The Hopeful Heretic Podcast

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Talking all things Bible, Church, Family, and Jesus every Tuesday. It may be right? It may be heretical? That’s for you to decide. HHP is sponsored by hff.church

  1. 7h ago

    The Bible Isn't Afraid of Sex (But the Church Is)

    Why is sex still one of the most taboo topics in the church? For generations, many Christians were given one primary message about sexuality: Don’t do it. Don’t think about it. Don’t talk about it. Don’t desire it. And then somehow, after the wedding ceremony, you’re expected to instantly have a healthy sex life. That transition does not always go well. In this episode of the HHP Podcast, Pastor Chris Franke talks openly about what the Bible actually teaches about sex, marriage, desire, purity culture, consent, shame, covenant, and grace. The Bible does not present sex as dirty. Sexuality existed before sin. Genesis tells us that Adam and Eve were “naked and not ashamed.” That means sexual desire itself is not automatically sinful. But Scripture also treats sex as powerful. And powerful things require healthy boundaries. Think about fire. Inside a fireplace, fire can provide warmth and life. Loose inside a house, that same fire can destroy everything. Biblical sexual ethics are not rooted in the idea that sex is bad. They are rooted in the idea that sex means something. Genesis 2 says that two become one flesh. Jesus repeats it. Paul repeats it. Biblically, sex is connected to covenant. It joins. It bonds. It exposes. It makes people vulnerable. That is why Scripture refuses to treat sex casually. In this episode, we discuss: • What the Bible actually teaches about sex • Why sexual desire is not automatically sinful • Genesis 2 and the meaning of “one flesh” • Why sex is connected to covenant • Why consent matters but is not the only biblical question • How purity culture sometimes created unnecessary shame • Why women should not carry responsibility for controlling men’s desires • The damage caused by treating people with sexual histories as “damaged goods” • Sexual sin, repentance, and grace • What 1 Corinthians 6 means by “you were washed” • Why the Song of Solomon matters • Healthy sex within Christian marriage • Mutuality, communication, patience, and tenderness • Why marriage does not eliminate consent • Why sexual coercion and manipulation are not biblical intimacy • How safety, trust, friendship, and affection strengthen marital intimacy The church has sometimes made serious mistakes in the way sexuality has been taught. Purity culture could place disproportionate shame on women. People were sometimes taught that experiencing sexual desire itself was sinful. Virgins were sometimes promised that purity would automatically produce a perfect marriage. And Christians with sexual histories could be treated as permanently contaminated. But that is not the gospel. Sexual sin is real. Grace is also real. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6 about serious sexual sin and then says: “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed.” That is Christianity. Not permanent contamination. Redemption. Within marriage, Christians also need to stop treating sex as an embarrassing side topic. The Song of Solomon exists. The Bible is not afraid of marital desire. Healthy biblical sexuality should involve: Honor. Communication. Consent. Patience. Tenderness. Mutuality. Safety. Trust. Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 emphasizes mutual responsibility between husband and wife. Marriage is not ownership. Sex should never become coercion. Marriage does not eliminate consent. Pressure, threats, manipulation, and abuse are not biblical intimacy. Healthy intimacy grows where people are emotionally, relationally, spiritually, and physically safe. Maybe the church needs a better message about sex. Not: Sex is dirty. And not: Sex is everything. But: Sex is sacred. Created by God. Powerful. Good. Designed for covenant. Damaged by sin. Redeemable by grace. And worthy of honest, mature, biblical, and shame-free conversations. If this episode challenged or encouraged you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HHP Podcast. 🎙️ HHP Podcast — Bible. Church. Family. We may be right. We may be heretical. That’s for you to decide. 🌐 More podcasts, sermons, blogs, and biblical resources: hff.church ⛪ Looking for a church home in Oklahoma City? Join HFF Church for Saturday Church every Saturday at 10:30 AM. #ChristianSexuality #BiblicalSex #PurityCulture #ChristianMarriage #SexAndMarriage #SexualShame #ChristianRelationships #BiblicalMarriage #ConsentInMarriage #OneFlesh #Genesis2 #1Corinthians6 #1Corinthians7 #ChristianPodcast #HHPPodcast #HFFChurch

  2. Oct 27

    Can Christians Divorce? A Biblical Reality Check

    Can Christians divorce and remarry? Few topics create more shame, confusion, disagreement, and pain inside the church than divorce. Some Christians have been told that divorce permanently disqualifies them from ministry, leadership, or even a healthy future. Others have been told, “God just wants you to be happy,” so leaving a marriage whenever it becomes difficult is justified. Neither extreme handles Scripture carefully. In this episode of the HHP Podcast, Pastor Chris Franke takes an honest look at what Jesus teaches about marriage, divorce, remarriage, covenant, abuse, abandonment, repentance, and grace. Jesus takes marriage seriously. In Matthew 19, He says: “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” Marriage is covenant. It is not disposable. Jesus points His listeners back to Genesis—to male and female becoming one flesh—and confronts a culture where divorce could be used to discard vulnerable spouses. But Jesus also says something important: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard.” Divorce exists because sin destroys relationships. Sometimes that covenant-breaking sin involves sexual immorality. Sometimes abandonment. Sometimes betrayal. Sometimes manipulation, violence, abuse, or destructive patterns that someone refuses to confront. And that means we need to stop pretending every divorce story is identical. In this episode, we discuss: • Can Christians biblically divorce? • Can a Christian remarry after divorce? • What Jesus actually teaches in Matthew 19 • Why Moses permitted divorce • Sexual immorality and covenant-breaking behavior • What 1 Corinthians 7 says about abandonment • Divorce in situations involving abuse or violence • Why “God hates divorce” should never be weaponized against an abused spouse • Why forgiveness does not require remaining in danger • Different Christian interpretations of remarriage • Repentance after destroying a marriage • Why divorced Christians are not second-class believers • How the gospel offers redemption after relational failure • Why the church must hold truth, safety, repentance, and grace together One truth needs to be stated clearly: God does not call someone to remain exposed to abuse or violence simply to preserve the appearance of a marriage. Forgiveness does not require continued access. Mercy does not eliminate wisdom. And protecting a covenant should never become an excuse for protecting an abuser. At the same time, Scripture does not treat marriage casually. The church should fight for healthy reconciliation when reconciliation is possible. We should encourage counseling before marriages collapse. We should confront adultery, selfishness, abandonment, abuse, and destructive behavior. And when we are responsible for breaking covenant, repentance matters. Own what you did. Confess it. Stop rewriting history. Make restitution where possible. Grow. Change. But repentance also means believing that God can redeem your future. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Your history matters. But your history does not have to become your permanent identity. And if someone else broke covenant with you, you do not have to carry their sin as your shame. Divorce may be part of your story. It does not have to be the end of your story. Christians may disagree about some of the finer details surrounding divorce and remarriage, and those disagreements deserve humility. But divorced believers are not second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God. The gospel is a message of redemption. Jesus meets broken people. Jesus restores broken people. Jesus calls sinners to repentance. And Jesus gives grace to people with complicated histories. Marriage matters. Covenant matters. Repentance matters. Safety matters. And grace matters. If your story includes divorce, Jesus has not finished writing your story. If this episode challenged or encouraged you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HHP Podcast. 🎙️ HHP Podcast — Bible. Church. Family. We may be right. We may be heretical. That’s for you to decide. 🌐 More podcasts, sermons, blogs, and biblical resources: hff.church ⛪ Looking for a church home in Oklahoma City? Join HFF Church for Saturday Church every Saturday at 10:30 AM. #ChristianDivorce #DivorceAndRemarriage #BiblicalMarriage #Matthew19 #ChristianMarriage #Remarriage #MarriageCounseling #BiblicalDivorce #ChristianRelationships #AbuseAndTheChurch #ChurchHurt #Repentance #GraceAfterDivorce #ChristianPodcast #HHPPodcast #HFFChurch

  3. Oct 20

    How do you know if this is the person God wants you to marry?

    How do you know if this is the person God wants you to marry? Is there really one perfect soulmate God has hidden somewhere for you to find? And what if you choose wrong? In this episode of the HHP Podcast, Pastor Chris Franke challenges one of the most common ideas in Christian dating culture: that marriage is primarily about finding “the one” through prophetic signs, dreams, supernatural confirmations, chemistry, or a perfect feeling. Scripture gives us something much more grounded. Marriage is a covenant—and covenant requires more than chemistry. It requires character. Instead of only asking: “Do I feel strongly about this person?” “Am I attracted to them?” “Did God give me a sign?” Maybe we should also ask: “Can I actually build a godly life with this person?” In this episode, we talk about: • Does God have one specific soulmate for you? • How to know if you should marry someone • Christian dating and biblical discernment • Why attraction is not enough for marriage • How to evaluate someone’s character • The importance of honesty, repentance, and accountability • Red flags Christians should not ignore • Emotional abuse, spiritual manipulation, and gaslighting • Why “I have peace about it” does not cancel wisdom • The importance of premarital counseling • Why marriage will not fix an unhealthy relationship • Why children will not repair an unhealthy marriage • How to talk about money, sex, faith, children, expectations, and conflict • Why wise counsel matters before making a covenant decision • What James 1 teaches about asking God for wisdom Jesus teaches in Matthew 7 that a wise person builds their house on the rock. And eventually, every marriage will face storms. Financial pressure. Family conflict. Parenting stress. Loss. Change. Disappointment. Health challenges. And circumstances neither person can control. The storm will eventually reveal what the relationship was built on. That is why character matters. How does this person respond when they are wrong? Can they repent? Can they receive correction? Do they tell the truth? Do they take responsibility? How do they handle conflict? Are they controlling? Are they manipulative? Are they spiritually mature? Do they live with integrity when nobody is watching? Because attraction may start a relationship, but biblical character is what helps sustain a covenant. And Christians need to understand something important: Peace is not permission to ignore red flags. If someone is dishonest, controlling, abusive, sexually destructive, spiritually manipulative, chronically irresponsible, or unwilling to receive correction, saying “I have peace about it” does not make those realities disappear. God is not asking you to enter a marriage covenant by ignoring someone’s character. Healthy relationships should also survive wise questions. Ask people who know you. Ask people who know them. Seek counsel from mature believers who have nothing to gain from your decision. And consider this question: Does this relationship make it easier or harder for me to become more like Jesus? Are you becoming more honest? More patient? More grounded? More faithful? Or are you becoming more anxious, secretive, isolated, compromised, and spiritually unhealthy? Marriage does not magically create maturity. A wedding does not automatically repair broken trust. A ring does not produce accountability. And vows do not instantly transform someone who refuses to live with integrity. So how do you know whether you should marry someone? Pray. Use wisdom. Evaluate character. Seek mature counsel. Talk honestly about faith, finances, sex, children, expectations, family, conflict, and the future. Then make a covenant decision. James 1 tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, we should ask God—and He gives generously. Sometimes the problem isn’t that God refuses to give us wisdom. It’s that we ask for wisdom while already deciding to do whatever we wanted. Marriage is not about finding a perfect person. You aren’t perfect either. It is about choosing someone whose faith, character, humility, direction, and willingness to grow make covenant possible—and then spending the rest of your lives learning to love one another like Jesus. If this episode challenged or encouraged you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HHP Podcast. 🎙️ HHP Podcast — Bible. Church. Family. We may be right. We may be heretical. That’s for you to decide. 🌐 More podcasts, sermons, blogs, and biblical resources: hff.church ⛪ Looking for a church home in Oklahoma City? Join HFF Church for Saturday Church every Saturday at 10:30 AM. #ChristianDating #ChristianMarriage #BiblicalMarriage #Soulmate #DatingAdvice #MarriageAdvice #ChristianRelationships #RelationshipRedFlags #PremaritalCounseling #BiblicalDating #GodlyMarriage #ChristianPodcast #James1 #MarriageCounseling #HHPPodcast #HFFChurch

  4. Oct 13

    Not My Will: The Hardest Prayer You’ll Ever Pray

    What do you do when you pray—and nothing happens? You prayed for your marriage. Your children. Healing. A job. Deliverance. A breakthrough. And still, nothing changed. In this episode of the HHP Podcast, Pastor Chris Franke talks honestly about one of the hardest experiences in the Christian life: unanswered prayer and the silence of God. Christians often reach for quick answers: “Everything happens for a reason.” “Just have more faith.” “God’s timing is perfect.” Those statements may contain truth, but when someone is deeply hurting, clichés can feel like spiritual duct tape over a wound that deserves honesty. Scripture gives us something deeper. It gives us lament. Psalm 13 begins: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” David did not pretend everything was fine. He brought his confusion, pain, and disappointment directly to God. And Jesus did the same. In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed: “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.” The cup did not pass. Paul prayed repeatedly for his thorn to be removed. God said no. That means unanswered prayer cannot automatically mean weak faith. Sometimes God says yes. Sometimes God says no. Sometimes God says wait. And sometimes we may never receive a complete explanation for why. In this episode, we discuss: • What to do when God seems silent • Why unanswered prayer does not mean insufficient faith • What Psalm 13 teaches us about lament • Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane • Paul’s thorn in the flesh • Why Christians need to recover honest lament • The danger of treating prayer like a transaction • Why prayer is not a spiritual vending machine • How to trust God when you do not understand Him • Why questions and wrestling are not the same as unbelief • What “not my will, but Yours” actually means • How to keep praying when nothing seems to change The Psalms are filled with questions like: “God, where are You?” “Why have You hidden Your face?” “How long?” That is not necessarily unbelief. Sometimes that is what a real relationship with God sounds like when life hurts. God already knows what you are thinking. You can tell Him: “I’m angry.” “I’m scared.” “I’m disappointed.” “I don’t understand.” God is not threatened by your honesty. Prayer was never meant to be a transaction where enough fasting, enough faith, enough verses, or the perfect words guarantee the outcome you requested. Jesus showed us something deeper: “Not my will, but Yours.” That is not passive resignation. It is radical trust. It says: “Father, I trust You to do what is right—even when it is not what I desperately wanted.” Maybe you are living inside an unanswered prayer right now. There may not be a simple explanation. And sometimes the most faithful thing we can say is: We do not know why. But silence does not necessarily mean absence. Delay does not necessarily mean abandonment. Keep talking. Keep asking. Keep lamenting. Keep trusting. Faith is not always understanding what God is doing. Sometimes faith is continuing to trust His heart when you cannot understand His hand. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HHP Podcast. 🎙️ HHP Podcast — Bible. Church. Family. We may be right. We may be heretical. That’s for you to decide. 🌐 More podcasts, sermons, blogs, and biblical resources: hff.church ⛪ Looking for a church home in Oklahoma City? Join HFF Church for Saturday Church every Saturday at 10:30 AM. #UnansweredPrayer #GodsSilence #WaitingOnGod #ChristianPodcast #Lament #TrustGod #Prayer #FaithInHardTimes #Psalm13 #Gethsemane #ChristianEncouragement #Suffering #ChristianFaith #HHPPodcast #HFFChurch

  5. Oct 6

    Hearing God: Why You Don't Need a Technique

    How do you know if it’s actually God speaking to you? Was that God? Was that me? Was that fear? Was that just something I wanted? And what if I make the wrong decision and miss God’s will? In this episode of the HHP Podcast, Pastor Chris Franke explores one of the most common sources of anxiety in the Christian life: how to discern the voice and leading of God without becoming controlled by fear, emotion, or spiritual pressure. Some Christians live terrified that one misunderstood thought could ruin their future. But what kind of picture of God does that create? A God hiding His will behind a spiritual escape room? A God waiting for you to miss one clue so your entire life falls apart? That doesn’t sound much like a shepherd. Jesus says in John 10: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Notice that Jesus does not say His sheep will perfectly interpret every impression, dream, feeling, or circumstance. He says they will know Him. That means hearing God begins with relationship, not technique. And one of the safest ways to recognize the voice of God is to become deeply familiar with the character of God revealed in Scripture. In this episode, we discuss: • How to know if God is really speaking to you • The difference between God’s voice and your own desires • Why “God didn’t tell me no” is not always discernment • How Scripture anchors spiritual decision-making • Why God will not contradict His revealed character • The danger of saying “God told me” too quickly • Why humility is essential in hearing God • The role of wise counsel and Christian community • How emotion can influence spiritual decisions • What James teaches about wisdom from above • Why Acts 15 gives us a healthier model of discernment • How to recognize the fruit of the Holy Spirit in a decision • Why some decisions involve genuine freedom rather than one hidden perfect choice James describes wisdom from above as: Pure. Peaceable. Gentle. Open to reason. Full of mercy. Full of good fruit. That gives us something much more substantial than simply saying: “I have peace about it.” Sometimes what we call “God told me” is actually: “I want this.” “I’m afraid of this.” “I’m angry.” “I had a dream.” “I don’t want to stay.” “I really want this relationship.” That doesn’t mean God never speaks personally. It means we should approach discernment with humility. There is nothing spiritually weak about saying: “I think God may be leading me.” That language leaves room for Scripture. It leaves room for counsel. It leaves room for community. And it leaves room for the possibility that you could be wrong. That isn’t weak faith. That is maturity. In Acts 15, the early church faced a major theological crisis. They listened, discussed, reasoned together, examined what God was doing, and eventually said: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” Not: “God told me, so everyone else be quiet.” There was discernment. There was community. There was humility. So when you’re trying to determine whether God is actually leading you, ask: Does this align with Scripture? Does it reflect the character of Jesus? Does wise counsel confirm it? Does it produce the fruit of the Spirit? Is this decision being driven primarily by fear, anger, or emotion? And does it still seem true after the intensity of the moment has passed? Sometimes God speaks through Scripture. Sometimes through wise people. Sometimes through circumstances. Sometimes in a whisper. And sometimes God has already given you wisdom, freedom, and responsibility to make a choice. You do not have to live terrified that one imperfect decision will destroy God’s plan for your life. The goal is not to become perfect at interpreting impressions. The goal is to know the Shepherd. If this episode challenged or encouraged you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HHP Podcast. 🎙️ HHP Podcast — Bible. Church. Family. We may be right. We may be heretical. That’s for you to decide. 🌐 More podcasts, sermons, blogs, and biblical resources: hff.church ⛪ Looking for a church home in Oklahoma City? Join HFF Church for Saturday Church every Saturday at 10:30 AM. #HearingGod #GodsWill #SpiritualDiscernment #VoiceOfGod #ChristianPodcast #HolySpirit #ChristianDecisionMaking #BiblicalWisdom #John10 #Acts15 #ChristianLiving #Discernment #FaithAndAnxiety #FollowingJesus #HHPPodcast #HFFChurch

  6. Sep 29

    When You’re Anxious and Still Trusting God

    Can we stop telling Christians, “If you really trusted God, you wouldn’t feel anxious”? Because when anxiety shows up, that belief creates two problems: You’re anxious. And now you feel guilty for being anxious. In this episode of the HHP Podcast, Pastor Chris Franke challenges the damaging idea that anxiety automatically means weak faith and explores what the Bible actually shows us about fear, anxiety, emotional distress, counseling, rest, prayer, and trusting Jesus. Scripture is filled with faithful people who experienced very real human emotions. David experienced fear. Elijah became exhausted and overwhelmed. Jeremiah carried deep sorrow. Paul described being pressed beyond his own strength. And in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” These aren’t stories about faithless people. They are stories about faithful people experiencing real distress. Faith is not the absence of emotion. Faith is what you do with the emotion. David says in Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Notice what he says. When I am afraid. Fear was present. Trust was also present. Those two realities can exist at the same time. You can be afraid and still trust Jesus. You can struggle with anxiety and still trust Jesus. You can sit in a counselor’s office and still trust Jesus. You can take practical steps toward emotional and mental health while still having genuine faith. In this episode, we discuss: • Does anxiety mean you don’t trust God? • Why Christians should stop shaming people for anxiety • The difference between feeling fear and being ruled by fear • What David teaches us about fear and trust • Elijah’s exhaustion and God’s response in 1 Kings 19 • Why rest, food, community, and physical health matter spiritually • Prayer and professional counseling • Why counseling and trusting Jesus are not enemies • Emotional health and Christian discipleship • Bringing anxious thoughts honestly before God • Why your nervous system is not a spiritual scoreboard • How faith operates in the middle of fear • Trusting Jesus when you cannot control the future One of the most revealing moments happens in 1 Kings 19. Elijah is afraid, isolated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. And before God gives him another assignment, Elijah sleeps. He eats. He drinks. He rests. Then comes the conversation. Sometimes we’re trying to cast out what actually needs rest. Sometimes we’re condemning something that requires healing. Sometimes we need prayer. Sometimes we need repentance. Sometimes we need sleep. Sometimes we need wise professional help. And sometimes God uses several of those things together. Christian faith does not require pretending the storm doesn’t exist. Faith means knowing who is with you in the storm. Maybe faith isn’t standing on the mountaintop declaring, “I’ve never been afraid.” Maybe sometimes faith sounds like: “Jesus, I am afraid—but I am still here, and I am still choosing to trust You.” Your anxiety is not proof that God has abandoned you. Your racing thoughts do not prevent Jesus from drawing near. Your emotions are not a scoreboard measuring how spiritual you are. The goal isn’t to pretend anxiety never exists. The goal is to refuse to let anxiety become your master. Bring it to Jesus. Bring the fear. Bring the uncertainty. Bring the future you keep imagining. Bring the thoughts you cannot seem to shut off. And keep returning to what is true: Jesus is faithful. Jesus is present. Jesus is not surprised. And the future was never yours to control. Faith is not pretending the storm doesn’t exist. Faith is knowing who controls the storm. If this episode encouraged or challenged you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HHP Podcast. 🎙️ HHP Podcast — Bible. Church. Family. We may be right. We may be heretical. That’s for you to decide. 🌐 More podcasts, sermons, blogs, and biblical resources: hff.church ⛪ Looking for a church home in Oklahoma City? Join HFF Church for Saturday Church every Saturday at 10:30 AM. #ChristianAnxiety #AnxietyAndFaith #MentalHealthAndFaith #TrustGod #ChristianMentalHealth #FaithOverFear #ChristianCounseling #BiblicalAnxiety #JesusAndAnxiety #Psalm56 #Elijah #ChristianPodcast #EmotionalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #HHPPodcast #HFFChurch

  7. Sep 22

    When Friction Becomes Fire: How to Handle Offense Biblically

    In a world trained by cancel culture, our instinct is often to cut people off, tell our side of the story, gather people who agree with us, and walk away convinced that we were the faithful ones. But Jesus gives us a different way. Matthew 18 is not about proving you’re right. It’s about winning your brother. In this episode of the HHP Podcast, Pastor Chris Franke explores what biblical conflict resolution actually looks like and why protecting covenant relationships may be one of the most overlooked forms of spiritual warfare in the modern church. Jesus says in Matthew 18:15: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.” Notice the goal. Not humiliation. Not exposure. Not winning the argument. Not building a case against somebody. Winning your brother. Most church conflicts do not begin with one massive explosion. They begin with small offenses, misunderstandings, wounded pride, assumptions, harsh words, and unresolved resentment. Then friction becomes fire. And in a culture fueled by outrage, public confrontation, gossip, and tribal loyalty, Christians can easily adopt the world’s methods while believing we are defending righteousness. But Scripture gives us a better blueprint. In this episode, we discuss: • What Matthew 18 actually teaches about conflict • Why Matthew 18 is more than a “church discipline” passage • The biblical goal of reconciliation and restoration • Why you should go directly to the person first • How gossip turns friction into division • Why being right is not the same as being righteous • What Leviticus 19 teaches about confronting conflict • The relationship between truth, correction, mercy, and love • Why resentment should not be buried or weaponized • How pride prevents reconciliation • Why witnesses are meant to protect truth, not simply strengthen your side • The danger of turning every disagreement into a loyalty test • Why church unity requires humility • How covenant relationships become a form of spiritual warfare Leviticus 19:17–18 gives the same biblical pattern: Do not harbor hatred. Address the issue directly. Do not take revenge. Do not hold a grudge. Love your neighbor as yourself. That is the balance: Truth without revenge. Honesty without hatred. Correction without contempt. Sometimes reconciliation requires the humility to admit: “I misunderstood you.” “I may have remembered that differently.” “You hurt me.” “I was wrong.” “I want peace more than I want to win.” That kind of humility is harder than walking away. Matthew 18 calls believers to something deeper than protecting their reputation. It calls us to protect the body of Christ. The world says: Protect your image. Jesus says: Pursue your brother. The world says: Cut them off. Jesus says: Go to them. The world teaches us how to win arguments. Jesus teaches us how to fight for people. Real spiritual warfare is not always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like refusing to gossip. Having the uncomfortable conversation. Laying down your pride. Choosing forgiveness. Seeking truth. And fighting to preserve the unity Jesus gave His life to create. The goal isn’t to prove you were right. The goal is to win your brother. If this episode challenged or encouraged you, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to the HHP Podcast. 🎙️ HHP Podcast — Bible. Church. Family. We may be right. We may be heretical. That’s for you to decide. 🌐 More podcasts, sermons, blogs, and biblical resources: hff.church ⛪ Looking for a church home in Oklahoma City? Join HFF Church for Saturday Church every Saturday at 10:30 AM. #Matthew18 #ChurchConflict #BiblicalConflictResolution #ChristianReconciliation #ChurchUnity #Forgiveness #ChurchHurt #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualWarfare #ChristianCommunity #Gossip #BiblicalForgiveness #LoveYourNeighbor #HHPpodcast #HFFChurch

  8. Sep 15

    I No Longer Trust My Spouse, Broken Marriages

    How do you rebuild trust in a Christian marriage after betrayal, dishonesty, broken promises, or deep disappointment? In this episode, we walk through simple, practical, biblical steps for restoring trust in marriage—including honesty, repentance, consistency, listening, forgiveness, prayer, and seeking wise counsel. If your marriage feels wounded or disconnected, these Christ-centered principles can help you begin rebuilding a healthier, stronger relationship one faithful step at a time. #ChristianMarriage #MarriageAdvice #BiblicalMarriage #RebuildingTrust #ChristianRelationships #MarriageRestoration #FaithAndMarriage

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Talking all things Bible, Church, Family, and Jesus every Tuesday. It may be right? It may be heretical? That’s for you to decide. HHP is sponsored by hff.church

Information

  • Creator
    HFF.church
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Hopeful Heretic Podcast