God's Truth or the Enemy's Lies? | The Bible Chats Podcast

What do we do with thoughts we don’t want—and the ones we’ve started to believe?

Join Emily, LeighElla, and Ashley for an honest conversation about our thought lives, the lies we can get caught up in, and what it looks like to bring those thoughts back to God’s truth. Together, we explore renewing our minds, taking thoughts captive, and keeping our eyes on Jesus when our feelings pull us in another direction.

This isn’t about pretending we never struggle. It’s about learning to recognize what we’re believing and returning to the truth of Scripture.

In this conversation:

• Recognizing thoughts that don’t line up with God’s Word
• Taking thoughts captive rather than letting them lead us
• Renewing our minds as a daily practice
• Fixing our eyes on Jesus
• Choosing how we respond—not simply reacting
• Finding hope in God when we feel discouraged or brokenhearted

Featured Scriptures:

• Hebrews 12:2 — Fixing our eyes on Jesus
• 1 Corinthians 15:31 — “I die daily”
• John 17:17 — God’s Word is truth
• James 1:19 — Being quick to listen and slow to speak
• Psalm 42:11 — Putting our hope in God

Also discussed: Romans 12:2, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 8:11, Hebrews 13:8, and Psalm 34:18.

A question to take with you:
What is one thought you’ve been accepting as truth that you need to bring before God and examine through Scripture?

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Bitterness Requires Forgiveness | Part 2

What does forgiveness look like when the hurt was real—and the person who hurt you may never take responsibility?

In Part 2, Emily, LeighElla, and Ashley continue an honest conversation about bitterness, forgiveness, and finding freedom in Christ. Through personal experiences and Scripture, we talk about choosing forgiveness, recognizing when resentment resurfaces, and learning to pray for someone who has hurt us—even when the first prayer feels awkward.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It doesn’t automatically restore trust or require returning to an unsafe relationship. This conversation is about acknowledging the wound without allowing it to define who you are.

In this episode

• Why being hurt is part of your story, not your identity
• The difference between forgiveness, accountability, and reconciliation
• How to recognize when you’re still holding an offense over someone
• Choosing forgiveness again when old feelings return
• Loving your enemies and praying for those who hurt you
• Finding trustworthy community instead of walking through pain alone

Scriptures discussed

• Matthew 18:15–17 — Addressing conflict with a fellow believer
• Matthew 5:43–48 — Loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you
• James 1:19 — Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger
• Ephesians 4:32 — Showing kindness and forgiving as God forgave us
• Genesis 50:20 — God bringing good from what others intended for harm

Take this with you

Ask yourself: Is there a hurt I’m still carrying? Name it honestly before God, ask Him to help you take the next step toward forgiveness, and consider sharing it with a safe, trustworthy person who can walk alongside you.

You don’t have to pretend it didn’t hurt. And you don’t have to shame yourself because forgiveness is taking time.

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Bitterness Requires Forgiveness | Part 1

What happens when the hurt is real, but holding on to it starts affecting the people we love?

In Part 1, Emily, LeighElla, and Ashley begin an honest conversation about bitterness, forgiveness, and the wounds we’re still learning to surrender to God. Recorded while attending Way Revival in Nashville, this conversation comes from the middle of the journey—not from having everything figured out.

Through personal experiences with church hurt, painful childhood words, and unresolved trauma, we explore how bitterness takes root and why forgiveness can feel so difficult, especially when an apology never comes.

Content note: This episode includes personal discussion of childhood abuse and church hurt. Please listen with care.

In this episode

• Recognizing bitterness through resentment, anger, and reactions to old hurts.
• How unhealed wounds can affect marriage, parenting, and other relationships.
• What forgiveness means—and why it does not automatically mean reconciliation.
• Choosing forgiveness when someone hasn’t apologized or taken responsibility.
• Why healing takes time, honesty, and ongoing care for your soul.
• Bringing shame into the light with safe, trustworthy support.
• Releasing the need to control another person’s response.

Scriptures referenced

• Matthew 6:14–15 — Forgiving others in light of the forgiveness we receive.
• Hebrews 12:2 — Jesus enduring the cross for the joy set before Him.
• Romans 8:1 — No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

A thought to take with you

You can acknowledge that what happened was wrong without letting it define the rest of your story. Forgiveness does not require pretending the hurt didn’t happen or returning to an unsafe relationship.

Questions for reflection

• Is there a hurt I’ve pushed aside rather than honestly acknowledged?
• How might that hurt be affecting the people closest to me?
• Am I waiting for an apology before allowing myself to begin healing?
• What is one small step I can take toward surrendering this to God?

We’re sharing our experiences, not a deadline for anyone else’s healing. If this conversation touches a painful part of your story, you deserve compassion and safe support.

The conversation continues in Part 2.

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Follow The Bible Chats Podcast and share this episode with someone who could use encouragement on their own journey.