Ben grew up around faith. Christianity wasn’t new to him — it was woven into his family. Church was consistent. Scripture was familiar. But faith still required a choice. Ben shares how addictions in his family forced him to confront a hard question: Who am I going to be? He had to decide whether he would repeat what he had seen or live differently. His story is steady and sincere — a reminder that even when faith is part of your heritage, obedience is still personal. Listen to Ben's story below!

In 2017 while preaching in Southeast Texas, I was reminded about the great love and generosity of God’s people! Our congregation had been hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. At least 30 members lost their homes. Despite the devastation all was not lost. God’s people reached out from all around the country to assist. Money was given from individuals and churches. Christians travelled from around the country to help us to rebuild. Brethren at our congregation sacrificed time, energy, and money to help the saints. Sometimes people ask, “Why do I need to be a part of a local congregation? Why can’t I just do Christianity by myself?” What I witnessed in 2017 was a strong reminder of why. Christians need one another. There were many Christians who were hurt because of the storm. Not physically, but rather emotionally and mentally. Members were weary and discouraged. The church became a place of comfort and encouragement for them. We sang, prayed, cried, and rebuilt houses together. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Brethren helped those who were weak and fainthearted, 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Our elders tended to the flock both physically and spiritually. In Acts 2, we see when and where the church was established. We also see what the church is. The church isn’t brick and mortar, it’s not a fancy auditorium, but rather people who have been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light through obedience to the gospel, 1 Peter 2:9; Acts 2:38. The church that Jesus established is not to be an afterthought, Matthew 16:18. Those in the body of Christ serve Christ as King! It’s hard to imagine what 2017 would have been like without the church. When we say “unchurched” we are referring to those who do not generally attend or are part of a congregation. These individuals don’t have much interest being a part of a local congregation. Barna Group said this concerning the unchurched in a 2014 article: “Today’s unchurched are much less likely to come from a church background than ever before. Furthermore, unchurched people today have different expectations of church involvement from those of previous decades. These changes are the result of shifting personal attitudes as well as significant changes in the broader cultural landscape. In other words, in spite of our “Christian” self-descriptions, more than one-third of America’s adults are essentially secular in belief and practice. If nothing else, this helps explain why America has experienced a surge in unchurched people—and presages a continuing rise in this population.” https://www.barna.com/research/five-trends-among-the-unchurched/. Reaching the unchurched is not rocket science! The Bible gives us the answers. Casual Contact In the book “The Patient Ferment of the Early Church” author Alan Kreider spoke about how the early church grew after the first century. He said, “How then did the church grow? Scholars have seen the church’s growth as coming about in innumerable ways through the translocal networks of family and profession in which most people participated. Masters interacted with slaves; residents met neighbors; and above all believers networked with relatives and work colleagues. In all these relationships, ‘affective bonds’ were formed.” Someone may read this and ask, “Is it really that simple? Yes, it really is that simple! Consider the stories of Lydia and the Philippian Jailer, Acts 16:13, 25-34. Many families came to Christ in the first century through casual contact. My son is taking Jiu Jitsu. A man from out of town recently visited the gym to sign up for classes. We had a casual conversation. He eventually shared with me how he’s been struggling with alcoholism for several years. I shared some Bible passages with him. We exchanged numbers and we’re looking to study the Bible together. This is the idea of casual contact. We have these opportunities everyday and everywhere. So, what are we to do when these casual contact opportunities arise? First, we must care enough to see them. Sometimes Christians can care more about politics and a person’s political party affiliation instead of their soul. Second, we must open our eyes daily to see these doors of opportunities, John 4:35. Third, we must open our mouths. This is what Philip did In Acts 8. Philip asked the Eunuch a question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Eunuch responded positively. He would later be converted. It’s not shocking to see statistics showing the most effective way of reaching the unchurched is by personally inviting people to worship services. A simple invitation will go a long way. Remember how Philip replied to Nathanael in John 1:46: “Can any good thing come out Nazareth? Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” So, what can we say when opportunities arise through casual contact? Here a few suggestions. “I would love for you to come with me to worship this Sunday. Are you interested?” “My congregation is having a special study on strengthening our marriages. Do you have any interest in studying with us?” “How can I pray for you today?” “Our congregation has been such a blessing to us with the support and love we’ve received.” Do you worship anywhere? Paul opened his eyes and mouth while in Athens, Acts 17. Some began to sneer. Others said they would hear him again. And a few joined him and believed. This is what will happen today. Some will mock when we share with them the gospel. Others will say maybe. Some will say, “I must obey.” But how will we know unless we open our mouths? Fourth, we must open our Bibles, Romans 10:17. We must teach people God’s word. They need to learn the gospel. Most people have a misunderstanding about Christ and His church. Therefore, we must show them what Christ has to say about His church. People need to learn how the church is not made up of perfect people, but rather people saved by the blood of Jesus striving to grow in the faith, Ephesians 4:11-16. People need to understand how the church in the first Century was one heart and one soul, Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32. People need to see how the body of Christ is designed to help build up and to correct when necessary (Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 5:5), all for the purpose of giving glory to God and for His people to be with Him in heaven. Be Different In the book, “The Patient Ferment of the Early Church” author Alan Kreider says: “The most reliable means of communicating the attractiveness of the faith to others and enticing them to investigate things further was the Christians’ character, bearing, and behavior. The habitus of the individual Christian was crucial.’” We know this to be true from God’s word, 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Peter 2:11-14. There’s no room for us to be Christian-ish. By that I mean saying we follow Jesus and yet live like everyone else. That’s not submitting to our King. We are to be holy because God is Holy, 1 Peter 1:16. Make worship a priority Chick Fil A and Hobby Lobby stand out because they are closed on Sundays. Are we standing out to others by worshiping with the saints on Sundays, Hebrews 10:25? When our children’s coaches, family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues see us making worship a priority, it will make them curious. Make visitors comfortable When visitors do arrive, we must welcome and assist them. It may be their first and last visit. Simple things like acknowledging them, informing them of what the worship services will look like, sitting with them, making sure they have a Bible, and showing them around the building will go a long way. Can we reach the “unchurched”? Yes! With prayer, patience, and being persistent. The gospel still has the power to save souls.

The Reality of Sin in Our Lives As Christians, we know the problem of sin. In Romans 3:23, Paul wrote, “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This truth is the very reason Jesus came to earth, as highlighted in John 1:29. It explains why the world is in such a mess, as noted in 1 Timothy 2:13-14. Understanding sin helps us recognize our true enemy: Satan, as mentioned in 1 John 3:8. He constantly seeks to lead us into sin through various temptations! Satan attempted to get Jesus to sin while He was in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11. His tactics have not changed since the beginning in the Garden of Eden. He tries to tempt us through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as stated in 1 John 2:15-17. However, Satan was unable to defeat Jesus! Jesus responded with a powerful “It is written…” to counter the temptations used by the Deceiver. Even when Satan twisted Scripture to entice Jesus, He knew how to properly handle the Word of God and defeated that tactic as well. Eventually, the devil left Jesus, as noted in Matthew 4:11. But this was not the last time he would attack. Luke’s account (4:13) reminds us, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.” This reminder shows us that it is indeed possible to resist temptation. The Devil will seek to destroy us at opportune moments. He is not our friend and never will be. He opposes God and hates us! The Spiritual Battle We Face We are in a war—a spiritual war that we can win. But first, we must recognize this reality. In 1 Peter 2:11, it reads, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” We should view every day as a spiritual battle. This isn’t meant to discourage us; it’s a reminder. Each day, we must choose to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. Saying each morning, “I will pick up my cross and follow Jesus,” serves as a great reminder, along with prayer and scripture reading. We can face each day with confidence—not in our own strength, but in God’s. As 1 John 5:4 states, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” Yet, there are times when we fail and sin against God. We are called to be holy as God is holy, according to 1 Peter 1:13-15. Remembering who we are called to be is a powerful way to resist temptation. Another effective strategy is to seriously consider and study sin. When we do, we will find it much easier to resist temptation. The Devil hates us and desires to destroy us through sinning against God! Let’s explore a few passages to help us understand this better. Sin is Fighting Against Us 1 Peter 2:11 reminds us, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth our attention again. Paul spoke about the same thing in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and Ephesians 6:10-13. Understanding what we’re up against and how horrific sin is will empower us to resist temptation. Sin is Trying to Kill Us Since the beginning, when Adam and Eve sinned, death was the result, as stated in Genesis 2:17. The wages of sin is death, as noted in Romans 6:23. The lie Satan continues to tell is the same one he told Eve in the Garden: “You surely will NOT die!” We see the consequences of sin in James 1:14-15. This serves as a stark reminder that sin is not a game and should be avoided at all costs. Sin is Insulting to God Hebrews 10:29-31 emphasizes that sin is insulting to God. The Devil truly hates us and seeks to lead us into sin against God. Satan wants us to grieve the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:30. There is never a good reason to sin. The Path to Resistance Let us resist the temptations that come our way, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:13. It is possible through the strength of God. We must remember that we are not alone in this battle. God equips us with the tools we need to stand firm against temptation. Building a Strong Foundation To strengthen our resistance against sin, we must build a solid foundation in our faith. This includes regular prayer, studying the Bible, and engaging with our faith community. These practices not only help us grow spiritually but also provide support when we face challenges. The Importance of Accountability Having accountability in our spiritual journey is crucial. Sharing our struggles with trusted friends or mentors can provide encouragement and guidance. They can help remind us of our commitment to holiness and support us in our efforts to resist temptation. Embracing Grace and Forgiveness We must also embrace the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ. When we stumble, it’s essential to remember that God’s love is unwavering. We can always return to Him, seek forgiveness, and strive to do better. This understanding helps us to move forward without being weighed down by guilt. Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking In conclusion, the journey of resisting sin is not easy, but it is worth taking. By recognizing the reality of sin, understanding its consequences, and relying on God’s strength, we can navigate our spiritual battles with confidence. Remember, we are not alone in this fight. Together, we can support one another and grow in our faith, deepening our spiritual journey. Let’s commit to resisting temptation and living a life that honors God. After all, our faith is our victory!

Nelson didn’t grow up far from faith. Church was consistent. The Bible was read at home. Prayer was normal. The foundation was there. But knowing the truth and living it aren’t the same thing. In this episode of Real People. Real Faith., Nelson shares how he spent years intentionally avoiding Scripture — not because he doubted it, but because he knew what it would require. Reading it would bring conviction. Conviction would mean repentance. And repentance would mean change. His story is honest and thoughtful — a reminder that sometimes the hardest step isn’t believing, but surrendering. Watch Nelson’s full story below.

Jenny grew up with a religious background, but over time she realized her beliefs didn’t feel as grounded as she wanted them to be. She knew the words. She knew the routine. But she wanted something deeper — something solid. Jenny shares how she began examining what she believed and why, and how that search led her to a stronger, more confident foundation in Christ. Watch Jenny’s full story below.

It could be said that the book of Acts is a book about the Holy Spirit. We see the Holy Spirit in action. Jesus told His apostles they would receive Holy Spirit baptism in Acts 1:5,8 . We see this in Acts 2:1-4 . About three thousand souls received the gift of salvation the Holy Spirit promised in Acts 2:38 . Ananias and Saphira lied to the Holy Spirit in Acts 5:1-4 and died. Philip performed mighty miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8 . It was the Holy Spirit that instructed the brethren to separate Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:2-3 . The book of Acts is a book about the actions of the apostles and yet at the same time it’s a book that gives us so much information about the Holy Spirit. Yet, there’s a chapter that may be overlooked that provides us with some great information and application for our lives when it comes to the Holy Spirit. That’s Acts 7 . Yes, it’s a long chapter, but it’s one that can’t be ignored. We find a God-fearing man named Stephen standing before the Sanhedrin Council begin to speak. By the end of the chapter, he would be dead. The story really begins in Acts 6:8-15 . Stephen is answering some accusations made against him, Acts 7:1 . What he does is amazing. In this speech, Stephen teaches us something about the Holy Spirit. It was something the Jews needed to hear then and what we need to hear now. He will teach us what it means to resist the Holy Spirit. In Acts 7:51 Stephen said, “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did…”  In what way did they resist the Holy Spirit and how might we do the same? Stephen provided the High Priest a summary of the nation of Israel beginning with Abraham. Acts 7:1-8 : Abraham was called by God to go to a new land. The nation of Israel would descend from this man. God would bless all nations through his seed. Acts 7:9-16 : Stephen turned his attention to Joseph next and how the patriarchs would become envious of him and the telling of his vision. Acts 7:17-38 : It would be Moses who God would use to deliver His people. Acts 7:39-41 : Yet the nation of Israel would reject Moses. They rejected the mighty works he did by the power of the Spirit. They rejected the words he gave them from Mount Sinai. They built a golden calf, Acts 7:39-40 . While they rejected Moses, they were really rejecting the Holy Spirit. Sadly, this would become a pattern among God’s people. Acts 7:42-43 : God’s people would be punished due to their rebellion. Stephen reviewed this history for a reason. His application was that the Jews had always resisted the Holy Spirit, Acts 7:51-52. They resisted His providence and His prophets by refusing to listen to them. Now the Jews in the first century were doing the same thing. They had ignored God’s Prince (Jesus) who was foretold by the prophets. They resisted the Spirit by rejecting the words of the prophets concerning Jesus, Acts 7:37. Stephen’s sermon had a tremendous impact on his listeners. The audience was “cut to the quick” and they began gnashing their teeth at him, Acts 7:54. They killed him, Acts 7:55-58. Application for us. Are we resisting the Holy Spirit? People resist the Spirit when they deny the Just One who is Jesus. We resist Hm when we choose not to obey His word given to us in scripture. When we fail to forgive one another, gossip, lust in our hearts, refuse to submit to the Shepherds, to be the God-fearing parents we are supposed to be, allow apathy to creep into our hearts, we resist the Spirit. When we resist the Spirit, we also grieve the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:30. When we hear the word of truth, how will we respond? Will we be stiff necked or humble? The choice is ours.

Paul grew up around Christianity. He knew the language, the expectations, the routine. But it wasn’t until he found himself in prison that everything became real. Paul shares how being incarcerated forced him to confront who he was and what he truly believed. What had once been familiar became personal. What had once been inherited became chosen. His story is raw, honest, and powerful — a reminder that God meets people anywhere, even behind bars. Watch Paul’s full story below.

When we read the book of Acts, we see thousands of people who obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. The church began with about 3,000 souls converted in Acts 2:41 . The number steadily increased. Acts 2:47 : “…praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 4:4 : “But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” Acts 5:14 : “And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number.” Acts 6:7 : “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” Yet, there’s an interaction between the apostle Paul and King Agrippa in Acts 26:27-28 . It says, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do. Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.’” Did King Agrippa ever become a Christian? This is all we have recorded of this interaction. There are valuable lessons to learn from this interaction for us and those in the world. Those in the first century who heard and obeyed the gospel became Christians. The idea of Baptist Christians, Pentecostal Christians, Catholic Christians is not found in scripture. A person simply became a follower of Jesus Christ. Paul gave King Agrippa the opportunity to hear and believe the gospel. We have a responsibility to do the same to others. It doesn’t mean that everyone will respond with obedience, but nonetheless we must give people an opportunity to hear the truth. It’s not our job to decide who should hear and who shouldn’t hear. Paul presented the facts about Jesus and was not ashamed of the facts. He shared what happened to him on the road to Damascus, Acts 26:12-20 . He spoke about his ministry, Acts 26: 19-23 . Let us never be ashamed of the facts concerning Jesus and how one can obtain forgiveness of sins. How long did Paul speak? We don’t know. But what we know is King Agrippa’s response. “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”  This is a sad story in Acts. It’s often the case people think they have time to respond to the gospel. But our lives are like a vapor. We are here one moment and gone the next. What got in the way of King Agrippa responding? The text doesn’t explicitly give us that answer. A more important question is what’s getting in our way of responding to the truth? For some, it can be worry about what others may think. For others, it could be fear of losing their families. Some may need more time to count the cost. Some may need to consider the evidence even more. It could be some have learned the truth and are not willing to pay the price that repentance carries with it. Almost persuaded is not sufficient. We must be fully persuaded. Let’s be fully persuaded to follow Jesus with all our hearts and to share His message with others.

For most of his life, Stacy French lived by his own moral code. He believed in being a good person, doing what was right, and treating others fairly. Christianity wasn’t part of his life, and for years he didn’t see a reason to change that. Two years ago, that changed. Stacy shares how discovering Christ later in life reshaped his understanding of grace. He compares his journey to the parable of the workers in the vineyard — where each worker receives the same denarius, no matter when they joined the work. For Stacy, that story became a powerful reminder that God’s grace isn’t measured by time served. His story is honest, reflective, and encouraging — especially for anyone who wonders if they’ve waited too long. “If I can help people,” Stacy says, “they need to hear my story.” Watch his full story below.

It’s one of the great conversion stories in Acts. It’s about a man named Cornelius. He was a God-fearing man in need of salvation. Him and his family would be saved. It’s a story that involves miracles. Some have had questions about Cornelius and exactly when he was saved from his sins. Was he saved when he prayed and the angel spoke to him , Acts 10:3-7 ? The answer is no. There are things we can’t deny. Cornelius had prayed to God and his prayers were heard. From that, some can assume Cornelius said the sinner’s pray and when God heard him, he was saved at that moment. But that’s not true. There’s more to the story. The angel told Cornelius to do something – send for Peter. Why? So, Peter could tell him what he must do to be saved, Acts 10:5-6; 11:14 . God’s response to his prayers did not mean that he was already saved. God responded to him so he could be told how to be saved, Acts 10:33 . This is what happened when Peter arrived. Peter preached to him Jesus, Acts 10:34-40 . Cornelius was taught about Jesus so he could have faith in Him and be baptized, Acts 10:33, 43, 47-48 . Cornelius was saved in accordance with what Jesus said in Mark 16:16 : “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Was he saved when the Holy Spirit fell upon him?  The answer is no. We need to ask, why did the miracle occur? Recall the previous events in the chapter. ·       An angel of God spoke to Cornelius, Acts 10:3-6 . ·       Peter had a vision, and the Spirit told him to go to Cornelius, Acts 10:9-20 . ·       The Spirit was poured out on Cornelius and his household, Acts 10:44 . To understand why these things happened, we need a historical perspective. Cornelius was the first Gentile convert. This was a big deal. Why? Because Jews were separate from Gentiles and, up to this time, Jews made up the church. For centuries, Jews and Gentiles had no dealings with each other. This was about to change. God’s plan all along was to gather both Jews and Gentiles into one body – the church, Ephesians 3:6 . Salvation was made available to everyone. There would be no more distinction between Jew and Gentile, Ephesians 2:14 . This would prove difficult for the Jews as seen with the hesitation of even going to the house of Cornelius, Acts 10:28 . Even the Jewish brethren were angered upon hearing Peter ate with uncircumcised men, Acts 11:1-3 . The Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius for the sake of the Jews, to show them Gentiles could be saved, Acts 10:45 . This is what Peter reported to the church at Jerusalem, Acts 11:15-18 . Cornelius was not saved immediately when the Holy Spirit fell upon him. He was saved because he obeyed the words of Jesus and was baptized for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 10: 43, 47-48 . This is what Jesus instructed in Mark 16:16. Was Cornelius saved when he spoke in tongues? The answer is no. Some may believe that when he spoke in tongues it was to prove that he had already been saved. This is false, because it’s not what the Bible teaches. Tongues were a sign for unbelievers, 1 Corinthians 14:22 . It might be asked, “If that’s true, then who was God trying to convince at Cornelius’ house?” It was to convince Peter and the Jews that Gentiles could be saved, Acts 10:47 . Though Cornelius spoke in tongues, he was not saved at that exact moment. Peter ordered him to be baptized in the name of Jesus, Acts 10:48 . This is what Jesus taught in Mark 16:16 : “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” In the conversion stories in Acts, everyone believed and did the same thing to be saved, Acts 10:34-35 . God shows no partiality. We must do what Cornelius (and all the converts in Acts) did to be saved. Cornelius was a good man but was a man still in need of salvation. He heard the good news of Jesus; he believed what he heard; and he obeyed it by being baptized in the name of the Lord, Acts 10:48 . That’s how he was saved. It’s how we can be saved today!

In Acts 2 , Peter stands before a crowd and speaks with striking boldness: “Men of Israel, hear these words… Jesus of Nazareth… you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.”  These are not gentle words. Peter is addressing people who may have had a direct role in the death of Jesus, and he does not soften the accusation. You crucified Him. It’s hard to imagine what it must have been like to stand in that crowd. To hear those words and realize that the man Peter is describing—the one attested by God through miracles and signs—is the same man they watched suffer and die. It raises an uncomfortable question: What would I have done if I had been there? We like to think we would have stood with Jesus. We tell ourselves we would never have shouted “Crucify Him,” never mocked Him, never turned our backs. Yet Scripture reminds us how fragile that confidence is. Even Peter—who boldly insisted he would never deny Jesus—rejected Him three times only hours later. The question isn’t what we hope  we would have done. The question is whether we truly know our own hearts. There’s a line in a familiar song that captures this reality well: “I’m the one… every time I sin on earth, I know that I’m the one.”  We weren’t standing in Jerusalem two thousand years ago, but every time we turn our backs on Jesus and choose sin, we share in the guilt. Every act of rebellion, every moment of willful disobedience, aligns us with the crowd that rejected Him. That truth is difficult to face, but it’s also what makes the grace of the cross so overwhelming. Even knowing who we are and what we would do, Jesus still went to the cross. He still allowed Himself to be delivered according to God’s determined purpose. He still suffered and died so that forgiveness could be offered—even to those who nailed Him there. The cross forces us to confront both our guilt and God’s love at the same time. We are responsible, yet we are invited to be forgiven. That tension is at the heart of the gospel. When we think about the crucifixion, it isn’t meant to leave us in despair. It’s meant to humble us, change us, and draw us closer to the One who loved us enough to die in our place—even when we didn’t deserve it.

Lot’s Choice in Genesis 13 Genesis 13:5–13 records a familiar moment in Scripture: Lot is given the opportunity to choose where he will live. Faced with a decision about land, security, and prosperity, Lot looks out and selects what appears to be the best option. On the surface, it looks wise. In reality, it becomes one of the most consequential mistakes of his life. Choosing Foolishly vs. Foolishly Choosing There are two important ideas worth separating here. One is choosing foolishly —making a decision where the thing chosen turns out to be harmful. The other is foolishly choosing —using a flawed method to make decisions in the first place. Lot’s story reflects both. Lot chose land that looked rich, fertile, and prosperous, but the people of that land were wicked, violent, and immoral. The very next chapters describe war, captivity, and destruction. Lot is caught in conflict, loses possessions, and eventually watches the city he chose be destroyed by God. Abraham even attempts to intercede for the city, but righteousness is scarce. By every measure, the place Lot chose was not a good place to dwell. But beyond the outcome, the way Lot made his decision is just as telling. Genesis 13:10 suggests a quick evaluation—he looked, assessed what appeared best, and chose. There’s no indication of prayer, counsel, or spiritual consideration. It appears to be a decision based largely on appearance and immediate benefit, and that method of choosing is dangerous. Where We Place Ourselves This principle extends beyond geography. One clear application is where we live and the environments we choose . Scripture doesn’t give a command about specific locations, but it does warn us about influence. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” The environment we place ourselves in—especially for ourselves and our families—matters. Lot placed himself in a land marked by war and immorality. While we can’t say that environment alone caused every outcome in his family, it certainly didn’t help. At the same time, environment isn’t everything. Good morals can influence bad environments when faith is strong. Still, there is no denying that environment and faith influence each other, making this a decision worth careful thought. Where We Spend Our Time The same idea applies to how we spend our time. It’s not only about where we live, but where we choose to be and who we choose to be with. Some argue that as long as they aren’t personally engaging in sinful behavior, it’s fine to remain in places where immorality is common. Scripture pushes us to ask a deeper question: why are we there? According to Ephesians 5, the Christian’s interaction with darkness has a purpose—to expose it. If our presence isn’t shining light or pointing others toward God, remaining in those environments becomes difficult to justify. There is a difference between being a light and slowly allowing that light to dim or be hidden. The Influence of People Closely connected is the question of who we spend our time with . Lot lived among wicked people, and their influence shaped his environment. Scripture warns that bad company corrupts good morals, often gradually and quietly. With fellow Christians, letting our light shine is usually easier. With non-Christians, the challenge is whether our faith remains visible or is set aside to avoid conflict. Agreements that silence spiritual conversations do not align with Jesus’ call to let our light shine. Friendships, dating relationships, and marriages all deserve serious consideration because anything that consistently suppresses faith becomes a spiritual danger. Where We Sow Our Seed Another area where foolish choosing appears is in evangelism —deciding who we will teach and where we will invest spiritual effort. While no one is unworthy of hearing the gospel, we often make selective decisions based on comfort, perceived receptiveness, or fear of rejection. Scripture does not give us that freedom. We are called to share the gospel broadly and trust God with the results. Being selective about who deserves our effort or time can itself become a foolish way of choosing. The Only Place That Truly Matters All of these decisions—places, people, time, and priorities—point to a deeper truth. Every earthly location is temporary. Lot and Abraham were choosing places to dwell, not permanent homes. Hebrews reminds us that Abraham understood this well: he was looking for a city whose builder and maker is God. Choosing a place on earth matters, and we can go about that choice in very foolish ways. But there is no truly “best place on earth.” The best place is not found on a map. It is found in a life oriented toward God, with eyes fixed beyond what is temporary and toward what lasts forever.