Advertise on podcast: The Men's Podcast

Are tattoos sinful, or is this an issue where Christians have freedom? In this episode, Pastor John sits down with Pastors Brock and Seth to work through the question from several different perspectives. Rather than giving a simple yes-or-no answer, they explore how Christians can think biblically about tattoos and make decisions that honor God instead of simply following culture, tradition, or personal preference. -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now -- Should Christians Get Tattoos?Is getting a tattoo sinful? For some Christians, the answer feels obvious. For others, tattoos seem like a clear area of personal freedom. The harder—and more helpful—question is not simply, “Can a Christian get a tattoo?” but, “How should a Christian think biblically about getting one?” That is the approach John, Brock, and Seth take in this conversation. They do not all begin in exactly the same place, but they agree that Christians should not make the decision based only on feelings, culture, friends, or even family tradition. The goal is to slow down and ask whether the decision honors God. Tattoos Are Not a Simple Yes-or-No IssueBrock takes a more open position toward tattoos, while Seth and John lean more cautious. Even so, none of them argue that every tattoo is automatically sinful. Brock points out that tattoos can become sinful depending on the heart behind them. A person can become controlled by the desire to keep getting tattoos, for example, and Scripture warns believers against allowing anything to master them. He also emphasizes that the content of the tattoo matters. Sexual imagery, satanic imagery, or symbols connected to beliefs that oppose God should be taken seriously. His own approach is intentionally slow. When he has an idea for a tattoo, he gives himself a long period of time to think about it before making a permanent decision. Many ideas never make it past that waiting period because, after more thought, they no longer seem wise or God-honoring. That raises an important principle: just because you are free to do something does not mean you should do it quickly or thoughtlessly. What About Leviticus 19:28?One of the most common verses brought into the tattoo discussion is Leviticus 19:28: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord.”At first glance, that can seem like the end of the conversation. But the group points out that the verse needs to be read in its Old Testament context. The surrounding commands were given to Israel as God set them apart from the pagan nations around them. The discussion connects the prohibition with practices involving the dead, pagan worship, divination, and other spiritual practices tied to the surrounding cultures. That does not mean the verse has nothing to say to Christians today. In fact, both Brock and Seth argue that the underlying concern still matters. Christians should be extremely cautious about imagery associated with witchcraft, divination, New Age spirituality, occult practices, or anything else connected to the kingdom of darkness. The biblical question is therefore bigger than whether modern tattoos are identical to the markings mentioned in Leviticus. Christians should ask what the tattoo represents and whether it points toward something that honors God or something that contradicts him. Your Body Belongs to GodAnother passage that often comes up is 1 Corinthians 6:19: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?”In context, Paul is talking specifically about sexual immorality. The podcast cautions against pulling the verse out of context and using it as a simple proof text against tattoos. At the same time, the principle behind the passage still matters. Our bodies belong to God. That means believers should think carefully about what they do with them. Tattoos are permanent for the remainder of this earthly life unless they are removed, so this should not be treated like a casual decision. Seth takes the idea even further. He points to Ephesians 2:10, where believers are described as God’s workmanship. God has already intentionally created us, and our lives are meant to reflect him. That should cause Christians to approach permanent changes to their bodies with humility and caution. The question is not merely, “Do I like this design?” It is, “Am I stewarding well what God has given me?” Motivation MattersA tattoo itself may not tell the whole story. Two people could get the same tattoo for completely different reasons. One person might get a tattoo to draw attention to themselves. Another might do it out of rebellion. Another could choose imagery that glorifies something directly opposed to God. Someone else might choose a tattoo that has deep personal or biblical meaning. That is why motivation matters so much. The podcast repeatedly returns to the importance of seeking God, praying, using wisdom, and examining the heart before making the decision. The hosts are especially cautious about treating tattoos as just another cultural trend. Christians are called to live as servants of God’s kingdom. That means even personal decisions should be filtered through the question, “Does this glorify God?” Consider the People God Has Put Around YouGetting a tattoo is personal, but that does not always mean the decision affects only you. For younger adults who are still living at home or financially dependent on their parents, honoring their parents should be part of the decision. Brock shares that he wanted a tattoo when he was younger, but his mother was uncomfortable with it. Instead of ignoring her wishes, he waited. Years later, when she became comfortable with the idea, he got the tattoo—and she actually got the same one. For married Christians, Seth argues that a spouse should also have a meaningful voice in the conversation. Because marriage joins a husband and wife together as one flesh, making a permanent decision that strongly affects the other person should not be treated as an entirely individual choice. The point is not that Christians can never make their own decisions. It is that biblical wisdom includes considering the relationships and authorities God has placed in our lives. Think About StewardshipThere are practical concerns too. Tattoos can be expensive. John encourages Christians to think about whether spending that money reflects good stewardship. If someone claims they cannot afford to give generously or meet other responsibilities but can afford a costly tattoo, that is worth examining. The artist should also be considered. The group discusses how some tattoo imagery and even some tattooing environments can overlap with occult or New Age practices. That does not mean every tattoo artist is involved in those things. John specifically mentions knowing tattoo artists who genuinely follow Jesus. The point is simply to know who you are allowing to permanently mark your body and to approach the entire process prayerfully instead of casually. Could Tattoos Affect Your Witness?One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is how tattoos can affect ministry in different ways. Seth gives the example of ministering to an elderly woman who may come from a culture where extensive tattoos create distrust or discomfort. In that situation, visible tattoos could potentially become an unnecessary barrier. Brock points out the opposite possibility. In the coffee shops and younger communities he spends time around, tattoos are common. Someone may notice his tattoo and ask about its meaning, creating a natural opportunity for a spiritual conversation. Both can be true. Christians should consider the people God has called them to reach. At the same time, the group emphasizes that tattoos—or the lack of them—are never what gives the gospel its power. A Christian without tattoos should not assume he cannot reach heavily tattooed people, and a tattooed Christian should not assume he cannot minister to someone who dislikes tattoos. The power is in the gospel, not our appearance. What If You Already Have Tattoos You Regret?For some people, this conversation is not about whether to get a tattoo. It is about tattoos they already have. Maybe the tattoo represents a lifestyle you have left behind. Maybe its imagery dishonors God. Maybe you simply regret the decision. Brock encourages Christians in that situation to seek the Lord. If you genuinely feel convicted to have a tattoo covered or removed, take that conviction seriously. But the message of the conversation is not that your tattoos make you unusable to God. Seth reminds listeners that God can redeem the story behind those...

Welcome back to the podcast, men! -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now -- When facing large tasks, delegating can be important to success. Know when to delegate and when not to. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to delegate the difficult parts of the task. Nehemiah 4:13-18, Nehemiah 5:6-12Opposition and difficulties will come, even if God has called us to complete a task. We shouldn’t doubt God’s calling just because the path isn’t easy. Joshua 13:13

Welcome back to the podcast, men! -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now -- When you bring a group together to accomplish a task, communicate clearly and honestly. Acknowledge the difficulties, but focus on the positives. Nehemiah 2:17-18 Nehemiah broke down this enormous task into manageable chunks. Looking to accomplish an enormous task can lead to paralysis. Focusing on the first action step helps us build momentum. Nehemiah 3:1-8Large projects involving multiple people need a mix of leaders and doers. Nehemiah 3:9-14

Welcome back to the podcast, men! -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now -- There is no shortage of things to do. Ask God to break your heart for what breaks his heart so that your work is in-line with his plans. Nehemiah 1:3-4, Psalm 127:1Cover the task in prayer. Ask God to do the things only he can do. Nehemiah 2:4, Nehemiah 1:11Anticipate potential obstacles and seek to eliminate them or minimize their impact. Nehemiah 2:7-8

We learn how to sharpen your awareness so you can identify lust before it takes hold, use Scripture the way Jesus did in the wilderness, and load your mind with ready-to-use verses. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 — Opening hook: flee lust 0:36 — Napoleon story: superior foe, run away 2:20 — Core message: fight by flight 3:20 — Biblical basis: flee sexual immorality 4:14 — Personal failure trying to “fight” lust 7:09 — Introduces the “fight protocol” 7:37 — Step 1: name it 11:23 — Step 2: reject it with Scripture 15:36 — Step 3: replace it 19:12 — Final recap: name, reject, replace 21:00 — Closing call to action

Today we go over your step by step guide to finally having freedom from lust Chronological Chapter Timestamps - The Missing Roadmap: Why willpower isn't enough and the need for a comprehensive blueprint. - The True Foundation: Why personal connection—not rigid religious duty—is the power source for freedom. - The Seven Sons of Sceva: A striking story in Acts revealing why the enemy isn't afraid of your tactics. - Standing on Bought Ground: Shifting from fighting for freedom to defending ground already won. - Actionable Faith: How true belief manifests through intentional daily movement. - The Baseline Question: Are you actually ready to be free? (And what to do when the answer is no). - The Victory Routine: Morning and evening anchors that eliminate unstructured temptation. - Environmental Audit: Why abstinence is easier than moderation when clearing out media and dopamine traps. - Eye & Thought Discipline: Master the art of "bouncing your eyes" and stopping thoughts from building a nest. - The Ultimate Weapon: How Jesus fought temptation in the wilderness—and why scripture memory is your only live ammunition. - The Trachenberg Strategy: What Napoleon's defeat teaches us about "Fight by Flight." - The 3-Step Fight Protocol: Name it, Reject it, Replace it. - One Day at a Time: Winning the current wave instead of getting crushed by the weight of forever.

Welcome back to the podcast, men! -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now -- Jesus talked about eating his flesh and drinking his blood in John 6. Was he being literal? John 6The Passover Meal was a meal steeped in symbolism. Each element of the meal symbolized something related to Israel’s time in Egypt or God’s deliverance from their slavery. It is in this context that Jesus declared the bread to be his body and the wine to be his blood. Luke 22Peter and the other disciples didn’t object when Jesus said, “This is my body and this is my blood”, even though to partake of flesh or blood would have broken the Old Testament Law. Acts 10

If you’ve spent years trying to clean up your behavior through tips, tricks, and sheer willpower, only to land right back where you started, this conversation is for you. We’re moving past exterior "fixes" and diving straight into the root issue: the heart. Episode Timestamps – The Vomit Analogy: Why returning to destructive habits isn't just a bad habit—it's a nature problem. – Giving the Dog a Bath: Why YouTube videos, programs, and external discipline keep failing you. – The Hard Truth: Stop blaming your past, your friends, or your environment—taking ownership of your choices. – The Root vs. The Fruit: How lust and addiction hide deeper issues like pride, jealousy, and anger. – The Carfax of Your Soul: Facing the reality that your best effort will never be enough to fix a broken nature. – "I'll Pay Full Price": The powerful shift from fighting for freedom to fighting from freedom. – Inside-Out Transformation: Moving from external behavior management to a complete heart renewal.

While modern business gurus like Steven Bartlett and Elon Musk emphasize extending time horizons from 5 to 50 years to build durable, multi-generational companies, they are still only scratching the surface. In this episode, we explore how the principles of long-term thinking, foundational architecture, and building "durable moats" in business directly parallel the teachings of Jesus and the Scriptures. If extending your time horizon changes the way you construct a business, extending it to eternity should fundamentally transform how you structure your entire life. Discover why worldly success without an eternal foundation is an unstable build, and how you can stop, reset, and anchor your soul on bedrock. -- The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now -- To entrepreneurs today, Jesus would say that true success requires extending your time horizon beyond temporal wealth to eternity by building your life on the solid foundation of His teachings. While modern business strategy emphasizes long-term planning to create lasting value, Jesus challenges business leaders to consider the state of their eternal souls. Real security comes from trusting in God rather than unreliable riches, storing up heavenly treasure, and living with an eternal perspective. The Problem with Short-Term ThinkingModern business culture preaches the power of long-term vision. Consultants and top executives encourage founders to look past five-year exit strategies and plan for fifty-year horizons to build durable companies. Extended timeframes naturally demand stronger foundational decisions. Yet, from a biblical standpoint, even a fifty-year business strategy remains dangerously short-sighted. Jesus addressed the trap of temporal focus when He posed a fundamental question to His followers. Mark 8:36-37 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?Many driven professionals achieve massive financial success while inadvertently sacrificing their marriages, families, and spiritual well-being. They focus entirely on temporal outcomes while ignoring eternal realities. The Bible teaches that every human being will live forever somewhere. Consequently, evaluating life solely through the lens of earthly achievements ignores our ultimate destiny. God calls us to expand our planning far beyond a decade or a career. Riches Are Unreliable FoundationsBuilding a life on wealth creates a fragile structure that cannot withstand the storms of life or the reality of eternity. Money itself is not evil, but placing your trust in it creates a dangerous spiritual trap. Wealth offers a false sense of security that quickly evaporates when facing loss, tragedy, or death. The apostle Paul provided clear instructions for those who experience financial success, highlighting where true confidence belongs. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this, they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.Paul does not condemn money; rather, he warns against trusting in its stability. When business leaders redirect their resources toward generosity and good works, they shift their investments into an infrastructure that lasts. True life is found not in accumulating capital, but in knowing and serving the God who generously provides. The Danger of Storing Up Earthly WealthJesus frequently warned His listeners about the spiritual blindness caused by materialism. In a culture driven by net worth and asset accumulation, His warnings hit home for high achievers. He told a parable about a successful farmer who produced a bumper crop and decided to tear down his barns to build bigger ones so he could relax for decades. Luke 12:20-21 But God said to him, "You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?" Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.Jesus called this successful manager a fool not because he was good at business, but because he was completely unprepared for eternity. He planned for early retirement while neglecting his relationship with God. When we invest all our energy, time, and talent into temporary ventures, our hearts naturally follow those investments. Matthew 6:19-21 Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.Aligning your desires with God's kingdom protects you from placing supreme value on things that will eventually decay. Rebuilding on the Ultimate RockBuilding a high-rise building requires digging a deep foundation. If you try to add extra floors to a building constructed on a weak base, the entire structure eventually collapses under stress. Many professionals reach a plateau or experience a crisis because they attempted to build a massive life on a weak base. Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount by contrasting two types of builders. Matthew 7:24-27 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rains come in torrents and the flood waters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it's built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.The storms of life test every life and career. When difficulty strikes, only a life built on obedience to Christ stands firm. Rebuilding your life on Jesus requires taking a step back, repenting of self-reliance, and allowing Him to transform your priorities from the ground up. The apostle Paul reinforced this truth when evaluating our lifelong work. 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.Every achievement, business venture, and earthly status symbol will one day pass through the testing fire of God's judgment. Works driven by pride and temporal greed will burn away, but efforts built on faith, obedience, and love for Christ will yield eternal rewards. The TakeawayTo entrepreneurs today, Jesus offers a loving warning and a call to true wisdom. Achieving market success means very little if you lose your eternal soul in the process. While business strategies require vision, your ultimate focus belongs on eternity. Reevaluate your priorities today, ensure your confidence rests in Christ rather than your wealth, and rebuild your life on the rock of His Word.

What happens when you achieve the ultimate "world's version" of success—building websites with 15 million monthly views—but you're still miserable inside? In this transparent interview, Vic (the entrepreneur behind Screen Rant and Game Rant) shares his 15-year journey of tracking 34,000 food entries, surviving 11 surgeries, enduring a divorce, and ultimately finding true redemption through faith in Jesus. Vic discusses his new book, "The Last 10 Pounds," and breaks down why so many men chase the wrong idols (like money and body image) before realizing what truly matters. Whether you need to fix your physical fitness or your spiritual foundation, this episode will show you how to start your own "redeemed second half." -- The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now --

We exposes how pride and burnout sabotage growth, offering a practical plan to reset through honesty and daily discipline. Chronological Chapter Topics: – The Illusion of Strength: The danger of preaching discipline while living in secret failure. – The Burnout Spiral: How reaching Day 70 and facing unexpected stress led to total capitulation. – Deconstructing the Enemy’s Lies: How fear of future failure keeps us from taking the first step today. – Impress vs. Influence: Why impressing people requires distance, but making an impact requires proximity and vulnerability. – The Blueprint for Recovery: Breaking down a strict daily action plan (routine, scripture, physical discipline, and content fasting). – Exposing Hidden Pride: Why pride is just as destructive as lust—and how it quietly sabotages spiritual growth. – The Power of One Step: Lessons from a 105-degree run: Applying the "just one more" mindset to daily discipline.

Welcome back to the podcast, men! -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now -- Saving is part of the faithful stewardship of the resources God has given us. Genesis 41:28-36, Proverbs 6:6-8, Proverbs 13:11, Proverbs 13:22If we’re not sharing with those in need when it’s in our power to do so, that’s a sign we may be guilty of hoarding. James 2:15-16, Proverbs 3:27-28, Luke 3:11Are you trusting in your wealth? Have you been more focused on storing up treasures here on earth than you are in storing treasures in heaven? Matthew 6:19-21

This episode delivers a hard-hitting tactical blueprint to help men reclaim control over their thoughts from the grip of mental temptation by using a 3-step discipline routine rooted in breathing, Scripture, and positive mental substitution. Key Takeaways Your Brain is the Supreme Battlefield: External adjustments are vital, but victory or defeat is entirely decided in your internal thought life. If you cannot control your thoughts, you cannot claim true self-control. The Brain Cannot Differentiate Fantasy from Reality: Entertaining lustful thoughts triggers the same neurological damage as physical compromise. You are feeding a mental cancer that will continuously demand more territory. The Law of Positive Substitution: The human mind cannot process negative commands effectively (e.g., "don't think about a pink elephant"). True thought discipline requires replacing a toxic thought with a highly detailed, positive focus (like skiing down a favorite mountain). Expect the Neural Backlash: When you begin enforcing boundaries, your brain will rebel with intense, highly intrusive, or shocking thoughts to force you back into old dopamine loops. This is a sign of a dying habit, not a personal failure. Mentioned in This Episode Scripture Passage: Romans 12:2 (The renewing of your mind) Scripture Passage: Ephesians 6 (The Armor of God & The Sword of the Spirit) Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (Flee sexual immorality, you were bought at a price) Scripture Passage: Philippians 4:8 (Fix your thoughts on what is true, pure, and lovely)

Welcome back, men! -- The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/men. Learn more about "full circle" Christianity through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources with men and boys at church. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected]. Donate Now --

In this episode, we go over how unchecked eyes secretly ruin your personal defenses and drive your life toward temptation. 1. Chronological "Chapter" Timestamps[00:00] - The Driver’s Ed Rule: Why your life inevitably drifts in the exact direction of your eyes. [01:15] - The Citadel and the Open Gate: How bad eye discipline allows the enemy to quietly assemble an army inside your walls. [02:10] - The National Geographic Mindset: Confronting the toxic habit of taking "mental snapshots" for later. [03:30] - The Act of Stealing: Why looking with lust objectifies others and strips away your own future loyalty. [04:45] - The Overflowing Bucket: How temptation builds gradually drop-by-drop until sudden failure occurs. [06:00] - Master the "Eye Bounce": The practical, immediate action step to redirect your gaze and your mind. [07:15] - The Covenant of Job: Relying on Scripture (Job 31:1) to anchor your visual integrity. [08:40] - The 6-Week Neurological Shift: What to expect when your eyes stop fighting against you and start fighting for you. 2. Deep-Dive Key Takeaways The Law of Visual Direction: Just like driving a car at 70 mph or navigating a mountain bike through a berm, your body biologically follows your gaze. If you look at the median, you crash into it. If you look at lust, your life steers directly into it. The Illusion of Sudden Failure: Relapse never happens all at once. Your mind is a bucket left out in a rainstorm. Every lingering look is a single drop of water. You don't notice the danger early on, but eventually, the bucket overflows and breaks. Moving the bucket means refusing to collect the drops. Lust as Spiritual Theft: Looking lustfully at a woman is not a victimless crime. It is an act of theft—stealing her dignity, stealing your own integrity, and stealing the exclusive loyalty that belongs to your future or current wife.