Image
THE SURROGATE JOURNEY: BIRTHING PURPOSE THROUGH OTHERS.  PART 3: THE WEIGHT OF THE WOMB — WHEN CARRYING GETS COMPLICATED Genesis 16:5–6 Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me.’ Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.” (NIV) 🔁 Quick Recap: In Part 2 , we met Hagar, the Egyptian servant chosen by Sarai to carry her child. Though not her dream, not her plan, and not her baby—she became the carrier of a promise she didn’t initiate. We learned how sometimes we are called to be the “other woman” in someone else’s destiny story—carrying, serving, interceding, and pushing someone else’s dream forward. 🤰 The Blessing that Brought Bitterness Hagar became pregnant. She was carrying the long-awaited seed. She should have been celebrated. But instead… she was mistreated. The one who chose her now chased her. The one who needed her now neglected her. The woman...
2 comments

THE LIFE CYCLE OF SIN AS CHILDBEARING PART 13: BAD “SPIRITUAL NUTRIENTS” FOR UNHEALTHY GROWTH (SINFUL DESIRES)

THE LIFE CYCLE OF SIN AS CHILDBEARING 
PART 13: BAD “SPIRITUAL NUTRIENTS” FOR UNHEALTHY GROWTH (SINFUL DESIRES)


James 1:15

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.



RECAP OF PART 12

In our last chapter, we explored “Good Spiritual Nutrients” that nurture a healthy spiritual life and bring us closer to God. In this chapter, we shift focus to Bad “Spiritual Nutrients” for Unhealthy Growth—influences that, like harmful substances during pregnancy, fuel sinful desires, leading to actions that can ultimately separate us from God and result in spiritual death.



Bad “Spiritual Nutrients” for Unhealthy Growth (Sinful Desires)

Just as consuming harmful foods can endanger a developing baby, exposing ourselves to negative spiritual influences—such as toxic environments, unholy media, or unhealthy relationships—feeds sinful desires and brings spiritual harm. These influences are like "junk food" for the soul, leading to unhealthy growth and fostering habits that distance us from God.




1. Toxic Media – Junk Food for the Soul


Bad for Growth:

Constant exposure to harmful media, whether through movies, music, social media, or the internet, fills our minds with messages that lead us away from God’s truth. Here’s how toxic media affects our spiritual health:


Lustful Content: Media that promotes lustful thoughts or behaviors—explicit movies, suggestive music, or immoral websites—ignites desires that lead us away from purity and holiness.


Normalization of Sin: What we watch can subtly convince us that sin is harmless, even desirable. Over time, our conscience dulls and we lose sensitivity to what displeases God.


Comparison and Envy: Social media often leads to discontent, envy, and false identity formation, feeding selfish desires and pride.



Scripture Reference: “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” — Psalm 101:3 (ESV)

This verse reminds us to be mindful of what we consume visually and mentally. Avoiding harmful content is key to guarding our hearts and minds.




Analogy:

Just as junk food clogs arteries and damages the heart, toxic media clogs our spiritual life, allowing sinful desires to grow unchecked. Over time, these influences lead to spiritual malnourishment, weakening our resistance to temptation and pulling us farther from God.




REFLECTION:

What media or content in your life is feeding sinful desires rather than nurturing your spirit? What boundaries need to be drawn to protect your soul?




Call to Action:

Begin a spiritual media detox. Remove or limit exposure to media that promotes impurity, pride, or ungodliness. Replace it with content that feeds your spirit—worship music, the Word, and uplifting conversations.




PRAYER:

Lord, help me to protect my heart and mind from harmful influences. Give me wisdom to choose what is pure and pleasing to You, so that my life may honor You in every way. Amen.




Next Part – Part 14:

In the next part, we’ll delve deeper into the impact of toxic media and how we can guard our hearts against these spiritual pollutants, continuing our journey toward spiritual health.





📌Let’s Talk:

What’s one type of media you’ve realized is harmful to your spiritual health?

How do you plan to replace it with something that builds your faith?

Please kindly share your thoughts, testimonies, or questions—we grow better together.

Thank you!





Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's penman)



Comments

  1. Esi8 June 2025 at 06:03

    So I've realised that social media can be a major distraction and even a stumbling block, especially for Christians striving to live purposefully and godly lives. While social media in itself isn't evil, how we use it matters deeply.

    When I wake up every morning, I don't pick up my phone first. I pray, read my bible and even do my chores before touching my phone. Setting boundaries and time limits also help.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EL-PJ God's penman8 June 2025 at 22:31

    Wow, Esi, this is such a timely and powerful reminder! 👏 You're absolutely right — social media isn’t inherently bad, but without boundaries, it can quietly steal our time, focus, and even intimacy with God. I love your intentional morning routine; it speaks volumes about putting first things first (Matthew 6:33).

    Thank you for sharing this — it’s a gentle nudge to us all to be more disciplined and purposeful in our daily habits. 💛 Keep shining your light!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your reflections, testimonies, or questions below. Let’s grow together in faith!

Popular posts from this blog

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 8:WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW

Image
THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION Romans 1:11-12 (NIV) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Welcome to Part 8 of our Series, Jumpstarting Your Life: The Power of Divine Connection.  In Part 7 , we saw how my landlady’s son, who had once been stranded, later became a helper to another driver stuck in the mud . We learned that helping others after receiving help is a key principle of life , and sometimes, we must recognize when we need assistance instead of struggling alone. But what if the real issue isn’t about getting help but knowing when to move on? PART 8: WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION I have a friend named Kwame who had been driving an old car for years . It wasn’t just any car—it had been his first car, filled with memories. One day, after heavy rain, he...
Read more

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 1: WHEN LIFE REFUSES TO START

Image
THE STORY: A CAR THAT WOULDN’T START Romans 1:11-12 (NIV ) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." One early morning, I was in my room when I noticed my landlady’s son struggling with his car. No matter how many times he turned the key, it refused to start. Minutes later, a co-tenant arrived with a car battery, connected it to his, and in seconds— boom ! The engine roared to life. It hit me: Sometimes, we need external help to restart what isn’t working in our lives. HAVE YOU EVER FELT STUCK? Just like that dead battery , life can sometimes feel like it just won’t start: Spiritually – Your passion for prayer and the Word feels drained. (“ Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5) Physically – You’re constantly exhausted, no matter how much you rest. (“Even youths grow weary, but those who wait on the Lord renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:30-31...
Read more

DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING

Image
DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING Revelation 2:4-5 "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."  Not every wound bleeds. Some deteriorate quietly beneath the surface—unseen, unfelt, and unspoken—until it's too late . Just like a diabetic wound that looks minor at first but spreads when ignored , many of life's deepest issues— spiritual, emotional, physical, and even national—start small . But delay is dangerous . Healing begins when we are humble and honest enough to recognize the wound. Key Scripture: " You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." – Revelation 2:4-5 LIFE APPLICATION: Two years ago, a friend called me, asking for blood donation for his father-in-law, who was scheduled for a leg amputation at the 3...
Read more