Commentary, analysis and opinion.

Christian meditation: what’s biblical and what’s not (repost)

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This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was first published in September 2014.

In Joshua 1:8 God said: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” So, what exactly did God have in mind when He told Joshua to meditate on His word? Well, we can be certain of one thing. The Lord was not suggesting that Joshua sit in the lotus position repeating a mantra until he attained an altered state of consciousness.  “These help bring one into states other than normal waking consciousness, in which a person becomes open to mystical experience, the spirit realm, or cosmic consciousness,” warns Bill Muehlenberg.

The sort of meditation God had in mind was not Eastern meditation. He has made it clear that His people are not to adopt pagan practices and those who do are out of His will. The purpose of eastern-style meditation is to “seek the God within.”

That’s pantheism, brethren. People who hold this view believe that God is all and all is God. “A tree is God, a rock is God, an animal is God, the sky is God, the sun is God, you are God, etc.” The biblical view is that God is separate from His creation.  Genesis 1:1-30

More on biblical meditation in a moment, but first…

Sit Still!

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” There’s been a huge misunderstanding in the Christian community as to what this verse means. Let’s take a look at noted Bible teacher Kay Arthur’s Precept Ministries International (PMI) website to see if she has it right:

Can you remember the last time you sat in total silence except for the sounds of nature – listening intently to hear the voice of God. It is time to:

Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

Be still (cease striving)

Rest, relax, chill out, stop fighting, drop your weapons

Know that I am God

Learn that I am God, or “see that I am God,” “Get to know me better”

God is telling His children who are living in a busy world to stop, get quiet so that they can listen and get to know Him. It is only in stillness, the quiet, that we can hear the voice of God. (Bold PMI’s – Source)

Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries penned a piece entitled Kay Arthur With Erroneous Contemplative Interpretation of Psalm 46:10, which is where I came across the above quote. It could be a coincidence that right after Silva wrote his blog post and upbraided Mrs. Arthur for her erroneous teaching on Psalm 46:10, PMI’s webmaster changed the paragraph that begins with God is telling His children to As children of God, who are living in a busy world, we need to stop, get quiet and listen for His voice as we read His Word. God most often speaks in that small still voice. (Bold mine)

So, was Kay Arthur correct in explaining what be still means in context? Not according to Silva:

This passage isn’t about any kind of meditation; and it has absolutely nothing to do with sitting in some lotus position and subjectively trying to “hear” God’s voice in creeping crickets or inner burblings of bellies. Rather, this is a firm admonition and warning for all nations – particularly His people Israel – to stop worrying and to recognize God’s sovereignty. (Source)

What do Bible scholars say the meaning is? One source, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, states, among other things, that be still is “the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue.” (Source – follow this link to discover what several Bible scholars say the meaning of be still is)

Low-Information Evangelical (LIE)

A growing number of low-information evangelicals (low-information people with high-profile power and/or influence) endorse meditation, or what’s known as contemplative/centering prayer (CP). This is bad news for the evangelical community as it’s easily provable that CP has its roots in paganism. In spite of this well-known fact, many LIE-celebs continue to lead people into eastern-style meditation. Yes, you read that right. Eastern, as in Buddhism. Now, some of you are thinking, “Seriously? Christian leaders are pointing people to Buddhism?” Bingo! (Source)

Unfortunately many LIE’s promote problematic pagan practices even though God adamantly says:

When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this. (Deut. 18:9-14)

There’s no question that God’s warning to Israel still pertains today. His people are not to indulge in pagan idolatry. This means that Christians who practice a form of meditation that brings him/her into the alpha state is actually defying the God they profess their love for! That alone should scare the bejeebers out of believers who take that approach to prayer. And it matters not what the reason is – even if it’s to go “deeper with God.”

Biblical meditation always includes a fully engaged mind.  Listen to Professor of Philosophy Doug Groothuis’ advice on biblical prayer:

The biblical concept of prayer assumes that rational and meaningful communication between God and humans is possible. There is no summons to suspend rational judgment even when prayer through the Holy Spirit is ‘with groans that words cannot express’ (Rom. 8:26).

The manner in which the Christian shall meditate on it day and night is through the reading and study of the Bible.  (Space does not allow for a comprehensive explanation of Eastern mysticism.  Those who wish to learn more on this subject will find my articles here.)

Christian Meditation Made Clear

Now to the subject at hand – biblical prayer. It’s important that born again believers begin each day with the Lord. What we call “quiet time” involves finding a place to read and pray where there are no distractions – so turn off that cell phone! Before reading, ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind and reveal truth. Also ask Him to help you make the biblical principles you’re learning meaningful and practical in your life. In Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “Pray Without Ceasing,” he asks four important questions:

What do these words imply? Secondly, What do they actually mean? Thirdly, How shall we obey them? And, fourthly, Why should WE especially obey them?

These are the sort of questions we should be asking as we read our bibles. We must stop and ponder what God has spoken through the words on the page. It may be necessary to read a passage repeatedly, reflect on it, analyze it, and listen while the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. (John 16:13)

And always consider the context! Apologist Greg Koukl explains how this is done:

I read the paragraph, not just the verse. I take stock of the relevant material above and below. Since the context frames the verse and gives it specific meaning, I let it tell me what’s going on.

Context, context, context!

Because many Christians lead busy lives they fail to put aside time to spend with the Lord. In point of fact, data shows that most believers spend very little time in their bibles – but there is certainly a whole lotta prayin’ goin’ on. In this fast food nation in which we live Christians continually fire off bullet prayers hoping God will answer them quickly. Especially if they want the God who grants their wishes to see to it that they find a parking space at the mall during the Christmas rush or stop a torrential downpour when they’re sitting in the stands at an outdoor sporting event.

Now, don’t get me wrong. God loves it when His people pray umpteen times a day. Moreover, we’re commanded to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thes. 5:17) We’re also commanded to abide in Christ:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5).

So, not only are we to begin our day with the Lord reading the Bible and praying, we’re also to abide in (stay around) Christ throughout the day for the reason that there’s an ongoing relationship between the Vine and the branches. Got Questions reminds us:

We need to fill our minds constantly with the things of God; God should always be on our mind, and everything we do should be done with reference to Him (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

When we fail to abide in Christ – fill our minds with the things of God – the fruit we bear, no matter how appealing it appears, is not off Christ’s vine! In other words, it’s done apart from Him.

There’s a story in Luke 10:38 of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who thought differently about how to serve their Master. When Jesus came to their home Martha stayed in the kitchen preparing food for their guests. She had developed her own agenda for serving Christ. Martha became vexed that Mary wasn’t helping with the meal. What was her sister doing that caused Martha’s consternation? She was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words.

It’s certainly no crime to prepare a nice meal for a guest; however, we must remember that we are children of God before we’re servants of God. Like Mary, we must take time to sit at our Lord’s feet. Martha was so busy serving Jesus that she neglected Him!

Have I hit a nerve?

Why Pray?

If your prayers are mainly the bullet variety then it would be wise to develop the biblical model of praying. Biblical prayer is intended for praise, confession and repentance, thanksgiving and asking for others. In our quiet time with the Lord we find His love. Through prayer believers are conformed to God’s will.

Prayer isn’t meant to be an esoteric experience. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that we are to go into altered states of consciousness to commune with God. As I said above, biblical meditation does not seek the “God within.” This is the purpose of those who cling to Eastern religion and New Age spirituality!

The Christian who truly wishes to please God will let “the words of [your] mouth and the meditation of [your] heart be acceptable in [the LORD’s] sight …” (Psalm 19:14 paraphrased)

Recommended:

Psalm 46:10 Does Not Teach Contemplative-Centering Prayer – By Ken Silva

Research:

Contemplative Prayer 

New Age “Spirituality”

Occult-Sorcery

 

Welcome to the New (Contemplative) Christianity – Breath In . . . Breath Out

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“If you are someone who is aware of the dangers and the true panentheistic, interspiritual nature of contemplative prayer, you have probably noticed that contemplative spirituality has moved from its infancy stage in the church to what appears to becoming the norm.” 

(Lighthouse Trails)  The acceptance of contemplative prayer has hit an all-time high in the church. And is it any wonder? Christian media, Christian publishers, pastors, mission societies, Bible societies, authors, radio hosts, youth leaders, women’s group leaders, and Christian ministry leaders are all promoting it more than ever. … Continue reading →

Kids Tutored in ‘Pleasure’ Despite STD Epidemic

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According to Linda Harvey, there’s a new trend in “comprehensive sexuality education”: teaching youngsters about “pleasure.”

The group, promoting pleasure, is planning an October conference in San Diego. Harvey reports what’s on their agenda:

So let’s center pleasure in adolescent sex ed. Let’s assemble a new language for the field that fosters authentic conversations in classrooms—conversations centered not on plumbing and pathology, but on pleasure.”{Emphasis added}

This is just a small part of what progressive perverts have in store for America’s children. So naturally Harvey wants to know what kind of wicked adults do this to kids.  She reveals the answer in a recent blog post over at MissionAmerica. She also offers a solution. And then she asks “Can we do this?

Here’s Linda Harvey’s article. It’s sexually explicit, so brace yourself: Continue reading →

Memo to K-12 students: Resist

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“Consider for a few minutes what they’ve done with you so far. After all these years sitting in classrooms, what have you learned? Anything?? Do you know where Japan is on a map? Do you know what 8 times 9 is? Do you know why Benjamin Franklin and Napoleon are considered exceptionally fascinating people? Do you know what happened in 1776? Do you know how many ounces are in a pound?” 

(Bruce Deitrick Price – Renew America) Okay, kids, gather round the campfire. There is something you need to know. Something scary.

You are a participant in a vast psychological war. Believe it or not, you are the enemy in this war. You are the primary target. Continue reading →

Kicking off more contempt for America

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Is it any wonder that “everyday Americans” get the impression that the ruling elites who dictate culture don’t particularly care for them or America?

(Robert Knight – The Washington Times)  What is it with our ruling elites? How did they come to have so much disdain for America? Some recent events have yet again brought this unfortunate situation to the surface.

Let’s start with Nike, the Portland, Oregon-based sportswear megacompany. It did not become a Fortune 100 corporation by chance or careless management. Continue reading →

Roman Catholics Blame Pedophile Scandal on Gay Conspiracy to Hurt Church

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“The Roman Catholic Church has had three-quarters of a century of warnings about the pedophile problem and the Vatican has made promises to protect the public from their pedophile priests for three-quarters of a century. And yet, Roman Catholics have blamed the recent pedophilia scandal on a secret conspiracy of gays to invade the church and molest children, with the intention of hurting the church’s reputation.

(JD Hall – Pulpit & Pen) If you threw a rock into a crowd of Roman Catholic priests, you would hit a pedophile.” Continue reading →

Can Christian Women Flourish Without Liberation Theology?

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Photo credit: Wikimedia

“The Women’s Liberation Movement was founded upon a Marxist foundation rather than the gospel. Therefore, it sought to elevate women to the highest levels of power and freedom across the culture as a whole. In the process this liberation movement took direct aim upon the sufficiency of Scripture and the complementarian doctrine established by God at the point of creation.” 

(Josh Buice – Delivered By Grace) Years ago, the Women’s Liberation Movement rolled through America and forced its way into conservative evangelical circles. In 1970, Germaine Greer wrote The Female Eunuch which not only suggested that motherhood was a handicap but it went on to claim pregnancy was an illness.  Germaine Greer taught women to be “deliberately promiscuous” and to do everything possible to avoid conceiving children. It was a common thing for the militant feminist to describe the role the mother in nurturing and caring for her children as a form of oppression and slavery. Continue reading →

What Is Man?

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Are human beings God in a physical body as New Agers believe? Author of the best selling book The Secret, Rhonda Byrne, declares that “You are Spirit in the flesh. You are Eternal Life expressing itself as You…. You are all power. You are all wisdom. You are all intelligence. You are perfection.” Humans are all powerful?  Wow. That’s quite a claim. But is what she says true? Are humans actually God in a physical body?  Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the age old question, “What is man?” from a biblical perspective. He writes:

Three thousand years ago, an ancient sage gazed at the world and asked the most important question anyone could ask about our corporate humanity:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him…? (Ps. 8:3–4) Continue reading →

CDC Reports: STD Rates Hit All-Time High For the Forth Straight Year

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“Scientists have found a “superbug” strain of gonorrhea in Japan that is resistant to all recommended antibiotics and say it could transform a once easily treatable infection into a global public health threat.”

(Wintery Knight) I’ve been blogging about skyrocketing rates of sexually-transmitted-diseases for the last few years, and particularly how it impacts high risk groups, e.g. – men who have sex with men. The attitude that the culture is taking towards this is to not make any moral judgments, but someone is going to have to pay for all the health care that is required to “fix” this problem. Continue reading →

Kris Vallotton’s pagan faith? “Why We Need to Stop Saying ‘All the Glory to God'”

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“As we will see in the below Kris Vallotton article, the NAR replace Godly faith with a worldly faith. Because it is assumed they are righteous and no longer sinners, the NAR understanding of sanctification is worked out in fulfilling one’s destiny. This is where the lines between worldly faith and godly faith are blurred within the NAR.”

(Churchwatch Central) The Apostle Paul contrasts righteousness by faith with righteousness by works (Romans 3:23, 4:4-5), a righteousness from God Himself, obtained by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:9). When Paul speaks of the righteousness of God imputed to us, he refers to our right-standing with God, the fact that we are now in a new and right relationship with Him. Continue reading →

Would the Son of God Contradict the Father? (Reprise)

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Is it true that Jesus never mentioned anything about homosexuality?  That He never brought it up, even once?  Most of us have heard the argument that the Gospels have no record of Jesus condemning homosexuality.  There are individuals, especially from the militant homosexual rights movement, who utter this fabrication with all the raw hostility of liberals who think abortion is their God given right.

The “Jesus never mentioned homosexuality” argument is meant to bully people into believing that Jesus actually took a benign attitude towards same-sex acts.  Liberals reason that if Jesus disapproved of homosexuality, He would have said so. Moreover, He never mentioned gay sex, thus He didn’t condemn it.

Most people, including some Christians, don’t have a clue what Jesus did or did not say on any given subject, let alone what He thought about same-sex practices, so they fall for the “Jesus never mentioned homosexuality” lie, hook, line and sinker.

So, does Jesus approve of homosexual relationships?

At the very heart of the Christian view of God is the Holy Trinity.  (This is not an essay on Christian doctrine, so bear with me for a moment.)  Classical Christianity has believed that God exists in Holy Trinity, or tri-personality — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The Trinity is not three gods in one.  Each Person of the Trinity is fully God. They are one in essence with three separate and distinct personalities.  All are infinite and eternal.  Jesus Christ, the Son, is the Second person of the Trinity.  The Son is in perfect union with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  They are never, nor could they ever be out of union with one another.  Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). The deity of the Holy Spirit is also evident.  In Acts 5:3-4 Peter told Ananias that by lying to the Holy Spirit, he had lied to God.

The crux of the matter is this: Those who try to make their case by arguing, “Jesus never mentioned homosexuality” are either ignorant of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, or they ignore it for the purpose of supporting a hollow argument.

The late Lehman Strauss offered the following insight into the Apostle Paul’s clear teaching on homosexuality:

Bible Book of Romans“In Romans 1:26-31 twenty-three punishable sins are listed with homosexuality leading the list. Paul wrote, “For this cause God gave them up into vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet” (Romans 1:26, 27). These verses are telling us that homosexuals suffer in their body and personality the inevitable consequences of their wrong doing. Notice that the behaviour of the homosexual is described as a “vile affection” (1:26). The Greek word translated “vile” (atimia) means filthy, dirty, evil, dishonourable. The word “affection” in Greek is pathos, used by the Greeks of either a good or bad desire. Here in the context of Romans it is used in a bad sense. The “vile affection” is a degrading passion, a shameful lust. Both the desire…and the act of homosexuality are condemned in the Bible as sin.”

In Galatians 1:11-12 Paul provides his qualifications to speak for God: “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.  For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Later he tells how he went to Arabia to be trained “in the school of the Spirit in order that he might receive greater revelations concerning the mysteries of the Gospel of the glorified Christ.”

Paul’s ideas were more than his own speculations.  He says his thoughts came directly from the Second and Third members of the Trinity.

What does God the Father say about homosexuality?  “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).  By their very nature the Son and the Holy Spirit agree with the Father that for a man to lie with a man is detestable.

“It is significant,” says Harold Janz, “that while virtually nothing is written in ancient literature about female homosexual activity, Paul in Romans 1 does. He treats both homosexuality and lesbianism the same and understands both to be wrong for the same reasons. It is important to note…that Paul echoes the words of the creation account in Romans. He speaks of those who substitute images of the creation for the Creator and go “against nature” in committing unnatural acts with one another. Those who do so, he says, are both females and males, using not the usual Greek words for women and men, but the words used in Genesis, “female” and “male.” Paul is saying that we must look back toward the order that God established in creation to recognize where we’ve gone wrong.”

Those who commit unnatural sexual acts with one another go against God’s moral order for humanity.  Sadly, men and women who indulge in moral anarchy don’t really give a hoot what God thinks.  Essentially they’re saying to Him, “Stay out of my life!”

Why would God hang around where He is not invited?

Jesus weeps

The Bible tells us that God weeps over our indiscretions.  He wept over Jerusalem because her people killed the prophets and would not turn to Him.  Our disobedience makes Him angry.  The God who wept over Jerusalem is the same God who destroyed Sodom because most of its citizens were moral degenerates.

In Romans 1:25-28 Paul blames moral depravity on men and women who “exchanged the truth about God for a lie,” and those who “did not see fit to acknowledge God.”  When you come right down to it, the immoral individuals Paul was talking about dethroned God and deified themselves! Consequently, He punished their sin by delivering them over to it.

Listen to Jude’s warning:

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! (Jude 1:10-11)

It’s worth noting that the Bible speaks of no homosexual role models. When homosexuality is spoken of it’s always in the negative.  Because the Gospels have no record of Jesus mentioning homosexuality, gays and lesbians would have us believe that He must have approved of it.  From His silence they conclude that sodomy is “normal and healthy.”  First of all, sexual relations between a man and a woman exemplify normal behavior. Moreover, there is nothing healthy about engaging in sodomy.  The fact of the matter is that homosexual sex has serious health risks and illnesses.

Although sin shouldn’t be taken lightly, it is imperative for Christians to hate the sin but love the sinner.  Even if we disapprove of someone’s lifestyle and/or choices we are expected to treat them with kindness and respect.  Bear in mind, though, that withholding what the Bible teaches on homosexuality from someone who’s indulging in risky behavior isn’t loving it is cowardice, even hateful.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. (1 John 4:8-9)

Research:

Homosexual Agenda

Copyright: Marsha West, 2012 – Revised 2015

The church at Ephesus – discerning, yet found wanting

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In a piece over at Famine In The Land, Rick Becker reminds us that sound doctrine and discernment are no guarantee that we will be useful in the Lord’s service. Despite their positive aspects and uncompromising stance towards those who had perverted the gospel, in Revelation 2:4-5 the church at Ephesus gets a harsh rebuke by the Lord Jesus. Becker delves into the reasons the church was rebuked by our Lord and what was missing in the church.  What are the lessons we should learn from the church at Ephesus? Rick Becker offers his view. He writes:

Discernment is not optional, it is vital to the spiritual health of individuals and the church. Discernment preserves sound doctrine, and sound doctrine enables us to have the correct view of God, self, the church, the world, and Satan. Described as wolves in sheep’s clothing, false teachers come to steal, kill, and destroy, whereas the good shepherd comes to give life. Here’s the problem – It’s possible to know who the wolves are, yet neglect the good shepherd. Continue reading →

Kavanaugh hearings, Times op-ed, Woodward book make it official — Washington elites have gone mad

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“What this week reveals is that the Washington elites have gone mad. They have not only lost touch with the real life struggles of the working men and women of America whom they despise.”

(Steve Hilton – Fox News)  If you’ve been living your life rather than following the latest circus in Washington, you may have missed the fact that the Swamp’s chief scribe has a new book coming out. Or maybe you’re unaware that some anonymous, arrogant Trump administration staffer who no one voted for has written in The New York Times about how he or she feels entitled to overrule a president elected by the American people according to the Constitution. Continue reading →

5 Signs of a Dangerous Pastor

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This pastor knows exactly what he wants and his will, ahem…I mean God’s will be done. You may hear this pastor say something like, “I started this church and this is how it’s going to be!” or “This is my church and no one is going to take it from me!” Those exclamatory statements may seem shocking but they are not uncommon. 

(Costi Hinn – For the Gospel)  Trustworthy leadership is hard to find. Inside and outside Christianity, men and women with fancy letters behind their names are doing nasty things to innocent people – and children. It’s becoming more and more apparent that academic degrees (while important) and achievements (while admirable) are not the measure of success for a leader.

Integrity is. Continue reading →

My daughter prayed to Alexa – Here’s the incredible thing that happened next

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As any parent, teacher, or coach knows, children are full of questions, trying to understand how life works. If you are too distracted or closed off to them, someone or something else will answer those questions. Whether they turn to Alexa, Siri, Google Home, or even J.A.R.V.I.S., we need to consider who is behind the curtain programming these “smart” answers.

(Jeremiah J. Johnston – Fox News) The most meaningful parenting experiences often come in the unplanned, organic moments of life. The problem is, all the interruptions of our always connected society can cause us to miss out on teaching and learning some incredible lessons with our children and grandchildren. Continue reading →

Wise to the Ways of the Worldly: 4 Ways Worldliness Sneaks In, and the Scriptures to Slay It

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Worldly Christians are more concerned with the affairs of the world than with spiritual things. The Apostle Paul has a lot to say about worldliness in 1 Corinthians. For one thing, Paul makes clear that worldliness is the polar opposite of godliness; therefore, to be worldly is a sin against God. In this piece, Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley tackles the age old problem of the worldly Christian and reveals what she refers to as “sneaky snakes” of worldliness. So, how should believers mortify those sins and respond in a godly way?  Lesley proposes 4 ways to slay the sneaky snake that has slithered into your life and provides the scriptures to slay it.  She writes: Continue reading →