The message focuses on end-time prophecy, especially the meaning of Armageddon from a biblical perspective.

Main Themes Explained

1. What Armageddon Really Is

The sermon argues that Armageddon is not primarily a physical military battle, but a spiritual conflict between truth and deception.

• It’s framed as a final confrontation over worship, allegiance, and obedience to God
• Emphasis is placed on understanding prophecy symbolically rather than sensationally

2. Bible Prophecy “Falling Into Place”

A major thread throughout the message is that:

• Current world conditions (moral, political, religious) are aligning with biblical end-time prophecies
• These developments are presented as signs that history is moving toward its climax

3. The Great Controversy Theme

Consistent with Adventist theology, the sermon highlights:

• A cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan
• Humanity being drawn into this conflict through choices about truth vs deception
• The idea that the final crisis centers around faithfulness to God’s commandments

4. Call to Personal Preparation

A strong practical takeaway:

• Listeners are urged to prepare spiritually now, not later
• Preparation includes:
  • Studying Scripture
  • Deepening relationship with God
  • Standing firm amid future pressure

5. Warning Against Deception

The sermon stresses:

• Deception will increase near the end of time
• Even sincere believers can be misled without a solid grounding in the Bible
• Truth must be tested against Scripture—not tradition or popular opinion

Tone & Style

• Teaching-heavy sermon (lots of Bible references and explanation)
• Urgent but pastoral tone — warning combined with encouragement
• Structured to build from prophecy → interpretation → personal application

It’s a prophecy-focused sermon explaining Armageddon as a spiritual end-time conflict, urging believers to prepare now by grounding themselves in biblical truth.

View this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3P5tUXfqvs&t=3102s

Learn more: https://www.thebalancedlife.net/a-kings-dream-the-coming-savior/

The post Armageddon, Falling Into Place | Pastor John Lomacang first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

A True Story: Faith Without Applause

During World War II, a young man named Desmond Doss stood apart from everyone around him.  He refused to carry a weapon. Not because he was weak—but because he was convicted.

As a Seventh-day Adventist, he believed in honoring God’s commandments, including “Thou shalt not kill.” Many mocked him. Some called him a coward. Others tried to have him removed from service.

But Doss didn’t argue. He didn’t promote himself. He didn’t try to win people over with speeches. He simply lived his faith.

At the Battle of Okinawa, under intense fire, Doss ran back into danger again and again—saving wounded soldiers one at a time. Each time he lowered a man down the ridge, he prayed a simple prayer:  “Lord, help me get one more.”

He wasn’t trying to be seen. He wasn’t deliberately building a reputation. He wasn’t chasing recognition.  He was lifting up Christ through action.

By the end of that battle, dozens of men owed their lives to him.  And something remarkable happened… The same soldiers who once mocked him began to trust him. Respect him. Even seek his prayers.  Not because Doss lifted himself up— but because he lifted up Jesus.

As men—leaders, husbands, fathers, builders—we are constantly tempted by something subtle: Vain glory.  We are tempted daily to want and seek recognition.  We are tempted daily to want and seek influence.  We are tempted daily to want to be seen as successful, strong or important.

Even in ministry… even in business… even in leadership…  It can quietly become about us. But Jesus gives a different formula: Lift Me up… and I will draw men.

Today, let’s ask ourselves: Am I building my name… or pointing to His?  In my business, leadership, or ministry—who gets the credit?  Do people walk away impressed with me… or drawn to Jesus?

Prayer:

Lord,

I come before You with nothing to offer of my own. No strength, no goodness, no righteousness—
for even my best is as filthy rags without You.

Strip away every trace of pride in me— the desire to be seen, to be praised, to be remembered.
Break anything in me that competes with Your glory.

Teach me to depend fully on Christ— not just in weakness, but even in what I think are my strengths. Let my life not point to my effort, but to Your grace.  Let my words not draw attention to me,
but lift up Jesus.

Let my work, my leadership, my family, my influence— become a quiet testimony that Christ alone is righteous.  And if anything good comes from my life, let it be clear—it was never me… it was always You.  Keep me hidden in Christ, and lifted by His righteousness alone.

In Jesus’ name,  Amen.

The post Lift Him Higher – Devotional For Men first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

Follow Your Heart: We live in a world that relentlessly romanticizes the heart.  After all, don’t we love getting heart-shaped cards on Valentine’s Day, or yearn for that burning in our chest that tells us that love must be real?  Can our hearts be the true barometer to let us know we are on the right path?  Can success in all aspects of life be as simple as following our hearts?

From childhood fairy tales to blockbuster movies, bestselling novels, and inspirational social media quotes, the message is constant and persuasive: “Follow your heart.”  “Trust your heart.”
“Your heart knows what you truly need.”

It sounds noble. It feels empowering. It resonates deeply with our desire for authenticity and freedom. But it also stands in direct opposition to one of the most sobering truths found in Scripture.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”  — Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)

This is not a popular verse. It doesn’t fit neatly into a movie script or a motivational poster. Yet it is one of the most honest diagnoses of the human condition ever written.

A Culture Built on Emotional Authority

Modern culture treats the heart as the ultimate authority. Feelings are elevated above reason. Desire is placed above discipline. Emotion is crowned king.

Movies tell us that love conquers all, even wisdom, boundaries, and covenant. Books urge us to abandon caution in pursuit of passion. Songs celebrate reckless devotion. Even children’s stories repeat the theme: “Believe in yourself. Look within. The answer is already in your heart.”

There is a biological hook. ( from Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.)

Following your heart is often a euphemism for following your limbic system (the emotional brain) rather than your prefrontal cortex (the executive, rational brain).  We can often feel the struggle in real-time, but often give in to the emotion.  We are seduced by hope that defies reason and that lacks historical support.

Rational decision making consumes massive amounts of energy and feels like work.  Emotional decisions happen instantly and feel automatic.  When we decide to follow our hearts, we give ourselves permission to stop the exhausting work of analyzing the pros and cons leading to an intelligent decision.

In addition, the “heart” usually wants things that offer immediate gratification (love, food, excitement).  The anticipation of this gratification releases dopamine.  Sadly, logic, which often involves delaying gratification for long-term gain, does not offer this chemical kick.

We trust the idea even though there is little historical evidence to support the idea.

Therefore, the phrase, “follow your heart” is still one of the most seductive and repeated pieces of advice in human history because it appeals to our biological wiring.

But what Scripture tells us directly, may surprise you on this topic.  Did you know that the Bible never tells us to follow our hearts. Not once. Instead, it repeatedly warns us about our hearts.

“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” — Proverbs 28:26

This verse alone dismantles the modern worldview. Trusting your heart is not presented as courageous or enlightened—but as foolish.

A Personal Story: When My Heart Was Confident—and Wrong

I speak about this not as a detached observer, but as a man shaped by painful experience.  I have been married three times.  Each time I stood at the altar, I was sincere. Each time I believed—truly believed—that I was making the right choice. Each time, my heart told me this was the person God had for me. My heart was confident. My emotions were strong. My feelings were convincing.

And twice, my heart was wrong.  I am still married to my third wife, and I thank God for the grace and redemption He continues to work in my life. But I cannot ignore the pattern. My heart—untethered from wisdom, discernment, and submission to God—led me into repeated pain.  I didn’t enter those marriages trying to disobey God. I wasn’t trying to rebel. I was following what felt right. I was following my heart.

And Scripture had warned me all along.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12  Notice the wording: seems right. It feels right. It appears right. It resonates emotionally. Yet it leads to destruction.

Why the Heart Is a Poor Compass

The heart is not evil because it feels—it is dangerous because it deceives.  The heart wants what feels good now, not what is right long-term. It seeks relief, affirmation, pleasure, and connection—often without regard for consequences.

Jesus Himself explained this clearly: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” — Matthew 15:19

The heart is not neutral. It is not a blank slate waiting for inspiration. It is shaped by sin, fear, unmet needs, wounds, pride, and desire.  Left unchecked, the human heart is like a compass spinning wildly—pointing toward whatever feels most satisfying in the moment.

Our Hunger for Wisdom

Every human being longs for wisdom. We want to make good decisions. We want to avoid regret. We want peace.  The problem is not the desire for wisdom—it’s where we look for it.

The world tells us wisdom comes from within. The Bible tells us wisdom comes from above.  Consider this passage from James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach.”

We live in the Information Age. If you lack facts, you ask Google. If you lack data, you ask AI. But having access to all the information in the world has not made us wiser. In fact, it often leads to analysis paralysis—the state of over-thinking a decision to the point that a choice never gets made.

Today, wisdom isn’t about knowing the facts; it is about having the discernment to know what to do with the facts. It is the ability to cut through the noise of social media, news, and infinite opinions to make the right choice for your life, family, or business.

Wisdom is not discovered by introspection alone. It is received through humility and dependence on God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” — Proverbs 9:10

This is foundational. Wisdom does not begin with confidence in self, but with reverence for God. Without that fear, what we call “wisdom” is often just rationalized desire.

The Volvo Paradox

I often confess to my Sabbath School class that there is one specific prayer God keeps sending straight to voicemail. It involves a Volvo.

I currently drive an old one, and it serves me well. But have you seen the new ones? They are Scandinavian perfection on wheels. Naturally, being a man of faith, I took this desire to the Lord. I didn’t just ask; I presented a business case.

I used my best “sanctified logic.” I prayed, “Lord, think of the safety for my family. Think of the reliability! Imagine how much better I could serve the church mission in a vehicle that doesn’t make strange rattling noises.” Oh, the things I could do for Your Kingdom in an XC90! It was a compelling argument. But God, in His love and infinite wisdom, has has not said yes.

And here lies the friction between following your heart and seeking true wisdom. My heart says, “If you had the money, you should buy it. It’s for a good cause!” But Wisdom asks the harder question: “Just because you can, does that mean you should?”  “What is the true motivation to have this impressive, impressive car”

True wisdom is recognizing that sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers because He is trying to protect our stewardship. My heart wants the heated seats; Wisdom wants me to be faithful with the resources I actually have, not the ones I wish I had.  In this there is plenty to learn about following Him and not serving myself.

What Is Truth?

Pilate famously asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). It is a question humanity continues to wrestle with.  The world defines truth as personal and flexible. “Your truth” and “my truth” coexist, even when they contradict.

But Jesus spoke with clarity: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6

Truth is not found in feelings manufactured my the heart. It is found in a Person.

The Word of God is truth: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” — John 17:17

When truth is detached from Scripture, feelings rush in to fill the void. And feelings make terrible gods.  Feeling often lead to actions that often lead to unexpected (or expected) consequences.

The Illusion of Peace

Many people follow their hearts in search of peace. They believe that if something feels peaceful, it must be right.  But Scripture warns us of false peace. “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” — Isaiah 48:22

True peace does not come from satisfying desire. It comes from obedience. “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” — Psalm 119:165

Left to ourselves, the answer is no.  We are not neutral decision-makers. We are fallen creatures with broken instincts. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way.” — Isaiah 53:6  Sheep don’t rebel intentionally—they wander. They drift. They follow impulses.  We are no different.  Left to our own hearts, we are like moths to a flame—drawn to what glows, unaware of the burn that follows.

Aligning The Heart

The cultural mantra “follow your heart” is dangerous because feelings are transient. One day your heart wants the Volvo; the next day it might want a sports car, and the next it might want to quit everything and move to a cabin. Aligning your heart with God provides stability. It prevents you from being tossed around by every passing desire or marketing campaign. It changes the pursuit from “what do I want right now?” to “who am I called to be?”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5.  Notice the irony: we are told to use our hearts—but not to trust them. Instead, our hearts are to be placed under God’s authority.

When the Heart (passion) and the Mind (plan) are not aligned with God (purpose), you experience stress and cognitive dissonance. You might get the car, but you lose your peace because deep down, you know it wasn’t the right move.  A good question to ask is, “If God is not in it, then why am I in it?”

When all three align, you get integrity. Integrity literally means “wholeness.” It means your desires, your logic, and your spirit are all pulling in the same direction. That is the only place where true stewardship happens—where you aren’t just spending money, but managing resources for a higher calling.  “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  — Proverbs 3:6

Direction comes not from emotion, but from surrender.

God does not leave us alone in decision-making. “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” — John 16:13  The Spirit does not affirm every feeling—weighs them. He does not echo desire—He corrects it.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” — Romans 8:14

Being led by the Spirit often means resisting the heart.

Your heart lives entirely in the “now.” It sees the shiny Volvo, feels the desire, and screams, “I need this to be happy!” It prioritizes immediate gratification.  The Holy Spirit operates with an eternal perspective. He sees the ripple effects of your choices ten years down the road.  To be led by the Spirit, you have to resist the heart’s demand for “now” in exchange for God’s “later” (or God’s “better”).

As mentioned above, Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things…” Our emotions are experts at lying to us. Your heart can convince you that a “want” is a “need” (e.g., “I need this car for safety”).  The Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth.” It cuts through emotional rationalizations.  You have to actively ignore the emotional sales pitch your heart is giving you and look at the cold, hard truth of scripture and stewardship.

At its core, the human heart is wired for self-preservation and self-promotion. It asks, “What will make me look good? What will make me comfortable?”  The Spirit is wired to glorify God. It asks, “What will make God look good? How can I serve others?”  Following the Spirit often feels like a death to self. You are denying your ego (the Volvo) to feed your spirit (Stewardship).

James 3:14–16 “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

A Redeemed Heart

God’s solution is not to discard the heart—but to transform it. We might be tempted to think the solution to a deceitful heart is to become a spiritual Stoic—suppressing all desire and emotion to ensure we never make a mistake. But God created us to feel, to dream, and to desire. His plan is not to silence the heart, but to transplant it.

In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” This is the crucial difference between behavior modification and spiritual transformation. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just veto our requests; He actually changes our “I Want.” As we align with Him, the promise of Psalm 37:4 comes into focus: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” This isn’t a guarantee that God will give you the Volvo if you pray enough; it is a promise that as you delight in Him, your desires will begin to mirror His. The ultimate goal isn’t a suppressed heart, but a synchronized one.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” — Psalm 37:23 And in Him—not in our hearts—we find wisdom, truth, and peace.

I make this final point.  The Bible shares that David was a man after God’s own heart.  This is a powerful statement to make, and should inform how we live our lives today.   Are we men and women that are after God’s own heart?

The post The Myth Of Following Your Heart first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

Looking back through the pages of Scripture and then around us in 2025–2026, the pattern is remarkably consistent: from the first chapters of Genesis to the present moment, the story of God is presented as a story of steady, persistent love.

A Love That Begins in Genesis

The Bible opens with a simple but striking image. Before there were nations, religions, or human failures, there was a world created with intention and care. Genesis describes God forming humanity with His own hands and breathing life into us (Genesis 2:7). The picture is personal, even tender. Creation is not portrayed as a cold act of power but as the beginning of a relationship.

From the beginning, God’s actions are motivated by what is good for His creation. He gives humans purpose, beauty, work that is meaningful, and a world designed to sustain joy and life. These early chapters introduce a God who does not remain distant but walks with His creation, speaks with them, and engages with them.

Even when Adam and Eve fall, the story does not shift into rejection. Instead, it begins a long history of God pursuing broken people. The consequence is real, but the care continues. Clothing is provided, a promise of redemption is given, and humanity is not left without hope.

The Old Testament’s Record of Steadfast Love

A fair reading of the Old Testament shows more than commands and judgments; it reveals a consistent theme of God acting out of love even when people fail Him. Israel’s history is full of rebellion, but also full of rescue.

God’s words to Israel in Jeremiah summarize this well:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

That love appears in many forms:

• Rescue from Egypt.
• Guidance through wilderness years.
• Patience during seasons of disobedience.
• Promises of restoration through the prophets.

When Israel turned away, God did not walk away. He sent messengers, warnings, guidance, and repeated calls to return. The book of Hosea uses the image of a faithful husband pleading with a wandering spouse, a picture meant to show that God’s love has endurance even when ours does not.

Far from being a story of a harsh deity, the Old Testament reveals a God who loves deeply, grieves deeply, and remains committed to His people.

Jesus: The Clearest Evidence of God’s Love

While the Old Testament paints love in patterns and promises, the New Testament shows it in a single life.
In Jesus Christ, the Bible claims that God stepped into the world He created. The Gospels show Jesus welcoming children, touching lepers, restoring dignity to the rejected, and offering forgiveness freely. His teaching challenged oppression, hypocrisy, and cruelty—because love demands justice as much as compassion.

The most familiar verse in the New Testament, John 3:16, expresses the heart of the Christian message:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”

Jesus’ death is presented not as an accident but as the ultimate act of love: a sacrifice made “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). In other words, God’s love does not wait for perfection. It moves toward people at their worst.  For Christians, the cross is not simply a symbol of forgiveness; it is evidence—historical and personal—that God’s love is not theoretical. It is active, costly, and enduring.

Is That Love Still Evident Today?

It is easy to read ancient stories and assume they belong to a different world. But many believers argue that God’s love is still visible, even in today’s world.

In the patience shown toward humanity

Despite the violence, moral confusion, and spiritual indifference of modern society, the Bible teaches that God is patient, “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). The fact that He still calls, still forgives, still transforms lives, is seen by many as evidence of enduring love.

In daily life

Many point to answered prayers, unexpected strength during personal trials, or moments of peace that defy circumstances. These small, personal experiences are often interpreted as signs that God continues to act with care.

In changed lives

People continue to break free from addictions, reconcile relationships, regain hope, and find direction. Pastors, counselors, and community leaders regularly encounter stories of personal transformation that they attribute to God’s work.

In the presence of the Holy Spirit

For Christians, the Holy Spirit is not a relic of the ancient world but an ongoing helper—guiding, comforting, and convicting. The Spirit’s influence is often cited as further proof that God has not abandoned humanity.

While skeptics may dismiss these examples as coincidence or psychology, millions experience them as genuine encounters with divine love.

Does God Love Everyone?

The Bible’s answer is simple: yes.

John 3:16 says God loved the world, not a select few. Matthew 5:45 says He gives sunlight and rain to both the righteous and the unrighteous. Paul writes in Romans that God shows no partiality. This universal love does not mean God approves of everything. A loving parent can deeply love a child while strongly disapproving of harmful behavior. The same is true of God.

What Is Not Pleasing to God?

Because God is love, He opposes anything that destroys the people He loves.

Sin

Not because He delights in rules, but because sin damages the human soul and harms relationships.

Pride

The Bible repeatedly states that “God resists the proud.” Pride closes the door to growth and healing.

Injustice and cruelty

From the prophets to Jesus, Scripture condemns dishonesty, oppression, and violence.

Empty religion

Jesus spoke strongly against hypocrisy and spiritual complacency. God desires sincerity, not performances.

Even when God corrects or disciplines, Scripture says He does so “because the Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6). His goal is restoration, not humiliation.

What Does It Mean That God Is Love?

To say God is love means that love defines everything He does. His justice, mercy, power, and holiness are not separate qualities competing with love—they operate through love.

This means:

• God’s love is not earned.
• God’s love does not fluctuate with our moods.
• God’s love does not weaken in the face of failure.
• God’s love shapes His plans from eternity to eternity.

In a world filled with shifting values and conditional acceptance, this kind of steady love stands out.

How Can Someone Love God Back?

The Bible describes love for God as something expressed not only in emotion but in action (John 14:15, 1 John 3:18, and 1 John 5:3).

Through trust

Faith is essentially saying, “I believe Your heart toward me is good.”  Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Through obedience

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Obedience is not a way to earn love—it’s how love responds to love.

Through loving others

1 John 4:20 makes it clear: we cannot claim to love God while refusing to love people.

Through time with Him

Prayer, reading Scripture, worship, and fellowship strengthen the relationship.

Through surrender

Living according to His purpose is one of the deepest expressions of love.

A Truth That Still Matters

Despite the arguments of skeptics, the disappointments of life, and the distractions of modern culture, the biblical claim that “God is love” continues to stand. It is a statement that shaped ancient Israel, found its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, and remains meaningful to millions today.

In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, the idea of a God whose defining characteristic is love offers a hope that is steady, simple, and profoundly relevant.  For many, that truth is not just theology—it is the foundation that carries them through the best days, the hardest nights, and every moment in between.

The post God Is Love: A Truth That Still Stands in a Troubled World first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

Amid this crisis of modern relationships, a surprising truth is emerging: arranged marriages—when embraced voluntarily and guided by faith, family, and wisdom—often create a depth of stability, trust, and long-term satisfaction that modern dating struggles to match. Not because they are forced, oppressive, or outdated, but because they are built on foundations that reflect God’s own design for covenant relationships: alignment, commitment, community, and shared purpose.

Today, YouTube has many videos, bookstores have many books and friends have much advice about todays dating tips for the best success in marriage.  But we get a sense quickly a sense of frustration and fear, a tendency for dishonesty and posturing.  Often, there may be days, weeks or months of excitement, then the break-up.  This is not a call for coercion. It is not a rejection of personal choice or the beauty of falling in love. Instead, it is an invitation to reconsider a time-tested model that prioritizes trust over uncertainty, covenant over chaos, and lifelong unity over temporary emotional thrills.

The Crisis of Uncertainty in Modern Relationships

To understand why arranged marriages often flourish, we must first acknowledge what is breaking so many relationships today: chronic uncertainty. Modern dating is built on a foundation of instability. People swipe through hundreds of faces, develop quick emotional attachments, and experience a cycle of highs and lows that condition the heart toward fear rather than trust. The abundance of choice may seem empowering, but psychologically it creates doubt. If one relationship falters, a person may wonder whether someone “better” is just one swipe away. If things begin to feel difficult, some question whether they should press on or try again with someone new. The relationship is constantly subject to evaluation, comparison, and insecurity.

This creates a silent emotional toll. The mind becomes accustomed to uncertainty and the heart never fully rests. Many enter marriage already conditioned by a history of breakups, betrayals, ghosting, or emotional instability. They bring with them subconscious patterns of self-protection, skepticism, and fear of abandonment. Even in healthy relationships, modern couples sometimes struggle to fully trust because they’ve lived in a world that normalized uncertainty for so long.

These emotional wounds do not simply disappear. Psychologists now note a rise in anxiety, depression, attachment disorders, and deep feelings of worthlessness linked specifically to unstable romantic experiences. The repeated message of modern dating is: you are replaceable. When one connection ends, another appears instantly. When attraction fades, another person is waiting. The heart internalizes this as disposability, a lie that attacks self-worth and sabotages the ability to trust future partners.

The Dopamine Trap: Excitement Without Covenant

Modern dating operates like an emotional slot machine. Each notification, each flirtatious exchange, each new romantic possibility gives the brain a surge of dopamine—the same chemical that fuels addictive behavior. Dating apps, quick romances, and fleeting passions become a cycle of emotional highs followed by inevitable crashes.

This cycle is predictable:

• A person experiences the thrilling chase of attention.
• A spark of chemistry ignites.
• A burst of passion makes everything feel meaningful.
• Then, without warning, the connection weakens. Communication slows.
• Doubt appears.
• Confusion enters.
• The once-exhilarating relationship ends in silence, shame, or ambiguity.
• And then comes the loneliness, the regret, the aching sense of inadequacy.
• The cycle begins again.

Many people think they are searching for love, but often they are unknowingly chasing dopamine—momentary excitement masquerading as genuine connection. This leaves them emotionally depleted and spiritually exhausted. The heart was not designed for constant romantic instability. God created us for covenant, not consumption.

Why Arranged Marriages Offer Deep Emotional Security

Against this modern backdrop, arranged marriages—specifically those practiced with consent, discernment, and faith—offer something increasingly rare: certainty. They begin not with fleeting feelings but with alignment of values, shared expectations, family support, and long-term vision. Where modern dating begins with emotion and hopes for stability, arranged marriages begin with stability and allow emotion to grow naturally.

One of the greatest strengths of arranged marriages is that they eliminate the early guesswork. In many faith-based arranged settings, families play a role—not to control, but to ensure the couple shares a common worldview. They help identify partners who are aligned in faith, character, and life purpose. They inquire into values, integrity, maturity, and compatibility long before emotions blur discernment.

Because of this intentional process, arranged marriages often begin with a foundation that modern couples spend years trying to build. The couple enters marriage with a clear understanding of each other’s goals, beliefs, expectations, and family culture. There is less fear of hidden agendas, mismatched priorities, or sudden revelations that shake the relationship.

Moreover, arranged marriages encourage healthy dependency, the kind that Scripture describes as “two becoming one.” In this model, husband and wife lean on each other not out of insecurity but out of mutual commitment. They are not two independent lives running parallel until emotions fade—they are partners joined in covenant, supported by families who desire their success. This shared commitment creates an atmosphere of emotional safety that allows trust to flourish.

The Biblical Pattern: Covenant Over Chaos

Throughout Scripture, we find that marriage was rarely a result of modern-style courtship. Instead, it was guided by family, community, and spiritual discernment. These unions were formed not by the whims of emotion but by alignment in faith and purpose.

The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24 is one of the clearest examples. Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac—a process driven by prayer, fasting, and God’s guidance. Rebekah agreed freely, demonstrating consent. The Scripture then says, “And Isaac loved her.” Love grew from covenant, not the other way around.

The story of Ruth and Boaz also reflects a structured approach. Naomi guided Ruth, Boaz acted with integrity, and the marriage was rooted in righteousness. Their union became part of the Messianic lineage.

Even Jacob’s marriages, though complicated by deception, reveal the enduring nature of covenant. Leah, though not Jacob’s first choice, demonstrated commitment, strength, and perseverance. Their marriage endured because covenant was not subject to emotion but to responsibility.

The common thread in these marriages is not perfection but purpose. Each marriage endured because it was anchored in something deeper than passion: faith, alignment, community, and covenantal responsibility.

Why Arranged Marriages Last—Despite Challenges

No marriage model is without challenges. Some arranged marriages begin with unfamiliarity or require time for emotional closeness to develop. But these challenges are typically met with commitment rather than abandonment. In arranged marriages, conflict is not viewed as a sign that the relationship is failing—it is viewed as part of the process of becoming one.

The reason arranged marriages last is not that they are easier, but that they are sturdier. They are built on promises instead of feelings, on alignment instead of chemistry, on community instead of isolation, and on covenant instead of convenience. When difficulties arise, the couple is surrounded by family and spiritual support rather than left to navigate alone.

Moreover, expectations are realistic. No one expects an arranged marriage to start with perfect romance. Instead, the expectation is that love will grow over time—slowly, steadily, and deeply. And when love grows from commitment rather than infatuation, it tends to be more rooted and enduring.

A Return to Covenant Thinking

As society drifts further into emotional instability and relational uncertainty, many are rediscovering the wisdom of faith-based arranged marriage. When practiced with consent, respect, and discernment, arranged marriages offer a powerful antidote to the loneliness, distrust, and psychological exhaustion that characterize modern romance.

They give what the human heart longs for most: certainty, belonging, trust, purpose, and covenant.

Marriage was never intended to be a cycle of heartbreak, temporary passion, and spiritual emptiness. It was meant to be a sacred union—guided by faith, strengthened by community, and rooted in lifelong commitment.

Perhaps it is time to embrace again the truth that our ancestors understood well:
love grows deepest where covenant is strongest.

The post Reclaiming Covenant: A Faith-Based Case for Arranged Marriage in a Modern World of Uncertainty first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

I cannot imagine what it would feel like to reject, or deny Jesus in His presence; three times.

Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”

I can imagine the conversation in the upper room with Jesus and His disciples.  Jesus was explaining that He must go away.  Then Peter asked Jesus, where He was going and wanted to know why he couldn’t go with Him.   You can read the beautiful exchange in John 13:36-38, and John 14:1-4.

The question, “where are you going?” was answered by Jesus, “Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards,” in John 13:36  It was also answered in John 14:4.   Lets read it together.

John 13:36-38, and John 14:1-4, “Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”  Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”  Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”   Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.   In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.   And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

It is encouraging the love that Jesus has for us.  How He told Peter what he was soon to do in betraying Him, yet he lovingly told Peter not to worry.

Jesus tells all of us that we are not to worry.  We are to believe in Him and in His faithfulness to us He has gone to prepare a place for us.

John 3:16, “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”   “If you believe in God, believe also in me…”

I encourage you to cling to the promises of God when we have fallen short. We feel badly when we have given in to temptation as we strive to live a Christ focused life.  But He has promised us forgiveness of our sins if we just turn away from evil and ask.

1 John 2:1, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”

The disciples weren’t asking about mansions or streets of gold.  They were asking where Jesus was going and if they could go with Him.  They loved their friend Jesus and the thought of Him being away from them was troubling.  “Lord,” Peter asks, “Why cannot I follow thee now?  I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

The Jesus comforts Peter and those in the room by promising “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know.”  Not only will we know where Jesus is always, but we will know the way to get to where He is.  This is a beautiful promise for those longing to spend be in His presence.

So, let not your heart be troubled.  Do not worry.

Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The post Do Not Worry first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

Michael : Heb. Mika’el, literally, “who [is] like God?”

The name “Michael” appears only in passages that are linked with the apocalypse.

Archangel: occurs only twice in the Bible. ἀρχάγγελος

Archaggelos (1Thess. 4:16 and Jude 9).

There are only 5 verses in the entire Bible that mention Michael, the Archangel. Here they are:

1. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:13

• But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. Daniel 10:21

• And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Daniel 12:1

• Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude 1:9

• And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, Revelation 12:7

1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

John 5:28 says, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his (Jesus’) voice. See also John 11:43,44 (Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead).

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25

Jesus said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18

To Jesus alone, is ascribed the power to raise the dead.

Jesus is referred to as an angel or angel of the Lord.

In the Bible Jesus is often referred to as “the angel of the Lord”. In Exodus 3:2 says, “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.”

Who was this “angel of the Lord?” Verses 4-6 gives the answer. The angel of the Lord is Jesus Himself.

Judges 2:1 says, “And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.”

Who is this angel of the Lord? It is none other than Jesus.

Joshua 5: 13-15 says, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

¹⁴ And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?

¹⁵ And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”

Notice that Joshua worships this being without rebuke prohibition. The only person worthy of our worship is one who is a member of the Godhead.

John tried to worship an angel and was refrained from doing so. Revelation 19:10 says, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Here we see clearly that no other being is to be worshiped but God Himself. An angel, though a more exalted being than man is not to be worship, only God is to be worshiped.

Conclusion: Michael, the Archangel is non other than Jesus, the captain of the Lord’s army. It is by the call of His voice that the dead in Christ will rise (see 2 Thessalonians 4:16.

The post Michael The Archangel first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

Join in the study and conversation.  Explore the Bible, study prophecies for our time and share in the Bible discussing.  One topic per week will be sent via email and the discussion link will be will be sent to all participants.   Tuesday evenings at 7PM, study starts August 11th, 2020.  Complete the form below to participate.

• Discover where we are in the light of Bible prophecy
• Unlock mysteries about God and His plan for you and our world.
• Know God better through His messages in the books of Daniel and Revelation.
• Discover that the Bible predicts accurately the rise and fall of nations.
• Understand the meaning of the Mark of the Beast, the Antichrist, and the Millennium.

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At the core of it, we are all tempted.  In many cases temptation can lead to bad decisions and bad decisions can lead to sin.  As Christians, we want to avoid sin and to do this, we allow Christ to live within us to strengthen us.  “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me…” Psa 28:7.

However, in many cases we work contrary to our own interests and contrary to the will of God.

Now, these points I am bringing out are simply to stimulate discussion and not to highlight a specific practice as sin.  Fair enough?  I want to present these thoughts in their entirety and then open to discussion.

I have always been a Trekkie.  I believe I have over the years watched every Star Trek movie and most of the episodes of every Star Trek series.  I believe I own every Star Trek movie that has every been released.  So, it was as a treat when I decided to take my kids to see the Star Trek movie “Into Darkness” in 3D.

The impact was profound.  My youngest became an instant Trekkie.  Not like me, but far beyond the norm.  Even attending a church BBQ, his conversations were only about Star Trek and explaining in detail about the ships.  Then the questions started about life on other planet and what that life would look like.  It was hard for him to understand that man has never traveled beyond the moon when he has seen men and women in ships travelling at warp speed throughout the Alpha Quadrant and beyond.  He was able to see inside the Starship and even admired the ships Vulcan first officer.

“Dad, what then is real?” he asked.

Recently, I had a long conversation with a close friend about pornography and his struggle keeping pornographic thoughts from his mind.  Often in the middle of his workday, sometimes in a meeting, thoughts would arise about videos he has watched.

So here are the basic discussion points that I would love to discuss today. Think about the media that we have access to.  Some of us consume hours of entertainment weekly.  It is almost crazy-talk to suggest avoiding the entertainment we love; the music and the music videos, the movies, the television shows including reality tv, even the commercials.

When you consider the sin we struggle with, strongholds that seem relentless in their temptation, how many of these sins do we witness happening repeatedly in the media we choose to consume.  I say consume because it reminds me that we are what we eat.   Or in context,” We are what we consume.” Swearing, smoking, lying, cheating, drunkenness.  In many cases the story-line lead us to cheer for the “bad guy” hoping they are successful in their sin.

I had not watched JOKER, the movie, but heard that twisted as it is, the audience sympathized with the Joker and wanted to see him succeed.

“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.  2 Timothy:3.  Consider that everything listed in this passage of Timothy can be found in a single movie or book. And the selection of such books and movies is vast.

Is there any wonder why sometimes it is difficult to break strongholds?

The enemy seeks to devour.  Is it possible that we are being devoured by what we devour.

About a year ago I saw a funny video on YouTube.  I thought my Christian friend would have found it funny.  Not because he was Christian but because he is from the Caribbean island that this video was about.  The shock was visible and immediate.  I was surprised at the reaction because I checked the boxes.  No swearing, no nudity, no violence, no drugs, and it was funny.  However, the sensual and sexual overtones were shocking to my friend.

I realized that he is peculiar!  In the world but certainly not of the world.  I was too far in the world to even notice how far I was.  Instead of a repulsion or even unease to these types of media, I enjoyed them and even shared them with others.

It is like any addiction.  It could be time for a cleanse or rehab.  Our minds are busy trying to process what we see and hear often presenting these things to our conscious minds when we least expect.

Ok, thanks for bearing with me on that..  Thoughts?

If you would like to try something different, even for a month, try these few changes to curb temptation:

1. Change your music.  Make yourself a mixed Christian CD, or playlist on your device and listen to only this music for one month.
2. Wake a half hour to an hour earlier and spend that time in prayer and study of the bible or a devotional.  If you are used to morning worship, wake a half hour earlier anyway and spend an additional 30 minutes in prayer and study.
3. Stop watching television in all its secular forms.  News, tv series, movies, documentaries, anything that is on television, stop watching.  Find your news source (CTV, BBC, CNN, whatever it is) online and use this only as your news source thereby avoiding commercials and the temptation to surf.
4. Stop watching secular movies.
5. Praise God.  Let’s face it.  We all recognize Gods awesome handy work as we observe beauty around us in nature.  We all can see God working in our lives and recognize His awesome goodness toward us individually.  Take time to thank God and give Him praise.
6. Get connected with the awesome shows on 3ABN television, Amazing Facts or Hope TV.  Listen to some of your favorite pastors on YouTube.  Watch an Amazing Discoveries series on Health and Diet.
7. Spend at least a half hour before bed in study and prayer.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Even though a month is far too short, understanding that avoiding the appearance of evil should be a lifestyle, thirty days is long enough if done without compromise.  It should be just long enough to start getting your sensitivity back to the sin we’re in.  After thirty days you may start to realize that this new lifestyle is excellent and freeing.  You may gain a glimpse of the abundant life that God wants you to have here while we prepare to live with Him for eternity.

“Of all the lessons to be learned from our Lord’s first great temptation none is more important than that bearing upon the control of the appetites and passions. In all ages, temptations appealing to the physical nature have been most effectual in corrupting and degrading mankind. Through intemperance, Satan works to destroy the mental and moral powers that God gave to man as a priceless endowment. Thus it becomes impossible for men to appreciate things of eternal worth. Through sensual indulgence, Satan seeks to blot from the soul every trace of likeness to God.” The Desire Of Ages, Chapter 12.

The post Temptation first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.

When putting this post together, I was binge-watching one of my favorite Netflix series.  I realized I needed to look no further for indicators of where society is socially and morally.

Anna Stewart made an interesting observation in her article “Television Reflects Modern Society“. “How many people haven’t had the urge to murder one or two bad guys. Sell some marijuana to make ends meet. Or behave like a bad boss. There’s a little Dexter Morgan, Nancy Botwin and Jack Donaghy in everybody. Today, couch vigilantes get their kicks out of watching shows like “Dexter,” “Weeds” and “30 Rock,” not to mention seven other WGA-nommed TV shows.”

What we watch and hear today is as full of rebellion as it was in 2009. It is part of our plot lines and placed into our entertainment to draw us back over and over. Rebellion from government, governments rebelling against its people, rebellion in marriage and children rebelling against their parents. Rebellion against employers and companies rebelling against the people they make products for or against the environment. I watch as people rebel against the nature around them. People in movies even rebelling against their own bodies.

And what we see in society is no different. All of these attitudes and rebellious behaviors are played out daily in our cities, countries and homes.

Elements in our societies seem self destructive. Some want anarchy even though if there was anarchy many would not survive. Without laws, the floodgates holding back unbridled rebellion would collapse and even the anarchist could loose what they have, daughters, sons, homes, wealth, wives, husbands, security and peace.

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12.

Start of Rebellion

When will there be peace on earth?  Why is there such suffering, pain and rebellion in the world?

Things were not always like this. There was a time that there was no rebellion, a time when things were in harmony.

Let’s read about the first rebellion.  The Bible tells  about the first rebellion and that it didn’t start on earth.  The first rebellion was in heaven when an angel that protected the law of God rebelled. We learn about this in Ezekiel 28.

“You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.” Ezekiel 28:13-17.

In heaven, there is a garden of God called Eden. Lucifer was in a position close to God, a guardian cherub,  and he rebelled.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14.

Then Revelation 12:12. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Perfect Creation

When God created the Earth, He made a perfect planet, and there was harmony among all creation. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31.

Rebellion on Earth

Lucifer, whose name means “bearer of light”, or “Morning Star” was cast down. In his rebellion, he chose to be an “Adversary” or Satan.

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9  And mankind, being tempted by the serpent, sinned.  This rebellion brought sin and death into what had been perfect and very good (Gen 3). From the time of rebellion until now, Satan has been causing rebellion, disharmony and unrest on Earth.

The two sides in the conflict.

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.

Some believe that Michael is a created angel and others believe like Bible commentator Matthew Henry, that Michael is simply another of the many names for Jesus Himself. Although that is for a different study, we know that Michael is fighting with the faithful angels for God’s side and Satan and his angels fight on Satan’s side. And Satan lost. He and his angels were cast out.

We see two sides, and with only two sides, who will be the jury? Or the judge?

“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3.

We are created to judge the world and fallen angels. We were not made to perish. In fact, God never intended for anyone to be lost. In fact in Matthew 25:41 we understand that the “everlasting” fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. But Satan, understanding our important role in the great war that started in heaven, set out to taint the jury.

What does it take to be a juror in Canada or the USA. There are three basic requirements for jury duty. You must be a citizen of the country. You must be over 18 years and you must be a law abiding citizen. ( In the USA is says you cannot have been charged with a felony).

Satan, set out to destroy law abiding citizens in Eden. To make us law breakers makes us ineligible to be jurors. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev 12:17.

The fall of man was unfortunate. It not only made mankind part of Satan’s rebellion, it removed our ability to fulfill our purpose. But Jesus made a way to restore mankind by taking the penalty of sin upon himself. Then He gave us power to become sons and daughters of God again. He gave us power to be law abiding citizens.

Today, the devil knows he has a short time and realized one principle that by beholding, we become changed. And in these last days, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1Peter 5:8.

Consider the entertainment we watch and listen to in the context of the great war. We are all part of this great controversy and we all have a work to do in it. Consider that the war is still between God’s side and Satan’s side and every one of us is on one side or the other. By beholding we become changed. What are we beholding? Do we spend most of our days beholding evil, or sin? Do we behold rebellion? Do we act out rebellion in our lives?

How much time do we spend beholding God and contemplating the life of Jesus; the significance of the cross in restoring us or reconciling us to Him. How important is that to us in our daily thinking? While we were yet rebellious, Jesus died for us!

God’s Commandments,  if you keep them, you are God’s. If you strive to keep them and fail from time to time, you have Jesus, your advocate with the Father. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4.

The first rebellion was over the Law of God in heaven. It has always been about the Law of God. Today we are told that the Law of God is done away with and we no longer need to keep it. This is a lie. Is this not Satan’s argument? Be not deceived. Your adversary is seeking whom he may destroy. He is making war with the remnant, those that keep the commandments of God. What better way to deceive the Christians than to turn them from God’s Law.

And what better way to turn people from God’s Law than to make rebellion attractive. Our entertainment today seeks to do just that. It aims to make stars idols. It takes God’s name in vain. It shows idol worship, whether that idol is money, or fame, or other God’s. There is no respect for God’s sabbath, in some cases claiming that God’s sabbath is on Sunday, the first day of the week and not the seventh day as God established. It glorifies disrespect for parents, often making parents seem out-of-touch, old fashioned or foolish. Entertainment glorifies killing and horror, adultery and riotous living. Entertainment shows elaborate schemes for stealing where the viewer is rooting for the thief. It also shows envy and covetousness.

Understand, as Christians, we are to turn away from the appearance of evil. Evil is sin and rebellion from God and His Law. Sin is the transgression of the Law. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.

Things to do.

Realizing that breaking habits is hard, start making changes today. Here are a few suggestions that may help in your Christian walk.

1. Spend time beholding Jesus in His Word. Get to know the teaching s of Jesus.
2. Consider the cross and what it means. Meditate on it.
3. Reduce, then eliminate rebellious entertainment.
4. Do not follow the crowd in error. Study to show yourself approved unto God. Salvation is individual. save yourself.
5. The Bible says to wash your garments white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 22:14, “”Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” This is something we do for ourselves by the Grace of God.
6. Avoid rebellious people. Especially those living riotous lives.
7. As you move away from rebellious entertainment and people, surround yourself with people that seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness.
8. Spend time every morning speaking to God. Thanking Him for His sacrifice. Thanking Him that He has shown you truth in His Word and gave you a mind to understand wisdom.

God bless you and protect you in your walk with Him.

The post Rebellion first appeared on The Balanced Life: Bible Study and Christian Bible Discussion.