Author: James Cheef Wright

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12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13. But exhort one another while it is called today, unless any of you be hardened through deceitfulness of sin.

For decades — perhaps even centuries — Christians have practiced their faith by going to church on Sunday. This has been the primary way many acknowledge God. And truth be told, the sermon has often replaced the personal reading of Scripture. Rightfully so, Jesus is proclaimed as Lord and Savior from the pulpit, and in the congregation — with choirs and musicians leading worship in song. All of this is good and should be done.

But when you peer between the lines of Scripture, you find that the phrase “brothers and sisters in Christ” is more than just words — unlike the feeling the words have today. In many churches, once the service service is over, congregations go their separate ways with little thought of those they were just worshipping with. In contrast, the New Testament writers reinforce the bond that followers of Christ should share.

• Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
• Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
• Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love

These verses show that unity, encouragement of one another, and expressions of love are commandments inspired by the Spirit of God. Commandments given not to brag and boast of one’s commitment to Christ, but to ensure that our faith remains strong against falling away, and that the Spirit within us rises above the flesh when temptation comes.

The phrase “Take heed” in Hebrews 3:13 isn’t as gentle as it sounds in English. The Greek word is “blepo” and it is a strong warning to “see to it“, to be vigilant and watchful “lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Every New Testament writer understood the dangers believers faced, and their writings illustrate the opposition to those that followed Christ. There was persecution that often led to imprisonment or death. Jews that didn’t believe Jesus to be the Messiah and encouraged Christ following Jews to return to Judaism — even encouraging Gentiles that followed Christ to instead follow Jewish customs. There were also those who worshipped pagan gods or no god at all. The early Christians no doubt needed each other to remain firm in their faith after the ascension of Jesus.

Although the writer of Hebrews is unknown, what is known is their deep connection to the early Church, and their understanding of the weakness of the flesh in a society driven by sin. It was not unlike the time of Judges 17:6 when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Although we live in a far more developed world today, the threat of temptation has not changed. That is why the command “But exhort one another while it is called today, unless any of you be hardened through deceitfulness of sin” is as relevant today as it was in the first century.

Christ is the head of the Church body, and no believer stands alone. Unity makes the Gospel strong in the places where sin loves to thrive. The English term exhort comes from the Greek parakaleo which means to urge, to call alongside, to encourage, or to strengthen. We commanded to encourage and strengthen each other’s faith so that no heart becomes hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We are to exhort one another not just to avoid sin — but to help our brothers and sisters through the darkness of depression, the weight of anxiety, and to provide peace over anger. Just as Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ.

Christians should cultivate faith-based relationships that grow by gathering together in our homes for Bible study, prayer, and even simple social opportunities that allow us to leave the world behind for a few hours — or even a day or weekend. Instead of arguing and debating on social media about the differences in interpretation of Scripture, we should embrace those differences and recognize that often times interpretations are shaped by personal experience. We must stop relying solely on the organized church and its buildings to practice our faith and learn Scripture. When believers act as the Church, faith becomes stronger in the community, and the community itself becomes stronger. It is our responsibility to make uprightness the norm by living righteous lives through faith and encouraging the same in our brothers and sisters.

Proverbs 27:17 reminds us “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This is every Christian’s call to faith-based duty to strengthen the Church, spread the Gospel, and ensure the stability of the brothers and sisters beside them. A duty rooted in righteousness and shaped by every holy-inspired Word of Scripture. When we walk in spiritual discernment, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our paths become enlightened instead of stumbling in the darkness. These are the steps that guard our hears and help us to avoid “departing from the living God.”

Father God in Heaven, we pray that the Church grows stronger in spiritual wisdom, individually in the Gospel, and together as the body of Christ. Lead us into fellowship willingly, not out of duty. Let none be ashamed of the faith nor the calling to discipleship. Let your glory shine everywhere darkness loves to reign. In Christ Jesus’ Name. Amen.

19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
20. Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and loe, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 is clear — but do modern translations give many believers an incomplete or even incorrect understanding of what He meant? And if so, could Christians unintentionally be falling short of what it means to follow Christ? To fully understand Jesus’ words, we must lean on the original Greek text.

One of the most noticeable differences between the Greek text and some English translations is this: the word “make” is not in the Greek text.

So Jesus could not have said “go and make disciples of all nations.” Furthermore, you cannot turn a nation into a disciple. This English translation is not only confusing, but also not linguistically nor practically possible. But, for the English lexicon, along with the authority given to the disciples, adding the word make, makes it make sense.

Jesus did say, “Therefore having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you.” Here we see the challenge the translators faced — the Greek phrasing that states, “disciple all nations”, which sounds confusing in English. We are back at the same problem — you cannot turn a nation into a disciple.

But the King James translators resolved this by understanding the use of the Greek word matheteúsate (“disciple”) and translating it correctly into English. They recognized that disciple is being used as a verb meaning teach. Jesus was not referring to people as disciples in this phrase — He was referring to the act of discipling, the act of teaching. He was telling His followers to go and teach — to instruct or train people from every nation in the way of Christ by guiding them into His truth, helping them grow a desire to obey everything He commanded.

It is also worth noting that “mathétés” is the noun form of the word disciple, and it simply means learner or pupil. The Twelve should be held in high regard because Jesus chose them to walk closest to Him. But we should not disregard the fact that they were still learners of His way, just like the other 70 that were sent out on missions, and like those of us that follow Him today. Like us, they were sinners, and they stumbled to follow Him like we do today. They were learning the same Word we are learning, and teaching the same truth we teach — ordinary people following an extraordinary Savior, just as we do today.

I fear that modern translations have made many Christians unworthy of the exact duty that Jesus commands all of His followers to fulfill — not because they lack spiritual understanding, but because wording and teaching makes them believe they must “make disciples” in a way that makes them feel unqualified. Jesus knows every believer is a worthy disciple, fully capable of teaching His way as they learn from Him — just as the Twelve did. Jesus simply called them to teach His way. And this is one of the very reasons the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer: to lead us to the truth, remind us of who we are in Christ, and to empower us to be models to others as we grow in Christ ourselves.

Paul warned to not be taken captive by “vain philosophies” in Colossians 2:8 — wise-sounding theology that often overshadows the simplicity of Scripture. Yet today, equal if not greater authority is given to theological systems built by men such as Calvin (Calvinism) or Arminius (Arminianism). Such philosophies, have in many instances twisted Scriptures and made them feel beyond common understanding. And when human philosophies rise to the level of Scripture, God’s Word can feel distant or too complicated to comprehend. This can lead believers into false teachings or away from the Word entirely.

Does this mean we should eliminate preachers, pastors, and ministers? God forbid! Preachers with the gift to deliver messages that form the foundation of a believer’s week are priceless — when those messages are rooted in Scripture. Pastors who nurture spiritual growth can be vital to both a church and its community. And the guidance, structure, and care provided by ministers is a special gift of its own.

But the disciple is one who reflects the church as the body of Christ, outside of and beyond the church building — not just on Sunday’s, but every day. A disciple walks like Christ at home, work, in public, and in their relationships. Others sense the love of Jesus in them, hears the truth of Jesus from them, and see the character and integrity of Jesus in them wherever they go. Just like church leaders — but without the obligation to the church organization. A disciple’s identity is simply a follower of Christ, and is not tied to a pulpit, program, or ministry schedule.

Jesus called all who followed Him disciples. The challenge for them remains the same for us today — to continue learning from Him, and to apply what we are learning to how we live. We are all New Testament disciples once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and yield to His ways. And as His disciples we are expected to provoke others to emulation through both teaching and example. This is exactly what Jesus did with His earthly ministry: He carried out the instructions of the Father, and we are given the same instructions because we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Amen

52. And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the Saints which had slept, arose,
53. And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the Holy city, and appeared unto many.

Scripture tells us that after Jesus gave up His Spirit, there was an earthquake so violent that rocks were broken, and the Temple veil that covered the Holiest of Holies was ripped from top to bottom. In this act, God announced that all who believe Jesus is their Lord and Savior now have direct access to Him. There would no longer be a need for sacrifices or an earthly high priest, because Jesus — the unblemished lamb — became sacrifice once and for all and our High Priest.

These events are recorded in all four Gospel accounts, but Matthew includes something the others don’t — the resurrection of the Saints. Matthew 27:52 tells us, “And the graves were opened, and many of the bodies of the Saints which had slept, arose.”

Some discredit this “early resurrection” of the Saints by pointing to 1 Corinthians 15:20 which states, “But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept.” But Matthew 27:52 is one of many instances where verse divisions interrupt the flow the scriptures are meant to have. Verse 53 continues the thought: “And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Matthew does not contradict Paul — he confirms that Christ rose first. Then as a sign of victory over death, and perhaps as a testimony of eternal life to the living and generations to come, the saints rose after Him.

Matthew is not the only Gospel writer that records a unique event that took place during the final hours of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Mark writes about an event found nowhere else in Scripture — an event that took place at the time of Jesus’ arrest. In Mark 14:51-52 we read: “And there followed Him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body, and the young man laid hold on Him. And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.”

Hebrew custom at the time was to bury their dead naked, wrapped in a linen cloth. The only other New Testament reference to the dead being wrapped in a linen cloth is Jesus Himself. When taking into account the timeline of events set forth in the other Gospels, a remarkable possibility emerges. When Jesus spoke the words “I Am” — declaring himself to be God in the flesh — the power of that declaration knocked the Roman soldiers off their feet. It is entirely possible that the grave of the young Hebrew boy was opened.

This was likely not a resurrection like the saints in Matthew 27, but rather the same power unleashed when Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb bringing him back to life. The same resurrection power that was unleashed after Jesus’ declaration “I Am”, may have been strong enough to touch the nearby tomb of the young man. If so, like Lazarus, he would experience physical death again in the future — for this would be a temporary restoration of life, not the eternal resurrection where death is no more.

But who were the saints that were resurrected after Jesus? To answer that we have to remember that the writers of Scripture were addressing an audience of their time. Their readers would have had a different understanding of who “the saints” referred to — an understanding we don’t have because we are separated by centuries. Many of the witnesses were probably some of the “above 500 brethren at once” that Paul wrote about Jesus appearing to.

Just as today, when we talk to or text someone we know, there are details we don’t bother mentioning because the person receiving our words will fully understand the context. The biblical writers did the same — this was normal then, just as it is now. Their audience lived in the same culture, read the same scrolls (what we call the Old Testament), and shared the same terminology. This shared understanding prevented the writers need to spell out every detail that the readers would naturally fill in. Details that we sometimes struggle with by being separated by centuries.

The Greek term for “saints” used in Matthew 27:52 is “Ayíoi” which translates to “holy ones” or “saints”. Since the New Testament was written in Greek, looking at the original wording often gives us a better understanding of the writer’s intentions. In this case, “holy ones” perhaps gives us a better understanding of what Matthew meant, because “holy” is a word used often in the Old Testament to describe those set apart by God. Matthews audience would have immediately understood this language and recognized who he was referring to.

With our knowledge of the Old Testament, and those who were considered “holy”, we can begin to speculate about who these saints may have been — and there are many. Abraham, Sarah, Issac, and Jacob for starters. Moses and Noah. Then the twelve patriarchs, Jacob’s sons who went on to become the leaders of the 12 Tribes of Israel, including Joseph. We can also consider the judges God appointed, followed by some of the kings, such as David and Solomon. There were the holy prophets God chose to be messengers. Job, who was set apart as a pillar of spiritual endurance in the face of Satan’s accusations. And women like Deborah, Esther, and Ruth — each chosen by God to play pivotal roles in Israels history.

There are also names in the New Testament that must be considered. Zechariah and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, lived righteous and blameless lives, and were set apart by God. John himself, chosen to be the forerunner of Christ, and was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mothers womb. And Joseph, the earthly father who faithfully raised, protected and provided for Jesus, certainly stands with those Scripture describes as “saints” or “holy ones.”

It is not beyond the scope to also consider the martyrs in Revelation 6:10: “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” When the fifth seal is opened, John sees “under the alter”, the souls of those that had been slain for the Word of God (Revelation 6:9). Here we see clear evidence that there are holy souls already in the presence of God, awaiting the day of judgment.

The Bible does not contradict or discredit itself. Instead, Scripture gives us proof upon proof — and hope on top of hope — when passages are compared to each other rather than judged in isolation. The early resurrection of the holy ones stands as one more testimony that God keeps his promises. It shows us that eternal life for all who believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour, is a promise that will be kept.

So when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we are also celebrating our own resurrection — and the eternal life we will share with Him.

12. Who can understand his errors? Cleans thou me from secret faults.
13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength, and my redeemer.

Today’s devotional is dedicated to Psalm 19:12-14 — David’s prayer to be cleansed from sin. Jesus taught to acknowledge the Father with the Disciples prayer. Paul taught the early church to pray for spiritual wisdom. David’s prayers in the book of Psalms cover a wide range of emotional needs, but in Psalm 19 his focus is on being cleansed of his sins.

Verse 12 gives us a true sense of Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:41, “The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus spoke these words to the disciples after praying in Gethsemane and finding them asleep the first time. Ironically, verse 41 starts with the words “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation“, — temptation being the entrance to sin.

Psalm 19:12 also prompts us to hearken the words of Paul in Romans 7:15 (NIV), “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” David is asking God, “what man can understand the errors of his own ways?” Although separated by centuries, David recognizes the same exact struggles Paul describes — having a spirit aligned with God’s law, but flesh that is sinful by its very nature. The exact same struggles that we face today, some 2,000 years after Paul’s writing.

What God considers sin is often much different from what we believe to be sin. As such, there are times when we are not even conscious of our sins. This may be what David is referring to when he writes, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults.” A clearer understanding might be, “Declare me innocent of sins I am unaware of.” It also has to be considered that David may be asking forgiveness of sins only known to him and God — faults known to the Lord but may never be known by others.

Verse 13 shows David’s understanding that God is all-knowing, and his willingness to be fully vulnerable — spiritually “naked” before Him. Without diving into Hebrew root meanings, we understand “presumptuous sins” to be acts of sin willfully committed against God’s law, often with pride and arrogance, as the Hebrew text suggests. David is acknowledging that a prideful heart leads to sin and risks falling away from God — what he calls “the great transgression.” But a humble heart is one that seeks God, aligns with Him, and finds righteousness.

The closing of Davids prayer echoes commands we see throughout Scripture. We are taught to be mindful of our tongues, to speak with clean conversation, and for the thoughts our hearts to be clean as well. In this way, as followers of Christ, we are examples to others of what being Christ-like is — and this is acceptable to God. All sin begins in the thoughts of our hearts, and proverbial fires are kindled with the sparks of our tongues. Proverbs 23:7 teaches us, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so he is.” And Jesus warns us in Matthew 12:36, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

These two verses strike at the very heart of the origin of sin — how we are shaped by thoughts we dwell on, and the weight and gravity of what we choose to speak — both inwardly and outwardly.

David’s Psalms embody the meaning of God’s words “A man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22), and Psalm 19:12-14 is no exception. In this passage we learn that pride and arrogance often lie at the root of sins we are aware of, and that there are sins we are not aware of. We see that we can pray for protection from a prideful heart and ask forgiveness for the sins we do not recognize. And when we these are our prayers, the Lord is faithful to strengthen us, cleanse us, and redeem us.

3. Jesus answered, and said Verily, verily I say unto the, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

Two questions many Christians find the most difficult to answer are, “what does it mean to be born again“, and “are you born again?” Even Nicodemus — a well-educated and highly regarded Pharisee — could not grasp the meaning of what Jesus meant when He told him, “except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus responded to Jesus with utter confusion, stating, “How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4).

Perhaps the misunderstanding goes back to not fully grasping the command and consequence God gave to Adam in Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eat eat thereof, thou shalt surely die.” While the physical process of the body dying may have begun once Adam and Eve ate of the tree, God clearly did not mean immediate physical death. We know this because Adam lived to be 930 years old. Although though Eve’s lifespan is not stated, we can assume it was similar.

Here we see a powerful revelation that forms one of the main themes of Scripture: “You will surely die” refers to spiritual death — the separation of humanity from God’s Spirit. And “being born again” is the restoration of that life through the Son, the second Adam, who came so we might regain eternal life.

Just as God is triune — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — His children are triune as well, consisting of soul, spirit, and body. A person’s spirit remains dead until they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and believe in their heart the Gospel: that He died, was buried, and rose again on the the third day. Until a person believes the Gospel, their spirit remains dead in sin.

This is what Paul reveals in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” And in Romans 5:17 contrasting spiritual death with eternal life, “For if by one mans offense, death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”

So what exactly does it mean to be born again? “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Being born again is the birth of your spirit. You are no longer a slave to sin — your spirit becomes stronger than your flesh as you become a servant to God, led by His Holy Spirit (Romans 6:20-23). Though this is a spiritual birth, it does show in your physical essence. Foul language gives way to clean conversation. Fornication feels empty. Addictions lose their stronghold and are exchanged for sobriety. Carnal anger fades and is turned into righteous indignation toward the same ungodly things you once found pleasure in.

Being born again does not force you to change your ways — it creates a desire to do so. This is what Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:8, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” It also does not mean you won’t ever sin again, but when you do stumble, the Holy Spirit will convict you, and you correct your course quicker.

Without the Holy Spirit, mankind’s understanding remains limited to the natural realm — spiritual things cannot be understood (1 Corinthians 2:14). This is why, without being born again, the Bible is difficult for many to understand. Jesus explained this to His disciples in John 14:26, “But the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have told you.”

Once a believer is able to discern spiritual things “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16). The Holy Spirit becomes not only our companion, but both Teacher and Witness — dwelling within us, revealing truth and confirming our identity.

This is the core of what Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus in John 3:3, “except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Not church attendance, not giving long prayers, or even being able to quote a few scriptures — none of these will give you entrance into the Kingdom of God. Only by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, believing in your heart the Gospel truth that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose on third day, can you be born again and receive eternal life.

From Old to New Testament, Scripture is clear about what is acceptable to God and what is not. He does not expect perfection — in fact, He knows that before we discover our spiritual selves, we will be dead in sin. Perhaps this is why Scripture teaches us that the natural comes before the spiritual, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:46, “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual: but that which is natural, and afterward that which is spiritual.”

When Jesus chose His disciples, He did not choose from religious leaders. He chose men in their natural state — sinners, fisherman and tax collectors — even choosing Mary Magdelene after casting our demonic spirits from her. Jesus gave the pathway to life when he said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

Father God in Heaven, I thank you — not for the things You have given me in my natural life, but for making me a new creation in Christ Jesus and giving me eternal life. Your love for me would not leave my spirit dead or allow me to remain a slave to sin. You sacrificed your Son and raised Him to life again so that I too may have eternal life with You. I am forever grateful, and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen

Although Paul was not one of the twelve Disciples, nor was he one of the seventy-two Jesus sent out on missions to minister, his zeal for following Jesus Christ is unapparelled. He openly admitted that he had been the chief sinner and, as a Pharisee, the chief persecutor of those who followed Christ. Yet after being chosen by Jesus, Paul became the one of the greatest examples of what it means to be born again. If Paul were alive today, he would rightly be called a prayer warrior.

His affection for prayer gives us one of the shortest verses in the Bible: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He taught us to let our requests be made known to God with prayer and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). It was Paul is who instructed followers of Christ to pray for all people — including political leaders — because when society is at peace, the Gospel can spread more freely (1 Timothy 2:1-2). But what is it about Paul’s prayers in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians that align them with the will of God — and can do the same for us today?

Paul shows that prayer forms the foundation of the church — the body of Christ — by opening each of the aforementioned epistles with prayer. Regardless of the issues that prompted his letters to these churches, even though verse divisions were not a part of the original letters, we see that each begins with Paul praying. This shows how important he felt prayer was in correcting the course of a congregation. The modern church teaches that prayers should be made in order to correct the course of a person’s life, it even teaches to pray for others. But there is a stark contrast to today, and what we see in Paul’s prayers.

Modern prayer takes “making requests known to God” and with it forms the foundation of prayer — asking for material things. Turning the promise that “God will supply all your needs through His riches in Christ Jesus”, into a service, rather than receiving it as a gift of grace. Another prayer that is common today is the “why me” prayer. Even though scripture teaches that trials, tribulations, and afflictions will come, many believers still find it strange when they do. Much worse, wavering faith has become common when prayers are not answered according to personal expectation. But if all of God’s promises are true, why aren’t more prayers met with the expectations they are made with?

The answer is shockingly simple. Paul’s prayers are faith centered — driven by a desire to understand God, learn to be Christ like, and effortlessly receive God’s promises to His children. In Ephesians 1:17-19 prays “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints: And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”

When you pray for spiritual wisdom (James 1:5), the Holy Spirit can enlighten you to God’s will for your life — “the hope of His calling.” Scripture teaches that it is the Holy Spirit who gives spiritual gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-13). God has a plan for each of His children, and He provides them with the gifts needed to fulfill that plan. Rooted faith is what positions us to receive “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” — the glory of God shining through the child of God. Not works. Not wishful thinking. Faith aligned with God’s will.

In Philippians 1:9-11 Paul prays, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment. That ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere, and without offense till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.”

This aligns perfectly with the will of God because, God is love. Jesus even commands His followers to love each other as He loves them (John 13:34). When we pray to learn how to love — and that love begins to grow in us — we naturally start producing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance. The traits keep us from being offensive, angry, or easily stressed. And when these traits emanate from us, others are far less likely to be offensive, angry, and stressful toward us.

Are not these the exact traits most people seek for their own lives?

Colossians 1:9-12 encompasses all of the previous prayers, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness.”

Although Paul prayed these prayers to those he ministered to, he was also instructing them on what to pray for themselves — and we too should pray in the same way — for spiritual wisdom, understanding, and love. Spiritual wisdom to discern the path God has prepared for us, that we may receive our blessings and hearts desires. We pray for spiritual understanding so we can learn God’s ways and grow to be Christ like. And we pray for love, so that by producing the fruit of the Spirit, others see God shining through us.

We don’t have to pray for God to give us material things in this temporal world that He has already provided for us in the spiritual realm. Instead, we pray for the spiritual wisdom and guidance to manifest what He has already promised. When our prayers align with His will, His blessings unfold in our lives, effortlessly by walking in the Spirit.

Father God in Heaven, I thankfully pray for all that You are and how wonderfully and fearfully You made me to be. I pray that my heart grows in love so that in me You are seen. I pray that my spiritual understanding deepens giving me greater understanding of Your ways, and into Christ Jesus who lives in me. I pray for abounding wisdom in Your Word and into your path for my life, so that I may be a good and faithful servant, and a blessing to others. In Christ Jesus name I pray. Amen

14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath the righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?
15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he with an infidel.

In Paul’s day farming was well-respected and essential way of life. Eating from the land wasn’t taken for granted as it is today, so it was common practice to use farming metaphors when teaching spiritual truths. In fact, the word “yoke” appears 49 times in the Bible, showing that who the children of God attach themselves to is of great importance to Him. In fact, Jesus has specifics instructions about His own yoke in Matthew 11:29-30 stating, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

What we read as the New Testament was not written at the time of Paul’s ministry. When Jesus spoke of His yoke, Paul was still a pharisee so it is unlikely that he would have heard or respected any of Jesus’ teachings. This just adds weight to the significance of the yoke as a metaphor for the believer. It is a picture God intentionally preserved — one the Holy Spirit inspired writers to use across scripture, to teach His people how to walk in unity with Him.

When two oxen are “unequally yoked” there is a shorter or weaker ox teamed with a taller or stronger ox. The shorter or weaker ox slows down the two, even leading them to walk in a circles instead of moving forward. In the same, way the unbeliever acts as a counterbalance to the faith of the believer. Being unequal spiritually is what Paul is warning against, not stature or strength. Unequally yoked spiritually leads to confusion, frustration, misunderstanding, and misdirection.

It is impossible to not interact with unbelievers; they are in the workplace, communities, online spaces, and even in social gatherings believers attend. Even lukewarm believers can find themselves thinking and acting like unbelievers at times. So while the unbelievers will be among us until the end times, as believers it is our duty to protect our faith by limiting our exposure to them. Building close relationships with unbelievers risks being subtly led into sin. Gradually, the norms of the world begin to feel acceptable. “Jesus turned water into wine” becomes the justification that leads from casual to excessive drinking. “Try it before you buy it” becomes the excuse for fornication. Believers do stumble and commit sin, but being yoked together with unbelievers risks drifting into a sin-filled life.

Light cannot fellowship with darkness because of the power its gravity holds in this fallen world. The god of this world is Satan, and he uses unbelievers to spiritually blind those who are not firmly rooted in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). God has commanded the light to shine out of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:5), but for the light of the believer to shine onto the unbeliever does not require communion with them. It means that in our interactions with them, the way we carry ourselves and live our lives should influence them toward Christ. Light shines and can influence from a distance. Darkness, however, doesn’t illuminate; and needs its subject close in order to have an influence.

Light has nothing in common with darkness, Christ has nothing in common with Bilial — a name meaning “worthlessness” referring to Satan himself. Just as Jesus separated Himself from the ways of Satan, God’s children must separate themselves from the ways of this world. We are commanded to form no union with the ungodly — which is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 6:14. The moral infrastructure that forms the foundation for the unbeliever is built on a completely different framework than that which forms the beliefs of the child of God. Forming a union with the ungodly will undoubtedly shake the framework your foundation is built on — leading to losses that only a complete course correction can regain. It is the kind of spiritual detour that requires being grafted back in again (Romans 11:23) — and the spiritual discipline and chastisement that comes with that process, is of no small matter. I speak from experience.

Choose your unions wisely and ask God for wisdom when choosing your unions. This covers romantic relationships, friendships, and even business partnerships. When it comes to family, although we cannot choose them, we can choose to distance ourselves from family members who are not Christ-centered. Do not overlook ungodly ways for the sake of family ties — risking separation from God. Following Christ is not a walk handed down automatically from generation to generation, though a Christ-centered upbringing can be a powerful influence. This is why we are to teach the young among us to follow Christ, not only with our words but expressed in the way we live. Our example becomes the yoke they learn to walk under.

Father God in Heaven, although I am surrounded by unbelievers in this world, Your light shines through their darkness, giving me the hope of the promise of your Kingdom — the inheritance I have received through your only begotten Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I rest in the work of the Cross, knowing that my faith is my bond to You. Let your Spirit guide me and show me how to be a vessel of Your light. In Christ Jesus name I pray. Amen

12. 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.
13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

After the fall of man to sin, earth came under the influence of the evil one. 2 Corinthians 4:4 declares “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not”, the god of this world being Satan. In John 8:44, in no uncertain terms, Jesus tells the pharisees that their spiritual father is Satan. These may be reasons that Paul felt it necessary to enlighten the believers in Corinth, that once they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they inherited the Spirit of God — the Holy Spirit dwelling within them.

The unbelieving world is completely spiritually blinded to the ways of God. Unfortunately, even some who claim to believe in God have taken to a watered-down Gospel — one that depicts Jesus as a great teacher, orator, or philosopher, rather than the Son of God. This completely diminishes the work of the Cross and plays right into the hands of the evil one. In the same way, prosperity preachers have turned worship services into motivational speaking events, cherry-picking the scriptures and portraying God as one who exists to serve His people.

These wisdoms of man blind the spiritual understanding of many even further, preventing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit from taking place. Prior to His ascension, Jesus explained to the disciples the role the Holy Spirit would play. In John 16:13, He taught that when the Spirit comes to those who believe, He will guide them to all truth. The guidance of the Spirit leads to the ability to “compare spiritual things with spiritual” — the ability to discern righteous from worldly, what is of God’s truth, from what is of man.

The natural person cannot receive the truths taught by the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit convicts, the natural person calls it “feeling guilty” and soon talks themself into the next sin. Divine intervention is called intuition or wisdom, never giving thought that the outcome may not have been for their benefit at all — but for one of God’s chosen who may be affected by their worldly decisions. Without being able to discern spiritually, divine moments are misinterpreted, and spiritual truths are dismissed as foolishness.

To the contrary, the spiritual mind judges all things spiritually, according to its walk with Christ. Jesus teaches in John 16:13-14 that the Spirit “will not speak of himself” and that he will glorify Jesus, “He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and show it unto you.” The Holy Spirit dwells inside the believer enabling them to discern all things with the mind of Christ. For this reason, the spiritual mind is a highly coveted target of the evil one — because once a believer learns to think with the mind of Christ, the enemy loses his influence.

The Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ are gifts given freely from God to all who believe. Satan thought he had won once he was able to lead Adam and Eve into sin by doubting God’s instruction. This is the same temptation he uses on God’s children today, to draw them away from His truth. Yet even though Jesus has defeated Satan, the Holy Spirit restrains his evil influence by giving divine guidance and instruction to the believer — until the end, when Satan is meets his final judgment and is cast into the lake of fire with the unbelievers. Because of this, it is our responsibility to guard our minds against worldly temptation by staying spiritually inclined through prayer and reading the Word, daily. Ensuring our place in eternity is the new Heaven and new earth, as God has promised (Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1).

Father God in Heaven, you have freely given me Your Spirit and the mind of Christ to guide and strengthen me. You knew the evil one would tempt my weak flesh, so You made my spirit strong through Yours. You knew my natural mind would cause me to stumble, yet through Christ I will not fall. While I may be judged by others according to my foolish past, you only see the new creation you’ve made. I am forever grateful that Your ways are higher than worldly ways, and Your understanding is not that of man. I give You thanks in the name of Jesus. Amen.

31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice,
32. And be ye kind one to another. Tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.
2. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor;

We read in the scriptures that both God and Jesus experienced anger — what we call righteous indignation. This is anger in response to ungodliness, injustice or the mistreatment of others. God displayed righteous indignation when dealing with the sins of the Israelites, and Jesus displayed it when confronting the hypocrisy and pride of the pharisees.

And although scripture warns us “Be ye angry and sin not, let not the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26), it is the angry heart that makes a person contrary to God. Anger is not the sin — an angry heart is. So much so that Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:10 that revilers will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Revilers are those who verbally abuse, insult, or slander others — these behaviors flow from a bitter heart, not isolated instances of anger. Heaven is a place of pleasure with no pain or sin; therefore, the posture of the heart determines if a person enters or not.

In the same way, being a Christian is to walk after Christ —carrying yourself in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control, the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Worshipping humbly on Sunday, but living with bitterness, wrath, and anger the rest of the week is not being Christlike and does great harm to Christianity. As believers, we are called to live lives that attract the lost and unbelieving to Christ. But when we live contrary to the character of Christ, we make ourselves hypocrites, weakening the witness of God’s Word.

Living with anger also does great harm not only to the soul, but to a person’s health and relationships. An angry nature places tremendous strain on the body and mind, eventually causing sever ramifications for the heart and brain. What starts out as anger-induced high blood pressure, can eventually lead to heart attack or stroke. Bitterness of heart can also open the door to depression and anxiety, which often come from unresolved anger. We are commanded to forgive, not to make the person being forgiven feel better — but to release the anger and bitterness that over time take control of the heart. No relationship — whether family, romantic, friendship, or professional, can survive an angry spirit. Few people want to remain close to someone whose nature is dominated by anger.

Forgiving others frees the heart for the fruits of the Spirit to flourish. Confidence is built when strength is found in meekness and humility — while anger is a defense and protector of pride. Forgiveness strengthens and builds relationships, and a warm word invites conversation. Joy is shared among those who fellowship, whereas an angry expression leads to isolation. We are not merely commanded to walk in love as Christ loved us, but the fruits of the Spirit grow out of a heart shaped by God’s grace — the outward expression of being born again.

In closing, Romans 5:8 declares, “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ went to the Cross willingly, not angrily. He healed out of love and forgave out of compassion. When He did express anger, it was at the injustice of others, and most severely towards those who twisted and perverted the Word of God.

The essence of being Christlike is to love and forgive like Christ, and to reserve our anger for what is truly ungodly and unjust. Never sleep with anger; do so and you rise with a bitter heart — and so begins the process. When Jesus expressed righteous anger, He didn’t dwell in it. He would move on in love and peace — the example His brothers and sisters are called to follow.

Ephesians 5:1 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.”

Father God in Heaven, in a world full of hostility, frustration, and anger, I pray for your peace that surpasses all understanding. Give me the peace that only Jesus can provide — the peace that will form my heart to flow with the fruits of your Spirit. Your Word tells me that “He who is slow to anger is of great understanding” (Proverbs 14:29). Teach me to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19), so that my life may be healthy, peaceful, and marked with longevity. In Christ Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

12. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.

People often ask two questions concerning God, “Did God create evil?” and “Why does God allow evil to happen?” In a single sentence, Psalm 81:12 answers both questions with a resounding “NO” and “He doesn’t!” God does not create evil, and He definitely does not condone it. However, He has given free will to believers and nonbelievers alike, and He will not force His will upon either.

To the contrary, at the risk of accepting responsibility for our own actions, we must acknowledge that we not only create more ways of doing evil, but we also accept, normalize, and condone the evil that is contrary to the righteousness of God. Whether in word, action, or deed, this current generation has become less inclined to the ideas of godly living, leaning instead on its own understanding and desires of the flesh.

God has always allowed mankind to follow its desires. For the individual child of God, His discipline becomes the method to bring the lost soul back into alignment with Him. But with the hardened heart, discipline is ignored and dismissed as merely bad luck. Prompting “Why me” moments, and self-inflicted wounds become reasons to question God. The proud heart may never even recognize God’s calls. Pride becomes a guard against pain, making them judgmental of others as a way to deflect from their own shortcomings and misfortunes — pacifying themselves instead of repenting. Godly discipline should not be shunned but embraced. Hebrews 12:10 reminds us that, “For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.”

God’s desire is for His children to walk in His ways. When we do, He can bless us with the desires of our hearts, protect us from the evil that lurks, and satisfy us with His peace. Yet sometimes things beyond our control will happen, leaving us without understanding. The righteous will suffer many afflictions in this fallen world, but God promises to deliver them from them all (Psalm 34:19). His blessings, promises, and protections are not blocked by earthly circumstances — only by hearts that are hardened against Him. Humble hearts hear and respond to God’s calls, but a proud heart is blind to discipline, resists correction, missing the protection God wants to give.

By letting us follow the desires of our flesh, God is showing us the consequences of our choices when they align with the world, and not His ways. Allow His discipline to lead to self-discipline. Fear not the shedding of relationships, habits, and misguided teachings handed down. Instead, dare to come boldly seeking new understandings that reveal you to be the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Unblocking the blessings and rewards that God has for your life.

Father God in Heaven, my faith has stayed in you, although my heart has swayed far from You at times. The desires of my flesh scream louder than the groanings of Your Spirit when I am weak. Correct my path, gently cure my thirst with your living Word, that it may go well with me, and my worldly pain turns into spiritual pleasure. In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.