Twisting Scripture to Avoid Correction In an effort to avoid biblical correction and accountability, those who preach false doctrine will often cite verses—sometimes only in part—like John 15:20 to make themselves appear as victims of those warning of their false teachings. John 15:20 says, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is…

The Danger of Universalism in Times of Grief When we imagine men in heaven who lived their lives in rebellion toward God, who gave no evidence of regeneration, who treated God’s Word as a mere object to appreciate rather than as the authoritative Word of God, and who reduced God to a mere higher power—call…

A Friendly Reminder A friendly reminder, saint: Turn on the lights, turn off the music, and separate yourself from the antics that seek to hype you up and disengage your mind. Now, read the transcript. If you were to read the words that have been spoken, would it produce in you the same emotional response?…

The Danger of Pride in Belief If you think, “I could never be deceived,” you reveal that you think far too highly of yourself and far too little of the warnings God gives in Scripture. Pride whispers, “I could never.” If we believe we could never be misled, we will not test anything against God’s…

Preaching the Word, Not Feelings If I could sit with you over coffee and we opened our Bibles to the text our pastors preached yesterday, could you walk me through the text and show me where it says and means what your pastor taught? Could I go to the text and do the same? Many…

The Purifying Power of God’s Word The most purifying effect on the church is the Word of God faithfully exposited. It produces godliness, holiness, purity, love, and unity. The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word, rightly opened and proclaimed. Sound doctrine leads to sound living. Sound doctrine leads to high doxology. Sound doctrine is what…

If all our holiness is merely external—putting off and putting on, doing and not doing—then we are no better than the Pharisees. If our righteousness is not that of perfection, then we are most to be pitied. But if we stand in the righteousness of another—the righteousness of Christ—then though we are daily growing in…

The Weight of True Gospel Ministry As one weeps tears of joy at the grace of God demonstrated in the life of one dead in sin and now alive in Christ, ought not our hearts also be deeply grieved when we see large numbers gathering around a message that promises life and peace but is…

God’s Sovereignty Over What Is Contrary Can God use what is otherwise contrary—against—Him, a counterfeit that takes a form or appearance as good and draws men away from God in His name? Yes, God can sovereignly use even what is evil, false, or counterfeit to accomplish His purposes. But that never validates, endorses, or gives…

Change is not always easy for us. Even changes that may be good can feel difficult, and we often struggle with them. But what if it is not the external changes that ought to capture our attention? What if the greater changes are what God is doing in us, and the external changes are the…