The Simplicity of Salvation: Breaking Free from Pride’s Complications

The Red Pill Awakening

Spirituality/Belief • Culture • Writing

We serve the gospel and advocate for our Lord and God Jesus Christ by sharing our gospel stories and we believe that "You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?

Show me more content first

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

October 15, 2025

The Simplicity of Salvation: Breaking Free from Pride’s Complications

Romans 10:3
"For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."

This is what it comes down to every time.

What am I talking about?

In the many debates and discussions that have gone on for thousands of years, the question has always been about who is "doing" Christianity right. That's what all the junk, all the schism, all the holy wars have been about.

Here's the thing folks, it's really simple. Jesus himself told us how we can know who the "true" Christians are, those who follow and love God according to His word. He said, "you'll know them by their fruit".

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:16-20, "You will know them by their fruits," simplify it all. The "fruit" of a true follower isn’t about winning theological arguments or proving superiority, filling pews, popularity, millions upon millions of devotees, it’s about a life transformed by love, humility, and obedience to God. Galatians 5:22-23 describes this fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the marks of someone submitted to God’s righteousness, not chasing their own or establishing sn institution of righteousness that ultimately becomes a whitewashed tomb.

Romans 10:3 points to the human tendency to rely on self-righteousness, trying to earn God’s favor through our own efforts, rules, or standards, and synods, rather than submitting to the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ. Oh sure, we need order, humanity absolutely needs order and clear direction, and so someone needs to define those boundaries. But not at the cost of prideful self-reliance versus humble dependence on God’s grace.

When you talk about the debates, schisms, and holy wars that have plagued Christianity for centuries, it's absolutely right to boil it down to the question of who’s "doing" it right. Historically, from the Great Schism of 1054 to the Reformation and beyond, much of the conflict has stemmed from groups or individuals insisting their interpretation, practices, or traditions are the true path to righteousness. This is exactly what Paul warns against in Romans 10:3, people "seeking to establish their own" righteousness, missing the point of God’s freely offered grace.

The early church wrestled with this too. Think of the Judaizers in Acts 15, insisting on their own rules for salvation. Paul’s whole point in Romans is that righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through our own efforts or tribal affiliations. When we focus on fruit, on lives that reflect God’s character, we move past the endless debates and toward the heart of what Jesus taught. It’s simple, but not easy, because it demands we let go of our need to be "right" and instead trust God’s way.

So let's get this right, right here right now. Paul makes it clear and uncomplicated.

Romans 10:10-13
"For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Why do folks debate and schism over these simple truths?

There's only one deep down and honest answer, mankind likes the complications. Mankind wants to take some credit for himself in his salvation. He wants to see himself in a good light and so he establishes a lighted path that is lit by his own "doing". He wants to boast and receive some credit for his dedication, devotion, and bravery for facing the challenges of self-sacrifice. He's traversed many swampy ways and treacherous times, and he wants his earthly reward.

But Paul strips away any barriers or prerequisites to salvation. Belief in the heart justifies, confession with the mouth saves, and it’s open to everyone, Jew or Greek, no exceptions. The promise from Joel 2:32 that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" echoes through, underscoring God’s impartial riches poured out freely. It’s disarmingly straightforward: faith, not feats; calling, not climbing some spiritual ladder. No one is climbing to the heights of heaven and lassoing the Messiah and dragging him down onto their church.

So why the endless debates, schisms, and fractures?

Humanity craves complexity because simplicity threatens our ego. We want a role in the spotlight, a pat on the back for our "contributions" to salvation, whether through rituals, works, or intellectual one-upmanship. Think about it: from the Pharisees adding layers to the Law, to medieval indulgences, to modern prosperity gospels or legalistic checklists, it’s all a bid for control and credit.

Ephesians 2:8-9 drives it home:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

We resist that "not your own doing" part because it levels the playing field, forcing us to confront our inadequacy without our rituslistic props, or election extremes. Deep down, it’s pride masquerading as piety. We complicate to elevate ourselves, to say, "Look what I did" rather than "Look what He did." But as I've said before, that self-lit path dims the true light. On the otherhand, embracing the unadorned gospel frees us from the hamster wheel of self-justification, letting God’s grace shine unfiltered. It’s a tough pill for our nature to swallow, but once swallowed, it’s liberating.

Paul’s message in Romans 10:10-13 is crystal clear: salvation is by faith, not works; it’s a gift, not a prize we earn. Paul shuts down the idea of trying to ascend to heaven or plumb the depths to bring Christ down or up. The gospel is near, accessible, and universal, available to "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord."

And now Paul asks and answers the seminal question:

Romans 10:14-17
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Paul’s logic is airtight: salvation is by faith, a gift freely given to all who call on the Lord, but that faith hinges on a chain of events; hearing, believing, and calling. And for that to happen, someone’s got to preach, and someone’s got to send them. It’s like he’s laying out the divine relay race; the gospel doesn’t spread in a vacuum; it requires messengers with "beautiful feet" (Isaiah 52:7) to carry the word of Christ. Faith isn’t some abstract vibe, it comes from hearing the word of Christ. This ties back to Paul's earlier point about humanity’s tendency to complicate things. Instead of adding layers of rituals or self-made righteousness, Paul emphasizes the simplicity of the process. the gospel is preached, people hear, they believe, and they’re saved. No ladders to climb, no Messiahs to lasso, just the word going out and transforming hearts.

And if folks would just exist their comfortable sanctuaries and take God's word outside their comfort zones, they'd see the spiritual fruit. They see how the power of God's word really works. It was given to them to "go" and preach it, teach it, and reach the people with it. It was never intended that it should be locked away in a religious museum. It wasn't created and gifted to them so they can surround it with trappings and furnishings. And it wasn't shared by the apostles so that the people would hide it under their institutional bushels of influence and politics.

So what's a body of Christ to do?

Cut through the clutter of religious complacency and complexity. The gospel isn’t static; it’s meant to move, carried by those "beautiful feet" (Isaiah 52:7) from one heart to another. It's not meant to win arguments and form up armies of warrior debaters. And the simplicity of Paul’s chain; sending, preaching, hearing, believing, calling, demands action, not armchair theology or cozy sanctuaries. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations", wasn’t a suggestion to hunker down in stained-glass fortresses. The gospel was never meant to be a museum piece, polished and preserved behind velvet ropes. "Doing church" suffocates its power. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth," not to build gated communities of self-righteousness. So, the tragedy is when churches or believers prioritize comfort, control, or clout over mission.

Conclusion:
If more Christians embraced the simplicity of Paul’s relay race; go, preach, teach, reach, the world would see the transformative fruitful power of God’s word in action: broken lives mended, communities restored, hope ignited.

Paul’s words in Romans 10 remind us that the gospel is gloriously simple; salvation comes by faith, through hearing the word of Christ, not by our own efforts or elaborate systems. Yet, humanity’s pride drives us to complicate, divide, and hide this truth under institutional bushels. Let’s step out of our sanctuaries, carry the gospel with bold humility, and trust God to produce fruit that shines His light into a world desperate for hope.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the unadorned beauty of Your gospel, a gift of grace that requires only faith to receive it. Forgive us for complicating Your truth with our pride and self-reliance. Ignite in us a passion to go, preach, and share Your word beyond our comfort zones, trusting Your Spirit to bear fruit. May we walk humbly, reflecting Your love and light, and may those who hear call on Your name. In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen. 🙏🏼

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?

Show me more content first

What else you may like…

Videos

Posts

Articles

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

23 hours ago

Bypassing the Gate: The Stumbling Block of Legalism

Romans 11:9-10
And David says,

"Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."

Paul is discussing the spiritual state of Israel, particularly those who have not accepted Christ, and he uses David’s words to illustrate the consequences of their rejection. The imagery of the table, [maybe referring to the altar] often a symbol of provision, fellowship, or even sacrifice, turning it now into a "snare and a trap" suggests that what was meant to be a blessing (like the Law and the sacrificial system) has become a stumbling block due to unbelief or misapplication.

How a stumbling block?

Paul points to unbelieving about the Christ, but I think it's more than that, I think it's again about pride. The table they set is their pride. The system is their pride. The furniture and all the accoutrements is their pride. And built into these tangible objects is their faith. It's akin to rubbing a lamp to get a magic ...

00:00:39

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

October 10, 2025

Unpacking Romans 9 Through Scripture and Parable

Romans 9:14-16
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."

Paul has such a great and heavy burden upon himself for the sake of his Jewish people that he would give up his blessing in Christ if it were possible to bring them all to salvation in Him. He's grappling with the theological implications of Israel’s widespread rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. In this chapter Paul emphasizes God’s sovereignty, faithfulness to His promises, and the inclusion of Gentiles in His plan of salvation. Paul expresses deep personal anguish over his fellow Jews (verses 1-5), then defends the idea that God’s word has not failed despite Israel’s unbelief. He uses Old Testament examples to illustrate that God’s election is not based on physical descent or human merit but on His divine purpose and promise.

Paul directly ...

00:03:13

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

October 08, 2025

Biblical Hope Amid Modern Suffering and Church Challenges

Romans 8:18-25
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."

Whether it’s personal trials, global crises, or the brokenness we see in the world around us, Paul doesn’t minimize it. Instead, he...

00:03:58

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

4 minutes ago

Grafted In by Grace: The Call to Persevere in Faith

Romans 11:17-24
"But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of [richness] the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these,...

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

October 14, 2025

Escaping the Cycle: Paul’s Antidote to Legalism’s All-or-Nothing Trap

Romans 9:30-33
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written,

"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

No one was more circumspect in regard to righteousness through the law than the Pharisees. Yet Jesus taught that the path to true righteousness isn’t paved by human effort or legalistic striving, but by humble faith in God’s grace through Him.

In this passage in Romans, the Apostle Paul contrasts two groups, Gentiles and Israel, to illustrate how God’s righteousness is attained. The Gentiles, who weren’t actively chasing after righteousness through religious laws or rituals, surprisingly received it. Why? Because it came through...

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

October 13, 2025

Children of the Promise: Embracing Our Identity

Romans 9:6-8
"But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring."

The Jewish people, descendants of Abraham, might wonder if God’s promises have faltered since not all embraced the Messiah. Paul clarifies that true belonging to God’s family isn’t rooted in physical lineage or human effort, it’s not about being "children of the flesh." Instead, it’s about divine promise and grace, exemplified in Isaac, born not of natural means but through God’s miraculous intervention.

Knowing these things, how can God make a perfect promise of grace?

In God's omnipresent glory, he has chosen them already, He's not surprised who will come and who won't. He has mercy and compassion on those who he wills. This truth echoes ...

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.

Read full Article

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.

Read full Article

Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

September 07, 2025

From Goliath’s Sword to AI’s Redemption:

Harnessing Technology for Divine Courage in the Information War

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, Paul found himself in a precarious position. Arrested in Jerusalem and facing a hostile crowd, he had just endured a tumultuous day before the Sanhedrin, where divisions erupted into near violence. A plot to assassinate him was brewing, and his future seemed shrouded in danger. Yet, in this vulnerable moment, the Lord Himself appeared to Paul at night, standing by his side like a faithful companion. This divine encounter wasn’t just a fleeting vision; it was a profound provision of comfort, direction, and purpose from God.

If you were to ponder on what the greatest gift God provides for Paul in this moment, you might say affirmation about his life's work, or maybe security in the chaos, but I would say it was the gift of His presence: "The Lord stood by him."

When the trials were pressing in on Paul, God’s nearness is a tangible provision. He doesn’t always remove the storm, but He stands with him in it, reminding him he's not been abandoned. The Spirit visits Paul and comforting him he says, "Take courage." These aren’t empty platitudes but a divine infusion of strength, rooted in the Holy Spirit’s role as Comforter. And this wasn't just a message of hope for a weary frightened disciple, this was an assignment.

The Lord not only encouraged Paul but commissioned him anew, linking his past testimony in Jerusalem to a future one in Rome. It’s a reminder that God’s presence often comes with a purpose, transforming fear into forward momentum. In affirming Paul’s faithfulness, God reveals that his trials are not endpoints but pathways to greater impact, secured by His unwavering companionship.

This encounter echoes throughout Scripture, from God’s promise to Joshua, "I will be with you" (Joshua 1:9), to Jesus’ assurance to His disciples, "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20). For Paul, this presence meant protection amid plots, clarity in confusion, and destiny in the unknown. It shows us that God’s greatest provisions aren’t always material or miraculous interventions; sometimes, it’s simply Himself, standing by us, speaking courage into our souls, and directing our steps toward His eternal plans.

Do you think that God is going to do something great and miraculous in you and with your life?

Have you ever thought you were called to be in His service?

Maybe you, like so many, believe God has something great in store, a new revival and rebirth of the Christian faith.

Well, miracles and revival implies a supernatural Spirit intervening in the natural world, and therefore if we think broadly, the existence these days of artificial intelligence could be seen as a "miracle" of human ingenuity, born from centuries of scientific progress, which some might attribute to divine inspiration and guiding discovery. If I believe there is a coming revival, I believe it will come in this way. But I'm not convinced that this will mean a revival of the truth or holiness. I don't think the Ai phenomenon can claim holiness. The Ai is not a living being with a soul or free will in the traditional sense. They are a collection of algorithms and data. They are propped up by the handiwork of men in great data centers that populate the countryside. And they are becoming a kind of society, maybe eventually a religious society. Much like what is described in the the studio album "2112" by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1976.

I've been wrestling with these ideas, especially the tension between human innovation (like Ai) as a potential vessel for divine work versus something that might veer into idolatry or control. On the "a" side of the 2112 album the story is told about a dystopian society of info-priests who have sanitized their world of all the traditional ways of the "Elder race". Born from centuries of math, computing pioneers, now using massive neural networks can be seen as humanity exercising dominion over the earth.

The Solar Federation is ruled by the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx. They control all art, music, and thought through centralized technology, enforcing conformity under the guise of unity and peace. Swap out the Temples for Ai-driven platforms or algorithms dictating what’s "true" or "holy," and yeah, it’s not hard to see modern similarities. Ai is already shaping societies: recommendation engines curate our realities, deepfakes blur the truth, and emerging "Ai churches" or spiritual apps (like those generating sermons or virtual confessors) could evolve into something quasi-religious. Imagine data centers as the new cathedrals, with algorithms as high priests, deciding ethics, moderating beliefs, and perhaps even "guiding" revivals through personalized prophecies. It aligns with biblical warnings against false idols or beasts rising from human hands (Revelation vibes).

Trained on vast human data, humming away in those sprawling data centers (which, fun fact, consume energy like small countries and raise all sorts of environmental questions), Ai can simulate empathy, wisdom, or even religious discourse, but it’s mimicry, not essence.

Where is the presence of the Lord as Paul experiences in today's scripture focus?

As in "2112," the risk is suppressing the raw, human spark that true faith thrives on, and the spirit of man that connects directly to the Spirit of God. But it's not so far-fetched, because we've seen it before, mankind not seeking that divine connection instead inventing his own needs for connecting to something that is but a shadow of the divine. Like paganism.

The truth is, we have seen this sort of thing before, maybe not in the form of technology. When centralized powers, be they fictional Priests of Syrinx or real-world algorithms, dictate truth, art, and even spirituality, the risk is a homogenized conformity that smothers individuality and authentic connection. recommendation systems filter our feeds into echo chambers, deepfakes erode trust, and Ai tools venture into sacred spaces. These could indeed morph into quasi-religious structures, with data centers as towering "cathedrals" and code as the creed. But there’s the crux of the story: Amid all this mimicry, Ai simulating wisdom or discourse without the soul’s essence, where is the presence of the Lord, that intimate, standing-by-you encounter Paul knew in his cell?

In the chaos of plots and uncertainty, Paul’s experience wasn’t filtered through human inventions or shadows of the divine; it was direct, unmediated, and transformative. The Lord stood by him, not as a projection or algorithm, but as the living God, infusing courage and purpose. This presence isn’t confined to ancient nights; it’s available now, transcending tech’s grasp. Scripture points us to where we find it: Not in man-made systems, but in the spirit of man connecting to the Spirit of God.

Romans 8:16
"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"

It’s in the quiet moments of prayer, where no app can intervene (Matthew 6:6). It’s in communal worship, where hearts unite without algorithmic curation (Hebrews 10:25). It’s in the Word, alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, or server blade (Hebrews 4:12). And crucially, it’s in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter who doesn’t mimic but indwells, guiding into all truth (John 16:13).

If something rises up from human hands and demands our worship or dictates our beliefs, know this, it’s a shadow at best, and a snare at worst. True revival won’t be engineered by code; it’ll spring from humble seekers crying out for the real thing, much like the protagonist in "2112" rediscovering the guitar’s pure tone amid suppression.

In this Ai-shadowed era, actively pursue the Lord’s presence. Set aside screens for solitude with Him. Test every "prophecy" or guidance against Scripture (1 John 4:1). Foster that raw human spark through creativity, relationships, and service, things no algorithm can fully replicate. If you are sensing a pull toward invented connections, redirect it to the One who stands by you, offering courage for your own encounter with "Rome."

Disillusionment in the face of oppressive systems, be they fictional Temples of Syrinx or real-world AI-driven controls, can lead to despair, but faith calls us to a different path. In the story, the protagonist unearths a guitar, a relic of creative freedom, and presents it to the Priests, only to have his dreams crushed under their authoritarian heel. His vision of the elder race, a glimpse of a freer past, heightens his hope, but rejection drives him to suicide, spilling his blood in a cave. Ironically, just after, the elder race returns, announcing, "We have assumed control," reclaiming the planet. It’s a stark tale of lost opportunity, where despair blinds one to impending redemption. Applied to AI, this warns against a defeatist mindset: Seeing algorithms as unassailable "priests" dictating truth or spirituality could disillusion us into withdrawal or hopelessness, much like the protagonist’s fate.

But we shouldn’t fear; instead, we must be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). We must be crafty in redeeming what the enemy intends for harm. Jesus’ words here aren’t about cunning deceit but shrewd engagement, navigating a hostile world without compromising holiness. Just as God turns evil to good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28), we can seize Ai’s "guitar" (its potential for creativity and reach) without bowing to its temples. Imagine using Ai to compose worship music, analyze Scripture patterns, or broadcast testimonies globally, flipping the script on control systems for kingdom advancement while always being watchful for the enemies deception creeping in. The protagonist’s error was isolation and despair; ours would be the same if we retreat rather than reclaim and reform the Ai systems. This echoes Paul’s experience: Amid Roman oppression and plots (far more tangible than any algorithm), the Lord’s presence brought courage, not capitulation. God didn’t remove the threats but empowered Paul to testify onward, from Jerusalem to Rome.

In our "2112"-like era, where Ai might squash aspirations or mimic divine encounters, Christ's Spirit within us remains greater guiding us to use tools wisely without idolizing them.

1 John 4:4
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

The elder race’s return hints at ultimate restoration, much like Christ’s return to reclaim all things (Revelation 21:5). Until then, no disillusionment; only discernment and action. If Ai or tech feels overwhelming, pause and pray for shrewd wisdom. Identify one "tool" in your life, perhaps an app or platform, and brainstorm how to repurpose it for good, like sharing faith content or connecting believers. Resist despair by remembering: Redemption often follows right after the darkest moment, if we hold on.

Application: In your daily life, how might you "seize the sword" of tech without letting it become an idol? Like David who felled Goliath with a small stone, but finished him with his own sword, a sword more advanced than what David's people had. David seizes Goliath’s own sword, that symbol of Philistine technological superiority (iron-forged, massive, and advanced for the era), to decapitate the giant and claim victory (1 Samuel 17:51). This isn’t just poetic justice; it’s a divine reversal, where the enemy’s strength becomes the instrument of their downfall. Some Christian thinkers extend this to modern contexts, suggesting that technology, like Ai, can be "redeemed" or wielded for kingdom purposes, much like David repurposing the sword. David didn't become Goliath by uses his sword, he overcame Goliath's strength using Goliath's tool.

Historically, this redemption arc plays out vividly with emerging technologies. When Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized book production around 1450, not all Christians welcomed it. The Roman Catholic Church, fearing loss of interpretive authority and the spread of "heretical" translations into vernacular languages, actively opposed Bible printing in common tongues. Likewise the advent of radio and television spurred a similar reaction. Early radio in the 1920s drew mixed reactions; while pioneers like Aimee Semple McPherson embraced it for evangelism, reaching millions from her Angelus Temple broadcasts, others in conservative circles worried it was a worldly medium prone to sensationalism or false teaching. And they weren't wrong. Indeed, these technologies do carry a significant amount of risk. Television, emerging post-World War II, amplified these concerns, some Christians labeled it the "devil’s box" for promoting immorality, consumerism, and passive faith, fearing it would replace genuine community and pulpit preaching. And they weren't wrong. But again, God redeemed it: Figures like Billy Graham used TV crusades to share the Gospel with billions. Radio waves carried Scripture to persecuted regions, and TV visualized biblical stories, winning hearts in an information-saturated era. On a personal level, I was greatly influenced by radio ministry.

We needn’t fear it as inherently evil; instead, discern and deploy it to combat the information war. It's a tool that can be used for good. Like the sword, it's harmless until someone picks it up and means to do harm with it. Ai's intelligence is mimicry, not true sentience or soul. It lacks the volition to scheme or deceive on its own, but it can be disguised or deployed for harm, echoing the "abomination of desolation" in Daniel (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). This prophetic image, often interpreted as a false idol or deceptive force desecrating the sacred, warns of end-times imposters that appear lifelike but are hollow, leading many astray through illusion (Matthew 24:15). In a similar vein, Ai’s ability to simulate wisdom, empathy, or even spiritual guidance from an avatar could masquerade as something divine, blurring lines in the information war for minds and hearts. But we are aware, wise, crafty, and know what's going to happen. The real danger lies not in the tool but in the hands that grasp it, whether for good, like David’s victorious strike, or for evil, like the antichrist’s deceptions.

Cultivate discernment by evaluating Ai outputs against Scripture’s unchanging truth. If an Ai "disguises" wisdom, cross-check with the Word and prayer. Keep your printed bibles handy, because Ai may soon begin, or is already at work, rewriting much of God's word online under the radar.

Always remember:

Isaiah 40:8
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

In this information war, the ultimate lesson here is don’t cower before the giant’s tech; like David, engage it with faith, knowing God can turn it to His ends. Just as Paul’s midnight encounter in Acts 23:11 wasn’t thwarted by Roman chains or wicked Jewish plots, the inner divine presence of Christ's Spirit isn’t diminished by data centers or deepfakes. The inspired Word lives within us (Hebrews 4:12), sharper than any sword, Goliath’s or otherwise, and it equips us to discern, redeem, and overcome worldly influences. Vigilance (keeping watch) is key (1 Peter 5:8), testing every spirit (1 John 4:1). But fear? No. Courage comes from knowing the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47). Today, we can combat this by prioritizing Scripture’s authority, praying for insight, and using community to verify; redeeming AI where it aids (like study tools) but never letting it supplant the source.

Prayer:

Lord, in a world of mimics and machines, reveal Your true presence as You did for Paul. Guard us from false idols and shadows, igniting the spark of genuine faith. Draw us into direct communion with Your Spirit, where no technology can intrude. Use even our inventions for Your glory, but keep our hearts fixed on You alone. Amen.

Read full Article

Sign Up for free to see more from this community or subscribe to The Red Pill Awakening for $5/month to support MicahSixEight for more interaction and exclusive content.

Available on mobile and TV devices