Breaking Free: A Call to Christian Believers

As we step into another blessed year, this blog continues to serve as a sanctuary for Christian believers seeking freedom from energy-draining personal and professional relationships. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the realities of spiritual warfare, this space offers encouragement, tools, and insights for overcoming life’s toughest challenges.  

Life brings trials, but as believers, we are equipped with the armor of God to confront our foes—in God’s perfect timing. Keep your faith strong, pray without ceasing, and trust in Jesus Christ. For those needing deliverance, never hesitate to seek the guidance of professionals in your area who are equipped to assist you on your spiritual journey.  

This blog is a reflection of our collective experiences and victories, and I want to take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed their stories, insights, and prayers. Your testimonies inspire others to persevere, expose the enemy, and stand firm in faith. Together, we are a growing community of believers committed to walking in God’s light.  

A Call for Contributors

Are you a Christian who has experienced the transformative power of faith in overcoming obstacles, spiritual warfare, or confronting the enemy? We are seeking contributors who are ready to share their personal journeys. Your testimony could inspire someone else to break free from bondage and step into God’s purpose for their life.  

If you feel led to share your story, please reply to this post or reach out directly via email at nichollmcguire@gmail.com. Let your experiences be a beacon of hope for others.  

Opportunities Breaking Free: A Call to Christian Believers  

As we step into another blessed year, this blog continues to serve as a sanctuary for Christian believers seeking freedom from energy-draining personal and professional relationships. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the realities of spiritual warfare, this space offers encouragement, tools, and insights for overcoming life’s toughest challenges.  

Life brings trials, but as believers, we are equipped with the armor of God to confront our foes—in God’s perfect timing. Keep your faith strong, pray without ceasing, and trust in Jesus Christ. For those needing deliverance, never hesitate to seek the guidance of professionals in your area who are equipped to assist you on your spiritual journey.  

This blog is a reflection of our collective experiences and victories, and I want to take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed their stories, insights, and prayers. Your testimonies inspire others to persevere, expose the enemy, and stand firm in faith. Together, we are a growing community of believers committed to walking in God’s light.  

A Call for Contributors

Are you a Christian who has experienced the transformative power of faith in overcoming obstacles, spiritual warfare, or confronting the enemy? We are seeking contributors who are ready to share their personal journeys. Your testimony could inspire someone else to break free from bondage and step into God’s purpose for their life.  

If you feel led to share your story, please reply to this post or reach out directly via email at nichollmcguire@gmail.com. Let your experiences be a beacon of hope for others.  

Opportunities for Christian Businesses  

For businesses or individuals interested in reaching this vibrant Christian community, we are also offering ad space. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your faith-based services or products with like-minded believers. Contact us to learn more about how you can partner with us in this ministry.  

Meet the Blog Manager: Nicholl McGuire 

Nicholl McGuire, the manager of this blog, is a self-published author, inspirational speaker, and business owner originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work has been featured on platforms such as CBS and WPXI Channel 11. Nicholl’s passion is empowering others to break free from toxic relationships and to stand firm in their faith.  

Let’s make this year a time of growth, healing, and breakthroughs in Christ. Together, we will continue to inspire, uplift, and support one another as we walk boldly in our faith.  

Blessings,  

Face Your Foe Team

In the Age of Censorship, How Christians Can Spread the Gospel Effectively

The advancement of technology has brought significant changes in the way we interact and communicate with each other. However, as social media platforms grow in popularity, censorship seems to be on the rise, particularly against Christians. Many believers have expressed concerns about their message being flagged, banned, or censored, and as a result, they have been forced to find new ways of communicating the gospel. In today's post, we will discuss several creative ways that Christians can use to share their faith with the world, get funding to start a nonprofit, and what to do if your group is being censored or banned. Additionally, we will explore biblical scriptures about the last days in the book of Revelation.

Creative Ways to Share Your Faith

In a world that's socially connected, Christians have unlimited opportunities to share the gospel with the world creatively. One effective approach is through social media, as we have several platforms to reach out to potential followers. However, creating visual content such as videos, infographics, or memes to accompany the text post can make the message more appealing and engaging. Additionally, hosting webinars, podcasts, and Facebook Live sessions are other great ways to share the gospel. Ultimately, whatever method you choose, remember to be authentic, relatable, and always back up your message with scripture.

Getting Funding to Start a Nonprofit

Starting a nonprofit for the gospel ministry requires financial support and commitment, which may seem daunting for many. However, fundraising has never been easier than it is now, thanks to technology. Online platforms such as GoFundMe, Kickstarter, or IndieGoGo provide easy-to-use fundraising tools that allow you to share your story with potential donors and receive support from your community. Moreover, grant proposals, partnership organizations, and crowdfunding are also great options to consider when starting your nonprofit.

What To Do When You Discover your Group is Being Flagged, Banned or Censored

Censorship is a growing concern and an unfortunate reality that many Christians face when attempting to share their faith. When you discover that your group is being flagged, banned, or blocked, it's essential to first consider why it's happening. Is it due to offensive or inappropriate content, or is it because of your religious beliefs? If it's the latter, consider changing your approach or platform. Use your church or local newspapers to spread your message or connect with other organizations with similar goals. Also, make sure to document the censorship and appeal the decision if possible.

Biblical Scriptures about the Last Days in the Book of Revelation

Lastly, the book of Revelation speaks of a time when the gospel message will be met with resistance and persecution. Revelation 13:17-18, for example, speaks of a time when people will not be allowed to buy or sell unless they have the mark of the beast. Christians will likely face challenges in sharing the gospel, but their perseverance will be rewarded. Revelation 2:10 encourages believers to remain faithful even in the face of persecution and death, promising a crown of life to those who do so.

In conclusion, censorship is a growing concern for Christians worldwide, but it should not deter us from sharing the gospel. We must be creative and innovative in finding ways to share our faith, and getting funding to start a nonprofit is not as daunting as it seems. Always remember to document any censorship and appeal the decisions whenever necessary. Lastly, biblical scriptures remind us of the impending challenges that come with sharing the gospel, but our faith will guide us and help us overcome whatever obstacles we may encounter.

Check out more helpful information on this blog and keep the faith!

Protesting Injustice in the Bible: Lessons on Standing Up for What’s Right

 When we consider the fight against unfairness, we may picture crowds assembling with banners held up high or a passionate speaker advocating for change. The Bible presents instances of individuals boldly opposing inequity despite the challenges and risks involved. 

 

Here are biblical examples of individuals and communities who bravely faced injustice and oppression with determination and truthfulness. Consider their experiences and reflect upon the lessons they can offer us about advocating for righteousness.

 

1. Moses: A Voice for Freedom

 

Think of the courage it took for Moses, a former prince-turned-shepherd, to obey God by going to Egypt’s mighty ruler and demand, “Let my people go” (Exodus 5:1). Facing a king and calling for the end of slavery wasn’t just courageous; it took faith. Yet, with each “no” Pharaoh gave, Moses persisted, knowing that God wanted justice and freedom for His people. Through his leadership, the Israelites gained their freedom—a reminder that faith-driven bravery can be a powerful force for change.

 

2. Shiphrah and Puah: Small Acts of Courage

 

Shiphrah and Puah challenged Pharaoah’s authority. These women were midwives ordered to kill all Hebrew baby boys, but their hearts couldn’t allow such cruelty. Instead, they chose life, saving countless children and defying a king’s order out of devotion to God: “The midwives…did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live” (Exodus 1:17). Occasionally we may think what we are doing is small but learn later that those moves make significant impact. Shiphrah and Puah remind us that standing up to injustice can take quiet courage and deep compassion.

 

3. Nathan’s Confrontation with King David

 

When David, Israel’s beloved king, fell into trouble, the prophet, Nathan, did something most wouldn’t dare try—he confronted the king about his actions. Through a story, Nathan helped David see he was in error and take responsibility for his actions: “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7). Pushing through worry, fear, and stress to speak truth to power, even to friends, can be one of the greatest acts of love. It is an important part of justice.

 

4. Amos: A Call for Social Justice

 

A shepherd turned prophet, Amos, spoke out against the economic injustice and corruption in Israel. He delivered fiery messages condemning the mistreatment of poor people and leadership’s disregard for fairness, calling for justice to “roll on like a river” (Amos 5:24). Amos’ message reminds us that faith is not just about personal devotion but also about caring for the vulnerable and striving for a just society.

 

5. Jesus in the Temple: Righteous Anger Against Corruption

 

When Jesus entered the Temple and saw it overrun by money changers and merchants, he didn’t stay silent. He overturned tables and drove them out, saying, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus’ anger wasn’t reckless; it was a reaction to injustice and the exploitation of people within a sacred space. Sometimes, standing up for what’s right involves passionate, decisive action.

 

6. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Standing Firm

 

These three young men faced the fiery furnace rather than bow to an idol. Despite the threat to their lives, they told King Nebuchadnezzar, “We want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:18). Their defiance was a protest against forced idolatry and a declaration of their faith in God. Their story reminds us to stand firm in our values, especially when under pressure to conform.

 

7. Esther: Risking Everything for Her People

 

A Jewish queen in Persia, Esther, learned of a plot to annihilate her people. She could have stayed silent, safe in the palace, but instead, she risked her life by approaching the king uninvited—a move punishable by death. She courageously declared, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Esther’s protest wasn’t loud, but it was powerful. Her story reminds us that sometimes courage means stepping up for others, even when the risk is high.

 

 Lessons to Ponder

 

The Bible’s stories of protest, courage, and conviction show us that justice often requires us to be brave. Standing up for what’s right isn’t always about big moves. Sometimes, it’s about flying under the radar, like the midwives, or taking a stand within our own communities, like Amos. Other times, it’s about confronting those in power, like Nathan, or taking a step of faith, like Esther.

 

As we face injustices in our nation, these biblical stories remind us that we’re not alone in the struggle. We have a legacy of faith-driven protestors who put their trust in God and acted with courage. Let’s keep their examples close to heart, knowing that in standing up for what’s right, we follow in the footsteps of these faithful, bold people. 

 

Whether it’s in our government, workplace, community, or within our families, each of us can contribute to justice, kindness, and truth.

So-Called Well-meaning Critics Don't Encourage Your Walk with the Lord, They Often Hinder It

Who might be the wicked critic of your faith whether in the open 

or secretly hiding waiting to attack you one day?  

You may want to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this person someone who just spouts off the mouth everything ungodly so as to make me angry enough to sin?  
• Is this critic someone who I can trust, yet when it comes to spiritual matters, he or she is the last person I think about talking to?  
• Is the critic a person who may have a hidden plan to do harm against me, because I believe what I believe and tend to offend him or her with my faith?  

If someone or many come to mind while you ask yourself these questions, than you might possibly have an enemy in your camp.  An evil critic is anyone who opposes, hinders, suppresses, manipulates, criticizes, ostracizes, or speaks evil of your belief system.
  
You might say, “Oh no, not my mom!  Oh no, not my man!  It couldn’t be my lady!  Don’t tell me, my son!”  A critic turned enemy can be anyone!  Now, why would someone who supposedly loves or likes you be so critical of your walk with the Lord whether to your face or behind your back?  Because chances are, you are doing some things that are disturbing their peace of mind, physical location, and convicting their spirit.  Sounds similar to what Jesus did when talking to the Pharisees, huh?  

The more you talk about your experiences believing in the one true God, the more the sinful critic will provide his or her feedback whether on the phone, in-person, by email, text, snail mail, or through someone else.  A sinful critic may even show up on your social networking page or other websites you frequent all-too-ready to leave a negative, demeaning or flippant remark.  Some will say, “I am just giving constructive feedback.”  Sure.

Jealous, wayward Christians, backsliders, apostates, and the godless are not interested in building up believers; rather they are more interested in doing the following:  proving them wrong, making them look like fools, getting a good laugh or tearing down one’s wholesome image.  Watch out Ms. Goody Two-Shoes or Mr. “I’m A Good Man!” the angry critic is waiting for you to slip up.  

In James 4:1-3 (NIV,) fights and quarrels occurred between Christ’s followers due to personal envy and discontent.  “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?  You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” 

Deceptive critics will not share too much about themselves whether online or offline, particularly with believers, for fear that God will reveal flaws in their character.  Therefore, they will use criticism as a distraction to keep the focus off of them an on to others. These critics don’t want godly followers to start praying and guiding them toward Jesus, because many of them feel content without him.  This is why a once very talkative friend is not so social like she use to be since you met Jesus.  This is why some will become easily irritated when you ask, “Would you like for me to pray with you?”  No one wants their flaws exposed even if people already know what they are about.

A loving, sweet, wonderful unbelieving partner may not be so attentive these days to his Christ following wife, because he doesn’t want to hear nor talk about Jesus.  If she should start a spiritual conversation, most assuredly the unsaved partner will start creating a wall around his mind.  There are plenty more examples, like this one, of difficult people who oppose the one choosing to follow Jesus.  How long some of the lost and confused welcome you, all depends on how much more they can tolerate you and your Jesus before they distance themselves from you or push you out of their lives with their mean words.  


Sometimes God will expedite our exit from a bad relationship or friendship before we are ready, leaving relatives, friends and co-workers surprised and offended that we no longer associate with them.  They may say, “What happened?  We use to be so close? You and your brother were like peas in a pod.  What changed that?”  You may respond, “I know, but God is working things out in my life now.”  The critic, who doesn’t like this new you, might comment, “So he’s doing something in you without me in your life, huh!?  I knew you were taking this God thing too far!  God wouldn’t tell you to cut me off!  You are out of your mind!”   

As you learn more about the things of the Lord each day, you may find that there are a number of challenges that you have to overcome personally and professionally.  If you aren’t mindful of who you are in Christ, the devil could set a trap for you which may put you in a place of despair, resentment, frustration and more!  Unfortunately, it’s during these times when we backslide.  

Some of us will obtain something from a former lifestyle in order to make us feel better such as the following:  a strong drink, cigarettes, an ungodly man, an immoral woman, legal or illegal drugs, unhealthy food and desserts, Satanic inspired media, overpriced items, a job that isn’t blessed by God, or do something else to ease our pain at least temporarily.  However, the more and more we get the more and more we want something else!  There is simply no peace when you are unhappy with self and others.  We forget the Scripture sometimes, “Peace, I leave you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you…” (John 14:27).  


When you are feeling most vulnerable, you may find yourself connecting with relatives, friends and acquaintances that are angry, hate-filled individuals, visiting sinful places, or using things that would make your mother question, “Who did I bring into this world?  I know that’s not my child.”  Satan brings problem people and things into our lives, because they get us further and further away from God!  To allow the devil’s foolishness to enter our spirits makes us nothing more than fools!  (Eccles. 10:3) says this about the fool, “Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.”

Backsliding moments in the faith can happen at any time!  You may be acting like Jesus in the morning and the devil by the evening.  When this happens, most backsliders, turned re-dedicated believers, will go to God and repent, yet those so-called saintly types (also known as Pharisees in the Bible) who have been observing fellow believers’ slow decline, like the critics, won’t have any mercy on poor, wayward Christians.  Instead, they will beat repentant believers up with insulting words about their “supposed” renewed faith whether to their faces or behind their backs.  You quickly learn that the church-going relative or friend you thought you were close to is really nothing more than a foe!  


Think for a minute about an old story of a wolf hiding in sheep’s clothes.  The animal sits back and pretends to be a sheep in order to get his next meal.  There are those around you, who pretend, or suddenly have amnesia about their own mishaps, so that they can feed off of your spiritual energy!  For instance, they may say things like, “Pray for me.  Buy this for me.  Take me here.  Do this for me.”  But when you point out some things that God showed you in the spiritual realm about this person, they go into denial.  They don’t want to receive truth.  All they want is for you to be a servant to them, end of discussion.  

If you were to call them out on their ugly behavior, they would most likely say, “You are reading too much into what I’m doing…I would never hurt you…I know you are trying to get your life together.   I am so over that.  I don’t do that anymore.”  But you may say to yourself, “I don’t have much if anything to give and this person isn’t listening to what I’m saying anyway!  I am struggling to walk with God myself.  Why would some relatives and good friends want to use me?”  The answer to that question is quite simple, because they know they can especially if you have a history of doing for them despite all the negativity they have brought to you.
  
When you have fallen away from the Lord, you are weak and the enemy is strong.  Wayward Believers and hypocrites know this about their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ; therefore, they will use you until they can’t use you anymore!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Know Your Enemy The Christian's Critic and Face Your Foe on Confronting the Critics.

Know Thy Evil Critic - You are an Enemy of Those Who Don't Like Your Spiritual Self

Now who might be the wicked critic of your faith whether in the open or secretly hiding waiting to attack you one day?  You may want to ask yourself the following questions, “Is this person someone who just spouts off the mouth everything ungodly so as to make me angry enough to sin?  Is this critic someone who I can trust, yet when it comes to spiritual matters, he or she is the last person I think about talking to?  Is the critic a person who may have a hidden plan to do harm against me, because I believe what I believe and tend to offend him or her with my faith?”  If someone or many come to mind while you ask yourself these questions, than you might possibly have an enemy in your camp.  An evil critic is anyone who opposes, hinders, suppresses, manipulates, criticizes, ostracizes, or speaks evil of your belief system. 

You might say, “Oh no, not my mom!  Oh no, not my man!  It couldn’t be my lady!  Don’t tell me, my son!”  A critic turned enemy can be anyone!  Now, why would someone who supposedly loves or likes you be so critical of your walk with the Lord whether to your face or behind your back?  Because chances are, you are doing some things that are disturbing their peace of mind, physical location, and convicting their spirits.  Sounds similar to what Jesus did when talking to the Pharisees, huh?  

The more you talk about your experiences believing in the one true God, the more the sinful critic will provide his or her feedback whether on the phone, in-person, by email, text, snail mail, or through someone else.  A sinful critic may even show up on your social networking page or other websites you frequent all-too-ready to leave a negative, demeaning or flippant remark.  Some will say, “I am just giving constructive feedback.”  Sure.

Jealous, wayward Christians, backsliders, apostates, and the godless are not interested in building up believers; rather they are more interested in doing the following:  proving them wrong, making them look like fools, getting a good laugh or tearing down one’s wholesome image.  Watch out Ms. Goody Two-Shoes or Mr. “I’m A Good Man!” the angry critic is waiting for you to slip up.  

In James 4:1-3 (NIV,) fights and quarrels occurred between Christ’s followers due to personal envy and discontent.  “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?  You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” 

Deceptive critics will not share too much about themselves whether online or offline, particularly with believers, for fear that God will reveal flaws in their character.  Therefore, they will use criticism as a distraction to keep the focus off of them an on to others. These critics don’t want godly followers to start praying and guiding them toward Jesus, because many of them feel content without him.  This is why a once very talkative friend is not so social like she use to be since you met Jesus.  This is why some will become easily irritated when you ask, “Would you like for me to pray with you?”  No one wants their flaws exposed even if people already know what they are about.

A loving, sweet, wonderful unbelieving partner may not be so attentive these days to his Christ following wife, because he doesn’t want to hear nor talk about Jesus.  If she should start a spiritual conversation, most assuredly the unsaved partner will start creating a wall around his mind.  There are plenty more examples, like this one, of difficult people who oppose the one choosing to follow Jesus.  How long some of the lost and confused welcome you, all depends on how much more they can tolerate you and your Jesus before they distance themselves from you or push you out of their lives with their mean words.  

Sometimes God will expedite our exit from a bad relationship or friendship before we are ready, leaving relatives, friends and co-workers surprised and offended that we no longer associate with them.  They may say, “What happened?  We use to be so close? You and your brother were like peas in a pod.  What changed that?”  You may respond, “I know, but God is working things out in my life now.”  The critic, who doesn’t like this new you, might comment, “So he’s doing something in you without me in your life, huh!?  I knew you were taking this God thing too far!  God wouldn’t tell you to cut me off!  You are out of your mind!”   

As you learn more about the things of the Lord each day, you may find that there are a number of challenges that you have to overcome personally and professionally.  If you aren’t mindful of who you are in Christ, the devil could set a trap for you which may put you in a place of despair, resentment, frustration and more!  Unfortunately, it’s during these times when we backslide.  

Some wayward believers, who are supposed to be new creatures in Christ, will carry something ungodly from their former lifestyles in an effort to make them feel better such as the following:  a strong drink, cigarettes, an ungodly man, an immoral woman, legal or illegal drugs, unhealthy food and desserts, Satanic inspired media, overpriced items, a job that isn’t blessed by God, or do other things to ease their pain--at least temporarily.  However, the more and more we get whether righteous or not the more and more we want something else when our flesh is overriding our spiritual self!  There is simply no peace when you are unhappy with self and others.  We forget the Scripture where Jesus states, “Peace, I leave you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you…” (John 14:27).  

When you are feeling most vulnerable, you may find yourself connecting with relatives, friends and acquaintances that are angry, hate-filled individuals, visiting sinful places, or using things that would make your mother question, “Who did I bring into this world?  I know that’s not my child doing those things!”  

Satan brings problem people and problem things into our lives to tempt, because they get us further and further away from God!  To allow the devil’s foolishness to enter our spirits makes us nothing more than fools!  Eccles. 10:3 says this about the fool, “Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to everyone that he is a fool.”

Backsliding moments in the faith can happen at any time!  You may be acting like Jesus in the morning and the devil by evening when you are distant from your Creator.  When this happens, most backsliders, turned re-dedicated believers, will go to God and repent, yet those so-called saintly types (also known as Pharisees in the Bible), who have been observing fellow believers’ slow decline,  won’t have any mercy on poor, wayward Christians.  Instead, they will beat repentant believers up with insulting words about their “supposed” renewed faith whether to their faces or behind their backs.  You quickly learn that the church-going relative or friend you thought you were close to is really nothing more than a foe!  

Think for a minute about an old story of a wolf hiding in sheep’s clothes.  The animal sits back and pretends to be a sheep in order to get his next meal.  There are those around you, who pretend, or suddenly have amnesia about their own mishaps, so that they can feed off of your spiritual energy!  For instance, they may say things like, “Pray for me.  Buy this for me.  Take me here.  Do this for me.”  But when you point out some things that God showed you in the spiritual realm about them, they go into denial.  They don’t want to receive truth! 

All mean-spirited and selfish critics want is for you to be a servant to them, what better time than a holiday season!  If you were to call them out on their ugly behaviors, they would most likely say, “You are reading too much into what I’m doing…I would never hurt you…I know you are trying to get your life together.   I am so over that.  I don’t do that anymore.”  But you may say to yourself, “I don’t have much if anything to give and this person isn’t listening to what I’m saying anyway!  I am struggling to walk with God myself.  Why would some relatives and good friends want to use me?”  The answer to that question is quite simple, because they know they can-- especially if you have a history of doing for them despite all the negativity they have brought to you. 

When you have fallen away from the Lord, you are weak and the enemy is strong.  Wayward believers and hypocrites know this about backsliding religious and spiritual worldly people; therefore, they will use you until they can’t use you anymore!  Trust in the Lord!

Nicholl McGuire is the blog owner and the author of Know Your Enemy the Christian's Critic and Face Your Foe.

Cut Away, Cut Off What is Constantly Tempting You to Compromise Your Faith

You say you are a Christian.  You believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  You tell others about God and share printed resources and other information about your faith.  Yet, there is just one problem, the more you talk and walk in the godly, the more the enemy comes with just one more thing that places you in a position to question whether you should or shouldn't do something that compromises your faith.

"But that's your friend...you knew these people for years...Why wouldn't you help them?  You know that if you do for them, they will look out for you."  Sound familiar?

For some of you, you may have already done some things that you wish you hadn't and felt like there is no way out of your circumstance.  You may even feel like God is not with you anymore this is why you still work to share the things of God.  But there is a way out of darkness!  Either you cut yourself off from the negative things that bind you or you wait for someone or something to expose you.  God warns us to cut certain people, places, things, habits, and more away.  He tells us to remove ourselves, to do some things differently, but do we always listen?  Sometimes we don't and we learn the hard way.

Nowadays with so many people losing spouses and children, jobs, health, material assets, and more, it can be quite tempting to want to do everything in your power to maintain position, personal fortune, connections, and more.  But does one have to sell or continue to sell his or her soul to the devil?  Absolutely not!  True believers are called to live righteously.  Those who sit in pews on Sunday know better.  We are to not only listen to the word of God, but do. 

So when you know there is something on the inside eating away at your mind, body and spirit and you do nothing about it, know that sooner or later, the work of evil will catch up to you and expose you as a fraud.  Allow the Holy Ghost, left behind by Jesus, to cleanse your mind, body and spirit this day and direct your path according to our Father's wishes.

Say this prayer:

Dear Lord,

I praise you this day and recognize your power.  I am grateful for all that you have done for me.  I know that lately I have not been living right and I ask that you have mercy on me.  Move on my spirit to do what's right.  Give me the courage to cut away or cut off what is keeping me bound in sin.  I ask that you remove the temptations of the devil far away from me.  I ask in Jesus name.  Amen.

Now that you have said the prayer aloud.  I ask that my God cover you in the blood of Jesus and that you begin to start walking righteously again.  As long as you confess and repent from sin, you have nothing to be concerned about.  Put your troubles in God's hands and leave them there!

Have a day of peace and may God bless you for taking some time to acknowledge Him!

Nicholl McGuire author of Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic.  Bible readings and other insightful information can be found on Nicholl's Youtube channel: nmenterprise7.

Husband Turned Enemy: On Confronting a Cheater - spiritual perspective

People love to post the beautiful moments of their lives on Facebook and other social media platforms, but the reality is for some couples, those smiling faces that have withstood the hands of time, have experienced their share of pain. A suffering that most don't share with anyone publicly, infidelity. In the fictional story based on true events, you will read what one woman did when she found out her husband had been cheating.  

Living in a quaint little town, a married couple named Sarah and David had been married for over a decade and were known as a strong and loving couple in their online and offline Facebook community. Sarah was a compassionate and devoted wife, while David was an ambitious and hardworking husband. Sarah posted many photos of the couples smiling faces. She even shared what they both bought one another each Valentine's Day and wedding anniversary completing each post with heart emoji's and hashtags celebrating marital love and devotion. However, their seemingly perfect life was about to take an unexpected turn that those heartwarming photographs did not show.

One sunny afternoon, Sarah received an anonymous letter in her mailbox. Curiosity piqued, she opened it and was stunned by its contents. The letter detailed David's affair with a woman named Rebecca and the shocking revelation that she was pregnant with his child.

Shattered and heartbroken, Sarah couldn't believe what she had just discovered. She felt a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from anger and betrayal to profound sadness. As a woman of faith, Sarah turned to the Bible for guidance on how to handle this devastating situation.

According to biblical principles, confronting a dishonest person involves first seeking the truth and understanding the gravity of the situation. Sarah decided to gather concrete evidence before confronting David. She reached out to a trusted friend who knew Rebecca and discreetly sought more information to validate the claims made in the letter.

Once she had obtained enough evidence, Sarah prepared herself for a difficult conversation with David. She knew that approaching the situation with a heart full of anger would not be constructive. Instead, she decided to follow the biblical teachings of forgiveness, grace, and love.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus taught about the importance of addressing conflicts within a marriage. Sarah decided to speak with David in private, away from distractions and with an open heart. She wanted to give him a chance to explain himself and express his remorse.

When the time came, Sarah gently confronted David, expressing her knowledge of his affair and the existence of the unborn child. She emphasized the pain and broken trust she felt but also conveyed her desire for resolution and restoration. Sarah reminded David of the biblical commandment to remain faithful to one's spouse and the consequences of straying from that commitment.

At this point, it's important to note that biblical principles allow for divorce in cases of adultery, as Jesus mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. However, divorce should never be taken lightly or as the first solution. Sarah understood that reconciliation was an ideal outcome, provided David was truly remorseful and willing to take steps to rebuild trust.

In the weeks that followed, Sarah and David sought counseling from their church and received guidance from a trusted pastor. They engaged in open and honest communication, expressing their emotions, and working towards healing their marriage. David genuinely repented and took responsibility for his actions, proving his commitment to rebuilding their relationship.

It was a long and challenging journey, but Sarah's faith and adherence to biblical principles guided her throughout. Over time, their marriage began to heal, and they discovered a newfound depth of love and trust that surpassed their previous bond.

Sarah's experience taught her the power of forgiveness, the importance of seeking truth, and the value of relying on biblical principles to navigate difficult situations. Through it all, she remained steadfast in her faith, allowing it to guide her decisions and ultimately restore her marriage.

Remember, this is a fictional story, and the guidance provided is based on fictional characters and their circumstances. In real-life situations, seeking the advice of trusted religious leaders, legal counsel and relationship counselors can be valuable in addressing such challenges. It is our hope, here at FaceYour Foe, that one doesn't have to obtain a divorce; however, in instances of emotional and/or physical abuse due to the myriad of emotions that come with adultery, it is an option. God hates divorce, but he also tells us in his word, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Allow God to guide you through this difficult time. Pray for wisdom, direction, strength, love, and a renewed mind, body and spirit to receive peace of mind and clarity.

God bless. 

Know-It-All

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. Proverbs 26:12

Some mature, backsliding believers, new Christians with a college degree, people who love to travel to around the world, and others who spend much time watching TV and reading books are usually guilty of the following, acting like Know-It-Alls. You say, “No, not I…” but most likely, there is someone in your circle that would disagree. Try asking them one day, “Do I act like a know-it all?”

Some believers claim to “know that Scripture already, know that pastor, know this program, know God, know marriage, know parenting…” But if we all knew so much about life, love and everything in between, then what on earth do we need God for? Clearly, none of us knows everything about everything no matter how much education, experience, or years on this planet.

God doesn’t need nor want the Know-It-All in his group. We see evidence of this when Satan desired to be God. What did the Lord do? Cast him and his demons out of heaven. A foe of the faith acts very much like a Know-It-All when he or she is called into question about his or her criticism. “Well I just believe…I have studied many books and watched many programs…I know about your faith, some of my relatives were ministers. No one can tell me anything about that, because I know!” The Know-It-All is ready to do battle when you start to hear that list of “I know” phrases. He or she is most likely starting to sweat under his or her armpits. One’s heartbeat is beginning to increase, the voice is changing, and he or she is ready to defend whatever you throw his or her way even if God is moving you to speak the most eloquent, prophetic words, messages of exhortation or rebuke. The “dignified” type of Know-It-All, educated professional, or someone who simply doesn’t want to cause much of a stir for fear that his or her reputation might be tarnished if he or she acts out of line will be careful what he or she says. Even though this person doesn’t want to hear anything you and your God has to say, he or she isn’t going to stoop low with name-calling, loud-mouthing, and cursing. Rather, he or she is going to either talk in a self-controlled voice posing many questions and defensive comments, digress, excuse his or herself, or remain silent the rest of the conversation, that is, if you don’t do any of these things first. But the unrestrained, free-thinking type of Know-It-All is going to argue, denounce your faith, and might even call you, your family, and anyone like you “liar, confused, false, crazy, weird, strange, loser, uneducated, ignorant, foolish, stupid…” Parents tend to be the first to act this way toward children who call their misdeeds into question. According to Ephesians 6:4, fathers are instructed not to provoke children to wrath and they are to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. But sincerely, how many heads of households are really doing just that? Looking at the many reports of violence in schools, disrespectful youths, and argumentative partners, it is apparent that the father is not living a life influenced by the Holy Spirit.

When you share Scriptures, wisdom from the Holy Spirit and personal experience with the Know-It-All, he or she is busy saying, “I know…yes I know that too. You don’t have to tell me, listen I have been on this planet long enough to know…I don’t need you or any one else telling me a thing about my life.”

So why bother conversing with someone if he or she isn’t open to receiving advice? Why bother venting about your situation, asking questions of others and contributing to the lives of people if all you want is a one-way conversation about “I, me” and “my?” God showed me things about this walk that wasn’t always nice, agreeable and friendly, people were going to fight about all sorts of truth while claiming “to know” something already which oftentimes, I found they really didn’t know, they just didn’t want me to think that they didn’t know. Why would they act this way, because the Lord should they were doing and saying some things that made them an enemy of Him, not necessarily an enemy of me. This is where many of us believers fall away from God, we take what others say personally and don’t permit the Holy Spirit to work through us during those tension filled moments; instead we act weakly, play the same game that the foe is playing, or walk away feeling defeated. The battle isn’t yours or mine with the Know-It-All, it is God’s!

It isn’t any wonder that some of us have a hard time making friends, keeping friends and being a good friend. Our conversations at times are riddled with envy, anger, and an “I am god” philosophy. We are unable to represent Christ well and do his will when we refuse to remove “I” off the throne of God.

Think about this for a moment, you are invited to attend a function and are having a good time with a few friends. Along comes someone who listens intently to what you and your friends are saying. Before you know it, this person interrupts the conversation with a lot of boasting about what he won’t put up with and how you shouldn’t do XYZ, “And that’s why I have a good life because I don’t do this and I don’t do that either!” He then spouts off about his experience in certain subject areas when the question is raised, “Well how did you avoid this and what did you do about that?” After a 45 minute discussion filled with the Know-It-All’s phrases of how good he is and wrong you are, you and your friends are put off by this braggart and head for the exit door.

The Know-It-All Backslider type who “sometimes I feel the Holy Spirit moving,” tends to fall in the category of liar too. Let me explain. This person may not have much knowledge in a certain subject matter, but will pretend like he or she knows a lot even when it is evident that he or she lacks information to speak about certain subjects. Yet, Satan, with his prideful schemes, will convince the weak believer or unbeliever, “You know that already, so why bother listening to this clown? You have connections. You have been places. You have a degree…” Despite all the evidence that warns, “Don’t say anything. If you do, you might end up lying,” the weak-minded will go along with his or her supposed education on the topic. God tells me he sees this sort of behavior over and over again even when men and women believe their thoughts and ways are held in secret. The best defense in any conversation where an adversary is trying to get the best of you or with someone who simply wants to know something say, “I need to learn more about that. I am unfamiliar with that topic. Let me call someone for help.” The conversation ends before it begins, because if the devil intended to use someone to upset you with information, he can’t now because you don’t know anything. Your foe will then find someone else to distress with his or her topic.

The Know-It-All puffs his or herself up; rather than listens to his or her audience. When he or she is not the focal point of a discussion, this person will brag about their spouse, mother, sister, cousin, daughter and anyone else who may have had a difficulty and overcame it so as to appear smart about a subject. “Well that’s nice that your son does so much for you, my children have been wonderful about helping me too. I use to do a lot for my parents too. We are a family that loves helping one another!” The Know-It-All will then add unsolicited tips about things that no one has asked about which makes him or her come off a bit strange. “You might want to try talking to your daughter about this…I think that you would also want to do this too.” Now the listener is put off, “Did I ask this person for his or her opinion/suggestion?”

The Lord told me while writing this, that too much talking, no matter how pleasant, can cause problems—cut your conversation short. There have been those moments when phone calls went out at the right time, interruptions occurred when a discussion should have ended 10 minutes ago, and other experiences too numerous to mention. Sometimes the enemy played a part, but there were times that God was working behind the scenes to keep from something being said that one might later regret.

The braggart, the Know-It-All, the loud mouth, and the comedic type all talk about people and things negatively, but refrain from the kind of discussions that are Holy Spirit led. These individuals, and others like them, will become defensive when confronted about a wrong thought, joke, comment, etc. They will try to quiet the person who’s doing the exposing by pointing out his or her faults while covering their own. “I’m not that bad. At least I don’t do that…I consider myself a good person.” the prideful person brags. Not only is the Know-It-All now a liar, but also a fault-finder too! When confronted about saying hurtful things about others or rebuked for stirring up trouble, he or she will try to justify his or her negative reactions or attempt to rebuke or correct the messenger of the Lord. Usually the Know-It-All, will place blame on the one who exposed him or her on a wrong by saying things like, “I didn’t appreciate the way she said that…He could have spoken to me differently…She should look at her life; instead of looking at mine! That’s why I don’t go to church!”

Sometimes we can be just as guilty as the prideful, braggart type of Know-It-All by talking about everything but our own sins. In 2 Samuel 12, Prophet Nathan rebukes King David by telling him a story about a rich man and a poor man. He tells of a rich man who takes a lamb from a poor man who had nothing despite the rich man having a very large number of cattle. David becomes furious about what had happened. But the prophet explains that the story is about David. “I anointed you king over Israel….why did you despise the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own…” (2 Sam. 12:9, NIV).

Did David argue with the prophet and come up with a long list of all he did good in the world in an effort to justify his evil ways? No. His reply was, “I have sinned against the Lord” (v. 12). David’s actions caused his enemies to hate him resulting in God’s judgment. Sometimes we can do things that will conjure up battles with an enemy. His acknowledgment of sin didn’t keep God from allowing other men from sleeping with his wives in broad daylight and it didn’t prevent the child he bore with Uriah’s wife from dying. David pleaded with God, fasted and prayed, but his son died anyway. We learn later that God blessed him with a second son to Bathsheba named Solomon. Despite his past sins, David didn’t allow them to keep him from continuing to believe and serve the Lord.

The Know-It-All backslider convinces his or herself that “I am alright, I am good” even when the truth of his or her sins are staring him or her right in the face! Rather than put God on the throne, the proud person puts his or herself on the throne. The Know-It-All, when approached about an infraction will use the Holy Bible to support his or her wrong-doing by cherry-picking various text that he or she agrees with while ignoring the convicting truths or this person will digress choosing to focus on others far worse than him or her. As we all know, no one is good, but the Father! Try telling the Know-It-All that and this person will most likely agree, but soon to follow is a long resume of everything he or she has done in life that makes him or her look knowledgeable and important.

Foes of Christ believers don’t like to be “outsmarted.” They always want to be right even when they are wrong.

You may have already learned a lot about God, spiritual gifts, Christ teachings, and other spiritual subject matter. The foe isn’t easily impressed. Instead, the more you know the more likely the enemy will attack you, because he or she may feel insecure or jealous. Watch your delivery when speaking to someone that believes he or she is better than you so that this person can’t accuse you of the same thing.

Your foe may call you a few names, attempt to discredit and ignore you, gossip about you to others, exaggerate the details of a confrontation, or possibly start a fight with you. When King David approached a relative of Saul, he cursed him and threw stones at him, his officials and troops. (2 Sam. 16:5-14). The king could have ordered this man be murdered. One man suggested cutting the man’s head off, but David didn’t encourage such action. Rather he said, “…If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’” (2 Sam. 16:10, NIV). “…Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with the good for the cursing I am receiving today.” (2 Sam. 16:11, NIV). Interesting, centuries later, this story has been used as a lesson repeatedly to show believers how might one deal with a foe.

One who hates the God who lives within you will refuse truth, correction or rebuke in any form, because they don’t want their views to be challenged. A foe, a fellow believer, or someone God has used you to talk to, might not be ready to commit to anything that may impact his or her life no matter how positive, so we can walk away in peace knowing that we said or did all that God wanted us to do for the time being. Know-It-All critics pride themselves on their accomplishments and give sub-par praise to God for all the things that he has done in their lives.

Whatever your message, whether one of uplift, change, or warning, critics will find a way around acknowledging that your advice is good for one’s soul. They may even use your tips and never give credit where credit is due. Even worse, because backsliding Know-It-All critics don’t understand you and how God is using you to help them, they may misinterpret your attitude and mannerisms for being arrogant, rude, obnoxious, self-righteous, controlling or worse demonic. This is why earlier I warned watch your delivery. If you don’t know how to “tone down” your education or spiritual experiences for different audiences when dealing with people such as the poor, uneducated, or those that are not believers in spiritual giftings, then you are headed for trouble! In other words, speak so that others may be able to understand you—meet the unsaved and backslider on their levels. Most of all, pray in your mind while they are insulting you and ask God whether you should be sharing certain aspects of your spiritual walk with them. Some things are only meant to be shared between you and God and no one else. Notice, David didn’t stay in the critic’s presence trying to change the mind of this man who was still cursing him and showering him with dirt after he went away. Instead, David believed God had something to do with the man disrespecting him and looked on the brighter side that God might repay the king with good.

 

Solution:

Too much education tends to make some people act like they are indeed better than others. If you have ever talked to a child for a long period of time, you may notice he or she will begin to feel bored. His or her little mind just isn’t catching hold to what you are saying. You might start talking down to the child, slowing your speech, even acting impatient or frustrated with him or her because the little person has misunderstood you. When a child notices an adult acting in these ways with him or her, eventually they stop listening. Well, this same concept holds true when we talk to adults, if we consider ourselves very knowledgeable about a subject, we may talk far too much about it, get easily irritated when someone isn’t catching on, argue, cut people off in conversation, or trail off in subject areas the person listening has no understanding. When we notice ourselves doing this, we have to learn to bring our conversation back home—stay focused on the topic at hand. We also have to remember to end the conversation as soon as possible, so as to give the person listening time to digest what he or she has heard. Otherwise, if we don’t allow that quiet time, rest assured the critic will look at us with a confused expression, start sighing, make excuses to leave our presence, complain about “you’re talking too much” or become distracted with something else.

A look back…

You may have a bachelor, masters and/or a doctorate degree in a wide variety of subjects and you may even talk like it. When you bombard unbelievers with a large amount of information and explain your points using words that someone would have to use a dictionary to look up, this can easily frustrate them.

Think of a time when you were confused by someone who couldn’t explain a simple message in laymen’s terms. You may not have wanted to bother to read your Bible because what they were telling you was just too complex to understand. Learn to adjust your message for different audiences.

Scripture Reference

Proverbs 14:12

Proverbs 20:6

Proverbs 30:12

Luke 16:15

Isaiah 64:6

Matthew 23:30

Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for not delivering your messages in ways that are easily understood with patience and love. You have called me to teach the unbeliever and encourage my brother and sister in Christ. Please help me to be a better teacher in Jesus name.

What to Wear to Church and Other Places of Faith

A place of worship is just not the place to wear items that head turn, distract, or misrepresent who you are.  Just like you wouldn't wear certain things to work, you would exercise the same caution when attending a church or similar place where the focus is on one's personal faith and not on self and others.  So what to wear to a church setting?

Most respectable women wear long skirts or dress slacks depending on the type of congregation.  They don't display a lot of skin and wear light make up and accessories or none at all.  Men usually dressed in clean clothes and look like they are going to work or to a formal event once again based on the kind of church they attend.  From Dockers to jeans or shorts (those that cover thighs), casual churches tend to be quite laid back about how their members dress. 

Some people of faith will think twice about advertising anything like a sports team, popular cliché statements, graphic tees, or something else that takes away from the purpose of gathering together in the first place.  Minimal attention given to your wardrobe is especially important if you are not one for drawing people to you.  Yet, there are those individuals that don't bother to think about the kind of people they are attracting when they wear things like Yoga pants with the outline of their private areas in plain view or form-fitted shirts where all the world can see things they would prefer not.

Take some time to look at what people wear that have attended the church for quite some time like the leadership or staff if you are still quite confused on what to wear.  Are they dressed in their Sunday best, casual, or is there a mix of attire?  Of course, many well-meaning believers will say, "Come as you are..." However, once again be mindful of your appearance.  That statement isn't meant for visitors to take advantage and dress inappropriately.

Nicholl McGuire is the owner and manager of this blog.

Fault Finder

These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude 1:16

 

Anytime a person experiences something that stimulates his or her five senses (taste, touch, see, hear, smell, and feel) he or she has to tell someone about it. “Did you know…Have you heard…Did you try?” Well people will do this same thing when it comes to one’s relationship with Christ. He or she must tell someone about one’s spiritual experience, invite others to visit a certain church, and encourage them to do other spiritually related things. We also see evidence of this in the Scriptures. Disciples traveled far and wide to spread the gospel. They were ridiculed and tortured for their beliefs and were faced with government ordinances designed to keep their mouths shut about Christ.

 

When your enemy can’t shut you up, he or she is going to find faults with you and your ministry. Then this person may use those closest to you to get you to be less vocal, consider a different way of doing things, and hopefully get you to think like he or she whether right or wrong. These may seem like petty attacks against your walk with the Lord, but they are attacks that are designed to systematically get you to doubt your faith, to slow you down when it comes to doing the things of God and eventually get you to sin so that you will be filled with regrets and have no desire to want to work for God again. While you are feeling at an all-time-low, those that you were ministering to will either continue to seek after the Lord or will abandon their faith, because your faults will appear greater than the holy teachings.

The difficult person determined to destroy your reputation for one reason or another will remind you of your past, talk about the way you look, discuss the way you treat or mistreat relatives and friends, how you spend your money, your social affiliations, your interests, the places you visit during your free time and so on all because he or she doesn’t want to receive a truth that God may have inspired you to share. The more information an enemy knows about you, the more he will use what he knows against you to get you to back off. You may be angered about the way a person is or isn’t handling a matter, you might expose this person and when you do, you must be prepared for the backlash. Put yourself in your fault-finding foe’s shoes for a moment, “I don’t like this Christ believer. I am tired of this person talking to me. I don’t want to do what he tells me to do. If he says just one more thing to me, I am going to tell him a thing or two!” No one who is at fault who finds fault wants to be told about their faults. Make sense?

Now sometimes believers can actually use others’ faults to appear like they have a close relationship with the Lord. “She is a terrible person! She doesn’t keep her house clean. That’s why I pray for her, because I know if it wasn’t for God I would be like her.” Some believers might even boldly brag about what they do and don’t do in an attempt to get you to stop what you are doing for the kingdom of God. “If I were you,” the braggart, fault-finding believer says, “I wouldn’t help her or even talk to her. But if you do, I wouldn’t mention anything about God.”

When you are beginning to open up to someone who you may or may not know is a fault-finder, this person has a way of criticizing you through his or her questions; yet, appearing like he or she cares about you. “Aren’t you still angry at your parents—you know you have a temper? Think about that before you teach children. Did you ever get over your addictions, I mean you seem like you are okay, but the other day you seemed out of it maybe all those years of drug use tend to make you act strange? You might not want to talk to folks about your past. Is God really using you to help with the ministry, I mean you don’t read that well? I recall you are divorced, right, so why would God use you to give couple’s relationship tips?” Notice this fault-finding Christian is listing what’s wrong with his or her fellow brother and sister in Christ to illustrate a point like the following. “I don’t want any competition and you aren’t good enough to walk with God much less be a part of our ministry.” For some believers, they would buckle under the criticism and vow never to attempt to join a ministry ever again.

The fault-finder is described in Jude 1:16 (NIV), “These men are grumblers and fault-finders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” Evil workers will criticize you in the same breath while complimenting you. If they hope to receive something from you, they will tone down their criticism. Now if they can’t find any obvious faults with you, they will make things up. Take for instance the following Scripture, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping,” 2 Peter 2:3 (NIV).

There are those individuals who defend every thing they do even when they are in the wrong. They exhaust themselves and those around them with all their excuse-making. Notice Jesus didn’t orchestrate a public relations campaign for himself. He could have hurt everyone in his path who criticized his actions, but he didn’t. He used his gifts for good. As believers, this is what we must do, use our gifts for good. God will avenge our enemies.

Fault-finders are deceptive. Jesus had many critical people following himself and others. One Pharisee named Simon was determined to find fault with Jesus after hearing him speak that he invited him to dinner. While having dinner, a sinful woman showed up and kissed Jesus’ feet and poured costly perfume on them. Simon immediately jumped to conclusions about Jesus because he had permitted the ungodly woman to touch him. However, Jesus used a parable about forgiveness to make a point with Simon and then politely told the proud Pharisee about the way he treated him when he came into his home. Simon had not treated Jesus like an honored guest, yet the sinful woman had. The Messiah told the woman that her sins were forgiven and to go in peace.

In another example, when the four men tore up the roof and let the crippled man down to be healed by Jesus, witnesses criticized Jesus for forgiving that man’s sins. When I read these biblical passages, I couldn’t help but think that many of us, who God is using to fulfill his will, are being scrutinized by people that should know better. These fault-finders are our brothers and sisters in Christ. In James 4:11-17 we are instructed to “not speak evil of one another”, not to judge as if we are God, and not to boast.

Now confronting one who has committed an offense is different from judging and so many confuse the two. They holler, “Don’t judge…” when they are being reprimanded. Mistie Shaw, a personal development writer on Suite101.com, wrote, “Jesus was very careful to distinguish between the way he treated religious people and ordinary folk…” she cites the woman at the well situation as an example. She adds, “…when his (Jesus) beloved disciples did something contrary to Jesus’ teachings, he did not ignore it. Jesus responded, sometimes with a gentle chiding word, sometimes a stronger rebuke or reprimand, but his correction always matched the severity of the infraction.” She provides Luke 8:22-25 for further study.

Some Christians have and are still working on the dark side—performing evil works for others behind the scenes while using Jesus and the church as a front. As much as some would like to hurt those who have hurt them by pointing out their faults, they don’t, because they remember their past. One commentor, arguy1973, in a forum about confrontation on City-Data.com wrote, “The way I see it…when someone (Christian) is in the wrong…the Holy Spirit is gonna convict them…just like when I come under conviction…for doing/saying something I shouldn’t have said or done.” But what the commentor fails to realize, not every believer hears from the Holy Spirit or reads the Bible often, now what? Do we let him or her continue to cause conflict amongst the brethren? Of course, not. Another commentor, Tricky D, shared, “I only confront people when they ask for help. I try to help them with making a decision. I always apeak my mind but he is responsible for his own actions. If he does or does not take my words to heart it is not my responsibility.” Consider this, what if the brother or sister refuses to ask for help and proceeds to go on with a plan that you know is not beneficial to him or his family, then what? For some believers, they remain quiet and let the person hang themselves. Most likely, the one who could have spoken up will feel saddened if something bad happens to that person who he or she could have advised whether that person wanted the help or not.

We frequently have to remind ourselves that we are accountable to God. We must consult with wise counsel and trust in the Lord when we are tempted to hurt someone because of what they say to or about us.

Loved ones’ comments hurt the most. It may take a long time for you to get over some things they have been said because you keep going around the same people who refuse to stop insulting you! According to Ephesians 4:22-32, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Some people are setting themselves up to sin simply because they keep listening to others tell them what they consider is the “right thing to do” but all the while they insult believers by talking about how much of a fool, stupid, crazy, or dumb they are since walking with God. How might a believer respond to this sort of negative commenting? Well Ephesians 4:29-32 warns us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Satan would love for us to react to both the saved and unsaved evily. But we are told in the same passage of scripture, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Now some might feel that this is a weak way to respond to a loud-mouth, cursing fool; however, if you follow the precepts of the Bible you will not only present yourself as one who is a sincere believer in Christ, but you will also keep your own sanity in the process. Think of how many people overreacted to a confrontation and ended up in jail or worse murdered!

Most often what we as human beings believe is right when interacting with others, is really wrong and what we might believe is wrong is really right. For instance, a loved one might say, “Fasting is crazy! I know you do it, but I couldn’t give up any food. Besides, how is it going to help you, you love to eat? You know the last time you tried to do it, how long did that last?” Is this person being very encouraging? But some believers receiving such criticism would continue to converse and visit this unsupportive person even during a fast.

Distance yourselves from foolish people critical of the things of God. Don’t share what you do for God with others who are not interested nor obedient to the will of the Lord. Continue to focus on the things of God in spite of critical people. In 1 Samuel 17:28, David’s oldest brother Eliab had criticized him for discussing with nearby men what might happen if one should kill a Philistine who was an enemy of Israel. Despite his brother’s lack of respect (he hadn’t let him speak) and his discouraging words, David spoke to other men. The Bible says that what he had said to the men was overheard and reported to Saul and Saul met with David. The young boy said to the king, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him” (I Sam. 17:32, NIV). Sometimes God will put us in the right place at the right time so that we can assist others despite what our past looks like, how young or old we might be, and who might think we aren’t qualified to accomplish a task.

Ask the Lord to protect you and the fault finder from all harm and danger, because chances are if you stay around a person like this long enough, you might find yourself in trouble for physically harming this person. Ask the Lord for some patience and love for people like this.

Fault-finders are usually critical not only of believers, but others as well whether they are saved or not. It is unfortunate that one day someone, who isn’t as long-suffering as you might hurt that critical individual.

A foe will find fault with everyone else but themselves.

Have you ever noticed someone well-dressed, but then after awhile of studying them you notice something is out of place? You may mention your findings to this person then again you might not, because you don’t want the critic to start pointing out your short-comings. Difficult people tend to act irrationally when their flaws are pointed out, and if they are familiar with your life, they might bring up your past mistakes or talk about how you are presently living. It’s their way of getting off the hot seat and putting you on it.

No one likes to see their faults presented in front of them so in order to save face, critical individuals will take cover by putting you down.

For instance, a fault-finder might talk about the way you look. “What’s up with your hair? Why do you dress like that? I would never wear that!” Some will act rudely when commenting about one of your flaws because they refuse to accept your advice or rebuke. Although the comment has nothing to do with what you said, for some difficult people it just makes them feel better to talk down or about you, because “you had no business talking to me about what God told you!” In this example, let’s say the fault-finder was dressed inappropriately at a church event, he or she says, “You told me about my skirt being too short, but look at your out-dated clothing.”

“What’s wrong with what I look like? I’m not tempting anyone’s husband by dressing in long skirts and making sure my chest is covered.”

“Everything is wrong! You ought to update your wardrobe.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say, considering my wardrobe is modern.”

“Well I’m just being honest.”

No. What the fault-finder is really doing is covering up his or her hurt feelings for being admonished for dressing badly. Now the fault-finder turned liar might be on a path toward God’s wrath. The Lord uses people to reprove, rebuke, and exhort brothers and sisters in Christ. This person doesn’t want to admit that she was wrong for dressing a certain way around married men. Therefore, she is going to find fault with someone who is trying to help her.

Solution:

Think about the disputes you have been in with people who seemed to agree with what you are saying at first, but then uncomfortable, negative emotions and thoughts begin to set in their hearts and minds. When this happens, you know what is going to occur next, he or she is going to start finding fault with you. “Well remember when you said…well that didn’t happen that way and I can recall a time when you did…” People who feel guilty, bad, angered, or uncomfortable about something they are doing will feel as if their back is up against the wall. As believers, the last thing we want to do is keep them there. Let the difficult person walk away or you dismiss yourself from his or her presence. You don’t have to provide detailed explanations about your life. If anything, you can remind him or her how you overcame and how the individual can do the same.

Listen to the fault-finder just to see if anything they are saying is valid. Then take what they say to the Lord in prayer and ask him to give you some wisdom when dealing with this person in the future.

A look back…

Some of us use to do this and others are still doing it, finding fault with everyone else but ourselves. You may recall times you wanted to believe everything that individuals in your life said, but you couldn’t overlook his or her past. What they use to do and who they are presently is no longer an issue for them but it may still be a problem for you.

People who are focused on what others’ weaknesses are tend to have low self-esteem, jealous, bitter, and angry. Some of these personality challenges we will examine from a spiritual perspective elsewhere in this book. Unlike God, flawed human beings don’t look beyond our faults.

Scripture Reference

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

2 Corinthians 5:10

John 8:7

Philippians 2: 3-4

Prayer

Search my heart Lord and show me my faults. Give me the strength and courage to deal with my short-comings. Help the one who has criticized me. Show this person his/her faults and put away his/her prideful heart. If I have said some things that hurt this person, cause me to make wrongs right in Jesus name.

10 Practical Tips on How to Study the Bible

As a new believer it may be difficult to study the Holy Bible due to time constraints, distractions, and other things that hinder you from focusing on the word of God. Here are some tips on studying the Bible. The more you use them, the further you will grow in your relationship with your Creator.

1. Set aside a specific time each day to study the Bible. Make it a priority.

2. Find a quiet place where you can focus and won't be interrupted.

3. Begin with prayer, asking God to guide your understanding of his Word.

4. Read slowly and carefully, taking time to ponder what you're reading.

5. Don't just read the Bible; meditate on it and apply its truths to your life.

6. Use a good study Bible that will help clarify difficult passages.

7. Join a Bible study group or take a class on biblical interpretation.

8. Be patient as you study; understanding comes gradually as you grow in your faith.

9. Read the Bible in its entirety, from Genesis to Revelation. Don't skip around.

10. Remember that the Bible is living and active, and it will transform your life if you let it.

it need not be complicated when studying the word of God. If you should find that someone is creating tension or frustration when you are learning more about God, that may be a person you may want to distance yourself from. 

Pray and watch for wolves in sheep‘s clothing in group settings that might be creating intentional challenging situations that create quarreling and division while you are growing spiritually. You may in time have to separate yourself from the group and be led by the Holy Spirit to one that is maturing in the faith as you are. Staying stagnant among lukewarm Christians is contrary to God’s purpose and plan for your life.

Be mindful of what you share with others about your spiritual gifts, insight, personal, and professional life. In addition, be prepared for wayward believers and backsliders who will not like your reading from the Bible or conversing with others about the Scriptures. Limit your conversations with them especially during times of spiritual fasting, family loss, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations. Members of your own family can be enemies of yours rather quickly when they refuse sound doctrine. 

Be blessed.

Nicholl McGuire shares wise teachings for both new and mature believers on nmenterprise7.com She also is the owner of this blog.