Category: evil world system

Zealously Affected #19

Monday, March 9, 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….

Early in my ministry, I attended services at a local denominational church. In the Sunday School class for college students, I met a slightly-older young man who had a little girl. We briefly conversed every weekend at church for several months. Years later, after we had both left that assembly, we re-connected on social-media. I was now much more aware of the truth, so I began sharing my discoveries with him.

I cautioned him about modern English Bible translations. He told me our former pastor had already informed him of that controversy. Indeed, there was a difference between them and the King James Bible… BUT… he could never tell his now-teenage daughter to discard her corrupted modern version. It would “break her heart” and, thus, “break his heart.” She simply loved that book, and, though she was a minor, he would not be the adult/parent in her life. He lauded his favorite version, she adored her preferred version, and neither was a King James Bible. Dear friends, that father was emotional to the point of failing his poor emotional child so miserably!! Emotions deceive.

Billions in this world esteem their false doctrine, false religion, false worldview. Indeed, if we tell these non-Christians about the exclusivity and superiority of Christianity, it will offend them. Every belief system cannot be correct. How unloving we are to let them suffer in darkness without first offering them light. Yea, it will cause them great pain to realize they have been told spiritual lies, emotionally manipulated to support fiction and fantasy (“zealously affected, but not well”). We absolutely cannot avoid this. What we are to do is swallow our pride, admit our wrongdoing, and impart sound Bible doctrine to everyone… even people we ourselves once led astray. It is far more desirable for us to tell them the truth and for them to hate us for it, than for us to stay silent so they will love us for it.

Lies are destructive, and, regardless of emotions, we must expose them by teaching the truth….

Zealously Affected #18

Sunday, March 8, 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….

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38). The context is abuse of spiritual gifts, chapters 12–14. Despite all their supposed “Holy Ghost” experiences—including speaking in tongues—the Corinthians failed to conform to the Pauline standard of 1 Corinthians. Hence, the Apostle in his epistle (formal doctrinal letter) warned (“take heed,” watch out or be careful) about the hazard of building “wood, hay, stubble” (spiritual garbage) into the inner man (1 Corinthians 3:9-17).

Presently, our churches are rife with “supernatural experiences” akin to the heathenism, immaturity, emotionalism, and ignorance of Corinth. They would profit immensely if they received the reproof of Corinthians and started again with (foundational) Romans. Feel-good experiences are not enough; what matters most is the quality of the information offered or proclaimed. Indeed, the general public is gullible. Unfortunately, even the “Christian” general public seldom fares any better. There is a prevailing myth that, if something is “supernatural,” God must be responsible for it. Evidently, they do not believe Satan works in the spirit realm too. Only utter fools assume the Devil does not counterfeit God’s work: after all, he craves the credit and worship God alone deserves.

Matthew 7:21-23 relates to us how experiences, preaching, and other activities that feel good and seem godly can actually be just the opposite (satanic)! “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Thus, we repeat. Let us guard ourselves from domineering emotions….

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 #17

Saturday, March 7, 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 Matthew chapter 14 (not to be confused with chapter 8), the disciples are again crossing the tempestuous Sea of Galilee. Christ sent them away in a boat, promising to meet up with them later: “[22] And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. [23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. [24] But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

“[25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. [27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. [28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? [32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. [33] Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

Terror distracted them, to the point they were not expecting their Lord’s coming. Additionally, Peter became frightened when he took his eyes off Christ and saw his precarious circumstances, which unbelief caused him to start sinking. To repeat, emotions mislead us, drawing us away from faith….

Zealously Affected #16

Friday, March 6, 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….

To repeat, emotions respond to situations and circumstances, which makes emotions completely unreliable. Consider Matthew chapter 8: “[23] And when he [Jesus Christ] was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. [24] And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. [25] And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. [26] And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. [27] But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” This miracle of the calming of the storm is quite famous, and it also appears in Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25. Observe how the disciples were originally “fearful”—the dread of impending shipwreck, drowning, and death weighed heavily upon them. They were panicking!

May we not overlook a significant verse positioned earlier in the chapter: “Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side” (Matthew 8:18; cf. Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22). Christ had directed His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee with Him, to reach “the other side.” Faith is trusting God’s words to us, so the disciples should have understood and believed how they would make it safely to the opposite shore. Jesus Himself was on the boat with them, but their dire situation generated some emotions that led to their unbelief, so this prompted Him to address them as “O ye of little faith.”

On another occasion, but also on the stormy Sea of Galilee, the frightened disciples let their emotions rule them once more. Again, they were not mindful of their Adversary the Devil, so they returned to unbelief….

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….

Something in Which to Glory!

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

“As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:12-14 KJV).

In what shall we glory? About what shall we boast? In what shall we find value?

Religion produces people who enjoy bragging all about their “dedication to God.” “Look what I did—the ceremonies in which I have participated, the many prayers I faithfully recited daily, how much I put in the collection plate, see how many pleasures I gave up to please God! Come, see how much I love Him!” Dear friends, the Apostle Paul found great value in something—but that something was not what he did. All that human flesh can accomplish pales in comparison to the work in today’s Scripture.

As Lent begins, the time when religionists temporarily (a mere 40 days) relinquish some pleasant food or activity, let us remember that our performance is often non-performance. Once we place ourselves on that treadmill of “do, do, do,” we are guaranteed to fail at some point. Human flesh is simply too weak to maintain 100 percent—that is sin! Even concerning one rule, we cannot keep it perfectly. We mess up eventually.

If ever we believe that our puny works are worth bragging about, let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in today’s Scripture. While some boast in their religiosity (in the passage, the Judaizers applauding their rite of physical circumcision), and such denominationalists today urge us to obey their church’s instructions so they too may boast in our ability, let us eschew such foolishness. Being imperfect, all their works do not measure up to Christ’s finished crosswork. At Calvary, we find the only sacrifice that will ever please the God of the Bible. If we must boast, let us brag that He did what we could never, ever do!

See our archived Bible Q&A: “Should Christians observe Lent?”

God’s Grace on Parade

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

“…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20 KJV).

Today, especially here in southern Louisiana, the Catholic festival of Mardi Gras takes advantage of God’s grace. God’s grace abounds even when drunkenness, lasciviousness, and gluttony are committed overtly on our streets for religion. Because we live in the Dispensation of the Grace of God, they can flaunt their sin without being consumed by fire from heaven!

“Mardi Gras,” French for “Fat Tuesday,” is a day when religious people—professing “Christians”—lose self-control (excess alcohol, food, and partying). The following day, Ash Wednesday, they promise to live “holy” for the next 40 days (Lent). A priest will then place ashes on their foreheads proving that God forgave them for that riotous living. Blasphemy!

Regardless of all its biblical allusions (illusions!), Mardi Gras is still evil and anti-God. It was never Christian, originating from pagan Roman festivals, Saturnalia and Lupercalia (interestingly known for riots, drunkenness, gluttony, and fornication, and subsequent repentance).

The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Apostles Peter and Paul, was clearly against Mardi Gras reveling and drunkenness (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3). So why do professing Christians engage in the very activities that God the Holy Spirit condemned?! As Christians, we should “deny” the activities of Mardi Gras (Romans 6:11-15; Titus 2:11-15).

If I appear offended, I am. Mardi Gras, despite its godly façade, is offensive to the great God and my Saviour Jesus Christ! God’s grace continues to tolerate such foolishness from mankind. Man parades his sin, and God parades His grace, holding back wrath.

Are you a Mardi Gras reveler? I declare unto you the wonderful Gospel of the Grace of God. God did for you at Calvary what you could never do: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus Christ shed His sinless blood and died to put away all of your sins, Mardi Gras revelry included.

If you rest in Christ Jesus alone as your Saviour, God will save you forever, make a trophy of His grace, and then YOUR life will be God’s grace on parade!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see our archived Bible study Q&A, “Should Christians celebrate Mardi Gras?”

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #21

Sunday, January 25, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

Instead of resorting to the lame excuse, “This verse does not mean what it says,” we can simply leave it in its dispensational context. Just because we do not see a passage fulfilled today does not prove it to be false; it merely means the verses are not to or about us. We need to be scriptural and dispensational, especially keeping Law/Moses and Grace/Paul separate!

The Devil labors in religion because it is all about self—“I have done this, I have done that” (cf. Exodus 19:5,8). Church members seldom differentiate between this and Christianity, and such bragging demonstrates and reinforces those misunderstandings. “That no flesh should glory in his [God’s] presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31). If we boast, let us brag about what the Lord Jesus Christ is for us and what HE did for us!

Romans is the standard of grace/Christian living. We have total forgiveness of all sins in Christ by grace (Romans 4:6-9 cf. Colossians 2:13) and therefore have joy (Romans 5:11), but religion questions this. Guilt weighs us down, and we stumble over 1 John 1:9 and Israel’s Law system (cf. Galatians 4:15,21)! We hesitate to believe we have complete, permanent, unconditional fellowship with Father God through Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8,9). Forgetting our victory in Christ in Romans chapters 6 and 8, we suppose we must keep laws to make God happy with us! Under the Law, we do not have liberty to do right but bondage to keep doing wrong: self-pity and misery consume us! We believe we cannot help but sin, so sin conquers us just as it did poor, hopelessly defeated Paul in Romans 7:7-25! We wonder if God loves us, doubting He has actually made us accepted in His beloved Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:6). We are not only paupers in religion, but also prisoners….

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #20

Saturday, January 24, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

For many years now, an old adage has circulated amongst dispensational Bible students: “People spiritualize and tell spiritual lies because they do not have spiritual eyes.” One “spiritualizes” verses by thinking they cannot and should not be taken at face-value because they have some “spiritual/figurative/hidden” meaning. This is exactly how false teachers can contradict the Bible and avoid most (or all) suspicion coming from the trusting, vulnerable souls in the pews. They use manmade tradition to explain away whatever Bible verses conflict with their theological system. Minds and hearts are filled with utter nonsense instead of the living words of the living God! Something like this happened in Corinth and in Galatia.

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). The Isthmian Games were similar to the Olympics, and the Corinthians of southern Greece were familiar with both. Runners and boxers/wrestlers carefully trained with specialized diets and exercise plans, aiming for targets and finish lines. Likewise, Paul was “temperate” (practiced self-control), otherwise he would be a “castaway” (his Christian service rejected/unapproved in God’s sight). The Apostle encouraged the Corinthians to follow his example, for (as 1 Corinthians shows) they were thinking poorly and acting improperly.

Chapter 10 of 1 Corinthians itemizes how Christians even now can repeat ancient Israel’s sins by aligning with this present evil world (see verses 1-14). We have overcome sin in Christ, but Satan would have us believe otherwise to reduce us to spiritual “losership” on a daily basis….

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #19

Friday, January 23, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

Consider these warnings. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple [naïve, gullible]” (Romans 16:17,18). “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed [be careful, exercise caution] how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11).

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled [tricked] Eve through his subtilty [sneakiness, slyness], so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him…. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4,13-15).

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [corrupt, distort the meaning of], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15,16).

Beloved, let us beware of these false teachers, especially those who quote the Scriptures but do not “rightly divide” them….