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HOW DO YOU CULTIVATE FAITH WITHIN YOU?

“May the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be praised forever!”

Welcome to this short but powerful Bible teaching.

Have you ever asked yourself: What is faith compared to? And how can faith grow within us? These questions are central to the Christian walk, and Scripture offers clear answers.

Let’s explore them together.

Faith Compared to a Mustard Seed

Jesus often used parables and imagery to explain spiritual truths. One of the most well-known illustrations of faith is found in:

Luke 17:6 (NIV) “He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it will obey you.’”

Here, Jesus compares faith to a mustard seed remarkably small, yet capable of extraordinary results.

Many focus on the seed’s tiny size, interpreting this to mean that even the smallest faith can achieve great things. While that’s true, there’s a deeper principle here: Jesus wasn’t just highlighting the seed’s size, but its potential for growth and transformation.

The Mustard Seed’s Growth: A Picture of Spiritual Development

Let’s go deeper with another passage:

Mark 4:30–32 (ESV)
“And he said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,
yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches,
so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’”

This parable shows us that the mustard seed, though small, must be planted, nurtured, and allowed to grow. In time, it becomes a strong tree that provides refuge and sustenance just like mature faith provides spiritual strength and impact.

Faith Must Be Active and Alive

Faith is not static; it must be nurtured and acted upon. This is why the apostle James writes:

James 2:17 (NIV) “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we have the responsibility to respond, to walk by faith, and to allow that faith to shape our lives and decisions (2 Corinthians 5:7).

How Does Faith Grow? Through Spiritual Disciplines

You might ask: “So, how do I water and nourish this mustard seed of faith?”

The answer is clear in the words of Jesus:

Matthew 17:20–21 (NKJV)
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’”

This passage shows us a foundational principle: Prayer and fasting are essential to developing strong, mountain-moving faith. These are not merely rituals they are spiritual disciplines that align our hearts with God’s will, build intimacy with Him, and sharpen our spiritual sensitivity.

Faith as a Dynamic Process

In Reformed theology, faith is understood as both initial (saving faith) and progressive (sanctifying faith). The initial faith comes at conversion by grace alone, but growth in faith is part of sanctification a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ (Romans 8:29).

Just as a seed must be planted in good soil, exposed to sunlight, and watered consistently to grow, our faith grows through daily communion with God through His Word, prayer, worship, fasting, and obedience.

Practical Application: Walking in Faith

Those who diligently pray and fast don’t merely maintain their faith they strengthen it. Their faith becomes like a deep-rooted tree, unshaken by storms.

Psalm 1:2-3 (NIV)
“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.”

When you consistently cultivate your faith, you will begin to experience divine favor, authority in prayer, peace in trials, and victory in spiritual battles.

An Invitation to Grow

Do you desire to grow your faith? Start with these two commitments:

  1. Don’t neglect prayer make it a daily priority.
  2. Don’t run from fasting use it as a tool to seek God deeply.

If you’d like weekly prayer guides or to join us in scheduled fasts, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to walk with you on your spiritual journey.

May the Lord richly bless you and strengthen your faith.

Maranatha! (The Lord is coming!)

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Do the accounts in 1 Chronicles 21:25 and 2 Samuel 24:24 contradict each other regarding the amount King David paid for Araunah’s land?

Was it 50 shekels or 600 shekels? Does this mean the Bible contradicts itself?

Answer:
Let’s read the two verses in question:

2 Samuel 24:24 
“But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.”

1 Chronicles 21:25 
“So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site.”

At first glance, this seems like a contradiction. But when we look more closely, we see that both accounts are correct—they’re just describing different parts of the same event.

In 2 Samuel, the focus is on the immediate purchase of the threshing floor and the oxen used for sacrifice. That smaller portion cost 50 shekels of silver. David urgently needed this to build an altar and offer sacrifices to the Lord to stop the plague that had struck Israel because of his sin in taking a census (see 2 Samuel 24:10–15).

In contrast, 1 Chronicles 21 speaks of the entire site—a larger area that would later become the location for Solomon’s Temple. David paid 600 shekels of gold for the whole property. This larger purchase likely happened after the immediate crisis, ensuring that the place would belong fully to the Lord for future use in worship.

This passage shows David’s heart for genuine worship. He said, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). This reveals a key principle of true worship: it must come with personal cost and sincere devotion.

Additionally, by securing the entire site (as recorded in 1 Chronicles), David was not just solving a temporary problem but also laying the foundation for the future temple, where generations would come to seek God. This reflects a long-term, covenantal perspective—worship isn’t just about the moment, but about building a lasting place for God’s presence among His people.

The fact that two writers (Samuel and the Chronicler) highlight different costs only enriches our understanding. One emphasizes the sacrificial heart in the moment; the other emphasizes the permanent dedication of sacred space to God.

There is no contradiction. David paid 50 shekels of silver for the threshing floor and oxen (2 Samuel 24:24), and later 600 shekels of gold for the entire site (1 Chronicles 21:25). Each verse simply highlights a different part of the transaction.

This teaches us that in worship, God deserves our best—both in the immediate and in the long-term. True sacrifice costs us something, and honoring God sometimes means going beyond what is required, to what is truly worthy of Him.

May the Lord bless you as you seek to worship Him in truth and sincerity.

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BREAKING THE COVENANT WITH DEATH

What Is a Covenant with Death?

In biblical terms, a covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. Just as a legal contract outlines the responsibilities and consequences between two individuals, a spiritual covenant functions similarly. Astonishingly, the Bible teaches that human beings can enter into a covenant with death and even form an agreement with Sheol (the grave or the realm of the dead).

Isaiah 28:18 (ESV)
“Then your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be beaten down by it.”

This verse reveals that a spiritual contract can exist between a person and death a condition in which death gains authority over someone’s life. Unless this covenant is broken, death both physical and spiritual remains imminent.

How Does Someone Enter into a Covenant with Death?

It’s a common misconception that people enter covenants with death through witchcraft, evil dreams, or curses. While those may be symptoms or influences, the Bible clearly teaches the root cause: sin.

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Notice Paul doesn’t say “the consequence” but “the wages” of sin is death. Sin is portrayed as a job, and death is the paycheck. When someone sins, they are effectively entering into a working agreement with death they are earning death.

James 1:15 (ESV)
“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Thus, sin is the legal basis by which Satan (the accuser) claims a soul under the authority of death. This aligns with the idea that death is not merely a biological event but a spiritual consequence and separation from God.

Examples of Covenant with Death Through Sin

According to Scripture, acts like idolatry, sexual immorality, theft, and hatred are not just moral failures they are spiritual contracts. When people persist in such sins, they establish a relationship with death.

Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV)
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Those who continue in such practices are under judgment and, ultimately, destined for what Scripture calls the second death eternal separation from God.

Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

How Can the Covenant with Death Be Broken?

Some believe that rituals, anointing oils, prophetic prayers, or the laying on of hands are sufficient to break spiritual covenants. While such practices may have a place within the broader life of the church, they do not have the power to cancel sin only the gospel does.

The Bible is clear: the only way to annul a covenant with death is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, followed by baptism.

Acts 2:38 (ESV)
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

Repentance means a turning away from sin a total surrender of the will to God. Baptism is the public declaration and spiritual act of dying to the old life and rising anew in Christ.

Romans 6:4 (ESV)
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

When one repents and is baptized, they are no longer under the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2), but under the grace of God. The covenant with death is broken, and a new covenant is established with life eternal life in Christ.

A Warning and a Call

Even if hands are laid on you, even if you attend church regularly, even if you pray often if you have not truly repented and turned away from sin, the covenant with death still stands.

Hebrews 10:26–27 (ESV)
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment…”

This is not to instill fear, but urgency. You can break free today.

Isaiah 55:6–7 (ESV)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way… and he will have compassion… for he will abundantly pardon.”

Choose Life

If you’re living in sin idolatry, lust, greed, deception you’re in covenant with death. But the good news is this: Jesus Christ came to destroy the power of death and offer eternal life.

John 5:24 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

Repent. Be baptized. Walk in newness of life.
Let the covenant of death be annulled and the covenant of grace begin today.

Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)

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Is Mountain Prayer Necessary for a Christian?

Question: As believers under the New Covenant, is it necessary for us to set aside times to pray on mountains? Does God hear prayers more on the mountain than in other places? Please help me understand!

Answer:

There is no biblical mandate requiring Christians to pray specifically on a mountain or in any designated physical location. Jesus made it clear in John 4:21-24 (ESV) that worship would no longer be limited to physical places such as Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem. He said:

“Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father… But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”  John 4:21, 23

This passage highlights the transition from the Old Covenant, which emphasized physical spaces for worship (e.g., temples, altars, and mountains), to the New Covenant, which emphasizes a spiritual connection with God through Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see Hebrews 8:6-13).

However, while physical location is not a requirement, there are biblical patterns and spiritual principles that show the significance of retreating to quiet, undistracted places for deeper prayer and mountains often served that purpose.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus frequently withdrew to mountains to pray. These moments were not about geography but about solitude, focus, and intimacy with the Father.

1. Matthew 14:23 (NIV)

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.”

2. Luke 6:12 (ESV)

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.”

3. Mark 6:46 (NIV)

“After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.”

4. Luke 9:28 (ESV)

“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.”
(This is the context of the Transfiguration, where the disciples witnessed Christ’s divine glory.)

In each case, the mountain was a place of retreat, where Jesus could be away from the crowds and distractions. Theologically, these moments underscore His dependence on the Father and the value of solitude in spiritual practice.

Why the Mountain?

Mountains in Scripture often symbolize closeness to God and divine encounter:

  • Moses met God on Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19–20).
  • Elijah heard God’s still small voice on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11-12).
  • Jesus was transfigured on a mountain, revealing His divine nature (Matthew 17:1–8).

While God’s presence is not confined to a mountain, these elevated places served as symbols of ascending spiritually, stepping away from the earthly, and seeking divine presence without interruption.

In practical terms today, mountains or quiet elevated places can provide solitude, silence, and stillness conditions that help us tune in to the Spirit and concentrate in prayer. Psalm 46:10 reminds us:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

A Modern Analogy

Think of how mobile phone towers are built on high ground. Why? To reduce signal interference and improve connectivity. In a similar way, removing ourselves from everyday distractions whether by going up a literal mountain or just finding a quiet room can “clear the signal” and help us commune more intimately with God.

We must remember that God is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7–10), and He hears us wherever we are on a mountain, in a car, or at our bedside. Paul affirms in 1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV):

“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”

This means every place is suitable for prayer. Yet, intentional retreat is biblically wise. Even Jesus, who was sinless and full of the Spirit, often sought quiet places to pray. If He needed this kind of focused communion, how much more do we?

Should Christians Pray on Mountains?

It’s not a requirement, but it can be immensely beneficial.

  • If your environment is full of noise, distractions, or spiritual dryness, consider changing your setting.
  • If you have access to quiet natural spaces, like a mountain or forest, take advantage of it.
  • If not, create a space of solitude in your home, church, or even your car.

Mountain prayer is not about elevation in geography, but elevation in intention a deliberate step toward deeper intimacy with God.

God bless you as you seek Him. May you encounter His presence more deeply wherever you pray.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
(Revelation 22:20)

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Why Did Jesus Commit His Spirit into the Father’s Hands? (Luke 23:46)

Let’s begin by reading from the context surrounding Jesus’ final words on the cross:

Luke 23:44–46 (NIV)

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,
45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

These final words of Jesus, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” are deeply meaningful. They were not spoken casually, but intentionally rich with theological significance, rooted in both His mission and His divine identity.

1. Why Did Jesus Say These Words?

A. Fulfillment of Scripture

Jesus was quoting Psalm 31:5, a well known verse among devout Jews:

“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5, NIV)

By quoting this Psalm, Jesus was:

  • Affirming His trust in the Father, even in death.
  • Fulfilling prophecy, identifying Himself with the righteous sufferer described in the Psalms.
  • Demonstrating intentional surrender, not being killed by force but willingly laying down His life.

As Jesus had said earlier:

“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:17–18, NIV)

B. Spiritual Reality Before the Resurrection

Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, the state of the dead even the righteous was not as secure as it is now. The Old Testament describes a place called Sheol (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek), the abode of the dead. It was often depicted as a shadowy, waiting place (see Ecclesiastes 9:10; Job 10:21–22).

In 1 Samuel 28, we see that the prophet Samuel though righteous could be summoned from the dead by a medium:

“The woman said, ‘Whom shall I bring up for you?’ ‘Bring up Samuel,’ he said.” (1 Samuel 28:11, NIV)

“Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’” (1 Samuel 28:15, NIV)

This shows that even saints like Samuel were in a place that could be disturbed before Christ’s victory over death.

Thus, Jesus entrusted His spirit to the Father to secure its safe passage through death and to fulfill His mission of descending to the realm of the dead (1 Peter 3:18–19) and setting captives free.

2. What Happened After Jesus Died?

A. He Gained Authority Over Death and Hades

After His resurrection, Jesus declared:

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18, NIV)

In biblical symbolism, keys represent authority. Christ now holds sovereign power over the realm of the dead authority that Satan once exploited to torment or claim souls.

B. He Led the Righteous Captives to Paradise

After His resurrection, Christ didn’t just leave things as they were He transformed the experience of death for believers:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
“What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?” (Ephesians 4:8–9, NIV)

The idea here is that Jesus descended to “Hades”, not to suffer, but to proclaim victory and liberate the righteous who had died before the cross (see also 1 Peter 3:19; 4:6).

3. What Does This Mean for Us Today?

A. We No Longer Need to Fear Death

Because Jesus conquered death, believers today are no longer held in bondage by the fear of it:

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14–15, NIV)

B. Our Souls Are Now Secure in Christ

Today, when a believer dies, their soul is immediately with Christ in Paradise:

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43, NIV)

Paul also affirms this confidence:

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, NIV)

C. We Must Entrust Our Lives to Christ Now

While Jesus entrusted His spirit to the Father at the moment of death, we are called to entrust our whole lives to Him while we are still living.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV)

“Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8, NIV)

Christ Has Secured Our Souls

Because Jesus entrusted His spirit to the Father, conquered death, and now holds the keys of death and Hades, we who believe in Him no longer need to fear what comes after death. The souls of the righteous are now kept safe in Christ, awaiting the resurrection and eternal glory.

So, while we may not need to repeat Jesus’ final words verbatim at death, we should live every day in the reality of their meaning entrusting our lives and eternity into God’s hands.

Maranatha Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)

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SEEK THE LORD AND HIS STRENGTH

Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Author and Giver of life.

Welcome to this time of learning from the Word of God, which the Bible describes as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105, NKJV).

One of the profound instructions given to us in Scripture is the call to seek the Lord and His strength:

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” (Psalm 105:4, NKJV)

This verse teaches us a critical principle: we are to seek both the Lord and His strength—not just one or the other.

1. The Danger of Seeking Only God’s Power Without Seeking God Himself

Many people focus on seeking the power of God—miracles, signs, wonders, deliverance—while neglecting to seek God Himself. But the Bible is clear: the two must go together. Seeking God’s strength without seeking His face is a dangerous path.

Jesus Himself warned of this in a sobering passage:

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
(Matthew 7:22–23, NKJV)

Notice the phrase: “I never knew you.” This means there was never a personal relationship between them and the Lord, despite their powerful ministry works. They operated in God’s power, but not in God’s presence. They had the gifts but not the Giver.

This reveals a profound truth: it is possible to manifest God’s power and yet be completely disconnected from Him. Spiritual gifts are not necessarily proof of salvation or relationship. This is why we must first seek Him—His heart, His presence, His will—then His power will follow in its proper place.

2. How Do We Seek the Lord?

To seek the Lord means to pursue a personal relationship with Him through obedience to His Word and submission to His will. And what is the will of God?

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:3–5, ESV)

God’s will is our sanctification—living holy and set-apart lives. And this holiness begins with genuine faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Salvation: The Beginning of Relationship

We begin our relationship with the Lord by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. True faith leads to repentance, and the fruit of repentance is seen in obedience—especially in baptism.

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
(Acts 2:38, NKJV)

Baptism, done in the name of Jesus, represents the washing away of sins and the beginning of a life of discipleship. From there, we grow in sanctification, guided by the Holy Spirit.

4. Don’t Seek Power Before Relationship

The warning is clear: do not prioritize spiritual power over relationship. Do not pursue ministry, miracles, or manifestations while neglecting the Lord Himself. Let your primary pursuit be knowing Christ—to walk with Him, to love Him, and to live for Him. When He is present in your life, His power and grace will naturally follow.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, NKJV)

Final Encouragement:

May the Lord help us all to seek Him with sincere hearts, to desire His presence more than His power, and to walk in holiness all the days of our lives. Let us not settle for external displays of spirituality while neglecting internal transformation. Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually

 

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Is There a Contradiction in the Accounts of Herod Wanting to Kill John the Baptist?

(Matthew 14:5 vs. Mark 6:20 )

Question:

In Matthew 14:5, it says that Herod wanted to kill John the Baptist, but in Mark 6:20, we read that Herod feared John, respected him, and even protected him. Are these two Gospel accounts contradicting each other?

Matthew 14:3–5 (NIV):

“Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
for John had been saying to him: ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.”

This passage highlights Herod’s initial reaction: he wanted to kill John, but he was held back by fear of public backlash. The crowds revered John as a prophet, and Herod’s political position could be threatened if he acted openly against such a respected figure.

Mark 6:17–20 (NIV):

“For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.
For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’
So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,
because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.”

Here, we get more nuance. Herod initially imprisoned John at the urging of Herodias, but over time, he developed a measure of respect and even admiration for John. Though John’s words disturbed him, Herod enjoyed listening to him. The passage indicates a change of heart at least temporarily.

Is There a Contradiction?

No, these accounts are not contradictory, but complementary. The Gospels are presenting different moments in Herod’s evolving relationship with John:

  • Matthew 14:5 refers to Herod’s initial intention  a reaction driven by anger and pride after being publicly rebuked.
  • Mark 6:20 describes Herod’s subsequent internal conflict after having time to reflect and hear John’s messages, he grows fearful and protective of him.
  • Herod’s heart was divided: torn between his sin and his conscience. This mirrors the biblical truth that sinners often waver under conviction drawn toward the truth, yet unwilling to fully submit to it (cf. James 1:8, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” KJV).

The Role of Herodias:

The Gospels are also clear that Herodias, not Herod, was the one constantly scheming to have John killed.

Mark 6:19 (NIV):

“So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to.”

Herodias represents unrepentant sin  resentful and vengeful toward the truth. She couldn’t stand being confronted by John’s message of righteousness and judgment.

Herod’s Moral Weakness and the Trap of Oaths:

Eventually, Herod was manipulated into executing John during his birthday banquet. Herodias used her daughter (traditionally known as Salome) to request John’s head.

Matthew 14:6–10 (NIV):

“On Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much
that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.’
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
and had John beheaded in the prison.”

Herod did not act from personal conviction, but out of social pressure and fear of losing face. His conscience was overruled by his pride and public image a tragic pattern seen in leaders throughout history.

This highlights the danger of rash vows and valuing human praise over divine approval (cf. John 12:43, “For they loved human praise more than praise from God.”  NIV).

1. Sin hardens the heart.

Herod’s initial guilt gave way to compromise. Though he respected John, he did not repent. Conviction without repentance is spiritually dangerous (see Hebrews 3:12–13).

2. It is not lawful to divorce and remarry unlawfully.

John’s rebuke to Herod “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife”  was rooted in Levitical law (Leviticus 18:16; 20:21). Jesus later affirmed this moral principle:

Luke 16:18 (NIV):

“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

Marriage, in God’s eyes, is sacred. Adultery and wrongful unions are not simply “private matters”; they carry public and spiritual consequences.

3. Fear of man brings a snare.

Herod feared both the people (Matthew 14:5) and his peers (Matthew 14:9), more than he feared God. As Proverbs warns:

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV):

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.”

There is no contradiction between Matthew 14:5 and Mark 6:20. Rather, they show different stages of Herod’s internal struggle:

  • Initially, he wanted to kill John.
  • Later, he feared, respected, and even protected him.
  • Ultimately, he succumbed to pride and pressure, ordering John’s execution  against his better judgment.

The tragic end of John the Baptist is a sobering reminder that the cost of proclaiming truth is often high but so is the cost of ignoring it.

As we consider this narrative, may we be like John bold in proclaiming truth, regardless of the cost and not like Herod, torn between conviction and compromise.

Maranatha  the Lord is coming!
(1 Corinthians 16:22)

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Don’t Let Your Conversations Ruin Your Character

The Christian life isn’t only about avoiding sinful actions it’s also about guarding our hearts, minds, and words. The Bible clearly teaches that our speech has the power to shape or destroy our character.

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV

The Greek word translated as company here is homiliai, which also means “communications” or “conversations.” Paul is warning the Corinthians not only about associating with ungodly people but about being influenced by their way of thinking and speaking.

Sin Often Begins with Words

Many sins don’t start with actions they start with talk. Whether it’s gossip, flirting, plotting evil, or sowing discord, sin often takes root in our conversations. This is why Scripture urges us to guard our speech:

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”
Psalm 141:3, ESV

Planning to sin usually begins with a dialogue internal or external. Murderers plot through speech (Proverbs 1:10–16), adulterers seduce with flattering lips (Proverbs 7:21), and gossips destroy relationships one word at a time (Proverbs 16:28).

Joseph: A Model of Integrity in Speech

One powerful example is Joseph in Genesis 39. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph didn’t just resist her physically he also avoided conversation with her altogether:

“And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.”
Genesis 39:10, NIV

This is significant. Joseph recognized that entertaining the conversation was the first step toward temptation. He didn’t rely on his own strength or flirt with the boundary. Instead, he removed himself from the environment that would make sin more likely.

Guarding Our Speech Guards Our Holiness

Many Christians today claim they are spiritually strong and “would never fall into sin,” yet they freely engage in casual, flirtatious, or foolish conversations especially with the opposite sex. They joke excessively, chat endlessly online, and justify “harmless talk.”

But Jesus warned us:

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Matthew 12:36, NIV

Paul also commands believers to avoid crude talk, gossip, and foolish joking:

“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”
Ephesians 5:4, ESV

When you engage in idle or impure conversation, especially with people who don’t know God, you’re giving the enemy a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Conversations are spiritual doors you must choose carefully which ones you open.

Words Shape Character

We become what we repeatedly say and hear. That’s why Scripture warns that evil speech isn’t harmless it actually corrupts what is good in us:

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV

This is not merely a social principle it is a spiritual law.

As James writes:

“The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”
James 3:6, ESV

Application: Guard Your Mouth, Guard Your Life

If you care about your spiritual integrity, you must take control of your speech. Cut off conversations that do not glorify God especially those that open the door to temptation. Be especially cautious in your interactions with the opposite sex, and those who do not share your faith.

“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
Proverbs 21:23, ESV

Maranatha  The Lord is Coming

In these last days, the enemy is cunning he often doesn’t attack with obvious sin, but with casual compromise. Don’t be deceived into thinking conversations don’t matter. They shape your heart, and your heart shapes your destiny.

Guard your speech as if your spiritual life depends on it because it does.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23, NIV

Maranatha  The Lord is coming soon. May He find us faithful in speech, thought, and action.

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Adorning Women Who Profess GodlinessSpecial Lessons for Women

Bless the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Welcome as we study the Bible, the inspired Word of God, described as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105, ESV).

Are you a woman longing to find favor and respect among people? Perhaps you are a young woman desiring a blessed and honorable marriage, or a married woman seeking God’s blessing and greater honor in your union. If so, it is essential to understand the kind of adornment God calls His daughters to embrace.

The Biblical Foundation of Adornment

The Bible contrasts two approaches to adornment external beautification and inward spiritual beauty. The apostle Peter writes:

1 Peter 3:3-6 (NIV)
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”

Inner Beauty as God’s Standard

Peter teaches that true beauty is not external or transient but inward and eternal. The “gentle and quiet spirit” (Greek praus and hesuchia) encompasses humility, meekness, and a peaceful demeanor qualities the New Testament repeatedly values (cf. Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12). This inward adornment aligns with God’s holiness and reflects a heart submitted to Him.

Sarah’s example underscores a profound theological truth: godly submission and reverence toward one’s husband reflecting a broader submission to God’s order (Ephesians 5:22-24) is itself a form of spiritual adornment and beauty.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, women had access to various cosmetics and ornaments. However, the holy women of Scripture, by divine revelation, rejected outward adornments that might foster pride or vanity (cf. Isaiah 3:16-24; Ezekiel 23:40) in favor of cultivating inward virtues respect, gentleness, obedience, and calmness.

Rebekah’s modesty in covering her head when meeting Isaac (Genesis 24:65-67, ESV) signals submission and honor, traits that gained her favor with Isaac and God’s blessing, becoming the matriarch of Israel (Romans 9:10-13).

The Danger of Worldly Adornments

The Bible warns that reliance on external adornments risks vanity, pride, and moral compromise. Jezebel’s example (2 Kings 9:30; Revelation 2:20-22) illustrates how outward beauty combined with sinfulness leads to judgment. The use of cosmetics and revealing attire without godly character contrasts sharply with the call to holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Incompatibility of External Glamour and Inner Godliness

Scripture teaches that one cannot simultaneously pursue worldly outward beauty and the inner qualities of meekness and submission. Outward adornment often fosters pride and lust (James 1:14-15), while true godly beauty produces humility and peace (Philippians 2:3-4).

If external and internal adornments were compatible, the Bible would not warn women against outward adornments but encourage both. Instead, it distinctly values modesty and inward grace over external show (1 Timothy 2:9-10, NIV):

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

Adornment and Holiness Today

Modern Christian women are called to mirror these biblical principles, recognizing their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV). True godliness is expressed through modesty, good works, and a heart devoted to God not through fashion trends or makeup advertisements.

Dear sisters, whether single or married, if you desire to please God and find favor in the eyes of others, embrace the biblical standard of adornment. Cultivate inner beauty marked by humility, gentleness, and a quiet spirit. Let your outward appearance reflect modesty and respect for your natural self, honoring God and your calling.

By doing so, like Sarah and Rebekah, you will be blessed, gain favor with your spouse and community, and store up treasures in heaven where true beauty never fades (Matthew 6:19-21).

May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to adorn yourself in a manner worthy of His calling.

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Did Paul Curse the Galatians and the Corinthians?

The Question:

The Bible tells us not to curse others (Romans 12:14). Yet in some of Paul’s letters—particularly to the Galatians and Corinthians—he uses language that sounds very strong, even as if he’s cursing someone. So, did Paul contradict the teachings of Christ and the apostles by cursing people?

Let’s take a closer look.

The Verses in Question

Galatians 1:8–9 

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”

1 Corinthians 16:22 

“If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!”

These verses raise questions. Is Paul issuing a personal curse? Is this consistent with the New Testament ethic of love, grace, and forgiveness?

Context: What Was Paul Responding To?

Paul was fiercely defending the purity of the gospel—that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works or the Law.

Ephesians 2:8–9 
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

In Galatia, some Jewish Christians were teaching that salvation required faith in Christ plus adherence to the Law of Moses, especially circumcision. Paul saw this as a serious distortion of the gospel—one that could destroy people’s faith.

So when Paul says, “let them be under God’s curse,” he’s not personally cursing anyone. He’s stating that anyone—human or angelic—who preaches a different gospel has already placed themselves under God’s judgment.

This isn’t an emotional outburst.

What Does “Curse” Mean Here?

The Greek word Paul uses is “anathema”—which means someone or something devoted to destruction or set apart for divine judgment.

So Galatians 1:8 could be paraphrased:

“Even if I, or an angel from heaven, preach a different gospel, they should be considered as someone under God’s judgment.”

This is a statement about God’s justice, not human revenge. Paul isn’t calling down a curse—he’s warning of the inevitable spiritual consequences of abandoning the true gospel.

But Didn’t Paul Tell Us Not to Curse?

Yes, and he practiced what he preached.

Romans 12:14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

This verse, written by Paul himself, makes it clear that believers should never personally curse others. Instead, we are to show love even to those who oppose us.

Furthermore, Paul expressed deep compassion and sorrow for those who were lost:

Romans 10:1 
“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”

Even when people were far from the truth, Paul’s response was prayer—not revenge.

So What Was Paul Actually Doing in These Verses?

He was making a theological statement, not pronouncing a personal curse.
Paul was warning that those who reject or distort the gospel are already under God’s judgment, unless they repent.

This aligns with what he wrote elsewhere:

Galatians 3:10 
“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’”

In other words, anyone trying to be justified by the Law rather than by faith is putting themselves under a curse—not because Paul cursed them, but because they’re stepping out from under God’s grace.

What’s the Application for Us Today?

We live in a time when false teachings and gospel distortions are still common. Like Paul, we must be clear and bold in defending the truth of the gospel. But we must also be careful not to take Paul’s strong language as permission to curse others.

Instead, we’re called to:

  • Preach truthfully (2 Timothy 4:2)
  • Pray for those in error (1 Timothy 2:1–4)
  • Warn without hate, and correct with humility (Galatians 6:1)
  • Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)

Did Paul Curse Them?

No, Paul did not curse the Galatians or the Corinthians. He warned them that turning away from the true gospel places a person under God’s judgment. His motive was love, not condemnation.

As followers of Christ, we are not called to curse anyone. Instead, we should pray for those in error and urge them back to truth—while still warning them of the real consequences of rejecting the gospel.

2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

May the Lord bless you as you stand firm in the truth, and extend His grace to others.

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