"Denominational identity often functions like a psychological immune system."
There's a gem....
I was reading an article this morning on how Dispensationalism found a home and became increasingly popular. This article goes much deeper, but the parallels are unmistakable.
Interesting psychological analysis, but I noticed something missing: specific examples. You critique people for avoiding what Scripture plainly says, but what does it plainly say that they’re avoiding?
For instance, the creation mandate in Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it” is straightforward. Yet many Christians treat marriage as optional, limit children for career or comfort, use contraception without asking God how many children they should have, or defer to cultural norms about family size rather than Scripture. If your thesis is correct about people avoiding biblical obedience because of cost, this would be a prime example.
What are the other specific biblical truths you believe people are psychologically evading?
Interesting point, and yes, that’s exactly the kind of “plain Scripture vs. costly obedience” tension I’m talking about. The article’s point is this: people don’t usually cling to denominations, celebrity teachers, or “approved interpretations” because the Bible is unclear; they cling because direct obedience to God is costly, and tribes provide cover. So we build systems and follow strong personalities that soften hard commands, outsource responsibility, and keep us from dealing with God face-to-face. Isaiah’s “let us reason together” is God calling religious people back to honesty: stop hiding behind mediators, open the Book, and obey what it actually says.
Another example: Christians routinely decide where to live based on proximity to family, personal preferences, avoiding “bad” areas, social status, etc.. But how many actually set those considerations aside and ask God where He wants them to live? Scripture shows God directing the steps of Abraham, Joseph, the apostles, and countless others who followed Him—often sending them to unexpected or difficult places. Yet most believers make this major life decision without ever seeking God’s specific guidance, defaulting instead to what feels comfortable or practical.
God holds us accountable for what He has clearly commanded, not for our ability to extract extra instructions. Scripture clearly prioritizes revealed obedience over speculative guidance; asking for direction while ignoring what God has already said functions as avoidance, not spirituality.
The call is simple: obey what is written, walk humbly, use wisdom, and stay responsive, without inventing excuses or extra burdens. When ‘discernment’ becomes an endless substitute for clear covenant obedience, it stops being faithfulness and becomes an intentional delay.
So God only speaks through Scripture and never provides specific direction for individual lives? Then why are you a pastor? Did you just volunteer for that position, or did God call you to it? What does “calling” even mean in your framework?
Your critique assumes that seeking God’s specific guidance is “speculative” rather than relational. But Scripture is full of God directing individuals in matters Scripture doesn’t prescribe: where to go, whom to marry, what work to do. Abraham didn’t have a verse telling him to leave Ur. Paul didn’t find “go to Macedonia” written in Torah.
Yes, people can get stuck endlessly “seeking God’s will” as a form of paralysis or avoidance, but that’s precisely where mature believers and pastors should help people discern what God is saying, not dismiss the entire category as illegitimate.
You wrote 2,400 words critiquing people for avoiding direct relationship with God, yet when someone offers concrete examples of life decisions where Christians should seek God’s direction, you call it “inventing extra burdens.”
You’re warning people not to hide behind systems while potentially entrapping them in the very thing you critique: treating Scripture as a rulebook that eliminates the need for ongoing relationship and specific guidance from God.
What are the “clear commands” you believe people are avoiding?
In your framework, what is the believer actually accountable to obey when guidance is unclear—Scripture’s written commands, or a pastor-led discernment of ‘what God is saying’ for that situation?
I thought you were talking more about cult leaders who tell you not only what scripture means but how to think and what to do about it, as if the specific answer was already in scripture without any reasoning necessary to discern it, but only they - the cult leader - was smart enough, inspired, spirit filled enough to discern it. Human reasoning is needed to apply scripture, but we shouldn't be dependent on a cult, denomination, or catechism to make that application
Both. They’re not in opposition. Scripture provides the framework, boundaries, and principles. The Holy Spirit provides specific direction within that framework. Mature believers help discern whether what someone thinks they’re hearing aligns with Scripture and bears the fruit of the Spirit.
But you’re creating a false dichotomy. When Scripture says “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6), or “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5), or “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), these aren’t decorative verses. They describe real relationship with a God who actually communicates with His people about their lives.
Christians need to learn to hear the Holy Spirit speak. Yes, this requires discernment and maturity. Yes, it can be misused or become an excuse for delay. But the solution isn’t to dismiss it entirely. It’s to teach people how to hear God’s voice. And ultimately, decisions are up to the individual, as they always are with God. He doesn’t force anyone.
You still haven’t answered: Are you a pastor because Scripture commanded “Sergio DeSoto, be a pastor,” or because God called you to that role? If the latter, you’re living proof that God gives specific direction beyond what’s written. If the former, show me the verse.
And you still haven’t provided a single example of the “clear commands” you claim people are avoiding. You’ve spent multiple responses critiquing my examples as “extra burdens” while offering nothing concrete yourself. What specifically are Christians hiding from that Scripture clearly commands?
I've tried the denominational sprint and was always left wanting. Not one of them even provided discipleship to anyone. They wanted to thrust you into worldly programs to further your walk with The Lord.
I'm finding mentors everywhere now and have in some ways become one myself. Isn't this how it's supposed to be done?
The Institutionalized Church leaves you empty and chasing other worldly things rather than help people overcome them.
"Denominational identity often functions like a psychological immune system."
There's a gem....
I was reading an article this morning on how Dispensationalism found a home and became increasingly popular. This article goes much deeper, but the parallels are unmistakable.
I don't usually speak with emojis, but these sum up this post: 🔥🎯
May he write His Instruction on our hearts and be seated on the throne of our heart & soul!
Father we invite You to uproot & replant, search our hearts to bring wholeness & healing.
Good depth, breadth and plain speech. Your heart is right.
Thank you!
“Where are you?” He asked to the garden. Surely He knew, but was giving Adam a chance to diffuse the situation on his own terms.
Interesting psychological analysis, but I noticed something missing: specific examples. You critique people for avoiding what Scripture plainly says, but what does it plainly say that they’re avoiding?
For instance, the creation mandate in Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it” is straightforward. Yet many Christians treat marriage as optional, limit children for career or comfort, use contraception without asking God how many children they should have, or defer to cultural norms about family size rather than Scripture. If your thesis is correct about people avoiding biblical obedience because of cost, this would be a prime example.
What are the other specific biblical truths you believe people are psychologically evading?
Interesting point, and yes, that’s exactly the kind of “plain Scripture vs. costly obedience” tension I’m talking about. The article’s point is this: people don’t usually cling to denominations, celebrity teachers, or “approved interpretations” because the Bible is unclear; they cling because direct obedience to God is costly, and tribes provide cover. So we build systems and follow strong personalities that soften hard commands, outsource responsibility, and keep us from dealing with God face-to-face. Isaiah’s “let us reason together” is God calling religious people back to honesty: stop hiding behind mediators, open the Book, and obey what it actually says.
Another example: Christians routinely decide where to live based on proximity to family, personal preferences, avoiding “bad” areas, social status, etc.. But how many actually set those considerations aside and ask God where He wants them to live? Scripture shows God directing the steps of Abraham, Joseph, the apostles, and countless others who followed Him—often sending them to unexpected or difficult places. Yet most believers make this major life decision without ever seeking God’s specific guidance, defaulting instead to what feels comfortable or practical.
God holds us accountable for what He has clearly commanded, not for our ability to extract extra instructions. Scripture clearly prioritizes revealed obedience over speculative guidance; asking for direction while ignoring what God has already said functions as avoidance, not spirituality.
The call is simple: obey what is written, walk humbly, use wisdom, and stay responsive, without inventing excuses or extra burdens. When ‘discernment’ becomes an endless substitute for clear covenant obedience, it stops being faithfulness and becomes an intentional delay.
So God only speaks through Scripture and never provides specific direction for individual lives? Then why are you a pastor? Did you just volunteer for that position, or did God call you to it? What does “calling” even mean in your framework?
Your critique assumes that seeking God’s specific guidance is “speculative” rather than relational. But Scripture is full of God directing individuals in matters Scripture doesn’t prescribe: where to go, whom to marry, what work to do. Abraham didn’t have a verse telling him to leave Ur. Paul didn’t find “go to Macedonia” written in Torah.
Yes, people can get stuck endlessly “seeking God’s will” as a form of paralysis or avoidance, but that’s precisely where mature believers and pastors should help people discern what God is saying, not dismiss the entire category as illegitimate.
You wrote 2,400 words critiquing people for avoiding direct relationship with God, yet when someone offers concrete examples of life decisions where Christians should seek God’s direction, you call it “inventing extra burdens.”
You’re warning people not to hide behind systems while potentially entrapping them in the very thing you critique: treating Scripture as a rulebook that eliminates the need for ongoing relationship and specific guidance from God.
What are the “clear commands” you believe people are avoiding?
In your framework, what is the believer actually accountable to obey when guidance is unclear—Scripture’s written commands, or a pastor-led discernment of ‘what God is saying’ for that situation?
I thought you were talking more about cult leaders who tell you not only what scripture means but how to think and what to do about it, as if the specific answer was already in scripture without any reasoning necessary to discern it, but only they - the cult leader - was smart enough, inspired, spirit filled enough to discern it. Human reasoning is needed to apply scripture, but we shouldn't be dependent on a cult, denomination, or catechism to make that application
Both. They’re not in opposition. Scripture provides the framework, boundaries, and principles. The Holy Spirit provides specific direction within that framework. Mature believers help discern whether what someone thinks they’re hearing aligns with Scripture and bears the fruit of the Spirit.
But you’re creating a false dichotomy. When Scripture says “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6), or “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5), or “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), these aren’t decorative verses. They describe real relationship with a God who actually communicates with His people about their lives.
Christians need to learn to hear the Holy Spirit speak. Yes, this requires discernment and maturity. Yes, it can be misused or become an excuse for delay. But the solution isn’t to dismiss it entirely. It’s to teach people how to hear God’s voice. And ultimately, decisions are up to the individual, as they always are with God. He doesn’t force anyone.
You still haven’t answered: Are you a pastor because Scripture commanded “Sergio DeSoto, be a pastor,” or because God called you to that role? If the latter, you’re living proof that God gives specific direction beyond what’s written. If the former, show me the verse.
And you still haven’t provided a single example of the “clear commands” you claim people are avoiding. You’ve spent multiple responses critiquing my examples as “extra burdens” while offering nothing concrete yourself. What specifically are Christians hiding from that Scripture clearly commands?
I've tried the denominational sprint and was always left wanting. Not one of them even provided discipleship to anyone. They wanted to thrust you into worldly programs to further your walk with The Lord.
I'm finding mentors everywhere now and have in some ways become one myself. Isn't this how it's supposed to be done?
The Institutionalized Church leaves you empty and chasing other worldly things rather than help people overcome them.
Thanks for your cherished work as always Sergio!
Scott, I feel like we are a small group outside the christian matrix.
You are welcome my friend!
You're welcome, Heather!