Guilt or Sin - Which is our Real Enemy?

I recently read an article that claimed the church is responsible for some abortions because we make women feel guilty when they are unmarried and pregnant.

It's popular to claim that our problem if guilt, not sin. And this argument normally comes up with culturally acceptable sins like premarital sex, abortion, or LGBTQ lifestyles. But this is simply a sophisticated way to blame God for His loving, protective, purposeful commands.

Our sins should cause us guilt:

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:8-10

The church is commanded to call people to repentance and restore them to fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:12; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). Helping someone avoid authentic guilt is ungodly and damaging.

If we feel sorry for ourselves instead of sorry for our sins, we're taking “the way of Cain” who was the Ultimate Pouter. If a woman kills her unborn child and blames the church for making her feel guilty, she's calling God a liar (1 John 1:8-10).

The church should lovingly care for unmarried women so they can give life to their unborn children, but that process must begin with the woman's confession and repentance. 

This is true for all sins. We must honestly face our sins without self-pity or blame-shifting.

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For more on the true meaning of guilt, see Shame, Guilt, Conviction.

To see how this false teaching is used by Boundaries, see No One Should Make You Feel Guilty...Really?

To identify elements of an insincere apology, see 5 Signs of a Fake Apology.  

For some insights into the beauty of repentance, see God is Faithful and Just to Forgive.

It's a great time to buy Wisdom for Life for gift-giving because of the great sales on on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD.

Sometimes I Trust in Chariots

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” Psalm 20:7-8 

Sometimes I trust in “chariots”:

• My instincts, abilities, insight
• My perspective and strength 
• Human authorities or human wisdom
• Friends or relatives

Then I wonder why I fail and why certain problems continue to plague me.

When David faced the taunting giant, Goliath, he had the right perspective—he knew whom he could trust.  

He said:
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty…” 1 Samuel 17:45

Do you have “Goliaths” in your life—financial, relational, career, emotional, or physical difficulties taunting you? 

God is able to do more than we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

Only in the name of the Lord can we conquer the giants in our lives or gain the strength to persevere in the midst of them!

Some other verses to encourage you:

James 4:7: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” 

1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 

2 Samuel 22:33: “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” 

Philippians 4:13: “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Also: Ephesians 6:10-18

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To read about a bad choice David made, see: What a Tangled Web We Weave.

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. Find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon. In addition, you can buy the book in Kindle format on Amazon and as an ebook on other sites.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

 

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Do You Have the Same Fire in Your Heart that Jeremiah Had?

God gave Jeremiah hard truths to proclaim, and Jeremiah said:

“The word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” Jeremiah 20:8-9

Do you ever feel this "fire"?

When someone insists there are many ways to God, do you feel compelled to explain that the only way of salvation is through Jesus (1 John 5:10-12)? 

When someone insists there are no rules for sexual intimacy, do you feel compelled to explain that God created sex exclusively for the marriage union of a man and a woman, and all other lifestyles cause damage to our souls (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)? 

 

When someone claims Jesus never addressed people's sins, do you feel compelled to correct their error? (Matthew 4:17; John 7:7). 

Doing these things won't make us popular (John 15:18-19). But we cannot keep quiet as so many walk to their deaths. We must share the good news of Christ.

Jeremiah said that God’s word was in his heart “like a fire” that he could not hold inside. Can we say the same?

I pray that I will always be more concerned about the Lord's reputation than my own.

For more on Jeremiah, see Choosing the Ancient Paths and Have We Forgotten How to Blush?

 

It's a great time to buy Wisdom for Life for gift-giving because of the great sales on on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD.

 

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When You Blow It, Don't Hit the "Backspace"

Recently I spoke without thinking, and my words were sanctimonious. 

I apologized to the person and asked God's forgiveness, but I was disappointed in myself.  I should have known better since I occasionally get self-righteous comments on my blog posts and know they aren't helpful.

Sometimes when I blow it like this, I feel I've hit the backspace button on my spiritual growth. But God is helping me understand that we only hit the backspace if we fail to honestly repent and learn from our failures.

We can choose to deny, excuse, or justify our sins. In fact, if someone confronts us we can call them judgmental and self-righteous and attack them. If we do this, we definitely hit the backspace. And if we do it continually, we eventually lose our sense of shame (Ephesians 4:17-19). 

I don't want that. I want to be like Paul who honestly addressed his sins, admitted he still blew it at times, but said he was moving forward—not hitting the backspace:

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Of course, this wasn't the only time I blew it:

I Admit It: I Was Foolish

I Blew It—How Could I Set It Straight?  

Confession Is Good for the Soul 

What To Do When We Blow It 

Would you like to "watch" the first devotion in my book Wisdom for Life? Just click the image below to do that!

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Was Jesus Likable?

Years ago I read the book "They Like Jesus but Not the Church." It had some valid points about the way we Christians can make the gospel unattractive by clumsy remarks and rude attitudes.

But the book's basic premise was flawed. It suggested that people would like us if we acted more like Jesus.

That's not scriptural.

Even when we speak the truth in love, our message will offend those involved in culturally acceptable sins. In fact, if all of our unsaved friends and relatives approve of our values, we aren't living faithfully for the Lord.

Jesus made people angry—so angry they killed him.

And it wasn't just the self-righteous religious people who hated Jesus. Anyone who refused to accept God's definition of sin hated Jesus (John 7:7). If we want to be like the true Jesus in Scripture, people will hate us too (1 John 3:13).

 

I'm not suggesting that we should seek to make people angry. But we shouldn't be surprised if people reject us even when we've shared God's truth graciously.

"You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22 

Let's strive for faithfulness, not popularity.

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See also The Fake Jesus vs. the Real Jesus Collection of five one-minute devotions. And please do the Bite Size Bible Study based on this devotion: HERE.

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. Find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon. In addition, you can buy the book in Kindle format on Amazon and as an ebook on other sites.

 

Sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

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Confused Definitions of Love

Are you feeling a bit beaten down, dear Christians? I sometimes feel that way when culture and unbelieving friends and family pound me with the world's definition of love: “If you approve of my values, you're loving. Otherwise, you're hateful.”  

When I look back on my family heritage, I see that the kindest, fairest, and most sacrificial men and women were those who loved Jesus and refused to approve of sin. They weren't perfect, but they were loving.

The same is true when I look at my present friends, family, and acquaintances. 

I still love the people in my life who have bought into worldly values, but their lives would not be defined as loving or sacrificial. 

Whenever we feel beat up by our culture or by our worldly friends and family, let's remind ourselves of God's definition of love: 

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6

When we love Jesus, we never approve of sin. We love people enough to warn them (2 Timothy 2:24-26). 

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For more on this subject see these one-minute devotions:

7 Important Truths about God's Love

Does True Love Include Disapproval? 

Tolerance Isn't Approval, Agreement, or Silence 

Think God Is a Permissive Granddad?  

💙 Please check out the Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life. It features one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and is on sale at reduced prices on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD.  

You can sign up for a free email subscription to Bible Love Notes online devotions HERE. 

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Don't Be Stupid!

In our build-your-self-esteem world, it's becoming increasingly rare for people to give or receive honest, constructive criticism.

Even worse, many Christians are convinced God never rebukes or disciplines His followers. 

I've often heard someone say that when God looks at them, He doesn't see their sins; He only sees Jesus.

This belief isn't found in the Bible.

Scripture tells us we're counted righteous in Christ, but that doesn't mean God is ignorant of our sins or content with our character. 

God "disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:6

His Word "is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

God doesn't sugar-coat it:

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." Proverbs 12:1 

God forgives our sins, but He loves us too much to overlook them. 

Let's not be stupid.

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I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

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Do You Know Why Christians Have "Unveiled Faces"?

In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul explains that the old covenant law had a temporary purpose. When Moses met with God to receive the law, his face glowed, but he veiled his face for two reasons: 

1. The people were frightened by the brightness (Exodus 34:29-35).

2. Moses didn’t want them to see the light fade (2 Corinthians 3:13).

Why did the light fade? 

Because it was part of the old covenant law which didn't bring salvation.* The purpose of the old covenant was to prepare us for the new covenant in Christ, showing us that we can never be “good enough” to earn salvation (Galatians 3:24-25; Romans 3:20). 

But when we accept Christ's redemption, we're given a permanent glory, and we shine with “unveiled faces” as we “contemplate the Lord’s glory” and allow Him to transform us “into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Think about that. When we genuinely accept Christ, we start “glowing” with the permanent glory of our Lord's salvation. And the more we let God’s Spirit transform our hearts and minds, the brighter His glory becomes in our lives.

So let's ask God to show us specific ways we can “glow” today. In fact, when we wake up each morning, let's ask Him to use our  “unveiled faces” to share His glory with others.

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* This does not mean that people in the Old Testament were not saved. It means that keeping the law didn't save them. They were saved the same way we are saved—through faith. Christ had not yet revealed Himself and His salvation, but they were saved by their faith that God would supply a Savior (Romans 4; Hebrews 11).

 

Scripture clearly teaches that the law could save no one. “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son” (Romans 8:3). This highlights one of many errors in The Hebrew Roots Movement. It also refutes the false doctrine in The Chosen mini-series where Christ says He is “the Law of Moses.”

See All or Nothing: Hebrew Roots Movement and Scripture Refutes The Chosen's "I Am the Law of Moses" Statement.

💙 Please check out the Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life. It features one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and is on sale at reduced prices on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD.  

And please sign up for a free email subscription to Bible Love Notes online devotions HERE. 

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Important Truths about Confronting a Fellow Believer

In our "judge-not" culture, many people are neglecting this important aspect of Christian community: confronting fellow-believers who are involved in sinful lifestyles. It's not only commanded in Scripture, it's an act of love to help restore and heal. These one-minute devotions address important aspects of biblical confrontation.

Jesus Confronted Sin: What that Means to Us

People would like to think that Jesus was non-confrontational, but Scripture tells a different story.

When and How to Confront People

What the Bible teaches about confronting someone who is making harmful, ungodly choices: When, How, and Why should we confront someone?

 Understanding "The Spirit of Cain" 

As culture declines, we need to remember that sin is sin and avoid the error of Cain's victim mentality. 

With the Right Intentions 

This 1-minute devotion explains the importance of confronting fellow believers who are living sinful lifestyles. 

Signs of a Successful Confrontation 

This short devotion explains what real repentance looks like. This is the desired result when we confront a fellow believer.  

If you enjoy these concise, Scripture-packed devotions, I encourage you to check out Wisdom for Life, a hardback devotional containing 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs plus additional helps and resources. Check out the sales on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD.

Allowing for Differences but Not Sinful Choices

Originally posted for the 2016 election. Updated for the 2024 election.

Romans 14-15 discusses disagreements among genuine believers and warns us that in some areas we can agree to disagree. But this isn't true in areas where Scripture offers clear guidance. For example, we can allow differences regarding methods of baptism, but not regarding adultery or murder.

In our upcoming election, we can hold different views about issues like welfare and taxes. 

But God's Word speaks clearly in these areas:

1. LGBTQ lifestyles – A key element of the Democratic platform is the promotion of LGBTQ lifestyles. They approve of surgical mutilation of underage children and censorship of biblical counseling in this area. See A Public Holiday Mocking Our Lord and U.S. State Dept. on Conversion Therapy.

2. Abortion – Past Republican platforms have been solidly pro-life. This election, I would call their platform mildly proabortion. 

The Democrats, on the other hand, are wildly proabortion. On the one hand, they claim they aren't in favor of abortion up to the day of delivery, but they reject all limitations including time limits. And they overwhelmingly voted against medical care being given to babies born alive during abortions. See Be Sure You Fully Understand This Fact. 

These are not issues where genuine believers can agree to disagree. Instead, it's our Christian responsibility to expose these evils and warn fellow believers not to help promote them (Ephesians 5:11). 

Some believers have prayed about this election and feel they can vote for neither party. I disagree with this view, but I consider it a Romans 14 difference, and I still respect those who hold it. 

However, if a fellow believer tells us they're voting Democrat, God wants us to lovingly warn them that they'll be held accountable by God for promoting evil (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). 

Necessary note:

In the last few months, whenever I've written about voting, I've stuck to the biblical issues, not the personalities. If I mentioned a candidate, it was directly related to something they said or did in regard to the issues of abortion or LGBTQ lifestyles. 

When it comes to personal lifestyles, I don't respect or approve of Trump's personal values nor do I respect or approve of Harris' personal values. 

Despite what some people claim, we are not voting for a king, queen, or dictator. We are voting for a platform that expresses the values that a candidate and his/her party are promoting in our nation. 

In addition, I have objectively pointed out where the Republican platform has moved backward, going from strongly pro-life to mildly proabortion (example). And I've pointed out other ungodly choices they've made (example). 

Sadly, what I'm seeing in many Christians is a form of backward idolatry. Instead of focusing on the issues involved and the lives lost and damaged, they are focusing on a single man they don't like. So when I write about voting against unlimited abortion, I get letters from readers asking me why I'm promoting Trump. Instead of addressing the murder of unborn babies and the trans-mutilation of underage children, they focus on Trump.

I've even heard some people say that Trump's sins are worse than abortion and the trans-mutilation of children. If you believe that what one man has done is more offensive to God than the killing of millions of babies nationwide and mutilating hundreds of children through trans-surgeries, you are not thinking clearly and you are letting your hatred for Trump affect your judgment.

Satan loves this. He wants us to focus on personalities and let nationwide evil prevail. He has seriously blinded unbelievers to God's truths, and many Christians have allowed him to blind them as well (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

If you think you can vote for a proabortion candidate with God's blessings, you're wrong. And you don't need to take my word for it, you can take God's:

"Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, 'Look, we didn’t know.' For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve." Proverbs 24:11-12

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4

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If a Christian teacher tells you he's voting for Harris, I would take him/her off your list of reliable Bible teachers. 

BLN