Category: False Teaching

Not Thy Righteousness, But Their Wickedness #5

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

“Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 9:5 KJV).

May we have the proper perspective of wickedness versus righteousness….

Abraham understood that the LORD God would work in His grace to make of his lineage a people whom God would use to serve Him in the Earth. This unconditional contract or agreement is the Abrahamic Covenant: “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3). Israel is that “great nation,” which descended from Abraham’s son Isaac, Isaac’s son Jacob, and Jacob’s 12 sons (patriarchs or forefathers of Israel’s 12 tribes). God’s covenant was transferred to each successive generation, as today’s Scripture states.

Of course, like every other sinner, Abraham wanted to “help” God, so he and wife Sarah plotted to produce a son (Ishmael) in Genesis chapter 16. This was human effort, not grace; God’s son for Abraham was Isaac, born many years later (chapter 21). By the time of Moses and Sinai, Israel favored the Law and foolishly entered into that (conditional) Mosaic agreement (Exodus 19:3-8). This religious system was still on the minds of the Israelites of today’s Scripture, and Moses prompted them to recognize how God’s promise of blessings of grace to father Abraham came long before their promise to “do good” and inherit blessings based on their works. If they would receive anything from God, it would be solely because of His faithfulness, not theirs.

Notice! Sinful Israel did not “deserve” the Promised Land any more than the sinful Gentiles whom God was throwing out of it….

Not Thy Righteousness, But Their Wickedness #4

Monday, April 13, 2026

“Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 9:5 KJV).

May we have the proper perspective of wickedness versus righteousness….

Re-read today’s Scripture, noting the reference to “the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Go all the way back to Genesis chapter 15, the LORD God deeding the Promised Land to Abraham centuries before Moses: “[13] And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; [14] And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. [15] And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. [16] But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.”

Essentially, the LORD God informed Abraham, “One day, long after your death, your people will go away from this land of Canaan and I will bring them back here. Until then, I will keep tolerating the sins of the Gentiles in this land [the ‘wickedness of these nations’ of today’s Scripture!]. When judgment can no longer be withheld, those Gentiles will be violently evicted and destroyed as Israel comes in to occupy their land.” Approximately four centuries after this conversation with Abraham, the LORD commissioned Moses to lead the nation Israel out from Egyptian slavery and into the Promised Land. Of course, Israel did not immediately settle the land under Moses because of their unbelief… and, so, another 40 years passed, which brings us up to Deuteronomy (today’s Scripture).

Moses wanted to make sure his people knew the nature of their entrance into Canaan. Like the Gentiles, the Israelites were equally sinners, but God had made promises to the Israelites out of His goodness….

Not Thy Righteousness, But Their Wickedness #3

Sunday, April 12, 2026

“Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 9:5 KJV).

May we have the proper perspective of wickedness versus righteousness….

Listening to certain “Christians” (?), you would think they deserved Heaven—and, even if you do not think it, they certainly believe so! Another way to describe their outlook is this: they suppose Heaven will undergo a major improvement once they get there! I call to mind how one such woman, nearly a century old (!), bragged about how she raised four small children as a single mother after her young husband died in an accident. She believed that that was sufficient to make God smile upon her and usher her into His presence. Rejecting the Gospel message I and others shared with her, she died less than five years later—just as smug in her “religious goodness” as ever. The likelihood that she is burning in Hell’s fires right now is astronomically high. If that is the case, she has no one to blame for her willfulness but herself.

In today’s Scripture, there is an assumption that human goodness merits favor with the God of the Bible. However, if you scan the context, assorted uncomplimentary bits will stand out in bold relief. Moses had spent many, many decades with millions of people who loved self… and the LORD moved him to deliver a series of farewell comments to advise them. This counsel included having a clear understanding of why they would settle the Promised Land under Joshua’s command. It was surely not because of their goodness! Observe this excerpt: “…[F]or thou art a stiffnecked [haughty/proud and stubborn] people. Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place [40 years later!!], ye have been rebellious against the LORD” (Deuteronomy 9:6,7).

Yea, these sinners had no righteousness….

The Bible’s Season of New Life

Monday, April 6, 2026

“God that made the world and all things therein… he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” (Acts 17:24,25 KJV).

May we never forget the true meaning of Eastertime!

Satan is the master counterfeiter: from Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal how the devil schemes to “be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). Whatever God does, Satan defiles that work by introducing false doctrine, distracts mankind from God’s truth by mimicking His actions, discourages God’s people from His ministry by using incorrect thinking patterns, and so on. Why? Satan wants the worship that God alone deserves (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8).

Consider Christmastime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping the birth of the sun god in early winter—near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) took upon human flesh in the virgin Mary’s womb! Now, consider Eastertime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping fertility deities and new life in early spring, near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) died for our sins and resurrected victoriously over sin, death, hell, and Satan to give us new life! (To Satan’s delight, today’s average church member is not mindful of relevant sound Bible doctrine during Christmastime and Eastertime—the devil’s distractions have never lost their efficacy!)

The God of the Bible instituted in Israel a festival, Passover (the killing of a spotless lamb and its bloodshed in early spring), while they were still in Egypt (Exodus chapter 12)—Passover’s annual observance reminded them of JEHOVAH delivering them from Egyptian slavery unto new life. Israel did not understand its meaning until 1,500 years later. The true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ, died and shed His sinless blood during that annual Passover feast (early spring), and He resurrected in new life to give them spiritual life and liberty.

Yes, the pagans may have “hijacked” this time of year for the devil’s glory, but we can disregard their ignorance: spring is God’s season for new life. We can still use this season to bring the God of the Bible glory by remembering that He has given us physical life (today’s Scripture), and He offers us new life (that is, spiritual life) through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection! 🙂

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

Zealously Affected #35

Friday, March 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 Mormonism, “burning in the bosom” is a sensation of peace and warmth regarded as confirmation that the Holy Spirit works and guides. This “burning” might simply be acid reflux, gas, or indigestion… not necessarily the Holy Spirit. Remember, every world religion has its “peace and warmth,” which means nothing if it is a system of lies!

Looking at the Bible, the final authority in all matters of faith and practice, we see it is more advantageous to have objective verses, not feelings, to verify the Holy Spirit’s influence: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:5-7). To “mind” the things of the Spirit is to exercise the renewed mind—entertaining thoughts that correspond to the Word of God rightly divided, and acting by faith according to these thoughts.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). “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. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:13-16).

Emotions are fickle. Take heed, lest you base your Christian life upon them!

-FINIS!-

Zealously Affected #34

Thursday, March 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….

An objection to ponder: “Are not emotions (fear) useful in fleeing danger?” Yet, is it emotions that benefit us most—or really emotions subjugated by logic? Fear tends to exaggerate reality, leading us to move away indefinitely. Mental processes restrain the distance we cover. For example, if emotions were in complete control, we might run from a burning building for an hour before stopping to look back to see if flames were still threatening!

Moreover, fear is not necessarily advantageous to the Christian. Spiritual bullies (false teachers) intimidated Timothy into silence when he should have been preaching the Word! “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;…” (2 Timothy 1:7,8). No Bible student can ever forget how Peter being terrified of potential persecution contributed to his thrice denial of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18,25-27). It was this very fear Paul was facing when he requested prayer to overcome it in Ephesians 6:18-20. Regardless of the satanic distress seeking to destroy him and his ministry, he wished to be a bold preacher of Christ under Roman house-arrest!

In this world, anger is frequently nothing more than people reacting irresponsibly when they do not get their way (cf. Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8). Scripture, however, speaks of righteous anger—being angry because sin devastates lives. This anger is not sinful, as there is logic and just cause for it (Matthew 5:22). “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26,27). “And when he [Jesus] had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness [callousness, apathy, unbelief] of their hearts,…” (Mark 3:5). More could be said, but that should suffice.

Let us (finally!) summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Zealously Affected #33

Wednesday, March 25, 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….

Dear friend, share dispensational Bible study with others. I have done it for nearly two decades now. Typical responses are silence, astonishment, or puzzled facial expressions. Others are franker, such as issuing aggressive outbursts of, “You remind me of a know-it-all!” or “Our denomination may be manmade, but you need to be in church here anyway!”

Long ago, I had a Christian relative scream in my face when he realized he was using a corrupt Bible version; his emotions had become uncontrollable, and no logic was present. Also in my early ministry, I was escorted out of one church building because I was sharing verses contradictory to the theological system promoted there. Four Bible teachers debated me outside the door, their arguments being more ignorance and sarcasm than substantial. Studying at college, I saw and heard a professor (an “educated” man) act and speak in a most thoughtless way. His emotions were dominant as he rattled (ranted) on and on about how he hated Christianity and Christians because of his terrible experiences with “church.” That tantrum is still quite vivid in my mind 19 years later.

We can give a hearty “Amen!” to the words of a stranger who said it best on an online forum I was scanning not too long ago: “Most are ignorant and just want to stay that way. [It] lets their hatred and emotions override logic and actual research efforts.” Here is an individual who is not fooled. Ignorance, especially deliberate ignorance, is excused because emotionalism is incapable of evaluating ideas, policies, or conduct. As long as we are comfortable suffering emotional revolt and emotional tyranny, we have neither a hope nor a prayer in the world of escaping the fantasy world of “feelings.”

How essential it is that we—without delay—turn from darkness to light, from blindness to sight, from wrong to right….

Zealously Affected #32

Tuesday, March 24, 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….

I have seen it in my own life, and I am certain you have experienced it too. A solitary emotional episode can ruin a well-thought-out plan. The result is utterly disastrous! Ruminate on this, dear friend. Father God devised the local church to be a place where His people fellowship around each other as they are filled with the life of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, but the flesh controlled the reckless Galatian assemblies of today’s Scripture! Adam alive and well in and through them, they were spiritual cannibals gobbling up each other in their selfishness, childishness, and pettiness! “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Galatians 5:15). If they were disposed to attack themselves, Paul doubtless expected they would easily consider him a rival too (Galatians 4:16)!

“You are not going to tell us who we can invite to speak at our Bible conference!” A group of professing “grace” Christians told me those words when I informed them of how their favorite teacher was false. By the way, this was the very assembly to which I had ministered for the prior five years. They wanted the lie, and, following God’s example, I decisively handed them over to it (Romans 1:24,26,28). That was their own fault, neither my fault nor God’s. Unfortunately, they not only lacked spiritual sense but also refused it, and would therefore threaten my own spiritual health if I did not get away from them. “Be not deceived: evil communications [friendships, companionships, associates] corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Since they were more emotional than they were scriptural and dispensational, I promptly cut off fellowship with them. Last I heard of them, they were further from the truth than ever… and their false teacher was still there, teaching worse doctrine.

If our doctrine is not that which demonstrates the life of Jesus Christ, we have no reason to assemble—no matter how good it “feels” or how emotionally attached we are to the teacher or pastor….

Zealously Affected #31

Monday, March 23, 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….

“I know my rights!” is proclaimed just before lawbreaking citizens fight with the police (and lose!). Did you notice the talking? Why, they were totally ignorant of perhaps their most valuable constitutional right—their right to remain silent! Listen to the interviews of family members and friends of convicted criminals. Regardless of how credible and overwhelming the evidence of guilt is, the reply is, “I know this person, and he/she could never and would never do that.” With discernment distorted because of emotional attachment, denial is situated at the forefront. Reason has no place in their appraisal of the matter. In fact, blame will be assigned to the victim and the criminal will be portrayed as an “unfairly targeted, upstanding citizen.”

Emotionalism leads to additional favoritism or preferential treatment. Someone in authority might refuse to investigate or prosecute a guilty party because he or she “feels sorry” for the suspect. Under the Law of Moses, neither the poor man nor the rich man was to have any advantage in court proceedings. “Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause…. Thou shalt not wrest [bend, pervert] the judgment of thy poor in his cause…. And thou shalt take no gift [bribe]: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous” (Exodus 23:3,6,8). The LORD demanded equal application of the Law to all people regardless of financial status. Such righteous decisions could stem only from logic instead of feelings.

Pacifism is man’s futile attempt to avoid war, for sin makes conflict inevitable (Romans 1:29-31; Galatians 5:15,20; James 4:1,2). Emotionalism puts down weapons and considers everyone a friend who is open to affable discussion and peaceful resolution. How naïve! Critical thinking, in contrast, keeps weapons near because this world is replete with individuals who would not hesitate to harm us and our families if given opportunity. What will the disarmed citizenry do when their government waxes so crooked it targets these the defenseless? How will “nonviolent” neighboring countries survive? Emotions have deceived again.

To repeat, feelings must be carefully managed….

Zealously Affected #30

Sunday, March 22, 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….

An emotional person announces, “We can best support poor people by taxing the rich and diverting that money to social programs!” However, a thinking individual proposes, “Find ways to reduce wasteful government spending first—and start by decreasing the salaries of the politicians who are mismanaging funds and more likely embezzling monies meant for social programs.” If wealthy business owners are taxed, they simply increase the prices their customers pay. When taxes become oppressive enough, the wealthy move elsewhere, so the region’s tax base shrinks. Who will pay for the poor now? It will definitely not be the politicians! Emotions aside, and critical thinking operating, this economics lesson is most profitable.

The death penalty has always been controversial. Supposedly, capital punishment is “cruel and unusual,” and therefore inappropriate; this too is emotionalism. Observe the renewed mind now. The Bible is absolutely clear that, any individual who takes a human life forfeits his or her own: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:6). Furthermore, this is not restricted to the Old Testament. If worthy of death, the Apostle Paul was willing to be executed (Acts 25:11). He even wrote about government retaining the right to “bear the sword” (behead offenders) in Romans 13:4. Does not the possibility of sentencing innocent people to death argue against capital punishment? This also is emotionalism. If potential mistakes are grounds for ruling out the death penalty, we would be forced to eliminate life imprisonment as well because many innocent individuals have sat in a jail for decades only to be proven not guilty and released! Moreover, how cruel and unusual for the guilty person spared the death penalty to be enabled to harass the victim’s family with years of appeals. Above all, you can be sure that, once the murderer is killed, there will be no chance of recidivism or financial burden to taxpayers.

Indeed, it helps to use the brain than the emotions….