By Harald Westre

I use the word “vex” deliberately. It is the word the King James Bible uses of Lot, whose righteous soul was “vexed from day to day” by the lawless deeds around him (2 Peter 2:8). That is the closest description I have found for what I am about to share — not raw anger, and not mere sorrow, but the daily inner burden of a believer surrounded by a fallen world. There is irritation in it. There is grief in it. There is holy zeal in it. All of it together.

Before I Begin – Who Am I?

Before I share what truly stirs my spirit, I need to frame who I am. I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior, King of Kings, God in the flesh, and the perfect sacrifice for my sins. He came in the flesh, and He will come again.

Jesus is my number one priority — above my children, my parents, my wife, and even myself. I am a radical, conservative Christian. I adapt myself to the Word of God; I do not tweak the Word of God to fit me. I am not religious in the way of a Pharisee, but I love going to church when that church faithfully follows the Word.

I am spiritually born again. I am a citizen of heaven, not of earth — merely a visitor here, walking with God and trying to imitate Christ as much as I am able. I long for home. I would rather stand alone with Him against the world than stand with the world against Him.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” — 1 John 2:15

With that said, let me be open about the things that truly vex me as a follower of Christ.

1. Profane and Perverted Language

The first thing I notice every day is people’s language. They curse freely, speak with satanic vocabulary, and let perverted “humor” roll off their lips. Worst of all, they take God’s name in vain — constantly.

Every time I hear it, something cringes inside me. I hold my tongue because I know these people are spiritually oppressed, and I cannot overcome evil with evil. What makes it even more absurd is that most of these people do not even believe that Satan or God is real. They use the language without believing its meaning. That is not logic — that is bondage.

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” — Colossians 3:8

2. Illogical Thinking Wrapped in Pride

Every unrighteous person — whether atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or anything else that denies Jesus as God — thinks they are logical. They are not. Their reasoning can be taken apart with patient questioning. But they will not admit defeat. They are so focused on not being wrong that they will never acknowledge they are wrong.

As long as they refuse to admit it to themselves, they feel safe. That is not honest inquiry. That is pride dressed up as intellect.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18

3. Rejecting Truth and Love When It Is Offered

When confronted with truth, many do not want it. They do not want love either. They prefer the lie.

Recently, I walked over to a woman in obvious pain. She was clutching her back, trying everything to relieve it. I felt convicted to approach her, so I asked, “Are you in pain?” “Yes,” she said, “very much.”

I told her that God uses me to heal people and asked if she wanted to receive healing. Politely, she refused. She would rather suffer than receive love from God.

This is what I see more and more — people clinging to suffering rather than turning to the One who can lift it.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” — John 3:19

4. Calling Evil Good

The world is filled with wickedness, yet people parade it as love. They have perverted love into lust, sin, and self. They do not know what love is because they do not know Jesus, who is the source of love.

Worse than ignoring evil, they celebrate it, applaud it, and rebrand it as virtue. Take abortion as one clear example. By biblical standards, abortion is murder — the killing of an innocent human being. Yet it is renamed “reproductive healthcare” and defended with the slogan, “My body, my choice.” The real message is: “You must die so that I can live.”

When a person is disconnected from God, selfishness becomes their identity. They twist what is good into evil and what is evil into good — and they expect everyone to applaud.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” — Isaiah 5:20

5. Arrogant Pretenders of Wisdom

People reflect for five seconds and conclude they have figured out the universe. They proclaim themselves wise. They are not. They are fools wearing the costume of intellect.

I genuinely feel sorry for them. I want them to come to Christ, because God does love them and is giving them time. But on the day of judgment, their arrogance will leave them without excuse.

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” — Romans 1:22

6. Everyday Selfishness and Indifference

There are small, everyday things I see now that I never used to see. In the grocery store, I once watched a woman move half a basket of strawberries into another basket, then buy only the basket she filled — paying for one and taking the equivalent of two. Another day, a man picked a strawberry out of a basket, put it in his mouth, and walked past the till without buying anything.

In my apartment building’s recycling room, the rules are clearly marked on the floor and the wall — yet people dump furniture, chairs, and electronics where they do not belong.

These are not huge crimes. But they reveal a growing apathy and self-centeredness in this generation. Small disregard for others, multiplied by millions, is the texture of a society in decline. When I see littering on the street, I am less angry than sad — and I try to use it as a chance to please God by picking up someone else’s trash.

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” — 2 Timothy 3:2,4

7. Cruelty for Sport

Bullies still operate — in schools, online, in workplaces. People troll others and find pleasure in another’s suffering. I do not worry about myself. I am strong, and being mocked for Christ is actually an honor. I am at peace with that.

What grieves me is what happens to those who cannot defend themselves — the children, the vulnerable, the broken. And beyond what we see, there is murder, rape, theft, and countless quiet cruelties.

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him … hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil.” — Proverbs 6:16-18

8. Pride That Refuses Help

Some people would rather die to themselves than receive help. I have offered guidance in areas where I have real knowledge, and the person knows it — yet they keep doing their own thing, making the same mistakes.

That is not curiosity. That is pride. Wisdom learns from the mistakes and knowledge of others. Pride insists on suffering its own lesson.

A lot of people are carrying their own suffering with pride, holding on to it with everything they have. When I meet that, I pray for them, because they do not know what is good for them. They are like small children stubbornly walking toward a fire because no one is going to tell them what to do.

This is where I see the importance of suffering. God does not desire that we suffer, but suffering often becomes the very thing that wakes a soul up to its need for a Savior.

“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” — Proverbs 13:10

9. Apathy and Hardness Toward God

The deepest sadness is the indifference I see in people’s eyes regarding God. Not hostility — just blankness.

I believe everyone, when confronted with Scripture, feels something stir. The Word of God is spirit, and the soul recognizes its Maker’s voice. But many fight that recognition with everything they have. They harden their hearts a little more each year, until even sorrow cannot crack them.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” — Hebrews 3:13

10. Foolishness Wedded to Arrogance

There is a difference between being uneducated and being a fool. The humble person who simply says, “I do not know,” is on the path to wisdom. But the person who is ignorant, arrogant, prideful, and convinced of their own intelligence — that is the worst combination. Conversations with such people are exhausting.

“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” — Proverbs 26:12

11. The Spiritual Sabotage of Quarrelers

Over recent years, I have spoken with many — atheists, agnostics, Hindus, and especially Muslims. Some come with honest questions. Many come only to quarrel. God has told me not to spend my time on those.

Three things are at work when someone comes to argue rather than to learn:

• Sabotage. Their goal is to disrupt evangelism so that others do not come to faith.
• Drainage. Time spent quarreling is time stolen from the people God actually wants me to reach.
• Temptation. This is the most subtle. They push and provoke until you respond with pride, bitterness, or harsh words. The moment you do, you open a door to wickedness in your own life.

Paul made it clear that this is not a battle of opinions. It is spiritual warfare. These individuals are puppets, and the strings are being pulled by powers far beyond them.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” — Ephesians 6:12

This is why I must remain calm. I walk in the Spirit and respond as God leads — not as the world does, which is loud, accusing, deceiving, rude, fast, and unintellectual.

How I Hold All of This

Yes, these things vex me. But I will not let them rule me. Each one actually helps me, because each one keeps me from being conformed to this world. They sharpen my hope for heaven and for union with my Creator.

I know that one day every person will be served righteousness. That is why I do not retaliate. That is why I pray for the proud, the apathetic, and even the hostile — because the alternative to repentance is a punishment I would not wish on anyone.

The Bible is honest about all of this. It warns us about wicked people who cannot sleep unless they have done evil, who hide their wickedness beneath polished words. We are not called to pretend the world is good when it is not. We are called to be salt and light within it.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Summary: The Things That Vex Me

1. Profane and perverted language, especially taking God’s name in vain.
2. Illogical thinking that hides behind pride and refuses to admit error.
3. The rejection of truth and love when freely offered.
4. The celebration of evil and the relabeling of wickedness as good — abortion being a clear example.
5. Arrogant fools who imagine themselves wise.
6. Everyday selfishness — petty theft, littering, broken rules, indifference toward neighbors.
7. Bullying and finding pleasure in another person’s pain, online or in person.
8. Pride that refuses help and prefers self-destruction to humility.
9. Apathy, ignorance, and hardness of heart toward God.
10. Foolishness wedded to arrogance — the worst combination.
11. Spiritual quarrelers who exist only to sabotage, drain, and tempt me to sin.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it sinful for a Christian to feel anger at the world’s evil? There is a holy anger — what some call righteous indignation — that aligns with God’s own response to sin. Jesus Himself overturned tables in the temple. The line is whether the anger leads to sin. “In your anger do not sin.” — Ephesians 4:26
• How should I respond when someone refuses healing or refuses to listen? Respect their freedom. God does. Pray for them, leave the door open, and move on to those whom God has prepared to receive.
• Should I argue with atheists, Muslims, or others who oppose Christianity? Discernment matters. Some come to seek; spend time with them. Others come to quarrel; let them go. Sabotage, exhaustion, and temptation to sin are real spiritual tactics. Paul warned Timothy, “Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” — 2 Timothy 2:23
• Why does evil seem to be increasing? Scripture warns that the last days will be marked by lawlessness, self-love, and the rebranding of evil as good. What we see today fits that pattern. We may be drawing closer to the wickedness of the days of Noah. But Christ is still on the throne, and He will return.
• How do I stay calm when wickedness is all around me? Not by gritting your teeth. By walking in the Spirit, staying in the Word, and praying constantly. Calmness in the face of evil is supernatural — it is the fruit of being rooted in Christ.
• What about the small offenses — littering, petty theft, rude behavior? They are symptoms of hearts disconnected from God. Use them as opportunities for prayer and quiet acts of kindness, such as picking up the trash someone else dropped.
• Is it prideful to say, “I am right and they are wrong”? Not if you are pointing to the truth of God rather than to yourself. Confidence in Scripture is not arrogance — it is faith.
• Why share what vexes you at all? Is that not negative? Naming what is wrong is not negativity. It is clarity. We cannot pray for the world, evangelize the world, or stand apart from the world if we refuse to see the world honestly.

By Harald Westre

I use the word “vex” deliberately. It is the word the King James Bible uses of Lot, whose righteous soul was “vexed from day to day” by the lawless deeds around him (2 Peter 2:8). That is the closest description I have found for what I am about to share — not raw anger, and not mere sorrow, but the daily inner burden of a believer surrounded by a fallen world. There is irritation in it. There is grief in it. There is holy zeal in it. All of it together.

Before I Begin – Who Am I?

Before I share what truly stirs my spirit, I need to frame who I am. I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior, King of Kings, God in the flesh, and the perfect sacrifice for my sins. He came in the flesh, and He will come again.

Jesus is my number one priority — above my children, my parents, my wife, and even myself. I am a radical, conservative Christian. I adapt myself to the Word of God; I do not tweak the Word of God to fit me. I am not religious in the way of a Pharisee, but I love going to church when that church faithfully follows the Word.

I am spiritually born again. I am a citizen of heaven, not of earth — merely a visitor here, walking with God and trying to imitate Christ as much as I am able. I long for home. I would rather stand alone with Him against the world than stand with the world against Him.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” — 1 John 2:15

With that said, let me be open about the things that truly vex me as a follower of Christ.

1. Profane and Perverted Language

The first thing I notice every day is people’s language. They curse freely, speak with satanic vocabulary, and let perverted “humor” roll off their lips. Worst of all, they take God’s name in vain — constantly.

Every time I hear it, something cringes inside me. I hold my tongue because I know these people are spiritually oppressed, and I cannot overcome evil with evil. What makes it even more absurd is that most of these people do not even believe that Satan or God is real. They use the language without believing its meaning. That is not logic — that is bondage.

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” — Colossians 3:8

2. Illogical Thinking Wrapped in Pride

Every unrighteous person — whether atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or anything else that denies Jesus as God — thinks they are logical. They are not. Their reasoning can be taken apart with patient questioning. But they will not admit defeat. They are so focused on not being wrong that they will never acknowledge they are wrong.

As long as they refuse to admit it to themselves, they feel safe. That is not honest inquiry. That is pride dressed up as intellect.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18

3. Rejecting Truth and Love When It Is Offered

When confronted with truth, many do not want it. They do not want love either. They prefer the lie.

Recently, I walked over to a woman in obvious pain. She was clutching her back, trying everything to relieve it. I felt convicted to approach her, so I asked, “Are you in pain?” “Yes,” she said, “very much.”

I told her that God uses me to heal people and asked if she wanted to receive healing. Politely, she refused. She would rather suffer than receive love from God.

This is what I see more and more — people clinging to suffering rather than turning to the One who can lift it.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” — John 3:19

4. Calling Evil Good

The world is filled with wickedness, yet people parade it as love. They have perverted love into lust, sin, and self. They do not know what love is because they do not know Jesus, who is the source of love.

Worse than ignoring evil, they celebrate it, applaud it, and rebrand it as virtue. Take abortion as one clear example. By biblical standards, abortion is murder — the killing of an innocent human being. Yet it is renamed “reproductive healthcare” and defended with the slogan, “My body, my choice.” The real message is: “You must die so that I can live.”

When a person is disconnected from God, selfishness becomes their identity. They twist what is good into evil and what is evil into good — and they expect everyone to applaud.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” — Isaiah 5:20

5. Arrogant Pretenders of Wisdom

People reflect for five seconds and conclude they have figured out the universe. They proclaim themselves wise. They are not. They are fools wearing the costume of intellect.

I genuinely feel sorry for them. I want them to come to Christ, because God does love them and is giving them time. But on the day of judgment, their arrogance will leave them without excuse.

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” — Romans 1:22

6. Everyday Selfishness and Indifference

There are small, everyday things I see now that I never used to see. In the grocery store, I once watched a woman move half a basket of strawberries into another basket, then buy only the basket she filled — paying for one and taking the equivalent of two. Another day, a man picked a strawberry out of a basket, put it in his mouth, and walked past the till without buying anything.

In my apartment building’s recycling room, the rules are clearly marked on the floor and the wall — yet people dump furniture, chairs, and electronics where they do not belong.

These are not huge crimes. But they reveal a growing apathy and self-centeredness in this generation. Small disregard for others, multiplied by millions, is the texture of a society in decline. When I see littering on the street, I am less angry than sad — and I try to use it as a chance to please God by picking up someone else’s trash.

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” — 2 Timothy 3:2,4

7. Cruelty for Sport

Bullies still operate — in schools, online, in workplaces. People troll others and find pleasure in another’s suffering. I do not worry about myself. I am strong, and being mocked for Christ is actually an honor. I am at peace with that.

What grieves me is what happens to those who cannot defend themselves — the children, the vulnerable, the broken. And beyond what we see, there is murder, rape, theft, and countless quiet cruelties.

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him … hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil.” — Proverbs 6:16-18

8. Pride That Refuses Help

Some people would rather die to themselves than receive help. I have offered guidance in areas where I have real knowledge, and the person knows it — yet they keep doing their own thing, making the same mistakes.

That is not curiosity. That is pride. Wisdom learns from the mistakes and knowledge of others. Pride insists on suffering its own lesson.

A lot of people are carrying their own suffering with pride, holding on to it with everything they have. When I meet that, I pray for them, because they do not know what is good for them. They are like small children stubbornly walking toward a fire because no one is going to tell them what to do.

This is where I see the importance of suffering. God does not desire that we suffer, but suffering often becomes the very thing that wakes a soul up to its need for a Savior.

“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” — Proverbs 13:10

9. Apathy and Hardness Toward God

The deepest sadness is the indifference I see in people’s eyes regarding God. Not hostility — just blankness.

I believe everyone, when confronted with Scripture, feels something stir. The Word of God is spirit, and the soul recognizes its Maker’s voice. But many fight that recognition with everything they have. They harden their hearts a little more each year, until even sorrow cannot crack them.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” — Hebrews 3:13

10. Foolishness Wedded to Arrogance

There is a difference between being uneducated and being a fool. The humble person who simply says, “I do not know,” is on the path to wisdom. But the person who is ignorant, arrogant, prideful, and convinced of their own intelligence — that is the worst combination. Conversations with such people are exhausting.

“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” — Proverbs 26:12

11. The Spiritual Sabotage of Quarrelers

Over recent years, I have spoken with many — atheists, agnostics, Hindus, and especially Muslims. Some come with honest questions. Many come only to quarrel. God has told me not to spend my time on those.

Three things are at work when someone comes to argue rather than to learn:

• Sabotage. Their goal is to disrupt evangelism so that others do not come to faith.
• Drainage. Time spent quarreling is time stolen from the people God actually wants me to reach.
• Temptation. This is the most subtle. They push and provoke until you respond with pride, bitterness, or harsh words. The moment you do, you open a door to wickedness in your own life.

Paul made it clear that this is not a battle of opinions. It is spiritual warfare. These individuals are puppets, and the strings are being pulled by powers far beyond them.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” — Ephesians 6:12

This is why I must remain calm. I walk in the Spirit and respond as God leads — not as the world does, which is loud, accusing, deceiving, rude, fast, and unintellectual.

How I Hold All of This

Yes, these things vex me. But I will not let them rule me. Each one actually helps me, because each one keeps me from being conformed to this world. They sharpen my hope for heaven and for union with my Creator.

I know that one day every person will be served righteousness. That is why I do not retaliate. That is why I pray for the proud, the apathetic, and even the hostile — because the alternative to repentance is a punishment I would not wish on anyone.

The Bible is honest about all of this. It warns us about wicked people who cannot sleep unless they have done evil, who hide their wickedness beneath polished words. We are not called to pretend the world is good when it is not. We are called to be salt and light within it.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Summary: The Things That Vex Me

1. Profane and perverted language, especially taking God’s name in vain.
2. Illogical thinking that hides behind pride and refuses to admit error.
3. The rejection of truth and love when freely offered.
4. The celebration of evil and the relabeling of wickedness as good — abortion being a clear example.
5. Arrogant fools who imagine themselves wise.
6. Everyday selfishness — petty theft, littering, broken rules, indifference toward neighbors.
7. Bullying and finding pleasure in another person’s pain, online or in person.
8. Pride that refuses help and prefers self-destruction to humility.
9. Apathy, ignorance, and hardness of heart toward God.
10. Foolishness wedded to arrogance — the worst combination.
11. Spiritual quarrelers who exist only to sabotage, drain, and tempt me to sin.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it sinful for a Christian to feel anger at the world’s evil? There is a holy anger — what some call righteous indignation — that aligns with God’s own response to sin. Jesus Himself overturned tables in the temple. The line is whether the anger leads to sin. “In your anger do not sin.” — Ephesians 4:26
• How should I respond when someone refuses healing or refuses to listen? Respect their freedom. God does. Pray for them, leave the door open, and move on to those whom God has prepared to receive.
• Should I argue with atheists, Muslims, or others who oppose Christianity? Discernment matters. Some come to seek; spend time with them. Others come to quarrel; let them go. Sabotage, exhaustion, and temptation to sin are real spiritual tactics. Paul warned Timothy, “Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” — 2 Timothy 2:23
• Why does evil seem to be increasing? Scripture warns that the last days will be marked by lawlessness, self-love, and the rebranding of evil as good. What we see today fits that pattern. We may be drawing closer to the wickedness of the days of Noah. But Christ is still on the throne, and He will return.
• How do I stay calm when wickedness is all around me? Not by gritting your teeth. By walking in the Spirit, staying in the Word, and praying constantly. Calmness in the face of evil is supernatural — it is the fruit of being rooted in Christ.
• What about the small offenses — littering, petty theft, rude behavior? They are symptoms of hearts disconnected from God. Use them as opportunities for prayer and quiet acts of kindness, such as picking up the trash someone else dropped.
• Is it prideful to say, “I am right and they are wrong”? Not if you are pointing to the truth of God rather than to yourself. Confidence in Scripture is not arrogance — it is faith.
• Why share what vexes you at all? Is that not negative? Naming what is wrong is not negativity. It is clarity. We cannot pray for the world, evangelize the world, or stand apart from the world if we refuse to see the world honestly.

What Vexes Me as a Christian

By Harald Westre

I use the word “vex” deliberately. It is the word the King James Bible uses of Lot, whose righteous soul was “vexed from day to day” by the lawless deeds around him (2 Peter 2:8). That is the closest description I have found for what I am about to share — not raw anger, and not mere sorrow, but the daily inner burden of a believer surrounded by a fallen world. There is irritation in it. There is grief in it. There is holy zeal in it. All of it together.

Before I Begin – Who Am I?

Before I share what truly stirs my spirit, I need to frame who I am. I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior, King of Kings, God in the flesh, and the perfect sacrifice for my sins. He came in the flesh, and He will come again.

Jesus is my number one priority — above my children, my parents, my wife, and even myself. I am a radical, conservative Christian. I adapt myself to the Word of God; I do not tweak the Word of God to fit me. I am not religious in the way of a Pharisee, but I love going to church when that church faithfully follows the Word.

I am spiritually born again. I am a citizen of heaven, not of earth — merely a visitor here, walking with God and trying to imitate Christ as much as I am able. I long for home. I would rather stand alone with Him against the world than stand with the world against Him.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” — 1 John 2:15

With that said, let me be open about the things that truly vex me as a follower of Christ.

1. Profane and Perverted Language

The first thing I notice every day is people’s language. They curse freely, speak with satanic vocabulary, and let perverted “humor” roll off their lips. Worst of all, they take God’s name in vain — constantly.

Every time I hear it, something cringes inside me. I hold my tongue because I know these people are spiritually oppressed, and I cannot overcome evil with evil. What makes it even more absurd is that most of these people do not even believe that Satan or God is real. They use the language without believing its meaning. That is not logic — that is bondage.

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” — Colossians 3:8

2. Illogical Thinking Wrapped in Pride

Every unrighteous person — whether atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or anything else that denies Jesus as God — thinks they are logical. They are not. Their reasoning can be taken apart with patient questioning. But they will not admit defeat. They are so focused on not being wrong that they will never acknowledge they are wrong.

As long as they refuse to admit it to themselves, they feel safe. That is not honest inquiry. That is pride dressed up as intellect.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18

3. Rejecting Truth and Love When It Is Offered

When confronted with truth, many do not want it. They do not want love either. They prefer the lie.

Recently, I walked over to a woman in obvious pain. She was clutching her back, trying everything to relieve it. I felt convicted to approach her, so I asked, “Are you in pain?” “Yes,” she said, “very much.”

I told her that God uses me to heal people and asked if she wanted to receive healing. Politely, she refused. She would rather suffer than receive love from God.

This is what I see more and more — people clinging to suffering rather than turning to the One who can lift it.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” — John 3:19

4. Calling Evil Good

The world is filled with wickedness, yet people parade it as love. They have perverted love into lust, sin, and self. They do not know what love is because they do not know Jesus, who is the source of love.

Worse than ignoring evil, they celebrate it, applaud it, and rebrand it as virtue. Take abortion as one clear example. By biblical standards, abortion is murder — the killing of an innocent human being. Yet it is renamed “reproductive healthcare” and defended with the slogan, “My body, my choice.” The real message is: “You must die so that I can live.”

When a person is disconnected from God, selfishness becomes their identity. They twist what is good into evil and what is evil into good — and they expect everyone to applaud.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” — Isaiah 5:20

5. Arrogant Pretenders of Wisdom

People reflect for five seconds and conclude they have figured out the universe. They proclaim themselves wise. They are not. They are fools wearing the costume of intellect.

I genuinely feel sorry for them. I want them to come to Christ, because God does love them and is giving them time. But on the day of judgment, their arrogance will leave them without excuse.

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” — Romans 1:22

6. Everyday Selfishness and Indifference

There are small, everyday things I see now that I never used to see. In the grocery store, I once watched a woman move half a basket of strawberries into another basket, then buy only the basket she filled — paying for one and taking the equivalent of two. Another day, a man picked a strawberry out of a basket, put it in his mouth, and walked past the till without buying anything.

In my apartment building’s recycling room, the rules are clearly marked on the floor and the wall — yet people dump furniture, chairs, and electronics where they do not belong.

These are not huge crimes. But they reveal a growing apathy and self-centeredness in this generation. Small disregard for others, multiplied by millions, is the texture of a society in decline. When I see littering on the street, I am less angry than sad — and I try to use it as a chance to please God by picking up someone else’s trash.

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” — 2 Timothy 3:2,4

7. Cruelty for Sport

Bullies still operate — in schools, online, in workplaces. People troll others and find pleasure in another’s suffering. I do not worry about myself. I am strong, and being mocked for Christ is actually an honor. I am at peace with that.

What grieves me is what happens to those who cannot defend themselves — the children, the vulnerable, the broken. And beyond what we see, there is murder, rape, theft, and countless quiet cruelties.

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him … hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil.” — Proverbs 6:16-18

8. Pride That Refuses Help

Some people would rather die to themselves than receive help. I have offered guidance in areas where I have real knowledge, and the person knows it — yet they keep doing their own thing, making the same mistakes.

That is not curiosity. That is pride. Wisdom learns from the mistakes and knowledge of others. Pride insists on suffering its own lesson.

A lot of people are carrying their own suffering with pride, holding on to it with everything they have. When I meet that, I pray for them, because they do not know what is good for them. They are like small children stubbornly walking toward a fire because no one is going to tell them what to do.

This is where I see the importance of suffering. God does not desire that we suffer, but suffering often becomes the very thing that wakes a soul up to its need for a Savior.

“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” — Proverbs 13:10

9. Apathy and Hardness Toward God

The deepest sadness is the indifference I see in people’s eyes regarding God. Not hostility — just blankness.

I believe everyone, when confronted with Scripture, feels something stir. The Word of God is spirit, and the soul recognizes its Maker’s voice. But many fight that recognition with everything they have. They harden their hearts a little more each year, until even sorrow cannot crack them.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” — Hebrews 3:13

10. Foolishness Wedded to Arrogance

There is a difference between being uneducated and being a fool. The humble person who simply says, “I do not know,” is on the path to wisdom. But the person who is ignorant, arrogant, prideful, and convinced of their own intelligence — that is the worst combination. Conversations with such people are exhausting.

“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” — Proverbs 26:12

11. The Spiritual Sabotage of Quarrelers

Over recent years, I have spoken with many — atheists, agnostics, Hindus, and especially Muslims. Some come with honest questions. Many come only to quarrel. God has told me not to spend my time on those.

Three things are at work when someone comes to argue rather than to learn:

• Sabotage. Their goal is to disrupt evangelism so that others do not come to faith.
• Drainage. Time spent quarreling is time stolen from the people God actually wants me to reach.
• Temptation. This is the most subtle. They push and provoke until you respond with pride, bitterness, or harsh words. The moment you do, you open a door to wickedness in your own life.

Paul made it clear that this is not a battle of opinions. It is spiritual warfare. These individuals are puppets, and the strings are being pulled by powers far beyond them.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” — Ephesians 6:12

This is why I must remain calm. I walk in the Spirit and respond as God leads — not as the world does, which is loud, accusing, deceiving, rude, fast, and unintellectual.

How I Hold All of This

Yes, these things vex me. But I will not let them rule me. Each one actually helps me, because each one keeps me from being conformed to this world. They sharpen my hope for heaven and for union with my Creator.

I know that one day every person will be served righteousness. That is why I do not retaliate. That is why I pray for the proud, the apathetic, and even the hostile — because the alternative to repentance is a punishment I would not wish on anyone.

The Bible is honest about all of this. It warns us about wicked people who cannot sleep unless they have done evil, who hide their wickedness beneath polished words. We are not called to pretend the world is good when it is not. We are called to be salt and light within it.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Summary: The Things That Vex Me

1. Profane and perverted language, especially taking God’s name in vain.
2. Illogical thinking that hides behind pride and refuses to admit error.
3. The rejection of truth and love when freely offered.
4. The celebration of evil and the relabeling of wickedness as good — abortion being a clear example.
5. Arrogant fools who imagine themselves wise.
6. Everyday selfishness — petty theft, littering, broken rules, indifference toward neighbors.
7. Bullying and finding pleasure in another person’s pain, online or in person.
8. Pride that refuses help and prefers self-destruction to humility.
9. Apathy, ignorance, and hardness of heart toward God.
10. Foolishness wedded to arrogance — the worst combination.
11. Spiritual quarrelers who exist only to sabotage, drain, and tempt me to sin.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it sinful for a Christian to feel anger at the world’s evil? There is a holy anger — what some call righteous indignation — that aligns with God’s own response to sin. Jesus Himself overturned tables in the temple. The line is whether the anger leads to sin. “In your anger do not sin.” — Ephesians 4:26
• How should I respond when someone refuses healing or refuses to listen? Respect their freedom. God does. Pray for them, leave the door open, and move on to those whom God has prepared to receive.
• Should I argue with atheists, Muslims, or others who oppose Christianity? Discernment matters. Some come to seek; spend time with them. Others come to quarrel; let them go. Sabotage, exhaustion, and temptation to sin are real spiritual tactics. Paul warned Timothy, “Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” — 2 Timothy 2:23
• Why does evil seem to be increasing? Scripture warns that the last days will be marked by lawlessness, self-love, and the rebranding of evil as good. What we see today fits that pattern. We may be drawing closer to the wickedness of the days of Noah. But Christ is still on the throne, and He will return.
• How do I stay calm when wickedness is all around me? Not by gritting your teeth. By walking in the Spirit, staying in the Word, and praying constantly. Calmness in the face of evil is supernatural — it is the fruit of being rooted in Christ.
• What about the small offenses — littering, petty theft, rude behavior? They are symptoms of hearts disconnected from God. Use them as opportunities for prayer and quiet acts of kindness, such as picking up the trash someone else dropped.
• Is it prideful to say, “I am right and they are wrong”? Not if you are pointing to the truth of God rather than to yourself. Confidence in Scripture is not arrogance — it is faith.
• Why share what vexes you at all? Is that not negative? Naming what is wrong is not negativity. It is clarity. We cannot pray for the world, evangelize the world, or stand apart from the world if we refuse to see the world honestly.

What Vexes Me as a Christian

By Harald Westre

I use the word “vex” deliberately. It is the word the King James Bible uses of Lot, whose righteous soul was “vexed from day to day” by the lawless deeds around him (2 Peter 2:8). That is the closest description I have found for what I am about to share — not raw anger, and not mere sorrow, but the daily inner burden of a believer surrounded by a fallen world. There is irritation in it. There is grief in it. There is holy zeal in it. All of it together.

Who I Am Before I Begin

Before I share what truly stirs my spirit, I need to frame who I am. I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior, King of Kings, God in the flesh, and the perfect sacrifice for my sins. He came in the flesh, and He will come again.

Jesus is my number one priority — above my children, my parents, my wife, and even myself. I am a radical, conservative Christian. I adapt myself to the Word of God; I do not tweak the Word of God to fit me. I am not religious in the way of a Pharisee, but I love going to church when that church faithfully follows the Word.

I am spiritually born again. I am a citizen of heaven, not of earth — merely a visitor here, walking with God and trying to imitate Christ as much as I am able. I long for home. I would rather stand alone with Him against the world than stand with the world against Him.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” — 1 John 2:15

With that said, let me be open about the things that truly vex me as a follower of Christ.

1. Profane and Perverted Language

The first thing I notice every day is people’s language. They curse freely, speak with satanic vocabulary, and let perverted “humor” roll off their lips. Worst of all, they take God’s name in vain — constantly.

Every time I hear it, something cringes inside me. I hold my tongue because I know these people are spiritually oppressed, and I cannot overcome evil with evil. What makes it even more absurd is that most of these people do not even believe that Satan or God is real. They use the language without believing its meaning. That is not logic — that is bondage.

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” — Colossians 3:8

2. Illogical Thinking Wrapped in Pride

Every unrighteous person — whether atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or anything else that denies Jesus as God — thinks they are logical. They are not. Their reasoning can be taken apart with patient questioning. But they will not admit defeat. They are so focused on not being wrong that they will never acknowledge they are wrong.

As long as they refuse to admit it to themselves, they feel safe. That is not honest inquiry. That is pride dressed up as intellect.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18

3. Rejecting Truth and Love When It Is Offered

When confronted with truth, many do not want it. They do not want love either. They prefer the lie.

Recently, I walked over to a woman in obvious pain. She was clutching her back, trying everything to relieve it. I felt convicted to approach her, so I asked, “Are you in pain?” “Yes,” she said, “very much.”

I told her that God uses me to heal people and asked if she wanted to receive healing. Politely, she refused. She would rather suffer than receive love from God.

This is what I see more and more — people clinging to suffering rather than turning to the One who can lift it.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” — John 3:19

4. Calling Evil Good

The world is filled with wickedness, yet people parade it as love. They have perverted love into lust, sin, and self. They do not know what love is because they do not know Jesus, who is the source of love.

Worse than ignoring evil, they celebrate it, applaud it, and rebrand it as virtue. Take abortion as one clear example. By biblical standards, abortion is murder — the killing of an innocent human being. Yet it is renamed “reproductive healthcare” and defended with the slogan, “My body, my choice.” The real message is: “You must die so that I can live.”

When a person is disconnected from God, selfishness becomes their identity. They twist what is good into evil and what is evil into good — and they expect everyone to applaud.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” — Isaiah 5:20

5. Arrogant Pretenders of Wisdom

People reflect for five seconds and conclude they have figured out the universe. They proclaim themselves wise. They are not. They are fools wearing the costume of intellect.

I genuinely feel sorry for them. I want them to come to Christ, because God does love them and is giving them time. But on the day of judgment, their arrogance will leave them without excuse.

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” — Romans 1:22

6. Everyday Selfishness and Indifference

There are small, everyday things I see now that I never used to see. In the grocery store, I once watched a woman move half a basket of strawberries into another basket, then buy only the basket she filled — paying for one and taking the equivalent of two. Another day, a man picked a strawberry out of a basket, put it in his mouth, and walked past the till without buying anything.

In my apartment building’s recycling room, the rules are clearly marked on the floor and the wall — yet people dump furniture, chairs, and electronics where they do not belong.

These are not huge crimes. But they reveal a growing apathy and self-centeredness in this generation. Small disregard for others, multiplied by millions, is the texture of a society in decline. When I see littering on the street, I am less angry than sad — and I try to use it as a chance to please God by picking up someone else’s trash.

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” — 2 Timothy 3:2,4

7. Cruelty for Sport

Bullies still operate — in schools, online, in workplaces. People troll others and find pleasure in another’s suffering. I do not worry about myself. I am strong, and being mocked for Christ is actually an honor. I am at peace with that.

What grieves me is what happens to those who cannot defend themselves — the children, the vulnerable, the broken. And beyond what we see, there is murder, rape, theft, and countless quiet cruelties.

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him … hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil.” — Proverbs 6:16-18

8. Pride That Refuses Help

Some people would rather die to themselves than receive help. I have offered guidance in areas where I have real knowledge, and the person knows it — yet they keep doing their own thing, making the same mistakes.

That is not curiosity. That is pride. Wisdom learns from the mistakes and knowledge of others. Pride insists on suffering its own lesson.

A lot of people are carrying their own suffering with pride, holding on to it with everything they have. When I meet that, I pray for them, because they do not know what is good for them. They are like small children stubbornly walking toward a fire because no one is going to tell them what to do.

This is where I see the importance of suffering. God does not desire that we suffer, but suffering often becomes the very thing that wakes a soul up to its need for a Savior.

“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” — Proverbs 13:10

9. Apathy and Hardness Toward God

The deepest sadness is the indifference I see in people’s eyes regarding God. Not hostility — just blankness.

I believe everyone, when confronted with Scripture, feels something stir. The Word of God is spirit, and the soul recognizes its Maker’s voice. But many fight that recognition with everything they have. They harden their hearts a little more each year, until even sorrow cannot crack them.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” — Hebrews 3:13

10. Foolishness Wedded to Arrogance

There is a difference between being uneducated and being a fool. The humble person who simply says, “I do not know,” is on the path to wisdom. But the person who is ignorant, arrogant, prideful, and convinced of their own intelligence — that is the worst combination. Conversations with such people are exhausting.

“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” — Proverbs 26:12

11. The Spiritual Sabotage of Quarrelers

Over recent years, I have spoken with many — atheists, agnostics, Hindus, and especially Muslims. Some come with honest questions. Many come only to quarrel. God has told me not to spend my time on those.

Three things are at work when someone comes to argue rather than to learn:

• Sabotage. Their goal is to disrupt evangelism so that others do not come to faith.
• Drainage. Time spent quarreling is time stolen from the people God actually wants me to reach.
• Temptation. This is the most subtle. They push and provoke until you respond with pride, bitterness, or harsh words. The moment you do, you open a door to wickedness in your own life.

Paul made it clear that this is not a battle of opinions. It is spiritual warfare. These individuals are puppets, and the strings are being pulled by powers far beyond them.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” — Ephesians 6:12

This is why I must remain calm. I walk in the Spirit and respond as God leads — not as the world does, which is loud, accusing, deceiving, rude, fast, and unintellectual.

How I Hold All of This

Yes, these things vex me. But I will not let them rule me. Each one actually helps me, because each one keeps me from being conformed to this world. They sharpen my hope for heaven and for union with my Creator.

I know that one day every person will be served righteousness. That is why I do not retaliate. That is why I pray for the proud, the apathetic, and even the hostile — because the alternative to repentance is a punishment I would not wish on anyone.

The Bible is honest about all of this. It warns us about wicked people who cannot sleep unless they have done evil, who hide their wickedness beneath polished words. We are not called to pretend the world is good when it is not. We are called to be salt and light within it.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Summary: The Things That Vex Me

1. Profane and perverted language, especially taking God’s name in vain.
2. Illogical thinking that hides behind pride and refuses to admit error.
3. The rejection of truth and love when freely offered.
4. The celebration of evil and the relabeling of wickedness as good — abortion being a clear example.
5. Arrogant fools who imagine themselves wise.
6. Everyday selfishness — petty theft, littering, broken rules, indifference toward neighbors.
7. Bullying and finding pleasure in another person’s pain, online or in person.
8. Pride that refuses help and prefers self-destruction to humility.
9. Apathy, ignorance, and hardness of heart toward God.
10. Foolishness wedded to arrogance — the worst combination.
11. Spiritual quarrelers who exist only to sabotage, drain, and tempt me to sin.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it sinful for a Christian to feel anger at the world’s evil? There is a holy anger — what some call righteous indignation — that aligns with God’s own response to sin. Jesus Himself overturned tables in the temple. The line is whether the anger leads to sin. “In your anger do not sin.” — Ephesians 4:26
• How should I respond when someone refuses healing or refuses to listen? Respect their freedom. God does. Pray for them, leave the door open, and move on to those whom God has prepared to receive.
• Should I argue with atheists, Muslims, or others who oppose Christianity? Discernment matters. Some come to seek; spend time with them. Others come to quarrel; let them go. Sabotage, exhaustion, and temptation to sin are real spiritual tactics. Paul warned Timothy, “Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” — 2 Timothy 2:23
• Why does evil seem to be increasing? Scripture warns that the last days will be marked by lawlessness, self-love, and the rebranding of evil as good. What we see today fits that pattern. We may be drawing closer to the wickedness of the days of Noah. But Christ is still on the throne, and He will return.
• How do I stay calm when wickedness is all around me? Not by gritting your teeth. By walking in the Spirit, staying in the Word, and praying constantly. Calmness in the face of evil is supernatural — it is the fruit of being rooted in Christ.
• What about the small offenses — littering, petty theft, rude behavior? They are symptoms of hearts disconnected from God. Use them as opportunities for prayer and quiet acts of kindness, such as picking up the trash someone else dropped.
• Is it prideful to say, “I am right and they are wrong”? Not if you are pointing to the truth of God rather than to yourself. Confidence in Scripture is not arrogance — it is faith.
• Why share what vexes you at all? Is that not negative? Naming what is wrong is not negativity. It is clarity. We cannot pray for the world, evangelize the world, or stand apart from the world if we refuse to see the world honestly.