Bob Jennings | Article | Written on 10/5/1998 | Who can control this sex drive? The fear of disease is a small deterrent to immorality. There is only one force that can truly control lust—the power of God in the heart, a foundational element of what it means to become a Christian. That is, when Jesus enters the heart, the power and tyranny of sin is broken. True, godly men like David fell into sin, but the distinction is this—they did not live in it. Their lives were characterized by purity and victory before and after. You see a lustful man or woman? Do not be deceived. He is not a true Christian; he will not go to heaven (See 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10). The woman chaser will be cast into hell by God Himself.

One of the things that Scripture says is we are to be children of light, and children of light have a unique responsibility of exposing the darkness. We are supposed to call out the deeds of darkness that are around us, whether in the world, our workplaces, schools, or within our own circles. It is a hard thing to confront people about their sin, and you are going to find that you are not going to be liked in certain circles. But that is a responsibility that we have as children of light, to shine that light in the world, even if it costs you a relationship.

Mike Morrow | Brothers and sisters, today we delved deep into the powerful message of Ephesians 5:18, urging us not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We explored how the early church thrived on this divine filling, drawing strength, boldness, and unity from the Holy Ghost. From John the Baptist being filled from his mother's womb to the apostles empowered at Pentecost, Scripture is clear: the Holy Spirit is essential for true spiritual vitality.

Article | George Müller - I fell into the snare into which so many young believers fall—the reading of religious books in preference to the Scriptures. While I no longer read French and German novels, as I had formerly done to gratify my carnal mind, I failed to replace those books with the best of all books. Instead, I read tracts, missionary papers, sermons, and biographies of godly persons. Among these, I found the biographies the most beneficial, though they might have been more helpful if they had been well-selected, if I had read less of them, or if they had encouraged a deeper love for the Scriptures.

Read article: https://illbehonest.com/careful-and-consecutive-bible-reading

Listen to full audiobook: https://scrollreader.com/audiobook/answers-to-prayer-from-george-mullers-narratives/

Nathan Rages | Our conscience is the internal moral monitor hard-wired into every human by the Creator. This sermon explores eight questions about our conscience:

1. What is it? (Rom. 2:14-15)

2. How does it change at conversion? (Heb. 9:14,10:22, Rom. 9:1)

3. Is it always accurate? (Acts 23:1, Rom. 14)

4. Should you always obey it? (Rom. 14:22-23, 1Tim. 1:19)

5. Can it be damaged? (Matt. 23:24, Col. 2:16-18, 1Tim. 4:2)

6. Can it be re-calibrated? (Acts 10:12-15, 2Tim. 3:16-17, Heb. 5:14)

7. Is it possible to keep it clear? (2Tim. 1:3, Heb. 13:18, 1Pet. 3:16, 1Tim. 1:5,3:8-9, Rom. 14:22)

8. How can that “clearness” be maintained? (Acts 24:16, 1John 1:5-9, Rom. 13:5, Matt. 5:23-24)

Nathan Rages pastors in Columbia, Missouri at Redeeming Grace Church.

Have you ever wondered why prayers go unanswered or why internal conflicts seem so persistent? This sermon on James 4:1-10 explores these struggles, delivered during a week of prayer and fasting. It takes an honest look at the root of spiritual apathy and divided loyalties, challenging us to examine our motives and our relationship with God.

Bob Jennings | When we come together as a church, praying at prayer meetings becomes an essential part of our fellowship. Rooted in 1 Corinthians 11:18, our gatherings are more than just Christians sharing the same space—they are intentional assemblies in the name and power of the Lord Jesus to worship, study scriptures, sing, and pray. Praying at prayer meetings distinguishes us from merely performing communal tasks like helping someone move or painting a house, emphasizing our spiritual unity and devotion. 

True wisdom is not measured by knowledge or words but by the way we live, as demonstrated in James’ challenge: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” This wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere—a stark contrast to the bitterness and selfish ambition of earthly, demonic wisdom that leads nowhere but destruction.

Tim Conway | In this “Ask Pastor Tim,” someone asked how many times can Christians fall into sin. What is ultimately behind their question, and what does this reveal about their view of salvation?

Bob Jennings | Article | After becoming a Christian, I used to recoil at the idea that there was such a thing as Christian maturity—a growing up to be done. Didn’t I already have everything in Christ? Wasn’t I complete in Him? Were they suggesting that I needed to reach some higher stage? While it is true that, positionally, I have everything in Christ, it is not yet fully reflected in my condition. For instance, when my son was born, he was fully and completely mine from that moment on. Yet, there is much growing up ahead for him. It will take years before he becomes fully matured, filled out, and able to navigate life on his own.

Read the article: https://illbehonest.com/signs-of-spiritual-maturity