I just read an article written by John Sung (Song Shangjie) that contains some very thought-provoking points! The first point that struck me is this: a preacher must first deal with his own sin. We often hear many Christians—as well as pastors and preachers—say, "I am a sinner." But when we say this, are we truly acknowledging our own sins, or has "I am a sinner" simply become a catchphrase among Christians? When we utter these words, are we genuinely weeping over our sins and seeking repentance, or are we merely using the phrase "I am a sinner" as a convenient label—a "mask"—for confession and repentance? We all know we are sinful, but are we truly willing to let go of our sins? We know we are weak and that we all fall short; are we willing to let God help us effectively address our own sins? A good preacher or pastor is not defined merely by their ability to deliver sermons, but by their capacity to bring about the "fruit of a transformed life." Many people are aware of their own sinfulness, yet a great number choose to "continue in sin." Why are they unwilling to confess and repent? First, we must realize that confession and repentance come at a cost. Knowing one is a sinner does not automatically mean one is willing to repent—just as someone who knows they are overweight may not necessarily want to lose weight. If the excess weight doesn't seem to affect their health, they might choose to remain overweight for the rest of their lives. Why not lose the weight? Because doing so requires a price: one must watch their diet and engage in physical exercise. Confession and repentance are even more challenging than losing weight! They require us to restrain our desires, transform our way of life, step out of our "comfort zones," and humble ourselves before the Lord Jesus. No one can ever overcome their own sin through their own strength alone. I strongly agree with John Sung: how can someone possibly conquer the strongholds in the lives of others if they have not first dealt with their own sin? If everyone who comes before the Lord Jesus follows God while still clinging to their "old self," can they truly live out a Christian life? Therefore, one must not quench the promptings of the Holy Spirit; God delights in working alongside those who obey Him! If a preacher or pastor lacks the presence of the Holy Spirit, their congregation will, in all likelihood, be unable to enter heaven. After all, one does not gain entry into "heaven" through mere biblical knowledge!

This article contains another intriguing observation: the order in which different groups are most easily moved—1. the general congregation, 2. women, 3. men, 4. preachers, and 5. Western missionaries. I find this point highly accurate! It reveals a stark reality: "Western missionaries" are the group most resistant to change. In other words, the Word of God finds it hardest to transform these individuals—those who serve as pastors, church leaders, or modern-day Pharisees. They may possess a wealth of theological knowledge, yet such knowledge proves utterly incapable of altering their deeply entrenched mindsets and concepts—a truly ironic state of affairs. Many in the congregation may have never heard the Word of God before, yet upon hearing it, they are moved to tears, ready to confess their sins and repent! Furthermore, women tend to have more tender hearts than men. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam blamed Eve, while Eve blamed the serpent. Did God explicitly command Eve not to eat the fruit? No—He gave that command to Adam, who then relayed it to Eve. Both Adam and Eve knew they were forbidden from eating it; by doing so, they committed "sin"—knowingly choosing to act against a clear prohibition. Could Adam have stopped Eve from eating the fruit? He certainly could have! But what did he choose? He chose to join her in sin. Some might argue that Adam’s sin was less severe—but they are wrong! In fact, Adam’s sin was even graver than Eve’s. However, God’s law states: the wages of sin is death! God has never changed this law. He did not weigh whether Adam’s sin was greater or Eve’s was lesser; He simply told them that they had to leave the Garden of Eden and await the penalty of death. Consequently, Adam and Eve no longer had access to the fruit of the Tree of Life, and they faced the judgment of death. Between women and men, who is more easily moved by the Word of God? Women, of course! Women are not as "stiff-necked" as men. This explains why the first generation of Israelite men who left Egypt perished in the wilderness—God understands men and women perfectly. As the Creator, how could He not understand His own creation? Furthermore, local preachers often possess softer hearts than Western missionaries. Why? Because those whose minds are filled with an excess of knowledge tend to become extremely hardened—for "knowledge puffs up." This reveals a crucial truth for Christians worldwide: do not focus on what your pastor *says*, but rather on what he *does*. If a pastor uses biblical knowledge as a tool to deceive or control his congregation, he himself has no share in the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus said, the Pharisees could not enter heaven themselves, and they even shut the door to heaven for others. The Pharisees possessed an abundance of biblical knowledge, yet they had no part in heaven. If your pastor has no place in heaven, how can you reach heaven by following him? How can someone who cannot enter heaven lead others into it?

I have often told non-Christians that Christianity is not a religion focused on achieving perfection through self-improvement; rather, it is a faith that facilitates the transformation of our lives. Last night, a major conflict nearly erupted in our home! I discovered that my parents find life to be deeply painful—yet the Christian life is meant to be filled with peace, joy, and abundance. Why, then, do they experience such suffering? I must point the finger once again at Mormonism; my father has fallen into the deception of the Mormon faith. Mormons constantly claim to be Christians, but what kind of "gospel" do they preach? They preach their own *Book of Mormon*! Let it be emphasized once more: for Christians, there is only one code—the Bible! Christians can have only one God—the Creator (the Triune God)! The eternal destiny for a Christian is either heaven or the lake of fire! There is no such thing as reincarnation in this world! It does not matter how many people in this world believe in Jesus; what matters is that God’s law never changes! The Creator truly and genuinely exists—He is the God who reigns over the entire universe and all that is within it!