Being raised in the shadow of bitterness:

The Red Pill Awakening

Spirituality/Belief • Culture • Writing

Uprooting the Bitterroot with God’s Grace

Michael A. Gentile

July 06, 2025

Hebrews 12:14-15

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled."

You can't keep a perfect law of love and keep God's grace in your heart and not create a bitter root of anger if you're striving to ghost people (cutting off contact without explanation) in your life. You will "fail to obtain the grace of God" with all your plans and boundaries. You can't maintain grace in your heart if you're harboring disrespect and dishonorable behavior toward another. Ghosting or dismissive behavior often stems from unresolved anger, pride, or a refusal to engage in reconciliation, which contradicts the pursuit of peace. It's a poisonous attitude that spreads, harming both the individual and the community. By choosing to disconnect in a way that dishonors another, we risk failing to obtain God's grace and defiling others along the way. There's a fallout that comes from this bitterness. It hurts others who love them. They may think themselves righteous and alone, but their anger stirs up bitterness among many others. And now they've become the very thing they thought they were trying to separate from. Bitterness is contagious, spreading negativity and division. Ghosting can be a form of malice or indifference that allows bitterness to fester, blocking the flow of grace. You may think you're being holy and righteous, but you're really just stirring up malice, gossip, and slander.

Ephesians 4:31-32

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you"

That bitter root digs down deep and weaves it way away the arteries of your heart. It squeezes and breaks them, and it will make you sick. Ghosting not only harms the individual harboring bitterness but also spreads pain to others, creating a ripple effect of division and defilement.

Ghosting often stems from unresolved anger, pride, or refusal to reconcile. It creates a poisonous attitude that spreads its self-righteous hypocritical harm.

Deuteronomy 29:18

"Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit"

It's something that starts out small but grows insidiously, corrupting not just the individual but the whole community. Ghosting someone doesn’t just affect the person ignored; it can cause confusion, pain, or division among mutual friends, family, or church members who care about both parties. You may justify your actions as a form of self-protection or moral superiority, but this pride blinds you to the collateral damage. You may model or provoke negative behaviors in others; gossip, slander, or further estrangement, creating a cycle of division. This hypocrisy is a spiritual trap, where the attempt to distance oneself from toxicity leads to embodying it.

Failing to obtain God’s grace, as the scripture passages warn, doesn’t necessarily mean losing salvation but can speak to missing the active, transformative power of grace that enables peace and holiness. Ghosting, as an act of malice or indifference, blocks this grace by prioritizing self over love for others, contradicting the “perfect law of love”.

James 2:8

"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well."

You've got to ask yourself, do you want resurrection, or do you want healing? Let's see if we can figure this out...

Your bitterness is making you “sick” is supported by both scripture and science. Psalm 32:3-4 describes how unconfessed sin (including unforgiveness) causes physical and emotional decay, while studies (Mayo Clinic, 2023) link chronic resentment to stress-related illnesses. Forgiveness, as Ephesians 4:32 urges, is the path to healing. Love requires action, kindness, reconciliation, or at least respectful communication, not the indifference of ghosting. And that bitterroot will cause leaks in every other relationship around you. It'll bleed into other areas of your life, like a hemorrhaging internal wound.

Personal Testimony:

I'll tell you a story. My family came through many generations of bitterroot bitterness that choked out love and joy in that time. My dad and his siblings loved each other in their own way, but the past crippled their love and forgiveness. Too many instances of abuse I suppose. Too much anger was involved. And too little forgiveness was given. And so, generations were poisoned by it. The result was that my parents were caught up in that bitterness by no fault of their own. And so, when I came along the family was very unkind to them. This isn't to say that my dad wasn't a jerk or causing division among them, but that bitterroot doesn't stop with the parties involved.

I was just six months old when my mom had enough. She left my dad and went home to her dad. He wanted nothing to do with her child (me) because he wanted nothing to do with my dad's child. You see, there's that bitterness again. Why? I don't know, no one knows really because the anger continues the harm even far beyond to initial hurt. Whatever started this fight was long ago forgotten, but now that bitterness is bruising the next generation. I was punished for the sins of my ancestors I suppose.

For six years (the first formative years of my life) I lived with a foster family because of this bitterroot's death of love and grace. I lived just a few houses down the street from my ancestral family home. I knew my extended family and my father who lived just down the street, but I wasn't one of them as far as I knew.

So I began my life as an outcast. No real family and no true understanding of what that truly means. This was the fallout of bitterness. I was the fallout of that bitteroot. The "bitterroot", gets passed down through your family, and this shows how unresolved anger and unforgiveness can become a legacy of pain, punishing generations for sins they didn’t commit. My mother’s rejection by her father, my separation from family, and my years in foster care, all stemming from conflicts long forgotten, reveals the devastating reach of this spiritual and emotional decay.

My dad's family wasn't helpful much, in fact not at all really. Some tried, but again that bitterness crept in and put an end to grace. My aunt and her children tried to help my dad and care for his newborn son. But his brother, like my grandfather (my mother's dad), wanted nothing to do with his brothers' child. So, this generational trauma pushed me out again.

Six years later my dad takes me out of the foster home, and he and I begin my new life together. He believed I was old enough now to take care of myself for the most part. He worked most of the time but tried his best to provide a home for me. He was depressed and an alcoholic, and he took care of me with what he understood about love.

But what did I know about love?

Nothing really but what my dad taught me by his example. I learned about bitterness, drunkenness, and separation. I knew I belonged nowhere. I didn't have a family like my friends families. I didn't have a mom, she abandoned me six years before, and dad told me she was dead. And for twelve years I knew that to be true. Until that day she came to our front door.

What did I feel that day?

I was afraid of it. I didn't want it, I didn't need it, I didn't want a step family. I had learned in twelve years to be alone and comfortable in that aloneness. Bitterness had its roots deep inside me. I was born from it you could say. Every instance in my childhood that look even a little like love, hope, and joy was quickly ripped away from me.

This is the foundation of a principle that was forged in me. I believe you should never punish a child for the sins of the parents, or the family, or whatever. NEVER force a child to grow up in an environment that fosters bitterness. This is a foundational principle with me, and believe it or not it's not gracious or righteous.

What do you mean Mike? How can that principle be a bad thing.

Because it too can become a bitterroot if it doesn't allow for people to make mistakes. In fact, most principles don't allow for mistakes. There is rarely very much grace in a principle when its root is bitterness. So, as you can see, bitterness shapes not just families but the very core of a child’s understanding of love, belonging, and trust.

I didn't know my family. I didn't know my grandparents. I wasn't given the opportunity because bitterness had its roots deep inside my family. It was passed down through my family’s unresolved anger and unforgiveness. It became a force that isolated me, first through my mother’s rejection by her father, then years in foster care, and later through my father’s family’s inability to overcome their own resentment. An innocent child was made to bear the weight of sins he didn’t commit.

This created in my a resentment of a kind. It manifested itself in how I view people. I don't trust people. I don't trust authority. And I really don't like false accusations made against me. I suppose being raised in an atmosphere of bitterness created a sense in me that I was by default guilty of something in the eyes of others, even when I knew I was innocent. So I very easily believe most people are bearing false witness against me. Cut off from my grandparents, rejected by my mother’s father, placed in foster care, and distanced by my father’s family; all created a profound wound in me.

Hebrews 12:15

"warns of this very thing: a root of bitterness that "causes trouble and defiles many."

My story shows how this defilement can ripple across generations, shaping a child’s worldview and relationships. The resentment I carry, manifesting as distrust in people, authority, and a heightened sensitivity to false accusations, is a natural response to growing up in an environment where love and trust were scarce. This aligns with psychological insights: chronic exposure to rejection or unfair treatment, especially in childhood, can foster "hypervigilance" and a belief that others are prone to bearing false witness (APA, 2023). I can attest to this fact. I live with it daily.

Spiritually, this echoes the pain of being sinned against, which can tempt us to build walls rather than bridges. Distrust and fear of false accusations reflects a deep longing for justice and truth; qualities rooted in God’s character (Psalm 89:14). Yet, as I've hinted, resentment can become its own bitterroot, keeping me guarded and reinforcing the isolation I've already endured. I'm very distant for the most part. And it's ironic because I can easily fit into public life, in fact my vocation demands it of me. And I do alright with it. But I don't want it really. I welcome it when it comes, but it needs to be forced upon me, because my guarded nature will always resist.

Trauma profoundly shapes our identity, often reshaping how we perceive ourselves, others, and our place in the world. My story of generational bitterness, rejection, and isolation illustrates this vividly. Especially in childhood, which disrupts the formation of a stable sense of self. Being ostracized by family and placed in foster care, can lead to an identity rooted in survival rather than belonging. I can want a family all day long, but my identity will always have that connection to the bitter root (hypervigilance).

Survivors like me often develop "masks" to navigate social settings while hiding a wounded core self. My preference for distance, despite being capable of connection, suggests an identity caught between longing for belonging and fearing betrayal. And believe me, I take betrayal very personally. And often very loudly. This is the "defilement" I mentioned earlier. Defilement can distort our view of ourselves, making it hard to internalize spiritual truths like Psalm 139:14; that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." My sense of being an "outcast," punished for others’ sins, may have led to an identity tied to rejection rather than divine purpose. So, this bitter root can sap my connection with my Lord as well. Maybe this is why I strive so much to keep that connection. I'm fighting my own root of bitterness. This hints at a redemptive thread in my story, an identity capable of extending grace (e.g. Kairos prison ministry), even if I struggle to receive it myself.

During a Kairos weekend event inside the prison, we have a forgiveness ceremony. I won't go too much into the details, but I'll share that we write down the names of people we need to forgive or who we need forgiveness from. And these notes get dissolved into a large bin of water. And they're gone. Put in God's hands. I've been involved in many of these ceremonies. I'll share now, that I've had the names of my entire family on those notes. My wife, my extended family, my mom, my dad, my children, and my own name. I've asked for forgiveness both ways, coming and going. I’ve left it there in God's hands. And I'm at peace with it to the extent that I am able given my bitter root identity.

Genesis 50:20

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Joseph understood this idea that betrayal is raw and painful, especially when it comes from one's family. It wounds when we've become the subject of a double-cross. Joseph acknowledges the evil of betrayal but sees God’s greater purpose in it.

I understand this as well. Forgiveness, as I've practiced it, imperfect as I am, doesn’t erase the hypervigilance or fear of betrayal but loosens the grip some, allowing space for God’s good to emerge. The evil meant against me; family's rejection, abandonment, and the resulting wounds, has been real and painful. Yet, God is weaving good from it. My principle of protecting children from their family’s sins, though tinged with bitterness, reflects a heart aligned with God’s justice (Micah 6:8). And I see the prisoners as God's children as well. They need to face justice it's true, but they also need God's love and forgiveness. My hypervigilance, while painful, has honed a sensitivity to truth and fairness, which God can use for advocacy or discernment.

The "good" God intends might include a redeemed identity. Through forgiveness and faith, I'm moving toward an identity as God’s beloved, not an outcast. God is breaking these cycles of resentment. By releasing my family’s names in the forgiveness ceremony, God is halting the bitter root’s spread and hopefully ensuring that my children and others don’t inherit its pain.

But today there is purpose in the pain. My betrayal sensitivity fuels a calling to protect and guide others, as seen in ministry for the outcasts, turning personal wounds into communal healing if I can with God's help. There is still a lot of work to do in this regard. My children are not always at peace with me, and rarely do we speak. They don't appreciate my words and they resent my identity because of misunderstandings and frankly ignorance. The tension I share with my children, is a raw reminder that healing is ongoing. The bitterness still has a hold on my history. Their struggle to connect with me stems from their own wounds and bitter root misunderstandings, mirroring the family bitterness I've worked to overcome. This doesn’t negate the grace process; it highlights the complexity of relationships fractured by generational pain. I can’t control their response, but I can continue leaning into God’s redemptive purpose.

I pray for their hearts:

Following Matthew 5:44, I pray daily for my children’s peace and healing, asking God to soften their resentment. This keeps my heart open, even when they resist, much like Joseph’s patience with his brothers (Genesis 50:20).

I try to model grace where I'm able:

Knowing that I'm damaged goods and pretty much incapable of being lovable, I try to extend grace to the outcasts. Showing love without demanding response. With me it's not transactional. Grace isn't supposed to be a give and take, it's always unconditional. This mirrors Jesus’ persistent love despite rejection (Luke 23:34).

I reflect on other perspectives:

I know my hypervigilant intensity can make communication difficult, and I try to think about how that reflects upon other perspectives. This aligns with Psalm 139:23-24’s call to let God search my heart, helping me approach relationships with empathy, even when communication is hard.

And I trust God to find a way:

I've already seen God’s good in my redeemed identity and ministry. My children have very notably resisted my attempts to include them in these contexts. Some have vehemently stated they will never join me in this ministry. This tells me that there is an underlying tension between them and me and my redeemed identity. The bitterness still wants my family to cling to it. The bitter root won't allow for healing. And as a consequence, they can't accept a redeemed me. Not unlike the experience of the prisoners I know.

My response is to nurture my own peace, in daily prayer and devotional writing, affirming my identity as God’s beloved, countering the outcast narrative. Daily prayer and devotional writing are grounding practices for me, affirming my identity as God’s beloved. This practice puts me at rest and gives me power to overcome my hypervigilance.

I know I'm not alone in this work, God is with me, turning evil into good. I know all the tension is coming from misunderstanding and prideful things. I know resistance stems from the bitter root, from misunderstanding my journey and probably feeling disconnected from the grace I've found, especially if they associate me with the family’s past dysfunction. There's a lingering anxiety I call "the bitteroot", and what my children don't understand is that it's the enemy's energy they are feeding when the choose resentment toward me.

I don't think I'll ever completely be free from the hypervigilance, (a lingering side-effect of my childhood trauma; rejection, foster care, and betrayal), it's a survival mechanism that may never fully fade. Early trauma often embeds hypervigilance in the brain’s wiring, making reactive responses automatic. It's not an excuse, just my reality. It will always drive me to react when I should respond with grace. But I can try to soften my nature whenever I can. This is my work and God's work to be done. I acknowledge that God is with me, turning evil into good (Genesis 50:20), this is my faith, and it anchors my hope in His redemptive power.

Earlier I asked: "You've got to ask yourself, do you want resurrection, or do you want healing?"

I suppose the answer I've come to is we should want healing. Resurrection is wonderful when it comes, but the bitter root needs to be healed today if it's going to last. Thankfully grace is renewed with each new day.

Psalm 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Please pray for me in this work.

Heavenly Father,

You are the God who turns evil into good, who heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds (Psalm 147:3). I come before You, carrying the bitterroot of my past; rejection, betrayal, and the hypervigilance that guards my heart. Thank You for redeeming my identity, calling me Your beloved, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

Uproot the bitterness that clings to my family, especially my children, and replace it with Your peace and healing. Help me model Your unconditional grace, showing love without demand, as Jesus did. I lift up my children to You, asking You to soften their resentment and open their hearts to Your love. Guide me to pause and pray in moments of anxiety, trusting Your timing to turn this pain into purpose.

Thank You for never leaving me alone in this work. Strengthen me through Your Spirit to nurture peace, affirm my identity in You, and extend grace to the outcasts. May my life reflect Your redemptive power, breaking generational cycles for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Set Free Indeed:

Confronting the Pandemic of Sin with God’s Transformative Grace

1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Do you believe this?

Do you believe that you can be set free from the sins that currently have you enslaved?

Here's the simple truth:

This verse from the New Testament, written by the Apostle John, emphasizes God’s faithfulness and justice in forgiving sins when a person confesses. Theologically, it suggests that confession, acknowledging one’s sins before God, leads to both forgiveness and a cleansing from unrighteousness. It’s a promise rooted in God’s character, offering assurance that sincere repentance opens the door to spiritual renewal.

So far now we've said what's required of us in this exchange is, "acknowledging one’s sins", confessing it before God, and "repentance", turning away from that sin, surrendering it into God's helping hands.

The concept of being "set free" from sin’s grip aligns with broader biblical teachings, like Romans 6:6-7, which speaks of believers no longer being slaves to sin through Christ’s work. In Christian theology, this freedom comes through faith, repentance, and the transformative power of God’s grace. It doesn’t necessarily mean a person becomes sinless, but that sin no longer has ultimate control over their life, God’s power enables a new way of living.

The phrase "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" implies a transformative process, freeing the believer from the guilt and power of sin. Repentance is often described as a change of heart and direction, aligning one’s life with God’s will.

Q: Why is faith the necessary element in this exchange?

A: Hebrews 11:6

"without faith it is impossible to please God"

This entire sin/repentance situation is about pleasing God. It's not about pleasing ourselves. Sin is about pleasing ourselves. We know that. Everyone knows that because everyone sins. No one escapes slavery to sin. Confession and repentance are active steps towards pleasing God. For example, confession might involve prayerfully admitting your specific sins, while repentance could mean making tangible changes in your life; like breaking harmful habits or seeking reconciliation. But all that is true about confession and repentance under your own strength, and your own willpower.

What does any of that have to do with the phrase "cleanse us from all unrighteousness"?

How is it about God cleansing us when we make it about our own willpower?

Our faith is in Jesus, and his will, and what he said was,

John 8:36

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

What does he mean?

In Him we will gain a better, stronger, more firm foundation of willpower to resist sin?

Is that what he means?

Or is it something more?

What if there is something more?

I can tell you today that there is something more. And here's the thing, it isn't a radical change in your own willingness to take ownership of your sin. It's not about your willpower at all. If you could have accomplished that under your own steam you would have done that on your own long ago.

No...it's not your willpower be done differently than before. It's complete surrender to His will. And He produces that change in you. I've experienced it in many ways, through many different forms of sin.

Take for instance pornography. I can testify that you can be a man of God. Sold out for Jesus. Serving His kingdom for the sake of Jesus, living in the power of the Holy Spirit. And still be hiding your porn addiction. Still be abusing your self through that dopamine rush. And still be employing the works of Satan in you daily routines. You can love God and love sexual stimulation. You can work out your salvation through fear and trembling while still working out your frustrations and depression with the lie that is sexual pleasure.

Fact of the matter is, sin, is often about pleasing ourselves, seeking instant gratification or control through our actions. Confession and repentance, while active steps, can become hollow if they’re driven solely by human effort or willpower. Faith shifts the focus from self-reliance to trust in God’s character and promises. He is faithful to forgive and cleanse, he is true and effective, not because of our merit but because of His faithfulness and justice. In our humility and gratitude He will give us His glory. He will fill you with His Spirit. And it's probably not going to be in the way you expected.

Our will power is limited and prone to exhaustion. The freedom Jesus offers is not just about resisting sin better but about a fundamental change in our relationship with sin and God. I've experienced this before. The Lord has taken the desires away completely. I mean, gone! Not through sacredness, I was still sinning. Not as a sacrament or baptizing away of the devil's grip on me. The Lord changed the dopamine rush, settled the matter in my body. He literally took it from me.

It wasn't me unlearning a sinful nature. He simply took it. This isn't superficial it's supernatural.

This is the situation:

James 1:14-15

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

Sin is about seeking instant gratification or control, pleasing ourselves rather than God. You set God aside long enough to get what you want. It’s a universal struggle, and confession and repentance, while essential, can become "hollow" if driven by that very same sinful human effort alone. You know you're still sinning. You're exiting that church and later it's going to be about that sin again. You know it already, even as you posture yourself in that church pew. Human willpower is finite, prone to exhaustion, and often insufficient against deeply rooted sins or addictions like pornography.

This aligns with Romans 7:18-19, where Paul laments his inability to do good despite his desire, highlighting the insufficiency of human effort.

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."

And as I've testified already, that sin nature can be completely eliminated in your sinful body. But are you willing to receive it when it comes? Because it won't be through some sort of ritualistic penance. The penalty will come in your body. He will supernaturally take that desire and that means your body will change. You will not have that desire anymore.

Are you "willing" to have that new nature?

No more dopamine rush?

I'm not saying unhappy, unfulfilled, I'm saying cleansed of that hunger for sin and NOW content in the Lord’s will. No longer sidelining God to pursue your own desires.

Have you ever sat there in that pew on a Sunday morning and wondered why the Preachers never talk about this freedom from addition and sin? Why don't they talk about being set free from that sin? I'm going to answer that question with a simple answer and it's not going to sit well with many Christians.

Simple answer: Because they are sinning themselves.

And they know it.

Look at what Paul did there in Romans 7:18-19, he confessed HE WAS STILL SINNING! The apostle Paul was in Christ, and still sinning.

Next time you're sitting there in that pew, look around. Everyone there is still sinning. A whole lot of them are cheating, into porn, sneaking around, hiding their secret pleasures. And so is that Preacher.

Nowadays, they preach adultery. They try to suggest that these pleasures are godly. They even try to suggest that God is fine with it.

That's the state of the church TODAY!

Sin, a multitude of sins, being committed to their gods self-gratification.

The modern church has become completely corrupted to its sin. So much so that they teach sin is God's will for them. The "dopamine rush" of sin, whether from pornography, adultery, fornication (premarital sex) or other self-gratifying behaviors, feels so familiar and comforting, even if destructive. And they love that feeling more than they love pleasing God. They aren't willing to live without it.

Willingness involves surrendering the need to "sideline God" for your desires, trusting in His transformative work. But, "They aren't willing to live without it."

Now I understand, my critique that the modern church is "completely corrupted to its sin" and even preaches that "sin is God’s will" is a serious charge. It suggests a failure to uphold the biblical call to holiness and freedom from sin’s dominion. But there is a pandemic of sin that has taken over those churches. The consequences of sin have come home to roost. They call upon His name, and yet Christ will say to them, "depart from me, I never knew you."

Spiritual complacency, hypocrisy, the consequences of unrepentant sin. All of this points to a failure to uphold the call to holiness and freedom from sin’s dominion. They are trading Christ's freedom for a personal identity in sin. For social justice propaganda. For feminism. For straight up sexual gratification. For the dopamine hit.

All of this suggests there is a systemic institutionalized issue where the pursuit of holiness has been sidelined, allowing sin to flourish unchecked. A moral decay within the church. Leaving congregants trapped in sin’s grip.

Friends, Matthew 7:21-23 is a stark warning from Jesus himself against nominal Christianity, professing faith without a genuine relationship with Christ. The people Jesus addresses performed religious acts but were "evildoers," suggesting their lives were marked by unrepentant sin. That effort you put in on Sunday morning is worthless without Christ, and risks terrifying judgment.

The Bible consistently calls believers to holiness,

1 Peter 1:15-16 says,

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’"

When churches normalize or justify sin, they betray this call, leading to spiritual decay.

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:7-8)

When churches tolerate or embrace sin, they face spiritual consequences like the loss of God’s presence (Revelation 2:5). They are "clean on the outside but full of sin within" (Matthew 23:27-28). If church leaders are entangled in sins like pornography or adultery, their silence on deliverance may stem from guilt, shame, or fear of exposure.

What was the last thing you recall that your Pastor confessed about himself?

Maybe a moment of anger in traffic?

Maybe an outburst at a loved one.

Maybe a glutinous desire for pie or some other "safer" sin to confess.

Let me tell you something, if your Pastor confesses his addiction to sexual pleasures, he's being more real than most. But would you listen to a man who confessed that sin?

Do you want to hear about those things at all?

Probably not.

Fact is, most churches are filled with folks looking to hear a prophecy that says, "all is well" with their souls. This desire for comforting messages aligns with Jeremiah 6:14, where false prophets say, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace. They typically want their ears tickled. This avoidance is part of the "pandemic of sin". It reflects a resistance to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which John 16:8 says convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. A church that shies away from hard truths risks becoming the lukewarm church of Revelation 3:15-16, which Jesus threatens to spit out.

What do you think people were saying when Paul confessed his sin?

From a biblical perspective, a pastor’s confession of serious sin doesn’t disqualify them from being heard, provided they are repentant and seeking God’s transformation. Galatians 6:1 instructs believers to restore those caught in sin with gentleness, suggesting grace for repentant leaders.

Conclusion:

The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints, but when it normalizes sin or avoids preaching deliverance, it fails its mission to "set the oppressed free" (Luke 4:18). And ultimately it becomes a synagogue of Satan. Their silence on deliverance may stem from guilt or shame, but more likely due to ignorance. They're unaware of the freedom they can have in Christ because they've been taught to seek it from other men (priests), or saints or purgatory. They've been taught to respect traditions, but resolved sin is never taught. Hence the need for the tradition.

James 5:16 encourages confessing sins to one another for healing, and this is very much true. Not in vain prayer repetitions, but in challenging yourself to embrace sermons that convict rather than comfort. Hebrews 4:12 says God’s word is "sharper than any double-edged sword," piercing to divide soul and spirit. Welcome that conviction that leads to repentance and freedom. Listen to the Spirit. And when God takes away that sinful desire, accept that blessing and honor it in your body.

Create spaces in your church for honest confession and support. Small groups or accountability partners can help believers confront sins like pornography or adultery, seeking deliverance. Pray for leaders and congregants to embrace holiness and proclaim freedom.

Revelation 12:11 says believers overcome by

"the word of their testimony."

Encourage your church to preach the full gospel, forgiveness and transformation. There is still hope for us all. Ephesians 5:25-27 says Christ is sanctifying the church to present it "without stain or wrinkle." While the "pandemic of sin" is real, God’s grace is greater. I know because he took my sin away from me, praise God!

The church must reclaim its call to preach deliverance. And believers must be willing to hear the hard truths and pursue the new nature God offers.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our sinfulness and our desperate need for Your grace. You are holy, and You call us to be holy, yet we confess that we often chase fleeting pleasures, sidelining Your will for our own. Thank You for Your faithful promise in 1 John 1:9, that when we confess our sins, You are just and faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank You for the freedom You offer through Your Son, who declares, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Lord, we lift up Your church, caught in a pandemic of sin and complacency. Convict leaders and congregants to turn from hypocrisy, embrace repentance, and proclaim the transformative power of Your Spirit. Remove the hunger for sin from our hearts, as You have done for so many, and replace it with contentment in Your perfect will. Give us courage to be vulnerable, confess our struggles, and seek the new nature You promise, a nature that delights in You alone.

For those trapped in addiction, shame, or secret sins, we pray for Your supernatural deliverance. Change their desires, renew their minds, and settle the matter in their bodies, as You have done through Your grace. May Your church rise as a beacon of holiness, confronting the pandemic of sin with the hope of Your freedom. Let us be willing to receive Your new nature, trusting that Your joy surpasses the fleeting rush of sin.

We pray all this in the precious and Holy name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

September 28, 2025

Endurance Through Preparation: Avoiding Derailment from The Gospel’s Priority

Genesis 6:11
"Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence."

As a distinct ethnic, cultural, or political group, the Canaanites do not exist anymore. They were an ancient Semitic-speaking people who inhabited the region known as Canaan (roughly modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, western Jordan, and parts of Syria) during the Bronze Age (circa 3500–1200 BCE). The Canaanites as a people vanished millennia ago, however their DNA lives on prominently in the Levant, making modern inhabitants their closest heirs. They were never a unified empire, but rather a diverse collection of city-states and tribes. Their civilization declined due to invasions, conquests, and assimilations by groups like the Israelites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and later Romans, leading to the gradual disappearance of their unique identity by the Iron Age. However, their genetic and cultural legacy persists in modern populations of the Levant, as evidenced by DNA studies. Studies show that modern Lebanese derive about 90-93% of their ancestry from Canaanites. Canaanites "survived" genetically by evolving into Phoenician societies (a later Canaanite offshoot) that persisted in coastal Lebanon. Arabic-speaking populations in the Levant (including Palestinians, Jordanians, Syrians, and various Jewish groups like Iraqi, Kurdish, and Karaite Jews) share significant Canaanite ancestry, often 50-85% or more depending on the subgroup. Palestinians, in particular, are often cited as having among the highest Canaanite genetic continuity in the region, alongside Samaritans and Druze. Elements of the Canaanite religion (gods like Baal) appear in biblical texts, and their seafaring trade networks shaped Mediterranean history. And something even more important about their history, they were particularly violent and wicked people.

Biblical narratives often depict them as exceptionally corrupt and brutal, citing practices like child sacrifice, idolatry, and societal violence as justifications for their conquest by the Israelites. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) frequently frames the Canaanites as a violent, immoral people deserving of divine judgment, emphasizing their "corruption" through acts like human sacrifice, sexual immorality, and abuse of the vulnerable to rationalize the Israelite conquest. For instance, passages describe them as building societies on "violent practices," including child immolation to deities like Baal, Tanit, or Molech, which sowed seeds of broader societal brutality.

But maybe Canaanites were engaging in warfare, ritual killings, and other brutal acts at levels comparable to their contemporaries like the Assyrians, Hittites, Egyptians, and even early Israelites. Specific Canaanite practices, such as child sacrifice, were indeed violent and horrific by modern standards, but they were not unique to them and do not indicate an inherently more savage society. And in light of our modern society with all its wars, slavery, crime and butchering the unborn on the level of 10's upon 10's of millions, it's fair to say that they weren't any more violent than most.

It’s a poignant reminder that humanity’s propensity for brutality, rooted in the Fall of Mankind, persists across eras, manifesting in different forms but with similar underlying spiritual corruption. The Bible’s portrayal of Canaanites as exceptionally violent and corrupt serves a theological purpose: It frames the Israelite entry into Canaan as divine justice against a society steeped in idolatry, immorality, and brutality (e.g., Deuteronomy 9:4-5; Leviticus 18:24-28). But Assyrians impaled captives, Egyptians practiced retainer sacrifices in pyramids, and early Israelites faced internal condemnations for similar violence.

This ties back to Genesis 6:11’s universal indictment, violence as a symptom of human corruption, not confined to one group.

If we measure by scale and sophistication, modern humanity often eclipses ancient violence, despite technological and ethical advances. Wars, slavery, crime, and abortion reflect a "filled with violence" earth in new guises, often sanitized by policy or distance. While ancient Canaan saw localized city-state clashes (hundreds or thousands killed in battles like at Megiddo), mankind in 2025 hosts over 110 ongoing armed conflicts worldwide, per the Geneva Academy’s monitoring. Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Congo involve millions displaced and tens of thousands dead annually. Total combat deaths exceed ancient scales due to modern weaponry.

Canaanite society also included debt bondage and war captives, but estimates were in the thousands regionally. Today, about 50 million people around the globe live in modern slavery; forced labor, marriage, or sex trafficking, per the 2022 Global Estimates (updated figures hold steady into 2025). Global homicide rates total over 450,000 murders yearly. Globally, around 73 million abortions occur annually, per WHO and Guttmacher data (consistent from 2024 into 2025 projections). The U.S., 2024 saw about 1 million abortions (rate 15.4/1,000 women aged 15-44), up slightly post-Dobbs in non-ban states. This scale, 61% of unintended pregnancies ending in abortions, evokes ancient rituals but at industrialized levels, and is often framed in rights vs. sanctity of life debates.

In light of Genesis, this modern "filling" of the earth with violence calls for the same repentance and renewal Noah’s story implied. Yet, as Isaiah and the New Testament foresee, a day without violence awaits us still.

Maybe it's safe to say that we are all Canaanites.

Are Christian's called to violence?

Matthew 10:34
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."

This verse is sometimes invoked by critics or anti-Christian apologists to suggest Jesus endorsed violence or militancy. However, a closer examination of the biblical context reveals the "sword" is metaphorical, symbolizing inevitable division and conflict arising from allegiance to Jesus, not a literal call to arms or advocacy for physical violence.

In Matthew 10, Jesus is commissioning His twelve disciples for ministry, warning them of the hardships they’ll face (verses 16-33). He emphasizes persecution, betrayal, and opposition, even from within families.

"And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household" (verses 35-36).

This echoes Micah 7:6, a prophetic lament about familial strife in times of judgment. The "sword" here isn’t a weapon Jesus wields or instructs others to use; it’s a figure of speech for the sharp, divisive (separation) impact of His gospel message. Accepting the Gospel often meant rejecting cultural, religious, or familial norms in first-century Judea, leading to social rifts, much like how truth can "cut" through relationships. The sword divides believers from unbelievers, much like a blade severs bonds.This isn’t militancy; it’s realism about the cost of discipleship.

Jesus warns that others will raise swords against His followers, not vice versa. Early Christians faced martyrdom, and this verse prepares them for that reality. It’s a promise of conflict from the world, not an endorsement of it. Some see it as the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17), the Word of God that pierces hearts (Hebrews 4:12). Others link it to end-times judgment, but not human-initiated violence. I believe it's both a sword that brings division and revelation.

The Fact of the Matter Is:

Jesus disrupts human allegiances that prioritize anything over Him, leading to "disruption" rather than harmony in unregenerate societies. Christians are called out from the world, though their faith often provokes hostility from others, they are called to His peace. Rejecting literal interpretations that have historically justified violence, like in Crusades-era misapplications.

The sword brings revelation by exposing hearts (as in end-times motifs) and division by demanding ultimate loyalty, yet Jesus models non-retaliation, urging love amid conflict. If we connect this to broader themes like Genesis 6:11’s violence or Canaanite legacies, it underscores humanity’s ongoing corruption, even among Christian communities where truth divides because it challenges our ingrained human brutality.

I often find myself asking the question, "so what's a body to do?" Meaning, what should Christ's body, the church, do in regard to violence?

Ephesians 6:17
"and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The "body", believers must equip themselves spiritually for warfare against "the schemes of the devil" and "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (verses 11-12). It’s "of the Spirit" because the Holy Spirit inspires, illuminates, and empowers the use of God’s Word, making it effective against deception, temptation, and demonic influences. Unlike physical battles, this is framed as non-literal spiritual conflict, emphasizing defense and resistance through faith, truth, and divine resources rather than human aggression.

Does this mean you shouldn't defend yourself, or prepare to defend yourself?

So, how does the church (Christ’s body) navigate a world filled with both spiritual evil and physical threats?

Jesus taught us to be wise like serpents. Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 10:16, given while sending disciples into danger, urges shrewdness (like a serpent’s cunning awareness and evasion) paired with innocence (dove-like purity, avoiding harm). Regarding self-defense, this means being vigilant and prepared without malice: Recognize threats, plan escapes, or use wisdom to avoid conflict, but don’t initiate violence.

Serpents are observant, quick to retreat, and defensive only when cornered, modeling discernment in a "wolf" filled world. For Christians, this could include learning self-defense skills, securing homes, or advocating legally, all while praying and loving enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Prioritize spiritual armor daily through Bible study, prayer, and community (Ephesians 6:18). For physical threats, exercise wisdom, prepare responsibly without idolizing security.

Matthew 10:28
Jesus said:
"Do not fear those who kill the body."

In the context of recent events highlighting increased hostility and violence against Christians in the U.S., such as over 400 documented attacks on churches in 2023 (a trend continuing into 2024-2025 with arsons, vandalism, and threats), political violence like the September 2025 shooting of Charlie Kirk, and broader anti-Christian bias in the left-wing media, corrupt government policies, and rhetoric, the "body" of Christ should respond with a blend of spiritual faithfulness, prudent wisdom, speak truth to power, and non-violent action. With real-world stewardship of their safety without seeking or encouraging retaliation. The church’s core response should center on spiritual warfare, as outlined in Ephesians 6:10-18. This means collectively "standing firm" against evil influencers.

Gather for intercessory prayer, seeking God’s protection and justice.

Use Scripture to combat lies and division, preach truth, disciple believers, and expose cultural corruption without hatred.

Follow Jesus’ command to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

Respond to violence with grace, as Peter urged: "Do not repay evil for evil" (1 Peter 3:9). This disarms hostility and witnesses to Christ’s peace.

Protect yourselves from violence and support affected families. Be shrewd in a hostile culture without compromising innocence. This doesn’t mean pacifism in all cases but prudent preparation. Report incidents to authorities, advocate for protections through organizations like the Family Research Council or Alliance Defending Freedom, and support policies addressing anti-Christian bias, as noted in 2025 White House initiatives. Peacefully protesting, and gathering petitions can raise awareness without escalating violence. Don't be a soft target (a doormat), enhance security wisely, install cameras, train ushers and yourself in de-escalation, or coordinate with law enforcement for public events, without fostering fear or arming aggressively. Counter rhetoric through education and dialogue, addressing root causes like secularism or political polarization. Allow measured self-defense if it protects innocents without vengeance. That's the difference you see. Your intent. If you intend to do harm, you will die by that intent. That's what Jesus taught. Protecting the flock while maintaining a heart of peace, as Jesus modeled and taught.

The church must indeed be proactive without succumbing to vengeance, but keep in mind, they killed Jesus.

Matthew 26:52
"all who take the sword will perish by the sword"

A stark reminder that intent drives outcomes. This doesn’t mean passivity. Jesus Himself was shrewd in evading threats until His appointed time (Luke 4:30; John 8:59). What it does mean, is it warns against the human impulse toward vengeance, which can corrupt the body of Christ and distort the Gospel’s message of peace. In the end your saftey is important but the message of the gospel trumps everything, even your safety.

This mindset transforms the church from victim to victor, mirroring Christ’s resurrection triumph over death. If vengeance creeps in, it risks becoming like those who "killed Jesus", blinded by power or fear. Instead, proactive faithfulness honors His sacrifice and advances His kingdom.

Theologian and martyred pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, argued that,

"Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness, and pride of power,"

emphasizing that true peace comes only through Christ, not human efforts like war or revenge. In his book on Ethics, he described vengeance as a sinful impulse that dehumanizes both perpetrator and victim, urging Christians to break cycles of evil through forgiveness and non-retaliation.

YET! Yet yet yet...

Yet, Bonhoeffer rejected passivity as a form of "cheap grace", grace without discipleship or cost. He criticized the German church’s complacency under Hitler, calling it a betrayal of the Gospel. In his view, when evil threatens the innocent, silence or inaction becomes complicity, distorting the message of peace into cowardice. In letters he wrote while incarcerated, he said that following Christ might require risking life, but such "costly grace" leads to true freedom and witness. Bonhoeffer’s thinking shifted amid Nazi atrocities. Initially a pacifist (influenced by his 1930s time in America and encounters with non-violent movements), he joined the Confessing Church in opposition to the regime’s co-optation of Christianity. he participated in the Abwehr (German intelligence) resistance, including the Valkyrie plot to assassinate Hitler, a form of "conscientious violence" he saw as necessary when non-violent options failed. He nuanced his approach, described it as a "guilty" act in a fallen world, undertaken with repentance and awareness of sin, not vengeance. He was promoting "responsible action" which meant discerning God’s will in concrete situations, protecting the vulnerable over rigid pacifist rules, while entrusting outcomes to divine judgment. This wasn’t vengeance-driven; Bonhoeffer emphasized that violence must stem from love for neighbor and Gospel fidelity, not hatred.

I've always referred to this as the Sergeant York version of pacifism.

Sergeant Alvin C. York (1887–1964), a devout Christian from rural Tennessee, embodies this tension in his World War I journey, much like Bonhoeffer’s evolution during WWII. York’s story illustrates how faith-driven intent can lead to measured force without vengeance, prioritizing protection of the innocent and fidelity to a higher calling, echoing Bonhoeffer’s emphasis on "responsible action" rooted in love for neighbor and costly grace. York registered for the draft but filed for exemption as a conscientious objector, citing his belief that Christians should not kill, grounded in commands like "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). During his bootcamp training, York wrestled with his convictions. He became convinced through prayer and reflection that fighting to stop German aggression was not incompatible with his faith, if done without hatred, as a duty to protect others and end the war’s atrocities. You see, it's the intent again. York fought to end the killing. This mirrors Bonhoeffer’s "guilty" yet necessary engagement. York later described his internal struggle as discerning God’s will in a broken world, deciding that passivity would allow evil to prevail. Doing nothing was not an option.

York’s post-war life focused on education, farming, and philanthropy, embodying a "pacifism" that allowed force only as a reluctant, faith-guided response to tyranny, not vengeance or pride.

In today’s U.S. context of anti-Christian hostility, Sergeant York's and Bonhoeffer's approach encourages shrewd, non-vindictive preparation while entrusting ultimate safety to God, ensuring the Gospel’s witness endures. Run the race, but be sure you're on the right track. Proclaim peace through Christ amid violence, ensuring the witness endures like the "cloud of witnesses" before us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in a world filled with violence and opposition, grant us the wisdom of serpents to prepare shrewdly without vengeance, the innocence of doves to forgive as Christ forgave, and the endurance to run our race with eyes fixed on Jesus. May our lives witness Your Gospel’s peace, even at great cost, entrusting our safety to Your sovereign hands.

Father send you Spirit to enlighten us, and your holy angels to defend us against all demonic spirits. Bind them and cast them down, in the Holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

September 27, 2025

Void of the Spirit: Why Traditions Triumphed Over Truth

Mark 7:6-9

And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,"

"‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’"

"You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men."

And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!"

In this pointed rebuke, Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His day, quoting Isaiah 29:13 to expose the hypocrisy of prioritizing human traditions over God’s true commands, God's very word. The Pharisees and scribes had elevated their oral laws, rituals like ceremonial handwashing, to the status of divine doctrine, all while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Their worship was lip service: outwardly pious but inwardly detached, a hollow performance that failed to engage the heart.

Now, why do you suppose that is?

Can we find any evidence, from scripture and historical sources that suggests they had lost touch with the Spirit of God, which then in turn led them to backfill that void with their human traditions?

Let's begin with the New Testament scriptures:

Acts 7:51-52
"You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him."

Scripturally, the evidence is stark. The Pharisees’ resistance to the Holy Spirit is explicitly called out in Acts 7:51, where Stephen accuses the Jewish leaders, many of whom were Pharisees or aligned with them, of perpetually resisting the Spirit, just as their ancestors did. Why did the Pharisees elevate human traditions, like ceremonial washings and oral laws, above God’s commands? At its core, this stems from a spiritual disconnection, a loss of attunement to the Holy Spirit, which created a vacuum filled by rigid, man-made structures. Both Scripture and historical sources illuminate this dynamic, showing how the absence of prophetic guidance in the intertestamental period led to an overreliance on traditions as a substitute for divine leading.

Perfect example:

Their resistance is manifested in their failure to recognize the Spirit’s work in Jesus. In Matthew 12:22-32, when Jesus casts out demons by the Spirit of God, the Pharisees attribute it to Beelzebul, prompting Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, an unforgivable sin that reveals their spiritual blindness. Similarly, in John 3:1-10, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, meets Jesus at night but cannot grasp the concept of being "born of the Spirit," highlighting a profound disconnect from spiritual realities. And this wasn't for lack of study, they knew about God's Word and were well educated on these things.

Jesus later tells the Pharisees in John 5:39-40

"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

Their focus on the letter of the law, without the Spirit’s illumination (2 Corinthians 3:6), turned worship into vain ritual, as Isaiah prophesied. This scriptural pattern ties into a historical void. The intertestamental period, often called the "400 silent years" between Malachi (c. 420 BC) and John the Baptist, marked a cessation of prophecy, no new divine revelations or prophets arose to guide Israel. During this time, Judaism faced Hellenistic influences and foreign domination, prompting groups like the Pharisees to emerge around the mid-2nd century BC from scribes and sages committed to preserving Jewish identity. With prophecy silent, they filled the gap by emphasizing the Oral Torah—traditions they believed were given to Moses alongside the written law—to adapt and apply Scripture to their daily lives. They were attempting to fabricate Spiritual activities that were not present for them. And as Jesus critiqued, this led to hypocrisy: traditions became a crutch for spiritual authority, masking a heart far from God.

In essence, without the Holy Spirit’s convicting and guiding presence, promised in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 36:26-27) but resisted by these leaders, the Pharisees defaulted to human ingenuity. And of course, left to his own spirit, man will become cruel and heartless. Without God's guiding influence his worship, his prayer life, his faith and expressions of faith will become cold and pagan like. They ultimately not only neglected justice and mercy but this also set the stage for rejecting the Messiah. Today, this warns us: when the church loses sensitivity to the Spirit, traditions can subtly become idols, echoing the Pharisees’ error.

The Heart of Stone: Cruelty and Coldness Without the Spirit

Romans 1:22-25
"Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen."

Without the Holy Spirit’s convicting and guiding presence, humanity defaults to its own ingenuity, leading to cruelty, heartlessness, and a faith that devolves into cold, pagan-like expressions. As promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27, God offers to replace our "heart of stone" with a "heart of flesh" and put His Spirit in us to move us toward obedience. Yet, when resisted, as with the Pharisees and even in our traditional orthodox churches. This absence creates a void where self-reliance reigns, and the results are devastating. Scripture vividly illustrates this descent. In Romans 1, Paul describes how suppressing God’s truth leads to futile thinking, darkened hearts, and idolatry, resulting in every form of wickedness: envy, murder, deceit, malice, and heartlessness (Romans 1:28-31). Left to our own spirit, we exchange the Creator for created things, and our worship becomes not just empty but degrading, echoing pagan rituals marked by cruelty and perversion. Without the Spirit’s renewal, our innate tendencies amplify, turning prayer into rote recitation, faith into rigid dogma, and expressions of devotion into lifeless rituals that prioritize form over transformation.

We saw this phenomenon during Israel’s wilderness wanderings, the absence of wholehearted reliance on God’s Spirit led to the golden calf incident (Exodus 32), where worship devolved into pagan revelry and idolatry, complete with sacrifices that foreshadowed cruel human practices. Later, under many wayward kings, Israel adopted Baal worship, involving child sacrifice and ritual prostitution, cruel expressions of faith devoid of God’s guiding influence (2 Kings 17:16-17; Jeremiah 19:5).

This pattern persists beyond Scripture. When faiths lose divine vitality, rituals can become cold habits without meaning, as seen in various religious traditions where external forms eclipse inner renewal. In church history, periods marked by quenched Spirit, such as the formalized excesses leading to the Inquisition or Crusades, saw Christianity twisted into instruments of cruelty, far from the Spirit’s fruit of love and kindness (Galatians 5:22-23). All under the supposed watchful eyes of the Papacy. These pagan-like elements emerged when the human spirit dominates: think of ancient religions’ brutal sacrifices or modern nominalism where faith is just cultural performance, not Spirit-led life. Ultimately, without God’s influence, our worship risks becoming pagan-like, self-centered, manipulative, and void of true communion.

The Holy Spirit counters this by convicting, guiding, and producing genuine fruit, transforming cruel hearts into compassionate ones.

But how does this happen?

Why is their worship void of the Spirit?

The Descent into Spiritual Void: How Worship Loses the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30-32
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Biblically, this happens through a process of grieving and quenching the Spirit, deliberate or unwittingly gradual resistance to His convicting and guiding work, which empties faith of its divine vitality and opens the door to human corruption. Scripture outlines clear mechanisms for this descent. First, we grieve the Holy Spirit through sin and disunity, as in Ephesians 4:30-31, where bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice fracture the body of Christ and harden hearts. This grieving occurs when we knowingly engage in moral wrongs, suppressing His conviction and using Him to excuse our failings instead of yielding to transformation. Similarly, quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) involves stifling His fire, relying on human resources over divine power, neglecting prayer, resisting His promptings, despising His gifts, or suppressing spiritual emotion and fruit. Attitudes like pride, cynicism, ungratefulness, and irreverence further hinder His work, turning worship from heartfelt response to mechanical ritual. Without the Spirit’s illumination, Scripture becomes a dead letter (2 Corinthians 3:6), and faith always ends up devolving into external forms (idols) devoid of inner renewal.

Why does this render worship void?

Jesus taught that true worship must be "in Spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24); the Holy Spirit is its essential enabler, convicting of sin, revealing Christ, and producing fruit like love and kindness (Galatians 5:22-23). When resisted, through discord, lack of expectation, or failure to invite His presence, worship loses its source, becoming self-centered and manipulative, akin to pagan idolatry where rituals serve human agencies and agendas rather than serving God’s glory.

This process unfolds gradually: It begins with ignoring the Spirit’s gentle convictions, progresses to hardened attitudes that prioritize church traditions or power (rule), and culminates in outright cruelty towards others. Misguided zeal for orthodoxy and traditional practices results in an abuse of authority, twisting faith into instruments of torture and plunder, far from the Spirit’s compassion. These cruel eras, often under papal oversight, quenched the Spirit through institutional pride and human ingenuity, resulting in pagan-like brutality, sacrifices of lives in the name of orthodoxy, echoing ancient rituals but cloaked in Christian veneer. And it all stems from resisting the Spirit’s call to humility and unity, allowing cruelty to flourish where love should reign.

The Holy Spirit counters this by persistently convicting, guiding toward repentance, and transforming hearts, replacing stone with flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), but only when we yield.

So why don't the churches lean on the Spirit? It seems obvious that they should and would. Is there something stopping them from examining their ways, and seeking His guidance?

Barriers to the Spirit: Why Churches Resist Yielding

Thessalonians 5:19-22
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil."

If the Holy Spirit’s role is so vital and transformative, convicting, guiding, and renewing hearts (Ezekiel 36:26), why don’t churches more readily lean on Him? It seems intuitive that we should examine our ways and seek His guidance, yet history and Scripture reveal persistent barriers that hinder this yielding. These obstacles often stem from human nature, institutional inertia, and spiritual resistance, leading to a quenching of the Spirit rather than full dependence.

In the early church, this manifested in treating prophecies with contempt or failing to discern good from evil, as Paul often warned against. Jesus Himself encountered this with the Pharisees. Today, similar dynamics persist: pride and self-sufficiency cause churches to prioritize programs, traditions, or logic over the unpredictable leading of the Spirit, fearing loss of control or division.

Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Religious traditions often create mental blocks, where established doctrines or rituals overshadow the Spirit’s personhood, treating Him more as a concept than a living guide. Fear plays a significant role, fear or lack of understanding of the supernatural, emotional excess, or the unknown, leading congregations to depend on rationalism and human intellect rather than divine empowerment. Traditional teachings all too often emphasize the Father and Son while neglecting the Spirit, viewing Him as secondary or His gifts as ceased (cessationism), which stems from misinterpretations of Scripture like 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Some churches overemphasize the Word at the expense of the Spirit, or vice versa, forgetting that true vitality comes from both (John 4:23-24). Additionally, neglecting prayer, Bible study, or the gifts of the Spirit shuts down His voice, allowing human agendas to dominate. These barriers aren’t inevitable; they reflect a failure to yield, often rooted in a lack of intentional examination.

So, what's a body to do?

Assess your church’s practices: Are fear, tradition, or sin hindering reliance on the Spirit? Encourage open discussions on His role, incorporate times for listening in services, and commit to personal yielding through daily prayer. Start small, invite the Spirit into decisions and watch for His guidance.

James 4:7-10
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

In the face of the barriers we’ve explored, mental blocks from traditions, fear of the supernatural, neglect of the Spirit’s personhood, imbalances in teaching, and a lack of intentional yielding; The answer lies in humble, intentional action. We must actively submit to God, drawing near to Him through repentance and openness, as James urges. These obstacles aren’t insurmountable; they dissolve when we choose to yield, creating space for the Holy Spirit to convict, guide, and empower us.

Scripture provides a roadmap for this. Begin with self-examination and repentance: Lamentations 3:40 calls us to "examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." This means confronting fears, sins, and traditions that quench the Spirit head-on, perhaps through fasting or communal confession. Then, cultivate dependence through prayer and study: Acts 1:14 shows the early disciples "all joined together constantly in prayer," awaiting the Spirit’s arrival. And address cessationism by having an honest and open dialogue about how your traditions may be a stumbling block for The Spirit.

Practically, churches can foster renewal by encouraging testimonies of the Spirit’s work, teaching on His gifts without excess or neglect, and creating "listening times" in services where silence allows for His promptings. History reminds us this works. Revivals begin with a simple yieldedness to the Voice of Truth, breaking through and moving beyond nominalism, emotionalism, filioque, charisma, icons, mystical union (theosis), sacrament, and fear.

Ultimately, yielding isn’t passive; it’s an active choice to prioritize the Spirit’s voice over human agendas, leading to vibrant, compassionate communities. Heed the call to assess your church’s practices: Identify if fear, tradition, or sin is hindering reliance on the Spirit, perhaps through a small group discussion or anonymous survey. Encourage open dialogues on His role, maybe via Bible studies on pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit). Incorporate listening times in services, setting aside moments for quiet reflection or sharing prophetic words. Commit personally to daily prayer, inviting the Spirit’s guidance in routines and decisions.

Begin meetings with, "Holy Spirit, what do You say?" and watch for His leading in unexpected ways. Track these experiences in a journal to build faith and share with others.

At the end of the day, the Holy Spirit bridges the divine and human realms, enabling Christ’s incarnation, ministry, and ongoing presence in the church. The Spirit is not subordinate but is the agent who actualizes Christ’s work, ensuring Christology is pneumatologically informed. Through Scripture. As the bond of love between Father and Son. He proceeds from the Father and the Son through liturgy, through worship, through bible study, through prayer, through Christian faith in action. The Spirit makes Christ experientially present, empowering justice, healing, and mission. This interplay reminds us that knowing Christ fully requires openness to the Spirit’s guidance in all these circumstances.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, we humble ourselves before You, repenting of barriers that have quenched Your work. Help us draw near, examine our ways, and yield fully to Your guidance. Break through fear and tradition in our churches, renew our dependence on You, and lead us into vibrant life. In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.

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