[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fISRV6rdC148dZG2cBogZTmacoocvTmwE0Ia23Xmx3o0":3,"$f6yvF26UupJPP8_YWKfEi_9Iruut4yr9pwLEAtpK9Bho":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},83070,"Richard D. Phillips","R",6,null,"richard-d-phillips",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":83},[14,21,28,34,40,46],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":18,"source":19,"quote_tag":20,"commentary":9},3371927,"Our society tells young adult men to deprive themselves of God’s provision for their physical, emotional, and sexual needs so they can remain as immature and self-absorbed as possible, for as long as possible. You know what the Bible says about this: it just is not good.",false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":22,"quote_text":23,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":24,"source":25,"quote_tag":26,"commentary":27},3371916,"So what is true religion? What does real spirituality look like? First, it is a desire for God himself, for his pleasure and his glory; second, it is concerned with the inner realities of sin and righteousness and only then with consequences and external blessings; third, true spirituality is that which draws from God’s Word, hearing and believing and doing according to what God has spoken in the Bible.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nRichard D. Phillips, a Scottish minister and theologian, penned these words in the early 21st century, drawing from his rich understanding of Christian doctrine and the importance of genuine spirituality. As a pastor, he was acutely aware of the distinction between outward piety and true devotion to God. His emphasis on the inner realities of sin and righteousness reflects his concern for the spiritual health of his congregation.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat lies beneath the surface of this quote is a subtle yet profound distinction between what Phillips calls \"true spirituality\" and what he terms \"consequences and external blessings.\" The former is concerned with the inner dynamics of the human heart, while the latter focuses on the outward manifestations of faith. This tension reveals that Phillips is not advocating for a superficial, results-driven approach to spirituality, but rather a deeply introspective and biblically grounded one.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, modern professionals and creatives can benefit from regularly assessing their motivations and desires, asking themselves whether they are driven by a genuine desire for God's pleasure and glory, or merely seeking external validation and success. By prioritizing the inner realities of their faith and aligning their actions with God's Word, they can cultivate a more authentic and sustainable spiritual practice.",{"id":29,"quote_text":30,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":31,"source":32,"quote_tag":33,"commentary":9},3371906,"Christian men who are not yet called into formal church office should never complain that they have nothing to do. We all have much to do in our own hearts and lives, and the requirement for well-qualified men to serve as leaders in the church is always urgent and vital.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":35,"quote_text":36,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":37,"source":38,"quote_tag":39,"commentary":9},3371895,"God’s curse on the man draws him unwholesomely away from the woman, even as God’s curse on the woman draws her unwholesomely toward the man. This is why most marital counseling sessions are some variation on this theme: Wife-“You don’t pay any attention to me.” Husband-“You are too demanding and nag too much.” God has cursed the marriage relationship with a poisonous desire for control by the woman and a self-absorbed focus outside the relationship by the man.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":41,"quote_text":42,"author_id":5,"source_id":8,"has_image":17,"author":43,"source":44,"quote_tag":45,"commentary":9},3371882,"In our witness, we are to shine not our own light but Christ’s light. Just as a lamp requires oil, we depend on our fellowship with Christ and the Holy Spirit’s enlivening ministry through God’s Word in order that Christ’s light may shine through us.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":47,"quote_text":48,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":17,"author":50,"source":51,"quote_tag":52,"commentary":9},605124,"Of all men, Christians should work especially hard, giving more than an honest day's work for a day's wage.",2,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[53,58,63,68,73,78],{"id":54,"tag":55},3179759,{"id":56,"tag_name":57},61,"work",{"id":59,"tag":60},3179756,{"id":61,"tag_name":62},4162,"masculine",{"id":64,"tag":65},3179754,{"id":66,"tag_name":67},8436,"manhood",{"id":69,"tag":70},3179758,{"id":71,"tag_name":72},22916,"wages",{"id":74,"tag":75},3179753,{"id":76,"tag_name":77},30681,"honestly",{"id":79,"tag":80},3179755,{"id":81,"tag_name":82},65269,"manly",{"currentPage":84,"totalPages":84,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":85},1,10]