Blog - Page 6 of 19 - The Profound Brunette

When Only God Understands: A Berean Look at 1 Corinthians 14:2

Not long ago, I found myself in an online conversation that made me pause and pray before responding. I had shared that I’m a cessationist, and an acquaintance asked, “When a Bible-believing Christian, full of the Holy Spirit, speaks in tongues, what do you think is happening?”

It was an interesting question. At first glance, it seemed sincere. But as I reread it, I realized the phrasing itself carried an assumption: that the modern practice of tongues is the same as what we see in Scripture, and that to say otherwise would somehow mean I’m questioning that person’s faith or the Spirit’s work in their life. My goal in replying wasn’t to win an argument but to answer with truth and grace, allowing Scripture, not feelings or experiences, to lead the way.

This particular question also reminded me of how often certain verses are used to defend the modern practice of tongues, especially within the church today. Two that are frequently mentioned are Romans 8:26, where Paul writes of the Spirit interceding with “groanings too deep for words,” and 1 Corinthians 14:2, which says:

“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” (ESV)

Both passages are beautiful and inspired by God, yet they’re often lifted out of context and applied in ways that differ from what Paul intended. For this post, we’ll focus on 1 Corinthians 14:2 and take a closer look at what Paul was really addressing in his letter to the Corinthian church. Understanding who he was writing to, what issues he was correcting, and how the chapter fits within the broader message of 1 Corinthians brings much-needed clarity to this verse.

Understanding the Context

Before we can understand what Paul meant in verse 2, we need to step back and see what was happening in Corinth. The church there was vibrant and full of spiritual energy but it was also chaotic. The believers were blessed with many gifts of the Spirit, yet those gifts had become a source of pride and disorder rather than edification and love. Their worship gatherings had turned into scenes of confusion, with people speaking out of turn, showing off their spiritual experiences, and losing sight of the purpose behind the gifts themselves.

We don’t have to guess about this. Scripture tells us. Paul opens his letter by acknowledging that the Corinthians were “not lacking in any gift” (1 Corinthians 1:7), but he quickly confronts their immaturity and divisions (1 Corinthians 3:1–3). They were proud of their knowledge (8:1) and eager to display their spiritual abilities in ways that drew attention to themselves rather than to Christ. In chapter 14, Paul explicitly describes their gatherings as disorderly: “Each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation” (v. 26). Everyone was talking at once. He even warns that if unbelievers were to walk in, they would think the church was “out of [its] minds” (v. 23).

In other words, Corinth was spiritually alive but functionally confused.

When studying passages like this, I’ve found it invaluable to look beyond our English translations and return to the original Greek. So often, our modern reading of a word doesn’t capture its precise meaning in the text. In this chapter, for example, the Greek word translated “tongue” is glōssa (γλῶσσα), which literally means language. Recognizing that helps us see that Paul wasn’t describing unintelligible sounds but actual languages… speech that could, in principle, be understood if interpreted. That one detail alone changes how we read the entire passage.

Paul’s letter wasn’t written to encourage more ecstatic displays; it was written to correct misuse. He spends three chapters, 1 Corinthians 12 through 14, addressing this very issue. In chapter 12, he reminds them that all spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit and are given for the good of the whole body. In chapter 13, he pauses to show them the “more excellent way”—love—which is the foundation of every true work of the Spirit. Then, in chapter 14, he applies those truths to the practical issue of tongues and prophecy, urging believers to prioritize what strengthens the church rather than what elevates the individual.

The overarching theme of chapter 14 is edification through clarity. Paul doesn’t forbid tongues outright, but he places them under strict parameters: they must be understandable or interpreted. Without interpretation, they serve no purpose except to draw attention to the speaker. That’s why he begins the chapter by saying, “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (v. 1). Prophecy, speaking God’s truth in a way people can understand, edifies. Uninterpreted tongues do not.

What Paul Was and Wasn’t Saying

When Paul writes that “the one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God” (v. 2), he isn’t praising the act; he’s pointing out the problem. Without interpretation, no one else can understand—only God knows what’s being said. In other words, it’s unintelligible to the listeners, which defeats the purpose of gathered worship.

As mentioned above, the word translated “tongue” (glōssa) simply means “language.” In Acts 2, we see the same word used for real, human languages miraculously spoken by the apostles so that people from many nations could hear the gospel in their own tongues. But by the time Paul wrote to the Corinthians, this miraculous sign was being misunderstood and misapplied. Believers were speaking in languages that no one present could interpret, mistaking spiritual noise for spiritual depth.

That’s why Paul spends the next several verses emphasizing the need for understanding:

“If I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker.” (v. 11)
“Let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.” (v. 13)
“I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also.” (v. 15)
“In church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” (V. 19)

Paul’s message is consistent: spiritual gifts were never meant to showcase an individual’s spirituality but to serve the body through clarity and love.

“Utters Mysteries in the Spirit” — What Does That Mean?

The phrase “utters mysteries in the Spirit” can sound mystical, and it’s often cited to support the idea of a private prayer language. But in context, “mysteries” simply refers to things that are not understood by the hearers. Paul isn’t describing secret heavenly communication; he’s describing speech that lacks interpretation and therefore remains a mystery to everyone else.

Later in the same chapter, Paul makes this clear when he writes, “If there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God” (v. 28). That isn’t a call to keep praying in tongues privately. It’s an instruction toward order. Worship should build up the church, not confuse it. Paul closes the chapter with the reminder that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (v. 33).

A Word About God’s Power Today

Because the topic of tongues so often leads to discussions about cessationism, I want to pause here and offer a bit of clarity. When people hear the word cessationist, a whole host of assumptions can surface. Many of them inaccurate. Some imagine it means believing that God no longer performs miracles or that the Holy Spirit is somehow less active today or God is being put into a box. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Being a cessationist simply means believing that certain sign gifts described in the New Testament, such as tongues, prophecy, and miraculous healing through specific individuals, served a unique and foundational role in the early church. These gifts confirmed the gospel message and authenticated the apostles’ authority before the New Testament was complete. Once the canon of Scripture was closed, God’s revelation was finalized, and the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20) was complete.

It’s also important to note that even if the gift of tongues were still being practiced today, it would appear exactly as Scripture describes it: real, intelligible languages used to proclaim the gospel, not the kind of nonsensical or ecstatic speech often heard in modern church settings. In Acts 2, the miracle of tongues allowed people from every nation to hear the mighty works of God in their own language. That’s what made it miraculous: it was purposeful, understandable, and always pointed to Christ. Anything outside of that pattern doesn’t match the biblical description.

Cessationism doesn’t deny God’s power. It affirms His sovereignty. God still heals, provides, and intervenes. He still does amazing, miraculous things according to His will. The difference lies in how He chooses to work today. Rather than working through specific individuals who possess ongoing miraculous gifts, He works through His Word, His Spirit, and His providence.

God’s power has not ceased. His sovereignty has not diminished. But His means of revelation have shifted. We now have the completed Word. The sufficient, Spirit-inspired truth through which He continues to build His church and display His glory.

For readers who want to explore this more deeply, I unpack this further in my Understanding Cessationism series starting here.

Holding Truth and Grace Together

I know that many believers who practice tongues today are sincere. They love Jesus and genuinely want to honor Him. My intent here isn’t to judge anyone’s faith or question their salvation but to encourage discernment. If we truly desire to walk in the Spirit, we must listen carefully to what the Spirit has already spoken through Scripture.

Paul’s correction to the Corinthians wasn’t meant to stifle zeal but to anchor it in truth. The greatest evidence of the Spirit’s presence isn’t found in ecstatic speech or visible displays of power. It’s found in lives transformed by the gospel, rooted in love, humility, and obedience to Christ.

So let’s be Bereans: people who test every teaching and every experience against Scripture, holding fast to what is true. Because even when only God understands, His Word is always clear.

Identity and Calling: Resting in What God Has Already Revealed

You Don’t Have to Find Your Identity. It’s Already Been Given

I ran into an old acquaintance recently. One of those surprise, “Oh my goodness, it’s been forever!” moments. We did the usual catching up, and somewhere in the conversation, she mentioned she might be teaching a class at her church on identity and calling.

Her premise was that discovering our identity is often best done in community; that sometimes others can see gifts in us that we can’t see in ourselves. I nodded along, because I know that language all too well. I used to live in it.

And then, almost like muscle memory, my mind went back twenty-some years… to the season when the “purpose” craze hit the church like a tidal wave.

When the World Went Purpose-Driven™

If you were around the church scene in the early 2000s, you probably remember. The Purpose Driven Life was everywhere. Rick Warren’s book was sitting on every church bookshelf, featured in every small group, and probably printed on a T-shirt somewhere.

The idea seemed good at first glance: God has a purpose for your life. Who doesn’t want to know that? But the way it played out in church culture was… well… something else.

Suddenly, everyone was on an identity treasure hunt.

“What’s my purpose?”
“What’s my calling?”
“Am I a teacher, a leader, a singer, a behind-the-scenes gal?”
“Should I take this spiritual gift test for the fourth time just to be sure?”

It became the Christian equivalent of a mid-life crisis… except it hit people at 19.

Meanwhile, I was over here trying to figure out if my “purpose” was leading worship, writing devotionals, or maybe running the church bake sale. (Spoiler: it was none of those.)

A Story I’ll Never Forget

Back in my young adult group, there was a girl who struggled so deeply with this. Every week she’d ask for prayer because she was frustrated with not knowing her “purpose.” She just wanted to know what God wanted her to do.

I didn’t have a lot of wisdom back then, so I’d ask things like, “Well, what do you like to do?” and pray for the Lord to “reveal her purpose.” It felt spiritual at the time.

But if I could go back and talk to her now, I’d tell her something different. Something far simpler and far more freeing:

👉 “Sister, the Bible already tells you your purpose.”

Jesus didn’t leave us wandering around waiting for a divine email with our individualized life assignment. He told us plainly:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
— Matthew 28:19–20

That’s it. That’s the Big One. That’s the calling for every believer.
The details of how we walk it out may look different, but the mission is the same.

Identity Isn’t Something We Find. It’s Something We Receive

This is where modern church culture often gets it backward. The world says: “Look inside yourself to find who you are.”

But Scripture says: “Look to Christ.”

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” — Colossians 3:3
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” — Galatians 2:20
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” — Ephesians 1:4

Our identity isn’t something waiting to be unearthed through a personality quiz or group brainstorming session. It’s anchored in a Person — Jesus Christ.

When we were saved, God didn’t just give us a ticket to heaven. He gave us a new identity: chosen, adopted, redeemed, and sealed (Ephesians 1:3–14).

Gifts and Callings Are Real But They’re Not the Core

Please hear me clearly: spiritual gifts are real. God absolutely equips His people in unique ways to serve the Body (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4). And yes, community can help affirm those gifts.

But those gifts aren’t who you are.
They’re how you serve.

My identity isn’t “HR Director,” “writer,” or “teacher.” Those are assignments. My identity is in Christ. And because of that, no title or platform determines my worth or place in the Kingdom.

The Pressure to “Find Your Thing”

Why do so many of us get tangled up here?

Because we want to belong.
Because we think everyone else already has it figured out.
Because we confuse visibility with value.

But the call of Jesus isn’t “figure it all out.”
It’s “Follow Me.” (Matthew 4:19)

When our eyes are on calling, we strive.
When our eyes are on Christ, we rest.

Resting in the Purpose Already Given

Imagine how many weary Christians could breathe a little easier if they realized they don’t have to decode a secret mission.

The purpose is clear. The identity is settled.
We’re called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
We’re called to make disciples.
We’re called to walk faithfully.

Everything else? That’s just context and stewardship.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” — John 15:4

A Gentle Word About Christian Fads

I’m not here to bash Rick Warren personally. But his Purpose Driven movement shaped a lot of modern evangelical culture and not all of it was healthy. Over time, his theology has taken concerning turns, and much of the movement elevated self-discovery over Christ-dependency.

It’s a good reminder: just because something was popular in the church doesn’t mean it was biblically sound. Christian fads are still fads.

Friend, You’re Free

If you’ve spent years trying to figure out your “purpose,” can I offer a breath of fresh air?

You don’t have to.

You don’t have to wait for a lightning bolt moment.
You don’t have to craft a personal mission statement.
You don’t have to envy someone else’s “calling.”

You already have a purpose.
To love God. To make Him known. To abide and walk faithfully with Him every day.

And as you walk, He’ll handle the details.

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” — Psalm 37:23

What would shift in your heart if you stopped chasing your purpose… and started resting in the One who’s already given it to you?

We don’t have to chase purpose when we’re held by a Person.
And that Person, Jesus, is more than enough.

Alternatives to Purpose Driven Life

Communion America: Why This “Revival” Wasn’t Biblical

Why Communion America is not biblical revival and why it matters that we say so.

Something very big happened on the National Mall in Washington D.C., October 9-12, 2025. It wasn’t a political rally, but a massive religious gathering called Communion America. A four-day event that ended with a mile-long communion table stretching from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol.

Thousands gathered from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and even Israel. Shofars were blown to “declare holy ground.” Speakers called the event a “Great Communion Revival.” Lou Engle, who is well-known in charismatic/NAR circles, stood alongside David Bradshaw (Awaken the Dawn) declaring this moment to be part of a prophetic movement.

For many, it was deeply emotional. There were prayers for repentance, songs about the blood of Jesus, and heartfelt declarations of unity. On the surface, this looks and sounds very Christian. But when we hold this movement up to the light of Scripture, it becomes clear: this isn’t biblical revival.

This is a movement built on extra-biblical revelation, nationalistic mysticism, and a misuse of the Lord’s Supper.

What Actually Happened at Communion America

According to event promos, livestreams, and post-even coverage:

Communion America took place October 9-12 on the National Mall.
50 tents were set up, one for each state, for nonstop worship and prayer.
On October 11, a mile-long communion table was set between the Washington Monument and Capitol.
Leaders claimed to receive prophetic vision of a banqueting table and declared this event part of a divine assignment.
Shofars were blown, the Mall was called “holy ground,” and national healing was tied to mass communion.
Lou Engle described this as the culmination of decades of prayer for revival and the beginning of “a new Jesus movement.”

CBN reported:

“The blowing of the shofar symbolized the National Mall becoming Holy Ground for planting seeds of spiritual renewal. Thousands of believers came together, representing all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Israel… It was a call to collectively repent before celebrating communion.”

What Communion Is… and Isn’t

Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper the night before His crucifixion.

And He took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19, emphasis mine)

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Communion is not a ritual for drawing power.
It is not a national act.
It is not a tool to release heavenly verdicts or usher in revival.

It is a memorial ordinance for believers, those gathered in local church context, to remember Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.

He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:12)

The blood of Christ does not need to be “activated.” It is already sufficient and victorious.

Why This Event Was Not Biblical Revival

Extra-biblical revelation

This entire event was built on visions and dreams. Three people claiming to see a banquet table down the Mall. Leaders interpreted this as divine instruction.

But scripture is clear:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2, emphasis mine)

We don’t need new visions or “assignments.” We have the sufficient Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Nationalism wrapped in spiritual language
Calling the National Mall “holy ground,” framing this as “America coming to the Lord’s table,” and tying revival to a nation rather than the Church universal is dangerous.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father… true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-23)

God’s redemptive plan is not America-centric. The Church is not tied to a flag, a nation, or an event. True revival is not a national movement but the Spirit’s work through the preached gospel.

Misuse of the Lord’s Supper
The Apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for their misuse of communion. He reminded them to approach the table reverently, discerning the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Turning the Lord’s Supper into a mile-long spectacle for a nation is not reverence. It’s pageantry.

Misapplied spiritual warfare
Event leaders spoke of “breaking the power of Ishtar” and releasing “heavenly verdicts” through communion.

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him. (Colossians 2:15)

Christ’s victory over darkness happened at the cross. We do not re-activate His triumph through rituals or decrees.

Why Some Will Defend This and How to Respond Biblically

This is where discernment and gracious apologetics come in. Many Christians who support events like Communion America are sincere. They love Jesus. They’re passionate about revival. They’re politically and culturally aligned with us. But they’re also being swept into a movement that confuses emotion with truth.

Defense 1: “But there was repentance, worship, and unity. God can use that!”
Yes. God can use anything for His purposes. But sincerity does not sanctify error. Good feelings do not make bad theology biblical.

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24, emphasis mine)

Defense 2: “We’re just gathering like the early church in Acts breaking bread together.”
In Acts 2:42, believers gathered in homes, partaking together within the church body, not staging national spectacles. The context is the local church; not a nation-state.

Defense 3: “We’re standing on 2 Chronicles 7:14. If we humble ourselves and pray, God will heal the land.”
This verse is frequently misapplied. It was a covenant promise to Israel, not a blank check for America. The church is not a geo-political nation with covenant land. God’s promise to the Church is spiritual restoration, not national healing.

For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Defense 4: “But look at the fruit! Healings, salvations, unity!”
Jesus warned in Matthew 7 that signs and wonders are not the litmus test of truth. The question is not, “Did something happen?” but “Is it rooted in God’s Word?”

Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name… and do mighty works in your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me.” Matthew 7:22-23

Hermeneutics Matter: Rightly Dividing the Word

The core problem with movements like Communion America is bad hermeneutics:

Old Covenant verses applied to modern America.
Symbolic rituals given mystical power.
National identity confused with the Church.
Private visions elevated above the plain reading of Scripture.

The right hermeneutic keeps God’s Word in context:

The Lord’s Supper belongs to the gathered church.
God’s covenant promises to Israel don’t transfer to America.
Worship isn’t tied to locations or nations.
The gospel, not ceremony, brings revival.

True Revival Starts Where Scripture Says It Does

Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)

Revival is not engineered through vision-driven movements. It is a sovereign work of God through His Word. When hearts are convicted of sin, when Christ is exalted, when the Church repents of worldliness and stands on truth.

No shofar. No stage. No mile-long table needed.

Why We Must Speak Up

Many of the people involved in or drawn to movements like this are not “the enemy.” Some are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They may agree with us politically, socially, even theologically on many things. But orthodoxy isn’t defined by shared outrage or shared causes. It’s defined by fidelity to Scripture.

Discernment is not division. Calling out unbiblical movements is not being “unloving.” It is one of the most loving things we can do.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. (1 John 4:1)

Now these Jews were more noble… they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

Final Thoughts

Communion America wrapped nationalism in the language of revival and turned a sacred memorial into a public spectacle. But the power isn’t in the size of a table, the sound of a shofar, or the emotion of a crowd.

The power is in the Gospel—the finished work of Christ, once for all.
The table is not a movement. It’s a memory. And that’s enough.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18)

For Further Reading & Discernment

R.C. Sproul: What Is the Lord’s Supper

Tim Challies: The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment

Ligonier Ministries: What Is the Lord’s Supper?

Grace to You: The Sufficiency of Christ’s Sacrifice

Justin Peters Ministries: Clouds Without Water Seminar Series (Understanding NAR & False Revivalism)

Asking Before Assuming: How to Engage Church-Seekers with Grace

When Church Seekers Ask Online

Scrolling through my town’s neighborhood Facebook group recently, I came across two posts that gave me pause.

One woman wrote: “My husband and I are looking for a new church to join, welcoming, inviting, loving, nonjudgmental group.”

Another said: “My husband and I are looking for a church that promotes love and unity and not judgment.”

Now, I’ll be honest with you. My first instinct was to keep scrolling. It’s always easier to move on to the next lost-cat post (and there are plenty of those in my feed!). But these posts made me think about how to respond to church seekers online with both truth and grace.

I didn’t engage right away. But those posts lingered with me, and the comment sections stuck out even more. Church recommendations poured in, one after another, but not a single person asked, “What do you mean by welcoming?” or “What does unity look like to you?”

That gap stirred something in me. Because posts like these, even if they come from people who may not be true believers, are opportunities. Opportunities to point someone to Christ with gentleness and truth, if we’re willing to ask before we assume.

Why Words Matter

Words like welcoming, loving, nonjudgmental, and unity sound wonderful. Who wouldn’t want that? But they can mean very different things depending on who’s speaking them.

Welcoming might mean, “We want a friendly smile at the door.” Or it might mean, “We want affirmation without repentance.”

Nonjudgmental could mean, “Don’t look down on my past.” Or it could mean, “Never talk about sin, holiness, or God’s wrath.”

Unity might mean, “Let’s walk together in Christ.” Or it could mean, “Let’s avoid hard truths in the name of peace.”

This is why it matters that we don’t assume. Paul warned Timothy:

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” 2 Timothy 4:3

That time isn’t coming. It’s here. And yet, that doesn’t mean every person asking for a “nonjudgmental church” is hunting for false teaching. Some may simply be hurting, or carrying baggage from previous church experiences.

Don’t Assume. Ask.

Here’s where we as believers can step in with love and truth. Instead of rushing to recommend a church (or staying silent), we can practice how to respond to church seekers online by engaging with clarifying questions.

“When you say nonjudgmental, what does that look like to you?”
“What has been your past church experience?”
“What are you hoping for in a church?”
“Would you be open to a church that faithfully preaches God’s Word, even when it’s hard?”

Scripture gives us our posture:

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6

Love and Truth Go Hand in Hand

One of the biggest traps we can fall into is separating love from truth. But in Christ, the two cannot be divided.

“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.” Ephesians 4:15

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

If we only affirm without truth, we offer sentiment without salvation. If we only speak truth without love, we come across as harsh and uncaring. The call is both.

A Practical Engagement

So, next time you see a post like this, don’t scroll past (and don’t just drop your church’s address in the comments either). Instead, ask. Engage. Be gracious. Be curious. And be ready to point to Christ, not just a building.

Who knows? Maybe that person really is looking for a social club disguised as a church. But maybe… just maybe… they’re searching for something deeper, and your question could be the open door to the gospel.

That’s how I plan to respond next time. Not with silence, not with assumptions, but with prayer, a gentle question, and a willingness to speak of the Savior who offers true welcome. Through repentance and faith in Him.

Blessing and Cursing: What our Words Reveal About Our Heart

I was chatting with a friend recently about something we’ve both noticed scrolling through social media. Out of one breath, people who claim Christ post something encouraging, filled with scripture, reminding us of God’s goodness. And then out of the other breath, those same accounts share posts that stir up fear, spread conspiracy-like claims, or throw around harsh words toward leaders, politicians, or anyone who disagrees with them.

It’s jarring, isn’t it? And it begs the question: what is flowing out of our mouths and our keyboards?

James 3:9-10 says, “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

That’s a sobering reminder.

The Heart Behind the Post

Before I go further, let me be clear: I’m not saying we can’t stand firm in our convictions or share truth in public spaces. I certainly have strong beliefs about certain issues. But I’ve also had to learn that it matters how we communicate them and why.

So here’s a helpful pause before posting (or even speaking):

Why am I sharing this? Is it to glorify God, or just to stir emotion?
What’s my tone? Am I standing firm in truth, or just venting?
Will this build up or tear down?

Ephesians 4:29 tells us, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

That applies to our thumbs typing on a screen just as much as to our voices in a conversation.

What Scripture Says About Our Words

The Bible gives us clear instruction about how we are to speak, even when we disagree:

Toward those we dislike or consider enemies: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Toward leaders: Paul wrote, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). And again, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Toward one another in the body of Christ: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you… Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Notice that none of these verses give us room to lash out, belittle, or stir up fear. Even in opposition, we are called to humility, kindness, and prayer.

Practical Examples

Politics: If you don’t like a politician, how do you talk about them? Instead of lashing out with “they’re destroying everything,” what if we said, “I disagree with this policy, and I’m praying for our leaders” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)? That’s not weakness—it’s obedience.
Hot topics (like health, culture, government): You may feel strongly (I know I do), but our convictions don’t give us a license to belittle, spread fear, or sound just like the world. There’s a difference between offering thoughtful perspective and fear-mongering.
Everyday interactions: Maybe it’s not even online. Maybe it’s around the dinner table, at church, or in your thoughts about someone. The same standard applies.

More Than Social Media

This isn’t just about what we post online. It’s about the posture of our hearts. What spills out onto social media is usually a reflection of what we’re already rehearsing in our thoughts and private conversations.

Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). If our hearts are filled with anger, bitterness, or fear, that’s what will overflow in our words. But if our hearts are anchored in Christ, then our words will reflect His truth and His love.

Standing Firm in Truth, With Love

Sisters, we can stand firm in truth without stooping to the tactics of the world. We can call sin what it is, speak out against evil, and stand on conviction but always with a heart that seeks to glorify the Lord, not ourselves.

When people see our posts, comments, and conversations, may they see consistency: not blessing God in one breath and cursing His image-bearers in the next, but a steady testimony of women rooted in His Word.

Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what “side” we’re placed on. What matters is that we are faithful to Christ.