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Adam Dooley

Apr 16
Love0

The Problem With Getting Even

By Christian Living, Revenge, Uncategorized No Comments

Have you ever wanted revenge?

The common, unseemly impulse to settle every score often rears its ugly head when we least expect it. Someone abruptly cuts you off on the highway. A boyfriend or girlfriend does you wrong. Your spouse betrays your trust. A lifelong friend throws you under the bus. Regardless of who it was, or when it happened, chances are there is at least one person whom you would love to see “get what’s coming to them.”

The instinct runs deep. Our fleshly disposition yearns for vengeance at the first hint of wrongdoing (Gal. 5:19-21). Yet, as He always does, Jesus confronts our depraved tendencies head-on by offering a radically different standard for living (Matt. 5:38-42). By emphasizing grace over retaliation, Jesus describes for us what “second-mile” Christianity looks like. He forbids personal vengeance not because justice is unimportant, but because God is the only perfectly righteous judge.

As is His custom in the Sermon on the Mount, our Savior corrects Pharisaical misinterpretations of the Old Testament. The familiar concepts of “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth” were meant to shield society from the dangerous extremes of leniency and excessive punishment (Exod. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21). Over time, religious leaders distorted Moses’ teaching in order to promote personal vendettas under the guise of Scripture. Those with power and resources effectively became judges, juries, and executioners against their enemies.

Thus, Jesus issues a radical command to lay down our rights by turning the other cheek when others seek to harm us (Matt. 5:39). With laser precision, our Lord lays our hearts bare by calling us back to the entirety of Scripture, which insists on our forfeiting revenge as a strategy (Lev. 19:18). No matter how justified we may feel or how right we may be, taking matters of justice into our own hands is not permissible.

Contextually, Jesus’ message has nothing to do with dismantling civic institutions of accountability. He is not prohibiting just war, capital punishment, police enforcement, or fair consequences. The Bible robustly promotes governing authorities as one of God’s means to punish evil doers (Rom. 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Turning the other cheek is not a call to national pacifism, but an admonition to trust God enough that we stay out of the way, allowing Him to bring about justice that is free from our personal agendas.

Seeking revenge clouds our judgment; it escalates conflict; and it often creates consequences far worse than the initial offense. Simply put, vengeance toward others only makes matters more difficult (Prov. 14:29; Js. 1:20). Choosing restraint requires great strength and tremendous faith. We must believe that God will judge rightly at just the right time (Heb. 10:30). Absorbing the transgressions of others protects us from bitterness while deepening our trust in the Lord (Eph. 4:31-32).

None of this means, however, that Christians must ignore danger or abandon our responsibility to protect others. A husband should guard his wife and children by preserving and defending his home (Neh. 4:14; Prov. 14:26). Those who are strong have a moral duty to prohibit efforts to harm the weak and vulnerable (Ps. 82:3-4). Preventing evil doers from hurting others is both noble and justified when necessary.

Even when defensive measures are required, though, our motives should be free from uncontrollable anger that demands getting even. As much as is within our power, we are to seek to live in peace with all people (Rom. 12:18). In fact, we should be willing to go above and beyond to ensure our continued harmony with others. Jesus instructs us to give away our coat when someone demands our shirt (Matt. 5:40). He insists that we walk two miles instead of one when others are a burden to us (Matt. 5:41). Neither time nor space will allow me to explain the full background of these directives, but the principle is clear—do everything necessary to remain at peace with those around you. Relationships matter more than our personal rights or vindication.

The humility necessary to live in these ways will not come easy. Yet, putting others before ourselves remains the very heart of Christianity (Phil. 2:3-4). Returning evil for good is a hellish way to live. Responding with good for good and evil for evil is the human way to live. But replying to every act of evil with good for your enemy is God’s heavenly prescription for living.

Ultimately, how we treat others is an expression of devotion to the Lord whom we follow (Col. 2:23-24). After all, Jesus Himself endured the rejection of His enemies and the suffering it created (Phil. 2:5-8) because of His confidence that God the Father would give Him a name that is above all other names (Phil. 2:9-11). So, let’s be like Jesus, knowing that the Father will make all things right (Ecc. 3:17; Rom. 12:19) and all things new (Rev. 21:4-5).

Adam B. Dooley
April 16, 2026

Apr 08
Love0

Struggling to Believe

By Christian Living, Doubt, Jesus No Comments

I love this time of year. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday is a highlight on every church calendar. Additional worship services, large crowds, and first-time professions of faith create lasting momentum that churches often ride for months. Social media posts and pictures ought to bring a smile to our faces as we celebrate all that God is doing in congregations across our nation.

And yet, I cannot help but think of another reality that often follows the largest Sunday of the year. When surveying the New Testament, we quickly realize that the initial response to Jesus’ resurrection was confusion, and even unbelief. People heard the reports. They listened to the testimonies. They knew the tomb was empty. And yet, most struggled to believe at first.

If doubt plagued potential followers of Christ in the first century, certainly we modern pilgrims will struggle with uncertainty as well. Perhaps you have heard the story of Jesus’ cross and resurrection before. The news of God’s love may not be anything new to you, but deep down you might be wondering if all this religious fervor is really true?

Two of Jesus’ earliest followers illustrate the anxious tension you might be experiencing in the aftermath of Easter Sunday. A man named Cleopas (Luke 24:18), along with a friend, discussed the commotion surrounding Jesus’ missing body while they journeyed toward Emmaus (Luke 24:13-14). Reports that Christ had risen from the dead only seemed to confuse them more as they discussed it.

Because the men were unable to piece the significance of the weekend events together on their own, Jesus met them along the road while they traveled (Luke 24:15-17). The willingness of our Savior to run to their doubts rather than away from them ought to encourage us. Though these sojourners rightly understood Jesus’ prophetic teaching, miraculous deeds, and death on the cross, they seemingly had no category for His victory over the grave (Luke 24:19-21).

A similar disconnect between the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection remains today. According to Barna Research, though eight out of ten Americans celebrated Easter this year, less than half of them associate the holiday with the empty tomb of Christ. Whether due to ignorance or confusion, we, like Cleopas and his companion, still look upon Jesus rising from the dead with suspicion and uncertainty.

Thankfully, Christ is neither angered nor annoyed by our skepticism. Our questions do not intimidate Him, nor does our hesitancy frustrate Him. Just as Jesus spoke with clarity on the Emmaus Road, He is still guiding us to truth today (Luke 24:25-26). And how does He do so? Luke simply reports, “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27).”

Maybe Jesus explained from the book of Genesis that the Messiah would suffer a bruised heel (death on a cross) before crushing the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). Perhaps He explained that Isaac on the altar offered a picture of His death as a sacrifice on Calvary (Gen. 22). Or, Jesus might have recalled the first Passover in Egypt in order to identify Himself as the final Passover Lamb by which God will pass over our sins (Exodus 12). He could have reminded them that Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days as a picture of His three days in the tomb (Matt. 12:40).

Regardless of what Scriptures our Savior used, the point is that from cover-to-cover the Bible points us to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s plan, of which the resurrection is foundational (John 5:39). Apart from a risen Savior, Christianity is a lie and the Bible is the greatest hoax in the history of the world. If Jesus did not rise, this life is all there is. The truthfulness of the Bible and the redemption we seek are inseparable.

Not surprisingly, Jesus’ strategy worked. After systematically addressing the concerns of these questioners, our Lord vanished from their sight. As Cleopas and company debriefed, each man marveled, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us (Luke 24:32)?” The pattern was not unique for these two men, however. While addressing another group of bewildered followers, Jesus once again pointed to the Law, the prophets, and the Psalms in order to demonstrate is salvific mission (Luke 24:44-47).

Herein is a clue to help us face our doubts and answer our questions as well. Do you struggle with whether to believe all this talk of resurrection from the dead? Let me encourage you to read the Scriptures and see for yourself. The Bible holds up to our scrutiny. It answers our deepest questions, while quieting our secret fears. And the Word of God will unapologetically point you to Jesus Christ as the risen Savior who can change your life forever.

Adam B. Dooley
April 8, 2026

Apr 01
Love0

The Jesus No One Wanted

By Cross, Easter, Resurrection, Salvation No Comments

Seemingly contradictory qualities or phrases are what we call a paradox. These competing ideas are often as mysterious as they are antithetical. We remember the Great Depression. We crave jumbo shrimp. We talk about old news. We refer to leather as genuine imitation. We even boast that Microsoft Works. On the surface notions, like these make no sense—or at least not in the way we initially suppose.

Believe it or not, the Bible is full of paradox. Jesus teaches us that the first shall be last (Matt. 20:16). We are told that whoever saves his life will lose it (Matt. 16:25). We read that the least among us is the greatest (Luke 9:48). Truths like these give us pause, but they remain true, nonetheless. My favorite biblical paradox, though, surrounds the story of Easter. Palm Sunday, in particular, vividly reveals that the God of Scripture does not always appeal to us.

The biblical scene is familiar because we often depict it in plays and recollections of Jesus’ resurrection. Days before dying on the cross, the Lord entered Jerusalem to the welcome of an adoring crowd. On the surface, it appears that the multitudes eagerly worship Jesus as they cry out, “Hosanna!” while waving palm branches (John 12:13). Closer examination, however, reveals that self-preservation rather than worship was on the people’s minds. The word hosanna literally means “save us.” Contextually, the declaration carries a time constraint, meaning save us now!

To better understand, we must appreciate that first-century Jews believed their Messiah would be an earthly king who would immediately establish a worldly kingdom. In other words, the salvation the people sought was deliverance from the Roman Empire. The palm branches were a reminder of a previous rebellion called the Maccabean revolt. When the warrior Judas Maccabaeus drove out the Greeks around 160 B.C., the people celebrated his victory and heroic status by waving palm branches in Jerusalem. Anytime a celebrated warrior returned to the city, he received the same sign of approval. For us, the modern equivalent would be waving the American flag. The motivation behind this celebration was political, not spiritual. The Jews wanted a Messiah, but one of their own making!

The problem was not that Jesus wasn’t a king, but that He was not the kind of king the people wanted. God’s messianic king was not riding a horse (a sign of war), but a donkey (a sign of peace). Jesus did not come as a warrior to crush the Romans, but as a Savior to die on a cross for the sins of the world. What seemed like an irreversible defeat was actually the doorway to victory. Even the disciples did not understand the bitter path Jesus was walking. The Apostle Peter would later draw his sword to instigate what he thought would be the beginning of a holy war. And yet, Jesus refused to acquiesce to the shortsightedness of the crowds or His closest followers. He was, and is, determined to be the Savior we NEED, even if He isn’t the Savior we WANT.

Far too often, we are guilty of the same error. We want a God who prioritizes our comfort rather than our cleansing. Sometimes what we seek is a means to success instead of a commitment to live a crucified life. In our weakest moments Jesus can become just another good-luck charm that exists to do our bidding rather than a sacrificial lamb who takes away our sins. Need to win the big game? There’s a Jesus for that. Need a new job? He is sure to supply. Want to justify a lifestyle contrary to Scripture? Our fabricated Jesus would want us to be happy. Unfortunately, sentiments like these are a more accurate reflection of our culture than the God of the Bible.

Retired Methodist preacher and theologian William Willimon once remarked, “If you listen to much of our preaching, you get the impression that Jesus was some sort of itinerant therapist who, for free, traveled about helping people feel better.” This is the kind of God we want—because the true Messiah doesn’t appeal to us quite as much.

As we celebrate our risen Savior this Easter, let’s ask ourselves the hard questions about what motivates our faith. Are you willing to worship God more than yourself? Do you value God’s glory more than getting your own way? Will you faithfully serve God even when He tells you, “no”? Are you committed to living for what is eternal instead of what is temporal? Though we don’t always recognize it immediately, we are far better off because Jesus cannot be reduced to our categories or wishes.

Adam B. Dooley
April 1, 2026

Mar 25
Love0

Till Divorce Do Us Part?

By Uncategorized No Comments

When my wife and I said, “I do” over twenty years ago, neither of us knew very much about marriage. We were certain, however, that dreams, not exit strategies, were our primary ambition for the future. No couple walks down an aisle in the presence of their family and friends thinking about courtrooms, custody battles, or dividing assets. Love, family, and a lifetime of memories are always the goal.

Yet, every 50 seconds in the United States, disenchanted spouses file for divorce. Or, to help us appreciate the magnitude of it, that’s around 1800 per day, 13,000 per week, and nearly 700,000 familial separations each year. What was once rare in our nation has become routine. In 1912 there was one divorce for every twelve marriages. Today, that number hovers around one divorce for every three marriages. Imagine getting on an airplane knowing that one out of every three flights crashes!

Resisting What Culture Accepts

Believe it or not, our modern normalization of divorce is nothing new. On one occasion, the Pharisees asked Jesus bluntly, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all (Matt. 19:3)?” In other words, when the ideal person stops being ideal, it’s okay to walk away, right? To make matters worse, religious leaders were abusing Scripture to arrive at their self-serving conclusions.

Thus, in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus pinpoints the specific Old Testament verse that was commonly misinterpreted. Quoting from Deuteronomy 24:1, Jesus reminded his listeners, “It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’” Our Lord later explained that Moses’ provision for divorce, which regulated the practice and protected women, was evidence of hardened hearts rather than a justification for dissolving a marriage (Matt. 19:7-8).

In contrast, the Jewish school of Hillel recklessly justified any minor infraction as grounds for divorce. For them, a man could walk away from his commitment because his wife spoke too loudly, burned dinner, or failed to meet expectations. Today, people often point to a lack of compatibility, lost love, or nagging frustrations when seeking a divorce. In both instances, the error is magnifying marital conflicts with one another above the promised commitment to one another.

The road to normalizing divorce in America began in 1969 when California became the first state to pass a no-fault divorce law. Other states followed in the 1970s and now, every state in the union has its own legal statute, aiding the disunion of families. Like our ancient Jewish counterparts, we have successfully codified the prioritization of personal comfort over lifelong commitment.

Reclaiming What Scripture Teaches

So, what does Jesus do? He raises the standard to prevent pushback against our relational selfishness. Without mincing words, He insists, “Everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery (Matt. 5:32).” Simply put, unless one spouse commits sexual sin against the other, divorce is not permissible.

Though the Apostle Paul introduces the issue of abandonment by an unbelieving husband or wife, even then a Christian should not initiate the dissolution of a marriage except in cases of sexual immorality (1 Cor. 7:12-15). Even when divorce is permitted, though, it is not prescribed. Reconciliation is always preferable to ending the covenantal union of marriage.

Later, when addressing the issue a second time, Jesus reiterated, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate (Matt. 19:4-6).”

As is always the case, God offers prohibition and boundaries for our good. Unbiblical divorce leads to additional sin, specifically adultery. Remarriage after an unbiblical divorce is an act of infidelity (Matt. 5:32). Even those who have not been previously married commit adultery when they choose to wed those who step outside of Scripture to break their marriage covenant. Just as egregious though, is the painful picture divorce evokes.

Because the husband reflects Christ’s sacrificial love in the home, and since the wife represents the church’s submissive response, to abandon our marriage vows miscommunicates the gospel (Eph. 5:22-33). A husband who forsakes his wife insinuates that Christ’s love is not sacrificial and abiding. Likewise, a wife who steps out on her husband implies that the church is not required to follow her Savior in every instance. Both examples are damaging.

My purpose here is not to condemn anyone who has gone through the pain of a divorce. God can, and will, forgive any sin (1 John 1:9). Divorced Christians are not second-class believers, nor should we carry guilt for what God has already forgiven. But marriage is worth fighting for, even as our culture grows increasingly lax. We must speak biblically and compassionately in order to prevent the future separation of families. Permanent unhappiness in marriage rarely lasts and couples who attend church together are 50% less likely to get divorced. Let’s recommit our marriages to God’s original design—till death do us part!

Adam B. Dooley
March 25, 2026

Mar 18
Love0

The Enemy of Faith

By Faith, Providence, Trust, Worry No Comments

As the fourth week of strikes on Iran approaches, Americans are bracing for soaring gas prices and sustained inflation. With an April 15 deadline looming, many taxpayers dread their final bill from the IRS. Here in West Tennessee, tornado season is now underway, often leading to numerous sleepless and watchful nights. As the completion of another school year hangs on the horizon, students are anxious about final exams and GPAs.

On and on it goes, but no matter the problem or issue, all of us deal with the nagging, intrusive burden of WORRY. The uneducated worry because they don’t know enough. The educated worry because they know too much. The poor worry because of what they do not have. The wealthy worry because they fear losing what they do have. The young worrybecause they don’t want to get older. The elderly worry because they are afraid of not getting older.

All of us, in varying degrees and frequency, will have to face the enemy of worry along the way. Believe it or not, Jesus had a great deal to say about this subject. His Sermon on the Mount offers practical guidelines for overcoming our common nemesis. With piercing clarity and pastoral concern, our Savior is eager to free us from the anxieties that plague us.

First, we should realize that worry is sinful. Three prohibitions against worry underscore its offense to God. Do not worry about your life (Matt. 6:25); do not worry about what you will eat or wear (Matt. 6:31); and do not worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:34). For Jesus, worry is more than a bad habit; it is practical atheism. Restlessness communicates that we do not trust God to handle our problems. Faith and distress are always in dichotomy. Without mincing words, Jesus insists that Christians who worry behave more like unbelievers than children of God (Matt. 6:32).

Second, we should recognize worry as illogical. To illustrate the foolishness of worry, Jesus points to nature, specifically the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matt. 6:26-30). Have you ever heard of a bird being treated for high blood pressure? Or stress? Though they do not know where their next meal will come from, God feeds them, and they thrive.

Think about the beauty of wildflowers growing in a field. While these plants do nothing to grow, they still clothe the countryside with their beauty. Such natural wonders are here today and gone tomorrow, yet God still covers His creation with them. If the Lord will feed the animals and dress nature with such elegance, how much more will He take care of human beings who bear his image (Gen. 1:26-28)? Furthermore, if the Lord is faithful to meet our daily needs, we can certainly trust Him with our tomorrows. Worry is not only unbiblical, but also nonsensical!

Finally, we should resist worry with spiritual priorities. In order to prevent worry before it starts, we must learn to reorder our goals and ambitions. Much of what causes us stress and unease reveals our desire for pursuits that are unholy or selfish. Thus, Jesus instructs us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first, believing that He will supply all our needs (Matt. 6:33). Simply put, our greatest passion in life ought to be the pursuit of God’s will. Jesus does not want a place in your life; He does not want prominence in your life; He wants preeminence in your life, and nothing else.

Ironically, the pursuit of personal happiness will ultimately lead to our demise. When we seek God’s perfect reality for our lives, though, there is joy in addition to freedom from anxiety. Our thought lives, spending habits, recreational hobbies, personal goals, relationships, and work ethic must come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ if we want to enjoy the peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:6-7). At the risk of oversimplifying, much of what we worry about is the result of ambitions that contradict the kingdom of God rather than build it. Thus, absolute surrender to the will of God is the first step toward tranquility. Happiness is often a wonderful by-product of the holiness the Lord desires to build into our lives.

Adam B. Dooley
March 18, 2026

Mar 12
Love0

Fatal Attractions

By adultery, Love, Lust, Marriage No Comments

The 1631 edition of the King James Bible infamously became known as the Wicked Bible due to a printing error of Exodus 20:14. Because editors inadvertently omitted the word “not” from the verse, God’s marital commandment read, “Thou shalt commit adultery!” Though only ten to fifteen copies of the misprint remain, a quick survey of our modern commitment to marriage aligns better with the adulterous version of Scripture.

Roughly 70% of television and streaming programs contain sexual content. Around a third of popular sitcoms include adultery as a major plot or theme. According to the General Social Survey, one out of five married men cheat on their spouses while one out of seven women choose to do the same. The commonality of sexual deviance, however, does not make it harmless.

Despite these cultural trends, I remain convinced that most people, even in our permissive society, do not desire to live immorally. Recent surveys suggest that 89% of Americans realize that adultery is wrong (Pew Research). Chances are, someone reading these words is fighting this sin, leaving you feeling trapped and defeated. Many people who love Jesus simply lose their way and find it difficult to get back on the straight and narrow path (Matt. 7:13-14).

Thankfully, failure and wickedness do not have to be the end of our story. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses not only the eternal consequences of adultery, but also its internal causes (Matt. 5:27-30). In doing so, He reveals that sexual sin is not only evidenced by what we do, but also by what we desire.

 Jesus first acknowledges the straightforward declaration of the Ten Commandments; You shall not commit adultery (Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18). His effort to raise the standard of our understanding is not an indictment of the Old Testament, but a correction of the misinterpretations of the scribes and Pharisees, who diminished the importance of the command (Matt. 5:27).

Simply put, the Bible forbids any sexual relationship outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. “Marriage is to be held in honor among all,” says the writer of Hebrews, “and the marriage bed is to beundefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge (Heb. 13:4).” Adultery, by definition, is the choice of a husband or wife to share a sexual act with anyone who is not their spouse. Due to the sacredness of marriage, a single man or woman can also be guilty of infidelity by choosing to participate in a physical affair.

Long before we dishonor God with our hands, though, something is amiss in our hearts. To help us, Jesus moves from the reality of adultery to its root, teaching that to look at another lustfully is indicative of a cheating heart (Matt. 5:28). Here, the emphasis is not a coincidental glance, but a carnal gaze. Lust causes us to want what we do not have, making it impossible to enjoy what we do have. Ultimately, whatever we rest our eyes upon has the power to control us.

Serious believers must take an introspective look and be honest about what is there in order to heed Jesus’ words. What do our private longings reveal about our hearts? What do our media habits show? What do we dwell upon that no one else sees? What do our secret fantasies reveal? What do our thought patterns expose? Part of preventing adultery is refusing to hide in our deepest struggles.

By facing our temptations with honesty, we are ready to take action. Jesus employs hyperbolic language to motivate us to abandon anything that prevents our purity, destroys our marriage, or hinders our spiritual growth (Matt. 5:29-30). The suggestion to gouge out our eye or cut off our hand is not a literal command. The implication is that no sacrifice is too great if it helps us avoid devastating sin.

So, if adultery is destroying your life already or germinating in your soul, let me suggest three steps back toward God. First, repent honestly. Refuse to make excuses. Do not blame your spouse. Own your transgression. When King David forsook his marriage vows with Bathsheba, he pleaded with God due to his self-identified iniquity, transgressions, and sin (Psa. 51:1-4). Infidelity is not an unforgiveable sin, but a great evil that we must acknowledge and turn from.

Second, remove any stumbling blocks that feed or protect your sin. Jesus is not calling us to self-harm, but to ruthless honesty over our weaknesses. Refuse to spend time alone with the opposite sex. End unhealthy relationships. Delete apps from your phone. Install accountability software on your devices. Resist movies or music that feed you incessant lies about sexual desire or fulfillment.

Finally, depend upon Christ to change your heart. Ultimately, only God can transform our desires and ambitions. No legalistic list can substitute the supernatural work of God’s grace. Again, King David is illustrative as he prayed for a clean heart and a renewed spirit (Psa. 51:10-12). So, dwell on the beauty of Christ and His work. Seek to joy in Him more than this world. Pursue the satisfaction of holiness rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin. Christ will not only forgive, but He will also transform us and set us free.

Adam B. Dooley
March 12, 2026

Mar 04
Love0

What Lies Beneath

By Brokenness, Forgiveness, Grace, Repentance No Comments

Murder is a jarring word. The very thought of it creates an anxious fear within all of us. Here in the United States, there are roughly 20,000 killings each year, or 56 each day, excluding abortion and suicide. Our cultural capacity to take human life unlawfully is staggering.

Yet, despite our tendency to speak of murder in reference to others only, Jesus pulls back the curtain on the internal attitude behind such an evil action. In order to correct the common misinterpretations of the scribes and Pharisees, our Savior insists that whoever holds anger in his heart toward a brother is already guilty of spiritual homicide in the eyes of God (Matt 5:21-22). Long before we slay another with our hands, we have already put them down in our hearts due to hidden hatred.

We should be quick to acknowledge that not all anger is evil. Sin, injustice, and abuse should enrage us. Jesus Himself turned over tables in the temple because of the transgressions He witnessed there (Matt. 21:12-13). Thus, the protective directive of Scripture is that we are to be angry and sin not (Eph. 4:26). The focus of the Sermon on the Mount is different, though. Here, Jesus emphasizes a deep bitterness and malice toward other people. Our Lord is warning us about the slow burn that fuels our refusal to speak to one another, our defense of holding grudges, and our justification for unforgiveness.

Because of the swift, often irreparable consequences of our internal hate, we should abandon our pride and seek reconciliation as quickly as possible (Matt. 5:23-26). Using a legal analogy, Jesus admonishes us to make friends quickly, before entering a courtroom and standing before a judge, effectively putting our fate in someone else’s hands (Matt. 5:25). Clearly, the implication is that Christians will one day stand before God in order to give an account for our lives (2 Cor. 5:10). Better to settle our differences now rather than forcing the Lord to confront our secret disdain of others.

Whenever we hurt others, we should acknowledge the offense and make restitution when possible (Matt. 5:23-24). If someone wrongs us, we should be quick to forgive even if consequences and boundaries must remain (Eph. 4:32). Doing so frees us from the root of bitterness (Heb. 12:15) that contradicts the grace of God in our lives (1 John 3:15).

Years ago, my paternal grandmother taught me these principles through the most powerful example of forgiveness I have ever seen. My Granny Sue was short in stature, but this little woman was a fighter all her life. She overcame breast cancer 50 years ago and ran her own business out of her home. Her greatest challenge by far, however, was the pain caused by her divorce. Due to my grandfather’s unfaithfulness, their marriage ended after 23 years. My grandmother never remarried, and though she moved on, the wound remained with her.

In 2005, decades after their separation, the cancer returned in her lungs. Soon, it became obvious that she would not overcome the disease a second time. Though I only saw her and my grandfather in the same room once growing up, I called to share the news with him and to make a bold request. I invited him to come to the hospital and ask for Granny Sue’s forgiveness.

Admittedly, it shocked me when he agreed to do so. Even more amazing, however, was how my grandmother responded. When I told her he was in the hallway, she sat up in her bed, began primping her hair, and then said with a smile, “If he is here to get me back, it’s too late for that!” I stepped out in the hall so they could visit, but unashamedly I eavesdropped every word. You could hear the pain in her voice as she asked, “Was I not a good wife? Why did you leave? How could you just walk away?”

My respect for my grandfather swelled as I heard him answer, “You did nothing wrong. I was the problem. Please forgive me.” Silence filled the room, only to be broken by the sweetest, most gracious words I have ever heard. My Granny Sue leaned forward, looking my grandfather in the eye, and said, “I forgive you. I’m glad you came.” Then, they talked, laughed, and healed. It was beautiful.

That day I learned that we are never more like Jesus than when we choose to forgive others for their transgressions against us. The deeper the wound we carry the more spectacular the grace we give. Oftentimes, giving forgiveness is just as liberating as receiving forgiveness.

So, stop making excuses. Make the phone call. Prioritize the visit. Admit your grievance. Let go of the pain. And if you receive one of those calls, choose to forgive. You won’t regret it.

Adam B. Dooley
March 4, 2026

Feb 26
Love0

Stop Misquoting Jesus

By Accountability, Christian Living, Jesus, Judgment No Comments

After preaching the Bible for over twenty years, I continue to be amazed by the transformative impact simply declaring the truth of Scripture can have on people’s lives. On a weekly basis, I witness firsthand how the Word of God is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16) for those who will simply yield to it.

Equally astounding, though, is the swift backlash that often comes from those who reject the plain meaning of Scripture in order to defend what is contrary to God’s commands. The mental gymnastics required to deny basic biblical realities would be entertaining if the stakes were not so high. Those who resent moral absolutes as toxic and oppressive fail to realize that they, according to Scripture, walk in the futility of their minds, alienated from God because of the hardness of their hearts (Eph. 4:17-18).

Yet, there is one verse of Scripture that even those who deride and scorn the Bible love to quote authoritatively as they defend all kinds of carnality. Making definitive truth claims often chides detractors to respond, “Ah, Ah, Ah! Judge not lest you be judged (Matt. 7:1)!” Think I’m exaggerating? Consider the following Christian claims:

  • Arrogance is a subtle form of idolatry that God will resist (James 4:6).
  • Lying is offensive to the God of truth and has its origin in hell (John 8:44).
  • Adultery is never justifiable because marriage is a picture of Christ and His church (Eph. 5:22-33).
  • Abortion is murder because God weaves us together in the womb (Psa. 139:13-16).
  • Homosexuality is sinful because it violates God’s natural design (Rom. 1:24-27).
  • All religions are not the same. All roads do not lead to heaven (Matt. 7:13-14).
  • Jesus is not the best way of salvation; He is the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12).

Ideas like these are not revolutionary; they are as old as Christianity itself. Yet, in a post-Christian world where the new religion is self-autonomy, our culture often responds to assertions like these with disgust and vitriol. Even more remarkable, though, is how many people will claim that these historical positions contradict the very Bible that revealed them. Sometimes those who reject most of what Jesus said are eager to quote Matthew 7:1 when they disagree with the moral assessment of another. Who are you to judge? Doesn’t the Bible say judge not?

Sadly, far too many Christians do not know how to respond when antagonists twist and mock the Bible for manipulative purposes. So great is our fear of being too judgmental that some have referred to Jesus’ words in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount as the eleventh commandment. Stripping this verse from its original context makes it the perfect crutch for those anxious to gaslight anyone brave enough to speak what is biblically accurate but unpopular. Ironically, those who cite Jesus’ warning are often the most judgmental toward those with whom they disagree!

Contrary to internet theologians eager to dismiss the Bible with the Bible, Jesus’ instruction about judging others is not a prohibition against discernment and moral accountability. Neither is He suggesting that Christians should never make judgment calls about the behaviors of others. Just a few verses later, Jesus Himself judges that some are like dogs who are resentful of what is holy, and others are like swine that are undeserving of pearls (Matt. 7:6). Later, in the same passage, Jesus warns that we should beware of false prophets, which is hardly possible apart from making judgment calls (Matt. 7:15). Next, He says, “You will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16, 20).” Again, insights like these are impractical if it is always wrong to issue any kind of moral verdict. Surely Jesus is not being inconsistent by disobeying His own command!

Instead, our Savior is admonishing us to judge carefully, realizing that the standards we impose on others will be the same criterion by which God evaluates us as well. His point is not that we should never judge, but that we should refuse to do so hypocritically. Thus, before judging others we should honestly evaluate ourselves. To help us grasp this understanding, Jesus provided a powerful analogy immediately after his precept. Imagine noticing a splinter in your brother’s eye but failing to see the log in your own (Matt. 7:3-4)! The solution is not, as many recklessly assume, to ignore the speck in another’s eye indefinitely, but to remove the 2X4 in your own eye first before seeking to help others (Matt. 7:5).

Clearly, Jesus is not suggesting that believers shy away from issues of right and wrong, or that we remain silent due to the ridicule of critics. In a world where the only rule is that there are no rules, Christians are called to be salt and light, which means we do not retreat from speaking what is true and we are just as deliberate to live what is true. May God give us the discernment and commitment to do so.

Adam B. Dooley
February 26, 2026

Feb 18
Love0

The Pleasant Lines of the Lord

By Christian Living, Faith, Happiness, Joy, Providence No Comments

Sometimes I have to pinch myself. When I look at my wife and children, I cannot believe they are mine. When I stand before the congregation I serve each week, the privilege of leading them overwhelms me.  When I consider all the simple pleasures that are continually part of my routine, joys like sports with my kids, Bible studies, and fellowship meals, I realize just how much I love my life.

Or, to quote King David, “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me (Psalm 16:6).” Indeed. And yet, before we can celebrate our receiving from the Lord, we must first appreciate our need to take refuge in the Lord. “Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You,” David wrote, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You (Psalm 16:1-2).”

The order here is important because our greatest treasure in life is God Himself, not the blessings He bestows. We should count all things as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord (Phil. 3:8). Thus, seeking Him first provides the backdrop upon which God draws the pleasant lines of our existence (Matt. 6:33).

In fact, the moment we prioritize the gifts of heaven, we will most assuredly miss the Giver behind the mercies we enjoy. I often wonder how much of God’s benevolence I have missed simply because I found greater security in myself. Taking refuge in Christ, you see, is not less than receiving protection from our enemies, but it is more.

Trusting God for opportunities to experience His blessings is also an expression of confidence in His care for us. Knowing that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,” Christians can rest in the safety and provision of the Lord (James 1:17). Doing so prevents us from looking for that which is good outside of the will of God.

Fundamentally, every temptation woos us to pursue what is noble through dishonorable means. By perverting legitimate desires and ambitions, the enemy entices us to fulfill appropriate longings in inappropriate ways. Pay close attention to the first act of spiritual sedition in Eden’s Garden and you will quickly notice Eve wrestling with the dilemma of believing God or trusting her instincts.

Tragically, because the fruit of the forbidden tree was good for food . . . a delight to the eyes . . . and desirable to make one wise, the first woman fell for the lie that the path to happiness and satisfaction exists outside of God’s directives (Gen. 3:6). Fulfilling the right aspirations in the wrong way is always a recipe for disaster.

How often are we guilty of the same miscalculation? Failing to take refuge in the Lord inevitably results in misguided transgressions aimed at personal contentment and gratification. Cheating can tarnish our pursuit of success. Pride can pollute our healthy desires. Selfishness can soil our best deeds. Unfettered rage can blemish even our most fitting words. And our pursuit of justice can fall short because of revengeful bitterness.

In each instance, we knowingly or unknowingly choose to step outside of the Lord’s gracious refuge. This is why dating couples choose to seek intimacy (which is good) by defiling their marriage bed (Heb. 13:4). This is why homosexuals search for love (which is good) by stepping outside the boundaries of nature and Scripture (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). This is why people work hard to care for their families (which is good) by trusting in the uncertainty of riches (1 Tim. 6:17).

On and on it goes, but far too easily we trust in the pursuit of God’s blessings more than God Himself. Everything truly good in our lives will originate from God and will be consistent with His character. Sadly, we often miss the abundance of God’s best because we prematurely take matters into our own hands. Those who find refuge in the Lord are secure enough to trust whatever He gives, whenever He chooses to give it. Then, and only then, will the lines which outline our lives be wonderfully pleasant and satisfying.

Adam B. Dooley
February 18, 2026

Feb 11
Love0

When Heaven Touches Earth

By God, Revival, Worship No Comments

After closing our doors for two Sundays due to inclement weather, churches across our community met again this past weekend for what I am sure were powerful gatherings. With so much discouraging news in our world recently, it seems to me that people are hungry for a genuine encounter with the Lord. I am praying that the churches across our nation will see an undeniable visitation from God in the days ahead. A heaven-sent revival is exactly what we need.

The cry of every human heart is to know and connect with our Creator in a meaningful way. To better understand what we should be praying for, allow me to make a distinction between the omnipresence of God and the manifest presence of God.

The Lord’s omnipresence simply means that He is everywhere at the same time. The psalmist illustrates God’s inescapable presence: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there” (Psalm 139:7-8). The problem, though, is that God can be present while we remain totally unaware that He is with us. He may be everywhere, but He works differently at given times in various places.

For example, is God present in a church building when its doors are locked, and the people are not there? Certainly! But is He present in the same way when His people assemble in that building for worship? I hope not. The manifest presence of God, you see, refers to those unique moments when God makes Himself known in such a way that we cannot ignore Him.

Scripture offers plenty of instances of these rare but powerful encounters with God.

From the Lord walking with Adam and Eve in Eden’s Garden (Gen. 3:8) to His tearing of the veil of the temple and shaking the earth as Jesus died on the cross (Matt. 27:51), sometimes we cannot ignore the overwhelming presence of God even if we try. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon’s fiery furnace, I long for God to show up in a pronounced way with greater frequency for longer periods of time.

When the Lord manifests His presence, we realize that He is our greatest treasure. Thus, every time we gather as believers, in the spirit of James 4:8, we should draw near to God believing that He will draw near to us. Like Moses, what we need more than anything or anyone else is a glimpse of God’s revealed glory (Exodus 34:6-8).

That’s when we learn that God is compassionate. Though we are dead in our trespasses and sins He is willing to make us alive in Christ (Eph. 2:1-7). He is gracious, because though our sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow (Isa. 1:18). He is slow to anger even though all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Rom. 3:23). He is abounding in loving kindness, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). He is abounding in truth, because He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He forgives iniquity and transgression and sin, though we pierced, crushed, and chastened Him (Isa. 53:5). He is holy, which means He is unwilling to leave the guilty unpunished and He will smite the nations with the sword of His mouth (Rev. 19:15).

I fear that far too often, we prefer God’s blessings over God Himself. We want protection from Hell. We need healing from sickness. We crave material prosperity. We approach God like a genie in a bottle expecting Him to give, give, give. We want just enough religion to make ourselves feel better, but still so little that it makes God sick. And we forget that, without God in our midst, all forms of religious piety are dead and worthless.

So, let’s pray that God will revive our hearts. Let’s submit ourselves to the gospel of Christ and the authority of Holy Scripture. Let’s seek the Lord while He may be found. Pray that our hunger for God would grow. Pray that God’s presence would fall on your city and mine. Pray that our churches would grow tired of business as usual. Pray that God will show us His glory!

Adam B. Dooley
February 11, 2026

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