The Lions For Christ

Episode 42: What are You Taking: The Seventh and Eighth Commandments

In Episode 42 of The Lions for Christ, Pastor Noel takes a hard look at the Seventh and Eighth Commandments and exposes a deeper truth many people miss. Adultery and theft are not just separate sins sitting in different corners of the Bible. They grow from the same poisoned root: a heart that wants to take what God never gave it. One reaches into covenant and grabs what was never offered. The other reaches into labor, property, and trust and grabs what was never earned. Different sins. Same rebellion.
This episode goes beyond the surface-level warnings of “don’t cheat” and “don’t steal” and gets to the real issue underneath both. Pastor Noel unpacks adultery as covenant invasion, showing how lust, drifting hearts, pornography, divorce, and wandering eyes all reveal a deeper contempt for what God has made holy. He also breaks down theft in a way that hits modern life head-on, from stealing supplies and time at work to the excuses people use to justify crooked behavior. “They can afford it.” “They don’t pay me enough.” “They won’t miss it.” The episode exposes those lines for what they are: theft dressed up in self-pity.
But this message doesn’t stop at condemnation. It also tackles the tension between justice and mercy. What do you do when someone steals out of real desperation? What does Scripture say about hunger, need, repayment, and the heart of the one being wronged? Pastor Noel shows how biblical truth doesn’t soften sin, but it also doesn’t require cold-hearted responses. In the middle of it all, this episode points listeners to Jesus Christ, the One who doesn’t just restrain sinners but remakes them. He turns takers into trustworthy men. He teaches men to stop reaching, stop justifying, and start walking in holiness, honesty, repentance, and strength.
If you have ever struggled with lust, compromise, resentment, dishonesty, or the quiet excuses that make sin sound reasonable, this episode will hit home. Episode 42 is a direct call for men to become trustworthy again, to honor covenant, to honor honest labor, and to fear God more than their own appetites.
Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored. This is...The Lions for Christ.

Episode 41: Honor and Blood: The Demands of the Fifth and Sixth Commandments

In Episode 41 of The Lions for Christ, Pastor Noel takes a hard look at the fifth and sixth commandments and shows why they still cut straight through the confusion of modern culture. This episode digs into what it really means to honor your father and mother without twisting that command into lifelong parental control, emotional manipulation, or guilt-driven family bondage. Pastor Noel also confronts the cultural pressure that teaches children to distrust biblical parents, reject Christian truth, and treat God’s design for male and female as something flexible and self-defined. Then the episode turns to the sixth commandment with clarity and conviction, making the biblical distinction between murder and lawful self-defense, justice, and war, while also calling abortion what it is: the unjust taking of innocent human life. Most importantly, this episode shows how Jesus takes the issue deeper by exposing the hatred, contempt, and darkness that begin in the heart long before murder is ever carried out by the hand. This is a bold, Christ-centered message about truth, boundaries, life, leadership, family order, and the kind of men the church desperately needs right now: not wolves, not cowards, but sheepdogs under the authority of Jesus Christ. If you’re hungry for biblical conviction, spiritual strength, and clear teaching rooted in God’s Word, this episode is for you.

Episode 40: Holy Weight: The Name You Carry and the Rest You Keep

In Episode 40 of The Lions for Christ, Pastor Noel dives into the third and fourth commandments and exposes two problems that still poison modern believers: treating the name of God too lightly and treating work, rest, and worship with shallow thinking. This episode cuts past surface-level religion and gets to the heart of reverence. What does it really mean to take the Lord’s name in vain? Is it only about careless words, or does it also include claiming the name of Christ while living with compromise, hypocrisy, and hollow faith? Pastor Noel tackles the weight of God’s holiness and challenges listeners to examine whether their lives truly honor the name they claim.
This episode also takes a hard look at the fourth commandment by highlighting something many people ignore: God did not only command rest, He also commanded six days of labor. In a culture that often complains about work while misunderstanding biblical rest, Pastor Noel calls listeners back to God’s rhythm. Real Sabbath rest is not laziness, distraction, or checking out. It is holy rest. It is reflection on the work of the previous six days, gratitude for God’s provision, and worship rooted in trust. This message will challenge lazy thinking, expose spiritual carelessness, and call believers to live with greater discipline, reverence, and purpose under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Visit thelionsforchrist.com, follow The Lions for Christ on social media, and support the ministry through donations. We accept all forms of payment, including PayPal, and our Venmo is @thelionsforchrist. Pastor Noel does not get paid for what he does, and all donations go directly to The Lions for Christ ministry. We are deeply grateful for your generous support.
Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored. This is... The Lions for Christ.

Episode 39: No Rivals No Idols: The First and Second Commandments

In Episode 39 of The Lions for Christ, Pastor Noel takes a hard look at the First and Second Commandments and shows why they still hit the human heart with force today. This is not just a lesson about ancient history or carved statues. This is about what takes first place in a person’s life, what quietly competes with God for loyalty, and how easy it is for people to reshape God into a version that feels safer, softer, and easier to live with.
This episode walks through the difference between the First Commandment and the Second Commandment in a clear and practical way. The First Commandment confronts every rival for the throne of the heart. The Second Commandment confronts every counterfeit version of God people create through culture, preference, emotion, or selective theology. Pastor Noel unpacks how idolatry still shows up through money, comfort, control, approval, success, and self-rule, and why false worship is often much more subtle than people want to admit.
The episode also brings everything back to Jesus Christ. Where people drift, compromise, and cling to substitutes, Christ remained faithful. He obeyed perfectly, refused false worship, and reveals the Father as He truly is. This message is a call to honest repentance, deeper surrender, and a return to the living God who will not share His throne and will not be remade in our image.
If you have ever said God comes first but still felt the pull of fear, control, comfort, or divided loyalty, this episode will challenge you to look deeper. If you have ever been tempted to follow a version of God shaped more by modern culture than by Scripture, this episode will confront that too. Episode 39 is a direct call to tear down rival loves, stop editing God, and put Jesus Christ back in the center where He belongs.
Scripture referenced in this episode includes Exodus 20:3–6, Exodus 32, Matthew 4:8–10, Matthew 22:37, Colossians 1:15, and Jeremiah 2:13.
Stay connected with The Lions for Christ at www.thelionsforchrist.com. Follow on social media, share this episode, and support the ministry to help keep bold biblical truth going out.
Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored. This is... The Lions for Christ.

Episode 38: Christian Entertainment: Leading People to Jesus and Monetizing in the Name of the Lord

In Episode 38 of The Lions for Christ, we take an honest look at the difference between Christian entertainment that points people to Jesus and platforms that monetize in the name of the Lord.
This episode was shaped by two very different experiences: attending a Life Surge event, where the strong push toward investment classes raised questions about motive and marketing, and seeing The Thorn, a powerful presentation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that kept the focus on Christ.
We talk about why making money is not evil, but why motive matters. We examine the line between creativity that serves the message and Christian branding that can drift into salesmanship. This conversation is about discernment, integrity, and learning how to recognize whether something is truly leading people toward Jesus or simply using faith language to build a business.
If you want to grow in wisdom, think more clearly about modern Christian culture, and stay grounded in truth without becoming cynical, this episode is for you.
Visit TheLionsForChrist.com, follow The Lions for Christ on social media, share this episode, and support the ministry as we continue calling people back to bold faith and biblical truth.
Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored. This is... The Lions for Christ!

Episode 37: The Marijuana Myth: Why Daily THC Isn't the Answer for Depression and Anxiety

Episode 37 challenges the popular claim that daily marijuana use is a “healthy” answer for depression and anxiety. The culture sells THC as harmless, natural, and therapeutic, but this episode argues that the story breaks down when you zoom out and look at what’s happening to minds, habits, and lives over time.
We start by exposing why this narrative spreads so easily. When someone is anxious, depressed, stressed, or overwhelmed, quick relief feels like rescue. THC can bring short-term calm for some people, especially early on, but the episode explains the difference between temporary numbness and real healing. It also highlights a key reality most people ignore: cannabis products today can be far more potent than what earlier generations think of as “just weed,” and potency matters because stronger THC can carry stronger mental and emotional effects. (NIDA)
From there, the episode walks through research in plain language. Without drowning listeners in medical jargon, we explain what large studies and major scientific reviews keep showing: frequent use and cannabis use disorder are associated with increased risk of serious mental health outcomes, including psychotic disorders and mood disorders. (JAMA Network) We also address paranoia and worsening mental health patterns among people who start using cannabis specifically to self-medicate for anxiety or depression, where heavier THC intake and worse symptom scores show up together. (PubMed)
A major emphasis is placed on adolescents and young adults, because this is the group most aggressively targeted by normalization. The episode explains that teen mental health struggles are already widespread, and in that environment, cannabis use is associated with more severe depression and higher odds of suicidal behaviors in adolescent data. (PMC) The goal is not fearmongering, but clarity: developing brains plus frequent THC exposure is a risky mix.
Then we move into the “fruit you can see,” because evidence means nothing if people can’t connect it to real life. The episode explains how frequent cannabis use is linked to worse academic outcomes like lower grades, increased absenteeism, and dropout, especially when use starts earlier or becomes more frequent. (JAMA Network) It also connects cannabis use patterns and cannabis use disorder severity with workplace absenteeism, because habits don’t stay private. They spill into reliability, discipline, finances, and relationships. (PubMed)
Finally, the episode turns the corner to the heart of the message: self-medication is often a substitute refuge. Instead of learning to face pain with truth, support, and spiritual strength, people learn to escape. The episode calls listeners away from shame and toward honesty, repentance, and restoration. It presents Jesus Christ as the true healer and refuge, and it frames obedience to God’s commands as more than “religion.” It’s a way of life that can remove fuel from anxiety and depression by confronting guilt, secrecy, bitterness, chaos, and isolation, while still encouraging wise professional care when needed.
Sources Cited in This Episode
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Cannabis Potency Data (DEA seizures, THC/CBD % over time, 1995–2022). (NIDA)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research (2017), Chapter on Mental Health conclusions (psychosis, depression, anxiety, suicidality evidence summaries). (National Academies)
Jefsen, O. H., et al. (2023), JAMA Psychiatry – “Cannabis Use Disorder and Subsequent Risk of Psychotic and Nonpsychotic Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder” (population cohort; associations between CUD and later diagnoses). (JAMA Network)
Hinckley, J. D., et al. (2023), PubMed Central – “Cannabis Use Is Associated With Depression Severity and Suicidality in the National Comorbidity Survey–Adolescent Supplement” (adolescent associations with depression severity and suicidal behaviors). (PMC)
Chan, O., et al. (2024), JAMA Pediatrics – “Cannabis Use During Adolescence and Young Adulthood and Academic Achievement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” (grades, absenteeism, dropout, completion, enrollment, degree outcomes). (JAMA Network)
Yang, K. H., et al. (2024), American Journal of Preventive Medicine – “Cannabis Use, Use Disorder, and Workplace Absenteeism in the U.S., 2021–2022” (recency/frequency/CUD severity and absenteeism patterns). (PubMed)
Spinazzola, E., et al. (2025), BMJ Mental Health – “Are reasons for first using cannabis associated with subsequent cannabis consumption (standard THC units) and psychopathology?” (self-medication reasons linked to higher THC consumption and higher anxiety/depression/paranoia measures). (PubMed)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, United States, 2023 (mental health and suicide risk indicators among high school students). (CDC)

Episode 36: Saved by Grace, Sealed in Obedience: Why Baptism Can't Wait

In Episode 36 of The Lions for Christ Podcast, we go straight to the heart of the gospel and the mission every believer is called to live out: bringing people to Jesus Christ. This is a motivating, celebratory episode designed to strengthen your confidence in sharing your faith, clarify what the Bible teaches about salvation, and challenge every listener to respond with bold obedience instead of delay.
We begin by laying out the biblical foundation for evangelism. You’ll learn what it means to be a witness and a disciple-maker, not a debater or a salesman. The gospel is not a self-help message and it’s not an invitation to join a religious club. It is the announcement that Jesus Christ is Lord, that He died for sinners, rose from the dead, and offers forgiveness and new life to anyone who will repent and believe. You’ll be reminded that you don’t change hearts, the Holy Spirit does, but God still uses faithful men and women to speak truth, pray with courage, and live in a way that makes the message believable.
Then we bring clarity to one of the most misunderstood truths in modern Christianity: we are saved by grace through faith. Salvation is not earned by church attendance, good behavior, or religious performance. It is a gift purchased by the cross and proven by the resurrection. But real faith is not passive, private, or hidden. Real faith responds to Jesus as Lord. It turns from sin, confesses Christ, and moves forward in obedience. This episode draws a hard line between a comfortable claim of belief and a living faith that actually follows Jesus.
From there, we address the urgency and importance of baptism, not “someday,” not “when I feel ready,” but now. Baptism is not a side issue and it’s not a spiritual accessory. It is a commanded act of obedience and a public confession that you belong to Christ. It marks the beginning of a life of discipleship and declares that your old life is dead and you are raised to walk in newness of life. This episode challenges the mindset that treats baptism as optional or postponable, and it calls listeners to stop negotiating with obedience.
We also confront the common excuses that keep people from being baptized: fear, embarrassment, procrastination, pride, confusion, and the belief that they must “get their life together first.” Scripture doesn’t call you to delay until you feel worthy, it calls you to obey because Jesus is worthy. If God is convicting you, that is mercy. If He is calling you, that is grace. This episode invites you to respond while your heart is soft and your conviction is fresh.
Finally, we turn outward with purpose. Listeners are invited to share their testimony, the moment they knew God was working in their life, and what moved them from hesitation to obedience. Your story may be the very thing God uses to awaken courage in someone else. We also encourage you to connect with the ministry for resources, support, and discipleship at thelionsforchrist.com, follow along on social media for continued encouragement, and prayerfully support the mission through donations as we continue building gospel-driven resources that strengthen men, restore families, and advance the Kingdom.
This episode is a call to bold faith, public obedience, and real discipleship.
Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored. This is The Lions for Christ.

Episode 35: To Judge or Not to Judge: Confronting Sin Without Hypocrisy

To Judge or Not to Judge: Confronting Sin Without Hypocrisy (Episode 35) is a bold, Scripture-grounded episode that tackles one of the most misused phrases in modern Christianity: “Don’t judge me.” In a culture that demands tolerance but rejects accountability, this message restores biblical clarity by showing that Jesus never forbade discernment or correction. He condemned hypocrisy, pride, and self-righteous condemnation. This episode draws a clear line between sinful judgment that exalts the self and righteous discernment that obeys God, protects the Church, and rescues the drifting believer.
At the heart of the episode is a sobering truth: Christians are called to confront sin, but we must be prepared for our own lives to be examined when we do. The listener is challenged to understand that confrontation is not a performance or a power move, it is a rescue mission. Before a believer approaches a brother or sister who is drifting into sin, the first step is not confrontation, it is self-examination. This episode emphasizes the order Jesus taught: remove the plank first, then help with the speck. When believers confront sin while protecting secret compromise, they hand the sinner a weapon to deflect the truth and attack credibility. But when a believer confronts from a life that is repentant, accountable, and walking in the light, their words carry weight, their tone carries love, and their correction can actually restore.
Using the teachings and parables of Jesus, the episode exposes the danger of Pharisaical religion, where standards exist but humility does not. The Pharisee and the tax collector reveals how a man can appear righteous and still be spiritually blind, while the “speck and plank” teaching provides the biblical framework for correction that heals rather than humiliates. The Shepherd seeking the lost sheep becomes the model for how believers should pursue the wandering: not to shame them, but to bring them back. The prodigal son becomes a picture of how mercy and repentance work together, proving that God’s love does not excuse sin but restores the repentant.
The episode then anchors the call to confrontation in the practical wisdom of the apostles. Paul’s pattern of restoration, gentleness, and self-watchfulness is emphasized, alongside his refusal to tolerate open rebellion that poisons the church. The listener is taught to distinguish between a stumble and defiance, weakness and rebellion, repentance and entitlement, because biblical love does not pretend every situation is the same. John’s teachings reinforce that walking in the light is not optional for anyone who claims Christ, and that ongoing confession and obedience protect a believer from self-deception. Peter’s warnings about holiness, sobriety, and accountability remind the listener that sin is never “private” and that God takes the purity of His people seriously. James sharpens the edge by showing that true faith doesn’t just talk about truth, it submits to it, and that restoring someone who has wandered is not “judgmental,” it’s love with backbone. Hebrews adds urgency by warning that sin hardens through deceit and that believers are commanded to exhort one another before the drift becomes a hardened lifestyle.
This episode also equips listeners for the real-world pushback that comes with confrontation. It addresses what to do when a sinner responds with deflection and accusation, trying to turn the tables by saying, “What about your sin?” Instead of responding with anger or retreat, believers are taught to stand calmly in truth, openly acknowledging they live under the same Word and have repented where necessary, while still refusing to compromise on the call to repentance. The episode frames this as a matter of credible testimony: not sinless perfection, but clean repentance, humble integrity, and spiritual authority under control.
To Judge or Not to Judge: Confronting Sin Without Hypocrisy calls men to become the kind of leaders the Church desperately needs right now: men who tell the truth without arrogance, repent without excuses, confront without cruelty, and restore without compromise. It challenges the listener to stop using silence as a disguise for fear, stop using truth as a weapon for pride, and start living in the light so they can rescue others with credibility. The episode closes with a strong call to action, pushing listeners to make one real move that day: examine their own life, repent quickly, seek accountability, and have the necessary conversation with courage and love.
For ongoing encouragement, biblical resources, and a brotherhood committed to strength and holiness, listeners are directed to thelionsforchrist.com and to follow The Lions for Christ on social media, reinforcing the mission: Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored.

Episode 34: The Art of Discernment: How to Tell the Difference Between Truth, Error, and Counterfeit Light

The Art of Discernment: How to Tell the Difference Between Truth, Error, and Counterfeit Light
In Episode 34 of The Lions for Christ, Pastor Noel delivers a direct, biblical, and practical charge to Christian men: discernment is not optional, and it is not reserved for “advanced believers.” It is a survival skill for any man who intends to lead his home, guard his faith, and finish strong. In an age overflowing with voices, opinions, spiritual-sounding content, and cultural pressure, this episode trains men to recognize what is true, reject what is counterfeit, and stop allowing the world to disciple them by default.
This episode begins by defining discernment clearly and correcting common counterfeits. Discernment is not cynicism, paranoia, or a suspicious personality. It is not intellectual pride and it is not harshness masquerading as wisdom. Biblical discernment is spiritual perception anchored in Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and proven through obedience. Pastor Noel explains that the enemy rarely attacks with obvious darkness. He most often uses subtle error, emotional manipulation, and half-truths that appear compassionate or “enlightened” while slowly weakening holiness, conviction, and spiritual clarity.
From there, Episode 34 confronts why discernment is so rare in modern Christianity. Pastor Noel exposes the cultural machinery that dulls discernment: constant noise, instant reactions, algorithm-driven theology, and a comfort-centered faith that avoids hard truth. He warns that many men are not being discipled by Scripture, but by entertainment, headlines, social media outrage, and popular ideologies that borrow Christian language while quietly redefining it. The episode calls men back to their biblical responsibility as spiritual gatekeepers, reminding listeners that leadership requires clarity, and clarity requires a love for truth greater than a love for approval.
In the heart of the episode, Pastor Noel lays out a biblical way to test what you hear without falling into fear or spiritual arrogance. He teaches men to bring every message into the light of Scripture and measure it against the unchanging character of God and the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The episode emphasizes that counterfeit teaching often sounds hopeful while shifting the center away from Christ and away from repentance. It teaches men to watch the long-term fruit produced by a teaching, because hype and crowds are not proof of truth. Discernment is revealed over time through doctrine, character, humility, holiness, and obedience. Pastor Noel also addresses the importance of wise counsel, warning that isolation makes men easy to deceive, and that humility is demonstrated through a willingness to be corrected.
Finally, Episode 34 becomes intensely practical by showing men how discernment is trained like a skill. Pastor Noel explains that spiritual clarity grows through daily Scripture intake, consistent prayer for wisdom, and the discipline of refusing urgency and emotional hijacking. He highlights a truth many avoid: disobedience dulls spiritual senses, while obedience strengthens them. The episode challenges men to guard their mental and spiritual inputs, to stop feeding their minds with what weakens conviction, and to adopt the posture of the Bereans who eagerly listened but still tested everything by the Word of God.
Episode 34 is a wake-up call and a tool kit. It is built for men who are tired of spiritual fog, tired of confusion, and tired of being pushed around by whatever is trending. This episode will strengthen your convictions, sharpen your judgment, and restore your confidence to lead with truth and courage.
For more resources, episodes, and ways to get connected, visit thelionsforchrist.com and follow The Lions for Christ on social media. If this message helped you, share Episode 34 with a brother who needs his spiritual senses trained.
Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored.

Episode 33: Modern Idols, Ancient Sin: Who's on the Throne

In Episode 33 of The Lions for Christ, Pastor Noel confronts one of the most overlooked threats to Christian men today: modern idolatry. Most people think idols are ancient statues and pagan temples, but Scripture exposes something far more personal and far more dangerous. An idol is anything that takes the place of God in your heart, your mind, your priorities, and your obedience. It is anything you trust, fear, chase, defend, or serve more than Christ. And in a culture designed to distract, seduce, and weaken men, idols have become socially acceptable, digitally convenient, and spiritually lethal.
This episode breaks down what idolatry really is according to the Bible, why God treats it as spiritual treason, and how idols quietly build altars in the daily routines of “normal life.” You will learn how to identify what you worship by what you sacrifice for, what you run to under pressure, what you refuse to let go of, and what you are willing to compromise to keep. Because idols always demand more, and they always deliver less. They promise peace but produce anxiety. They promise identity but produce confusion. They promise comfort but produce weakness. They promise pleasure but produce shame.
Pastor Noel also exposes several of the most common modern idols targeting men right now: money and security, success and status, pornography and lust, comfort and convenience, approval and image, entertainment and escapism, and the idol of self. But the episode goes deeper into a major idol that is destroying Christian clarity in the public square: politics and ideology. You will hear a direct warning about what happens when politicians and their supporters claim Christianity while aligning with liberal progressive ideology that undermines biblical morals and spreads non-Christian propaganda. This is not merely “a difference of opinion.” When a man reshapes biblical truth to fit cultural narratives, excuses sin in the name of compassion, and votes to normalize what God calls sin, he is not being led by Scripture. He is being led by the world. The result is compromised witness, weakened discipleship, and families slowly discipled by media, institutions, and slogans instead of the Word of God.
This episode draws a hard line between biblical compassion and cultural compromise, showing men how to stand for truth without becoming hateful, how to pursue justice without abandoning righteousness, and how to engage the world without bowing to it. Scripture is clear: you can participate in civic life without worshiping it, but you cannot serve two masters. A ballot is a tool, not a savior. The central call of this episode is simple and urgent: Your King is not on a ballot. Your King is on a throne.
Finally, Pastor Noel gives practical, actionable steps for tearing down idols and restoring true worship. You’ll learn how to name idols honestly, repent without excuses, cut off the fuel source, rebuild spiritual discipline, and enthrone Christ in your home through daily obedience. If you feel spiritually dull, easily distracted, constantly tempted, or compromised in conviction, this episode is a wake-up call and a battle plan. God is not calling you to manage idols, balance idols, or tolerate idols. He is calling you to destroy them and return to wholehearted devotion to Jesus Christ.
For more bold, faith-driven resources to help you lead your family, strengthen your mind, and stand firm in a collapsing culture, visit thelionsforchrist.com and follow The Lions for Christ on social media. Share this episode with a brother who needs it.
Strength Redeemed. Purpose Restored.