Showing posts with label fake news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fake news. Show all posts

Saturday, March 8, 2025

Do I Always, In Every Situation Avoid Political Issues And Politics? Nope.

When the lies of this world abound as they have more and more, it's been interesting to watch the blitzkrieg (lightning war like)-swarm-effect from Christians and Conservatives go into action. I too like to quickly post what's so just to combat what's false. Yes, to get the truth out there so people won't become confused by the media and social media fools.

There’s been an over-swamping of society with fake news and censorship of truth, so it’s been interesting to see Christians and Conservatives become very involved in getting the real news out to inform the masses on what is going on and how to vote. Even on watching closely to stop all the cheating at the voting booths.

Remember when that conservative song came out about the migrants from Haiti’s deeds here - “they’re eating the dogs, their eating the cats in Springfield Ohio"?

The liberals said that's crazy, but we saw it happening. The Legacy Media a.k.a. mainstream media, quickly lied and lied about it because that's long been part of their Leftist agenda. Yes, over and over they lied, saying it wasn’t happening when it was. Things have really gotten way out of hand, so radically crazy here.

That song and the funny conservative memes really worked in the Conservatives' favor. The Left simply don't know how to meme at all. They pay celebrities millions to sing for their lame candidates but none of them can sing smart at all and they certainly don't want you knowing they paid Beyoncé, Oprah and several others.

Liberals have literally stolen and wasted trillions of our tax and Social Security dollars over to foreign Lands, and they got caught human trafficking and money laundering. Now many confused Americans have gotten all mad at those who exposed the huge crimes that Liberals and Globalists have been doing for years!

Conservatives, even humorously with memes, have called out the evil people for their repeated false statements and their evil deeds (even trolling em). They've quickly and effectively continued to oppose their evil deeds as they are exposed. Conservatives quickly swarm online via Social Media when (blatant lies) “fake news” intentionally breaks, when horrible policies and false doctrines are propogated and go public via the mainstream media.

Admit it, there’s been some powerful influence with all the Conservative memes, with some of the smart trolling, with this type of Conservative swarming through Social Media against the lies. We've all seen it happen. Seems like the everyday citizens have basically become the News Journalists in the USA here, and the Main News Platforms even ones like Fox (Faux) News are far more distrusted by the masses of American people. We just don't trust them with their constant lies, and twisting -- rightly so. They and all of our politicians need to start wearing advertisement stickers.. like NASCAR have on them.. of who is paying each of them to say and do what they do.

We spiritually reborn Christians do not avoid the political issues of our day because we are not fearful cowards. We care about good policies and leaders because we care about people. Policies will be set by someone if we are not involved and they all affect some people, so we do care.

We do get involved in people's lives -- even speak out with biblical truth both in season and out. We do this as clearly as possible to explain what the Bible says about some of the most politically charged hot-button issues of the day — abortion, war, government, homosexuality, tranny teaching hours in our schools before children, women's roles, etc. 

I never avoid so-called politically incorrect subjects; I prefer to speak out clearly about biblical truth, whether it's popular or not. Jesus did that, whether the setting is so-called "appropriate" or not, in season and out of season with grace, boldness and truth.

In any teaching or ministry session that God affords me, I wisely opt NOT to involve myself in politics there because I want to win Rinos, Liberals and others who will listen.. at least not compared to some contemporary Evangelicals I've known. I think my pastor Jack Graham in Plano strikes a good balance here. When it's time to minister in church, He ministers the word for decisions and God saves people.

I am called to be a worshiper, worshipping acceptably. I am called to witness and win souls, and I am called to disciple people starting at home. Currently, I am not paid by any local church to pastor full-time, but I do teach and preach every chance I get to glorify the Lord. I want to please my Lord.

I want to remain committed to two things in tent-maker ministry or in any ministry time: 1) the church's Great Commission mandate from Christ (Matt. 28:18-20) and 2) my God-given priority as a teacher to simply feed the flock simply, (never manipulating or fleecing the flock as some like to do Eph. 4:11-16). The Bible says...

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen." Matt. 28:18-20

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Eph. 4:11-16

Since God left the church here on earth to make disciples (not to make Democrats or Republicans), I believe the best way a minister or teacher can spend his time, energy, and influence is by consistently preaching God's Word. I aim to be accurate with the Bible and aim to minister to people not just get them facts. The proclamation of the gospel regarding the bloody cross and empty tomb of Jesus unleashes the power of God to produce the miracle of regeneration. Jesus alone saves, but we are to “Go.. tell”. See Mark 5:19 in the Bible for good example of this.

We Love Jesus Most! 

Therefore, We Put Christ And His Kingdom Over Politics: Sure, A Christian Is Called To Exalt Jesus As Well As To Proclaim Truth In Order To Win Souls, And Do Biblical Discipleship His Way.

We live in a time flooded with deception from many sources. 

Fake news, media manipulation, and censorship keep on cloud reality here for many people, making it difficult for them to discern truth from lies. Many aren't reading their Bibles to know. 

The rapid spread of misinformation has driven many Christians and Conservatives to take up the mantle of truth-telling, using social media and independent journalism to challenge the mainstream false narrative. 

When falsehoods arise—whether about elections, politicians, government policies, or cultural issues—believers step right in, exposing the lies, the corruption and holding the powerful elites accountable. This bold engagement in the public square is both necessary and commendable today.

However, as followers of Christ, we must remember our ultimate allegiance is to the Living Word (Jesus) and to His eternal Kingdom -- not to this world. 

Biblical worship of God daily and the Great Commission daily (Matt. 28:18-20) are our highest calling. 

While we should stand up for the truth and tactfully engage with society’s issues, we must not lose sight of our primary mission: knowing the Lord and making Him known -- following Him closely, making disciples and proclaiming the gospel.

The Right Fight: Prayer And The Gospel Over Politics

The Bible is not silent on political and moral issues. It speaks clearly about life, justice, and righteousness. Christians should boldly declare biblical truth on abortion, sexuality, marriage, and governance. Like Jesus, we must speak in season and out, with grace and boldness (2 Tim. 4:2). Yet, the pulpit is not a political podium at all. The church’s primary role is not to create Republican or Democrat converts but to worship, to win souls, and to make disciples of Christ.

Here are my Five Biblical Truths for Peronally Engaging Politics Wisely

  1. The Priority of the Gospel Over Politics – Ministers, whether full-time pastors or lay leaders/teachers, must be wise stewards of their time (See Eph. 5:16). Political activism (even in Social Media), while valuable, can distract us away from the greater work of prayer, Bible study, and tending to or shepherding God’s people. The gospel is not about earthly power shifts but about the eternal regeneration and inner transformation of souls. Political victories are only temporary here; salvation for an individual is eternal.

  2. The Danger of Political Alliances – Engaging in politics often requires close alliances with those who may not share our faith at all. While co-belligerency can advance moral causes, it also demands some compromise. I compromise with people I work with sometimes, but I never want spiritual compromise.. especially regarding what the Bible clearly says. A minister of God must remain unwavering in biblical conviction. The Bible says, "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy word of God as it was taught to him, so that he will be able both to give accurate instruction in sound reliable, error-free doctrine and to refute those who contradict it by explaining their error" (Titus 1:9 amp). We believers must not be swept off into pragmatic coalitions that dilute the gospel’s clarity or impact. When disparate groups take a similar position on an issue, like say on the topic of abortion (which we all should hate because it’s murder according to Bible teaching), it's in their political interest to rally together and unite their voices for greater influence and impact. The spirit of co-belligerency is the opposite of what the Bible requires any real minister to be — a man of deep biblical conviction in every situation. Men like that are disruptive to common political causes, especially among those who pervert or are indifferent to the gospel.

  3. Politics here is Temporary, but God’s Kingdom is Eternal – Political tides rise and fall in every generation, but God’s Word stands firm through all ages (see Isa. 40:8). If the church obsesses over elections and legislation too much, it will ride the waves of culture instead of anchoring itself in the Living Word of God. The mission of the church is to proclaim Jesus and His finished word, His reconciliation plan with God (2 Cor. 5:20-21), offering hope to a lost world—not to confuse that hope with political reform. I don't waste time trying to reform sinners, I simply want to win them to Jesus. I pray God will use us to evangelize. 

  4. Avoiding Division and Alienation – Politics often turns potential converts into adversaries. Why drive people away that we want to win? Jesus called us to love our lost and saved neighbors, not to war against them (Matt. 5:44). When the church becomes entangled in partisan fights, it risks alienating those it is called to reach. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual darkness (Eph. 6:12). Pray, pray, pray and obey the Word. 

  5. The Church’s True Mission: Making Disciples – Christians should indeed go vote wisely, should pray fervently, and should speak truth boldly. Some are even called into political careers. But the church itself must not lose sight of its divine mission. We must keep the main things the main things. Whether you are a pastor, a lay minister, or a devoted reborn believer, remember: our greatest impact is not in political victories but in being involved in souls choosing Jesus as Savior and Lord. In regenerated, transformed lives. Let us be known as real Christians in word, attitudes and deed, not primarily known for partisan battles. Are you more known for what you are against than what you are for? Why not more so for what you are for? I am for Jesus and for people growing and succeeding in Christ. I am not anti-any people. I want the best for everyone as I win them to Jesus. Let's be more known for our political stances -- NO! Let's be more known for our personal unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ and the Bible, our love for the lost, and our bold proclamation of the cross at Calvary and the empty tomb.

The people in this world are our mission field—they are not our enemy. God loves you no matter what country or side you have been involved with. He is concerned about you and your future regardless of your past. Jesus catches His fish and then He cleans them. I don't say clean yourself up and then come to the Lord. I say come as you are willing to let Christ change you from the inside out. Democrat, Republican Rino or whoever you are.. You can get right with God and come to Christ right here and now.  

Worship and glorify the Lord with all you are -- with your whole being and future! Get the truth out too. All truth his His truth. Grab your Bible which is true from start to finish. Our primary goal is not to win elections but to please the Lord with every breath. Our main goal every single day is bless the Lord, to honor him in everything we do, and to win souls to Him while we have time to do that. 

I zealously want to inspire and motivate other Christians to do the same -- to worship Jesus with everything they are and have, and to win souls to Jesus as well. 

May we never trade the eternal for the temporary here. Let’s keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2), and run the race set before us with endurance, tact and wisdom.

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Say No To Duped, It's Really Not The Best Option. It's Not The Lifestyle For You.

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; we shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse’—my son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.” Prov. 1:10–16 nkjv

Many of us suffer from temptations from which we have no business to suffer. ~ Oswald Chambers

"The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust." Proverbs 11:6 

"Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." Proverbs 27:20

Christ, because He was the only Man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only Man who knows to the full what temptation means. ~ C.S. Lewis

Come to Jesus today, turn, trust and invite Him into person as both Savior an Lord. He is the One who knows how to overcome all the lies, the temptations and sins that destroy people. 

Everyday people get tempted and deceived by another person or persons. It’s what that person Mr. Lu-Cifer (I mean Satan) and his gang (of fallen angels and some people) are all about. We all need our heavenly Father daily. We all need to repent and believe in the Son. We all need forgiveness and regeneration inside. We all need a right, meaningful relationship with Jesus who is the way the truth and the life. We all need the Holy Spirit too -- God never lies!  

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. ~ Jesus

John 16:13 - But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

John 14:17 - that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

John 15:26 - When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,

1 John 4:6 - We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1 John 5:6 - This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

John 15:1-27 - I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ‘Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.’

John 14:16-19 - I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. read more.

John 16:5-13 - But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' ‘But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ‘But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.’

Temptations are never so dangerous as when they come to us in a religious garb. ~ Dwight L. Moody

Temptation is not sin. A man may ask me to share with him the spoils of a burglary, but no one can accuse me of receiving stolen property if I indignantly refuse and keep my doors tightly shut against him..  Hand over to Christ every temptation and care.. Temptation may be a blessing to a man when it reveals to him his weakness and drives him to the almighty Savior. Do not be surprised, then, dear child of God, if you are tempted at every step of your earthly journey, and almost beyond endurance; but you will not be tempted beyond what you are able to bear, and with every temptation there will be a way of escape. ~ F.B. Meyer

What Does Deception Do? It Destroys Trust, Relationships And Lives. 

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Here Are Seven Things To Think About.. Against Becoming Duped.

The devil has had a lot of years of experience in deceiving people, and in tempting people to go in the wrong direction.. off into destruction. 

He's pretty skilled at finding our weakest points and then seducing us with our weaknesses, whether that be in an area of sexual sin, or with sins of anger, or jealousy, or covetousness, or slothful laziness, for boastful puffed up pride, or insecurity, or with worry. 

When we are tempted that’s not sin, but it’s sin to yield to this. It’s so important to make a distinction. Temptation comes from the enemy in order to lead you to sin. However, Jesus never ever sinned and yet He experienced temptation from the enemy (See Heb. 4:15). Therefore one of the ways to battle sin is to know how to resist temptation.

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1.) PRAY EARNESTLY AS JESUS TAUGHT US, “LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL” (MATT. 6:13).

When Christ’s disciples kept succumbing to sleep while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told them to “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). 

Why pray for help. Apart from God, we have no hope of resisting or overcoming temptation. This is why humble prayer to the Father in the Name of Jesus is so imperative. Praying as Jesus taught us in the Lord’s prayer that God would “lead us not into temptation” is praying for our strength and deliverance from even facing temptation. Regularly praying with other born again believers is a great way to help you be all be strong in the Lord no matter what you each face.  

2.) KNOW THE LORD WELL AND YOURSELF TOO -- KNOW WHERE YOU ARE WEAK.

Know the written Word and the living Word of God. And knowing the enemy’s tactics, his ploys, his M.O. and his creepy schemes -- those are crucial aspects of the spiritual warfare. Yes crucial regarding the battles that you and I will face. In the Christian life, we have different enemies (the world system, the fleshly nature and fallen angels who manipulate foolish sinners to do their bidding), one of which is our old corrupt fleshly nature within us (Rom. 7:21-23; Eph. 4:22).

Yes believer, you have the internal foe (the fleshly nature), the external foe (the world system) and the infernal foe (Satan) to reject, to resist, and to disobey. 

“But He (God) gives us more grace. This is why it says: ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  James 4:6-8

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’” 1 Peter 4:17-18

I say judge yourself before you need to be judged. Let judgment begin in the house of God--we want to live holy and victorious for God’s glory. 

It may seem odd, but we must make a study of our own walk in Christ as to where we could be deceived, tripped up, duped. Where have we been tempted or stumbled and fallen before? Personality, circumstances, disposition, and life experiences are all factors that can make us more susceptible to certain kinds of temptations from the enemy. How can we be on guard for something unless we know what we are looking to overcome?

3.) LEARN TO QUICKLY RECOGNIZE TEMPTATION.

Temptation is, well, very tempting. It’s alluring. It presents something to us as pleasant, true, or both. We want to give in because it presents something to us that pulls on our desires and presents us with something that seems good.

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” (James 1:14-16)

The problem is that in the moment of temptation, we might not at first recognize that what is before us leads to sin. We can combat this by learning to recognize temptation when it comes along. We can also prevent it by filling ourselves with the things God tells us in his Word are good and fruitful things (1 Tim. 6:11). We need to faithfully sit under the teaching of the Word so we can get better and better at discerning when we are being tempted.

4.) TAKE PREVENTATIVE EDIFYING SPIRITUAL ACTION.

If you know certain situations will bring you into temptation (like going into a bar, or going online by yourself, or watching certain movies (there’s not that many good ones anymore), or being around certain lost or worldly religious or carnal people, etc) take preventative actions and avoid those places, people and situations. Remember to run. Remember Joseph who quickly fled from Potiphar’s wife when she tried to seduce him, we must sometimes simply run away or avoid the things that tempt us.

5.) KNOW AND QUOTE SCRIPTURE SO THAT YOUR EARS CAN HEAR WHAT’S REALLY SO. GET THE TRUTH DEEP INTO YOUR HEART.

When Jesus was tempted by the devil, the devil quoted the Bible to Jesus hoping to trick him by sounding good and pious. Jesus’ response was to quote Scripture right back at the devil, showing the devil’s twisted and wrongful use of God’s own words (Matt. 4:5-7). The Word is also called the “sword of the Spirit” by Paul (Eph. 6:17), and we can use it to battle those things that tempt us.

6.) REST UP SO YOU CAN BE VIGELENT AND ALERT.

We are more susceptible to temptation when we are exhausted. When we are tired we are weakened and so more vulnerable to the deceptions of the devil. Rest is very important for our spirituality, and we must be extra vigilant when are tired, asking the Lord for extra strength to resist temptation.

7.) REMEMBER TO LOOK TO JESUS, TO CALL OUT TO HIM.. WHO WILL MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE FOR YOU.

God never allows you or me to be tempted beyond what we can take but always provides us with a way out.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

He also gives us himself without limit to call upon his strength for resistance and endurance. “God has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Josh. 1:5; Heb. 13:5). He also gives us his church, a community of fellow fighters, to help us in our battles.

The devil visits idle men with his temptations. God visits industrious men with His favors. ~ Matthew Henry

The riches of His free grace cause me daily to triumph over all the temptations of the wicked one, who is very vigilant, and seeks all occasions to disturb me. ~ George Whitefield

Temptations are an appeal to meet righteous needs in an unrighteous way. ~ William Thrasher

Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in. ~ Billy Sunday

Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them. ~ John Bunyan

Saturday, April 23, 2022

What's good, what's totally lame, what's better?

Simple Honesty > Shady Twistedness.

Sure, I think you’d agree -- a lifestyle of wise integrous transparency beats a complicated foolish lifestyle of fake news, lying and deception. 

Lord, help us in this area of integrity -- we honestly want to please You daily! 

I challenge you to follow Christ and His good examples. Think about Betsy and Corrie Ten Boom--follow their example too. They without compromise followed Him close with integrity. Both needed His forgiveness at times, but God made them integrous witnesses before a watching world. If he did it for them, He can do that for you. 

How candid are you? Are there people you desire to impress! Do you seek to gain and then cover up how you did gain adding one lie to another to another? If you’re honest in conversations you don’t really have to remember as much in order to match new lies to obfuscate what’s so.  

Do you keep your promises (about what percentage of them)? How’s your personal character and personality? How do you love God and His people looking out for them and others? What do you feel you deserve? Do you express gratitude and praise to God? Do you lead a most integrous life? What’s been your aim, or biblical strategy? 

Have you ever lied or tried to make someone believe something that didn’t happen or wasn’t so (have you ever tried to deceive someone)? How honest are you? How do you plan to maintain a lifestyle of integrity and repentance in the future? Is it like that now, or not as much as you really want your life to be like? 

Make it your ambition to lead an honest, peaceful, and quiet life in harmony with Jesus. That involves minding “your own business and working with your hands…so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 

"..make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing be self-supporting." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 amp

Daily choose to die to self and lying. A quiet simple life helps me. Let’s all try a simple life of humility, contentment, fellowship, clean celebration and godly faithfulness. When your mind is set on things above where there’s zero lies or deception, when your life is hidden in Christ, our lives display what is God-honoring and God-glorifying. Living with simplicity of conversations and living with less (with what you need). This could mean less distractions, less time with people that pull you down (we need to spend some time witnessing to the lost), with far less clutter, less noise.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.Colossians 3:2-3

“For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” nlt

Ethical integrity is one of the indispensable attributes of Christlike character. As vital as it is to be sound in doctrine, in spirit, in thoughtlife and faithful in teaching the truth of Scripture, it is by no means less crucial for Christians to be upright in heart and consistent in our obedience to Direct Authority – to the moral and ethical principles of God’s law. Thanks Lord for the many ideas from my So Cal and Texas Pastor friends who live the life and regularly challenged me.

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That is no simple duty, by the way. The moral standard that God’s people are supposed to live by far surpasses even the highest principles of normal human ethics.

This was one of the main points of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20). The whole sermon was an exposition of the Law’s moral meaning. The heart of Jesus’ message was an extended discourse against the notion that the Law’s moral principles apply only to behavior that others can see.

Jesus taught, that the sixth commandment forbids not only acts of murder, but having a murderous heart as well (vv. 21–22). Hating people is wrong. The seventh commandment, which forbids adultery, also implicitly condemns even adulterous lustful desires (vv. 27–28). And the command to love our neighbors applies even to those who are our enemies (vv. 43–44).

How high is the moral and ethical standard set by God’s holy law? Unimaginably high. I need the Christ and His Holy Spirit every day of my existence here. Jesus equates this standard with God’s own perfection:

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (v. 48). 

Yes, that sets an unattainable standard..in our own power. Do you clearly see the great need for Jesus yet? It is our duty to pursue integrity in Him relentlessly. Perfect ethical consistency is a vital aspect of that consummate goal — absolute Christlikeness — toward which every Christian should continually be striving in prayer for (Phil. 3:12–14). Will it take cooperation with the Spirit. Absolutely, so pray without ceasing. No believer, therefore, should ever knowingly sacrifice his or her ethical integrity.

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When you blow it, please own it and go tell on yourself to God. He sees it all and knew what would happen before you poorly chose. Before it happened. 

So ask for free forgiveness from Him and then from others you’ve hurt. Receive God’s cleansing, trust Him to change you from the inside out, and make then restitution as He leads you to. He can do it, can alter your habitual lifestyle of dishonesty.

The perfect One can help you live righteously, with right relationships. He can help you tell the truth in this so called post-honesty kind of world.

What are some Bible verses about deception?

What should a believer do if his or her spouse becomes deceived and chooses to live a gay, bi or transgender lifestyle?

What does the Bible say about cheating in school?

Got some Bible verses to memorize about honest and godly character?

How important is honesty with a Christian and their conduct related to how the watching unbelieving world sees Christ?

What does it mean to have a double tongue?

Here are three powerful reasons why safe-guarding integrity is important:

1.) It’s for the sake of a good name. God wants you to have one as His representative. What’s your our own reputation like? Of course, Christians should not be concerned with issues like status, class, caste, or economic prestige. In that sense, we need to be like Christ, who made Himself of no reputation and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7).

There is a true sense, however, in which we do need to be concerned about maintaining a good reputation — and that is especially true in the matter of ethical integrity. One of the basic requirements for an elder is this: “He must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:7 nasb).

Nothing will ruin a good reputation faster or more permanently than a deliberate breach of ethical integrity. People will forgive practically any other kind of error, negligence, or failure — but ethical bankruptcy carries a stigma that is almost impossible to rise above.

Have you messed up in the area of honesty? Please take a lesson from Zaccheus: repent and do whatever you can to restore your reputation in the community. In the meantime, stop representing yourself as a Christian. You’re destroying the whole church’s reputation.”

According to Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” You don’t have a good name at all unless your ethical integrity is intact and above reproach. Do people trust you? How much? It takes a long time to gain the trust, but trust can be lost in a few seconds. If you’ve lost it, then through Christ rebuild what you can of it okay. 

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2.) It’s for the sake of our personal character. There’s a good reason why Jesus’ exposition of the moral law in Matthew 5 focused so much on uprightness of heart as opposed to external behavior. 

The real barometer of who we are is reflected in what we do when no one else is looking, how we think in the privacy of our own thoughts, and how we respond to the promptings of our own consciences. Those things are the true measure of your moral and ethical fiber.

As important as it is to keep a good reputation in the community, it is a thousand times more important to safeguard our own personal character. That is why Jesus dealt with the issues of morality and ethics beginning with the innermost thoughts of our hearts. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matt. 15:19).

The single most important battlefield in the struggle for integrity is your own mind. That’s where everything will actually be won or lost. And if you lose there, you have already ruined your character. A corrupt character inevitably spoils the reputation, too, because a bad tree can’t bring forth good fruit (Matt. 7:18).

3.) Another reason why it is vital to prayerfully safe-guard our moral and ethical integrity: is for the sake of our Christian testimony. God allows tests to see if you pass and so you’ll have a testimony. What’s your story like? Is it one of victory in the name of Jesus or one of spiritual compromise? Your reputation reflects what people say about you. Your testimony is what your character, your behavior, and your words say about God.

Consider what is being communicated when a Christian lacks ethical integrity. That person is saying he doesn’t truly trust, follow or believe what Scripture plainly says is true of God: That “to do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Prov. 21:3). That “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him” (15:8). And that God “delight[s] in truth in the inward being” (Ps. 51:6).

The person who neglects ethical or moral integrity is telling a lie about God with his life and his attitude. If he calls himself a Christian and professes to be a child of God, he is in fact taking God’s name in vain at the most fundamental level.

What does the Bible say about being honest, yes, a person of integrity?

What principles should distinguish a Christian business?

What does the Bible say about non-deceitful, godly Christian character?

Need some more content related to Christian Character organized into subcategories?

What does it mean that Job was blameless and upright?

What are some Bible verses about cheating?

“In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated “integrity” means “the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness.” Integrity in the New Testament means “honesty and adherence to a pattern of good works.”

Jesus is the perfect example of a man of integrity. After He was baptized, He went into the wilderness to fast for forty days and nights, during which time Satan came to Him at His weakest to try to break His integrity and corrupt Him. Jesus was wholly man and wholly God at the same time, and He was tempted in every way we are, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15); that is the definition of integrity. Jesus is the only one who was ever without blemish, perfect, completely truthful, and always showing a pattern of good works.

I still describe God's attributes or characteristics using these four important omni terms: Omnipotence. Omnipresence. Omnibenevolence. Omniscience. (Omni is the Latin root meaning 'all').

Christians are called to know, follow and be like Jesus Christs. In Christ, we are new creations and can be considered without blemish before God (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; Ephesians 1:4–8). In Christ, we also have the indwelling Holy Spirit at work in us, sanctifying us and making us more like Jesus (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We are also to strive to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12–13). It is by God’s power that we become increasingly people of integrity. We are called to obey God and, in so doing, to be people of uncompromised morality and integrity. Christians should be those who adhere to the truth and who do good works.

“Integrity” in our world today implies moral incorruptibility. Christians should be those who cannot be bribed or compromised because we serve God rather than men (Colossians 3:17, 23; Acts 5:29). We are to be people who keep our word (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). We are to love those around us in both word and deed (1 John 3:17–18; James 2:17–18; Ephesians 4:29). We are called upon to believe in God and therefore to follow Him in all our ways (John 6:19; 15:1–17). Our lives should line up with our belief in God and evince a trust that His ways are best (Proverbs 3:5–6).

Living honestly in a so called post-integrity kind of world can be tough at times. Living pure and righteously in a fake news kind of world where corruption seems favored and promoted, not to mention our battle with our own sinful (fleshly) nature.. is challenging huh. But God has a really good strategy for your life of victory in the Son! 
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 nlt 
First Peter 3:13–18 gives us this encouragement: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord." 

I am His doulos forever--(that word is found at least 127 times in 119 verses in the New Testament Scriptures and means "slave owned by another"). Yes, Jesus is my Master and full, on-fire obedience from the heart is what Christianity is all about. No cold hard-heart, no lukewarm-ness, no spiritual compromise, and no excuses. Is Christ your Master today? Do you have an assurance inside that you are right with Him? You can.  You can turn and trust the Lord today -- even now

Monday, February 7, 2022

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I’m kinda daydreamin’ a bit...

..'bout what’s so and what ain’t so. Oh no!    

And got a ways to go. Not always easy to tell with all these unnamed sources these days huh. 

Lots of stuff ain't SO truly so. 

Seems like what ain’t so keeps flyin’ at all groups of peoples I know.. yeah, dif percentages of it.. and some individuals from every angel, background and corner of this world are actually embracing some of it.. to their own hurt. 

Ever done like I’ve done with novel sounding info? Stuck it in a folder in my mind titled: Wait for additional Instructions on this? 

Listen, it it’s new it ain’t true, and if it’s all the way true, it ain’t new. 

I’ll ask for new insight or application method and illumination on the old. There is no “new revelation” as they say, but we have the old -- the Bible. The methods change, the Message never will! 

“Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.'” Jeremiah 6:16 #emph.mine

Why not walk in it when it's the best way for ya to know and go? Why live so stubborn and stiff-necked like a mule? Do ya really see where those folk are goin' and fallin' into?

The Bereans still inspire me, don’t they you? 

What a noble bunch. Hey, when you run into what ya don’t know to be so, just don’t get like when someone you love dies, just fall back on what you absolutely know to be so.. like God is completely good, kind, just and righteous. He loves you and has a really good plan for you in Christ His Son. And when things get weird or tough (like right before he does or tells you somethin’ lifechanging from His word), He’ll work even all that out for good for ya too (Romans 8:28-29). The Bible says..

“As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.  But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God in Berea, they went there themselves to incite and agitate the crowds.”  Acts 17:10-12

Test it against the Bible before ya run with it. Pray about it, get some wise counsel, prove all things. 

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” Proverbs 1:5

”Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:9

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. Not so the wicked!..“ Psalm 1:1-4

Choose to turn and enter His rest.. all blessed. Yeah, that’s how I feel today -- too blessed to be stressed, over-pressed, depressed or caught in some lame tempest!

Just think of how much greater a story Sampson would have to tell if he had wisely applied Psalm 1.  

“So Delilah said to Samson, ‘Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued."’ (HELLO, RELATIONAL RED FLAG, THEN) Samson answered her..” See Judges 16.  

Only two paths to go -- the wise way or the way of folly. You choose. (Matthew 5:3–12Luke 6:20–23).    

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night..” Psalm 1:2,3

”MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day..” Psalm 119:97,100,148

The Holy Spirit livin' on the inside can help you know what's so.. cuz He sure does. Come to Jesus and have a full assurance inside

Thanks for the photo Jen Theodore.