Category: rebellion

Surviving the Woke Madness

Published on by Editor

In today’s world, many feel that society is shifting in alarming and unsettling ways. What began as a movement to address injustices has spiraled into what many call “woke madness”—a culture that prioritizes ideology over truth, silences dissent, and disregards the concerns of the majority. This challenge is not exclusive to Christians; it affects everyone who values fairness, safety, and freedom of speech. For Christians, these cultural shifts demand a thoughtful response rooted in biblical truth, love, and courage. By standing firm in faith and addressing these issues with clarity, we can offer hope to a world increasingly confused by competing ideologies and suppressed truths.

Pandering to the Minority

One of the most glaring issues in today’s cultural climate is the way society often bends over backward to affirm the demands of a vocal minority, frequently at the expense of the majority of the people, disregarding their needs, feelings, thoughts, identity, values and inherent dignity, bullying them into submission. While Christians are called to care for the marginalized (Micah 6:8), this does not mean affirming every belief or action, especially when it conflicts with truth or violates others’ rights. Take, for example, the growing insistence that women accept biological men in their private spaces, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams. This compromises women’s safety, privacy, and dignity, while dismissing their legitimate concerns. Adding insult to injury, women are now being rebranded as “cisgender,” a term many find demeaning and erasing. This kind of pandering ignores the rights, feelings, and safety of the majority, forcing them to affirm ideologies they may deeply disagree with. The audacity of such demands is not only unfair but a direct attack on freedom of thought and conscience. As Christians, we affirm that all people are equal in the eyes of God, deserving of dignity and respect, but equality must not come at the cost of truth or the violation of others’ rights.

A Smokescreen of Control

A significant issue behind this movement is the deliberate way media, education, and political systems amplify the voices of a vocal minority while silencing, marginalizing, or demonizing the majority. The media frequently serves as a controlled and biased outlet, crafting narratives that gaslight the public into believing the minority’s views represent universal consensus. This deliberate distortion functions as a smokescreen, suppressing genuine dissent and coercing society into submission under the guise of progress or inclusivity. The consequences are far-reaching: a creeping erosion of fundamental freedoms—free speech, free thought, religious expression, and even parental rights. These alarming trends bear a striking resemblance to tactics employed by authoritarian regimes like China and North Korea, where the state dictates morality, controls speech, and punishes dissent. Practices such as cancel culture, thought policing, and the dismantling of basic liberties are not just isolated events but steps toward a society where fear and compliance replace freedom and truth.

The Illusion of Affirmation and Truth

The woke movement demands that society affirm subjective ideologies, such as fluid definitions of gender and morality. While this may appear compassionate on the surface, it ultimately fosters confusion, division, and harm. Romans 1:25 speaks to this reality: “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” When society elevates individual feelings over objective reality, the result is chaos and instability. For Christians, affirming falsehoods is not an option. True compassion does not reinforce illusions; it seeks to uphold truth. Only the truth—rooted in God’s Word—has the power to bring genuine freedom and healing, as Jesus said: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

The Impact on Families and Children

One of the most troubling aspects of woke culture is its profound impact on children and families. Schools, which should focus on teaching essential subjects like math, science, and reading, are increasingly being used as platforms for ideological indoctrination. Children are encouraged to question their gender, prioritize feelings over biological reality, and even view their parents as barriers to self-expression. Parental rights are being systematically undermined, as schools and governments make critical decisions about children’s identities without consulting their families.

This trend poses a grave danger not only to the stability of families but to society as a whole. The sexualization of children in schools—often justified under the banner of inclusivity—opens the door to harm, exploitation, and confusion. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6 offers a sobering perspective: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Protecting children is not just a Christian duty but a universal moral imperative. Safeguarding their innocence, well-being, and safety is essential for the health of families and the future of society.

Cancel Culture and the Death of Free Speech

Cancel culture has created an environment where expressing disagreement or holding differing beliefs can result in public shaming, job loss, or even legal consequences. This suppression of dissent is a direct attack on free speech, a foundational principle of any truly free society. For Christians, this challenge is especially pronounced. Biblical views on marriage, gender, and morality are increasingly labeled as offensive or even hateful by some if it opposes their views.

What Can Be Done?

Navigating these challenges requires courage, wisdom, and faith. Here are practical steps for Christians (and others) to stand firm and promote truth:

1. Stay Rooted in Scripture

God’s Word is the ultimate authority. When cultural ideologies conflict with biblical truth, we must remain faithful to God.

2. Expose the Smokescreen

Help others see through the media’s biased narrative. Encourage critical thinking and honest conversations to reveal the truth.

3. Defend Freedom for All

Advocate for free speech, parental rights, and the protection of children. This is not just a Christian issue; it affects everyone who values liberty.

4. Model True Justice

Biblical justice seeks restoration and healing, not division and retribution. Work toward fairness without compromising truth.

5. Pray and Trust God

Cultural battles are spiritual battles. Pray for leaders, teachers, and those caught in confusion, and trust God’s sovereignty in all circumstances.

Conclusion: Standing Firm in Truth and Grace

The rise of woke madness is a challenge for all people, not just Christians. When society panders to a vocal minority, silences the majority, and replaces truth with ideology, the result is division, confusion, and fear. As Christians, we are called to stand as salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). By speaking truth in love, defending the vulnerable, and remaining steadfast in faith, we can offer a better way—a way rooted in the hope and freedom found in Jesus Christ. The cultural storm may rage, but God’s truth is unshakable. Let us courageously shine His light, knowing that in Christ, we have the ultimate answer to every cultural and spiritual crisis.

__________________

** Photo by Marcin Dampc at Pexels

The Power of Short Prayers and 7 Prayers We Must Stop Praying

Published on by Editor

“He said to her, “Conjure up for me, please, and bring up [from the dead] for me [the spirit] whom I shall name to you.” But the woman said to him, “See here, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off (eliminated) those who are mediums and spiritists from the land.” – “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” – “No wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” ~ 1 Samuel 28:7-10; Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 11:13.

Praying to the dead is strictly forbidden in the Bible. Deuteronomy 18:11 tells us that anyone who “consults with the dead” is “detestable to the Lord.” The story of Saul consulting a medium to bring up the spirit of the dead Samuel resulted in his death “because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance” (1 Samuel 28:1-25; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). Clearly, God has declared that such things are not to be done.

Consider the characteristics of God. God is omnipresent—everywhere at once—and is capable of hearing every prayer in the world (Psalm 139:7-12). A human being, on the other hand, does not possess this attribute. Also, God is the only one with the power to answer prayer. God is omnipotent—all powerful (Revelation 19:6). Certainly, this is an attribute a human being—dead or alive—does not possess. Finally, God is omniscient—He knows everything (Psalm 147:4-5). Even before we pray, God knows our genuine needs and knows them better than we do. Not only does He know our needs, but He answers our prayers according to His perfect will.

So, in order for a dead person to receive prayers, the dead individual has to hear the prayer, possess the power to answer it, and know how to answer it in a way that is best for the individual praying. Only God hears and answers prayer because of His perfect essence and because of what some theologians call His “immanence.” Immanence is the quality of God that causes Him to be directly involved with the affairs of mankind (1 Timothy 6:14-15); this includes answering prayer.

Even after a person dies, God is still involved with that person and his destination. Hebrews 9:27 says so: “…Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” If a person dies in Christ, he goes to heaven to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-9, especially verse 8); if a person dies in his sin, he goes to hell, and eventually everyone in hell will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).

God has provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the mediator between man and God (1 Timothy 2:5). With Jesus Christ as our mediator, we can go through Jesus to God. Why would you want to risk the wrath of God?

7 Prayers You Must Stop Praying 

Not all prayers are the same. In fact, some prayers are not only unpleasing to God, but they can even border on witchcraft. Praying the wrong type of prayer can introduce problems in life rather than blessings. Here are the seven prayers that you should stop saying today.

1. Praying to Saints or Angels

The first type of prayer to stop is praying to saints or angels. The Bible clearly instructs Christians to pray directly to God through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:5). Nowhere in Scripture are we told to pray through saints, angels, or Mary. These figures did not die for us, nor do they intercede for us at God’s right hand. We must use the direct access we have to God through Jesus.

2. Using Repetitive, Formulaic Prayers

Next, stop using repetitive, formulaic prayers. Jesus warned against babbling like pagans who think they will be heard because of their many words (Matthew 6:7). Genuine prayer must come from the heart, not from mindless repetition. It’s about the sincerity of your heart, not the repetition of your words.

3. Praying for Harm or Curses on Others

Another prayer to avoid is praying for harm or curses on others. Romans 12:14 tells us to bless those who persecute us, not curse them. Using prayer to curse others is a form of witchcraft and is not aligned with Christian principles. Even when Jesus was on the cross, He did not curse His enemies. Instead, He prayed for them.

4. Praying with Manipulative Intentions

Another important reminder is to stop praying with manipulative intentions. James 4:3 warns us that prayers asked with wrong motives will not be answered. Prayer should not be used to manipulate situations or people for selfish gains. Instead, align your desires with God’s will, testing them through your delight in Him.

5. Invoking Spirit Guides or Using Occult Practices

Another prayer to avoid is prayers invoking spirit guides or engaging in occult practices. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 strictly prohibits practices like divination, sorcery, and interpreting omens. Mixing occult practices with prayer is dangerous and unbiblical.

6. Seeking Signs Instead of Trusting God’s Word

Another mistake is seeking signs or omens instead of trusting God’s Word. Jesus warned that a wicked generation seeks after signs (Matthew 12:39). While God can confirm signs through His Word, our faith should be based on His promises, not on supernatural signs.

7. Using Objects as Sources of Power

Avoid using objects as sources of power in prayer. Using things like crystals, rosaries, or any other form of objects to help you connect with God or pray is not biblical and should be avoided. However, the Bible does tell us one thing that helps us to strengthen our prayer. That is fasting (Acts 19:19). 

8. Praying for Material Wealth Without Seeking God’s Kingdom

Finally, stop praying for material wealth without seeking God’s Kingdom first. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness before anything else. Prioritizing wealth or fame over spiritual growth leads to misguided prayers. In the Kingdom, the King cares for His citizens. He will provide for us when we prioritize Him first. 

Five Short Prayers to Pray

In the Bible, we see that Jesus often prayed all night, Daniel prayed for three weeks, and Nehemiah and the Israelites prayed a lengthy confession and repentance prayer in Nehemiah chapter 9. Longer prayers are needed in our walk with the Lord and provide a lengthy set of benefits. They help us focus, deepen our relationship with God, allow us to pour out our hearts, develop persistence, and promote spiritual growth.

While I often encourage people to go further in their prayer time and to push to know the Lord more, I do want to acknowledge the power that a short and sincere prayer can have on your life.

Matthew 6:7 says, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” The heart of prayer lies in revelation, not repetition. While it’s not wrong to repeat the same prayer multiple times, because Jesus prayed the same prayer three times and so did Paul, the heart of prayer is not in repetition; it’s in revelation. In other words, a prayer’s impact lies in its heartfelt connection with God, not its length. A prayer’s value doesn’t depend on how long it is.

Here are 5 prayers that are powerful if you pray them with the sincerity of your heart 

1. Lord, Help Me (Matthew 15:25)

This prayer is for the deliverance of others. A mother worshiped Jesus and then she prayed a sincere, humble, but very short prayer, “Lord, help me!” That prayer was so powerful that Jesus delivered her daughter.

2. Have Mercy on Me (Mark 10:47)

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” This is a prayer for a miracle. In God’s mercy, you will find your miracle. We must understand that when God extends His mercy, the miracle is on its way.

3. Lord, Save Me (Matthew 14:30)

This prayer is a plea for intervention and rescue. When you’re overwhelmed by fear or when your life feels like it’s spinning out of control, cry out to the Lord and He will intervene.

4. Show Me Your Ways, Lord (Psalm 25:4)

This prayer is for guidance. When we don’t know which way to go, this short, sincere prayer can help us lean on God’s understanding rather than our own. Prayers that align with God’s will and His purpose recognize and receive His power.

5. Not My Will Be Done But Yours (Luke 22:42)

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” This is a prayer of surrender, aligning your will with God’s will. The ultimate success of prayer is to surrender to God’s will, His plan, and His timing.

What Makes Short Prayers Powerful?

1. Faith
Short prayers require faith. It’s not the shortness of the prayer that guarantees the answer, but the faith in that short prayer. The Bible emphasizes that prayers made in faith will be heard and answered by God.

2. Humility
Short prayers require humility. They express the true condition of the heart without pretense. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

3. Urgency
Short prayers often arise in moments of great need or urgency, reflecting a deep dependence on God.

4. According to God’s Will
Powerful prayers align with God’s will and purpose, recognizing His sovereignty.

Remember that short prayers can be as dynamic and powerful as long ones because the heart of prayer is in its revelation, not in its repetition.

Final Thoughts

We need to be mindful of the prayers we offer to God. I encourage you to avoid prayers that are unbiblical, manipulative, or focused on material gain without spiritual growth. Instead, focus on prayers that align with God’s will, seek His Kingdom, and come from a sincere heart. 

God blesses things that are in line with God’s Word.

————

***By Got Questions + Vladimir Savchuk at HungryGen / Photo by Faizi Ali at Pexels

7 Ways Pride Grows in Our Hearts

Published on by Editor

In his excellent book, Humility, Andrew Murray states that “pride is the beginning of every sin.” The puritan Thomas Watson said of pride, “It is a spiritual drunkenness; it flies up like wine into the brain and intoxicates it. It is idolatry; a proud man is a self-worshiper.” The Bible states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Pray that God will place the mi

Pride is universal—something we all deal with, ancient as Adam and relevant as the morning news. Yet we don’t always see it, for it grows like weeds around our lives.

Oh, we see it in the obvious ways, but we can be blind to its deceptive, subversive presence in our hearts. We know the disease, but we don’t recognize the symptoms. And that’s why we need the insight of our Great Physician to reveal its symptoms and release us from its grip.

Here are seven symptoms of pride I’ve been seeing in God’s Word as the Spirit works in my own life.

1. Fear

Pride is at the root of fear and anxiety when we refuse to humbly rest in God’s sovereign care. Fear simultaneously reveals our lack of trust and our poisonous self-reliance. We fear because we don’t have faith in the Lord, are enormously preoccupied with ourselves, and lack self-control.

When Peter stepped out on the stormy sea to come to Jesus, he was walking in humble faith. But when his gaze shifted to his circumstances and to self-preservation, he trusted in himself, became afraid, and began to sink. Jesus saved him while admonishing him: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31).

2. Entitlement

Self-sacrifice stems from a humble heart. Entitlement is rooted in a prideful heart.

The core of the gospel is that we are not entitled to anything except just punishment for our sins (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Yet we deceive ourselves into thinking we’re better than we are, and deserve better than we have. We think we deserve God’s mercy. We think we deserve people’s praise. We think we deserve love, success, comfort, accolades. We certainly don’t think we deserve suffering, heartbreak, or discipline.

But when we experience these things, we grow bitter, frustrated, and disturbed because we believe we’re entitled to more. We forget that apart from Jesus we are rebels who deserve only condemnation.

The disciples regularly wrestled with entitlement. On one occasion, they were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus’s response was a rebuke: “Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves” (Luke 22:26).

3. Ingratitude

Our proud hearts say that we’re good, that we should get what we want, and if we don’t, that we’re justified in our ingratitude. If we’re somehow uncomfortable or inconvenienced, we can complain. It’s our right. Humility, meanwhile, recognizes that God is good and gives us what we need, so we have no reason to be ungrateful. We lack nothing (Deut. 2:7; Ps. 34:9).

The Israelites grumbled in the wilderness, though God fed, clothed, and led them through it (Ex. 16:2; Deut. 8:2). Their stubborn hearts rejected God’s daily mercies out of self-idolization. But God’s Word rebukes our whining: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent” (Phil. 2:14–15).

4. People-Pleasing

Pride is self-worship and self-preservation at all costs—and people-pleasing is the direct result. Some think people-pleasing is a positive trait because they’re so clearly concerned with serving others. But that’s nothing more than a sneaky sheepskin we put over a wolfish habit. People-pleasing is all about self-satisfaction—fearing man more than God—and seeking the fleeting happiness that comes from man’s approval.

The apostle Paul knew human approval was a pointless and prideful pursuit. Thus he could say, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).

5. Prayerlessness

Pride deceives us into thinking we can “do life” on our own—we’re capable, independent, unstoppable, self-reliant. We think that we don’t need God every hour, that we don’t need his help, grace, mercy, courage, and hope. So, surely, we don’t need to pray.

But a humble heart submits itself to God in prayer because it knows it can do nothing without him.

When God called Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah’s response was not to go to God in prayer. Instead, he fled, his heart furiously and arrogantly silent (Jonah 1:3). Only when God humbled him in the fish’s belly did Jonah finally cry out in prayer (2:1).

6. Hypocrisy

When you’re proud, you elevate your status, forgetting the mercy God has shown you. You think you’re better than everyone else, so you easily find fault with others. Pride produces a hypocritical spirit.

The Pharisees’ hypocritical pride blinded them both to their sin and to God’s mercy—which made them cold-hearted and cruel toward others. Jesus had harsh words for them:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. (Matt. 23:27)

7. Rebellion

Rebellion against God manifests itself in resistance to God’s Word and God-ordained spiritual leaders. It’s the reflex of a prideful heart. It also shows itself in a lack of submission—wives to husbands, children to parents, employees to bosses, citizens to government. Rebellion says, I know better than you, God, when I don’t.

Even though Adam and Eve had all they needed for life and joy, they pridefully rebelled against God’s good decree, thinking they knew better than him. And this ancient rebellion brought untold pain, suffering, and death—for them and us.

Humbled for Us

Yet there is hope for the proud heart in the incarnation of humility, Jesus Christ. Immanuel—God with us—condescended to live among us, die for us, and raise us to new life. He never had a shred of sinful pride—no fear, no entitlement, no ingratitude, no people-pleasing, no prayerlessness, no hypocrisy, no rebellion (Phil. 2:4–6).

The God-man emptied himself of all he deserved to save us from all we deserve. He who was entitled to the highest honor forfeited it for our eternal good.

Because of his humility, we can be forgiven of our pride. That’s both the sting and the joy of the gospel. It deals with our pride by destroying it, reminding us that life is not about us, and that we deserve only the wrath of God. Jesus also deals with our pride by taking the just punishment for it on himself, that we might be renewed in the image of our Creator (Col. 3:10) and made humble like our Savior.

Being humbled is not smooth or painless, but it’s the daily rescue we need. Hallelujah to the Redeemer we have.

——————

*** By Jaquelle Crowe at The Gospel Coalition + Missionary Rob Jackson / Photo at Pexels

8 Reasons Why Obedience to God Is Important

Published on by Editor

8 Reasons Why Obedience to God Is Important

1. Jesus Calls Us to Obedience: If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15, ESV)

2. Obedience Is an Act of Worship: And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. (Romans 12:1, NLT)

3. God Rewards Obedience: Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” (Luke 11:28, NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (James 1:22–25, NLT)

4. Obedience to God Proves Our Love: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. (1 John 5:2–3, ESV) Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. (2 John 6, NLT)

5. Obedience to God Demonstrates Our Faith: And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3–6, NLT)

6. Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice: But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshipping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22–23, NLT)

7. Disobedience Leads to Sin and Death: For as by the one man’s [Adam’s] disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s [Christ’s] obedience the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19, ESV) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22, ESV)

8. Through Obedience, We Experience the Blessings of Holy Living: Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! (Psalm 119:1–8, NLT) This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore—too many to count! There would have been no need for your destruction, or for cutting off your family name.” (Isaiah 48:17–19, NLT)

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. (2 Corinthians 7:1, NLT)

**By Fairchild, Mary. “Why Is Obedience to God Important?” Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/obedience-to-god-701962.