“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

Truth matters. AND, kindness matters.

It is quite possible to declare the truth in a completely offensive way. It is absolutely possible to say the right things, but to say it in such a way where no one wants to hear it.

Therapists say that couple fight more over how something is said than over what is said. You can say the same thing in a way that honors the person you are speaking with, or you can say the same thing in a way and a tone that demeans to person you are speaking to.

More couples argue over the tone of what is said than over the content.

It is quite possible to be absolutely orthodox – have the right beliefs and understandings – and be a complete jerk.

Don’t be a jerk.

Once heard a wise person say, “Don’t be a porcupine. You’ve got a lot of good points, but nobody wants to be around you.

Don’t be a porcupine. That’s good advice. Pay careful attention to your tone of voice and how you are speaking to the people around you.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 5:10).

There is only one Holy Spirit. If we are not being led and guided by the Spirit, we are being led and guided by satan’s demons. Either we are living according to God’s guidance and truth, or we are being influenced by demonic forces.

Before you start thinking your pastor has gone off his rockers with all this talk about demons and such, let me explain. The Bible tells us that “satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). satan and his demonic forces don’t show their true selves because if they did, we would all freak out and turn away. So, satan and his demons disguise themselves as something good, something desirable.

Not one time in the Bible does satan show up demanding our submission and obedience. Not one time does satan and his demons show up tempting people to hate and turn away from God. No. satan and his demons are much more crafty than that. They don’t demand hatred of God. satan and his demons show up making us question God.

• Does God really know what is best for you?
• Don’t you think you know better than anyone, including God, what is best for you and what you desire the most?
• I know what God says, but what does your heart say? What is your heart telling you to do?
• What God is asking is unreasonable…it’s too difficult…it’s too demanding.

satan and his demons disguise themselves under the guise of self-autonomy. satan and his demons want to convince people that they know better than God, that God is trying to make life more difficult than necessary. And once God is replaced by the self as the ultimate determiner of truth and good, satan wins.

The guide for disciples has always been – what has God declared? What has God written?

There is only one Holy Spirit. If we are not being led and guided by the Holy Spirit, we are being guided and led by satan’s demonic forces.

Who are you listening to? Seek God’s truth. What has God written?

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

THERE IS NO PERFECT CHURCH.

Not one.

Not ever on this side of heaven.

So, forget about finding the perfect church – the search for one will leave you ever dissatisfied with every existing church on planet earth, AND the search for one will leave you as an immature disciple.

The search for the perfect church will leave you forever dissatisfied because such a church doesn’t exist. And in the pursuit of the perfect church, you will be disappointed with every single church you come across. The second thing that will happen is, because you will not be committed to a particular congregation and her people to serve, you will remain perpetually immature as you search. Part of what it means to grow up and mature as a disciple is to deal with and overcome with grace, difficult people and situations. When you keep hopping from one church to another looking for the perfect one, you cannot grow because you will never put your faith into practice when you remain a critic of every single congregation you come across.

Instead, find a congregation who pursues a perfect God and a congregation who obeys God’s truth revealed in God’s word. That’s the only criteria you should have when looking for a church – are they pursuing God and are they obeying God’s truth revealed in God’s word. That’s it. That’s the only thing you should be looking for.

Once you find such a church, get plugged in and start serving. You will soon discover a congregation and a people who are imperfect and in need of God’s grace as much as you do.

Now, read the verse of the day again – Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”