Where do the years go?

 As I sit here watching my almost 5 year old run around the living room wrestling with his 8 year old brother.. I'm struck that I still hold him like he's a 2 year old.. 

I'm holding onto what is fading or has already faded fast! They used to smell like a newborn baby.. now they smell like dinner and the mud they were playing in or the fact that they missed another shower! 

He now says most of his words correctly, there was a time when he wasn't developed enough to form all his words.. now that he has correct pronunciation, it's not as cute. 

We used to walk around the block.. and I had to walk slow so he could keep up... now he rides a bike and I jog to keep up with him.. maybe I'm just getting old?!  

Looking at him play, his fat cheeks are not as fat anymore.. he's stretching out and getting taller.. where did that little chubby dude go?  

I kick myself each time I don't drop everything I am doing to read the book he asks me to. Thank God, most of the time I do put down what I'm doing when he asks. I stop building the shed to play hockey, I stop gardening to have a catch. There are still those times that selfishness kicks in and I say no, and the heartbreak that I see is evident! 

The questions and conversations that never end, they will end one day, when he realizes that he doesn't need me or Mom to have a conversation, that other people exist.. that day is coming fast.. I'm holding on, digging my heals in! 

His little mini hands are growing up and turning into boy hands instead of baby hands.. I'm not ready yet! One day I'll come home from work, and the toys will not be on the living room floor.. he will have lost interest in toys and moved onto hobbies by himself.  

One day, it will be the last time he asks to snuggle and just let me hold him, that last time he runs and jumps into my arms!  The Sunday morning when he comes down and climbs on my lap to snuggle in.. there will be a last time! The nights that he sleeps on my chair all night.. will end.. and it will probably feel empty in that bedroom that night. 

All this to say, I'm looking at him, almost 5 years old and I'm begging myself to slow down and see him! To hold him and soak up every minute. It wasn't that long ago that my 16 year old, was 'almost 5' ! 

Peter's Perspective of the Cross

Peter stood at a distance as they tore Him apart. He watched it happen. The Man he followed for years, the Son of God was being beaten beyond recognition, and Peter did nothing! He didn’t fight, he didn’t speak up… he just watched.

This was after he had said with conviction “even if all fall away… I will not.”! After all Peter had walked on water at Jesus’ command, seen dead raised, blind see, wind and waves obey! In the garden he was going to fight for Jesus, he drew a sword and cut off the guard’s ear. Jesus not only stopped him but He healed the guard! Peter must have been confused as this is not the way it was supposed to go. Jesus, who had rode in hearing “Hosanna” now surrendered without a fight, knowing He would be mocked, beaten and crucified!!

Peter still followed at a distance, far enough so he would not be noticed. Jesus was led into the courtyard where the noise must have been intense! Accusations, false witnesses shouting!! Then as mob mentality does, they started to beat Him, one blow!! then another, they blindfolded Him, struck Him and mocked Him “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

Peter was frozen in fear! He watched in utter disbelief “everything in him said this was wrong, but he did nothing!! then they turned toward Peter, “you were with Him”… Peter answered… “I do not know what you are saying”… “you are one of them” “I am not!” “surely you are one of them” “I do not know the man” The rooster crowed - Jesus turned and looked at Peter!

Matt 26:34 “Before the rooster crows you will deny me 3 times.”

Recalling Jesus’ words… Peter wept bitterly!

Matt 27 - Chief Priest and elders delivered Jesus to Pilate! The same voices that called out “Hosanna” just a few days ago are now shouting “crucify Him”

“Soldiers took Jesus to the courtyard… and gathered the whole garrison around Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.” The garrison contained hundreds of soldiers, they stripped Him naked, humiliated Him, they put a crown of thorns on His head! they mock worshipped Jesus. They spat on Him and struck Him on the head.

Roman soldiers didn’t just hit Him at will - they were trained killers, trained to inflict maximum pain!!

The soldiers tied Jesus to a post, stripped naked -

They brought out the scourge! Peter must have been thinking “I’ve seen this punishment before, but this was evil.” Peter watched, frozen as the first lash tore His flesh!! the second and third were too much to watch as His flesh was opened and the scourge tore into Him!!

Peter couldn’t understand why He was not stopping them. Peter might have later recalled Isaiah 52:14 “His visage was marred more than any man…”

They shoved the crown on His head, harder, blood ran in His eyes as He was barely recognizable now. They struck Him repeatedly and mocked Him, “King of the Jews”… Peter must have thought “if they only knew”… but then again “if Peter only knew what was really happening”

After that unimaginable abuse and beating, they still made Jesus carry His own cross! It is estimated that the portion that Jesus carried was rough cut lumber, weighing about 100 lb and 6 feet in length to be assembled later. Peter kept his distance, watching as Jesus fell under the weight of the cross after His body had been beaten so bad He was not recognizable. Peter did not step in to help his Lord.

When Jesus arrived at the hill where He would die, according to Roman methods Jesus was probably laid on His back, arms stretched wide and pulled, held down… then Peter heard the hammer!! each blow must have convinced him that all He had preached was over. The one who said He was the Son of God is now being murdered!! what went wrong?

When Jesus was nailed to the cross beam, it would have been lifted and fastened to the post. This would not have been a gentle process. All His weight was hanging on the nails in His wrists!! each movement would tear into Him more and more!! Psalm 22 “I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint”

From the beating, the whipping and brutal hammer and nails, His body was no longer aligned. He hung there!! for 3 hours in pain that can’t even be imagined! Beaten so bad He barely looked alive!! this was the darkest day in human history!! the Son of God who came to save the world hangs dying suffering… and everyone either cheered or watched and wept. As if all Peter had witnessed was not confusing enough… at the ninth hour Jesus cried out “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” The Son of God who came to save humanity was forsaken by God?

Luke 23:34 After all the brutality endured, in horrific agony with the weight of His body hanging on nails through His wrists… experiencing asphyxiation… He thought of others, in forgiveness and forgave His murderers!! “Father forgive them” Peter was struggling to forgive himself for denying Jesus and He just forgave an army of soldiers bent on the torture and murder of the Son of God!!

The dramatic days Peter was witnessing got darker… the sun went dark for three hours, the veil in the temple was torn in two (Luke 23:44) and Peter heard what might have been the most confusing words “Father, into Your hands I commit my Spirit”, “what?” the man that came to save us just willing laid down his life? And then in darkness of the world the most important words in human history were uttered… “it is finished”!!

Saturday must have been a tough day. Silence and confusion. Peter replayed everything in his mind over and over… the denial… the look… the words… “I do not know the man”. The disciples and the women surely mourned and discussed the past days events.

Sunday morning came. The women went to the tomb early to mourn, they found the tomb empty and angels reminded them what Jesus had told them, He would rise on the third day! Mary ran to the disciples “the tomb is empty”

Peter ran to the tomb to see if it was so. How confusing this must have been. From Palm Sunday Hosanna to crucify Him, watching the life be beaten out of Jesus, to an empty tomb.

Later that day Jesus met him face to face. Everything started to become clear. Peter recalled Jesus’ words from Matt 20:19 “…on the third day, He will rise again”

Isaiah 53 takes on a new meaning with this fresh imagery in our minds. Peter saw those stripes!! those wide open, bloody stripes. “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth, He was led like a lamb to the slaughter” the mind’s eye paints such a picture of Christ being led to a brutal death, yet walked as obedient as a lamb… to the same fate.

After seeing Jesus Peter might have reflected on the week. He followed Jesus and walked with Him, spoke and taught boldly for Him, but did not understand what he witnessed. Not until he watched Jesus suffer, not until he failed himself… not until he saw Him alive. what looked like defeat was never the end… it was victory!! He is Risen!! It was just the beginning.

The tomb is empty how can we remain silent?? How can we not shout and rejoice!!

The challenge: Luke 9:23 if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Take up our cross doesn’t mean something like “hard times”. A cross meant one thing “death”. Public, painful death. Deny yourself. Not improve? deny desires, control, comfort, plans. deny any identity apart from Christ.

Take up your cross is not just inconvenience or a season… it’s lifelong… it’s reputation being put aside, our comfort and rights being second. what does Christ want of me… no matter the cost!

We obey even when it costs friends and relationships. We speak truth when it’s easier to stay quiet. We walk away from sin and addiction we still want. We give up control! We stop building a life around ourselves, trying to be a “somebody”, stop trying to self improve to better my reputation and influence with men.

Peter lived this example: He was beaten, imprisoned and killed because his life was not his own.

Galatians 2:20 says it clearly “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”

In my life… what do I refuse to lay down and nail to the cross?

Understanding Before Judgment

 

You can learn a lot about someone by how they talk, how they listen and even how they refuse to talk.

There’s a mindset that shows up too often in conversations:
Someone speaks first, assumes they already know what’s going on, and shuts down before understanding starts.

This mindset treats questions like they are attacks. Clarification is rejected with statements like "I already know what I believe". When explanations are offered, even written opinions, they are rejected and treated like a threat.  Their certainty seems like a shield instead of something to consider. 

That’s not dialogue. That’s a monologue made to look like a discussion.

Ask yourself, if explanation feels threatening, if it does, understanding was never the goal.

There are two mindsets and goals in a conversation:

The first mindset says, “I see enough to judge. I don’t need context. Your explanation is just excuses.”
That mindset brings division, misunderstanding, and resentment.

The other mindset says, “Help me understand. What am I missing? There may be more than I'm seeing.”
That doesn’t shut the conversation down or assume we are right. It simply insists we slow down long enough to listen.

This is key- Giving someone the benefit of the doubt in love isn’t weak. It’s wisdom. If you always give the benefit of the doubt, how can it not be a win-win?

When in that discussion, ask yourself this, 
What don’t I know yet?
Have I asked, or have I only assumed?
Am I trying to understand or trying to win?

Love doesn’t rush to judgment.
Love slows down long enough to understand. 

Slowing down and listening is not optional it’s essential. 

All glory to God —

Sit down and shut up (I tell myself)

 After years of shirking God's tug on my heart, the happenings in the last 2 years caused me to sit up and listen to what God was putting on my heart. With the encouragement from a brother I took a step of faith that God was indeed calling me and started a Christian Brotherhood Group. We meet a few times a month and it's been an amazing experience. It's hard to put it into words because it is just a dozen or so guys sitting in a living room talking.. but, we invite the Holy Spirit in to lead and guide... that makes all the difference. That being said, anyone who knows me knows I am a talker, which can be annoying if there are a dozen other guys there. I am working specifically on being a listener in all areas of my life, whether at work, with friends, at home or in a meeting. Also, I am seen by the guys as the leader since I initiated the meetings but I give it all to God to lead. 

Something that is being made very clear to me is as a leader I sometimes unintentionally take up more time and space than I realize. If I think every comment or question needs to be followed by my response, people can feel processed instead of heard, even when my intent is good. Silence isn’t a problem I need to fix.. it’s where reflection, honesty and vulnerability can grow.

Not every question needs my answer. Sometimes a brother is saying his own words out loud for the first time, and what he shared simply needs room to sit. And when a question does need answering, as a leader I can set an example by sitting back and letting others speak first, being genuinely interested in hearing perspectives other than my own.

I already know what I think. Growth comes from learning what others think, not from restating my own thoughts.

My voice matters. Making room for others’ voices strengthens the whole group.

I can honestly say that when I shut up and listen.. it's awesome what I hear.. when I listen to hear and understand instead of listen to respond, it's awesome.  

All glory to God-

Lord, send me... (surely You wouldn't!)

I recently heard someone offering a prayer to God, and part of it said:

“Yes, Lord, we will go where You want us to go… which is most likely right where we are.”

That comment got my attention.

It started with the language of obedience, go where You want us to go, and then neutralized. Surrender was acknowledged and then explained away. The door was opened long enough to sound faithful and then shut and we go back to our comfort zone.

A statement like that can sound harmless and practical.

I mean, why would God call me to foster a child?
Why would He call me to start a Bible study for the homeless?
Why would He call me to collect clothes for the needy, build homes with Habitat for Humanity, step away from a comfortable career, or start a church where I don’t know anyone, drive 40 minutes out of my way every week, to sit in the cold to talk to one lonely man I met outside a gas station..?

Why would He ask me to do something that seems crazy… when staying “right where I am” is the most comfortable, passive thing I can do?

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that God often does call people to be faithful right where they are. Scripture shows that. It's not whether God sometimes tells us to stay. The issue is the assumption that He probably will... and the comfort that assumption provides before our obedience is ever tested.

That simple follow-up phrase... “which is most likely right where we are”   is subtle, but powerful. It lowers expectations. It reassures us that God will never ask you to do something that would disrupt our lives. It's almost like we assume God says, 'Relax… your calling won’t cost you anything'.

That’s not how the apostles understood calling. They took it seriously, knowing full well it could, and often did, cost them their lives.

That prayer gave us the idea of radical obedience and then squashed it. Almost like saying, God is gathering an army for His purposes… but whoa whoa, relax, sit back down, it’s probably not you.

We cannot acknowledge His call and then set boundaries around it and surrender on our terms.

And when this kind of language comes from a pulpit, it’s not just them telling us their personal opinion, it can train the way people think.

Does comfort equal obedience?
Is our calling simply to stay where we are, do what we already do, and remain comfortably unchanged?

Can we honestly pray, “God, I’ll go wherever You want me to go,” while assuming He will never ask us to do something that rearranges our lives?

Isaiah’s calling was anything but comfortable. At one point, God told him to walk naked and barefoot for three and a half years, and he obeyed (Isaiah 20). Isaiah could have easily responded, “C'mon God, I'm sure You don’t mean all my clothes… or that long.” He just obeyed.

Paul didn’t plan his journeys around convenience. He knew what he was signing up for... the beatings, prison, torture, and still sang praises in chains, thanking God that he was found worthy to suffer.

Prayers that sound reasonable can be dangerous. They can sound bold and ready while protecting us from interruption.

The real question isn’t whether we say we’re willing. It’s whether we’re actually willing to have our lives disrupted for the work of the Lord… for the Great Commission.

We can’t talk boldly like disciples while not being willing to live like disciples, as scary and intimidating as that can be!

We can’t sing about being sent and never expect to go.
We can’t pray “Send me” and already make up our minds that He would not actually send us, afterall it would disrupt our schedule.

If that’s our position and belief, we shouldn’t be surprised if we never recognize His voice when He does call.

The problem isn’t that God isn’t calling.
It’s that we’ve learned to explain why there is no way it could mean me! 

 

Graduation by Grace

Imagine every student in the entire school failed every class and every test. Everyone deserved to be expelled due to grades and conduct. No one could say “I’ll try harder, I’ll study more”… it was too late. The grades and consequences were written in the book. (Romans 3:23) Punishment was defined and ready to be delivered. (Romans 6:23)

Then the principal said “hold up”.. “This year in school, no one even came close to passing. All have failed and fallen short of the passing grades and deserve punishment. (Romans 3:10) I have taken your failing grades onto My own record. (Isaiah 53:6) I have accepted the punishment and consequences you deserve. (Isaiah 53:5) I have paid all the penalties. (John 19:30) And I am giving you My record — every grade is now a perfect A+. (2 Corinthians 5:21) When your record is searched, the Substitute’s perfection is found. (Philippians 3:9) Just believe and receive this gift. (Ephesians 2:8–9)”

The original report cards had ‘Expelled’ written across them, but that verdict was removed from the record, and now they read ‘Paid in Full.’ (Colossians 2:14) New ones were issued, every grade A+ — not because of effort or dedication, but because of a Perfect Substitution.

Not one student could boast. (1 Corinthians 1:29) Not one could say, “I did it!” Every student would walk across the stage holding his diploma with gratitude toward the One who saved them from expulsion.

They would have known: “I didn’t graduate because I tried harder… I graduated because Someone stepped in and took my place.” (Galatians 2:20)

That is salvation!! (Titus 3:5) School requires hard work and good grades; God requires a Savior, a perfect Substitute. (Acts 4:12) Students earn graduation through hard work; Believers receive salvation by grace through faith. (Galatians 2:16) School says, “Work harder… study more…” Jesus says, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Scriptures referenced-

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 3:10

“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’”

Isaiah 53:6

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:5

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”

John 19:30

“… He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Philippians 3:9

“and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.”

Ephesians 2:8–9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Colossians 2:14

“having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

1 Corinthians 1:29

“that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Titus 3:5

“not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 4:12

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Galatians 2:16 “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

The Addiction of a Connected Generation

 Addiction and The Connected Generation

We are living in the most connected, entertained and digitally stimulated generation in history... and it is the most spiritually starved generation as well. We can become exhausted, distracted, addicted and numb due to endless and instantaneously available gaming, scrolling, pornography, YouTube, TikTok, gambling or sports obsessions. Whatever the weakness, an unguarded heart will grab on and call it harmless.

Proverbs 4:23 NLT “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

On the surface the flesh wants to take charge, take control and say, “I got this, I can control myself” and we make a million excuses and foolishly make our foolproof plans. Delete the app, get a better filter, hide the phone, block the website, keep busy so we are not tempted... All of these things are not wrong in themselves, some actually help. But they are not the cure for the disease! The issue has never been the device, the access or the screens. The real issue has always been the heart!

Jesus said in Matthew 5 “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out… If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off…”

Jesus didn’t tell us to cut off a limb to fix our sin. He was pointing out the source of the problem, the heart, which is the real battleground!

Most everyone agrees that Jesus was not calling for physical amputation but was using severe language to illustrate how severe the problem really is. Our sin does not start with the lusting eye or the disobedient hand. It starts in our heart. Our eyes only look where the heart wants to go, our hands only reach for what the heart desires. Even our mind wanders because our heart is craving something. If our hearts are not transformed by God, cutting off access or cancelling our internet service does nothing.

Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

God isn’t saying I will give you more willpower, He is saying I will take out your old heart of disobedience, self-indulgence, self-seeking, prideful, arrogant, lustful desires…. And give a new heart that finds joy in the things of God.

Heart transformation will be evident! When our hearts are transformed and made new, we will have such a desire for God’s Truth and His Word that there is just not enough time left for the things that once held us in bondage! Our new heart won’t cling to old desires, it won’t hunger for the sins that used to dominate it, it won’t crave the things of darkness and

even more so the things of darkness will be revealed for what they are. Our new heart will not be satisfied with shallow distractions anymore and will find satiating joy in the things of God!

Satan lies to us and tells us to blame the thing instead of blaming him for this evil!

If I delete the app, I’ll be free.

If I hide the phone, I won’t fall.

If I get accountability, I’ll stop struggling.

If I quit gaming, I’ll stop wasting time.

While all these things can be helpful, the truth is, the problem is a defiled corrupt heart, a heart that seeks out pleasure and sin rather than the lifesaving Truth of God! The heart is naturally corrupt, it will create temptation in an empty room!

James 1:14 “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. We like to kid ourselves and say, “But I don’t seek out sin….”

Jeremiah 17:9 says that our hearts seek it out…. If not transformed. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

Also, Mark 7-21:23 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders… All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Apart from Christ we follow sinful desires… naturally.

Romans 8:7 “The carnal mind is enmity against God.”

Ephesians 2:3 “…fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind… and were by nature children of wrath…”

Adam gave into temptation and disobeyed God, David gave into lust and committed adultery, Peter gave into the temptation of fear and ended up denying Christ… They are only 3 examples, and they did it without WIFI, Instagram or even a smartphone!

It’s NEVER been about access; it’s ALWAYS been about our heart’s desire! We don’t need new strategies; we need a new heart!

Ephesians 5:11 “Expose the unfruitful works of darkness”.

Darkness and addiction thrive in secrecy and silence... accountability is good but not the cure! Accountability and filters don’t keep us clean, GOD does!

The list of addictions concerning screens is long and varied... whether it’s gaming, pornography, gambling, doom scrolling, sports obsession, YouTube rabbit holes, TikTok loops, spiritually deadly comparison on social media, binge-watching or fantasy worlds… Satan doesn’t care how he gets you hooked, as long as he gets you!

Pornography is one of the strongest chains Satan uses. It gets into the mind, distorts the desires of your heart, and causes your brain to crave something that destroys it. It isolates and destroys marriages, kills intimacy with God and spouses, and creates a world of shame that we never let anyone see.

And nobody talks about it because the moment we admit we’re struggling, we fear people will think less of us. We may think “If I confess I’m in bondage, I wonder what my friends would think”. So, we pretend we’re fine. We act like we are strong and protect our image of purity, but it’s often just a front. We go through life trying to protect a reputation instead of protecting our soul. The question is: “If my friends don’t know my failures, are they really my friends?” James 5:16 instructs us to “confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Jesus was direct when He spoke about lust. He said, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” He knew how deep this sin goes… into our thoughts, our imagination, our desires. Porn doesn’t just affect what we do… it affects who we become.

Don’t give up! Freedom is possible! When God gives a new heart, He takes away the desire for what once controlled us, and He replaces shame with strength, freedom, and joy.

Romans 6:16 says we are slaves to whatever we obey. The way addiction works is it actually rewires the brain causing it to crave the dopamine that is released when we indulge. It steals precious time, kills our purpose in life, drains us spiritually and replaces our worship of God with the escape to an alternate reality.

All that said, the problem isn’t the platform, it’s still the heart!

Every head of the household has the job of the gatekeeper of the home. Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”, he spoke for his household. As parents, God has entrusted us with a position of influence that we will answer for. We cannot fall asleep at the wheel and then wake up one day to realize that our job, our business, or our hobbies… the things we poured countless hours into… have no eternal value, while the souls of our children do. Our careers, money, trophies, vacations, hobbies and our status... all will not matter in eternity! Our children will! Parents, adults and teens need discernment and children need training. The enemy doesn’t wait to attack until they are old enough... he wants us all and will fight exceptionally hard for our children! If we are not guarding our

homes, placing them under the shed blood of Christ and filtering everything through the Word, the world will disciple our children!

Our lives can be wasted one phone pick up at a time. Whether it’s break time at work, a red light, boredom, or stress… if our natural reaction to quietness is to grab our phone and stare at it, we should put Psalm 46:10 on our home screen: “Be still and know that I am God.” We can forget how to be still… how to sit in silence with someone we love, how to hold the hands of our children and look into their eyes when we talk to them instead of staring at our phone while we half listen to them begging for our attention.

The enemy wants chaos and distraction, telling us we are much too busy to make both church services on Sunday or to actually study His Word instead of checking the box for reading 1 chapter. But if we cut out all the unnecessary, spiritually numbing things in our life, the free time would stack up.

One of the most successful tools of Satan today in teens, especially teen girls, is social media and the comparison trap! Social media, as it is commonly used, is functionally evil and is unashamedly designed to make you keep coming back. It is engineered to destroy contentment, feed our insecurities and distort our identity. One could spend a short time on Instagram and before they know it be discontented with everything from their car, their clothes and their body. They will envy the vacations others go on, the lifestyle others live and the opportunities other kids have. From the perceived income to the home décor of others, Satan will use every post to make us more discontented in what we have. Satan doesn’t care what you compare, as long as you compare something.

Even family group chats can innocently turn something innocent and wholesome into a comparison trap: “Look what my kid did” “Look where we went” “Look what we bought” “Look at my kids’ grades and accomplishments”. Nobody intends harm, yet someone leaves the chat feeling ‘behind’, ‘inadequate’ ,‘less than’, or just pressured to keep up.

Comparison is one of Satan’s oldest traps and social media just blew it up 1,000%.

It doesn’t only affect us emotionally, it can influence us to be discontented in our clothes and buy the latest fashions, upgrade a perfectly good car, buy what other parents buy their kids and simply project success by the lifestyle we live. There can be a fear of “looking out of place.”

Check this out... God never intended for His people to “blend in.” He intended to let us stand out. Not from being in style, luxury cars, or having the latest and greatest, but through humility, contentment, and simplicity.

If a stranger can’t tell the difference between us and the world, we may have drifted closer to the world than we think. If we look like the world, and the world is evil, then we shouldn’t be surprised when we start to look like what we follow. Scripture commands us to “Avoid even the appearance of evil”.

God doesn’t call us to blend in with a culture drowning in vanity, pride and self-promotion. He calls us to stand out by being pure in our hearts, simple in our lives and humble in our walk.

If we dress like the world with every trend, fashion and style, if we talk like the world using new, made up words and phrases that celebrities make popular, if we chase money, likes, popularity and followers... then what exactly are we set apart from??

There is nothing wrong with children enjoying a video game now and then. The problem comes when gaming becomes a priority or we are not children anymore.

When a person reaches the age of accountability, understands responsibility and the importance of living right, there should be a noticeable shift in priorities. Gaming and mindless screen time should fall, digital escapes should decline. Scripture reading and prayer should be on the increase, we should start to identify our purpose in Christ and responsibility should rise. Ephesians 5:16 still stands... “redeeming the time, because the days are evil”. A maturing Christian should not be spending hours lost in digital fantasy.

Concerning games themselves, Satan can slip in very subtly if parents are not aware of the content in the games our children play. There are also not so subtle games that professed Christians should not desire based on the pure evil that is depicted; games like Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Fortnite and Overwatch. Many other games are based on the occult and horror that have no place in the believer’s life. Regarding games, cards, and board games, none are immune from dangerous themes. Ouija Boards and Dungeons & Dragons openly involve occult symbolism and spiritual concepts that directly mock or oppose God’s Word. Even games like Exploding Kittens and Pokémon, while the entry-level versions may seem mostly harmless to many Christian parents, both contain expansions and storylines that dive into dark, occult like, or spiritually inappropriate territory. These include references to spirits, curses, supernatural powers, souls of the dead, and other themes presented as entertainment. These can normalize supernatural forces apart from God and often lean toward desensitizing children to spiritual darkness... This topic requires prayer and discernment for sure!

The devil doesn’t need us to fall, just to drift, even slowly! Satan is happy when we are distracted, passive, unfocused, spiritually dull, constantly entertained, emotionally drained

and disconnected from Scripture! If he can keep us scrolling, watching, playing... especially as adults… he can keep us ineffective and lost!

Jesus said, “Cut it off”!! But not your hand or even your phone... He is really telling us with a transformed heart we will cut off the habits that feed sin, the routines that starve our soul, entertainment that dulls us spiritually and games that normalize darkness and the occult. Cutting this off is not punishment... it’s freedom!!

God wants surrender. He wants to transform our hearts in ways that rules, filters and accountability cannot. He will give us new desires, habits, priorities and new found freedom that cannot be explained.

Left unchecked and lacking discernment, the world is discipling our minds. Jesus wants to redeem us, renew our hearts and reshape our priorities and desires.

It has never been about deleting an app; it has always been about surrendering our hearts!

All glory to God!

Grace Wins!

There can be this perceived need, or maybe even a sense of duty to fix people.

To talk about them or tell them what they’re doing wrong.

To point out how they don’t measure up.

To make sure they know that we got it right and they got it wrong.

The thing is, life is a journey. Every single one of us is at a different point on that path. Just because someone’s in a different place than we are doesn’t mean we’re right. Lord only knows that six months or a year from now, we’ll probably look back and say, “I can’t believe I used to think that way.”

We change. We grow. We mature. And so does everyone else.

That’s been hitting me hard lately. Everyone’s story is wildly different,, shaped by timing, pain, growth, and life experiences. Spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, no two people are ever standing in the same exact place.

So when I see someone walking a path I might not choose, especially if they’re sincerely asking God to guide them, I need to be careful. Coming in hot with criticism or harsh correction might not be the “truth in love” I think it is… it might just be selfishness and pride in disguise.

Because if someone’s already struggling… if they already hear the enemy whispering, “You’re not good enough. You’re a failure. You’ll never be who God wants you to be,”…then our harsh words only confirm those lies.

The devil doesn’t need help convincing people they’re worthless. He’s already doing that job quite well.

Behind every smile is a battle and behind every calm face is a storm we know nothing about!! Depression is real. Anxiety is real. And sometimes, that one kind word, that hug, that listening ear, or that moment we share might be what keeps someone standing.

But the opposite is also true! One selfish word, one careless jab, one condescending tone could be the thing that pushes someone further into darkness or over the edge!

Every person longs to be seen, known, and loved. And if we can’t offer that, it’s better to step back and stay silent than to tear down.

No one needs more critics.

No one needs another voice of condemnation.

We may think we’ve got the world figured out, but the truth is… we’re all sinners saved by grace. Every single one of us.

The privilege we have isn’t to tear down… it’s to lift up. To encourage. To extend the same grace we’ve received from Christ.

And maybe, just maybe, when we stop pointing fingers and start opening arms, we’ll finally start looking a little more like Him.

We’re all learning. We’re all growing.

And in the end, grace wins. Every single time.

Add Hugs to Your Vocabulary

Growing up, it wasn’t normal to see my mom and dad be physically affectionate. My dad would give her a quick kiss when he got home from work, but not much else. I don’t doubt at all that he loved her deeply — it just wasn’t something we saw. 

The same was true for us kids. There wasn’t a lot of hugging or that kind of closeness. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t there. But looking back now, and seeing how I am with my own kids, I realize how big of a difference that really makes.

A hug, a hand on the shoulder, just sitting close — that stuff matters. I’ve made it a goal to change that in my own family. I make sure my kids know they’re loved not just by what I say, but by how I show it. I hug them, I hold them close, I want them to know they’re safe, seen, and valued. I do the same with my wife — in front of the kids — so they grow up seeing what love looks like, not just hearing about it.  And I’ve even learned to be that way with brothers in Christ too. A hug can say what words can’t. It says, “I see you,” and “You’re not alone.” 

I’ve read stories of grown men who said it caught them off guard the first time their dad hugged them — maybe at graduation, or their wedding — and told them, “I’m proud of you,” or “I love you.” It hit them hard because they had waited their whole lives to hear or feel that. Those moments stick forever. 

And our daughters — they need it just as much. Let your arms be the safe place they know they can always come to. I can’t say this strong enough: if our daughters don’t get that kind of affection, love, and affirmation from their dads, they’ll look for it somewhere else. If a girl doesn’t feel loved by her father, she’ll find a guy who convinces her that he does. I’ve made mistakes in this area myself, but I’m asking God to use what I’ve learned to help me do better — for my sons, for my daughters, and for any brother who needs the reminder. 

So brothers, let’s not hold back. Let’s make hugs part of our vocabulary again. It’s not weakness. It’s love made real — and sometimes that’s exactly what someone needs most.

Asking for help- is it an act of service?

Forgive me if I come across as harsh and heated, nothing personal. This is just a topic very close to my heart, and one I pray about as I try to live out my convictions. 

I have only recently changed my perspective on this and now I’ll be an ambassador. 

I read this quote and it was meant to encourage me to reach out when I'm in a dark place. The quote says, “Asking for help is an act of service. Don’t deny the people who love you the honor of being there to support you.” 

To be blunt—I think it’s backwards. 

When someone is in deep depression or carrying grief that feels unbearable, they’re not sitting around thinking, “Let me serve my friends by asking for help.” They’re thinking, “Let me find the courage to get out of bed… let me remember to feed the kids… let me find the strength to put the breakfast food away before dinner time… let me survive walking into a party where everyone’s joy makes my sadness spiral.”

Most of us, especially guys, don’t ask for help. We say we’re fine, even when we’re drowning. At our lowest, we don’t have the mental clarity or strength to reach out. The burden is already crushing enough just to survive the day. 

That’s why shifting the responsibility onto the hurting person feels like a cop-out. It lets the clear-minded friend off the hook from the harder, braver work of being proactive. Because if I am one of “the people who love them,” it’s on me to show up. To risk being intrusive, awkward, or even offensive. To bring my presence, my vulnerability, my words. That’s what can save a life. 

I once told a brother that when I was in my darkest place, I felt like I’d fallen into deep water with sharks circling. People stood on the bank with lifeboats, ropes, life preservers—everything I needed. They looked on, talked about how dangerous it must be, hoped I would survive, some even prayed for me. But they didn’t jump in, because in their minds, “If he wanted help, he’d ask.” The reality is, when you’re choking on salt water and fighting off sharks, you don’t have the breath to yell or a free hand to wave. Everything you’ve got goes into surviving the next wave. 

That’s why I can’t agree with this quote. Asking for help isn’t an act of service—it’s often not even possible. The real act of service belongs to the friend who decides to step in uninvited, who risks everything for the chance of maybe saving a life.

All this being said, I realize the burden being on the clear-minded friend is situational to an extent. Sometimes you simply won’t know the depth of someone’s struggle unless they tell you. I spoke to someone recently whose close friend confessed they had been in such a dark place that they considered suicide in the past year. This person said they had no idea, they thought their friend was happy, cheerful, and doing fine in life. That’s a sobering reminder.

Being a close, good friend means we can’t settle for surface-level friendship. It means actively looking for ways to truly be there, paying attention to what might be concerning, and being willing to proactively ask hard questions. Don’t just assume because someone looks okay that they are okay. Don’t be a surface friend.

The modern day Temple of God

Temples of the Holy Spirit

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This study begins with a look at the ancient Temple of Solomon — its beauty, its precision, and the holy presence it was built to house.

Thousands of years later, that same holiness still matters.

Scripture now calls our bodies “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” and through this study, we explore what that means for our lives today. How does something built of gold and stone still speak to us — flesh and blood — in the modern world?

Because the Word is living. And the Temple still stands.

Now, it’s us.

This is not a study of guilt or shame, but a call to awakening, to understanding, and to holy stewardship. God doesn’t reveal truth to condemn us, but to transform us — to shape us into vessels that honor Him.

Romans 14:19, (NKJV)  “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

Hebrews 4:12,(NKJV)  “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…”

Let every truth we encounter build us up — not tear us down — as we seek to glorify God in the temples He now calls His own.

Section 1: The Temple of Solomon

Solomon’s Temple stood as one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world — a physical manifestation of God's glory among His people. Every stone, every beam, every carving, every overlay of gold was ordered by divine wisdom. It was not just a building. It was a sanctuary — a place where God's very presence chose to dwell.

King David, a man after God’s own heart, had a strong desire to build a permanent earthly house for God. For over 400 years, the Ark of the Covenant — the visible sign of God's presence — had been kept in a tent. It troubled David that the Lord of Hosts was still dwelling in a tent while he himself lived in a palace.

But God told David that he would not build it. The honor would go to his son, Solomon, who  began building the Temple in the fourth year of his reign.

1 Kings 6:2 (NKJV) "Now the house which King Solomon built for the LORD, its length was sixty cubits, its width twenty, and its height thirty cubits."

That translates to about 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. It was not just an ordinary building. Its walls were carved with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. Its doors were made of olive wood and etched with designs. The entire interior — ceilings, walls, floors — was overlaid with pure gold. Even the hinges on the doors were golden.

To put the grandeur of this into perspective, very conservative estimates put the amount of pure gold used in the Temple to be over 2,000 tons!

At the center of the temple stood the Holy of Holies — the inner sanctuary. A perfect cube, completely overlaid in gold, where the Ark of the Covenant rested beneath the wings of two towering golden cherubim. The very construction of the Temple was done with reverence: Stones were cut and shaped in the quarry, off-site so that no hammer or chisel would disturb the peace of the Temple Mount. It was sacred holy ground!

1 Kings 6:7 (NKJV) “And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.”

Solomon’s Temple was not just a building. It was a covenant made visible — it declared that God's holiness required beauty, purity, and order. It was sacred. Set apart. Built for God and God alone.

1 Kings 6:12–13 (NKJV) "Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people, Israel."

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Section 2: Gateways to the Heart

Just as Solomon’s Temple had guarded gates, sacred spaces, and daily maintenance, so too we must guard the gates of our own bodies — the eyes and the ears.

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."

Psalm 101:3 (NKJV) "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes."

Matthew 6:22–23 (NKJV) "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness."

Every image we watch, every sound we hear, every word we listen to — these are not harmless. They are either light entering the temple or darkness defiling it.

Pornography that desecrates the purity of the heart. Endless video shorts and mindless entertainment that waste very precious hours of life. TV shows and movies that glorify violence, sexual sin, rebellion, and idolatry. Video games rooted in bloodshed, war and murder, disguised as entertainment. The worship of sports and celebrities, consuming attention meant for God even on the Lord’s Day!

Every gate we fail to guard invites defilement into the Most Holy Place within us — the heart.

Solomon’s Temple required daily attention — lamps trimmed, altars tended to, incense offered. Neglect would have caused decay, filth, and eventual ruin.

Our bodies require the same attention.

Proverbs 6:9–11 (NKJV) "How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep — So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man."

Ecclesiastes 10:18 (NKJV) "Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks."

Neglecting our bodies — ignoring physical movement, embracing laziness, refusing to care for the vessel God indwells — is not a small thing. It is a slow, silent form of spiritual erosion. Regular exercise is wisdom as long as it is done in a proper perspective and not in vanity.

Section 3: Graffiti on the Temple Walls

Solomon’s Temple was overlaid with pure gold — carved with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. Every design was commissioned by divine instruction and crafted by God-ordained artists.

There was no casual carving. There were no unauthorized marks. Every inch belonged to God — and was to be treated with reverence!

Imagine the shock if someone had defaced those golden walls — spray painting personal designs on the sacred panels, boring random holes into the doors of the Holy Place or changing the color God chose. It would have been considered unthinkable. Death would surely have followed.

And yet today, many believers casually mark, pierce, dye and permanently alter the temple of the Holy Spirit without a second thought.

Leviticus 19:28 (KJV) "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord."

In ancient times, tattoos and cuttings were deeply connected to pagan worship, mourning rituals, and idol devotion. God's command was clear: You are not to imitate the defiling practices of the nations.

Today, the modern reasons may differ — but the spiritual reality has not changed. The temple still belongs to God. Our bodies are not our own to decorate or desecrate at will.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NKJV) "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you...? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Similarly, piercings — decorative, body-altering piercings — are like boring holes into the doors of the Temple!

Would a priest have tolerated someone drilling holes, no matter how small, in the sacred panels of Solomon’s Temple for fashion? Would God have remained silent if the golden doors were riddled with unnecessary cuts, holes, or foreign symbols?

Then why would we assume He feels differently about the living temples He now inhabits?

Anyone who has already marked, pierced, or altered their bodies: There is hope in Christ! The blood of Jesus and forgiveness are available to all who repent and turn from their sin! Healing and restoration are real!

But let us never mistake grace as permission to continue defiling the temple. When we know the truth and continue in casual disregard, it becomes willful rebellion against the One who bought us.

Moving forward — our choices matter. Repentance for past defilement brings grace. But reverence for God’s temple must shape every decision from this day on!

“We are not our own. We were bought with a price”. Let us treat our bodies with the same holy awe Solomon gave to the Temple of the Lord.

 

Section 4: God’s Original Provision

When God created the world, His design for nourishment was pure, simple, and life-sustaining.

Genesis 1:29 (NKJV) "And God said, 'See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.'"

Genesis 9:3 (NKJV) "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs."

The original intention for feeding the body was whole foods:

Real plants. Real fruits & vegetables. Real animal foods — untainted, unprocessed, direct from God’s creation. Today’s modern "foods" are a far cry from God’s provision:

Bleached and Enriched Grains: Natural nutrients stripped out, then replaced with synthetic substitutes.

Processed Sugars and Chemical Additives: Industrial byproducts repackaged as "safe."

Synthetic Vitamins: Lab-created imitations of God’s original nutrients.

Flavor Engineering: Artificial flavors replacing real taste.

James 1:17 (NKJV) “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Every whole fruit, vegetable and animal is from God.

John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy

Satan takes all that is ‘good and perfect’ and breathes corruption into it.

Processed foods are not gifts from God. They are distortions of His design — and consuming them habitually dishonors the temple.

Blessing food in prayer is right — but prayer does not turn corruption into nourishment. We need to make the best choices we can with what is available to us. There is no doubt that God can nourish the body with whatever is available, after all, He IS the Creator, Sustainer and Miracle Worker! Our choices and stewardship still matter.

Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."

We are not called to mock God’s design by treating His temple with disregard.

In Solomon’s Temple, sacrifices had to be perfect — not defective or polluted.

Leviticus 22:20–21 (NKJV) "Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf... it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it."

Today, we are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.

Romans 12:1 (NKJV) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."

Holy stewardship means, choosing foods close to God's original creation and honoring His design with gratitude and reverence.

Don’t miss this:

Even as we honor God's design in food, our hope is not in food itself! Our healing, health and strength come from God alone! The food we eat does not make us healthy or fit, instead the food we choose can honor God’s design or reflect the brokenness of human excess...

Exodus 15:26 (NKJV) "For I am the Lord who heals you."

Eating can actually be a form of worship—When we eat with gratitude, take care of our bodies, and don’t let food control us, we’re living in a way that respects how God made us. But when eating is all about comfort, addiction, control, or appearance, it can start pointing more toward ourselves than toward Him. It’s not about perfection in what we eat—it’s about seeking God’s will and having a right heart attitude.

We eat wisely not because food saves us — but because we are His, and honoring the body He created is an act of worship. In today’s world, our cravings are no longer shaped solely by hunger or natural cues. Instead, they are deliberately manipulated by the food industry to drive overconsumption. It’s all about money! This is an admitted strategy.

Manufacturers employ scientists to create what author James Clear calls “hyper-palatable” foods in his book Atomic Habits — meals designed to target our God-given reward circuits through artificial combinations of salt, sugar, and fat.

They exploit God’s design by over-stimulating it. The “bliss point” is the exact combination of flavors that makes us crave more and more!

“Dynamic contrast” (think of crunchy chips with creamy dip or crispy crust with melted cheese) keeps our mouth entertained — making us eat way beyond satisfaction or what our body requires.

“Oro-sensation” describes how food feels in our mouth, engineered for maximum pleasure. Entire departments are dedicated to this in major food manufacturers.

We’re no longer feeding the temple.

We’re feeding cravings and addiction.

We were not designed to be ruled by flavor. The real danger is not weight gain — it’s spiritual dullness. When our appetites are governed by manufactured manipulation, we can no longer hear the quiet voice of discipline and self-control.

Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV) “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit [and body]  is like a city broken down, without walls.”

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV)  “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection...”

And according to Galatians 5:23.. self control is a ‘fruit of the spirit’.

We are temples — not amusement parks.

We were created to be governed by the Spirit, not food manufacturers seeking gluttony and addiction. This is not merely a health issue — it’s a holiness issue. When we reach for junk food to comfort, distract, feed an addiction, or feel rewarded, we’re trying to fill a space that only God was meant to satisfy. Overconsumption and gluttony is not just lack of control — it’s misplaced worship. The “bliss point” cannot be our goal — obedience has to be! Manipulating foods to maximize the taste and addictiveness cannot be God’s design. It just can’t be! Eating is not entertainment — it is fuel for our bodies, fuel for His Temple, it is obedience.

This understanding reflects James Clear’s Second Law of Behavior Change — “Make it attractive.” He says to make a habit stick, we must make it attractive. The world does this to hook us. But we can reverse this. We can make purity attractive, make obedience rewarding and make God's design desirable again. Let us refuse to let synthetic cravings rule how we treat God’s dwelling.

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Section 5: Reverence Then — Reverence Now

Solomon’s Temple was not just beautiful — it was exceptionally holy. It was approached with awe, trembling, and fear. Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place — and only once a year, with extensive cleansing, or else he would die! God’s presence was so pure, so powerful, that any casual, defiled approach was deadly.

Today, many believers treat the indwelling presence of God lightly. We binge worldly entertainment. We eat whatever we desire without thought. We neglect our bodies. We open our eyes, ears, and hearts to unclean things. Do we forget the Holy Spirit is not a casual guest. He is the Almighty dwelling within.. within His Temple.

God requires us to be guarding the temple gates (eyes, ears, mind) maintaining the structure (exercise, cleanliness, care) offering pure sacrifices (nutrition and avoiding corruption) and fleeing defilement (idolatry, immorality, pride).

Holy fear is not terror — it is awe and love. It is the awareness that the Almighty, the Creator of all things, has chosen to dwell within our mortal bodies.

It should humble us daily. It should sharpen our daily choices. It should drive us to worship, repentance, and careful stewardship.

Section 6: The Temple Was Cleansed Regularly

Solomon’s Temple, though constructed with gold, perfection, and the finest craftsmanship, still required regular purification: Sacrifices for atonement - Cleansing of the altars - Washing of sacred vessels - Removal of anything unclean or corrupt.

The presence of God demanded ongoing maintenance — not because His power was lacking, but because human corruption constantly crept in.

Even as Spirit-filled believers — even as living temples of the Holy Spirit — we still require regular confession, cleansing, and renewal. Not because the Holy Spirit abandons us, but because sin defiles the heart, laziness breeds decay and small compromises open doors to greater defilements.

Without repentance, the temple becomes polluted. The presence of God becomes grieved. When the gates to our hearts (The Holy of Holies) are left open, corruption creeps in, the fire fades and the walls start to crumble.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Confession, whether to God or each other, is not weakness — it is spiritual strength.

It is the daily washing that keeps the sanctuary pure. It is the humble admission that we cannot maintain holiness on our own. It is declaring that we desire the Holy Spirit’s presence more than comfort or compromise.

When we repent — whether from laziness, indulgence, impurity, neglect, or rebellion — God promises to cleanse and restore!

Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV) "Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Daily repentance keeps the temple pure.  God's forgiveness restores what was broken. A pure temple invites more of God's presence and power

Section 7: The Body of Christ

While Scripture teaches that each believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit individually, it also reveals that together, as the Church, we are being built into a holy dwelling for God.

Ephesians 2:19–22 (NKJV) "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

The corporate Temple — the Body of Christ — is affected by the holiness or corruption of each of its members. One believer’s casual defilement can weaken the Church as a whole through influence and acceptance. One believer’s laziness can affect the sharpness and alertness of the Church body. One believer’s repentance and encouragement strengthens the entire body of believers!

1 Corinthians 3:16–17 (NKJV) "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."

This is not just individual. Paul’s language here seems plural — directed to the whole congregation. To defile God's people is not a small offense. It is a sin against the One who dwells among us as a corporate temple. We are not just accountable for our own holiness — we are responsible for encouraging, guarding, and building up the Temple of God around us.

As a corporate Temple we have a calling:

We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), exhort one another to holiness (Hebrews 10:24-25), carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and protect the sacredness of the Body (1 Corinthians 12:25-27)

Your holiness affects more than just you. Your stewardship reaches beyond your personal life. You are a living part in the great Temple of God.

We are individually temples, but together we are one Temple and our personal choices either strengthen or weaken the Body.. So let us build holiness together to bring greater glory to Christ

Section 8: Wisdom not guilt

This study is not shared to cause guilt or make accusations. It is not about earning favor with God through perfect food choices, exercise routines, or lifestyle habits. It’s about exploring — humbly and seriously — what it really means that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is an incredibly exciting journey through the scriptures to study what God really desires of His Temples!

We can ask ourselves these questions:

How does God instruct us to care for His temple?

What does He call us to put into it?

How does He call us to maintain it, protect it, and offer it back to Him?

What would it look like to glorify God in what we eat, what we drink, what we consume?

What would it look like to honor Him with what we allow through our eyes and ears?

What would it look like to treat our bodies — and our hearts — as sacred, holy ground?

What would it look like to offer God our best ?

These might all be tough questions.. God’s Word has the answer!

James 1:5 (NKJV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

If we don’t know where to begin... If we feel overwhelmed... If we’ve failed many times before...

We just need to ask!

God gives wisdom freely to those who ask sincerely — without scolding, without reproach, without shame.

It’s about honoring the One who chose to dwell inside you and purchased us with His blood!

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV) "You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

It’s time we “Guard the gates” and “Cleanse the sanctuary”

Offer your body — and your life — as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God

The King of Glory dwells within you. Let your temple reflect His worth!

 

References:

• The Holy Bible (NKJV) – All Scripture quotations
• James Clear – Atomic Habits
• Stephan Guyenet, Neuroscientist
• Matthew Henry – Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
• Christianity.com – Articles on holiness, temple theology, and stewardship
• TheTwoCities.com – Commentary on Romans 12:1

• John MacArthur – Reverence and sanctification
• David Guzik – Commentary on Temple construction and worship purity
• A.W. Tozer – The Pursuit of God

• Michael Pollan – In Defense of Food, The Omnivore’s Dilemma (whole food vs. processed food)
• Dr. Josh Axe – Biblical perspectives on food as God-designed fuel
• Gary Taubes, Nina Teicholz – Processed sugar, fat, and food industry critiques