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The Truth, The Bible and Everything between
Are you seeking truth and practical wisdom from the Bible? Look no further than "The Truth, The Bible and Everything Between" podcast. Join us for in-depth discussions relevant to all Christians and those hungry for the profound insights of the Scriptures. Delve into practical applications of biblical teachings and explore the intersections between faith, life, and everything in between. Tune in to enlightening conversations that bridge the gap between spiritual truths and everyday realities. Embark on a journey of discovery and growth.
The Truth, The Bible and Everything between
Episode 5 - Spiritual origins: Navigating contemporary life as a Christian
Can our faith thrive amidst the noise of modern culture? Today, we embark on a compelling journey into the heart of spiritual themes as reflected in movies, music, and societal trends. Anchored in Ephesians 5:15, we explore the dichotomy between spirits for and against God, setting the stage for a deep dive into how our media consumption can impact our spiritual journey.
As we navigate the intricate relationship between faith and entertainment, personal stories about enjoying popular culture while maintaining Christian values come to the forefront. We tackle the challenge of consuming secular media, from the humor in "Deadpool" to the intense beats of heavy metal, and the importance of discernment and wisdom in these choices. Christian films have come a long way, and their faith-building principles are more vital than ever, with Philippians 4:8 guiding us towards what is true, noble, and praiseworthy. We also address the darker side of media, discussing the spiritual dangers of pornography and horror films, underscoring the need for conscious, godly choices in what we allow into our lives.
The episode crescendos with a discussion on the provocative depiction of the Last Supper at the 2024 Olympics, examining how such portrayals can be seen as mockery by many in the Christian community. We draw upon 1 John 4:1 to navigate the complexities of discerning true spirits from false prophets amidst societal shifts that often position anti-Christian sentiment as trendy. Reflecting on the words of Isaiah 5:20 and contemporary figures like Elon Musk, we underscore the visible nature of spiritual warfare and the importance of unity and love within the Christian community. As we close, our gratitude for your support shines through, hoping our conversations have inspired and fortified your faith journey. Goodbye and God bless.
If you have any thoughts or suggestions that you'd like to share with us, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at thebibleandtheologypodcast@gmail.com. We are always happy to hear from you!
Welcome to the Truth, the Bible and Everything Between with me your host, michael and Daniel.
Speaker 1:Okay, welcome everybody. You're here for yet another episode of the Truth, the Bible and Everything in Between. This is Michael speaking today with my co-host, daniel Daniel. Ah, there we go. So, guys, we have a really exciting episode for you today. Today, we're going to talk about spiritual origins, navigating our current world. You know, my friends, as Christians, it's sometimes quite difficult. There are lots of things happening out in the world and we want to talk about the root of all of these things you know like, and today we're going to split our podcast into two segments Once again. Part one we'll talk about cultural reflections in movies and music, because I know everybody loves music and movies, right, dan? Yes, I remember you're quite fond of Mad Max.
Speaker 2:I arrived at church with a Deadpool shirt. So yeah, there's the first controversy.
Speaker 1:No, it's cool man. So movies and music. That will be part one, and in part two we're actually going to talk a little bit about the 2024 Olympics and the spiritual implications of what actually happened there during the opening ceremony. But, dan, before we get started, I just feel in my heart let's just quickly pray a little bit.
Speaker 2:You know, I think it'll be quite fitting.
Speaker 1:So, father God, I just want to thank you for this wonderful opportunity that Dan and myself can have just to speak a little bit about what's happening in the world and how your spirit relates to it. Father God, I just want to please pray that you will give me and Dan both the wisdom, lord, to help us today as we speak, lord, and that this podcast will reach the intended audience, lord, and everybody that hears this, lord. I pray, lord, that you will speak to them through us, lord, and I also just want to ask, father, that you will also help us keep a clear mind when speaking In the name of Jesus. I pray Amen and amen. So, dan, like always, we're going to do our recap section. Can you please help us with that, dan?
Speaker 2:Yes. So for those who heard the previous podcast where I spoke about my teacher who is now a preacher and a preacher who advocates her lesbian sort of lifestyle, I just my reflection afterwards is that I really I I mean, you know she's a teacher I wouldn't want to use the word love. I mean, you know she's a teacher, I wouldn't want to use the word love. I mean, you know, a bit provocative. But yeah, obviously I just felt very sorry for her. I wasn't saying that to actually to try and be nasty or make her look bad, you know, but at the same time, what we are trying to do here is to actually tell the truth, look at the Bible, look at the scriptures and find out what the truth is, which is it's important for everyone. It's actually good for her to avoid trouble. So, yeah, that was, um, that was my own sort of, you know, just consideration.
Speaker 1:Thanks for sharing that, dan, and I remember you also told me you had some thoughts about some of the things that we spoke about in the past. Do you want to enlighten our listeners with some of that wisdom?
Speaker 2:Well, I just when I look at the state of the world, I think it's very interesting that the sort of things we're talking about, you can have 10 different people with 10 different versions, but that's not really possible with truth. Now, to give an innocuous example, let's say we have a car and I advocate that cars should have one wheel, and I tell everybody that that's the truth. When you go and drive them, you're going to get the result you know. So it should be plain as day that a car with four wheels is, you know, a more honest sort of vehicle. So I think it's very interesting that there are many sides to this. I mean, we have people who are preachers, politicians you know all walks of life, and they've all got their slant on it. And then what is the truth? And it's going to be pretty important. I would be thinking about Judgment Day, for example, of course.
Speaker 1:And look, thank God that we all, as Christians, know what truth really matters, the only truth that really matters, my friends, the Bible, and I'm really just happy to be part of the winning team, if we can state it like that. You know, but look out, there in the world, there will always be a lot of opinions on different things you know like and people that believe different things, and I also think it's quite fitting that we're actually talking about spiritual origins today, dad, because that's where everything originates and it comes back to this point, you know, because, at the end of the day, a spirit is either for God or against God. I feel like there's no in between. There's no such thing as a neutral spirit, in my opinion. You know, something is either, you know, advocating for growth of Christianity or growth of your relationship with God. It's trying, trying to take away from it. Everything that we do, everything that we see, all relates to that. And then I thought it was quite fitting.
Speaker 1:But I have a very nice opening scripture for us here in Ephesians 5 is 15. I have a beautiful scripture. It says be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Oh, we don't want to sound like doom prophets, but, my friends, at the end of the day, you know like if you are walking a road of the Lord, you should be living in a different way than the world, and I think it's very important that we actually talk about this. So, dan, let's get straight to it. Cultural reflections in movies and music. Let's quickly talk about the influence of movies. So I want us to quickly think about the most popular movies and how they actually relate to Christianity. What do you think about the global trends at the moment, dan? You obviously know there's quite a few popular movies. Why don't you weigh in a little bit?
Speaker 2:with that. This is quite interesting because obviously there's been sin in the world since the first apple was bitten in the Garden of Eden. All right, I'm just joking. I know it probably wasn't an apple, but on the other hand things do sort of change and there have been periods in the world where there was more intense wickedness, For example, prior to the flood with Noah, or in Sodom and Gomorrah. If anyone's interested, you can actually look at the Dead Sea. That's where Sodom and Gomorrah If anyone's interested, you can actually look at the Dead Sea. That's where Sodom and Gomorrah was located physically, one of the most desolate places on earth now, obviously. So when I was a child, I mean, we had shows like Mr Ed was a talking horse. All the kids were polite In the shows they would talk like this, like oh, hello sir, Do you think that we could get some ice cream? And the father would be like oh, yes, boy, let's see what mother says.
Speaker 1:She's turned into an American there Dan.
Speaker 2:Well, it was an American show and I've got a pretty good memory. The horse's name was Ed Ed the horse. They were polite, they had some values and the sort of stuff that you have on television these days. It was not permissible. I watched Deadpool last week. Now I mean I'm not saying in any stretch it was virtuous, maybe better than Mad Max why don't I go out on a limb but I mean there was just one thing in it which I didn't like, and that was where Deadpool referred to himself as Marvel Jesus, and the sort of making mockery of Jesus in the media is something which I've noticed much more frequently, and just trying to think of another example I saw recently I've been talking for a bit, Michael, so I'll just leave it with this point and I'll come back later.
Speaker 1:No worries, I'm recording a heavy metal album, so I'm going to get back to this later, but no worries, I'm recording a heavy metal album, so I'm gonna get back to this.
Speaker 1:So, guys, you know, basically movies today and and I've seen it like obviously all the movies, they have different themes, you know like some are actually quite good in nature. It's always about like a love story or it's like a historical retelling of something that happened significantly. But what I've noticed and this is something I think recently my spirit has become more sensitive to, but there's always, always, like I don't know what it is, but like in American films and things from the UK, I hear a lot of people use the Lord's name in vain and before you think, oh, mike, don't be such a snowflake, you know, like when they say, oh my God, they're not talking about your god, it's not about that, friends, they're not even saying that, they're saying the name of Jesus and people are saying it like like a common swear word now, which is not okay, because I always like to think, you know, like, even in the movie, if they, if they use the name of Jesus Jesus is ready, man, he's listening it's like whatever is supposed to follow that sentence needs to glorify him.
Speaker 2:It is a verse. People will give account for every idle word. That's a verse.
Speaker 1:That's a thing, and not just that. Sometimes the content in these movies are all built around themes that are not that good. Friends, you know like obviously there are different genres and I myself, I, I myself, I'm like a hundred percent, like a, like a cinephile. You know if I can use that terminology. You know like I love movies and ask my wife, like every night I would watch at least two movies like star wars, lord of the rings, all of that like it's absolutely amazing. Um, I'm gonna, I'm gonna shoot, I'm gonna shoot a shot at harry potter. You know, like when I was growing up, I remember my mom and dad like they absolutely refused to let me watch Harry Potter. And guess what was the first thing that I did when I left the house? I watched every single movie. But that's not the point, my friends.
Speaker 1:What I'm trying to say is they literally have genres of movies built around witchcraft, and I know a lot of people might say, but oh, like it's, it's set in a world of fantasy and it's like, yeah, you might be able to look at that that way, but I always look at when. When you watch anything, for that fact, okay, it has two spirits at its origin. It is either from God or it is not from God. And I, my friends, I know there might be some people that love Harry Potter and the books and they think it's very innocent, but witchcraft is witchcraft and I know I don't want to sound, you know, like hypocritical, like I play some video games that are quite rough, man Like, but the Lord is like I feel like if you're walking a road of the Lord, you know like this is something that is quite personal to everybody, but you will feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit If something is not good for your spirit. You know, dan, I know I'm getting a little bit off track here, but I wanted just to say this a few months ago I really started playing this one video game called Baldur's Gate and yes, man, it's, it's a bit rough, you know, like it like I only played that game. My wife was not looking because it's like it's so fun, man, and the storytelling is absolutely incredible, but it's hectic stuff, man, it's like it's like raising things from the dead and there's a lot of witchcraft.
Speaker 1:And I know it's technically set in a fantasy world, but you know, I was sitting there the one day, the one night and I couldn't explain it, man. I was sitting there, my wife was in the room, she was doing her thing and all of a sudden I had this, this extreme conviction on my heart. It's like Mike put down this game. This is not of the Lord, like, and it was almost like I wouldn't say like a rebuke, but I was like whoa, where did that come from? And I put off the PlayStation and I walked to my room and guess what?
Speaker 1:My wife started crying. She said. She said while she was sitting there okay, so, Dan, listen to this. She said while she was sitting there, she had a prompting from the holy spirit that I was playing something that's not very godly, okay, and she just prayed. She didn't come out to confront me or even check if it was that was the case. She was just praying by herself. And when I came in the room, she's like, wow, god really listened to her prayers. You know like.
Speaker 1:So you know like dan, and and you know like I wish I could make this up because I mean this, I love that game, but but at the end of the day, you know like, your, your spirit, if you're walking a road of the Lord, you should be convicted if you see or watch something that is not from the Lord and movies today. Yes, man, it can cause problems. I also watched Deadpool. I thought it was a fantastic film, minus all the marvel, jesus and and, like again, all of the blasphemy, um, but apart from that, you know, like it's? It's, it's entertaining. But again, what spirit did that originate from? Yeah, and that's a question I think we should be asking more and more and more every day.
Speaker 2:Well, I I think um, just to be fair to our listeners, I am not what's the word? Like the squeaky clean, pious sort of type. I mean I've come from, you know all sorts of things that I've seen and I don't humor them, and so we're not asking people to sort of be silly. You have discretion, you have discernment, you have wisdom and you have intelligence. I mean I've had Christians probably hit me with every sort of manner of nonsense. You know, like you can't drink milk, you know that's why that that means you're not saved by grace because, like you're avoiding darkness. I mean I don't don't even ask me to comprehend like the amount of things that you know I've. Look, I'm not making this up. I mean I've had. I've been in trouble for crossing my arms in church, all right. I've been in trouble for drinking a coffee in church on a cold morning before it started, I kid you not. The next week I watched another guy drink a coffee in front of the same person and they said nothing. Okay, so I'm we're not asking people to just be like silly, you know, and give credit to it, but at the same time, what? What you need to do is know what the devil was doing. You know what's actually happening under your nose. How is it influencing you?
Speaker 2:So I'll get back to my heavy metal, because I liked listening to heavy metal. But when I became a Christian I threw out all my CDs and decent CD collection After many years where I felt that I had what's the word. I was not too worried, I'd sort of had a good idea. Okay, this is how things work. You know, I could watch this movie. I won't watch this movie. I started listening to the heavy metal again and to me it was just an enjoyment thing. But, um, and I didn't really have a problem with it, and they have some lyrics which are pretty heavy. I mean they talk about, you know I wouldn't need to give the details. But um, on the other hand, eventually I I, even though I had the sort of discretion and I was mature, I was an adult I just got sick of hearing nasty stuff and the more I actually paid attention and became more intelligent and appreciated things that were lovely, you know, I just don't need to hear some sort of like filth, like going into my ear brainlessly. I mean. Now here's an example. So you know, I'd criticized Mad Max.
Speaker 2:I used to listen to a band called Slayer. Now, in heavy metal exclusively, many bands are actually anti-Christian. I mean, slayer have a song called. What is it? It's Christ Illusionusions, basically mocking Jesus. Their new album is called From Hell I Rise. All this it may be done for shock value, but at the same time, where does that come from? What do you think? Who's it giving credit to? What will that do to you? And honestly, it's just fascinating. If you paid attention to the genre of music, if you're into heavy metal, it's hard to find anything which isn't actually pro satan. And I'm not even gonna bother giving examples, you know, because I, it's just it's redundant. So I I am making a heavy metal album, by the way listeners, so amen then we'll be excited.
Speaker 1:We could feature it, yeah, on the podcast, man, I think it'll be fantastic. But, guys, you know like, at the end of the day, you know like when, when we become more aware of the things that we consume every day and and I know we've talked a little bit about movies, a little bit of music, you know, like I have this Bible scripture, I also want to share Philippians four, verse eight. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things and, my friends, I think as christians, we should also become more aware of the things that are faith building. You know like, if, if you hear there's a movie, and I know what people are thinking it's like oh, christian movie, low budget. I always used to feel that way, can't use anything mate.
Speaker 1:Terrible acting. Like you know, like I remember growing up my parents. They made us watch like a lot of Christian movies and I always thought, yes, man, there needs to be proper. Come on, I want something of proper production value, you know like. And then a movie like Passion of the Christ came out and it was wow.
Speaker 2:Mate. We watched a movie a few months ago. It was on for 10 minutes and I said to my wife this is a Christian movie.
Speaker 1:It was just oh. But that's also the thing, dan. I've also started looking at things from a different point of view now. You know like movies like what's it like? Fireproof and Facing the Giants. I watched one called War Room. Have you heard of that? Yeah, war Room, I can tolerate it. That's the thing you know like. And watching those type of movies.
Speaker 1:Now, as an adult and obviously a little bit like further along in my relationship with the Lord, I really look at it from a different point of view. I'm like the principles they're talking about here are actually fantastic and you know like I can see the desire, what, that, what there was in their hearts. You know, when making those movies and I I can say that some of those movies are life-changing. You know like, and I also think that if you know something is good, definitely ask your brothers and sisters to pray about it. You know you should also try watching it if, if it's going to help build your faith. But then I think we can move over to music and spiritual messaging.
Speaker 1:Now the reason why I think this is so relevant.
Speaker 1:I remember, even when I was a kid, everybody always told me it's like oh no, you can't listen to certain records, because if you play it in reverse, it's like the devil saying something to you or something like that. You know, I think a lot of times we become quite when we hear someone is a little bit like like that. You know, like we, we think, oh, you see, it can't be that bad, you know. But at the end of the day, you know, like they're protecting their soul and you know like I, I look at the things that my parents did when I was growing up. You know, like, just to share a little bit about my own story, you know like my dad became born again when I was just about to go into high school. And you know like it's like I'm in the adolescent phase and going through a lot of things and whatever. And I remember like, yes, my parents came into my room and they burned some of my playstation games oh, they didn't burn them in the room though.
Speaker 2:No, no, not in the room.
Speaker 1:At least they made the fire outside they made a fire outside and took photos and I was like, as a kid, I was a bit confused. I was like, yes, why are they burning my wwe?
Speaker 2:you know like like it's not an evil game, but but.
Speaker 1:But now looking at it from from a different perspective. I'm older and I have more understanding of these things. I'm like, wow, what wonderful parents I have. You know that would go out of their way to try and protect their kid. And look, I understand all of us go through different things. I'm not saying you have to. You know we can go into your library of DVD. I don't think anybody has DVDs anymore.
Speaker 2:Just on that point.
Speaker 1:I've got some DVDs have some dvds a dvd player, which was very hard to find it's a relic now, but I'm not saying but. But what I am saying is, maybe take a second look at the things that you are watching, first of all, and then, secondly, the things that you are listening to, because I've also become a lot more aware of the, the impact music has had in my life. I'm someone with a very unique music style, like I love johnny cash that that's pretty much like 80 of what I listen to, like that and everything in the 1960s and then now and then I have like old school hard rock, like I would I would have some day Leppard and Chicago.
Speaker 2:Def Leppard. No see, I don't mind that but like nothing hard, you know.
Speaker 1:But there are some bands. I went through like a phase where I was really into like the Offspring and like those punk rock bands.
Speaker 2:I can play some Offspring songs System of a Down, system of a Down, system of a Down.
Speaker 1:There we go and Chop Suey, you know, like those type of things, and then when you actually go look at the lyrics, it's like, oh my goodness, what am I listening to? Yeah, so all I was saying, my friends, is like, look at the spirit of origin. Like I said, there's only two spirits. It's either from God or it's not from God. There's no in between. And, dan, you also have an interesting take on heavy metal. I know you shared a little bit Quickie. Maybe tell everybody what's the reasoning behind you trying to bring out your own heavy metal album.
Speaker 2:Well, it's two reasons. I mean, first of all, I'm like I'm playing guitar, my brother's a drummer and I just thought, oh, you know, it's an interesting thing to do, like writing a book or something like that. The other reason is because I wanted something that I could actually listen to without having a bucket of filth tipped into my ear.
Speaker 1:So yeah, there we go. I think that's powerful man.
Speaker 2:I mean, look, here's an interesting thing. Okay, if I wanted to draw a line, because I don't advocate that people should just be dumb and just listen to us, you know. But at the same time, there are things which are evil in the world. Now, if you study serial killers and murderers, there are a huge number of them, I mean the very worst serial killers who get into pornography and they are spiritually that. That is what they're dedicated to and it can take control of them. And don't don't even try to argue with me on this one. Ok, so that that's. That's how it happens. You know they. They start off soft, they they end up, you know, at the end of the road. You know torturing and killing people totally, you know, controlled by, by an evil power.
Speaker 1:Hmm, that's the thing, it always has an origin point. You know like I'm gonna try, I'm gonna keep hitting home this, this point, as much as possible today, because that, my brothers and sisters, you know like we, we all have an opportunity that we're faced with every single day. You know, like you, sometimes you're not you, you don't really have control of what happens around you, but you have a direct control of the things that you consume. Same goes for food. You know like if you're gonna keep eating, you're gonna get fat.
Speaker 2:You know and we're really being sensitive. I just want to point out my cousin's working in a strip club, okay, and I've watched her grow up. She's as innocent as a Disney character, you know, and I've like, yeah, I could just go on and on and look, dan, it's different for everybody.
Speaker 1:Everybody has their own struggles and things, but the thing is there are certain points that you get to in your life where you have a direct control over what you're going to consume next. You know, like they say, you are what you eat, exactly if I'm to watch provocative material or just know what terminology that was but but like things that are that are not godly, on Netflix or Amazon or whatever. The whole time you know like my brain is going to become hardwired in a different way. I'm going to start thinking in a different way because my spirit is changing man. My spirit is changing man. My spirit is changing and that is why we we should be so sensitive to what the lord wants us to do. I have another scripture.
Speaker 2:I think I was faster okay, there we go, then.
Speaker 1:I'm only joking.
Speaker 2:Um well, mine is just quickly, but it's on the exact topic. People are slaves to whatever has mastered them. So that's, I think that's quite true for what you're talking about.
Speaker 1:And last time when we talked about oppression, you know like, especially when we went down, when we spoke about oppression. You know like, the things that we consume, my friends, will eventually oppress you, you know. So be careful who you choose to make your master. The scripture I wanted to share with you all is here, from 1 Corinthians 10, verse 31. So, whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Okay Now, my friends, as Christians, like I said, we should be held to a higher standard. We should be different than the rest of the world.
Speaker 1:It doesn't matter if you're a little bit socially awkward, because your choices in life don't reflect those of the, the choices the people around you are making. You know like, and I understand, there's always going to be a need to be in. There's always going to be a need to be socially adept or socially accepted, you know, by your peers. And look, we all go through different stages in life. I remember in high school it was very different. You know like, obviously you want to fit in. You don't want to stand out too much. You, you want people to like you. When you eventually enter the workforce, same thing happens then. But I feel like you have a little bit more of a control of of your, your friend groups and things as you become older, but at the same time, you should not change what you are consuming based off what people around you are doing.
Speaker 2:Especially if they're not Christian. I made most of my mistakes that ruined my life by fitting in in high school, because I was fitting in with idiots, and you know it's like at this point um, regardless of what we say, what's actually wise? You know what? What do you know about this? I mean, what do you give?
Speaker 1:credit to. That's the thing. That's the truth, then it's the truth. And then it brings us to our next point the rise of dark themes. Oh, okay, so what this is basically about is, you know, like I've I've noticed that specifically in hollywood, the the fact that there is a genre called horror. That's actually a little bit of a problem. Um, like I said, I I don't want to sound like a snowflake, but you just hit the nail on the head.
Speaker 2:I just heard it nail head back but, but, but.
Speaker 1:But that's the thing, dan. You know like I don't want to sound like sound like a snowflake, but what is happening here is. You know, god also convicted me about this. I never used to have a problem watching like a hectic horror movie about some demon possessed. I've seen.
Speaker 2:All of them, like mine are mine of the previous generation. Who knows what his are like?
Speaker 1:they probably chopped their head off twice, you know no it's like you know, like the original nightmare of elm street. Like you, you barely see freddy krueger. Like the one now it's all cgi and it's scary man, because they can do a lot of technology.
Speaker 1:It's really scary man. And you know like, at the end of the day, you know like the point I'm trying to make is, if you look at pop culture and the things that are in, a lot of people become so desensitized to the spirit world that that it's not even weird anymore. You know, like when the blair witch project came out and michael it's. It's it scary, dan, because I can't believe that people would actually like and it's almost like these movies want you to root for the bad guy.
Speaker 2:You've. Really, when you put it to the spiritual world, that's where it starts to make sense and come into perspective. That's the difference. Jesus said that nothing from outside of man can defile him, but that which cometh out of man is that which defileth him. But at the same time, there are many other verses that says abstain from every appearance of evil. It says be holy because I'm holy. And it says you know, all things are acceptable for me, but not everything is profitable. And I mean, when you're actually looking at it from a spiritual point of view and you're thinking, oh okay, let's watch some smut and some filth, that's a very odd sort of a spiritual context, isn't it?
Speaker 1:So, dan, I'm going to take an example now there is literally a series called Lucifer man about this nightclub owner.
Speaker 2:It's actually like oh, I've seen that mate. It was on television in Hong.
Speaker 1:Kong. They ran the series, yeah, but that's the thing, man.
Speaker 2:It's just crazy to think he looks like me, doesn't he? He's got a long face, am I right? It's just crazy to think he looks like me, doesn't he? He's got a long face, am I right? Is it that one?
Speaker 1:That guy. But the thing is, you know what's crazy? They want you to root for Satan. I mean, come on, it's like he gets involved with some cases and you almost start to sympathize with the devil, you're supposed to feel sorry for him.
Speaker 1:That's the thing and at the end of the day, that is what happens. You know, like, my friends, at the end of the day, as christians, we need to be so sensitive about this. You know, like when, when I saw that there's this thing on amazon called the hasburn hotel, you know what it's about. Then it's it's like they're telling a story. It's animation. It's animation. They're telling a story where originally, lilith was in the Garden of Eden and then Lilith rebelled with Satan. They went to hell and they had this daughter, but they paint heaven as the bad guys Because they say they've been expelled by heaven and you know what's just so crazy.
Speaker 1:It's like kids are going to watch that nonsense, man.
Speaker 2:And it hurts me to say that. Can I weigh in at this point with um? Pull out one of my verses, um, which is 1 corinthians, chapter 6. I don't know if you, if you can pull that up for a second, see, this will will be useful, because the bible actually tells us and we've talked in previous podcasts about the concept of righteousness and that's really sort of the difference, you know, when we're getting into it.
Speaker 2:A lot of people don't believe there's any such thing as right and wrong, and already that means you're sort of steered in a different direction. You can do anything and what's the result going to be For the bands? I've talked about the heavy metal bands. I can give you an example, the very worst one. They were called mayhem and they got into devil worship. One of them committed suicide, blew his head off with a shotgun. His mate went in, took a piece of his skull and made it into a necklace, okay, okay. And they then another member of the band later on I think I don't know who it was, the bassist or whatever they actually got into a fight and one of them murdered the other guy.
Speaker 2:So that's um. That's the end of this path. So you know, if you think we're just being silly and we're, like, you know, sensitive Christians and I said, you know, when I was a kid I've experienced all of it. You know there were all sorts of silly Christians Like you can't eat a banana, they're crooked, you know. You've got to like, make them straight and then eat them. It's just ridiculous. But there's a verse which says strong meat belongs to those who, by reason of exercise, are able to discern both good and evil. So that would be a difference.
Speaker 1:So Dan, where in 1 Corinthians 6 do you want to read?
Speaker 2:verse 9?. So, if you can, yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay. Well, do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor adulterers, nor idolaters, nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Speaker 2:Thank you, Michael. So I wanted to put that verse in at this point so you can see there is a difference.
Speaker 1:That's the thing. And look, I think, as we walk a road with the Lord, dan, you know like the Lord definitely works with us. You know like to change us and make us more sensitive about the things that are happening around us. You know like I feel as my relationship with God continues to deepen. You know, like in my old age, like make it sound like I'm 60.
Speaker 2:He's not actually older. I'm the old one, just so you know. And I'm not old either.
Speaker 1:But as I've become older, I really begin to see, you know like, there's no point in this world to live for anything else than the Lord. You know like, and our life should reflect that. You know, as Christians, this should be part and parcel of everybody's life, you know, but I wanted to share this one scripture. This really speaks to what's happening in Hollywood and everywhere else in the world, you know like. Isaiah 5, verse 20. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Speaker 1:You know, my friends, it almost seems like things are happening in reverse at the moment, because if you are part of the people that are against Christians, you are cool.
Speaker 1:It's like the narrative has changed in the world. It's like, I think, there's going to be a point in the future then, and like I said, we are so blessed. We're in a place where we're not getting persecuted for our faith, and I know there are countries in the world where you can openly speak about Christianityianity and nothing will happen to you. But again, there are other places in the world. With a moment you start speaking about christ and about god, things start to change. People start to persecute you, and I pray for as long as possible you know like the people are being persecuted, can hold on, you know, to what is true. And really, dan, we are just blessed and I feel like we almost have this responsibility that because we are not being persecuted for our faith and we can make a difference with our voice, we should make a difference with our voice, and I'm not talking about going to Bible bash everybody you meet in the street, exactly.
Speaker 2:We're talking about being smart, not being some silly, you know, like whatever.
Speaker 1:Some right-wing, you know like.
Speaker 2:Just think about this, okay. What's the actual effect on you? You know, I mean I've given the example of porn, I've given the example of heavy metal, both ending in murder, for example. Some of the things I was talking about with Hollywood is where you may have a theme that sort of idolizes drugs and you've got kids, and I'm not making this up. In my school Every kid was taking drugs and I can tell you where they ended up. I mean, some of them in mental hospitals. So that's that's where you're being a bit more wiser, as opposed to just being sort of silly.
Speaker 1:And look, Dan, like I said, it's going to look a little bit different for everybody. This road, this road back to redemption, you know like for some people maybe it's a little bit easier. You know like you've never liked the things of this world to even start out with, but I feel like if we don't become more aware of it as christians, it's going to one day overpower us. Then, yeah, and we're going to get to a point where there's no coming back I would say my first sort of direction.
Speaker 2:As far as this goes, are you walking in the spirit? Are you spiritually minded? Have you even thought about it? Or are you just up to your knees in in muck, you know, and you think that's how it should be, and it actually influences you and guides you in in the reverse?
Speaker 1:you know, dan, I always used to think about people that were very, you know, like some. Sometimes people will label people as jesus freaks and I always thought like yes, man, I'm a christian and I think these people are weird. Like that was always my mentality. Yeah, you know, that was always my mentality. And look, I I'm not gonna say there's no such thing as over radicalization of christianity, you know, but I I've seen people really take it to the extreme and what that ends up happening is they actually push people further away from Christ.
Speaker 2:Can I just come in? Okay, possibly a coincidence, maybe Michael's wife was praying, I don't know, because it's very relevant. By strange coincidence, this week I was watching I think they were called Westboro Baptist Church in America Christians supposedly and they are basically advocating the death of anyone who they think is not righteous. I mean, they had signs like death to fags, you know, like burn in hell, and they were doing that and saying that that is what God wants, because God hates evil. Now, it's true, in the Bible it says God is angry with the wicked all day long. But that's not your job. That's like you don't get to come out and do that at all. If I had, if I had a choice as to who I would actually say was worse, I'd say it was them. You know like that's a terrible thing.
Speaker 2:Jesus said that this is how you will know that my disciple, they will know that you are my disciples because you love one another. That's what you're supposed to do. It's really, really simple and I'm not trying to be mean to them. Don't try and catch me out. All right, if you want to play, turn the other cheek. I've got a pretty strong cheek. I'll go toe-to-toe with them. I'm just saying. These turkeys, who are supposed to be Christians, ought to know very plainly that the main thing they were supposed to do was to love other people. I mean, how would you get to murdering them? It says anyone who does not love his brother is a murderer. And no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Speaker 1:But you know what's the thing, dan. You know like I think again, it starts with good intentions. You know like I don't think always people try deliberately to be violent and things. I know people. Human nature is going to always turn things to the extreme. But you know like, if you just look behind that and you know like I know these people are reacting that way, but if you look behind that, somewhere there is a passion for christ. But the thing is what what's happening is it's the way that they are expressing it. Is is a passion for Christ, but the thing is what's happening is the way that they are expressing it is a problem, because it has become. It's almost like the well has been poisoned and you know like if we keep spreading poison around, the whole world is going to be dead.
Speaker 2:It's a problem. We're supposed to be God's ambassadors, and mate, what sort of an ambassador is that? Now the tricky thing, because things are very perverse and so if I then criticize them, the next thing is I've taken the next step in the wrong direction.
Speaker 1:you know, because we, yeah, exactly exactly, and that's why you know, like we, my friends, you know, like I know, it's very easy to also become critical of other christians in a way that they do things. You know, but you know like I, I, the lord, also had to deal in my heart with this. You know because I remember there was a, there was a time not too long ago, maybe like a year ago or so then every single time I was listening to a pastor and I just found a new pastor I liked I would go on onto Google and ask, I would search heresy. His name wasn't Stalin or Hitler. No, no, no, definitely not.
Speaker 2:They've all had their sermons.
Speaker 1:No, but whenever I find a new pastor, I would always go search heresy and then this pastor's name and watch what videos come up. And I was just thinking about it and the Lord really dealt with my heart and it's like yes, mike, what are you doing? You're looking for faults.
Speaker 2:This is really simple, though, because, where these guys are concerned, the whole point of our podcast is the truth, the Bible and everything in between the truth, so I don't need to judge them. I can tell you plainly that you should love thy neighbor as you love yourself. Judge not that you be not judged. You're saved by grace and not by works. Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that's what I would be telling them, rather than I hope that you die. You know Exactly.
Speaker 1:But then, moving on from that, you know like. So, guys, guys, I think we can fully conclude part one of our podcast. So now part two. Oh, this is going to be a quite a spicy one.
Speaker 1:Then the 2024 olympics and the spiritual implications. So I'm sure anybody that's even half a little bit knowledgeable in the christian world and even the actual world, you're probably aware of the opening ceremony of the Olympics. They're in France. Art, what's that? That's what it's called, art, art, and obviously a lot of people have different opinions on it.
Speaker 1:For those of you who don't know, there was a specific point in the Olympics where they actually had a depiction of the Last Supper, where Jesus was supposed to be this other woman in the middle and they had drag queens and a barrage of other people and things and whatever next to him. And a lot of Christians look at that and and and they feel, even myself, that it is a complete mockery of of christ, and I can't help but get upset by the fact that it's always shot, fired against jesus. You know, if, if you think about any, any, and I understand friends, you know like we, we obviously don't want to wade into political ideologies and and you know things like that too much yeah you know, like honestly, michael, mate, I'm fired up.
Speaker 2:So if you want to wait, mate, I'll go off the deep end with you okay.
Speaker 1:But so, dan, I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna start with one bible scripture. I'm gonna give it all over to you, okay. One john four, verse one. Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirit to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Speaker 1:You know, my friends, the point I'm trying to make with this Bible scripture is, things have become so diluted that where people that are older Christians, they understand that this is a blatant mockery of Christ, whereas newer Christians think, oh, it's not too bad, it's people expressing themselves and it's taking away from the significance of what is happening on the world stage. You know, friends, I don't always, like I said, I don't always want to comment on political things, because it is quite a dangerous territory. You know, because, like I said, there's a lot of people's emotions and lives and things involved. But at the end of the day, as christians, we cannot just sit still and let this happen to our lord. You know, like people, people have responded in different ways. But but, dan, before I get into that too much, tell me what is your opinion of, of that opening act of the olympics?
Speaker 2:this is very easy, because this is about the truth, simple as that, and I've already, you know, in the previous podcast I had Romans, chapter one, that talks about homosexuals, and today I've had 1 Corinthians, chapter six, which is also quite plain.
Speaker 2:I'd just like to finish the later part of the verse you just quoted, michael, because it goes on to say that any spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh is from God, and any spirit, you know it, says that nobody can say Jesus be cursed by the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:Now, that's clearly what you have in this sort of thing, which I think is is more of a spiritual battle, but then on the ground level, where you have people, and they're being played out either as dupes or or people who actually know the truth on different sides, and you can see the actual effect, and I mean as far as it goes, why, in which comprehensible way, would you find that that was a lovely thing to see men dressed as women portraying Christ Like? Why is that something that you would actually subscribe to? You see, we're talking about whether things are right or wrong. Some of them are innocent, you know, like those bananas I pointed out earlier. They're supposed to be curved, all right, but this, this is far from innocent at all. This is just a complete. There's an actual point to it, and the point is to make Jesus look bad and to make this sort of filth act as if it's credible.
Speaker 1:And Dan, you know it's the thing, man, and this is why it feels even more significant. You know, like, in the Bible, matthew 5, verse 14, we read you are light of the world. Okay, a town built on a hill cannot be hidden. I want to focus on that last part. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. This goes both ways, you know, like, because everything is happening on a global stage. You know this is happening all where, where all eyes are on it. The whole world is watching and, and everybody's all involved in that event and organizing it, they are aware of this fact that the whole world is watching, and then, like you said, it becomes like a, like a spiritual warfare thing.
Speaker 1:It's like why, jesus man, yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying it shows you, it shows you, you know like they could have taken shots at anybody else, at anybody else, anything else, and people and people would not have been offended.
Speaker 2:What's the relevance like when, when you're running races and throwing, like you know, javelins? What does that have to do with?
Speaker 1:it exactly, you know, like, and that's the thing. So, and I think that's why so many people are upset, and you know what hit me, dan, you know elon musk no, it's not. You know, like you know, elon musk, he, he, he made a post, like on twitter, okay, where he posted he says christianity will be destroyed because people are not brave enough to stand something like that. Stand up for it, this oak. I don't know if he's a known christ.
Speaker 2:I severely doubt it. My brother worked for Tesla and the working conditions were not great, but anyway.
Speaker 1:But the thing is, you know like I don't know if he's a known Christian, but the fact that he said that that's people that are not even like leaders in the Christian community are saying things like that, because people that are not even Christian, they feel like, wow, that's a bit harsh, don't you think? You know like they even feel like, yes, that's a bit rough. You know like I mean, but that's the thing. Then. You know like everybody wants to fire shots at Jesus because they know the potential that that can have. You know like, if Christians come together and you know like the world will change. You know like, if Christians come together and you know like the world will change, the world will change man. Like I firmly believe there will be a place, hopefully in the future, where Christians unite. And you know like, as seen in the response to this event, you know like and this is something for me as a Christian that's very uplifting, dan.
Speaker 2:Can I? Yeah, Dan, At this point I'd like to have the verse 2, Timothy, chapter 3. And when you're sort of looking at the context of this sort of behavior and we've already had Romans, chapter 1 last week Now I want to be very, very plain what we're talking about. When we're saying that there are some things which are evil, you know, and we're pointing it out quite clearly, and we're saying that there's no doubt that Jesus is right, we aren't actually going to the other extreme and saying now, we hate people you know.
Speaker 1:So 2 Timothy 3, verse 1. But mark this there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy without love, unforgiving, slanderous without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited. Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness but denying its power have nothing to do with such people.
Speaker 2:Right, and now I'd just like to hit you hard and say can you see this happening? You know we had Romans chapter one. It says men will burn with lust for one another. Is that happening at all? I don't know.
Speaker 1:Look, I think a lot of these things are quite blatant and very clear in the world at the moment, dan, and that's why I think all of us, we should, we should mount to the fence, you know, like in terms of standing united as Christianity, like in in terms of standing united as christianity. You know, we, we, we obviously want to promote that we should always love each other the way that christ wants us to love each other, and and that's not always easy, I understand. Obviously people have different opinions and things, but that's what should be happening, my friends. You know, like, our gospel is not a gospel of you know, I read this quote this morning and, yes, man, I was touched, dan. It says Okay, so listen to this man, paul arrives at heaven's gates cheered on by the people he persecuted. That is the gospel of Christ. Yes, man, when I heard that, it touched me Because that is the truth man.
Speaker 2:This is really actually quite easy. Now, man, when I heard that, it touched me, because that is the truth man, this is really actually quite easy. Now it seems confusing because there is deceit and there are crooked people and silly people. I'm sure everyone's been a fool at one point or another. Some of you still are. What was that? Just joking, but the the thing is, there's two things that I'm thinking about now. One is love and one is the truth. They go together.
Speaker 2:Now that's not actually a disappointment, because the truth is jesus, and he died for everyone. He died for drag queens, he even died for me, yeah, you know. And so then, like when you have love, it says god is love, god sent his son into the world. It says herein is love, not that we loved him, but that while we were yet sinners, christ died for the ungodly. So that's where you can connect this sort of perversion, and then you, you actually see what the truth is and what's love. So I think that's a well, you know, that's, that's what we need, it's not doubtful then I'm.
Speaker 1:I want to just throw in the last bible scripture here, romans 12, is to do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. You know, my friends, we we've spoken about a few different things today and we were talking about the origin points of of many of these things. In you know, like even with the olympics, you can clearly see what the origin point was. It was not to glorify god but to mock him. But even so, my friends, as christians, we can try and combat this in the best way possible by not conforming to the patterns of the world. Things like this will never be okay. And if you feel it is okay, my friends, pray, pray and ask and ask lord, is this really what? What you want, is this what you want? Because I can tell you now, when you do it just even a little bit of a search in the Bible you will see it's quite the opposite.
Speaker 2:It's the whole point of everything we're saying comes down to you actually knowing the truth.
Speaker 1:And my friends, the only truth once again, and I know we're probably going to sound like a bunch of broken records at some point, but Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and all this evil stuff. We've just read it out to you plainly from the Bible and you can have a look at those verses for yourself on Corinthians, chapter 6, 2 Timothy, chapter 3.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's not a free-for-all, you know. And look, friends, at the end of the day do not conform to the patterns of this world. If you have to be a little bit social or socially awkward, for his grace then let it be my friends. You know, like I, I don't know. But lately, dan, you know like I, I always thought of social media as a little bit of an evil. But sometimes, man, I feel filled with the spirit after looking at a few reels, man, and it's always like super uplifting things.
Speaker 2:Things like a preacher going. I know what it is. My wife's watching these otters in Japan. It's a good one Riding bicycles.
Speaker 1:It's a good algorithm. It's not the otters in Japan, like there's not an autism in Japan. But you know what it is? It's like some fiery preacher just talking about how important it is to tell people about Jesus before it's too late. And, my friends, at the end of the day, what we can do as Christians, you know, be mindful of what you consume, be mindful what you take in from movies and series and music, and also be mindful of what you see happening at that in the world at the moment, and always ask yourself the question what is the origin? Is this to glorify God or not to glorify God? If it is the latter, my friends, it's probably not something you should be allowing in your life. But but again, my friends, like I said, we are all on different paths, not on different paths, but the Lord is walking a road with each of us. But always ask God for wisdom on how to deal with this.
Speaker 2:Can I put my own slant onto this? Yes, now, because the serpent was the most subtle out of all the animals. He didn't actually fool people and deceive them by making it plain and obvious. You know. He's not going to come up to you with a big sign saying sin and go to hell, like you know, take like an apple, like you know. And even when you're listening to us, you need to be discerning. In Proverbs it says fools believe everything that they're told. The prudence sift in my every word so I can qualify it. Earlier, when I said some of you are fools, I wonder who believed it. Aha, you know that's what we're talking about. You need to be discerning with us. You need to be discerning with which pastors you're listening to. And one simple thing which we've said repeatedly is there's a little thing called the Bible. Everyone can read it. I think it's written in Chinese, japanese, like Portuguese you know, yeah.
Speaker 1:And that will always be the truth. So, my friends, that brings us to the end of this podcast. Honestly, friends, we just want to thank you all for your, your loving support and and just, you know like I I think this, this passion project. You know, like we, we're still praying. You know, every day asking the lord lord, is this what you want us to do?
Speaker 2:you know like, and yeah I'm still waiting to be stoned. When I walk out the door I'll think aha it's working.
Speaker 1:But look at the end of the day, we're also very grateful just for this opportunity just to talk a little bit about the Lord. You know like and use this as a platform, you know to just even if you just take something away from what we just said.
Speaker 2:Even if you're a little bit smarter.
Speaker 1:There we go Exactly. Then it's all worth it, because it's all for His glory. And my friends, thank you so much. Pray that you all have a fantastic week. Goodbye and God bless.
Speaker 2:And I'm still waiting for that money.
Speaker 1:Send us your money. We accept gold bullion.