Stephen Barret shares what it is like to evangelize in Japan. Signs and wonders confirming the word.
Show Notes with Time Stamps
02:05 Stephen went from no miracles to miracles 06:45 Jesus is not known in Japan 08:35 The Japanese think evangelism is for the Pros 10:08 God draws the right people 12:16 Stephen recounts a miracle in his ministry 16:15 an example of God drawing the hungry people 18:34 Japanese Mystics - Idolatry 20:38 Idolatry is a problem when new converts in Japan 21:43 Buddhism and Shintoism is prevalent 22:39 A Buddhist dreams about Jesus and then gets saved 25:38 The ones that follow you are the ones you disciple 27:49 The smart phone as a ministry tool 30:41 Japanese think Jesus is a historical figure among other gods; 34:58 Another miracle recounted 39:30 A terminal patient healed in Jesus Name 41:16 Commanding in the Name of Jesus 44:33 Signs accompany the gospel confirming the word 46:16 Dealing with Doubt and unbelief 48:25 Stephen was going blind from demonic attack 54:27 Running to the demons in dreams to attack 56:08 The devil tests believers 56:38 Don't seek sympathy get in agreement 1:02:53 Greater works than these 1:06:14 The devil circles about seeking whom he may devour 1:09:50 Acts is our blueprint for today - not leaven 1:11:54 Committing time for evangelism each week 1:18:17 Huddling after a spiritual encounter - discipling 1:20:12 Words of knowledge - spiritual discernment 1:27:03 Stilling the thoughts to be receptive to God 1:29:01 Learning from God directly 1:31:15 Stephen recounts a time he got healed 1:39:15 Stephen prays
Exploring my journey in Faith Healing. I used to think it was fake but now I am a firm believer.
Show Notes:
I used to think healing was fake;
I grew up in Cessationist church;
Faith healers were exposed as frauds;
A man raised from the dead exposed as fraud;
Watching Benny Hinn closely;
I prayed for a lady to live and she did!;
David George gets healed at church! ;
OFCC had many testimonies of healing;
Man's eye straightened up;
Couple gets pregnant through prayer;
Dave and Patty Lage interview ;
Kevin Riordan praying for people on the Street;
Stephen Barret - Radical Transformation in healing;
I saw healings first hand with Garry Nesbit;
Seeing healings first hand with Doug Hanson;
Praying with doubt #DoesNotRock ;
Praying in the "Name" of Jesus ;
Being meet for the Master's use;
Continuing in the series "Prophetic Evangelism" I interview Nick Serre from Canada.
Show Notes:
Sola Scriptura and following the Spirit;
Don't need to be a prophet to prophesy;
Discerning God's voice through relationship;
Waiting on the Lord;
Being led by the Spirit during evangelism;
Treasure hunting approach;
Spending time in the prayer closet;
How to pray for healing;
Ignoring the prompting to pray for someone;
How to approach people;
Reasons we miss it - discernment;
Different sources of information in the spirit realm;
The Spirit empowers us to do His Will;
Evangelizing at a Marylin Manson concert;
Reading the book versus doing what the book says;
Authority is given for us to Go! ;
Dare to take the step of faith;
Huddling after spiritual encounters;
Nick prays for the listeners;
Interview with Stephen Barrett form Holy fire Japan about Prophetic Evangelism.
Show Notes:
Stephen and I met around 2010 on #Tworship;
Frustrated with no results and God told him to fast;
Many supernatural miracle healings ;
Living by faith;
Prophetic Evangelism is really spirit led evangelism;
A word about Treasure Hunting;
Words of knowledge about pain;
Evangelism does not have to be 'prophetic' ;
Initiating the conversation;
Scanning in the spirit;
Committing our way to the Lord so He will bring it to pass;
Establishing rapport;
Street evangelism and opening your mouth;
The boldness that comes;
Words of knowledge versus common knowledge;
Missing it ;
Stilling the thought life so you can hear in the Spirit;
Sources of information in the Spirit;
Prophetic mentoring;
Talking too much instead of listening;
Assembling the body together;
Doing it versus making excuses;
Stephen Prays us out;
00:49 Someone shared the gospel with a saved person;
01:08 Hateful Street Preacher example;
02:29 Biblical Definition of "Preach" or "Preacher" ;
06:29 Acie Burleson chimes in;
06:56 Lance Rowe says not to stand by idly!;
07:28 Monty Simpson God's love must be preached;
08:24 Corey Costelli gives a train example;
08:51 John Roush chimes in;
09:16 Mandy Stork, follow the Lord's leading;
10:24 Muslims having service inside a Christian church!;
11:05 Texas Muslim capitol day - interrupted by Christine Weick;
12:29 Preacher arrested for reading the bible at DMV;
13:39 Examining the Captive audience doctrine;
14:55 My first experience Street preaching the cops shut me down;
15:59 Jonny Gaston from Reach My City Audio;
18:17 Matthew Foutch preaches the Love of Jesus;
20:16 Brandon Hooks If we love people, tell them the truth;
21:51 Stephen Barrett from Holy Fire Japan - Be led by the Spirit;
29:24 Acts 5:27 Obey God about Preaching and not man;
30:19 Philippians 1:15 At least Christ is being preached! ;
The Christian Yoga Deception: Uncovering the Hidden Dangers
Welcome back to Coffee with Conrad! I'm your host, Conrad from ConradRocks.Net. My heart burns with a passion for you to have a deep, spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus, the God of the Bible. The God who declared, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3, KJV), and who warned us against worshipping Him according to the ways of the heathen, saying, "Learn not the way of the heathen..." (Jeremiah 10:2, KJV).
It grieves me to see how easily we, as believers, can be led astray, sometimes even with good intentions. Today, we're diving into a topic that has become increasingly prevalent in modern church culture: Christian yoga. Is it really okay for Christians to practice yoga? Let's explore the hidden dangers lurking beneath what often seems like a harmless form of exercise.
My Journey and a Word of Warning
For those who are new to my podcast, my background is probably a bit different. I was raised in a cessationist denomination, a belief system that holds that the gifts of the Spirit ceased in the first century. However, my personal experiences painted a different picture. I encountered the supernatural firsthand, both the good and the terrifying. I experienced demonic attacks and things that science simply couldn't explain. These experiences, detailed in my book "Open Your Eyes: My Supernatural Journey," which you can find on Kindle, taught me a profound truth: the spiritual realm is real, and we must be discerning about what we allow into our lives.
One of the things I experienced early on, even as a child in a Christian home, were terrifying night terrors and even an instance where my own hand seemed to try and suffocate me while I slept. Later, dabbling in New Age practices led to even more unsettling experiences, including what some might call astral projection. It wasn't until I encountered God in 1995 and truly started pursuing Him that I understood the dangers of dabbling in Eastern religions and practices. Just as God warns in the Bible, these seemingly innocent pursuits can open doors to demonic influence.
I feel a deep responsibility to warn my people, as Revelation 18:4 (KJV) urges: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." This is why I'm addressing this topic of Christian yoga today.
The Allure and the Deception of Christian Yoga
A quick search online will reveal numerous positive posts about "Christian yoga." It's a clever marketing tactic, really – placing the word "Christian" before a clearly pagan practice. But let's be clear: yoga, at its core, is a Hindu spiritual discipline. The very word "yoga" means "to yoke" or "union" – a union with the divine in the Hindu context. It's akin to suggesting "Christian Buddhism" or a "Christian Ouija board" – the foundational principles are inherently incompatible. You can't really have a "Christian demon," can you?
The proliferation of positive content around Christian yoga often points to a financial motive. I recall reading about a pastor who spoke out against it in his 10,500-member congregation, and the local yoga instructors were up in arms, fearing the loss of their livelihood. This echoes the story of Demetrius in Acts 19, who rallied the silversmiths against Paul's teachings because they were losing money from the diminishing sales of idols of Diana.
Sadly, Christian yoga is now so widespread that it's being offered in churches, even Christian schools. A friend of mine, Kevin Riordon, shared a shocking story on Facebook about his daughter being forced to do yoga in her Christian school! This is the very environment parents entrust to nurture their children's faith, yet they are being subjected to practices rooted in another religion. This highlights a significant issue: biblical illiteracy within the church and a disregard for clear scriptural warnings.
This post goes beyond this podcast, offering video testimonies of individuals who have experienced negative consequences from yoga, podcast episodes exploring the subject in more depth, book recommendations, and links to relevant news articles. It's a hub of information for you to explore at your own pace. In this podcast, I want to highlight some key insights from these resources.
Stretching vs. Yoking: Understanding the Core Difference
One of the most common arguments in favor of Christian yoga is, "God doesn't really mind if I stretch." While stretching is a physical activity that can be beneficial for the body, it is fundamentally different from yoga. As mentioned, yoga is about "yoking" or "union" – a spiritual union within a Hindu framework.
Consider this definition: "Yoga, a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation." It's crucial to understand that the physical postures (asanas) in yoga are not merely stretches; they are often intended to pay homage to Hindu deities and invoke their specific properties.
One woman who practiced high-level occult yoga for 15 hours a day shared her harrowing experience: "I got hit with spiritual warfare... because it opens you up to a different dimension... I thought I was becoming enlightened because I was feeling good... but just because something feels good, it doesn't mean that it's coming from a good place... it truly is witchcraft." Her testimony, which you can find on my blog, details the demonic terror she endured, including waking up choking herself and experiencing suicidal thoughts.
These experiences eerily mirror some of my own from my past. In my book, I recount a time as a young boy when I felt a hand, seemingly not my own, trying to suffocate me in my sleep. This resonates deeply with the experiences of those who have unwittingly opened themselves up to negative spiritual influences through practices like yoga.
The Biblical Mandate Against Syncretism
The Bible is clear about not worshipping the Lord according to the ways of other nations. Deuteronomy 12:29-30 (KJV) warns: "When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise."
Furthermore, Exodus 20:3-5 (KJV) explicitly states: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."
When we perform Hindu yoga poses, we are contorting our bodies in ways that were originally designed to pay homage to Hindu deities. While practitioners of Christian yoga may claim they are not worshipping these gods, the origin and intent behind these postures cannot be ignored.
The Kundalini Serpent and Spiritual Awakening
Disturbingly, research suggests that the physical postures of yoga can awaken what is known as the Kundalini serpent at the base of the spine – a spiritual energy in Hindu philosophy. Once this energy ascends the spine and reaches the head, it is believed to lead to a heightened state of consciousness or enlightenment within the Hindu worldview. However, for Christians, this is a dangerous concept that aligns with Eastern mystical beliefs rather than biblical truth. You can find accounts of "Kundalini deliverance" online, highlighting the negative spiritual consequences some have experienced.
The typical progression for those who get involved in yoga often starts with the perception that it's a cool exercise with medical benefits. They may initially try to separate the physical from the spiritual aspect. However, the exposure to the environment, the instructors (who may unknowingly or knowingly be Hindu evangelists), often leads to curiosity about the spiritual side. This can act as a gateway, eventually leading to demonic oppression, as evidenced by increased suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol abuse, and ultimately, a desperate cry out to Jesus for deliverance.
Kevin Riordan aptly described yoga as a gateway: "The devil doesn't play fair... he'll prey on a person's ignorance... he's waiting for you to open the door so he can get in." Just as some consider marijuana a gateway drug, yoga can be a gateway to Eastern spiritual practices and potential demonic influence.
Rejecting Knowledge and Generational Consequences
Hosea 4:6 (KJV) says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee..." When we reject the clear warnings in Scripture about not following the religious practices of other nations, we open ourselves and potentially our families to negative consequences.
The concept of generational curses is also relevant here. Exodus 20:5 speaks of God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children. When families dabble in the occult, even unknowingly, the Bible suggests that these negative spiritual influences can be passed down through generations.
The Meaning of "Yoke" and the Invitation of Spirits
Stephen Bancarz powerfully stated, "The word yoga means Union, so I'm a Methodist, therefore I'm yoking myself to spirits." Anytime we submit to a philosophy, behavior, or practice that is contrary to God's commands and intrinsically connected to a non-biblical spiritual system, we are potentially opening ourselves to demonic oppression. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) reminds us, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Many yoga poses are named after Hindu deities, and holding these positions is meant to invoke the characteristics and essence of those gods. Additionally, the chanting of mantras literally invokes demonic entities.
The Hindu Missionary Effort and Yoga's Role
It's eye-opening to realize the deliberate missionary efforts of Hindu organizations. India's Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the world's largest Hindu missionary organization, announced in 1979 that their mission in the West had been met with "fantastic success," with Hinduism becoming a dominant world religion and the "end of Christianity" drawing near.
Central to this effort are yoga teachers. A quote from Dave Hunt's book "Occult Invasion" and a documentary called "Gods of the New Age" both highlight that yoga teachers are considered the "front missionaries" of Hinduism. Hinduism Today, in an open letter to evangelicals, even stated in 1991 that a "small army of yoga missionaries is ready to go to the west."
With an estimated 70,000 yoga instructors in over 20,000 locations across America teaching 35 to 40 million people, the reach and influence of this Hindu missionary effort through yoga are undeniable. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, many yoga instructors are introducing people to Hindu spiritual concepts.
Testimonies and Warnings from Those Who Escaped
Numerous individuals who have come out of yoga share similar experiences of negative spiritual consequences. The term "yoke" in yoga explains the yoking of energies or spirits that are invoked to deepen the practice. These energies are invited in through poses that worship deities and through the repetition of mantras that invoke specific spirits.
Heidi St. John interviewed Jessica Smith, who came out of yoga and explained that yoga has its own doctrine, the Yoga Sutras, which is antithetical to the Bible and can be seen as a guidebook for sorcery and divination. Even the poses alone are believed to activate the spiritual realm. The yoking in yoga is about opening oneself spiritually to the spirit of yoga and ultimately seeking to become one with the Hindu concept of god – a stark contrast to the Christian understanding of our relationship with God.
Stephen Barrett from Holy Fire Japan cautioned against using yoga studios as an evangelistic outreach, noting the lack of fruit from such attempts and the potential for spiritual contamination. Denise Richards shared her personal experiences of levitation in dreams, being chased by spirits, anxiety, and depression as a result of her yoga practice. Deanna Connelly emphasized that Christian yoga is an oxymoron, akin to being a "Christian Hindu," and that even Hindus recognize the incompatibility. She warned against the attempt to manipulate the life force through yoga breathing, which takes us out from under the protection of the blood of Jesus. Johnny Gaston from Reach My City likened Christian yoga to "Christian tarot cards" or "Christian witches" – a repackaging of pagan practices that does not make them godly. He affirmed that yoga is Hinduistic and that Christians should simply stretch for physical benefit.
What do you think?
What do you think about Christians practicing yoga? Feel free to leave a comment on the blog post,
If you know someone who might be wrestling with this issue or involved in Christian yoga, please share this podcast and the blog post with them. It's crucial that we, as believers, are not deceived by practices that have roots in other religions and can potentially open doors to negative spiritual influences. Let us be discerning, rooted in the Word of God, and committed to worshipping the Lord in spirit and in truth.
Thank you for joining me on Coffee with Conrad. Remember, Jesus rules! Until we meet again, dig deeper and go higher in your walk with the Lord. Amen.
I’m sitting here in my studio, reflecting on the deeper things of God, but today my heart is still buzzing from a recent "GodTalk" I had with my dear friend Stephen Barrett. Stephen is a missionary over in Japan—a place often called a "missionary graveyard"—but he is seeing the kind of fire and miracles that remind me of the Book of Acts.
As we talked, I could smell the fresh brew in my mug and feel the weight of the digital connection spanning thousands of miles. But more than that, I felt the weight of a common pain point many of you share with me. You read the Bible, you see the promises, and you intellectually "believe" them. Yet, there’s a gap. There’s a distance between the "belief" in your head and the "supernatural reliance" in your heart that actually moves mountains. You feel stuck in a dry routine, wondering why the signs and wonders seem to follow everyone but you.
If you’ve been feeling like your faith is more of a mental checklist than a living, breathing relationship with the biblical Jesus, then this is for you. We’re going to bridge that gap today. By the end of this post, I want to show you how to move from "mere credence" to a radical, walking-on-the-water kind of reliance that changes your world. We’re going to look at how God is breaking paradigms in Japan and how He wants to break them in your life, too.
Let me set the scene for you. Imagine you are Stephen Barrett. You’ve been in Japan for over a decade. You do weddings to keep the lights on, but your heart is for the gospel. One afternoon, you’re at a chapel, and a young couple walks in. They aren't just there for a ceremony; they are looking for you.
Stephen told me, "Conrad, they visited the chapel about a year ago and just heard my name. Ever since then, they said they’ve been hearing my name in their spirits. They even had a dream about me."
I sat there, stunned. This couple, who knew nothing of the gospel, had been summoned by the Holy Spirit through a dream. They met Stephen and said, "We believe there is a reason we are here having a wedding with you." Stephen looked at the groom, a man with only five minutes to spare before his own ceremony, and asked, "Have you ever heard the gospel?"
The man said no. Right there, in that tiny window of time, Stephen explained that Jesus died for his sins so he could have a relationship with God. The groom didn’t hesitate. He said, "I will believe right now."
That is the "Ethiopian Eunuch" encounter. It’s the "Cornelius" moment. It’s what happens when we stop trying to manufacture ministry and start relying on the Spirit who is already moving. These "coincidences" are actually the infrastructure of the Kingdom. But to see them, we have to get rid of the "weights" that hold us back.
Main Message
Stephen and I got to talking about Hebrews 12:1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1 KJV).
We often think of "weights" as big, nasty sins. And sure, sin is a weight. But sometimes the weight is our own paradigm. It’s our "wisdom" that tells us we need a five-year plan instead of a "daily bread" reliance. Stephen is currently stepping out into full-time ministry, leaving the security of his wedding income behind. He has five kids. In the natural, that’s "ridiculous." But in the Spirit, it’s the only way to run the race light.
The Problem of "Mere Credence"
One of the biggest hurdles we face is our definition of the word "believe." In our modern English, "believe" is weak. You say, "I believe it might rain," or "I believe that’s a good idea." That is not the biblical "pistuo."
As I told Stephen during our talk, the Greek word pistuo means to be persuadable, to place confidence in, and to trust. It signifies reliance upon, not mere credence. James tells us that even the devils have "mere credence." Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19 KJV). The demons know God is real. They have the facts. But they don't have reliance. They aren't following the Shepherd.
If your faith is just a set of facts you agree with, you’re missing the power. True faith is when you lunge toward the giant because you know the Lord is with you. It’s a "nothing doubting" kind of walk.
The Pitbull and the Prompting
I remember a time back in Texas when I was out on a prayer walk. I was walking past a house where two pitbulls were kept on a chain. Every morning, they’d bark and lunged until that chain went taut. One morning, I heard it—the distinct snap of a chain breaking. Then came the pitter-patter of paws on the pavement.
My heart hammered against my ribs. I looked for a rock, a stick, anything. But there was no time. The dog was coming at me like a freight train. In that split second, a voice rose up in my spirit, clear as a bell: "If you're ever going to have faith, you've got to have it now."
I didn't run. I didn't cower. I lunged at the dog and shouted, "Back!"
That dog hit an invisible wall in mid-air. He fell down, slid a bit like a cartoon character, and just sat there with a puzzled look on his face. I had to keep that authority all the way back to the main road, but that moment taught me something: faith isn't a feeling you wait for; it's a decision you make when the chain snaps.
Breaking the "Standard Operating Procedure"
We often try to put God in a box. We think, "If I lay hands this way, or say these specific words, then healing happens." But look at the Bible! Naaman had to dip in a muddy river. Jesus used spit and dirt. Hezekiah used a lump of figs.
Stephen shared a story about a demonic manifestation he encountered. He had commanded the spirit to leave, but it stayed. He asked the Lord, "What do I do?" The Holy Spirit told him to put his hand where the person felt the pain and "smack it out."
Now, you won't find a "smacking out" manual in most seminaries. But Stephen obeyed. He slapped his hand down, and bam—that infirmity jumped out, and the person was healed. If he had stayed married to his "Standard Operating Procedure," that person might still be suffering. We have to be "fresh on the Spirit."
Personal Reflections
I’ll be honest with you—I haven't always walked this way. There were years where my theology was a mile wide and an inch deep when it came to actual power. I was like Stephen before his "Metanoia."
Stephen told me how he used to suffer from chronic hip and back pain after being hit by a car. He had the doctor's diagnosis, and he "believed" it. His body was confirming what the "experts" said. But then, he had a "Metanoia"—a change of mind. He realized he was putting more faith in the doctor's report than in the stripes of Jesus. He threw his medicine in the trash and stood on the Word. Today? No more pain.
I’ve had to learn that same lesson. I used to let fear dictate my steps. I’ve written about this in Overcoming Night Terror: Making the Demons Leave . I had to stop agreeing with the enemy. When we agree with the "weight," we can't run the race.
Jesus gives us grace for the learning process. He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, but He never kicked them out of the boat. He kept them. He is keeping you, too, as you learn to walk this out. But you have to be willing to look "ridiculous" to the world. You have to be willing to go through the "dry grass" to get to the greener pastures.
Biblical References
When we look at the life of Peter in Acts 10, we see the perfect example of following the Spirit past our own understanding. Peter was on the roof, hungry, and he saw a vision of "unclean" animals. The Spirit told him to kill and eat. Peter, being a "good" religious man, said, "Not so, Lord."
Think about that! He called Him "Lord" and then said "No" in the same breath. But the Spirit told him, Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them (Acts 10:20 KJV).
That "doubting nothing" is the key. Peter had to go to a Gentile's house—something his upbringing told him was wrong. But because he followed the voice of the Shepherd, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles, and a whole new chapter of the Kingdom opened up.
We also see this with Stephen—not my friend Stephen, but the one in Acts 6 and 7. He wasn't one of the twelve apostles. He was a guy chosen to "serve tables." Yet, because he was full of faith and power, he did great wonders and miracles. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people (Acts 6:8 KJV).
You don't have to be a "professional" Christian to walk in this. You just have to be a "reliant" one.
Key Takeaways
Reliance Over Credence: Biblical belief (pistuo) is about trusting your weight to Jesus, not just agreeing with facts about Him.
Metanoia is Required: You must change your mind to align with the Word of God over the reports of the world or the "weights" of your past.
Follow the Voice, Not the Method: God is not a vending machine. He is a person. Sometimes He says "command," sometimes He says "spit," and sometimes He says "smack." Be "fresh on the Spirit."
Run Toward the Giant: Faith often requires lunging toward the thing that scares you. David didn't walk toward Goliath; he ran.
Kingdom Activation: Miracles are "signs" that point to the King. When you see a miracle, don't just celebrate the healing—seek the Kingdom that the healing represents.
Conclusion and Call to Action
My friends, the world doesn't need more people who "believe" in Jesus the way they believe in the Pythagorean theorem. The world needs people who are addicted to the ministry of the supernatural. They need people who, like Stephen in Japan, are willing to stand on a street corner and demonstrate the power of the Spirit.
Are you tired of the "weights"? Are you ready to throw away the "medicine" of your own self-reliance and see what the Lord can do?
If this has stirred something in you, I want to hear about it. Dig deeper into these truths by checking out my other posts at ConradRocks.net. If you’re struggling with fear or spiritual attacks, grab a copy of my book Overcoming Night Terror . It’s time we stop trembling like the demons and start walking like the King's kids.
Please share this with someone who needs a "Metanoia" moment today. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a comment below, and let’s keep this conversation going. Until we meet again, dig deeper and go higher!
Action Items
Identify One "Weight": This week, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you one "weight" (a paradigm, a fear, or a habit) that is hindering your race. Explicitly "lay it aside" in prayer.
Practice Small Reliance: Don't wait for a "Goliath." Start by praying for small things—a headache, a lost key, or a bit of wisdom for a project. Trust the outcome to Him.
Scripture Immersion: Take one verse, like Mark 16:17-18, and meditate on it until it becomes more real than your physical circumstances.
Engage the "Metanoia": When you catch yourself thinking "I can't" or "That's impossible," stop and ask: "What does the Word say about this?" Deliberately choose the Word's report.
Step Out: This week, if you feel a nudge from the Spirit to speak to someone or pray for someone, do it "nothing doubting." Even if it feels "ridiculous."
I remember the smell of stale coffee and the sound of cards riffling through experienced fingers. Years ago, long before I was pouring out rocks of revelation on the podcast, I spent a lot of time at the card table. I wasn't just playing the game; I was studying the people. I figured out early on that human beings have "tells." If a guy hit his straight flush, the very first thing he would do—almost like a reflex—was glance down at his chips and then immediately look away. He was already doing the math, wondering how much he could bleed from the rest of the table. Or I’d watch how they held their cards. Most people naturally organize their hand from largest to smallest, usually keeping the big cards on the left. If you just watched their eyes and their hands, you didn't need to be a psychic to know exactly what they were holding.
Many of you come to me with a heavy burden, a nagging fear that the enemy is sitting right inside your head, reading your every thought like an open book. You feel exposed, as if your most private prayers and your deepest struggles are being broadcast on a spiritual loudspeaker for every demon in the atmosphere to hear. It’s a terrifying thought, isn't it? The idea that there is no "secret place" left, and that the tempter knows your next move before you even make it. This fear often leads to a kind of spiritual paralysis where we’re afraid to even think for fear of being intercepted.
But what if I told you that the devil isn't nearly as "all-knowing" as he wants you to believe? What if the "mind-reading" we attribute to him is actually just a very old, very shrewd observer watching your "tells" at the spiritual card table? Understanding the boundary between your private thoughts and the enemy's observations is critical for your peace of mind and your victory in Christ. In this post, we’re going to dig deep into the Word and some real-world spiritual experiences to show you why your mind is more secure than you think—and how to keep it that way.
I was recently having a great discussion with some friends on Voxer, and the conversation turned toward this very topic: Can Satan read my mind? It’s one of those questions that hits you right in the gut. I decided to throw it out to my community on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, and the responses were absolutely thought-provoking. We’ve got to look at this through the lens of the Spirit and the Word, because if we don't, we’ll end up living in a house of mirrors where every shadow looks like a demon reading our diary.
My friend Stephen Barrett pointed out something vital on Facebook. He mentioned that Satan is, first and foremost, a tempter. He pointed to Defraud ye not one another, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency (1 Corinthians 7:5 KJV). Stephen’s take is that the enemy works in the realm of the heart and the mind. Now, when the Bible talks about the "heart," it isn't just talking about the muscle pumping blood in your chest. It’s talking about the core of who you are. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).
We see this in action with the story of Ananias. Peter asked him, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:3 KJV). This shows us that the enemy has the ability to "plant" something in your heart. He can suggest a lie, he can drop a seed of greed or fear, but that is a far cry from him knowing every internal monologue you have with yourself. Think of it like an external transmission trying to find a frequency on your radio. He’s sending the signal, but he doesn't necessarily know how you’re receiving it unless you give him a sign.
Robert Nolan brought up a point that really resonates with my poker-playing days. He said the devil doesn't have to know our thoughts because he can tell what we’re thinking by what we say and how we conduct ourselves. We often forget that Satan is incredibly old. He’s had thousands of years to study human nature. He’s the ultimate profiler. He watches your body language, he listens to your tone of voice, and he keeps track of what makes you flinch.
I remember sitting in a restaurant one afternoon, just trying to enjoy my meal. I wasn't looking for a "word," I was just looking for a sandwich. But in the spirit, it was like a TV turned on. I kept seeing this very specific vision: a blue house with white trim and a white picket fence. It was so persistent that I couldn't ignore it. I finally turned to the lady sitting at the table next to me and asked, "What is the significance of a blue house with white trim and a white picket fence?"
Her jaw nearly hit the floor. She told me she had been praying to the Lord for that exact house. Now, how did I pick up on that? I like to call it "spiritual body odor." We resonate things in the spirit. When we pray with passion, when we harbor deep-seated desires, we are depositing things into the spiritual atmosphere. If I, a mere man, could pick up on that through a gift of the Spirit, we have to assume that the unseen entities in the supernatural realm—the demons looking for "houses" to inhabit—are also observing these resonances. In my book OPEN YOUR EYES MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY, I talk about how our spiritual senses need to be exercised. The enemy's "senses" are already highly tuned to our weaknesses.
However, there is a massive distinction between "reading" a resonance and having the same "omniscience" that God has. Bobby Capps shared a verse that really draws the line: For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:11 KJV). This implies a level of privacy that is exclusive to you and God. Your spirit knows your thoughts, and God’s Spirit knows His. The devil is a created being; he is not omnipresent, and he is certainly not omniscient.
If he could read minds, the story of Job would have played out very differently. As Jackie Feasel pointed out in our discussion, if Satan knew Job’s internal thoughts, he would have known that Job wasn't going to crack. He wouldn't have wasted his time trying to convince God that Job would curse Him to His face. He was guessing. He was betting on human frailty based on what he’d seen a million times before, but he was proven wrong because he couldn't see the depth of Job’s internal resolve.
Personal Reflections
I’ll be the first to admit that in my "BC" (Before Christ) days, I was fascinated by things I shouldn't have been. I watched psychics and mediums, and I saw them do things that absolutely blew my mind. They knew details about people that seemed impossible to know. For a long time, I wondered if they were actually reading minds.
But as I grew in my relationship with the biblical Jesus and started studying the prophetic, the Lord began to correct my understanding. Those psychics weren't reading minds; they were communicating with "familiar spirits." Look at that word: familiar. It comes from the same root as family. These are demonic entities that have been assigned to families for generations. They know your grandfather’s sins, your mother’s secret fears, and the things you whispered in your bedroom when you thought you were alone. They relay this "personal information" to the psychic to masquerade as a "word of knowledge."
I realized that I had often mistaken the enemy's "intelligence gathering" for "mind reading." It made me realize how important it is to keep our "pearls" protected. In the transcript of our discussion, Dara Mosley made a joke that hits close to home: Satan doesn't need to read our minds; he just needs to read our Facebook posts! We pour our hearts out online, we vent our frustrations, and we broadcast our vulnerabilities to the world. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matthew 12:34 KJV). If we are constantly talking about our fears, we are giving the enemy all the "tells" he needs to bluff us out of our inheritance.
Jesus taught us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. I’ve learned that there are times when I need to be like Mary, who kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19 KJV). Not every prophetic word or personal prayer needs to be shared immediately. Sometimes, keeping it in the "secret place" between you and the Father is the best way to let that seed grow without the enemy trying to peck it away.
Biblical References
The Word of God is our ultimate safeguard against the paranoia of the enemy. When we look at the Armor of God in Ephesians 6, we see both the Helmet of Salvation and the Shield of Faith—and they work together in beautiful harmony. The Helmet of Salvation protects your mind—the seat of your thought life—keeping your identity in Christ secure and your thinking clear. It guards the "command center" where you process thoughts and make decisions.
But it's the Shield of Faith that Scripture specifically identifies as the weapon against the "fiery darts of the wicked" (Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked—Ephesians 6:16 KJV). These darts are the enemy's suggestions, temptations, accusations, and lies that he hurls at your mind. Your shield of faith—your active trust in God's Word and promises—is what you raise up to intercept and extinguish these attacks before they can penetrate.
Here's the key insight: If the enemy could already read your mind perfectly, why would he need to shoot darts at it? He's testing you. He's trying to see what "sticks." He's looking for a reaction. When he drops a thought of anxiety into your mind, he's watching your heart rate, your words, and your actions to see if that seed found fertile soil. Your helmet keeps your mind protected in your salvation identity, while your shield actively blocks and quenches the specific attacks as they come.
We are told to Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7 KJV). This submission puts us under the "umbrella" of God’s protection. In my book Overcoming Night Terror, I dive deep into how the enemy uses the cover of darkness and fear to make himself seem bigger than he is. But the truth is, when you are abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, you are in a secure room.
The Lord is the one who truly knows us. O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off (Psalm 139:1-2 KJV). This is a comfort! The Creator of the universe knows your thoughts and still loves you. He is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 KJV). Satan can only guess based on the "spiritual body odor" we give off, but God knows the "why" behind the "what."
Key Takeaways
Satan is an observer, not a mind reader. He uses thousands of years of experience to predict your behavior based on your "tells."
Familiar spirits use history, not telepathy. Most "psychic" information comes from demons relaying information about your past or your family.
Your mouth is the leak. The enemy learns the most about your internal state by what you choose to speak out loud or post on social media.
The Helmet of Salvation is your privacy shield. It is designed to block external suggestions and seeds from taking root in your mind.
God alone is omniscient. Only the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have total access to the internal "secret place" of your spirit.
Conclusion and Call to Action
At the end of the day, you don't have to live in fear of a mind-reading devil. You aren't playing against an opponent who can see your cards; you’re playing against a bully who is trying to convince you he’s already won. Your thoughts are your own, and when you bring them into subjection to Christ, they become a powerful tool for the Kingdom.
Stop giving the enemy "tells." Stop broadcasting your vulnerabilities to the atmosphere through constant complaining or fearful speech. Instead, hide the Word in your heart so that you might not sin against Him. If you’ve been feeling "exposed," take a moment right now to put on that Helmet of Salvation. Remind the enemy that your mind is under the blood of Jesus and that he doesn't have a key to the door.
If this message has helped you breathe a little easier today, I want to hear from you. Have you ever felt like the enemy was reading your thoughts, only to realize later he was just reading your reactions? Leave a comment below.
Also, if you want to go deeper into understanding the spiritual realm and how to see what’s really going on, grab a copy of my book OPEN YOUR EYES MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY. It’ll help you exercise those spiritual senses so you can tell the difference between a "dart" from the enemy and a "whisper" from the Father.
Action Items
Audit your speech: For the next 24 hours, pay close attention to how much you "broadcast" your fears or anxieties out loud. Practice "pondering in your heart" instead.
Scripture Soak: Memorize 1 Corinthians 2:11 this week to remind yourself of the biblical boundary of your mind.
Clean your "Social" house: Look back at your recent social media posts. Are you giving away your "spiritual tells" to the world (and the enemy)?
Pray in the Spirit: Engage in your spiritual language to commune directly with God, which bypasses the natural "tells" the enemy looks for.
Daily Helmet Check: Every morning, consciously "put on" the Helmet of Salvation, asking the Holy Spirit to guard the gates of your mind from external suggestions.
Until we meet again, dig deeper and go higher. God bless you!
Thanks to Stephen Barret; Robert Nolen; Bobby Capps; Robert Dale ; Robert Dale; Darell Moseley ; Nance Reyes ; Jacky Feazell; @Ninuolaa ; @infooverload and GotQuestions.org
Miracles in Japan! They began in January 2017. In this interview Steve gives a few testimonies. He shares what he is learning. What he is doing ministry wise. What is God up to in Japan?
I was sitting across from my wife, Susan, the other morning, wrapping my hands around a hot mug of coffee. You know how it is when you’re staring down a goal and you’ve done well, but that last little bit feels like a mountain you just can’t summit? I told her, "Susan, I don’t know if I’m going to lose those last five pounds by my birthday. I’ve dropped fifty-five, but I’m struggling."
She looked at me with that simple, cheerleader-in-high-school clarity and said, "Oh, that’s easy. Just stop snacking."
I just sat there. I think I actually blinked a few times in silence. Stop snacking? It sounds so simple, right? But inside of me, there is a "Cookie Monster" that lives and breathes. To me, peanut butter and crackers are a spiritual experience. My subconscious paradigm is wired to think that a snack is always a good idea. I remembered hearing Arnold Schwarzenegger once say that when he needs to cut weight, he just stops eating. I can't even fathom that mindset. How is that even possible?
This is the pain point so many of us face in our spiritual lives. We have these "iniquities"—these deep-seated patterns and desires—that seem to defy our willpower. We want to be closer to Jesus, we want to walk in the supernatural, but we feel tethered to the "pigpen" of our old habits. We grit our teeth, trying to "not sin," yet the desire remains.
The good news is that there is a science to repentance. It isn't just about feeling bad; it’s about a total paradigm shift. In this post, we’re going to look at how to stomp out iniquity, move into the authority of the signet ring, and truly recover ourselves from the snare of the devil. If you've ever felt like a "marred pot" that just can't stay on the wheel, this is for you.
When we talk about "Stomping Iniquity," we have to understand what we're actually dealing with. There’s a difference between a "sin" and an "iniquity." A sin is often that overt act—the "thou shalt not" that you went ahead and did. But iniquity is something that gets inside the heart. It’s a pattern. It’s that thing the Spirit of God told you not to do, but you did it anyway, and now it has a foothold.
I remember playing tennis for four hours a day when I was a kid. I was burning thousands of calories just by existing. I never had to "pull back the reins" on my eating because my lifestyle handled it. But as we get older, and as we grow in our walk with Christ, we realize we have to deal with the heart. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18).
I was recently having a conversation with my friend Stephen Barrett from Holy Fire Japan. We were talking about the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. It hit me: we cannot stay resolved to be iniquitous. We can't just throw up our hands and say, "Well, Lord, you made me this way! Why did you make me a marred pot?" Paul addresses this head-on: Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (Romans 9:20).
The truth is, Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). He paid the price, but He also calls us to be "overcomers."
Think about the Prodigal Son. When he was in that pigpen, he didn't just "feel sorry." He made a move. Repentance is like a drunk man staggering down a hallway. He keeps hitting the walls, but as long as he’s moving toward the door—toward Jesus—he’s on the right path. Each step toward the Father is a step away from the filth. And the amazing thing is, when you start moving toward Him, He doesn't wait for you to arrive. He runs to meet you. He gives you the robe, the fatted calf, and most importantly, the signet ring. That ring represents authority. True repentance leads to spiritual authority.
But how do we handle the "stupid thoughts" that keep coming back? I was mowing the lawn the other day, listening to the Bible on my headphones. I was "doing the right thing," right? But my mind started wandering. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a wicked, iniquitous thought popped into my head. I was shocked! "Lord, I'm listening to the Word! How did that get in here?"
Jesus said, Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you (John 15:3). But He also said to let those words sink down into our ears and abide in our hearts. Information in the ears isn't the same as meditation in the heart. Our iniquities actually "attract" demonic thoughts. It’s like a magnetic pull. To break that pull, we have to use the Word as a weapon. This is why I'm always telling you to hide the Word in your heart. When the temptation hits, you don't just "try" not to think about it; you hit back with Scripture. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Joshua 1:8).
Personal Reflections
I’ve had to walk this out myself. Losing fifty-five pounds was a physical battle, but it started with a spiritual one. I had to realize that my "gluttony" was an iniquity—a desire that was counter to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. For years, I just accepted it as "who I am." I realized I was "opposing myself," as Paul says in 2 Timothy.
There were times I missed it. There were times I’d be gritting my teeth, trying to be "good," while my heart was still longing for the "onions and garlic" of my old life. Jesus had to correct me. He showed me that I was trying to "strive" in my own strength. But the servant of the Lord must not strive.
I learned that repentance is actually a gift. We think we "do" repentance, but the Bible says God grants repentance. We seek it, and then He gives it. It’s a supernatural release where the desire for the sin actually dies.
One of the biggest lessons I learned—and I talk about this in my book OPEN YOUR EYES—is that even after the spiritual desire is gone, you still have to deal with the "lump of meat" that is your flesh. Your body is a portable sinning machine. It has "muscle memory" for iniquity. Even when the demon is gone or the spiritual root is pulled, the flesh still wants its snack. You have to take that ground back by force and establish new, righteous habits.
Biblical References
The Bible gives us a very specific "recovery protocol" for when we find ourselves snared. We often look at our struggle and feel hopeless, but the Word says there is a way out.
First, we have to flee. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22). You don't hang around the temptation to see if you're "strong enough" now. You run!
Second, there is a secret to breaking off iniquities that most people miss. It was hidden in Daniel’s counsel to the King. He said, Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility (Daniel 4:27).
Did you catch that? You can break off iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. When we are stuck in iniquity, we are usually very self-focused. "Poor me, I have this struggle." But God says, "Go bear someone else's burden." When we shift our focus to loving our neighbor and meeting the needs of others, something supernatural happens to our own chains.
James echoes this: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). Notice it doesn't say "pray for yourself to be healed." It says pray for one another that ye may be healed. There is a healing that only comes when you are out in the field, working for the King, and caring for His sheep.
Key Takeaways
Iniquity is a Heart Issue: It’s not just the act; it’s the desire rooted in the heart that attracts demonic influence.
Repentance is a Gift: God grants repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). We must seek it diligently until He releases it.
The Word is a Weapon: Hide Scripture in your heart so you can use it as a "sword" the moment a temptation arises.
Break Iniquity with Mercy: Showing mercy to the poor and bearing others' burdens is a biblical key to breaking your own spiritual chains.
The Flesh Must Be Tamed: Even after spiritual deliverance, you must discipline your physical body—your "portable sinning machine."
Conclusion and Call to Action
Friend, you don't have to live in a cycle of defeat. You don't have to be a "marred pot" that never makes it to the Master's table. Jesus wants to give you the signet ring of authority. He wants you to walk in the supernatural power that comes from a pure heart and clean hands.
Stop "striving" in your own strength and start using the keys of the Kingdom. Use the Word. Show mercy. Walk toward the Father. If you’re struggling with something today, I want to encourage you to dig deeper into these truths.
If this message touched you, please share it on social media. We need to get these "rocks of revelation" out to a world that is hurting. You can find more teachings and personal testimonies of deliverance on my website at ConradRocks.net.
And if you haven't already, check out my books, OPEN YOUR EYES and Overcoming Night Terror, for more in-depth strategies on spiritual warfare and walking with Jesus.
Until we meet again, dig deeper and go higher!
Action Items
Identify the Root: Spend time in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to show you if your struggle is an overt sin or a deep-seated iniquity in the heart.
Weaponize the Word: Choose one KJV Bible verse that directly counters your current struggle and memorize it today. Recite it the moment a negative thought enters your mind.
Show Mercy: This week, find a concrete way to show mercy to someone in need or the poor. Whether it’s a donation or a hand-up, do it as an act of breaking off iniquity.
Pray for Others: Identify someone else who is struggling with a similar issue and commit to praying fervently for their healing and deliverance.
Flee the Scene: Identify one "trigger" environment or habit that leads to your iniquity and make a firm plan to "flee" from it the next time it arises.
The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a long, golden shimmer across the rhythmic waves of the beach. I remember the cool sand between my toes and the salt air filling my lungs. It was 1995, and I was a brand-new creature in Christ. Everything old had passed away, but I was standing there with a massive, aching hunger in my spirit. For years, I had tried to fill a specific, god-shaped hole in my heart with anything I could find—drugs, alcohol, music, and the hollow pursuit of worldly success. None of it worked. Now, standing on that shore, I realized I had found the Source, but I didn't know how to draw closer. I was like a man who had found a vast ocean of fresh water but didn't have a cup to drink from.
You might be feeling that same ache today. Maybe you’ve been "in church" for years, but the fire has gone cold. You know the doctrines, you know the songs, but the person of Jesus feels like a distant historical figure rather than a living, breathing reality in your life. The pain point for many of us is the realization that our love for God feels stagnant. We want to love Him more, but we don't know the "how." We treat it like a mystery we can't solve, or worse, a chore we have to perform. We feel the guilt of not "feeling" enough love, and that guilt creates a barrier that keeps us even further from His presence.
In this post, I want to take you on a journey to the very heart of this question. A while back, I was reading a book by Francis Chan, and he posed a question that stopped me in my tracks: "How does one love God more?" It’s a simple question with eternal implications. I took that question to my community on Facebook and the Voxer Christian chat, and the responses were profound. Through those insights and my own supernatural encounters with the Lord, I’ve discovered that loving God more isn't about trying harder; it's about drawing nearer.
The solution isn't found in a religious formula or a set of rules. It is found in a spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith, and He is the one who perfects love within us. We’re going to look at how to simplify the complex, how to hide the Word in our hearts, and how to orchestrate our lives so that Jesus isn't just a part of our day, but the very center of it. If you're ready to dig deeper and go higher, let’s explore how we can truly grow in our love for the Father.
When I encounter a difficult spiritual question, I often think back to my high school math days. I remember sitting at a desk, looking at a problem with these massive numbers and complicated decimal points. It was overwhelming until I realized a secret: if I reduced the numbers—if I made the problem smaller in my mind—I could see the relationships between the numbers. Once I understood the relationship, I could solve the big problem. I believe we can do the same with God. Since we are made in His image, we can look at our human relationships to understand our spiritual one. How do you love a spouse more? How do you love a child or a friend more? You spend time with them. You learn what they like and what they hate. You share your heart with them.
One of the first responses I got on social media was from Jean, who suggested that maybe one cannot love God more. While I understand the sentiment that God's love for us is infinite and unchanging, our experience and expression of love for Him can certainly grow. Think about your life "BC"—Before Christ. You didn't know Him. You didn't love Him because there was no relationship. As you began to spend time in His presence, as He began to bail you out of difficult circumstances and give you strength, your love grew.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
That strength creates a bond of gratitude, and that gratitude is the fuel for love.
Billy Taylor mentioned that we should read the Bible as much as possible because faith comes by hearing the Word. Recently, I was talking with Stephen Barrett from Holy Fire Japan on Voxer, and he reminded me of something crucial: Jesus is not just the destination; He is the Way.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6 KJV).
People often confuse the Bible with the destination, but the Bible is the map that reveals the Person. When we read the scriptures, we aren't just gaining intellectual knowledge; we are learning the nature and character of our King. We learn His authority structure, His calendar, and the things that move His heart. If you aren't reading about Him, you are essentially walking away from Him. You can't love someone you refuse to get to know.
Another brother, Todd, pointed us to 1 John, which says that whoso keepeth His word, in him is the love of God perfected. This is about more than just "following rules." It’s about hiding the Word in our hearts so we don't sin against Him. But why do we want to avoid sin? If it’s just because we’re afraid of hell, that’s not love; that’s self-preservation. Love says, "I don't want to sin because I don't want to hurt the one I love. I don't want His name to be blasphemed because of my actions." When we value our relationship with Jesus more than our own fleshly desires, our love is being perfected. We are saying that He is worth more than the temporary pleasure of sin.
There is also the power of the testimony. Billy Goodapp suggested that we love God more by remembering what He has done for us. To "remember" literally means to bring back to the "member"—to put it back together in our minds. When I share my testimony of how the Lord delivered me from drugs and alcohol, it reignites that fire of gratitude. I’ve written about this extensively in my books like OPEN YOUR EYES and Overcoming Night Terror. When you realize that you were once taken captive by the devil at his will, and now you are free, you can't help but love the Deliverer. Gratitude is the shortcut to love.
We also have to talk about obedience. A lot of people say "just obey," but I want to offer a different perspective. You can obey a drill sergeant or a boss out of fear or duty without loving them at all. Jesus said:
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24 KJV).
True obedience must flow from the heart. God searches and tries the "reins" of our heart. He wants a relationship, not just a set of performed actions. If our obedience isn't fueled by love, it's just religious theater.
Finally, we love God more by loving His people. Janelle pointed out that what we do to the least of the brethren, we do unto Jesus.
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20 KJV).
I think about Saul on the road to Damascus. He was "using the Bible" to persecute Christians, thinking he was doing God a favor. But Jesus asked him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Every time we use the "sword of the spirit" to slash at our brothers and sisters instead of the devil, we are attacking Jesus. To love the Head, you must love the Body.
Personal Reflections
I remember one particular time when I decided to take my seeking to another level. I went into the wilderness to fast and pray. I didn't bring any food—I knew my flesh would win if I had a snack in my pocket—so I just took water. The heat was pressing in, and the silence was deafening. My stomach was growling, a persistent, gnawing reminder of my physical nature. It was a battle. I was trying to "crucify the flesh," but in that weakness, something supernatural began to happen.
As I walked through the brush, scriptures didn't just come to my mind; they popped into my spirit like bubbles rising to the surface of a spring. I realized that the more I prioritized Him—the more I orchestrated my day to be alone with Him—the more the "god-shaped hole" was being filled with His actual presence. I learned that God gives good gifts to those who ask.
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13 KJV).
I look at someone like Brother Yun, the "Heavenly Man." This man went to prison for his faith, was beaten, and fasted for over 70 days without food or water. Why would someone do that? It's not because they have a high pain tolerance; it's because they are so deeply in love with Jesus that nothing else matters. I'll be the first to tell you, I'm nowhere near where I need to be. I am still a student in the school of love. But I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, and I’ve become "addicted" to the ministry and to seeking His face.
The lesson Jesus corrected me on was the "time limit" issue. I used to think I could give God thirty minutes in the morning and call it a day. But as Stephen Barrett once asked me, "What if you told your spouse you only had thirty minutes for them?" That would be a relationship based on my own priority, not love. Now, I try to allow Him to orchestrate my entire day. Whether I'm at the beach, in the wilderness, or sitting at my computer, I want to be in constant communication with the Spirit of Truth.
Biblical References
The scriptures are not just ink on a page; they are the revelation of the Heart of God. Throughout the Bible, we see a consistent theme: love is synonymous with knowing and abiding.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6 KJV).
To love the Father, we must go through the Son. In Hebrews, we are told to look unto:
"Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).
He is the one who starts the fire of love in us, and He is the one who will bring it to completion. If you feel like your love is weak, ask the Author to write a new chapter of passion in your heart.
We also see the necessity of the Word in 1 John:
"But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (1 John 2:5 KJV).
Keeping His word isn't just about memorization; it's about "guarding" it like a precious treasure. When you treasure someone’s words, you treasure them.
The story of the woman washing Jesus' feet with her tears in Luke 7 is perhaps the greatest practical example of loving God more. The Pharisee looked on with judgment, but Jesus said:
"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little" (Luke 7:47 KJV).
When we truly grasp the depth of the hell He saved us from, we will be willing to "look stupid" for Jesus. We will weep at His feet because we know the magnitude of His mercy.
Finally, we must remember that our love for God is reflected in our treatment of others.
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40 KJV).
If you want to love the invisible God more, start by showing tangible love to the people He died for.
Key Takeaways
Simplify the Problem: View your relationship with God through the lens of family and friendship to understand the dynamics of love and time.
Priority Over Policy: Don't put a time limit on God. Let Him orchestrate your day rather than squeezing Him into a slot.
Gratitude is Fuel: Regularly revisit your testimony. Remembering where He brought you from naturally increases your love for Him.
Love the Body to Love the Head: You cannot claim to love Jesus while persecuting or hating your brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Word as a Map: Read the Bible to discover God's character and nature, not just to check off a box.
Forgiveness and Passion: The more you realize how much you’ve been forgiven, the more capacity you have to love Him deeply.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Loving God more isn't a destination you reach; it's a journey you walk every single day. It’s a pursuit of the "spiritual Jesus" who is alive and active right now. Don't settle for a cold, intellectual religion. Dig deeper into His Word and go higher in your personal encounters with Him.
If this message has touched your heart, I invite you to join our community. Share this post with your friends and family on social media—you never know who needs a spark to reignite their first love. Visit ConradRocks.net for more podcasts, blog posts, and resources. You can also find my books, OPEN YOUR EYES MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY and Overcoming Night Terror, which dive much deeper into these supernatural realities.
I’d love to hear from you! How do you cultivate your love for the Lord? Leave a comment below or join our Voxer Christian chat to keep the conversation going. Until we meet again, keep seeking, keep knocking, and keep loving.
Action Items
Identify Your "Time Limits": Practice "The Presence of God" by talking to Him throughout your entire day.
Write Down Your Testimony: Spend 20 minutes writing out the major things God has delivered you from.
Targeted Bible Reading: Read specifically to find one thing God "likes" and one thing He "dislikes" in a passage.
Bless a "Least of These": Intentionally do something kind for a fellow believer this week.
Schedule a "Wilderness" Walk: Find a place away from distractions to tell the Lord you love Him and to listen.
An impromptu VOXER interview with Stephen Barrett Missionary to Japan about Church planting.
Steve thanks voxer peeps for prayers;
DCPI in Japan;
Divine appointment testimony;
Japan VS America church paradigms;
200 churches disappear each year;
How God called Steve to Japan;
Presenting the gospel in Japan;
Giving up social status for Jesus;
Sin consciousness in Japan;
Stephen Barrett came up with an interesting topic on Voxer. Taking bible verses out of Context.
Body is the temple;
The spirit is more important;
I can do all things Phil 4:13;
Mountain moving faith;
Jeremiah 29:11 abuse;
John 3:16 the word 'so';
Salvation context;
Job 22:28 & 42:7 decree a thing;
Check out this Bible Chopping; video;
https://youtu.be/nudtKU6mHkA
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