Can someone be joyful and heavy-hearted at the same time? Every true disciple of Jesus Christ eventually becomes a walking billboard of that apparent contradiction. Joyful over their priceless blessings in Christ, mournful over the evil burdens of this temporal existence-that’s the Christian paradox. No happy-go-lucky, good-time-Charlies will ever see the inside of the kingdom of God. It is a realm that belongs to the serious, not the silly; the sober, the suffering, not the shallow and stupid. It’s a place for willing martyrs, not foolish merry-makers.

Within what is called 'Christendom,' it is helpful to differentiate between fish and fowl. The waters are muddy unless we are aware that, historically, as many or more persons have belonged to churches than have belonged to Christ. The first rule of discernment: the foul are not fish. (1 John 5:7-10)

Temptation at its core is a subtle lie. It often contains many good ends and good desires, but distorts or skews the means. Jesus’ victory over Satan, sin, and death means that although you have fallen prey to the Devil’s lies, you can in fact triumph still - through abiding in Christ.

"If we were thankful for more, we would have more to be thankful for." Jim Elliot, missionary martyr

There is our way, and there is God’s way. Much of the time things are the way they are because we keep choosing our way and getting the same old bad results. Think it might be time for a change?

Walking with Christ is like driving on a freeway. We must keep our eyes on the road, avoid distractions, steer carefully, and watch out for rogue drivers of false teaching and unexpected potholes of the flesh.

God’s Spirit is in an all-out war with our flesh, and so must we be if we are to walk with Him. There is no intimacy with God while also harboring pet sins, ungodly attitudes, and distrust. He must have our whole being. We must surrender to Him, and join Him in warring against our sinful flesh.

Low spiritual discernment is as dangerous as walking a treacherous mountain path in the dead of night without a flashlight. Fortunately, the Psalmist writes, In Thy light we see light" (Psalm 36:9b).

All it takes to corrupt the truth and make it toxic is just a clever seasoning of lies. Truth matters, error shatters. Be discerning or be deceived. A hallmark of the end times is a plethora of false prophets. Be on your guard! Let us not insult the grace of God by pleading for more of what God has already abundantly provided. What is to be found along that route is not treasure, but a trap.

All it takes to toxify the truth is just a little clever

seasoning of lies. Truth matters, error shatters. Be discerning or be deceived. One hallmark of the end times is an uprising of false prophets. Be on your guard or be in trouble!