The Good Decision That Cost Everything

My Theology Got Cooked: The High Cost of a 'Good' Detour

The Danger of 'Good' Decisions

I've got something burning on my heart today, something the Lord won't let me shake until I share it with you.

Lately, as many of you know, Susan and I have been running hard for the Lord. We've seen His faithfulness on the streets of Troy and Daleville, Alabama. We've ministered in nursing homes and seen the peace of Jesus touch people. I've even had the privilege of leading worship for a men's fellowship. God is moving, and we are seeing real, tangible fruit. It's a blessed season.

But as I was praying about what to share, the Holy Spirit didn't bring up these recent victories. Instead, He brought back a powerful, painful memory from a few years ago. It was a moment that didn't just teach me a lesson... it completely cooked my theology. It exposed a massive flaw in my walk, and the price for learning it was steep. I believe the Lord wants me to share this with you, not just as a testimony, but as a sober, prophetic warning for every believer who is walking closely with Him in this hour.

We all want to do good things, right? As Christians, we're taught to be helpful, to bear one another's burdens, to have a servant's heart. But what happens when a "good" thing, a "helpful" act, is actually a spiritual detour? What happens when that "yes" you give to a friend is a "no" you're giving to a divine assignment? I learned firsthand that the consequences aren't just missed opportunities... they can be catastrophic, opening the door to spiritual backlash, demonic attack, and the complete abortion of a ministry assignment.

The Indianapolis Incident: A Commitment Without Counsel

The story begins a few years ago in Indianapolis. Susan and I had committed to a ministry we'd never worked with before to do a homeless outreach. Our time was set apart. We were prayed up, focused, and ready to serve. This was our assignment. 

Then the phone rang. It was a friend.

"Hey Conrad, could you do me a huge favor? I really need some help moving furniture."

Without a second thought, without a moment of prayer, I said, "Yes."

Why wouldn't I? It's just helping a friend. It's a "good" thing to do. I figured it would be a quick detour, a simple act of service, and then we'd get right back to the "real" ministry of the homeless outreach. It seemed harmless. It seemed right. It was, in fact, a devastating mistake.

The 'Quick' Detour That Changed Everything

I want you to pause and think about how often we do this. We have our God-given assignment... raising our kids, working our job as unto the Lord, preparing for a ministry, or even just our committed time of prayer and study. And then the phone rings. An email pops up. A "quick" request comes in. It seems good. It seems helpful. And just like me, we say "yes" without ever consulting the One who gave us our primary assignment.

My "yes" was a prayerless decision. I had already committed my time, energy, and spiritual focus to the Lord for the homeless outreach. This new "yes" was a violation of that prior commitment. I had, in effect, made a new covenant with a "side event" without seeking the counsel of my King. And the spiritual world, which operates on legal principles we often ignore, took notice immediately.

The Immediate Spiritual Backlash

Within one minute of hanging up that phone, I was hit. It wasn't a subtle feeling. It was two distinct, intense, agonizing pains in my body. It was so severe I could barely walk. This was not a pulled muscle. This was not a random cramp. This was pointed. It was precise. It was an attack.

That debilitating pain lingered all day and all through the night. I was mystified, confused, and in agony. I was trying to figure out what I had done, what door I had opened. But the connection wasn't clicking.

The 3:30 AM Wake-Up Call

Then, at 3:30 in the morning, the Lord woke me up. It wasn't a gentle nudge; it was an alarm. And His voice was perfectly clear in my spirit: "You know those are demons, don't you?"

In that instant, it all made sense. The phone call. The prayerless "yes." The immediate pain. My theology, which had been a bit fuzzy on this, was suddenly "cooked" into sharp focus. I had stepped out from under the Psalm 91 covering of my divine assignment. My disobedience, my presumption, had given the enemy a legal right to "buffet" me. This supernatural Christian life we're called to is real. The authority is real, the assignments are real, and the spiritual backlash is also very, very real.

Biblical Precedent: The Gibeonite Deception

As I was processing this, the Lord immediately brought a story to my mind, one that perfectly mirrored my own failure: Joshua and the Gibeonites.

Remember the context. God had given Joshua a crystal-clear mission. He had just told them: "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.'" (Joshua 1:11 KJV). The assignment was clear. The command from God was even more specific: "Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst." (Exodus 34:11-12 KJV).

No covenants. No side-deals. No mercy for the "inhabitants of the land." The mission was total possession.

Then, the Gibeonites show up. They're inhabitants of the land, but they're deceptive. They come with moldy bread, worn-out sacks, and old wine bottles. They look pitiful. They look harmless. They present a "good" reason to be spared. And what does Joshua do? Something along the lines of what I did.

"...and the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them." (Joshua 9:14-15 KJV).

They "asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD." That was the failure. They trusted their own eyes, their own logic, their own "good" intentions. And my "yes" to helping my friend move furniture? That was my Gibeonite deception. It was a "harmless" request that looked like the right thing to do. But I, too, "asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD." I made a covenant with a "side event," and in doing so, I had just allowed a "snare in the midst" of my primary, God-given mission.

Repentance, Warfare, and a Lingering Lesson

There at 3:30 in the morning, I repented. I got on my face and asked God to forgive me for my presumption, for my disobedience, for walking by my own "good" sense instead of by His Spirit. I confessed my sin of making a prayerless commitment that violated my assignment.

Then, I moved into authority. I wasn't just a victim; I was a disobedient son, but a son nonetheless, with the name of Jesus. I took authority over those two demonic spirits that were causing the pain, and I commanded them to leave. One left immediately. The other one, however, required me to stand firm. I had to press in, to stand on the word and the authority I have in Christ. Spiritual warfare isn't always a one-and-done "poof." Sometimes you have to stand your ground until the enemy fully yields. Finally, it too left.

I was reminded of Paul's words about his "thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV). My prayerless pride, my "I got this" attitude, had invited a messenger of Satan to buffet me. But in my humility, as I repented, God's grace was right there. I was vividly reminded: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).

The Sobering Aftermath: When I Didn't Fully Learn

This is the part of the story that's hardest to tell. It's the most sobering part of all. You would think that after a night of demonic attack, divine correction, and spiritual warfare, I would have immediately called my friend and said, "I can't. I made a mistake. I have to stay on my assignment."

But I didn't. My flesh was still in the fight.

I still went to help move that furniture. I had repented for the disobedience that led to the attack, but I hadn't yet fully submitted to the original instruction. I still tried to do both. I tried to serve God and serve my "good intention."

And everything... everything... went wrong.

It was chaos. Absolute, complete chaos. We went to get food, and our bank cards wouldn't work. We tried to reach the person we were helping, and we couldn't get in touch with them on the phone. Every step was met with frustration and roadblocks. This wasn't just "one of those days." This was the hand of God not being upon our efforts. The hedge of protection was not on this activity. We were operating "outside the camp," and we were exposed.

Then the disaster hit. A super heavy piece of furniture we were moving fell. It didn't just tip over; it fell and completely crushed my friend's ankle.  

The True Cost of My 'Helpfulness'

In that moment, the full weight of my decision crashed down on me. But the crushed ankle and chaotic day weren't even the highest price. Here is the punchline, the part that should shake every one of us:

The entire homeless outreach was lost.

Because of my "quick detour," because of my prayerless "yes," the entire kingdom purpose for our trip in Indianapolis that day was aborted. We never made it. The ministry we were supposed to do, the people we were supposed to reach, the souls we were supposed to touch... it all evaporated. All because I thought I could fit in a "good" deed that God had not ordained.

Main Message: The Higher the Calling, the Stricter the Walk

This is the warning I feel so strongly for all of us. When we're casual believers, God's grace covers an amazing amount of our sloppy living. But when you press in, when you raise your hand and say, "Yes, Lord, use me. Send me. I'll go," the standard changes. The expectations are higher. The walk becomes stricter.

We are called to be living sacrifices. Paul begs us: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2 KJV).

A sacrifice does not get to choose where it goes. A sacrifice stays on the altar it was assigned to. My "yes" to my friend was me, the living sacrifice, crawling off God's altar to go jump onto a different one that looked "good" to me. I was conforming to the world's pattern of "being helpful" instead of being transformed to prove God's "perfect will."

We are meant to be led by the Spirit. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8:14 KJV). I was led by my good intentions. I was led by my fleshly desire to be seen as reliable. I was not, in that moment, being led by the Spirit of God.

More Biblical Warnings on 'Side Quests'

This principle is all over scripture. My failure wasn't unique. One of my Inner Circle subscribers, responding to this story, pointed out another terrifying example from 1 Kings 13.

The Man of God and the Lying Prophet (1 Kings 13)

This story is one of the most sobering in the whole Bible. A man of God is given a direct, specific command from the Lord. He is to go to Bethel, prophesy against the altar, and then leave. God's instructions were explicit: "...for it was said to me by the word of the Lord, 'You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.'" (1 Kings 13:17 KJV). The mission was clear. The boundaries were set.

The man of God does his job! He prophesies, the king's hand withers and is restored... it's a successful supernatural mission.

But then, the "side quest" is offered. An old prophet comes to him and says, "...I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, 'Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.' But he lied to him. So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water." (1 Kings 13:18-19 KJV).

The man of God disobeyed the direct word of the Lord to follow a "word" from another man. It seemed spiritual. It came from another "prophet." It was a "good" offer of hospitality. But it was a lie, and it violated his primary command. The consequence? As he was leaving, a lion killed him on the road.

My friend's "harmless" request was my "lying prophet." in my particular scenario.  They are actually a good friend; I am just using this as an illustration.  It seemed like a good, godly thing to do. But it contradicted the mission God had already given me. I listened to it, and while a lion didn't eat me, my assignment was killed on the road.

The Internal Battle: Why Do We Still Do It?

It's easy to read this and think, "Conrad, how could you be so foolish? Especially after the demonic attack!" And that's a fair question. The answer is found in Romans 7, which another subscriber brought up.

We are still in this flesh. And the flesh is at war with the Spirit. Paul's struggle is our struggle.

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ... For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me." (Romans 7:15, 18-20 KJV).

My spirit knew my assignment. But my flesh, my "good intentions," my desire to be helpful... that part of me that is sin that dwells within me... rose up and took the bait. The "good" I wanted to do (the outreach) was hijacked by the "evil" I didn't want to do (disobeying my assignment by taking a "good" detour).

This isn't an excuse for our sin, but it is a critical explanation of the battle. It's precisely why we cannot trust our "good intentions." We cannot trust our feelings. We cannot trust "what seems right." We MUST be Spirit-led. We must ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

Conclusion: A Call to Radical, Prayerful Obedience

My "yes" was a small word with massive, kingdom-altering consequences. The walk with Jesus is a supernatural one, and the stakes are higher than we think. The closer you get to Him and the more He entrusts you with, the more precise your obedience must be.

This isn't about legalism. This is about intimacy. This is about staying so close to the Shepherd that you hear His voice for every step. It's about recognizing that we are on a mission, in enemy territory, and detours are deadly. We are not our own; we were bought with a price.

The warning for the Church in this hour is this: Stop saying "yes" to things God hasn't told you to do. Stop letting "good" opportunities from men pull you away from the "God" assignment He has given you. Your time, your resources, and your "yes" belong to Him. Before you commit, before you take that "harmless" detour, before you agree to help move the furniture... ask counsel at the mouth of the LORD.

The cost of a prayerless "yes" is just too high.

We Want to Hear From You

What about you? Have you ever had a "Gibeonite" moment? Have you ever said "yes" to a "good" thing and watched it blow up in your face, only to realize you had stepped off your assignment? What has God taught you about this kind of obedience?

Please share your thoughts, stories, and any verses that have helped you in the comments below. We sharpen one another!

If this post blessed you, please share it. And be sure to connect with us in our other ministry outreaches.  If you feel led to support our ongoing street ministry and outreach work, you can check out our Ministry Wish List on Amazon.

Grace and peace, Team Jesus.

Conrad

From Pain to Platform: A Spiritual, Prophetic, Supernatural Move of Jesus in Daleville

Testimony Interview with Phil and Tina Ferger

Introduction

Recently on Coffee with Conrad, I sat down with Phil and Tina Fer—a married couple in Daleville, Alabama—whose testimony carries a prophetic edge and a supernatural invitation. Their story is raw, real, and rooted in Jesus. What the enemy meant for destruction over four decades, the Lord flipped into a living platform of freedom, healing, and deliverance through a simple tent outreach held twice a month in Daleville, Alabama.

This isn’t theory. This is the gospel on the ground—outside the walls, under a canopy, with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, prayer, worship, and the power of Jesus confronting the gates of hell. It’s spiritual. It’s prophetic. It’s supernatural. And it’s working.

How Jesus Turned Pain into a Platform

The Marriage—41 Years of Torment, One Encounter of Freedom

Phil and Tina have been married 42 years. For 41 of those years, the enemy ran roughshod through their home. Their words, not mine:

“For 41 years we were two broken people carrying pain from childhood... Without Jesus at the center, the enemy ran wild with our lives.”

On December 31, 2024, Tina made a simple, spiritual decision. She made an altar in front of her TV and surrendered everything—pain, control, and the impulse to fix her husband. That same month, at the River of Ozark Church, Phil had a radical encounter with God. He was slain in the Spirit twice, and in that moment Jesus delivered him from pornography, anger, addiction, shame—even the medicine he had been warned to depend on. Forty-one years of torment were broken by one supernatural encounter with the living God. As Scripture says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36, KJV).

Listening to the Holy Spirit—Obedience That Defies Fear

The spiritual backbone of their story is simple obedience to Jesus. Phil describes the Lord leading him with a clarity that shifted his whole life:

“Trust in me, and I’ll make you free.”

Tina, driving one day, heard in her spirit, “Reverse the curse.” She prayed specifically over Phil’s medicine two weeks before he told her he had stopped everything cold turkey. I’m not giving medical advice—this is their testimony of hearing Jesus and following His voice. Their lives now model the prophetic lifestyle that is both spiritual and practical: hear God, obey God, and let the fruit speak for itself.

Why a Tent? Because Jesus Goes Where the Fish Are

Before Alabama, Phil and Tina had often served quietly—Thanksgiving dinners at missions, prayer in their shop, food and encouragement whenever they could. When they moved to Daleville, the Lord nudged them to start an outreach right where they live. They started with a 10x10 pop-up tent, a tailgate, peanut butter and jelly, chips, and water. That’s it. Rain or shine, they showed up.

“Everything we have now in this ministry is donated... the generator, tables, chairs, clothes—people just pull up and give.”

I’ve been there. I’ve watched the Holy Spirit draw people like a beacon. Some come for a sandwich and stay for prayer. Some come because “something” told them to turn around. We know who that “something” is. As Psalm 22:3 (KJV) says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” When worship rises, the presence of God draws the hungry and confronts the darkness.

Miracles at the Tent—Deliverance, Salvation, and New Life

We’ve seen powerful moments under that canvas. Consider Curtis, known around town for being a bully. He came under the tent for food, and the power of God met him.

“He buckled. He went to his knees. He left without eating because he couldn’t believe what the Lord did.”

He’s not the bully anymore. People say it all over town. Another time, a woman walked up barefoot, fleeing abuse. She had refused prayer several times before, but that day, under the tent, the Holy Spirit confronted her oppression. She manifested. We didn’t leave her there. In about ten minutes, the demon was cast out, she received Jesus, and said, “They’re gone.” That’s not a program. That’s Jesus keeping His word: “And these signs shall follow them that believe… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17–18, KJV).

There are countless stories: someone comes for lunch, leaves with salvation; another gets prayer and finds a job; a person in crisis receives peace; a man recognizes the call of God stirring inside him and the light turns on. These encounters are prophetic—targeted, Spirit-led words and prayers that bring people out of darkness and into the kingdom of Jesus.

Provision Follows Obedience—Don’t Put the Physical Cart Before the Spiritual Horse

People often ask how to fund an outreach. Here’s the spiritual key: obey first, and God provides. I’ve watched people drive up and donate money, food, clothes—even a generator. If you wait for every logistical duck to be in a row, you’ll never go. But if you go, you’ll see God show up. As Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, KJV).

“If God says go do it… go do it and see how God shows up.”

Personal Reflections: What I’m Learning on the Streets

I’ve done street ministry long enough to know it’ll transform you before it transforms your city. The first battle is internal—overcoming fear, comfort, and the impulse to wait. But when you cross that threshold, the prophetic and supernatural life Jesus promised comes into view. You begin to see what Paul meant when he said, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12, KJV). The person in front of you isn’t the enemy. The agenda behind the pain is.

I call it “catching the prophetic football.” You share a word of knowledge or a verse, and their eyes light up. The truth lands. The Holy Spirit connects the dots. That’s why I often reference Amos 9:11—the tabernacle of David—because there’s something about the tent, worship, and presence that opens people to the voice of God. Under that covering, with worship music flowing, Jesus does what He always does: He heals the brokenhearted, preaches deliverance to captives, and sets people free.

Honestly, the biggest tragedy isn’t that darkness is bold; it’s that believers hesitate. Romans 10 describes a world in which preachers should be on every corner. Phil and Tina are senior citizens (Phil is 71) and still hauling poles, tarps, tables, and coolers in the heat. If they can do that with joy, what excuse do the rest of us have?

Biblical Foundations: Why This Is Spiritual, Prophetic, and Supernatural

• Jesus promises an offensive church: “Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, KJV). Gates don’t attack—saints do. We go to the gates.
• The Great Commission requires going: Jesus never said “wait for them to come”; He said “go.” In practical, prophetic terms, that means taking the church to the streets.
• Deliverance and healing are normal Christianity: “And these signs shall follow them that believe… they shall cast out devils… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17–18, KJV).
• Testimony is a weapon: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11, KJV). The Fergers’ story disarms shame and sparks faith.
• The enemy’s strategy is consistent: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10, KJV). He thrives in secrecy; testimony exposes and defeats him.
• Worship invites the King: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3, KJV). Where Jesus is enthroned, devils manifest and flee.
• Don’t conform—be transformed: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2, KJV). This mindset shift—from spectator to sent one—is a spiritual, prophetic renewal.
• Freedom is in abiding: “If ye continue in my word… ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32, KJV). The tent is a place where the Word is heard, believed, and obeyed.

For convenient study, here are KJV links to a few of the verses mentioned: John 8:36, Mark 16:17–18, Revelation 12:11, John 10:10, Psalm 22:3, Romans 12:1–2, Ephesians 6:12.

Field Notes: Practical Steps to Start Your Own Tent (or Pop-Up) Outreach

The spiritual principles are prophetic and supernatural, but the logistics are refreshingly simple. Here’s how Phil and Tina started—and how you can too:

1. Start small; start now. A 10x10 pop-up tent, a folding table, coolers, PB&J, chips, water. Don’t wait for perfect conditions.
2. Pray and worship first. Invite the Holy Spirit intentionally. Play worship music. Expect Jesus to move. “He inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3, KJV).
3. Offer practical love. Food, clothing, toiletries—whatever you have. Ask what’s needed. If you can do it, do it.
4. Share the gospel clearly. Phil and Tina use a simple prayer card to lead people to Jesus. You can prepare a clear salvation script and carry copies. Keep bibles handy.
5. Pray with people, not just for them. Ask permission. Lay hands when appropriate. Expect healing and deliverance in Jesus’ name.
6. Expect manifestations—and be ready. Don’t be surprised when demons manifest. Stay calm, submit to Jesus, command them to go (Mark 16:17–18). Keep safety and dignity central.
7. Follow up and disciple. Get first names and contact info (with permission). Point them to a solid, Spirit-filled local fellowship. Share Scripture, pray during the week, and celebrate wins.
8. Trust God for provision. Testimonies draw generosity. People will give when they see fruit. Keep humble records. Be transparent. Give thanks publicly.
9. Consider permissions and partnerships. Check with local authorities for park/pavilion use. Build relationships with city leaders. Honor the community you serve.
10. Guard unity at home. The enemy will try to sow strife. Keep short accounts, pray together, share the load. Remember: “We overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony” (Revelation 12:11, KJV).

If you feel that tug in your spirit, that’s your invitation. Don’t put the physical cart before the spiritual horse. Obey first, and watch the kingdom provision follow.

Why This Matters Now

We live in a noisy era—filled with digital, cultural, and spiritual distractions. People are desperate for authentic experiences, not staged performances, and they're finding that in a real relationship with Jesus. The true prophetic voice of the church isn't found in isolated groups but in active service on the front lines, where people are hurting, hungry, and in need of freedom. By reaching out to one community at a time, we demonstrate that the gospel still holds the power to save.

Phil and Tina’s story dismantles excuses. They are living proof that a spiritual, prophetic, supernatural life is available to “whosoever will.” If Jesus can redeem 41 years of torment and turn that pain into a platform for revival in Daleville, He can take your testimony and do the same in your city.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Friend, I want to invite you to take a step today. If your heart is burning, don’t ignore it. Ask Jesus how He wants you to serve your city. Pray for boldness and start where you are. If you’re in the Daleville area and want to help Phil and Tina, reach out to me and I’ll get you connected.

• Subscribe for more spiritual, prophetic insights: Visit the homepage at ConradRocks.Net and tap “Subscribe” in the top navigation to get new posts and podcast updates.
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• Share your testimony: Drop a comment on the site and tell me what Jesus is doing in your city. Your story is spiritual dynamite for someone else.
• Support outreach: If the Lord leads you, visit ConradRocks.Net and look for “Support” in the menu.

Until we meet again—dig deeper, go higher, and take Jesus to the streets. The gates of hell won’t prevail.

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Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV). For quick reference: John 8:36, Mark 16:17–18, Revelation 12:11, John 10:10, Psalm 22:3, Romans 12:1–2, Ephesians 6:12.

Explore more at ConradRocks.Net.

Spiritual Warfare for Your Mind: Protecting Your Identity in a Digital Age

The Invisible War for Your Mind

Imagine a war being fought for your very soul, and the battleground is your mind. Every day, the world’s wisdom, its fleeting trends, and the loudest voices on your screen launch an invisible assault against your God-given identity. You may not see an army marching against you, but you can feel the pull—the pressure to conform, to accept narratives that dilute biblical truth, and to drift from the spiritual center that God designed for you in Jesus.

I’m Conrad from ConradRocks.Net, and my passion is to help you cultivate a spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus. Today I want to equip you to recognize the real-time battle for your mind, recover your identity in Christ, and step into the supernatural freedom that comes from living by God’s truth. This is not theory—it’s practical, prophetic, and deeply spiritual. And it’s a call to action.

The Battle for Your Mind in a Digital Age

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I see how quietly the world tries to rewrite who we are. We soak up ideologies through headlines, music, conversations, and social feeds. The enemy doesn’t have to come with horns and a pitchfork. Often he comes disguised as a trusted anchor, a captivating influencer, or a celebrated academic voice. Bit by bit, he introduces ideas that are almost true—close enough to sound right, subtle enough to erode absolute truth.

This is why Scripture calls us to guard the core of our being. The Bible is plain: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, KJV) What we allow into our minds eventually comes out in our decisions, habits, relationships, and destiny. If we don’t practice spiritual discernment, the world will do our thinking for us—and, before long, our identity will mirror the feed we scroll rather than the Savior we follow.

The Bible also reminds us, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV) Your inner meditation shapes your outer manifestation. If your thought-life is discipled by the world, you’ll think like the world. If your mind is renewed by the Word, you’ll be transformed into the image of Jesus. This is the core of spiritual warfare for the mind: who will disciple your thoughts—culture or Christ?

Why Wisdom of Men Can’t Replace the Power of God

The Apostle Paul understood this tension perfectly. He wrote, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4–5, KJV) Paul knew that a faith built on clever arguments alone crumbles when it meets a stronger argument. But a faith established by the demonstration of the Spirit stands amid the storm.

Jesus Himself set the expectation that believers would operate in a supernatural, Spirit-empowered life: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; … they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:17–18, KJV) The prophetic, supernatural life is not a side hobby for the super-spiritual; it’s the natural outworking of a people filled with the Holy Spirit. When we remove the power of God from our faith, we weaken our immunity against deception.

A Cautionary Case Study: Darwin and a Powerless Faith

Consider Charles Darwin. He was trained for the clergy and steeped in the religious structures of his time, but his faith rested in the wisdom of men rather than the power of God. On the HMS Beagle (1831–1836), he spent years immersed in naturalistic observation and analysis. Without the Spirit’s discernment, the “things of the Spirit of God” appeared foolish—exactly as Scripture says: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: … neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14, KJV)

The point isn’t to vilify a historical figure; it’s to highlight a spiritual principle. When faith is propped up by tradition, ritual, or academic respectability without a living relationship with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, it becomes vulnerable. Faced with compelling human arguments, a wisdom-only faith collapses. This is the danger many believers face today in our data-saturated world. We are being discipled—day and night—by an endless stream of opinions, analytics, and narratives that subtly encourage us to see God’s truth as naïve or outdated.

Jude describes people who separate themselves as “sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude 1:19, KJV) That’s not a swipe at intelligence; it’s a warning that intellect without the Spirit devolves into a closed-loop system where truth is limited to what the senses can detect. Without the Spirit, the supernatural becomes invisible and the prophetic voice goes silent.

Conformity vs. Transformation: The Fork in the Road

The world doesn’t need your excited agreement to conform you—it just needs your passive attention. Stream enough content without discernment, and your thinking will shift. This is why Paul urges us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2, KJV) Conformity is passive and subtle; transformation is active and intentional.

True transformation requires presenting ourselves to God—mind, will, and emotions. Paul prefaces his command with a call to consecration: “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1–2, KJV) That’s the posture that opens the door to renewed thinking, prophetic clarity, and supernatural alignment with God’s will.

The Path to Freedom: Continue in His Word

Everyone quotes, “The truth shall make you free,” but Jesus adds a crucial qualifier: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31–32, KJV) Freedom comes from abiding, not dabbling. It’s the fruit of faithful, daily immersion in the words of Jesus.

In a world that rewards speed and soundbites, “continuing” feels countercultural—and that’s exactly the point. The Holy Spirit forms our identity in Christ as we meditate on Scripture, obey what we read, and let the Word replace the world’s narratives. This is a spiritual, prophetic process; the Spirit uses the Word to re-script your inner dialogue until your heart says what God says about you.

Personal Reflections: What This Has Looked Like for Me

Years ago, I got rid of television altogether. That might sound extreme, but I realized the one-way stream was discipling me more than I wanted to admit. There’s a reason advertisers pay so much to be in front of your eyes—attention is formation. When I removed that constant noise, it became easier to hear the still, small voice of God. My prayer life deepened. My discernment sharpened. My appetite for the Word increased.

I’ve also found that getting outside—away from sirens, screens, and pings—opens me to God’s presence in a unique way. A quiet prayer walk through the trees can do more for your soul than another hour of scrolling. As the Psalmist says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, KJV) That stillness isn’t passive; it’s a deliberate, spiritual discipline.

If you’ve read my book, Open Your Eyes: My Supernatural Journey, you know I didn’t come to this conviction by accident. I encountered spiritual warfare, angelic visitations, and the voice of the Holy Spirit in ways that wrecked my complacency and compelled me to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly. I’m not interested in a faith that looks polished but lacks the supernatural power and prophetic clarity that Jesus promised. I’m hungry for Him—and I want that for you, too.

Practical Steps: Guarding Your Heart and Renewing Your Mind

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Mindful Consumption: Be a Fierce Gatekeeper

Don’t treat your mind like a garbage disposal for digital debris. Before you click, watch, or listen, ask:

• Does this glorify Jesus and align with Scripture?

• Does this build my faith or subtly undermine it?

• Does this cultivate peace, purity, and clarity—or confusion and compromise?

If the answer convicts you, curate ruthlessly. Unfollow, mute, unsubscribe. Your spiritual health—and your identity in Christ—are worth it. Remember, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, KJV)

Truth Calibration: Anchor Daily in the Word

Jesus connects discipleship, truth, and freedom to abiding in His Word (John 8:31–32, KJV). Build a simple rhythm:

• Start your day with 15–30 minutes in the Bible.

• Memorize a verse each week that speaks to your identity in Christ.

• Pray the Word back to God; let Scripture reshape your inner narrative.

Make this your first priority, as Jesus teaches: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33, KJV)

Spiritual Discernment: Train Your Senses

Transformation requires renewing your mind (Romans 12:2, KJV) and exercising discernment. The writer of Hebrews says mature believers have their senses exercised to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14, KJV). Practice it:

• Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity when something “feels off.”

• Press pause. Pray before you adopt an idea or share a hot take.

• Discuss questionable content with spiritually mature believers.

Don’t be a passive consumer; be a spiritual investigator. The prophetic edge grows sharper with practice.

Intentional Community: Walk with the Wise

You weren’t designed to fight alone. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20, KJV) Find people who speak life, challenge complacency, and love the truth.

• Join a small group that loves Scripture and prayer.

• Seek a mentor who bears fruit in the Spirit.

• Limit time with voices that normalize cynicism and compromise.

Daily Detox: Unplug to Hear God

Schedule media fasts. Turn off screens. Go outside. Journal what the Lord says. Make space to be still before God (Psalm 46:10, KJV). Digital silence is not deprivation; it’s liberation. Your attention is one of the most spiritual things you own—give it to Jesus first.

Cultivating a Prophetic Posture in a Technological World

The word “prophetic” can intimidate people, but in daily practice it means aligning your heart with God’s heart and speaking His truth in love. In a culture discipled by algorithms, a prophetic posture looks like radical fidelity to Scripture, active listening to the Holy Spirit, and courageous obedience when truth is unpopular. This posture is deeply spiritual and unashamedly supernatural, because Jesus promised a Spirit-empowered life to all who believe (Mark 16:17–18, KJV).

When we live this way, our identity is no longer at the mercy of public opinion. We become anchored people—steady, discerning, and full of hope. Our words carry weight because our lives carry the fragrance of Christ. That’s what the world needs to see: not people who are simply against the culture, but people who are for Jesus—so completely that His prophetic truth and supernatural love overflow from us.

Key Biblical References (KJV)

• Proverbs 4:23 — Guard your heart diligently.
• Proverbs 23:7 — As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
• Romans 12:1–2 — Don’t conform; be transformed by mind renewal.
• John 8:31–32 — Continue in Jesus’ word; truth makes you free.
• 1 Corinthians 2:4–5 — Faith stands in God’s power, not man’s wisdom.
• 1 Corinthians 2:14 — The natural man cannot receive spiritual things.
• Mark 16:17–18 — Signs follow believers.
• Jude 1:19 — Sensual, having not the Spirit.
• Hebrews 5:14 — Senses exercised to discern good and evil.
• Matthew 6:33 — Seek first the kingdom.
• Psalm 46:10 — Be still and know that I am God.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Friend, the battle for your mind is real, and it’s relentless—but the victory is already secured in Jesus. You are not a passive recipient of the world’s programming. You are a child of the living God, fearfully and wonderfully made, called to live a spiritual, prophetic, supernatural life that reflects the power and love of Christ. Stand firm. Guard your heart. Continue in His Word. And let the Holy Spirit renew your mind day by day.

If this message resonated with you, here’s how you can take the next step today:

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  And if you haven’t yet, dive into my book, Open Your Eyes: My Supernatural Journey—it’s a testimony of spiritual warfare, hearing God’s voice, and stepping into the life you were created for. You can find it on Amazon or learn more at ConradRocks.Net.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Until we meet again—dig deeper, go higher, and let Jesus define who you are.