Bible Love Notes

HOW We Do Things is Important

2026-06-10T08:20:42.189-04:00

HOW we do something often matters more than WHAT we do. Check out the links in each of the bullet points below:

HOW we disagree with our parents, pastor, or elders
HOW we confront a friend about ungodly behavior
HOW we comment on a website
HOW we comfort a friend who is hurting
HOW we deal with a "prickly person"

Even if the principle is right, our method can be wrong.

Arrogance and discernment do not equal Biblical discernment.
Bluntness and passion do not equal Biblical passion.
Rudeness and confrontation do not equal Biblical confrontation.

Our modern culture promotes selfishness and pride, but we are called to "put off" these attitudes and "put on" new attitudes. Ephesians 4:17-32 is an excellent passage for understanding how our faith changes our attitudes and communication with others.

And those truths are reinforced throughout Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4 tells us to have humble motives, Colossians 4:6 encourages gracious speech, Ephesians 4:32 and 5:15-16 describe kind behavior. We should "do nothing from selfishness," know "how to answer everyone," and "make the most of every opportunity."

So let's thoughtfully, carefully, and biblically consider how we do things as well as why we do them.

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Full description of the book Lies in Disguise. A much needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith.

Second John Defines Genuine Love

2026-06-09T03:30:00.000-04:00

Second John has only 13 verses. But I love how it concisely explains the meaning of love.

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” Verse 6

Culture defines love as approval, but God ties love to obedience because all of His commands are loving and given for our best good.

When 2 John was written, the church was dealing with a number of false teachings, such as antinomianism which taught that you could know God while disobeying His commands. (See We Are Those Who Have Died to Sin, Not Antinomians.)

This reminds me of the progressive Christian movement (also called the ex-vangelical movement). These extremely popular New York Times best-selling authors have rejected Bible-believing faith and created a new Jesus who approves of ungodly lifestyles. (See Wilderness Wanderers.)

Along with many others in our world, these false teachers have redefined love as if 2 John 1:6 says, “This is love: that we walk away from God’s commands and make everyone feel comfortable in their sins.”

They embrace lies about gender, unborn life, sexual perversion, and creation. They smile and give a thumbs up as people damage their souls (2 Corinthians 4:4), calling Christians “hateful” when we share God’s loving warnings.

I'm glad that God defines love, not mankind. We can be assured that we are acting in love when we “walk in obedience to his commands.”

For more about God's definition of love, see Enjoying Obedience and The World's Definition of Loving Others and God's Definition.

And click the image to discover how Lies in Disguise can help you better understand God's love and avoid harmful half-truths being taught in many churches. Find out the subjects of each chapter, read some reviews, and find out where to buy it at a discounted price.

And if you're a Bible Love Notes subscriber, you can get a free PDF study guide for Lies in Disguise. Find out more HERE.

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The Gospel According to Oprah

2026-06-08T03:34:13.538-04:00

Years ago, talk show host Oprah Winfrey said she started rejecting Christian beliefs when she heard that God is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 6:15). She said she couldn't believe in a god who was “jealous of her” (source/ video /video minute 7:50).

It's amazing that anyone would think God is jealous of them!! In truth, God is jealous for us.

He knows what's best for us and wants us to devote ourselves to Him and His purposes, not to false gods. And self-love is a false god:

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

It's hard to believe Oprah thinks our perfect, infinite, all-knowing, glorious God envies her.

“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:3

When we focus on ourselves, we don't understand God's incredible grace because we don't understand our incredible sinfulness and desperate need for a Savior. Instead of being humbled by God's undeserved love for us, we're emboldened by our unreasonable love for ourselves.

Let's pray for Oprah and others like her.

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To read more about the meaning of God's jealousy, see: Our Jealous God.

And check out Lies in Disguise, a book that can help you better understand the way self-love is damaging church and culture and how to combat it with Scripture: Full description of the book, Lies in Disguise.

And if you're a Bible Love Notes subscriber, you can get a free PDF study guide for Lies in Disguise. Find out more HERE.

Picture of Oprah Creative Commons.

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