Do denominations come from the devil?
A chat question asks whether the devil instigated church denominations. The hosts argue no — denominations grow from human pride and personality clashes (the 'I am of Paul, I am of Apollos' tendency), not Satan. The discussion ranges through the essentials-vs-nonessentials framework (the gospel and the person of Christ are essential; worship style and tongues are not), using John 14:6, Romans 10:9, and Ephesians 2:8–9 as the test, and the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 as the biblical model for handling disagreement.
More on Pride
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Dear LFTP: the birthday-gift pressure
- My friends insist on giving me birthday presents I can't reciprocate. Shouldn't my wishes have been respected since it's my birthday?
Mike reads the first Dear LFTP letter: a part-time worker paying her own health insurance asked friends to skip presents at a triple birthday dinner; they refused, saying she needn't reciprocate.
From No. 601 · Humble Faithful Idiot
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Disciples of the brand and situational humility
- How do you practically keep the main thing the main thing and reintroduce humility?
Mike warns against churches making disciples of their brand first, so that when the church fails the fall is even bigger, and notes how easily community can posture as God in the relationship.
From No. 588 · hypokritēs
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Has anyone been demonically misled? Framing the discernment question
- Have you ever been demonically misled or spoken to by Satan?
- How can you distinguish God's voice from Satan's voice?
Before reading the list, the hosts ask whether anyone has felt demonically misled: one argues Satan is subtle, taking things God would use and putting a small twist on them;…
From No. 492 · Show Me The Toes
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Dear LFTP: the affair, the revenge, and the younger man
- How do I purge my thoughts of my wife with another man after our mutual infidelity?
A letter writer confesses he cheated on his wife of 21 years, separated for a month 'evaluating his options,' reconciled — then his wife revealed a revenge affair with a much younger man, and now he can't purge the mental image or the fear he can't compete.
From No. 451 · Mississippi Don’t Push