SPIRITUAL WARFARE: Understanding Satan’s True Identity and How To Defeat Him | Live Free with Josh Howerton

What if spiritual warfare isn’t only personal—but can also influence entire cultures and nations? In this candid and provocative conversation, Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul explore how sin and spiritual deception can work their way into societal structures, cultural values, and public policy. They examine religious liberty, immigration, competing belief systems, and the responsibility of Christians to recognize values that conflict with Scripture. This episode is not about viewing people as the enemy. It is about remembering that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” and learning to identify the spiritual forces and ideas shaping the world around us. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why spiritual warfare can be both personal and societal How sin can become embedded within cultures and institutions What Deuteronomy 32 may reveal about nations and spiritual powers Why shared religious values matter within a society How Christians can oppose unbiblical ideas without treating people as enemies Why believers must recognize the enemy’s schemes and stand firmly on God’s Word Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Spiritual warfare is real—but what does the Bible actually teach about fighting it? In this episode, Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul break down the armor of God piece by piece and show how truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel, Scripture, and prayer help believers stand firm against the enemy’s schemes. They also explore where Satan came from, whether he can read your thoughts, and how Christians should evaluate dramatic spiritual manifestations and deliverance ministries. This conversation offers a biblical framework that avoids both fear-driven superstition and dismissive cynicism, pointing listeners back to Jesus, Scripture, repentance, and lasting fruit. In this episode, you’ll learn: What each piece of the armor of God means and how to put it on Why prayer is the often-forgotten culmination of Ephesians 6 What Scripture suggests about Satan’s origin, authority, and limitations Whether the enemy can read your mind How to test spiritual experiences and claims of deliverance biblically Why lasting repentance and the fruit of the Spirit matter more than emotional intensity Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. Learn More: Should Christians Speak in TONGUES!? | Live Free with Josh Howerton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6IvoCKzb3o&t=61s 🍿Join us in person for At the Movies, our annual four-week series using scenes from popular films to bring biblical truths to life! Learn more and find a campus at https://lakepointe.church/at-the-movies/ ✝️ Find out what DID make it into the sermon: Join us in-person for At The Movies!  💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Can a Christian lose their salvation? What does the Bible actually teach about eternal security, perseverance, and genuine saving faith? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Josh Howerton, Paul Cunningham, and Carlos Erazo tackle one of Christianity's most debated questions by walking through Scripture—not opinions. Together they examine John 10, Romans 8, Hebrews 6, Hebrews 10, James 5, and other key passages to explain the difference between genuine faith and superficial belief, why difficult warning passages matter, and how believers can have true assurance in Christ. If you've ever struggled with doubts, wondered whether you've done enough, or questioned if someone who walked away from the faith was ever truly saved, this conversation offers biblical clarity and gospel hope. In this episode you'll discover: What saving faith really is Whether a Christian can lose their salvation How to understand Hebrews 6 and Hebrews 10 The difference between conviction and condemnation Why your confidence belongs in Christ—not yourself Whether you're new to faith or have followed Jesus for years, this episode will encourage you to rest in God's promises while continuing to pursue Him faithfully. Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🍿Join us in person for At the Movies, our annual four-week series using scenes from popular films to bring biblical truths to life! Learn more and find a campus at https://lakepointe.church/at-the-movies/ ✝️ Find out what DID make it into the sermon: Join us in-person for At The Movies!  💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Can Christians defend biblical truth without fear—and with compassion? In this powerful episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Carlos Erazo, Paul Cunningham, and special guest Katy Faust tackle some of today's most difficult conversations surrounding marriage, same-sex parenting, IVF, surrogacy, and children's rights. Rather than beginning with politics or personal preferences, they start with God's design for the family and ask a foundational question: What is truly best for children? Discover why Scripture calls believers to speak the truth in love, how a child-centered biblical worldview reshapes today's ethical debates, and how the Church can respond with both conviction and compassion in an increasingly complex culture. Whether you're wrestling with these issues personally or simply want to better understand the biblical perspective, this conversation will equip you to engage with wisdom, grace, and confidence. In this episode you'll learn: Why fear should never keep Christians from speaking the truth God's design for marriage and why it matters A biblical perspective on children's rights How to think about IVF, surrogacy, and reproductive technology How to stand for truth while reflecting the love of Christ Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🍿Join us in person for At the Movies, our annual four-week series using scenes from popular films to bring biblical truths to life! Learn more and find a campus at https://lakepointe.church/at-the-movies/ ✝️ Find out what DID make it into the sermon: Join us in-person for At The Movies!  💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Was everything you learned about the Crusades wrong? Why has the history of Christianity and Islam been so misunderstood? And what can history teach us about today's cultural and geopolitical challenges? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastor Josh Howerton sits down with historian and bestselling author Raymond Ibrahim for a thought-provoking conversation about the history of Christianity and Islam, the Crusades, the rise of Islamic empires, religious persecution, and the way history shapes our understanding of today's world. Together, they examine common misconceptions about the Crusades, discuss how historical narratives influence modern culture, explore the persecution of Christians throughout history, and consider how Christians should think biblically about history, religious freedom, immigration, and engaging their neighbors with both truth and love. Whether you've wrestled with questions about the Crusades, Islamic history, Western civilization, or the role of Christians in today's culture, this conversation challenges listeners to pursue truth with wisdom, humility, and a biblical worldview. In this episode you'll discover: What really sparked the Crusades—and why history is often misunderstood. How historical narratives shape modern culture and politics. The history of Christian persecution in the Middle East. How Christians can think biblically about Islam while loving their Muslim neighbors. Why understanding history matters for faithfully following Christ today. Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Are you running the Christian race well—and will the next generation be ready to carry the baton? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Carlos Erazo and Josh Howerton unpack what it means to build a faith that lasts. From using culture to communicate biblical truth and seeing Jesus proclaimed across the nations, to removing the weights slowing you down and intentionally passing your faith to your kids, this conversation gets practical about lifelong discipleship. In this episode you'll discover: • Why the Christian life is more than a marathon—it's a relay race • How to identify the weights slowing down your faith • Practical principles for passing faith to the next generation • Why authentic faith at home matters more than perfect faith • How the gospel continues to advance across the world Your faith doesn't have to be perfect—but it does have to be real. Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🍿Join us in person for At the Movies, our annual four-week series using scenes from popular films to bring biblical truths to life! Learn more and find a campus at https://lakepointe.church/at-the-movies/ ✝️ Find out what DID make it into the sermon: Join us in-person for At The Movies!  💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Can you really know God’s will for your life, or is it something you’re supposed to guess your way into? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastor Josh Howerton, Pastor Paul Cunningham, and Carlos Erazo dive deep into Exodus 3, the burning bush, the name of God, and the calling of Moses. From the meaning of Yahweh to the biblical framework for discovering your calling, this conversation unpacks how God reveals Himself, redirects our priorities, and calls ordinary people into eternal purpose. They also discuss the gospel hidden throughout the Exodus story, why Jesus shows up in the Old Testament, how to discern God’s will through ability, affinity, and opportunity, and why more high-profile intellectuals and scientists are beginning to seriously reconsider faith. In This Episode The secret meaning behind God’s name, Yahweh Why the burning bush points to Jesus How Moses’ calling reveals a framework for God’s will Why your age does not disqualify your purpose The connection between Exodus, baptism, salvation, and Jesus Why true encounters with God rearrange your priorities How to discern your calling through ability, affinity, and opportunity Why some scientists and intellectuals are turning toward faith The peace that only Christ can give Why Christians should consume entertainment with discernment Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

What if much of what you've been told about America's founding isn't the whole story? As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Pastor Josh Howerton sits down with historian Tim Barton to examine six of the most common myths surrounding the nation's history. From Christopher Columbus and the Founding Fathers to Christianity's influence on America's founding and the role of believers in public life, this conversation dives into original documents, historical evidence, and firsthand accounts that challenge popular narratives. Whether you're passionate about history, faith, or understanding the foundations of our culture, this episode will encourage you to think critically, seek truth, and engage the world through a biblical worldview. In This Episode: • Was Christopher Columbus really a genocidal colonizer? • Were the Founding Fathers mostly deists? • Was America founded as a secular nation? • Is America's story defined entirely by slavery? • Did settlers commit genocide against Native Americans? • Should Christians stay out of politics and public life? History matters. Truth matters. And as followers of Jesus, how we understand both can shape how we live today. Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Do all religions lead to God? Are Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and other faiths really teaching the same thing? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Carlos Erazo and Paul Cunningham are joined by renowned Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek to tackle one of the most important questions a person can ask: What is true? Together, they explore why so many religions exist, whether all faiths ultimately point to the same destination, and the major differences between Christianity and the world's largest religions. They also address one of the most common objections to Christianity: Does God's judgment in the Bible make Him a moral monster? From Judaism and Islam to Mormonism, Buddhism, and atheism, this conversation provides a practical framework for understanding what different worldviews teach about God, humanity, salvation, and Jesus. Most importantly, you'll discover why Christianity stands apart from every other religion—and why the identity of Jesus changes everything. In This Episode: Do all religions lead to the same God? Is God a moral monster in the Old Testament? Christianity vs. Judaism: What's the difference? What Islam teaches about Jesus Buddhism, Hinduism, and atheism in simple terms Why Christianity is unique among all religions How to have better conversations with people of other faiths If you've ever wondered how different religions compare—or how to confidently explain your faith—this episode is for you. Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

What happens when Christian conviction collides with cultural pressure?In this bonus episode of Live Free, Pastor Josh Howerton reacts to the MLB Pride Night controversy involving San Francisco Giants players who wrote a Bible verse on their hats instead of participating in Pride messaging. Josh explores what this moment reveals about faith, courage, religious freedom, and the challenge of standing firm without losing compassion.In This Episode: Why the Giants Pride Night controversy exploded nationally The meaning behind Genesis 9 and the rainbow in Scripture The difference between loving people and affirming beliefs What Romans 1 reveals about truth, culture, and conviction How Christians can stand for truth with both grace and courage You can love people deeply without approving of everything they do.You can stand firmly on biblical truth without losing compassion.And in a moment like this, Christians must do both.Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download