Despite the Bible’s clear narrative and statements about who Satan is and what his destiny will be, writers, filmmakers, and thinkers have created false narratives about him. One of the biggest meta-narratives about the Devil is that he is or will be the king of Hell, and that he and his demons are responsible for dolling our punishment for people being punished there.

God used the Apostle Paul in a mighty way. He planted many churches, shared the Gospel all around the Mediterranean, and discipled young, future pastors who would go on to spread the Gospel even further. Another key way God used Paul was in the writing of letters inspired by the Holy Spirit that became part of the Bible, God’s book where He communicates His will.

Paul’s writings were not just one message to one audience, rather because they were letters, God was able to address different issues, concerns, theological topics, and provide encouragement through these letters. Paul wrote a total of 13 letters that were canonized into the New Testament. Most of them were written to congregations, three were written to young men he was discipling in the ministry, and one to a believer with whom he needed to address a serious subject.

Understanding the Pauline Epistles to the churches, who their audience was, and what Paul was trying to communicate can provide needed context that can clarify how the subject matter can be applied to the Christian life today.

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Manifestation, the act of willing one’s desires into reality, is not found in the Bible, potentially taps into the realm of the demonic, and ultimately allows someone to set themselves up as their own god.

In the heavens, God is served and worshipped by spiritual beings who are very different from humans, yet humanity often depicts them as large, winged versions of people. These beings are angels, which were created by God at some time before the earth was made. They act as messengers, heralds, and guardians, as defenders, and as worshippers of the one true God.

Since they have a role to play in God’s plan for eternity, they are mentioned in the Bible. Yet there is a great deal of mystery about them. While the Bible is not silent on angels, we are given glimpses that can teach believers today about angels, what exists beyond the veil, and the nature of God.

Here are 14 verses about angels, and the lessons these verses teach believers.

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Just because many people of Jewish descent have rejected Jesus, that does not mean God has turned His back on them. One of the beautiful prophecies in Revelation is that many Jews will turn to their true Messiah, and that Christ will rule and reign during the millennium kingdom from Jerusalem, taking His rightful place on the throne of David.

One of the great mysteries of this life that will be answered in eternity is how the delicate balance between God’s sovereign will and man’s free will act in balance toward the end of all things. The Bible is clear that God is in control, sovereign over the rise and fall of nations and empires. At the same time, men chose sin, evil, war, tyranny, and rebellion.

When trying to sort through this great question, we run up against one of the more complicated moments in history – the American Revolutionary War. When framed through the lens of standing up against tyranny, striving to create a nation based on rights, and seeing the Constitution through a Judeo-Christian framework, it seems appropriate and justified. But aren’t there verses about not rebelling against the authority God put in place? Is starting a war sinful?

By examining the historical records of what the colonists believed at the time, and looking at God’s Word, it is possible to unpack this complicated question.

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For someone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternal life and has the Holy Spirit indwelling, they can rely on God to help them grow in discipline in both personal and spiritual matters.

Samuel spent his life in service to the Lord, setting a great example for anyone who wants to live a life that pleases God. He was used for leadership, prophecy, and wisdom. For anyone seeking to understand how God calls every person uniquely and individually, studying the life of Samuel can clarify how that happens, and allow someone, in combination with prayer, to discover their calling.

There are many ways to clearly communicate the truth. In the Bible, God uses prophecy, poetry, wisdom narrative, parables, and direct statements to communicate His will, His plans, and His truth. Because the various books that compose the Bible were written at different times, sometimes the cultural significance of something changed, but that doesn’t mean God didn’t use it. Salt is one of the things used in God’s Word to symbolically communicate certain truths that means something different depending on the context.

Whether it represents something difficult to swallow or accept, or the enhancement of something good, salt’s common usage across the globe makes it easy to identify and understand. While there have been times when salt had tragic connotations, for believers today, salt is a positive aspect of the Christian life.

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While there are pros and cons to this structure, its creation makes memorization more accessible and allows for a more universal experience for believers all over the road to study God’s Word.

Boaz is a picture of a godly man who always sought to do the right thing. Understanding the nuances of his life can be a good way to learn about how God can use people for His purposes. 

In order for people to know Him, God reached out to humanity in many ways. He speaks through the Holy Spirit; God the Son took on flesh and lived as a man; He left His fingerprint all over nature. Finally, He left the Bible as a written account of His plan. It also gives insight into His character. 

This blessing assured the soon-to-be nation of Israel that if they loved Him and kept His ways, He would bless them with good food, an abundance of water, and health. This covenant with the nation of Israel gives insight into the patterns of strength and weakness, and can encourage believers today as an assurance of God’s love, though it does not apply to the church the same way.

This verse, especially once someone understands God’s purpose, can bring great comfort. It is possible to know that God works all things out for the good of those He calls to His purposes.