Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, hosted by rural pastor TJ Freeman, listeners are guided on how to combat persistent and challenging sins by understanding and utilizing the ordinary means of grace provided by God.

Key Points:

• The Deceitfulness of Sin: Freeman discusses how sins deceive us, using examples such as anxiety, addiction, and anger, and emphasizes the destructive nature of sin.
• Renewal of the Mind: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can fight sinful patterns by reading Scripture and regularly praying.

Listener Takeaways:

• No sin is too powerful for a Christian to overcome. Take heart in this truth!
• Seek to be in regular fellowship with other Christians. The Church was made to support each other in their fight for holiness.
  
  
  

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• Website: backtorurality.com
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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this podcast episode of 'Back to Rurality,' host TJ Freeman explores the universal struggle against temptation by sharing one of his own personal battles. Freeman offers biblical insights, particularly focusing on 1 Corinthians 10:13, to encourage listeners that they are not alone in their temptations, that God is faithful, and that there is a way to endure and escape temptation without giving in.

Key Points:

• The Root Issues Behind Temptations: Freeman connects his fear of flying to a broader spiritual struggle of not trusting God's sovereign control.
• Temptations are Universal: Believers should know and take comfort that they are not alone in any temptation that they are facing. The parade of saints who have gone before have gotten through this very temptation with God's help.

Listener Takeaways:

• Scripture memory can be helpful in the fight to resist temptations. Trust that the Holy Spirit will bring that to mind when it is needed most.
• It is helpful and necessary for Christians to seek accountability in their common temptations. This helps bring temptations out of the dark and into the light.
• Since temptation is a constant battle, a believer must fight to continuously turn to God's promises for strength and deliverance. Pray that the Lord will help one to cling to these promises.
  
  
  

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• Website: backtorurality.com
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Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of 'Back to Rurality,' rural pastor TJ Freeman explores the struggle between the Christian's focus on a relationship with Jesus and the plethora of rules often associated with the faith. He shares personal experiences of growing up with strict Christian rules and discusses the challenges of guilt and pride that come with viewing Christianity as merely a list of do's and don'ts.

Key Points:

• Two Ditches of Living for Rules: When a Christian tries to live out their faith by adhering to a strict list of rules they often fall into two negative camps: the guilty or the prideful. The guilty camp often struggles with intense shame. On the other hand, the prideful feel satisfied even though they too are missing out the freedom that comes from a relationship with Christ.
• The Purpose of God's Law: God has given his people different commands throughout Scripture so that they would be a people set apart from the nations around them. God intends his people to image him and show off his glory.
• The Truth of John 8: Those who are truly Christians abide in God's word because they truly love God.

Listener Takeaways:

• TJ encourages his listeners to ask themselves two questions. The first question is "Do I love God's Word?", and the second is "Are you abiding in God's word?"
• Christians should pray and ask the Lord to give them a hunger for his word, motivated by a love for him.
  
  

Connect with Us:

• Website: backtorurality.com
• Social Media: Facebook