Author: James Cheef Wright

Jude: Brother of Jesus but Not a Believer

Jude, whose Hebrew name is Judah, identifies himself as “Jude the servant of Christ and brother of James...” As the brother of James, Jude would also be half-brother to Jesus. Half-brothers because none of Jesus’ siblings shared the untainted blood of God, though His siblings did share the blood of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly guardian, while all were born of Mary. This may be why, although not as well-known as the 12 disciples, he was respected enough that at least one of his letters was included in the New Testament.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, His own brothers did not believe he was the Messiah. John 7:5 tells us: “For neither did his brethren believe in Him.” And Mark 3:21 gives an even more vivid illustration of their early disbelief: “When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.”

This explains why Jude, like his brother James, was not among the 12 disciples. But Paul records something remarkable in 1 Corinthians 15:7: “After that, he was seen of James, then of all the apostles.” It is striking that Jesus chose to appear to James—one who had not believed in Him—before appearing to the disciples who had followed Him. It suggests that James, and later Jude, became believers after the risen Christ appeared to James personally.

A Servant of Christ Moved by His Spirit

Jude, like James, addresses himself as a “servant of Jesus Christ”, choosing reverence for Jesus over a claim to familial ties. Yet in the same breath he acknowledges being the “brother of James” which humbly affirms his identity without pridefully elevating himself. This shows how deeply Jude came to believe in Jesus—a belief strong enough to transform him from an unbeliever into a leader in the early church. As someone whose life was personally changed by the resurrection, Jude’s teachings carried a weight that a distant observer, even one trained by the apostles or Paul himself, could not possess.

Jude’s letter shows just how deeply concerned he was with the direction and stability of the early church. Though his epistle is only one chapter, its intent is direct and unmistakable. In verse 3 he writes, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

By using the term of endearment “beloved” he shows his compassion for the early Church, while the term “needful” shows his deep concern. It also reveals that he was being moved by the Spirit as he wrote. His original intention was to write about what he refers to as the “common salvation.” Common salvation is the universal gift of being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ—the shared outcome all Christians enjoy. But the “faith delivered to the Saints” is something different. It is the Gospel itself—the good news, the message, the truth that our faith is built upon and that upholds our salvation. Jude is not only showing that the Gospel itself was in danger, but was also distinguishing between the outcome of salvation and the foundation that produces it.

A Protector of the Gospel and the Church

Like all the apostles after Jesus, Jude was deeply concerned with false teachers slipping into the Church and twisting the truth of the Gospel. This is the reason for his change in direction—from wanting to write about our common joy in our shared salvation to feeling compelled to write about protecting the truth of the Gospel itself. Jude knew that a corrupted message produced a distorted salvation.

Jude was highly aware of the stealthy infiltration of false teachers into the early church. As a leader, it was within his authority—and his responsibility—to warn believers who were unaware of the spiritual “spies” among them whose only intent was to twist the Gospel. They perverted the Gospel by teaching that because God forgives sin, immorality—including sexual lewdness—were acceptable lifestyles for believers. These false teachers would prey on the minds of the early believers and new converts, whose faith was still growing and had not yet taken root in their hearts. Teaching them to deny that a risen Jesus had the authority to set moral standards for their lives. Because he was well-versed in the Old Testament, he knew the fate awaiting such false teachers when he wrote in verse 4, “The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago.”

What Jude writes in verses 5-7 shows that the human mind has not changed since the beginning of mankind. And this means that since human nature has not changed, neither has God’s judgment. In verse 5 he writes: “I will therefore put you in remembrance though you once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not” This was a stark reminder to his readers that the sin of unbelief leads to eternal separation from God.

In verse 6 Jude turns to the disobedient angels: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day.” These angels rejected God’s authority and sealed their own fate. Here Jude is showing that if God’s celestial beings will receive punishment on judgment day for their rebellion, so will all of mankind who rebels against Him.

Then in verse 7 he reminds us that Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of the judgment of sexual immorality. Writing that they are “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Jude reminds believers—then and now—of the price for unbelief, disobedience, and sexual immorality. These were the most prevalent sins in ancient times, and they remain the most prevalent sins today.

Believers Today Face the Same Enemies

As believers, we must guard ourselves and our faith from the arrogance of nonbelievers and even Christians in name only—those who claim the title of Christian but do not carry themselves with Christian values. The nonbeliever can be highly influential, often boasting of their own abilities and even mocking God. Because of their lack of understanding, they reject the thought of being judged by a higher authority, choosing instead to create their own moral standards—following their own moral compass. Their aim is to make the believer self-conscious, even embarrassed about their faith, targeting us when emotions are high and circumstances are difficult. In those vulnerable moments, believers can become entangled with nonbelievers just as many Israelites did in antiquity.

Those who claim to follow Christ but walk in the flesh and not the Spirit can be even more dangerous than those that deny God altogether. This is because the Christian in name only often has a seductive tongue, using phrases such as “thanks to my Lord and Savior” or “by the grace of God” when speaking with believers who trust their word at face value. They are highly manipulative and self-seeking, and have no shame about using the Lord’s name in vain with unsuspecting believers who are sincere in their walk with Christ. This type of false believer is often a prime target of false teachers and evil spirits, to use as an object of contention, and to even cast doubt about the faith of a true believer.

Just as it was in Jude’s day, false teachers and nonbelievers who mock the faith are unavoidable. Jude knew this, and in verse 9 he gives the example of Michael the Archangel disputing with the devil over the body of Moses. Michael did not insult or condemn the devil; instead, he simply said “The Lord rebuke you.” In a similar manner, when we as believers are being attacked by those the evil one works through, we are to show restraint. We do not repay insult with insult, and we do not raise our voices to match theirs. We stand firm in our faith and walk away, knowing that those who oppose God bring judgment on themselves, for “vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

At all costs, followers of Christ are to avoid false teachers and false believers, or else risk going “in the way of Cain.” Cain allowed his wounded pride to turn into anger at God and jealousy toward Abel. We learn from Ephesians 4:26: “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” Yet Cain allowed his anger to grow into jealousy, jealousy into hatred, and hatred into murder. Wounded pride can bring devastating results for a believer. Imagine if Jesus had responded to the Pharisees according to their provocation—it would have given leverage to the doubts they cast about Him, creating a ripple effect among the people. Believers today must guard themselves against provocation meant to make them respond according to the flesh. Jesus warns in Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This warning should serve as a reminder of the reality of evil temptation and the power of prayer against it.

Knowing the Word Protects From Joining the Sins of Others

In verse 11, Jude warns of those who “ran greedily after the error of Balaam, for reward…” Balaam’s error was greed—compromising his obedience to God for financial gain. It is the same spirit we see today in so-called prosperity preachers who exploit the Gospel for personal profit. As believers, we must know the Word for ourselves so that we avoid joining the sins of others, including those who treat the church as an income stream. When believers support such individuals and enable them to continue in their deception, it is as if they share in the sin with them. Paul warns of this in 1 Timothy 5:22b: “neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.”

We must guard ourselves not only from false teachers, but also from spiritual “dreamers” who lead believers into rebellion, or else we risk perishing “in the rebellion of Korah.” Numbers 16 records the story of Korah, a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority as spiritual and moral leaders of Israel. What appeared to be a call for equality was actually rooted in envy, pride, and selfish ambition. Today, we recognize these same traits in cult leaders and the cult followings they create. As Christians, we should absolutely stand for equality, justice, and the dignity of others—especially the less fortunate. We must know the Word for ourselves to avoid being seduced by leaders who use inequality, injustice, and the threat to rights and freedoms to lure the Christian heart into what amounts to rebellion against culture, society, and even the church itself.

We are not to join in rebellion of leadership when the true motive is selfish ambition. We have seen this happen in modern times, particularly when pastors, ministers, and preachers entangle themselves in political movements. Standing against sin in our culture is what the church should do. But the church should never join itself with political leadership for political influence and financial gain, nor to create fame for church leaders. While church leaders are called to shepherd the flock, believers are never to rest their faith solely on the credentials of others. God’s Word was not inspired for or written only to theologians and church leaders—it was written for all who are willing to open their hearts to God. And His children must regard His Word as intimate communication from their Father in Heaven. This is how we build a relationship with God, live by the example of Christ, and allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit.

The Ungodly Among the Godly

“Ungodly” means not accepting God; sinful; wicked; refusing to conform to God’s standards. It is a word seldom used today, yet it perfectly describes much of our global culture. Jude not only draws parallels between false teachers and all who rebel against God—he also uses the word ungodly in verse 15 to describe them: “To execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

It may be difficult to accept, but ungodly actors can be found in church settings. Jude addresses some of them in verse 12 calling them “spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear.”

We know from 1 Corinthians 13 that the word ‘charity’ in King James and older translations is the Greek word agapē, meaning love. In Jude 13, the Greek word agapai, meaning the act of love, is used. So “feasts of charity” refers to love-feasts—communal meals held by the early church to express their Christian love, unity, and fellowship. As a child, I remember attending the fish fry the church I attended would have every few Sundays. This was common among African American churches in the 70’s and 80’s. Other churches would have potluck dinners. These meals would be similar to the “feasts of charity” that Jude is addressing.

Jude is pointing out not only false teachers, but also Christians in name only who claimed the name of Christ yet had no genuine love for the body of believers. They attended the love-feasts without caring for their brothers and sisters in Christ, having no desire to serve, encourage, and build up the Church—but only to satisfy their own selfish desires. This is not unlike today, where we see many attend church as an illustration of their belief rather than a heartfelt need to worship and fellowship with other believers. Some may even donate goods or attend church functions, enhancing their Christian image, while hardly exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in their daily walk. We are warned about such individuals not so we can judge them, but so we can identify them—and avoid being entangled with them or becoming like them.

He further describes these false teachers and false-believers as “clouds without water” meaning they give the appearance of having faith, yet their faith is dry and empty—unable to nourish the soul by providing the “living water” of Christ (John 4:10). He goes on to say they are “carried about of winds“, suggesting that whatever belief they claim is not rooted in truth. Instead their doctrines would change with every new and popular idea; they were without conviction and unable to offer spiritual direction.

Jude continues: “Trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” This illustrates that their teachings cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit and therefore have no spiritual benefit—their message and beliefs are spiritually dead. These are those whom Jesus addressed in Matthew 7:23 when He quite plainly stated: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Just as Jesus does not recognize them as brothers and sisters, we are to recognize their ungodliness—not so we can judge them, but so we can protect ourselves, guard the image of the Christian faith, and avoid teachings that pervert and even abuse the Word of God.

Warnings That Encourage Self Examination

Jude was offering a warning, not a condemnation, to the believers he was writing. His epistle moves from the dark tone of warning to the Light and promise given to believers. Reminding us in verse 18 that the Apostles had already spoken of a time when there would be “mockers of God who will walk after their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3). Jude is not introducing a new threat—he is reminding those he ministered to of what the early Church had already taught.

While the exact year of Jude’s writing cannot be determined, most scholars agree that it was written in the late first century, somewhere between mid-60’s AD and 80 AD. This means he may have been very familiar with the teachings of the apostles, including Peter. Peter wrote his second epistle around 64 AD, warning believers of the very same dangers. This overlap shows how real and immediate the threat was to Christianity in its infancy—and the understanding early Church leaders had of the need to protect the faith from corruption.

Jude encourages us to examine what we have been taught about God, Christ, and the Word, because these truths form the foundation our faith is built upon. He emphasizes our relationship with the Holy Spirit—especially through Spirit-led prayer—which he highlights in verses 20: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.” Jude understood that firmly rooted faith, especially in difficult times, requires the work of the Spirit strengthening the believer. When we do not always know what to pray for, the Spirit does (Romans 8:26).

Eternal Life is Still the Pillar Our Faith Rests On

Today, eternal life does not seem to be the pillar of faith that it was for the early believers. Their faith—and their hope—rested on the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. All of the New Testament writers express looking forward to a resurrected life. But Jude goes further by directly instructing us in verse 21: “keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” He reminds us that eternal life is a pillar of our faith and not simply a doctrine. The promise of eternal life sustains our faith as believers and should shape our choices. It is the promise that keeps us anchored in Christ.

This promise undergirds Jude’s final call for compassion among the Church body in verses 21-23: “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Through reverence of our Lord, and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to pull those who stumble into darkness out of sin, and even out of the hands of nonbelievers. Jude reminds us that it is our faith in Christ that will keep us from falling into darkness, even though we ourselves may stumble while walking in the light.

We preserve the work of the Cross because it was the sacrifice that cleansed us from our sins and makes us righteous in the eyes of God. And in doing so, our lives bring glory to His name.

Scriptures About the Help of God in Protecting Faith

Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

1 Corinthians 16:13
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Philippians 1:27a
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Ephesians 6:11-12
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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.”

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A Faith Based Prayer of Thanksgiving

Father God in Heaven, Your Spirit shows me how to share the faith I have in You through my words, actions, and deeds. Through true loving fellowship, the foundation of salvation is protected, false teachings are exposed, and eternal life is preserved as Your Spirit triumphs over the flesh. The cleansing work of the Cross saved me from sin and made me righteous in Your eyes. I thank You that it is You who keeps me from falling into darkness, even when I stumble in the light. As a servant of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I pray and give thanks in His holy name. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May regarding God’s Word in your heart lead to an intimate relationship with Him.
May the example of the Lord Jesus Christ be the example you live by.
And may the guidance of the Holy Spirit lead you out of all darkness and into God’s eternal light.

10.And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Satan: The Title and the Name

The Hebrew meaning of the word satan—pronounced sah-tahn’ (saw-tawn’)—is adversary, accuser, withstand, or opponent. In Hebrew, it typically refers to one who obstructs or opposes, not the inherently evil being whose true name is Lucifer. We see this in Job 1:6, where the Hebrew text uses ha-satan (‘haś-śāṭān’)—a functional title meaning the accuser, not a personal name. Over time, the title satan became associated with Lucifer.

It is important to understand the distinction between title and name to avoid the confusing question: if Satan was already cast out of Heaven, how could he appear before God to accuse Job? It also clarifies how Lucifer works as the satan—the adversary—after his fall. For example, when Jesus said to Peter “Get behind me, Satan” (Mark 8:33), we know that Jesus was not calling Peter, Satan. He was addressing the adversarial influence working through Peter at the time.

Lucifer’s position may have shifted from the heavenly realm to the earthly, but his strategy remains the same—and in many ways, is even more complex. But what made Satan an enemy of mankind in the first place? What drove him to be an adversary of God? In a single word: pride. Pride not only drove Lucifer to oppose God, but motivated him to want to be above God, and ultimately an enemy to those created in God’s image—mankind. And interestingly, pride is also the sin that causes God to oppose man. James 4:6 tells us, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Acting as Satan: The Main Strategies of Lucifer

Waging war in Heaven and being cast down to earth—along with the angels that followed Lucifer—makes it no mystery why God opposes pride in humanity. God will not risk Heaven being threatened by pride a second time. Humility is not about being forced into subjection to God; it is demonstrating reverence and gratitude for all that God has done for us, beginning with creating us in His image (imago Dei)—something He did not do for the angels. This may be the reason Satan became the accuser of mankind in the first place.

Satan has two main strategies. The first is to undermine God and the believer’s faith in Him. We see this clearly with Adam and Eve. Being cast out of Heaven made earth Satan’s domain, but when God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He gave them dominion over the earth. Satan temporarily regained that dominion when he was able to undermine Adam and Eve’s faith in God’s word by influencing them to eat from the forbidden tree. It was also Satan who influenced Cain to kill Abel when God refused his sacrifice—once again manipulating one of God’s children, this time to oppose His love.

Lucifer’s second strategy is the very one that gave him the title Satan—the accuser. But without the authority to accuse you before God, he now takes a more direct approach: he accuses you to yourself. God gives each of us gifts that we often recognize today as talents—we even call people “gifted” when they excel in a particular area. These gifts are administered to us by the Holy Spirit as confirmed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. While Scripture does not offer an exhaustive list of all the gifts God bestows on us, we do recognize they are gifts from Him. Your confidence in these gifts—and your confidence in general—are key areas Satan likes to strikes. His goal is to make you unwittingly undermine God’s work in your life and cause you to lose faith in God’s promises to you.

Gifts, Passions, and Confidence are Satan’s Target

Many people say they wish they had talent. Others say they wish they could find their calling. But it’s not a stretch to say that every person, deep in their heart, has already recognized the talent or calling God placed within them. When God gives a talent or places a calling on someone’s life, He also gives everything they need to excel in that area. One of the main things he gives is passion—a natural pull toward the very thing He has gifted you to do. Most people don’t associate their passion with being a gift from God, but Satan does.

Satan knows that not only are your gifts and passions a way for you to thrive in your natural life—but most importantly, when they are integrated and aligned with God’s will for your life, they bring glory to the Giver of gifts. When through his whispers he convinces you that you are not good enough to excel in your passions, he has done two things: he has made your life more difficult by causing you to settle for less, and he has kept glory from being brought to God’s name.

2 Timothy 1:7 teaches us: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Notice that Paul refers to fear as a spirit, indicating that the spirit of fear originates with the enemy. And it’s no coincidence that in 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul reminds Timothy of “the gift” when he says: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Paul connects the gift with the spirit because the enemy attacks the gift through the spirit of fear. If he can create fear, timidity, or insecurity in you, Satan knows he can stifle the very gift God placed within you—while also causing you to stifle the voice of the Holy Spirit—which we are warned not to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

God Given Weapons to Use Against the Accuser

Power, love, and self-discipline are attributes every one of us must have in order to master any craft God has placed within us. To excel, we must recognize the power God has given us to overcome weaknesses and obstacles. We must identify our passion as a love for the talent He placed inside us—and power and love are of little use without self-discipline. This is why Satan does anything he can to convince you that you are not strong enough to power through the adversity that makes accomplishments seem out of reach. Subtly, he will whisper to you that your passion isn’t a God-given gift, but only a dream “other people”—people supposedly better than you—succeed at. This is why parents are to nurture their children’s dreams instead of making them feel out of reach. Plus, with all the distractions, pleasures, and easier paths available today, it becomes easier for enemy to replace self-discipline with a participation-trophy mindset. When everyone “wins” regardless of effort, what motivation is left to work harder and excel?

God’s Word is not only for our instruction—it is also a weapon against the enemy. When the enemy attacks, we must use the Word against him. Speaking the Word of God gives us authority over the enemy in both the physical and spiritual realms. In the spiritual realm, angels assigned to protect us are activated when we stand on God’s Word (Psalm 103:20). In the physical realm, declaring God’s Word in the presence of those the enemy works through will silence, expose, and drive back his influence. As we use the Word of God not only as a weapon, but as a faith-based foundation, it strengthens our confidence, builds our character, and integrity while tightening the very fabric of our lives.

To undermine Satan, know who you are in Christ Jesus. Remind yourself, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, saved by His grace.” Read Scripture daily until it becomes a habit. In doing so, you will become familiar with the strategies Satan has used on God’s children since the creation of mankind. And when you become familiar with Scripture, the Holy Spirit can give you the words to speak when the enemy attacks (Matthew 10:19). Always remember that the enemy works by accusing you to yourself. He tries to undermine your faith in God by attacking His promises to you, and the gifts and desires He has placed within you. He will subtly try to influence your thoughts, and even use others to weaken your confidence and create fear. But as a child of God, you were given authority over the enemy. As we learn from Romans 8:31: If God be for us, who can be against us?

Scriptures to Invoke Authority Over the Enemy

Psalm 18:2
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Philippians 4:13
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all my needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” (Adjusted from “your” to “my” for personal declaration.

Psalm 23
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

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A Prayer Thanking God for His Protection From the Enemy

Father God in Heaven, even though Satan cannot accuse me directly before You, it is You who strengthens me when he accuses me to myself. When his adversarial influence tries to work through my thoughts, it is Your Spirit that rises to resist him. When He attempts to undermine You by stealing my confidence and my faith, it is Your Word that keeps me rooted in Your truth. How glorious it is to be Your child in this fallen world. How precious the sacrifice of Your Son who saved me. By the work of the Cross I am redeemed, and I pray in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May God always give rise to the authority He has given you over the enemy.
May the work of the Cross keep your spirit focused on Christ Jesus.
And may the Holy Spirit always keep God’s Word flowing through you.

13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to do, of His good pleasure.
14. Do all things without complaining, and disputing:
15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

In a dark world, you would think it would be easy for God’s light to shine through His children. But is the world more wicked and evil today than it ever has been? Are believers being the minority of the global population, something new to our age? And is it really difficult to find God’s will for our lives, or do the very things He warns against — selfish ambition, covetousness, anger, and discontentment — blind us from seeing His will clearly?

Jesus knew how essential it was for us to receive the Holy Spirit. Before going to the Cross he told His disciples that “it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you” (John 16:7). Our understanding of what was taking place may become clearer if we read John 13-17 as a changing of the guard — a transition from Jesus’ earthly ministry, where He laid the path for salvation and being born again, to God working directly with and in His children, preparing them for a life of service and for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Philippians 2:13 teaches us, “For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to do, of His good pleasure.” This is the accomplishing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 1 Corinthians 2:12 declares, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

We know that since the fall of man, the god of the fallen world is Satan, which makes the spirit of the world his spirit. It is a dangerous thing for believers to assume his influence is limited to unbelievers. On the contrary, the evil one has little reason to waste his efforts on those already separated from God — his focus is on those who follow Christ. This is why 1 Peter 5:8 gives such a stark warning to believers, “Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

It is interesting that Peter chose a lion to describe the devil. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, and the lion represents the tribe of Judah. 2 Corinthians 11:14 may tell why Peter chose this example, it says, “And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” It may be that, finding God’s will for us becomes difficult when we confuse the enemy’s imitation of light for the true light of God. When what is actually darkness convinces us that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, faith can be severely tested.

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Comforter” and says He will lead us to all truth (John 14:16). He says this with good reason. Philippians 2:14 instructs us to “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” Complaining blinds us from seeing any good in circumstances we may not prefer, and it blinds us from seeing how God may turn those circumstances in our favor. In every situation, the Comforter will keeps us in understanding — if we remain calm enough to hear His whispers or sense what the natural world calls intuition. The wisdom that leads you to make decisions you wouldn’t otherwise make — decisions that save, protect, and lead you to favor — is not your own. It is the Spirit of God within you.

When we dispute with others, confusion becomes thicker and the truth gets buried deeper. This is why 2 Timothy 2:23 instructs us to “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” When we take part in these things, we become harmful to others through verbal abuse, we open ourselves to judgment by flirting with hypocrisy, and we risk giving those with shallow faith — and unbelievers as well — a reason to doubt that grace and salvation are truly at work in our lives.

Being a Christian doesn’t rest only on what we believe individually, but on demonstrating those beliefs in how we react when challenged, provoked, or baited into disputes or debates. If we believe that Jesus is The Way, then we are to carry ourselves in the way He did. Jesus wasn’t blameless because He never became angry — Scripture shows us He became angry. He was angered by the mistreatment of His Father’s house, by the Pharisees for their hypocrisy of the Law, and He even rebuked Peter publicly. But unlike carnal anger, Jesus was blameless because His anger was righteous indignation — anger directed at injustice toward God and toward God’s children. This type of anger is not only purposeful, it is pure and protective.

As children of God, the evil one is always trying to test our faith, and he does this by provocation. Seeking whether our reaction to his provocations will be righteous or fleshly? Consider the words of Revelation 12:10, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.“

Even though Satan accused us in the past — and no longer has the authority to accuse us before God — he still seeks to prove our faith is false. He couldn’t care less about us personally; what he cares about is making his darkness appear more powerful than God’s light. This is why, as God’s children and servants, we are called to bring glory to His name by allowing His light to shine through us. Living according to God’s will not only carries eternal reward in Heaven, but blessing in our natural lives as well. Jesus declares in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

God is not against abundance and prosperity; He desires to fulfill His promises to all His children. But we must do our part — not through works, a doctrine often argued, but through obedience to His will. This obedience is not to appear to be in subjection to God — free will is real, or to merely appear spiritual to others. But so that we may shine as lights of righteousness in this crooked and perverse world, drawing as many as possible to His light. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Amen.

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13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to do, of His good pleasure.
14. Do all things without complaining, and disputing:
15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Is God’s Light Hidden or is the World Blind

In a dark world, you would think it would be easy for God’s light to shine through His children. But we know this is not the case, and in fact, much effort is put into snuffing God’s light out of the world. There are also those who use God’s name to manipulate others or to give validity to their points. But the true light bearers often go unheard and unseen. So is the world more wicked and evil today than it ever has been? Is believers being the minority something new to our age? And is it really difficult to find God’s will for our lives, or do the very things He warns against — selfish ambition, covetousness, anger, and discontentment — blind us from seeing His will clearly?

Jesus knew how essential it was for us to receive the Holy Spirit. Before going to the Cross He told His disciples that “it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you” (John 16:7). Our understanding of what was taking place may become clearer if we read John 13-17 as a changing of the guard — a transition from Jesus’ earthly ministry, where He laid the path for salvation and being born again, to God working directly with and in His children, preparing them for a life of service and for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Fallen Man, a Fallen World, and a Fallen Spirit That Mimics God’s Light

We know that since the fall of man, the god of this fallen world is Satan, which makes the spirit of the world his spirit. It is dangerous for believers to assume his influence is limited to unbelievers. On the contrary, the evil one has little reason to waste his efforts on those already separated from God — his focus is on those who follow Christ. This is why 1 Peter 5:8 gives such a stark warning to believers, “Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

It is revealing that Peter chose a lion to describe the devil. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, and the lion represents the tribe of Judah. 2 Corinthians 11:14 may tell us why Peter chose this example: “And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” It may be that finding God’s will for us becomes difficult when we confuse the enemy’s imitation of light for the true light of God. When the work of the fallen spirit convinces us that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, we can journey down wrong words and face severe tests of faith.

Yet we are to remember when faced with the counterfeit light, Philippians 2:13 teaches us, “For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to do, of His good pleasure.” This is the accomplishing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 1 Corinthians 2:12 declares, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

The Spirit That Calls, Comforts, and Calms

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Comforter” and says He will lead us to all truth (John 14:16, 16:13). He says this with good reason. Philippians 2:14 instructs us to “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” Complaining blinds us from seeing any good in circumstances we may not prefer, and it blinds us from seeing how God may turn those circumstances in our favor. In every situation, the Comforter will keep us in understanding — if we remain calm enough to hear His whispers or sense what the natural world calls intuition. The wisdom that leads you to make decisions you wouldn’t otherwise make — decisions that save, protect, and lead you to favor — is not your own. It is the wisdom given by the Spirit of God within you.

To experience this guidance you must first belong to Christ. Jesus made this unmistakably clear in John 14:17: “He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.“

When we engage in unnecessary disputes, confusion thickens and truth gets buried deeper. This is why 2 Timothy 2:23 instructs us to “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” When we take part in these things, we become harmful to others through verbal abuse, we open ourselves to judgment by flirting with hypocrisy, and we risk giving those with shallow faith — and nonbelievers as well — a reason to doubt that grace and salvation are truly at work in our lives. When those doubts arise, it is because the fruit of the Spirit is not manifesting in the life of the believer.

Paul addresses this with one of the shortest, yet one of the most important verses in the Bible. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19 he warns, “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” When a believer takes part in foolish disputes and controversies, they often find themselves in quarrels and heated arguments. Such situations stifle the Holy Spirit. A believer may find themselves tempted to sink to the level of insulting contention they are being met with. The Holy Spirit will stifle the tongue of the believer rather than risk damage to their witness or doubt being cast upon their salvation. Protecting the believer and keeping the image of Christ intact are primary desires of the Holy Spirit — desires that allow God’s light to shine brightly through darkness.

The Image of Christ Reflected in the Believer

Being a Christian doesn’t rest only on what we believe individually, but on demonstrating those beliefs in how we react when challenged, provoked, or baited into disputes or debates. If we believe that Jesus is The Way, then we are to carry ourselves in the way He did. Jesus wasn’t blameless because He never became angry — Scripture shows us He became angry. He was angered by the mistreatment of His Father’s house, by the Pharisees for their hypocrisy of the Law, and He even rebuked Peter publicly. But unlike carnal anger, Jesus was blameless because His anger was righteous indignation — anger directed at injustice toward God and toward God’s children. This type of anger is not only purposeful, it is pure and protective.

Because we are children of God, the evil one is always trying to test our faith, and he does this by provocation. He tests us to see whether our reaction to his provocations will be righteous or fleshly? Consider the words of Revelation 12:10, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Although Satan can no longer accuse God’s children before Him, he does tempt His children in the world, just as he tempted Eve with desire, Cain with anger, and Jesus in the desert when He was famished and exhausted.

God’s Light Shining Even as the Enemy Tries to Disprove Our Faith

Even though Satan accused us in the past — and no longer has the authority to accuse us before God — he still seeks to prove our faith is false. He couldn’t care less about us personally; what he cares about is making his darkness appear more powerful than God’s light. This is why, as God’s children and servants, we are called to bring glory to His name by allowing His light to shine through us. Living according to God’s will not only carries eternal reward in Heaven, but blessing in our natural lives as well. Jesus declares in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

God is not against abundance and prosperity; He desires to fulfill His promises to all His children. But we must do our part — not through works, a doctrine often argued, but through obedience to His will. This obedience is not a commanded subjection to God — free will is real — nor is it a performance to appear spiritual to others. Rather it is how we shine as lights of righteousness in this crooked and perverse world, drawing as many as possible to His light. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Scriptures That Remind You of God’s Light in Within

2 Corinthians 3:18
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Colossians 3:10
“And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

John 8:12
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Ephesians 5:8
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

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A Prayer for God’s Glory, Light, and Grace

Father God in Heaven, I pray for Your strength and Your wisdom to be formed within me. I pray that I walk in the center of Your will so that my time is not spent in vain, but produces fruit that brings glory to Your name. Give me discernment to know the voice of Your Holy Spirit from the temptations of evil imitations. May Your light shine in and through me to guide me and attract others to You. I thank You for Your grace and patience through my struggles and stumbles. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May God’s grace be bountifully bestowed upon you.
May the likeness of Christ Jesus be reflected in your words and deeds.
And may the Holy Spirit be your guiding light through this dark and fallen world.

12. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

One of the greatest attributes of the human condition is memory. Through memory we can relive some of our favorite moments in life — falling in love, the birth of children, personal and career achievements. Failure of memory, can have effects that range from a day ruined by searching for something misplaced, to the heartbreaking loss of independence seen in Alzheimers or dementia.

But memory can also work against us in other ways — having adverse effects on our ability to discover and reach our potential. Memory is an attribute that can be a gift and a curse, literally, if we let it. When memory induces fear, it can be polarizing to an individual — turning goals into mere dreams, making ambition a faint voice in the background as we settle for the path of least resistance.

A person once said to me, “sometimes you have to bring the past into the present.” Because I knew the context of the discussion, I knew they were talking about negative history — the kind that fuels anger and bitterness — not the positive history that inspires ambition and promise. Since they were an elder, there was no use in trying to explain the damaging effect that mindset had on their life, their relationships, and the way others perceived them. What perplexed me most was seeing how this person would weaponize someone’s past in an effort to claim moral superiority.

Before becoming the Apostle Paul, Saul of Tarsus lived in total contradiction to Jesus Christ — admitting this in Acts 26:9, “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.” Yet when Jesus placed a calling on his life to be the apostle to the Gentiles, he did not hesitate to wash his memory of past actions and embrace the very way he once hated. Even when The Twelve and other followers of The Way feared and doubted him because of his history, Paul stood firmly on his present state of mind — never wavering until becoming accepted for who he was in the present.

Perhaps this is the reason Jesus placed the calling of Apostle to the Gentiles on Paul. He is living proof of the truth he was inspired to write. In Romans 8:35 Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” And he answers his own question in Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

If Jesus chose the one person whose life’s mission was to imprison and kill those who followed Him, why would Jesus hold your past against you? Why would he refuse to accept you into His family as a member of His Church Body?

We who are called to follow Christ Jesus, must wash our minds of past sins and mistakes, in order to discover His calling for our lives. Even when others doubt our salvation or who we’ve become in Christ, we stand with full conviction, firmly planted in the cleansing that is taking place within us. Your past does not disqualify you from Jesus calling you brother or sister. If anything, He calls you even louder.

Remember the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7 — the shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep to go and find the one who was lost. Or what Jesus tells us in Luke 15:10, “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

Be the one lost sheep that Jesus carries on His shoulders in joy when you answer His call. Dare to be the reason God’s angels rejoice in Heaven when you repent and release your past. Leave your sins, regrets, and mistakes behind you. It is exactly what God does for us — and expects from us — as Psalm 103:12 declares, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Amen.

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12. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

The Gift and Curse of Memory

One of the greatest attributes of the human condition is memory. Through memory we can relive some of our favorite moments in life — falling in love, the birth of children, personal and career achievements. Failure of memory can have effects that range from a day ruined by searching for something misplaced, to the heartbreaking loss of independence seen in Alzheimer’s or dementia.

But memory can also work against us in quieter ways, having adverse effects on our ability to discover and reach our God-given potential. Memory is an attribute that can be a gift and a curse if we allow it. When memory induces fear, it can be paralyze us — turning goals into mere dreams and reducing holy ambition to a faint voice in the background as we settle for the path of least resistance.

Paul’s Past Didn’t Disqualify His Calling — And Neither Does Yours

Before becoming the Apostle Paul, Saul of Tarsus lived in total contradiction to Jesus Christ — admitting this in Acts 26:9, “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.” Yet when Jesus placed a calling on his life to be the apostle to the Gentiles, he did not hesitate to cleanse his mind of past actions and embrace the very way he once hated. Even when The Twelve and other followers of the Way feared and doubted him because of his history, Paul stood firmly on his present state of mind — never wavering until he was fully received for who he had become in Christ Jesus.

Perhaps this is the reason Jesus placed the calling of Apostle to the Gentiles on Paul. He is living proof of the truth he was inspired to write. In Romans 8:35 Paul asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” And he answers his own question in Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

If Jesus chose the one person whose life’s mission was to imprison and kill those who followed Him, why would Jesus hold your past against you? Why would He refuse to accept you into His family as a member of His Church body?

The Past That Haunts

A person once said to me, “sometimes you have to bring the past into the present.” Because I knew the context of the discussion, I knew they were talking about negative history — the kind that fuels anger, bitterness, and even fear — not the positive history that inspires ambition and promise. Since they were an elder, there was no use in trying to explain the damaging effect that mindset had on their life, their relationships, and the way others perceived them. What perplexed me most was seeing how this person would weaponize someone’s past in an effort to claim moral superiority.

Those around us may never see us for more than who we were in our past. But the believer cannot allow current struggles to invoke memories of their past mistakes. Allowing our own memories to condemn us can be even more damaging than those who remind us of our past. We can choose to walk away from or ignore others, but we have to live with ourselves. Although our sins are forgiven, while the earthly consequences of past decisions may linger, we decide how far our past follows us into our future.

When we are called to follow Christ Jesus, we must wash our minds of past sins and mistakes, in order to discover His calling for our lives. Even when others doubt our salvation or who we’ve become in Christ, we are commanded to stand with full conviction, firmly planted in the cleansing that is taking place within us. With that cleansing, we are to seek godly wisdom; godly wisdom brings clarity, and clarity produces patience and better decisions. This is how we distance ourselves from our past and become closer to God. The closer we are to God, the clearer His will for our lives becomes. This does not instantly eliminate struggles, but with every wise decision, you struggle less. The renewing of our minds and hearts that leaves a dark past behind — exchanging it for a future illuminated by God’s light, the love of Jesus, and the Holy Spirits guidance — is how we bring glory to God and draw others to Him.

Lost but Not Forgotten Nor Hopeless

Your past does not disqualify you from Jesus calling you His brother or sister. If anything, He calls you even louder. Remember the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7 — the shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep to go and find the one who was lost. In the eyes of the Lord, lost does not mean forgotten or hopeless. Being lost gives rise to the need to seek the Lord while He may be found — a command given to the Israelites when they were exiled for being disobedient to God (Isaiah 55:6-7). God’s children are commanded to do the same in the present day.

Be the one lost sheep that Jesus carries on His shoulders in joy when you answer His call. Dare to be the reason God’s angels rejoice in Heaven when you repent and release your past. Leave your sins, regrets, and mistakes behind you. It is exactly what God does for us — and expects from us — as Psalm 103:12 declares, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Scriptures That Remind You the Lord is Always With You

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Deuteronomy 31:8
“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

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A Thankful Prayer for the Love of God

Father God in Heaven, I thank You for not holding my past against me and for removing my sins far from me. When the enemy stirs my flesh with the painful emotions that troubled memories produce, You are my strength to look ahead. When others use my past against me, Your kept promise of redemption moves me forward. Even when I am weak and look back on mistakes I’ve made, answering Your call brings forth good fruit in abundance. When others gave up on me, You remained without judgment. When I wanted to give up, You lifted me up. You are my strength and I thank You. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May God lift the weight of yesterday with the promises of tomorrow.
May the love of Jesus Christ calm you when your past tries to call you.
And may the Holy Spirit lift you when your spirit is down.

1. I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, that acceptable and perfect will of God.

Understanding Soul and Spirit

It is normal for people to have confidence in what they can see, but it takes faith to have confidence in what cannot be seen. Everyone can agree that as physical beings we are three-dimensional — having height, width, and length. Far fewer understand, or accept, that we are also three-dimensional in our being: spirit, soul, and body. Some dismiss the spirit altogether while acknowledging the soul and the body — yet still do not recognize the soul as a true dimension of the complete person. Others confuse the soul with the spirit, attributing it to the spiritual realm without understanding its role in how we think, feel, and choose.

To understand the soul, it may be best to first understand the spirit. Romans 8:16 says, “For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” This verse makes it clear that “His Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit. When you are born again, your spirit is no longer dead in sin but alive in the spiritual realm. The Holy Spirit communicates with your spirit, providing instructions, guidance, and warnings — what the natural world calls intuition.

When Jesus died on the Cross, the veil of the temple was torn, signifying that the old covenant had ended and the new covenant had begun. Under the new covenant, the children of God gained direct access to Him because the torn veil removed the barrier between God and His people. Also under the new covenant, your spirit communicates with the Holy Spirit — which is the Spirit of God Himself. When you were born again, it was your spirit that was saved, becoming a new creation and adopted by God, not your soul or your body. When you physically die, your spirit sheds its earthly tabernacle — the body — and is received by God. We know this from the words of Stephen in Acts 7:59: “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’” And when God grants eternal life, you will receive a new and glorious body like that of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21).

As for the soul, it is the thought-dimension of mankind and lives alongside the flesh — and must choose to surrender to God. Notice the common saying is “sold your soul to the devil,’ not “sold your spirit.” Once you are born again, your spirit is made new, but your flesh still desires the things the god of this world offers: momentary physical pleasures, material distractions, and — just like him — thoughts of superiority. Your thoughts become food for your soul, and your soul in turn feeds your flesh. This is why Paul instructs “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Your mind is the collection of thoughts that come from your soul — your deepest most inner being.

The Soul Holds the Motives God Searches and Satan Tempts

As previously stated, your spirit belongs to God once you are born again, and the devil has no rights to anything in the heavenly, spiritual realm. However, your soul is in your hands, and you govern it in this world. This returns us to the gift of free will. Satan did not tempt the spirit of Eve — he attacked her reasoning, her sense of logic, the place where free will is exercised and the depths of the soul are exposed through the thoughts that lead to actions.

Even under the New Covenant, though the Mosaic/Levitical laws no longer apply, God is still the same and does not change. Speaking for the Lord, Jeremiah 17:10 declares, “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” The Holy Spirit examines our souls — the dwelling place of our thoughts, motives, and the intentions that shape our choices. As we learn from Proverbs 16:2, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”

Philippians 2:12 says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Here we see Paul encouraging the church in Philippi to exercise their faith with reverence toward God, even when their teacher is not present. As it is often said, integrity is not measured by what a person does when others are watching, but by what is done when no one is around. How you train your soul will determine whether your body becomes an example of faith and Godly integrity — a sacrifice worthy of being presented to God — or whether you will continue to surrender to the desires of the flesh.

A Soul Shaped by Christ to Look and Live Like Christ

To be a living sacrifice to God means practicing a new nature in self and toward others. This includes being slow to anger and seeking to understand before reacting. It means not criticizing others or measuring them by yourself in order to feel superior — so that you don’t think of yourself as being higher than you ought (Romans 12:3). Your thoughts should be to judge situations without being judgmental toward people in them, guarding your heart from hypocrisy. A soul shaped by compassion reflects on its own imperfections and seeks to show others their own possibilities.

When Jesus told the disciples to deny themselves (Matthew 16:24), He was instructing them to shed their self-centered and even self-willed desires. When we shape our souls with thoughts of Christlike humility, compassion, and even healthy self-respect, we slowly shed the sin-nature that once controlled our flesh. Yes, we will stumble, but we are less likely to indulge the flesh — and far less likely to backslide — when our souls are transformed into the likeness of Christ and of our reborn spirits.

We too are a trinity, and the mission is to bring our trinity into unity. When our spirit, soul, and body are in harmony, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 becomes a living reality, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Scriptures Based on Godly Growth

1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

1 Timothy 4:7
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”

Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Hebrews 13:20-21
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

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A Prayer of Gratitude to God and for a Spirit-Led Soul

Father God in Heaven, I am thankful that You have given Your Spirit to commune with my spirit to guide me. In my natural state, my flesh is anchored to my soul and my soul to the world. But through Your Holy Spirit, my thoughts are corrected, distractions are exposed for what they are, and my flesh is denied. My soul is no longer in the hands of the evil one, and my innermost thoughts are now aligned with the righteous, cleansing work You have performed within me. You sacrificed Your Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as an example to follow, and in His name I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May the cleansing work of God Almighty shape your soul.
May the life of Christ Jesus be the example you seek for your soul.
And may the Holy Spirit lead your soul into godly living.

1. I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, that acceptable and perfect will of God.

It is normal for people to have confidence in what they can see. It takes faith to have confidence in what cannot be seen. Everyone can agree that as physical beings we are three-dimensional having height, width, and length. Far fewer understand — or accept — that we are also three-dimensional in our being: spirit, soul, and body. Some may dismiss the spirit altogether while acknowledging the soul and the body — yet still won’t recognize the soul as a true dimension of the complete person. Possibly confusing the soul with the spirit by attributing it to the spiritual realm, without understanding its role in how we think, feel, and choose.

To understand the soul, it may be best to first understand the spirit. Romans 8:16 says, “For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” This verse makes it clear that “His Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit. When you are born again, your spirit is no longer dead in sin but alive in the spiritual realm. The Holy Spirit communicates with your spirit, providing you with instructions, guidance, and warnings — what the natural world calls intuition.

When Jesus died on the Cross, the veil of the temple was torn, signifying that the old covenant had ended and the new covenant had begun. Under the new covenant, the children of God gained direct access to Him because the torn veil removed the barrier between God and His people. Under the new covenant your spirit communicates with the Holy Spirit — which is the Spirit of God Himself. When you were born again, it was your spirit that was saved becoming a new creature and adopted by God, not your soul or your body. When you physically die, your spirit sheds its earthly tabernacle — the body. And when God grants eternal life, you will receive a new and glorious body like that of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21).

As for the soul, it is the thought dimension of mankind and lives in the physical realm alongside the flesh — and must choose to surrender to God. Notice the common saying is “sold your soul to the devil, not “sold your spirit to the devil.” Once you are born again, your spirit is made into a new creation, but your flesh still desires the things the god of this world offers: momentary physical pleasures, material distractions, and — just like him — thoughts of superiority. Your thoughts become food for your soul, and your soul in turn feeds your flesh. This is why Paul instructs “be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Your mind is the collection of thoughts that come from your soul — your deepest, most inner being.

As previously stated, your spirit belongs to God once you are born again, and the devil has no rights to anything in the Heavenly, spiritual realm. However, your soul is in your hands, and you govern it in this world. This returns us to the gift of free will. Satan did not tempt the spirit of Eve — he attacked her reasoning, her sense of logic, the place where free will is exercised and the depths of the soul are exposed through the thoughts that lead to actions.

Even under the New Covenant, though the Mosaic/Levitical laws no longer apply, God is still the same and does not change. Speaking for the Lord, Jeremiah 17:10 declares, “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” The Holy Spirit examines our souls — the dwelling place of our thoughts, motives, and the intentions that shape our choices.

Philippians 2:12 says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Here we see Paul encouraging those of the church in Philippi to exercise their faith with reverence towards God, even in the absence of their teacher. As it is said, integrity is not measured by the things a person does when others are around, but by the things done when no one is around. How you train your soul will decide if your body becomes an example of faith and Godly integrity, a sacrifice worthy of being presented to God — or if you will continue to surrender to the desires of the flesh.

To be a living sacrifice to God means practicing a new nature toward others. Being slow to anger and seeking to understand before reacting. It means not criticisizing others or measuring them by yourself in order to feel superior — this ensures you don’t think of yourself higher than you should (Romans 12:3). Your thoughts should be to Judge situations without being judgmental toward people in them — this guards your heart from hypocriscy. A soul shaped by compassion reflects on its own imperfections and seeks to show others their own possibilites.

When Jesus told the desciples to deny themselves (Matthew 16:24), he was instructing them to shed their self-centered and even self-willed desires. When we shape our souls with thoughts of Christlike humility, compassion, and even healthy self-respect, we slowly shed the sin-nature that once controlled our flesh. Yes, we will stumble, but we are less likely to indulge the flesh — and far less likely to backslide — when our souls are transformed into the likeness of our reborn spirits.

We too are a trinity, and the mission is to bring our trinity into unity. When our spirit, soul, and body are in harmony, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 becomes a living reality, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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