Spirituality

Hinduism/ Buddhism

Paganism

Christianity

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm (Psalms 121:6-7)

An interesting verse, does this mean that long exposure to the moon can potentially be risky? Once there was a study at people who slept open under the full moon uncover and there was an increase in epilepsy.

About Jesus is written:
And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them (Matthew 4:24)

the Word 'lunatick', selēniazomai in ancient Greek, really means moonsickness/ epileptic.

You who ride on white donkeys, You who sit on rich carpets, And you who travel on the road—shout in praise! (Judges 5:10)

Interesting is in the above text, 3 things are mentioned, donkeys, carpets and travelers. Because carpets is mentioned in the middle of these 3 things, one could logically assume this is also a 'means of transport'. And in these days flying carpets were certainly mystical stories going on, also in the times of king Solomon. Also the carpets are 'rich carpets', certainly cheap carpet fabrics would not be used to be enchanted into flying carpets.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:1-2)

The word 'Wise men' from the Greek ground text in the New Testament is 'Magos', which was a common title given by the Babylonians (Chaldeans), Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, sorcerers etc.

In general the word 'mage' is not liked in Christian denominations because it reminds people of sorcery, wizards, spirit mediums and so on. A pastor could even be reprimanded for using that word in some churches. How strange.

And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell (James 3:6-8)

The Wheel in oriental religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism often refers to reincarnation and isn't a positive thing since it is driven by the underworld or hell. That the wheel of nature is mentioned in the New Testament is certainly interesting. If a person gives in to their nature, they are bound for reincarnation (rebirth on earth) according to these traditions.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:1-5)

The remarkable thing is that part of the question of the disciples to Jesus is, did this man sin that he was born blind?

Then Jesus does not answer, no he could not sin before his birth that he was born blind. No, Jesus said, this man did not sin and also his parents did not. So in other words, Jesus does not deny pre-birth life.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

It's a nice text to rely with everything within you, with every 'body' that you have on God. But does Jesus mention 4 bodies here? Traditionally we know 3 of them: mind, body and soul, or mind, body and spirit. If check this, Jesus means the following,

So I would say that Jesus mentions, the emotions, the spirit, the soul and the body, which makes 4 bodies

The Divine Feminine in the Bible is something that is hard to think of in a religion in which many people empatize the masculine. Yet there are texts,

Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 8:30-35)

We see the Wisdom of God here, the Wise Woman of wisdom being present when God (Yahweh) created the world, operating on Her own, sating things like listen to me, who finds me, finds life, claims which typically only God can make.

He founded the world by wisdom (Jeremiah 10:12)

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, (Jeremiah 51:15)

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. (Job 12:8)

But wisdom is proved right by her actions. (Matthew 11:19)

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and [some] of them they shall slay and persecute. That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation. (Luke 11:49-50)

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free woman. (Galatians 4:29-31)

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. (Revelation 12:1)

But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth (Revelation 12:16)

There are plenty of texts that refer to the Wisdom of God, the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for Spirit, Ruach, is in nearly all cases feminine. Therefore it is hard to only see all these texts symbolical and take other Bible texts literally.

This connects to a lot of nature religions, who have a Goddess, a Divine Feminine and who refer nature and the earth as sacred.

If you compare God the Father with the Holy Spirit, which are Two persons, though One God, it's a comparison between The masculine side of God and the Feminine, between the God who executes something and the Goddess who is the 'soft side' of God looking at the circumstances. The Holy Spirit of God in the Old Testament (Ruach Ha Kadosh) is also a feminine word.

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. (Leviticus 19:19)

Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together (Deuteronomy 22:11)

You may have heared the texts of the Old Testament that God finds some things an abomination. People that toss these texts at others have to take all the texts seriously. Wearing 2 kinds of materials is similarly abominable, it is even mentioned in 2 books of the Old Testament. Most people wear something with polyster so it's a law nearly everyone breaks

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him (John 13:26-28)

This paragraph feels somewhat like a setup. Though we can not understand what really happened here, we can analyse it. Jesus knew of Judas betrayal, after all he said that what he was about to do, he should do quickly. But this is after satan entered in him, which makes it strange like Judas is ordered.

The Son of Man goeth as it is written of Him, but woe unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24)

“It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (Mark 14:20-21)

The original Greek text reads: "good (kalos) were it for him if he had never been born." This more implicates that Judas may have had some choice to incarnate (or reincarnate) in a form on earth, and now has not taken a good birth. Else Judas did not have any choice at all, because if Judas would not betray Jesus, he would not have been cruficied. And nothing is unfair with God.

“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:4-5)

Another thing would be that if you compare Judas to Peter, Peter denied Christ 3 times and felt bad. Judas also felt bad for what they did. Both acknowledged that they have sinned. Yet Judas would not be saved after redemption?

According to John 13:29, a disciple by the name of Judas Iscariot was Jesus' treasurer. So eventhough Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him, He trusted Judas very much.

All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. (John 6:37-39)

If you read this passage analytically, it reads that everyone who God has given to Jesus and whoever comes to Jesus (appearantly also without God having given someone), Jesus would never reject. That is because Jesus did not come down to do his own will but the will of who sent Him, which is God's will. This also means that if Jesus would have come down to 'do his own will', he may have casted out people in certain situations.

We know that he would never cast out someone because He listen to God's Voice a 100%, but if he didn't listen to God's Voice of Love, maybe He would have?

One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” (Titus 1:12)

Many people take large parts of the Bible literally, as well as that all scripture is from God and is also valid these days.

However, if we would take this part literally it would mean that no one would visit Crete anymore...

Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” (Matthew 19:11-12)

The eunuchs of the Bible were normally castrated males or those unable of reproduction due to a birth deficiency. The intent of purposeful castration was to cause infertility and eliminate sexuality. It was a normal custom in ancient times for rulers to castrate some of their servants and/or advisers in order to restrain and subdue them. These are a bit like monks, who also have a life of celibacy often in a monastery, though monks usally can reproduce.

Jesus explains here that it is hard to accept, but there are some eunuchs who have become like living a celibacy life of being non-married (or becoming an eunuch by castration) for the Kingdom of God.

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" (Genesis 2:18)

Ofen this text is wrongly translated or interpreted like God is making an helper to assist man, the woman.

This is not correct word "for him" in Hebrew means "against", not for. The hebrew words ezer k'negdo = a help that is across from him, in opposition to him, equal to him

ezer = a help,
k'negdo = as (one that is) across from him, in opposition to him, equal to him, suited to him. So the word ezer means rescuer, not really helper in a submissive way. Who else would rescure the man when he got himself into trouble (again)?

"So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman,” for she was taken out of man.'" (Genesis 2:21-23)

The word rib means side, not rib. In all other Bible books except the book of Genesis, the hHbrew word means side. The Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:21-22 for "rib" is "tsela," which can indeed be translated as "side" as well. The idea is that woman was created from the side of man, emphasizing a sense of equality and partnership.

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Many people who do not know the Bible well look at the Old Testament and say God was angry, hard. Then they look at the New Testement and say, god is love.

For I am the LORD, I change not. (Malachi 3:6)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

But God does not change.

The Hebrew word gîyl (gheel) that God will joy over us, literally means to “spin around under violent emotion,” or basically means to dance. So Zephaniah 3:17 is more accurately translated as, “Yahweh, your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His Love, He will dance over you with singing.

This makes God way more lively than that some authors try to depict him. We have a dancing God, a singing God, and not only an image of an 'old man in heaven'

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (Romans 1:24-27)

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders. (1 Corinthians 6:9)

These texts seem hard and in general many Christians have used these texts to judge people with a homosexual lifestyle. Is this valid?

No, it's not because the translation and context are not correct. These texts can not be used.

Different translations: the words in the Corinthians text below are “malakoi" and "arsenokoitai”. "Arsenokoitai" is made up of two parts: "arsen" means "man"; "koitai" means "beds." Commenting on 1 Corinthians 6:9, the Greek terms mean male prostitutes and child abusers/ sodomites. Although interpretations of the translation vary, chances are very small they refer to “homosexuals" for two normal people that want to have a relationship.

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen." (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

Some Christians use the story of Sodom to judge homosexuals, but it's also not correct because the final reason the city was destroyed is not because the homosexuals, but because the people did not help the poor and people in need.

Moreover if you take these texts literally, then you should take all texts literally, like that all Cretans are liars and lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12), effectively ruining tourism on Crete.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

This is also a text that has been said and used many times to say that each person is a sinner and therefore cannot be united with God. It also has been used to discriminate many kinds of people in the past.

People often forget that writings in a chapter are a continuous whole. For example earlier in Romans 3 there is this paragraph,

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” (Romans 3:11-13)

Yes, there are many people in the world who cheat, lie, steal and hate. However, the above text would be a very cruel thing to say to the whole world, as there are people of all kinds of religions or of no religion who sincerely seek God, there are kind, friendly and inspirational people here. Yet because this chapter of Romans 3 is an ongoing whole, one cannot just conclude the 'all have sinned' statement applies to the whole of mankind and use it to denounce other people or faiths.

Second thing is, since most of his letters were written in response to news from other people, reading Paul can be like listening to "one side of a telephone conversation". We know, or think we know, what Paul is saying, but we have to guess what the other side has said."

Behold, I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5)

In the same way we should treat Psalm 51 which many believers used to say we were born in sin (because the first man Adam, disobeyed God), so even if small children if they would sin and die, their salvation would be doubtful. Cruel and hard to understand God's ways, that's why such topics are hard to talk about for believers. Hence they are often evaded. There are some more modern Christians who said that if a child of 12 years of younger dies, he will surely go to heaven. Nice, but still...

Luckily these interpretations are not true because if we take a closer look at the text it is about King David's mother doing sinful things. Psalms is a poetic book and not everything should be taken literally.

All Scripture is God inspired and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and training in righteousness, That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Literally the word inspired (theopneustos) in this passage means 'breathed', which is beautiful. It means that the Infinite Spirit of God breathed on the scripture writers inspiring them with knowledge beyond years and imagination.

However it cannot be used in an argument to say that the whole Bible is 'without fault'. It means that you see the Glory of God and the power of God through the texts, but it doesn't mean each text is literally true.

But unto the married I give charge, not I, but the Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:10)

I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. (2 Corinthians 11:16-17)

Paul wisely said at some points that 'He' said something out of his own opinion and not (necessarily) God

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5)

In the above texts you should either not be answering a fool to his folly and in the text text you should.

For instance through the ages there have been many different kinds of Bible translators who translate different passages differently and they were certainly not Divinely inspirated all the time that they translated.

Rather than taking everything for granted, or worse, literally, I prefer to live by amongst others the following text,

Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:14-16)

We see that in his paragraph, the prophecy that Jesus took all our sickness on Him, was fulfilled. Often it is said this happened on the cross, but it happened when Jesus cured many people.

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)

Jesus is on a (temporary) mission and when all of His work is done, then God reigns over everything. However, it does not include Jesus himself. According to this text, after Jesus' mission is complete, Jesus will then lower Himself under God so that we and Jesus are together in and under God.

The Greek word in 1 Corinthians 15:28 hypotassō means that Jesus really submits Himself in obeyance to God, and the nature of the word does not say this is also the other way around. This is also contrary to many Christians placing Jesus on the same level as the Father who created the world. Jesus is God and received His power from God and is very powerful, but Jesus is like every other created being, dependent on God.

But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11)

This text was written after Jesus rose from the dead and says that God is higher than Jesus.

On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! (Joshua 10:12-14)

Did you know that there is a writing in the Old Testament that when Joshua prayed to God for the Sun to stand still and the moon to stop, it happened?

It is written in the Book of Jashar, which is mentioned in 2 texts in the Old Testament. Unfortunately this book is not very well known of.

Melchizedek was a mystical figure, he was 'without beginning, without end', 'without father, without mother'. This sounds like not earthly, being eternal. He was a purely righteous figure, that is the same level as Jesus.

Jesus Christ was called by God to become a high priest and not glorify himself, but lowered Himself to become a high priest. For that he was raised to the same level of Melchizedek. He learned obedience and offered up prayers to God who could save him from death. Through this He became a source of eternal salvation. Technically speaking Melchizedek could be that source too since Jesus becomes part of His order. This text certainly does not seem to hint at exclusivity. Rather, it means there are more special superheroes in heaven that could be modeled after as an example to follow.

And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Though he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:4-10)

Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder. (Hebrews 7:3-4)

You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:17)

Cyrus was one person in the Old Testament who God has raised over all the kingdoms of the earth. Interesting to know is that he was not a Jew, but rather someone who worshipped Babylonian Gods such as Marduk the storm God. Still God trusted him more than anyone else because his actions were righteous, more righteous than many.

I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people - without seeking a reward! I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” (Isaiah 45:13)

“This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” (Ezra 1:1-4)

When we first study and compare the Old Testament with the New Testament, often we see that people think the Old Testament is more karmic, having an 'eye for an eye' mentality, God is love in the Old Testament, but when the ancinet Isrealites did something wrong, they got punished. God would punish anyone who did something wrong and they sometimes had to make animal sacrifices for their sins.

Jesus in the New Testament seems to have preached a wholly different message, one of love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Jesus said that if someone strikes you on one cheek turn the other cheek, he also said if people curse you, bless them, and he said do not do eye for an eye but do not resist an evil person.

Yet Jesus also said he did not come to abolish the Jewish Law but to fulfill it. This means that people are allowed to make mistakes and even if they say sorry a lot of times, God forgives, but if they continue to hurt other people purposefully, then they will trigger karmic reactions. It's not a weak Love that is only covering everything under a blanket and acts like it is not there.

God is eternal and infinite love, but God is also power and justice. And eventhough in God is no real darkness, God has a 'dark' side when it comes to vengeance. In the New Testament book of Galatians it is also said that you reap what you sow. In general, it's a difficult thing to explain. Why else did God punish the Egyptians severely with an angel killing the Egyptians' first born, or the Jews that made mistakes? God looks at the heart of how someone really is.

Below are some difficult texts about it to think about,

He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them (Psalm 18:11-14)

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. (Psalm 18:6-9)

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7)

Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. (John 12:37-41)

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household” (Matthew 10:34-36)

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8)

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14)

Snakes are usually seen by Christians as an evil symbol because a snake seduced eve by tricking her into eating the forbidden fruits in the tree. But did you also know that God let the people raise a snake on a pole and everyone who is bitten by it, was healed?

They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. (Numbers 21:4-9)

Similarly, Jesus also said us to be shrewed as snakes,

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16)

We know that everyone who sincerely calls upon God, He will accept because God doesn't refuse anyone or drive anyone away. Jesus said the same that he would never cast anyone out (John 6:37-40 and John 1:12)

However, hard is it to understand that some people have to have heard God calling them first, as in below texts or in Hebrews 5:45-10. If the people did not hear God's Voice calling them, they do not believe or accept it. Moreover, they could not even as they do not realize the nature of God in their hearts. God knew from before who this were and who not. Not everyone is chosen (perhaps) in this life to accept God, eventhough God always wants to save all people (1 Timothy 4:10).

I think some will find God in next lives. This is my personal opinion, but I think people start in heaven where they make their plans together with the God and/ or wisemen/ sages to go to earth and learn new things, to love God in difficult situations and work them out. Then they return to heaven, or if they lead negative lives their spirits vibrate to the underworld where they will dwell (until they reincarnate or are drawn up to heaven by the Light), or if they cling to the desires of earth too much, they will reincarnate. Thus it can take multiple lifetimes to reach the destination, to go back and be reunited with God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)

“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. (John 6:43-45)

For many are invited, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)

But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? (Romans 9:20-22)

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12)

You may have heard that God reacts to your faith, so if your belief is good, God can react to that.

But opposite to that is unbelief. In Mark 6, Jesus could not do any big miracles except laying hands on a few sick people because of the lack of faith there.

Similarly unbelief may even be a defense against some negative spirituality. I heard stories about people who did not have any issues with being hypnotised or having issues with negative spirits because they just did not belief in all the supernatural. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. (Mark 6:4-6)

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:19-21)

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

About what is good and what is evil is thought differently in our society. Some people say we have to battle against evil, others do not even think evil exists.

When we look at Biblical context, good and evil exist, but if we will live after this, it's definitively not wise and healthy for us. Think about the Tree of Life and the Tree of both good and evil in the book of Genesis. The tree of both good and evil is deadly. Rather, we should listen to God's Voice.

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

This is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. "Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:23-24)

In Hinduism, the deity Krishna says similar things. Submit your actions to God and be full of love to others, as well as good and evil exist only for someone who has no self control

Because such a person is completely enlightened, such a holy person can reveal the truth to others. He is friendly and full of love to all creatures. He knows the difference between good and evil and because all of his actions are done to Me, he only worships Me. (Krishna Srimad bhagavatam, Chapter 5)

Good and evil only exist in this world for any person who has no self control and who sees due to ignorance multiplicity. Such a person undergoes the effects of the good and bad karma, as well as from inactivity. Therefore control your senses and see with a purified heart the universe and the Self and the Self in Me, the highest Lord. When you have acquired knowledge and wisdom and when you can feel the unity with all beings; when you know the Self and take enjoyment in this, then you will be freed from all restrictions. Then you will overcome good as well as evil and good actions will naturally go out from you without any thought for reward and you will naturally restrain from evil actions without any knowing what evil actions are. Then you will be a friend of all who are firm; and firm in knowledge and wisdom, you will see Me as the Self of the universe and through this you will conquer all grief and will be liberated. (Srimad bhagavatam, Chapter 2)

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)

Jesus explains that in order to follow him, to not be 'of the world'. What he means is that we don't have to be secluded from the world and only stay in our own group, but we should not partake in very negative things of the world, like hate, hardness of heart, violence, drunkenness and so on. All he explains is that you have to stay walking in love, motivate & respect other people, live into the feelings of others, care for them, treat them as you are dealing with God in them.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18–19)

It's easy to forget due to the rudeness and negativeness of some people, but God actually is love. God is an infinite eternal force of Love, pure positive energy that flows through everything on earth and more into those that are open to it.

The only real commandment is to love anothers as yourself, since God is Love.

God is not a wishy washy love, but real sincere love that really cares for people. personally. It also respects others regardless of race, class, personality, education, job and so on, making people feel like they belong. It's also a love that does not allow evil and stands up for what is right, guarding personal borders.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

“And one of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question to test Him, ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.'” (Matthew 22:35–40)

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:8–11)

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:12-14)

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Genesis 1:1, the beginning of the Torah and the Bible read: "Bereshit bara Elohim", "Bereshit bara Elohim". The word Elohim refers to god, however, literally translated it means 'gods'. The singular version of the word is 'eloha, but that is not used.

Some people interpret this word to be a title of majesty, a powerful force within nature. The word doesn't necessarily mean 'god'. Elohim can refer to other things too like pagan gods, angels and judges.

Later on, other names were mentioned like,

Hinduism/ Buddhism

While Gautama Buddha said that the ‘self’ is nonexistent, Hinduists (Krishna) say the self is Divine. Buddha said that desire and evils came from the self. Krishna, the Hindu God said that the self was connected with Brahman, the Great Spirit and God of Gods and was therefore Divine.

Needless to say, there have been countless debates because of this subject. With self Buddha means the negative desires which enslave people. Krishna said the self was part of a human being that connects to God. Still both are called 'self'.

Ye that are slaves of the self and toil in its service from morn until night, ye that live in constant fear of birth, old age, sickness, and death, receive the good tidings that your cruel master exists not. "Self is an error, an illusion, a dream. Open your eyes and awaken. See things as they are and ye will be comforted. (Buddha, The Sermon At Rajagaha)

The self-controlled yogi, thus uniting the self with God, becomes free from material contamination, and being in constant touch with the Supreme, achieves the highest state of perfect happiness (Baghavad Gita 6:28)

Buddhism did not believe in any gods though Hinduism had millions of gods.

Miscommunication is easy. It is on the underlying essence of compassion that Buddha said we should meditate on. Krishna also said that compassion towards all living beings is amongst the Divine qualities to live for.

Develop the meditation of compassion. For when you are developing the meditation of compassion, cruelty will be abandoned (Buddha, Maha-Rahulovada Sutta)

Those devotees are very dear to Me who are free from malice toward all living beings, who are friendly, and compassionate. They are free from attachment to possessions and egotism, equipoised in happiness and distress, and ever-forgiving. They are ever-content, steadily united with Me in devotion, self-controlled, of firm resolve, and dedicated to Me in mind and intellect.. (Baghavad Gita 12:13-14)

Parvardegār or Parwardigār - this name is an appellation or title for God in the Persian language. Its literal meaning is sustainer, a name metaphorically and attributively used for Khuda or God. The word has Persian roots and comes from parva- meaning to foster, cherish, to nurture, to develop/care for. When applied in this sense, means "again and again." Thus Parvardigar means "to care again and again."

The Gayatri Mantra is an Universal Prayer and is a sacred mantra from the Rig Veda in Hinduism

Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Suvaha
Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt

General meaning: We meditate on that most adored Supreme Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illumines all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light illumine our intellect.

Word meaning from the ancient Sanskrit language:
Om: The primeval sound
Bhur: the physical body/physical realm
Bhuvah: the life force/the mental realm
Suvah: the soul/spiritual realm
Tat: That (God)
Savitur: the Sun, Creator (source of all life)
Vareñyam: adore (Varenyam signifies our acceptance of God, and can be translated as meaning “Who is worthy”.)
Bhargo: effulgence (divine light; Glorious Light that is God’s love and power. It indicates His complete purity - being absolutely pure Himself)
Devasya: supreme Lord
Dheemahi: meditate (Meaning to meditate and focus our mind on God)
Dhiyo: the intellect
Yo: May this light; Nah: our;
Prachodayāt: illumine/inspire.

Bhargo corresponds with what Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that God is the Source of all Light (in Sanskrit jyotiḥ) among all luminous objects (jyotiṣhām)

He is the source of light in all luminaries, and is entirely beyond the darkness of ignorance. He is knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the goal of knowledge. He dwells within the hearts of all living beings. (Bhagavad Gita 13:18)

Paganism

Some similarities I found when comparing the nature spirituality of Wicca with Christianity,

Whenever you have need of anything, once a month, and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me Who is Queen of all the Wise. For My law is love is unto all beings. Mine is the secret that opens the door of youth, and Mine is the cup of wine of life that is the cauldron of Cerridwen, that is the holy grail of immortality. (Wicca, Charge of the Goddess, Doreen Valiante)

But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6)

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:2-4)

One of God's names is "Revealer of Secrets" (Daniel 2:47). He must bring to light the hidden secrets of darkness, no matter how ‘saintly’ the one who tries to hide it.

He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. (Psalms 18:11)

And merry ye meet, and merry ye part. (Wiccan Rede)

When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. (Luke 10:5)

When you enter a house, call peace over that person’s house. Wiccans have a similar outlook on greeting others. Try to greet in a positive way and part in a positive way. The Jews often say ‘Shalom’ when they meet others. This is a deep word. It means peace in mind, body and soul.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much. Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, let love and light be our guides again. (Wiccan Rede)

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must, in perfect love, in perfect trust. An harm ye none, do as ye will. (Wiccan Rede)

The whole law has found its fulfillment in this one saying: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:13-14)

Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all things and My love is poured out upon the earth. (Wicca, Charge of the Goddess, Doreen Valiante)

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)

You are my children and I am thy Father. On swift night wings it is I who lay you at the Mother's feet to be reborn and to return again. Thou who thinks to seek me, know that I am the untamed wind, the fury of storm and passion in your Soul. Seek me with pride and humility, but seek me best with love and strength. (Wicca, Charge of the God, Doreen Valiante)