Bible Love Notes

Discerning or Deceived: Your Choice

If you warn someone of a false teacher, you might hear these two excuses. Don't fall for them!

The popularity of false teachers is growing, and I've noticed that when Christians try to warn others, they're often met with these two objections:

1. The teacher is doing so much good that the errors are not significant.

Scripture refutes this claim: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10

Mishandling God's Word is never insignificant, especially for a Bible teacher (James 3:1).

2. It's not our place to judge these teachers.

Scripture refutes this claim as well: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11

“Test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

We are called to examine the words, lifestyle, values, attitudes, and discernment of those who teach us. And we are called to expose error and warn people of false teachers.

Those who listen to false teachers lose their discernment. Satan blinds them, and they become increasingly defensive when their favorite false teachers are exposed (2 Corinthians 4:4).

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7:15-17

See also 1 Timothy 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:8.

Please be aware of the dark side of one of the most popular pastors in America: Steven Furtick's Metallica Obsession.

For more insights, see How False Teachers Help Us and 3 Characteristics of False Teachers.

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4 Reasons to Avoid People-Pleasing

This 1-minute devotion offers 4 truths we must remember if we want to please God, not man.

It's important that Christians understand that we can't please both God and man. So let's remember these four biblical truths:

✔ It's never right to remain silent about our Christian values for fear of offending people

✔ It's never right to soften biblical truths to make them sound attractive to the world.

✔ We'll never make Christianity popular with the majority (Matthew 7:13-14).

✔ Persecution is part of living for the Lord.

Ephesians 5:5-10 warns us not to be deceived by empty human values because we “were once darkness, but now [we] are light in the Lord.” Therefore, we must “live as children of light … and find out what pleases the Lord.”

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25

When someone doesn't like us because of our Christian beliefs, that's proof that we're living for the Lord.

“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ” 2 Timothy 3:12

It's appropriate to care about other people's feelings, to be kind and gracious. But our first priority must always be to please God, not men.

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For more inspiration to serve the Lord faithfully, see He Sent Us Out Like Sheep Among Wolves and Blessed Are You When People Insult You.

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When It Comes to God's Word, Get It Write!

Research shows that this daily practice not only helps you brain function but also helps you spiritually!

I’ve started a practice of handwriting a portion of Scripture each morning. It helps me consider each word more carefully than when I type or read it. I’m finding that I often see new things in a passage that I’ve read a hundred times before, and I’m studying things I previously overlooked.

“In an era dominated by digital technology, it can often feel like handwriting is becoming a lost art. However, a growing body of research suggests that the act of writing by hand has significant cognitive benefits, particularly for memory and learning.” (source)

At age 75, I definitely like the idea of doing something that helps my memory, but when it comes to God’s Word, these benefits are important at every age. My husband doesn’t like handwriting, but the good news is that hand printing has the same benefits.

Another way to better retain what we read in Scripture is creative Bible journaling. This involves keeping a journal where you draw things that help you remember the passage. Not everyone will enjoy this, but if you have a creative side, give it a try. See Creative Bible Study.

Let’s never forget the importance of God’s Word in our lives (2 Timothy 3:16). If it’s not part of our daily schedule, we’ll be spiritually malnourished (Matthew 4:4).

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

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See Pen, Paper, Prayer & Learning Style and Ephesians 3:17 -- Rooted in Love for more encouragement in your Bible study.

And if you're looking for a way to be even more creative, check out these ideas for making journals from composition books: 3 Inexpensive Journals.

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God's Creation Is Loving — Part 4

These 3 one-minute devotions share aspects of God's creation that inspire love for our awesome God.

I pray these three devotions will help you realize the loving aspects God has built into His creation.

Killdeer Love

If you don't know about the killdeer's way of protecting its young, you will be blessed by this one-minute devotion.

Not Mother Earth, but Father God

Do you know that nature has great benefits for us mentally, physically, and spiritually? This devotion explains.

A Fitting Description for God

A word that fits God so perfectly, but we use it too flippantly.

Don't Miss:

God's Creation is Fun! — Part 1

It offers fun insights about our Lord's creation of fireflies, bugs, and dogs!

God's Creation is Interesting! — Part 2

It offers interesting insights into our Lord's creation of ants, sharks, lions, and the color green!

God's Creation Brings us Joy! — Part 3

It discusses the joy of 14-ers and ladybugs and offers suggestions for enjoying God's creation.

If you enjoyed these devotions and you'd like to get a one-minute devotion delivered to your email each weekday, check out our free subscriptions. If you already have one, tell your friends and send them this link: Stay Connected.

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Don't Fall for This Explanation of Habitual and Normative Sin

Don't fall for "lies-in-disguise" like this one that claim we can live in sin and love the Lord at the same time.

I recently read an article that used Romans 7 to claim genuine Christians can live in “habitual sin” as long as they continually repent and wish they could change. This article contrasted habitual with “normative sin,” which they defined as sinning without repentance or desire to change.

It's no surprise that this article focused on softening God's warnings about homosexual lifestyles.

Romans 7 talks about Old Testament law, Paul's struggle with sin, and Christ's deliverance. Scholars disagree about whether Paul's struggle was before or after his salvation. Either way, we know Paul wasn't living in “habitual sin” because “no one who lives in [Christ] keeps on sinning” (1 John 3:6).

Paul wasn't perfect, but he was serious about his walk with the Lord (Philippians 3:7-14). When our faith is real, we may struggle with sin from time to time, but living in habitual sin is a sign of unbelief (1 John 3:6).

True repentance is more than words or feelings (2 Corinthians 7:10). It's a process of renewal (Ephesians 4:17-24).

If a genuine Christian struggles regularly with any sin, especially sexual sin (1 Corinthians 6:18-20), they'll want to change out of love for Christ (John 14:21). So they'll seek accountability, renew their minds in Scripture, and gain strength from God's Spirit to overcome their sinful habit.

They will see improvement.

To confirm this truth, please read through the passages below and combine them with Romans 7. They don't contradict. They offer a fuller understanding.

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For more confirmation, see 3 Things Itching Ears Want to Hear and Have Christians Forgotten How Much God Hates Sin?

Please consider leading a study using Lies in Disguise. It will improve your discernment so you more easily recognize false teachings like this one.

1 John 3:6: No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Romans 6:18-19: You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.

John 14:21: Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.

1 John 2:3-6: 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 5:18: We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.

2 Corinthians 7:10: Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

🠅 The Greek word translated repentance in the verse above “expresses a Spirit‐wrought reorientation of mind and heart that issues in a changed life. It is never presented as a mere intellectual shift, nor as a work that earns salvation, but as the God‐enabled turning that accompanies true saving faith.” (source)

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Avoiding "Concrete Minds"

Concrete minds can be a special problem among Christians. This 1-minute devotion explains what that means (Colossians 2:8).

When someone is stubbornly resistant to God, we sometimes say they have a hard heart. And one thing that can contribute to a hard heart is a hard mind. We might call it a “concrete” mind.

It involves hearing a false teaching, mixing it with personal prejudices, and letting it harden permanently like concrete in our minds. If we hold on tightly to these false beliefs, which are usually half-truths, they become more important to us than Scripture. And we get offended when they're challenged.

Colossians 2:8 calls this being taken “captive”:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

When false teachings take us captive, we begin building a wall in our mind to hide the truth.

Over the years I've learned that if I'm not careful, I can pour cement in my brain too.

It's so important that we check every teaching with the full context of Scripture instead of highlighting a few passages. This means we can't trust others to do our studying for us.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Concrete is great for a patio but not for a mind!

For more insights on understanding Scripture, see "Pieces Parts" Doesn't Work for Scripture!

This is one reason I've written Lies in Disguise. Many half-truths are creeping into the church and filling people's minds like cement.

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Why God's People Fly in V Formation

What a great analogy of Christian fellowship. God's creation teaches us so much about our Lord!

After watching a flock of white ibis fly over our house in V formation, I did some research and discovered that each bird flying behind the leader saves energy by catching the preceding bird's updraft. This formation also allows each bird a full view of where they're headed.

This wise design is another proof that God's amazing creation is not a result of a messy evolutionary mistake.

And it's also a great analogy for godly fellowship.

In Ephesians 4:11-16, we’re told that Christ equips us so we aren’t “blown about by every wind of teaching.” And one way He does this is through fellowship with more mature Christians who can lead the way. As they speak God's truth in loving fellowship, each of us takes our place, following their example and benefiting from their spiritual “updraft.”

The V formation is also a great analogy if we think of the V as a symbol of Christ’s Victory over sin. As we fly forward in fellowship following the lead of mature believers, we sharpen our faith, overcome sin, and learn how to endure the storms of adversity (Proverbs 27:17).

So let's make God's Word our flight plan and fly with those who lead us in the right direction, flying “toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

For some additional important insights on fellowship, see Christian Community and Christ Didn't Ask Us to Make Converts.

Note: Man learns from God's creation: “The logic behind military aircraft flying in formation is similar to the reasons why birds fly in formation—it allows for coordinated movement, identification of any threats, and can save energy (in the case of aircraft, fuel savings).” (source)

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Let's Quit Blame-Shifting

This 1-minute devotion explains why 2 popular excuses for sin aren't reasonable or biblical.

We are easily influenced by false cultural views of sin. That's why it's so important that Christians remember:

1. Environment and circumstances don't make us sin.

It's popular to blame our difficulties for our bad behavior, but that's not biblical.

Negative circumstances can definitely impact us, but Scripture says we choose sinful behavior (Genesis 4:7; John 3:19; James 4:17). It's not forced on us.

We aren't born perfect and then messed up by life. We're born sinners, and we choose how we are going to live (Romans 5:12).

When we come to Christ, we recognize our fallen nature, seek God in overcoming negative situations, and take responsibility for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Daniel was forced to live his life in an evil pagan environment, but he made right choices.

See Hard Things and Singing in the Lion's Den.

2. Parents are NOT responsible for how their adult children turn out.

This is a natural spin-off of belief #1.

If an adult child makes terrible choices, we often look for fault in the parents, not the adult child.

Parents are responsible TO God for how they parent but not responsible FOR their adult children's choices (Ezekiel 18:20).

Joseph had a dysfunctional family because of his father Jacob's multiple wives and Jacob's unfair favoritism of Joseph, which made his brothers hate him. But Joseph made right choices.

See Bad Blood and Beyond Excuses.

Let these examples remind you that with Christ we can overcome abuse, hardship, and persecution.

We'd be wise to regularly read the strong warning in 1 John 1:8-10.

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Withering Grass vs. Shining Delight

These 6 verses in Psalm 37 should give believers direction and delight. Check it out and I think you'll agree.

I love studying Psalms. They are so rich with meaning and symbolism.

For example, Psalm 37:1–6:

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” (Verses 1–2)

Wicked people may seem to have easy lives even as they bring harm to us and others. But they’ll “wither like grass” one day, and we’ll continue blossoming in our Lord throughout eternity. It can be hard to remember this when being persecuted, but it’s important to focus on that truth.

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“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Verses 3–4)

When we trust God and make Him the delight of our hearts, we will always have our heart's desire. Why? Because He is our desire—not health, wealth, easy lives, and perfect circumstances.

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“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” (Verses 5–6)

When we are fully committed to live for Him, we’ll shine!

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These six verses are rich with meaning. Let’s hold onto these truths this week!

For more insights, see Let Your Heart Be Renewed in Gratitude. It offers wisdom from Psalm 33.

And If You Have Breath offers wisdom from Psalm 150.

If you enjoy the Psalms as much as I do, please check out my devotional Wisdom for Life, which features 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs. It's a handy-sized hard cover book at a price lower than many paperback books.