” media, and I believe we should refuse all who are engaged in this activity.

1 Tm. 6:20-21, “O Timothee, keep the deposit committed to you, avoiding the profane empty babblings, and oppositions of falsely-named knowledge, which some professing, in reference to the faith missed the mark.” G-EINT.

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith.” KJV.

Although the word fable is not mentioned here, profane and vain babbling (talking without a purpose) are mentioned, of which we noticed before was grouped similarly with fables. Paul does mention one more, falsely-named knowledge (science), which is in opposition to the Word of Elohiym. Hey, aren’t some scientists skeptical or opposing the Scriptures? Paul says they err from the faith.

2 Tm. 4:3-4 “For there will be a time when they will not bear the sound teachings; but according to their own desires to themselves will heap up teachers, having an itching ear; and indeed from the truth the ear they will turn away, but to fables will be turned aside.” G-EINT.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” KJV.

Here Paul says that in the end times people will stop listening to the truth and turn to fables (lies, fiction, untruth, and etc.). This shows that fables are not truth. How much plainer can you get?

So the Scriptures tell us that fables are profane and untruth, that they are equal to vain talking, boasting, deceiving spirits, teachings of demons, and false knowledge/science, that they cause questioning/doubt, that they are in opposition to Elohiym’s administration which is in faith and godliness/piety, and that they come from old wives’ tales (widows’ stories) out of gossip, rumor, and such. The worst part is that they are passed down from generation to generation supposedly to teach a moral lesson.

Take for example the fable of the Three Little Pigs. What does it really say? I was going to put my opinion here, but the I thought it best to let each of you dwell on the question and come to your own conclusion.

Now let’s take a look at what Scripture says we should do: 1 Tm. 1:18-19 “This is the command I commit to you, child Timothee, according to the prophecies as to you going before, that you might war by them the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience; which some, having cast away, as to the faith made shipwreck.” G-EINT.

We are to fight the spiritual warfare, hold to the faith, and keep a good conscience.

1 Tm. 4:6,7-8 “These things laying before the bretheren, you will be good servant [minister] of [Yahoshua Mashiyach], being nourished with the words of the faith, and of the good teaching which you have closely followed.” “. . . but exercise yourself to piety, for the bodily exercise for a little is profitable, but piety is profitable for everything, having promise of life, of the now and of the time to come.” G-EINT.

Put the believers in remembrance of the truths, exercise godliness (piety) which profits unto all things and gives life for the now and the future. Hint: ETERNAL LIFE.

1 Tm. 5:14 “I will therefore younger ones to marry, to bear children, to rule the house, and to give no occasion to the adversary on account of reproach.” G-EINT.

That widows (and others) concern themselves with family, home, and not give occasion to reproach.

2 Tm. 4:2, 5 “Proclaim the Word; be urgent in season or out of season, convict, rebuke, encourage in all patience and teaching.” – “But you, be sober in all things, suffer hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fully carry out your service.” G-EINT.

Proclaim the Scriptures, convict, rebuke, and encourage in all patience and teaching. Be sober (alert), longsuffering, spread the message, and fulfill your service.

Do these things. May you all be blessed and exhorted by the Word. Share it with others and remember NO MORE FABLES.

First published 7-2002, © 2002, 2017

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