The silent whispers of self-doubt can be the devil's playground, and I've felt the sting of negative self-talk that threatens to expose our weakest flanks to corruption. You're not alone in this struggle, and together, we venture into understanding how our language and self-awareness serve as either a conduit for corruption or a bastion against it. Taking cue from 1 Peter 5:8, our latest episode invites you to a candid discussion on the insidious nature of corruption and how even the most righteous among us aren't immune to its lures. I share anecdotes from my own journey, reminding us to recognize our inherent goodness and to don the armor of righteousness in these trying times.
As society grapples with the erosion of moral values and the rise of materialism, we turn to the prophetic insights of Paul Harvey's "If I Were the Devil," drawing uncanny parallels to the present day. We examine how the devil's blueprint for societal decay mirrors the challenges we're facing and why spiritual warfare is more relevant than ever. Join us as we bolster our resolve, encouraging each other to find solace in scripture and to maintain a steadfast faith. This heartfelt episode is not just a reflection but a call to action, to live in a way that honors our deepest convictions, ensuring that in the ultimate battle, good will indeed triumph over evil.
The silent whispers of self-doubt can be the devil's playground, and I've felt the sting of negative self-talk that threatens to expose our weakest flanks to corruption. You're not alone in this struggle, and together, we venture into understanding how our language and self-awareness serve as either a conduit for corruption or a bastion against it. Taking cue from 1 Peter 5:8, our latest episode invites you to a candid discussion on the insidious nature of corruption and how even the most righteous among us aren't immune to its lures. I share anecdotes from my own journey, reminding us to recognize our inherent goodness and to don the armor of righteousness in these trying times.
As society grapples with the erosion of moral values and the rise of materialism, we turn to the prophetic insights of Paul Harvey's "If I Were the Devil," drawing uncanny parallels to the present day. We examine how the devil's blueprint for societal decay mirrors the challenges we're facing and why spiritual warfare is more relevant than ever. Join us as we bolster our resolve, encouraging each other to find solace in scripture and to maintain a steadfast faith. This heartfelt episode is not just a reflection but a call to action, to live in a way that honors our deepest convictions, ensuring that in the ultimate battle, good will indeed triumph over evil.
Welcome back to Guidance Light. This is Jon, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to Season 1, episode 19. John and I'm thrilled to welcome you to Season 1, episode 19. It's been an incredible journey and I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to all of our listeners. Today we are diving into a crucial topic corruption. We'll explore how corruption surround us and how our words can sometimes lead us astray. In Episodes 12 through 18, we embarked on a path of recovery, forgiveness and reconciliation through life's challenges. But what happens when doubt creeps in, when we're tempted by the enemy's lies and we use our own words to undermine ourselves? That's what we'll be discussing today.
Jon:
I want to express my gratitude to everyone tuning in, especially our loyal listeners, who keep coming back for more. A massive shout out goes to my friends in Sweden and in Ireland. Your ongoing support means the world to us and we appreciate you more than words can say. As we continue this journey together, I'm going to stop for a moment and ask you for your help. Please help me spread the word about this channel to your friends, family and colleagues basically anyone you know. I appreciate and thank you for your efforts ahead of time. We've grown so much already and I firmly believe that, with Jesus' guidance and your support, we will continue to thrive.
Jon:
The goal is that episode 20 is going to be the last episode in season one. Season two should be coming back, and this time it's going to be coming back, hopefully, with God's will, with a platform YouTube where you'll finally be able to see me through the actual channel. Again, this is if God wills it. If it doesn't, and we end up back in just a verbal and auditory episode, we're going to welcome that too. So let's dive into today's episode and uncover the ways that we can combat corruption in our lives. Now let's dive into prayer to open us up in today's message God, my Father, who art in heaven, I approach you today burdened and full of sin.
Jon:
Have mercy on me and grant me the words that need to be spoken so that others may hear of your love, kindness, light and guidance, for we are all lost. Father, today, as we speak of corruption, I pray that you open the eyes, minds and hearts of all who are listening. Help us understand that without you, lord listening, help us understand that without you, lord, we are bound to fail. Help us comprehend your words and welcome your message into our hearts so that we may apply it to our daily lives, lord, so that those that hear today's message understand that we are not coming from a place of judgment, lord, that we are coming from a place of understanding. We honor and thank you for all you do for us, lord, is more than enough, and though we are unworthy and we earnestly seek you, father, we ask that you guide us further with your light. Today, as we take everything you have to say. In Jesus' holy name, we pray Amen, so diving right in.
Jon:
How many times do we find ourselves shaking our heads when something isn't quite as it used to be? I know a lot of you look back in nostalgia and say, hey, I used to go through this when I was younger and things were a lot better back then. I know that a lot of us look into the news to see the state of the world, or social media to keep up with friends and family. But I have a question for you, and it's a simple one. Who is looking at you? Guys, today is going to be somewhat of a sensitive subject, so I'm giving you a forewarning and I'm asking you to stick through the entire episode with me, because I know together we can make it through. So let's get through this together. And as Christians, it's important to understand that the devil is seeking to bring us down every chance he gets, and he has a pretty similar playbook that he keeps using over and over again. Why, may you ask? Because it's effective. His playbook has worked since the earliest parts of recorded history and it's right in front of our face and it's repeating itself over and over again throughout all of history, all the way through this very day.
Jon:
But before we go into the bigger picture, before we look at the world as a whole, let's focus in on ourselves. Let's look at the core of where corruption really starts, and it starts at our own mouths. So let's look at the book of 1 Peter, 5, verse 8. It says Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around you like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, and that someone is you, it's also me, it's your friends and family, any one of us that follows God. The enemy is looking to devour them, to find and exploit weaknesses and use them against you. Define and exploit weaknesses and use them against you.
Jon:
I know, as a Christian man, I find myself all the time striving to walk with Christ the best I possibly can, and then I turn around and talk ill about myself, Saying things along the lines like I'm stupid or I'm fat, I'm ugly, I'm depressed, maybe I'm lonely or sad. Some people claim to be suicidal, and that list unfortunately goes on and on. What we don't realize and we don't realize it at the time when we're speaking, because sometimes it seems like a simple conversation is that we are giving and letting the enemy know where to attack. We're giving him a roadmap to our hearts, to our minds, and he's taking it in, he's jotting down notes and he knows where he's going to attack and I want you to know that once he sinks his teeth into you, he's not going to want to let go. He's going to pour in and exploit and rip apart your armor to let sin come in and begin the process of corrupting us from the goodness of Christ. Because I want you all to remember that all things made by God are good, all to remember that all things made by God are good, I want to challenge you for a moment, just for one second, before we continue here. Ask yourselves the last time you spoke about yourself, was it positive? Did it give Jesus the glory and honor that he deserves? Or was it the opposite, even if it was by just playing around, did you give God the honor or did you give the enemy a roadmap on where to attack? You see, let's dive into more of a theoretical approach on this. Really quick to a scenario where someone once asked me if god made everything, then did god make evil? Because surely corruption is a form of evil. And it was such an interesting question because I know, and I'm pretty sure some of you have heard this question through a video in social media or through YouTube or something along those lines. So then I proceeded to respond with a much more drawn out version than what I'm going to go through today. But ultimately, to make a long story short, I replied that God did not make evil.
Jon:
Evil is a term that we use to describe the absence of God in our lives, and in the book of Habakkuk, chapter 1, verses 13, it says your eyes are too pure to look on evil. You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Pure to look on evil, you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. See, god is so holy that he cannot look upon where there's evil. So how did he create it? He turns his eyes away from the wrongdoing. So where sin or evil is at, god cannot be.
Jon:
And when we look at corruption as a whole, we are looking at such a broad stroke, guys, because corruption is a poison that is unique to each person and they're all. Each poison is expertly crafted and suited to accomplish the goals that the enemy has in store for us as the children of God. And when we look around and we look at what has been corrupted, let's not just look at ourselves here, but open our eyes to what is around us. I mean, if you look at schools, there's metal detectors and guard dogs, there's shootings, there's kids wanting to sexually mutilate themselves, pornography and gentlemen's clubs are promoted everywhere as fun times or as a way to relieve stress. Tv shows and kid shows are no longer pure. They're sowing a message of confusion and promoting sin to the fullest. We have corrupt officials guiding us, concerned more with their bank accounts than the common good of all, and the worst thing about it is that God has been evicted from the schools, courts and even in some state legislations.
Jon:
It all begins at the core of each individual person, though, and just like corruption has spread like a wildfire in the world, you too can be consumed by it if you don't seek guidance from God, and this is why we listen to his words, why we read the Bible, because God warns us about this, and in 2 Peter 2, verse 19,. It says they promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, for whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. Guys, I want you to stop for a second and just think about this. It says whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. It means whatever you give into, whatever you like, whatever floats your boat, whatever drives you, you can become enslaved to it, and that is why corruption is a unique poison used by the enemy and powered by sin to tear us away from the path that God has laid out for us.
Jon:
God is not to blame for this. We are, because, instead of saying I'm sad, you should be proclaiming that Jesus has the victory and that he has saved you from despair. Instead of saying I'm sad, you should be proclaiming that Jesus has the victory and that he has saved you from despair. Instead of saying I am depressed, you should be shouting I am overjoyed because I have the light of the world in my heart. Don't let your own words be the key that the enemy uses against you. Tear that map up, burn those letters, throw them away, because you have given it to God. And in James, chapter 3, verse 16, it says for where jealousy and self-ambition exist, there will be disorder.
Jon:
And every vile practice, guys, corruption comes at the root of ambition. Practice, guys, corruption comes at the root of ambition. So many of us are willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the very top that we don't see the poison that we're causing in ourselves. And ambition is so often praised by everyone that we don't realize the damage that it can do. I'm not saying, guys, I don't want you to take me out of context for a moment here. I don't want you to think that I'm saying that I don't want you to say I want to be better, I want to better myself. By all means do that. I'm saying that we should want to be more like Jesus in our endeavors. If you want to lose weight, go for it, do it. If you want to become more financially stable, go for it, but give God the honor. His blessings are all that you need in this life. His blood shed on Calvary's cross has cleansed us and made us new, and our own actions drag our very souls through the mud. Sometimes we tend to glorify ourselves over glorifying God and giving him the thanks for making it to where we want to be. So, with that in mind, we are looking at ourselves as a core of what corruption is, but we also need to remind ourselves that it's also around us. And on April 3rd 1965, I read.
Jon:
Well, let me backtrack for a moment here. I heard a video and it just hit home so many years ago and it's widely available. You can go on YouTube. You could find it in a lot of different places, but I'm going to play it for you here today. And it was aired on April 3rd 1965. By a gentleman named Paul Harvey On an American broadcast radio channel who outlined what he would do if he were the devil.
Paul Harvey:
So let's have a listen.
Paul Harvey:
If I were the devil, if I were the devil, so let's have a listen. If I were the devil, if I were the devil, if I were the prince of darkness, I'd want to engulf the whole world in darkness and I'd have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population. But I wouldn't be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree, thee. So I'd set about, however necessary, to take over the United States. I'd subvert the churches first. I'd begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve. Do as you please. To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what's bad is good and what's good is square. And the old I would teach to pray after me, our father which art in Washington. And then I'd get organized. I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I'd threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could. I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I'd tranquilize the rest with pills. If I were the devil, I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves and nations at war with themselves, until each in its turn was consumed, and with promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
Paul Harvey:
If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions. Just let those run wild Until, before you knew it, you'd have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door. Within a decade I'd have prisons overflowing. I'd have judges promoting pornography. Soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress and in his own churches. I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.
Paul Harvey:
If I were the devil, I'd make the symbol of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle. If I were the devil, I'd take from those who have and give to those who wanted. Until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious and what'll you bet I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich. I would caution against extremes in hard work, in patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on TV is the way to be, and thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were the devil, I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing. Paul Harvey, good day.
Jon:
Guys. This is such a jarring message to hear because it's almost as if he had a time machine to see what's going on today, how relevant it is to us today. But one of the things that sticks out to me right off the rip is that he speaks about seizing the ripest apple on the tree the as in you. There is so much sin and corruption everywhere that the only place left to turn to guys is to God to follow his words. We have churches unfortunately promoting same-sex marriages and abortions, and I want you to know that this has happened before in the Bible. See, if you refer to the book of Kings, with King David's line, you run into someone named Manassas and his son Amos, and that they go to explain how they followed the pagan gods, or the demons that we know as Ba, asherah and Moloch. And I want you to know that, with every great nation, in every period in history, these three demons have been given power and have been put in a place of worship side by side with our God, in his very house. And what do they talk about? They promote fertility and corruption, prostitution, adultery and child sacrifice. So I ask you, what do you think is happening in today's day and age. Is this all a coincidence? No, I don't think it is. I think it's a play straight out of the enemy's playbook, and God is forewarning us. The state of this world is showing levels of corruption that have polluted God's people. The absence of God in our choices and actions are a straight reflection of the corruption we see today. It's the enemy's plan to drive you into a state of fear, anxiety and stress so that you may lose focus on God. But, guys, this whole episode isn't about being worried or about looking at just corruption, but I want you to understand that you have a right to rest easy, for all of this, all that is and all that has been, has needed to come to pass so that the second coming of Christ could come to be.
Jon:
Guys, this is a time that we're looking forward to, the time that we get reunited with our God. So long as we stay ingrained in the word of God, guys, we shall not want for anything. As long as we give Jesus our issues, we will be protected by his will. The enemy is going to try, but I'm going to put this out there and I'm going to tell you that. Did Daniel not walk out of the lion's den? Did Shadrach, meshach and Abednego walk in and out of a fire unharmed? We give all we are to God so that we may remain clean and free from the enemy's corruption. And when we do fall, when we are strained by our actions because it's going to happen, I hate to tell you guys and I hate to forewarn you guys, but it's going to happen we stop and we fall to our knees and we ask God for forgiveness.
Jon:
We say things like in Psalms 91, chapters 1 through 2. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord. He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. And just like in John, chapter 16, verse 33 that I've said it in other episodes before it says I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace In this world. You will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.
Jon:
We take refuge in God's words because he reminds us that no matter the trouble we find ourselves in, he is there for us. And in Psalms 103, verse 12, it says as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. He's talking about our sins. He's talking about our sins, our errors. He's taking it as far as the east is from the west, away from us. We have faith in the God of Abraham, isaac and Moses, because he has foretold our state of the world and he has already overcome them, and in him is the good news there is peace and rest for all who seek him. Regardless of our past sins and our actions. He offers us salvation freely. God wants us to go to him with our worries, not voice them out loud carelessly. He wants us to turn to him when things get rough, not seek the answers the world has to offer. So when you look at corruption and you are disheartened by it, turn to God. When you are going to corrupt yourselves with your own words, give God the glory. Let him deliver you, because only through him are you freed. He is a chain breaker. He cleanses us each and every day, so long as we seek earnestly.
Jon:
I'm not talking about going into habitual practices of doing the same thing over and over again and asking God to cleanse you like an Etch-a-Sketch. It doesn't work that way. I'm telling you to find the error, to give it to God and to change your life for him. This week, I want you guys to practice holding your tongue Between now and next episode. When you are speaking about yourself, remember that all that God has made is good, and he made you.
Jon:
If someone you care about is speaking bad about themselves, even in a joking manner, I want you to find the courage to stop them and let them know that our words have power, just like it says in the book of Proverbs, chapter 18, verse 21,. The tongue can bring death or life. Those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Instead, remind them that in Jesus, they are free from their woes. They are liberated from their chains. Remind them that Jesus has already won and he is the way, the truth and the life. In other words, this week, like Elijah, speak life into others and into yourself, by acknowledging that you are not weak, you are not downed or confused. You are strong in Jesus, you are lifted by his righteous hand and you are wise beyond measure because you trust and follow his words. Do this not only to help yourself, but to help the ones that you love and that love you. So, as we close out this episode, as we get to the closing of this episode.
Jon:
I want to pray with you guys, so bow your heads with me and pray with your own words, coming from your own heart. Father, I come to you with my worries, lord, you who hears my heart, and stitch me together. Lord, you know me better than anybody. Lord, the Bible says that you know how many hairs are on my head. So I come to you and I give you my problems silently. I hold them in my heart because I know that that's where you are and because I have faith in your goodness. Lord, I know and I believe that you can deliver me, even when I don't voice what's bringing me down. Father, you are my rock and my refuge. Teach me to speak life in every situation that arises, so that I can remain steadfast in you. Help me to speak life into myself and into the ones that I love, each and every day. Help me be better, a better version of myself. Protect me from everything that is threatening to drown me, lord, everything that is trying to pull me under. Father, I ask that you take it and deliver me from them. I thank you, god, for the wonderful things you have done for me and that you continually do. Lord, help me, keep my eyes focused on you and to turn away from all the corruption that is around me. And I know that, when the enemy tries to bring me down, that I will be victorious, because in your name, jesus, in you, jesus, I proclaim victory. In Jesus' holy name, I pray Amen.
Jon:
Some of you listening today may have not started a relationship with our Father. You may not know who God really is in your hearts and, as a Christian, I want you to know the love and peace that I feel when I honor God and when he is taking care of me the way that he only can. For you to have a relationship with God, it's as easy as just asking him to come into your heart. It's a really simple prayer. So I want to say this prayer with you and I urge you to pray along with me. Father, I know that I'm a sinner. I carry the weight of my burdens every day. Lord, I know that you sent your son, jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross and the blood that he shed, lord, cleansed me of my sins. Lord, come into my heart and save me from all that threatens me. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Let me live my life for you so that I may honor you with all that I have In Jesus's holy name. I pray Amen.
Jon:
If you were bold enough to say that prayer, I want to be the first to welcome you to God's family, for you are now a brother or sister in Christ, our Heavenly Father. I want you to know that in Luke, chapter 15, verse 7, it says that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need repentance one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need repentance. So I want you to know that right now, at this very moment, there are choirs of angels rejoicing over the choices you made today and, if you haven't heard it yet, I am proud of you. I also want to welcome you to Guidance Life, where our focus is on our Heavenly Father, god.
Jon:
We have multiple platforms, guys, that we push daily content into to remind you that God is Lord and he isn't all we do. We are on Instagram, facebook, spotify, apple Podcasts and so many more platforms. We also have a website where you can do cool things like submit prayer requests, send me emails, even purchase Christian merchandise, and or catch up with the latest episodes, tied with some transcripts. Our excitement is to serve the true living God, and that knows no bounds in us. As we are working through him and for him to fulfill the vision that he has given us, I will say this that if you're listening today, that I am still in need of all your help, because this channel will not go far without the support that you guys continually give. Please lend me a hand by sharing the content with friends and families, for it goes hand in hand with a mission that God has for us, and that's to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Jon:
This could be the moment, right now, that God is calling you to help guys, so don't ignore it. May God bless each and every one of you to the fullest and deliver you from whatever storm you may be going through. His trials are hard and sometimes it feels like you're alone and the silence is deafening, but I promise you his grace will never leave you stranded and his voice is never as far as it seems. Thank you again for everything you guys are doing. May God continue to bless you and guide you through the storms. This is John, with Guidance Light, signing out with all the love in the world. See you, guys, next week.