Verity by Phylicia Masonheimer

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT OUR WORDS | Gossip, Slander, and Taming the Tongue What does the Bible say about gossip, slander, criticism, and the way we speak about others? Is it gossip if what we are saying is true? And how do we know when it's appropriate to share negative information about someone? In this episode of Thinking Biblically, we are looking at what Scripture teaches about the power of our words and why the way we speak matters so much to our Christian walk. This is a topic I have personally wrestled with for years. As someone who ministers with words, I also struggle! I have had to confront patterns of criticism, gossip, and people-pleasing in my own life, and I've learned some difficult lessons about how our speech affects our relationships and reflects the condition of our hearts. We will walk through: * Passages in James, Proverbs, Ephesians, and the teachings of Jesus to understand what it means to bridle our tongues * Some of my own experiences with destructive speech and the difference between gossip and slander * The seven principles I've learned from studying the Jewish teaching on lashon hara (the evil tongue) * The convicting lesson that just because something is true doesn't mean we have the right to say it My prayer is that this conversation encourages you to examine your own words alongside me and consider how we can speak in ways that honor God and build up the people around us. Scripture Referenced: James 1–3, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 21:23, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 10:19, 1 Peter 3:10, Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 15:11, Matthew 18, Romans 1 CONNECT WITH EVERY WOMAN A THEOLOGIAN Subscribe to this channel and never miss an episode of Verity Podcast Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/newsletter/ Shop our Bible studies, theology resources, prayer guides, and NEW Advent devotional https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/ ADVENT RESOURCES Prepare your heart and home for Christmas with our newest Advent resources, including The Scarlet Thread, a 25-day journey through the entire biblical story leading up to the birth of Christ, and The Right Prevail, a devotional for those navigating grief, doubt, and difficult seasons during Advent. Explore these and our other biblical resources in the Every Woman a Theologian Shop. If this episode was helpful, subscribe to the channel, share it with a friend, and join us for more conversations about what it means to think biblically about everyday life. https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/ #ThinkingBiblically #VerityPodcast #PhyliciaMasonheimer #EveryWomanATheologian #ChristianLiving #BiblicalWisdom #Gossip #TamingTheTongue

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT WOMEN'S CONFERENCES Are women's conferences actually helping women grow in their faith? What should we look for in a Christian women's retreat or conference, and what does the Bible say about gathering together for worship and teaching? I recently asked women how they felt about women's conferences, and I was surprised by how many had negative experiences. Some mentioned shallow teaching, little Scripture, feeling left out, or spending time and money on events that didn't help them grow spiritually. I understand those frustrations! If we're going to set aside time to attend a conference, we should leave better equipped to know God, understand His Word, and live out our faith. After years of speaking at and attending hundreds of women's conferences and retreats, I myself have seen the good, the bad, and everything in between! And those experiences have shaped how we approach our own Every Woman a Theologian Conference. In this episode of Thinking Biblically, I'm sharing what Scripture says about gathering as believers, why women's conferences should never replace the local church, and what makes an event genuinely beneficial for Christian women. In this episode: * What Hebrews 10, Colossians 3, and 1 Corinthians 14 teach us about gathering together * Why emotional experiences shouldn't be the goal of Christian conferences * What I've learned from some of the healthiest women's ministries I've encountered * How to choose biblical speakers and plan Scripture-centered women's events * Why fellowship, accessibility, and welcoming nursing mothers matter * How we choose speakers and plan the Every Woman a Theologian Conference I hope this conversation encourages you to think biblically about why we gather and what we hope to accomplish when we do. JOIN US AT THE EVERY WOMAN A THEOLOGIAN CONFERENCE! Our annual conference is November 6–7, 2026, in Traverse City, Michigan! This year's theme is Foundations of Faith: Built on Christ, and we'll be spending two days in Scripture, worship, prayer, and fellowship with Christians from different denominations and backgrounds. I'll be teaching alongside Wendy Blight, Kanita Rutley, and Jeremy Jenkins as we explore what it means to build our faith on Christ alone. If you have been thinking about coming, we would love to have you join us! Get your conference tickets and learn more: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/ SHOP EVERY WOMAN A THEOLOGIAN Looking for Bible studies and resources to help you grow in your understanding of Scripture? At Every Woman a Theologian, we create verse-by-verse Bible studies, Not-So-Quiet Time morning plans, theology books, prayer resources, and discipleship tools for individuals, families, and small groups. Our goal is to equip Christians to know what they believe and communicate it graciously. CONNECT WITH PHYLICIA & EVERY WOMAN A THEOLOGIAN Website & Shop: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@phyliciamasonheimer Subscribe to this channel for more episodes of Verity Podcast, biblical teaching, and conversations in our Thinking Biblically series. If this episode was helpful, share it with a friend or someone who serves in women's ministry at your church. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, too! Have you attended a women's conference that really helped you grow in your faith? What made it different? #WomensConferences #ChristianWomensConference #PhyliciaMasonheimer #EveryWomanATheologian #VerityPodcast #WomensMinistry #BibleStudy #ChristianDiscipleship

How should Christians approach elections? With so much division surrounding politics, it can be difficult to know how to engage thoughtfully without getting caught up in the anger, fear, and frustration that often come with election season. In this episode of the Verity Podcast, I discuss what the Bible teaches about voting, and our responsibilities as Christians. Looking at Scripture alongside the concerns of America's founders, I consider how we can make informed decisions, think carefully about candidates and policies, and remember where our ultimate allegiance belongs. We will talk about: * What America's founders understood about the dangers of political division * How Christians can approach voting with biblical discernment * Why religious freedom matters when evaluating candidates and policies * How to consider both character and policy when making political decisions * What Romans 13 teaches about government and authority * Why Scripture calls us to pray for our leaders, regardless of political party * How to stay engaged in politics without placing our hope in political outcomes Our citizenship is in heaven, but that doesn't mean we have no responsibility here on earth. Christians can care about the direction of our country while remembering that no election determines the faithfulness of God or the future of His kingdom. Before we argue about policy, we need to be people of prayer. And before we place our hope in a political leader, we need to remember who is ultimately in control. My article on Sinless Conservatism: https://phyliciamasonheimer.substack.com/p/confronting-the-lie-of-sinless-conservatism Find more from Phylicia Masonheimer and Every Woman a Theologian: https://www.everywomanatheologian.com [https://www.everywomanatheologian.com/] Subscribe to the Verity Podcast for more conversations about theology, culture, and living out your faith with biblical conviction. How do you approach voting as a Christian? Share your thoughts in the comments. #VerityPodcast #ChristianPolitics #BiblicalWorldview

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT FERTILITY | BIRTH CONTROL, IVF, MARRIAGE & CHRISTIAN ETHICS What does the Bible say about sexual ethics, fertility, birth control, IVF, and family planning? Should Christians think differently about contraception, sterilization, and the purpose of sex in marriage? In this episode of Thinking Biblically, I am tackling one of my most requested (and controversial!) topics: Christian sexual ethics. After years of studying Scripture and walking through secondary infertility and miscarriage, I share how my understanding of fertility, marriage, and the Christian view of the body has changed. We are talking about hormonal birth control, vasectomies, IVF, surrogacy, and natural family planning. This conversation may challenge what you have always believed, but the goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you a starting point for further formation. In this episode, we discuss: * What Scripture teaches about fertility, marriage, and sex * Why my views on contraception has changed * The ethics of hormonal birth control and sterilization * IVF and surrogacy * How infertility and miscarriage have shaped my perspective * Approaching family planning with biblical wisdom Watch the entire episode to hear my personal story, the research behind my changing views, and the questions I believe Christians should be asking. Email me for the notes from this episode at [email protected]. CONTINUE LEARNING WITH PHYLICIA Visit phyliciamasonheimer.com [http://phyliciamasonheimer.com/] for more biblical teaching, articles, and episodes of Verity Podcast. While you are there, you can also explore Every Woman a Theologian [http://phyliciamasonheimer.com/] for Bible studies, books, and theological resources created to equip Christians to know what they believe and communicate it graciously. In a couple of weeks, we gather in person for our annual theology conference, please join us in Northern Michigan Nov. 6–7. Tickets still available at https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/conference/ MORE FROM VERITY PODCAST Explore the Thinking Biblically series for more conversations about Christian theology, culture, and everyday discipleship. SUBSCRIBE for future episodes, and share this conversation with someone who enjoys digging deeper into Scripture! Join the conversation: What questions are you still working through about Christian fertility and family planning? #PhyliciaMasonheimer #ThinkingBiblically #ChristianFertility #EveryWomanATheologian #IVF

Should Christians read spicy books? How do we choose books that honor God? And how do we actually find time to read when life is busy? In this episode of the Verity Podcast, we discuss thinking biblically about reading habits, Christian discernment, and how the books we choose shape our minds, hearts, and faith. I share my thoughts on the decline of literacy, why Christians should care about what they're reading, and how Philippians 4:8 can guide our book choices. I tackle the growing popularity of sexually explicit fiction, and share my personal journey of breaking free from an addiction to erotic fiction. But this episode isn't just about what NOT to read! I also share my favorite genres, Christian book recommendations, how I read multiple books at once, and the simple reading routine that works for me as a homeschooling mom, author, and ministry founder. In this episode, we're talking about: * Why reading and literacy are declining in our digital world * How to choose books using biblical discernment and Philippians 4:8 * The rise of sexually explicit fiction an the impact of it on our spiritual lives * Book genres worth exploring * How to develop better reading habits and improve your attention span, based on my own experience * Book recommendations and an update on Riverside Bookshop! Whether you are an avid reader, trying to get back into reading, or wondering how to approach popular fiction as a Christian, this conversation will encourage you to think more intentionally about the books on your shelf. RESOURCES & LINKS * Shop Every Woman a Theologian books and Bible studies: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com [https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/] * Explore Every Woman a Theologian and other resources for growing in biblical literacy. * Riverside Bookshop: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594166642407 * Phylicia's Book Recommendations: https://tsfqr.com/phys-fav-books * Have a book recommendation? Email Phylicia at [email protected] JOIN THE CONVERSATION! What are you reading right now? Do you have a favorite fiction or nonfiction book that aligns with Philippians 4:8? Share your recommendations in the comments! We'd also love to hear what books you think we should carry at Riverside Bookshop. Subscribe to the Verity Podcast for more conversations about Christian theology, biblical literacy, spiritual growth, and thinking biblically about everyday life. #PhyliciaMasonheimer #ChristianReading #VerityPodcast #ChristianBooks #BiblicalDiscernment