Advice I Need To Give Myself (About Being Single)

You will have "trouble in the flesh".

You will have "trouble in the flesh".

You will have "trouble in the flesh".

How many times do I have to get this through your thick skull?

By the way, I'm preaching to myself here.  It's from I Corinthians 7:28:

1 Corinthians 7:28 (KJV)

28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

Paul is talking about how being married, while not a sin, is a distraction from serving Christ.  He continues:

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (KJV)

32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

If you're single, you can focus more on pleasing the Lord.  If you're married, you also focus on worldly things.  Now, Paul isn't suggesting that you're loving the world if you're married.  He's just saying marriage makes things more difficult.  I mean, for men, a wife is still a good thing:

Proverbs 18:22 (KJV)

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

But we are also warned:

Proverbs 21:9 (KJV)

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Ladies, I'm sorry, I don't know of any Scripture verse that warns you against wicked men.  This is all I got.

Anyway, what drove me to write about marriage and being single?  Well, when I feel frustrated that there aren't any Christian women available to date, let alone marry, I listen to a guy named Aaron Clarey, who repeatedly warns that most single women in the modern church aren't even Christian, but simply using Christianity to manipulate men.  Again, ladies, I'm sorry, Aaron Clarey doesn't talk much about how some guys are deadbeats.  Then again, the #metoo movement has that base covered already.  It is a fact that there exists creepy men in this world.

But, here's my take on why I'm a little leery towards dating, and it all has to do with one single, yet powerful word: DIVORCE.  Divorce is WAY too easy to obtain, and I want to make sure whoever I marry, if I marry, will stick it out till death do us part.  Why am I so serious about this?  Because God is.  He HATES divorce (Malachi 2:16), and if my wife and I divorce, if I marry someone else, I COMMIT ADULTERY. (Matthew 19:19).  If I marry someone who is divorced, I COMMIT ADULTERY. (Matthew 5:32), If my wife marries someone else, SHE COMMITS ADULTERY. (Mark 10:12).  

This is as CLEAR as CRYSTAL! THOU...SHALT...NOT...COMMIT...ADULTERY! (Exodus 20:14)

Which also means the cardiac kind as well! (Matthew 5:28)

Now you're saying, "Woah dude, we get it.  Adultery is bad.  And yes, it does say that adulterers do not inherit the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19,21).  But it's not the WORST sin in the world, is it?"

You're right.  It's not (see Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, and Luke 12:10 for something worse).  Why I am so adamant about avoiding adultery (and also fornication) is twofold:

1. As I've said before, adultery is one of many sins that, in my opinion, is the easiest in the world to understand, because it's made so abundantly clear.

2. Adultery is similar to fornication, which Paul also makes clear is a distinct sin from others:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (KJV)

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

So yeah, I'm a little OCD when it comes to sexual sin.  I'm by no means perfect in this (believe me, the temptation to commit cardiac adultery [and/or fornication, I think the context also fits this] exists, given the Internet).

So, yeah, it's much easier right now to be single.  Right now, I'm enjoying my freedom, even to the point of tears, but that's for another day (which I might think about discussing later).

On Puritanism and Being Happy

A while back, I was watching Jeopardy, and there came across a clue that gave me pause.  It was the December 15, 2023 broadcast.  In the category "WISH I SAID THAT!" for $1,200:

H.L. Menken defined Puritanism as "the hanting fear that someone, somewhere, may be" this word.

The correct response was "What is happy?"

(details retrieved from J! Archive)

So, the first thought I got out of that was "Do Puritans think it virtuous to be unhappy?" Or better yet, "Do Puritans think it vice to be happy?"

Of course, Puritans are well known for outlawing the celebration of Christmas under penalty of a five shilling fine.  This I take no issue with, for they are separating the holiday and the event the holiday alleges to honor.  I could go on and on about how Christmas is a wicked holiday (mixing the birth of Christ with worldly traditions, violating Romans 12:2 for example, worshipping the false Christ of the modern Nativity scene, which is biblically inaccurate, therefore it's a false Christ), but that's for another day.  

Yet, how strict are Puritans on other aspects of life, and what does Scripture say about all this?  First, the argument from the Puritans.  I am quoting Dr. Leon Kellner, who is quoted by Menken himself in his work "Puritanism as a Literary Force":

"Absorption in God," he says, "seems incompatible with the presentation (i.e., aesthetically) of mankind. The God of the Puritans was in this respect a jealous God who brooked no sort of creative rivalry. The inspired moments of the loftiest souls were filled with the thought of God and His designs; spiritual life was wholly dominated by solicitude regarding salvation, the hereafter, grace; how could such petty concerns as personal experience of a lyric nature, the transports or the pangs of love, find utterance? What did a lyric occurrence like the first call of the cuckoo, elsewhere so welcome, or the first sight of the snowdrop, signify compared with the last Sunday's sermon and the new interpretation of the old riddle of evil in the world? And apart from the fact that everything of a personal nature must have appeared so trivial, all the sources of secular lyric poetry were offensive and impious to Puritan theology.... One thing is an established fact: up to the close of the eighteenth century America had no belletristic literature."

Now, it is true that God is a jealous god (Exodus 34:14 paints it really well, even calling God's NAME "Jealous"), as is the god of the Puritans.  I would also imagine that the Puritans would justify focusing more on spiritual matters than that of this world with this passage:

Colossians 3:2 (KJV)

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

This would indeed be applicable in cases of fandom, whose main purpose is to be affectionate towards the object of fandom.  This would indeed be loving the world and the things in it (I John 2:15), which leads to Hell (for the love of the Father is not in such a person).

But what about the enjoyment of worldly things, IN AND OF ITSELF?  What about the "first call of the cuckoo", or the "first sight of a snowdrop", or even "secular lyric poetry" (I confess the latter is a personal favorite of mine, which I myself may need to curb)?  What does the Bible say?

Plenty.

Let's start with the Book of Romans, which says:

Romans 14:14 (KJV)

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Now, the context is food, but as verse 21 later suggests, this can apply to other things as well ("any thing").

Romans 14:19-23 (KJV)

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

See that Puritans?  Verse 22 says HAPPY!  And that's in your sacred King James Version too!

I go on:

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (KJV)

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

I highlighted verse 31 to show that you are allowed to use the things of the world, but to not be attached to them.  

I also want to point to v. 30 concerning rejoicing.  There is a time for rejoicing (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  In my opinion, we can rejoice if we deem it necessary (such as in the day of prosperity says Ecclesiastes 7:14), yet we shouldn't rejoice for its own sake (from "as though they rejoiced not").  Correct me if I'm wrong (Proverbs 6:23).

Now, it is written in Colossians:

Colossians 2:20-23 (KJV)

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Anything that's not commanded in Scripture is likely a commandment of men.

In Titus:

Titus 1:15 (KJV)

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Now, I am not at all saying we should embrace worldly things with reckless abandon.  We are still to not be fans, for that is loving the world, by it's very definition.  This world is not our home, and we are not to place our roots in it.  Writing to Timothy, Paul said:

2 Timothy 2:4 (KJV)

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

The affairs of this life is none of our business.  Pleasing Christ, our commanding officer, is.  But with Christ as our commanding officer, we do have freedom:

1 Corinthians 7:22 (KJV)

22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

But at the same time, remember (this time I'm using the ESV since it's clearer in my opinion):

Galatians 5:13 (ESV)

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

If what is said about the Puritans is correct, the Puritans have it all wrong in forbidding things that need not be forbidden.  Only to be unattached to such things is enough.

Sources:

Mencken, H. L. “Puritanism As A Literary Force.” A Book of Prefaces, by H.L. Mencken, A.A. Knopf, New York, 1922.

From americanliterature.com

John 10:5, Mar Mari Emmanuel, and the Syriac Church

 John 10:5 reads:

John 10:5 (ESV)

5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Now, who is a stranger?  In John 10, Jesus talks about how he is the door of the sheep (v. 7), and the shepherd Himself (v. 11).  Thus, a stranger is someone who is not Christ, but rather a thief and a robber (v. 1), that is, a false teacher who will steal the sheep (the believers) from the Truth, and thus, from salvation.

The sheep do not recognize the voice of anyone except Christ, so they flee from the stranger.

So, why am I talking about this?  Well, on my YouTube feed, I came across this gentleman named Mar Mari Emmanuel, he has a white beard, dresses in black, has a black and gold-ish head covering, and has a gold-ish cross hanging from his neck.  In my opinion, he looks like he belongs to an Eastern Orthodox church.  In his videos, he preaches from a pulpit with a backdrop with lettering in Arabic.  He is a part of what's called "Syriac Christianity".  I looked it up.  They also do sacraments, four of which are said to be essential to salvation, which are Baptism, Confirmation, Repentance, and Eucharist. (source: Syriac Orthodox Resources).

Syriac Orthodox Resources also says:

"The Syriac Orthodox Church conforms to the teachings of the Three Ecumenical Councils of Nicea (A.D. 325), Constantinople (A.D. 381), and Ephesus (A.D. 431).  It rejects the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)"

This here fails the sniff test immediately, for Jeremiah 17:5 says:

Jeremiah 17:5 (KJV)

5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Oh, some more stuff:

The Syriac church has its adherents pray seven times a day, because they say Psalm 119:64 says so:

Psalms 119:164 (KJV)

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

One problem:  Just because David praised God seven times a day, doesn't mean that is the minimum number of times a Christian must do so.  Now, nothing wrong with praying in this frequency, for we are told to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).  

But that's all that is said about prayer frequency, NOTHING ELSE! (Proverbs 30:6)

And going on with the Syriac Orthodox Resources, you find a bunch of stuff that obviously fits the following:

Matthew 15:9 (KJV)

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Based on all this, Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Syriac Church, at the very least, does not pass the sniff test.  For such people and churches John 10:5 applies, and if you doubt that such a person or church fits into that category, Jeremiah 17:5 applies too.

Medication Is Not Witchcraft

 Here's an idea that you might not consider unless you found some of these fringe YouTube videos, the idea that medication is witchcraft.

You're thinking, "What?  Where in the Bible does it say that?"

Their Proof Texts

Firstly, my stance is that medication is NOT witchcraft, but first, let me give you the proof texts people use to prove that medication is witchcraft:

Galatians 5:19-20 (KJV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Revelation 9:21 (KJV)

21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 18:23 (KJV)

23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Now, what do these three highlighted words have in common?  They are all from the Greek word "pharmakeia", which is where we get our English word "pharmacy."  And indeed, "pharmakeia" literally does mean medication, according to Strong's Dictionary:

From G5332; medication (“pharmacy”), that is, (by extension) magic (literal or figurative): - sorcery, witchcraft.

So, on the surface, it would appear as if medication of all types, even Tylenol, were evil.  In fact, the root word (G5332) (the people behind the "pharamakeia") is used in Revelation 21:8 as among those who go to Hell:

Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

So, does this mean that all pharmacists are going to Hell, simply because of their distribution of Tylenol, Advil, even Ozempic?

NO!

This is why.  

It's Not What Goes In, But What Comes Out

Look at Mark 7:14-23 (I will stop in between to give explainers):

Mark 7:14-23 (KJV)

14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Look at v. 15.  There is NOTHING from without a man, that entering INTO him can defile him.  Let us continue to verse 19:

16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Jesus gives the specific reason why most of the things you consume do not defile you.  It is because it doesn't go into the heart.  It goes through the stomach, and then is exited via #2! ("goeth out into the draught").  In and of itself, nearly nothing you put into your body can lead you to Hell (I'll get to the one exception in a moment).  

Now, yes, Jesus was mainly talking about food, and not medication such as Tylenol.  Still, Tylenol also does not enter the heart, but into the stomach, and some of it can come out as #2. (Not all food is expelled as waste either, but the context is mainly of anatomic geography).  Again, Jesus is not saying that "FOOD isn't bad because of where it goes".  He is saying that "Food isn't bad because of WHERE it goes".  Based on the context, it's not the KIND of thing that defines undefilement, it's the GEOGRAPHY of the thing.

It's like I Timothy 5:8, where Paul says that anyone who doesn't support their own family is worse than an unbeliever.  Again, Paul is stating FACTS based on the present application of widows.  You don't have to wait for your mother to be a widow to support her!  If you don't support her, even if her husband is still alive, you're STILL worse than an unbeliever!

So, Jesus' FACTS on where food goes can also apply to medication, because the geography's the same.  It is also a FACT that WHATSOEVER THING FROM WITHOUT (outside the body), and that means ANYTHING, cannot defile a man.  Not even dirt (Although I personally wouldn't recommend eating dirt, not a biblical teaching, just a personal opinion).

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

This is where Jesus defines the concept of defilement.  v. 22-23 essentially list sins, you know, the things which, unless repented of, CAN ACTUALLY SEND YOU TO HELL!

This also where Jesus defines the heart when He mentions "evil thoughts".  Jesus was not talking about the blood-pumping organ, because a blood-pumping organ can't think (see v. 21).  If anything, the organ that is more closely associated with the "heart" is the brain, whose pre-frontal cortex literally thinks.  So, in this context, the heart is more of a thinking and perceiving thing. 

Mark 7:14-23 debunks the concept of modern medication leading you to Hell, because "the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35).

Consuming Blood Still Forbidden

Now, I did mention one thing that can be consumed that, unless repented of, can ACTUALLY lead you to Hell: consuming blood.  The Law of Moses repeatedly forbade the consumption of blood, not at all because of anatomical geography, but because of something completely different.  Leviticus 17:14 says it quite clearly:

Leviticus 17:14 (KJV)

14 For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

Be warned:  This is not some "Law of Moses" thing that can be done away with because we're under grace.  A REASON, a FACT is given why we should NEVER EVER consume blood.  Because THE BLOOD IS THE LIFE.  In fact, this command is repeated in the New Testament as a starter command to new believers:

Acts 15:28-29 (KJV)

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Now, in conclusion, I don't exactly know any evidence off the top of my head what "pharmakeia" really is, other than what the Bible translators rendered it is, whom most agree is witchcraft.  However, what I do know is that medication is not witchcraft, simply because of where it travels in the body.  If it is still witchcraft despite this fact, then Jesus is a liar, and you know that He is not.

Topics I Wish To Cover In The Future

On the smartphone I have, I write down a lot of notes, especially when they come to me.  They are usually things that I wish to talk about concerning the Bible, so I want to share those with you:

On The Hard Road To Heaven (2 Timothy 2:3)

Exposing The Salvation Army (they reject baptism and the Lord's Supper)

What The Bible Says About Fools (a lot)

Don't Get Involved in The Affairs Of This Life (2 Timothy 2:4)

Medication Is Not Witchcraft (on the Greek word "pharmakeia")

Then I decided to look at my very first blog post and expand on it.  There were some teachings that I wanted to clarity, and I also wanted to clarify the inspirations behind my interpretation of Scripture and especially why I want to be an INDEPENDENT Bible student.  I recommend you check out the update.

So, I might get to these topics, or I might not.  It all depends.

My Take On The End Times (Without Using Much Scripture)

There's a reason I'm not using much Scripture in this blog post, because I don't want to get it wrong.  I'm definitely motivated by the following passage:

Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

So, why am I talking about the End Times?  Because I hear it all around me:

"The end times are being fulfilled all around us!"

"Watch carefully at what Israel is doing."

"This is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy."

OK, here's my take:  I don't immediately say that what's happening in the world is not fulfilling Bible prophecy, it likely is.  Any time something happens to Israel, it is likely that something Biblical is going on, because it's Israel, God's chosen people!

So, from one video I saw, the idea is that Israel has a rough time because Satan wants to wipe Israel off the map, that is, every single Jew.  If there are no Jews, then that means that God is a liar in saying that Jesus will return to save the remnant of Israel.  I also hear that part of the end times involves all the Jews returning to Israel.

Is all this likely?  Sure.  I just need to look it up in Scripture to make sure.  The author of that video suggested the book of Ezekiel.

Here are some other things I heard in this video:

There will be so much war and chaos, that the people of the world will cry for peace.  That peace will come in the form of a one-world government, a one-world religion (Hmm, there's a certain sci-fi franchise that preaches the gospel of a "United Earth".  In fact, Stacey Abrams herself played its president one time!)  This whole "one-world government" will be a big part of the end times.

Now, as for the Mark of the Beast (another common theme in end times discussions), first, let me lay out the given Scripture for everyone to see:

Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV)

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

I've seen other videos about it, one in which paying for groceries with your hand (There was another one about Whole Foods that I think is already doing it, but that's just your palm.) is either it or close to being it.

OK...how about an example where you can pay by showing your forehead?  I say "showing" because I don't think Revelation 13:16 is talking about a "payment method", but rather a method of identification.  Could it be a "payment method" and/or a "method of identification"?  I don't know.  Again, don't want to say yea or nay because of the first Scripture mentioned in this blog entry.

The point is this:  In the Mark of the Beast, the forehead is an option.  If a payment system or any kind of transaction doesn't even mention your forehead, it's NOT the Mark of the Beast, period, because to say that it is, and denying the option of the forehead takes away from the Book of Revelation as mentioned in that aforementioned Scripture.  It's in there!  To say that it's not is taking away from the Book of Revelation!

Now, yes, you and I should read up more on Bible prophecy, including the Book of Revelation, and compare the world's events to Scripture; it's a wise thing to do anyway (2 Peter 3:18).  Still, even if you haven't gotten to that point yet, at least do these:

Job 28:28 (KJV)

28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The World Is Still Tempting.

 I've mentioned this verse time and time again: "Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  It's so seared into my brain that I didn't even bother to get the exact KJV or ESV wording.  It's in I John (let me look it up again...I John 2:15.

When I talk about the concept of "having a life", I mean "embracing the world as if you're a member of it."  That is, being so rooted in this world that the world would easily consider you a citizen.  In fact, Jesus says in John 15:19a:

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:"

As a kid, and even as a young adult, I've always felt like I've been on the inside looking out, wanting to join my high school peers in whatever adventures in the world they're going on.  Of course, now that I'm in my mid to late 30s, I realize that those peers have since settled down, so I didn't see the point in chasing their company (these days, there's little need, I work with two members of my college graduating class every day!).  In fact, the two co-workers themselves have settled down with families of their own, so they wouldn't exactly invite me to a beer, they're too busy themselves!

So, who's "inviting me to a beer" now?  Who is tempting me to embrace the world and live a little?  Someone who doesn't exist in real life, yet, if I met the actress who played her, the two could seem identical.  

There's this version of Star Trek that interested me, it's called "Lower Decks".  It features inexperienced Ensigns of a common starship.  I think I myself was on the bottom rung of the career ladder when Lower Decks premiered, I have since moved up to a position comparable to lower management, or in the Star Trek world, at the very least, a Lieutenant.

The main character is a former senior officer named Beckett Mariner, played by Tawny Newsome.  Mariner is regularly a troublemaker who deliberately tries to remain an Ensign, uninterested in advancing in her career in Starfleet.  She is joined by Ensign Brad Boimler, played by Jack Quaid.  He's the guy that plays by the rules, and strives to one day be a starship captain.  He is a fan of Starfleet legends such as William Riker and Beverly Crusher.

The first time I watched the program, I immediately compared myself to Boimler and any "cool" worldly person to Mariner.  In fact, every single person who has told me, "Come on, live a little!" acts just like Mariner.  She...is the one who would invite me to a beer.  (I can say that because during a high school class reunion, there was one person who in fact invited me to the bar, I'm guessing for a beer.)

My carnal self would definitely want to let loose, and she would be my guide.  In fact, near the end of the first episode, Mariner called Boimler her "cha'dich", which is a Klingon term used to mean "friend/disciple".  Boimler would learn from Mariner in her unorthodox ways of life.

Scripture warns against running around with such people:

Proverbs 1:10-19 (KJV)

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

So yeah, it's not wise to be enticed by someone like Mariner.  OK, what about Tawny Newsome herself?  What's she like?

Let's see, she's 4 years older than me (just like Mariner)...OK, while Mariner reminds me of the troublemaker trying to get me into trouble, Tawny Newsome the actress reminds me of Trek clergy.  According to an article by ScreenRant, Mrs. Newsome has an "impressive knowledge of Star Trek", and she is a writer for a new upcoming Star Trek series.  I call her "clergy" because I have given another Star Trek actor a religious title: Wil Wheaton, whom I call the "high priest of geekery".  The podcast The Happiness Lab called him a "geekvangelist", preaching a gospel of loving a niche of the world with reckless abandon, with the example of the fans of Benedict Cumberbatch being called "cumberb****es.".  It is my opinion that Mrs. Newsome would preach a similar gospel, making Trek disciples of all nations.  Why?  I've heard her on other podcasts recommend starting episodes to get into Trek, just as I recommend starting in the book of Matthew to learn about Christ.

OK, so isn't the solution simple?  Just cut yourself off from Trek entirely? (like in Matthew 10:29)  Or at least Lower Decks?  Just writing that makes me think that's a good idea.  Perhaps the less reinforcement of Trek knowledge, the better.  I still have knowledge of Trek, I just don't want it to consume me.

What?  Is Star Trek evil?  In and of itself, I don't know.  Now, I'm not talking about their misguided vision of humanity (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5 to show what humanity will really be like), but rather the fact that it's of the world.  There is much "lust of the eyes", "lust of the flesh", and "pride of life" in Star Trek.