bdavidc

Yes, I am married, but my wife has no tattoos. I’ve always been old-fashioned in that regard and personally never liked the look of tattoos on women, but that’s just my opinion, not something I hold as a biblical command. I don’t believe having a tattoo is a salvation issue. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not based on whether someone has a tattoo or not (Ephesians 2:8–9). So I don’t go out of my way to defend tattoos, nor do I promote them. As for Scripture, I do recognize that in Revelation 19:16, when Jesus returns, it says, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Some have taken that to mean a marking or identification on His body, though the verse could also mean it’s written on the part of His clothing that covers His thigh. Either way, it’s not the same as a modern tattoo and shouldn't be used to justify them. What matters most is not the ink on someone's skin, but whether Christ is truly ruling in their heart. The Bible doesn't specifically mention tattoos in the context we know them today, but it does speak clearly about the motives of the heart and how we are to present ourselves as followers of Christ. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Whether it's a Bible verse, a cross, or anything else, God is more concerned with why we do something than the external act itself. That said, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are not our own, we were bought with a price, and therefore we are to glorify God in our body. If someone gets a tattoo as a genuine expression of faith, not to conform to worldly trends or to draw attention to themselves, that motive matters. However, just because something is culturally accepted, even among older generations, doesn’t make it biblically right or wise. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Be not conformed to this world,” which includes evaluating trends through the lens of Scripture, not society. Ultimately, each believer must examine their own heart and motives before the Lord. Romans 14:23 says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” So if it’s done out of conviction and not for vanity or rebellion, and it doesn’t contradict the clear teaching of Scripture, then it must be left between that person and God. But no matter what, our lives, not our tattoos, should be the real testimony of Christ in us.

Since I’m now retired and living on a fixed income, I simply can’t afford things like that anymore. They’re just too expensive. I only have one, and that’s from years ago when I was younger and riding my Harley. Life changes, and with it, so do our priorities and limitations. The Bible reminds us to be content with what we have, for “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6), and to trust that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

This is a tough one for me, because I know there are some preachers who are honest and don’t exploit the church. But it’s also true that far too many have taken advantage of their position, and it makes me sick to see it. “Woe to the shepherds… who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” (Ezekiel 34:2). I can’t stand hearing a preacher beg for money like God is broke, especially every other Sunday, just because the church wants to build a bigger building or chase some worldly project instead of doing what the Bible actually tells us to do with our money. Jesus warned, “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24), and Paul said, “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word” (2 Corinthians 2:17). The early church used their resources to meet real needs, like caring for widows, orphans, and the poor (Acts 6:1–4, James 1:27), not for showy buildings. But that’s just my opinion. And honestly, my opinion doesn’t matter. What matters is what the Bible says. According to the Bible, Jesus did drive out the money changers and those selling animals in the temple because they had turned a house of prayer into a “den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12–13). Their sin was not simply commerce, it was corrupting the worship of God by exploiting people financially in a sacred place. Scripture does warn strongly against using godliness as a means of personal gain. Paul wrote, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:9–10). He also condemned those who saw ministry as a way to enrich themselves, saying “men of corrupt mind... suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:5). At the same time, the Bible does not forbid those who preach the gospel from receiving material support. Jesus said, “The laborer deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7), and Paul reinforced this, writing, “The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). Paul also made clear that while he often refused support to avoid hindering the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12), others had the right to receive it. The issue is not whether a preacher receives financial help, but whether the gospel is being preached out of love for Christ and truth, not for personal gain. Any use of ministry to exploit others for riches is sin, and Scripture exposes it plainly. So at what point does a preacher that receive pay for preaching become wrong? A preacher receiving financial support for preaching becomes wrong when money becomes the motive rather than faithfulness to Christ and His Word. Scripture draws a clear line: support for gospel laborers is biblical, but greed, deception, or exploiting the flock for gain is condemned. Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:3 that a pastor must not be “a lover of money.” In Titus 1:7, elders must be “not greedy for gain.” When a preacher begins altering or softening the gospel to keep donors happy, builds a lavish lifestyle off the backs of poor congregants, or treats ministry like a business venture, that’s when it crosses the line. 2 Peter 2:1–3 warns about false teachers who “in their greed… will exploit you with false words.” Their goal isn't shepherding souls, it’s making merchandise of people. That’s why Jesus warned in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve God and money.” So biblically, it becomes wrong: When the focus shifts from Christ to cash. When the message is shaped to protect income. When the lifestyle contradicts the humility Christ modeled. When the shepherd is feeding himself instead of the flock (Ezekiel 34:2) Receiving support is not the issue, why and how it's done is. A true preacher serves whether paid or not, and lives to please God, not to profit.

Yes, no doubt the prosperity gospel is false teaching because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible does not promise material wealth, health, or worldly success to those who follow Christ. In fact, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The apostle Paul wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), not rewarded with riches. Paul also warned against those who see godliness as a means of gain, saying, “But godliness with contentment is great gain... But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:6,9). Jesus Himself taught, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–20). Nowhere does Scripture teach that faith guarantees prosperity. Instead, it calls believers to endure suffering, walk in humility, and trust God regardless of circumstances. The prosperity gospel twists the Word of God to appeal to worldly desires and is therefore false.

We can learn a lesson from Luke 22:3 that says, “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.” This is one of the most chilling moments in Scripture, a man who walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard the truth from His own lips, yet allowed himself to become a tool of Satan. Judas’s betrayal was not sudden. It was the result of a hardened heart, unbelief, and rejection of truth. His life serves as a solemn warning of what can happen when someone resists the Word of God and allows lies to take root. Throughout the Bible, twisting or rejecting God’s Word is shown to be spiritually dangerous. In Genesis 3:1, Satan’s very first tactic was to distort God’s command: “Did God actually say…?” This same method is used today when people twist Scripture to support man-made doctrines or traditions that are not found in the Bible. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day in Mark 7:7–9, saying, “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.” When truth is replaced by false teaching, it opens the door for spiritual deception. 2 Timothy 4:3–4 warns that “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but… will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Judas Iscariot is a tragic example of where this road can lead. He didn’t just doubt, he cooperated with darkness. And when Satan entered him, it revealed just how far he had drifted from truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 makes it even clearer: those who “refused to love the truth and so be saved” will be given over to strong delusion because they “had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Twisting Scripture is not a small error, it is rebellion against the God who gave us His Word as truth (John 17:17). Those who do so are in danger of being completely overtaken by deception, just like Judas. Let this be a wake-up call. The Word of God is not ours to edit or interpret however we please. We are warned in 2 Peter 3:16 that some twist Scripture “to their own destruction.” Stand firm in the truth. Do not trade it for man’s wisdom, religious tradition, or false teaching. Judas followed Jesus with his feet, but not with his heart, and in the end, it cost him everything. Let his story remind us: rejecting God’s Word opens the door to Satan’s lies. Stay grounded in Scripture, and let the truth guard your soul.

The Bible directly answers this concern. In 2 Corinthians 11:13–15, it says, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” This shows that appearances and smooth words mean nothing if they contradict the truth of God’s Word. Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:15–20 to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves,” and said we would recognize them by their fruits—not just by their words, but by the result of their teaching and their lives. To avoid deception, we are told to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and to be like the Bereans, who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Any teacher who leads people away from the commands of God or the gospel of Jesus Christ is not from God, no matter how sincere or convincing they sound. Galatians 1:8 is clear: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” So we must constantly test all teachings against Scripture, because that is the only standard of truth God has given us.

You've asked again for a specific doctrine even after they already explained the standard they use to identify false doctrine, anything that contradicts the commandments of God or the teachings of Christ is false, according to Scripture. When someone keeps repeating the same question after a clear answer has been given, it starts to look less like a sincere search for truth and more like an attempt to argue or stir up controversy. The Bible warns against this kind of behavior: “Avoid foolish controversies... for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9). Paul also told Timothy to “have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23). If you're genuinely seeking the truth, the right response is to test everything by Scripture, like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. But if you're simply trying to trap someone in debate, that's the same approach the Pharisees used with Jesus, they weren't looking for truth, they were looking for an argument (Luke 11:53–54). Jesus warned us not to waste time on that kind of thing: “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs...” (Matthew 7:6).

Can Someone Sound Biblical and Still Be a False Teacher? 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns us that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” That means not everything that looks good, sounds spiritual, or uses Bible verses is truly from God. Some of the most dangerous deceptions come from people who seem sincere, quote Scripture, and even talk about Jesus—yet lead people away from the truth. So here’s the question I want to open up for discussion: If Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, how can we be sure we're not following someone who appears “biblical” but is actually a false teacher? What do you personally look for when testing a teacher? How do you compare their words to Scripture? Are there red flags that immediately make you cautious? Let’s use the Bible and discernment to sharpen each other on this important topic.

You're right that the modern use of the word "believe" can often be watered down to simply mean “acknowledge” or “agree,” but that’s not how Scripture defines saving faith. Biblical belief involves trust, surrender, and obedience, not mere intellectual assent. James 2:19 makes this clear: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” So belief that doesn’t lead to repentance and following Christ is not saving faith at all. As for divided loyalties, Jesus consistently warned that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). His words in Luke and elsewhere reveal that following Him requires denying self, taking up the cross, and total commitment, not a casual or partial allegiance. Regarding Hebrews 6:5, it refers to those who have had exposure to the truth, who’ve “tasted” but not fully surrendered. That’s a serious warning. Simply tasting the goodness of God without fully receiving it through repentance and faith leaves a person in grave danger. The gospel is not about sampling spiritual benefits, it’s about dying to self and living in Christ. The Bible makes clear that real faith is active, enduring, and transformative. Anything less is not the gospel Jesus preached.

You're absolutely right that discernment is only the beginning. Recognizing false religion or easy-believism without taking action allows deception to thrive unchecked. Scripture doesn’t just call us to be aware of error, it commands us to expose it and replace it with the truth (Ephesians 5:11). In these last days, the Bible warns that many will fall away from the faith, following deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). That’s why we must lovingly but boldly confront falsehood and call people to the full gospel message, repentance, saving faith, and a transformed life (Luke 24:47, Acts 26:20). True discernment leads to action. Those who are led by the Spirit are called to walk in truth, pursue holiness, and warn others with clarity and conviction (Jude 3, 23). If we see deception but stay silent, we fail in our responsibility as watchmen (Ezekiel 33:6). So I’d ask you, what are you doing to help solve the problem? If you see that false teaching is everywhere, and that many are being led down the broad road to destruction, why wouldn’t we speak out? Why would exposing false doctrine be viewed as wrong, when Jesus, Paul, and the prophets all openly rebuked error (Matthew 23, Galatians 1:6–9, 2 Peter 2)? This isn’t just about having spiritual insight, it’s about being faithful to act on what we know. Scripture tells us to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2–4). Silence in the face of error is not wisdom, it’s neglect. Since you directed this personally, let me share how I’m working to fulfill this biblical calling. My mission is clear, to proclaim the truth of God’s Word without compromise, expose false teaching, defend sound doctrine, and point people to the narrow way that leads to life. If something isn’t grounded in Scripture, I won’t teach it. The world doesn’t need another feel-good message, it needs the truth, spoken in love and built on the solid foundation of God’s Word. I use the following websites to carry out this work: Know the Bible, tools and teaching to help believers grow in truth 👉 https://know-the-bible.com E-Tacklebox, digital resources to equip Christians for online evangelism 👉 https://e-tacklebox.com Video Tracts, shareable gospel-centered videos for reaching people online 👉 https://video-tracts.com If you're seeking to know more about Jesus or have questions, I welcome you to explore these sites or reach out to me directly. I’m always glad to help however I can.

That’s a solid analogy, just like in bootcamp, when you come to Christ, you lay everything down. You don’t bring your old life with you; you die to it. Jesus said, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). When we are born again, we are made new, He clothes us in His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), and we belong to Him. Everything we have, spiritually and materially, is now His, and we’re called to be faithful stewards (1 Corinthians 4:2). It’s not about chasing wealth or comfort, but about surrender. Whether God entrusts us with much or little, the question remains: how much of it are we truly willing to lay down for His glory? The early church “had all things common” and gave sacrificially so that no one lacked (Acts 4:32–35). True faith doesn’t just confess Christ, it lives in full submission to Him, even when it costs us everything. This question, “How much is a Christian willing to give of their received blessings?” needs a bit more context. Give to whom, and for what purpose? The account of the poor widow is found in Mark 12:41–44 and Luke 21:1–4. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus observed people giving into the treasury, and while many rich gave out of their abundance, a poor widow gave two small coins, everything she had. Jesus said she gave more than all the others because she gave sacrificially, out of her poverty. But it’s important to read this in context. Just before that, in Mark 12:38–40, Jesus warned, “Beware of the scribes… which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.” This shows that while Jesus honored her faith, He also condemned the religious leaders who were exploiting people like her taking all she had. I am sure God wants us to keep what we need to live. That’s why discernment in giving is essential. God does not expect us to give all we have to support corrupt systems, build extravagant church buildings, or enrich false preachers. True biblical giving should focus on promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ and taking care of those in genuine need, especially widows and orphans, as James 1:27 says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Giving is a matter of worship and obedience, not manipulation or show.

“Easy believism” refers to the false idea that someone can be saved simply by intellectually agreeing with a few facts about Jesus, like saying a prayer or checking a box, without any true repentance, surrender, or transformation of life. This teaching downplays the cost of discipleship and ignores Jesus’ clear words about denying self, taking up the cross, and following Him (Luke 9:23). True saving faith is not mere lip service, it involves repentance (Acts 3:19), a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), and evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a person’s life (Galatians 5:22–24). While salvation is a free gift by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), that faith is not empty; it leads to a changed life (James 2:17). “Easy believism” offers a counterfeit gospel that leaves people thinking they’re saved while continuing to live in rebellion against God. This dangerous mindset has led to countless false conversions, people who think they are saved simply because they repeated a prayer, walked an aisle, or made an emotional decision, often at the urging of others who immediately assure them they are now going to heaven. It gives a false sense of security, like they pushed a magic salvation button, yet their lives never change. They continue in willful sin with no conviction, no repentance, and no evidence of being born again (1 John 3:9–10). Jesus warned that many will say to Him on the day of judgment, “Lord, Lord,” and He will declare, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21–23). This is not a minor issue, it is a deadly deception that leaves people on the broad road to destruction, thinking they’re on the narrow path to life.

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. ~ Luke 14:33 Wow. I read this passage again today as I continue through the New Testament this year, and it hit me differently. I realize I’ve read it before, but it hadn’t truly sunk in. I think sometimes we skim over the parts that challenge us the most, especially those we rarely hear preached or talked about. Many today speak of salvation as something quick and easy, say a prayer, walk an aisle, check a box, and you’re in. But when we honestly read Jesus’ own words, we see a much different picture. In Luke 14:26–33, Jesus lays out the cost of discipleship in terms so strong, they make many uncomfortable: “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). This is not a suggestion or a call to be a better person; it is a requirement. Jesus is telling us that following Him involves a total surrender of self. It’s not merely about believing a set of facts, it’s about dying to the old life and walking in a new one. He begins in verse 26 by saying that anyone who does not “hate” his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even his own life cannot be His disciple. Of course, this is not a command to harbor hatred, but rather to show that our loyalty and love for Christ must surpass every other relationship, even our most cherished ones. Following Jesus will cost you everything. Not everyone is willing to make that sacrifice, but Jesus never hid the price. He used examples of someone calculating the cost before building a tower, or a king counting his troops before going to war, to make sure we understand, no one should follow Him casually or half-heartedly. The modern tendency to water down the gospel into something casual or convenient has done great damage. We often avoid passages like this because they don’t fit neatly into our idea of a user-friendly faith. But Jesus never promised ease, He promised truth. He didn’t say the gate is wide and the road is smooth; He said, “the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14). That’s why this passage in Luke is so crucial. It reminds us that salvation is not a momentary decision, it is a lifelong surrender. To truly be His disciple, we must be willing to let go of everything, our possessions, relationships, dreams, and even our own sense of control. We give up our rights to run our lives because we trust Him to lead. And that surrender isn’t a one-time event, it’s a daily decision to take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23). This is the message we must not ignore, no matter how uncomfortable it may make us. Jesus spoke it clearly because He loves us too much to let us think we can follow Him on our own terms. If you’ve skimmed past this passage before or felt uneasy about its demands, you’re not alone. But don’t ignore it. Let it sink in. Ask yourself if you’ve truly surrendered all. Because anything less is not discipleship. And Jesus made it clear, unless we renounce all that we have, we cannot be His disciple.

I believe we should read the Bible regularly because it is God’s Word, it is the primary way He speaks to us today. It strengthens our faith (Romans 10:17), equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and helps us grow in wisdom and discernment (Hebrews 5:14). God’s Word keeps us focused on truth and guards us against deception (Psalm 119:11). A wise goal is to read at least the New Testament every year to stay rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the message of salvation. Scripture is essential, not just for spiritual growth, but also for rightly handling truth and sharing it with others (2 Timothy 2:15). Everyone needs to know what the Bible truly says about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, salvation, and eternity. Don’t rely on churches, celebrities, or the media for the most important truth we will ever encounter. If we don’t know what God has written down for us, we may be lost forever. The Bible is all about Jesus, who He is, what He’s done, and the free gift of salvation He offers. But if we don’t know Him, we won’t be with Him. Jesus warned, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… I never knew you; depart from Me” (Matthew 7:21–23). There is a flood of false information in the world today. The only way to know the truth is to study the Bible for yourself. If we ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth, He will, and it will change our life forever (John 16:13). As Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We don’t read the Bible as a legal duty but as a means of fellowship with God. It is important to remember that the Pharisees read the Scriptures yet missed Christ Himself (John 5:39–40). The Bible brings life when read with a heart that seeks God, guided by the Holy Spirit, not as a checklist of rules, but as the living voice of God calling us into a relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 3:6).

While acknowledging that truth can be hard and even painful, exposing our sin, breaking our pride, and revealing the darkness of the human heart, there is also great joy in seeing the mercy and goodness of God more clearly. As Psalm 85:10 says, “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.” God’s truth is never cold or hopeless. It always leads us back to the love, grace, and redemption that He offers through Jesus Christ. And that is a reason to rejoice.