If I may share a personal perspective on some parts of the article, my "two cents"; right or wrong, should still present consideration. The subject is in infancy being studied.
Mental health is real, but it is not a "get out of jail free" card when it comes to accountability. While severe mental health conditions can impact perception, reasoning, and impulse control, reaching a point where a person no longer recognizes right from wrong requires addressing the spiritual component as well. Oppression and even possession are real forces that can influence behavior, but they do not remove responsibility for one’s actions.
I experienced this firsthand after an accident left my frontal lobe damaged. The frontal lobe is responsible for critical thinking, problem-solving, impulse control, emotional regulation, and social appropriateness. Essentially, it acts as the brain’s filter, helping us weigh consequences and align our actions with moral and social standards.
Due to my injury, I lost that filter and said and did things I was ashamed of. I had no control over my impulses, yet I was completely aware of my actions. I knew what I was doing was wrong, and the guilt and shame only compounded the struggle. This proves that even when mental health or neurological conditions impair self-regulation, awareness of right and wrong remains. The challenge is learning to manage impulses, seek counselling and healing, and take responsibility rather than using mental health as an excuse for harmful actions.
Your story about having frontal lobe damage shows what it’s like when the part of the brain that controls decisions and emotions doesn’t work right. Even though you struggled with controlling your actions, you were still aware of right and wrong. This awareness is crucial because it can lead you to seek help and healing.
You make a key point: just because someone has mental health issues doesn’t always mean they aren’t responsible for their actions. However it can be hard, but it’s important to find ways to manage these challenges, whether through counseling or other support systems.
Your personal perspective helps add to the depth of this conversation by showing that empathy for real mental health issues should be paired with a very real sense of responsibility. ( I had a brain tumor and it took me a year plus to recover -- So I feel ya :) )
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and personal experience! Your view on how mental health and taking responsibility go hand in hand.
Praise our Lord for His grace. As a body, we should continue these discussions(mental health) with the purpose of "setting the captives free." This scripture does not apply solely to demonic attacks but also to the self-induced prison of shame—the battlefield of the mind.
Empathy, when combined with wisdom and love, has the power to reach those who are spiraling downward, helping to redirect their course. The spirit is distinct from the soul (mind), and it is the spirit that should be ministered to, as it becomes the "helm" that guides the mind. When we nurture the spirit, the mind follows in alignment with truth and freedom.
Our words carry power; we can speak life into others, calling them out of darkness and into restoration. Let us use our fruit and gifts wisely, lifting those in bondage with truth, grace, and the love of Christ.
Sergio, I greet you with the immeasurable love of Jesus Christ, whom I love with all my heart, mind, and soul, who shows me great mercy. I am a recovering Calvinist so your message here is greeted with an added measure of appreciation.
Also, I struggled with mental illness, as did many of my family members, some quite sever. Have you seen, "A Beautiful Mind" with Russel Crowe? Well, I do not often suggest Hollywood, that one was stumbled upon accidently when my husband was watching. Anyway, that was my home so perfectly displayed on screen that I wept for 6 hours.
I think that the greatest thing about God being God is that he knows the heart and the mind. No, not a fluffy statement but the best my words can accomplish.
I suffered legitimate scapegoating in my family, severe bullying as I grew up, and suffered with my home life being on one hand wonderful with a mother who LOVED the Lord SO MUCH, and a father who was unhinged at times and I have no better word than to say, "insane".
So I fell into step with my own mental health problems of anxiety and depression. But my story is different from the ones in your article because I did love the Lord and I am the only one outside of Him to be able to declare it to be so (even when I attempted suicide).
The details of mental illness and treatments are ugly and of absolutely zero help, and not helpful to share as that glorifies illness - no good so that is, as I say, is that.
After mom and dad passed away things go so much worse with the scapegoating - and Church pastors, a small group, and my family were all on board. Needless to say I got worse.
My consistent question was, "If everyone is a Christian, why don't they love me? If they are what they say they are why are they doing these things, capitalizing on my sins, then ejecting me and pushing me into isolation?"
Not an easy story to tell - and no, it isn't resolved in the relationship arena by any stretch.
BUT OH! MY LORD LOVED ME! OH Sergio, he was so so so good to me and when I asked what was wrong he was faithful and he did answer! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
You see, Calvinists are quick to tell you how bad, so very bad you are! And if you are bad, then the next step is natural - you apparently are not chosen. So sorry - so sad - too bad - we all know these things because the group agreed it to be so. To top it off, it is no different than saying that Satan wants everyone (especially the bad ones!) but God only wants a few. Ok, deep breath here because this is tough when you are THE target. I mean, what was I supposed to do with that? Give up?
Another piece of the doctrine that fails is what the Lord led me to.
LOVE
The argument between theologians is long and deep about what the gospel is - and that hovers over the law, faith, and works. So I ask where is love outside of the book written by C.S. Lewis? And why do pastors, (many I have heard) preach against it as if the Love of God was ever a worldly concept defined by "them". Yet, it is like listening to the ladies on "The View" virtue signal by saying "they don't love their neighbor" yet leave off "as themselves". (Ok, that was a highlighted story on a news story - I can't watch lol.)
Have we forgotten who God tells us he is?
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that doesn't love doesn't know God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.
Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus tells us the GREATEST commandment is to Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The second is like it. Love our neighbor as ourselves.
And to discover what God does and who he is, turn to 1 Corinthians 13 and discover that everything people say the gospel is - is NOTHING without love.
Love is the linchpin! No greater love is this than when Jesus laid down his life for us! And when we do the same, there is no greater thing because love is the greatest!
I was stuck in my mental health nightmare thinking I had failed in faith, or wait, never had it - and what a trip to think I did (see how messed up this is making people like me?).
What was true is that my belief/faith was broken, and I had no hope, all true because love was missing.
So when you speak of these folks who took lives in a mental health nightmare, the heart is his to judge, yet when did they see life as a hopeless mess before taking lives? God says murderers don't go to heaven but Paul! But David! But Moses!
When did these you spoke of however, reject the love of God, which is available to all? We just don't know that story and I tend to believe God would give a killer a "road to Damascus" moment because he loves and heals those who's hearts are ready for his message. And honestly I am glad God takes that one because we do not know if God handed them over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:26-32) and detest even thinking of it - yet here we are.
I also think that all of us need to heed the words, "Today is the day of salvation" because we don't know if death or mental incapacity comes tomorrow. What does that mean in the eternal sense? Sigh, I have my doubts that someone given the opportunity to respond in love to love and never did - well again.... is it lame for me to repeat that it isn't my choice and I am relieved at that?
I am sure I have said much that isn't quite correctly put but my hearts intent is love - my story that was full of SELF LOVE (2 Timothy 3) and landed unexpectedly in God's LOVE (1 Cor 13) and you have inspired me to say, "Love the Lord EVERYONE! Galatians 5 tells us there is no law against these things! And in multiple places the scripture tells us that loving our neighbor as ourself falls into the realm of Jesus work of love. We have a wonderful opportunity to show mercy and grace and endure when it is fully rejected.
Thank the Lord that he changes our hearts so we can produce such supernatural love, an amazing power missed by so many. Now remains faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love!"
Thank you for your articles - I am on 3 so far, like a book I can't put down.
God Bless you and thank you for being so open to comments and your generous replies I am enjoying as well.
Wow. Your message really hit me. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly—I know that’s not always easy, and I don’t take it for granted.
Your story is powerful. The pain of being scapegoated, judged, and rejected—especially by those who claim to follow Christ—is something too many have experienced, yet few talk about. But through it all, you held onto Him. That kind of faith, the kind that survives deep wounds, is real. And your realization that love was what was missing? That’s profound. You’re absolutely right—without love, all the doctrine in the world means nothing.
I also really appreciate what you said about mental health struggles. I completely understand where you’re coming from. I have mental illness in my family as well, including people with personality disorders, so I know firsthand how complicated and painful these dynamics can be. The church often doesn’t know how to handle these struggles, and that isolation can be crushing. But like you said, God knows the heart and the mind. He sees what no one else does. That’s such a comfort.
Your passion for scripture, for truth, and for love is inspiring. It’s clear that God has carried you through so much, and now you’re using your story to encourage others. That’s a beautiful thing.
And thank you for reading my articles! It really means a lot to hear that they’re resonating with you. I appreciate your kindness and your willingness to share.
Praying that God continues to strengthen you and fill you with His peace.
Blessings,
Sergio
Ps - the Lord uses those who have had hard times as a bright light in a comfortable world. You are a bright light Linda!
My issue with discussions like this is the avoidance of the real presence of Yeshua Messiah in the midst of all this. He is truly omnipotent, and isn't limited by our puny intellectual constructions. Over and over when seeking His wisdom, I am shown that my beliefs have little to do with reality. Of course, my immediate reaction is usually total denial. But after 50 years of this I have been brought to the position that the Lord always has a superior solution if I can get myself involved with His reality.
The Gadarene demoniac comes to mind. Desert Sage's experience was extremely difficult. But as we can see by how he is living today, the Lord had a path to healing and growth. In the days of Jesus, He regularly knew that the cause of many serious issues was demonic activity.
I don't need to be totally depraved to need deliverance from my sentence of death. I think we need to approach all of these issues with bringing our Messiah into the process to see what He recommends. The problem of course is that our legal system does not allow us to even bring this up. That has become a large part of the reason why our society has become such a mess. IMHO, of course. >chuckle<
For a guy who constantly says we need to use scripture alone to establish truth (which I agree with), you use many other non-biblical ideas derived from human reason and philosophies and morals derived from non-biblical secular sources to argue against the plain teaching of scripture.
Two sources that contradict each other cannot both be right.
Did God not grant us the ability to reason and think logically? Scripture itself encourages the use of sound judgment and discernment. For instance, in Isaiah 1:18, God says, ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ inviting us to engage in rational dialogue. Similarly, Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in the Lord with all our heart but also warns against leaning solely on our own understanding, implying a balance between faith and reason.
Additionally, 1 Peter 3:15 calls us to ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,’ which underscores the importance of logical and thoughtful engagement with our beliefs.
Moreover, God created human nature and the rules that govern it—He designed our capacity for reason, logic, and critical thinking. To negate this inherent aspect of our creation is to deny the very nature God instilled in us, which is a failure of logic itself. Yet, one of the most significant issues in the realm of religion is that many people fail to apply sound logic, instead relying solely on commonly held perceptions.
However, when one critically examines the outcomes of those who do not follow popular beliefs and instead employ rational thinking, it becomes evident that popular opinion is often incorrect.
I am all for sound logic and reasoning when it is not flawed as it always is for those who suffer from total depravity which is everyone.
...but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
9 but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." (1 Corinthians 2:7-9, NASB)
God created human nature and the rules within it—denying this is poor logic.
Yet, many in religion (especially modern pastors) rely on popular opinion and historical precedent built by men deriving from early church doctrines that have been held to by… popular opinion rather than sound reasoning and looking at scripture head on in the right context from it’s original perspectives.
(the entire book is abundantly Jewish by the way, with a few chapters/ letters dedicated to the welcomed familial additions ) ←- not popular logic…
That being said, I will always strive to use sound logic alongside Scripture—it is who I am and where I lay my footing.
You - God created human nature and the rules within it—denying this is poor logic.
Are you counting on fallen human logic or on what the bible says?
Our ability to logically determine what
truth is, is skewed from birth.
I gave you scriptures above to support the idea that
sound biblical reasoning, comes from the Holy Spirit who reveals the wisdom from God found in His Word alone.
Read this...
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (1 Corinthians 2:10, NASB)
Not everything from the past is simply tradition taught by men who have not studied and prayed over the bible.
I see what you’re saying, and the scripture you mentioned from 1 Corinthians really does emphasize how the Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s wisdom. It’s amazing to think that logic itself is a gift from God via the Holy Spirit, and when we use it rightly, we’re actually honoring Him, not just relying on our own fallen understanding.
While you’re right that a lot of historical teachings do contain truths, it’s also on us to dig in and make sure those teachings line up with what the Bible actually says. We shouldn’t just follow them blindly without checking them against God’s Word. So yeah, let’s use the brains God gave us, alongside His guidance, to find that balance between learning from past teachings and staying true to His Word.
If I may share a personal perspective on some parts of the article, my "two cents"; right or wrong, should still present consideration. The subject is in infancy being studied.
Mental health is real, but it is not a "get out of jail free" card when it comes to accountability. While severe mental health conditions can impact perception, reasoning, and impulse control, reaching a point where a person no longer recognizes right from wrong requires addressing the spiritual component as well. Oppression and even possession are real forces that can influence behavior, but they do not remove responsibility for one’s actions.
I experienced this firsthand after an accident left my frontal lobe damaged. The frontal lobe is responsible for critical thinking, problem-solving, impulse control, emotional regulation, and social appropriateness. Essentially, it acts as the brain’s filter, helping us weigh consequences and align our actions with moral and social standards.
Due to my injury, I lost that filter and said and did things I was ashamed of. I had no control over my impulses, yet I was completely aware of my actions. I knew what I was doing was wrong, and the guilt and shame only compounded the struggle. This proves that even when mental health or neurological conditions impair self-regulation, awareness of right and wrong remains. The challenge is learning to manage impulses, seek counselling and healing, and take responsibility rather than using mental health as an excuse for harmful actions.
Your story about having frontal lobe damage shows what it’s like when the part of the brain that controls decisions and emotions doesn’t work right. Even though you struggled with controlling your actions, you were still aware of right and wrong. This awareness is crucial because it can lead you to seek help and healing.
You make a key point: just because someone has mental health issues doesn’t always mean they aren’t responsible for their actions. However it can be hard, but it’s important to find ways to manage these challenges, whether through counseling or other support systems.
Your personal perspective helps add to the depth of this conversation by showing that empathy for real mental health issues should be paired with a very real sense of responsibility. ( I had a brain tumor and it took me a year plus to recover -- So I feel ya :) )
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and personal experience! Your view on how mental health and taking responsibility go hand in hand.
All great discussion points my friend.
Praise our Lord for His grace. As a body, we should continue these discussions(mental health) with the purpose of "setting the captives free." This scripture does not apply solely to demonic attacks but also to the self-induced prison of shame—the battlefield of the mind.
Empathy, when combined with wisdom and love, has the power to reach those who are spiraling downward, helping to redirect their course. The spirit is distinct from the soul (mind), and it is the spirit that should be ministered to, as it becomes the "helm" that guides the mind. When we nurture the spirit, the mind follows in alignment with truth and freedom.
Our words carry power; we can speak life into others, calling them out of darkness and into restoration. Let us use our fruit and gifts wisely, lifting those in bondage with truth, grace, and the love of Christ.
Love love love 👊👊👊
Sergio, I greet you with the immeasurable love of Jesus Christ, whom I love with all my heart, mind, and soul, who shows me great mercy. I am a recovering Calvinist so your message here is greeted with an added measure of appreciation.
Also, I struggled with mental illness, as did many of my family members, some quite sever. Have you seen, "A Beautiful Mind" with Russel Crowe? Well, I do not often suggest Hollywood, that one was stumbled upon accidently when my husband was watching. Anyway, that was my home so perfectly displayed on screen that I wept for 6 hours.
I think that the greatest thing about God being God is that he knows the heart and the mind. No, not a fluffy statement but the best my words can accomplish.
I suffered legitimate scapegoating in my family, severe bullying as I grew up, and suffered with my home life being on one hand wonderful with a mother who LOVED the Lord SO MUCH, and a father who was unhinged at times and I have no better word than to say, "insane".
So I fell into step with my own mental health problems of anxiety and depression. But my story is different from the ones in your article because I did love the Lord and I am the only one outside of Him to be able to declare it to be so (even when I attempted suicide).
The details of mental illness and treatments are ugly and of absolutely zero help, and not helpful to share as that glorifies illness - no good so that is, as I say, is that.
After mom and dad passed away things go so much worse with the scapegoating - and Church pastors, a small group, and my family were all on board. Needless to say I got worse.
My consistent question was, "If everyone is a Christian, why don't they love me? If they are what they say they are why are they doing these things, capitalizing on my sins, then ejecting me and pushing me into isolation?"
Not an easy story to tell - and no, it isn't resolved in the relationship arena by any stretch.
BUT OH! MY LORD LOVED ME! OH Sergio, he was so so so good to me and when I asked what was wrong he was faithful and he did answer! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
You see, Calvinists are quick to tell you how bad, so very bad you are! And if you are bad, then the next step is natural - you apparently are not chosen. So sorry - so sad - too bad - we all know these things because the group agreed it to be so. To top it off, it is no different than saying that Satan wants everyone (especially the bad ones!) but God only wants a few. Ok, deep breath here because this is tough when you are THE target. I mean, what was I supposed to do with that? Give up?
Another piece of the doctrine that fails is what the Lord led me to.
LOVE
The argument between theologians is long and deep about what the gospel is - and that hovers over the law, faith, and works. So I ask where is love outside of the book written by C.S. Lewis? And why do pastors, (many I have heard) preach against it as if the Love of God was ever a worldly concept defined by "them". Yet, it is like listening to the ladies on "The View" virtue signal by saying "they don't love their neighbor" yet leave off "as themselves". (Ok, that was a highlighted story on a news story - I can't watch lol.)
Have we forgotten who God tells us he is?
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that doesn't love doesn't know God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.
Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus tells us the GREATEST commandment is to Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The second is like it. Love our neighbor as ourselves.
And to discover what God does and who he is, turn to 1 Corinthians 13 and discover that everything people say the gospel is - is NOTHING without love.
Love is the linchpin! No greater love is this than when Jesus laid down his life for us! And when we do the same, there is no greater thing because love is the greatest!
I was stuck in my mental health nightmare thinking I had failed in faith, or wait, never had it - and what a trip to think I did (see how messed up this is making people like me?).
What was true is that my belief/faith was broken, and I had no hope, all true because love was missing.
So when you speak of these folks who took lives in a mental health nightmare, the heart is his to judge, yet when did they see life as a hopeless mess before taking lives? God says murderers don't go to heaven but Paul! But David! But Moses!
When did these you spoke of however, reject the love of God, which is available to all? We just don't know that story and I tend to believe God would give a killer a "road to Damascus" moment because he loves and heals those who's hearts are ready for his message. And honestly I am glad God takes that one because we do not know if God handed them over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:26-32) and detest even thinking of it - yet here we are.
I also think that all of us need to heed the words, "Today is the day of salvation" because we don't know if death or mental incapacity comes tomorrow. What does that mean in the eternal sense? Sigh, I have my doubts that someone given the opportunity to respond in love to love and never did - well again.... is it lame for me to repeat that it isn't my choice and I am relieved at that?
I am sure I have said much that isn't quite correctly put but my hearts intent is love - my story that was full of SELF LOVE (2 Timothy 3) and landed unexpectedly in God's LOVE (1 Cor 13) and you have inspired me to say, "Love the Lord EVERYONE! Galatians 5 tells us there is no law against these things! And in multiple places the scripture tells us that loving our neighbor as ourself falls into the realm of Jesus work of love. We have a wonderful opportunity to show mercy and grace and endure when it is fully rejected.
Thank the Lord that he changes our hearts so we can produce such supernatural love, an amazing power missed by so many. Now remains faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love!"
Thank you for your articles - I am on 3 so far, like a book I can't put down.
God Bless you and thank you for being so open to comments and your generous replies I am enjoying as well.
My new friend Linda,
Wow. Your message really hit me. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly—I know that’s not always easy, and I don’t take it for granted.
Your story is powerful. The pain of being scapegoated, judged, and rejected—especially by those who claim to follow Christ—is something too many have experienced, yet few talk about. But through it all, you held onto Him. That kind of faith, the kind that survives deep wounds, is real. And your realization that love was what was missing? That’s profound. You’re absolutely right—without love, all the doctrine in the world means nothing.
I also really appreciate what you said about mental health struggles. I completely understand where you’re coming from. I have mental illness in my family as well, including people with personality disorders, so I know firsthand how complicated and painful these dynamics can be. The church often doesn’t know how to handle these struggles, and that isolation can be crushing. But like you said, God knows the heart and the mind. He sees what no one else does. That’s such a comfort.
Your passion for scripture, for truth, and for love is inspiring. It’s clear that God has carried you through so much, and now you’re using your story to encourage others. That’s a beautiful thing.
And thank you for reading my articles! It really means a lot to hear that they’re resonating with you. I appreciate your kindness and your willingness to share.
Praying that God continues to strengthen you and fill you with His peace.
Blessings,
Sergio
Ps - the Lord uses those who have had hard times as a bright light in a comfortable world. You are a bright light Linda!
My issue with discussions like this is the avoidance of the real presence of Yeshua Messiah in the midst of all this. He is truly omnipotent, and isn't limited by our puny intellectual constructions. Over and over when seeking His wisdom, I am shown that my beliefs have little to do with reality. Of course, my immediate reaction is usually total denial. But after 50 years of this I have been brought to the position that the Lord always has a superior solution if I can get myself involved with His reality.
The Gadarene demoniac comes to mind. Desert Sage's experience was extremely difficult. But as we can see by how he is living today, the Lord had a path to healing and growth. In the days of Jesus, He regularly knew that the cause of many serious issues was demonic activity.
I don't need to be totally depraved to need deliverance from my sentence of death. I think we need to approach all of these issues with bringing our Messiah into the process to see what He recommends. The problem of course is that our legal system does not allow us to even bring this up. That has become a large part of the reason why our society has become such a mess. IMHO, of course. >chuckle<
Sergio,
For a guy who constantly says we need to use scripture alone to establish truth (which I agree with), you use many other non-biblical ideas derived from human reason and philosophies and morals derived from non-biblical secular sources to argue against the plain teaching of scripture.
Two sources that contradict each other cannot both be right.
How do these ideas contradict?
Did God not grant us the ability to reason and think logically? Scripture itself encourages the use of sound judgment and discernment. For instance, in Isaiah 1:18, God says, ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ inviting us to engage in rational dialogue. Similarly, Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in the Lord with all our heart but also warns against leaning solely on our own understanding, implying a balance between faith and reason.
Additionally, 1 Peter 3:15 calls us to ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,’ which underscores the importance of logical and thoughtful engagement with our beliefs.
Moreover, God created human nature and the rules that govern it—He designed our capacity for reason, logic, and critical thinking. To negate this inherent aspect of our creation is to deny the very nature God instilled in us, which is a failure of logic itself. Yet, one of the most significant issues in the realm of religion is that many people fail to apply sound logic, instead relying solely on commonly held perceptions.
However, when one critically examines the outcomes of those who do not follow popular beliefs and instead employ rational thinking, it becomes evident that popular opinion is often incorrect.
I am all for sound logic and reasoning when it is not flawed as it always is for those who suffer from total depravity which is everyone.
...but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
9 but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." (1 Corinthians 2:7-9, NASB)
(Capitals in original)
God created human nature and the rules within it—denying this is poor logic.
Yet, many in religion (especially modern pastors) rely on popular opinion and historical precedent built by men deriving from early church doctrines that have been held to by… popular opinion rather than sound reasoning and looking at scripture head on in the right context from it’s original perspectives.
(the entire book is abundantly Jewish by the way, with a few chapters/ letters dedicated to the welcomed familial additions ) ←- not popular logic…
That being said, I will always strive to use sound logic alongside Scripture—it is who I am and where I lay my footing.
You - God created human nature and the rules within it—denying this is poor logic.
Are you counting on fallen human logic or on what the bible says?
Our ability to logically determine what
truth is, is skewed from birth.
I gave you scriptures above to support the idea that
sound biblical reasoning, comes from the Holy Spirit who reveals the wisdom from God found in His Word alone.
Read this...
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (1 Corinthians 2:10, NASB)
Not everything from the past is simply tradition taught by men who have not studied and prayed over the bible.
Much of it is true.
I see what you’re saying, and the scripture you mentioned from 1 Corinthians really does emphasize how the Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s wisdom. It’s amazing to think that logic itself is a gift from God via the Holy Spirit, and when we use it rightly, we’re actually honoring Him, not just relying on our own fallen understanding.
While you’re right that a lot of historical teachings do contain truths, it’s also on us to dig in and make sure those teachings line up with what the Bible actually says. We shouldn’t just follow them blindly without checking them against God’s Word. So yeah, let’s use the brains God gave us, alongside His guidance, to find that balance between learning from past teachings and staying true to His Word.