So much of religion is guilt- and shame-based.  And somehow, in reacting to error, an entire movement has cropped up to try to validate people’s emotions — to let them know that they’re ok and that they’re understood and that it’s ok to feel a certain way.  And of course there’s nothing wrong with being understood and being validated.  But first of all, Christianity has nothing to do with religion.  Religion may be guilt- and shame-based, but Christianity came to set us free from that.  So why then do we fall into this trap that says that the best way we can help wounded people is to validate them emotionally?  Did Jesus Christ come to pat the old man on the back and say “You’re ok.  It’s ok that you feel that way.”?  Or did He come to crucify (put to death) the old man and make us new creations in Him?

Tags: Bible, emotional validation, emotions, feelings, God's Word, truth

That should be at the top of every Christian’s to-do list.  Learn to argue.  Yes, argue.

I dare you to sit still for one minute — or even 15 seconds — and count how many times a lie comes into your mind.  Sure, you may not realize it’s a lie.  Perhaps the lies that will bombard your mind during that one-minute or 15-second interval are lies you’ve believed your entire life.  But if you can’t find them in God’s Word, they’re lies.  And lies are nothing more than satan’s arguments against the truth.

Tags: argue, God, Jesus Christ, Jesus in the wilderness, lies, satan, talk back, truth

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.  Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe.  Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Proverbs 4:25-27

Real-life application to follow.

Tags: fix your eyes, look straight ahead, Proverbs 4:25-27, sidetracked

How long do we fight?

Until we see the victory.

Not a moment sooner.

There’s no such thing as: “Well maybe it’s just not God’s will for me to have victory in this area.”  Get that lie out of your mind.  If it’s not it in God’s Word, you have no business believing it.

But what we do once we’ve seen the victory?

Keep standing.

Don’t sit down and take your comfy seat in the crowd.  Keep standing.

Tags: Ephesians 6:13, fight, God, Jesus, stand, Victory, what now

You know why that story I shared yesterday is so huge for me?  It’s huge for me because for most of my life, I was living under this old religious lie that says: Whatever happens, happens.  And the best thing you do, as a Christian, is just keep a good attitude.  I lived under the lie that to be a Christian means you’ll have some pitiful, defeated life.  I learned that living by my emotions is ok.  And at the end of all these un-Biblical, un-Godly beliefs, they’d tack on this: But don’t worry, God’s grace is sufficient for you.  And His grace was sufficient for me, but you know what?  I still lived a defeated life as satan’s doormat.  Once I discovered what God’s Word really said and stopped listening to the doctrine of people’s experiences, I got angry.  And that anger hasn’t left.  Now I’m not talking about the sort of anger that’s based in rage and fear — I’m talking about a righteous anger towards satan and towards those religious lies that kept me in bondage for years.

Tags: God's Word, healing, relentless, Sickness, Sword, truth, Victory

I want to tell you a story about what happened to me last night.  I know a lot of the stuff I write on here about God’s Word and believing it and living it might seem like “a lot to ask for” to some people.  “Do you mean we’re actually supposed to live like that?” you might think.  But I can honestly say that about 99% of what I write on here comes from my own life.  And unless I can live it in my own life, I don’t think I have any business telling you to.

Tags: dizziness, God, God's Word, relentless, Sickness, truth

There are two foxes that have taken up residence in my neighborhood.  It’s an odd sight to see this bushy black fox walking up the sidewalk when I look out my bedroom window or crossing the street as I pull out of the driveway.  Especially since I don’t exactly live in the country.  I live in the suburbs.  I live around a lot of houses and people.  And this means that the sort of animals these foxes prey on are simply not around, leaving them no choice but to go after cats and small dogs.

Tags: attacker, backbone, fox, God's Word, subtle lies, Sword