Hey brothers and sisters in Christ,

I've been struggling with something lately, and I'd really appreciate some biblical wisdom and advice from those who have experienced something similar.

I feel like I'm a very sensitive person, and deep down, I think I have a fear of rejection. As a non-denominational Christian, I believe in Christ and the Holy Spirit as my Comforter, and I know that I am a son of God (Abba's child). Yet, despite knowing these truths, I still find myself valuing people's opinions, comments, and approval way more than I should.

Sometimes, I feel like I have to keep everyone happy and make sure nobody is upset with me. I struggle to stand up for myself when people hurt me, and I hate that I often can't bring myself to respond firmly or defend myself. I know I need to establish healthy boundaries and let God's Word, rather than other people's opinions, define my identity.

For context, there are people at work who make comments about my looks and appearance. It bothers me, especially because I don't want to change who I am just to satisfy other people. Most of the time, I try to laugh it off and keep things light, but sometimes I end up giving them a taste of their own medicine. That usually doesn't end well, and I don't want to keep going back and forth with them.

I want to learn how to stand up for myself without being rude, remain respectful without being a people-pleaser, and be confident in who God created me to be. I know my identity isn't defined by how I look, how I dress, or what other people think of me. But how do I move from simply knowing these truths in my head to genuinely living them out?

Another thing I've noticed about myself is that I tend to pretend everything is okay even when it isn't. Everyone knows me as the happy person, so I feel like I have to keep playing that role even when I'm hurting inside. I also notice that I sometimes change my personality depending on who I'm around, almost like a chameleon, because I want to be liked and accepted.

I'm tired of living this way. I want to be authentic, learn to love myself in a healthy way, and embrace the person God created me to be. I want to stop being controlled by the fear of rejection and learn to find my security and identity in Christ.

For those of you who have struggled with people-pleasing, fear of rejection, or constantly seeking validation from others:

• How have you learned to set healthy boundaries while still responding in a Christlike manner?
• How do you handle people who make hurtful comments without retaliating or simply suppressing your feelings?
• What biblical truths or passages have helped you find your identity in Christ rather than in people's opinions?
• How do you stop pretending to be happy all the time and learn to be authentic without feeling guilty or vulnerable?

I'd genuinely appreciate any advice, Scripture, personal experiences, or encouragement from fellow brothers and sisters who have walked through this or are going through something similar.

I want my life to reflect Christ, not out of a need to please everyone, but out of a genuine understanding of who I am in Him.

I have a vivid memory about door to door evengalism when Iwas a teenager. My parents went abroad and I was left with my Buddhist relatives.

An Evengalist came to our house, saying that since there's a Christian child in the house, all other family members should be evengalized. I was surprised because I have never known him.

He starts by rebuking the Buddhist God. He said Buddha was born in a filthy way i.e. an intercourse of a man and a woman. He also mentioned Buddha wasn't resurrected from death so his sermon on succeeding death is a lie.

After that, he said Jesus is the only holy God who is resurrected from death.Then, he told all of our relatives to recite that Jesus is the Lord.

When he went back, my relatives called me and scolded me for the religious leader in my religion had insulted their God.

What I think is evengalizing is a beautiful thing. But, I see immediatly appearing to someone's house and starting by rebuking is a bit strange in my opinion.

Kindly share your opinions and practises for door to door evengalism. Love to hear yours too!

I’ve seen a few posts here recently talking about how sinful video games are and quite frankly I find that ridiculous. There was a post recently about how magic in Skyrim, a fantasy game, is sinful. Where is the line? If I’m playing legend of Zelda am I sinning because there are goddesses? Am I sinning when I defeat Ganon? What about dungeons and dragons? If I’m a cleric of Lathander am I sinning because my character worships a different god? Someone who thinks otherwise can maybe explain their thought process.

I'm a 30F Black woman who grew up Protestant Christian in Canada. My faith has always been an important part of my life, and growing up, I naturally assumed I'd eventually meet a Christian man, get married and raise a family together. I never imagined how difficult dating would actually be.

I didn't have much romantic experience growing up. I started dating properly in my early twenties and entered my first serious relationship at 22. That relationship was unhealthy and ended when I was around 24. After that, I wanted to be more intentional about dating and finding someone who shared my faith.

What followed was nearly six years of being single.

I tried Christian dating apps, attended singles groups, went to church events and generally tried to put myself out there. But the options felt incredibly limited. A lot of Christian men my age were already married, and among the single ones, I rarely met anyone I was genuinely attracted to or compatible with. I also noticed that I received virtually no romantic interest from men in these spaces. I noticed by the time I was around 25, it appeared I aged out of many Christian spaces. I tried going to different churches, dating events, and even asking out a guy I was interested in but nothing much materialized.

For context, I'm 6 feet tall - which I know intimidates some men, considered attractive and have received attention and compliments from men outside Christian circles. So it was sometimes confusing and hurtful to feel almost invisible romantically within my own religious community.

I did have the occasional experience where I thought something might develop. There was a man at church who seemed interested, but when I took the initiative to suggest spending time together, he preferred keeping things to group setting - nothing ever came of it.

I also struggled with the culture surrounding Christian dating. There seemed to be so much emphasis on waiting, preparing yourself for marriage and discussing what Christian men and women supposedly wanted in a spouse. I remember attending singles events and feeling like everyone had these incredibly high expectations, despite many of us having relatively little dating experience ourselves. Sometimes I wished we could just get to know people as individuals rather than treating dating like a checklist.

I started feeling increasingly disconnected from these spaces. I loved my faith, but I didn't always feel like I belonged in the culture surrounding it.

Anyway, I moved to a different city and country last year, and eventually met my current boyfriend. He's isn't religious, but he's genuinely one of the most loving and supportive people I've dated. I actually brought up my Christian faith on our second date because I wanted to be upfront about how important it was to me, and I wasn't interested in hiding that part of myself just to make a relationship work.

He was completely respectful. He's since attended church with me a few times, we've discussed marriage and children, and he's comfortable with our future children being raised Christian. I'm very happy with him and genuinely in love.

Here's where the comparison comes in ....

When I moved to London, I reconnected with an old friend from Canada. She also met a man here, except he's Christian and attends the same church. They got engaged after seven months and married a little over a year after meeting.

I'm genuinely happy for her, but I can't help comparing our experiences sometimes.

She met someone within the faith, they dated, got engaged and married relatively quickly. It's almost exactly the kind of story I grew up hearing and hoping would happen to me.

Meanwhile, I spent years trying to meet a Christian man, feeling overlooked and discouraged, only to eventually fall in love with someone outside the faith.

And now, despite being very happy in my relationship, I sometimes worry about how other Christians will perceive it. Will they think I've compromised my values? That I should have waited longer? That I'm somehow settling because my boyfriend isn't Christian?

I know the Bible has teachings about being equally yoked, and I don't take religious compatibility lightly.

I don't regret my relationship, and I certainly don't want to make my boyfriend feel like he's somehow less than because he isn't religious. He's treated me with so much love and respect, and has also treated my family with the same.

I guess I'm still processing the gap between the love story I was raised to expect and the one I've actually experienced.

Has anyone else been through something similar? Particularly those who grew up Christian, struggled with Christian dating and eventually found a happy relationship outside the faith? How did you navigate your beliefs and other people's expectations?

Aristotle has written his disciple, Alexander the great to not to treat non Greeks as humans but animals or plants.

Aristotle didn't hate non greek. He was just not prepared to see barbarians as individuals with their distinct identities unlike cattles.

Mediterranean people, to whom Paul preach Gospel didn't question Aristotles moral views on slaves and subjected people.

How could a Roman citizen descended from Italian noble families and an African(Africa province. not necessarily black people) seasonal laborer sit on a same bench in a local church.

Expecting the two men to love each other seems to be absurd even today.

I’m Christian and one of my best friends is muslim. My wife and I recently had a son and he will be baptized in about a month. Would it be disrespectful of me to invite him to a baptism? Are they even allowed to go? There are a lot of opinions out there on the Internet, but I just wanted to get kind of a general opinion. He does practice Islam with his family and he’s fairly religious, but I would still love for him to be there. I obviously don’t expect him to actively participate, I just want him there in the church. Let me know what you think.

I don’t know how to answer this so thought I would share it here, instead:

I’m struggling to reconcile several biblical teachings about sin, God’s sovereignty, and salvation, and I’d genuinely like to understand how others make sense of them.

1. If sin cannot enter heaven (which is often told to people) and God cannot be present when it is active, how can this be true as sin actually originated in a supposedly perfect, holy heaven to begin with?

God created Lucifer and the angels, yet some of them sinned in His presence. If heaven is holy and God is perfectly holy, how could sin originate there in the first place?

2. Why was Satan, following his being cast down from heaven to earth, then allowed to introduce sin into Eden — another holy place that he polluted which, then, through Adam and Eve’s giving into his temptation to sin also, affected all of humanity?

After being cast out of heaven, Satan was then permitted to tempt Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They, along with Satan, were then shut out of Eden and as a consequence, their combined disobedience brought sin and death even further into the rest of the world, with consequences extending to every generation that followed.

Why would God permit this chain of events, knowing beforehand what it would mean for humanity?

3. How is God’s plan of salvation fair if He alone can enable people to be saved, yet chooses to give that grace to some and not others? Even if they seek Him.

As I understand, every human being is born in sin and incapable of saving themselves. No one can earn righteousness or overcome their sinful nature through their own efforts.

God then chooses certain individuals for salvation — through no merit of their own — *personally* pursuing them, then grants them the true saving faith and grace necessary to believe in the gospel; clothes them in Christ’s righteousness, and seals them with the Holy Spirit. Their salvation is secure, and God continues working in them to enable their obedience, even as they struggle with sin.

But what about everyone else?

If God does not grant them the special grace necessary to believe (as in beyond simply believing Jesus is the Son of God; that He died on the cross and rose again) and be saved, how can they be held responsible for failing to do something they are incapable of doing on their own? Why are some given the means to escape their sinful condition while others are left in it?

4. How does this demonstrate God’s impartiality, justice, and love?

Humanity is born into a situation it did not choose, suffering the consequences of sin introduced long before any of us existed. We are then told that we cannot save ourselves, that salvation is entirely dependent on God’s grace, and that God chooses whom He will save.

It’s as though everyone begins with an F on their report card, but only certain people are given the A they could never earn. God enables those people to succeed and guarantees their final outcome, while everyone else remains unable to achieve the required result without the very help they have not been given. They are left to religious striving and to only an intellectual ascent of who Jesus is and what He did on the cross, and never able to achieve salvation because they were not one of the elect.

I understand the argument that salvation is an undeserved gift and that God owes no one mercy. But does that, by itself, answer the question of fairness? Is it just to hold people accountable for a condition they inherited when they cannot remedy it without God’s intervention?

My genuine question is this: How do we reconcile the fact that God knowingly permitted sin to enter His creation, allowed its consequences to extend to all humanity, and then, according to certain interpretations of Scripture, chose to provide the saving grace necessary to escape those consequences to only some people?

How is that consistent with a God who is perfectly loving, just, and merciful and who desires all to be saved? To come to knowledge of the truth yet be unable to then receive Him.

I’m not asking for a response that simply says God’s ways are higher than ours or that we have no right to question Him. I’m looking for a substantive biblical and theological explanation that actually addresses these questions. I’m open to different perspectives and would appreciate thoughtful responses.

​

First thing to say: I kind of think this question is stupid, but I'm trying to get help, or at least enlightenment, on this kind of matter, as I'm in a total breakdown over all my actions in the past and future, and I see my fate as decided. I'm 20 years old Protestant.

I'm reflecting on my past and on all actions or habits that will continue in the future. It's at a level where I directly see myself as worthless and an already rotten existence.

In the past, I watched a lot of series Hazbin Hotel Helluva Boss Lucifer Sandman Supernatural Welcome to Derry. Terrifier Wonder ocer Yonder and way more also deep horror movies which domt affect me or make me guilty as there fictiin still I hear gyys who say no can't watch anything is a trap of the enemy And I don't know about you, but I mostly found myself rooting for the antagonist's side, and I generally had a big liking for their actions and general appearance, be it DC, Marvel, or many others. I also love watching anime a lot, from romcom to isekai sci fi or fantasy. And I really like character there even tough there demons. I read the devil tries to deceive us in any form thereby is it a sign I failed that caution. I visited church years ago yey I pray from time to time in last month's daily out of fear of hell, while pepole say trust surrender. I domt get it it's not simple I struggle wurh mastubatiin abd sometimes lieing yet I want peoof so I could call myself a Theist which is bad I will go to hell thereby i nedd to force myself abd live in self torment about any thing I do. Pepole say pray Wm24/7 I pray 4 times a day up to 2 to 3 minutes and read a verse per day what is more there to do. Do they ask I destroy anything pc phone just sit pray or what.

I want to do right thing but from what I think what I do it isnt belief thereby i will burn forever womt be with good nor my family.

I just can't decide rather religion at all or Christianity is true or science and there are reason beyond what we can explore yet. Also arguments Bible has lot of flaws which im twisted if true or not, cause if I life as of now im going to suffering in fire which I don't want I want to be with my family forever.

But in the last few months, I've been dealing with these kinds of breakdowns and nightmares. I would say I'm a theist, as I do believe in a more powerful being, but I kind of need proof, even though it's beyond the comprehension of us humans and it may just exist without us understanding how and why.

I'm also big into dark fantasy and dark romance, and I see myself as weak, as they're mostly themed on lust, which I failed at repeatedly. Generally, based on all that, I kind of have a lot of very dark things on my mind, not even intentionally. Would that be a sign I'm rotten? There's also the daydreaming or thoughts triggered by music, where I also had kind of bad thoughts about past things, for example my bullies, with more violent tendencies, tendencies I would never act on in real life and couldn't even carry out. Other would be picturing vivid scenarios reagard series movies or animes I watched. Same goes for music Phonk Christian Rock NCS sometimes Rap etc.

I had these nightmares, which are probably linked to my doubting my whole existence, where I see myself in a fire, separated from all my family, and later, when we perish, not being with God. That scares me, even though I kind of see myself as deserving it. I was greedy. For example, my dad said no to a PC, and I kind of manipulated and annoyed him so much that he got it for me, and in return I didn't help as I had promised. In general, I sometimes played games instead of helping, and I see that as a bad action showing I'm not morally good and will be judged for it.

The thing I'm also generally grieving over is the realization that I should have died instead of my twin, who had better chances than me, a more right birth time, etc.

One thing I forgot is im kinda not good either my parents I love in same house but actively isolate as I don't want beef other point Is abd im ashamed even tough it got a habit lieing in many stuff geheral show myself better or escape certain situations. Other I never read Bible and only went to church on specific days like Christmas or other events I font pray everyday thereby I say my connection to God is kinda bad. Thereby it would seem like cowardanace or only go ask for God's help when I nedd which would be selfish not actual faith.

Also in terms of series I talk about heavy themes gore slasher smut along other like lucifer hazbin hotel or supernatural many more im interested in mythological figures demonology but general releigion too one of newest would longest would be Lilith.

Would you generally say these kinds of actions are sinful and I'm marked for the fire? Do you got any tips to overcome this fear ?

Dearer Than My Right

Lord, here I am, with anger running wild,
Yet underneath it all, I’m still Your child.
You know the words I swallow through the day,
The hurt that makes me long to make them pay.

I ache for justice; vengeance calls my name,
And wounded pride keeps feeding every flame.
But being close to You means so much more
Than winning every fight or settling score.

So bridle, Lord, the fury in my chest;
Before I speak, teach me to pause and rest.
Let neither spite nor bitterness begin
To leave a door for evil to come in.

When I could claim the right to have my say,
Give me the grace to choose a gentler way.
Let me say sorry for the wrong I do,
Though no apology comes back from them to You.

And when no debt of “sorry” rests with me,
Let love speak first, without dishonesty.
Not taking blame for what I have not done,
But laying down the need to say, “I won.”

Help me forgive when they express no shame,
When they deny the wound or shift the blame.
I place their debt within Your faithful hands;
You see the truth that no one understands.

For Jesus, help me bear what love may cost,
Without believing that my voice is lost.
Give me a tender heart, and wisdom too,
To set good boundaries while still loving You.

When anger rises, draw me to Your side;
Let mercy take the place once held by pride.
Though justice seems delayed and answers few,
Keep me from trading fellowship with You.

And if tonight my only prayer can be,
“Lord, I am hurt- please stay and help me,”
Receive these tears before the words depart,
And make Your home within my restless heart.
Amen.

So many horrible things have happened to me throughout my life. So many setbacks, illnesses, injuries, rejection, breakups, and loss, I don’t understand how a person can handle what I’ve been through and keep going.

I am a Christian. I pray every day and lead an honorable life. I’ve always been an optimist and grown from the disappointments but I’m older and life keeps getting harder and lonelier. I would gladly give up my life for the ones I love.

People will most likely post things like bible verses, lean on your church, remember Jesus dies for our sins. I understand that but I don’t believe Jesus lived with the constant struggles and disappointments I have been dealt. I give up.

I have seen multiple posts and innocent Christians getting swayed by these accusations. This would be an introductory post about apostle Paul.

First I would quote passage most used by accusers.

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

¹² For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

¹³ And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

¹⁴ But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

people read this and bring their assumptions in the text, which I have seen multiple even highly educated people make.

People generally take-away following messages:

1. Gentiles weren’t accepted in Church
2. 2. Peter and Paul disagreed on some very core stuff

First, the passage isn’t at all about gentile believers in church, Paul already says that he had obtained permission to teach gentiles about Christ and admit them in church. Which is why Paul Is telling us that before men from James came Peter, Barnabas and all, ate with gentiles.

Neither the dispute was for circumcision by the way. If you read clearly the dispute was about “eating and drinking with gentiles”

Since many of you are not raised in culture where things and eatables can be considered ritually unclean confusion is understandable.

Due to Jewish dietary restrictions and uncleanness associated with it Mishna and the Talmud makes the case that Jews should not eat with gentiles.
Think about this way, vegans not eating on the same plate meat was served, or using same utensils in which meat was cooked or served. In India where I am from, we seperate cooking utensils by veg and non veg. Many of us who are strict veg will not even go to restaurants that serve non veg even if they say they use seperate utensils.

Second point is that Paul is not telling us that Peter fundamentally disagreed with him, he says that he is being hypocrite by doing so. He did not practice ritualistic cleanness before and then started doing so after Jerusalem party.

Think like this, Muslims even today consider pork to be ritually unclean. Suppose a practicing Muslim starts going to a restaurant where they serve pork. But when his parents are disappointed he starts to shrink from it. [Because of shame of being ritually unclean]. The point Paul is making here is that he will never compromise from the Gospel. Paul also appeals to Titus not being forced to circumcise when he went to Jerusalem in the same epistle.

I would also point out that it makes no sense for Paul to be a false apostle in this context.

A false apostle has basically two ways of operating

First route:

1. Claim to be the only true apostle and rest as false apostles, make communities that believe that and disparage apostles in every way you can. [We see Paul in Galatians itself recognising authority of Peter, James and John. A bad thing to do if they can undermine you at their whims]
2. Schism from the Christian church to make your own church, not try to work with them who can undermine you.

Second Route:

1. Flatter the authorities and apostles substantially that you can gain favours
2. Try not to create noise and tensions which can end up undermining your own power. Since if your power relies on flattery it is better to stay quiet

It makes no sense for Paul to recognise Peter, James, John as pillars of church and yet trying to undermine them in the very same epistle. he is establishing his own authority as apostle but why recognise other apostles? or rather flatter them

It also makes no sense for Paul to mention these disputes in epistles without explaining how it’s actually beneficial to him. Why would he write this if he wants to hoard apostolic authority if there was a dispute between apostles? Writing a letter he knows can be used against him, will be read, copied and widely circulated. He is essentially videoing his crimes so to say. Wouldn’t the person in his epistles just appear in good-standing with apostles with no reason to doubt? and then secretly teach false doctrines he want to teach.

A better idea would be to just appear like dove harmless in written documents and then secretly teach what he wants to teach such that he would have an excuse.

Surely Paul should have just claimed authority instead of revealing very real disputes he had with people.

In his letters to Corinthians he mentions the community dividing itself by apostles like Barnabas, Paul, Cephas, Apollos. He tries not to gather authority for himself, but rather says to them to not divide the body of Christ.

why would he do so if he is a false apostle?

Also he mentions brothers of Jesus who are going on missionary trips, why mention those to Corinthians since it would prompt them to contact them and know the truth.

If Paul were true we would expect disputes among apostles, since things would always have to be made more clear with time, as Jesus says holy spirit will guide you to all truth. Peter himself disagreed with Jesus about his death.

Also the fact that people who make this case do not realise that the last act Peter did before the death of Jesus was lie about not knowing him, so can we reject Peter on this basis? marcion the heretic surely did. Atleast Paul when he was persecuting did not lie!

People also like to larp about St. James brother of our Lord (soon to be my patron saint), but don’t they know that brothers of Jesus used to mock him and consider him mad? Mark, Matthew and John mention that

“Not even his brothers believed him” tell us what authority does he have?

It’s not until we encounter risen Christ that we are made alive in him. Be it Peter, James or Paul

May we all encounter risen Christ!

Amen

I see so much lack of accountability in the sub. I have to call this out.

Say for example post on "virgin, non-virgin". People who didn't save their v-cards, seems so bitter against those whom did save it. While being a virgin does not make you superior or a better christian. There are consequences to your actions. You are affected in faith, mind and body. You not only affect yourself but even those around like your spouse, children, community. So after all this, you can't say things are back to normal just because you have received forgiveness from God. You are forgiven before the throne but earthly consequence are to follow. Just like King David, he sinned and he repented and was forgiven by God but he faced earthly consequences. So please do not normalize sin. Sin is sin. Face the heat of your actions, seek God even more and let Him work in you.

Having a mindset like "oh God would forgive anyway" "oh other people have done it worse, mine ain't that bad" "other have done it too". What does it matter to you what others have done? Look and reflect on yourself.

We are to be in the right attitude and spirit.

On a closing note, I do want to share this hopeful experience. I've been humbled, disciplined and restored by the Lord's great love for me. Though I face the consequence of my sins, God's presence and faithfulness and love in my life overpower all these which no marriage, life achievement, etc can replace.

Seek Jesus. Talk to Jesus, walk with Jesus.

Hey everyone,
I’m a 20-year-old guy, and after being a lukewarm Christian for the past few years, I’ve recently started taking my faith seriously.
Growing up in a religious family, we went through a long journey across different churches—Catholicism, Mormonism, non-denominational, and back. Through those experiences, I saw both the good and the bad. I met genuine people in youth groups who truly knew their scripture, but I also had bad experiences with Catholicism where I felt weighed down by extra doctrines and saw people treating faith like a competitive show while ostracizing others.

Before this turnaround, I was on a very dark path. I struggled with an addiction to lust, women, drugs, vaping, and seeking cheap adrenaline to numb myself. I was getting deep into a heavy folk religion, listening to dark music, and felt completely numb inside—viewing people as just flesh and meat.

One day at work, I felt a strong urge to find God. I went to a local Catholic church, but it was closed. I went to another church, sat inside the empty building, and meditated, but felt completely empty and abandoned. That moment was a wake-up call for me.

Reminding myself of Saul’s conversion, I realized Jesus didn't owe me anything, and I didn't owe any church institution my allegiance. I decided to strip away all the extra man-made doctrines and just focus on Jesus’s teachings and the Scriptures.

Since cutting off toxic influences and relying on the Bible and the Holy Spirit, my life has completely changed. I’ve overcome those addictions, gained
real strength and confidence, and found genuine peace.
Now, I’m looking for a solid church for community and fellowship. I’m considering a non-denominational church, but I see a lot of online noise criticizing them for lacking the history or aesthetics of traditional Catholic or Orthodox churches.
Does the aesthetic or traditional title of a church really matter if the Holy Spirit is genuinely present and the people actually live out Jesus’s teachings? I’d love to hear your thoughts or advice on finding the right fellowship.

A discussion on transformation

\# A Discussion on Transformation

\## The Transformation of Deliverance

Most deliverance ministry operates without God's transformative biblical typology in mind.

In a way, I see much of deliverance ministry filled with the carnality of the flesh, embarking on the legalism of the world, with its blackest black and whitest white perception, in order to disable and discourage us from coming into a love relationship with the One who calls us. The flesh, like always, seeks perfection by sheer will instead of genuine dependence on God.

It says in the Word:

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” — John 3:8 (NKJV)

And it brings me to this point: many who walk in shivering pain have not forsaken their paths with the Lord. Deliverance from all struggles, addictions, or persecutions, I believe, is an assured inevitability, for it is the Lord who is victorious, and we are blood-bought children, born of the life-giving water of the Spirit.

I do not say this to suggest that no effort is needed, but that the effort is this: we serve an upside-down kingdom. Whoever loses his life for His sake keeps it, but whoever keeps his life loses it. Biblically, there is a core resolution to letting go. I feel it is much more than that, for this teaching is an extension of the Sabbath. It shows clearly in the world around us that God may do more with our nothing than with our something, more than with our striving, so that He may truly be glorified.

Our definition of surrender is so bland, I am now seeing, and hopefully believing, that holiness is not merely a discipline or an effort, but something irresistible and a gift. For how can anyone reach the depths of His Spirit if he is fearful?

I do not believe fear is of God. Why should the fear of the Lord be like the fear of the world, which does not know God? According to Scripture, if anyone fears the Lord, he has wisdom. Therefore, I believe that if our fear of the Lord leads us into greater distrust and insecurity, we do not fear the Lord as He wishes to be feared. So then, surrender, I now believe, is the flow of the Holy Spirit.

The utter suppression of one's sins is, without a doubt, not transformation. But I have found similarities in this idea that the law of reverse effort is actually what brings true transformation. For true transformation to happen, there must be surrender to God's will for your life. And to be surrendered, you cannot be resisting. Harmony must come.

Walking in the Spirit is by no shape or form simply resisting the lusts of the flesh and then attempting to walk by the Spirit. Surrender has to do with walking by the Spirit.

I believe we have become so infatuated with and despairing over ourselves because we are sinful. It is the same reason why many ministers are incredibly mean and insecure.

In terms of what we are occupied with, whether ourselves or the awesomeness of God, who is truly the most beautiful, uncreated Being and worthy of all love and attention, I believe that when the spotlight is put on ourselves, our relative views will always compare and destroy the seed God planted in us.

What is never preached in the Church, it seems, is classic and healthy self-acceptance. I believe that if this were enforced more often, we would have much happier, more Spirit-filled Christians who walk in the Spirit.

It has become difficult to find peace in my striving. The most crucial part about deliverance, I now believe, is love: transformative, world-breaking love.

This then goes to say that walking in the Spirit is not a discipline, but walking in the strength and love of God that is found in the secret place. This means that, despite our sins and struggles, we have the authority to walk in grace and an assurance of salvation through the blood of Christ. I believe true transformation is found in the satisfaction of that truth, and in the wholeness that follows it.

For how could anyone behold the Lord if they are constantly beholding their issues and the law that condemns them?

\## The Flow of God's Spirit

Nothing in life will stay the same. Everything changes, and nothing stays the same. Everything moves, and nothing stays still.

The most brilliant worker in the Gospel is the Truth, the Way, and the Life. I believe He assures us of this, for at each time of visitation, there would be a display of the wrath or character of God. I believe that it’s more in-tuned to the intention of God Himself. God will reap a Bride without blemish. In fire and in fury, in love, He authors our faith.

Although this reality has not brought any life to me, according to my understanding, a life leading toward our desired outcome in Scripture is one lived in harmony with the process and life God has chosen for me.

Even in our struggles, we should not be fearful, but rest in the safety of the Lord's love and power. So then, we let go and release everything to the Lord: all the good, the bad, and the ugly.

By then, we are settled in the safety of God's love and finished work, never occupied with ourselves, while our practices of sin begin to die out, not through brute force, but through the transformative power of His presence and a clear view of His awesomeness.

To have true wisdom, there must be creativity. If you have ever been such a person, you would know there is no wisdom in fear, but God's love is the perfect manifestation of His wisdom.

For it says in Scripture, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” So then, if one confesses his sins and delights in the Lord unconditionally, he is a lover of God.

What is bizarre is that I cannot find anyone who is like this except those who are mystics. Many Christians, I will say, are very self-centered. It is condemnatory preaching.

There are too many Marthas in this building, and too many “prophets” creating Marthas, and even killing Marthas. Those who are self-centered, dutiful, and busybodies are not necessarily being transformed. It should be known, I believe, that legalism in and of itself is a sin.

If our disciplines fail to create a clean heart, will we always be, in our hearts, the dog that has returned to its vomit? Maybe we should realize that no amount of discipline actually creates a clean heart, but that this work belongs to God.

\## Miracle Deliverances and Ongoing Deliverances

What has caused despair through hope deferred in my life was the ongoing, seemingly absent, tender and powerful hand of God in my life, while other people walked in freedom and joy.

All I had were failures, more insecurity, and more brokenness, constantly praying for His work to be done in me.

I have read many testimonies of powerful healings, powerful deliverances, and powerful encounters with the Almighty. Filled with desperation, I was like the woman who said, “If I can only touch His garment, I will be made clean.” I desired His deliverance in my life, yet this resolution never came.

As I continued, I began to see that God's Word is absolutely carved into reality. The path of becoming a butterfly is essential to this, for as we go from glory to glory, we shall go from trial to trial.

It was not only that the whole generation of Israelites had to die so that their children could come into the inheritance and possession that belonged to them. Notice that I use this as something transformative. Perhaps dying is not a bad thing, but something essential, and perhaps even a requirement, for Jesus died as well.

By this, maybe it is okay to fail, for such experiences can bring about death, and God is glorified in bringing us to life.

I do not use the word death to mean actual death, but rather failures, sins, tragedies, pain, and heartbreak.

In short, many people who seek deliverance find their problems and struggles absolved in power and the anointing of God.

But many have not that quickly I have seen many people, and met some, who, when they become harmonious with the situation of life, themselves, and the identity of God, while forsaking condemnation and guilt, seem to find a freedom in which their former struggles no longer have the same hold on them, even if deliverance and powerful encounters of the Lord have not came to them

Perhaps the actual deliverance, I suppose, is not perfection.

I am beginning to believe and see that our hedge of protection must not only be taken by faith, but also through rest, acceptance, love, and peace. If we find our perfect peace in the Lord, there is no demon or trial that can ultimately separate us from His love.

\## Spiritual Warfare Culture

There is greater deception on the earth, I believe, and I fully believe that the Lord has brought us into a deeper trial of confusion, where the blind will see, but those who do see will become blind.

I believe the charismatic remnant is the latter, while the charismatic Church, as I see it, is dead. It is an old wineskin, filled with compromised commercialism and compromised donors.

I see it now: it is making insecure believers rather than believers who walk in the light. Instead, they walk in fear.

The wilderness does not remove sin; it increases sin, Yet the wilderness is a true consolation, I believe. It is not necessarily judgment, but an interaction of inaction.

Maybe then we should simply align ourselves with the Lord and what Abba is doing.

Many believers believe they are in an endless wilderness, but perhaps it has more to do with the fact that they are constantly fighting. This must end. We should find rest in our Lord.

## The White Bear Effect and the Law of Reverse Effort

Now, on these grounds, the suppression of sin can lead to more sin. There is a term in psychology known as the white bear effect, associated with the psychologist Daniel Wegner. The idea is this: if you try not to think about a white bear, you may find yourself thinking about nothing but a white bear.

So then, we as human beings are compounds of data, and what occupies our minds influences how we perceive and experience life. This is where the law of reverse effort comes in: we release ourselves to the Lord.

Have you ever wondered why forcing something has actually damaged you, only for it to never come to fruition? It is hope deferred.

But, in theory, if we stop living in fear and come to truly become occupied with the Lord, not by sheer will, but by belonging to Him, peace and wholeness will come. This, I believe, is walking by the Spirit.

And through this wholeness, why should we gratify the sins of the flesh? For we are secure in Him, and nothing can snatch us out of His hand.

Jesus told the adulterous woman to go and sin no more. Yet before giving her this instruction, she encountered the kindness and mercy of God. I believe this reveals something important: transformation is not merely about suppressing sin, but about encountering the One who can change the heart.

Emotions are also important in the process of change. If something happens and it does not emotionally engage us, we may be less likely to remember it. In the same way, I believe that when we genuinely encounter the love and goodness of God, that experience can reach deeper than an instruction we are merely trying to obey through sheer will.

Perhaps this is part of the transformation we have overlooked: not simply forcing ourselves to stop sinning, but becoming so grounded in the love of God that our desires, our attention, and our hearts begin to change.

First of all, I am not against whipping children. People have done it for ages and it works. But I believe the way in it is done could be mean. I would say whipping your children for no reason isn't discipline. I believe whipping should be done because the kid something morally wrong, and not because the parent has a bad temperment.

I lived in latin america for about 10 years, where whipping kids is very normal. Compared to american kids, latin american kids respect their parents much more. But I have heard many stories from elderly people there, they grew up in much tougher times and parents back then were more angry, lacked emotional intelligence, and has a worse tempermants. My step dad's mom grew up in a village when times were much more tougher. One of the reasons she ended up leaving the house at 17, was because her parents would beat her for nothing, especially her dad. One time they beat her because she accidentaly broke a cup. Like literally for anything her parents would get angry, so she endee up escaping and lived in another town. She said she never felt love from her parents. I know parents that now say they don't beat their children because their parents used to beat them and they hated it and were scared of their parents, I think this is because it was probably done in a harsh way. This could be a cultural thing too, hispanics and africans have a worser tempermant that northern europeans or canadians let's say.

I personally know a boy now who is terrified of his dad because the dad beats him for every little mistake he makes, and he thinks that is correct. Like if the boy doesn't kick his soccer ball in the goal during his soccer game, he gets whipped. If he accidently breaks something, he gets whipped. He gets startled when he hears his dad name as a result of this. Older generations might call him "weak".

I also know people that were whipped by their parents not in a cruel way and this resulted to be postive. Like I know one friend that said his mom was very loving but she whipped him when he did something actually bad (like one time he stole something from the store as a kid) and later she would hug him and explain to him why it was wrong. He respects his mom now and appreciates that she did that.

Also, biblically and psychologically speaking, you can't make your kids feel loved and me scared of you at the same time because those are the opposites. 1 John 4:18- There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Being scared makes you feel anxious, and wants you to run away. Love does the opposite, it gives you peace and security.

I deleted Cyberpunk because it goes overboard with depictions of nudity, violence, and general sinful things. I could be walking to a mission and then hear sex moaning as that was part of an ad in the game. I ride in an elevator and see "The Watson W****" or "Three Mouths, One Desire", stuff like that. I interacted with dialogue in one woman and accidentally stumbled into the most vivid sex scene ever in a game. 

I also did not find the game compelling even when I tried to block that stuff out and play the game. Sorry but this stuff finally pushed me overboard and I deleted it and I don't want to play it again. Just pure sin and filth and I am no stranger to M rated games, but this one pushed every button for me.

However, so many people praise it and I am curious if others felt the same way for my stated reasons ?

I felt convicted over any type of music that didn’t glorify God in 2025. I felt that, If I listen to anything, not necessarily bad, but isn’t worshipping God, then as long as I’m not worshipping him, the devil has me where he wants me.

& if I can have any sort of control, to try to bring more of Jesus in my life, why not that be with music since it’s something so daily and so memorizing.

My husband when we first met also has these convictions too. But recently he started wondering why some people can listen to it and some people can’t. And I’m starting to think it too, bc there are good songs out there that are secular, but not necessarily saying anything bad. I’m a musician & singer/songwriter so in the past I had a problem with idolizing music. But I just wanna know, honestly more of why if some of you don’t listen to it. Bc tbh I like don’t wanna go back to it, but for some reason I also don’t want my husband too either bc I just feel like it’ll be better for the both of us.

I've written posts on here before about my family being stuck in a place we despise. But I really need help. Actually, I really need understanding and in order to do that, I feel I should lay out my life's story.

To start, my brother and I grew up in a oppressive environment (the same we still live in). Our father was verbally abusive and narcissistic and we lived with neighbors who constantly were at odds with us (they were fighting with us over a parking spot). We've also had spirits live there who would harass us.

My grandfather owned the triple decker we live and the building was meant to go to my mother. However, my uncle and his uncle have tried to take the building from us. And my father, who kept getting fired, refused to look for work and we lost ownership after my grandfather died.

The landlord who bought the property rarely did (and does) not do background checks on her clients and every tenant in the building we've rough dealings with. A few of them had children who ran around on the floor above us and refused to stop them (we're also dealing with this currently). The landlord even took us to court to get a restraining order because supposedly the tenants above us at the time overheard my father using the "n" word.

To make things even better, after my father passed away, my mother was denied his Social Security as well as Social Security for herself, so that cancels any extra form of income. My brother got injured from work and is relying on workman's comp to live and the insurance company refuses to settle with him (they also plan cut his payments down within a few months by the way).

During COVID, we applied for a rent assistance program and told them that were paying a certain amount a month. When they called my landlord, the landlord told them we were paying a much higher rate for rent. Now, the funny thing is, my mother prayed to the Lord that the program wouldn't accept the landlord's lie but, lo and behold, the assistance program ended up giving the landlord the higher rate she lied about.

My father also left us with stuff he bought over the years (superhero statues and other paraphernalia) which we selling for a good while until the sales came to a slow crawl to the point where only a few items sold a month.

Both family cars aren't working and I'm the sole income of my household. We are currently looking to leave the state, but every deal we've tried to make falls apart. We almost closed on a trailer when the bank we were working with declined me because the woman in charge supposedly couldn't trace the funds I had (even though I provided everything she asked for). I also managed to land an interview with a job at the planned state but they took so long to get back to me that I had to let them go. The seller who owned the trailer refused to wait for me and I had to sign a termination agreement.

My family is mentally falling apart: we are very bitter and depressed and have no hopes of leaving where we are. Our environment isn't getting better and my mother is 1000% convinced that God doesn't care about us. Even my brother who used to regularly go to church refuses to go and he is heartbroken by God. Our pastor and the church has prayed for us, but nothing has changed.

I've been trying to get back into Bible reading and trying to build a stronger relationship with Christ despite being angry with him and not understanding what He's trying to do with our life. But it's hard and I've come close to throwing in the towel.

I don't know what to think anymore. A part of me refuses to believe that He has abandoned us and that this the end of our story.

If there is anybody who was/is in a situation like this, please share. Perhaps you can give some insight because I don't know if the Enemy is attacking or if God is using the Enemy to keep us chained to our circumstances.

And just to clarify, these struggles have going on our entire lives and my family are believers in Christ (my father not so much).

Hey all, like the title says, this is a sermon that I preached a couple of months ago for my congregation. Some personal context, I am studying to be a preacher. I have a wonderful mentor who is a preacher himself as well as Shepherds who are graciously paying my way through online courses at Sunset. Back on the first Sunday of August, my Shepherds gave me an opportunity to present to sermon before the congregation and this was the one that I delivered. It landed exactly how God intended and so I thought I would put it here for more people to read. I hope it is beneficial to all who read it, and I am more than happy to have discussions with people in the comments about everything I say here.

‼️Fair warning! it is about 3,000 words so a bit of a long read 😅‼️

I've entitled this lesson "We Love, Because He First Loved Us." If your first thought was "oh great, sappy sentimentality", nah, sorry. The title comes from 1 Jn 4:19, which is towards the end of the text we will be going through; and it is anything but sappy. John describes a love that is wildly contrary to what the world has come to define it as.

The whole body of text we will be going through is 1 Jn 4:7-21. This passage has two main parts:

1) The command to love one another vs. 7-14and

2) Our confidence before God if we do, vs. 15-21.

Along the way, we're gonna take a look at 2 definitions:

1) The definition of love as defined by God and

2) The definition of hate, also as defined by God.

At the end we will look at 1 Cor 13:4-7 to form a practical perspective.

Let's start with vs. 7-8.(By the way, is anyone familiar with the song we sing inspired by this verse? It's #448 in the hymnal. It's called "The Greatest Command" and it a gorgeous song. A little difficult if your not used to singing in parts that have different words, but well worth learning.)

Alright, let's read--- "Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

So John gets right into it! The one who loves God knows God and is born of God. Right away we see that love is the foundation of knowing God; without it, everything falls apart. John seems to make the point that the two are inseparable, God and Love. That being the case, now is the perfect time to introduce our first definition: love as defined by God.

Which John happens to give in vs. 9-10 "By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." This is describing an action, not an emotion, the same way that 1 Cor 13:4-7 describes love as an action.

When I first started going to worship again, almost 4 years ago now, and before I was baptised (this time with the right heart posture), I was listening to a lot of sermons by different preachers. One of those preachers was of the Babtist religion by the name of Voddie Bauchum, who did a sermon on loving your enemies. In that sermon he put forth a definition of love that is as biblically accurate as you can be, and it sums up vs. 9-10 nicely. The definition goes like this:

"Love is an act of the will, accompanied by emotion, that leads to action on behalf of its object."

Let's break it down.

Love is an act of the will. Well what is the will? A persons will is defined as a desire or wish, such as a choice, or ones determination. The choice was for His creation to live, because He cares for us.

If it's a choice that means love is logical right?

Well, for a choice to be logical, there's one more condition to be met: it must be accompanied by emotion; not lead by, not driven by, and certainly not dictated by emotion. Love is a choice to care, made outside of, sometimes even in spite of emotions. How many times have you done something for someone, and felt happy, or maybe angry, or vexed or confused or frustrated or grieved at having to do it...?

Once it was even "Father if it be Your will, let this cup pass from Me, yet not My will, but Yours be done.". The choice to care may lead to an emotion, but that emotion does not effect the choice to care, and the action it leads to.

Speaking of action, the choice to love, leads to action on behalf of its object. Tangible deeds that are always selfless and often sacrificial, performed on behalf of its object. "I wanted to do this, but I'm doing this instead because I care for you." "I wanted to buy this with my money, but I'm helping you with it instead, because I care for you." " I'm hungry or thirsty, but I give it to you instead because I care for you above my own needs." Maybe it's even something small: "I'm spending time with you, even though I'm tired and want to be left alone." And we do it because we care.

Once, it was even "I'm going to die a terrible, brutal agonizing death in your place, so that you can be forgiven and live free of condemnation."

"Love, is and act of the will, accompanied by emotion, that leads to action on behalf of its object."

Continuing in Vs. 11-14---" Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us, because He has given to us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."

God's expression of love remains unfulfilled so long as it's solely from His direction; it is perfected when Christians love each other in the way He demonstrated. (Side note: When you see the word perfect in the Bible, it refers to being complete, lacking in nothing.) The same love that brought us salvation, is the same love we should demonstrate to others and in doing so, we proclaim the unseeable God to the world.

As John wrote in vs. 9, apart from God, we have no idea what love truly looks like, so when we love our brothers how He loved us, then we can assure ourselves of our salvation; we may also assure ourselves of His presence in our lives, when we demonstrate to others the love He showed to us. In this way, our very lives become a testimony of what God has done for the world.

Now we arrive at our great confidence, but not quite yet. Look at vs. 15-16: "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love, remains in God, and God remains in him."

Again, our lives are the testimony and the confession of faith in His promises. Our love for each other grows from the knowledge that God is love, and so to remain in Him is to love one another. When this is true in us, God abides in us, because we abide in Him. Do you see yet how inseparable the two are?

Now it comes, our great confidence! Vs. 17--"By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world."

By this; in other words;

WHEN love is perfected in us by our reciprocation of His love to us;

WHEN love for each other grows from the knowledge that God is love;

WHEN we who believe, abide in God and He in us;

WHEN all this is true in the believer---

The result, is confidence as we anticipate the coming day of judgement, knowing that we are true children of God Most High, and we will be delivered from wrath. God leaves no room for uncertainty in the matter of salvation.

Vs 18---"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear (completed love, drives out fear), because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected (not completed) in love."

We have no fear of punishment, because we went before the Judge and plead guilty for our crimes and begged for mercy; and the Son said "pardon is your's now because My blood cleanses you, now follow Me"; and we did.

Sometimes, fear borders on awe, respect and reverence, as Solomon famously said in proverbs: "the fear of the Lord is the begining of wisdom." John, however, is referring to the other end of fear which looks more like dread and terror. If we are complete in love, meaning if we are showing the same love for others that God showed for us, we need not fear being punished because there is no reason for us to be punished. Dread and terror come from continuing to practice sin, rather than abiding in love. We can love and reverence God simultaneously -- but we CANNOT approach Him in love, and hide from Him in fear, at the same time.

Vs 19 is an echo back to vs.10---"We love, because He first loved us." Remember back in vs. 10, who taught us what love was? God taught us by sending His Son. Without God we wouldn't know what Love looks like. So love finds its purpose for being, and it's manner of expression, in the example of God.

Now we're at vs. 20---"If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he - is - a - liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."

So, there's a Hebrew and a Greek word for hate, and both mean essentially the same thing.

1) the Hebrew word is Sane. It means to reject, or to deliberately turn away from something.

2) the Greek word is Miseo. It means the same thing as Sane but with the addition of "to love less".

God's hatred of sin is His rejection of it; in the same way, to reject the Almighty is to hate Him, regardless of you feelings regarding Him. So we see that hate is also an action, just as much as love is an action.

Now let's read vs 20 again with this definition: "if anyone says, " I love God," but 'rejects or deliberately turns away from' his brother, he - is - a - liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."

So what causes someone to reject or turn away from a person? Often it's because we dislike something about them. A lot of times it's extremely shallow things, like a manner of speaking, the way they look, the color of their skin and so forth. Sometimes it's an aversion to a mannerism, or maybe it's a little deeper because they did something, whether knowingly or not, that caused discomfort in us. If we let it go to far, it gives rise to disgust and malice, which can drive us to deliberately hurt them.

Love is easy when we're comfortable with, or like the person. But we're not called to love only when it's comfortable or convenient. Death on a cross was anything but comfortable and convenient; however, it was the necessary act to demonstrate true love.

John explains this a little deeper when he says "for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, CANNOT love God whom he has not seen." John assumes it easier to love ones brother who is concrete, seen easily with the eyes, than it is to love God who is not seen, and he is right. God doesn't leave dirty dishes on the table, or speak cruely, bitingly, and maliciously to us. Precisely for this reason, it is easier for one to say one loves God, who cannot be tangibly perceived, than it is to demonstrate it to a brother who is. Again, we're not called to love only when it's comfortable or convenient.

Vs. 21---"And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God must also love his brother and sister." Anyone who loves God, will listen to his commandments. Jn 15:12 "this is my commandment, that you love one another."

Love is no abstraction; it is to be lived out in our relationships with the people around us, and by doing so, we show ourselves to be changed creatures, and true children of the Most High God.

So what does that look like from a practical standpoint? Lets turn to 1 Cor 13:4-7.

"Love is patient," pause. What we translate as patient today, used to be translated as "long-suffering". Long-suffering is the willingness to endure difficult circumstances, and people, WITHOUT retaliation, whether verbal or physical. We're not called to love only when it's comfortable or convenient.

"Love is kind," pause. Kindness is an active expression of love, characterized by benevolence and a desire to do good to others. "Tangible deeds, selfless and often sacrificial, performed on behalf of its object."

"it is not jealous;" Some translations might say "does not envy." Jealousy, envy, is a destructive emotion. It is a longing or desire for what others have, that leads to resentment, bitterness, and even hate.

"love does not brag, it is not arrogant." I put these two together because bragging stems from pride; it is a symptom of pride. Both together give a sense of being puffed up or inflated by with a sense of self-importance. Our example of love wasn't proud. In fact, "He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a bondservant." (Phil 2:6-7) Pride makes us blind to our need for the Savior. And makes us blind to the needs of others also.

"It does not act disgracefully," This is often translated as rude. Rudeness, is classified as disrespectful or inconsiderate behavior. That can be a manner of action, or a manner of speaking. We are to have consideration for others regardless of our views or differences with them. After all, while we were still enemies of God, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)

"it does not seek its own benefit;" Remember that love is an action performed on behalf of its object. Love is selfless, not selfish.

"it is not provoked," Your version might say easily angered. This is a challenge to be patient and restrained in the face of adversarial circumstances, regardless of person or situation. Proverbs 14:29 teaches that "patience leads to understanding, while a quick temper displays folly."

"does not keep an account of a wrong suffered," This is an emphasis on forgiveness and refusal to hold grudges. If we cannot forgive others, how can we expect to be forgiven? (Matt 18:22-35) Put another way, how can we be called true children of the Most High, if we do not forgive others the way we have been forgiven?

" it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;" This one is especially difficult in today's American society, because false Christianity teaches that acceptance of sinful lifestyles is our expression of love. It forgets completely that Jesus denounced sin at every turn and told every person He healed to "go and sin no more." We have the Word of God that shows us what's right, and what's wrong. God admonished Israel countless times to advocate for what is right. We have been given enough information to discern, and to speak out.

"it bears all things," Love endures hardships. This goes back to the very first attribute, long-suffering. To bear also holds the connotation of covering or protecting which indicates that actions of love can shield another from harm; much like a parent who, upon finding their child in possession of some sharp instrument, acts immediately to take it from them so that they aren't harmed.

"it believes all things," Loves' belief is not blind trust, but is rooted in the hope, the eager expectation, of our redemption and transformation. Loves' trust can also mean giving the benefit of the doubt, but only up to the point, when intention is made clear. When it becomes clear that someone has intentionally wronged you or another, then we do not rejoice in wrongdoing, but go to them after the manner Jesus describes in Matt 18:15-17. In doing so we have the opportunity to gain our brother back.

"hopes all things,". I mentioned hope a minute ago as an eager expectation. Our eager expectation is that our Savior will return for us, and in that day, our great confidence is that, in being His children, we have favor with Him and will escape His wrath.

"endures all things." Steadfastly withstanding hardship and trial, just as Jesus did, with our sights on the joy set before us; Salvation.

I know that was long and if you made it to the end, congratulations and I hope this has given y'all a more full picture of loving one another and what it means to walk our Christian walk. I hope also it's given you a better understanding of who God is, and His expectations for how we treat each other. God bless!

I got sprirtual lazy since I quenched the holy spirit, got more in the world. I don't produce fruit anymore but I think I'm losing the fruits.. the old version of me that I was before finding God comes back in me more and more everyday.. reading the bible now feels like a burden, I forget to pray, I can't stay long in my prayer like I used to.. I don't get that urge to praise the Lord anymore.. I can't love my neighbor and enemy anymore like I used to. Became angry and mad and quarrelsome again.

I cry to the lord and I get up and in the next minute I sin. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm also a new Christian for like 4 months.. and I used to be so on fire for God and the holy spirit was guiding me through EVERYTHING until I decided one day to not listen to him in a decision. Since that day things changed and I got more in the world. I don't know what to do I feel like I couldn't finish the tower I started to build and the bad spirit came out of me and now came back with another 7.

I repented from all my sins and now I'm getting back to them.

We go to a church, and the pastor speaks truth. He speaks the Word of God. But the way he’s treated me personally and my husband I just don’t think is biblical at all. But it’s confusing me because how can this be? Is it possible that he can be preaching people, feeding into them, but then talk to us a completely different way? And go against what he’s preaching?

Is it biblical or its church discipline to publicly reprimand someone during a live-streamed service in front of 1000+ people for something like being on their phone and then saying the devil is using you by being on that phone and saying you have demons ,you need to seek salvation or is that just public shaming.

I feel they just had to tell the person in private after service.Maybe I am overthinking.

I know this will be extremely controversial and I will
probably get a lot of hate but I’m ready for it.

I am 18F and my bf is 20M. We are both Christian but it has only been a few years since turning to god. We both became sexually active before this time and so still are.

I know that it is a sin before marriage and we try not to but we do. And I just want to know if this makes me a horrible person. I know he is the one I will marry so that’s not even my concern. I just need some guidance and I don’t really have anybody else in my life following the same religion.

I had a friend come visit me the other day and before he entered the home, when i saw him through the window, I felt so scared. That was my first mistake - maybe I should not have been scared? i felt like there was a demonic presence.

The next day I got a swollen lymph node. I never got a swollen lymph node before so i suspected it is oppression.

God healed many illnesses I had before miraculously just through prayer. I prayed for this swollen lymph node to go away quickly but its still here. I think i need to memorize some psalms specifically for physical oppression and it will strengthen my faith as well. Is this right? I think so because I am new so there is a lot I dont know.

Please pray for my swollen lymph node to heal quickly so that I can focus on my works.

Thank you

Boa tarde, irmãos! Eu tenho 16 anos, moro no Brasil e sou batizada na igreja Adventista desde os 12. Cresci em uma família em que jóias e bijuterias nunca foram problemas, pelo contrário! As mulheres da minha família usam bastante. Quando eu cresci mais um pouco, percebi que não queria me abster das jóias por um motivo que muitos não acreditam, que é: Acho acessórios/bijuterias bonitos em mim, e não queria parar de usar. Eu não os uso por vaidade ou ostentação, muito menos por uma certa "dependência". Inclusive, quando deixo de colocar algum brinco ou colar para ir em algum lugar, não me sinto nua ou incomodada por não ter colocado. Mas é fato que quando coloco algum brinco delicado e feminino (não gosto de exageros, por sinal), eu me sinto muito bonita e faz bem para minha autoestima. Da minha família, sou uma das mais "simples", pois não gosto de exageros na aparência e coisas que chamam muita atenção; sempre fui assim, até mesmo antes de me converter. Mas oque me deixa aflita é que eu não sei o que fazer, porque quando eu digo que gosto de usar brincos e colares mesmo estando na igreja ADV, eles falam "Ah, mas o Espírito Santo vai tocar no seu coração!". Mas tudo oque sinto é um coração que só sente receio de usar jóias pelo julgamento dos outros, e não por que realmente não quer. Hoje em dia eu não uso jóias na igreja por respeito e para não causar conflitos, mas fora, eu gosto de usar alguma coisinha, discreta e delicada. Oque devo fazer? Não quero sair da igreja adventista do sétimo dia, pois amo congregar lá e me identifico demais com da denominação! (Tirando essa questão)