In this episode of the It Stands Written podcast, Elijah sits down with co-host Braden as the guest to hear his full testimony — a raw and honest look at what God does when He opens blind eyes. Braden shares about growing up with divorced parents, a nominal Christian background, and no real foundation in Scripture, spending his youth chasing acceptance through music, expensive clothing, and the desperate longing for a relationship. From early addiction to pornography and vaping to writing explicit rap music and idolizing the idea of a future wife, Braden paints a clear picture of a young man searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places. The turning point came unexpectedly — not through a dramatic altar call or a church service, but in a quiet moment at his desk, when God sovereignly opened his eyes and made the gospel undeniably clear. Braden describes the "domino effect" of sanctification that followed: freedom from pornography, selling off idolized clothing, deleting his music, and surrendering even his beloved video games — all as the Holy Spirit worked to clean up his life one sin at a time. The guys also dig into the difference between conscience-driven sorrow and true godly repentance, drawing from Romans 1-2 and the contrast between Peter and Judas. Now married to his wife Tessa, with their first child on the way, Braden reflects on how God didn't just remove the idol of a wife from his heart — He fulfilled that desire beyond anything Braden could have imagined. If you've ever tried to fill a God-shaped hole with people, status, or pleasure, this episode is for you.

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Verses Mentioned:

• 1 Peter 3:14-15
• Romans 2:14-15

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