I appreciate that you’re thinking deeply about this. But let’s zoom out for a second. The question isn’t whether the fruit “did something” or whether Adam “became like God” in some way—because we already know from the text that he did change. The real question is: Was the serpent telling the truth, or was he twisting the truth into a lie? Genesis 3:4-5 records Satan’s words: “You will not surely die… For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” And now look at God’s words in Genesis 2:17: “For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Here’s what really happened: •Adam and Eve did not immediately drop dead, but they did die spiritually—separated from God, now subject to physical death. •Their eyes were opened, but it wasn’t a blessing—it was shame. The first thing they did was hide from God. •They did gain the “knowledge of good and evil,” but not in the way Satan implied. They lost innocence and fell into sin. So was the serpent technically correct? Not in the way he framed it. His deception wasn’t a blatant lie—it was a twisting of truth to lead humanity into rebellion. Considering if "God confirmed it", Your response hinges on the idea that because God later says, “Now man has become like one of us,” that means the serpent didn’t lie. But think about it: Just because something is partially true doesn’t mean it isn’t deceptive. Let’s say a con artist tells you: “Hey, you should invest all your money into this scheme. You’ll make a ton of profit.” And then you do it, and technically, you do get some money back—but you also lose everything in the process. Was he telling the truth? Or was he manipulating you? That’s exactly what happened in Eden. God’s statement wasn’t an admission that Satan was right—it was a tragic confirmation of the consequences. Yes, Adam and Eve now had knowledge of good and evil. But at what cost? They had been tricked into forfeiting their innocence and their direct communion with God. The real takeaway isn’t about parsing out whether “you will not certainly die” had a hidden loophole—it’s about why Jesus had to come. •If Adam and Eve’s choice was just about gaining some neutral “knowledge,” why did Christ have to die? •If this was simply about “becoming like God,” why was the result death, suffering, and exile? Jesus came to undo what happened in Eden. That’s why Paul calls Him the “last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45). He restores what was lost—bringing us back into relationship with God, not through hidden knowledge, but through faith in Him. The problem with posts like the one I originally responded to is that they make man the hero of the story and God the villain. They push the same deception that started in Eden—“God is holding out on you, but if you just seek the right knowledge, you’ll be free.” But that’s not the truth. The truth is, real freedom isn’t found in knowledge—it’s found in Christ. And no twisting of words will ever change that.

@vicwingly I'd ask you to read something I wrote earlier today. I honestly think a movement of women asking men to turn to God could start to address some of the issues women have with men.

Men Won’t Change for Women. But They Will for God. I need to talk about something real—something that’s been hitting me hard lately. A few days ago, I posted about my past—my struggles, my sins, my failures. I talked about looking at women in a way that wasn’t right, about objectifying them without even realizing it. I said it because I refuse to pretend I’m perfect. I said it because I know Jesus loves me even in my imperfection. But a realization I had this morning. The more I walk with Christ, the less I want to look. Not because I don’t find women attractive anymore, but because something in me is changing. That old pull, that urge? It’s fading. Not through force, not through guilt, but because God is rewiring my heart. And that’s when it hit me—this is what women have been begging for. For centuries, women have cried out: “Stop objectifying us.” “See us as people, not things.” “Respect us beyond what we can offer you.” And men? We’ve failed them. Some have tried to do better out of obligation. Some have tried to suppress it out of shame. But most just don’t change, because they don’t see a reason to. Here’s the truth: Men won’t change for women. But they will change for God. Because only God can remove the root of sin, not just the symptoms. You can’t legislate men into respecting women. You can’t shame men into seeing them differently. You can’t guilt men into becoming something they’re not. But when a man surrenders his heart to Christ—when he truly lets Jesus in—he doesn’t just change what he does… He changes what he desires. Not overnight. Not instantly. But day by day, as he walks with God, the things that used to control him lose their grip. And it’s not just lust. Anger starts to dissolve. Addictions start to break. Pride starts to die. Selfishness starts to shrink. Not because a man forces himself to be better, but because God is making him new. Women, if you want men to change, stop begging them to do it for you. Start praying for them to find Christ. Start pointing them to the only One who can actually change their hearts. Because if a man fears God, he will honor you. If a man loves God, he will cherish you. If a man walks with God, he will naturally become the man you’ve been asking him to be all along. And men? If you’re reading this and feeling convicted… good. I was too. I’m still not perfect. I still have my struggles. But I can tell you this: Jesus is changing me. And if He can change me, He can change you. So stop making excuses. Stop settling for less than what God created you to be. Turn to Him. Let Him do the work in you. And watch what happens. I promise, it’s better than you think.

So What Now? If you believe the Bible, then you know that no amount of lost wisdom will save us. •The ancient people knew of past cataclysms—but it was God’s judgment. •The watchers gave knowledge—but it was forbidden. •Babel sought to reclaim it—but God scattered them. This cycle repeats. And Jesus said it will repeat again before He returns. So when you see these discoveries—don’t be deceived. Yes, Göbekli Tepe is real. Yes, it holds mysteries. But the only knowledge that matters is the one the world will never point you to—Jesus Christ. “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) There is no hidden wisdom, no ancient revelation, and no secret knowledge that will save us. Only Christ will. If this knowledge brings you closer to God, it has value. If it pulls you away, it is part of the deception foretold. Everything hidden will be revealed. (Luke 8:17) But when it is, make sure you are standing on the only foundation that lasts. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) 2/2

Four months sober is no small feat—that’s a battle fought every day, and you’ve been winning it. Whether or not the people around you have noticed, it matters. Your effort, your discipline, your fight—it’s seen. But even more than that, you are seen. And you’re not just noticed, you’re valued. Your worth isn’t measured by the reactions of those around you—it’s defined by the One who created you and loves you beyond measure. It can feel isolating when the people closest to us don’t acknowledge our struggles or our victories. But you don’t have to walk this alone. Keep pushing forward, not just for them, not just for recognition, but because you are building something greater for yourself—a life that isn’t chained to the past. And if you ever wonder if anyone notices, know this: God does. And He isn’t just watching—He’s walking with you, strengthening you, and offering a peace that no external validation can replace. Keep going. You’re doing something that matters.

It’s true—too often, people let their feelings and desires shape their faith instead of letting faith shape their feelings and desires. The danger isn’t just rejecting Scripture outright; it’s subtly reshaping it to fit our preferences. But here’s the good news: Jesus didn’t come for people who had it all figured out—He came for the lost, the confused, the self-focused. And let’s be honest, that’s all of us at some point. Instead of pointing fingers at those who have drifted, what if we pointed them back to Christ Himself? Not to a version of faith that makes them comfortable, but to the living Word that transforms. Because at the end of the day, the real battle isn’t about “following self” vs. “following rules.” It’s about surrendering self to follow the One who gave Himself for us. Christ isn’t just a truth—He is THE Truth (John 14:6). When we anchor to Him, we don’t need to rely on feelings that change or desires that mislead. Instead, we stand on a foundation that never moves. The goal isn’t to win arguments, but to win hearts back to Jesus. And that starts with us living in a way that makes people want to know the Christ we follow. Let’s not just point out where others have drifted—let’s call them back home.

@MaxTheMentalHe1 @DonnieDarkened @FuentesUpdates @kanyewest If your full faith is in Christ no matter what happens to you, you'll be home with Him. Fear is what they want, Love is what He deserves.

I see where you’re coming from, and I agree that Israel holds a significant place in Scripture—but it’s crucial to understand what “Israel” actually means biblically. Israel in the Bible carries multiple meanings, and they aren’t always interchangeable. This is where a lot of misunderstanding happens. 1.Israel as a Nation (Ethnic & Political Israel) – This refers to the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the land God promised them. The Old Testament details how God set Israel apart, made a covenant with them, and blessed them—but also how He judged them when they turned from Him. Being part of physical Israel alone never guaranteed righteousness (Isaiah 1:2-4, Jeremiah 7:3-7). Even in the Old Testament, God made it clear that faith and obedience mattered more than lineage (Deuteronomy 10:16, 1 Samuel 15:22). 2.Israel as a People (Covenant Israel) – The Bible shows that not everyone physically born into Israel was part of God’s true people. Paul makes this distinction clear: “Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” (Romans 9:6). This means that while ethnic Israel was chosen to bring forth the Messiah, only those who truly followed God were counted as His people. Many in Israel rejected Him (John 1:11, Matthew 23:37), and Scripture shows that God’s promises are not about ethnicity but about faith. 3.Israel as the Church (Spiritual Israel) – This is where it all comes together. Jesus fulfilled the covenant, and through Him, Jews and Gentiles alike are brought into the family of God. Paul describes believers as “Abraham’s offspring by faith” (Galatians 3:29) and the “true circumcision” (Philippians 3:3). In Christ, the people of God are no longer defined by nationality but by faith in Him (Ephesians 2:14-16). So when people say “If you hate Israel, you hate God,” they’re usually referring to the modern political state of Israel. But biblically, the focus has always been on God’s covenant people, not just a physical land. The Real Question: Who is True Israel Today? If we take Scripture seriously, the true Israel is not about race or borders—it is about faith in Christ. The New Testament repeatedly shows that God’s promises extend to all who believe in Jesus (Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 3:7-9). This means that anyone—Jew or Gentile—who follows Christ is part of God’s true Israel. The Danger of Confusing the Two Yes, God has used the nation of Israel for His purposes, but the Bible also warns Israel when it was disobedient. The prophets constantly rebuked Israel for turning away from God (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel). Even Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they rejected Him (Luke 19:41-44). So supporting Israel blindly without recognizing that God’s ultimate concern is about faith, not just nationality, can be a mistake. So, What Does This Mean? •Yes, God’s love for Israel is undeniable. •Yes, the Bible mentions Israel thousands of times. •But biblical Israel is not just about land—it’s about God’s people. And that means the most important question is not “Do you support Israel?” but “Are you part of the true Israel—those who trust in Christ?”

Idolatry wrapped in ‘truth’ is still idolatry. Donnie is absolutely right. The people who scream the loudest about deception suddenly go silent when the deception comes from someone they admire. That’s because their loyalty isn’t to God’s truth—it’s to their side, their movement, their figureheads. They claim to be ‘awake’ while defending blasphemy. They claim to be ‘red-pilled’ while turning a blind eye to the one lie that matters most: who God is. They’ll expose the elite’s corruption but won’t confront it when it’s coming from someone in their own camp. That’s not discernment. That’s compromise. Jesus warned of this very thing: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” – Matthew 15:8 If your so-called ‘awakening’ doesn’t lead you to stand for Christ above all, then it’s not an awakening—it’s just another trap. If you’re willing to excuse blasphemy because it comes from someone ‘based,’ then you’ve replaced the truth of God with the politics of men. The real awakening isn’t about knowing who’s lying in the media. It’s about knowing who Jesus is. And if you can’t even defend His name, then what exactly are you ‘awake’ to?

Echo chambers don’t save souls—Christ does. Donnie is right. If Ye just declared himself as God, that’s not just arrogance—it’s blasphemy of the highest order. And yet, the same people who claim to fight for ‘truth’ and ‘morality’ are completely silent when their idols cross the ultimate line. Why? Because their loyalty isn’t to God. It’s to their brand, their movement, their image. False leaders love to keep people trapped in a cycle of outrage and self-congratulation—where nothing changes, nothing grows, and no one finds Christ. They don’t want disciples; they want followers. But Christ didn’t say ‘follow the most charismatic speaker’ or ‘pledge allegiance to a movement’—He said: ‘Follow me.’ (Matthew 16:24) The only chamber that matters is the one that amplifies Christ—not the ego of men, not the noise of politics, not the empty promises of self-made ‘saviors.’ If they’re not leading people to the foot of the cross, they’re leading them in circles. If your ‘truth movement’ is afraid to confront blasphemy, then it’s not about truth at all.

How much is enough? If salvation were about effort, how would we ever know we’d done enough? If getting into the Book of Life depended on good works, how could we measure? A certain number of prayers? A set number of good deeds? Fewer sins than someone else? That’s the problem with a works-based mindset—it keeps people either anxious or self-righteous. •Some live in fear, thinking “I haven’t done enough. I’ve failed too much.” •Others take pride, thinking “I’ve done better than most. I should be fine.” Both miss the point. Both rely on self instead of Christ. The truth is, none of us can work hard enough. Not the best among us, not the worst. If getting into heaven was about being “good enough,” then why did Jesus need to die at all? The Gospel isn’t “Try harder.” The Gospel is “It is finished.” When Jesus said that on the cross (John 19:30), He meant it. The debt was paid. The price was covered. If you believe in Him, your name is there—not because you worked for it, but because He did. Now, someone might say: “But doesn’t that mean we can just do whatever we want?” No. Grace transforms. When you truly accept Christ, your heart shifts. Not out of fear, but out of love. Not because you’re trying to earn anything, but because you know you’ve already been given everything. Faith isn’t about proving yourself—it’s about trusting Him. If you’re still asking, “Have I done enough?” then maybe the better question is: “Do I truly trust that Jesus already did?”

I hear you. Striving to be good is admirable, but here’s what I realized—no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t escape my own failures. I’m a sinner, and I probably will be for the rest of my life. And even if I somehow managed to live sinlessly from today forward, it wouldn’t undo my past mistakes. That’s where I realized I needed Jesus—not because I wasn’t self-sufficient, not because I lacked happiness, but because I was tired. I was happy, but I carried guilt. Not always over huge things—sometimes just little things that piled up. One day, I finally said to Jesus, I repent. And you know what? I still sinned later that day. And the next. And the next. But then… one day, I didn’t. And then another day, I didn’t. It wasn’t because I was forcing myself to be “better.” It was because, for the first time, I understood I actually had a choice. And the more I walked with Christ, the more I saw that freedom wasn’t just about escaping sin—it was about not being bound by it anymore. I started thinking about the devil like a vindictive ex-spouse, doing anything to hurt the other parent through their child. The child is us. The vindictive ex is Satan. And the loving parent is God. Satan doesn’t care about us—he just wants to break God’s heart by dragging His children away. Jesus wasn’t just some teacher about morality. He came to rescue people who knew they’d never measure up on their own. I tried being good, and I kept failing. But when I let go and turned to Christ, He started changing me in ways I never could on my own. So yeah, flawed people helping the flawed is noble. But what if there’s someone who isn’t flawed, who actually has the power to change things at the root? That’s why I follow Jesus.

Was Come as You Are by Nirvana actually about Jesus calling sinners? I’ve been thinking about this, and the lyrics hit differently when you read them through the lens of Christ calling people to Him. Whether Kurt Cobain meant it this way or not, the message is there. Let’s break it down: •“Take your time” – Many wrestle with faith for years. Some resist, some search, some stumble toward Christ over a lifetime. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) •“Hurry up” – But life is fleeting. None of us are promised tomorrow. “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) •“Choice is yours” – God gives us free will. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) •“Don’t be late” – There is a point where time runs out. “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) The chorus itself is an invitation: “Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be…” That’s the Gospel right there. Jesus doesn’t say, “Clean yourself up first,” or “Fix everything before you come.” He just says, Come. “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Then there’s the haunting, repetitive line: “I don’t have a gun.” That line hits differently in this context. Christ doesn’t force anyone. He doesn’t make us come to Him. The door is open, but we have to walk through it. Sin blinds people to the urgency of their situation. They don’t realize they are spiritually dying. Yet Christ still calls, still invites: Come. It makes me wonder—did Cobain, in his own brokenness, sense that call but not know where to go with it? So many artists cry out in their lyrics without realizing they’re echoing the truth of the Gospel. This isn’t to say Nirvana was secretly Christian, but it’s undeniable that the message of Come as You Are lines up eerily well with the way Jesus calls us. What do you think? Had you ever looked at the song this way before?

Michael, I’m going to be clear—this will be my final communication on this post, not because I believe I’ve “won” or because I think you have, but because this conversation has ceased to be productive. You continue to circle the same points, unwilling to engage with any perspective beyond your own. And until you can see that, there’s no real discussion to be had. The issue here isn’t just doctrine—it’s the refusal to even entertain the possibility that your framework could be incomplete. Decades of studying theology and refining an argument mean nothing if they lead to a place where Scripture is read only through the lens of your predetermined conclusion, rather than allowing Scripture to shape your understanding. You’ve put your entire being into proving that everything ended in AD 70, as if the fulfillment of Christ’s promises were limited to a historical event, rather than the living, ongoing work of God. But tell me this—where in your view does hope remain? Where does the Gospel continue? Paul didn’t preach a Christ who came once and left the rest of history to unravel. He preached a living Christ, an active, returning King whose final coming is not confined to the past. If all was fulfilled in AD 70, why does Paul, writing before then, continue to speak of a hope and an expectation beyond that moment? (Titus 2:13, 1 Corinthians 15:22-26). Your position requires ignoring the broader testimony of Scripture to defend a conclusion that leaves no room for Christ’s ongoing work. That’s not discernment—that’s intellectual stubbornness. And if you’re more concerned with winning a theological debate than with genuinely seeking the fullness of Christ’s work, then you’ve already lost the plot. So keep going in circles if you must. Keep convincing yourself that shutting down every alternative interpretation proves your position. But understand this—truth isn’t determined by how many times you repeat yourself. The Word of God is living, not trapped in a single historical moment. This conversation ends here, not because I concede to you, but because I refuse to entertain a discussion with someone who isn’t actually listening. If you ever want to discuss with an open heart instead of just defending a stance, you know where to find me. Until then, I leave you to your conclusions. God Bless.

Julie, I think the core issue here isn’t whether Russell is saved or not—that’s between him and God—but rather how we, as believers, respond to public figures who profess faith. You say, “What is your problem?” as if questioning the way someone presents Christ is inherently wrong. But Scripture calls us to discernment, to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), and to ensure that the message of Christ remains pure and unfiltered by human ego or theatrics. That’s not an attack; that’s biblical wisdom. No one is saying that Russell can’t be transformed or that God’s grace isn’t sufficient for him. But when a person places themselves at the center of the narrative—when intrigue, vague spiritual musings, and personal branding become part of the equation—it’s worth asking whether Christ is truly the focal point or if He is merely an accessory to the larger persona being crafted. That’s not cynicism; that’s responsibility. You claim that nobody is idolizing Russell, yet your response itself suggests otherwise. The need to rush to his defense, the indignation toward even the slightest critique, and the suggestion that questioning him is equivalent to doubting God’s transformative power—these are all signs of placing a person on a pedestal rather than allowing their fruit to speak for itself. If someone is truly pointing people to Christ, then Christ should be the one we are compelled to defend, not the individual. The transformation of a sinner is a beautiful thing, but it’s not about celebrating the man—it’s about celebrating Christ’s work in him. And when someone builds a platform around faith, it’s not unreasonable to ask whether they are drawing people directly to Jesus or whether they are positioning themselves as a necessary guide, subtly keeping the truth just out of reach for the sake of maintaining influence. If Russell is truly leading people to Christ, then there should be no fear of scrutiny. Truth stands firm under examination. But when the response to reasonable discernment is immediate dismissal and accusation, it begs the question: is the concern really about defending the faith, or is it about defending a person? Because those two things should never be confused. I would simply encourage you to take a step back and ask yourself why this response was necessary. If you believe in Christ above all else, then questioning a man’s role in presenting the Gospel shouldn’t feel like an attack—it should feel like due diligence.

I’m not just trying to point people to Christ—I’m trying to help them see that they don’t have to fix themselves before coming to Him. Too many people believe they have to make themselves whole first, but that’s not how it works. I don’t believe that, and I don’t think human nature works that way. You come to Christ as you are—broken, flawed, and in need of grace. Repentance isn’t about instant transformation or never sinning again. It’s about turning toward Him, acknowledging that you can’t do this on your own. And even after repenting, you’re going to fail, you’re going to sin again—but that’s okay. As long as you keep your focus on Christ and seek to live out His message, the more you do that, the more your life will change. It’s a process, not a one-time event. Just like planting a seed doesn’t immediately give you a fully grown apple tree, following Christ takes time. Too often, when we talk about faith, we point out people’s flaws but fail to give them a roadmap. It’s like someone wanting to lose weight—they don’t start by running a marathon; they start by taking a walk. It’s the same with Jesus. You just have to start. That begins with repentance—admitting you can’t make yourself sinless, that you can’t do this on your own. And even though you’ll stumble, the more you seek Him, the more He transforms you.