Feeding God's Flock With His Word

Author: James Cheef Wright

  • Romans 8:28 God’s Good vs Our Good

    28. And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.

    The Most Misquoted Promise in Scripture

    Whether you hear it or you see it posted on social media, one of the most quoted scriptures is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good…” But that is not where the verse ends. Without including the words “to them that love God” and “to them who are the called according to His purpose”, false expectations are formed in the hearts of believers — and unnecessary doubt is planted in the minds of unbelievers.

    Who “All Things Work Together” Actually Applies To

    Romans 8 begins with the famous declaration “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” We see that the “called” in verse 28 are those who are in Christ Jesus and those who walk according to the Spirit. Paul solidifies this in verse 14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Today we would say “children of God.” These verses clarify exactly who loves God and have been called according to His purpose.

    By contrast, Romans 1:5 teaches, “For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh“, and Paul leaves no doubt that they are not called by God when he says, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” These verses clarify those who do not love God and have not yet been called by Him. This does not mean that they will never be called nor that they cannot seek God for themselves — only that Romans 8:28 is not a blanket promise the way not fully quoting the verse suggests.

    When God’s Good Doesn’t Feel Good

    If you ask a person what are the “good things” God gives them, they will almost always list their material possessions, their relationship and friendships, and the job that pays their bills. While the list will vary from person to person, each one would include the things that they pray for. But if we keep Romans 8:28 in its intended context, we notice that the “things” Paul speaks of are not material or physical — and they do not stand alone. In fact, according to the text, these “things” are working: “all things work together for good.”

    Paul is not describing blessings that come from answered prayers or even the things we hope for. He’s speaking of things we probably never pray for at all — yet, if we see them through to their end, will produce the results that we did pray for. If we look at our lives as part of a collective of individuals, instead of viewing only our individual life, we begin to see that it often takes a divine cooperation of circumstances for God’s plan to unfold in our lives, and to receive the “good things” we desire. After all, every believer is a part of the larger Body of Christ — the true Church — and this is how “all things work together.” Paul is saying that the trials, tribulations, and even afflictions we face are the very instruments God uses to produce good things in our lives. He is explaining to the Roman believers, and to us, that there are spiritual processes God works through to shape His children into the image of Christ.

    When reading the New Testament it is always good to remember that the writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit to often reflect on the Old Testament. Paul even teaches us to learn from it when he says 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.” From the Old Testament we not only learn about God’s discipline and chastisement for disobedience and idolatry — we also learn how to please God and receive the desires of our heart.

    Seeing God’s Good Through Spiritual Eyes

    God does want us to speak and pray with thanksgiving, but He also wants us to show our love by seeking Him. First Chronicles 22:19 says, “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God.” Jesus set this example throughout his earthly ministry by how often and the circumstances that led Him to prayer. After a long day of healing, He withdrew to pray (Mark 1:35). He used prayer in parables (Luke 8:19-14). He taught the disciples how to pray (Luke 11:2-4 & Matthew 6:9-13), where to pray (Matthew 6:6), and even how not to pray (Matthew 6:7-8). Jesus showed that a heart that seeks the Father is one that stays in communion with Him through prayer.

    Another way of showing your love for God — not only to Him, but to all you encounter — is by righteous living. Psalm 84:11 teaches us, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Our God keeps His promises and cannot lie. When we walk according to the ways of Christ, God becomes our provider for all we need, our shield from what is meant to harm us, a deliverer of the grace and glory that brings peace and comfort to our lives, and the light that shines through us to draw others to Him. Bringing glory to His name is His purpose for each one He calls — and only those who love Him have a heart posture willing to bring glory to His name.

    A Heart Aligned with His Purpose

    Romans 8:28 stands as a strong reminder that sometimes a single word or phrase gives more meaning to a verse than an entire sentence. Prayers are often made asking God to deliver us out of a situation. Promises of changing our ways are made if God would grant us this one “thing” we believe will make us feel good. But we must remember: God measures our motives by what’s in our hearts. We can lie to each other but we cannot lie to God.

    Perhaps this is why God warns in Leviticus 19:12, “And ye shall not swear by name falsely” and Jesus warns in Matthew 5:34 “But I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by Heaven, for it is God’s throne.” Ulterior motives and false promises do not go unnoticed by God — And they are often the reason a situation is prolonged instead of being resolved.

    God always knows when prayer and actions are born out of genuine love for Him. When they are, that is when “all things work together for good” and begin producing good fruit in our lives — fruit that others can see, drawing them to seek God for themselves. This is God’s glory.

    A Transformed Mind: Discerning God’s Good, Pleasing, and Perfect Will

    1. And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

    2. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

    A Prayer From a Life Called Out of Chaos

    Father God in Heaven, even as a sinner You made me Your child who belongs to You. My love for You is shown in my desire to be obedient, and obedience reveals Your will for my life. When I don’t understand situations or circumstances, I find rest knowing that Your perfect work leads to the good my heart truly desires. When my life seems out of order, the peace You give me reminds me that You called me out of the chaos — a call with the purpose of Your light shining through me. Because through every affliction, every pain, and every stumbling block you deliver me from, glory is brought to Your name. In Christ Jesus name, Amen.

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  • Romans 8:17-18 The Adoption, The Brotherhood, and Life After Life

    17. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
    18. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

    Truths About Adoption Into God’s Eternal Family

    With a profound ability to illustrate the Christian identity, Paul paints a masterpiece with Romans 8:17,18. In just two verses, we learn five truths that apply to every believer: we are adopted into God’s family; we are brothers and sisters with Christ; and our faith is in the life to come. We also learn that there is glory to be gained in our sufferings, and that our afflictions affirm who we are in Christ — provided we remain faithful to Him.

    As believers, we know that the adoption into God’s family and the inheritance of salvation are real. We know this not only because the Holy Spirit testifies to this truth within our spirit — in a way that is only understood once we are born again spiritually — but also by the fact that adoption forms a foundational pillar of Christianity. It is also echoed by almost all of the New Testament writers. Matthew, Luke, John, James, the writer of Hebrews, and Peter were all inspired at different times, in different places, and without the knowledge of each others writings. Yet each of them wrote about being adopted by God and becoming heirs with Christ.

    The Brotherhood We Share With Jesus Christ

    Being adopted into God’s family means you are never alone in this temporal world. This is one reason Scripture emphasizes fellowship. John 1:7 teaches us that, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” This shows that when we follow the path of Christ, we will recognize and be recognized by our brothers and sisters in the world. Hebrews 10:24,25 reminds us to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together” because when believers gather together we encourage one another to walk in love instead of anger, and to always choose good over evil. Fellowship with our brothers and sisters makes it easier to travel the path less taken — the one that leads to the straight gate (Matthew 7:14).

    Not only do we have the strength of Christ when we are adopted into God’s family, but we also gain the service of His holy angels. We learn who the angels are in Hebrews 1:14, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” This does not mean that God’s angels are in subjection to His children, but that as His children we receive their assistance as we walk toward our salvation. Even Jesus was made a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), yet the angels ministered to Him after His temptation. Matthew 4:11 tells us, “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angles came and ministered to Him.” The angels would have been a comforting presence to Jesus, providing mental and physical rejuvenation that would renew His hope and strength to begin His earthly ministry.

    Although our physical eyes are blind to the spiritual realm where the angels dwell, adoption opens our spiritual heart to sense their presence and their work on our behalf. The ministry of angels enables God to work through His children, allowing His glorious light to flow from them into the darkness of the world.

    Suffering With Christ, Glorified With Christ

    Following Christ ensures afflictions and times of trouble — just as He suffered for us, we suffer with Him as His brothers and sisters. Unbelievers suffer as well, but without the inheritance of God their suffering continues in eternity. For believers, our sufferings are temporary mental and physical challenges that will not follow us into eternity. In eternity we will live free of stress, pain, and even conviction of sins — because sin will not exist in Heaven. The glory within us will be revealed in our resurrected bodies — perfect bodies free from sickness and disease just as Adam and Eve were before the fall.

    Notice when Jesus appeared to His disciples He said, “Handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have” (Luke 24:39). He did not say “flesh and blood” as we describe our earthly bodies, because in a resurrected state life is no longer sustained by blood. Life is eternal, flowing directly from the glory of the Father.

    When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we may lose people, attitudes, and possessions that were contrary to God’s way — but we gain so much more. Adoption gives us a family with whom we can share a life aligned with God, making what we left behind feel like addition by subtraction. We no longer suffer through trials and hardships alone, and understanding how Christ suffered makes our own struggles easier to bear. We understand that our difficulties are symptoms of a fallen world, not signs of an angry God. We thrive knowing that our continued faith and our walk in His Spirit leads to incomparable glory, and to life after life.

    A Prayer With Thanksgiving For Heavenly Adoption

    Father God in Heaven, I thank you for the gift of Your Heavenly family — not only in Your Kingdom for eternity, but here on earth for the short time I am here. The sacrifice of Your Son cleansed me of my sins, gave me a Brother, and granted me an inheritance I now share with Jesus. Although I’m not deserving of Your gifts or Your promises, Your love would not keep them from me once I sought You with my whole heart, just as You promised. I thank you in Jesus Name, Amen.

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  • (BV) Romans 8:17-18 The Adoption, the Brotherhood, and Life After Life

    17. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.

    18. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

    Adoption Into God’s Family: An Eternal Blessing

    With a profound ability to illustrate the Christian identity, Paul paints a masterpiece with Romans 8:17-18. In just two verses, we learn five truths that apply to every believer: we are adopted into God’s family; we are brothers and sisters with Christ; and our faith is in the life to come. We also learn that there is glory to be gained in our sufferings, and that our afflictions affirm who we are in Christ—provided we remain faithful to Him.

    As believers, we know that adoption into God’s family and the inheritance of salvation are real. We know this not only because the Holy Spirit testifies to this truth within our spirit—in a way that is only understood once we are born again spiritually—and by the fact that adoption forms a foundational pillar of Christianity. It is also echoed by almost all of the New Testament writers. Matthew, Luke, John, James, the writer of Hebrews, and Peter were all inspired at different times, in different places, and without the knowledge of each other’s writings. Yet each of them wrote about being adopted by God and becoming heirs with Christ.

    The Brotherhood We Share With Jesus Christ

    Hebrews 2:11-12 is a beautiful declaration: “Both Jesus who sanctifies and those who are sanctified [that is, spiritually transformed, made holy, and set apart for God’s purpose are all from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I WILL DECLARE YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.”

    Being adopted into God’s family means you are never alone in this temporal world. This is one reason Scripture emphasizes fellowship. John 1:7 teaches us that, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” This shows that when we follow the path of Christ, we will recognize and be recognized by our brothers and sisters in the world. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together” because when believers gather together we encourage one another to walk in love instead of anger, and to always choose good over evil. Fellowship with our brothers and sisters makes it easier to travel the path less taken—the one that leads to the strait gate (Matthew 7:14).

    Not only do we have the strength of Christ when we are adopted into God’s family, but we also gain the service of His holy angels. We learn who the angels are in Hebrews 1:14, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” This does not mean that God’s angels are in subjection to His children, but that as His children we receive their assistance as we walk toward our salvation. Even Jesus was made a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), yet the angels ministered to Him after His temptation. Matthew 4:11 tells us, “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” The angels would have been a comforting presence to Jesus, providing mental and physical rejuvenation that would renew His hope and strength to begin His earthly ministry.

    Although our physical eyes are blind to the spiritual realm where the angels dwell, adoption opens our spiritual heart to sense their presence and their work on our behalf. The ministry of angels enables God to work through His children, allowing His glorious light to flow from them into the darkness of the world.

    Suffering With Christ, Glorified With Christ

    Following Christ inevitably brings afflictions and times of trouble—just as He suffered for us, we suffer with Him as His brothers and sisters. But as children of God adopted into His family, we are assured of God’s comfort. Just as Paul says of God in 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.“

    Unbelievers suffer as well, but without the inheritance of God their suffering continues in eternity. For believers, our sufferings are temporary mental and physical challenges that will not follow us into eternity. In eternity we will live free of stress, pain, and even conviction of sins — because sin will not exist in Heaven. The glory within us will be revealed in our resurrected bodies — perfect bodies free from sickness and disease just as Adam and Eve were before the fall.

    Notice when Jesus appeared to His disciples He said, “Handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have” (Luke 24:39). He did not say “flesh and blood” as we describe our earthly bodies, because in a resurrected state life is no longer sustained by blood. Life is eternal, flowing directly from the glory of the Father.

    When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we may lose people, attitudes, and possessions that were contrary to God’s way—but we gain so much more. Adoption gives us a family with whom we can share a life aligned with God, making what we left behind feel like addition by subtraction. We no longer suffer through trials and hardships alone, and understanding how Christ suffered makes our own struggles easier to bear. We understand that our difficulties are symptoms of a fallen world, not signs of an angry God. We thrive, knowing that our continued faith and our walk in His Spirit leads to incomparable glory, and to life after this life.

    Scriptures About God Adopting His Children

    Ephesians 1:5
    “God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.”

    Romans 8:15
    “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.’”

    1 John 3:1
    “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”

    Mark 3:34-35
    “And looking about at those who sat around Him, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, He is My brother and sister and mother.”

    1 John 4:16
    “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

    A Prayer With Thanksgiving For Heavenly Adoption

    Father God in Heaven,

    I thank you for the gift of Your heavenly family—not only in Your Kingdom for eternity, but here on earth for the short time I am here. The sacrifice of Your Son cleansed me of my sins, gave me a Brother, and granted me an inheritance I now share with Jesus. Although I am not deserving of Your gifts or Your promises, Your love would not keep them from me once I sought You with my whole heart, just as You promised. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

    Trinitarian Benediction

    May you always know that God is your Father and you are His child.
    May your heart always feel the love of Christ Jesus as one of His own.
    And may the Holy Spirit share His love with your spirit always and forever.

  • Romans 8:16 and Proverbs 20:27 Two Spirits and the Light of the Lord

    Romans 8:16 and Proverbs 20:27 Two Spirits and the Light of the Lord

    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 first prophet, 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 a believer is 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. In fact, Paul affirms 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 goes 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 the believers. 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 the heart is aligned with God — and not the spirit of the evil one, does He bear witness that we belong to Him.

    This is the true meaning of “The spirit of man is the light of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of the heart.” 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 determines who He communicates with.

    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 — have 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’re 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 not only God speaks 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.

    Scriptures for Spiritual Alignment With God

    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 lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

    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.

    A Prayer for Spiritual Clarity in the Midst of the Battle for the Mind

    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 Christ Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

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  • (BV) Romans 8:16 & Proverbs 20:27 Two Spirits and the Light of the Lord

    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.”

    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.

    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.

  • (BV) 1 John 2:15-17 Lust and the Pride of Life

    15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love 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.”

    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.

    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.

  • 1 John 2:15-17 Lust and the Pride of Life

    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.

    Return to devotionals

  • Philippians 4:13 All Things I Can Do Through Christ

    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.

    Return to Daily Devotionals

  • (BV) Philippians 4:13 All Things I Can Do Through Christ

    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.”

    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.

    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.

  • Hebrews 3:12-13 Christians Encouraging Christians

    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.

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