Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

  • The Ninth Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:20

    There are a number of different ways in which we can break this rule against false witness. If we teach or proclaim wrong things about God’s character, we are bearing false witness. If we gossip and backbite to destroy ...Read More

  • God’s Work Ethic

    Ephesians 4:28

    God’s people are called to be generous, not foolish. We want to provide real help to widows, orphans, and others who are in true need, first in our churches and then in the world. As we seek to help ...Read More

  • The Eighth Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:19

    As we will see tomorrow, there are a multitude of ways we can steal from others. Many of these are government-sanctioned, which is why it is important for us to understand what God’s Word says about theft. If we ...Read More

  • The Seventh Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:18

    Just as idolatry led to destructive consequences for the ancient Israelites, the analogous sin of adultery leads to destruction on an earthly level (2 Kings 17:6–23; Matt. 19:1–12). This should be enough to cause us to ...Read More

  • Dealing With Anger

    Proverbs 14:29

    We can avoid expressing our anger sinfully if we stop to think about how we are being treated and the relative importance of the situation. Often, we are so quick to show our ire that we forget that others may ...Read More

  • When Anger Destroys

    1 Samuel 25

    Uncontrolled anger is not merely a vice that can be overlooked. Instead, it can destroy lives, and we all know people who have impacted their futures for ill because they could not control their tempers. Sin always creates damage in ...Read More

  • Be Angry, Do Not Sin

    Ephesians 4:25–32

    It is easy for us to think we are being righteously angry when we are really just manifesting unjust ire. It is also easy for us to get so wrapped up in a righteous cause that we forget to pray ...Read More

  • Getting Angry at our Enemies

    Proverbs 25:21–22

    When Scripture speaks of doing good to our enemies, it is focusing on the common, everyday interactions that we have with other people. This teaching is less applicable in cases of physical violence or wars between nations, although even seeking ...Read More

  • The Duty of Forgiveness

    Colossians 3:12–14

    The forgiveness we enjoy from God in Christ Jesus has consequences for our lives. First, we are absolved from guilt and never need to fear His wrath again. Furthermore, God’s forgiveness means that we, too, must forgive those who ...Read More

  • Submitting to Earthly Authorities

    Romans 13:1–7

    Those who are under the authority of others are not allowed to wait for perfect leadership before they honor their supervisors, parents, church elders, and other leaders. Insofar as our leaders do not command us to do something God forbids ...Read More

  • The Fourth Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:12–15

    In one sense, all of life is worship (1 Cor. 10:31). At the same time, however, it is fitting that we set aside time to gather with God’s people to remember His salvation and to thank Him for ...Read More

  • Jesus’ Teaching on Oaths

    Matthew 5:33–37

    Jesus’ teaching leads us to conclude that it is better not to make a vow than to swear an oath that we have no intention of keeping. It also reinforces the point that oaths and vows should not be made ...Read More

  • Sacred Oaths and Vows

    Numbers 30:1–2

    This quote from William Shakespeare All’s Well That Ends Well captures an important insight: “‘Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth, but the plain single vow that is vow’d true.” Sacred vows are not to be ...Read More

  • Honoring God’s Holy Name

    Isaiah 8:13

    Fundamentally, revering God as holy means trusting His promises and obeying His commandments. In other words, we must recognize first that He is holy and that we are unholy, and we must rest only in His Son, Christ Jesus, in ...Read More

  • The Third Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:11

    In a culture such as ours, we easily fall into the trap of speaking of God irreverently. Even preachers can sometimes fail to give the Lord due reverence in their preaching and teaching, which is why they must take care ...Read More