Does Spiritual Warfare Matter Today? Our life is often lived as if we don't believe that Satan and demons actually exist. Most people will say they believe there is a spirit realm that we cannot see and the two sides - good and evil oppose each other. Unfortunately, many people just say this, but in their heart they can't really accept that good and evil are waging spiritual war against one another. Their enlightened and rational minds just can't believe that something they cannot see actually exists. This is not myth, but a spiritual reality. It shapes the entire story of the cross and Jesus' defeat of the powers of darkness. Do you ever doubt the spirit realm's reality in your daily life? The Cross and the Defeat of the Powers of Darkness The perfect world God created was marred and damaged by sin. Death entered into it. The fear of death hung over it. But God devised a glorious plan to, not just salvage that perfect world but re-create it. His plan required the unthinkable. He would take on human flesh, come into the world, and die to take away the condemnation caused by sin. As the Geneva Study Bible says, "The cross was a chariot of triumph." The cross defeats the powers of darkness once and for all. Satan, in his arrogance, even attempted to tempt Jesus Himself to sin when He was driven into the desert by the Holy Spirit. Failing that, Satan's next plan was to enter the wicked hearts of men and tempt them to slay Jesus on the cross, the most shameful and gruesome death a man could endure. Satan worked through human sin and wicked hearts to bring about Christ’s death, but men are morally responsible for their choices. Satan’s work didn’t end at the cross, his methods are the same today as then. Satan’s Tactics: Accusation and Temptation Satan is a destroyer, as we are told in Revelation. Job tells us that he accuses us of sin before God. "They're guilty," he tells our Father. He actively tempts us to sin just so he can gleefully point out our failings. The law of Moses also accused people of sin. They knew they could not possibly obey every point in the law no matter how hard they tried. But Jesus says to the law and to Satan that He has not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). Paul reminds us again in Romans 8:1, "T here is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. " Our Captain, Jesus, has defeated our enemies. We have gained spiritual life, forgiveness of sin, and our foes destroyed. We have been delivered from the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:13-15). Romans 8:33-34 says because sin has already been punished we cannot be accused. Christ Himself intercedes and advocates for us before the throne of God. It is His righteousness, not our own, that He pleads on our behalf. Satan continues to tempt the world to sin, but there is no one to condemn us when we walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Have you felt accused this week? How has it affected your walk, if you have? We see an example of how Satan works in the book, " Pilgrim's Progress " and the allegory of Vanity Fair. This timeless picture of temptation still speaks to us today. Vanity Fair: An Allegory for Modern Temptation  In his book, John Bunyan wrote of a city called Vanity. In this city was a Fair, Vanity Fair. Day and night the fair offered all the worldly pleasures one could think of. If you traveled through the city you were expected to take part in the Fair. Those who didn't would be ridiculed and even arrested for not participating. The Fair was present for one purpose, to pull aside those who were on a godly, righteous path. Who is it that created the Fair, none other than Beelzebub, Apollyon, and Legion? In our world today we see the Devil working in the lives of many, just like in the city of Vanity. 2 Timothy 3:13 tells us that evil will increase in the last days. We see families being destroyed, lives ended, rampant immorality, and the elevation of self to the point where many believe we are close to those days. I don't know if we are or not, but as time goes by it seems more and more people are accepting the invitation to play at the Vanity Fair. More and more are being tempted away from the narrow path that leads to salvation. Resisting Today’s Digital Vanity Fair In our 2025 world, this Fair is similar to social media feeds powered by AI that tempt us with content it thinks we want to see, based on our viewing habits. Like Beelzebub designing the Fair, these algorithms, as they are called, use our data to push personalized content towards us that may stir envy, lust, or division. This may draw us into addictive cycles of sin. Yet, just as pilgrims resisted Vanity Fair through faith, we can arm ourselves against this digital deception by filtering our feeds and aligning them more with our Christian faith. Be careful not to let the devil get a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:27). What Victory Looks Like for Believers Today But we still have hope in Christ's victory, as Colossians 2:13-14 explains. Paul tells us that once we were dead in our sin but now we have been made alive. How? By the fact that God has forgiven us. This forgiveness is given to those who turn to Christ in repentance and faith, confessing their sins and trusting in His atoning work. When a Christian is forgiven, Satan can no longer accuse us before God, our sins are not held against us. Satan’s accusations are now powerless before God’s justifying work in Christ. Our slate has been wiped clean. His forgiveness is total, we are no longer under condemnation. The " handwriting of requirements " against us has been nailed to the cross. This means that the record of our transgressions against God was canceled by the cross. Then in verse 15, one of the most powerful statements in all of the Bible is made, " Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. " Who are these principalities and powers that have become a public spectacle and how have they been disarmed? Where Satan assumed Jesus would be the one disarmed, literally stripped, and forced to become a public spectacle by His execution on the cross, it was Satan and his demons. By the resurrection of Jesus, sin and death and Satan and his demons were defeated. No longer does man have to fear death (Hebrews 2:14-15). When you feel accused, remember the cross has canceled the charge. The devil and his demons have become a public spectacle. In Paul's time, the Romans would make a public spectacle of their defeated enemies. They would parade them in shackles in front of the citizens of the city. Theirs was a very public humiliation. The cross became the greatest weapon in the history of the world for by it evil was defeated. This cosmic battle between good and evil, light and dark has been won. Instead of being under the domination of evil, we have been brought " into the kingdom of the Son of His love "(Colossians 1:13). We have been spiritually moved from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. 1 Peter 3:22 agrees and says " angels and powers and authorities " are now subject to Jesus. Ephesians 3:10 explains God's wisdom will be revealed through the church to " principalities and powers in the heavenly places. " These are supernatural beings or demonic forces, who have power and influence over the world. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggles are not really with flesh and blood humans but with, " principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. " In such a fight, who could we want more on our side than God Himself (Exodus 14:14)! Paul reminds us that we don't fight with our power alone, but our strength comes from the Lord (Ephesians 6:10). Jesus' cross gave us a weapon to defeat evil. His forgiveness and the life it brings lead to righteousness, but not without our putting on the whole armor of God: truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, and the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). Will you put on your armor today and join the fight? This armor equips us to live in the freedom Christ has already won. Wrestling against evil is only successful when we are battle ready . Through the death of Jesus the devil's power of death has been destroyed (Hebrews 2:14). As Christians we are blessed with eternal life with Jesus. Death no longer has power over us. We don't fear it. It is but a door to life with our Lord. In God's timing the Devil will be permanently destroyed and thrown into the Lake of Fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:10). The dragon, " that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world" (Revelation 12:9) will no longer be the destroyer. In the meantime, we continue to contend with Satan as he roams the earth like a lion looking for prey to devour. We are devoured when we fall to temptation. We are devoured when we go against the will of God. The devil tempts us but he cannot force us to sin. That is a choice we make on a daily basis. Do we live by faith or do we live in the world, in Vanity Fair? We can't live in two camps. We must choose! The Final End: Hope Beyond the Battle Revelation tells us we will see the return of our world to the perfect place it was meant to be. The spiritual realms of evil will no longer exist. This battle we cannot see will be finished and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). This doesn't mean that all will be saved but all will acknowledge who is Lord of all. Today, look around your world with spiritual eyes and try to realize that you are part of the battle you cannot see. God has power over the unseen world . So, does spiritual warfare matter today? Absolutely, but remember, the battle is already won! The cross has defeated the powers of darkness.

Jude's Warning One of the shortest books of the Bible is one of the most important books, especially in today's modern world. The book of Jude was written as a warning to Christians of pretenders, imposters, people who infiltrated the gatherings of Christians but who were themselves not truly Christian. He tells us " certain men have crept in unnoticed. " In Jude 11, Jude describes the three types of apostates . Apostates are people who fall away, withdraw or abandon true faith in God. He describes them as nothing really new but someone to watch out for and beware of. "Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah." Jude 11 Jude compares these apostates to three Old Testament characters: to Cain whose story can be found in Genesis 4, to Balaam whose story can be found in Numbers chapters 22-24, and to Korah whose story can be read in Numbers chapter 16. We are to " contend " against these types of apostates. Contend means to engage in a struggle for our faith. Cain Envies Abel Most of us know the story of Cain and Abel. Cain was jealous of his brother Abel because his offering was accepted by God but Cain's was not. Abel's animal sacrifice, his offering of blood, was accepted by God while Cain's offering, the fruit of his own labor was not. This foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice offered up to God for the sin's of the world was acceptable to God. Cain's envy of Abel's sacrifice led to Abel's murder and Cain being driven out to become a wanderer of the land. False Teachers Go Their Own Way Today there are those who would say that our salvation comes only from what we do. These are not true teachers. Our works don't save us. Their motto seems to be, " Just be nice. " These are false teachers who place Jesus's sacrifice for us secondary to what we " do ". Many of these teachers, like Cain, leave the assembly of the believers and go their own way. They have no root in Christ. They are jealous and envious of the blessings of those who are in the church. They see God's blessings on them and instead of being happy for them they secretly long to see them be destroyed. Balaam Wanted Money The story of Balaam is an interesting one. Balaam was going to be paid by another nation to curse Israel. God warned Balaam not to curse Israel so he didn't, but later on Balaam advised the people of Moab on how to damage the Israelites by enticing them with false gods and with sexual immorality. Balaam's motive was financial gain. He didn't care how he got the money, he just wanted it. 2 Peter 2:15 compares false teachers to Balaam because he " loved the wages of wickedness ". In Revelation 2:14, Jesus declares to the church at Pergamum that they follow Balaam because they have enticed people to sin. Balaam died at the hands of the Israelites in the days of Joshua (Joshua 13:22). Calling Good Evil And Evil Good Today a false teacher might not curse Christians directly, but they will entice them to sin. They will call " evil good and good evil ". (Isaiah 5:20). They will encourage you to put your own wants and needs above that of your fellow Christian. They will convince you that it is not a sin to love whoever you want to love and twist the word of God to say that it is wrong to condemn sin. They will teach that God is there only to give us what we want. Run from these teachers. They destroy the church from the inside. These apostate teachers seek money. They say what you want to hear so they become more popular and get more financial gain. Korah's Rebellion Korah's story is one echoed many times in our modern world. Korah's sin was jealousy and envy. He knew that God had appointed Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel but he rebelled. Korah wanted power and disregarded the will of God. Although technically qualified to be a leader, Korah was arrogant and unbending. He would declare himself to be leader regardless of what God had said. Korah would pay for his rebellion when God caused him and his followers to be swallowed up by the earth. True Leaders Of The Church True leaders of God's church are called by Him and are those who are humble, who study God's word and are submissive to God and to each other. Apostate leaders are not called by God. They are quite literally, " wolves in sheep's clothing " (Matthew 7:15) . Such people are self-promoters, not interested in humility, submission or a true understanding of the word of God. They enjoy proclaiming the failings of God's appointed leaders while being guilty of the very things they accuse others of. Certain Men Have Crept In Unnoticed "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." - Jude 4 These men became influential by stealth. They are godless and pervert God's grace into a license for immorality as the NIV translation describes them. Remember this, these apostate people are described by Jude as people who complain and follow their own lusts. Jude says these leaders have " great swelling words " which means they speak quite eloquently, sounding grandiose and very appealing. They preach sermons that are cunningly deceptive. They know how to flatter people so that they can manipulate them to get ahead (Jude 16). Be watchful who you listen to. We need to be discerning teachers! What are the motives of the teacher? Do their motives seem to be money, power or envy? Do they trust in God or in themselves? Do they seem to say whatever seems popular so they can profit? Do they seem humble or arrogant? Are they submissive to God or do they seem to be in it just for power? We should be prayerful and cautious so that we are not swayed by those who are really teaching apostasy ; all while they only pretend to know Jesus. We need to watch for those who as Jude says, " have crept in unnoticed." Those who are in the " way of Cain ", the " error of Balaam " and the " rebellion of Korah " have no place speaking for a Jesus they do not know. They damage the faith of those who are not knowledgeable about the scriptures. They show the world a false Christ. False teachings in the church will always be with us, but let us be prepared to meet them with Christ's truth. Jude prays for the people in Jude 23-25 and tells them that God " is able to keep you from stumbling." Our Lord will help us to see through the clever lies of apostate leaders. Don't let their " swelling words " and " flattery " deceive you. The Way of Cain, the Error of Balaam and the Rebellion of Korah

Gratitude in Hardship Kay Arthur once said, “ God is in control, and therefore in EVERYTHING I can give thanks - not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it. ” Sometimes we forget that it is God in control and not ourselves. It is easy to give thanks for good times but we are also to give thanks in bad. Not for the bad thing that is happening, but for how God will use this thing to accomplish his will, even if we never understand what that might be. Lord thank you for knowing what is good for me even when I don't. Gratitude in hardship does not come naturally to us. Everything in us resists it. Pain narrows our vision, sorrow weighs down our hearts, and unanswered questions demand explanations God has not promised to give. When suffering comes, thankfulness often feels forced, even dishonest. Yet Scripture never presents gratitude as denial of pain, but as an act of trust in the midst of it. To give thanks when circumstances are dark is not pretending they are good; it is confessing that God still is. Lord, Thank You In All Circumstances How easy to give thanks for the birth of a child, a marriage, a beautiful day, but how difficult to give thanks when death is at our side, when divorce comes, or when storms destroy our world. David says in Psalm 119:164, that he praised God seven times a day because God's judgments were righteous. Seven times a day David praised God, sometimes when his world was crumbling around him. Do we praise God even once a day? First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, " Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. " It is quite literally God's will for us to give thanks in everything ! A Grateful Heart Is A Happy Heart - David and Paul Psychology tells us that grateful people live happier, more content, lives. The Bible says the same. Anytime we are following the will of God we will be happier. It is the will of God to have a thankful heart. David says in Psalm 106:1, to praise and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and mercy. David learned to be grateful for whatever circumstances he found himself in. How can we be thankful in the midst of sorrow? We praise God that He is Lord, He is good, He is merciful, He loves us, He made us, He died for us, and He is with us when no one else is. When you are thankful in bad times, it forces you to think of all the good that is still around you. Paul also praised God in every situation. In Acts 16:25, we find Paul and Silas in prison. Their clothes had been torn off and they were beaten terribly. What are they doing? Crying? Begging their guards to be free? Wailing about their terrible luck? No! They were praying, singing praises to God and the other prisoners heard them. Their lives, in the midst of their bad times, were a witness to God. God Is Good - All The Time When we look for, and acknowledge, the good that God has done for us, we will be closer to the Lord. We will be obedient. We know that His will should be done, not ours. Just as we pray, "... Thy will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven." The Bible says to do all things without complaining (Philippians 2:14). But when we find ourselves complaining anyway as we sometimes do, let us be mindful of God's blessings on our lives. We must always try to find the faith to be grateful for the many physical and spiritual blessings God has given us, both known and unknown. In your own life have there been times when you have been thankful even when things were going badly? Have you had a "Paul and Silas" moment? Has God blessed you when you praised Him in good times and in bad? I would love to hear what God has done for you. Lord, thank you! Lord, thank you in spite of my hardships

When Bad Things Happen: Lessons from 1 Samuel 4 What is our response when bad things happen to us? When we have what some would call, a run of bad luck, what do we do? In 1 Samuel 4 the Israelites definitely experienced some bad luck. They lost a terrible battle against the Philistines where 4,000 of their soldiers died (1 Samuel 4:2). Our response to bad things happening should be to seek God, but sadly the Israelites decided to take matters into their own hands. This was a mistake. There are important lessons from Israel's defeat for us today. Who Were the Philistines? Understanding Israel's Enemy The Philistines were a group of people who lived on or near the western coast of Israel. They had superior iron weapons. Pagans, their primary god was Dagon, often depicted as a half man and half fish god of nature. But the greater problem in this story is not who the Philistines were, but who Israel had become. Israel's Spiritual Decline Under Corrupt Leadership The Israelites, under Eli's corrupt priestly sons, Hophni and Phinehas, desecrated their sacrifices to God, committed adultery with women at the entrance to the Tabernacle, and showed a general lack of respect for the commandments of God (1 Samuel 2:12–17, 22–25). During this time there were almost no revelations from God and they began to treat the Ark of the Covenant superstitiously, as though it in itself had the power and not God. Superstition Instead of Obedience: Bringing the Ark into Battle The people of Israel seemed unable to comprehend how God could allow their defeat. In response to their great loss they had an idea. They would take the Ark into battle with them. Surely they would be successful in battle if it was there, as though God’s presence could be used rather than obeyed. It is interesting to note that foreign armies, like the Philistines, frequently went into battle with images of their gods believing it would bring them success. This was not the first time the Ark had been brought into battle. Moses had done this in ages past, Joshua marched around Jericho with the Ark leading the way, and in the future both King Saul and King David would also. What was different this time was that God had not told the Israelites to do it. The Israelites took it upon themselves to bring the Ark into battle. Presumption Without Repentance: The Danger of Empty Religion They took the easy way out. No obedience, no real commitment, and basically no real faith. Just, hey, how about we do what our ancestors did? It worked for them, it should work for us. God won't let us look bad because that would make Him look bad, right? They will learn to rely on God instead of themselves. They didn't prepare their hearts. There was no repentance for their sins or seeking after the will of God. What there was was a show, a performance, a pretense of religion that in actuality was relying on a symbol of God instead of faith and trust in God. What began as a misunderstanding of God soon hardened into empty religious performance and finally revealed itself in loud confidence without obedience. This same temptation did not end with ancient Israel; it quietly follows every generation of believers. And so the question comes back to us today, as it always does when outward religion replaces humble obedience. Do we pretend to believe in God, pretend repentance or pretend to seek His will? We can perform all the religious acts we can think of, but without a true heart for His will they will not save us. They knew the old stories of God preserving them in battle and thought God would have to preserve them again, if only for the sake of His Ark. Loud Praise but No True Heart When the Ark was brought into the camp their excited shouts made the ground tremble (1 Samuel 4:5). No matter how loud our praise may be to God, He knows if it comes from a humble and righteous heart. Sometimes our silence in worship can be more holy than any amount of clapping and loud praise. We can loudly proclaim we love God but our actions will tell the truth. Even Pagans Showed Courage: A Challenge to Modern Believers When the Philistines saw what was happening they were afraid. They had heard stories of the Israelite God defeating the Egyptians. Even these heathen foreigners knew He was mighty. They knew it but still didn't submit to Him. Is this us, do we know our God is mighty to save and yet refuse to kneel in submission to Him? Knowing who God is should not lead only to fear, but to courage shaped by obedience. The Philistines encouraged one another to be brave and act like men (1 Samuel 4:9)! Here is the stinging irony: pagan warriors showed more resolve in their false beliefs than God’s own people did in the truth. As Christians today we should do no less than the pagan Philistines. Whenever we face challenges as Christians we should also do so with courage. As Christians in the world today are we "acting like men," being brave, and showing courage before a world that hates us? We are also called to encourage each other to do good, so as to defeat evil. Defeat and Disaster: The Ark of the Covenant Captured What the Israelites did not realize was that God cannot be manipulated. We can't force God's hand to do our bidding. And so, they entered another battle with the Philistines, this time with the Ark leading the way. To their horror, not only did they lose the battle even worse than before with 30,000 men falling to the Philistines, but the Ark of the Covenant itself was carried off by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10-11). But how, they probably thought, how could God allow this defeat? Aren't we the same? When things don't go our way we try to reason out why. Why didn't things go the way we believed they should. But we reason with our own understanding. As the Bible says, " There is a way that seems right to man but it leads to death " (Proverbs 14:12). It was too hard for them to admit they were the ones who failed, not God. God's glory as seen in the Ark was now gone, but God's glory in the lives of His people had already left because of their unfaithfulness (1 Samuel 4:21-22). Eli's sons, the unrepentant priests were killed during the battle, and Eli himself died upon hearing the news that the Ark was in the hands of the Philistines. But God would use this event to His glory. God's Triumph Over Dagon: Judgment on the Philistines In 1 Samuel 5 we discover that the Philistines took the Ark to Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god, Dagon. It would have been very entertaining to see their faces the next day when they found their fish god lying prostrate on the ground before the Ark. They rushed to place Dagon upright again only, to their dismay, to find him the next day face down again. But this time with his head and hands broken off and only his torso remaining in tact (1 Samuel 5:3-4). Our God has a sense of humor! God caused the people of Ashdod to break out in terrible tumors. They begged for the Ark to go somewhere else, but in every town it went to the plague of tumors followed. Rats apparently infested them as well (1 Samuel 5:6-12). Finally, after seven long months, the Philistines gave up and returned the Ark to the Israelites (1 Samuel 6:1). With it they brought a gold offering, models of the tumors and rats that they had been cursed with. Repentance and Renewal: Israel's Return to God Eventually the people of Israel repented and turned back to the real one true God (1 Samuel 7:2-4). But as we read through the Old Testament, sadly we see this pattern repeated time again. A faithful people become a faithless people who eventually return to their ever faithful God. This pattern we often see in our own lives. But oh the pain and suffering they caused themselves along the way, as do we. Decisions that could have been made in the will of God were too often made in man's will. The pain that these poor choices caused could so easily have been avoided if first they had turned to Him in humble submission. Lessons from Israel's Defeat: True Faith Over Performance The lessons from Israel's defeat teach us that our faith is in God, not in physical things that appear holy to us. We learn the importance of seeking God's will instead of our own. And we learn when we fail to do what He wants us to do there, will be consequences of our decisions . That lesson is not only historical; it applies just as much to us today. So what will we do with these lessons? Each of us must tear down any idols we have made in our hearts. Do we put ourselves, hobbies, families or jobs God? Are you desperate for Jesus and His will? When things don't go as we hoped in our lives, when we experience what the world would call bad luck, seek God's face with repentance and humility. When we kneel before Him He will give us the desires of our heart, for His desires will be ours (Psalm 37:4).

Alarm Bells in the Church Have you ever had your smoke alarm go off? It is very, very irritatingly loud but if it goes off for the right reason it will save your life. No one wants to hear that sound, no one wants the warning, but still if it's that or death I will put up with it, wouldn't you? Well today we have alarm bells going off in our churches but too often we have the same response. We shut them off, we ignore them, we think we have time to act, but soon it will be too late to ignore them. Scripture does not leave us guessing about these dangers; Peter, writing near the end of his life, sounds one of the clearest alarm bells in the New Testament on false teachings in the church. Peter’s Warning About False Teachers In 2 Peter, the disciple has some serious warnings to give about false teachers . They don't announce their arrival, but if we are seeking God's truth and are discerning, we should be able to recognize them. These warnings are not abstract or confined to the first century; we understand their influence clearly when we examine what many professing Christians believe today. False Doctrine Revealed in Modern Beliefs We know there is a rise in the number of false teachers when we look at what people in the United States say they believe. These are people who call themselves evangelicals, and say they believe the Bible is inerrant. Let's look at just a couple of the things they say are true in a 2020 survey. That Jesus was created by God (65%). Close to 50% believe that the Holy Spirit is a 'force' but not a real being; that small sins don't deserve eternal punishment; and that most people are good by nature. These are not minor misunderstandings but foundational errors that strike at the heart of who God is and what it means to be saved. False Teachings in the Church Those who believe that Jesus was created by God might have skipped past John 1:1-14. The Word (Jesus) was eternal with God and was God. The Holy Spirit is not just a force that acts on the hearts of man but is co-eternal with the Father and the Son. They are one. Why did Jesus die for us? Because we have all sinned. The degree to which we sin may differ but we are all worthy of damnation without the saving grace and blood of Jesus Christ. It is this fact that forces us to acknowledge that none of us are good. We have a sin nature that must be changed to have fellowship with God. No amount of doing good can save us. Only Jesus can do that. False beliefs like those we highlighted in the survey do not arise in a vacuum; they are shaped by what people are taught and by those they trust to teach them. These beliefs are a direct result of a lack of spiritual knowledge or being taught by false teachers, but most likely both. How do we discern false teachers? Discerning spiritual fruit helps us see the marks of false teachers. The Marks of False Teachers They are arrogant individuals (2 Peter 2:10-12). They are people who can't acknowledge they are wrong or do not have a teachable spirit. Believers are called to be humble above all things. Pride is the root cause of a multitude of sins. False teaching does not remain confined to words; it inevitably reshapes behavior, particularly in the area of sexual morality. They are frequently involved in sexual sins (2 Peter 2:13-14). They hide them well, but of course they are often exposed for who they really are. Perhaps they feel they are so superior to others they think that the rules don't apply to them. These false teachers are greedy (2 Peter 2:14-16). Maybe they don't start out that way but they see what gain can be had from telling people what they want to hear instead of proclaiming truth. We see this regularly today among some of the more famous tele-evangelists. Peter doesn't go into the details of the false teachings that were taught in the church of his day. However, we are told in 2 Peter 2:18 that their words are " great swelling words of emptiness ." They sound great, even perhaps profound, but in the end they mean nothing. In verse 19, Peter says they promise new Christians " liberty ." This is sexual liberty Peter is referencing. It is as though Peter time-traveled 2,000 years into the future and heard some modern day ministers saying things like "love is love" or "all that matters is if you love someone." False Converts and the Church’s Witness Today, sexual purity is something that sounds almost quaint. We live in a time when some churches condone, or at least never say anything about, people having sex before marriage, adultery, pornography, homosexuality, or divorce. The sexual sins that are plainly called out over and over in Scripture are ignored or accepted. However, not everyone causing damage in the church is a teacher; some are false converts whose lives reveal that truth never took root. Peter tells us that those pretend believers will always return to what they truly were (2 Peter 2:22). They may have confessed a faith but it did not result in a transformed life. They did not put on the new man as Paul explains. The old ways were hidden under a thin veneer of pretend. They were the seeds that sprouted but quickly died (Matthew 13:5-6). They had no true foundation in Christ. These false converts can be sprinkled throughout our churches. They are the wolves in sheep's clothing. They may be seemingly nice people but their lives bear no true fruit. They know the words to say but their lives seem to be speaking another language. We can be blind to the damage they can do by presenting themselves to others as Christians, but living like they are not. The consequences of this inconsistency between our words and our deeds extend beyond the individual and affect the entire witness of the church. Those outside of the church are watching. Are we what we say we are? Do we act like what we say we are? Those new converts in the church are also watching. If someone is in church, but not living for Christ they will notice. Spiritually young Christians may decide that all these restrictions on sexual behavior really aren't necessary because they see the rules, so to speak, routinely flaunted by some who claim to be believers. How Biblical Discernment Protects the Church Biblical discernment does not happen by chance alone; it must grow through deliberate study of God’s Word. The biggest way to stop the spread of false teachings and heresy in the church is to study your Bible. Scripture may be difficult to understand, but first we pray that God will help us to grow in knowledge and understanding of His Word, Next we turn to resources. There are so many good places online, good study guides, and books that can be used to help us understand Scripture. But be careful of your sources. Some of the best-selling Bible devotionals and study guides are full of questionable doctrine. Buy yourself a good Bible dictionary or find one online. Get a physical or online concordance. A concordance is an alphabetical index of biblical words, listing every instance a word appears, with its context and where to find it in your Bible. It helps you to locate specific verses, study word usage across different contexts, and follow themes throughout Scripture. If you aren't sure what you should read then ask a trusted pastor or someone you look up to as a spiritual guide. Look up explanations for what your denomination says it believes and why. Try to become firm in knowing the basics of what it is to be a Christian. Diligence is called for in many places in the Scriptures. Diligence is hard work, but nonetheless we are called to it. Then, when someone is teaching or preaching you will be aware of those alarm bells. You can gently question that person. We will always have areas of Scripture which we interpret differently, but you can discern the ones that are the most significant. This is because not all doctrinal differences are equal. You will be able to detect heresy when you hear it. At the most serious end of false teaching lies heresy—errors so severe that they distort or deny the core truths of Christianity. Not every doctrinal disagreement rises to the level of heresy. For example, faithful, Bible-believing Christians differ on important matters such as baptism—specifically who should be baptized and when. Some baptize infants, viewing baptism as a sign of the covenant, while others baptize only professing believers as a public confession of faith. This difference matters because it affects church practice and teaching, but it is not heresy. Both views accept the same core truths: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, the full deity of Christ, the Trinity, and the authority of Scripture. These are disagreements over application and understanding, not over the gospel itself. Throughout church history, not just disagreements, but outright heresies have repeatedly arisen, often appearing spiritually or intellectually persuasive while undermining the gospel itself. Heresy is not just a small or wrong belief but is a deliberate and persistent teaching contrary to the very core beliefs of Christianity. 2 Peter 2:1 says they are " destructive " and " deny the Lord. " In times past, there have been several destructive heresies such as Gnosticism which claimed to have secret knowledge that was superior to others. Docetism was the belief that Jesus only seemed to have a physical body, but didn't really. Arianism was known for denying the full deity of Christ. Marcionism was a belief that the Old Testament was unnecessary. Discerning teachers allows us to spot destructive heresies. Heresies are where the Devil does some of his most destructive work in the body of Christ. So many, especially young and immature Christians, are led astray by them. If you as a lay person, detect this in your church, speak to the pastor or those in authority about the best way to deal with it. Perhaps you may have misunderstood what was said or taught. We always need to remain teachable ourselves. Whatever we do should be done in humility and love, and the Holy Spirit, through God's Word, equips us to do that. Just make sure you are prepared to listen for alarm bells and act. If we don't act, we may be setting ourselves up to lose not just our life but our soul, not because discernment saves us, but because refusal to hear the truth may reveal a faith that was never genuine. ______________________________________________ Scripture references: 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 5:12–14; Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1; James 1:19; Ephesians 4:15.

God Cares: How 2 Kings 6 Shows His Provision One of the more unusual stories in the Bible is found in 2 Kings 6: 1-7. This story tells of Elisha making an ax head float. At first glance it seems a little odd, almost magical. Why would this story have enough significance to be written about? The wood made all the difference—but why? Because among its layered meanings is a foreshadowing of the cross. First, let's read the story. "And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.” So he answered, “Go.” Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.” So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it." There are three meanings in this passage. The simplest one is that God care s and provides for us in the smallest detail. The ax head was an expensive and difficult to replace item. The man was worried, "Alas, it was borrowed." What to do? Elisha, the great prophet, hearing his plea performs a miracle and retrieves the ax head. Listen to God’s Messenger: Obedience Brings Blessing The second meaning is a little more complex. Elisha and his prophets lived in a time when the worship of Baal had become very popular. The king, at the time, thought it was just fine to allow the worship of both the God of Moses and Baal. Elisha came to say no! There was no compromise with God. The worship of Baal must come to an end because it was idolatry. Israel must listen to Elisha, heed his words and return to God. If they listened to Elisha the nation of Israel would stay safe and secure, but if not they would experience invasion and all that went with that. If they listened to Elisha, they could build, grow, and expand their place in the future. Just as the man in the story listened to Elisha and had a good outcome, so the nation of Israel would as well. God has spoken , let us listen to Him as these men did Elisha. The Wood Foreshadows the Cross: God’s Redemption in Action The third meaning is in light of the future. The third meaning of this story foretells a time when wood would become significant. The wood was a prefiguring or foreshadowing concerning the cross of Christ! Elisha didn't just throw anything into the river, he threw wood. The Jordan River represented spiritual rebirth and salvation. The Jordan is more than a river; it symbolizes a passage from the old life into a new life with God. Its waters are not just physical but spiritual, a theme fulfilled when Christ Himself was baptized in the Jordan, rising to inaugurate salvation for all who trust Him. Just as the Israelites crossed it to enter the Promised Land, and Christ was baptized there, the ax head rising from the Jordan points to God’s power to restore and redeem, foreshadowing the life-changing work of the cross. Crossing the Jordan signified overcoming death. Christ was baptized in the River Jordan, coming out of its depths and indicating to us that we would die to self and rise with Christ, just as He would die and rise again. Because of the wood of the cross we will one day rise to meet our Savior, as the ax head rose, seemingly impossibly from the river's depths and I will sing the wondrous story . My wondrous story that he wood made all the difference. The Wood Made All the Difference: Restoration Comes From God We see this foreshadowing again in Exodus 15. In this passage the children of Israel are complaining to Moses that they have no water to drink. They don't ask God for help; they ask a man. In verse 25(a) Moses does what the people will not do, he cries out to God. "So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet." Again, this is no magic trick. The wood of the tree, like Calvary's Cross, made what was bitter, sweet. Through His grace we rely on our Savior for healing, for turning bitterness to joy, and turning problems into promises. One day, like the man with the borrowed ax head, we may say, "Alas". But thanks be to God, the wood made all the difference. Enjoy the beautiful hymn, Love Lifted Me, sung by Alan Jackson here . The Wood Made All the Difference

What is Spiritual Discernment? The Bible repeatedly says that discernment is an important gift that Christians should desire. To discern means to understand something correctly. Spiritual discernment is the ability to see good from evil, even if that evil is cloaked like a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is the ability to see people and deeds as God sees them. We don't just become Christians and the next day have discernment. Discernment requires prayer and study. The more we understand God's word and the more we pray and ask for discernment the better we will have the ability to discern. False Teaching and the Danger of Deceptive Motives In 2 Peter we are strongly warned against false teachers and false prophets. In 2 Peter 2:3(A) Peter tells us this, " By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; ". The thing that drives these false teachers and prophets is greed. Greed for money and greed for power. Discerning teachers is critical so we are not lured away by their false teachings. False teaching does not always appear extreme or obviously unbiblical at first. Often it sounds convincing, uses familiar Christian language, and appeals to our emotions or desires. That is why discernment cannot be based on tone, popularity, or personal charm. Truth must always be tested against the whole counsel of Scripture. When teaching elevates personal experience, success, or feelings above God’s Word, discernment should cause us to pause and examine carefully what is being said and why it is being said. Spiritual Maturity and Handling the Word of Truth In Hebrews 5:12-14 we are told to desire " solid food " not " milk. " A mature Christian should be ready to understand and teach at a deeper level (solid food) than one who has just come to know the Lord (milk). The mature Christian has used their senses to understand and "read" good and evil. 2 Timothy 2:15 explains that we should, " Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. " Diligence requires work, we are called unashamed workers, we are people who study and act rightly because of our efforts to present ourselves approved. We work diligently to be approved by the Lord. As such people, we can rightly divide the word of truth and be discerning. We can be people who hear the word of God and understand it. Wisdom That Helps Us in Discerning Teachers James 3:13-18 helps us to discern good from evil works. In this passage we are told some important things. If we have wisdom then: Our works should be done with wise meekness. Our wisdom should be pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, merciful, and fruitful. Our wisdom should not show favoritism or be hypocritical. We should sow peace by making peace which, in turn, yields righteousness. But if we are not wise and understanding, then our works will be done from a place of envy, self-seeking, boastfulness, even lying against truth. If this is our motivation then it comes from an earthly, demonic force that causes confusion and evil. The gift of wisdom helps us to discern what is our motivation and the motivations of others. Seeking Discernment and Holding to Sound Doctrine In Proverbs 2:3-6 Solomon tells us if we seek discernment whole heartedly then we will fear the Lord and have knowledge of God. He says it is God who gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding also come from Him. So if we want discernment and seek after it diligently the Lord will give it to us. What is our goal? Are we seeking to know and understand our Lord better so as to be approved by Him? Or do we follow after teachers who cause us to have, as Paul says, " itching ears ", who tell us things we like to hear more than the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4)? We need to hold to sound Biblical teachings and avoid pointless bickering over small, less important details. We do this by being able to discern. That discernment will come as we study and pray and are motivated by our desire to please our Heavenly Father in all things. Discern the Word Other posts related to this can be found here.

Reflecting Christ in a Divided World John MacArthur once said, "Have we turned our mission field into our political enemies?" I think for the times we live in this should make us think. How do we show Christ to the world? What do we say or do, if anything, to those we want to turn to Christ? How do we treat them? In a divided world, we are still called to share our Christian witness. In whatever political camp we find ourselves, our desire should be to always be the loving disciple Christ has called us to be. Building a Foundation on Christ Christians are told by Jesus Himself to build their foundation on Him, for without it they will fall (Matthew 7:27). In the same chapter, He tells us we will know Christians by their fruits. We quote Galatians 5:22-23 where these fruits are listed quite frequently, but are we really looking deep within to see if we have any of them? Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit As a reminder they are: love, joy, peace, patience (or forbearance), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits are for sharing with others, especially with those who don't know Christ. We need the world to see them because they are evidence of our being a child of God. Living Out Love, Patience, and Gentleness We love sacrificially just as Christ did. We love when it is difficult to love. Scripture tells us the obvious, it is easy to love those who love us, but what about those who don't? Patience calls us to remember that " such were some of you " (1 Corinthians 6:11). We have all acted in ways we regret. We have all wished at one point or another that others would have been more patient with us. Jesus wants us to show others the patience we want shown to us. Gentleness is another fruit that often seems to be forgotten. Maybe we're so busy trying to convince others we are right that we forget to be gentle with them. Remember, gentleness isn't weakness. When we find ourselves facing someone who disagrees with us, stay calm and pray for them. Show patience when they show impatience. Love them by peacefully accepting any hatred they express toward us. Shining the Light of Christ in Daily Life When we live out these fruits, especially toward those who oppose or disagree with us, the light of Christ becomes visible in our lives. When we watch the news, how do we feel when we see people representing a point of view different from our own? Do we feel loving, gentle, and patient towards them? This is our opportunity to really shine the light of Christ on others. This is our chance to show the reality of our "differentness from others." As Christians, we are called to this. Sadly though, how we react to our government can be a problem for us. We are so invested these days in our politics we forget what Scripture tells us about how we interact with those who lead us. One of the places this is most visibly tested is in how we relate to the authorities and government around us Biblical Guidance for Government and Justice Several Scriptures point to how we should treat our government. Romans 13:1-7 discusses submission to the government; 1 Peter 2:13-17 talks about honoring and respecting government; 1 Timothy 2:2 reminds us to pray for the leaders of our government; and Matthew 22:21 explains that we are to pay the money owed to it. All of this, of course, is within boundaries. Acts 5:29 tells us we should obey God rather than man. If we are told by men to do something in direct contradiction to God's word we must obey God. Our lives are always meant to be lived as though we are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:14-16). We live our lives in the space created by our government but our focus is God, not political. When we obey God rather than man, we display the fruits of the Spirit to others. We don't judge the salvation of others. If we see the light of Christ in them and the fruit they bear, then we will understand God is at work and not man. When I read headlines today it seems difficult to see the light of Christ being reflected. Even Christians, some on both sides of the aisle, ridicule government leaders instead of showing honor and respect. We may, at times, also see demonstrators verbally or physically assaulted by individuals who identify as Christians. How is this in anyway showing the fruit of the Spirit ? If you call me stupid because I am one political party and then I call you stupid, how are we promoting Christ? Retaliation against another person never works. When we love with the love of Christ we will " turn the other cheek ." We may feel we are right about something but that never gives us license to be angry, or impatient, or unkind to someone. Lately, however, some of these disagreements have escalated to real violence. Jesus said those who live by the sword, die by the sword (Matthew 26:52). Our only sword is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). This is our true spiritual sword . We should promote peace no matter what. If we return violence with violence how are we any different from them? Even in times when conflict seems to be growing, we must distinguish between pursuing justice responsibly and responding with anger or vengeance We can and will have legitimate differences of opinion in this country, as we should. However, nowhere does Jesus say it is then OK to trash talk your neighbor, fellow church goer, or demonstrator in the street. Should we call for justice when we see wrong being done? Certainly. Remember, justice should be lawfully pursued. Vengeance is an emotional response. We have a system of justice and if the system fails us, then we know God is the ultimate judge of us all. Responding with Prayer, Peace, and Perspective We all need to remember that we can't force Jesus on anyone. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who changes hearts. We sometimes forget, individually and as a nation, the power that prayer has. Jesus says to pray for those who despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44). Prayer remains our first line of defense when faced with hostility or injustice. Is prayer really our first response or is some kind of "pay back" mentality what we go to? History shows us many responses to injustice and opposition, and our goal here is not to judge individuals but to learn how Christ’s love calls us to respond in our own lives. Learning from Historical Examples Lately, I have seen Dietrich Bonhoeffer's example being given as one who opposed the government. He was a famous theologian in Germany during Hitler's rise to power. Bonhoeffer was put in a concentration camp and executed because of his participation in a plot to kill Hitler. I think perhaps he would have been outraged to have his example used to promote violence. His situation was extraordinary and should not be taken as a model for how Christians today respond to disagreement or injustice. Bonhoeffer was an ardent pacifist and believer in non-violence until the atrocities committed by the Nazi's became unbearable to him. This created a terrible moral dilemma for him. He never justified his actions, but felt they were required after seeing the horrors unleashed by the Nazi government on it's citizens. His actions, right or wrong, only came about because of the unthinkable extremes the Nazi government went to. His is the tragic exception. Does any sane person really believe today that we are at that point in our political environment? Are we really there? By contrast, Martin Luther King Jr. faced racial injustice in the United States and responded with complete non-violence. As he said, "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars." His life reminds us that even in the face of great wrongdoing, Christians are called to respond with love, patience, and courage, reflecting the light of Christ rather than escalating conflict. Christian Witness in a Divided World When we fail to share Christ through our example, we risk turning those we are called to witness to into our enemies. It takes courage to love those who don't return love, but that is how our lives are meant to reflect Christ. Even while we were His enemies, our Savior's love for us caused Him to be nailed to a tree. Being a Christian witness in a divided world isn't easy. Will we let that same love guide how we treat those we disagree with today? Our calling is clear: to reflect Christ’s love, patience, and gentleness in every interaction, even with those who oppose us. God wants our hearts to reflect Him. If Christ’s love guides us, even conflict becomes a testimony. Our focus shifts from political victories to the condition of hearts, which is where Christ’s rule is ultimately revealed.

Scoffers and Trolls: Modern and Biblical Parallels Many of you are familiar with the online term, "troll". If you aren't, a troll is someone who purposely provokes, mocks, or harasses people who believe differently from them. The Bible uses another term, scoffers. Scoffers treat others' beliefs with contempt and enjoy making fun of them. They act with arrogant pride (Proverbs 21:24). In Hebrew, the word can also be translated as " ambassador ", which implies that these people actively promote opposite ideas to the person they are ridiculing. The Opposite of a Scoffer: A Teachable Spirit The opposite of a scoffer in the Bible would be a teachable person with a teachable spirit. This person doesn't have to be a highly intelligent person, just someone who realizes they don't know everything. They are humble and will take wise advice. Wisdom begins with humility—the realization that we don’t know everything. God values a humble, teachable heart more than great intellect or status. “Wisdom begins with humility—the realization that we don’t know everything.” Which Are You—Teachable or a Scoffer? Proverbs has a lot of relevant things to say about both types of people. We live in a world full of scoffers, but perhaps few of us are teachable. We see scoffers in the political arena, online, and even among our friends. So which are you? Do you have a "teachable spirit" or are you a scoffer, or maybe somewhere in between? Scoffers in the Bible and Their Foolish Pride Proverbs 13:1 explains that when a son is wise he will heed the instructions of his father but when he is a scoffer he will not listen when he receives correction. In Proverbs 14:6, we are told that a scoffer will pursue wisdom without ever finding it. Proverbs 15:12 says a scoffer won't seek wisdom from a wise person because he doesn't want to be corrected. Proverbs 9:8 even says that there is no point in trying to correct a scoffer because they will just hate you for it. In contrast to the scoffer’s pride, Proverbs paints a picture of the teachable person who welcomes correction. What Proverbs Teaches About the Teachable But what does the Bible say about the person with a teachable spirit? Proverbs 12:1 tells us that when we hate to be corrected we are stupid, but when we love discipline we love knowledge. “Those who love discipline love knowledge.” In Proverbs 9:9, we are told when instruction is given to a wise man, he becomes even wiser. Proverbs 19:20 encourages us to accept instruction and listen to advice to gain wisdom. Spiritual Discernment and the Work of the Holy Spirit Why is this so important? Because Jesus loves us and wants to teach and discipline us (Hebrews 12:6). Discipline is for our own good. It trains us, corrects us, and instructs us. If we can't or won't listen to Him, then we are unteachable. If we are not teachable, then 2 Timothy 3:16 means nothing to us. Here Paul says, " All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. " In 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Paul says the apostles' words are not taught by " human wisdom " but are taught by the Holy Spirit living in us. He says the " natural person " can't understand because God's words seem foolish to them, and can't be understood except by spiritual discernment. The natural person is someone without the Holy Spirit . Spiritual discernment begins with the indwelling Holy Spirit in a Christian. Without that Paul says scoffers will perish. Scoffers Will Perish, but the Teachable Are Blessed In Acts 13:41, we learn, " Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you. " They won't believe because they think they have all the answers. No one can teach them anything. There are rewards for not being around such people. Blessings come to those who don't walk with people who are ungodly, sinners, or scoffers, according to Psalm 1:1. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly—or stand with scoffers.” When the Psalmist prays in Psalm 119:33 that God give him wisdom, it is so he can be obedient to God. Obedience is blessed because this is how we grow closer to God. And what about the scoffers, what happens to them? Proverbs 24:9 minces no words when it says " the scoffer is an abomination to men. " And in Proverbs 29:1 we are told that those who stubbornly refuse to learn from many rebukes " will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy ." By choosing to make fun of the things of God a person is inviting destruction upon himself. There are many examples of scoffers in the Bible. Examples of Scoffers in the Bible and a Teachable Spirit From Noah’s generation to the cross, scoffers in the Bible mocked truth, but the teachable received grace. The people of Noah's age who watched him build an ark and heard him preach about destruction but did not listen, were scoffers. The many people who mocked the prophets in the Old Testament were scoffers. In the New Testament there were those who mocked Christ while He was on the cross. There are also examples of people who had teachable spirits. One of the best examples of a teachable spirit is found in Acts 8:26-40 in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The Ethiopian was reading the book of Isaiah when Philip, led by the Holy Spirit, approached him and asked if he understood what he was reading. The man was humble enough to tell Philip, “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him," (Acts 8:31). This act of humility by admitting he needed to be taught, led him to accept Christ and be baptized. These examples remind us that a teachable heart often leads to salvation, while a scoffing heart leads to ruin. Even the great King David acknowledged the need to be teachable in Psalm 86:11, "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name." Over and over the Bible tells us the importance of studying the Word, of not just hearing the Words but obeying them. How can we be obedient if we know nothing of what God expects of us? How can we be obedient if we pridefully think that we know enough and have no need to study and understand? Learning Humility in an Unteachable World The Bible seems to imply that scoffers will increase as the Lord's return draws nearer and they will follow their own sinful desires. (2 Peter 3:3). We see this in social media, among prominent entertainers, and some scientists. Cultural norms of the past are ridiculed. Biblical stories are considered myth. Symbols of Christianity are mocked openly. We saw this recently in the opening ceremonies at the Paris Olympics. But are you and I guilty of this? Have we gotten soft, so to speak, on what we call sin? Do we accept behaviors that we never would have in the past? Cultural influences are strong. Today, believing you are right about whatever viewpoint you hold on an issue has led to a generation that is increasingly unteachable. We have become an argumentative society. Even in our highest political offices we see people who make fun of others and who openly use profanity with little regret. But as the Bible makes it clear, there is no sense in debating with these scoffers because their minds are closed to the truth. Proverbs 26:5 tells us not to answer a fool when he only wants to argue with us. We can pray for them. Yes, the Bible tells us to be ready to give a defense for our hope, but this is not to those who just want to turn around and ridicule us. This is for those who are, like the Ethiopian eunuch, willing to be taught. But even the most hardened scoffer can receive grace. God offers His love and forgiveness to us when we repent and believe. Our prayers can be effective in softening the heart of a scoffer to be receptive to the Holy Spirit. Paul is an example of such a heart. An adamant opponent and terror of Christians, he was transformed on the road to Damascus into the greatest missionary the church has ever known (Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-19). When we go out in the world we need to use discernment. We need to discern: Should we be around certain people? Should I interact with them? Are they seeking to learn or just wanting to argue with me? We can use signs like curiosity and a desire to dialogue to discern potential openness to God's truth. When we are confronted with scoffers online, pray for guidance and pray for them. Don't let yourself get angry. When they support immoral behavior or ridicule our Savior, be careful how you reply. May we be known not for scoffing, but for listening, learning, and walking humbly with our God. Remember, humility is a sign of a teachable spirit. And that, my friend, is a blessing from God.

Are We Listening to God? God has spoken, who is listening? Our prayers are so often simply a recitation of things we want God to do. If you spoke to a friend the way we do to God would your friend ever want to talk to you again? Have you ever had a friend who talked non-stop about themselves and hardly gave you a chance to speak? Too often we complain about God not speaking to us but do ever stop to listen? How do we hear Him? God Has Spoken In Hebrews 1:1-2, we learn how God speaks to us. "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;" God speaks to us through the words of His Son. When we are unhappy and feel like God is not answering us, we should ask ourselves, "Have we spent time reading what Jesus said? Have we been open to the Holy Spirit to show us through the words of our Lord what is His will?" Patience To Listen Sometimes we aren't patient enough to listen to the small voice . Maybe because we just aren't honestly interested in what God has to say. Maybe because we have already decided what His answer should be and we don't want to be corrected. If we come before the Lord with humility and read His word prayerfully, we will hear Him. Then the next step is to be obedient to what He says. Listening to God also requires that we create space for Him to speak. If our lives are filled with constant noise, distractions, and hurried schedules, it becomes difficult to recognize His voice. Scripture often connects stillness with hearing from God, not because God is silent, but because we are too busy to pay attention. Setting aside intentional time for Scripture, prayer, and quiet reflection is not optional if we desire to hear Him; it is part of learning to listen rather than merely hear. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Listen In 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Paul says we have received the Holy Spirit so that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. The Holy Spirit teaches us wisdom and understanding . The Holy Spirit helps us to discern the will of God , the voice of God, if you will. The Holy Spirit literally speaks to us from God's word. When we read the Bible, we automatically hear the words. Hearing requires no action on our part, it is passive. We don't really try to hear sounds; we just hear them. Listening is different. Listening does require action. When we listen, we pay attention and we respond to what we hear. God Listens To Us Our loving God is a God who listens. In Psalm 34:17, we read, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." The righteous are those who have put their faith in Jesus and try to live according to His word. The Lord listens and the Lord responds. Listen And Respond We also are expected to listen and respond. In James 1:22-25, James says that we can't just hear the words of our Lord but we must act on them, we must be doers. That requires us to listen. He says if we are only hearers then we deceive ourselves. I know from experience in school that you can look intently at the speaker and literally hear the sounds coming from their mouth but still not listen to anything they have to say. Do we listen to our Lord or do we just hear Him? In Matthew 17, we read the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. A voice from Heaven tells the disciples that Jesus is " my beloved Son, listen to Him ." Today Jesus speaks to us just as He did two thousand years ago. Today we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit to help us to understand His words but now, just as then, we must listen , not just hear.

Sleeping in Peace A lot of us are having trouble sleeping these days. We are struggling and see a future that perhaps will be full of many more struggles, many more sorrows. We know in our head that Jesus promises to be with us, to give us peace, but we just aren't feeling it. The Psalmist says this, "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4: 8 Worldly Peace The world tells us that we can only have peace when everything is calm. The world tells us we can only have peace when there are no struggles, no worries, no bad times. Jesus offers us a different peace. His peace is everlasting. His peace doesn't depend on emotion or events. Jesus says, in John 14: 27, that the peace He gives is not worldly peace. We should not be troubled or afraid when we rest in His peace. Prince Of Peace This peace comes to us through the Holy Spirit. He indwells us and makes us one with Christ. His peace truly becomes our peace. This is not the world's peace. Isaiah describes Jesus to us hundreds of years before He was born this way, " ...His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. " Isaiah 9: 6 Why does Isaiah describe the Messiah as the "Prince of Peace"? Because through Jesus's death and resurrection He restored our broken relationship with God the Father. But there's more. The Holy Spirit allows us to have a peace , a joy and a love that is impossible in this world without Him. Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Fruit of the Spirit Our peace is a fruit of the work of Christ in us. One reason fruit trees don't produce enough fruit is "inadequate sun exposure". Are we like the trees? Do we have "inadequate Son exposure"? Peace is not something we manufacture by thinking the right thoughts or silencing every fear. It grows as we remain close to Christ. When we neglect prayer, Scripture, and quiet time with Him, anxiety fills the space that peace once occupied. But when we intentionally turn our hearts back to the Lord, even our restless nights become moments where He gently reminds us that we are not alone and never unguarded. In the old hymn, "It is Well" the writer pens these words, "For me it is Christ, it is Christ now to live! Though death's waters over me roll, No fear shall be mine, for in death as in life, You will whisper your peace to my soul." Claiming Peace So in all circumstances let us pray for that sweet peace that is offered to us and given so freely, but not cheaply. Our Lord bled and died to be our Lord of Peace . When we lay our heads down at night, we should claim that blessed peace that indeed "passes understanding." As Psalm 91:2 reminds us, God is our refuge and we will trust in Him. Pray for Peace in Your Heart For me it is Christ, it is Christ now to live! Though death’s waters over me roll, no fear shall be mine, for in death as in life you will whisper your peace to my soul. For me it is Christ, it is Christ now to live! Though death’s waters over me roll, no fear shall be mine, for in death as in life you will whisper your peace to my soul. For me it is Christ, it is Christ now to live! Though death’s waters over me roll, no fear shall be mine, for in death as in life you will whisper your peace to my soul.

A Life of Regret "I wish I knew then, what I know now." Probably everyone has heard that expression. As an older person my friends and I often talk about our regrets. Sometimes we wish we could get a "do over". But sadly, no, that is not going to happen. When we come to the end, whenever that is, we will all wish we had done many things differently. By paying attention to the Lord's will we will be able to make the most of our time wisely. Making The Most Of The Time In Ephesians 5:15-17 Paul tells us, " Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise— making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." (HCSB translation) Our lives are precious gifts and when we are young it is hard to notice the time passing by. We often don't " pay careful attention ". We often don't " make the most of the time ". Paul tells us to be wise. A wise person understands the will of God. A foolish person either doesn't understand God's will or doesn't care to understand. We are either a fool or a fool for Christ ! Since none of us knows the hour or the day when our lives will end, it is crucial not to waste one precious moment. If we are blessed with long lives, we don't want to look back on a sea of regrets because we were foolish. The world views making the most of your time differently than God does. The world tells us that we must make a lot of money, find love, do our own thing, do what makes us happy to find fulfillment. But what does God say to do with our lives? God's Plan For Our Time In Ephesians 2:10, Paul says that we have been " prepared beforehand " for good works. Even before we were born God had planned what direction our lives should go. In Micah 6: 8 we are told what is good; to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. God's plans are always greater for us than our own. Only a life transformed by the Holy Spirit can understand wisdom. Only a life transformed by the cross can truly do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Natalie Regoli puts it this way, " We are saved by His good work before we are called to our own good works." God's will for us according to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is to rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks. How many of us do the opposite? How often do we complain and forget to pray and give thanks? Young And Full Of Regrets I remember as a young person far too often thinking about how unhappy I was, praying very little and not being grateful for the blessings that I had. Many regrets that I would have later would come from the fact that I was totally outside of the will of God. There are consequences to sin and none are good. Eventually I would learn that "having things my way" would make for a very unhappy, regret filled life. Turning my life over to God made the difference. As a dear friend put it to me so plainly one day, "You haven't done a very good job of running your life, maybe you should let God take over." She had a very good point, one that was impossible for me to ignore. Seeking Perfection Of course, even after we come to a knowledge and fear of the Lord, we will have regrets. We don't become perfect, but we become a person who seeks perfection. Our desire changes. We want to live a holy life for God. We want to be diligent Christians . Of course we fail many times, but we know that God in His great mercy and love forgives us and draws us back to Him. We're not just sorry for our sins, we are repentant. We turn from them. Move Forward In Christ So wherever you find yourself in your life, it isn't too late to make the most of your time. We can't undo our past, but we can move forward in Christ striving to be wise, hungering to do His will and not our own. Be encouraged by the words of our Lord in Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Pay Careful Attention to How You Live