Ever smelled old, rotten meat? Remember forgetting for several weeks something you put in the refrigerator? There is an odor that accompanies decay that’s like nothing else.
Read MoreCategory Archives: Sin
A Critical Appraisal of Our Times
Need a picture of just how hopeless and empty society really is? Just glance over 2 Timothy 3. Within the first thirteen verses, I find three undeniable descriptions of our world: difficult, depraved, and deceived.
Read MoreMental Barriers to God’s Voice, Part 3
Some of us have formed the habit of getting even rather than overlooking wrongs done against us. So when we come across scriptural instruction that requires an alternate plan, our inner reaction is “No way!”
Read MoreMental Barriers to God’s Voice, Part 2
As the Spirit of God attempts to communicate His truth to us, He runs up against the “wall” of our overall mental attitude, our natural mind-set. Along with the wall-like fortresses, we have natural, humanistic reasonings.
Read MoreMental Barriers to God’s Voice, Part 1
When the world tries to squeeze us into its mold, God’s message gets muffled. Our minds pick up on the strong secular signals so easily that we subconsciously tune Him out. It comes naturally.
Read MoreBlind Loyalty Is Not Servanthood
In the last few decades, we have witnessed the emergence of groups like the Moonies, the Hare Krishnas, various New Agers, Scientologists, and numerous other cults.
Read MoreWhat Serving Others Doesn’t Mean
Christians talk a lot about serving and giving and releasing rights and putting down self—and we should. It’s part of the whole Christian package. It’s expected, to an extent. But isn’t it possible to go overboard on stuff like this?
Read MoreManeuvering for Me
I’ll never forget a trip I took with my older son to shoot the rapids at the Rogue River in Oregon. While we were receiving instructions from the guide . . . , I began to study the canoes with my eyes.
Read MoreThe Tune of Self-Interest
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God for the first time—and sin entered the world—it didn’t take long for them to begin looking out for number one. Enter self-interest.
Read MoreDon’t Get Burned!
Compromise never works. We always get burned. Even though we rationalize around our weak decisions and tell ourselves that wicked associations really won’t harm us (“they’ll get better, our good will rub off their bad!”), we get soiled in the process.
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