Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 145 - How to Know Truth in a Mixed-Up World of Pride

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast
Episode #145 – How to Know Truth in a Mixed-Up World of Pride

Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective.

I can’t believe it’s already June! I have always loved summer! When I was a little girl, I always secretly wished that my birthday was in June instead of November. Now I have a grandson and a daughter with June birthdays. Guess what? Ironically, my youngest daughter wishes she could trade with me and have a November birthday. Why did I want the June birthday? Well, I highly dislike cold. Winter is my least favorite time of year. Although I can honestly say that I try to honor God and appreciate the beauty of snow falling and covering the ground in fluffy white silence, He and I both know I would trade that beauty for a warm summer day in a microsecond! I love the weather, the carefree summer days, the ease of dressing and going out without cumbersome coats, boats, gloves, and having to drive slowly in inclement weather. I even dislike the color of the November birthstone and have always been an admirer of creamy pearls that grace the birthstone of June. Summer flowers, scents, and activities are favored over any in cold months one, too.

Well, I think I’ve given enough evidence for why I highly favor June, the month that ushers in summer.
In current society, however, the month of June has been overtaken with a new meaning injected by 21st century culture. Instead of a time that brings freedom for kids as they move into warm weather adventures, they are bombarded with daily Pride Month agendas and advertisements. It’s not enough to indoctrinate publicly ran educational institutions, now kids are hit when watching television, listening to music, playing games, and shopping. In this mixed-up world of agendas that seek to break apart and redefine what family is, God is unheard and pushed away. No matter what society attempts, God cannot be erased, and He certainly will not be mocked.

Proverbs 16:1-7 says, “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”

I find it curious that those who developed Pride Month chose the name they did. As believers, we know that Scripture says, “pride goes before a fall.” Throughout Biblical history, we have learned that pride deceives, pride steals, and pride divides. This is certainly so of the LGBTQ alphabet soup of letters agenda and all that flows from it. Love has been redefined and questioned by deceitfulness, identities have been stolen, and families have been divided.

In this sinful world, God’s Word remind us of the truth in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Hearts have been shattered and lives have been altered by LGBTQ pride teachings and beliefs. People say that “love is love.” But that doesn’t make all love Biblical or defined by God. Humans can love each other without agreeing or accepting what another person’s definition of love is, just as God loves each one of us without condoning the sin we allow ourselves to entertain or wallow in. He sees us in what He defines as sin, and calls us to come out of it, not “come out” for people to accept what is done against His commands simply because someone “feels” a certain way.

In Proverbs 8:12-14, God’s Word says, “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.”

God’s Word is very clear on the subject of same sex marriage or relationships. In our sinful world, where people are angry and dismissive if they are living outside of the boundaries God has set, and someone doesn’t agree with their decision to do so, they direct the anger on the one they believe is judging them. While that is common, I suppose that even more hurtful, cruel anger must be subjected to themselves and God. It cannot be joyful or peaceful to live against what God calls, even when one doesn’t profess to know or follow Him.

Proverbs 8:32-36 says, “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

As believers, we must strive to know, love, and honor Christ, growing in wisdom and discernment daily as our relationship with Jesus matures. While we cannot expect those who do not know Him to understand why Christians do not agree with specific lifestyles, we should strive to believe as the Bible states, which means we need to be in it – studying it daily. God’s Words are like nonsense to those who do not know Christ.

I do believe that believers can love others involved in compromising lifestyles without compromising God’s truths or Word, and we can use discernment without being judgmental. Each of us sins in some way daily, whether we follow Jesus or not. Those who do not know Christ in a deep relationship believe that Jesus came in love, but believers know that Jesus came with Truth. He loved without compromise, but was clear about teaching God’s Word and commands and He uncompromisingly lived them every moment.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 says, “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”

God’s Word is Truth. Scripture is Holy - formed and given by God. The Bible is not simply words written by men. What we believe does not matter. What we feel does not matter in the context of truth. Why?
Truth comes from and is defined by God.

God’s Word carries power - Holy power that:
Saves
Teaches
Trains
Guides
Counsels
Revives
Restores
Warns
Rewards
Nourishes
Judges
Sanctifies
Frees
Enriches
Protects
Strengthens
Wisens
Rejoices
Prospers

Psalm 19:7-11 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

In this month where culture and the cross collide in such blatant ways, rest in His truth. Love without judgement, yet seek to make Him known without compromise. None of us are without sin, but we should never attempt to draw others into what goes against God’s commands and teachings.

For a group that demands respect, I have not seen any given to those who disagree. For a group that commands that others allow them to express themselves, I do not understand why it must be done to the detriment of others. If one does not want to hear about my God, I should be able to say that I do not wish to see them mock and ridicule Him without retaliation. If love is love, I’d like to see a passionate, affectionate respect for those who do not agree with the agenda or the movement. I believe a sex life should be lived behind closed doors, and should not influence my children or feed them with messages they are too young to understand.

I believe we as Christians should not judge, yet I do not want to be inundated with beliefs that attempt to force me to accept a lifestyle that goes against God’s Word just because someone else desires to live in that way. I would compare it to a non-believer not wanting me to publicly proclaim a month of Christianity that would shove the Bible at them day after day. Just as God gives each of us free will to live the way we desire, I respect each person’s right to choose. I also believe that it is my right to not want to hear about the LGBTQ agenda and transitioning every day. It is my right to teach my children God’s Word and values. It is my right to teach my family about God’s view of sexuality and purity, not the group with the loudest voice.

The truest love was quiet, yet forceful when needed and never strayed from God’s Word or commands. Mothers, what you believe, say, and do makes a difference. Know the Word, study the Word, and speak the Word over your children, with your children, and to others. If you are not set-apart for Christ, your child most likely will not be. Confusion and pride are not from Christ. He provides true and lasting joy and peace.
Without Him, the Holy Spirit will not reside inside and pride and deceit will overtake wisdom and truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, We love you. As we seek You, You fill our heart with greater desire for You, just as You promise. How great You are, how merciful, forgiving, and wise. Thank you for Your Holy Word that guides and provides, protects and nourishes our lives. We need You so much more than we understand or imagine. Be with each of us; those who know You and those who don’t. Help believers to speak up where needed, where You command. Help us to be compassionate like Christ, yet fearless and Holy. Give us the words You desire we speak and the heart needed to show You clearly and point others to You in the ways You desire in a darkening world. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment.

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Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture.

I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.