Category: Deception

  • The Lovers of Money: Idols Revealed

    When Money Starts Telling the Story Introduction to the Lovers of Money Series We live in a world that quietly trains us to believe that accumulation is wisdom and self‑protection is maturity. Money becomes more than currency — it becomes a story we tell about ourselves. A story about safety. A story about identity. A…

  • Understanding the Mirror Prison: The Costs of False Belonging

    When Belonging Becomes a Mirror In recent months, campuses around the world have filled with students chanting slogans. They are waving signs and joining movements that feel electric. These movements are righteous and communal. Many of these students did not join because they understood the history or implications of the words they were repeating. They…

  • Signs of Emotional Burnout in Church Leaders

    The post explores the concept of the “Depletion Covenant” in churches, where natural encouragers, particularly ENFJs, find themselves isolated and burdened. It highlights the toxic dynamics of spiritual codependency, urging these individuals to reclaim their worth and set boundaries, fostering healthier, reciprocal spiritual communities that support all members equally.

  • Reclaiming Your Heart: The Journey from Shame to Grace

    The Gavel Falls discusses the internal struggle with shame and self-judgment, likening it to a Courtroom of Shame where fear presides. It contrasts this with a Sanctuary of Grace, emphasizing the transformation from condemnation to acceptance through faith in Christ. This journey involves confessing fears and declaring truths based on Scripture for healing and freedom.

  • Dismantling Self-Sabotage: Identify Your Hidden Idols

    The post discusses how danger often lies in invisible idols, such as comfort, perfectionism, approval, and control, which lead to self-sabotage. It emphasizes that self-sabotage is worship of false gods, preventing individuals from realizing their true potential. Identifying these idols and taking steps toward faith and courage can lead to spiritual transformation and freedom.

  • The Power of Nostalgia: Escaping Our Mental Egypt

    The Taste of Freedom, The Whisper of Egypt: When Nostalgia Becomes Bondage Author’s Note: I humbly offer my short story for your reflection. I warmly encourage you to peruse it before advancing with this blog post. You can find it here: Nostalgia Story Imagine standing on the shores of the Red Sea. The salt spray…

  • The Dark Side of Emotional Safety: When Comfort Becomes Control

    The Fortress of Feelings outlines how emotional safety, while essential, can be distorted into a protective mechanism for harmful beliefs. It describes a fortress of emotional experiences that suppresses dissent, rewrites memories, and elevates subjective feelings. To counter this, recognizing emotional tactics and reintroducing accountability is crucial for genuine well-being.

  • Rediscovering Conscience: The Case for Honest Rebuke

    The post discusses how society and churches are mislabeling loving correction as emotional harm, leading to a cultural shift that stifles genuine spiritual growth. This process involves softening the rebuke, enforcing silence, and resulting in bitterness. It emphasizes the need for intentional restoration of loving correction to foster transformation and accountability in communities.

  • Trading Reputation for Redemption: A Spiritual Journey

    In a world obsessed with achievements, our identities are shaped by external validation, leading to anxiety and inadequacy. The Cross symbolizes surrender and dependence on God, offering a secure identity rooted in grace. By contrasting biblical figures Saul and David, it emphasizes the importance of rejecting qualifications in favor of transformative faith and humility.

  • Psychology Meets Scripture: Healing the Conscience

    The “Gospel of Emotional Truth” examines the modern prioritization of personal feelings over factual morality, which can mute conscience through psychological defenses like rationalization and projection. It connects key psychological concepts with biblical narratives, illustrating how Scripture highlights the contrast between inward feelings and divine standards. The article emphasizes the consequences of emotional absolutism and…