The Living Waters Podcast

A candid look at why many young people explore paganism, astrology, and spiritual experimentation. Conversations connect cultural forces, social media, and a search for identity to the rise of alternative spiritualities. Biblical warnings about mediums and divination are contrasted with calls for genuine repentance and transformative faith. Practical responses for communities and churches are suggested to guide seekers back to lasting truth.

A candid conversation about why young men are turning to secular influencers for purpose and masculinity. They trace a God-shaped hunger, cultural degradation, and fatherlessness as drivers of that shift. The panel contrasts shallow secular solutions with biblical masculinity and urges relational, intentional discipleship in homes and churches. Practical mentorship and daily spiritual habits are offered as the path to lasting change.

A growing hunger for purpose and meaning among young men has left many susceptible to secular influencers who offer fragmented truths apart from Christ. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss how the church must respond with intentional discipleship, presence, and bold engagement to guide this generation toward genuine faith. They emphasize that true masculinity, authority, and purpose are found not in cultural substitutes or political agendas, but in a life rooted in Christ. The guys highlight the importance of investing in relationships, speaking life into young men, and modeling godly leadership both in the church and at home. Through relational investment, family devotion, and faithful exhortation, believers can impact young men and set them on a path of lasting transformation that honors God and shapes future generations. They call the church to rise above cultural distraction, prioritize gospel-centered mentorship, and be unwavering in pointing this generation to the truth and life found only in Jesus.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro

In a captivating discussion, the hosts explore how smartphones can distort spiritual well-being. They compare social media to slot machines, highlighting the addictive nature of digital engagement. Personal anecdotes reveal struggles with distraction and self-examination, while they warn of the perils of prioritizing screens over soul-searching. The conversation dives into the loneliness fueled by curated feeds and the need for practical boundaries. Ultimately, they encourage reclaiming stillness and prioritizing scripture over smartphones.

Smartphones are reshaping our attention and spiritual health, often becoming substitutes for prayer and stillness. The hosts discuss how social media, designed to capture attention, mirrors the mechanics of gambling and can lead to addiction. They stress the relational costs, such as loneliness and anxiety, while advocating for practical steps like digital boundaries and a 'screen Sabbath.' Ultimately, they call for intentionality in relationship with God over dependence on devices, urging listeners to model healthy habits.

In a world overflowing with noise, discerning truth from deception has never been more critical. The hosts delve into how digital distractions impact spiritual formation and the crisis in discipleship. They explore the importance of recognizing subtle lies disguised as truths and emphasize that true discernment goes beyond right and wrong. Practical insights on using Scripture as a filter for understanding God's voice are shared, alongside anecdotes about modern relationships, wisdom, and the dangers of authoritarian church practices.

In a noisy world, discernment is crucial but challenging. The hosts dive into how algorithms influence believers more than Scripture, stressing the importance of genuine relationships and slow reading. They explore the dangers of almost truths and emphasize that truth mixed with error can be perilous. Social media offers knowledge but lacks wisdom, making face-to-face discipleship vital. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to make Scripture their filter and to cultivate a deep relationship with God to thrive amid distractions.

Explore how divine disruptions can lead us to deeper faith and trust in God's plans. The hosts share personal stories of salvation as unexpected interruptions. They discuss how Jesus responded to the chaos of life with compassion, and how trials can mold us spiritually. Drawing from biblical figures, they highlight that what seems like an inconvenience is often God's providential hand at work. Listeners are encouraged to view interruptions as invitations for growth, embracing the journey even when it leads through confusion.

Divine interruptions are explored as loving nudges from God rather than setbacks. Hosts reveal how trials and detours can deepen faith and character. Through biblical insights, they discuss how what feels like chaos may actually be divine positioning. The ultimate example of disruption is the cross, turning defeat into salvation. Embracing these interruptions with gratitude leads to a richer understanding of God's plans, demonstrating that sometimes things get worse before they get better, ultimately setting the stage for His glory.

True freedom is often misunderstood as the ability to do whatever we desire. Still, Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar examine how Scripture defines freedom as living to glorify God and walking in righteousness. The guys explain that the idol of freedom emerges when something good is taken too far, causing people to violate God’s commands in pursuit of their own desires. They emphasize that without Christ, humans are enslaved to sin, passions, and self-righteousness, and that true liberty comes through surrender to Him. Freedom is not chaos or lawlessness; it is the disciplined ability to function within God’s boundaries and enjoy Him forever.The guys explore how civil freedom can often be confused with spiritual freedom. Even in a society with many liberties, humans remain bound to sin unless Christ reigns in their lives. They describe sin as addictive, like a drug that offers pleasure but leads to bondage, and they challenge listeners to think about what they are worshipping. Self-rule cannot coexist with devotion to Jesus, and the guys encourage believers to seek God’s will every day, align their desires with His, and develop contentment in the unique path He has planned. Freedom is not measured by what we can do, but by obedience to the Lord who governs all parts of life.The guys also discuss how personal freedom affects others. Using examples from universities and conversations with college students, they show how passions can enslave people and how sin acts as a dictator in life. True liberty means doing what is right regardless of others' opinions, yielding to the fruit of the Spirit rather than the flesh, and living without fear or hidden agendas. The guys encourage listeners to examine their lives, consider how they spend unstructured time, and evaluate whether they are genuinely free or secretly controlled by desires, habits, or societal pressures.Finally, the guys remind believers that freedom is relational and transformative. Walking in the light and desiring the Lord above fleshly pleasures reorients identity, repentance, and surrender. They challenge listeners to resist modern distortions of freedom, from self-mutilation to justification of sin, and to remember that God’s commandments lead to life, not restriction. The pursuit of man often rejects God, but when the Son sets someone free, they are free indeed. The guys call believers to continually return to Him, yield to His authority, and embrace the true liberty that only comes through Christ. Send us a textThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro