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A group of twenty-two Christian leaders traveled half a day to secretly meet and learn from a pastor who came from another country. If caught, the pastor would be deported, and the others would spend three years in prison. Eighteen of the twenty-two had already been imprisoned for their faith in Jesus.

After the pastor handed out fifteen Bibles he’d brought with him, one woman gave hers to someone else. Like many others, she’d memorized chapters of Scripture so she would have its wisdom secured in her heart if she were to go to prison. She later asked the pastor to pray that their church would be free to gather just like his. Instead, marveling at how they sacrificed, suffered persecution, and risked imprisonment, he prayed that his church would be just like theirs. 

Believers around the world are persecuted for their faith in Christ, some more severely than others. And all believers can be tempted to cower when the stakes of living for Christ are raised. But the Holy Spirit enables us to use our God-given gifts with “power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). God will help us share the gospel with boldness and compassion, wherever He leads. Because of all He did for us (vv. 9-10), we can embrace the sacrificial cost of commitment to Christ and preserve “sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus” (v. 13).

It’s Witness Wednesday! Todd stops by the University of Georgia to talk with – and evangelize to – a number of students. From talking with a psychology student about the reality of the soul, to investigating the claims of a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox church, Todd clearly presents the hope of the gospel to everyone he meets. Be encouraged and edified as you see biblical evangelism in action.

Segment 1

• Todd prods psych student Alex about the mind, the soul, and whether humans are merely biological machines.

• Alex argues that morality is a result of evolution, but struggles to explain why things like murder are recognized cross-culturally as wrong.

• Todd presents the Christian worldview as the only framework that explains conscience, justice, guilt, and humanity’s need for forgiveness through Christ.

Segment 2

• Todd uses a student’s necklace and T-shirt to discuss Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity and what the cross actually means.

• The student claims to be on the “right path” but admits he has lied and struggles to define what salvation really requires.

• Todd walks him through the Ten Commandments, exposing the seriousness of sin and explaining the gospel: Christ paying the penalty so guilty sinners can be forgiven.

Segment 3

• Todd meets Julia, who blends Roman Catholic background with nihilism, insisting that morality is ultimately subjective and that no absolute truth exists.

• When pressed, Julia cannot say that horrific acts—like killing a child—are objectively wrong.

• Todd bypasses philosophical debate and appeals to her conscience, showing how our sense of guilt and justice points to a moral Lawgiver.

Segment 4

• Todd asks Julia to imagine standing before God’s courtroom: if we’re guilty of breaking God’s laws, how could anyone escape judgment?

• Attempts at good deeds, apologies, or religious rituals collapse under scrutiny, exposing humanity’s need for a true substitute.

• Todd explains the gospel—Jesus satisfying God’s justice on the cross—and challenges Julia to consider where she stands.

___

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Discipleship often sounds like a big program—but what if it really begins with one faithful conversation at a time? On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Brian Holtz explore how an intentional commitment to walk with someone spiritually can have an eternal impact, shaping their financial choices, daily actions, and Christian journey. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live—where biblical wisdom meets today’s financial decisions—weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Welcome to episode #261! ️ Pure Victory Podcast: Willpower vs. Wisdom: Why Trying Harder Isn’t the Answer

When it comes to breaking free from porn, most people assume the answer is simple: try harder. Just be stronger than temptation. Say “no” more often.

But what if that strategy is actually the problem?

In this episode, Braden unpacks the difference between willpower and wisdom in the fight for freedom. Instead of relying on white-knuckled resistance, real change happens when we structure our lives with wisdom and learn to surrender temptation to Jesus in the moment.

You’ll discover why we only have so many “no’s,” how small decisions lead to bigger failures, and how shifting from willpower to surrender can transform your recovery journey.

Freedom isn’t found in one heroic moment of resistance—it’s built through wise choices and daily surrender.

Scriptural Highlight

1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality.”

Scripture doesn’t tell us to stand in the pocket and outlast temptation—it tells us to run from it. God’s strategy isn’t raw willpower; it’s wisdom and dependence on Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Willpower alone will fail.
If your strategy is simply saying “no” when temptation appears, eventually your strength will run out.

2. Temptation usually starts long before the moment of sin.
Isolation, exhaustion, stress, and unhealthy habits often set the stage for relapse hours or even days earlier.

3. Biblical willpower looks like surrender.
True strength isn’t trying harder—it’s choosing daily practices that keep you aligned with Christ.

4. Wisdom makes decisions before temptation shows up.
Healthy boundaries, accountability, and rhythms with God reduce the opportunities for temptation to take hold.

5. Temptation can become a moment of dependence.
Instead of hiding or fighting it alone, bring your struggle to Jesus immediately and turn it into an act of surrender.

Action Steps for This Week

1. Identify your vulnerable moments.
Ask yourself: When am I most tempted? What patterns lead me there?

2. Build one guardrail.
Put a practical boundary in place this week (bedtime phone habits, accountability check-ins, etc.).

3. Practice immediate surrender.
When temptation appears, pause and pray:
“Jesus, I need you right now.”

4. Replace, don’t just remove.
Start one daily rhythm that strengthens your walk with God—Scripture, prayer, worship, or connection with community.

Final Encouragement

If you’ve been trying to beat porn through sheer willpower and keep falling, you’re not hopeless—you may just be fighting the battle the wrong way.

Freedom grows through wisdom before temptation and surrender in the moment of temptation.

And when your life is structured around the right “yes” to Jesus, you’ll find you don’t need nearly as many “no’s.”

Subscribe to the Pure Victory Podcast!
Want to help others find freedom? Visit PureVictoryPodcast.com to support the mission.

You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

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A man in chains, in a rented room, at the center of the most powerful city in the ancient world — and the gospel goes forth anyway. In this message, Dr. John brings the book of Acts to a close, walking through Paul's remarkable all-day exposition of Scripture to Rome's Jewish leaders and what it reveals about the unstoppable nature of the Word of God.

Jesus Goes Global: A Prisoner of Christ: When we read the book of Acts, we tend to give primary attention to the formation and growth of the Church in the early chapters. We then highlight the three mission trips of Paul. But some of the most profound lessons lie in the final chapters of Acts 25-28. Dr. John will show God extending His Kingdom through the personal struggle and imprisonment of Paul. The world’s worst cannot impede God’s best.

Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "Matchmaker Matchmaker." Enjoy!

Even if you don't have a teenager, the information that Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James share today can help your children of any age. Today we discuss the importance of teaching healthy communication and conflict resolution skills. We'll emphasize the current societal challenges with divisive communication and introduce their guests, Dr. Gary Chapman and psychologist Jennifer Thomas. Get ready for practical tools for teens to handle communication and conflict effectively, including the five apology languages and the significance of asking questions. The episode concludes with a listener question about handling violent behavior and substance abuse in teens, with expert advice provided by the guests.

A Teen's Guide To Conflict

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When you worry, it’s like you’re carrying around a heavy burden. You’re weighed down with anxiety and you can’t think clearly. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to give your burdens and worries over to God? He says He’ll take it and will give you peace in return. That’s a pretty good exchange.