I follow a pastor in Jacksonville FL who has built a non-denominational church with more than 30,000 members. Pastor Joby Martin of The Eleven-22 Church does not speak eloquently; he speaks plainly and directly. He delivers the Word of God truthfully and with passion.

Joby Martin is not one of those pastors who resembles Mr. Rogers. Joby sports religious tattoos on his arms, a large white beard and a shaved head. Joby is a man’s-man. He smokes cigars and he rides a Harley. He is the kind of guy you can trust because he is a straight shooter, he loves dogs and he hates Cybertrucks.

Pastor Joby is also an avid hunter. That’s the part of him I struggle with.

Don’t get me wrong—I love that Joby is a “gun guy.” I am too. I own several firearms, and I’m very proficient with them because I regularly practice at the range. I am a responsible gun owner; I know I am accountable for every bullet that leaves the barrel of my gun. My firearms are not for hunting. They are for protecting my loved ones and myself. I purposely live in a Second Amendment–friendly state that not only allows but encourages concealed carry—a state that understands the police usually arrive after a crime has already been committed. Unlike the President of the United States or the governors of each state, most of us don’t have Secret Service or state police protection.

This post is not about starting a crusade against the 14+ million men, women, and young adults who hunt in the United States. I respect their right to hunt just as I honor the Second Amendment. This is about my own hypocrisy.

My Confession

During one of Pastor Joby’s Sunday sermons, he alluded to one of his hunting trips, and I caught myself judging him. Actually, I can’t even take credit for catching myself—it was the Holy Spirit who questioned my judgment of Pastor Joby. The Holy Spirit gave me a hard nudge, convicting me of the darkness in my own heart. He asked me how I could harbor resentment toward Pastor Joby when, just days before, I had entertained thoughts of murder in my heart.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of two things:

• God loves these despicable (my words not the Holy Spirit’s) human beings as much as He loves me.
• My thoughts were just as unholy to God as their actions.

And then He doubles down reminding me of the scripture:

“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” – 1 John 3:15

When you’re in a real, intimate relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, it’s perfectly normal to feel a gentle (or sometimes not-so-gentle) correction from Him. Believers usually call this conviction.

Conviction is very different from condemnation.

• Condemnation says, “You’re guilty, and there’s no hope—you’re cut off.”
• Conviction says, “You’re Mine, I love you, and this behavior doesn’t fit who you are in My family.”

Conviction is actually a gift! It’s the Holy Spirit lovingly tapping you on the shoulder, pointing out sin—not to shame you, but to draw you closer into intimate fellowship with Him. He gently highlights what’s wrong and invites you to turn away from it (that’s repentance).

Many people misunderstand repentance, assuming it means beating yourself up, groveling, or trying to punish yourself to prove to God how sorry you are. That’s not it at all! True repentance is simply agreeing with God that He is right, turning away from the sin, and turning back to Him—knowing He’s already waiting with open arms.

The Biblical Definition of Repentance

Repentance is a significant concept in the Bible, often described as a change of mind or heart regarding sin and one’s relationship with God. It involves recognizing wrongdoing, feeling genuine sorrow for it, and committing to change one’s behavior.

Key Aspects:

• Change of Mind: The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, literally means a change of mind. This change is not just intellectual but involves a deep emotional and spiritual transformation.
• Turning Away from Sin: Repentance signifies turning away from sinful actions and attitudes. It is a conscious decision to abandon a life characterized by rebellion against God.
• Turning Towards God: True repentance also means turning towards God, seeking a relationship with Him, and embracing His ways.
  
  Biblical repentance is more than feeling sorry for sins; it involves a heartfelt conviction, a commitment to change, and a renewed relationship with God. It is a vital step in the process of salvation and spiritual growth.
  – The Gospel Coalition

When I made missteps in my past “religious” life, I would turn my eyes downward and put on a sorrowful face to show God my remorse. Sometimes I would deny myself a pleasantry. My religion required that I go before a pastor to confess my sins in order to receive absolution.

Today, I turn my face toward God, I smile, and I pray. I turn toward Him to allow His light to fill the darkness in my heart. I smile because I am thankful for His conviction—the act of His love that keeps me focused on His world and not this physical world. And I pray! I pray for those godless politicians, those feckless bureaucrats and judges, the heartless people who take the lives of unborn children, and the perverted people who convince children to transition to the opposite sex or who pretend that men competing in women’s sports is normal.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 
– Colossians 4:2

I’ve come to learn that you cannot fix stupid, but God can. Prayer is the most powerful tool we have! Imagine how much better this physical world would be if everyone turned toward God and welcomed His light to fill them!

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