Some people rely so heavily on "context" (many times this really means only the distorted way they originally learned a particular Scriptural concept from someone else) that the plain, hard truth contained in a particular verse is watered down and made more palatable to our self-centered flesh and soul. The following short treatments of various verses attempts to emphasize the plain, hard truths that have been lost or misplaced. These "bullets" are for shooting down false teachings and practices (even our own!) - not for injuring your brothers. Handle with care, prayer and grace.

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The Unity of the One Spirit

Perfectly United 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 Have the same opinions, judgments and speak the same words? Why not?

One Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:13 There is one and only Spirit of God.

Christian Idolaters 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 Idolatry practiced by people claiming to be followers or Christ places a grave responsibility on those who are genuine followers of Christ.

Bear One Another's Burdens Galatians 6:2 Bearing one another's burdens requires us to know one another.

The Will of God

Discerning Fruit Matthew 7:16 The things which proceed from people's lives often tells us more about them than we are prepared to accept.

I Think I Know Matthew 16:23 What we think we know keeps us from knowing what we need and ought to know.

Darkness and Light John 12:46 Darkness is incompatible with the children of light.

Disobeying Truth Romans 2:5-9 Our response to the Spirit of Truth will form a large part of the judgment we will face on the last day.

Natural Foolishness 1 Corinthians 2:14 Without the Spirit of truth we are unable to understand the things of God.

Worse Than Useless Knowledge 1 Corinthians 8:2 How we gain our knowledge is even more important than what we know about God.

No Longer For Ourselves 2 Corinthians 5:15 The will of God is not optional for those who want to experience the eternal resurrection life of Christ.

Thus Says the Lord 1 Peter 4:11 Anyone who truly speaks what is on the heart of God should do so with confidence and authority.

Soberly Vigilant 1 Peter 5:8 Satan's lies all have one goal in mind - to keep us from attaining to the will of God for our lives.

"Church"

A Burning Fire Jeremiah 20:9 The "church's" "gospel" has little or no fire - but the word of the Lord does. Why the difference?

Play Actors Matthew 6:5 The hypocrites of this passage are more prevalent than most people assume.

Blind Leaders, Blind Followers Matthew 15:14 Blind followers and blind leaders are both trapped in a sick, symbiotic relationship.

The Anointed of God Matthew 24:5 Was Jesus really a false prophet or is the usual translation of this verse in error?

Lawlessness That Abounds Matthew 24:12 The simple mistranslation of one Greek word may be responsible for much misunderstanding of our responsibilities before God.

Who Is Being Served? Mark 10:45 In far too many "ministries" today, the wrong people are being served.

Whose House Is It? Acts 7:48-50, 17:24 The Most High God does not live in temples made by human hands. So who owns all those "church" buildings that are commonly and routinely called "the house of God"?

The Whole Counsel of God Acts 20:27 The "church" promises "the whole counsel of God" but this is a promise it cannot deliver.

Followers After Themselves Acts 20:30 Our spiritual ignorance, as well as our ignorance of church history, causes us to fail to see how precisely this prophetic statement was - and still is being - fulfilled.

Servants of Righteousness 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 The people who in truth serve Satan will do things that resemble the giftings of the Spirit. Don't be fooled.

A Very Large Picture Ephesians 3:10-11 Just what are - and have - the people of Christ demonstrated to the world?

Pleasing Men or God 1 Thessalonians 2:4 The "church's" gospel is simply different than the one Paul preached.

Second-Hand Milk Hebrews 5:13-14 God's plan is for us to be "fed" through regular sermons - or is it?

Private Interpretations 2 Peter 1:20-21 Privately interpreting the Scriptures is much more rampant than most people realize.

Destructive Divisions 2 Peter 2:1 Peter prophesied that there would be "secret destructive heresies" in the end times. Just what does that mean?

Real Life, Real Love 1 John 3:16 Unless we lay our lives down for our brothers and sisters, meetings - even home fellowship - will devolve into just another form of "church."

Deeper Christian Living

The Lone Ranger Christian Proverbs 18:1 "Lone ranger Christians" are different from what the "church" labels as such - and they are more prevalent than most realize.

Door Stops Matthew 23:13 One group's ignorance or false practice may be God's open door to a more excellent way but history shows that few, especially the white Europeans who came to America, have actually shown people the way into God's kingdom.

I AM the Truth John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am...the truth..." What exactly did He mean by that?

Reconciled Then Saved Romans 5:10 We are not saved by our works but how are we to be saved unless we obey?

The Death of Selfishness Philippians 2:3 American culture presents a standard of life which is in direct contrast to the commands of Christ.

A Deep and Clever Scheme Philippians 2:4 So why is looking out for the interests of others such a foreign concept to most Americans?

Eternal Life 1 John 5:11 If the source of our life is anything other than Christ, we are either a counterfeit religious fraud or a victim of a deceptive religious scheme.

Wealth

The Industrial Revolution Matthew 6:24 The Industrial Revolution changed the way men pursued wealth but did nothing to alter God's standards.

The Desire To Be Rich 1 Timothy 6:9 Seeking to be wealthy is still a trap that spiritually destroys lives - and many are deceived into thinking they are not trapped.

Politics

The Final Solution Galatians 5:13 Liberty is a fundamental American right - but have we used our liberty wisely or foolishly?

This Wicked World 1 John 5:19 Ever wondered why nothing ever changes for the better in Washington (or any other capital around the world)?

The Blood of the Martyrs Revelation 12:11 Is God surprised or caught off guard by the political shift of power that has come upon this country?

I'd love to hear comments and/or questions from you! Email me!

God bless you.