The Men's Podcast

God’s design for marriage calls husbands to lead while sacrificially putting their wives’ needs and desires ahead of their own. But Scripture also gives an example of a woman praised for acting against her husbands’ wishes. In this episode, Pastor John explores these nuances and what they mean for leadership and submission in everyday marriage.

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

--

What should a wife do when following her husband’s lead means participating in sin or putting her family in danger? In this episode, Pastor John explores God’s design for leadership in marriage—and the biblical nuances that shape how we apply it.

Looking at creation, Paul’s instructions in Ephesians, and Abigail’s courageous response to Nabal’s foolishness, we discuss why a husband’s authority comes with responsibility, sacrifice, and accountability to God. We also explore situations where a wife may need to act against her husband’s wishes to honor Jesus and protect others.

In this episode:

• Why Pastor John understands Scripture to teach that husbands are called to lead in marriage.
• What it means for a husband to put his wife’s needs and desires above his own.
• How Abigail’s intervention protected her household and kept David from bloodshed.
• Why loyalty to Jesus takes priority over a spouse’s demands.
• How to distinguish everyday disagreements from situations involving sin or danger.
• What 1 Corinthians 7:4 reveals about mutual responsibility in marriage.

Key Scriptures: Genesis 2:15–23; Genesis 3:9–11; Ephesians 5:22–26; 1 Samuel 25; Luke 14:25–27; 1 Corinthians 7:4.

The takeaway: Biblical leadership calls husbands to love sacrificially. A wife’s submission never requires her to participate in sin or accept danger. Both husband and wife ultimately answer to Jesus.

When it comes to relationship advice, 2 Corinthians 6:14 gives a clear and unmistakable command: "Do not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever." While this principle applies to various life partnerships, it carries its most significant weight in the context of marriage. The scripture provides a clear directive, but understanding why God gives this command equips us to have intentional, realistic conversations with our children—especially our sons—about counting the cost before making a lifelong commitment.

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

--

Marriage is challenging under the best circumstances, even when both spouses are dedicated followers of Christ. However, marrying an unbeliever introduces structural hardships that can create deep friction and heartache throughout a lifetime.

The Deception of Feelings and "Missionary Dating"

Young men often fall into the trap of trusting their feelings or believing they can "missionary date"—hoping God will use them to bring their partner to faith. Others settle for a partner who has head knowledge of Jesus without a genuine, transforming belief that leads to action. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that "the human heart is the most deceitful of all things." We cannot base major life decisions on emotional impulses; we must anchor ourselves in the truth of God’s Word. Furthermore, fear and anxiety about never finding a spouse can cause young men to rush into unwise relationships. We must remind them that Christ is sufficient and that God will supply all their needs according to His riches.

The Weight of Financial Disagreements

Money is a major stress point in any marriage, but when spouses operate under different worldviews, the conflict escalates. Is money viewed as "mine" or as God's that we are called to steward? An unequally yoked couple will struggle to agree on spending, saving, and kingdom giving. If one spouse resents regular tithing or Biblical financial stewardship, it creates constant marital tension.

Conflicting Schedules and Priorities

When a spouse isn't following Jesus, they won't share a commitment to devoting time, energy, and talents to kingdom work. A believing spouse who desires to serve in the local church may face resentment from an unbelieving partner who feels neglected or annoyed by time spent outside the home. Without a shared foundation in scripture, resolving these scheduling conflicts becomes an uphill battle.

Divided Parenting Goals

Raising children is one of the highest callings God gives parents, as we serve as His ambassadors to them. But when parents do not share the same ultimate goal—pointing children toward the love, grace, holiness, and authority of God—it breeds deep confusion. Disagreements over discipline, values, and whether children should attend church or choose their own religion can divide a home and leave children caught in the middle.

Lacking the Power of the Holy Spirit

Even in a Christian marriage, spouses fall short of loving one another perfectly. However, believers have the Holy Spirit working within them to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. An unbelieving spouse attempts to navigate marriage strictly out of human strength, lacking the internal power source necessary to sustain selfless, Christlike love over a lifetime.

Missing Out on Shared Mission

There is an incredible richness and strength when a husband and wife are on mission together for the kingdom of God. Whether discipling others, serving their church, or raising children to fear the Lord, pursuing a common divine purpose unifies a marriage like nothing else. Marrying an unbeliever forfeits the opportunity to experience this deep spiritual partnership.

God's commands are not meant to restrict our happiness, but to protect our hearts and marriages. By helping our sons and daughters count the cost early, we empower them to seek relationships built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.

Are tattoos sinful, or is this an issue where Christians have freedom? In this episode, Pastor John sits down with Pastors Brock and Seth to work through the question from several different perspectives. Rather than giving a simple yes-or-no answer, they explore how Christians can think biblically about tattoos and make decisions that honor God instead of simply following culture, tradition, or personal preference.

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

--

Is getting a tattoo sinful? For some Christians, the answer feels obvious. For others, tattoos seem like a clear area of personal freedom. The harder—and more helpful—question is not simply, “Can a Christian get a tattoo?” but, “How should a Christian think biblically about getting one?”

That is the approach John, Brock, and Seth take in this conversation. They do not all begin in exactly the same place, but they agree that Christians should not make the decision based only on feelings, culture, friends, or even family tradition. The goal is to slow down and ask whether the decision honors God.

Brock takes a more open position toward tattoos, while Seth and John lean more cautious. Even so, none of them argue that every tattoo is automatically sinful.

Brock points out that tattoos can become sinful depending on the heart behind them. A person can become controlled by the desire to keep getting tattoos, for example, and Scripture warns believers against allowing anything to master them. He also emphasizes that the content of the tattoo matters. Sexual imagery, satanic imagery, or symbols connected to beliefs that oppose God should be taken seriously.

His own approach is intentionally slow. When he has an idea for a tattoo, he gives himself a long period of time to think about it before making a permanent decision. Many ideas never make it past that waiting period because, after more thought, they no longer seem wise or God-honoring.

That raises an important principle: just because you are free to do something does not mean you should do it quickly or thoughtlessly.

One of the most common verses brought into the tattoo discussion is Leviticus 19:28:

At first glance, that can seem like the end of the conversation. But the group points out that the verse needs to be read in its Old Testament context.

The surrounding commands were given to Israel as God set them apart from the pagan nations around them. The discussion connects the prohibition with practices involving the dead, pagan worship, divination, and other spiritual practices tied to the surrounding cultures.

That does not mean the verse has nothing to say to Christians today. In fact, both Brock and Seth argue that the underlying concern still matters. Christians should be extremely cautious about imagery associated with witchcraft, divination, New Age spirituality, occult practices, or anything else connected to the kingdom of darkness.

The biblical question is therefore bigger than whether modern tattoos are identical to the markings mentioned in Leviticus. Christians should ask what the tattoo represents and whether it points toward something that honors God or something that contradicts him.

Another passage that often comes up is 1 Corinthians 6:19:

In context, Paul is talking specifically about sexual immorality. The podcast cautions against pulling the verse out of context and using it as a simple proof text against tattoos.

At the same time, the principle behind the passage still matters. Our bodies belong to God.

That means believers should think carefully about what they do with them. Tattoos are permanent for the remainder of this earthly life unless they are removed, so this should not be treated like a casual decision.

Seth takes the idea even further. He points to Ephesians 2:10, where believers are described as God’s workmanship. God has already intentionally created us, and our lives are meant to reflect him. That should cause Christians to approach permanent changes to their bodies with humility and caution.

The question is not merely, “Do I like this design?” It is, “Am I stewarding well what God has given me?”

A tattoo itself may not tell the whole story. Two people could get the same tattoo for completely different reasons.

One person might get a tattoo to draw attention to themselves. Another might do it out of rebellion. Another could choose imagery that glorifies something directly opposed to God. Someone else might choose a tattoo that has deep personal or biblical meaning.

That is why motivation matters so much.

The podcast repeatedly returns to the importance of seeking God, praying, using wisdom, and examining the heart before making the decision. The hosts are especially cautious about treating tattoos as just another cultural trend.

Christians are called to live as servants of God’s kingdom. That means even personal decisions should be filtered through the question, “Does this glorify God?”

Getting a tattoo is personal, but that does not always mean the decision affects only you.

For younger adults who are still living at home or financially dependent on their parents, honoring their parents should be part of the decision. Brock shares that he wanted a tattoo when he was younger, but his mother was uncomfortable with it. Instead of ignoring her wishes, he waited. Years later, when she became comfortable with the idea, he got the tattoo—and she actually got the same one.

For married Christians, Seth argues that a spouse should also have a meaningful voice in the conversation. Because marriage joins a husband and wife together as one flesh, making a permanent decision that strongly affects the other person should not be treated as an entirely individual choice.

The point is not that Christians can never make their own decisions. It is that biblical wisdom includes considering the relationships and authorities God has placed in our lives.

There are practical concerns too.

Tattoos can be expensive. John encourages Christians to think about whether spending that money reflects good stewardship. If someone claims they cannot afford to give generously or meet other responsibilities but can afford a costly tattoo, that is worth examining.

The artist should also be considered.

The group discusses how some tattoo imagery and even some tattooing environments can overlap with occult or New Age practices. That does not mean every tattoo artist is involved in those things. John specifically mentions knowing tattoo artists who genuinely follow Jesus.

The point is simply to know who you are allowing to permanently mark your body and to approach the entire process prayerfully instead of casually.

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is how tattoos can affect ministry in different ways.

Seth gives the example of ministering to an elderly woman who may come from a culture where extensive tattoos create distrust or discomfort. In that situation, visible tattoos could potentially become an unnecessary barrier.

Brock points out the opposite possibility. In the coffee shops and younger communities he spends time around, tattoos are common. Someone may notice his tattoo and ask about its meaning, creating a natural opportunity for a spiritual conversation.

Both can be true.

Christians should consider the people God has called them to reach. At the same time, the group emphasizes that tattoos—or the lack of them—are never what gives the gospel its power. A Christian without tattoos should not assume he cannot reach heavily tattooed people, and a tattooed Christian should not assume he cannot minister to someone who dislikes tattoos.

The power is in the gospel, not our appearance.

For some people, this conversation is not about whether to get a tattoo. It is about tattoos they already have.

Maybe the tattoo represents a lifestyle you have left behind. Maybe its imagery dishonors God. Maybe you simply regret the decision.

Brock encourages Christians in that situation to seek the Lord. If you genuinely feel convicted to have a tattoo covered or removed, take that conviction seriously.

But the message of the conversation is not that your tattoos make you unusable to God.

Seth reminds listeners that God can redeem the story behind those marks. A person may have made decisions before following Christ that they would never make today, but salvation makes them new. God can still use their life—and even parts of their past—to point people toward himself.

By the end of the conversation, even Brock, who is the most open to tattoos, agrees with Seth’s suggestion that believers should begin from a place of caution rather than assumption.

Do not start with, “Why shouldn’t I get one?”

Start with, “Why should I?”

Think about the design. Think about the motivation. Think about your finances. Think about your parents or spouse. Think about the artist. Think about the people you are trying to reach. Most importantly, seek God through Scripture and prayer.

The Bible may not give a simple universal answer for every modern tattoo decision. But it gives Christians plenty of principles for making that decision wisely.

The goal is not simply to figure out what you are allowed to do.

The goal is to honor God with your body, your choices, and your life.

Welcome back to the podcast, men!

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

--

• When facing large tasks, delegating can be important to success. Know when to delegate and when not to. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to delegate the difficult parts of the task. Nehemiah 4:13-18, Nehemiah 5:6-12
• Opposition and difficulties will come, even if God has called us to complete a task. We shouldn’t doubt God’s calling just because the path isn’t easy. Joshua 13:13

Welcome back to the podcast, men!

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

--

• When you bring a group together to accomplish a task, communicate clearly and honestly. Acknowledge the difficulties, but focus on the positives. Nehemiah 2:17-18
• Nehemiah broke down this enormous task into manageable chunks. Looking to accomplish an enormous task can lead to paralysis. Focusing on the first action step helps us build momentum. Nehemiah 3:1-8
• Large projects involving multiple people need a mix of leaders and doers. Nehemiah 3:9-14

Welcome back to the podcast, men!

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

--

• There is no shortage of things to do. Ask God to break your heart for what breaks his heart so that your work is in-line with his plans. Nehemiah 1:3-4, Psalm 127:1
• Cover the task in prayer. Ask God to do the things only he can do. Nehemiah 2:4, Nehemiah 1:11
• Anticipate potential obstacles and seek to eliminate them or minimize their impact. Nehemiah 2:7-8

We learn how to sharpen your awareness so you can identify lust before it takes hold, use Scripture the way Jesus did in the wilderness, and load your mind with ready-to-use verses.

Chapter Timestamps:

0:00 — Opening hook: flee lust

0:36 — Napoleon story: superior foe, run away

2:20 — Core message: fight by flight

3:20 — Biblical basis: flee sexual immorality

4:14 — Personal failure trying to “fight” lust

7:09 — Introduces the “fight protocol”

7:37 — Step 1: name it

11:23 — Step 2: reject it with Scripture

15:36 — Step 3: replace it

19:12 — Final recap: name, reject, replace

21:00 — Closing call to action

Today we go over your step by step guide to finally having freedom from lust

• - The Missing Roadmap: Why willpower isn't enough and the need for a comprehensive blueprint.

• - The True Foundation: Why personal connection—not rigid religious duty—is the power source for freedom.

• - The Seven Sons of Sceva: A striking story in Acts revealing why the enemy isn't afraid of your tactics.

• - Standing on Bought Ground: Shifting from fighting for freedom to defending ground already won.

• - Actionable Faith: How true belief manifests through intentional daily movement.

• - The Baseline Question: Are you actually ready to be free? (And what to do when the answer is no).

• - The Victory Routine: Morning and evening anchors that eliminate unstructured temptation.

• - Environmental Audit: Why abstinence is easier than moderation when clearing out media and dopamine traps.

• - Eye & Thought Discipline: Master the art of "bouncing your eyes" and stopping thoughts from building a nest.

• - The Ultimate Weapon: How Jesus fought temptation in the wilderness—and why scripture memory is your only live ammunition.

• - The Trachenberg Strategy: What Napoleon's defeat teaches us about "Fight by Flight."

• - The 3-Step Fight Protocol: Name it, Reject it, Replace it.

• - One Day at a Time: Winning the current wave instead of getting crushed by the weight of forever.

Welcome back to the podcast, men!

--

The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men.

Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

--

• Jesus talked about eating his flesh and drinking his blood in John 6. Was he being literal? John 6
• The Passover Meal was a meal steeped in symbolism. Each element of the meal symbolized something related to Israel’s time in Egypt or God’s deliverance from their slavery. It is in this context that Jesus declared the bread to be his body and the wine to be his blood. Luke 22
• Peter and the other disciples didn’t object when Jesus said, “This is my body and this is my blood”, even though to partake of flesh or blood would have broken the Old Testament Law. Acts 10

If you’ve spent years trying to clean up your behavior through tips, tricks, and sheer willpower, only to land right back where you started, this conversation is for you. We’re moving past exterior "fixes" and diving straight into the root issue: the heart.

• – The Vomit Analogy: Why returning to destructive habits isn't just a bad habit—it's a nature problem.

• – Giving the Dog a Bath: Why YouTube videos, programs, and external discipline keep failing you.

• – The Hard Truth: Stop blaming your past, your friends, or your environment—taking ownership of your choices.

• – The Root vs. The Fruit: How lust and addiction hide deeper issues like pride, jealousy, and anger.

• – The Carfax of Your Soul: Facing the reality that your best effort will never be enough to fix a broken nature.

• – "I'll Pay Full Price": The powerful shift from fighting for freedom to fighting from freedom.

• – Inside-Out Transformation: Moving from external behavior management to a complete heart renewal.