but today this came to light, so I’m sharing, thinking I’d best share this with you before they are lost in the shuffle of life…
For years now, upon arising each morning and after my initial prayer of thanksgiving for one more day, this dailylightdevotional.org and My Utmost For His Highest, are absolutely the first two written documents I read every morning to gain His perspective before anything else trivializes my mind. And I have encouraged many of my friends to consider, if they are serious about being a disciple of Jesus, to commit to a trial year of doing the same with dailylightdevotional.org before deciding it’s worthiness as being the focus of their daily first reading of scripture….
May I explain why I’m so enamored with dailylightdevotional.org?
First, it’s in KJV, for universality, though frequently I go to other versions for greater understanding, leading to reading multiple verses, if not entire chapters to gain clarity.
Second, it comes only with an AM & PM designation with no other words to skew my thinking toward a particular vein of thinking. Whatever may surface will either be my intuition, or perhaps better, the prompting of the Spirit. As far as I’ve yet discerned, the pervading thought formed from the scriptures in the morning and evening portions, are not related, being distinctively different.
Thirdly, and this point is so key for me, for even though I attempt to meaningfully blog as compelled by His leading, I so appreciate dailylightdevotional.org because it is only scripture, and nothing else. In our media crazed culture with skads of available good blogs and podcasts to choose from, I am detecting it is becoming rare for many Christians to ever choose to read or hear scripture without getting a preponderance of someone’s else’s “supporting evidence.” Personally, I thrive and perform best when I’m forced to connect His dots myself; not that I don’t enjoy and value the insights from the internet for variety, etc.
From Ch. Three: Every Moment Matters from the book, Pg. 55 How Full Is Your Bucket?
Positive Psychology experts are finding that the frequency of small, positive acts is critical. John Gottman’s pioneering research on marriages suggests that there is a “magic ratio” of 5 to 1 – in terms of our balance of positive to negative interactions. Gottman found that marriages are significantly more likely to succeed when the couple’s interactions are near that 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative. When the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages “cascade to divorce.”
In a fascinating study, Gottmann teamed up with two mathematicians to test this model. Starting in 1992, they recruited 700 couples who had just received their marriage licenses. For each couple, the researchers videotaped a 15-minute conversation between husband and wife and counted the number of positive and negative interactions. Then based on the 5 to 1 ratio, they predicted whether each couple would stay together or divorce.
Ten years later, Gottman and his colleagues followed up with each couple to determine the accuracy of their original predictions. The results were stunning. They had predicted divorce with 94 % accuracy – based on scoring the couple’s interactions for 15 minutes.
This ratio is critical in the workplace as well. A recent study found that work groups with a positive to negative interaction ratios greater than 3 to 1 are significantly more productive than teams that do not reach this ratio. Frederickson and Losada’s mathematical modeling of positive to negative ratios, however, also suggests the existence of an upper limit: Things can worsen if the ratio goes higher than 13 to 1.
So, while this book focuses primarily on ways to increase positive emotions, it is important to note that we don’t recommend ignoring negativity and weaknesses positively; must be grounded in reality. A “Pollyanna” approach in which the negativity is completely ignored, can result in a false optimism that is counterproductive – and sometimes downright annoying. There are times when it is absolutely necessary to correct our mistakes and figure out how to manage our weaknesses.
But most of us don’t have to worry about breaking the upper limit. The positive-to- negative ratios in most organizations are woefully inadequate and leave substantial room for improvement.
NEXT UP: Five Strategies for Increasing Positive Emotions. The first covered will be Prevent Bucket Dipping.
Since it is my daily routine to read from Oswald Chamber’s “My Utmost for His Highest”, this time from Nov 19th., Wednesday morning prior to working on this post, for some reason the Spirit connected Laura’s account, my earlier years of spiritual wandering, and the word conviction into this blog post. Take note, Utmost was even anchored with the verse, “When He has come, He will convict the world of sin…” John 16:8
Therefore, since yesterday’s post included the account of Laura’s emotional downward spiral during her class presentation, solely from the actions of her peers, I realized that for me, and I’m thinking the same is true for many of us, that such emotional painful spirals are frequently caused by our own inward moral or addictive behavioral indiscretions, rather than from other persons thoughtless or inconsiderate actions. And I found Oswald’s word’s especially pertinent teaching for us how to gain, or regain, our vibrant spiritual perspective. Thus, I’ll share them with you. Please read each line slowly, deliberately, & thoughtfully, before proceeding on.
FYI, no where in this How Full Is Your Bucket book, do I find Jesus mentioned or endorsed. Sometimes I think that was a deliberate omission, for if Jesus were mentioned, it may have greatly reduce the book appearing in the hands & on the shelves of those who need it most. We must trust the Spirit to call people to repentance, however, wherever He chooses. Who knows? You & I may be the only representation of the Bible & Jesus some folks may ever see or hear! An awesome responsibility indeed! Therefore, I’m utilizing Chambers words once more here & now to trumpet His clarion call for our appreciation for conviction today, and ultimately, for our discipleship tomorrow, while treading on the turf of a secular book on a blog aimed largely at a culturally Christian audience whose faith and doctrinal realities are also without blemish!
UTMOST WISDOM: Nov 19
Very few of us know anything about conviction of sin.
We know the experience of being disturbed because we have done wrong things.
But conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit blots out every relationship on earth and makes us aware of only one – “Against You, You only, have I sinned... (Psalm 51:4)
When a person is convicted of sin in this way, he knows with every bit of his conscience that God does forgive,
but it cost the breaking of God’s heart with grief in the death of Christ to enable to do so.
The great miracle of the grace of God is that He forgives sin,
and it is the death of Jesus Christ alone,
that enables the divine nature to forgive and to remain true to itself in doing so.
It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love.
Once we have been convicted of sin, we will never say this again.
The love of God means Calvary— nothing less!
The love of God is spelled out on the Cross and nowhere else!
The only basis for which God can forgive me is the Cross of Christ.
It is there that His conscience is satisfied.
Forgiveness doesn’t merely mean that I am saved from hell and have been made ready for heaven.
Forgiveness means that I am forgiven into a newly created relationship which identifies me with God in Christ.
The miracle of redemption is that God turns me, the unholy one, into the standard of Himself, the Holy One.
He does this by putting into me a new nature, the nature of Jesus Christ. Justification!
(merlin again. I suggest you make a mental note of this Nov 19 Utmost reading for future reference. As well as for the Nov 20 on Forgiveness! This all does remind me of the hymn, Hallelujah! What a Savior! by Phillip B Bliss 1875)
Man of Sorrows!” what a name For the Son of God, who came Ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we; Spotless Lamb of God was He; “Full atonement!” can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die; “It is finished!” was His cry; Now in Heav’n exalted high. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King, All His ransomed home to bring, Then anew His song we’ll sing: Hallelujah! What a Savior!
OK, back to the Bucket book. As a result of the Positive Psychology Movement – the study of “what is right” with people – some of the world’s leading academic minds are now devoting their careers to analyzing the effects of positive emotions. At the risk of greatly oversimplifying a decade of in-depth research, many of the world’s most noted scientists have put negativity on trial and have founded it guilty!
These recent studies show that negative emotions can be harmful to your health and it might even shorten your lifespan. (I’ve heard that most of my life, but now it is “science.”) We already know that one negative person can ruin an entire workplace but negative emotions can also destroy relationships families and entire careers.
In contrast, recent discoveries suggests that positive emotions are an essential daily requirement for survival. Not only do they improve your physical and mental health, but they can also provide a buffer against depression and illness.
>Thousands of Moments Every Day
According to Noble Peace Prize scientist Daniel Kahneman, we experience approximately 20,000 individual moments in a waking day. Each “moment” lasts a few seconds. If you consider any strong memory positive or negative – you’ll notice that the imagery in your mind is actually defined by your recollection of a precise point in time. And rarely does a neutral encounter stay in your mind – the memorial moments are almost always positive or negative! And in some cases, a single encounter can change your life forever.
In a recent Today segment Katie Couric interviewed a young man named Brian Bennett who had grown up in a troubled and abusive environment. He had struggled in school and been picked on regularly at a young age. Now Brian is a successful and well-adjusted adult. When Couric asked him, “What made the difference?” the young man responded without thinking twice: The defining moment in his life occurred when a grade school teacher simply told him that she cared about him and believed in him. This one small interaction turned Brian Bennett’s life around.
In another case, we asked Kristin, the management consultant, “What is the greatest recognition you’ve ever received?” Her answer: “Three words in an email.” We then found out when Kristin’s mother passed away, a mentor at work whom Kristin had admired throughout her career wrote her a special note. Her mentor’s e-mail concluded by saying, “Your mother was very proud of you, and so am I.” After 25 years with her company, three simple words carried more meaning than any other recognition Kristin had received in her entire life.
NEXT UP: John Gottman’s pioneering research on marriages. This research will change your life, married or not!
From Pg. 35 from How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work & Life
(merlin here: “To bring these numbers to life and purpose to this book’s obsession with “buckets” , here’s an example of the effect that just a small dose of negativity had on one employee. Does Laura’s story sound familiar to you? Believe me, Laura’s case is mild, compared to the ones I’ve inflicted on myself & others, over my years.”)
“There I was, standing at the front of the room, ready to get into the best part of my presentation. I stayed up late the last two nights preparing. I had a great deal of knowledge and passion on this topic and wanted everything to be perfect. And I really hoped to impress my boss and colleagues. Everything was going well as I flipped through the first few slides. Then a sudden technological glitch gave everyone a chance to start talking for a few minutes.
I overheard Mike whispering to Beth that it looked like I had been out late last night. I wanted to jump across the table and strangle him. Did I really look that bad? I tried to remain composed but I was shaken.
When my presentation was back up, it was time to get everyone focused again and proceed. As I tried desperately to regain everyone’s attention my insecurities grew. Were my first few points so boring that they were dreading the next part, or did I look so bad that it was undermining my credibility?
Finally, my boss realized that I was about to have a breakdown and refocused everyone’s attention. Unfortunately, he did it by saying, “Laura does not look very happy with us; maybe we should pay attention now!” Ouch! Sometimes I can’t believe the things people say out loud. Every ounce of confidence I had mustered to give this presentation was wiped out. Things really went downhill after that.
We all have experienced situations when it seems nothing will go right no matter what we’ve done, or now, in the moment, we say or do! Maybe you feel like everyone is out to get you, and you even start to fixate on negative things about yourself. Spiraling downward isn’t hard to do when your bucket is being emptied.
Not only do you feel down, but you are less productive because of it, and you bring others down with you by reactively dipping from their buckets. When you interact with people on such days, they quickly sense and are affected by the negativity you radiate. It’s not easy to hide – in fact, it’s highly contagious.
BOTTOM LINE:
It is possible for just one or two people to poison an entire workplace. And managers who have tried moving negative people to other departments to alleviate the problem know that “location, location, location,” doesn’t apply to these people; they bring their negativity along with them wherever they go. We’ve witnessed negative employees or members tearing through a workplace or a congregation like a hurricane racing through a coastal town, and that’s only addressing the externally “other-caused bucket-spiraling!”
To be fair in identifying such potential carnage, we need to be aware of our own personal propensity to hide our “conscience-laundering” when we’re confronted & condemned by the Holy Spirit’s overwhelming conviction for our sinful choices, be they moral or addictive.
NEXT UP: Ch. Three: And yes, in these matters of reconciliation, every moment does matter!
Yes, bucket-filling is an extraordinary powerful leadership strategy.
Of course, there is a flip side. There always is!
Right now, the majority of us don’t give or receive (I’m only concerned with giving praise & encouragement now) anywhere near the amount of praise that we should. As a result, we’re much less productive and in many cases, completely disengaged in our jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number-one reason people leave their jobs is because they “do not feel appreciated.”
But the problem doesn’t stop there. There’s more.
One study of health care workers found that when employees were working for a boss they disliked, they had significantly higher blood pressure. According to the British scientist George Fieldman, this boss-induced hypertension could increase the risk of coronary heart disease by 17% and the risks of stroke by 33%.
“There was both a statistical and clinically significant elevation during the time people had the boss they didn’t like,” says Fieldman, a psychologist and psychotherapist. “People who work with bosses they really hated constantly for years would probably be quite vulnerable to heart disease because of the elevation of blood pressure in the long-term.”
Where productivity is concerned it would be better for organizations if people who are overtly negative stayed home. When they do show up for work, they are counterproductive. We all know these types of people. They walk around the office or job site with glazed looks or move from cubicle to cubicle stirring up trouble with whining, complaining, and even paranoia. Sound familiar?
Our estimates suggest that there are more than 22 million workers – in the U.S. alone – who are extremely negative or “actively disengaged,” and this data was a decade prior covid. Imagine now!
This rampant negativity is not only disheartening, it’s expensive. It cost the U.S. economy between $250 and $300 billion every year in lost productivity alone. When you add workplace injury, illness, turnover, absences, and fraud, the cost could surpass $1 trillion per year, or nearly 10% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). These costs are not specific to the United States; they exist to varying degrees in every country, industry, and organization we have studied.
And our figures are conservative. To estimate costs accurately, we only accounted for the direct impact that “actively disengaged” employees have at work. We quantified the productivity – or the lack thereof – occurring in each person’s own workspace. In analyzing the data, we had to assume that disengaged employees simply sat in his or her cubicle and didn’t wreak havoc elsewhere – an unlikely assumption, of course. Most disengaged employees do plenty of things each day that bring others down with their own sinking ship.
NEXT UP: You ever personally caught yourself in a downward spiral of anger, or an addiction, and there was absolutely nothing you could do to stop the free-fall?
From Ch. Two of How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work & Life
Most of us will never endure the kind of psychological torture that the American prisoner of war suffered during the Korean War. Yet we all experience positive and negative interactions every day that influence how we feel and behave. Just because these interactions are commonplace and often undramatic doesn’t mean that they do not matter. They do. While most of our negative experiences will not kill us, they can slowly but surely erode our well-being and productivity. Fortunately, positive experiences or “bucket filling” can even be more powerful.
Bucket Filling in Organizations
Although bucket filling goes far beyond the concepts of “recognition” and “praise,” these are two critical components for creating positive emotions in organizations. In fact, we surveyed more than 4 million employees worldwide on this topic. Our latest analysis which includes more than 10,000 business units and more than 30 industries, has found that individuals who receive regular recognition and praise:
increase their individual productivity
increase engagement among their colleagues
are more likely to stay with their organization
receive higher loyalty and satisfaction scores from customers
have better safety records and fewer accidents on the job
To put this into perspective, think about the greatest recognition you have ever received in the workplace. Chances are, it caused you to feel better about your organization and, in turn, become more productive. Great recognition and praise can immediately transform a workplace. And just one person can infuse positive emotions into an entire group by filling buckets more frequently. Studies show that organizational leaders who share positive emotions have work groups with a more positive mood enhanced job satisfaction, greater engagement, and improved group performance.
One CEO we know, Ken, claims that the bucket filling is his “secret weapon” as a leader. He has developed very targeted ways to increase positive emotions in the large organization that he runs. In Ken’s frequent travels around the globe, he always stops by his company’s local offices. And he doesn’t visit to “spy” on his employees or just to meet with upper management. Instead, his primary intent is to energize the people in each workplace.
Before arriving, Ken recalls successes and achievements he has heard over the past few months involving people in that office. As soon as he arrives, Ken casually visits with these individuals and congratulates them. He may offer kudos to an employee who recently got married or had a child or praise someone who gave a great presentation. His favorite line is: “I’ve been hearing a lot of good talk behind your back.”
The most enjoyable part of spreading positivity for Ken is to “watch the energy move through the network” once he sets it in motion. He realized that he could light up an entire workplace with a few brief – but very energizing – conversations.
“I discovered that bucket filling is an extraordinarily powerful leadership strategy,” Ken says. As a result of this approach, thousands looked to him for motivation and guidance.
After 630 posts, I trashed my first one, since I experienced a change of heart. I’ll likely be back tomorrow. Sorry about any inconvenience it may have caused you in your repeated attempts to connect. Blessings Going Forward>>>>>>> merlin
Forget the devil’s “Black Friday!” Dwell Rather on the Facts of This “Holy Night” and the Resurrection Sunday Following “Good Friday” Ending Forever Our Enslavement to Sin!
The real question is: How can you tell the difference between God’s voice and your own inner voice? Is there a trustworthy, biblical, and mature way to discern that? The answer is, yes, there is. And it doesn’t involve mystical tricks or feeling peace in your heart at all costs. In this video you’re going to learn four practical and scripture-based tests to discern when God is truly speaking and when it’s just anxiety dressed up as revelation.
merlin: Again, as prior, if technology works, you may either read the script, or scroll down for the YouTube version at the bottom. Your choice. As always, your comments are appreciated, and everything posted, is first & foremost, to myself, so don’t cob an attitude as time is short and THE night is coming!
Test ONE, confirm it with the Bible.
The psalmist says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” in this passage, the author of Psalm 100:19 acknowledges that just like a lamp-lights up someone’s path in the darkness, scripture lights up our decisions and directs our daily walk. We must always remember that the Bible is the ultimate filter for discerning the voice of God. If an idea, plan, or dream, doesn’t pass the test of Scripture, it must be discarded without hesitation. God is not inconsistent, nor does He contradict what He has already clearly revealed in His word. Many Christians get confused mistaking emotion or personal desire for God’s voice.
The first Test is so simple. If it goes against the Bible, it’s not from God. He will never encourage attitudes that violate his principles.
1.) He is not going to whisper to you to take revenge on someone because “vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord.”
2.) He’s not going to authorize you to isolate yourself from the fellowship of the church, since we’re “not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
3.) He is also not going to plant the idea in your heart that you are spiritually superior, because “let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.” In short, if the idea that came to you confirms what the Bible already teaches, if it echoes the principles of Christ, if it reflects the character of Jesus, love, truth, humility, justice, then you can seriously consider that it may be God’s voice indeed.
TEST TWO, don’t trust your own heart.
Wise Solomon gave a serious warning. There is a way which seems right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death. In this verse, the King draws attention to the weakness of human discernment. He knew, maybe from experience, that trusting only in appearances or emotions, can lead to disastrous choices. In other words, what looks good to us, isn’t always God’s will. How many times have we heard someone say, “But I felt peace in my heart, so it must be from God.” The problem with that idea, is that the Bible, also states “the heart Is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? The heart can manufacture a false peace, just to legitimize what we already wanted. Desires, emotional needs, and even fears, can disguise bad choices under a spiritual façade.
That’s why we can’t put our trust solely in feeling peace in the heart, but rather in what is written in the Word. And here comes another fundamental biblical principle. When God’s will is revealed, He changes our heart. The Apostle Paul is living proof of that. He used to boast about being a Pharisee and a persecutor of the Church. But on the road to Damascus, Christ radically changed his heart. That’s why he later declared, “But what things were gained to me, those I counted lost for Christ.” That’s how God works. He aligns the human heart with his good, perfect, and acceptable will. And I know, I might have just made this test seem more complex, because on the one hand, we’re not supposed to trust our hearts, but on the other hand, we see in the Bible that when a thought comes from God, He transforms our will and makes us feel peace in our heart as well.
But here’s the key distinction; the peace that comes from God, never stands alone; it always aligns with what’s already revealed in Scripture. Think about this example for a young person marrying someone who doesn’t share the same faith. It might seem romantic, the emotions might even create some false peace in the heart, but if Scripture is clear in saying be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, then it’s not God leading that decision, because God’s Will is never going to contradict God’s word. Just like we saw in Test One, now let’s be clear this doesn’t mean that God’s will is going to lead that young person into an unhappy life or into marrying someone they’re not attracted to. On the contrary, the person God has for them will not be someone they can’t admire or feel drawn to; it’ll be someone who brings joy and confirms in the heart what the Bible already guarantees. God’s will is always good. In other words, that peace in the heart won’t just be a feeling, but rather, the true peace that’s in full harmony with the Word of God.
TEST Three: Wait for God’s timing.
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” This verse from Habakkuk 2:3 is born in the midst of a crisis. The prophet was distressed at seeing wickedness growing in Judah and even more troubled when God revealed he would use the Babylonians, a violent and cruel people to discipline Israel. His mind was filled with questions. How can a just God allow this? It’s in this context that God responds assuring him that nothing is out of His control, even if it seems delayed. God’s justice and judgment arrive at the right time. The message is clear. God’s clock never fails. He is never late. He always acts at the exact moment. The anguish that the prophet Habakkuk felt upon receiving this promise is the same anguish we often feel today because our lives are so limited. We tend to rush things but when we look at various biblical examples, we see that God’s way of acting is completely different from ours. Joseph was enslaved and imprisoned for years in Egypt. Abraham reached old age without children and Moses was called only at 80 years old. All of these examples show that unlike us, God is never in a hurry. He always acts in His time, the right time, and He still works that way today.
Keep this in mind. Impulsiveness is rarely a sign of divine direction. God doesn’t operate at the pace of human anxiety but in the perfect rhythm of His purpose. That’s why when a voice pushes you to make a decision hastily, in fear or desperation, it’s time to be suspicious. God’s voice may challenge & confront you, it may take you out of your comfort zone, but it doesn’t rush you. It doesn’t shove you into rush decisions.
On the contrary, it matures within you, confirms itself over time, withstands fleeting emotions, and doesn’t fade when the excitement wears off. That’s why many people declare decisions one day; moving to a new city, changing careers, even getting married, and regret it the next day. Why? Because they mistook inner noise for the voice of the Spirit. Emotions erupt and then dissipate, but the word of God remains, grows, and strengthens within you.
So, here’s the test. If the voice you think you heard, remains firm after weeks or months, if it survives mood swings, and trends of the moment, there’s a strong chance it’s from God because if it’s from Him, it doesn’t fade, it remains, it matures, and in the right time, it is confirmed. In short God’s voice is not a spark, it’s a flame that endures.
Test 4 seek confirmation from other believers
Proverbs 11:14 states, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Solomon presents here a practical life principle in that since we face complex decisions that will vastly change the course of a person’s story-line or bottom line, it is imperative we gather counsel from people who fear God, reflecting God’s own will, by calling us to live in His community of brotherhood, and not in isolation. This means that if you believe God told you something like changing jobs, moving to another city, or starting a business, but you have no spiritually mature Christians, no spiritual leaders, no prayerful believers around you, who are sensing the same direction or testify something similar, be careful. It might just be your inner voice disguised as revelation.
The true voice of God can be recognized by other sheep, not because everyone will immediately agree with you, but because what the Lord speaks to you will echo in the hearts of others who also have the Holy Spirit. God loves the body of Christ and uses advice from leaders, brothers and sisters in the faith, sermons, even circumstances to confirm what He’s already begun speaking in secret. In other words, if it’s from God, it doesn’t stay locked in your thoughts. He himself opens doors, confirms it through mature people, and provides clear signs that you’re not walking alone.
So, how do you tell the difference between God’s voice and your own inner voice at the end of the day? Hearing God’s voice isn’t about goosebumps, emotion, or spiritual catchphrases.
It’s about testing test it with the Bible because God will never contradict Himself.
Test it with your heart because it’s easily deceived and manufacturers false peace.
Test it with time because what comes from God matures. It doesn’t fade.
Test it within your community faith because the voice of the Lord also echoes through His people.
BOTTOM LINE:
If it passes these four filters you can be sure,it’s not just internal noise; it’s divine direction. God’s voice doesn’t confuse, rush, or manipulate. It guides, transforms, and confirms.
NEXT UP:
5 Easy Steps to Creating Your Art WITH God…. My definition of what constitutes art is boat loads wider than merely paintings, sculptures, music, photography, composition, etc. I see parenting, gardening, animal husbandry, crop farming, welding, carpentry, computer programing, pastors, nursing, physical therapy, teaching…. ALL as being outlets for our divine creativity to be on display, especially as we intersect with our brother & sisters socially, mentally, physically, spiritually in such areas as our dreams, aspirations, quirks, perceptions, foundational truths, emotions, preferences, etc., while we are on the journey of life. God’s artistry has no confines, no boundaries, nor do we in our daily expression of being His ambassadors for His Light & Love. His opportunities abound anew every morning. Praise His Name! Enter His Courts & your earthly studios with praise & thanksgiving!
Did someone say they were bored? Impossible, if you’ve encountered our risen Lord!!
merlin again. Sorry folks, my day didn’t go as planned and 5 Steps to creating our art with God, will be later. This 10 Myths was in the pantry waiting for its opportunity to debut. Read or Listen to the YouTube. Your choice.
You probably heard the phrase, “it’s in the Bible,” but when you go look for it, it’s nowhere to be found. That’s because over time a lot of ideas have slipped into Christian vocabulary as if they were sacred truths, but they’re just human traditions, misinterpretations, or straight up inventions. So, get ready because in this video, we’re going to bust some of the most famous myths, that Christians believe, but that simply are not in the Bible.
Myth Number One: When you die, you become an angel. This one’s a funeral classic. Now, he’s an angel in heaven watching over us. Sounds sweet, right? But it’s not biblical. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that humans become angels after death. Angels are a totally different category of being created by God. They’re not ex-humans who got promoted for good behavior. They were created that way from the beginning. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?”
In other words, it’s a completely different mode of existence. Now, to be fair, this myth isn’t totally without any biblical connection. The confusion often comes from Matthew 22:30 where Jesus says that in the resurrection they are as the angels of God in heaven. But, pay attention. Jesus didn’t say we become angels. He said we will be like the angels in one specific way; “they neither marry nor are given in marriage.” He was talking about how human relationships will change in the afterlife, including marriage, but that doesn’t mean human identity is transformed into angelic. In fact, God’s plan for humanity is greater than for angels. Paul writes in I Corinthians 6:3, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels.” So, think about it. Would becoming an angel be a promotion? No, it would be a demotion. God has prepared something far more glorious for us, a resurrected, incorruptible body, and a high position with Christ.
Myth #2: Noah took only one pair of each animal onto the Ark.
This one is straight out of every children books, and nursery mural; that cute little boat, giraffes on one side, elephants on the other. One couple of each animal species watching the sunset. Adorable? Yes. Biblical? Only partially! The truth is, Noah took two of every unclean animal, but 7 pairs of the clean ones. Yep, 7. It’s written clearly in Genesis 7:2, “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female and a beast that are not clean, by two, the male and his female. So why do people get this wrong? Because most only remember Genesis 6:19, “And of every living thing of all flesh two of every sort, shalt thou bring into the ark to keep them alive with thee. They shall be male and female. That verse gives a general instruction and that’s the one people quote in simplified summaries, but in the very next chapter, God gives a more specific command for clean animals and most folks just don’t notice that and why bring so many more clean animals? Because they‘d later be used for sacrifices and perhaps even for food. God was already preparing everything in advance as He always does.
Myth #3 Mary Magdalene was a prostitute
Here’s another myth that has misled people for centuries and there’s not a single verse that says this. Seriously, go look it up. Mary Magdalene was never called a prostitute in the Bible. That idea was spread by pop culture, and even by some church leaders, like Pope Gregory I, in the 6th century. What the Bible actually says, is that Jesus cast out seven demons from her which does show she had a troubled past. But that doesn’t automatically mean prostitution. The truth is Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus most faithful followers. She was there at the crucifixion when many disciples had fled, and she was the first to see Jesus resurrected. That’s a big deal, so let’s honor her story the way the Bible does without adding labels God never gave.
MYTH #4: Money is the root of all evil.
This is one of those things people are sure is in the Bible, but it’s not, and it’s not just a misinterpretation, it’s a misquote. What the Bible actually says in First Timothy 6:10, is “for the love of money, is the root of all evil. That small phrase, “for the love of,” money makes all the difference! In other words, money itself isn’t the problem. It’s the uncontrolled love of it, the obsession, the greed, the idolatry. Money is just a tool that can be used for good or evil, depending on the heart of the person who holds it. There are people with little who are extremely greedy, and people with much, who are generous, and used by God to bless others. What the Bible condemns is the craving to be rich at any cost! That spirit of covetousness that makes someone sell their soul for status, power, and comfort. Paul continues in that same verse, “which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” So, no God doesn’t hate money. He hates seeing money take his place in your heart. The problem isn’t a full wallet, it’s an empty soul.
MYTH # 5 is when something bad happened, it’s because you didn’t pray enough!
This one, sounds super spiritual but it’s actually terrible theology. It’s the idea that bad things only happen when you don’t pray enough. It basically turns God into some kind of divine customer service manager. You pray & He fixes things. You don’t pray & He sends you problems! That’s not Christianity, that’s superstition! Jesus prayed constantly and He was betrayed, arrested, beaten, and crucified. Paul was a powerful man of prayer and he was persecuted, imprisoned, stoned, and went hungry. Stephen prayed and he was stoned to death. So clearly, prayer is not a force field that blocks all suffering; it’s a connection to God in the midst of suffering. Yes, the Bible says to pray without ceasing, but it never promises prayer will shield you from all problems. In fact, Jesus said in the world you shall have tribulation, but he also said “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So, let’s drop this cruel myth that makes people feel guilty for tragedies or pain. Sometimes people did pray and the cancer still came, the accident still happened, the job was still lost. It wasn’t a lack of prayer. It was a tragedy in a fallen world.
MYTH #6: Jesus never judged anyone.
This is your classic social media verse, minus the context. More and more people love quoting “judge not that you be not judged,” as if Jesus were some kind of chill hippie guru, who only dropped good vibes and motivational quotes, but that’s wrong. Jesus did judge and he judged hard!
Let’s get to the facts. Remember the Pharisees? Jesus called them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, children of hell, brood of Vipers. All of that is in Matthew 23 and it honestly reads like a divine exposed thread. And what about the adulterous woman in John 8? Yes, Jesus did forgive her, but he also said, “Go, and sin no more.” He called sin what it is, SIN! He didn’t minimize the weight of her actions. He offered grace and truth, and more than that, John 5:22 is crystal clear, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” In other words, Jesus is the judge, but He’s a judge, who is just, merciful, and full of grace. The problem isn’t Jesus’ judgment, the problem is human judgment; hypocritical, harsh, unloving, and trying to take God’s place. That’s why Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. So, let’s stop with this attitude of Jesus never judged anyone, as an excuse to stay in sin, and reject correction, because Jesus forgave, but He also confronted, he welcomed, but He also exhorted; He didn’t come to leave us just the way we are; He came to transform us and that includes correcting, disciplining, and yes, judging! Jesus is not some cosmic hippie giving out good vibes and ignoring sin. He is the King, the righteous one, the Lamb, and the judge.
MYTH # 7: God will never give you more than you can handle. This phrase sounds biblical, right? It even has a comforting tone, but that’s not what the Bible says. The verse usually used to back up this claim is I Corinthians 10:13, which talks about temptation and says, “But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” Notice carefully the text is about temptation, not suffering, not burdens, not tragedy. It’s not about the heavyweight of life. It’s about the ability to resist sin with God’s help. Now, when it comes to burdens, too heavy to carry, let’s look at the Bible. Moses said “I am not able to bear all this people alone.” David wrote, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head, as a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.” Paul said, “We would not brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above strength in so much that we despaired even of life.”
So what does this mean? It means that yes, God does allow things that are beyond our strength, but precisely so we’ll stop trusting in ourselves and run to Him. God never promised that you’ll be able to handle everything on your own. What He did promise, is that he’ll be with you, when you can’t. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” So, let’s drop this motivational sounding theology disguised as a Bible verse. God doesn’t want you to be strong all the time. He wants you to depend on Him. It’s in weakness that his power is made perfect.
MYTH #8: Where two or three are gathered God is there. This one feels like a war cry for mid-week services with four people in the room, and yes, God is always present with his people but this verse has been ripped out of context so badly, it hurts. The truth in Matthew 18:20 is not about small church services or prayer meetings with low attendance. The context is something much more serious. Jesus was teaching about church discipline, what to do when someone sins and refuses to repent. First you go and speak with the person, one on one. If they won’t listen, that’s when #2 or #3 come in as witnesses to the process. So, when Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, he’s not talking about a mini prayer meeting, he’s saying, “When you come together with justice and humility to deal with serious sin in the church, I am with you. It’s like a spiritual tribunal, but with Jesus in the middle, saying, “I approve of what you’re doing, because you’re following my teaching with love and truth. In other words, this verse doesn’t mean God only shows up when there are at least 2 people present, because if you’re alone, he’s still there. Jesus said, “Lo, I’m with you always, even when you’re praying alone in a dark room, He’s present.
MYTH # 9: Satan lives and reigns in hell.
This is a classic image from movies, comic books, and even some emotional sermons. Satan on a throne of fire, laughing with a trident in hand, ruling hell like the CEO of suffering, but that’s not true. That is not biblical, it’s a medieval invention. In reality, hell is not Satan’s headquarters. It’s his final destination. He doesn’t rule there, he’s going to be punished there. Jesus made that clear in Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” In other words, hell was prepared for him, not by him. He doesn’t want to go there and he has no authority there, so where is Satan right now? On earth! That’s right! He walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. He has access to the spiritual realm and actively influences people systems and cultures. That’s why Paul calls him the God of this world and the Prince of the Power of the Air, but the cross already sealed his fate. He’s condemned and his days are numbered. Revelation 20:10 reveals the end and the devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.
MYTH #10: The forbidden fruit was an apple.
This one even became the universal emoji for sin. Every time someone mentions Adam and Eve, the mental image appears, a juicy red apple, but where in the Bible does it say it was an apple? Short answer? Nowhere. Genesis 3:6 simply says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat.” What fruit mystery? It could have been a fig, a pomegranate, a date, a grape. The Bible doesn’t say.
So where did the apple idea come from? Blame the Latins in the Latin Vulgate translation. The word for apple is “malum” (long “a”) whereas the Latin word for evil, is also “malum,” though with a short “a.” Somebody thought that word play was theological and boom, the apple myth was born. Apple equals sin.
NEXT UP: Illustrated Theology: How To Differentiate Between Your Voice and God’s Voice
