So I got to be a part of something a while back during a Bible study. I was told that Deborah from the book of Judges was a punishment against Israel. Yep, you read that right. A punishment. And I’m finally going to address it. Apparently, the only reason God “allowed” her to judge was because there were no men available. So He punished Israel, and it was meant to be an embarrassment. I personally never heard of that before, and I asked my husband and dad if they had heard of that or if that is how they read her story, since they are male Christians. They were both quite surprised by this, so my reaction to this nonsense wasn’t just me; there really was something to this. If there are three things I cannot stand coming from a pastor, it's false teachings, arrogance, and prejudice, and we get three for the price of one with his claims about Deborah. I decided to dive in, and I promise not to bore you. I’m a bit of a spicy writer when I see a wrong that needs to be adjusted. I started my research by highlighting verses and phrases in Judges before and after Deborah’s story to compare each Judge’s beginning. Each Judge varied in its introduction, which makes sense; each has a unique role, personality, story, and battle. Some have even less said about them in the book of Judges than Deborah. When looking, the first thing I saw was that God punished the Israelites by handing them over to their enemies AFTER they did evil in His eyes. Then they cried out to Him for help. That’s when He would raise up a new Judge for them. 1st — They did evil. 2nd — They were punished. 3rd — They cried for help. 4th — They were given a new Judge. This is the order of events that repeats itself consistently. There’s no getting away from that. It also occurs with the male Judges, so it’s nothing new, shocking, or scandalous by any means. In the book of Judges, God clarifies that His punishment was handed out AFTER they’d screwed up. I fail to see so far where this person got this heart-warming and welcoming opinion. I fear it is rooted in the good ole’ “women are the weaker sex” mindset. Chapter 4 is Deborah’s story, her time to shine in Israel’s history, who was, mind you, already a Prophetess of God. What is so wrong with that? Let’s check out her job descriptions. Now I can’t exactly pull these up on Indeed anymore, so I went and found what we needed to know, which gives us a better understanding of this lady’s very busy schedule. Judge —  “Judges were the legal voices for the people and would guide the laws and ways of practical living.” The Downtown Synagogue “the successors to Joshua — the judges — arose. The Hebrew term shofet, which is translated into English as “judge,” is closer in meaning to “ruler,” a kind of military leader or deliverer from potential or actual defeat.” Britannica Prophet/Prophetess —  “a prophet is a person who speaks God’s truth to others.” “[…] prophets often had both a teaching and revelatory role, declaring God’s truth on contemporary issues while also revealing details about the future”. Got Questions.org “A prophetess is a female prophet. The role and responsibility of prophets and prophetesses is to speak forth the Word of God.” Compelling Truth: This is an excellent article, and I would recommend checking it out. It goes into detail about many other Prophetesses in the Bible. Imagine being so blessed by God that He gave you both those job descriptions? By the time we meet Deborah, she was already an established Prophetess and had started Judging in Israel. Imagine being a woman in a man’s world, where God couldn't care less what your gender is, and man cares more than necessary. As I said, personal feelings are in fact not facts. I’m not done yet; there’s so much more to unpack here. It would simply be too long an article to read, and I don’t want to bore you. Many points deserve their own moment. © Jane Isley Part 2 & part 3 are here.

If you missed the first part, you can click here. Today, we are starting with that infamous “no men available” comment. I’m no Biblical scholar, but I do awesomely possess the ability to read and write. I see unmistakable evidence in Chapters 4 and 5 that there were men available. We learn that there were quite a few, in fact, and among them were leaders and princes. But didn’t see any direct or indirect references to a lack of men or unwilling men. Did you? This is where this bad theology happened, not just with what happened during that Bible study, but for generations, this has been a thing. From what I have figured out, the “no men available” was based on a male “interpretation” of Judges 4 and 5. Since she was a woman, it somehow just had to be a punishment. It’s literally just a made-up theology because this is somehow, and I still don’t understand this, a threat to men? Not only is this extremely insulting to both men and women, but it is a worse insult to God. You’re really going to question God and throw in some frazzled fluff to support your opinion, I think not. I also fail to understand why man’s counterpart in God’s creation plan isn’t actually allowed to be a counterpart in God’s church plan, according to men. Think about that one. A “forgotten” verse, or as I call it, “cherry-picking” your way to Heaven. “Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” Judges 2:16 If I were in person right now, I’d be repeating that verse with some spiciness in my voice. This was said in Chapter 2, before we meet Deborah and the others. This verse does more than just confirm the Israelites' cycle I talked about in my first article. It shows us that God had a plan and that already included raising up Deborah. To ignore this verse is quite telling of those who do so. The person’s opinions and feelings should have come to a screeching halt with that verse. But I guess it’s ok to alter things a bit since he is a pastor after all, he thinks his pulpit gives him the authority to teach bad theology that caters to his personal feelings. To quote Maia Vashti “Even if there was a supposed lack of qualified men, that wouldn’t have stopped God from finding a man if that was His requirement for that role. She was who He wanted and what Israel needed at that time.” What about Barak? I do have to talk about him a bit; that guy gets picked on quite a bit. I found that some really enjoy arguing about Barak’s response in Judges 4:8 and make assumptions. They say he was either afraid, lacked faith, didn’t like that she was a woman, or was timid. There are a few things to consider before running with these, as though they are facts. I’m about to get a bit more technical, but I promise to keep it short and to the point. 😊 His response has been automatically assumed to mean that he was in some way angry, was faithless, or afraid. We are not told. Therefore, we should assume his reasons based on one response. His request was actually a reasonable one. She was, after all, a military leader. All the Judges were, that was a part of their role, and if thought through. Shows his respect for Deborah and God, and her relationship with God also. (Moses asked something similar of God to btw) He knew he would not get credit, and in a moment, I’ll show you his reaction to that. A verse to remember while considering all the above. “What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,” Hebrews 11: 32–33 Ah, yes, Barak’s reaction after they won, knowing he wasn’t going to get credit. Chapter 5 is devoted to the Song of Deborah and Barak. Where both Deborah and Barak sing that Jael (a woman) is blessed for what she did. Barak knew he wouldn’t receive credit, yet he sang blessings to Jael along with praises, honor, and thanksgiving to God. He sang, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Doesn’t sound like a man who was upset about things to me or wasn’t blessed. Who was chosen by God to lead, whose part of their deliverance from Sisera was not an issue with God. Why is it still an issue to some? I want to state: I’m not attempting to insert an answer as to why he wasn’t the one chosen at that time to lead, but to show we can’t debase him or presume anything either. We have to look at everything as a whole, not just his one response. That’s how we wind up with so many issues in the first place. © Jane Isley Part 3 is on its way, and here is part 1 if you missed it.

False teaching is not new but the speed at which it travels is. This article gives you something practical and Biblically grounded to work with — worth reading slowly. As a Christian, I make it a point to be watchful in my walk of faith. By this, I mean that I am watchful of Satan’s deceptions — of false teachings, and especially cultish tactics. As I’ve grown in my faith with Christ, I have come across many concerning ‘Christian’ posts, sermons, or ideas that do not align with Jesus and His Word. And it has come to my attention through the Holy Spirit and the communications classes that I am taking that Christians need to do a better job of verifying the information they are coming across. We must remember to follow Jesus above all the lies, especially in the current communication climate we are in right now. Therefore, I am going to give some practical and Biblical tips for Christians, and possibly non-Christians, for this confusing time we are in. In my Foundations of Communications class, I learned about a helpful tool that allows one to carefully think about the information they are presented with at any time. This tool was formed by Karl Wallace, and it is called the ‘Moralities of Ethical Communication.’ (PDF) I will go through each of these moralities, and with each, there is a Bible verse that relates to its main idea. Without further ado, please enjoy Wallace’s Moralities of Ethical Communication. Habit of Search: The ethical practice of researching and verifying information before communicating, ensuring claims are accurate and well-informed. When we come across any post online, any sermon on a livestream, or in a church, we must be able to back up what is being said with Scripture. And while some false teachers use Bible verses to verify their claims, they only use a portion of a verse that solidifies their words, rather than seeing the actual context behind the whole verse. We must be scrutinizing the words behind every church sermon, every video, and every post we see. This doesn’t mean that you must be crazily suspicious and on high alert at every moment, but the habit of search encourages us all not to blindly follow anyone without proper verification. This past week, I was at a Bible study with other women at my college, and we came across a verse in Romans that perfectly encapsulates this ethical morality. “I urge you, my brothers: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people’s faith and go against the teachings which you have received. Keep away from them! For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine words and flattering speech they deceive innocent people” (Romans 16:17–18). Many of the false teachers out there know what people want to hear, so they say it in a deceptively pleasing way to gain more followers. Just because someone’s speech is flattering does not mean that what they are saying is Spirit-led and accurate. Many acts of sin also feel pleasing in the moment, but afterwards, there is a realization of the evil done. And if you are a teacher yourself, I urge you to research your words– read the Bible more in depth, and engage with the history of Jesus Christ before communicating anything. 2. Habit of Justice: The ethical practice of distinguishing between fact and opinion fairly– avoid overly emotional reactions. When we come across these false teachings, we must be able to discern between facts and lies. Thankfully, we have the Bible to verify every single sermon, post, and video we see. And when the teachings we come across are false, we have a duty to let others know that what they are seeing/hearing is a lie. We must help others not fall into the trap of deception, and instead point them towards Scripture. Additionally, as humans, we obviously are going to form opinions– that’s just natural. However, we must remember to avoid overly emotional reactions (such as blind faith or hatred) to any opinion and stay rooted in the Truth. I think we often forget the term ‘patience’ and instead are inclined towards impulsivity. As I said, just because a person says something that makes you feel good or supports your opinions, it doesn’t always mean their words are correct. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that emotions are blessings and are wonderful aspects of life. But as with everything a part of human life, we must learn to have self-control and not go overboard. Going overboard leads to sin, and with sin, we harm ourselves and others. Instead, we must get into the habit of praying patiently for God’s guidance instead of jumping to conclusions. After all, Jesus endured the cross for us. We can endure the time it takes to verify and pray for guidance on a specific issue. As Proverbs 4 says, “Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don’t hang your head in shame. Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way” (24–27). “Don’t pervert justice. Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right” (Leviticus 19:15). As Christians, we are called to carefully think about our words and actions– especially because they play a larger role in how we conduct ourselves and treat others. So, if anyone comes across false teachings, avoid overly emotional reactions and patiently distinguish between fact and opinion. 3. Habit of Public vs. Private Motivations: The ethical practice of communicating with the public in mind, not for private motivations. Whether we come across a false teaching or we are about to teach something ourselves, we must remember to keep the general good of the public in mind. Rather than communicating for selfish desires, we must remember that Christ’s salvation extends to all, not just ourselves. I’ll admit, I catch myself being selfish pretty frequently. I think others can agree to this, too. It’s not easy living for Christ in a world that lives for itself. But when we remember that Christ suffered and died for all of us, we can learn to be more humble and loving towards one another. “We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body” (Romans 12:4–5). “Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another’s interests, not just your own” (Philippians 2:3–4). “Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and do good” (Hebrews 10:24). Christians are called to have fellowship and work together for the common good– spreading the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. It is important when you are doing anything involved in communication that you are keeping the general good of all in mind, rather than following selfish motivations that lead to hurt and disarray. This is a common danger that is prevalent in the new age community. Many new age and cultish teachings lead to isolation and complete independence, which tricks people into thinking that they are better off without community or that they are better off with a select few people. I once fell into this rabbit hole, and it actually led me further away from my friends and constantly had me detaching myself from relationships if they weren’t going exactly where I wanted them to. I’m still struggling with the repercussions to this day, and am praying to God for healing. Additionally, when you are watching a post or a sermon that is clearly not keeping the public in mind, I urge you to remember the habit of justice and hold those people (the false teachers) accountable. Fellowship is a gift from God, and it is to be cherished and held with respect– not to simply be seen as an option. 4. Habit of Respect for Dissent: The ethical practice of fostering a culture where challenging perspectives are welcomed as opportunities for growth, rather than seen as personal attacks. Among all of the other habits, this one leaves a strong, finishing impact. As Christians, we will constantly run into posts that are filled with false teachings. However, we will also run into people and posts that disagree with Christianity or completely tarnish His image. Although these are discouraging to run into, they are inevitable. And while they are disrespectful to Christ, we must remember to still respect others, even if they don’t respect us. We must not shy away from challenging perspectives. On the contrary, we should welcome them and use them as opportunities to spread the Word. As I mentioned, if a false teaching is spread through a sermon or post, I encourage you to hold those teachers accountable and respectfully engage in debate with them. With people/posts attempting to challenge Christ, I encourage you to learn more about why that person may have those beliefs and listen to their point of view. If the opportunity arises, share your testimony and why exactly you believe in Jesus. Instead of seeing these moments as personal attacks or moments of weakness, use them as ways to grow in your faith. Use these moments as ways to point others to Jesus. For holding believers accountable: “Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as if he were your father” (1 Timothy 5:1). For engaging in discussion, not arguments with nonbelievers: “Welcome the person who is weak in faith, but do not argue with him about his personal opinions. One person’s faith allows him to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn’t; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of someone else? It is his own Master who will decide whether he succeeds or fails. And he will succeed, because the Lord is able to make him succeed” (Romans 14:1–4). Through all the worldly lies, we can be assured that Jesus is with us every step of the way. By keeping Scripture nearby and having a dose of patience, we are able to be better communicators as Christians. Through this, we not only will be stronger in our faith, but we also will be pointing observers to Jesus Christ (because you never know who might be paying attention to you!) I hope you all enjoyed this article, and I encourage you to research more about Karl Wallace and his four Moralities of Ethical Communication! OTHER VERSES THAT RELATE “Treat wisdom as your sister, and insight as your closest friend” (Proverbs 7:4). “To the man with insight, it is all clear; to the well-informed, it is all plain” (Proverbs 8:9). “What you think is the right road may lead to death” (Proverbs 14:12). “Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you” (Romans 12:3). “And God, our source of peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20). “Whoever thinks is standing firm had better be careful that he does not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). “By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God’s servants– by the Holy Spirit, by our true love, by our message of truth, and by the power of God. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and defend ourselves” (2 Corinthians 6:6–7). “The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons, but God’s powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). © 2026 Sienna Krieg. Want more content like this? Explore more articles in Exploring Scripture. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

This article is part 4 in Randy DeVaul’s series on the miracles of Jesus, showing how each miracle reveals God’s heart and shapes our faith. If you’d like to hear Randy share this message himself, you can watch him teach on YouTube. Faith is a curious thing. It grows in places we don’t expect. It deepens in moments we would never choose. It strengthens not when life is easy, but when life presses us into the arms of the One who holds all things together. The miracles Jesus performed to teach His disciples faith and trust are some of the most tender, challenging, and transformative moments in the Gospels. They show us that Jesus was not only healing bodies but shaping hearts. These miracles were classrooms. And the disciples, much like us, were slow learners. But Jesus was patient. He still is. A Storm That Became a Classroom One of the most familiar scenes unfolds on the Sea of Galilee in Mark 4. The disciples are crossing the water when a violent storm erupts. These are seasoned fishermen, men who know the sea. If they are terrified, the storm is no small matter. Meanwhile, Jesus is asleep. It’s almost funny, think about it: the boat is filling with water, the wind is howling, the disciples are panicking, and Jesus is resting peacefully. When they finally wake Him, He rises, rebukes the wind, and speaks peace over the waves. The storm obeys. Then He turns to His disciples and asks a question that echoes through the centuries: “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” This miracle wasn’t just about calming a storm. It was about calming hearts. It was about teaching the disciples that faith is not the absence of storms but having confidence in the One who is in the boat with us. A Net Full of Lessons Another moment of faith‑shaping comes in Luke 5, when Jesus tells Peter to let down the nets after a long, fruitless night of fishing. Peter is tired. He is frustrated. He knows the lake. He knows the fish. He knows this is the wrong time of day. But he also knows Jesus. So, he says, “Because You say so, I will let down the nets.” That simple act of obedience becomes the doorway to a miracle. It becomes a catch so large that the nets begin to break. But the miracle is not the fish. The miracle is the faith that begins to awaken in Peter’s heart. He falls at Jesus’ feet, overwhelmed not by the fish but by the realization that he is standing in the presence of One far greater than he imagined. This miracle teaches us that faith often begins with small steps of obedience. Sometimes God asks us to do something that doesn’t make sense: to pray again, to forgive again, to try again, to trust again. And on the other side of obedience, we discover God was already working. A Coin in a Fish’s Mouth In Matthew 17, Jesus sends Peter to the lake to catch a fish. Think about this: he is to catch one fish, one of all the fish in the Sea of Galilee that has a coin in its mouth, a coin that is exactly enough to pay the temple tax for both of them. It’s a small miracle, almost quiet compared to others. But it carries a profound lesson: God knows our needs before we ask, and He provides in ways we could never predict. This miracle teaches us that faith is not only for the big storms. It is for our daily lives: the bills, the decisions, the uncertainties, the practical needs that weigh on our hearts. Jesus cares about those, too. A Father’s Honest Prayer One of the most relatable moments comes in Mark 9, when a desperate father brings his tormented son to Jesus. The disciples have tried to help but failed. The father, exhausted and afraid, says to Jesus, “If You can do anything, take pity on us.” Jesus responds, “Everything is possible for the one who believes.” And then the father prays a prayer that has echoed through the centuries: “I believe; help my unbelief.” Jesus heals the boy. But He also honors the father’s honesty. Faith is not flawless. Faith is not perfect. Faith is not always strong. Sometimes faith is simply the courage to bring our doubts to Jesus and trust Him anyway. Where This Meets Us Today The miracles that teach faith and trust are not just ancient stories. They are mirrors. They reflect our own fears, doubts, storms, and struggles. They remind us that: Faith grows in storms. Faith grows in obedience. Faith grows in dependence. Faith grows in honesty. Faith grows in prayer. And they remind us that Jesus is still teaching His followers today. He still calms storms. He still provides. He still invites obedience. He still honors honest prayers. He still shapes faith through the unexpected moments of life. A Faith That Learns to Breathe Faith is not a one‑time decision. It is a lifelong journey. It is learning to breathe in the presence of Jesus, to trust Him when the waves rise, to obey Him when the nets feel empty, to depend on Him when strength runs low, and to pray even when belief feels fragile. The miracles that teach faith and trust show us a Savior who is patient with our fears, gentle with our doubts, and committed to our growth. He does not shame us for our weakness. He meets us in it. And He still whispers the same invitation today: “Trust Me.” © Randy DeVaul, MA Want more content like this? Check out more articles in Exploring Scripture. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

Introduction Are you feeling exhausted, disgusted, burned out, jaded, and cynical? If you are, I don’t blame you. I feel it too, a slow, quiet erosion of hope fading away. Every day, we’re constantly bombarded with war, disaster, corruption, violence, economic anxiety, and social mistrust. This daily information overload creates emotional numbness and fuels the fight-or-flight response. We weren’t designed to bear these kinds of burdens, nor to absorb the suffering of the entire world. Background One of the biggest reasons for all this negativity is the erosion of trust. Suspicion has replaced curiosity because people have watched political figures break promises, corporations place profits over people, and the media sensationalize misfortune. After all this disappointment, it’s no wonder that people are skeptical and self-protective. Because their trust has been repeatedly violated, they begin to assume hidden motives behind everything, and hope feels naïve. They feel overwhelmed, lonely, and bored, even though there is more entertainment available than ever before. Being cynical does protect the heart, but it also isolates and prevents feelings of wonder, intimacy, and joy. The Antidote to Cynicism In 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, the Bible says that it’s God’s will for people to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks always, but that’s very hard to do when you’re struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. In this Scripture, God isn’t telling us to be happy about our circumstances or pretend that everything is fine; He’s calling us to place our faith and trust in Him because He’s always in control and always has our best interests at heart. He wants us to find security in our relationship to Him, in His eternal and unchanging love for us, not in our ever-changing circumstances. Has your Mother ever told you that you need a change of scene? That’s good advice, because maybe your heart does need a change of scene. If so, here are some facts to consider that may send a jolt of wonder through you and lift your spirits. The Path Back to Wonder Did you know that orchids can survive in harsh environments? They seem so fragile and delicate, yet they thrive by forming intricate relationships with fungi, insects, and trees. Did you know that every one of us is a walking miracle? The complexity of the human body is astounding! We’re made up of trillions of cells, and each one carries molecular machinery more complex than many modern factories. Bill Gates said in his book The Road Ahead that, “DNA is like a computer program, but far, far more advanced than any software ever created.” [1] We take the transparency of our eyes for granted, but it depends on exquisitely fine-tuned molecular design. Such precision is no accident. It points beyond mere chance to a Creator who created us with beauty and purpose. We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14, BSB). Scripture reminds us that wonder grows as we walk in light and truth. When we turn away from sin, cynicism, and self-centeredness, we make room for joy to grow in our hearts. As we walk daily with God, we feel His presence and His love for us restores our sight. As we purify ourselves, we rebuild our hearts’ capacity to feel awe. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Proverbs 4:18, NIV) For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen. (Romans 1:20, BSB) Conclusion Childlike wonder returns when we see God’s fingerprints in the ordinary, recognize His artistry and design in nature, and experience His mercy in the morning light of each new day. Wonder breaks the pattern of negativity and reawakens curiosity. Let it flow through you through nature, art, science, love, faith, music, and human kindness. God doesn’t expect us to escape reality; He wants us to see it as it truly is, His creation that He sustains daily by His divine power and love. Don’t give in to cynicism. Don’t believe that goodness is fake, change is impossible, and human relationships are pointless. Reconnect to what is real: honest communication, meaningful work, faith, service to others, and gratitude for ordinary moments. © 2026 Debra Hodges. Want more content like this? Explore more articles in Knowing God. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

"You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” ~Exodus 20:17 Whenever I come across a “you must not” or “do not” in the Bible, something in me immediately asks: okay, but what can I do? What’s the alternative? What’s on the other side of this prohibition? It’s just my curiosity, and honestly, it’s led me to some of the richest discoveries in the Word. The tenth commandment is one of them. When God says don’t covet, I hear two things underneath it: be content with what you have, and stop measuring your life against everyone else’s. Simple enough to say. Genuinely difficult to live. A Word I Had to Look Up My first language isn’t English. And while I’d come across the word “covet” before, something nudged me recently to actually stop and look it up properly. I was reading through Deuteronomy in my new NLT study Bible, a gift from my mother and sister, when I hit the word in chapter 7:25. I paused. Checked the dictionary. Google defines it as: “to yearn to possess or have something.” A deep desire. A craving. An obsession. That definition opened something up for me. Because coveting isn’t just mild envy. It’s an ache. It’s Achan in Joshua 7:21 saying, “I wanted them so much that I took them.” That craving cost Israel their first defeat at Ai. One man’s internal obsession became a national disaster! So the question worth sitting with is: what actually drives someone to covet in the first place? The First Murder Was a Comparison Problem Genesis 4. Cain and Abel. God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. And instead of asking why, or seeking help, or simply trying again differently, Cain’s face fell. He scowled and anger took root. God even warned him directly: sin is crouching at your door. You need to overcome it. Cain didn’t listen. And the first murder in human history happened between two brothers. Not strangers. Brothers! What drove him there? Comparison. Jealousy. The unbearable feeling that his brother had something he didn’t, something God had approved of, and he hadn’t. This is, if you think about it, the earliest recorded example of “comparison is the thief of joy.” And it ended in death. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says: “Love is not jealous or conceited or proud.” Cain didn’t love Abel. He envied him. And envy, left unchecked, goes to places we never imagined we’d go. It’s Not Just an Old Testament Problem The elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son. Remember him? His younger brother had wasted everything, come crawling back, and their father threw a party. And the elder brother, the one who had stayed and worked faithfully all those years, stood outside fuming. He told his father: “All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.” Luke 15:28–30. One comparison. One brief moment of measuring himself against his brother’s sudden celebration. And it ignited resentment in a man who had every reason to be at peace. Even the disciples weren’t immune. When James and John asked Jesus if they could sit on either side of His throne, the other ten were not pleased. Mark 10:41. They wanted the same thing. They felt the pull immediately. Nobody is above this. It’s wired into human nature. Proverbs 14:30 puts it bluntly: “Peace of mind makes a body healthy, but jealousy is like cancer.” Cancer. That’s not a mild word. Sandra Stanley, in one of her devotionals on comparison, makes an observation that stuck with me: when we feel we don’t measure up to others, envy and jealousy take root. But when comparison seems to favour us, pride and arrogance move in instead. And the most dangerous version, she says, is when we quietly take pleasure in someone else’s failure or misfortune. There are people who feel a small, secret satisfaction when a friend’s relationship breaks down or a colleague misses a promotion. Comparison has no winners. Only different kinds of losers. So What Do We Actually Do? Recognise that you’re unique. No two people on this planet share the same fingerprints. Think about that for a second. Out of eight billion people, not one has the same pattern on their fingertips as you do. God told Jeremiah: “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born, I selected you.” Jeremiah 1:4. That wasn’t just for Jeremiah. Every one of us has been personally selected for something. A purpose that fits us specifically. We’re not meant to spend our brief time here trying to be like someone else or doing it better than the person next to us. Ephesians 2:10 says: “God made us what we are…for a life of good deeds, which He has already prepared for us to do.” Already prepared. Already assigned. Before you even knew what you were good at. Cultivate genuine gratitude. When comparison creeps in, gratitude is one of the few things that actually pushes back against it. Not forced positivity. Real, specific gratitude for what’s actually in your life. 1 Corinthians 10:26 says: “The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.” Everything around you, even the ordinary things, carries His fingerprints. Hebrews 13:5 adds: “Be satisfied with what you have, for God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.’” And Paul in 1 Timothy 6:6: “Religion does make a person rich, if he is satisfied with what he has.” Contentment isn’t settling. It’s a spiritual discipline. And it’s one the enemy hates, because a contented person is very hard to manipulate. Learn to genuinely celebrate others. Romans 12:10 says: “Be eager to show respect for one another.” Not polite, surface-level congratulations. Actual, intentional celebration of the people around you. Their wins, their milestones, their answered prayers. Hebrews 12:14 says: “Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it.” We all have different gifts. Different timings. Different assignments. When someone around you gets the thing you’ve been waiting for: that’s not evidence that God forgot you. It’s evidence that He’s moving. Your turn is in His hands. God didn’t include “do not covet” in the Ten Commandments arbitrarily. It sits at the end of the list because it’s the root of so much that comes before it: stealing, adultery, greed, discord, discontentment. James 3:16 says: “For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” One commandment. One quiet, internal attitude. And it touches almost everything. Stay in your lane. Count your blessings. Celebrate others. And trust that the One who selected you before you were born hasn’t forgotten what He put you here to do. If this reflection encouraged you, you can support my writing or future reflections here. Your support simply helps me continue sharing thoughtful pieces like this. Thanks for reading! © 2026 Dr. Anudeep Manne. Want more content like this? Explore more articles in Word Studies. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

Why were some animals considered unclean? Questions like this are what make the Bible so gloriously fun to me. Understanding why were some animals unclean in the Bible begins with recognizing the practical and symbolic purposes behind God’s distinctions. While digging for answers, you end up learning all sorts of unexpected things along the way. There’s definitely more going on here than just clean versus unclean animals. It all begins in Genesis, but let’s start in Leviticus instead. If you have ever read Leviticus 11, it can be overwhelming at first, and I’m definitely not going to quote the whole thing here or every single animal. I’m just shooting for the specifications and examples. Clean “divided hoof and that chews the cud.” “you may eat any that have fins and scales.” “some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.” And birds, we get by process of elimination. Unclean Here, I’m shooting for a basic list: Pigs, Camels, Thumper, Tom and Jerry, Dogs, Horses, Felines, Shellfish, Lizards, Bear, Squidward, Monkeys, Vultures, believe me, I could go on for quite a bit. The Obvious Question What did unclean animals have in common? It was because of their questionable eating habits. Such as eating already dead animals, eating decayed matter, hunting the weakest (usually the sickest or weakest) of the herd, meat eaters in general, or even yummier to think about are the ones that eat poo, whether their own or others. The common theme is that the stuff being eaten would make a human sick. Here is a fun nugget to check out, this is a great educational point if a nonbeliever tries to use this to prove the Bible is in error. (Had this happen to me years ago, got caught with my drawers down and completely blew it, so now you’ll be made wiser because of my mistake) Verse 6  ~  Rabbits “The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you.” It’s not that “divided hoof” part that gets attention. It’s the “chews the cud” part that gets zeroed in on, because technically, they don’t chew cud like a cow, so therefore it's a full-blown Bible error according to nonbelievers, and yes, unfortunately, some will die on that hill. Without turning this into a 30-minute article. Have you ever watched a rabbit eat and then watched, say, a cow eat? Looks just like chewing cud, especially if they haven’t recently just finished a meal, but you see them doing it, that’ll make sense in a minute. So while they don’t have the same internal mechanics that a cow does, they do have to re-ingest partially digested food for the same process, the digestion of food. Basically, they eat one of two types of their own poo to finish their meal. Also, remember that Leviticus was written in Hebrew, not English. There’s more nuance in the original wording than a surface reading in translation might suggest. You can read about it here at Got Questions, because they nailed that. Back To Unclean Animals At the start of this article, I mentioned this all started back in Genesis. I know that probably doesn’t make sense, but there's a really neat layer going on here. “Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,” Genesis 7:2 Noah was pre-Leviticus, yet clean and unclean animals were already established. Think about that for a second. Then consider this: Cain and Abel also both knew about sacrifices, way before Noah. “Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering — fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.” Genesis 4:3–4 Now, while yes, both are acceptable as offerings to God, and we know God didn’t care for Cain’s, but that’s not my point here. My point is that they both knew what was acceptable and what was not. There has always been some contention among people that God just sorta left people to figure things out on their own after Eden’s doors were closed, and that’s why things went so bad. But both Cain and Abel’s sacrifices, then Abel’s being described as “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock,” (which is very specific) along with Noah’s instructions from God and then his sacrifice of some clean animals and birds right after the flood, disprove that and prove a very direct interaction with mankind from the beginning. God has always told people what was what from the beginning. He didn’t just drop and walk on anyone. The world pre-flood was absolutely communicated with and made aware of what was acceptable to God and what was not. Giant Leap To The New Testament Now After Jesus died, all sorts of amazing stuff happened, and one of those was a very surprised Peter. Imagine over 400 years of dietary restrictions being lifted all of a sudden. There were practical and symbolic reasons for the restrictions. On the practical side, it was to keep the Israelites/Jews healthy; on the symbolic side, it was meant to set them apart from the rest of the world for a greater purpose. Mind you, that’s just a basic gist for the purposes of this article. So, back to Peter, in Acts 10, we get to see God basically set up one heck of a cool scenario. First, He blows Peter's complete sense of what is acceptable and not right out the window, and then, being brilliant as He is, God already had a plan in motion for Peter to go to a Gentile's place where he ate with them. There’s a bit more to that whole situation, where Peter got called out by Paul for being a hypocrite because he stopped out of fear of getting in trouble with other Jews. You can read Galatians 2 for that full story. My point with all this is, Jesus declared everything clean. “It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” and “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Acts 10:12,15 Then Peter made a powerful connection: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism,” Acts 10:34 The message wasn’t just about food, it was about people, everything was made clean so all could come to God’s table and eat. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 © 2026 Jane Isley Want more content like this? Explore more articles in Exploring Scripture. Sources & Recommended reads: Genesis 4, Genesis 7, Acts 10, Galatians 2 A Closer Look At The Bible’s Most Misunderstood Villain Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

As part of Randy DeVaul’s series on the miracles of Jesus, this article (part 3) examines how Christ’s works reveal God’s heart and purpose. Each piece in the series can be read independently while contributing to a fuller understanding of Jesus’ ministry. If you’d like to hear Randy teach this message directly, you can watch the full sermon on YouTube. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus does what only God can do. He commands life and death, speaks to the wind and waves, forgives sin, and rules over the spiritual realm. Each miracle is a window into His divine nature, revealing that He is not merely sent by God, not just a Son of God. He is God. Authority Over Death In John 11, Jesus arrives at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. The man has been dead four days. Grief fills the air, and hope seems gone. Yet Jesus stands before the grave and declares, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25 WEB). Then He prays aloud, thanking the Father so that those listening might believe, and calls out, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43 WEB). The dead man walks out alive. This miracle is more than act of compassion; it is a revelation of divine authority. Only God can speak life into death. Jesus is not limited by time. Lazarus was already decaying. He is not intimidated by grief. He weeps with Mary and Martha. He is not defeated by death. He commands it to release its hold. In that moment, the crowd sees that Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet; He is the Lord of life itself. The same truth unfolds in Mark 5:21–43, where Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter, and in Luke 7:11–17, where He restores the widow’s son at Nain. In each case, death obeys His voice. These miracles demonstrate the power that belongs only to God is seen fully in Jesus. Authority Over Creation In Matthew 14:22–33, Jesus walks on water toward His disciples’ boat in the middle of a storm. The wind howls, waves crash, and fear grips their hearts. They think they see a ghost until Jesus speaks, “Take courage; it is I; don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27 WEB). When He climbs into the boat, the storm ceases, and the disciples worship Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33 WEB). This miracle reveals divinity. The One who walks on waves is the One who wrote the laws of nature. The sea recognizes its Creator. In Mark 4:35–41, when Jesus rebukes the wind and says, “Peace, be still,” the storm obeys. The disciples ask, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41 WEB). The answer is clear: He is the same One who spoke creation into existence in Genesis 1. The elements respond because they know His voice. Jesus does not borrow power from God; He exercises His own. He is more than the messenger of divine authority. He is divine authority. The One who walks on water walks with us through every storm, reminding us that the Creator of the universe holds our lives in His hands. Authority Over Sin and the Spiritual Realm In Mark 2:1–12, a paralyzed man is lowered through the roof by friends desperate for healing. Before addressing his physical condition, Jesus says, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5 WEB). The religious leaders are outraged. They know that only God can forgive sin. Jesus responds by asking which is easier: to forgive sins or to heal. Then He commands the man to rise and walk. The man stands, healed and whole. The miracle proves that Jesus has the authority of God because He is God. Later, in Mark 5:1–20, Jesus confronts a man possessed by a legion of demons. The spirits immediately recognize Him, crying out, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (Mark 5:7 WEB). Even the forces of darkness know His identity and bow before His command. They cannot move without His permission. Jesus speaks, and they flee. His power is absolute; His mercy is personal. One man’s freedom matters more to Him than a herd of pigs. These encounters reveal that Jesus is the sovereign Lord over the unseen realm. The demons tremble because they stand before their Creator and Judge. The spiritual world recognizes what humanity often forgets: that Jesus is God. Authority in Glory On the mountain of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8), Jesus’ divine glory shines visibly. His face radiates like the sun, His clothes become white as light, and Moses and Elijah appear beside Him. Then a voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5 WEB). For a moment, the veil is lifted, and the disciples see the eternal majesty of God revealed in Christ. The miracle is not about transformation; it is about revelation. Jesus as the suffering servant is also the glorified Son, the visible image of the invisible God. The Meaning for Us Every miracle in the Gospels answers the same question Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15 WEB). The answer is not merely “the Son of God,” but God Himself. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the Creator walking among His creation, the Redeemer who holds all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18 WEB). He is Lord over life, nature, sin, and the spiritual realm. He is the One who commands the wind and waves, who calls the dead to life, who forgives sin, and who shines with the glory of heaven. The miracles are not just stories of power; they are testimonies of identity. They reveal that Jesus is God, the One who is worthy of worship, confidence, and trust. The same Jesus who stood before Lazarus’s tomb, who walked on the stormy sea, who forgave the paralytic, and who shone on the mountain is the Jesus who walks with us today. He is not distant or abstract. He is present, powerful, and personal. He is the living God who came near so that we might know Him, love Him, and follow Him. The One who saves you is the same One who commands all things. And the One who commands all things is the same One who loves you. © 2026 Randy DeVaul, MA. Want more content like this? Check out Exploring Scripture. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

I have been thinking about three people: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, more commonly known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Spring planting has me outside a lot. My body stays busy but my mind goes still, and that is when I do some of my best thinking and talking to God. And this story has been on my mind almost constantly during those hours, and the more I think on their story the more I see how little distance there is between their world and ours. This was never a story meant to stay in the distant past. It needs to be brought forward into the here and now. They Could Have Bowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have bowed down, worshipped that golden statue, and walked away unscathed. Nobody would have blamed them. The pressure was real, the threat was real, and the king was furious. They didn't bow. They chose God because they were faithful, steadfast, and unbothered by what everyone around them was doing. That kind of faith does not come from a casual relationship with God, it comes from a deep and settled one. The Blazing Furnace & the Lake of Fire Here is something I never connected until I took a good look at their story, their bodies were not actually what was on the line that day. Their salvation was. The blazing furnace is a powerful symbol. It is temporary, it is physical, and it could have been terrifying. But the lake of fire is eternal. They understood that losing their place with God was not worth any temporary threat this world could throw at them. That realization hit me differently when I finally saw it. Jesus Just Showed Up Because they were faithful and trusting, Jesus was there. He did not arrive on a white horse with an imposing army. He did not announce himself. He was just there, standing beside them, quiet, letting His presence be known. How often do we forget He does this? How often do we fail to recognize it when He is already doing it? When you are faithful and grounded in Him, His presence just oozes out of you. People see it even when they cannot name what they are seeing. They just know something is different about you. It is also why you sometimes rub people the wrong way. They are bumping up against the Holy Spirit and it makes them uncomfortable because it is forcing them to feel their sin. They feel what is right and they are fighting it with everything they have. Look at how Nebuchadnezzar responded, he as furious. That reaction was not really about three men who would not bow. That was a man feeling God like a cheese grater on his soul. Strength In Community They went into that furnace together and they came out together. Community with fellow believers is not optional, it is woven into how God designed us. We are made to connect not just with Him but with each other. Yes, we can stand alone with God. But we are also called to be part of a body. The Bible emphasizes this repeatedly and for good reason. Find your people and stand together, because times will continually get harder and harder for Christians. Even If He Does Not "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16–18 Now that is full surrender and faith that is not conditional. Our Every Day Is the Furnace The blazing furnace is not ancient history. It is around every corner, in every phone, across seas of pews, in workplaces and family dinners, in every reel and political agenda and friendship that asks you to soften your convictions just a little. Every compromise edges you closer to the flames. Every time the Bible gets adjusted slightly to make it more palatable, every time you go quiet out of fear or laziness, every time you trade conviction for comfort, you are stepping closer to throwing yourself in. We are not here to compromise our faith to make others comfortable. We are here to stand on His foundation and spread His word. Take your stand. Hold your ground. And remember, He is already standing right there in the fire with you. © 2025/26 Jane Isley (revision) Want more content like this? Explore more articles in Exploring Scripture. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save.

There I was, standing in the middle of nowhere, looking up at the sky. I stared for so long that I started to feel overwhelmed. I was scared but also excited. Then I saw the moon, so bright, looking right at me. I’ve seen this so many times over the years, but why did it look different now? I kept watching and spinning in awe, but with a bit of fear as to how such a thing could exist. Where did you come from, and why do you show up everywhere I go? I was walking but couldn’t escape the feeling that I was being watched. When I looked up or around me, it wasn’t just me; someone else was there. The fear in me got so strong that all I thought about was running. But how far could I run? In a split second, I woke up panting and out of breath. I was dreaming. Getting ready to leave for school that day felt different. I prayed and studied the Word, but still felt the fear in me. It wasn’t until I stepped outside that I felt the real impact of the dream I had just experienced. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the sky. The same sky I’ve seen every day felt like a mystery I hadn’t truly noticed before. But there was no escaping it. I eventually looked, and I saw it differently. It wasn’t just clouds hovering over us, changing with the weather. It felt like God was staring right at me and whispering, “I see you.” I could hear Him saying, I’m always with you, even when you think I’m not. I’m right by your side every minute of your life, just like the skies above you. It was a moment where everything God made began to feel overwhelming. I felt like an alien seeing creation for the first time. Everything around me reminded me of Him. The trees, the animals, the skies, and even the people around me suddenly felt significant in a way I had never noticed before. I had lived for so long with everything normalized. We see creation every day and move on without thinking twice about it. Yet, we still haven’t discovered everything about the Earth, or even ourselves. To me, that says something about the vastness of God and how much of Him we can never fully comprehend. So I wonder why people question the existence of a supreme God who controls all things. Maybe creation alone is not enough for everyone to believe, but I no longer see God as a mystery I have to solve before trusting Him. He has already given us so much that points back to Him. And this is something I had never truly thought about before. It was always about God changing my situation or answering a specific prayer. But pausing long enough to see Him in everything around me changed my perspective on who He is. I now see creation as a reflection of God. Nothing around us feels random anymore. When I see the trees, the rivers, and other people, I see glimpses of the One who made them all. This dream was God’s answer to a prayer I had prayed the night before. I felt abandoned by Him because of certain events in my life. But I woke up that morning with a different view of my life and others’. I went from complaining to being grateful. Grateful for the precision in creating me and everything around that helps us survive. Grateful for the people in my life, I had taken for granted because of familiarity. Grateful for the blessings that come my way every day, even the ones I once considered too small. It was no longer about God’s silence, but seeing beyond my expectations of Him. I wasn’t doing anything alone. He was with me through it all, and I couldn’t see that because I was too focused on what I wanted Him to do. Later that night, I saw the moon again, and I just stood still. It looked the same, but the person looking at it was somehow different. I was still scared, but also excited. Scared that I may never fully understand creation, but excited that God used it to change my view of Him. If I can’t fully understand God’s creation, how much more Him? So I’ll keep believing and accept what He gives me every day. And call to mind the words of David in Psalm 19:1:“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” I am the work of His hands, and I’ll always remember that He’s watching over me, and creation reminds me of that promise. © 2026 Sabina Kumi. Want more content like this? Explore more articles in Knowing God. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.