Life's Inanities and Ironies

We all face battles. Sometimes the conflict is visible—a quarrel in the home, tension in the church, or the constant pressure of cultural compromise. But the Apostle James , in his practical letter, cuts right through the surface noise and asks us a piercing question: Where do these conflicts truly come from?. We tend to point fingers at the world, our circumstances, or the people who frustrate our plans. But James gives us a spiritual diagnosis, declaring that the fights come from our own selfish desires ( hēdonōn ) warring within us. He delivers a profound indictment, calling his readers "adulterous people". Spiritual adultery, James explains, is the pursuit of "friendship with the world," which is the system whose values and goals are in active enmity with God.When we cling to the world—its ambitions, its status, its fleeting pleasures—we are, in effect, betraying Christ, our rightful Husband. The ultimate root of this spiritual betrayal is pride—the arrogant bel...

In the hustle of modern life, it's easy to overlook the quieter stories in Scripture—the ones that don't scream with dramatic falls and redemptions but whisper warnings to the faithful. Today, let's dive into Luke 15:25-32 , the often-overlooked tail end of the Parable of the Prodigal Son . Here, Jesus doesn't just celebrate the return of the wayward younger brother; He exposes the heart of the older one, the "good" son who's been there all along. This isn't just a tale of one lost child—it's about two. And if we're honest, many of us who cling to the Bible as our inerrant guide might see ourselves in this dutiful, yet distant, sibling. Picture the scene: The older son is out in the fields, toiling faithfully as he always has. He's the epitome of obedience, the one who never strayed. But when he hears the sounds of jubilation—music, dancing, the fattened calf being slaughtered—he's puzzled, then furious. His brother, the squanderer, th...

“ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10 Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a powerful story from the Old Testament that speaks directly to our walk with God. In 1 Samuel 25, we encounter a tale of wisdom, restraint, and divine justice that holds timeless lessons for us as believers. This chapter introduces us to David, Nabal, and Abigail—three individuals whose actions reveal the importance of living in obedience to God’s Word. As we unpack this story, I pray that the Holy Spirit will illuminate our hearts and guide us to apply these truths in our daily lives. The Story: A Summary In 1 Samuel 25, we find David, the future king of Israel, in the wilderness, fleeing from King Saul. During this time, David and his men protect the flocks of a wealthy man named Nabal. When David asks Nabal for provisions, Nabal responds with rudeness and ingratitude, refusing to help. Enraged, David prepares to take revenge. How...

Have you ever felt so confident in your own abilities that you forgot to give credit where it’s due? Maybe you’ve achieved success in your career, or perhaps you’ve been praised for your talents, and slowly, pride began to creep in. It’s a common human experience, but as we’ll see in the story of Daniel 5, it’s also a dangerous one. The tale of King Belshazzar’s feast and the mysterious writing on the wall serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of humility before God—a message that speaks directly to us as fundamental Christians today. The Story of Daniel 5 In the ancient city of Babylon, King Belshazzar hosted a lavish feast for a thousand of his nobles. As the wine flowed, he made a fateful decision: he ordered the gold and silver vessels, taken from the temple in Jerusalem, to be brought out. These sacred items, meant for worshiping the one true God, were used instead to toast pagan deities. It was an act of blatant disrespect and pride. Suddenly,...