Category: Discernment

Nothing New Under the Sun: A Timeless Reflection

How Ancient Wisdom Still Speaks to Our Modern Lives  Introduction: Setting the Stage for Change and Sameness  Every day, the world around us seems to be changing at lightning speed. New gadgets hit the shelves, news headlines shift, and trends come and go. Yet, in the midst of all this change, there’s a familiar feeling—like we’ve seen it all before.…

Why Lies are Becoming the New Norm Today

Understanding What Happens When Truth Loses Its Value We’ve all heard the saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” But when you scroll through your newsfeed these days, it feels like the world has flipped that idea on its head. Everywhere you look—whether it’s in politics, advertising, social media, or even day-to-day conversations—it seems like fibs, half-truths, and outright deceit are…

Evil Is Always Present: Understanding the Struggle Within

Explaining Romans 7 in Simple Terms The Ongoing Battle Inside Every Person Most of us have experienced moments when we genuinely want to do the right thing, but somehow end up doing the opposite. It can be as simple as wanting to be patient with a loved one, but snapping in frustration—or wanting to avoid gossip, but finding ourselves caught…

The Importance of Jesus’ Question: Who Do You Say I Am?

Why This Famous Question Still Matters Today If you’ve ever heard someone talk about the Bible, you might have come across the question, “Who do you say that I am?” This is a famous line that Jesus asked his closest friends—his disciples—in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It’s one of those moments that stands out, and there’s a…

Biblical Warnings: Let No One Deceive You!

A Simple Look at a Powerful Warning from the Bible These days, with life feeling so unpredictable, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant and avoid being misled by those who may not have honest intentions. The phrase “let no one deceive you” might sound like something borrowed from the pages of a book—and in fact, it is. This…

Overcoming Life’s Stumbling Blocks

Understanding Obstacles to Progress, Belief, and Faith If you’ve ever tripped over a stone in the road or hit a snag that made things hard in life, you already have a good idea of what a “stumbling block” is. It’s anything that gets in the way and keeps you from moving forward, whether it’s a physical object, a tough idea,…

Understanding Satan’s Devices: A Guide to Spiritual Resilience

Recognizing and Resisting Common Spiritual Traps If you’ve ever felt that life throws a lot of sneaky challenges your way—doubts, distractions, fears, or even arguments that pop up out of nowhere—you’re not alone. In Christian teaching, these kinds of struggles are often described as “Satan’s devices.” But what does that term really mean, and why should we care? Let’s break…

How Division Harms the Church: Recognizing Distraction

Understanding the Enemy’s Devices in Simple Terms If you’ve ever wondered why churches sometimes struggle with arguments about race, religion, or politics, you’re not alone. According to Christian teachings, Satan is always looking for ways to trip up believers and weaken the Church. Let’s break down, in plain language, how Satan uses these hot-button issues to set traps—and what we…

Static Triumphalism: Power, Control, and Change

Understanding a Big Idea from Theologian Walter Brueggemann Have you ever wondered why some countries, leaders, or powerful groups seem so sure that their way is the only right way—and that their success is somehow meant to last forever? Walter Brueggemann, a well-known theologian, describes this kind of thinking as “static triumphalism.”1 What Does “Static Triumphalism” Mean? Static triumphalism is…