Zealously Affected #29

Saturday, March 21, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Science-worshippers and so-called “intellectuals” regard us as nothing more than highly-evolved animals whose very existence is attributable to the mysterious forces of “Mother Earth” or “Mother Nature” (really the ancient heathen goddess of fertility and hunting, also known as Diana or Artemis!—Acts 19:24,27,28,34,35). It is along these lines that evolutionary theory via natural selection, animal rights, vegetarianism, veganism, conservationism, and environmentalism are promoted. Tainted by sin, emotions have cheapened human existence to be “just another clump of cells.” We exhibit boundless pity toward endangered and extinct plants and animals, seeing no problem with placing them equal to or above ourselves, but we have been desensitized to the barbaric butchering of the helpless members of our own species. Sexual activity is unrestrained and recreational, and pregnancy is simply an “inconvenience” to more fun. Abortion is thus offered as the solution, for the selfish mantra of “MY body, MY choice” has been mindlessly parroted.

Unwanted pregnancies are an obstacle to emotionally-immature and mentally-immature parties, and those in the medical community who do not wish to maintain and preserve life are just as childish when they eagerly prey on these vulnerable to their detriment. If termination of life shortly after conception is tolerable (abortion), then it is just as easy for us to be open to ending life in its waning years (euthanasia, or assisted suicide). How laughable it is that, while struggling to define just what a “man” is and what a “woman” is, our society boasts about seeking and defending “women’s rights.” Since it cannot seem to distinguish between human DNA and animal, our “civilization” is most ridiculous to brag how it campaigns for “human rights.”

Beloved, this is all irrational, contradictory, and outrageous behavior, but it is nothing more than sin taking advantage of us through our corrupted emotions. “I am not going to be told what I will think and do! I will do what I feel is right!” Frankly, emotions are just one of sinful man’s innumerable gods. We would do well to detect and flee such idolatry as soon as possible….

Zealously Affected #15

Thursday, March 5, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Once, I watched a video of a police officer confronting a woman wielding a knife. Despite the fact he issued repeated warnings, the suspect refused to put it down. She had stabbed another person just prior to his arrival! Advancing toward the deputy, she left him no choice. He fired his revolver, and she fell to the ground at the front door of helpless residents whom she could have also easily wounded. Several neighbors immediately assembled on the scene and began yelling, “Why did you shoot her?! Why did you shoot her?!” Emotions were in charge (“zealously affected, but not well”), so, of course, blame was assigned to the wrong party. It makes no sense that a defiant, armed suspect would be allowed unrestricted access to the general public, especially when law enforcement commands the individual to cease the criminal activity. Obviously, there can be no good outcome. This is the logical conclusion, but mindless emotions do not facilitate a reasonable assessment of the situation.

Another documentary I viewed featured a correspondent conversing with passersby. He would read to them an incendiary quote of a famous politician and then falsely attribute it to someone else. They strongly voiced how they were quite opposed to the opinion expressed in the quotation… until he revealed those words were from another politician (one they adored, to whom they were emotionally attached“zealously affected, but not well”). Their amended response was, “Oh, ah, uh” (speechlessness). It was a far calmer reaction when they learned these “offensive” words were from an official they blindly followed! Additionally, one woman stated how she was unaware of the positions of the candidate whom she had helped elect. Here are the types of people entering the voting booth, emotionally-manipulated victims of state-run media propaganda!

Whether criminal justice, religion, politics, finances, science, or anything else, Satan’s evil world system preys on us via emotionalism. It would do us well to know our enemy to the point of anticipating his moves….

Zealously Affected #9

Friday, February 27, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

In stark contrast to, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9), there is the following: But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (verses 10-13).

How do we learn God’s will, His purpose and plan for us? Such revelation or “unveiling” is not by “eye” (empiricism), not by “ear” (church tradition), and not by “heart” (intuition)—these correspond to spiritual “wood, hay, stubble” (1 Corinthians 3:12). Rather, we aim for spiritual “gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12), “the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth,” as in the Bible “rightly divided” or dispensationally delivered (2 Timothy 2:15). The Holy Ghost teaches us by using “words”not hunches, guesses, man’s opinions, feelings, and so on. Incidentally, He does not utilize “thoughts” either (so, it is incorrect to argue Bible words can be changed so long as “thoughts” are conveyed)!

To “recover themselves out of the snare [trap] of the Devil” (2 Timothy 2:24-26), the Galatians have to read and believe in their heart the epistle of Galatians written to them. It only makes sense for us to do likewise, that we also forsake our denominational doctrine that our false teachers have “zealously affected” us to seek and uphold….

Zealously Affected #8

Thursday, February 26, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Unfortunately, our culture runs on emotions. Mass communication has aggravated the situation. Social media, “news” networks, and other platforms prominently feature people who are “angry” about this and “outraged” about that. They march, hold signs, scream, loot buildings, attack and injure and kill others, utter filth and nonsense, and burn down whole city blocks. These struggle to articulate intelligent reasons for what they do and say. Frankly, they are but pawns in a political system that is designed to instill and promote fear, guilt, discord, hysteria, and, above all, anarchy. Young people, who are emotionally immature, are particularly victims here. In fact, we will find among them—and even leading them—a great many “senior citizens” who never grew up either!

It is a real shame that the professing church cannot survive the above society or point its confused individuals in the right direction. These alleged “believers” have nothing meaningful to offer the world either, often joining in with it. What they are are prisoners to and defenders of denominational systems, futile manmade attempts to explain the Bible. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The “eye” is empiricism, as in, “I must be able to see it with my physical eye and test it in a scientific lab before I believe it!” Such a man will never learn anything from God or about God’s will. The “ear” is church tradition, such as, “I have to hear it from my church leaders before I believe it!” Again, such a man will never learn a thing from God or about God’s will. The “heart” is intuition, as in, “I must be able to feel it with my emotions, or find it confirmed in my inner being, before I believe it!” Such a man will never learn anything from God or about God’s will, either….

For Students This is Safe

Friday, August 8, 2025

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

The Awareness of a Temporary Earth

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

“And, Thou, O Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail” (Hebrews 1:10-12 KJV).

On this Earth Day, let us not confuse the creation with the Creator!

Today, people worldwide celebrate “environmental awareness.” According to the secular, naturalistic worldview, our planet and its sun could last many more billions of years. They claim that we have done so much damage to our planet—climate change, overpopulation, deforestation, pollution, et cetera—that we must change our attitude toward “mother earth” and change our lifestyles before we destroy her and civilization as we know it! You can sense the zeal in their message, can you not? While these people are sincere, they are wasting all of their time, energy, and resources on a temporary planet.

Let us be very clear that the Lord Jesus Christ placed man on the earth, especially the Garden of Eden, to “dress it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Adam was to take care of the Earth: he was God’s representative, God’s king, who had a divine commission to rule this planet for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26-28).

It was not long, however, before Satan distracted mankind from understanding God’s purpose for him. Adam began to focus on himself: like Satan, he began to “worship and serve the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). Thus began man’s continual downward spiral into spiritual ignorance. He would continually worship himself, as we well know today.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that, because of sin, this creation will pass away. The Lord Jesus Christ, however, will live forever. Why worship that which is temporary? It makes no sense! The Lord Jesus Christ gave you life, not the pagan goddess “mother earth.” Environmental awareness? Indeed, be aware that our world is temporary, as God will one day create “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1).

Litanies of Philosophies #6

Monday, March 3, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

Today’s Scripture is a clarification. The Apostle Paul in no way disparages or discourages all wisdom, for he does “speak wisdom among them that are perfect [spiritually-mature Christians, who alone can appreciate true wisdom—God’s wisdom].” The world in its so-called “wisdom” had no capacity whatsoever, and still has no capability whatsoever, to comprehend just how God kept a secret (“mystery… hidden wisdom”).

Read today’s Scripture within its context: “[6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Had Satan known what precisely was God’s secret, he would have never influenced man (apostate Israel and pagan Rome) to crucify the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ, “the Lord of glory,” is at the center of a plan called “Glory” whereby Father God will glorify Him eternally in both Heaven and Earth. Man, in all his satanic wisdom, still cannot fathom how God will use Christ’s finished crosswork as the plan of salvation to redeem two peoples—Israel (for Earth) and us, the Church the Body of Christ (for Heaven).

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool [“moros” = moron!], that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Corinthians 3:18,19). Saints, far better it is to be temporarily labeled “fools” according to the world’s (flawed) standards—devoid of all their advanced degrees, “clever” explanations, and elaborate arguments—than for God to use His exceeding mightier (perfect) standards to forever prove us fools!

Litanies of Philosophies #5

Sunday, March 2, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

Observe Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” To “spoil” is “rob or cheat, lead away as a prisoner”—as in, “spoils of war.” Since the Christian ought to be filled with God’s wisdom, and philosophy (the world’s wisdom) is at variance or incompatible with God’s wisdom, the world’s wisdom will take God’s wisdom away from the Christian. The Christian becomes a slave to non-Christian thoughts and worldviews. Any such Christian filled with the world’s wisdom—and there are multitudes of such individuals—is just as useful to God’s ministry as a lost person is (for the lost person is filled with the world’s wisdom too)! Hence, Colossians issues the warning, “Beware!” Watch out, be vigilant, be careful, be on guard!

If left to himself, man will understand none of the things of God: yet, God did not leave us to ourselves, for He gave us His Bible (see especially 1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Yet, when a man rejects that Bible, he wishes to be left to himself. The Corinthian Christians were trying to live this contradiction—and failing miserably! Read the context of today’s Scripture, Paul’s reminder to bring these erring saints back to think about how their Christian life began (Acts chapter 18, when he first preached to them in Corinth): “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Litanies of Philosophies #4

Saturday, March 1, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

“Philosophy” is derived from two Greek terms, “phileo” (“to love”) and “sophia” (“wisdom”). It is an infatuation with man’s wisdom, people reasoning about life apart from the words and will of the Creator God. Man has a problem, and he knows it. Nevertheless, he seeks to deny it or hide it. If there is any admission of guilt, man will endeavor to solve his own dilemmas and establish his innocence. Genesis 3:1-13 was man’s first quest to seek wisdom separate from God’s wisdom, even cleverly trying to “cover up” his sin when he failed and skillfully shifting the blame to others when God questioned him about his evil!

Whereas Adam’s fault was individual and corporate, the primary error of the wisdom of the world is divulged in Romans chapter 1 (a national and international issue): “[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,….”

Romans chapter 1 looks back to Genesis chapter 11 (the Tower of Babel), when the nations decided to abandon the one true God and pursue idols. He therefore responded by giving them up and over to Romans 1:24-32 (this “present evil world” of Galatians 1:4). The nations still “walk in their own ways,” in “ignorance,” “without God,” “in the vanity of their mind,” with their litanies of philosophies and varieties of idolatries (Acts 14:11-18; Acts 17:16-34; Ephesians 2:11,12; Ephesians 4:17-19). Such is where our world’s educational system is situated! If it not based on the Word of God rightly divided, the worldview is just another futile attempt of man serving as the judge of what thoughts and actions are correct or incorrect….

Litanies of Philosophies #3

Friday, February 28, 2025

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:…” (1 Corinthians 2:6 KJV).

What wisdom really matters—and what wisdom really does not?

Corinth was approximately a two-day trip west of Athens, the intellectual capital of the ancient world. Philosophers spent much time going to, from, and through Corinth. Here, as a port city, ideas from around the globe were exchanged. The Corinthians, like the rest of the Greeks, held man’s wisdom in high esteem. Imagine, if you will, a statue of a human brain erected there, with worshippers assembled around it to bow and pray. Also known as “free-thinking” and “humanism,” man is his final authority in this system: he believes he is accountable to no one but himself. What he rationalizes will stand and what he does is for his evaluation alone.

Read 1 Corinthians chapter 1: “[17] For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. [18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; [24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. [25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Let us go back to the original problem pinpointed in Romans chapter 1….