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….

The Understanding Darkened #2

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).

How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?

At the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), when the LORD God gave all nations over to “walk in their own ways” (Acts 14:15,16), He fulfilled their wish in turning them loose to a mindset or thought process that excluded Him. Re-read Romans 1:20-23,28. Commenting on this combination of tremendous intellectualism (“wisdom” of men) and abysmal darkness in Athens, Paul announced: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:…” (Acts 17:29,30).

The Athenians had been “wholly [completely, entirely] given to idolatry” (verse 16). In fact, it was even stated of Athens, “It was easier to find a god there than a man!” They thought of a higher power in terms of creation—that the gods and goddesses were part of nature (pantheism). Even in the “sciences” today, natural forces are usually understood as being responsible for life, the heavens, and the earth. However, if you study Paul’s sermon to the people of Athens (verses 22-31), you will notice how he goes to great lengths to differentiate between the one true God and counterfeits (deities of mythology), distinguish between God and nature, discern between God and man. The God of the Bible is alive, not dead, which is why we should not reduce Him to statues of lifeless gold, silver, or stone. He is the Creator, giving us physical life; therefore, if we are alive, He is alive. Moreover, He is not a product of man’s imagination, so if we are to have “the eyes of [our] understanding enlightened” (see Ephesians 1:17), and be delivered from this “ignorance,” we must “repent” or think differently….