The person in the parable on prayer nobody talks about. If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you have probably come across Jesus’ parable on prayer. I believe His motivation for telling this story is to encourage and persuade us to persevere in our prayer life. Here is how Luke recalls it: “Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this — though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.” 11: 5–8. The lesson is simple: make your prayer life effective and fervent. Don’t just ask once and quit. Persist. Have faith and patience. Jesus goes on to say: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” 9–13. I’ve heard this story expounded upon for many years from the perspective of the person with a need who gets what they want. And then they usually tie in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, where he encourages them to “pray without ceasing." (1 Thes 5:17) The character in the story that nobody preaches about. Have you thought about the jerk in bed? Remember, the story refers to him as a friend. And for you, Biblical scholars, the Greek word literally means “friend.” Not a neighbor or acquaintance. It is the same word James used when he called Abraham a “friend of God." (James 2:23) Can you imagine this conversation between Abraham and God? God: “Abraham, leave the home of your father and move to a land I will show you.” Abraham: “Go away, God. I have a great family and thriving business. Come back next week when I am out from under the covers.” God: “But I need you to go. I’ll keep knocking until you leave Ur of the Chaldeans.” Abraham: “OK, geez, I’ll go. You are a pain in the rear. But to shut you up, God, I’ll go.” Abraham was a friend of God, a real friend, not a social media contact, not a neighbor, not an acquaintance. The man in the parable should have bounced out of bed, run to the door, and said, “Is everything all right? It’s midnight. Are you OK?” And then rejoiced. “Make sure to introduce us before he leaves. What else do you need? A friend of yours is a friend of mine.” But he didn’t. His friendship was active if it was convenient. This article isn’t about prayer. Although the parable is. This article is about being a friend. Solomon nailed it: “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Prov 18:24 This verse highlights the importance of having authentic friends. And suggests that some friendships can be incredibly deep and supportive, even surpassing those of family. We all have friends who operate between the hours of 8 and 5. But will they be there on moving weekend? Or drive to pick you up if your car breaks down? Are they available 24/7? This is why so many people feel lonely at church. Like-minded people surround them. But none of them are friends. When I left Facebook, I had almost 1,000 “friends." And I didn’t know who most of them were. They knew someone I knew. I couldn’t tell you a thing about them. Do you have friends? Are you friendly? Would you open the door at midnight? Or do they have to badger you incessantly for what they need? Are you available to them? Are you trustworthy and faithful? Or what is called a “fair weather friend”? These are questions we should all ask ourselves. I want to be a friend to God. What should I do? First, study the lives of the people God called His friends. You know about Abraham. He had faith and a close relationship with God. Moses was also called God’s friend: “The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Exodus 33:11 Moses had an intimate relationship with God, characterized by direct communication and trust. Jesus called his disciples friends. “I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.” John 15:15 Bottom Line: God often arrives at inconvenient times. He knocks. And how we respond determines if we are authentic friends or not. He wants to get us out of our warm, comfortable resting place because He might want to provide for the needs of another person through us. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. Is it bothersome? It depends on the level of spiritual friendship you have. I hope I am the one who, when there is a knock at my door, bounds out of bed, provides generously what God has entrusted me with, and says, “It was nothing. No big deal. It’s how I roll. My pleasure, Lord.” God always repays. I know I’ll get much more than three loaves in return. © I.M. Koen You might also like these by I.M. Koen God Misses You Why not give Him a quick call to check in? Jesus Wants to Make You Breakfast An invitation to dine for all atheists, ex‑Christians, and God‑haters. Is Jesus Your Boss or Your Friend? What happens when faith feels like a job instead of a relationship. 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The Heart of Relational Stewardship A stewardship-shaped life is never built on tasks alone. It grows in the quiet, ordinary moments when we choose to see people the way God sees them: as entrusted souls, not interruptions; divine assignments, not items on a list. Relational stewardship is the posture of a believer who understands that God has placed people in our path not for efficiency, but for love. It is the shift from doing to becoming, from managing responsibilities to managing trust, from completing duties to reflecting the heart of the Owner. At the center of relational stewardship is the truth Jesus declared when asked about the greatest commandment. He did not point to a task, a ritual, or a religious achievement. He pointed to love — love for God with our whole being and love for our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39). This is the soil from which all faithful stewardship grows. When we love God deeply, His love naturally flows outward into our relationships. When we love others well, we honor the God who entrusted them to us. The apostle Peter echoes this when he states that each of us should use the gift given to us by God to serve others, as faithful stewards. (1 Peter 4:10). Notice the direction of stewardship: it is outward, relational, and grace-centered. We are not stewards of tasks, programs, or outcomes. We are stewards of grace — God’s grace expressed through our presence, tone, compassion, and faithfulness. Initiating Relationships With Presence, Honor, and Tone This understanding reframes how we initiate relationships. Many believers assume relationships simply “happen,” but relational stewardship is intentional. It begins with presence, not performance. Presence is the ministry of slowing down long enough to notice the person others overlook. It is sitting beside someone who is alone, offering a sincere greeting, or asking a simple question like, “How has your week been?” These small acts communicate, “You matter. I see you.” In a world where people feel increasingly invisible, presence becomes a powerful expression of God’s heart. Honor is another doorway into relational stewardship. Romans 12:10 calls us to “honor one another above yourselves,” a command that reshapes how we approach every interaction. Honor softens hearts. It signals safety. It reminds people that they are valued not for what they do, but for who they are. Using someone’s name, affirming something you see in them, or simply listening without rushing communicates honor in ways that words alone cannot. Tone also plays a vital role. Scripture teaches that “a gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) and urges believers to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Tone is part of stewardship because it reveals the condition of our heart. A hurried or harsh tone can shut down trust, while a gentle, warm tone opens doors for deeper connection. Tone is not merely how we speak, but how we carry the presence of Christ into every conversation. Nurturing Relationships Through Burden-Bearing and Listening But initiating relationships is only the beginning. Relational stewardship requires nurturing what God entrusts. Galatians 6:2 calls us to “bear one another’s burdens,” a command that cannot be fulfilled from a distance. Burden-bearing requires proximity, patience, and compassion. It means following up with someone you prayed for, remembering details of their story, or checking in after a difficult week. These simple acts communicate, “You are not forgotten.” Listening is another essential practice. In a culture that prizes quick fixes and fast solutions, listening becomes a countercultural act of love. Relational stewardship listens not to respond, but to understand. It resists the urge to correct quickly. It asks clarifying questions. It honors the story being shared. Listening says, “Your story matters to me,” and in doing so, it reflects the heart of the One who hears us with perfect patience. There are moments, however, when stewardship requires speaking truth with grace. Colossians 3:12–14 calls believers to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Truth without grace wounds; grace without truth weakens. Together, they help others grow. Relational stewardship stays present even after hard conversations, choosing reconciliation over avoidance. Jesus taught that if a brother sins against us, we are to go to him privately (Matthew 18:15). Avoiding conflict may feel like peacekeeping, but Scripture calls it neglecting stewardship. Protecting relationships means addressing tension early, with humility and love. A Lifestyle of Faithful, Relational Stewardship Ultimately, relational stewardship is not a series of tasks. It’s a lifestyle. It is built through small, consistent acts of faithfulness. It is praying for someone by name each day, sending a note of encouragement, practicing a gentle tone, or asking God each morning, “Who have You entrusted to me today?” It is inviting someone to coffee, checking on someone who is struggling, or reconciling with someone when needed. It is evaluating our own patterns and asking, “Where am I being transactional instead of relational?” The difference between transactional and relational stewardship is profound. A transactional mindset asks, “What do I need to get done?” A relational mindset asks, “Who has God entrusted to me?” Transactional stewardship focuses on tasks; relational stewardship focuses on people. Transactional stewardship completes duties - relational stewardship reflects God’s heart. Transactional stewardship measures success by outcomes - relational stewardship measures faithfulness by love. God sees every act of relational stewardship, even the ones no one else notices. Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that He is not unjust to forget our work and the love we show for His name. Every relationship is an assignment, an appointment set and orchestrated by God. Every word and presence is a seed of influence. And every seed planted in love bears fruit that honors the Master. What relationship is God inviting you to steward today? © Randy DeVaul Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

When Your Heart Speaks Too Fast Sometimes life hits us with conversations that cut deeper than we expect. A tone, a word, or a silence can stir something inside you. Everything in you wants to answer fast, to defend, explain, or prove that you are right. But reaction often comes from pain, not peace. It is the heart’s first cry before wisdom can speak. The problem is, reactions rarely heal. They only echo what hurt us. But when we pause long enough to let God settle our spirit, something changes. The emotions do not disappear, but they lose control. Jesus, Our Calm in Chaos Jesus was never driven by reaction. He faced betrayal, lies, and anger, yet He stayed composed. When the crowd shouted and the soldiers mocked, He did not meet hostility with hostility. He stood in truth, not tension, but His calm was not silence; it was strength. That is what responding looks like: choosing steadiness when emotions rise, letting the Spirit lead when ego wants the last word. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” - James 1:19 I realized that this verse is not about restraint alone; it is about rhythm. God designed us to respond from His peace, not our pressure, and so when you pause before you speak, you make room for grace to do what anger never could. Letting God Fill the Silence Maybe someone’s actions are testing your patience. Perhaps you have replayed the scene in your head a hundred times, thinking of what you should have said. But what if the win is not in saying more, but in staying still long enough to let God fill the silence? Responding is not a weakness. It is strength dressed in peace. It is saying, “I choose to act from who I am in Christ, not from what was done to me.” That kind of composure confuses darkness and heals you, too. A Sincere Advice Rather than react, ask God to calm your emotions before they control you. Let Him teach you to find His peace in heated moments. When you’re tempted to react, allow Him to help you breathe, wait, and let love lead. © Favour Further Reading • How to Recognize God’s Voice Through Peace and Unrest — learning to discern God’s guidance when emotions rise. • Why Do I Still Feel Broken Even as a Believer? — a reminder that healing and spiritual maturity grow together. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

In the spirit of honesty, I must confess I wanted to title this post “Why I Don’t Gossip” but knew that act would make me a dishonest hypocrite. Considering this topic-related streaming series I have admittedly been indulging in recently, and the information about a family member I shared with my kids this past weekend, I am not innocent. Wisdom from Proverbs About Gossip: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” (Proverbs 11:13) “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28) “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9) “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” (Proverbs 18:8) “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20) “A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” (Proverbs 20:19) So I know better, and I want to be better. With God’s help, I know I can. The number one reason gossip is completely unnecessary is because other people’s actions speak for themselves. The six verses from the Bible book of Proverbs quoted above are reasons enough to STOP! Plus, my own opinion about a person’s actions speaking loud enough that it renders any musings or murmurings from me completely superfluous. The entertainment provided by God’s Word is of significantly higher quality and worth than any tantalizing teasers I could stream online or drama I could choose to participate in related to family, friends, colleagues, or other community circles I frequent. So there you have it… my reasons for praying to my Heavenly Father to help me abstain from meditating on whatever things are not suggested in the fourth chapter of Philippians. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8–9 NIV May we be trustworthy friends, family members, co-workers, members of our fellowship groups, and disciples of Christ as we progress like the pilgrims we are on this temporary life journey into eternity. © 2026 Nora Gwen

A recent article on Jesus's teachings about hell sparked several conversations, and one question surfaced from that: what is hell in the Bible, really? Most people picture a single fiery place, but Scripture is not so simple. The biblical writers actually use several different words, each pointing to something distinct. So let's open a fiery can of worms and look at them one at a time. I. Gehenna We talked about Gehenna in the article I mentioned above, so I won’t go into detail in this one, but to summarize: it was a real place that the Jews would have been familiar with. This was a place of constantly burning fires and wickedness, reserved for pagan rituals, disposing of refuse, and burning criminals’ bodies. Sounds lovely, right? Gehenna is a Greek word that is translated most often as “hell” in English. Here is an example from Luke: But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him (NIV).But I will show you⁺ whom you⁺ should fear: Fear the One having authority, after the killing, to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I say to you⁺, fear Him! (BLB). II. Sheol This Hebrew word means “grave” or “pit” in English, which we sometimes also translate as “hell.” It refers to the underworld, or the place people go after they die, as they await the final judgement (this is different from Catholicism’s teaching on Purgatory, but that’s for another article). As we’ll see in the next section, there’s a great chasm in the grave, separating the tormented wicked from the righteous resting in paradise. As David sings in Psalm 16: because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay (NIV).For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption (ESV). A thread to hang onto for later: Jesus is the “holy one” David is talking about here. But I digress… III. Hades The Greek counterpart to the Hebrew word “Sheol” is “Hades” (and if you’re now picturing a tall, charismatic grey guy with blue flames for hair, you’re welcome for that little time capsule moment). “Hades” is used in the New Testament to refer to the realm of the dead, and sometimes figuratively refers to Death, much how “Sheol” is used in the Old Testament. In Revelation we learn that those being held in Hades will eventually find themselves in the lake of fire along with Satan and his demons. We see it used in Luke, in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (the beggar): The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ~ Luke 16:22–23 We’re told Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s side, which is paradise for those who belong to Christ, as Jesus tells the thief on the cross. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”~ Luke 23:43 The rich man, however, descended to Hades, where he was tormented. He begs Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his family about the terrible place, but Abraham tells him they wouldn’t believe even if someone arose from the dead (foreshadowing, no?) and that no one could traverse the great chasm. I know this sounds incredibly harsh to some, but keep in mind the rich man never made mention of Jesus in all his pleading. He wanted his suffering to end, but not the One who could end it. IV. Tartarus With this word, we see some overlap into Greek mythology. Known as a deep, gloomy pit, Tartarus is the place of punishment where God sends fallen angels. Appearing only once in the New Testament, Tartarus is also translated as “hell” in English. 2 Peter 2:4 says: For if God did not spare the angels having sinned, but having cast them down to Tartarus in chains of gloomy darkness, He delivered them, being kept for judgment; (BLB)For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; (NIV) This is not a place for human imprisonment, but rather for rebellious celestial beings to await their final sentencing on Judgement Day. V. Lake of Fire Perhaps the most well-known phrase for “hell” is the “Lake of Fire.” Seen most often in Revelation, this is the final resting place for those, human and celestial, who choose a life apart from God. Riddled with Satan and his demons, this will be a place of endless anguish. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death — the lake of fire. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.  ~Revelation 20:10, 14–5 Those who have been waiting for judgment in Sheol/Hades will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire if their name isn’t found in the Book of Life. There, they will face unending torment along with Satan and his demons. However, those who choose to love Jesus will spend eternity securely by his side. Teaching about Hell is not a scare tactic, as some tend to think. Those who don’t want to dwell with the Lord are not scared into a relationship with Him just by the knowledge of Hell. If that were the case, wouldn’t Satan himself turn and follow Christ? This article may seem a bit much, or like too much information, and you may be asking, “Why are we talking about Hell and its compartments?” Well, because it’s important. Not that we want to stay in the weeds all the time, but sometimes it’s necessary to get in them a little because that’s where we find clarity. Some claim that Jesus taught only about Gehenna during his earthly ministry, and that there must not be a place such as Hell. But Jesus reveals to John in Revelation that the place of endless torment is the Lake of Fire. Gehenna is terrible, but the fiery lake will be unimaginable. We tend to forget, or overlook, the fact that the Bible is an ancient text and we can’t treat it the way we’d treat a modern document. There are nuances and cultural practices we miss when we read it with a 21st century lens. Another Lens: When we read books like Little House on the Prairie, we understand that it was written in a different time than the one we live in now. We know we need some knowledge under our belt in order to truly understand how the family would have perceived certain events in the book or what their life was really like. However, if we didn’t know anything about history, could we still read the book? Yes, absolutely! We could still appreciate the recounting of Laura’s life with her family on the prairie, and the overarching themes of hard work, love, and perseverance. But we’d miss a lot. We wouldn’t understand the significance of Mary losing her sight after suffering with scarlet fever. We’d know it was unfortunate to lose her sight, but we wouldn’t truly grasp the magnitude of a person in that day not being able to see, or how greatly her family sacrificed to make sure she could thrive, not just survive, living life as a blind person. But what about the Holy Spirit? Can’t we just read the Bible and not worry about all the studying? The Holy Spirit guides our study and gives us discernment, absolutely. But He also gives us the gift of learning and knowledge, and I believe this is so we can better know and understand God’s heart. We use this gift every day at school or work, so why wouldn’t we use it even more with God’s Word? Research and academics don’t change the gospel message, but they do bring us to a place of better, deeper understanding, like realizing that “hell” is a reference to more than one place. © 2026 Stephanie M Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

In my 20 years of life, I have gone through many changes in my spiritual beliefs. From being a ‘Christian’ as a child, but not really knowing what it meant, to not believing in God, to considering myself ‘spiritual’ but not Christian, and now, the present: considering myself a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. It is crazy to think about all the changes in my spiritual lifestyle within two decades. It is crazy to think about how much has happened in just a decent amount of time. Time has always been strange to me, and especially so when I reflect on spirituality. Lately I’ve been having a lot of faith challenges: I’ve had some smart thinkers debate me on the evidence of Christianity– and they’ve made a lot of good points. I think a challenged faith is healthy: it helps one grow stronger and think more critically about who and what they are following. While I don’t have all the answers, and certainly never will, I continue to do research– hoping that my faith isn’t a lie. As of now, I continue to pray and dive deeper into research and His Word. And as I do this, I can’t help but reflect on my past with spirituality. My faith has never been this strong, and I do think that is something to hold onto. So without further ado, here’s a bit of my spiritual history up until now. Growing Up ‘Christian’ But Not At The Same Time My childhood experience was pretty common among many Christians. I was baptized as a baby, but never attended church as a child. I never had a full Bible; I only had a pocket New Testament that was given to me by family friends. I rarely opened it– I think one time I did because I was curious, but the language in the Bible was too confusing for me to understand, so I closed it and went on my merry way (lol). I was a child; I was not concerned with who God was or what would happen after I died. I was much more concerned with playing outside and the natural curiosities children have. I had a wonderful childhood. I am not angry whatsoever that I didn’t go to church or read the Bible… I truly think this was God’s plan for me, not to be a devoted follower from the start, but to grow into it as an adult. Atheism? Only When It Was Convenient As I grew older into middle school and the beginning of high school, I claimed not to believe in God. Again, I wasn’t extremely concerned with all of the details, but my brain was definitely more developed than before. I recall having a conversation with a friend about God around this time: we came to the agreement that we didn’t want to believe in God because, after all, slavery and genocide existed. I couldn’t possibly believe in a God that would allow violence. So, I went on my way, unbothered (for the most part) and didn’t believe in God. I was too caught up in my popularity in school, my grades, and the friends I was making. But what’s curious is that while I claimed not to believe in God, at any minor inconvenience I had, I would immediately shed that skin and pray to God. I kind of laugh about it now… I remember my prayers going something like this: “God.. I know I said I didn’t believe in you… But I really need help with this problem in my life. Please help me out… I’m struggling, and I need this.” Of course, I’m sure those weren’t my exact words, but they were pretty similar. I often feared that God would hate me because of this. I feared He wouldn’t want to help me because I had ignored Him, but I’m glad to know that I was so wrong. Becoming A Part Of The New Age Moving forward, my freshman year of high school was a huge turning point in my life. I became more self-aware, and I also began struggling more and more mentally. I’ve always struggled with anxiety in my life, but in high school, it ramped up. Although I LOVED freshman year, it was also a year filled with many, many challenges. Everything started changing in early November, when I started to have darker thoughts concerning my life. I had thoughts such as “every day feels the same”, “I feel like I’m living the same day on repeat”, “what if I just died right now?” I never had active suicidal thoughts at this time, but I definitely began to have some passive ones, such as the last question. I wouldn’t consider myself depressed, but I definitely wasn’t my normal self, if that makes sense. Additionally, my anxiety started getting pretty bad to the point where I would ask to skip school. I wasn’t taking care of myself, and I often sat in bed scrolling on social media. Spiritual, Not Religious This is what partially led me to a very big spiritual change in my life. It was on Christmas Day (maybe Christmas Eve?) that I received Doreen Virtue’s “Archangel Oracle Cards." I had someone close to me who introduced me to them– way back when I was in eighth grade. I was absolutely fascinated by these cards, and they seemed to resonate a lot, especially because the day that I first used them, I was bullied on the bus by a kid much bigger and stronger than me. The cards I pulled resonated deep within me. I felt comforted by them, and I even prayed to the angels listed on them. Although at that time I claimed not to believe in God or spiritual powers, I prayed anyway. Flash forward to my freshman year in high school, I once again pulled those cards when visiting the person close to me. Again, the cards resonated, and I felt seen. So, I asked her to gift me them for Christmas. Everything changed when I received those cards. I began to become more interested in tarot and oracle cards– feeling that what I pulled showed truth in my life (and for some parts, it absolutely did). Coincidentally, on TikTok, the new age movement was becoming more popular. I would often see videos of influencers pulling cards, meditating, and charging crystals. And on Christmas Day of 2020, I began to meditate. I absolutely loved it. It calmed my nerves, helped with anxiety, and helped me feel more grounded and thoughtful. I also learned about “shadow work,” which basically was writing down answers to deep, insightful prompts that revealed character insights, past traumas, and behavioral reactions. On my birthday of that year, I received crystals and charged them with intentions and often carried them around with me. I believe at this time, I was on what you would call a spiritual high. I was so excited to be doing something unique and very, very different from the ‘mundane’ high school life I was in. I began to be highly involved with the new age movement, but instead of calling it that, I was ‘spiritual,’ not religious. I began to manifest, read new age/spiritual self-help books, and I won’t lie, my life changed A LOT. When It All Started Falling Apart Before I go into the doubts I started experiencing, I do want to admit that this kind of spirituality did change me in many ways, both negative and positive. For starters, I became a lot more mature and kinder, and I actually discovered many root problems from my past. I definitely became more insightful about myself and the world, and because of this, I became more confident. While these qualities are still with me today (for the most part), the spiritual high subsided after three to four months. I started feeling exhausted… I felt dragged down by all of the things I was doing. I had so many things; it was getting overwhelming. I felt that I was overanalyzing every single thing about myself and others. I felt like I was my own therapist, and I felt like I was a therapist to my friends. I started to believe that I knew more about others than they knew about themselves. I absolutely hated feeling that way, and my anxiety actually got a lot worse during this time. While it initially subsided when I was first drawn to the new age, it came back in waves, usually each time it worsened. This kind of spirituality helped my problems in the short-term, but they always got worse in the long-term (new age is well known to cater to the human desire for immediate gratification). I also noticed that I drifted away from many of my friends… I often felt extremely lonely in high school because of this. This kind of spirituality began to make me feel more superior to others, and because of that, I would end friendships over tiny things I disliked about my friends. If they had very different lifestyles from my own, they would be out of my life. If they did something that my spirituality didn’t agree with, I would distance myself from them. To put it plainly, I was picky, and not in a good way. I thought this was better for me at the time, but now I realize it has caused me more anxiety and more issues with making strong friendships. It’s gotten better, but I still struggle with the implications of this past issue. Another issue I had during this time was that I was extremely paranoid. I prayed to the ‘divine’ rather than God or Jesus because I believed that the divine included all of the gods, goddesses, and the earth/universe. I had a very hard time meditating and pulling cards because I often feared that demons would intrude. So, I always envisioned a large protection bubble around me… but it never would help me feel better. What’s interesting is that when I would meditate, I would often see strange figures/illusions that were dark and evil-looking. I often waved them off, thinking that it was just a trick of the light on my closed eyes… but it didn’t matter where I would be, or if the lights were off, I would see them. I also felt that I had to speak a protective ‘claim’ into existence whenever I woke up or was about to meditate. This was definitely tied into OCD (which I’ve had since I was younger), and I never truly felt safe or protected when involving myself with the ‘divine.’ I was also very impulsive and all over the place. Not too long ago, I read some journal entries from my old notebooks/computer from this time, and my words were frantic and paranoid. Even some of my old Medium articles expressed this (some are still up). To an outsider, it looked like I was having a manic episode. I do not have bipolar disorder, but I genuinely seemed unwell. To put it plainly: I was extremely paranoid during this part of my life, and it stressed me out very, very badly. I had many ebbs and flows while in this spiritual phase; sometimes I would be very disciplined: meditate, pull cards, shadow work, etc. And other times I was too exhausted to do anything. While it was originally fun, it became a chore. I often would reminisce about the days when it was fun and exciting, even getting teary and emotional over it. I wanted to go back into the past so badly… because somehow I knew I would never get that back. As time went on, I slowly got rid of my crystals, cards, and books. I still considered myself ‘spiritual,’ but I was not a fan of all the materials that were a part of the brand. God Was Moving It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I began to question this spirituality. Now, I’m going to segue a bit. If you’re familiar with Doreen Virtue, she used to be a spiritual medium. She created the angel cards that I first received, and I also had many other cards/books of hers. In my senior year, I was very close to a Christian friend of mine. I have known her since middle school, and became very close to her at that time. She invited me to church, and while I was obviously okay with her being a Christian, I felt uncomfortable with the religion and the church. Because of this, I started thinking more critically about the new age community. Crazily enough, I remembered that Doreen Virtue became a born-again Christian, and she ditched the new age community. I started researching more about this transformation, and I even listened to her podcast about it on YouTube. While I listened to it, I was very stubborn and disagreed with her points. But, at the same time, something in me told me to continue to listen and research. I began searching more about Christianity, and I also wanted to know why Christians were against the new age. I looked at Reddit posts, blogs, and websites, reading different opinions on the matter. I mostly remember many of them equating new age spirituality to Satan. I recall feeling very convicted at this point. I didn’t believe in Satan or sin, but something in me kept telling me to keep an open mind. While I didn’t change my opinion right in that moment, this was a crucial point where seeds were planted. Later in mid-January, my good Christian friend published a book about Jesus, titled “Jesus, It’s You.” Of course, I read the book, and what’s crazy is that it totally planted seeds within me. I was still involved with the new age, but this book opened my eyes to how much simpler life is with Jesus. After reading her book, I prayed to Him and Him alone (for a short amount of time before I went back to the ‘norm’), but I noticed a huge difference. I felt much safer, more protected, and it just felt simple! After years of praying paranoidly and exhaustingly, I actually felt calm and safe. I had no idea why, but I did. And a few months after, a different friend of mine got baptized, and I went to watch it. Originally, I felt very stubborn about going, and on the way, I complained about the hypocrisy of Christians. This new age spirituality made me very hostile to Christianity, and while I accepted those in the faith, I personally vowed to not be apart of it. However, when I went to the church to witness her baptism, I immediately felt tears in my eyes during the ceremony. I also fought hard (like really hard, y’all) not to cry when they sang in worship. I had no idea why I was having this sort of reaction: I was hostile towards Christianity and its people. I had no reason to feel emotional about any of it. I believe this moment also planted seeds within my soul. Of course, I still considered myself to be ‘spiritual.’ Finding Jesus — The Present A couple of months after her baptism, I graduated and went off to college. The first few months were rough, but I adjusted. I barely had the time or energy to involve myself with the new age, and I am glad I didn’t bother with it. If you haven’t read my testimony… now’s the time to do so because it fits within this story. As I mentioned in it, I was depressed during this huge change in my life. I did have active suicidal thoughts, and if I wasn’t so afraid of the pain/or the implications of a failed attempt (of suicide), I honestly think I would have done it. I found Jesus in the most random time of my life… literally an hour before I was about to go partying at school. I had never had such bad suicidal thoughts until that night, and He met me where I was and took them away. He answered my initial stubbornness with mercy, and when I finally asked Him for help, He responded with grace. He took all of the thoughts away, and you wouldn’t believe how relieved I was to go to sleep that night, not thinking about how awful I felt or having to ignore how I wanted to die. I do believe in miracles, and this definitely was one. And clearly, my life changed from there onwards. Obviously, my faith has been challenged, but I seriously have never had this strong a faith at any time in my life. I’ve tried so many things: the ‘somewhat’ Christian, partially an atheist?, new age, and now I’m here. Nothing else has made me as grounded or secure in my sense of myself and the world. And Jesus genuinely is the only one who has given me such a solid foundation. I still have issues. I struggled A LOT this school year. I definitely did have a spiritual high when I first came to Him, and it wore off in my second year of college. But instead of feeling exhausted, I actually wanted to go to Him, and I felt relieved. I’ve never felt like praying to Him or talking to Him is a chore. I was just thinking last night, how grateful I am to not feel paranoid anymore. I feel safe, simple, and complete in Him. I don’t have to pretend like I’m hot you-know-what with Him. I’m just me… and that’s perfectly fine because Jesus is here and He’s not going anywhere. A Changed Perspective I just want to finish this article by explaining some extra things. I do not think I am better than anyone else. I don’t think I am better than the atheists, agnostics, new agers, or any other people from different religions. I’ve been humbled a lot since I’ve surrendered to God. Jesus and His word have called me out on my poor behavior… and always will. I straight up know that most of the people I surround myself with don’t agree with me. But I take that as an opportunity for growth rather than being a brat about it. I will not distance myself from anyone who disagrees with me, unless it becomes genuinely unhealthy or dangerous for either of us. Because I’ve switched up my spiritual lifestyle so much, I understand what it feels like to be a part of those different communities. I definitely don’t have it all right either. While this post isn’t really trying to convince you of anything, it is more a reflection on the spiritual changes in my life. And to my atheists/agnostics reading this, I know y’all might find everything in here ridiculous, especially if you don’t believe in spiritual powers whatsoever. I wanted to explain why I am where I am, especially to those who really don’t understand. Who knows where I will be in a couple of years? Some may argue that I may move on to the next big thing, but I do hope that I stay as a devoted follower of Jesus. I’ve never been more challenged, uncomfortable, and curious about life. This should theoretically push me away from Him, right? But for some reason, millions of others and I continue to pick up their crosses and follow Him. My faith is stronger than it ever has been, and I don’t feel scared anymore. I truly do believe He is the way, truth, and life. © 2026 Sienna Krieg. 📖 Further Reading: Mikiyas Astatke explores how the gospel ends the endless chase for hidden spiritual knowledge in A Christian Response to New Age Spirituality: What a $5 Million Dollar Book Burning Reveals Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

The occult is culturally normalized now, but the darkness behind it is real. I know because I lived it. This is my testimony, the demonic encounters I survived, the occult practices I fell into, and how God refused to let me go. I grew up with a mother who twisted Christianity beyond recognition. She died when I was fourteen. I was autistic, isolated, homeschooled, and spiritually unprotected. A perfect target. I didn’t run toward darkness because I was evil, but because I was broken and searching. When the Battle Began One day, while walking from the kitchen to the living room, I suddenly screamed. My mother said it was blood‑curdling. She found me at the bottom of the stairs, staring upward. She didn’t see anything, but I did. A demonic female figure stood at the top of the stairs, mumbling and trying to get me to come to it. After that, strange things began happening in that house. Once, we stepped out of the living room and heard loud banging. When we went back in, the entire room was destroyed, including the walls and pictures. Another time, I watched kitchen chairs slide out from the table on their own and move across the floor to the wall. I also remember putting things in front of my bedroom door at night to keep “them” out. The Escalation - Preteen Years For a while, nothing major happened that I remember. We had moved several times by then, and I don’t recall which house this was, but the activity started coming back. At first it was occasional. A black, shadowed entity would stare at me from outside the window or while standing in the corner, then from the foot of my bed, until it eventually progressed to attacking me. Most people would call it a nightmare, but I was awake. I had just walked into my room and turned on my light light when I was thrown into the air, hit the ceiling, and landed across the bed with a heavy black figure on top of me, snarling, “Come to me, come to me,” inches from my face. That encounter left bruises, and I was so terrified I crawled into the closet, and stayed awake crying through the night. After that, strange things began happening in the house. Objects moved, noises echoed, and cold spots appeared. It never attacked me like that again, but I still saw it watching through the window at different hours, just standing there and looking at me. We moved a few more times and eventually to our first real home. While we were unloading, a few of us were inside when chaos erupted upstairs. My dad and a couple of the men headed up cautiously, and I slipped in behind them. Every box and piece of furniture we had put up there had been tossed, contents dumped out and broken, shattered glass everywhere, and the attic door stood wide open. I got yelled at to get out, and I did. The men came down and told us kids and women to wait outside. One of them turned out to be a pastor, and he, my father, and two others prayed before going back in to deal with whatever was in that house. After that, things stayed quiet for a long time. The place felt peaceful again, at least in terms of anything demonic. A Choice That Changed Everything - Teens I had my first and only so‑called “alien” encounter, which was really a demonic one. It scared me so badly I peed myself. I was with two friends out walking, and we tore back to my house in sheer panic. My dad didn’t see it, but he saw us, and he still remembers the way we came running and the terror on our faces. After that, things changed. I started having regular encounters. I saw demonic entities almost daily, objects moved, and voices/noises echoed through the house. The nightmares were the worst. They left bruises and scratches in places you physically cannot reach on your own. Around that time, a boyfriend and his friend introduced me to occult practices, and that became the beginning of my occult years. I tried a Ouija board with friends and learned how to channel these things, talk to them, and get them to respond. Before long, I was holding séances in the woods next to our property. Some Memories Never Leave You I remember one night vividly. There were six of us in the woods doing our usual thing when something far bigger than anything I had ever encountered showed up. Even now, it amazes me that no one was hurt worse. That night reminds me how serious the situation really was and how much danger I put myself and the others in. I am responsible for that, and it humbles me. The first thing it did was talk to us. I couldn’t understand the language, but it was speaking real words and real sentences with real inflection. I just didn’t recognize the language. It felt like it went on for a couple of minutes, but it was probably less than one. By then, I was scared, like deep down in the pit of my colon scared. And then my dumb a$$ asked it for a sign. It chose my finger. My hand and arm were pinned down, but my third finger on my right hand was yanked straight up and bent backward, and later I found a puncture type wound by my knuckle. I still carry the scar. Then it went after my friends before I could scream. One friend was clawed across his back. Another had her shirt sleeve nearly torn off and her arm, wrist, and hand scratched. Another was hit so hard they dropped to they collapsed. Then we heard what sounded like snarling dogs coming at us. We got my friend up and ran. When we reached the road, we thought it was over. Chased By Darkness Walking back to our cars, we heard these heavy foot stomps behind us. We looked back and saw a huge black figure coming toward us. We ran and got into our vehicles. What happened next still feels unreal. If it hadn’t happened to me, I would be skeptical. If you don’t think demons have power, you are wrong. I ran to my car and jumped into the driver’s seat while two friends piled in behind me. As I tried to start it, something slammed into the back of the car hard enough to shove the rear end into the ditch. I was frantic and crying. They were yelling at me to go, but the key wouldn’t turn. When it finally did and I was about to hit the gas, I froze. We saw a thick, black, freezing cold mass moving inside the car. No one moved. I don’t think I was even breathing. The next thing I knew, my foot was forced off the brake. I was shoved into my door and cracked my head on the window so hard I started bleeding. The gas pedal was pushed to the floor. We shot toward the other ditch. If I hadn’t turned the wheel when I did, and if the back end hadn’t been stuck for those few seconds, we would have hit a tree. I screamed, “God, help us!” Then it was gone. Just like that. I had control of my car again. I will never forget what that felt like. The anger, the hatred, the stench, and the physical strength it had. It practically sat on my lap and tried to take over my car. The Internal War After that, I cooled it a bit, but trust me, I still got into things later. This was also when I started looking at the Bible on my own more instead of relying on what my mother had taught me. I still get things screwed up, though. Even then, I remembered my first encounter with God. I always knew He was real, that Scripture was true, and that He was with me. I just didn’t understand yet. I was constantly fighting what the secular world taught me against what the Bible said, all while trying to make sense of it with an autistic, traumatized mind. It sucked. I dropped out of high school and graduated through a homeschool program, moved in with my boyfriend, and got a waitressing job. By then, I believed in God more firmly, but I was still deeply traumatized from my past and searching for answers. One day, bored and wandering around town, I found a ceramic shop where you could buy a piece and paint it. I became friends with the people who worked there and eventually learned they practiced what they called “white” witchcraft. And Down Again I Went During those years, I didn’t experience the same physical severity as before, but I did experience a lot of other things again. I saw demonic entities, objects moved around, and the nightmares came back. There were a lot of nightmares. I also started having premonitions that became scarily accurate in very demonic ways. I participated in rituals, dated both men and women, practiced blood magic, cast spells, held seances, read tarot cards, used scrying, and consumed a lot of pot and alcohol. This was also when a hard internal struggle began in me. Something in me refused to let go of God or the Bible. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I kept trying to justify it. I kept trying to blend God and the occult together. Looking back, I recognize that struggle as conviction. What I was diving into felt like taking a rusted cheese grater to my soul. Because of this and my openly questioning things, I was challenged for refusing to turn completely away from God by coven members and ultimately attacked and assaulted for it. Truth Broke Through After that, I sat back and saw everything for what it truly was. My eyes were opened to the fact that God did not exist to them, but He existed in me, and I could not walk away from Him. I slowly started pulling myself away from that group. I had just started dating my daughter’s father around the same time, and when we moved, it created the distance I needed. I still dabbled and still did things, but inside I was miserable. Part of me wanted to hand everything back over to God, but the New Age ideas kept telling me I could create my own reality. The battle inside me was horrifying and exhausting. When I became pregnant, everything changed. Even though I was young and unmarried, I was absolutely set on being a good mother. I knew she would shape the rest of my life, and that certainty came from God. She was my everything, and feeling my love for her helped me understand God’s love for me, despite everything I had done. Choosing God Over Darkness I still struggled. It took me a long time to realize I couldn’t stay friends with even the ones I considered “better” if I wanted God in my life. One day, I finally made that choice. I walked away from all of it. My daughter’s father was furious that I left the group completely, even though we were no longer together. At the same time, I was dating a girl, and I ended the relationship because I knew I was identifying with my trauma, not my biology. I walked away from everything I had known for years, everything I thought was safe, and the people I had considered family. My ability to be a mother was attacked more than once because of that decision. I suffered severe postpartum depression and admitted myself to the hospital because I was in such bad shape mentally, and that was used against me by them. But I chose God, and therapy instead of rituals and crystals. From Darkness to Authority Those years were some of the darkest years of my life. I carried so much grief, anger, and hatred over what had happened to me as a child, deepened by spiritual darkness and demonic influence. It was also the period when I had an unsuccessful suicide attempts. The pull toward darkness was relentless and twisted everything in me. I started going back to church and had my daughter dedicated. I was still far from who I am now and still had moments where I messed with things I should not have, but over time I broke away from all of it. In the years that followed, I raised a beautiful Christian young woman. Many people will read this and assume I made it up or exaggerated it. I did not. If someone is skeptical, that is fine. It means they are at least thinking about what I have shared. These things really do happen to people, or we would not have an entire entertainment industry built around them. As much as God has kept an eye on me, so does Satan. The fallout from my occult past still shows up in my life, and it is clear that the enemy loves to stir the pot around me. He is furious, not just because I walked away, but because of who I have become and what I write about. God used my occult years to train me, equip me, and give me the authority to speak on these matters plainly and bluntly, without sugarcoating or shame. I lived through these experiences and more. In a culture that romanticizes spiritual darkness, someone needs to tell the truth about what it actually costs. If you are in darkness right now, know this. God has not given up on you. He did not give up on me, and I was far gone. The occult promises power, but only God offers freedom. I have lived both sides of that battlefield, and freedom wins every time. And if you are a parent who thinks this could never happen to your child, you are wrong. I was going to church when I got into this. My father had no idea what I was doing under his roof. Your kids are curious enough to play around with darkness without understanding the cost. Talk to them, not to scare them, but to prepare them. Someone needs to tell them the truth. © 2026 Jane Isley If you want to understand more about the reality of spiritual warfare and how Scripture addresses it, you can find more work and related articles here: Faithful Writers — Demons, Warfare, and Biblical Clarity Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

From the Editor: Sabina tackles one of Christianity's hardest questions in this article, if God controls everything, not why does Satan still exist, but why he was created in the first place? Her answer might challenge how you think about God's sovereignty. Honest Questions and Wondering When God was creating Lucifer, I wonder what was going on in His mind. As He put the elements together to make him complete, was He sad? Did He feel pain, anger, or empathy? I ask this because God knew how Lucifer would ultimately turn out. He knew everything about his future; it was laid bare before Him. What baffles me is that it did not stop God from creating him. Lucifer served God, rebelled against Him, was cast down to earth, and eventually played a role in the fall of mankind. This became the story of Lucifer’s existence, yet the mystery remains: God knew this story before it unfolded. Since the beginning, he has always opposed God, trying to compete with the One who created him — a battle he could never win. Why would God create him, knowing he would one day come after the children He loves? Why allow him to exist among us when there are countless galaxies beyond our own? If God intends to save mankind, why allow something that would make the journey more difficult? When I ask questions like this, I sit still and look up, hoping God will give me a simple answer. Sometimes what comes to mind is: He is God, and He controls all things. That is true. But reflecting further always reveals something I may have missed before. The Judas Iscariot Parallel Thinking about this, I remembered the story of Judas Iscariot — a man whose actions were known to God before they happened. In John 17:12, Jesus says: “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” Judas was part of the story of our redemption. He walked with Jesus, ate with Him, witnessed His miracles, and experienced His presence. Yet Jesus knew the role Judas would play. But this raises another question: Was there no other way for Jesus to be crucified except through the betrayal and destruction of a man? Why did God allow evil to become part of the story of saving mankind? Did Judas truly have a choice, or was everything destined to happen exactly as it did? I believe Judas did have a choice. God knew his future, but his decisions were still his own. He had opportunities to repent. He walked with Jesus and saw the works of God firsthand. Knowing the ending of a story does not mean forcing every action within it. It is like how God may call someone into ministry, but they choose not to follow that path. God’s purpose does not collapse because of human choices; He can still accomplish His will. If Judas had chosen a different path, Jesus would still have fulfilled His purpose. The plan of God was never dependent on one person’s failure. God Works Through Evil, Not Around It And this makes me wonder if we sometimes limit God in our minds. We often view Him as the author of only good things, but throughout Scripture, we see God working even in the midst of evil. Evil does not surprise Him. It does not overpower Him or stop His plans from being fulfilled. When God created the world, He created beings with the ability to choose. He did not create evil as something good, but He created a world where rebellion was possible. Yet even when evil entered that world, it never escaped His authority. I think of Lucifer in a similar way. His choices were not the same as Judas’, but both reveal a mystery: God can know the ending of a story without losing control of the story. The devil is not outside the boundaries of God’s rule. God is still in control. The devil’s future is already known, and his rebellion will not change the final outcome. He is not the author of the story; he is only a character within it. What makes us focus so much on him is the damage he caused, the separation between humanity and God. But even that did not remove God’s plan. God had already made a way. So should we be afraid of the devil? Absolutely not. Was Jesus afraid of Judas? There is no way He was. Jesus knew exactly what was happening and remained faithful to His purpose. The devil’s plans are not hidden from God. Jesus reminded us many times (John 8:44, Luke 22:31–22, Mark 4:15, John 12:31) to be aware of him, but awareness is not the same as fear. As we live our lives, we know he exists, but he does not have the power to destroy what God has spoken over us. The devil is like background music playing in a room. It exists, but it is not the focus. The moment we stop paying attention to the One leading the story and begin focusing on the noise, we allow it to influence us. The devil is not the main character. God is, and nothing can stop what God has already spoken. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 8:38–39) © 2026 Sabina Kumi. Continue exploring God's sovereignty and Satan's limitations: The Sovereignty and Care of God in an Unsteady World by Randy DeVaul — Discover how God's control extends to every circumstance, even chaos. Is Satan the King of Hell? Not Even Close by Jane Isley — Challenge the misconception about satan's authority and learn what Scripture actually reveals. Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

Growth in Christ is never a solo pursuit. The Apostle Paul makes that clear in Ephesians 4:1–16, where he moves from deep theology to practical discipleship. After three chapters describing what God has done: we are chosen, redeemed, sealed, made alive, brought near, and built together, Paul turns the spotlight on what we must now do: walk worthy of the calling we have received. But we don’t walk alone. Growth is a team sport. Paul begins with a plea: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” The word “therefore” connects everything that follows to everything God has already accomplished. We don’t walk worthy to earn God’s favor; we walk worthy because we already have it. And we walk worthy together in unity, in community, in family. He defines “worthy” with three relational qualities: humility, longsuffering, and bearing with one another in love. Each of these traits is relational, not solitary. You don’t need humility if you never interact with people. You don’t need gentleness if no one ever frustrates you. You don’t need patience unless someone tests it. You don’t need to “bear with one another” if there is no “one another.” Unity, therefore, is impossible in isolation. It is forged in relationship, refined in friction, and sustained by love. Paul then shifts from what we share to what we contribute. “To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Every believer has a gift, every member of the body. The Greek word for “apportioned” means “measured out.” Christ Himself determines the measure of grace each believer receives. It’s not about saving grace, which is equal for all, but serving grace, the spiritual gifts and capacities given for ministry and growth within the body. Grace for salvation is the same for everyone: full and complete in Christ. Grace for service is uniquely measured. Christ gives different gifts, roles, and strengths to each believer for the building up of His body. It’s not about worth; it’s about function. Each part matters because each part has a purpose. This is where the Parable of the Talents helps us see the divine pattern. The master didn’t distribute talents randomly. He gave to each servant “according to his ability.” That ability wasn’t natural skill; it was God‑given capacity, the design, temperament, and calling that determine what responsibility a person can carry. God designs each believer’s race and apportions the gifts needed to run it. Through free will, we choose whether to obey that calling. When we refuse to use what God provides, those provisions are withdrawn because they were given for the race we chose not to run. Assignments differ because each race differs, and gifts differ because assignments differ. God doesn’t give identical tasks; He gives appropriate ones. He equips each believer with the grace and tools necessary to fulfill His purpose. The servant with five talents wasn’t more valuable than the one with two. Both received the same commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The failure was the servant who refused to use what he was given. Growth happens when each part does its work, not when every part does the same work. Unity, then, depends on diversity. If Christ gives different measures of grace, different gifts, and different capacities, we need each other. We grow together. We become one body. There’s no need for unity if we were meant to work alone. The Parable of the Talents reinforces that truth: Christ equips His people differently so that His body grows collectively. Just as the master gave talents based on each servant’s purpose, Christ gives grace as He apportions it: uniquely, intentionally, and for the good of the whole body. Ephesians 4:16 captures the picture perfectly: “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” The body of Christ is not a collection of independent believers but a living organism, fitly joined together. Each ligament supplies strength. Each joint contributes movement. Each part adds life. When one part fails to function, the whole body suffers. When every part works properly, the body grows in love and maturity. Scripture tells us to run the race set before us, not someone else’s. We are called to complete, not compete. We complete with God’s provision. No one runs alone; we encourage one another in the race God has mapped out for each person. Your race is yours, my race is mine, and Christ is the One who equips us for both. When we cheer each other forward, we grow up together into the fullness of Christ. Growing up in Christ means embracing our place in His body. We’re not striving for someone else’s role, not envying another’s gift, but faithfully using what we’ve been given. It means recognizing that our differences are not divisions but designs. It means understanding that maturity is measured not by independence but by interdependence. We grow when we serve. We mature when we connect. We become whole when we work together. So, walk worthy of your calling. Live humbly. Be patient. Bear with one another in love. Use the grace Christ has apportioned to you for the good of His body. And remember: growth is not about doing more; it’s about becoming more. More like Christ, more connected to His people, more committed to His purpose. When each part does its work, the whole body builds itself up in love. That’s how we grow up in Christ, being fitly joined together, building up one another, until we all reach unity in the faith and maturity in the fullness of Him who is the Head. © Randy DeVaul, MA Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.

Algospeak examples are everywhere now, and most people scrolling past them have no idea how much meaning is quietly being erased in plain sight. Today it's words, words some readers may not want to see or even think about. Nothing will be described graphically and no images of harm will be shown, but plain definitions will appear, because the words themselves are what I'm examining. I've written a great deal about language from a religious perspective. How definitions shift, how meaning gets manipulated. I'm setting that aside today, because this issue stands on its own. Some may think it's trivial. As a human being, I don't. Start With the Truth Rape: “The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” Sexual Assault: “Sexual assault happens when someone either touches another person in a sexual manner without consent or makes another person touch them in a sexual manner without consent. It includes unwanted kissing and the touching of someone’s genitals, breasts or bottom.” The Swaps For years now, and especially in recent months, I’ve watched a surge of censor-induced substitutions online. Words like grape, grape’d, grape‑ing, grapist, often paired with the 🍇 emoji, are used in place of rape. And “SA” in place of sexual assault has become so normalized that people barely register it as a personal evasion. Worse, it swallows entire other categories of harm: molestation, incest, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, groping. Each is a distinct act with a distinct wound, yet all are flattened into two letters that could just as easily stand for a business term. Some other examples are: Sex → “seggs,” “shmex” Porn → “corn,” 🌽 Vibrator → “spicy eggplant” Sex worker → “accountant” Kill/die/dead → “unalive,” “unalived” Suicide → “sewer slide,” “kermit sewer slide” And then there is “mascara,” which is where this stops being about made-up words and starts being about real people. The Julia Fox Incident A TikTok user named Conor Whipple posted about his own sexual assault. He used “mascara” as the code word, the way the current trend called for. His caption read: “I gave this one girl mascara one time and it must’ve been so good that she decided that her and her friend should both try it without my consent.” She wasn’t aware of the trend. She read the sentence literally, as a complaint about stolen makeup, and commented, “Idk why but I don’t feel bad for u lol.” I wouldn’t have commented myself, but I would have assumed the same thing. When he replied, “You don’t feel bad that I was sexually assaulted?” she immediately deleted her comment and apologized privately and publicly. But the damage was already done. She was accused of condoning sexual assault and discrediting a survivor. I can’t imagine how either of them felt. A Language Built to Outrun You Nicole Holliday, a linguistics professor at Pomona College, spoke about this incident, saying that even someone online a lot might miss it, because everyone’s FYP (For You Page) looks different. (The app’s landing page where personalized videos are recommended by TikTok’s algorithm.) TikTok sorts people, so a trend that feels universal inside one person's feed is invisible to other users. Forbes made the same point. Algospeak is niche and confusing to outsiders, and it is unfair to assume every user knows the context. There was a mix of reactions under different mascara trend posts; some got it, and others were very confused as to what was even going on. That one word now carries multiple meanings, from a product to positive to extremely negative. How is anyone supposed to keep up with that, and how is it anyone’s fault for not knowing that mascara is now not only mascara? Holliday answers that: “It’s changing really, really fast because the whole point of algospeak is to avoid censorship… Nobody can keep up with the life cycle of this slang because it’s moving too fast.” She calls it an unreasonable expectation for humans to track every new word TikTok (or any platform) introduces. The moment a code word becomes common enough that people actually understand it, the algorithm catches on, the word gets flagged, and everyone moves to the next one. The vocabulary has to stay ahead of comprehension, or it stops working. It is a treadmill constantly running. This trend, born from extreme censorship, guaranteed that Conor’s attempt to share his trauma would be misread. On the other side, people invent new meanings for words the rest of society has never heard, then get angry when we don’t understand them. That is honestly not fair to anyone. It minimizes tragedies, it guarantees misunderstandings, and it softens the harsh reality that these crimes happen at all. What We Hand the Next Generation Social media isn't going anywhere, whether that sits well with us or not. I'd love for there to be some flawless system that could dictate exactly what each age group encounters online, but no such thing exists. I'm not against censorship as a concept; a certain amount of it is genuinely necessary. The trouble is that there's no clean solution to what social media does to kids. What I object to is any arrangement that guards children from the word while leaving them wide open to the thing itself. Of course we want to keep our children safe. But at what price? They're coming up with no stable vocabulary at all, only one that keeps shifting under them, without the words they could look up, ask a question about, or reach for if something happened to them. When everything gets sanitized for the sake of comfort, the emotional freight those words are supposed to carry gets stripped away with it. Parents ought to be sitting down and talking honestly with their kids about rape, molestation, sexual assault, and harassment. Children need the actual terms, because that's what keeps them safe, not made-up internet substitutes and emojis. They need language that lets them say out loud if something was done to them, and they need to grasp what these acts mean in the real world. "Grape-ing" isn't a word, and the 🍇 emoji is not a tolerable substitute for something this horrific. How is a young boy or girl supposed to become an adult with any compassion or moral clarity when the true words have been pulled out of their vocabulary and swapped for cutesy euphemisms and emojis, all so nobody in this thin-skinned culture has to feel uncomfortable? The Part Nobody Wants to Face If these atrocities weren't unfolding constantly, everywhere, despite every effort to scrub them out of view, there'd be no reason to cook up nonsensical code words to slip past a filter. Every one of these algospeak examples exists because the violence still exists. Take away the word, and you have changed nothing but your own comfort. © 2026 Jane Isley If This Resonated: The same inversion, taken further: what happens when genuine harm gets relabeled as something children should be exposed to. Should Children Be Allowed on Porn Sites for "Education"? If this piece named the problem, this one answers it: how mothers teach children the discernment, boundaries, and real words that actually keep them safe. The Spiritual Role of Motherhood in Today's World Sources: Rape definition (FBI, 2013) — justice.gov Sexual assault definition — Rape Crisis England & Wales Molestation definition — Cornell Law Julia Fox/mascara trend — NBC News TikTok code words — The Guardian Algospeak’s effects — 3CL Foundation “Unalive” — Grammarphobia Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac) to print this article or save it as a PDF.