Author: James Cheef Wright

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the light of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.

The Battle of Voices: Testing the Spirits That Seek Our Attention

The voice of God is something that every believer wishes to hear at some point, if not often. We know from the Old Testament in the B.C. era, God chose prophets that He spoke directly to. Moses was the primary prophet of the Law, yet even before him God spoke directly to Noah, and before that to Adam and Eve. What is especially intriguing about Adam and Eve is that through Satan’s deception we learn that as a spirit, he too was able to communicate with God’s children.

The knowledge of Satan’s ability to communicate is something every believer must remain aware of. It makes discernment essential and is exactly what 1 John 4:1 teaches: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” False teachers are one of Satan’s primary tools to twist God’s Word to mislead the believer. And when believers are misled, they become incapable of walking in alignment with God.

But once God ended the age of the prophets, it seems He stopped communicating directly with His people. Or did He simply change how He speaks? And what determines who God communicates with — whether in the B.C. or A.D. era?

The Holy Spirit: He Searches Our Heart and Reveals Our Spirit to God

We know that God is a Spirit and we are made in His image, making us spirit beings as well. We know that Jesus was God in the form of flesh, which makes it easy to understand how we too are spirits inside of a fleshly body. Paul affirmed this when he said, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Jesus explained to the disciples that unless He went away the Holy Spirit would not come to them (John 16:7). That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), when the Holy Spirit came to dwell within all of the disciples that were gathered — including “the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus” (Acts 1:14). This raises an important question: when the Prophets heard the voice of God, did they hear an audible voice, or were they describing hearing an inner voice?

“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.” This passage suggests that before God’s Spirit communicates with our spirit, He first discerns the condition of our heart. God is not moved by religious appearance or lip service. It’s exactly what He told Samuel, “For man sees the outward appearance, but God sees the heart of man” (1 Samuel 16:7). Only once the Holy Spirit sees that our heart is aligned with God—and not influenced by the spirit of the evil one—does He bear witness that we belong to God.

This is the true meaning of “The spirit of man is the light of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of the heart” (Proverbs 20:27). Just as God’s light reveals who He is, our light reveals to God who we truly are—the motives behind our actions and the intent behind our words. Our spirit is the lamp God uses to search the hidden places of our hearts that others do not see—exposing whether our walk with Christ is sincere or merely an outward appearance. This may be one factor in how God chooses with whom He communicates.

Truth of the Spirit or Carnal Influence: The Difference Between God’s Guidance and Deception

But how does God communicate with those He chooses? Everyone—believers and unbelievers alike—has spoken the words, “something told me.” Believers should say “The Holy Spirit told me.” Or “My spirit told me.” Again, we know from Satan’s deception in the Garden that he is capable of speaking to the human spirit. Scripture illustrates this clearly when it declares “No servant can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and Mammon” (Matthew 6:24 & Luke 16:13).

For the believer, it is the Holy Spirit that communicates with our spirit, giving us what is often called “intuition.” But why does intuition feel like a sixth sense? Jesus told the disciples, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The truth the Holy Spirit guides us to enables us to make wise, godly choices. To the contrary, the evil one — the father of lies — influences the carnal mind into unwise and destructive decisions.

The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Comforter because He guides us into truth, warns us of danger, and leads us to make wise decisions. He confirms who we are in God and Christ—a truth that Satan can never counterfeit. When you know that you have been born again and that you are a child of God, you can rest in Him and allow yourself to hear His voice. It may seem like a whisper in your mind, but you are not imagining it; this is why you feel in your spiritual heart what you spiritually hear. This is how God speaks to His children.

But it is of great importance that the believer understand that God is not the only voice speaking to His children. Not every thought, impression, or inward prompting originates from the Holy Spirit. And when temptation comes, we must remember what James 1:13 teaches: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” God does not dangle sin before our mind like bait, stirring the flesh to overpower the spirit. The Spirit of God, the flesh, and temptation all seek to be heard in the battlefield of the mind — making discernment essential, not optional. When God speaks, our thoughts align with His character, His Word, and His Holy Spirit within us. Carnal influence and spiritual deception — temptation — appeal to emotion, impulse, and fleshly desires. Discernment determines whether we walk in the truth of God or stumble into sin.

“The mind may be the battlefield where good and evil contend, but prayer and the Word of God are the weapons that defend it against spiritual deception.”

Scriptures for Spiritual Alignment With God

Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Psalm 37:5
“Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you.”

Romans 8:5
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:17
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

Ephesians 6:10-11
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

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A Prayer for Spiritual Clarity and Protection of the Trinity

Father God in Heaven, it can be difficult at times to hear Your gentle voice over the roar of the world. Help me to quench the fire of my flesh so I may be led by the light of Your Spirit. I know that You are my Father, and I know the deceiver is never far behind me. I serve You, Father God; I follow my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and I am led by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for surrounding me and protecting me with Your Holy Trinity. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

As temptation comes, may God strengthen your soul.
When the world becomes louder, may the peace of Jesus Christ fill your heart.
And may the Holy Spirit sharpen your discernment.

15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God, abideth forever.

Why God Warns About the World’s Influence

Scripture teaches that the god of this world is Satan. This does not mean that he is equal to Yahweh, but that he has temporary influence over the fallen earth — especially over the unbelieving. He is the author of the pride and lust that leads to covetousness and envy. Desire becomes an appetite the more the eyes behold, because just as he tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of the world, he tempts those in the world to live like kings — often far beyond their means.

God wants his children to have abundant lives. After all, the riches of the world belong to Him, and He gives them for our enjoyment. But idol worship is just as real today as it was in the day of the golden calf — and throughout many generations of Israels history. John chose his words wisely when he warned us to not love the “things” of the world. Inanimate objects, strange as it may seem, can have an effect that resembles infatuation. As believers we love the people God created and we love Him, because God is love and His love flows through His children. But it is impossible to feel God’s love from a material object. Material items cannot return affection, offer comfort, or possess a Spirit that testifies with our spirit. Only God can do those things.

The Danger of Misplaced Affection

“Love not the world“, because the world is driven by three forces: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — and these three work together to pull us away from God. Paul reminds us that “the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). This is the ongoing spiritual warfare that believers face in the form of temptation. The appetite of the flesh is fed by what the eyes see. Through the eyes, our pleasure points are triggered. This is why Jesus says, “Whosoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

Jesus was not condemning attraction, but the sin of lust. Lust begins with what the eyes see, takes root in the mind, and settles in the heart, empowering the flesh. David lived this reality when his eyes were drawn to Bathsheba while she bathed. What began as a moment of admiration became a seed of desire and possession. When the eye moves from simply admiring God’s creation to desiring to possess it, lust is at work.

Possession leads to a prideful life because it takes credit for what was received from God and attributes it to the work of the possessor. The prideful heart only sees what is in front of it and is incapable of seeing who God is — the Protector and the Provider. When lust and pride blind us from the Protector and Provider. When lust and pride blind us from the God who protects and provides, we become vulnerable to the god of this world — the one we must not love because he does not love us. His only aim is to steal us from our Heavenly Father, kill the eternal life God has promised His children, and destroy our time on earth — one lust-driven desire after another. The world and its cravings provide satisfaction for a short time but leave the soul empty continually. Only those that do the will of God abide forever.

God’s Jealousy: Protection Not Envy

God Himself tells us that He is a jealous God, (Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14). The Hebrew word translated “jealous” is qanna’ and it has a much deeper meaning than its English counterpart. It does not describe the petty envy toward a rival or the insecurity of a lover afraid of losing affection. Qanna’ expresses the fierce, protective zeal God has for His people — a holy passion that refuses to let evil separate His children from Him.

Time after time the Hebrews practiced idolatry, the Israelites joined themselves to pagan lifestyles and women as Solomon did, and Jewish leaders created laws that focused the people on religion instead of God. And time after time, God’s discipline was followed by the removal of pagan gods and rituals — even the total destruction of entire cultures — and ultimately the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. All of these actions by God reveal the deep zeal He has to protect His children from the evils of this fallen world.

Just as God Doesn’t Change, Neither Have We

Unfortunately, we today are not unlike the Hebrews, the Israelites, or the Jewish leaders of the first century. Paul points us to the Old Testament in 1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” Yet believers still join themselves with unbelievers, ignoring the warning of 2 Corinthians 6:14. And again, Paul provokes us to examine ourselves when He asks in 2 Corinthians 6:15, “What harmony has Christ with the devil, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”

Just as the words of the Old Testament prophets fell on many deaf ears, and the instructions of the New Testament were ignored by many in the early church, today they still are.

Jesus in the Flesh: Not for His Experience, but for Our Example

This is why in Matthew 11:29, Jesus says “Learn of me“. Jesus did not take on the form of the flesh to simply understand the temptations and emotions mankind faces so that He could become a compassionate High Priest to God’s children. He already knew. He was in Heaven when pride seized Satan and the war that followed resulted in the casting down of Lucifer and the angels who followed him. He watched as Satan influenced Eve to doubt God’s instructions, and how Eve in turn influenced Adam to sin. He witnessed the satanically-provoked envy that took root in Cain before he killed Abel. He saw in real time the provocation of the Hebrews in the wilderness that led to a forty-year journey and the death of an entire generation before entering the Promised Land.

Jesus came so that humanity could learn from Him, and through learning His ways and following Him, be redeemed and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. His healing miracles and casting out of demons show reveal the physical, emotional, and spiritual cost of mankind’s fall to sin. His compassion rooted in love, His righteous indignation toward injustice, His weeping when feeling the pain of Mary, His humility when washing the disciples’ feet as a servant — Jesus took on flesh to give us living examples of what it means to be righteous, holy, and godly. These are the attributes that lead to eternal life with the Father, and the reason we are called to follow Jesus and become Christlike.

The words of the prophets and the instructions of the New Testament could not penetrate the human condition deeply enough to keep the heart aligned with God. But Jesus in the flesh, experiencing our weaknesses without sin, showed us that even in a fallen world, it is possible to align our hearts with God and walk in His ways.

The Pride Born in Heaven Became Sin on Earth

Whether through the words of the prophets, the instructions of the New Testament apostles, or the teachings of Jesus Himself, Scripture reveals a common thread — the seeds of sin are planted in the mind and rooted in the flesh, drawing humanity to what is contrary to God. The flesh seeks immediate satisfaction, while the Holy Spirit looks to lead the believer back to the glory that was lost. That glory is so precious that sharp discernment is required to abide in God’s will and receive eternal life.

The pride of Lucifer may have been born in heaven, but the sin that made him Satan now roams the earth as a mind-ravaging spirit. This is why we are called to follow the example of Christ in the flesh. Compassion, humility, and righteous indignation are the breeding grounds for love — and When love is the foundation, a sin-filled life cannot take root.

Scriptures to Align the Heart With God’s Will

Matthew 12:50 – The Call to Belong to God’s Family

For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.

1 John 2:5 – The Call to Keep His Word

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Galatians 5:25 – The Call to Walk by the Spirit

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Hebrews 2:1-4 – The Call to Focus on Jesus and Not Drift from God

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.

For if the word spoken through the angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard

God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

James 1:8 – The Call to Single-Minded Devotion

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

A Prayer to Say Focused on God and Resist Drifting

Father God in Heaven, Your creations bring endless beauty into this fallen world. But along with that beauty come the distractions of this evil age, intent on pulling my heart away from You. I pray for the strength to admire and enjoy what you give me without craving to possess what is not meant for me. Teach me to see Your love in You have made, without pridefully seeking the short-lived satisfaction the world offers. Keep my heart anchored in You, and let my desires reflect Your will for me. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

Trinitarian Benediction

As you navigate this fallen world, may you see through the single-minded eye of Christ Jesus. May your heart be rooted in the will of God, never drifting. And may the Holy Spirit be the strength that empowers you to overcome the flesh.

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15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God, abideth forever.

Why God Warns About the World’s Influence

Scripture teaches that the god of this world is Satan. This does not mean that he is equal to Yahweh, but that he has temporary influence over the fallen earth—especially over the unbelieving. He is the author of the pride and lust that leads to covetousness and envy. Desire becomes an appetite the more the eyes behold, because just as he tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of the world, he tempts those in the world to live like kings—often far beyond their means.

God wants His children to have abundant lives. After all, the riches of the world belong to Him, and He gives them for our enjoyment. But idol worship is just as real today as it was in the day of the golden calf—and throughout many generations of Israel’s history. John chose his words wisely when he warned us to not love the “things” of the world. Inanimate objects, strange as it may seem, can cause an effect that resembles infatuation. As believers, we love the people God created and we love Him, because God is love and His love flows through His children. But it is impossible to feel God’s love from a material object. Material items cannot return affection, offer comfort, or possess a Spirit that testifies with our spirit. Only God can do those things.

The Danger of Misplaced Affection

“Love not the world“, because the world is driven by three forces: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — and these three work together to pull us away from God. Paul reminds us that “the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). This is the ongoing spiritual warfare that believers face in the form of temptation. The appetite of the flesh is fed by what the eyes see. Through the eyes, our pleasure points are triggered. This is why Jesus says, “Whosoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

Jesus was not condemning attraction, but the sin of lust. Lust begins with what the eyes see, takes root in the mind, and settles in the heart, empowering the flesh. David lived this reality when his eyes were drawn to Bathsheba while she bathed. What began as a moment of admiration became a seed of desire and possession. When the eye moves from simply admiring God’s creation to desiring to possess it, lust is at work.

Possession leads to a prideful life because it takes credit for what was received from God and attributes it to the work of the possessor. The prideful heart only sees what is in front of it and is incapable of seeing who God is—the Protector and the Provider. When lust and pride blind us from the God who protects and provides, we become vulnerable to the god of this world—the one we must not love because he does not love us. His only aim is to steal us from our Heavenly Father, kill the eternal life God has promised His children, and destroy our time on earth—one lust-driven desire after another. The world and its cravings provide satisfaction for a short time but leave the soul empty continually. Only those who do the will of God abide forever.

God’s Jealousy: Protection Not Envy

God Himself tells us that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14). The Hebrew word translated “jealous” is qanna’ and it has a much deeper meaning than its English counterpart. It does not describe the petty envy toward a rival or the insecurity of a lover afraid of losing affection. Qanna’ expresses the fierce, protective zeal God has for His people—a holy passion that refuses to let evil separate His children from Him.

Time after time, the Hebrews practiced idolatry, the Israelites joined themselves to pagan lifestyles and women as Solomon did, and Jewish leaders created laws that focused the people on religion instead of God. And time after time, God’s discipline was followed by the removal of pagan gods and rituals—even the total destruction of entire cultures—and ultimately the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. All of these actions by God reveal the deep zeal He has to protect His children from the evils of this fallen world.

Just as God Doesn’t Change, Neither Have We

Unfortunately, we today are not unlike the Hebrews, the Israelites, or the Jewish leaders of the first century. Paul points us to the Old Testament in 1 Corinthians 10:11, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” Yet believers still join themselves with unbelievers, ignoring the warning of 2 Corinthians 6:14. And again, Paul provokes us to examine ourselves when he asks in 2 Corinthians 6:15, “What harmony has Christ with the devil, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”

Just as the words of the Old Testament prophets fell on many deaf ears, and the instructions of the New Testament were ignored by many in the early church, today those same warnings are still routinely ignored.

Jesus in the Flesh: Not for His Experience, but for Our Example

This is why in Matthew 11:29, Jesus says “Learn of Me“. Jesus did not take on the form of the flesh to simply understand the temptations and emotions mankind faces so that He could become a compassionate High Priest to God’s children. He already knew. He was in Heaven when pride seized Satan and the war that followed resulted in the casting down of Lucifer and the angels who followed him. He watched as Satan influenced Eve to doubt God’s instructions, and how Eve in turn influenced Adam to sin. He witnessed the satanically provoked envy that took root in Cain before he killed Abel. He saw in real time the provocation of the Hebrews in the wilderness that led to a forty-year journey and the death of an entire generation before entering the Promised Land.

Jesus came so that humanity could learn from Him, and through learning His ways and following Him, be redeemed and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. His healing miracles and casting out of demons reveal the physical, emotional, and spiritual cost of mankind’s fall to sin. His compassion rooted in love, His righteous indignation toward injustice, His weeping when feeling the pain of Mary, His humility when washing the disciples’ feet as a servant—Jesus took on flesh to give us living examples of what it means to be righteous, holy, and godly. These are the attributes that lead to eternal life with the Father, and the reason we are called to follow Jesus and become Christlike.

The words of the prophets and the instructions of the New Testament could not penetrate the human condition deeply enough to keep the heart aligned with God. Yet Jesus, coming in the flesh, experiencing our weaknesses without sin, showed us that even in a fallen world, it is possible to align our hearts with God and walk in His ways.

The Pride Born in Heaven Became Sin on Earth

Whether through the words of the prophets, the instructions of the New Testament apostles, or the teachings of Jesus Himself, Scripture reveals a common thread — the seeds of sin are planted in the mind and rooted in the flesh, drawing humanity to what is contrary to God. The flesh seeks immediate satisfaction, while the Holy Spirit looks to lead the believer back to the glory that was lost. That glory is so precious that sharp discernment is required to abide in God’s will and receive eternal life.

The pride of Lucifer may have been born in heaven, but the sin that made him Satan now roams the earth as mind-ravaging spiritual influences. This is why we are called to follow the example of Christ in the flesh. Compassion, humility, and righteous indignation are the breeding grounds for love—and when love is the foundation, a sin-filled life cannot take root.

Scriptures That Remind us to Remain Humble

Proverbs 27:1-2
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”

Galatians 5:25
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

Hebrews 2:1
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”

1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

John 15:10
“If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.”

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A Prayer to Focus on God’s Beauty Without Covetousness

Father God in Heaven, Your creations bring endless beauty into this fallen world. But along with that beauty come the distractions of this evil age, intent on pulling my heart away from You. I pray for the strength to admire and enjoy what You give me without craving to possess what is not meant for me. Teach me to see Your love in all You have made, without pridefully seeking the short-lived satisfaction the world offers. Keep my heart anchored in You, and let my desires reflect Your will for me. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May your heart be rooted in the will of God, never drifting.
May you live through the single-minded, pure eyes of Jesus Christ.
And may the Holy Spirit be the strength that empowers you to overcome the flesh.

13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Scripture: To Quote or Misquote

It is both common and good to memorize Scripture. Sometimes we need verses at the ready in order to give glory to God in moments of celebration. Other times we lean on them for our own strength, or to instill strength in others. In fact, throughout the Bible, we are reminded to ground ourselves by meditating on and living according to the Word of God.

Yet even unbelievers quote—and often misquote—some of the most popular verses in the Bible. Phrases like “Money is the root of all evil” or “An eye for an eye” are repeated in modern culture, yet remain the most misquoted and taken out of context. Believers are not immune to this—but the effects can be long-lasting and unintended. For the Christian, misquoting or taking Scripture out of its intended context can lead to a weakening of faith, lack of trust in God’s Word, and in the worst-case scenario, result in a complete falling away.

The Dangers of Misquoting Scripture

When Scripture is misunderstood or made to mean what the human experience wants it to mean, false expectations are formed. Beliefs become anchored in promises God never made. And when those expectations collapse, high hopes come crashing down—not because God failed, but because His Word was never understood as He intended. Often the Father is blamed when the child never truly knew God’s heart.

Another glaring issue is the challenge of translating Hebrew and Greek to English. Hebrew was used for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament. English does not always have an exact equivalent for what the original text expressed. Other times, English requires the order of the original words to be rearranged so the sentence flows in a way English is naturally spoken. This is where the phrase “lost in translation” becomes more than a cliché: it becomes a reality that can twist or dilute what the text was meant to convey. This is partly the case with Philippians 4:13. Another issue is taking Paul’s words out of the context of struggle-to-strength, and instead placing them into the realm of promise and personal achievement.

Most English translations read “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The original Greek structure is, “All things I have strength in the One strengthening me.” This distinction makes a profound difference. The Greek reflects a posture of endurance through struggle. The English translation carries a posture of personal ambition. Personal ambition sets unrealistic expectations—but endurance through struggle is the true power and strength Christ provides—a strength that often enables us to meet or exceed our own expectations.

What Does Paul Really Mean?

Now that we understand the original structure and posture of Paul’s words, we can further extract what he meant by “all things.” Rarely does a single verse or phrase in Scripture stand on its own: the surrounding text is usually required to fully grasp the weight of what is written. Philippians 4:13 is no exception. The meaning of all things only becomes clear when read within Paul’s conversation about being content in hardship.

Philippians 4:11 says, “for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” The phrase “I am” in verse 11 naturally leads into “I can” in verse 13. If we were to lace verses 11 and 13 together, Paul’s thought could actually be expressed this way: “for I have learned in whatsoever state I am… I can do.” His ability to “do” in verse 13 flows directly from his contentment in verse 11. The strength he speaks of is not for selfish ambition, but for personal endurance through struggles and circumstances he finds himself in.

Now let us examine what “all things” truly means. In verse 3, Paul speaks of the women who “labored with me in the gospel”—a reference to spreading and living the Gospel. In verse 8, he instructs the Philippians to think on things that are “true, just, pure, lovely, have virtue and are worthy of praise.” But it is verse 12 that most scholars and theologians agree defines the “all things” of verse 13. In it Paul writes:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Here is where we see the true posture of endurance through circumstances, not the pursuit of selfish ambitions. Paul’s “all things” are not worldly achievements, goals, or dreams—but they are a wide range of experiences he has endured by depending on Christ’s strength within himself.

We are given the essence of “through Christ who strengthens me.” With the correct understanding, Paul’s thought could fully be expressed this way: “I can endure all circumstances I find myself in, through the strength I have in Christ.” Given the size limitations of the parchment his letters were written on—and the fact that much more thought was given to the context of writings back then compared to now, there was no need to oversimplify what would have been clear to his original readers.

We Must Read With the Instinct of the Intended Audience

We must remember that neither Paul nor any other writer of Scripture wrote to an audience thousands of years in the future—nor were their thoughts interrupted by chapter and verse divisions. They wrote to people who shared their language, understood their culture, and were familiar with the struggles of their era. Their readers instinctively understood the text—something we tend to lose when we lift a single verse out of its original setting.

God’s promises never fail, and the inspiration given to the writers of scripture needs no new clarification in order to fit our culture. We must, however, adapt our culture in order for Scripture to be effective in our lives. This does not mean so-called “going back to the Stone Age” or abandoning technology that defines our generation. Technology advances every generation and creates a culture around that technology. What doesn’t change is the human condition—and that is what makes Scripture relevant, powerful, and effective today.

When you read Scripture, give to it the thought and patience it deserves. “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” is a helpful acronym for the Bible because it reminds us that we are reading an instruction manual. One with a wealth of wisdom that does not promise a life free of struggle, pain, or affliction—yet offers peace, prosperity, and patience in the midst of them. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Scripture, when correctly understood, not only gives life—it gives an abundant life.

Scriptures for the Strength God and Christ Provide

Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

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

Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

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A Prayer for Strength and Peace Through Christ

Father God in Heaven, it is Your Word that gives me strength when I am weak. When my thoughts grow anxious, You settle my soul. When my spirit is lost in the noise, Your Spirit leads me back to Your peace. When decisions feel difficult, Your instruction lights my path. I pray that Your wisdom forever takes root in my heart and that my spirit is always enlightened by Yours. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

Should burdens begin to weigh on you, may you find strength in the Word of God.
Should your thoughts stir with anxiety, may the peace of Christ rest upon you.
And if doubt begins to trouble your spirit, may the Holy Spirit comfort and steady your heart.

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13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It is both common and good to memorize Scripture. Sometimes we need verses at the ready in order to give glory to God in moments of celebration. Other times we lean on them for our own strength, or to instill strength in others. In fact, throughout the Bible, we are reminded to ground ourselves by meditating on and living according to the Word of God.

Yet even unbelievers quote — and misquote — some of the most popular verses in the Bible. Phrases like “Money is the root of all evil” or “An eye for an eye” are repeated everywhere yet are among the most misquoted and taken out of context. Believers are not immune to this — but the effects can be long lasting and unintended. For the Christian, misquoting or taking Scripture out of its intended context can lead to a weakening of faith, lack of trust in God’s Word, and in the worst-case scenario, lead to a complete falling away.

When Scripture is misunderstood or made to mean what the human experience wants it to mean, false expectations are formed. Beliefs become anchored in promises God never made. And when those expectations collapse, high hopes come crashing down — not because God failed, but because His Word was never understood as He intended. Often the Father is blamed when the child never truly knew God’s heart.

Another glaring issue is the challenge of translating Hebrew and Greek to English. Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament. Sometimes English does not always have a word for what the original text expressed. Other times, English requires the order of the original words to be rearranged so the sentence flows in a way English is naturally spoken. This is where the phrase “lost in translation” becomes more than a cliché: it becomes a reality that can twist or dilute what the text was meant to convey. This is partly the case with Philippians 4:13. Another issue is taking Paul’s words out of the context of struggle-to-strength, and instead placing them into the realm of promise and personal achievement.

Most English translations read “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The original Greek order is, “All things I can do“, and this makes a profound difference. The Greek reflects a posture of endurance through struggle. The English translation carries a posture of personal ambition. Personal ambition sets unrealistic expectations — but endurance through struggle is the true power and strength Christ provides — a strength that often enables us to meet or exceed our own expectations.

Now that we understand the original order and posture of Paul’s words, we can further extract what he meant by “all things.” Rarely does a single verse or phrase in Scripture stand on its own: the surrounding text is usually required to fully grasp the weight of what is written. Philippians 4:13 is no exception. The meaning of all things only becomes clear when read within Paul’s conversation about being content in hardship.

Philippians 4:11 says, “for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” The phrase “I am” in verse 11 naturally leads into “I can” in verse 13. If we were to lace verses 11 and 13 together, Paul’s thought could actually be expressed this way: “for I have learned in whatsoever state I am… I can do.” His ability to “do” in verse 13 flows directly from his contentment in verse 11. The strength he speaks of is not for selfish ambition, but for personal endurance through struggles and circumstances he’s in.

Now let’s take a look at what “all things” are. In verse 3, he speaks of the women who “labored in the Gospel” with him — a reference to spreading and living the Gospel. In verse 8, he instructs the Philippians to think on things that are “true, just, pure, lovely, have virtue and are worthy of praise.” But it is verse 12 that most scholars and theologians agree defines the “all things” of verse 13. In it Paul writes:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Here is where we see the true posture of endurance through circumstances, not the pursuit of selfish ambitions. Paul’s “all things” are not achievements, goals, or dreams — but they are a wide range of experiences he has endured by depending on Christ’s strength within himself.

We are given the essence of “through Christ who strengthens me.” With the correct understanding, Paul’s thought could fully be expressed this way: “I can endure all circumstances I find myself in, through the strength I have in Christ.” Given the size limitations of the parchment his letters were written on — and the fact that much more thought was given to the context of writings back then compared to now, there was no need to oversimplify what would have been clear to his original readers.

We must remember that Paul nor any of the other writers of scripture wrote to an audience thousands of years in the future — nor were their thoughts interrupted by chapter and verse divisions. They wrote to people who shared their language, understood their culture, was familiar with the struggles of their era. Their readers instinctively understood the text — something we tend to lose when we lift a single verse out of its original setting.

God’s promises never fail, and the inspiration given to the writers of scripture needs no new clarification in order to fit our culture. We must, however, adapt our culture in order for Scripture to be effective in our lives. This does not mean so-called “going back to the Stone Age” or abandoning technology that defines our generation. Technology advances every generation and creates a culture around that technology. What doesn’t change is the human condition — and that is what makes Scripture relevant, powerful, and effective today.

When you read Scripture, give to it the thought and patience it deserves. “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” is a helpful acronym for the Bible because it reminds us that we are reading an instruction manual. One with a wealth of wisdom that does not promise a life free of struggle, pain, or affliction — yet offers peace, prosperity, and patience in the midst of them. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Scripture, with the correct understanding, gives life — and an abundant life.

Amen.

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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 is over, congregations go their separate ways with little thought of those they were just worshiping 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 worshiped 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 are 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 hearts 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.

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.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ: More Than Mere Words

For 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. Jesus is proclaimed as Lord and Savior from the pulpit and in the congregation—with choirs and musicians leading worship through hymns and songs. 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 used to identify the Church body. In many churches, once the service is over, congregations go their separate ways with little thought of those they were worshiping 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, to edify our brothers and sisters, and that the Spirit within us rises above the flesh when temptation comes.

See to it That You Are Vigilant

The phrase “Take heed” in Hebrews 3:12 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 who followed Christ. There was persecution that often led to imprisonment or death. There were Jews that did not believe Jesus to be the Messiah and encouraged Christ following Jews to return to Judaism, and even encouraged Gentile believers to adopt Jewish customs. There were also those who worshiped 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.

While the author of Hebrews remains anonymous, what is known is their deep connection to the early Church, and their understanding of human weakness 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.

Exhort Each Other to Cultivate Faith-Based Relationships

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 are 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, fulfilling the instructions of Galatians 6:2, “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 some time. Instead of arguing and debating on social media about the differences in interpretation of Scripture, we should embrace those differences and recognize that oftentimes 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 their 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-Spirit-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 hearts and help us to avoid “departing from the living God.”

Scriptures That Encourage Fellowship

Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another.”

1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Galatians 6:2
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Philippians 2:1-2
“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

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A Prayer for Continual Fellowship

Father God in Heaven, I pray that the Church grows stronger in spiritual wisdom, individually in the Gospel, and together as the body of Christ. Lead me 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 the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May the love of God fill your heart and make it whole.
May thoughts of the Lord Jesus Christ bring peace to your soul.
And may the Holy Spirit lead you to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

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 feel 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, ministers, and theologians? 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. The guidance, structure, and care provided by ministers is a special gift of its own. And theologians that can bring understanding to Scripture are necessary.

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

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.

What Did Jesus Really Say?

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. Another reason for misunderstanding what Jesus meant is that most readers overlook the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, where the “Great Commission” is also mentioned. In Mark 16:15 Jesus says: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The New Living Translation replaces “creature” with “everyone.” While the Gospel of Mark simplifies the mandate, the Gospel of Matthew is more popular with readers.

So we see that Jesus could not have said “go and make disciples of all nations.” Furthermore, you cannot turn a nation into a disciple. In the original Greek, the phrase “panta ta ethne” is used instead of the English word “nations,” and it means “all ethnic groups.” The English translation is not only confusing, but also neither linguistically nor practically possible. But for the English lexicon, along with the authority given to the disciples, adding the word “make” was intended to ensure the phrase flows in English.

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.

What Jesus Meant

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 calling His followers to go and instruct—training people from every background 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, which literally translates to “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 who were sent out on missions, and like those of us who follow Him today. Like us, they were sinners, and they stumbled to follow Him like we do today. They were learning the same instruction we are learning, and teaching the same truth we teach—ordinary people following an extraordinary Savior, just as we do today.

The Holy Spirit Trains You to Be a Disciple

I fear that modern translations have made many Christians feel inadequate for the very mission that Jesus commands all of His followers to fulfill—not because they lack spiritual understanding, because rigid 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 His disciples did. Jesus simply calls us to live and 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.

Philosophy Can Complicate God’s Word

In Colossians 2:8, Paul warns believers not to be taken captive by ‘vain philosophy’—human traditions and 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, ministers, and theologians? 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. The guidance, structure, and care provided by ministers is a special gift of its own. And sound theologians who bring clarity to Scripture perform an essential service.

What A Disciple Is

The disciple is one who reflects the church as the body of Christ, outside of and beyond the church building—not just on Sundays, 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, hear the truth of Jesus flow 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 called to inspire others toward Christ through both our teaching and our 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.

Jesus’ Calls to Make Disciples

Matthew 4:19
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Luke 9:23
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

John 15:8
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.”

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A Prayer to Live as a True Disciple of Christ

Father God in Heaven, I pray for spiritual enlightenment and the wisdom of Your Word. That the truth Your Spirit teaches me overflows abundantly when I speak of You. I pray that others see Christ in my actions, hear Christ in my words, and see His humility in my deeds. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

May the wisdom of God illuminate your path.
May the mind of Christ give you clarity.
And may the Holy Spirit guide you into truth and spiritual enlightenment.