Inaccurate, Illogical, Popular

Suppose a daughter asked her mom if she could go to visit her friend, and her mom said, “No, you can't go. But if you do your homework and clean your room, then you can go.”

Would it be logical for the girl to call her friend and say, “My mom says I can never go to your house”?

Of course not. 

Sadly, that's what many people do with Matthew 7:1-5:

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” 

This passage tells us not to judge others by a different standard than we judge ourselves. If we aren't serious about our own sins, we won't have the clarity to judge others. 

However, many people boil this passage down to two words: “judge not!” claiming any judgment of others is wrong.

Let's make sure we learn what the Bible actually teaches, sharing it accurately, and recognizing culturally popular misunderstandings like this one (2 Timothy 2:15). 

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For a balanced, biblical view of judgment, see How, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture. And to biblically understand another misunderstanding, see Did Jesus Come to Judge?

I also 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. 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. 

 

You can sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a one-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday. Find out more HERE.

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Accepting Bribes

Dear Christians, we need to be informed about things that challenge God's Word. For example, a woman recently told me she favored ab..tion* because it was the lesser of two evils. Without it, she claimed, women would die.

Here are the facts: 

According to the liberal, pro-ab..tion Guttmacher Institute, 1,128,200 babies were murdered in the U.S. in 2025 even though every state allows ab..tions when the physical life of the mother is at risk (source).

According to the official U.S. government site, the National Library of Medicine:

“The predominant themes identified as reasons for seeking ab..tion included financial reasons (40%), timing (36%), partner-related reasons (31%), and the need to focus on other children (29%). Most women reported multiple reasons for seeking an ab..tion crossing over several themes (64%).” NLM 

Forty-five percent of women getting ab..tions have had one or more previous ab..tions. NLM

Complications from pregnancies currently cause the death of 675 women a year. It's estimated that a complete and total ban on ab..tions in the United States would cause 49 additional deaths. NLM

But, as stated before, every state in the U.S. allows ab..tion to save the physical life of the mother (source).

Women aren't dying because of limitations on ab..tion. They're murdering their babies for money, convenience, time, and opportunities. That's not the lesser of two evils. That's accepting a bribe.

“‘Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’” Deuteronomy 27:25

Amen! 

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We cannot love the true and living God and accept things that break His heart and violate His commands. We are living in a difficult time in history, and our courage to stand against evil is extremely important. These devotions should encourage you: 

The Remnant, the Unfaithful, and the Lost

Living in the Midst of Deception 

* Why do I leave letters out of the word ab..tion? Because some social media platforms block pro-life posts, and the word is an easy target since pro-ab..tion sites call it women's health care. 

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Why There's Never Been a Moral Majority

In Numbers 13, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites.’”

Ten of the twelve scouts Moses sent (83%) came back and told the people, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are” (vs. 31).

When Caleb and Joshua reminded the people that God promised to give them the land, the people threatened to stone them! (Numbers 14).

Throughout Scripture, those who speak God's truth are never in the majority because “light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

Jesus explained that “broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).  

Jesus warned us that “the world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you” (John 15:19). See also Matthew 10:2.

In our modern culture, people have created a Jesus whom everyone likes because he smiles and pats them on the back as they choose sinful lifestyles. But Christians understand that our faith is not about majority opinion, popularity, or acceptance. 

May we never be ashamed to speak God's truth (Luke 9:26)!

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For additional insights, see Majorities Are Often Wrong and Ancient Paths or Broad Highway?

Be sure to check out
Lies in Disguise:

✔ Chapter titles

✔ Endorsements

✔ Where to purchase

✔ Important reasons to read it

 

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Isaiah 53:9 Really Amazes Me!

Isaiah 53 is a prophecy of Christ, and when I was reading it the other day, one verse really blessed me. I genuinely can’t understand why anyone doubts the validity of Christ’s atoning death when Scripture offers so many details of His life thousands of years before He came to earth.

For example, verse 9:

 

“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”

Not only does this prophecy explain that Jesus was “assigned a grave with the wicked”—crucified as a common criminal in a most evil way. It also prophesies that He would have a grave with the rich because the rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, gave Jesus his tomb (Matthew 27:57-60).

Christ fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies like this. (source)

One expert calculated that the chance of anyone fulfilling that many prophecies is one chance in 100,000,000,000,000,000, and he offered this analogy: 

 

If the state of Texas were covered with 100,000,000,000,000,000 silver dollars, they would be two feet deep. If one coin were marked and a blindfolded person, without knowing where the marked coin was, found it on his first try, that would compare to someone fulfilling all the Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfilled. (source)

 

Impossible! Unless you are the Son of God. 

Only a fool would claim there’s not enough proof to believe in Christ!

 

For more encouragement, see Why We Trust a Bible “Written by Men” and check out the wonderful symbolism of Jesus in the Old Testament.

 

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Gratitude Gives Us a Healthy Perspective

Gratitude is important for a healthy attitude toward God and others. These three one-minute devotions offer insights and encouragement! 

There Are Always Reasons to Be Thankful

Thankfulness prepares our hearts for true prayer, fellowship, and worship—and also makes us healthier. 

Gratitude Attitude 

Secular studies confirm what God has been saying all along. This one-minute devotion explains gratitude from a biblical perspective.

 

 

3 Steps That Can Change Your Life

When you start to judge God because of difficult circumstances, let these three verses change your focus.

 

 

Free Subscription to 1-Minute Bible Love Notes. Have a one-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday.

10 Reasons You'll Love the Book Wisdom for Life. A collection of 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and a great gift for people who love God's Word.

Full Description of the Book Lies in Disguise. A much-needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith.

 

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When "Interpretation" Means "Lie"

In Reject Propaganda About Salvation, I explained that it was a lie to claim salvation was based on good works. 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

But one reader wrote and mocked me for thinking that “my interpretation of the Bible is the only true interpretation.”

 

When someone says there are different interpretations of basic Bible truths, they are claiming that the Bible is like a puzzle that can be put together to form contradictory beliefs. 

 

Colossians 2:8 calls this “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” 

Because this “interpretation” excuse has grown in popularity, especially in the trendy “progressive/ex-vangelical” movement, it's important to understand how to respond. 

 

We can start by “agreeing” that there are some things in Scripture that can be interpreted differently. For example, Christians can hold different views about how communion is handled, how holidays are celebrated, whether people should drink alcohol, etc. (Romans 14).

 

But important doctrines and commands presented in Scripture are easily understood and non-negotiable. They aren't suggestions. They aren't optional. If we believe in the God of the Bible, we accept them. 

 

Redefining Bible truths isn't called “interpretation.” It’s called lying. 

 

So the next time you hear this excuse, graciously explain that when Scripture clearly presents truth, it needs no interpretation.  

To see how popular this claim has become with some well-known false teachers, see Wilderness Wanderers. 

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Don't Do These 3 Things When Someone Is Suffering!

 

When Christians face difficulties, we know that this earthly life will one day be over, and we can “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). 

But that doesn't mean suffering is easy for any of us. God wants us to be sympathetic, loving, and compassionate (1 Peter 3:8). 

Let's pray that we can help those who are suffering and avoid these three common mistakes:

1. Don't avoid people because you don't know what to say. 

We can mourn with those who mourn simply by being present and showing them we care (Romans 12:15).

2. Don't recite Romans 8:28 unless they bring it up. 

There may be a time to remind them of this wonderful truth, but immediately after a loss it can come across as if we're underestimating their pain.

3. Reject “Christian karma.” 

This is the belief that when something bad happens, the person must have done something to deserve it. But Christianity and Karma Are Not Compatible, and God rebuked Job's Friends for this unkind belief. 

When we “carry each other’s burdens,” we “fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). And the most important thing we can do—the thing that's always helpful and wise—is to pray for those who are suffering (1 Timothy 2:1).

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See Christianity and Karma Are Not Compatible and Job's Judgmental Friends for a deeper understanding of these errors.  

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Salt, Sword, and Grace

In our confused and troubled world:

 

We're called to be salty...

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13

 

Salt is a preservative, and sharing the salt of the gospel helps us preserve people's lives from the decay and spoilage of immorality and unbelief. Salt also seasons food, and we seek to season the world with Christ's wisdom and love. 

We're called to be armed...

Let's arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12), correctly understanding God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15).  

 

We're called to offer grace...

 

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 

 

We never soften God's truth even though people might reject it, but we share it as graciously as possible. 

Our goal is to see people “come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

“In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16

Salt, sword, and grace!

 

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For more on this subject, see Are We Called to Seek Peace or Speak Truth? and Political Anger.

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Eat the Comb

Little yellow bees, flowers, pollen, hives, queens, and workers … have you ever thought about the marvelous process of honey-making? 

We serve a Creator-Designer who hardwired complexity and beauty into everything.

Honey is no ordinary substance. It’s sweeter than sugar and contains trace vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s used in some beauty products because it's a natural humectant that’s good for skin. Studies show it’s also effective in treating some cold and sore throat symptoms.

Natural, healing, nutritious, sweet, pleasant—what a great picture of God’s Word:

The decrees of the LORD are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:9-10

When the psalmist compares God's decrees to the honeycomb, he is comparing them to the most natural and sweetest form of honey, straight from the hive.

Those who are hungry for truth understand the sweetness of God's Word, and lest we miss this truth in Psalm 19, we find it 100 chapters later with more praise for the way it guides and protects us:

How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

I gain understanding from your precepts;

    therefore I hate every wrong path.

Psalm 119:103-104

Let's take time today to marvel at our Creator and taste the sweetness of His Word. 

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To read about another food compared to God's Word, see Collect It Daily.

Click the image to find out more about Wisdom for Life, a hardcover devotional priced lower than most paperbacks.

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Our Priorities Reveal Our Faith

True Christianity affects every area of our lives, giving us God's priorities. 

Whatever we do, we should work at it with all our heart, “as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).

We should seek to do things according to His commands and values, making sure we spend time with Him in His Word and prayer (1 John 5:3; Proverbs 8:34).

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else...” Matthew 6:33 

God has ministry plans for all of us (Ephesians 2:10), but He never expects us to neglect our family's needs to serve Him (Matthew 15:1-9; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 6:1-4). 

The Lord also places importance on our spiritual family, the body of Christ. 

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 (emphasis mine)  

We should never underestimate the witness we have when we love our biological and spiritual family as God designed. 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (emphasis mine)

So let's share the gospel, help the needy, and do good works in Christ's name, but let's never forget that how we treat our family and our fellow believers is an important part of our witness! 

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I encourage you to read Rolling Right – Determining Your God-Given Priorities for additional insights.

 

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