Seeing God How We Want Him to Be

Exodus 32:4; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 2:8

Preaching Themes: Idolatry, Scripture, Sin

Isn’t it tempting to see God like we want him to be, rather than how he has revealed himself? In an interview with Parade magazine, the musician Elton John said, “I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems.”

One of the easiest ways to commit the sin of idolatry is to remake God in our image. For culture’s view of God, see Parade magazine. For an accurate view of God, see the Bible.

—Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Eating Snail Mucus for God

1 Kings 18:25–29; 1 Corinthians 15:3–5

Preaching Themes: Cults, Gospel

The gospel and religion are not synonyms. The things people preach and practice in religion can be crazy, even if they’re very interesting. Charles Stewart, the leader of a Florida religious sect, pressures followers to drink the mucus of giant African snails as part of the African religion Ifa Orisha. “I did not invent this,” Stewart told The Miami Herald. “It’s something that is part of our religion.”

I am so thankful I don’t have to ingest snail juice or do any other weird things to prove my worth to God.

—Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell