truth in religion
Find truth from sources where it never changes.
One might think that finding truth in religion shoud be easy, and is the first place to seek it. However, we have been warned about those who would intentionally lead us astray with false teachings. We have to be on the alert and use our inner spirit of discernment at all times.
-Matthew 7:15-20
what the bible says about defending your nation
Throughout history, nations have had to make hard decisions about war, peace, and the defense of their people.
Americans, perhaps more than most, understand the high price of freedom. But what does the Bible say about defending your homeland? Does God approve of standing strong against aggressors, or should believers always seek peace at any cost?
The King James Bible shows us that while peace is always the ideal, there are times when national defense is not only allowed—it is commanded.
1. There Is a Time for War - Ecclesiastes 3:8
“A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
Solomon, the wisest king of Israel, understood that war is sometimes unavoidable. Nations are not always given the luxury of living in peace. When evil arises, when invaders threaten the innocent, the Bible acknowledges that war may become necessary.
2. God Prepares His People for Defense - Psalm 144:1
“Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.”
David, who was both a shepherd and a warrior, recognized that his ability to defend Israel came directly from God. This verse is not about aggression—it is about preparedness. God Himself equips His people to defend their land, their freedom, and their faith.
Joel 3:9-10
“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.”
In times of national crisis, God’s people were told to be ready. The shift from farming tools to weapons illustrates a hard truth: sometimes survival requires the courage to fight.
3. Leaders Are Charged With Protecting Their People - Romans 13:3-4
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Governments are ordained by God not just to govern, but to protect. The sword is a symbol of authority and defense. A righteous leader wields it not for conquest, but for justice—defending citizens from those who would do them harm.
4. Fighting for Family and Homeland Is Honorable - Nehemiah 4:14
“…Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
Nehemiah’s rallying cry rings as true today as it did thousands of years ago. Defending one’s homeland is not about glory or conquest—it is about protecting family, community, and the future of the nation.
5. National Defense Is Ultimately in God’s Hands - Proverbs 21:31
“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.”
Preparation is essential. Nations should maintain strength and readiness. But ultimate victory and protection come from God. This verse balances responsibility with humility: we do our part to defend our nation, but we trust the Lord for the outcome.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR AMERICANS TODAY:
For Americans, these scriptures speak loudly. We cherish liberty, and liberty must sometimes be defended with sacrifice. The Bible affirms:
- There is a time for war when peace is threatened.
- God equips nations, to defend themselves; when they honor and obey Him.
- Leaders are responsible to protect their people.
- Fighting to protect family and homeland is honorable.
- True strength and safety rests with God, not weapons alone.
In our modern world, where threats come in many forms—foreign aggression, terrorism, or even ideological attacks on freedom—these biblical truths give us both courage and perspective.
Defense of one’s nation is not about aggression; it is about protecting the innocent, preserving freedom, and ensuring peace for future generations.
As the Psalmist said: “Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” (Psalm 144:1).
The Armor of God: Spiritual Defense for Every Believer
In the previous post, we looked at how the Bible speaks of national defense—protecting our homeland, our families, and our freedom. But the Bible also teaches that there’s a deeper kind of defense that every believer must be prepared for: Spiritual Defense.
While armies defend borders, Christians are called to defend their souls. The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, gives us one of the most powerful metaphors in all of Scripture: the armor of God.
HOW TO DEFEND AGAINST THE REAL BATTLE WE FACE DAILY:
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:11–18 that our greatest defense isn’t military strength, but the Armor of God. Here’s the full passage in the King James Version, with commentary* below:
Ephesians 6:11–18
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
*COMMENTARY:
Know the Real Enemy (vv. 11–12)
Paul begins with a sobering truth: the fight isn’t against flesh and blood. The real enemy isn’t your neighbor, a rival, or even foreign nations—it’s the spiritual forces of evil that try to tear us down. Satan’s “wiles” (tricks, schemes, and deceptions) require more than human strength.
Expanded commentary:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood”
- Paul uses the word wrestle — an image of close, hand-to-hand combat. This isn’t a distant war fought with cannons or arrows. It’s personal, direct, and constant.
- Flesh and blood means human opponents. Paul is reminding believers: the real battle isn’t against other people. Yes, people may persecute, oppose, or mistreat us, but behind human conflict lies something deeper.
- This keeps Christians from misdirecting their energy. Instead of hating or vilifying other people, we’re called to recognize the unseen forces influencing them.
“But against principalities, against powers”
- These words describe spiritual hierarchies of evil.
- Principalities (Greek: archas) refers to rulers, chiefs, or those with delegated authority. In a spiritual sense, it points to demonic beings that oversee regions, cultures, or spheres of influence.
- Powers (Greek: exousias) refers to authorities or forces with jurisdiction. This suggests structured ranks in the kingdom of darkness, much like a military chain of command.
- In other words, evil isn’t random. It is organized, strategic, and coordinated.
“Against the rulers of the darkness of this world”
- Here Paul gets even more specific. The phrase “rulers of the darkness” describes spiritual beings who exert influence over a fallen world system steeped in sin, ignorance, and rebellion against God.
- Darkness in the Bible often symbolizes sin, deception, and separation from God. (John 3:19, Romans 13:12).
- These “rulers” work to blind people to the truth, promote corruption in governments, religion, education, and economics. They spread false teachings and ideologies, and create division and chaos.
- Think of this as the spiritual forces behind destructive cultures, unjust systems, and widespread moral decay. Whether it is from the pulpit, Congress, or the marketplace, these rulers of darkness serve the Devil.
“Against spiritual wickedness in high places”
- Spiritual wickedness literally means malicious, evil, demonic, or corrupt forces that oppose God’s goodness.
- High places (Greek: epouraniois) can be translated “heavenly realms.” This doesn’t mean heaven where God dwells, but the spiritual dimension above the physical world and below God’s throne. It’s the invisible battlefield where demonic powers operate. These demonic powers instruct and lead those among us who are evil and hold high offices among mankind.
- The idea is that this war is fought not on earthly plains alone, but in the unseen realm that surrounds us.
The Big Picture of Verse 12
Paul’s point is crystal clear:
- The enemy is real, but it’s not human.
- Evil is structured, organized, and pervasive.
- The battlefield is both earthly (influence over people, nations, and culture) and spiritual (in unseen realms).
- Our own strength is insufficient. We need God’s armor (vv. 13–18) because we’re facing enemies we cannot see with human eyes or defeat with human weapons.
The Call to Stand (v. 13)
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
This is the rallying cry. Paul says: don’t just pick one piece of armor—take up the wholeset. The goal isn’t retreat, but to stand firm when trials come. That “evil day” could be any season of temptation, persecution, or spiritual attack. God’s people are called not to crumble, but to stand.
The Armor Explained (vv. 14–17)
Each piece of the armor of God serves a vital purpose:
- Belt of Truth (v. 14) – Truth keeps everything together. Without truth, life falls apart.
- Breastplate of Righteousness (v. 14) – Righteousness protects the heart from corruption.
- Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (v. 15) – The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us firm footing and the ability to move forward with confidence.
- Shield of Faith (v. 16) – Faith blocks the “fiery darts” of doubt, fear, temptation, and sin.
- Helmet of Salvation (v. 17) – Assurance of salvation guards the mind from worry and despair.
- Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (v. 17) – God’s Word is our offensive weapon to cut through lies and resist the enemy.
- Prayer: The Power Source (v. 18) Armor is useless if a soldier is disconnected from his commander. That’s why Paul ends with prayer: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” Prayer empowers the armor and keeps us alert. It strengthens not only ourselves, but also our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Why This Matters Today
For Americans who value freedom and defense, this passage offers a parallel truth: just as nations must defend their land, believers must defend their souls. But unlike earthly battles, this one cannot be fought with bullets and armies. It requires truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, God’s Word, and prayer.
Paul’s message is timeless: be equipped, stay watchful, and stand firm.
Our Final Charge
The strength of America has always been tied not just to its armies, but to the moral and spiritual fiber of its people. As Paul said:
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13)
Nations fall when people neglect truth, righteousness, and faith. But a people clothed in the armor of God cannot be shaken.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION FOR BELIEVERS TODAY:
- Don’t misidentify the enemy. People may oppose you, but the real enemy is spiritual. This should shift us away from hate and toward prayer.
- Stay alert to influence. Temptations, ideologies, and systems that oppose God are often fueled by unseen powers. Awareness is part of standing firm.
- Use spiritual weapons. Prayer, God’s Word, faith, anD righteousness are what equip us to resist these powers. Earthly weapons won’t work in this war.
- Don’t fear, stand! The verse doesn’t exist to scare us but to wake us up. God has already equipped us to face this battle in Christ.
In summary:
Ephesians 6:11-18 pulls back the curtain on reality. Our struggles are not merely political, cultural, or personal—they are deeply spiritual. If we fight people, we miss the real fight. But if we put on God’s armor, we are equipped to stand against even the darkest forces.
biblical references to money and banking
Your Heart and your Treasure
Your Heart and your Treasure
Your Heart and your Treasure
- Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6: 19-21
The Love of Money
Your Heart and your Treasure
Your Heart and your Treasure
- For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10
- No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24
Debt and Borrowing
Your Heart and your Treasure
Debt and Borrowing
- The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
- Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans 13:7-8
Interest and Usury
Gods' Law: Tithes and Offerings
Debt and Borrowing
- Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to posses
- Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it. Deuteronomy 23:19-20
- The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Psalms 37:21
Gods' Law: Tithes and Offerings
Gods' Law: Tithes and Offerings
Gods' Law: Tithes and Offerings
- Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open yo
- Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:8-12
Stewardship
Gods' Law: Tithes and Offerings
Gods' Law: Tithes and Offerings
- For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and tra
- For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Matthew 25:14-27
Honesty and Integrity
Materialism and Being Content
Honesty and Integrity
- A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. Proverbs 11:1
- Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Proverbs 13:11
Charitable Giving
Materialism and Being Content
Honesty and Integrity
- He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again. Proverbs 19:17
- Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Proverbs 3:27-28
Materialism and Being Content
Materialism and Being Content
Materialism and Being Content
- Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Phillipians 4:11-12
- And he said unto them, Take heed, and bewa
- Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Phillipians 4:11-12
- And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15
the words "ai" are not in the bible, but the principles are
Creation
Creation
Creation
- And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creaping thing that creapeth upon the earth. Genesis 1:26
- For by Him were all things , created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him. Colossians 1:16
Wisdom
Creation
Creation
- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, That giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
- Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
- But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the thinigs which God hath prepared for them that love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
Ethics
Creation
Innovation and Responsibility
- For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: Luke 12:48
- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
- For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7
Innovation and Responsibility
Innovation and Responsibility
Innovation and Responsibility
- And He hath filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship: and to devise curious works, ...Exodus 35:31-32
- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
Society and Community
Innovation and Responsibility
Society and Community
- Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
- Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
Faith, Trust and Hope
Innovation and Responsibility
Society and Community
- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
- But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31