Olympic athletes train for years to compete at the highest levels. They discipline their minds and bodies, rearranging their whole schedule to reach that pinnacle of sport. But even those with the greatest talents can develop bad habits. Poor time management, insufficient training, and distractions of life keep an athlete from the goal. Great talent requires great discipline for a person to become their best.  

The Bible compares the Christian life to an Olympic athlete, part of the Greek and Roman culture, even then. The apostle Paul writes that we must “run in such a way to get the prize,” developing discipline and self-control (1 Corinthians 9). The metaphor breaks down a bit, since athletes train for a crown which will fade, but Christians seek a heavenly one. In Hebrews 12:1, the writer encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” so we can run the race before us with perseverance.

While we might agree with these ideas, some habits sneak in on us. Hebrews points out a difference between things that hinder and outright sin. With believers, the Devil often tempts us with neutral things, distractions, instead of outright sin. We then develop habits that might seem innocuous, yet they keep us from fulfilling our calling in Christ.

Here are eight sneaky habits that stunt our spiritual growth.

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We are saved by grace alone in that only God’s power becomes the source of our salvation, not our own. But “grace alone” doesn’t mean grace works apart from faith, Christ, truth, or hope. Grace doesn’t save apart from Jesus, revealed through faith and God’s written Word.

Covenant theology reminds us how the Christian life doesn’t depend upon us or what we do, but on what God has promised and will accomplish.

Beginning with Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, the Protestant Reformation began. Protestants like Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli critiqued the Catholic Church practices like indulgences. These reformers sparked religious wars and divisions across Europe, challenging the Catholic Church’s authority and leading to the establishment of various Protestant denominations. 

Many of those Protestant denominations developed into modern Evangelicalism, which has swept much of America. Through extensive mission work, Evangelicalism has become one of the major Christian representations, perhaps the most vocal and extensive. 

These two branches of Christianity (Catholic and Protestant) became separate and sometimes hostile towards each other over the centuries, to the point where many Protestants and Evangelicals may not fully understand the differences between what they believe and how Catholicism is different. In many ways, these two groups have similarities, but there are significant differences.

Here are 7 ways Catholicism is different from Christianity.

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Pentecost wasn't just a moment in history. Learn how it bridges Old Testament promises with New Testament power.

Following Jesus will cost you something—but what you gain in Him is far greater than anything you could ever lose.

In the Western world, we are used to seeing churches in most towns and cities. But they weren't always there. How exactly did the early church spread from one single preacher in ancient Jerusalem? Together, we'll take a cursory look at the birth of the Church, and our responsibility to continue helping its growth today.

We can’t go anywhere these days without running into Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our computers and phones use it in their operating systems. Websites and search engines operate with them, and most chat options are AI bots answering questions. Industries from education to content writing and entertainment wrestle with the limits of and input by AI.

AI can be a good tool. It can help us find information quickly, organize ideas, and streamline certain administrative tasks. Whether researching topics or solving practical problems, AI can add real value and save time. 

At the same time, we must recognize its limits, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. 

Tools can’t replace relationship, and relationship sits at the heart of Christianity. God calls us into fellowship with him and other believers. The Holy Spirit guides, teaches, corrects, and leads us in truth through relationship, speaking to us by his voice. No system or technology can take the place of this. Also, God provides pastors, mentors, and other believers with supernatural gifts to comfort us and encourage us. 

We can use AI as a resource. However, here are 7 reasons we should be wary of seeking spiritual guidance from AI.

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Jesus' ministry and message is meant for all people. That means that He couldn't stay in one place and preach, He had to hit the road! So get out your maps and get ready to trace the Lord's ministry from Galilee to Capernaum to Jerusalem and beyond.

For a new Christian, or anyone starting to read Scripture for the first time, the Bible can feel overwhelming at first. You open the pages of this thick book and see a bunch of books written across centuries by different authors. There are several genres, including history, poetry, and teaching. Where should you begin? 

There’s good news when looking at where to begin. The Bible offers many strong entry points to introduce you to who God is and help you step into the larger library we call the Bible. Some books give you a direct look at Jesus’ life and teaching, while others explore why he came at all. Others help you grow in wisdom and daily living. 

Each starting place is unique, but all will lead you to the same truth, the story of God who sent his Son to save the world. 

1. Gospel of John

The Gospel of John is one of the most popular starting points suggested by pastors and leaders. John clearly introduces Jesus with purpose and depth. John doesn’t start with a genealogy; he opens up with a masterful declaration that Jesus is the eternal Word who was with God and is God. This lays a foundation of awe and wonder for the whole book, providing eternal context for the narratives within. Jesus wasn’t just a good man, a teacher, or a prophet. He was God in human form. 

The rest of John supports this introduction. We encounter Jesus in amazing signs and wonders and heartfelt personal moments. He turns water into wine, heals the sick, and raises the dead. Christ does these things while teaching deep spiritual truths. John intentionally chooses these moments to bring evidence of Jesus’ love, divine nature, and mission. 

We also read how Jesus spoke in powerful and memorable statements like “I am the bread of life” and “I am the good shepherd,” both with complex connections to the Old Testament. The words of Jesus help us understand his role as the one who leads and saves us. One of John’s main themes includes right belief, inviting us to trust Jesus and receive eternal life. 

Finally, John’s gospel expresses the greatness of God’s love. Jesus came to dwell with us to reveal the Father and give his life for our restoration. 

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In the Creation account, Scripture mentions the firmament when God separates the waters above from the waters below. Critics say this proves the Bible is untrustworthy when compared to modern scientific knowledge, but is that true?

People love movies. We talk about them with friends, post online about our favorites, or express frustration when we pay for a movie that stinks. Movie stars enjoy privileged status, even great influence. Many may not remember, but we had a movie actor, Ronald Regan, become a president in 1980. Movie studios and streaming services make billions a year pumping out content. 

While many see consumeristic entertainment, hollow and empty, even corrupt and hedonistic, there’s a reason we love movies. 

We were created to be part of one.

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Animal sacrifices in the Old Testament provided a temporary covering for sin and reminded God's people of their need for a perfect, eternal sacrifice. God even called Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at one point. But rest assured, living sacrificially today doesn't involve any death! Except death to self and our own desires.

The Western Church has, over time, perhaps over-intellectualized Christianity. When we look at our Bibles, we see epic tales of loss and triumph, love and heartbreak, lives, cities, and nations transformed. These stories connect with people on a deep level, and are an excellent entry point into gospel conversations.