Is God Unreasonable?

First, there was Eve. Then there was Isaac, then Joshua, and then an obscure prophet.

We might call it a scam. We try to guard against the clever hoax. Politicians spin the truth. Many marketers masterfully manipulate the eyes, and ears, and minds of potential buyers. They do so with digital photo deception, fine print, psychological trickery, crafty word play, and the absence of information. It is all called DECEPTION!

Deception may be the cruelest of lies. It is often compelling because the message seems believable; falsehood mixed with truth. Or, the lie is hidden because the messenger is believed to be trustworthy. Ultimately, however, deception is just a lie.

When God confronted Eve with her sin, she blamed the serpent, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Read about in Genesis 3.)

When Isaac was old and nearly blind, his son Jacob disguised himself as the firstborn son so that he could receive the coveted blessing from his father. Isaac was horrified when he realized the deception, yet he had already spoken. (Read about it in Genesis 27.)

People from the nearby city of Gibeon disguised themselves as foreigners from a faraway place when they visited Israel. Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived into making a covenant with the Gibeonites, and going against the Lord’s instruction. (Read about it in Joshua 9.)

A nameless prophet of God was instructed not to eat or drink in the place where he prophesied and not to return home by the same route. An old prophet intercepted him on his return trip and said that he had received new instruction from an angel. The old prophet was believed to be trustworthy. (Read about it in 1 Kings 13.)

Eve was deceived; Isaac was deceived; Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived; the nameless prophet was deceived. AND YET, each one was held accountable. These incidents stand as a bold reminder:

• Truth exists!
• Even if we are deceived, God still holds us accountable for our beliefs, our choices, and our actions.
• Being deceived is never an excuse for unbelief, for poor decisions, or for sin.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

—Ephesians 5:6 (ESV)

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality…will inherit the kingdom of God.

—1 Corinthians 6:9 (ESV)

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 

—1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 

—1 John 3:7 (ESV)

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh….

—2 John 7 (ESV)

Buy truth, and do not sell it!

—Proverbs 23:23 (ESV)

All of this overwhelmingly emphasizes that truth does exist. For that reason, God is not unreasonable when it comes to deception. He expects us to find the truth He revealed.

Pursue truth!

Mark Stinnett

April 23, 2023

Who Will You Call?

With such a robust language as English, we often mask our problems with synonyms. For example: “I’m not worried; I’m just a little anxious.” Or, “I’m not anxious; I’m concerned.”

We really do understand; changing terminology does not remove anxiety. Change the word to worry or concern, and the anxiety remains.

I wonder why many Christians like to dodge the word anxiety. Perhaps we do not want to admit our weakness choice.

Jesus taught: “No one can serve two masters.” Then He said, “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life….” Anxiety occurs when we put anything else above God.

Do you remember these teachings?

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

—1 Peter 5:6–7 (NASB95)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanks-giving let your requests be made known to God. 

—Philippians 4:6 (NASB95)

It is easy to read these passages and think, “I am not supposed to have anxiety. Worry is a bad thing.” Then we either change the word and ignore our anxiety, or we feel guilt because the anxiety is real. So, let’s deal with reality.

Life is full of uncertainty, which causes anxiety.

At the heart of anxiety is fear of the unknown. How will I survive in life? Will I have enough money to do this or that? What if I make a bad decision? How will I deal with the long-term effects of my injury? The question is not whether we will experience uncertainties, rather, what will we do when uncertainties arise?

When the washing machine fails, we turn to a repairman. Storm damage, turn to an insurance agent. Injury, turn to a physician. But if we do not know where to turn, then what...??

I don’t have a deep understanding of the insurance industry or the medical field. Yet, I trust professionals to tell me what to do. When I turn to God for life’s uncertainties, it is no different. I may not understand God, but I can trust that He has already told me what to do. (Scripture.)

When King David was pursued by his enemies he wrote that he “lay down and slept.” He had no worry. Then he revealed his secret. “I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.” (Psalms 3:5) What was his great uncertainty? He did not know whether he would live through the night, and he could do nothing about it. He was able to sleep because he had placed his concern for his life into God’s hands. When he awoke, he knew that God had sustained him. Since he could not control the forces against him while he slept, he trusted God for that.

When uncertainties arise, what do we do?

• Address the things you can control, and...
• Turn to God. Quit looking at possessions.
• Humble yourself. Pride is self-centered. Humility is God-centered. You must stop dwelling on yourself and things that you cannot control. Lower yourself in subjection to God.
• Pray. Prayer is your avenue of communication to God. He is available 24/7/365. He listens to your concerns (worries and anxieties). He cares. So, He acts.

Put your life in the hands of the One who created life. You may not know the outcome until morning comes. So...just wait. And if you wake up in Paradise...no worries there.

Mark Stinnett

April 16, 2021

Sleep In Peace

She turned him down and he was upset. No, he was more than upset; he was beside himself. He was in disbelief; he didn’t understand. He thought she was the one. A roller coaster of emotions followed. Quiet sorrow, confusing frustration, anxiety, bitterness, anger.

“It will be alright, son. Give it time,” his dad consoled him offering comforting words.

His dad was calm...and correct.

Do you know how the dad was able to console his son? Do you know why the dad was not caught up in waves of emotional distress?

If you have ever experienced a childhood romance, sometimes called puppy love, then you know. The immature affection felt in a childhood relationship is just that, affection; not genuine love. It is a fondness felt between two young people and it is rooted in emotion and dependent upon favorable circumstances.

If you have ever had to console one of your own children in similar circumstances, you may empathize with them, but you have knowledge that goes beyond their confusing emotions. You have understanding that is grounded in experience and reality.

The young person is filled with anxiety because he has limited experience in life. He has not been through 'this' kind of trial and is filled with uncertainty and fear of the unknown.

The young man in the illustration might be able to listen and trust his dad. Yet, there is also an element of desire that complicates matters. His dad might assure him that there will be another young lady for him in the future. Yet, even if he accepts it, he does not want to accept it. He wants things to turn out the way he wants. This may or may not be a sign of selfishness, but it is certainly a sign of immaturity.

We might be amused with this illustration, and yet it is descriptive of so many people’s lives. Life is good and then the circumstances change.

• There might be a falling out with a friend.
• Personal health issues arise.
• A close friend or family member passes away.
• Things change for the worse at work.
• A storm causes damage, and financial stress.

Why are so many Christians filled with anxiety? Why do we lash out in anger toward family members when frustrated? Why do we feel bitterness and confusion? Why do we wring our hands with anxiety over life’s uncertainties?

Absolute truth: Life is filled with uncertainties. There will be happy circumstances and sad circumstances and a whole lot of circumstances that are neither happy or sad. That’s Life!

King David was in the worst of circumstances. His son, Absalom, desired the throne and mounted an attack. David had to flee Jerusalem. Friends turned against him. His son’s armies pursued him. Yet David wrote:

I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

—Psalm 3:5

How did he overcome anxiety?

His heavenly Father could see what he could not. David possessed promises that would not fail because it was God who had promised. He trusted in God who sustained him.

We are not promised a problem-free life. Yet, we know some things about the future. God has revealed; God has promised. Even though we cannot see tomorrow, the assurances of God give us confidence in living life today...and in sleeping in peace tonight.

Mark Stinnett

April 9, 2023

The Spirit Shop

The debates over drinking have lasted for decades, perhaps centuries. Questions have been asked and answered, though the answers have been inconsistent. Through it all the abuse of intoxicating drinks remains.

Wine and strong drink have been around at least since the time of Noah (after the flood). See Genesis 9:20-21 for the first biblical reference to wine, strong drink and a vineyard.

It is clear from scripture that drunkenness is a moral issue. Drunkenness is sin. Many people justify drinking by simply asserting that the Bible does not condemn drinking, only drunkenness. Even so, let’s step back from all the ‘nit-picking’ arguments and take a look at something God revealed.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. 

 —Proverbs 20:1

Wine and strong drink are personified. We understand this kind of figure of speech. However, we must not overlook the reality presented by this poetic picture: Wine and strong drink have an effect on the personality of the one drinking.

Intoxicating drink changes a person. We could talk about physiological changes. However, the changes are not purely physical. If the effects were, for example, a weakened body, or baldness, or decaying teeth, then we could reason that the effect was purely physical.

However, intoxicating drink changes one’s personality, disposition, and the ability to think. A person becomes a mocker and a brawler (fighter). Once the intoxicating drink gets into the blood stream, the change is beyond a person's control. Mints might mask one’s breath, but they won't magically remove the alcohol from one's body. (Hollywood often presents a false view of recovery from drunkenness.)

There are changes that occur as intoxicating drink affects the mind and spirit of a person. In Scripture the spirit of man is intimately connected to the human intellect, emotion and the human will. Physically, the human brain is involved in all that. From the body to the brain to the mind to the spirit, intoxicating drink changes a person without asking permission.

In simple terms, intoxicating drink causes a person to temporarily lose his/her mind.

Drink deeply from the words of the Apostle Paul:

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.

--Ephesians 5:18

Do you see the contrast?

Being filled with the Spirit of God stands in stark contrast to drunkenness, that is, being filled with intoxicating drink.

The Bible teaches that the Spirit of God dwells within each Christian to enable and assist. The Spirit of God cannot enable you in your pursuit of godliness, cannot assist you to do God's will, cannot bring comfort into your life when He is forced out of your being by intoxicating drink.

Drinking wine and intoxicating drinks is no laughing matter. Nor is it merely a moral issue, as if a mere religious rule. Your spiritual well-being is at stake.

Will you choose to be filled with the Spirit of God or the spirits of mockery and brawling from the local ‘Spirit Shop’?


Mark Stinnett

April 2, 2023