George Whitefield (1714-1770) was an influential English Anglican cleric and evangelist who was one of the founders of Methodism and the evangelical movement. Whitefield was born in Gloucester, England and attended Pembroke College at Oxford University. After being ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1736, he immediately began preaching in churches, prisons, and outdoors to crowds of thousands. His powerful voice and dramatic preaching style soon made him famous throughout Britain and later in the American colonies. Whitefield became closely associated with John Wesley and Charles Wesley and the early Methodist movement. However, he differed with…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
Pride is a sin that is warned against repeatedly in the Bible. Scripture makes it clear that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about pride and humility: Definition of Pride The dictionary defines pride as an inflated sense of one’s personal status or accomplishments. Biblically, pride stems from selfishness and is the opposite of humility. Pride exalts self over God and others. A proud person is concerned with self-glory and does not recognize his or her dependence on God. Pride Is Sinful The Bible…
The name Jacob is an important one in the Old Testament, as Jacob was one of the patriarchs of the Israelites. However, in the New Testament, the name Jacob seems to shift to James. This can cause confusion for Bible readers wondering how these two names are connected. In Hebrew, the name Jacob is Ya’akov. This name means “one who grasps the heel” or “supplanter” (Genesis 25:26). Jacob was given this name because he was born grasping the heel of his twin brother Esau. Jacob lived up to his name, as he later acquired his brother’s birthright and blessing through…
Human trafficking is a grave injustice that involves exploiting human beings for labor or sex through force, fraud, or coercion. As Christians, it is important for us to understand what the Bible says about this important issue. The Bible does not directly address the modern phenomena of human trafficking. However, there are many relevant principles and passages that give insight into God’s perspective on enslaving, exploiting, and abusing fellow human beings made in His image. 1. All people have inherent dignity and worth The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and thus…
The Bible does not contain a definitive list of sins. However, through studying Scripture we can identify behaviors, attitudes, and actions that are described as sinful. While an exhaustive list is not provided, there are some key passages that give insight into God’s perspective on sin. The Ten Commandments One of the most well-known lists of sins in the Bible is the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. These commands given by God provide a moral framework and identify many specific sins: No other gods before me No idols Not misusing God’s name Keeping the Sabbath holy…
A Christian worldview is a comprehensive framework of beliefs, values, and principles through which a Christian individual interprets the world and interacts with it. At its core, a Christian worldview is based on the teachings of the Bible and the belief that God created the universe and continues to be actively involved in it. Some of the key elements of a Christian worldview include: Belief in one sovereign God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Belief that God created the universe and everything in it from nothing, including humans who are made in…
If I am Saved and All of My Sins are Forgiven, Why Not Continue to Sin? The question of why a Christian who has been saved and forgiven of their sins should not continue in sinful living is an important one. For some, the idea that salvation brings complete forgiveness leads them to wrongly conclude that they can go on sinning without consequence. However, the Bible makes it clear that continuing in sin as a believer dishonors God and will lead to negative spiritual consequences. Looking closely at what Scripture teaches can help us understand why wilfully remaining in sin…
Self-discipline is an important virtue emphasized throughout the Bible. At its core, it involves controlling one’s desires, actions, and habits to align with God’s standards of righteousness. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles about self-discipline: 1. Self-discipline is a fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit – qualities that should be evident in the lives of believers as they walk by the Spirit. Just as the other fruits like love, joy and peace are produced in our lives by the work of the Holy Spirit, so…
Motivation is something we all need in life. We need drive, purpose, and passion to accomplish our goals and live a meaningful life. The Bible has a lot to say about motivation and provides wisdom and guidance for finding motivation in a godly way. First, the Bible teaches that our motivation should ultimately be to glorify God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” As Christians, bringing glory to God should be the overarching motivation in everything we do. When we live to honor Him, it…
Trusting in God’s power begins with believing that He is who He says He is. The Bible tells us that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, always present, and infinitely loving (Psalm 147:5, Hebrews 4:13, Psalm 139:7-10, 1 John 4:8). When we truly understand who God is, we can have confidence that He has the power to help us in every situation. One way we rely on God’s power is through prayer. Praying to God demonstrates our dependence on Him. We can cry out to God in difficult times, asking Him to intervene supernaturally (James 5:13-16). We can also pray for strength…