PRIDE: THE SILENT KILLER – PART 6 WHEN RELIGION BECOMES PRIDE Are You Serving God - or Seeking Praise? Pride can hide behind religion. You can pray, serve, give, and still have a proud heart. Jesus warned us: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” (Matthew 6:1) The question is not just, “What am I doing for God?” But “Why am I doing it—and who am I trying to please?” True spirituality doesn’t make you feel superior. It makes you more humble. Part 7: When Knowledge Becomes Pride Follow Life Light TV for more biblical motivation. Stay Humble. Stay Teachable. Stay Blessed. pride, religion and pride, spiritual pride, humility, Jesus, biblical truth, Christian motivation, Bible teaching, Matthew 6:1, faith, spiritual growth, Life Light TV, Christian encouragement

Physical things may satisfy the body for a moment, but spiritual things have the power to transform the soul and lead it toward eternal life. Therefore, put God first in your life and seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. When you place God above everything else, He gives your life direction, cares for your needs, and provides according to His perfect will. The wealth, pleasures, and possessions we gain for the body are temporary and can perish, but the life we receive from God is eternal. 🔥 Note: “The world may give you everything your body desires, but only God can give your soul what it truly needs—eternal life.”

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026 *SUB-THEME:* YOUTHS: VESSELS OF GOD’S GRACE. *TOPIC:* YOUTHS AS BEARERS OF LIGHT *TEXT:* EPHESIANS 5:8-13 8. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9. for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth 10. and find out what pleases the Lord. 11. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. *TOPIC:* YOUTHS AS BEARERS OF LIGHT *THE MESSAGE:* Jesus made it clear that He is the light of the world, and whoever following Him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life (Jn. 8:12). Darkness is often synonymous with sin and wickedness. In this text, Paul makes it clear that believers were once in darkness but are now in the light of the Lord. He urges them to live as children of the light and have nothing to do with darkness. Instead, expose it through righteous and truthful deeds that pleases the Lord. Christians are living amidst ungodly people whose behaviours and priorities conflict with the word of God. Will you compromise to belong or stand out as light? As a youth, your life must radiate the light of Christ wherever you are - in school, at work, in business, and in search of a job or a life partner. Is your light shinning? If not, fan it into flame. *REFLECTION:* Let your light so shine. *PRAYER:* Father, help me not to hide my light in Jesus' name. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* 2 TIMOTHY 2:21. "If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work." *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* EZEKIEL 16-19. ED.i. TO SAFE HARBOR "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved. So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away." - Acts 27:31-32 Paul said this when they were in a big storm on a ship at sea. This shipwreck story is often preached; however, we do not often hear about the lifeboat which belonged to the ship. The workers on the ship wanted to use this boat to secretly get away. They knew that if the ship was tossed against the rocks, they would all perish. Moreover, there were 276 people on board. How do you get them all in one lifeboat? They were cowards and wanted to leave the ship to save their own skin. Paul warned the captain and said: 'If they do not stay on board, you will not be saved.' Jesus Christ, the only Lifeboat The lifeboat would not offer any chance to survive on the stormy sea where they had been floating for two weeks. Paul knew this. I do not know much about ships, but one thing is certain: when there is a chance for shipwreck, the first question is: 'where is the lifeboat?' I have an important question: do we all understand the meaning and importance of a lifeboat when it comes to the salvation of our souls? When your soul is in great need, do you have a lifeboat? Today I want to ask you to investigate the lifeboat before your soul venture on board. For many people their lifeboat is their 'good works.' However, you will not get to heaven with these. There are many leaky lifeboats and people think these will save their souls. I would like to convince people through the Holy Spirit to step into the only safe lifeboat which will bring you to heaven. That lifeboat cannot be smashed. The wood comes from the cross on Calvary. Throughout the ages, this Lifeboat brings shipwrecks into safe harbor day and night. This Lifeboat never fails and is big enough for everyone. The only lifeboat that can save your soul is Jesus Christ. https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Good evening prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer Come unto me, all [ye] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ⏤ Matthew 11:28 Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work. ⏤ Oswald Chambers O God, You have taught us in Your holy word to cast our burdens upon You, promising that You will sustain us. We come to You this evening with our burdens. You’ve given them to us as gifts, so we know there must be a blessing hidden within each one. Help us to accept our burdens and receive the gifts they carry. Let us not complain or grumble under them, lest we miss the blessings You’ve prepared for us. You haven’t promised to take our burdens away, for that would rob us of the blessings You’ve lovingly prepared. But You have promised to sustain us and give us the strength to bear them. So our prayer is that You would give us the grace to accept whatever burdens You’ve placed upon us, to carry whatever crosses You’ve given us, and to bear them after our Savior, trusting in quiet faith. At the close of this day, we bring You our sincere gratitude and praise for Your goodness. Your love never tires, Your patience never runs out, Your grace never fails. We grieve You with our many sins, our unbelief, and our complaining. Have mercy on us and forgive us for Jesus’ sake. Grant us an evening blessing from Your hand. Give us Your peace, strengthen us with Your might, and prepare us for any duty or struggle that lies ahead. Crush Satan under our feet. Jesus, You have overcome the world, and in Your victory, You are our defense and refuge. So we hide in You, as in the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Bless us for Your name’s sake. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/46/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

The Bible’s Big Story The Bible is one unified book telling the story of God’s glory through creation, humanity’s rebellion, God’s covenant promises, and their complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Everything moves toward Christ’s preeminence. The Old Testament prepares the way; the New Testament reveals Him as the fulfillment. Together they form 66 inspired books—39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. The Old Testament (39 Books): God’s Promises and Preparation The Old Testament shows God creating the world, choosing a people, giving them His law, and promising a coming King who would fix what sin broke. It repeatedly points forward to the Messiah. Law (Pentateuch – 5 books): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These lay the foundation. Genesis shows creation, the fall, and God’s first promises. Exodus–Deuteronomy record God’s rescue of Israel from Egypt, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, and the covenant instructions for a holy people. Historical Books (12 books): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. They trace Israel’s life in the Promised Land, their cycles of obedience and rebellion, the rise and fall of the monarchy, exile in Babylon, and return. They demonstrate that human kings fail, but God remains faithful to His promises. Wisdom and Poetry (5 books): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. These teach how to live wisely under God’s rule. They explore suffering, worship, daily righteousness, the emptiness of life without God, and the beauty of covenant love. Prophets (17 books): Major Prophets (5): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Minor Prophets (12): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The prophets confront idolatry, call for repentance, warn of judgment, and repeatedly promise a coming Deliverer, a new covenant, and a kingdom that will never end. The entire Old Testament builds expectation: a seed of the woman, a descendant of Abraham, a prophet like Moses, a son of David, a suffering servant, and a King who will reign forever. The New Testament (27 Books): Christ’s Arrival and the New Creation The New Testament announces that Jesus is the promised King. He is the preeminent One in whom all God’s promises find their “Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20). It shows His life, death, resurrection, the birth of the church, and the final renewal of all things. Gospels (4 books): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. These present Jesus from four angles: as King (Matthew), servant (Mark), perfect man (Luke), and eternal God (John). They record His teaching, miracles, crucifixion for sins, and resurrection. History (1 book): Acts. Luke’s second volume shows the Holy Spirit empowering the early church to take the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It records the rapid spread of the message that Jesus is Lord. Letters (21 books): Paul’s Letters (13): Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. These explain the gospel, the meaning of Christ’s work, how the church should live, and how believers stand secure in Him. General Letters (8): Hebrews, James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude. These encourage perseverance, warn against false teaching, and call for holy living. Prophecy (1 book): Revelation. This apocalyptic letter reveals Christ as the victorious Lamb and coming King. It comforts suffering believers and shows the final defeat of evil and the making of a new heaven and new earth. How the Two Testaments Fit Together The Old Testament is not obsolete. Jesus said He came to fulfill it, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). The New Testament constantly quotes and explains the Old, showing that Christ is the true temple, the better Moses, the perfect high priest, the faithful Israel, and the eternal King. Everything in the Bible centers on the supremacy and preeminence of Christ that we have been studying in Colossians 1. He is the goal of the Old Testament promises and the living reality of the New Testament gospel. The whole book calls you to trust Him, repent of sin, and live under His rule until He returns. If you want to go deeper into any section—especially how Colossians fits into the larger biblical theology of Christ’s preeminence—let me know which part to unpack next.

Blessed When We Suffer for Christ As we continue meditating on the Sermon on the Mount, we come to the final blessed words Jesus spoke concerning persecution. In this great teaching, our King reveals the principles and values of the Kingdom of Heaven. These words are a blessing and encouragement to every citizen of God’s Kingdom who seeks to live according to His truth. Jesus says, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12). Jesus teaches His disciples that when we are insulted, persecuted, or falsely accused because we follow Him and pursue righteousness, we should not lose heart. Instead, He calls us to rejoice and be glad. This teaching is completely different from the values of the world. Human nature often responds to persecution with anger, fear, bitterness, or discouragement, but Jesus calls His followers to respond with faith, joy, love, and perseverance. Our suffering for Christ is not meaningless. Jesus reminds us that our reward is in heaven. He also points us toward the faithful prophets and saints who suffered because they stood firmly for God’s truth. Their lives are examples for us to follow. They chose righteousness over popularity, obedience over comfort, and faithfulness over worldly approval. Jesus Himself is our greatest example. He endured rejection, suffering, false accusations, and persecution, yet He remained faithful to the Father’s will. Hebrews 4:14–16 reminds us that Jesus, our great High Priest, understands our weaknesses because He was tempted in every way as we are, yet remained without sin. Therefore, we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we will receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. May we remain faithful when we face opposition, remembering that Christ is with us and our heavenly reward is great. May God’s peace and grace be upon you. Have a blessed day and night. Love God and love people.

Romans 8:1-11 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, [4] that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. [8] So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. [10] And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

When we receive God’s gift of salvation, He begins His work of transformation in us. He does this through the Bible, God’s wisdom to us: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we read and meditate on the Scriptures, we learn about Him and what it means to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Through prayer, we come to Him for strength and guidance. And, as believers in Jesus, the Holy Spirit living inside us “will guide us into all the truth” (John 16:13). The Spirit helps us to understand and live out the gospel and to “shine” in this dark world by our words and actions, drawing others to Christ, the source of Light.

📖 WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PSALM 45? Psalm 45 is more than a beautiful royal wedding song. It gives us a powerful picture of kingship, righteousness, devotion, and an everlasting throne. Three lessons stand out: 👑 Honor the King — Recognize the greatness and authority of Christ. ❤️ Live devoted to God — Leave behind what separates you from Him and pursue Him wholeheartedly. ✨ Remember the eternal kingdom — Earthly circumstances change, but Christ's reign does not. Psalm 45 reminds us that our ultimate hope is found in a King whose kingdom will never end. Jesus Christ is worthy of our worship, our loyalty, and our lives. #Psalm45 #Psalms #JesusChrist #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #KingOfKings #WordOfGod #Faith #ChristianEncouragement https://youtube.com/shorts/jieDS3WZN18?feature=share

“For if, having escaped the world’s impurity through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them.” — 2 Peter 2:20–21 (CSB) Peter gives a serious warning about people who encounter the truth of Christ but later turn away and become entangled again in the corruption of the world. In the larger context, he is especially addressing false teachers whose lives and teachings reveal that they have rejected the truth they once knew. Greater knowledge brings greater responsibility, making deliberate rejection of God’s truth especially dangerous. This passage calls us to remain firmly rooted in Christ, allowing the truth we know to continually shape the way we believe and live.

The Advent Truth. “New covenant” does not mean “no law,” and “a new commandment” does not mean Jesus replaced the Ten Commandments with a vague command to love. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). What was new? Not the command to love. Leviticus 19:18 had already commanded, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” centuries earlier. And Jeremiah 31 actually proves the opposite of the “law abolished” argument. God describes the NEW COVENANT Himself: “I will put MY LAW in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33). Notice what God does NOT say: “I will abolish My law and replace it with another law.” The difference is where the law is written. Under the new covenant, God writes His law upon the HEART. Hebrews repeats Jeremiah’s prophecy: “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10; cf. 10:16). Yes, Jesus said, “This cup is the new testament [covenant] in my blood” (Luke 22:20). His blood ratifies the new covenant—but what covenant does Jeremiah say it is? The covenant in which GOD WRITES HIS LAW ON OUR HEARTS. The problem with the old covenant was never that God’s moral law was defective. Scripture says, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). Hebrews identifies the problem: “finding fault with them” (Hebrews 8:8). The people promised, “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8), but human strength could not produce obedience. The new covenant provides what the old covenant experience lacked: forgiveness through Christ, a transformed heart, and God’s Spirit producing obedience from within. And what does love look like? “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). Grace doesn’t erase God’s law. Grace writes it deeper. The old covenant could point to righteousness. The new covenant puts Christ within us to live it.