Author: pastortoney

Part 2: Jesus Never Called Us to Win Every Argument

Key Passage: 1 Peter 2:21–23 (CSB)

“For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.”

Our culture puts a high value on winning.

We admire people who have quick comebacks, strong arguments, and loud voices. Social media has made this even more common. Now, every disagreement turns into a debate, every criticism seems to need a reply, and every accusation feels like a challenge to prove ourselves.

Many Christians have started thinking this way without even realizing it.

We often think we have to defend ourselves if someone criticizes us. If someone gets us wrong, we feel we need to set the record straight. When someone insults us, we feel like we have to come back with an even stronger response.

But when we look at Jesus, we see a very different example.

Peter reminds us that Christ is not just our Savior, but also our example.

“Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

That statement should make us stop and think.

How did Jesus respond when He was treated unfairly?

Peter answers the question clearly.

“When he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)

Think about what Jesus chose not to do.

He did not retaliate.

He did not seek revenge.

He did not try to humiliate His critics.

He did not obsess over changing everyone’s opinion.

Instead, Peter says He entrusted Himself to the Father.

This idea is at the center of the passage.

Jesus trusted God with His reputation, His future, and justice.

This does not mean Jesus ignored evil. It means He trusted God, the perfect Judge, to handle it at the right time.

There is an end. Surrender and defeat are very different things.”There is nothing I can do.”

Surrender says, “God, I trust what You will do.”

Many believers miss out on Christ’s peace because they hold on to the need to prove themselves right.

We replay conversations in our minds.

We imagine what we should have said.

We draft responses that we never send.

We sometimes lose sleep over arguments that won’t matter in the long run.

Meanwhile, the enemy is glad because our focus has moved away from Christ.

One of Satan’s main tactics is not always to make believers give up their faith. Often, he just wants to distract them with conflict.

If he can keep us busy arguing and defending ourselves, he takes away time we could use to serve, love, pray, and share the gospel.

That’s why Proverbs gives us such helpful wisdom.

“Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.” (Proverbs 26:4)

This verse doesn’t say truth isn’t important. Instead, it reminds us that not every conversation is helpful.

Some people are not looking for understanding.

They are looking for conflict.

Some people ask questions not because they want answers but because they want an argument.

Jesus recognized this repeatedly during His earthly ministry.

There were moments when He answered sincere seekers with patience and clarity. Nicodemus came at night with genuine questions, and Jesus patiently explained the necessity of being born again (John 3).

But when religious leaders questioned Him only to trap Him, His responses were often brief, a question in return, or complete silence.

Why?

Because Jesus understood that not every debate deserved His participation.

That’s the kind of wisdom many believers really need today.

Think about how much peace you’d have if you stopped feeling like you had to answer every criticism.

Imagine how much more energy you’d have for ministry if you stopped chasing after every accusation.

Think about how much joy you’d get back if you stopped measuring your success by what others think.

Paul reminds us where our focus belongs.

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

See how there’s a balance here.

We pursue peace.

We speak truth.

We show kindness.

But we can’t control how others react.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, people will misunderstand you.

Sometimes they will believe lies.

Sometimes they will criticize your obedience to Christ.

Jesus warned us this would happen.

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)

If even the perfect Son of God was misunderstood, why would we expect everyone to understand us?

Following Jesus does not guarantee universal approval.

In fact, being faithful often brings opposition.

The question, then, is not whether criticism will come.

The question is how we will respond when it does.

Will we react like the world?

Or will we respond like Christ?

The answer is humility.

A lot of our urge to defend ourselves comes from hurt pride.

We want people to think highly of us.

We want our reputation protected.

We want everyone to know that we were right. But the Bible teaches that our identity isn’t based on what others think, but on our relationship with Christ.st.

If God has declared you His child through faith in Jesus, no false accusation can change that.

If Christ has forgiven your sin, no critic can remove His grace.

If your identity is secure in Christ, your peace doesn’t depend on everyone else’s approval.

This doesn’t mean we should be passive or not care.

There are certainly occasions when a calm explanation is wise and necessary. Leaders may need to clarify facts. Parents may need to correct false assumptions. Believers are called to defend the truth of the gospel with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

But there’s a big difference between standing up for the gospel and just defending our own pride.

One is motivated by love for God’s truth.

The other is motivated by love for ourselves.

Before responding to criticism, it is worth asking a few honest questions.

Am I trying to glorify Christ?

Or am I trying to protect my ego?

Am I responding because God is leading me to speak?

Or because my emotions are demanding the last word?

The Holy Spirit often speaks most clearly in the quiet moment between being hurt and how we respond.

Take that pause.

Pray.

Ask God to be part of the situation before you reply, send a text, or make a call.

You may discover that what felt urgent was actually unnecessary.

You might find that staying silent isn’t a sign of weakness, but of confidence.

You might realize that God can protect your reputation much better than you ever could.

Jesus never called His followers to win every argument.

He called us to follow Him.

Sometimes that means speaking truth boldly.

Sometimes it means remaining silent with confidence.

In both cases, our goal stays the same: not to protect our own image, but to show Christ’s character.

Reflection Questions

• Do you feel the need to respond to every criticism or misunderstanding?
• Have you confused defending your pride with defending God’s truth?
• What would it look like to entrust your reputation to “the one who judges justly” this week?

Tomorrow: Your reputation is safer in God’s hands than in your own. We’ll look at David’s life and see why God’s approval is more secure than public opinion, and how real freedom starts when we stop trying to control what others think of us.

Part 1: Stop Fighting Battles God Never Asked You to Fight

Key Passage: Exodus 14:13–14 (CSB)

“But Moses said to the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today… The LORD will fight for you, and you must be quiet.'”

All of us have a natural desire to set the record straight.

When others misunderstand us, spread rumors, question our character, or criticize us unfairly, we usually want to respond. We try to explain ourselves, defend our reputation, and make sure people hear our side. We replay conversations in our minds, think of better responses, and sometimes spend more time protecting our image than focusing on what God wants us to do.

The problem isn’t that truth doesn’t matter; it does. The real issue is that we often think it’s our job to make everyone believe the truth. But the Bible often points us in another direction. Many times, God asks His people to trust Him to fight for them instead of fighting for themselves.

One of the clearest examples is found in Exodus 14.

Israel was finally free from Egypt, but their freedom soon felt like disaster. Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army after them. The Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the strongest army in the world. They had nowhere to run and no way to defend themselves.

Fear spread through the camp. They blamed Moses. They assumed they were about to die.

From a human perspective, they had every reason to panic.

Yet Moses gave them one of the most remarkable commands in all of Scripture:

“Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today… The LORD will fight for you, and you must be quiet.” (Exodus 14:13–14)

This was more than just military advice. It was a lesson in faith.

God did not need Israel to fight with swords. He wanted them to trust Him.

How often do we end up in a similar situation? Criticism, betrayal, or false accusations make us feel trapped. We quickly start planning how to defend ourselves. We look for evidence, ask others to support us, and try to find the right words to prove we are right.

But sometimes, the greatest act of faith is not to speak louder, but to trust God more deeply.

This doesn’t mean Christians should never speak up for the truth. Sometimes, wisdom calls for a gentle explanation. The apostle Paul defended the gospel and sometimes cleared up misunderstandings about his ministry. But there is a big difference between standing up for God’s truth and always trying to defend ourselves.

The enemy loves to blur that distinction.

One of Satan’s favorite tactics is distraction.

If he cannot stop you from obeying God, he will try to distract you. If he cannot ruin your testimony, he will tempt you to spend all your energy protecting it. Instead of praying, serving, loving, and sharing Christ, you end up focused on proving others wrong.

Paul reminds us where the real battle exists:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6:12)

The person criticizing you is not your ultimate enemy.

The coworker spreading gossip is not your ultimate enemy.

The family member questioning your motives is not your ultimate enemy.

There is a spiritual battle happening that we cannot always see. Satan wants believers to fight with people instead of seeing the real spiritual conflict.

Jesus Himself demonstrated this kind of trust.

During His trial, He endured false accusations, distorted testimony, mockery, and rejection. Those who hated Him twisted His words and fabricated evidence against Him. If anyone had the right to defend Himself, it was the sinless Son of God.

Yet Matthew records something astonishing:

“While the chief priests and elders were accusing him, he didn’t answer.” (Matthew 27:12)

Pilate was amazed by His silence.

Jesus did not stay silent because He did not have an answer. He stayed silent because He trusted the Father’s plan more than defending Himself. He knew that being misunderstood for a short time could not change what is true forever. He was willing to be misunderstood because He knew the resurrection would prove Him right in the end.

That is a difficult lesson for us.

We often think we will have peace if everyone understands us. But real peace comes from knowing that God understands us.

Some people will never believe the truth, no matter how well you explain it. Some critics have already made up their minds before you even speak. Trying to win their approval is a never-ending chase that takes away your joy and keeps you from serving God well.

David understood this well. Throughout the Psalms, he repeatedly brought his case before the Lord rather than taking vengeance into his own hands. He was honest about the pain of being falsely accused, but he consistently placed his reputation into God’s care.

That is where freedom begins.

When you know that God knows the truth, you do not have to convince everyone else. When you trust that God is your Defender, you can let go of the tiring job of trying to manage what everyone thinks about you.

This does not mean that accusations do not hurt. They do. It does not mean that injustice is okay. It is not. It means your confidence should be in God’s character, not in what others think.

Maybe today you are feeling the weight of someone’s criticism. You might have been misunderstood at work, attacked online, or hurt by someone you trusted. Your first reaction might be to respond right away.

Before you do, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I defending God’s truth, or am I protecting my pride?
• Will my response advance God’s Kingdom, or satisfy my emotions?
• Have I prayed more about this situation than I’ve talked about it?
• Am I trusting God to fight for me, or am I trying to control the outcome myself?

Not every accusation deserves an answer.

Not every criticism requires a response.

Sometimes, the strongest witness is quietly trusting the God who sees everything.

Just as Israel stood before the Red Sea, there are times when God tells us, “Stand firm.”

The God who parted the waters can still defend His children today.

Your responsibility is faithfulness.

His responsibility is vindication.

So today, try not to fight battles God has not asked you to fight. Keep loving people. Keep serving Christ. Keep living with integrity. Trust your reputation to the One who knows your whole story.

The Lord has never lost a battle, and He does not need your help to protect what He has already promised to defend. Is there a situation where you’ve been spending more energy defending yourself than trusting God?

• What would it look like to “stand firm” instead of striving to prove yourself?
• How might God use your quiet trust to display His power and faithfulness?

Tomorrow: Jesus Never Called Us to Win Every Argument. We will look at why Jesus often chose silence instead of defending Himself, and how trusting God’s justice can free us from always needing to have the last word.

John 8 describes a moment that can unsettle anyone who reads it closely. A woman is dragged into a public crowd, exposed and humiliated, with men holding rocks around her. The law supports them, and everyone is watching. Yet, the only person with real authority to condemn her decides not to.

This moment is more than just a story about one woman in Jerusalem. It shows how Jesus stands between human failure and judgment. It also asks each follower of Jesus to consider honestly: which side do you usually stand on?

The Trap That Revealed More Than It Intended

Even before the woman appears in John 8, tension is already rising. In John 7, religious leaders send officers to arrest Jesus. The officers return without him—not because he escaped, but because they were amazed by his words. This makes the Pharisees furious.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee who once met Jesus in private, quietly questions the process. He asks, does the law judge a man before hearing from him? This small moment sets up what happens next.

When the scribes and Pharisees bring the woman before Jesus and the crowd, their trap is ready. If Jesus calls for her stoning, he breaks Roman law, since only Rome can order executions. If he lets her go, they will say he rejects the law. They think they have him either way.

But they do not realize that Jesus refuses to play their game.

The Plank Before the Stone

Jesus bends down and writes in the dirt. John does not say what he wrote, and that silence seems intentional. What matters is what Jesus says when he stands up.

“The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Jesus’ words do not excuse what the woman did or make adultery acceptable. Instead, they do something harder. They make everyone holding a rock look at themselves before judging someone else.

This matches what Jesus teaches in other places. In Matthew 7, he warns against noticing a speck in someone else’s eye while ignoring the plank in your own. The lesson is not to ignore sin, but to realize that hypocrisy keeps you from addressing it.

One by one, starting with the oldest, the accusers drop their stones and leave. The older ones go first, maybe because their life experience tells them not to stay.

Soon, only Jesus and the woman remain.

Grace That Does Not Blink at Sin

What Jesus says next deserves careful attention. He asks her where her accusers are. She replies that no one has condemned her. Then he says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin anymore.”

Two things happen at once in that sentence, and both are important.

First, Jesus gives her real grace. She does not have to earn her way back or do anything special before being forgiven. She receives something she did not deserve, from the only one who could have condemned her.

Second, Jesus calls the sin what it is and tells her to leave it behind. He does not say, “What you did was fine, people misunderstood.” He does not change her actions to make grace easier. He simply says, Go and stop sinning. Both his grace and his truth are real, and he holds them together without letting one cancel out the other.

This balance is something the church has struggled with for a long time. Some communities focus so much on grace that they never name or confront sin. Others focus so much on moral rules that compassion is lost and condemnation takes over. Jesus is not like either of these. He is fully grace and fully truth at the same time.

What Transformation Actually Looks Like

When Jesus tells the woman to go and sin no more, he is not just giving her a rule. He is pointing her toward a new direction. Meeting Jesus is not meant to leave someone unchanged. It is meant to give them a new path.

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12 about renewing the mind, a change that affects how a person thinks and lives. Repentance is not just a small shift. It is a complete change of direction. You cannot truly meet Jesus and stay the same.

This is the invitation the woman in John 8 received. She was offered not only forgiveness for her past, but also a future she had not yet lived. Her past did not take that away from her.

The Question It Leaves With You

The story ends, but its question remains. Before judging someone else’s failure, have you looked honestly at your own? Are you holding both truth and grace like Jesus did, or have you leaned too much toward one and forgotten the other?

The woman met Jesus at her lowest point, right in the middle of the crowd. That is still where he often meets people today.

Most of us know the feeling that comes right after we do something we regret. The weight of our choices settles in, and a quiet, painful thought creeps in: God is done with you now.

But that thought is one of the most convincing lies we can believe.

The Bible is full of people who heard that same voice but chose not to listen. Their failures did not erase their stories; instead, those moments shaped them. What stands out most is not their strength or determination, but how God kept pursuing them and never gave up on those He loves.

The Fire That Started It All

In John 21, after Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, the disciples went back to something ordinary. Even though Jesus had already appeared to them twice, Simon Peter simply said he was going fishing.

At first, this might sound strange. But it makes sense when you think about what Peter was feeling. Just days before, Peter stood by a charcoal fire and denied knowing Jesus three times. He did it loudly, with anger and strong words. He did not just make a small mistake; he completely failed.

So Peter did what many of us do after a big failure. He went back to what was familiar and safe, and others followed him.

It’s important to notice this. Our failures often affect more than just ourselves. When we fall back into old habits, we can lead others there too, sometimes without knowing it.

Jesus Does Not Wait

This is the moment when the story changes in a way that should make us pause.

Jesus does not wait on the shore for Peter to realize his mistake and come back. Jesus is already there. He builds a fire—the same kind of fire as when Peter denied Him—and calls out to the men in the boat. He gives them breakfast and creates a sense of warmth and belonging before saying anything about what happened.

This is how God acts throughout the Bible. When Adam and Eve sinned, God came looking for them in the garden. When David did wrong, God sent Nathan to help him return. When Jonah ran away, God followed him across the sea. God does not wait for us to fix everything ourselves. He comes looking for us.

Relationship Before Responsibility

When Jesus finally speaks directly to Peter in John 21:15-17, He does not open with a rebuke. He opens with a question: do you love me?

Jesus asks the question three times, once for each time Peter denied Him. In doing this, He does something important. He does not ask Peter to prove himself, to complete a list of tasks, or to show he has changed first. He asks about their relationship. He wants to know if Peter still loves Him.

Only after Peter says he loves Jesus three times does Jesus give him a new job: Feed my lambs. Shepherd my sheep. Feed my sheep. The responsibility comes from the restored relationship, not before it.

This order is important. We often want people to fix themselves and prove they are worthy before we accept them. But Jesus shows us a different way. He restores the relationship first, and then the responsibility comes from that.

Your Past Is Not a Disqualifier

The Bible containThe Bible says there is only one unforgivable sin: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Divorce is not on that list. Murder is not on that list. Addiction, abuse, betrayal, and any other moral failure are not on that list either. Yet sometimes we act as if we can add to that list for God.scribes God removing our sins as far as the east is from the west. The brilliance of that comparison is that east and west never meet. You can travel east indefinitely and never arrive at west. That is the distance God places between us and our confessed sin.

God does not erase our names from His record. Instead, He removes our sins and invites us to move forward.

Stories That Were Never Meant to Stay Hidden

Everyone has parts of their story they wish could stay hidden. But those parts are often the most powerful. One preacher spent seven years in a Texas prison for killing an undercover officer, then went on to lead thousands. D.L. Moody, a famous evangelist, met Jesus while drunk on a Chicago curb. Billy Sunday, who influenced many, found faith during a life marked by anger and alcohol.

None of these men were disqualified by their pasts. In fact, their pasts made their message real to people who needed hope.

Someone near you who feels overwhelmed by shame might need to hear your story more than a perfect sermon. When you give your struggles to God, your story can become the hope someone else is searching for.

Grace That Goes Both Ways

When we receive grace, we have a simple responsibility: to share it with others.

It is easy to talk about restoration in general. It is much harder to show grace to real people who have hurt us. But the message is clear: we forgive because we have been forgiven. We give grace because God gave it to us when we did not deserve it.

God’s grace does not simply pardon. It restores. Joel 2:25 promises that God will restore the years that God’s grace does more than forgive; it restores. Joel 2:25 promises that God will give back the years that were lost—not just what was taken, but the time itself. This kind of restoration is possible for anyone who is willing to face the past and choose a new path. The question being asked is the same one it has always been.

Do you love me?

Part Four: The Truth That Sets Us Free

God’s truth does not trap us; it leads us into freedom.

Today, many people see truth as something that holds them back. They view biblical commands as limits on personal freedom and think of obedience as something negative. We often hear that true freedom means having no boundaries, ignoring outside authority, and doing whatever feels right.

Jesus offers a very different view of freedom.

The Bible teaches that freedom is not just doing whatever we want. Real freedom means being set free from the power of sin so we can become who God made us to be. God’s truth does not trap us; it opens the way to real life.

Freedom Begins with Continuing in God’s Word

Jesus said in John 8:31–32:

“If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

People often quote this promise without mentioning the condition that comes first. Jesus linked freedom to staying in His Word.

Truth does not set us free just because we have heard it. We find freedom when we believe the truth, stick with it, and let it shape our lives. Being a disciple is more than liking what Jesus said; it means following His words.

Jesus continued in John 8:34:

“Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”

Our culture says freedom means having no limits. But Jesus teaches that someone can look free on the outside but still be trapped inside. Sin promises independence but ends up taking over. What starts as a choice can turn into a habit, and that habit can become a trap.

Jesus does not show us our struggles to judge us. He does it so He can set us free.

God’s Boundaries Are an Expression of His Love

Think of a child playing close to a busy road. A caring parent sets a boundary because they know it’s dangerous. The child might see the boundary as limiting, but it’s really there to keep them safe.

God sees things we cannot. He knows where every path leads. His commands are not random rules meant to make us unhappy. They come from His holy character, perfect wisdom, and love for us.

First John 5:3 says:

“For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden.”

God’s commands might challenge what we want, but they are never meant to harm us. They protect us from the results of sin and lead us toward the life we were made for.

A fish may view the boundaries of water as limiting, but removing the fish from those boundaries does not create freedom. It produces death. In the same way, we flourish when we live according to the truth and design of our Creator.

Truth Exposes What Is Destroying Us

Hebrews 4:12 says:

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It can judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

God’s Word goes deeper than what we show on the outside. It reveals our motives, uncovers lies, and shows where sin has taken hold.

That can be uncomfortable.

Sometimes we avoid reading the Bible because we do not want to face hard truths. But just as a doctor cannot treat an illness that stays hidden, God shows us what is wrong so we can start to heal.

Feeling convicted is not the same as feeling condemned. Condemnation says, “You are hopeless, and there is no way back.” Conviction says, “This is destroying you, but Jesus is calling you home.”

God tells us the truth about ourselves because He wants to restore us.

Grace Does Not Eliminate Truth

Some think grace means God ignores sin and lets us stay the same. But real grace does more than forgive us—it teaches us to live in a new way.

Titus 2:11–12 says:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.”

Grace does not give us permission to change what sin means. Instead, grace is God’s power to save us from sin.

Jesus showed this balance when religious leaders brought Him a woman caught in adultery. He did not condemn her, but He also did not say her sin was okay.

John 8:11 records His words:

“‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus. ‘Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.’”Jesus gave her grace without lowering the standard. He protected her dignity, showed her mercy, and invited her to live differently.e.

Truth shows us we need to change, and grace gives us the power to do it.

Transformation Requires a Renewed Mind

Romans 12:2 says:

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God is.”

Culture is always trying to shape how we think. Through things like entertainment, school, ads, politics, and social media, we get constant messages about who we are, what is right, and what makes us happy.

If we do not make a habit of renewing our minds with Scripture, we will slowly start to think like everyone else around us.

We are changed when God’s truth takes the place of the lies we have believed. We learn that our mistakes, feelings, things we own, or what others think do not define us. Our true identity is in Christ.

We find out that being holy does not take away our happiness. Obeying God does not take away our freedom. Giving our lives to Him is not losing life; in Christ, it is where real life starts.

Truth Leads Us to Jesus

The main goal of truth is not just to make us behave better. Truth leads us to Jesus.

John 1:14 says:

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus does not wait for us to fix ourselves before we come to Him. He invites us to come as we are, admit our sin, accept His forgiveness, and follow Him.

The truth is that we have all sinned. The truth is that sin separates us from God. But the truth is also that Jesus died for sinners, rose from the dead, and offers forgiveness to everyone who turns to Him in faith.

This is not a message that holds us down. It is the greatest message of freedom the world has ever known.

Our Calling in a Changing Culture

We cannot control what happens in culture, but we can choose where we stand. We can build our lives on feelings and what is popular, or we can stand on God’s unchanging Word.We are called to accept the truth with humility, obey it faithfully, speak it with love, and live it out every day. We should avoid both compromise and harshness. We do not have to pick between truth and love, because Jesus shows us both together.

Culture will keep changing, but God stays the same. His character does not change. His Word will always stand. His promises will never end. His truth will always have power.

Personal Reflection

Ask yourself:

• Am I continuing in God’s Word or merely agreeing with selected parts?
• Have I mistaken the absence of boundaries for genuine freedom?
• What lie does God’s truth need to replace in my thinking?
• Is God exposing an area of bondage that I need to surrender?
• Have I received the grace and freedom Jesus offers?
• Am I living in a way that shows others the goodness of God’s truth?

We do not have to be afraid of the truth. We should let it lead us to the One who forgives, restores, changes us, and sets us free.

Culture might change its values. Society might change its standards. Public opinion might shift with each generation. But God has spoken, Jesus is still Lord, and when culture changes, truth stays the same.

Part Three: Standing for Truth in a Culture of Compromise

How believers can remain faithful without becoming hateful

Believing that God defines truth is one thing. Standing firm on that truth, especially when it becomes uncomfortable, is another.

More and more, people see biblical truth as outdated, intolerant, or even dangerous. Believers might feel pressure to stay quiet, water down Scripture, or change what God has clearly said. The temptation is not always to reject God outright. Sometimes, it is just to avoid saying anything that could cost us acceptance.

God has not called us to argue, be cruel, or act self-righteous. He calls us to be faithful. We need to stand for truth with Christ’s character, holding firm without losing compassion.

We Should Expect Resistance

Jesus never promised that biblical faithfulness would always be celebrated.

John 15:18–19 says:

“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.”

We should not seek out rejection or use these verses to excuse being offensive. Sometimes, people react to our attitude, not our beliefs. Even when we speak with humility and love, the truth may still be rejected.

Jesus was full of grace and truth, yet He faced opposition. The apostles spoke about forgiveness and restoration, but they were persecuted. Being faithful has always come with a cost.

The real question is not if culture approves of our beliefs, but if our beliefs line up with God’s truth.

Refuse to Be Ashamed

Paul understood the pressure to remain silent, yet he declared in Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.”

The gospel starts with a hard truth: people are sinful and separated from God. But it leads to the best news possible—Jesus died and rose again so sinners can be forgiven, restored, and brought back to God.

If we ignore the truth about sin, the cross loses its purpose. If people are not lost, they do not need saving. If everyone decides what is right for themselves, there is no reason to repent.

We should never be ashamed of the message that can save. The gospel is not hateful for pointing out sin; it is hopeful because it shows us the Savior.

Conviction Must Begin with Us

Standing for truth does not mean always pointing out others’ mistakes. Before we challenge the culture, we need to let God’s Word challenge us first.

Jesus warned in Matthew 7:3:

“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye?”

Biblical truth should make us humble, not proud. We do not stand above others as if we saved ourselves. We stand with them as people who needed—and still need—God’s grace.

The Church loses trust when it loudly condemns society’s sins but quietly excuses pride, greed, gossip, bitterness, dishonesty, sexual sin, prejudice, and unforgiveness among its own people.

Truth should change us before we share it with others.

First Peter 4:17 says:

“For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household.”

We cannot ask the world to repent if we are not willing to do it ourselves. People are more likely to believe our message when our lives show the power of the truth we share.

Speak the Truth in Love

Ephesians 4:15 instructs believers to speak “the truth in love.”

Truth and love go together. Real love wants what is truly good for others, even when the truth is hard to hear. But we should never share truth with arrogance, cruelty, or by taking pleasure in someone else’s failure.

Second Timothy 2:24–25 says:

“The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness.”

Our goal is not to embarrass others or show we are smarter. Our goal is to help restore people. The way we speak should reflect the heart of Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost.

We can speak clearly without being harsh. We can disagree without disrespecting others. We can stand by Scripture and still treat everyone as someone made in God’s image.

We do not have to compromise to show compassion, and we do not have to be cruel to stand by our convictions.

Do Not Confuse Acceptance with Faithfulness

Wanting to be accepted is a strong feeling. No one likes being misunderstood, rejected, or criticized. But if acceptance matters most to us, compromise is close behind.

Galatians 1:10 says:

“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

We cannot let praise decide what we believe. A message is not true just because people like it, and it is not false just because people reject it.

Daniel’s three friends demonstrated this kind of courage when they refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. They spoke respectfully to the king, but they would not compromise their worship. Their lives were threatened, but their response remained firm.

Daniel 3:18 says:

“But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Their faithfulness did not depend on knowing the outcome. They believed God could save them, but even if He did not, they would still obey.

This is the kind of courage believers need today.

Let Your Life Support Your Message

First Peter 2:12 says:

“Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.”

Our lives should make it hard for others to ignore our message. Integrity, generosity, humility, compassion, and faithful service should go along with what we say.

We should not just tell people what God is against. We need to show them what life under God’s rule looks like. They should see marriages healed, enemies forgiven, the vulnerable protected, needs met, and broken lives changed.

Truth is not just something we defend; it is something we live out.

Personal Reflection

Ask yourself:

• Am I ashamed to speak about what God has declared?
• Do I care more about cultural acceptance than faithfulness to Christ?
• Does my attitude reflect the grace and humility of Jesus?
• Am I applying biblical truth to myself before confronting others?
• Does my life support the message I proclaim?
• Can I disagree with someone while still treating them with dignity?

God has not called us to blend in with darkness or attack those who are lost. He calls us to shine, speak truth, show grace, and stay faithful no matter the cost.

When culture changes, truth remains.

Most of us know there’s a pattern to life, even if we don’t talk about it much. You’re either heading into a storm, in the middle of one, or just coming out. That cycle never really ends. The storms look different—a doctor’s report, a financial crisis, a broken relationship, or a headline that shakes what you thought was steady—but the rhythm stays the same. Life shakes.

The question is not whether the shaking will come. The question is what you are standing on when it does.

The Promise of Shaking

Hebrews chapter 12 shares a powerful promise from God—not a promise of comfort, but of disruption. The writer says God declared, “Yet once more, I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.” The passage explains that this happens so what can be shaken is removed, and what cannot be shaken will remain.

Take a moment to read that again. The shaking isn’t random. It has a purpose. God cares about the chaos in your life. He is working to remove what is temporary so that what is eternal can stand out clearly.

The first readers of Hebrews understood this message in a way many of us might not. They paid a real price for following Jesus. Arrest, persecution, and betrayal by neighbors or family were part of their lives—the cost of faith was real for them. They knew what it felt like when life was unstable. Still, the writer doesn’t promise them escape from the shaking. Instead, he offers a new way to see it.

Trees, Roots, and the Wind

Think about what happens to a tree in a strong storm. Scientists say that when a tree is pushed and stressed by strong winds, its roots actually grow deeper. A tree that has never faced a storm has shallow roots, so a really strong wind can pull it out of the ground. But a tree that has survived storms before will bend. It might look like it’s about to break, but it holds on because the storms made its roots grow deeper than calm weather ever could.

Faith grows in a similar way. The times when we grow most spiritually are rarely the easy ones. They happen when everything you relied on besides God is taken away, and you find out if your roots are deep enough. Shaking isn’t the enemy of faith. Often, it’s the tool God uses to make it stronger.

That’s why the writer of Hebrews doesn’t say, “Don’t be surprised when life gets hard.” Instead, he’s more direct: expect it. Know it’s coming. When you live with that understanding, the storm can’t undo you because you’re ready for it.

The Danger of Temporary Foundations

This is where the message becomes personal. If we’re honest, most of us have built parts of our lives on things that can be shaken. Psalm 20 compares people who trust in chariots and horses—symbols of power and security back then—with those who trust in the name of the Lord. Today, our “chariots” look different, but the temptation is still there.

Think about it this way: if you lost it, would you be lost? Fill in the blank honestly. If the answer is anything other than Jesus, you have identified your foundation.

Retirement accounts can vanish overnight. Health can change without warning. Careers can fall apart. Relationships can break. Political leaders come and go. Great empires that once seemed permanent are now just ruins for tourists. Rome is rubble. Babylon is dust. Nothing people build or maintain lasts forever. As Hebrews 12 says, everything created can be removed.

But there is one thing with no beginning or end. It has never needed an emergency meeting, never been surprised, and never been shaken. God’s kingdom didn’t start and it won’t end. If you build your life on that foundation, you’re building on the only thing that will still stand when everything else is gone.

Peter, the Storm, and the Reach

When Peter got out of the boat and walked toward Jesus on the water, it was remarkable. But as soon as he looked away from Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he started to sink. What’s easy to miss is that Jesus didn’t move. The storm didn’t push him away. He was in the same place when Peter started to sink as when Peter first stepped out. The only thing that changed was where Peter was looking.

When life shakes you, it’s natural to focus on the trouble. You might stare at the diagnosis, the bank statement, the broken relationship, or the scary headline. The more you focus on these things, the bigger they seem. But Jesus is still in the same place. He hasn’t moved or panicked. Just like he reached out and caught Peter before he sank, he reaches out to you now.

What Remains

Hebrews 12:28 ends with a call to gratitude: “Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful.” We’re not thankful because life is easy or because the storms are over. We’re thankful because, no matter what gets shaken in this life, the kingdom we belong to cannot be moved.

Your foundation doesn’t have to be your health, your finances, your family, your political party, or your own strength. There is a foundation that has lasted longer than any empire, survived every storm, and supported everyone who has trusted it fully.

That foundation is Jesus. He cannot be shaken.

Part Two: The Danger of Redefining Truth

What happens when everyone decides what is right for themselves?

Today, many people see truth as something personal. You often hear, “That may be true for you, but not for me.” Instead of asking if something is really true, we are told to trust what feels true based on our own experiences, desires, and identities.

Personal experiences are important, but they cannot change what is real. People can see things differently, but two opposite claims cannot both be true. If everyone creates their own truth, the idea of truth loses its meaning.

The Bible shows us where this kind of thinking leads.

When Everyone Does What Seems Right

Judges 21:25 describes one of Israel’s darkest spiritual periods:

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.”

The people were not necessarily living without standards. They were living according to standards they had created for themselves. Everyone did what seemed right in their own eyes.

That sounds remarkably similar to modern culture.

Today, many believe that personal freedom means deciding for ourselves what is good, evil, true, or false. But if everyone is their own authority, we lose a shared foundation for what is right and wrong. Morality becomes just a matter of personal preference.

God gave us freedom, but not the right to change what is good and evil. Freedom without truth does not bring life. In the end, it leads to confusion, bondage, and destruction.

Redefining Truth Began in the Garden

The attempt to redefine truth is not new. It began in the garden of Eden.

God had clearly warned Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent challenged God’s Word by asking Eve, “Did God really say…?” He then directly contradicted God.

Genesis 3:4–5 says:

“‘No! You will certainly not die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”

The temptation was not just about eating forbidden fruit. It was really about rejecting God’s authority and choosing for ourselves what is good and evil.

The serpent made it seem like God’s command was unfair, that His warning was false, and that breaking the rule would bring freedom. People believed this lie, but the so-called freedom only brought shame, separation, pain, and death.

Whenever we try to change the truth, we repeat the same mistake from Eden: thinking that God cannot be trusted, that His Word is not final, and that we know what is best for ourselves.

The enemy still asks, “Did God really say?” Culture is still tempted to answer, “God may have said it, but we know better now.”

Calling Evil Good

Isaiah warned about the danger of reversing God’s moral order.

Isaiah 5:20 says:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

A culture rarely gives up on truth overnight. It happens slowly. At first, sin is tolerated, then accepted, and finally celebrated. In the end, people who still call it sin are seen as the problem.

People start calling what God says is darkness, light. They call bondage freedom and rebellion authenticity. At the same time, they label biblical conviction as hatred, obedience as oppression, and holiness as something harmful.

Changing the label does not change the reality.

We can try to rename, explain, justify, or even celebrate sin, but we cannot escape its consequences. God did not set boundaries to take away our joy. He gave them because He knows what brings life and what leads to destruction.

Suppressing What We Know

Romans 1 explains that humanity’s problem is not simply a lack of information. It is often the rejection of the truth already revealed.

Romans 1:25 says:

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.”

We have to set aside the truth before we can accept a lie. To believe something false, we first ignore what God has said.

Sometimes people turn away from biblical truth because they misunderstand Scripture. Other times, we reject the truth because accepting it would mean we have to change. It often feels easier to change the standard than to admit we were wrong.of constructing arguments that allow us to keep what God is asking us to surrender. We should therefore approach Scripture with humility, asking God to expose where our desires have affected our beliefs.

Love Does Not Redefine Truth

Christians are sometimes told that affirming every belief and behavior is the loving thing to do. But biblical love cannot be separated from truth.

First Corinthians 13:6 says:

“Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.”

Love does not celebrate things that separate people from God. It does not support choices that lead to spiritual harm. Real love tells the truth with patience, kindness, and humility.

Ephesians 4:15 calls believers to speak “the truth in love.” Truth without love can become harsh and self-righteous. Love without truth becomes empty affirmation. Jesus perfectly demonstrated both grace and truth.

We should never use biblical truth to hurt or embarrass others. Our goal is not to win arguments and lose people. But we also cannot hide, change, or water down God’s truth just because it might be. Staying silent is not always loving. Agreeing with someone is not always compassionate. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is kindly tell someone the truth.e the truth.

The Consequences of Rejecting the Standard

Proverbs 14:12 warns:

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

A road is not safe just because many people use it. A belief is not true just because it is popular. The results of rejecting God’s truth may not show up right away, but every path leads somewhere in the end.

Jesus came not just to point out sin, but to save sinners. The truth about our sin is meant to show us His grace. God challenges us because He loves us and wants us to turn back to Him, since He offers restoration.

Personal Reflection

Ask yourself:

• Have I allowed culture to rename something God has already defined?
• Do I change my interpretation of Scripture to protect my preferences?
• Am I willing to speak truth with both courage and compassion?
• Do I receive correction, or do I immediately defend myself?
• Is my understanding of love rooted in God’s Word?

We do not need to make up our own truth. God has already shown us the truth, and His truth brings freedom, healing, and life.

When culture changes, truth remains.

Part One: The Source of Truth

God’s truth comes from His unchanging character and stays the same, even as culture shifts.

A key question we all face is, “Who defines truth?”

Many people let personal feelings, popular opinion, politics, social media, or culture decide what is true. If enough people believe, celebrate, or repeat something, society often treats it as truth. But just because something is popular or widely accepted does not make it true. Culture can approve something and still be wrong. That’s why truth needs to come from a source greater than human opinion.

Truth does not start with us. It starts with God.

Culture Continually Changes

Culture is always changing. One generation might reject something, while the next celebrates it. What was once seen as wrong can become acceptable. Standards, definitions, and opinions keep shifting. This is why culture cannot define truth.

God does not change.

Malachi 3:6 says:

“Because I, the LORD, have not changed, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.”

Since God’s character never changes, His truth stays the same. His standards do not change just because society has new opinions. God does not change His Word to fit cultural trends. Instead, every culture, generation, and person is measured by what God has already said. That’s why His truth stays steady, even when culture shifts. Grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.”

Culture is temporary. God’s WorCulture is temporary, but God’s Word lasts forever. Culture is temporary; we build on shifting sand. When we build them on God’s Word, we stand on a foundation that will remain long after cultural opinions have changed. Because culture is temporary, God’s Word gives us what lasts.

Truth Is Rooted in God’s Character

Truth is not just a list of religious statements. It comes from who God is.

Numbers 23:19 says:

“God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?”

People can make mistakes. We might misunderstand, spread wrong information, or let our desires cloud our judgment. But God cannot lie. He is never confused or pressured. What God says is true because He is true. That’s why we can trust His truth, even when we cannot trust our own.

Jesus prayed in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Jesus did not say God’s Word just contains truth. He said God’s Word is truth. Scripture is not just another opinion. It is the true message from the God who made us and knows everything about life. That’s why we need to accept it as truth.

We do not judge God’s Word. Instead, God’s Word judges us.

Jesus Is the Truth

God did not just show truth through written commands. He fully revealed truth through His Son.

Jesus said in John 14:6:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus did not say He had just one version of truth. He said He is the truth. So, truth cannot be separated from Christ. We cannot say we follow Jesus if we reject or change what He taught. If we follow Him, we must accept His truth.

Following Jesus means giving Him our opinions, preferences, desires, and assumptions. We do not ask Jesus to agree with what we already think. Instead, we let Him correct us.

Sometimes Christ’s truth comforts us. Sometimes it challenges us. Sometimes it encourages us, and sometimes it shows us what needs to change. But no matter what, it is always the truth.

Feelings Are Real, but They Are Not Always Reliable

Culture often tells us to follow our hearts, but Scripture gives us an important warning.

Jeremiah 17:9 says:

“The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?”

Our feelings are real and should not be ignored. But they are not meant to be our final authority. Feelings can show us what is happening inside, but they do not always show what is true. That’s why we need to test our feelings by God’s Word.

We might feel offended and still be wrong. We can feel justified even when we are doing wrong. Sometimes we think something is right just because we want it.

Proverbs 14:12 warns:

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

Being sincere does not mean we are right. That’s why our feelings need to be guided by God’s Word. We should not just ask, “How do I feel about this?” We also need to ask, “What has God said about this?” This helps us stay in line with the truth.

Truth Is Received, Not Invented

People did not create truth, and we cannot change it. Our job is to find, accept, believe, and obey what God has shown us.

Second Timothy 3:16–17 says:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

God’s Word teaches us when we do not know, corrects us when we are wrong, and helps us live in a way that honors Him. In this way, Scripture leads us from not knowing to obeying.

If we only accept Scripture when it matches our views, we have not made it our authority. We have made ourselves the authority instead.

The Question We Must Answer

The struggle over truth is really about authority. Will God have the final say, or will we? Everyone must answer this question. That’s why believers respond with humility and trust.

Romans 3:4 gives the believer’s response:

“Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar.”

Even if everyone around us disagrees with God, He is still true. Even if biblical truth is unpopular, it is still true. Even when following God is hard, He is still worthy of our trust. So we can stand firm, even when everything else changes.

Culture will keep changing. Feelings and public opinion will keep shifting. But God’s character, His Word, and His truth will always remain. That’s why we need to anchor ourselves in what does not change.

We do not need a truth that changes as we do. We need the truth that changes us.

Personal Reflection

Ask yourself:

• Do I allow Scripture to correct my opinions?
• Have I accepted cultural beliefs that contradict God’s Word?
• Am I following Jesus, or am I asking Him to follow me?
• Is God’s Word truly the final authority in my life?

The safest foundation is not what is popular now, but what God has declared forever.

When culture changes, truth stays the same. The safest thing we can do is anchor our lives in God’s unchanging truth, because it is the truth that changes us.

Managing sin is not the same as rejecting it. Our world often pushes us to compromise, to get as close as possible to the edge without going over, and to excuse actions that make us comfortable but keep God at arm’s length. Proverbs gives us a clear challenge: “To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).

The word “hate” here does not mean being angry or self-righteous. In Hebrew, it means to reject something so fully that your actions show it, not just your words. It is about what you do, not just how you feel. It means turning away so clearly that everyone knows where you stand.

The Culture vs. Truth Dilemma

Sometimes we let culture guide our morals, even though God has already shown us the right way. Culture changes a lot over time. Things that shocked people in the 1950s are normal now. Ideas that were once unthinkable in schools are now seen as progress. So we have to ask: Does God’s standard change with the times?

The answer is an unequivocal no.

God created two genders: Adam and Eve, man and woman. He set the standards for marriage, family, sexuality, and morality. Culture cannot change what God has already decided. Still, the church has often tried to adjust to whatever makes people comfortable, fills seats, or avoids conflict.

The goal was never comfort or popularity. The goal was truth and love. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is tell someone a hard truth, even if it means pointing out that their choices are leading them in the wrong direction.

What We Really Love

Before we can hate what God hates, we need to love what God loves. And what does God love most? People. He loves everyone, no matter their background, color, politics, or story. God loves the Muslim and the atheist. He loves both Republicans and Democrats. He loves the person who annoys you and the one who has hurt you.

The question isn’t whether God loves them. The question is: Do you?

It is easy to love people who are kind to us. But do we love those who are difficult? Do we care enough to tell them the truth, even when it is hard? Do we stand for God’s standard while still showing grace?

This is the challenge we face: to hate sin but love sinners, to reject evil but care for those who are hurting.

The Pride Problem

Pride is at the root of almost every sin. Pride caused Satan to fall when he said, “I will be like God.” Pride led Eve to think she deserved wisdom apart from God’s guidance. Pride still keeps us from fully surrendering today.

Pride tells us we deserve special treatment, that rules do not apply to us, and that we can handle our sin without removing it. Pride makes our own voice louder than the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Ask yourself: Are you willing to learn? Can you accept correction? Do you handle criticism without getting defensive? If someone criticizes you online, do you react right away, or do you stop to consider if there is any truth in what they say?

We cannot brag about humility. As soon as we think we have it, we lose it. Real humility keeps us grounded, helps us listen, and reminds us to depend on God instead of ourselves.

The Cancer We Won’t Remove

Imagine someone with cancer who tells the doctor, “You can remove most of it, but leave a little bit.” We would think that person was not thinking clearly. When cancer is present, we want it gone completely, not just most of it.

Yet this is exactly how we treat sin.

We often try to manage sin instead of removing it. We leave some doors open, just in case we want to return. We make small compromises, telling ourselves we can handle a little bit of poison in our lives.

The truth is, even a small amount of cancer can kill you. In the same way, a little bit of sin can still destroy you.

Some sins are especially hard for us to resist. For some people, it is alcohol. For others, it might be pornography, gossip, greed, or lust. We know our weak spots, but we often stay close to temptation, thinking we will not get hurt.

The answer is not to manage sin better, but to remove it completely. This means closing doors, removing opportunities, and staying away from temptation as much as possible.

Closing the Door

When Elijah called Elisha to follow him, Elisha did not just say goodbye to his old life. He destroyed it. He burned his plow, killed his oxen, and shared the food with his neighbors. He made sure there was no way to return. He closed the door so fully that going back was not possible.

What door do you need to close?

Maybe it is a relationship that keeps pulling you away from God. Maybe it is a job that makes you compromise your values. It could be a subscription, a social media account, or a habit that seems small but stops you from fully surrendering.

Your actions show what you really believe about God. You can say you love Jesus, but if your life does not show it, your words mean little. You cannot share your faith well if you are still holding onto things God wants you to let go of.

Faith is not always comfortable. It means stepping into the unknown and trusting that God will be there. It means closing doors even when you do not know what is next, believing that following God is better than holding onto what is familiar.

The Choice Before Us

We stand at a crossroads. We are at a crossroads. Culture pulls us one way, but God’s Word points us another. We can choose between popularity and truth. We can either manage our sin or remove it. We can leave doors open or close them for good. We can choose hatred for evil—not tolerance, not management, not justification. True reverence for God changes our affections so completely that we love what He loves and hate what He hates.

The real question is not which door you will close tomorrow or next week. The question is: what door will you close today, before another moment goes by?