In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 301), I walk through Judges 17 and the tragic picture of spiritual confusion. Micah’s story shows how easily people build a self-made religion, mixing truth with error and assuming God must bless whatever they assemble. From false idols to hired priests, it is possible to look religious while being completely disconnected from God’s revealed truth.

I contrast the self-made man, the man-made power system, and the unmade man who is broken before God, and I show how grace still reaches the humbled heart. This message is a clear call to reject spiritual “scrap-heap” faith and stand on the unchanging Word of God, the blood of Jesus Christ, and true repentance. Leaders especially must inspect their label and be sure they are God-made, not culture-made.

- Dr. Mark Rutland