Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: I share my challenging experience on an atheist podcast where my faith was tested through twisted scripture interpretations, revealing important lessons about spiritual preparation and the necessity of guarding our hearts and minds when engaging with those who oppose our faith.
What?
I recently appeared on a podcast called “Your Bible Says What?” – only realizing too late that it was designed to challenge and undermine Christian beliefs. The host, incredibly intelligent and well-versed in scripture, spent seven years “grilling Christians” by twisting biblical interpretations. He specifically focused on the story of Job, attempting to portray God as being “incited” or “tricked” by Satan, suggesting God was manipulated into allowing harm to innocent people.
During this challenging exchange, I found myself unprepared for the spiritual battle. The host was looking for a “sign” after seven years of conducting these interviews, with his two previous Christian guests apparently hanging up or quitting mid-interview. I managed to engage him in some thoughtful discussion about the miracle of his own intelligence and existence, but he remained firmly in his position of “I don’t know.”
Why?
I’m sharing this experience because many Christian men will face similar challenges to their faith – whether in business settings, online interactions, or personal relationships. These moments reveal how prepared (or unprepared) we are to defend our faith against intelligent opposition. My initial prayers focused on hoping something good would come from the interview and praying for the host, but I missed the most important prayer – protection for my own heart and mind.
Lesson
The Holy Spirit was actually praying for me what I had forgotten to pray for myself – protection of my thoughts and guarding of my heart. As Philippians 4:7 reminds us, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This experience taught me several critical lessons:
1. Before engaging with those who oppose our faith, we must first “put on our own armor” – seeking God’s protection for our own hearts and minds.
2. Scripture memorization isn’t optional for Christian leaders – “Thy word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).
3. Sometimes victory isn’t “winning” the argument but remaining steadfast in the face of opposition.
4. We need deeper biblical knowledge and discernment to recognize when scripture is being twisted.
Apply
How are you preparing yourself to stand firm when your faith is challenged? I encourage you to:
1. Develop a daily habit of scripture reading and memorization
2. Practice the prayer of protection for your heart and mind before engaging with opposing viewpoints
3. Find a community of believers who can sharpen your ability to detect twisted interpretations
4. Remember that your goal in these encounters isn’t always to “win” but to remain faithful
You be blessed.
Facing the Lion’s Den: How I Navigated a Challenging Podcast Interview
