Daily Bible Nugget #980, Matthew 12:36

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (KJV)

My Comment:

Not even one of the 22 English Bible translations I just now consulted that are available to me in my e-Sword Bible software program alerts the reader to the fact that the underlying Greek translated “word” is not the usual term “logos” but a very special term “rhema.” This fact totally changes what is meant by “idle word” in this verse. It is not a reference to the content of ordinary conversation. It has no reference to idle talk or careless speech.

So far as I have been able to discover, only the Lavender NT translation gets it right:

Matthew 12:36. But I say to you that every non-working rhema which men may speak, they will give account concerning it on the Day of Judgment.

Rhema is a revelatory word. The expression “non-working rhema” is a false revelation. It has special reference to Deuteronomy 13:1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and many other passages in the Bible. The passages are carefully cross referenced at Matthew 12:36 and notes shared from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury below.

Matthew 12:36
every. *Ecc 12:14, *Rom 2:16, *Eph 5:4, 5, 6; *Eph 5:11, *Jud 1:14; *Jud 1:15, *Rev 20:12.
idle word. The same as the “evil things” of Mat 12:35, and explained by the whole context from Mat 12:31 (De Burgh). S# G692 (idle). S# G4487 (word). Note: Rama argon, ρημα αργον, i.e. aergon, from a, privative, and ergon, work, a word that produces no good effect, and is not calculated to produce any. It is of interest to note that argos is used of ground left idle and not yielding a crop [2Pe 1:8]; of money not invested and yielding no return [Mat 25:25; Mat 25:27]; of those who were unemployed in the marketplace [Mat 20:3; Mat 20:6]. Rhema is a revelatory word (Heb 11:3 note), but here it is referred to as a non-working rhema, i.e., unauthorized, false revelation. As God said in Jer 23:21: “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (NKJ; cf. Deut 13:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Jer 14:13, 14, 15, 16; Jer 23:16, 17; Jer 23:25, 26; Jer 23:30, 31, 32; Mat 7:22; Acts 6:11). It is a very serious matter to mishandle the word of God either in prophecy or doctrine (cf. Gal 1:8, 9; 1Ti 4:1, 2, 3 and notes) [LNT, fn y]. *S# G692: Mat 12:36; Mat 20:3; Mat 20:6; Mat 20:6, 1Ti 5:13; 1Ti 5:13, Tit 1:12 (slow). 2Pe 1:8 (barren). “Discourse,” says Dr. Doddridge, “tending to innocent mirth, to exhilarate the spirits, is not idle discourse; as the time spent in necessary recreation is not idle time.” Job 15:3; Job 31:30; Job 35:2; Job 37:20, Psa 59:12, Pro 13:3, Ecc 5:7, +*Ezk 33:31, *Eph 4:29; *Eph 4:31; Eph 5:4, *Col 4:5; *Col 4:6, 1Ti 5:13.
give account. **+Mat 16:27, Job 9:20, Ecc 12:14, Isa 3:8, Jer 23:36, Hos 7:16, Luk 12:3; Luk 16:2, Jhn 16:11, **Rom 14:12, 1Pe 4:5, FS108B28, Idiom F/S 828, “To give account” means not simply to render a mere account, but to suffer the consequences of unrighteousness. For another instance of this idiom see 1Pe 4:5.
day of judgment. +*Mat 10:15 note. Mat 11:22, Mrk 6:11, **+Act 17:31, +*2Pe 3:7, **1Jn 4:17.

 

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My friend can prove she is right and the court is wrong!

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Jerry

My Comment:

My good friend Chris Jackson posted this on Facebook. I read it this morning and thought this is how such a situation should be handled.

Her Post:

I’M BEING SUED BY 46TH DISTRICT COURT: I am being sued by the 46th District Court (Southfield, MI) for a parking ticket they claim I got on June 5, 2007. Yes, 2007—nearly 20 years ago!
They are demanding $125.00. I called the court clerk yesterday, and she hit me with the classic attitude: “Just because the ticket isn’t paid doesn’t mean it goes away.”
I stood my ground and told her: “I never said it goes away. What I am saying is I have absolutely no knowledge of this ticket, and I never received anything in the mail about it.”
Here is why this whole situation is completely ridiculous:
My record is clean: I’ve had plenty of tickets since 2007, and I have paid every single last one of them. I’m not hard to find—I lived at my last address for almost 20 years before buying my current home.
They ghosted me for 14 years: The clerk admitted that the last time the court even attempted to contact me about this was back in 2012.
Nothing is on my record: I ran a name and birthdate search in the court’s official public database, and absolutely nothing came back. No active cases, no warrants, and no judgments.
The Legal Reality:Under Michigan law (MCL § 600.5813), there is a 6-year statute of limitations on civil infractions. Even if a judge had signed a “Default Judgment” against me back then, Michigan judgments expire after 10 years (MCL § 600.5809(3)) unless the court formally renews them. Since their last contact was in 2012 and my public search is completely blank, they missed their legal window to renew it by years.
They let this sit dormant for over a decade, and now they are trying to scare me into a quick payout. I am absolutely fighting this on the basis of the statute of limitations and a total lack of due process.
I WILL KEEP Y’ALL POSTED!
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Daily Bible Nugget #979, 2 Peter 2:19

Posted on September 20, 2026 by Jerry

The Nugget:

2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (KJV)

2Pe 2:19  liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude, (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

2Pe 2:19  promising them freedom, though they are slaves of destruction themselves; for a man is the slave of anything that conquers him. (Williams NT)

2Pe 2:19  They promise freedom to everyone. But they are merely slaves of filthy living, because people are slaves of whatever controls them. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

2Pe 2:19  They promise these people freedom, but they themselves are slaves to corruption. A person is a slave to whatever he gives in to. (GW, God’s Word Bible)

2Pe 2:19  Although these false teachers promise such people freedom, they themselves are enslaved to immorality. For whatever a person succumbs to, to that he is enslaved. (NET Bible) Grk “for by what someone is overcome, to this he is enslaved.”

2Pe 2:19  Saying that they will be free, while they themselves are the servants of destruction; because whatever gets the better of a man makes a servant of him. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

2Pe 2:19  These false teachers promise those people freedom, but they themselves are not free. They are slaves to a mind that has been ruined by sin. Yes, people are slaves to anything that controls them. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

2Pe 2:19  They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. (ESV, English Standard Version)

2Pe 2:19  They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits—for we are slaves of anything that has conquered us. (GNB, Good News Bible)

My Comment:

Perhaps all of us have discovered how easy it is to slip into what turns out to be a bad habit. Sometimes bad habits are virtually addictive. We can become so locked into the habit that it seems impossible to escape its grasp or power. Nicotine, caffeine, and other substances can have such power over us that we become dependent upon them. We need to recognize that “we are slaves of anything that has conquered us.” There can be quite strong “withdrawal pains” when we work to break that dependency. I have lately read that gradually reducing our intake of such substances can make withdrawal easier. The Bible is very clear about our need and duty to conquer any such dependencies we may have, as the cross references shared below demonstrate.

CROSS REFERENCE STUDY FOR 2 PETER 2:19 FROM:

A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

2 Peter 2:19
they promise: Gal 5:1, Gal 5:13; 1Pe 2:16
they themselves: Jhn 8:34; Rom 6:12, 13, 14, Rom 6:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22; Tit 3:3
overcome: 2Pe 2:20; Isa 28:1; Jer 23:9; 2Ti 2:26

B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

2 Peter 2:19
they promise. 2Pe 2:18, 2Sa 15:4, 1Ki 12:28; 1Ki 13:19, Jer 6:14, *Ezk 13:22, Luk 14:30, *Gal 5:1; *Gal 5:13; Gal 6:13, 1Pe 2:16,
liberty. Promising “personal liberty,” that is license, not the freedom of truth in Christ (Jhn 8:32, Gal 5:1; Gal 5:13) [see Robertson]. 2Pe 3:15, 16, Gen 3:5, Lev 25:10, +*Psa 119:45, Jhn 8:34, Rom 3:8; Rom 6:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 1Co 8:9, *Gal 2:4; Gal 5:1; Gal 5:13, *+Jas 1:25, 1Pe 2:16, Jud 1:4,
they themselves. FS31, +Isa 1:21, Pro 13:7, Isa 5:20, Mat 7:15, *+Jhn 8:34, Rom 2:19, 20, 21, 22, 23; *Rom 6:12, 13, 14; *Rom 6:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, Tit 3:3,
are. or, being. Gr. huparchō (S# G5225, Luk 9:48).
servants. or, slaves. Gr. doulos (S# G1401). Rom 6:16; Rom 6:20,
corruption. 2Pe 2:12; 2Pe 2:18, 2Pe 1:4, Lev 13:8, Ezk 47:11, Luk 12:45, *Rom 7:5, 1Co 15:42, Gal 6:8, Eph 6:24, Php 3:19, 2Ti 1:10,
overcome. Gr. hēttaō (S# G2774, 2Co 12:13). Perfect tense, passive voice, indicative mood verb. 2Pe 2:20 g. 1Sa 17:9, Isa 28:1, Jer 23:9, Rom 7:21, 2Ti 2:26; 2Ti 3:3, Heb 10:38,
brought in bondage. or, enslaved. Perfect tense, passive voice, indicative mood verb. Jhn 8:34, Act 8:23, Rom 6:16; Rom 6:18; Rom 8:21, 1Jn 3:8.

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GENERAL RULES OF INTERPRETATION

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Jerry

Mr. J. H. Smith                                                           Selection Number:  1229

Special Skills File

Classroom Use Only                                                   Copy Number:

 

Please DO NOT write on this page.  Handle this material very carefully as more students need to use it after you.  Sign this material out then check it back in.

F#JHS0317 of 7/4/96 from F#1229 of 4/20/85.                                             page one

 

TITLE:  GENERAL RULES OF INTERPRETATION

AUTHOR:  Mr. J. H. Smith

 

  1. Interpret the words and sentences of an author literally unless such an interpretation results in a contradiction, absurdity, or nonsense.

a. Be very careful not to label as nonsense what might merely be strange or contrary to your own personal point of view or frame of reference.
b. Sometimes the immediate context will indicate a non‑literal interpretation must be understood (“trees clapped their hands”).
c. Watch for the literal truth or meaning which is being figuratively illustrated in such a passage.

 

  1. Do not give or attribute a meaning that would be foreign to the knowledge or understanding of the author or the original audience, or a meaning which would be outside the purpose of the original author. (Thus, there are no flying saucers in the Bible).

 

  1. Do not interpret one statement or part of a document, law, contract, or work of literature in a way which makes it contradict another part. All the parts must agree without contradictions.  Authors write to be understood, not to confuse their audience.
    a. In literature, and sometimes elsewhere, an author may write an intended ambiguity.
    b. Sometimes our personal perception of the truth, or our knowledge of the cultural context which produced a document, is incomplete, and our own deficiency of knowledge may lead us to find ambiguity, paradox, and contradiction where there is none.
    c. An author, particularly when treating of philosophical and religious subjects, may intentionally introduce paradox (determinism versus free will).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. J. H. Smith                                                           Selection Number:  1229

Special Skills File

Classroom Use Only                                                   Copy Number:

 

Please DO NOT write on this page.  Handle this material very carefully as more students need to use it after you.  Sign this material out then check it back in.

F#JHS0317 of 7/4/96 from F#1229 of 4/20/85.                                             page two

TITLE:  GENERAL RULES OF INTERPRETATION

 

  1. A correct interpretation takes account of all the material in the document, and sometimes related documents.
    a. You cannot legitimately pick and choose separate statements and combine them arbitrarily.
    b. You cannot leave out material which, if included, would require or necessitate a change in the interpretation.
    c. Whenever an interpretation involves the comparison of two or more subjects, the interpretation must take into account not only the similarities but also the differences which exist.

 

  1. Read what comes before and what comes after the sentence you are interpreting. A correct interpretation always fits into the scope, meaning, and purpose of the surrounding passage or context.  A text out of context is a pretext.

 

  1. An interpretation must be in harmony with the grammar of the sentences involved, and in harmony with the meanings of the words which make up the sentences.

 

  1. Always interpret obscure, difficult texts in the light of other passages on the same topic in the same or related documents which are clear in meaning.

 

  1. A correct and authoritative interpretation must be based upon what the text itself says, not upon what someone else claims it says.

 

  1. All that is required to establish an interpretation as correct is evidence (which is in harmony with these rules) from the text sufficient to convince an adequately informed, neutral, unbiased person.

 

  1. When there are two differing interpretations of a document or a part of a document, if the interpretations are contradictory, they cannot both be correct. One or the other must be wrong, or they may both be wrong, but they cannot both be right.  A correct interpretation must comply with the rules of interpretation; a wrong or incorrect interpretation will always be found not to comply with the rules.
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Daily Bible Nugget #978, Proverbs 17:16

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Pro 17:16  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? (KJV)

Pro 17:16  Why is this—a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none? (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

Pro 17:16  Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief. (LXX, Brenton translation of the Greek Septuagint)

Pro 17:16  What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils. (DRB, Douay Rheims Bible)

Pro 17:16  What’s the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom, when his head is empty? (NET Bible)

Pro 17:16  It does a fool no good to spend money on an education, because he has no common sense. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Pro 17:16  Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything? (GW, God’s Word Bible)

Pro 17:16  Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? (ASV, American Standard Version)

Pro 17:16  Why should fools have money for an education when they refuse to learn? (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

There is much hidden wisdom in Proverbs 17:16. It has much to say about getting an education. If a student is unable to read well with discernment, the student is not prepared to get a college education. If a student simply takes the word of a teacher or professor without question, the student will easily be led astray. The Bible cautions us to “prove all things” and “hold fast what is true” (see 1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Notice the varied marks of the poorly prepared or unprepared students: they (1) refuse to  learn, DRB; (2) their head is empty, NET; (3) have no common sense, GNB; (4) don’t have a mind to grasp anything, GW; (5) have no understanding, ASV.

Though written long ago, Proverbs 17:16 describes the plight and condition of many students and some of their teachers and professors today.

I believe there are some very simple and effective strategies parents, wise teachers, and students themselves can apply to overcome these tragic conditions.

If anyone who reads this post is interested in learning more about the strategies I have found to work to help students do better, post a comment or question below. I am always happy to share my advice when asked.

To learn more about what else the Bible says about the subjects mentioned in Proverbs 17:16 read and study the cross references shared below from my Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Proverbs 17:16
a price. T1834, *Pro 1:22; *Pro 1:23; Pro 8:4, 5; *Pro 9:4, 5, 6, *Isa 55:1, 2, 3, Act 13:46, *2Co 6:1.
fool. T200-18, +Psa 10:4 (T693). *Jer 4:22.
seeing. Pro 1:7; Pro 1:25; *Pro 14:6; *Pro 18:15; Pro 21:25, 26, Deut 5:29, Psa 81:11, 12, 13, *Hos 4:11, *Jhn 3:20, Act 28:26, 27.
no heart. or, sense. FS121J23, Job 12:3, Heart put by the Figure Metonymy (of Subject) for the sense in it. 2Ch 30:10, Luk 4:28; Luk 23:11, Jhn 5:40; Jhn 8:45, Act 17:32, 33; Act 24:25, 26, 27; Act 26:28.

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Daily Bible Nugget #977, Proverbs 17:15

Posted on August 30, 2026 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Pro 17:15  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. (KJV)

Pro 17:15  He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, even both of them are hateful to Jehovah. (NKJV, New King James Version)

Pro 17:15  The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent – both of them are an abomination to the LORD. (NET Bible)

Pro 17:15  He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD. (ESV, English Standard Version)

Pro 17:15  Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these are an abomination to Jehovah. (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

Pro 17:15  He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God. (LXX, Brenton translation of the Greek Septuagint)

Pro 17:15  The LORD hates these two things: punishing the innocent and letting the guilty go free. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Pro 17:15  He who gives a decision for the evil-doer and he who gives a decision against the upright, are equally disgusting to the Lord. (BBE, Basic English Bible)

Pro 17:15  The LORD doesn’t like those who defend the guilty or condemn the innocent. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

If nine English Bible translations above did not make the point clear, I wonder if anything will!

The very next verse (Proverbs 17:16) is equally relevant to our own time:

Pro 17:16  Why should fools have money for an education when they refuse to learn? (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

When judges let individuals guilty of serious crime go free, they are under the wrath of God. I think such judges should be held responsible for any further serious crime committed by those they refused to sentence to time in prison.

Dig deeper into Proverbs 17:15 by consulting the following cross references from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury: 

Proverbs 17:15
that justifieth the wicked. *Pro 24:23; *Pro 24:24, %+Gen 9:5; Gen 44:16, 17, *Exo 23:7, %Deut 25:1, 1Ki 8:32; 1Ki 21:13, 2Ch 6:23, Ezr 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, Job 27:5, Isa 5:23; **Isa 55:8; **Isa 55:9, Ezk 22:27, 28, 29, Amos 5:7; Amos 5:12; Amos 6:12, *Luk 23:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, Jhn 18:40, Act 24:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, *Rom 4:5, Jas 5:6.
condemneth the just. Pro 17:26, Psa 94:21, +*Isa 5:20, Lam 3:35, Mic 3:9, Mat 12:7, +*Luk 16:1 note. Luk 23:24, +*Jhn 7:24; +*Jhn 7:51.
abomination. +Pro 3:32; *Pro 6:16; *Pro 11:1; *Pro 15:8, **2Co 5:21 notes.

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Daily Bible Nugget #976, Ecclesiastes 10:2

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Ecc 10:2  A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. (KJV)

Ecc 10:2  The thoughts of the wise lead them the right way, but the thoughts of the foolish lead them the wrong way. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Ecc 10:2  The heart of the wise man goes in the right direction; but the heart of a foolish man in the wrong. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Ecc 10:2  Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

I recently saw where this verse (Ecc 10:2) was mentioned with reference to current politics! That may be a “stretch,” but it still is very instructive. Any movement to the Left in that regard is likely very dangerous today.

Dig deeper by consulting the cross references shared below from my Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury for Ecclesiastes 10:2.

Ecclesiastes 10:2
wise. Ecc 2:14; Ecc 8:5; +*Ecc 9:10, Pro 14:8, *Luk 14:28, 29, 30, 31, 32.
right hand. +Gen 48:13.
but. Ecc 10:10; Ecc 10:14, *Pro 17:16, Luk 12:18, 19, 20.
fool’s. or, dullard’s. Ecc 10:12, 1Ki 12:8, 2Ch 10:8, Pro 1:7.
left. +Gen 48:13, +Jdg 20:16.

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Daily Bible Nugget #975, Proverbs 17:4

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Pro 17:4  A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. (KJV)

Pro 17:4  An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. (WEB, World English Bible)

Pro 17:4  An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips. A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue. (GW, God’s Word Bible)

Pro 17:4  People who do evil listen to evil ideas. Liars listen to liars. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Pro 17:4  One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel; a liar listens to a malicious tongue. (NET Bible)

Pro 17:4  A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips. (LXX, Brenton translation)

My Comment:

Have you ever wondered why your voice is not heard, disregarded, or entirely passed over?

If you are standing for what is right and what is true, who listens is dependent upon their moral character.

This truth is widely applicable. I have seen it in collective bargaining, in binding arbitration, in legal dealings in secular, business, and personal settings. I have seen it in current news reporting and political speech too.

I have experienced this in local church settings as well as in Internet discussions. There are many individuals so set in their opinions that they will not hear to reason. They refuse to respond to evidence contrary to their own viewpoint. This may be the result of spiritual blindness, lack of reading comprehension, or the inability to write responses in their own words.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us we would experience this as well as what our reaction should be:

Mat 5:10  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Dig deeper into the themes contained in Proverbs 17:4 by studying the cross references from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Pro 17:4  A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Proverbs 17:4
wicked doer. Pro 28:4, 1Sa 22:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, *1Ki 22:6, etc. Isa 30:10, *Jer 5:30; *Jer 5:31.
giveth heed. 1Sa 24:9, Mic 2:11, *2Ti 4:3; *2Ti 4:4, 1Jn 4:5, Rev 13:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
to false lips. Exo 23:1.
a liar. Heb. lie. FS121E1, Gen 25:23, Lie put by the Figure Metonymy (of Effect) for the man who habitually lies: i.e. a liar is always ready to believe a lie (CB). 1Ki 22:6, Isa 30:9, 10, 11, Jer 5:30, 31, Mic 2:11.
naughty. FS108K42, +Pro 6:12.

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Prove All Things Versus Short Memories

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Jerry

I am amazed at how biased news reports are. I saw a short reference to the events in Dearborn, Michigan, posted online by Fox News. Fox seems no longer to report actual news. Instead, they feature biased and provably mistaken opinion. Immediately I noticed that Fox News compared the events of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Dearborn, Michigan, to the January 6th, 2021 “insurrection” on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. The events of January 6th were not an insurrection at all. Participants then were peacefully assembled to object to a now proven fact that the election was stolen from President Trump, who was the actual winner. I know. I watched the event as it took place as it was filmed by people who were there, both private citizens as well as public and alternative media.

This morning on WJR, Detroit, I heard a Christian man state, in effect, that he in good conscience felt he must sit out the upcoming mid-term election because neither leading candidate for Governor of Michigan are prolife. He could not see himself voting for any candidate who was not prolife because not to be prolife is a position condemned by the Bible.

I can appreciate the stance that man has taken.

But I would suggest that everyone who plans not to vote in the upcoming election consider very carefully how such a decision plays right into the hands of those they would oppose.

Elections are often won or lost by very narrow margins. When a large group of Christians choose not to vote, that can result in good candidates losing and bad candidates winning.

The stakes are high in every election, especially this one.

I believe it is better to vote for the lesser of two evils rather than not vote and as a result end up supporting the greater of two evils!

Back to the matter of what took place in Dearborn on August 18, 2026. No one that I heard on the radio news in Detroit (WWJ, WJR) or that I have seen online seems to remember what happened in Dearborn on July 4, 2026. I remember. I saw then the footage of a very large crowd of individuals displaying flags of Muslim nations while chanting “Death to America.” Not an American flag in sight.

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Everyone is Wrong About Something–Including Me! Part 10B Part 1

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Jerry

If you disagree with this presentation, I invite you to PROVE ME WRONG!

Comments which discuss or even refute my evidence and arguments are most welcome.

Many religious institutions, denominations, churches, and individuals are mistaken when they:

Assert ritual water baptism accomplishes the remission of sin or the work of regeneration (baptismal remission or baptismal regeneration)

Apparently, many churches and denominations believe in either baptismal remission of sin or baptismal regeneration or both. Among the varied groups which teach these mistaken doctrines are Roman Catholicism and the several related groups identified as the churches of Christ or the Church of Christ.

One of the proof-texts for this doctrine is John 3:5,

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)

John 3:5 Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (NET Bible)

None of the above English translations reflects the presence of a striking figure of speech present in the underlying Greek text called hendiadys marked by the word “and.”

Two words are used (water, Spirit), but one thing is meant (Spirit). By this figure water and spirit are joined by “and.” There is no of in the Greek, supplied here by the translators. There is no article to either of the two nouns. This figure gives the meaning, “born of water, even the spirit.” That only one thing is meant by the two words is clear from verses 6 and 8 (John 3:6; John 3:8), where only the Spirit (the one thing) is mentioned. The figure may also be understood to mean “born of spiritual water,” where the “spiritual water” is, by the figure Metonymy, put for the Holy Spirit Himself, as is clear from John 7:38, 39. The reference is to the real baptism by the Holy Spirit which is the one indispensable condition of entering the kingdom of God (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:13), not to the water of ritual baptism (Acts 1:5).

The distinction “real baptism” versus “ritual water baptism” is very important to recognize. Real baptism is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ritual water baptism is a rite performed by human participants.

Jesus is not referring to something done by human participants in John 3:5 and its immediate context but to the work done by the Holy Spirit.

A careful study of the repeated assertion about his (John the Baptist’s) own baptism in contrast to the coming baptism performed by Christ settles the matter.

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