This week on Live the Promise, several of our guests shared different common misconceptions about the Christian faith.

Prophecy isn’t supposed to just scare you.

What is the purpose of end times prophecy in the Bible? Author Mark Tobey says that we often misinterpret the purpose of prophecy in Scripture. Too often we fall into the trap of thinking Bible prophecy is designed to scare us straight or scare us into believing God. However, prophecy is actually designed to prepare us so that we can remain calm and active when unusual or catastrophic events occur in our world. God wanted to give us a behind the scenes look into what we can expect from the future.

Listen to the conversation here.

Being strong isn’t what you think it is.

We all want to be strong and we’re all attracted to people who appear to be strong. However, Lisa Whittle says from a Christian’s perspective, being strong isn’t about will power. It’s about allowing God to be strong for us. Scripture specifically says that it’s in our weakness that we are strong, not the other way around.

Listen to the conversation here.

Shame and conviction are the same thing.

We often feel like shame and conviction are synonymous. Other times, we feel like shame is a natural outcome of conviction. However, Paul J. Pastor says that shame and conviction are actually polar opposites. Conviction is from God and shame is never from Him. Conviction teaches us, restores us, and disciplines us. Whereas shame constantly keeps us looking inward instead of looking up at Christ.

Listen to the conversation here.

You aren’t actually trapped in sin.

If Christ has set us free, why don’t we feel free? Many Christians live their lives resigned to the fact that they are trapped in their sin. However, Pastor Noel Heikkinen says this is completely false. Even though we will never be perfectly sinless on earth, Jesus Christ has given us the power to say no to sin, and yes to Him.

Listen to the conversation here.