Category: Daily Devotionals

24. God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Do You Truly Know God?

It may be human nature, or simply a lack of understanding, but many people tend to think of God as if He were human. Speaking of Him as if He reacts the way we do, feels the way we feel, or responds the way we respond. I often hear people speak about God making someone pay who has wronged them, even politicians they disagree with. As if God is their personal judiciary, obligated to carry out their sense of justice.

Others treat prayer as a one-sided session of requests, wants, and desires, as if God exists to serve them. It is true, God is Judge of all the earth. Yes, He does provide our needs and even our desires according to His will. But is it possible to truly know God and still treat Him like a servant? Can there be a desire to be obedient to God if the relationship is one-sided, and that side continually takes God for granted? How can there be intimacy with God without seeking to know His desires?

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well: “God is Spirit.” Until we understand what that means we will never approach Him as He truly is. But before we can understand how to approach God, we must first understand who God is—and to know who He is, we must know His name.

I AM vs Pagan gods

In the ancient world, a pagan god’s name determined what the deity depended on. Ra was the Sun god of Egypt. Baal was the Canaanite storm god. Artemis of Ephesus was the fertility goddess. In fact, in Egypt alone, during the days of Moses, Egyptian texts name over 1,400 deities—each tied to a specific force of nature or human need.

But when Moses asked God what name he should give the Israelites, God did not identify himself with the sun, moon, stars, harvest, or fertility. He did not tie Himself to anything created—showing that His being was not dependent on anything created.

Instead God said to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.“

The pagan gods of the nations were made by the hands of men. They never appeared to anyone, never sent angels to speak on their behalf, or chose prophets as their voice on earth. Their names revealed their limitations—Ra depended on the sun, Baal on storms, Artemis on fertility.

With the words “I AM WHO I AM” the God of Israel revealed that He is not defined by creation—He is the creator. Revealing His nature as self-existent, existing before time itself, eternal, unchanging, and independent of all things. These are the very attributes that allow us to begin understanding what Jesus meant when He said, “God is Spirit.”

Because He is Spirit, God is omnipresent—everywhere at all times. David asks in Psalm 139:7, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” There is no place where God is not.

Because He is Spirit, God is omniscient—knowing all things past, present, and future. As David declares in Psalm 139:2, “You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.”

And because He is Spirit, God is omnipotent—all‑powerful. The angel told Mary in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

We cannot understand nor access God on a human level. As such, we must do so on a spiritual level—worship Him in Spirit. Physical worship and fellowship are necessary but should not be the only ways we communicate with and show our reverence for God.

To worship God in Spirit you must do so from the inside with your heart, mind, and soul, manifesting on the outside. But how exactly should we worship God in Spirit?

1. We engage God with our heart through an active prayer life.

When we pray we should not treat prayer as a monologue, but as a dialogue with God—we speak to and listen to God. We offer thanksgiving with our prayers, as Hebrews 13:15 teaches: “Offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name.

It is not always about a prayer posture, it is also about presence. Prayer can be done anywhere, at any time, in any circumstance.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Paul ehorts us to “Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing.” Prayer walks in the morning sun are a beautiful way to converse with God. Pray while commuting, pray whenever you feel the need—because prayer is the foundation of worship and an intimate relationship with God.

2. We engage God with our mind by meditating on His Word.

Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and when we meditate on the Word the Holy Spirit not only opens our spiritual eyes, we allow Him to communicate with our spirit. Romans 8:16 teaches us, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.“

This is why Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” God often uses His Word to give instruction, warnings, correction, encouragement, and even reveal His will for us.

The importance of daily Bible reading cannot be overstated. You could say it is God’s preferred method for communicating with His children. People often ask what book they should start reading from, and that is a question that has no definitive answer. Each person’s life is unique and there are Scriptures for the unique situations each person is facing. And because the Word of God is alive and active, a familiar Scripture will speak to you differently depending on what you are facing in life. The important thing is to first open the Bible. Oftentimes the Holy Spirit will land you on the exact page you need to be in order to hear what God wants to tell you.

3. We engage God with our soul by aligning our thoughts with His Spirit.

Our thoughts are indicative of the state of our soul. Our thoughts, desires, and intentions must be shaped by the Spirit of God. Philippians 4:8 instructs: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we should have thoughts of eternal value. Colossians 3:1 declares: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

When we worship God in Spirit we bring our heart, mind, and soul into alignment with Him. It means not approaching Him as though He were human, but as the eternal, ever-present, all-knowing, all-powerful Spirit that He is.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to commune with our spirit, our soul is reshaped—giving rise to new ways of thinking and understanding ourselves and the world around us. The veil of the flesh begins to lift, spiritual enlightenment takes root, allowing us to see the world through spiritual eyes—the way God intended.

Worship God in Truth

To worship God in truth is to simply know God’s truth. Since all scripture is inspired by the Spirit of God, the only way to know God’s true character and nature—and to worship Him in truth—we must immerse ourselves in His Word. We understand this instinctively when we want infatuation to grow into love. In a romantic relationship, you get to know a person’s true character by their actions and their words. In the beginning, we hang on their every word to see if their actions match what they say. Over time, this is how we learn who they truly are.

In the same way, we are to meditate on the Word of God. When we hang on every Word God has spoken, we not only come to know God—we also learn how His Word takes action in our lives. Scripture reveals His character and nature—His heart, His will, His desires for His children, His warnings as a protector, His promises out of love. Ultimately, His ways.

Believing God exists and knowing who God is through having a relationship with Him are not the same. Many believers attend church on Sunday, sit through Sunday school, and even participate in Bible study, yet still do not know who God is or walk in a relationship with Him. When you are in a relationship with God, you believe God—you trust His character, you submit to His authority, and you understand your position as His servant. But when you merely believe in God you treat Him like a servant. These are those who eagerly quote Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you,” but ignore Matthew 7:1-2 which warns: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.“

From the first few verses of Matthew 7 we see that the partial truth says to “ask and it will be given to you”—but the whole truth shows us that our hearts must be aligned with God’s command to not judge others in order to receive the desires we request of Him. In America, even our courtroom oath testifies to speak “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.” Because the Holy Spirit leads every child of God into all truth, we know that our God is a God of the whole truth.

A Confident Servant

The true servant of God can be confident when they ask anything of Him because they know how to please God—they have intimate knowledge of who He is. Intimacy with God bears the fruit of worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. As believers, this is how we come to know God’s truth, and this is how we approach Him as He truly is—a Spirit.

Scriptures That Show God’s Spirit Nature

Romans 1:20
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

Jeremiah 23:24
“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD.”

Proverbs 15:3
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

1 Corinthians 2:10-11
“But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

1 Timothy 1:17
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

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A Thankful Prayer for God’s Spirit in Your Life

Father God in Heaven, I am able to remain at peace and find rest in You because You are where my heart is. Whether I am fulfilled or in need, even when I cannot see Your light through the darkness of this world, the fruit of Your truth testifies that You are there. When the thoughts of my soul wander, I find You leading my path straight again. When my spirit is hopeless, Your Spirit reminds me that my hope is in You. It is Your truth I seek, and it is Your Spirit that leads my spirit. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I thank You. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

As you navigate the fallen world today, may you recognize God in every aspect of your life.
May your heart always know your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as God in the flesh.
And may the Holy Spirit forever commune with your spirit, always bearing plentiful fruit.

3. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

It is no secret — and often said — that we live in a fallen world. There is no better proof of this than our natural attraction to what harms us and our resistance to what is good. Why is it that good girls like bad boys? Why do boys want to be “bad” in the first place? Why do we associate pleasure with the very things we come to regret, even though as children we were warned against them? There are many examples that show our pleasure principle leads to pure vanity. So why do most of us spend our youthful peak years feeding our flesh?

It may surprise many, but God’s perfect order for mankind is that we begin life in our natural, before we come to understand who we are spiritually. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 15:46: “However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.” What Paul is saying is, our spirits first dwell in earthly, natural bodies before we receive our eternal, spiritual bodies. The natural comes first — and with it, all the impulses, desires, and weaknesses that Titus 3:3 describes so honestly,.

But there are other examples in Scripture that show it is God’s will for the natural to precede the spiritual. Ishmael — born of the flesh — came before Isaac, the child of promise. Cain, who thought he could choose how to please God and rejected God’s instruction, came before Abel, whose obedience pleased God. Esau, who sold his birthright to satisfy a momentary craving, preceded Jacob, who God later named Israel — the father of the twelve patriarchs from whom the twelve tribes of Irael came. Scripture continually shows us this pattern: first comes the natural, revealing the weakness of the flesh, and then the spiritual follows, revealing the power and purpose of God.

This natural-then-spiritual order is unique to mankind. Scripture shows that before God created humanity and earthly creatures, He had already created spiritual beings that dwelled in the heavenlies — angels who could observe mankind and even walk the earth. Job 38:7 tells us that “the morning Stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” when God laid the foundations of the earth. Genesis 6:2 speaks of the angels who abandoned their proper place in Heaven, saying, “the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were fair, and they took to them wives, of all which they choose.” But even these were not the first to rebel against the spiritual order God established.

God’s will for the natural to come before becoming spiritual only makes sense when we consider the fall of Lucifer. Ezekiel 28 gives a vivid description of who Lucifer was before iniquity was found in him. Verse 12 describes him as “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” Verse 13 reveals “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering,” showing the honor and splendor God had given him. Verse 14 goes even further: “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so.” These verses reveal the extraordinary trust and authority God placed in Lucifer. And verse 15 tells the tragedy of his fall: “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquitie was found in thee.”

Most people say the first sin in the world was the partaking of the forbidden tree. But few recognize that the first sin in the universe was the pride of Lucifer. Pride is the same sin he used on Eve when he told her in Genesis 3:5, “you will be like God.” The exact words Lucifer said in his own heart that led him to oppose God. This is why God hates pride in man. Pride corrupted a perfect spiritual being, and pride led humanity into rebellion. Yet, it was also Lucifer’s fall that led God to create mankind in His own image — lower than the angels, yet possessing something the angels do not have: free will.

It wasn’t a curse, and we did not have a choice about being born into this world already marked by spiritual decline and moral depravity. But we do have a choice about whether we stay in that natural state of mind or embrace the spiritual life that God breathed into us from the beginning. Before mankind, all of God’s creations were spoken into existence. But with Adam, God did something different — He breathed His own breath into Adam giving him life, and that same breath gave life to each of us.

Adam and Eve were made glorious, clothed in a heavenly countenance that covered their nakedness. But when sin entered, their glory was lost. Their fleshly eyes were opened, their nakedness exposed, and spiritual blindness took hold. Sin had become woven into the human DNA.

Not only do we have free will — we also have redemption, another attribute the angels do not receive. As Titus 3:3 says, we all begin life “foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” This is our “before Christ” condition, inherited through the tainted bloodline of sin. But once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His shed blood cleanses us of our sins and all unrighteousness. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, making our bodies the Temple of God. From that moment, the Holy Spirit begins His work of regeneration — the renewing of our minds and the transformation of our hearts. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This is the true definition of being born again.

And this is a beautiful thing, because we begin to form an intimate relationship with our Father God. His Spirit begins to reveal truths not only about who He is, but about who He created each of us to be. His kindness and love, shed abroad in our hearts, begins to manifest in our daily lives. Instead of fear-laden thoughts filled with worst-case scenarios, our minds become courage-filled with the expectation of God’s best. Not because we deserve anything good, but because we are now right with God. He blesses the believer so that we can become a blessing to others — and in doing so, our lives bring glory to Him.

This is how we know that God loves us — because He does not give us what our rebellion deserves. He did not turn His back when Adam and Eve fell to the influence of the evil one. Instead, He appeared asking Adam, “Where are you” (Genesis 3:9) God knew exactly where Adam was physically, but He also knew Adam had been lost spiritually. This same heart of God is revealed again when Jesus says in Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

We begin as lost sheep, wandering the earth in the natural condition described in Titus 3:3. But God, in His mercy, reaches out to each and every one of us, calling us by name. And for those of us who truly answer His call, He restores, He renews, and He brings us back into fellowship with Himself. Not because He is obligated to, but because He has watched His perfect creation rebel against Him, and go on to bring down His weaker creation. But through Christ Jesus, we the fallen are raised from the natural to the spiritual, from death to eternal life.

Amen.

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3. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Our Natural State as Fallen Beings

It is no secret—and often said—that we live in a fallen world. There is no better proof of this than our natural attraction to what harms us and our resistance to what is good. Why is it that good girls like bad boys? Why do boys want to be “bad” in the first place? Why do we associate pleasure with the very things we come to regret, even though as children we were warned against them? There are many examples that show our pleasure principle leads to pure vanity. So why do most of us spend our youthful peak years feeding our flesh?

It may surprise many, but God’s perfect order for mankind is that we begin life in our natural state before we come to understand who we are spiritually. This does not mean that God wants us to be led by sin. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 15:46: “However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.” What Paul is saying is, our spirits first dwell in earthly, natural bodies before we receive our eternal spiritual bodies. Also true is that our natural impulses come first in life—and along with them our fleshly desires and weaknesses that Titus 3:3 describes so honestly—before we learn who we are spiritually.

But there are other examples in Scripture that show it is God’s will for the natural to precede the spiritual. Although Abraham and Sarah moved ahead of God, Ishmael, born of the flesh, came before Isaac the child of promise. Cain, who thought he could choose how to please God and rejected God’s instruction, came before Abel, whose obedience pleased God. Esau, who sold his birthright to satisfy a momentary craving, preceded Jacob, whom God later named Israel—the father of the twelve patriarchs from whom the twelve tribes of Israel came. Scripture continually shows us this pattern: first comes the natural, revealing the weakness of the flesh, and then the spiritual follows, revealing the power and purpose of God.

God’s Order for Mankind: Natural Then Spiritual

This natural-then-spiritual order is unique to mankind. Scripture shows that before God created humanity and earthly creatures, He had already created spiritual beings that dwell in the heavenly realm—angels who could observe mankind and even walk the earth. Job 38:7 tells us: “the morning Stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy“, when God laid the foundations of the earth. Genesis 6:2 speaks of angels who abandoned their proper place in Heaven, saying, “the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were fair, and they took to them wives, of all which they chose.” But even these were not the first to rebel against the spiritual order God established.

God’s will for the natural to come before becoming spiritual only makes sense when we consider the fall of Lucifer. Ezekiel 28 gives a vivid description of who Lucifer was before iniquity was found in him. Verse 12 describes him as: “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” Verse 13 reveals: “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering,” showing the honor and splendor God had given him. Verse 14 goes even further: “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so.” These verses reveal the extraordinary trust and authority God placed in Lucifer. And verse 15 tells the tragedy of his fall: “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

Most people say the first sin in the world was the partaking of the forbidden tree. But few recognize that the first sin in the universe was the pride of Lucifer. Pride is the same sin he used on Eve when he told her in Genesis 3:5, “you will be like God.” This was the very delusion that led him to oppose God. This is why God hates pride in man. Pride corrupted a perfect spiritual being, and pride led humanity into rebellion. Yet it was also Lucifer’s fall that led God to create mankind in His own image—although lower than the angels, yet possessing something the angels do not have: free will with the gift of redemption. So it makes sense, when considering the rebellion God experienced from His angelic creations, that mankind would first experience life through the trials of our fallen state, to allow our free will to lead us to choose God and mature spiritually.

Fallen but Not Cursed: Gifted With Free Will and Redemption

It wasn’t a curse, and we did not have a choice about being born into this world already marked by spiritual decline and moral depravity. But we do have a choice about whether we remain in that natural state of mind or embrace the spiritual life that God breathed into us from the beginning. Before mankind, all of God’s creations were spoken into existence. But with Adam, God did something different—He breathed His own breath into Adam giving him life; and that same breath gives life to each of us.

Adam and Eve were made glorious, clothed in a heavenly countenance that covered their nakedness. But when sin entered, their glory was lost—their fleshly eyes were opened, their nakedness exposed, and spiritual blindness took hold. Sin had become woven into the human DNA.

Not only do we have free will—we also have redemption, another attribute the angels did not receive. As Titus 3:3 says: we all begin life “foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” This is our natural “before Christ” condition, inherited through the tainted blood of sin. But once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His shed blood cleanses us from all sin and all unrighteousness. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, making our bodies the temple of God. From that moment, the Holy Spirit begins His work of regeneration—the renewing of our minds and the transformation of our hearts. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This is the true definition of being born again spiritually. When we choose to leave our natural minds to seek the mind of Christ—our desires and motives are no longer carnal, but godly.

A Relationship That Saves His Lost Sheep

The beautiful thing is this: when we begin to form an intimate relationship with our Father God, His Spirit begins to reveal truths not only about who He is, but about who He created each of us to be. His kindness and love, shed abroad in our hearts, begin to manifest in our daily lives. Instead of fear-laden thoughts filled with worst-case scenarios, our minds become courage-filled with the expectation of God’s best. Not because we deserve anything good, but because we are now right with God. He blesses the believer so that we can become a blessing to others—and in doing so, our lives bring glory to Him. With every person that surrenders their life to Christ, we are also defeating the same evil in the spiritual realm that Jesus did with every demon He cast out, and through His work of the Cross. Christians are God’s warriors against evil and those who rebel against Him, just as the Israelites were as His chosen people.

God does not give us what our rebellion deserves, unless we stubbornly choose to reject Him. He did not turn His back when Adam and Eve fell to the influence of the evil one. Instead, He appeared asking Adam, “Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9). God knew exactly where Adam was physically, but He also knew Adam had been lost spiritually. This same heart of God is revealed again when Jesus says in Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

We begin as lost sheep, wandering the earth in the natural condition described in Titus 3:3. But God, in His mercy, reaches out to each and every one of us, calling us by name. And for those who truly answer His call, He restores, He renews, and He brings us back into fellowship with Himself. Not because He is obligated to do so, but because He has watched His perfect creation rebel against Him and go on to bring down His weaker creation. But through Christ Jesus—we the fallen—are raised from the natural to the spiritual, from being dead in sin to eternal life.

Scriptures That Reveal the Journey From Spiritual Blindness to Spiritual Enlightenment

1 Corinthians 2:14
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:18
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”

Galatians 5:16
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

Colossians 3:10
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”

Galatians 5:22-23
“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

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A Thankful Prayer for Spiritual Awakening

Father God in Heaven, Your love, Your mercy, and Your grace have redeemed me, even though I was born fallen and in sin against You. Unable on my own to align my spirit with Yours, You reached out Your hand and called me by name. Your convictions were never to shame me or blame me, but to lead my spirit to the truth of who I am in Christ Jesus, and away from the fleshly nature that separated me from You from birth. I am eternally thankful for Your love, Your mercy, and Your grace. By the sacrifice and example of Your sinless Son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I give thanks and pray in His holy name. Amen.

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Trinitarian Benediction

As the world tries to keep you in darkness, may you hear God when He calls you to Himself.
May you grow to fully embrace your identity in Christ Jesus.
And may the Holy Spirit sow the seeds in you that bear His fruit.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Jude: Brother of Jesus but Not a Believer

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

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

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

A Servant of Christ Moved by His Spirit

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

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

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

A Protector of the Gospel and the Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

Believers Today Face the Same Enemies

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

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

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

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

Knowing the Word Protects From Joining the Sins of Others

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

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

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

The Ungodly Among the Godly

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warnings That Encourage Self Examination

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

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

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

Eternal Life is Still the Pillar Our Faith Rests On

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

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

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

Scriptures About the Help of God in Protecting Faith

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

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

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

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

Ephesians 6:11-12
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

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A Faith Based Prayer of Thanksgiving

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

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Trinitarian Benediction

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

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

Satan: The Title and the Name

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

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

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

Acting as Satan: The Main Strategies of Lucifer

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

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

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

Gifts, Passions, and Confidence are Satan’s Target

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

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

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

God Given Weapons to Use Against the Accuser

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

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

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

Scriptures to Invoke Authority Over the Enemy

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

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

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

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

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

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A Prayer Thanking God for His Protection From the Enemy

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

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Trinitarian Benediction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amen.

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13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to do, of His good pleasure.

14. Do all things without complaining, and disputing.

15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Is God’s Light Hidden or is the World Blind

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Spirit That Calls, Comforts, and Calms

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

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

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

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

The Image of Christ Reflected in the Believer

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

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

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

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

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

Scriptures That Remind You of God’s Light in Within

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Trinitarian Benediction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amen.

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