Mitchell Applies the “Woe” to Modern Systems
Mitchell then applied Jesus’ warning to systems and industries that normalize or facilitate sin.
“Woe to Planned Parenthood for teaching people it’s okay to kill babies in the womb.
Woe to the people who create porn sites.
Woe to sex trafficking.
Woe to any entity in the world that makes it easy for people to commit sin.”
He clarified that his objective was not political but biblical — applying Matthew 18 to modern conduits of temptation that shape culture and spiritual life.
“These represent the systems Jesus warns about,” he said. “The places through which temptation comes.”
When Sin Doesn’t Look Serious Anymore
Mitchell then shifted to the ways believers minimize sin in their own lives.
“Any area of darkness in your life is a lane for the devil to traffic.”
He distinguished between “sins of the hands” (outward behavior) and “sins of the eyes” (hidden desires and internal patterns). Both, he said, must be confronted.
Mitchell spoke candidly about his own past — struggles with pornography, childhood wounds, and spiritual vulnerability — explaining how accountability partners protect him from hidden sin.
“I don’t want any secrets,” he said. “Darkness is a lane for the enemy.”
A Warning Against Occult Practices
Mitchell also addressed the growing trend of Christians experimenting with occult practices such as tarot readings, burning sage, crystal healing, and psychic consultations. He described these as spiritually dangerous and incompatible with biblical faith.
“Your little tarot cards, your little sage, your little crystals, your little readings — all that stuff is demonic,” he said.
“How can you pray to God and have crystals next to your Bible at the same time?”
Mitchell warned that such practices open the door to spiritual deception, noting that Scripture clearly forbids blending Christian faith with occult influences.
“These are the sins people don’t see,” he said, “but God sees them.”
RELATED: Spells are Spells — The Occult in Popular Media
Why Young Adults Are Responding
Despite national trends suggesting young adults are leaving the church, 2819’s growth shows something different. Many say they want preaching that is direct, biblical, and refuses to soften Scripture.
“The tougher messages might hurt your feelings,” said 23-year-old Donovan Logan. “But that’s what it’s supposed to do.”
Elijah McCord said Mitchell’s sermons “biblically talk about sin and repentance and how there’s actually hope in the Gospel.”
Another attendee described the church’s atmosphere simply: “The Holy Spirit is just there. Tangible presence.”
