Tag: Spiritual Discernment

Tell Me What I Want, What I Really, Really Want

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.
—2 Timothy 4:3 (NET)

We live in an era saturated with options. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find someone who’s willing to deliver it. And this isn’t just true of entertainment or politics—it’s deeply ingrained in the spiritual landscape as well. Paul warned that the day would come when people would stop tolerating sound teaching and instead choose voices that aligned with their preferences. That day is now.

Look around at the world of Christian teaching today. The Prosperity Gospel tells us we deserve wealth and health, avoiding Jesus’ call to take up our cross and follow Him. Progressive movements twist Scripture to align with cultural trends, diluting or outright denying doctrines like sin and repentance. Celebrity pastors are often more concerned with followers on social media than faithful discipleship, trading the depth of the Gospel for catchy soundbites. It’s easy to see why these messages are attractive—they’re comfortable. They don’t demand much of us. They make Christianity feel more like a club and less like a covenant.

But what about the hard truths? What about the narrow path Jesus talked about? God’s Word isn’t a self-help book or a feel-good anthem. It’s sharper than any two-edged sword, exposing and cutting away the sin that keeps us from Him. When we surround ourselves with teachers who only tell us what we want to hear, we’re not pursuing God. We’re chasing after idols made in our own image.

This isn’t just a problem “out there” with false teachers. It’s a problem in our own hearts. Paul points to the core issue—desire. We like to hear what makes us comfortable, what makes us feel good about ourselves. But if we’re honest, the messages we seek often reveal where we’ve placed our hope. If you find yourself gravitating toward a teaching that conveniently avoids sacrifice, self-denial, or accountability, it might be time to ask: am I following God’s truth, or just my own preferences?

Faithfulness to God’s Word requires effort. It requires humility to hear what we might not want to hear and courage to obey it. The Gospel isn’t about being comfortable; it’s about being conformed to the image of Christ. That’s a hard road, but it’s the only road that leads to life.

Don’t settle for what feels good. Pursue what is true. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Let the Word challenge you, shape you, and draw you closer to the One who is Truth itself.

Stop Believing in Nonsense!

Paul’s warning to the Colossians couldn’t be clearer: “Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” He doesn’t mince words. Why? Because the stakes are eternal. The Colossian church faced a tidal wave of false teaching—mysticism, legalism, and syncretism. These “philosophies” sounded profound but pulled people away from the sufficiency of Christ.

Today, we’re swimming in our own sea of nonsense, and the undertow is strong. Consider the self-help industry, which promises transformation through affirmations and “manifesting your truth” but leaves people empty and more self-absorbed. Or the rise of progressive Christianity, where core doctrines like sin, repentance, and substitutionary atonement are dismissed as relics of a bygone era. When we prioritize being “authentic” over being holy, we’ve bought into a Christ-less philosophy.

Look no further than bestselling authors like Rachel Hollis (Girl, Wash Your Face) or Glennon Doyle (Untamed), who preach a gospel of self-reliance disguised as empowerment. The mantra? “You’re enough.” But are you? Scripture says otherwise. Without Christ, we’re hopelessly lost, no matter how many self-care routines or vision boards we craft.

And let’s not ignore the insidious creep of postmodern thought into the church itself. When Andy Stanley calls for the “unhitching” of the Old Testament, he treads dangerous ground. Paul didn’t call us to abandon the roots of our faith but to anchor ourselves firmly in the fullness of Christ.

Even social justice movements, while supposedly well-intentioned, routinely devolve into performative virtue signalling because they are untethered from Gospel truth. These movements are merely empty philosophies because they address symptoms but ignore the heart issue: sin. The Gospel isn’t about reforming systems—it’s about transforming hearts (Which will lead to systemic reform, we are putting the cart before the horse). Without Christ, activism becomes just another idol.

So, how do we stop believing in nonsense? By measuring every philosophy against the Word of God. If it denies Christ’s sufficiency, diminishes the authority of Scripture, or elevates self above God, reject it outright. Fill your mind with what is true, noble, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Don’t let the world’s empty promises rob you of the joy and freedom found in Christ alone.

Christ is sufficient. Don’t settle for anything less.

Zeal Gone Awry

The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin is one of the most tragic displays of religious zeal gone wrong. Convinced of their duty to protect God’s honor, the religious leaders allowed their passions and mob mentality to override justice, mercy, and reason. What should have been a trial became a forum for slander, manipulation, and violence, with many of the leaders and bystanders becoming part of a vicious cycle. Jesus, the very person they were supposed to recognize as the Messiah, was instead labeled a blasphemer and beaten in their outrage.

We all have passions and causes we care deeply about. In fact, a righteous zeal can be powerful when we’re moved by a godly cause. But zeal without humility and discernment can lead us to the same dangers faced by the Sanhedrin. Their unwavering conviction left no room for compassion or introspection. How often do we see, even in ourselves, that good intentions and passionate defense of our beliefs can devolve into defensiveness, anger, or even cruelty when we feel challenged?

The actions of the Sanhedrin remind us to remain humble, recognizing that zeal for truth or righteousness must be tempered with God’s Spirit. Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek, to walk with humility, and to love even our enemies. When we lose sight of these teachings, our own zeal can go awry, blinding us to the heart of God’s message and turning us into people we would later be ashamed to recognize.

We’re called to balance conviction with compassion, courage with humility, and action with prayer. May we be passionate for God’s kingdom and its values, but may we also be vigilant, that we never sacrifice our character in the process. When our hearts are governed by the love of Christ, we can stand firm in the truth without losing our way to the passions that seek to rule us.

Signs of the Times

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus presents a sweeping vision of future events, but His primary focus is not the “when” of His return. Instead, He emphasizes how we should live as we wait. With each reference to “wars and rumors of wars” and natural upheavals, Jesus reminds His followers that these are “birth pains”—a hint of what’s to come, not an invitation to speculation or fear.

Jesus’ call is clear: live prepared and purposeful lives, grounded in faith and action, rather than chasing easy answers or living in anxiety. In Matthew 24:42, He warns, “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” This watchfulness isn’t about decoding every event; rather, it’s about daily faithfulness to the work He has given us—the Great Commission.

Living with “signs of the times” in mind doesn’t mean abandoning our daily work or waiting passively. Jesus calls us to earnestness and perseverance, fully committed to the tasks at hand: sharing the gospel, serving our neighbors, and loving each other sacrificially. Each of these actions builds His Kingdom here on earth, a Kingdom that He promises will withstand any upheaval.

But faithful living also requires discernment. It’s tempting to become preoccupied with “answers” about the end times. Jesus knew this tendency, which is why He warned us against false messiahs and “false prophets” who “will deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). While we are to be wise and watchful, we shouldn’t let sensational claims distract us from Jesus’ clear command to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

If we believe Jesus will return—and He will—then our lives should reflect that hope. It’s a hope that compels us to action, to plant seeds of faith in others, and to nurture our relationship with God. We persevere not because we know the date of His return but because we trust His promise and see the urgency of the gospel.

So how do we wait well? We live ready, open to His call at any moment. We pursue His mission wholeheartedly, not distracted by every new “sign” but anchored in the lasting promise that He is coming. Each day, we choose to love, serve, and share the gospel with those around us, reflecting Jesus’ love in all we do. When we live with this kind of readiness, we not only await the return of our King, but we bring His Kingdom to life in the here and now.

The Allure of Destruction

Sin and evil rarely present themselves as dangerous or destructive. Instead, they are often wrapped in enticing packages, appealing to our fleshly desires and offering fleeting moments of pleasure. Whether it’s indulging in a secret sin, embracing a lifestyle that contradicts God’s commands, or simply turning a blind eye to the ways of the world, evil always promises quick rewards and instant gratification.

Yet, as today’s reading shows, the good times don’t last. The path of sin and evil ultimately leads us away from God and, therefore, away from salvation. As Ezekiel warned, sin’s consequences are dire. The destruction may not come immediately, but it is inevitable. What seemed like a harmless indulgence can quickly turn into a trap, leading to spiritual decay and, ultimately, destruction.

In Ezekiel 24:13, God speaks through the prophet about the people’s sins: “Because I tried to cleanse you, but you refused to be cleansed. So you will not be cleansed from your filthiness again until I have satisfied my fury on you.” The allure of sin led the people of Israel to resist God’s attempts at purification, and they suffered the consequences.

Today, we face similar temptations. The world offers countless distractions and temptations that seem harmless or even good on the surface. But if we are not vigilant, we risk being led down a path that takes us further from God. The temporary pleasures of sin are not worth the eternal consequences.

Let us not be fooled by the attractive facade of sin and evil. Instead, let us seek God’s wisdom and strength to resist temptation, knowing that true joy and peace come from following Him.

God Speaks on Deconstruction

In today’s world, deconstruction has become a common response to the discomfort many feel when confronted with aspects of the Christian faith that challenge modern sensibilities. Often, people begin to question, and eventually reject, core doctrines or moral teachings because they believe God’s ways don’t align with what they perceive to be loving, just, or fair. This mindset assumes that God is somehow flawed, outdated, or wrong—leading people to attempt to remake Him in their own image, according to their own standards.

But this approach is nothing new. In Ezekiel 18:25-29, God directly addresses the Israelites’ complaints that His ways were not just. The people argued that their understanding of justice was superior to God’s, but the Lord responded with a sobering truth: it is not God who is unjust, but humanity that fails to understand His perfect ways.

Ezekiel 18:25-29 (NLT):

“Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? … And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.”

Deconstruction promises a “better” version of God—one who aligns more closely with our own ideals, a deity built in our image rather than the other way around. However, this pursuit is nothing more than a false promise. Instead of leading to greater freedom or understanding, it ultimately leads to confusion and spiritual disillusionment. The tragic irony is that, in attempting to make God more palatable to our modern tastes, we strip away the very essence of who He is—His holiness, justice, and truth.

When we find ourselves at odds with God’s commands or character, the problem isn’t with God; it’s with our limited understanding. The call for every believer is not to reshape the faith to fit our preferences but to submit ourselves to God’s perfect will, trusting that His ways, though often mysterious, are always right.

Deconstruction may offer the allure of a more accommodating faith, but it is a hollow promise. A God remade in our image is powerless to save, transform, or offer the eternal life we seek. Instead, we must cling to the true God, whose ways are higher than our ways and whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Only in Him do we find the fullness of life, grace, and truth.