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All (148) Mike Winger (148)
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

Fighting pornography addiction — battle is lost before you even feel overwhelmed

Q from Nathan P about why prayer seems ineffective against porn addiction.

1 Corinthians 10:13 Romans 13:14 1 Corinthians 10:13 Spiritual Warfare Pornography
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-23

God's choices of Jacob, Abraham, Moses, prophets — not favoritism but purposive grace for non-salvific roles

Question from Ryder Ness, a "struggling Calvinist," about divine favoritism in biblical election.

Isaiah 6 Romans 9 Genesis 25 election Moses Abraham
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-30

Parachute/airplane illustration: beliefs do not determine outcomes — reality is independent of belief

Mike uses a vivid analogy to show relativism fails when applied to real-world consequences.

evangelism eternal destiny objective truth
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-30

Kung Fu / judo illustration: God redirects Satan's own force rather than controlling him directly

Illustration drawn from the TV show Kung Fu to explain how God exercises sovereignty over Satan.

Luke 22:3 Satan Luke 22:3 sovereignty of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-30

Job as example of God's sovereignty over Satan: Satan required permission to afflict Job

Supporting biblical example for the model of divine sovereignty.

Job Satan Job sovereignty of God
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

Francis Collins is cited as an example of a Christian who holds evolutionary creation yet is genuinely saved

Mike illustrates that believing in evolution does not automatically equal rejection of Christ

salvation evolution creation debate
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-06

Proverbs' paradoxical advice on rebuking a fool applies to confronting Word of Faith in-laws -- danger exists either way

Responding to Jackie Rock about whether to have a doctrinal confrontation with Word of Faith in-laws

Proverbs Word of Faith Proverbs discernment
Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Are we the last generation? — Acts 1:7 epistemic humility; abomination of desolation as one signpost

A viewer asks if Mike believes we are the last generation before Christ's return.

Matthew 24:15 Acts 1:7 Matthew 24:15 eschatology Martin Luther
Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Dating the Gospels — pre-70 AD arguments deserve more weight than commonly given

A viewer asks whether most NT historians date all four Gospels to around 70 AD or later.

1 Timothy Mark Luke 1 Timothy textual criticism Mark
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

Mike's personal testimony: a burden from God that led to his YouTube ministry

Mike illustrates genuine individual divine communication with personal experience.

personal testimony divine calling ministry
Mike Winger idea 2020-11-20

Temptation originates primarily from one's own sinful desires, not Satan — James 1:13-15

Question about whether all temptation comes from Satan/demons or from one's sinful self.

James 1:13-15 personal responsibility Satan sin
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-18

Mike's own primary gift is teaching, not worship leading — he did worship leading for years out of necessity but recognized it was not his strongest gift; leaning into actual gifts maximizes ministry impact.

Personal illustration of the spiritual-gifts-discernment principle.

Spiritual Gifts Calling and Gifting Teaching Gift
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-01

Many ways to interpret the Bible — but the most important truths are plainly clear

Continuing Q14 on Bible interpretation and despair

1 Corinthians 11 John 14:6 John 1:1-14 hermeneutics Craig Blomberg Douglas Moo
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Lust toward others outside marriage diminishes desire for your spouse — exclusivity of sexual attention is essential

Second issue addressed in the marriage/intimacy question — possible causes of diminished desire

marriage lust pornography
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Being too submissive is a real and dangerous failure — biblical submission has limits defined by obedience to God

Question from Lacey Fix about marriage counseling — secular counselors say too-submissive equals codependent, biblical counselors say submit more and your spouse will repent

submission David Saul
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-08

Real-life example: a wife's Christ-like conduct broke through her angry husband's defenses and led to his conversion

Illustrative story supporting 1 Peter 3:1 and the "may" interpretation

1 Peter 3:1 1 Peter 3:1 marriage conversion
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Lust and pornography as stress relief: the sin creates more stress than it relieves; Romans 7-8 and walking in the Spirit

Question from Adriano about being tempted by lust online and watching pornography to deal with stress.

Romans 7-8 Matthew 4:3 sanctification temptation lust
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike argues it is philosophically irrational to charge God with immorality because God’s character is the very grounding of moral goodness, making the question of whether God could do something immoral logically incoherent, analogous to asking if a circle could be a square.

Response to non-believer asking whether there is anything God could do that would lead Mike to consider him immoral

apologetics atheism moral argument
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Advice to someone whose church is becoming hyper-charismatic: leave, if you must, without bitterness, motivated only by principle and love.

Question from Jay Parker about whether to leave a church moving toward hyper-charismaticism after elders dismissed critique of the Passion Translation as nitpicking.

Galatians 5 Galatians 5 Passion Translation Hyper-charismatic movement
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Planning for the future is a Christian responsibility, not a lack of faith

Trusting God does not mean refusing to make plans; irresponsible non-planning can become a cover for laziness.

Abraham stewardship planning and providence
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: What does the Bible say about modesty? Is a bikini sport uniform sinful?

Viewer Austin Holloman asks for biblical guidance on modesty and whether sports requiring bikinis should be avoided.

Genesis 3 Genesis 3 Christian ethics cultural Christianity
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager: Jesus uses a bad actor to illustrate one positive quality — shrewd urgency about the future

Reading and explaining Luke 16:1-13

Luke 16:1-13 parable interpretation Luke 16:1-13 Parable of the Dishonest Manager
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Analogies explain truth but cannot establish or create theological truth.

Critique of the gravity-salvation analogy used to argue for universalism.

hermeneutics logical fallacy argument from analogy
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Waiting on the Lord is an active, not passive, posture — characterized by seeking first the kingdom in whatever capacity is available now.

Derek Beeler asks for advice on a season of waiting to discern God's calling.

Matthew 6:33 Chuck Smith Matthew 6:33 pastoral counseling
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Classical nudity in art is not morally distinct from pornography; artistic quality does not transform the moral character of nude imagery.

Q11 from Wolfpack: how should Christians approach classical art with nudity (e.g., Michelangelo's David)? Is it okay to like it or make similar art?

sexual ethics pornography nudity in art
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (man seizes virgin) is best read as maximizing the woman's rights and removing the man's after a sexual violation; it reflects the law making the best of a sinful situation.

Q12 from Tyler: trouble understanding the morality of Deuteronomy 22:28-29; some say it's consensual, but 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) seems to contradict that.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) Deuteronomy 22:28-29 2 Samuel 13 (Amnon and Tamar) sexual ethics (OT law)
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Fruits of the Spirit in believers vs. unbelievers: the difference is source (Holy Spirit) and ultimate quality/context, not the complete absence of these qualities in unbelievers.

Q20 from Craig Burnett: what is the difference in gifts/fruits of the Spirit between a Christian and a non-Christian displaying the same qualities (patience, gentleness, peace)?

Galatians 5:22-23 2 Timothy 4:10 Holy Spirit fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Praying against "spirits of laziness, offense, depression" — most are human failures not demonic spirits; Jezebel spirit is not a biblical category

Q10 from Arfish: Is it biblical to pray against spirits of offense, laziness, depression, confusion? What is the Jezebel spirit and is it real?

James 4 Revelation 2:20 personal responsibility Jezebel James 4
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Free will does not mean freedom from consequences — the golden calf judgment illustrates this

Q15 from Jill Sworzel-Stix: If God gives us free will to worship him, why did he have Moses command the Levites to kill 3,000 people who chose not to (Exodus 32:28)?

Exodus 32 Moses Aaron covenant
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-19

Why is Esther in the Bible? Self-defense in Esther 8-9 is not problematic

Listener The Christian Metalhead questions the moral purpose of Esther and finds the final chapters' battle "dangerous."

Esther Ecclesiastes 3:3 Old Testament canon Typology Pacifism
Mike Winger idea 2020-02-12

Isaac Asimov memorial panel discussion: Lawrence Krauss and Neil deGrasse Tyson debated "what is nothing" for two hours. The philosopher on the panel was visibly frustrated, saying nothing means NOT ANYTHING.

Anecdote — philosophers vs. physicists on "nothing"

Lawrence Krauss Lawrence Krauss nothing vs not anything
Mike Winger idea 2020-01-08

Good #3: Soul-building theodicy — suffering provides opportunities to develop character virtues (sacrifice, courage, compassion, forgiveness). Good #4: Robin Collins' connection-building theodicy — virtuous responses to evil create valuable relationships that grow infinitely over time.

Response to Q4 — soul-building and connection-building

theodicy theodicy soul-building theodicy
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-23

Mark 9:36-37: Jesus uses a child (culturally unimportant, not romanticized as today) to illustrate that receiving ANY believer — even the least significant by worldly standards — is receiving Jesus himself. Matthew 25:34-40 confirms: what you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Ministry to any Christian = ministry to Christ.

Receiving the least = receiving Jesus

Mark 9:36-37 Matthew 25:34-40 Mark 9:36-37 receiving the least Matthew 25:34-40
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-21

Premise 3 defense: if external forces determine your beliefs, you lose justification for knowledge. You become a "bag of beliefs, none of which are up to the bag." The mad scientist thought experiment illustrates this.

Detailed defense of the most attacked premise

determinism determinism consciousness
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-28

Six reasons why "this mountain" is NOT limited to the temple (contra cessationist interpretation), but is a general truth about prayer: Paul's usage, Matthew/Luke parallels, OT mountain-moving language.

Refuting Jeff Durbin's cessationist interpretation that limits Mark 11 to imprecatory prayer against the temple

1 Corinthians 13:2 Mark 11:24 Mark 13:2 cessationism 1 Corinthians 13:2 cessationism
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

Fight sin at its earliest stage — Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that the beginning state of sin (lust, anger) is already where you've lost the fight. Draw personal boundaries far from the sin, not close.

Q9: How to fight the temptation to lust?

Matthew 5 Matthew Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

About Approving of/Watching Inappropriate Shows: How do you respond to another Christian who thinks that watching movies or shows with nudity/sexual content is a liberty they have in Christ because they do not struggle with lust?

Q&A question: About Approving of/Watching Inappropriate Shows

sexual ethics
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

About Confession of Sins to Others: Is apologizing to people we’ve sinned against (e.g. lust) always necessary, and if so, to what extent? We must if they know about it, but what if they don't (or are indifferent/hard to contact)?

Q&A question: About Confession of Sins to Others

sexual ethics confession
Mike Winger idea 2022-06-17

Breaking the Sin Cycle of Lust: I’m a 15 year old that has struggled with lust for such a long time, and I honestly don’t know what to do anymore. It feels like I will never get out of this constant sin cycle. Could you please help me?

Q&A question: Breaking the Sin Cycle of Lust

sexual ethics
Mike Winger idea 2022-10-21

Overcoming Difficult & Serious Sins: Do believers eventually overcome big sins like lust? What if we don't before we die? Does that mean we were never saved?

Q&A question: Overcoming Difficult & Serious Sins

sexual ethics
Mike Winger idea 2023-09-01

Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust: I came to Christ around 9 months ago, but I’ve been really struggling with getting closer God. I’m 15 and I have problems with lust. How can I stop always falling back into sin through lusting?

Q&A question: Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust

sexual ethics
Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Overcoming Lust: I’ve been struggling with lust for a few years, and it weighs heavily on my heart. Every time I think I can break away from it, I keep falling back into it. How can I finally break free?

Q&A question: Overcoming Lust

sexual ethics
Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Satan’s Guide to The Bible?: There is a dangerous video gaining popularity, called "Satan's Guide to The Bible," that illustrates a pretend children's Sunday school class learning from Satan as their substitute teacher. He claims that pastors keep secrets from their congregants, but that he will reveal those secrets and tell them the truth. Can you please analyze this video and refute its false claims about the Bible?

Q&A question: Satan’s Guide to The Bible?

Satan pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2024-02-09

About Asexuality: Is asexuality real? I know believers who say they’re asexual (not sexually attracted to anyone). I think this may be true of me, but could it just be God guarding my heart from lust over the years?

Q&A question: About Asexuality

sexual ethics
Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Can we be Too Wayward to be Forgiven?: Romans 1: 24 says “God will give them up to the lust in their hearts to defile their bodies.” Can one be forgiven and come back to Christ if one thinks this has happened to them?

Q&A question: Can we be Too Wayward to be Forgiven?

Romans 1 Romans 1
Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?: What are your thoughts on pastors struggling with porn/lust? Is it disqualifying? I stepped out of ministry to heal. Many ministers my age (23) struggle. Please pray. I’ve seen progress, but I still fight.

Q&A question: Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?

pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2024-10-21

The Transfiguration (Matt. 17 / Mark 9 / Luke 9) visually enacts Hebrews 1:1-2: Moses and Elijah appear representing the Law and the Prophets, but God's voice from heaven says "This is my Son — hear him." The old revelation is present and honored, but the new word is through Jesus. This is "Hebrews 1 in living illustration."

The Transfiguration as a visual fulfillment of Hebrews 1:1-2's funnel from prophecy to Son

Luke 9 Mark 9 revelation Moses Jesus Elijah
Mike Winger idea 2026-01-09

Gender ideology in nursing schools illustrates how post-modern "your truth" thinking penetrates every academic discipline — not just philosophy or social sciences. When a student is trained to say "it's their truth" about gender, she has also been trained to say "it's your truth" about the gospel, effectively dismantling the concept of objective truth that Christianity requires.

Gender ideology in nursing education as a case study of how post-modern relativism threatens the gospel itself

Philo
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