Michael R. Baggett

Recently, I heard about a child who has one of these elves on the shelf and was very upset because someone touched his elf. The child has been told that if someone touches his elf the elf will lose its magic powers. I know it is all in fun concerning the elf, but would it not be great if parents convinced children of the power of God and to not touch those things that displease Him?

In the Bible there are serious commands not to touch certain things. The first command was not to eat or nor to touch the forbidden fruit of the garden of Eden (Genesis 3: 3). When Adam and Eve touched and ate the fruit, they died spiritually and began to die physically (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:19).

The Bible says, "There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). The Ark of the Covenant was a part of the holy furnishings of the Tabernacle of Moses. The Levites were instructed to transport the Ark of the Covenant by carrying it on their shoulders using polls inserted on either side (Exodus 25:14,15; 1 Chronicles 15:15). When David moved the Ark to Jerusalem, Uzzah died for touching it. Why? The problem was the Ark was not being transported following the order God had given. Instead of the priests carrying the Ark with the poles, Uzzah and Ahio transported the Ark on a new cart. When the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, Uzzah reached back to steady the Ark and was stricken dead immediately!

In the eyes of men, Uzzah was doing a good thing. Wasn't it a good thing to bring the Ark to Jerusalem? Wasn't protecting the Ark from falling off the shaken cart a good thing? In the eyes of man, it was a good deed. But what about in the eyes of God? Does the end justify the means? "Just get the Ark to Jerusalem any old way you can," right? Wrong! When God specifies a way to do things, He expects man to follow His due order. Had the Ark been transported after the due order in the first place, oxen and carts would not have been used to move the Ark (Numbers 7:9); there would be no oxen to stumble; Uzzah would have no need to steady the Ark. Uzzah touched the Ark and died despite his good intentions (Numbers 4:15). God means what he says (2 Samuel 6: 3-8; 1 Chronicles 13:7-11).

Did you know there are things the Christian is not to touch? We are not to touch the unclean thing (2 Corinthians 6:17). In this case, it is idols and immorality. The city of Corinth was reeked with homosexually, sexual promiscuity, and the worship of idols. All these sins are addressed in 1st and 2nd Corinthians. Christians are to be separate from these sins and from those who would encourage such sin. The idea to come out from among them and be separate is quoted from Isaiah 52:11. All Christians are priests to the Lord and considered holy; therefore, we must be separate from evil and the evil influences (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). The Bible tells us, "Be not deceived: evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Corinthians 15:33, NKJV). Do any of your friends encourage you to drink alcohol, have sex outside of marriage, attend dance parties, or mistreat others (bully others)? If you are a Christian, you must separate from them. The Christian is not to touch the unclean thing, whatever it may be.

False doctrine can be considered an unclean thing from which we must keep ourselves separate.

"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting, for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds" (2 John 9-11, NASB, 1995). Yes, we are to avoid those who cause divisions through teaching false doctrines (Romans 16:17).

The teaching of Christ concerns everything involving Jesus Christ and His doctrine. Men go too far when they go beyond what Christ and His Apostles teach in this New Testament. Jesus said, "but in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

What are some of the commandments of men? Those who baptize infants follow the commandments of men. Infants are incapable of believing and are innocent concerning sin (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 18: 3). Those who sprinkle and pour water on people instead of full immersion for baptism follow the commandments of men. Baptism is a burial (Romans 6:4). Churches that allow women preachers in their pulpits follow the commandments of men (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-14). The idea that all "denominations" are OK with God is a doctrine of men. The Bible teaches there is only ONE Faith, not 1000's! (Ephesians 4:5). Friends, there is only ONE body, which is the Church, not 1000's (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4). Jesus never authorized "denominations" among His followers. Christ has One Church which He purchased with His Own Blood (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28). Each congregation is to teach the same things (1 Corinthians 1:10; 4:16-17).

Do you get the idea from both the Old and New Testaments there are things we are not to touch with a 10-foot-pole? Jesus said, "In vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). I do not know about you, but I believe Jesus. I will only attend a congregation where there is book, chapter, and verse for all we believe, teach and practice. Why? Because it is a serious matter. It is much more serious than touching the elf on the shelf.