Christian Living

By Al Felder Few words of Jesus are quoted more often, and misunderstood more often, than these: “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). Some people use those words to suggest that Christians should never identify sin, never correct error, and never make moral distinctions. However, that cannot be what Jesus meant. In the same chapter, Jesus warns about false prophets and says, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). That requires discernment. Therefor

By Al Felder Sometimes one small word can change the way we understand an entire passage. Matthew 7:12 begins with a word that is easy to rush past: “Therefore.” Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Many people quote the Golden Rule as though it stands alone. They treat it like a general moral saying: “Be nice to people.” However, Jesus did not give Matthew 7:12 as an isolated prover

By Al Felder Kindness is one of those words people often admire but do not always define carefully. Many think of kindness as a pleasant attitude, a warm smile, or a friendly personality. Those things can be good, but biblical kindness is much deeper. It is not merely something we feel. It is something we do. Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). That command does not allow kindness to remain still. It gives kindness move

By Al Felder The Golden Rule is easy to understand but hard to live. Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). Most people agree with that command. Very few would argue against patience, mercy, fairness, respect, and kindness. We all know how we want to be treated. We want people to listen before judging. We want patience when we are slow. We want mercy when we fail. We want kindness when we are hurting. We want forgiveness w

By Al Felder Most people have heard the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. It is simple enough for a child to understand, but deep enough to challenge every Christian for a lifetime. Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). That one sentence reaches into nearly every part of life. It applies at home, at church, at work, in public, online, in conflict, in service, a

By Al Felder Subscribing to a religious podcast, channel, blog, or social media account may seem like a minor decision. It takes only a moment. The content is free. If we lose interest, we can always unsubscribe. Yet subscribing does more than add a name to a digital list. It gives a teacher repeated access to our attention. New messages appear automatically. Over time, the speaker’s interests, attitudes, assumptions, and methods can begin to influence how we understand Scrip

By Al Felder A startling religious claim appears on social media. The headline is alarming. The video claims to expose something hidden. The speaker sounds confident. The information agrees with concerns we already have, and a friend we trust has shared it. Within seconds, we can pass it to hundreds of other people, but should we? The ability to share information instantly has created responsibilities previous generations did not face in quite the same way. A rumor that once

By Al Felder Popularity is easy to measure. A podcast can count its downloads. A video displays its views. Social media platforms report likes, comments, shares, and followers. These numbers show how much attention content receives. They do not show whether that attention produces spiritual good. A religious message may be widely shared because it is shocking, controversial, frightening, or emotionally satisfying. Thousands of people may discuss it without anyone becoming mor

By Al Felder Some Christians think of sound doctrine mainly as a list of theological positions. It concerns what we believe about God, Christ, salvation, the church, worship, and eternal life. These subjects certainly belong to sound doctrine, and each one deserves careful biblical teaching. However, Paul’s instructions to Titus show that sound doctrine does not remain in a sermon outline or doctrinal statement. It enters the home. It shapes character, governs relationships,

By Al Felder Christians are sometimes warned to avoid controversy as though every disagreement were spiritually harmful. That is not what Paul taught. Paul confronted false doctrine, identified dangerous teachers, reasoned from Scripture, and instructed church leaders to correct those who contradicted the truth. Some issues must be addressed because God has spoken and souls are at stake. At the same time, Paul repeatedly warned against foolish disputes, arguments over words,

By Al Felder When Christians hear the expression “itching ears,” they often picture people searching for teachers who will tell them that sin does not matter, obedience is unnecessary, and judgment should not be feared. That application is certainly valid. Many people want a form of religion that comforts them without correcting them. They prefer messages that affirm their choices, minimize repentance, and promise God’s approval without submission to His authority. However, i

By Al Felder Religious teaching can accomplish many things. It can attract an audience. It can stir emotions. It can introduce unfamiliar information, expose error, answer questions, and provoke discussion. In the digital age, it can also generate views, shares, subscriptions, and a loyal following. However, none of those results, by itself, proves that the teaching has fulfilled its biblical purpose. A lesson may hold our attention without strengthening our faith. It may lea

By Al Felder Christians are commanded to defend the truth. False teaching must be corrected. Sin must be confronted. The gospel must be protected from distortion. Silence is not always an expression of peace; sometimes it is a failure of courage. However, the duty to defend truth does not give Christians permission to become quarrelsome. This distinction is especially important in an age of podcasts and social media. Online discussions often reward the quickest response, the

By Al Felder “I’m just asking questions.” The phrase sounds harmless. Questions are normally associated with learning, investigation, and honest inquiry. Asking a question can be an important first step toward understanding the truth. However, questions can also be used irresponsibly. A person may raise a damaging possibility without providing evidence. He may suggest that someone has acted dishonestly without making a direct accusation. He can repeatedly connect unrelated fa

By Al Felder Controversy attracts attention. A calm explanation of Scripture may be read by a few people, but a dramatic accusation can spread across social media within hours. A podcast about patience, humility, or faithfulness may receive limited attention, while an episode promising to expose a conspiracy or reveal what others are hiding attracts thousands of listeners. This tendency is not limited to politics or entertainment. It has become increasingly common in religiou

By Al Felder Not everything we consume has the same effect on us. Some food nourishes the body, providing what it needs for health, strength, and growth. Other food may satisfy an immediate craving without supplying anything of lasting value. It may taste good and leave us wanting more, but it does little to strengthen us. The same principle applies to religious teaching. Some teaching nourishes faith. It helps us understand Scripture, strengthens our trust in God, exposes si

By Al Felder The internet has given Christians access to more religious teaching than any previous generation could have imagined. Sermons, podcasts, videos, articles, and social media posts are available at every hour of the day. This can be a great blessing when faithful teachers use these tools to explain Scripture and encourage godly living. However, greater access to religious content does not guarantee greater spiritual understanding. Sometimes it produces the opposite.

By Al Felder Children need to learn that choices have consequences. This lesson must begin early because it shapes the way a child thinks about obedience, sin, responsibility, repentance, work, relationships, worship, and eternity. A child who does not understand consequences may grow careless, excuse-driven, rebellious, and unprepared for life before God. Many children want freedom without responsibility. They want the right to choose without accepting the results of those c

By Al Felder Children need to learn to love the truth. It is one thing to know the truth. It is another thing to love it. A child may learn Bible facts, memorize verses, answer questions correctly, and repeat what his parents have taught, yet still not develop a heart that truly loves what God has revealed. Parents must aim deeper than information. The goal is not merely for children to know what is right, but to desire what is right. They must learn to value truth more than

By Al Felder Children need to learn about salvation; no subject is more important. Parents may teach their children to work, obey, tell the truth, choose good friends, show kindness, handle correction, and live responsibly. All of those lessons matter, but if children do not learn the gospel of Christ, they have missed the greatest lesson of all. Salvation is not a family tradition. It is not inherited from parents. It is not received because a child grows up around Christian