Posts by Christian Worker

Currently, our first-year male students are flying through their first chapel lesson, Wednesday night devotionals, and outside preaching. While we try to break them in slowly, these are usually nerve-racking times. Each one of the thirteen first year guys will have to deliver a chapel lesson every other week or so. This gives them invaluable experience prepping and preaching. After chapel is over, each student faces the dreaded public critique. While we don’t publicly critique every lesson, the first few…

The apostle Paul lists gentleness and self-control among the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, presenting them as essential marks of a life surrendered to the will of God. These two qualities are closely connected and understanding them will help us to live in a way that better honors God and builds up others. The word translated “gentleness” in Galatians 5 comes from a Greek term which conveys humility, meekness, and a mild disposition toward others. It is not…

This word (pistis) is usually translated “faith” or “trust” throughout the NT. It often refers to trust in God and belief in His promises (Heb. 11:1-6). However, in the fruit of the Spirit, it means something a little different. Paul is contrasting two patterns of behavior toward fellow Christians in Gal 5: those who upset others’ Christian journeys (Gal 5:7-12) versus those who “through love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13-15). Paul says the first group carries out the deeds of…

What are the differences and relationship of these words? Goodness (Agathos) is the inner quality of moral integrity, virtue, and uprightness; a commitment to God’s will and what is right. The focus is the heart, character, and motives. For example, choosing to honor God and live righteously even when it’s difficult. On the other hand, kindness (Chrestotes) is the outward demonstration of goodness through compassionate action, helpfulness, and generosity. The focus is on the actions and how we treat others.…

I n nature, every fruit grows on its own timetable. Some fruits, like passion fruit, papaya, strawberries, and blackberries, can bear fruit in their very first year. But if you plant a pear, cherry, or plum tree, you might wait five to seven years before you ever taste a single harvest. When it comes to growing the fruit of the spirit, you might say patience feels about the same as waiting for a plum tree to grow fruit. Patience may…

Do you expect that if you live right, God will remove your troubles, sorrow, and pain? We sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that suffering is always because of sin, and blessings are always because you’re obeying God. But just because you did the right thing does not mean you will avoid suffering. Romans 15:13 teaches us that we can be filled with peace and joy through the hope found in God’s salvation. What would you give for a…

Every human knows intuitively that love is a good thing. People often say, “the world needs more love” or maybe an adage like “love what you do and do what you love.” Of course, the word is used in a wide spectrum of ways. People describe their feelings toward pizza, dogs, and their grandmother with the same word. Some people equate love with permissiveness, while others say discipline is a part of love. How can humans agree upon what love…

The training provided through SWSBS is comprehensive but by no means exhaustive. We only have two years to introduce the fundamentals of study and practice. With limited time, not everything can be covered. Our instructors often leave more “on the table” of their studies than they put into their lectures. (The same is true of faithful preachers everywhere!) However, we never leave out of classes or curriculum the reality of sin, and we are sure that our graduates are prepared…

In Galatians 5:19-21, the apostle Paul lists the various works of the flesh. Of the seventeen sinful works, the final two listed by the apostle are drunkenness and revelries (carousing, NASB) (v. 21). What is drunkenness, or more importantly, how does the Bible define the term? What does God’s word say about social drinking? God’s expectation of His people is very clear – Christians are to be sober. This article will examine Paul’s and Peter’s instructions to the church regarding…

Can’t we all just get along? Well, that certainly is how it ought to be, especially in God’s family. Long ago the Psalmist said, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” If Jesus brought peace to this earth (Lk. 2:14) and Jesus instructs His followers to be peacemakers (Mt. 5:8), why do Christians sometimes struggle getting along? This article will explore a practical understanding of this matter especially through considering three words in Galatians 5:20.…

I t started with something small—a teasing remark at a Sunday potluck that struck the wrong chord. Within a week, two friends who once laughed together were avoiding each other. What began as a lighthearted moment turned into bitterness and silence. Moments like this show how quickly small offenses can snowball when left unchecked. Paul warned against the “works of the flesh”— “hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, [and] envy” (Gal. 5:20–21). These are more than attitudes; they are heart diseases…

Paul’s warning in Galatians 5:19-21 lists idolatry and sorcery among “the works of the flesh,” placing them beside sins such as sexual immorality, hatred, and drunkenness. Yet many Christians assume these sins belong solely to the ancient world—of golden calves and pagan temples – overlooking their relevance in our lives today. As we work to understand what Scripture means by idolatry and sorcery, and how they appear in our modern world, it will bring us to a deeper question: Who…