Are You Living in Faith?

Look at 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He
prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against
him, and be strong in your faith...”

Now we all read this and automatically said, surely Satan is not after me or I am not
worried?

But are we looking at this in the proper context?

Now let’s take a look at: Luke 22:31-32:

This is where Jesus predicts Peter’s denial: And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon!
Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

But I have prayed for you; that your faith should not fail; and when you have
returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will
deny three times that you know Me.”

So then, what was Jesus talking about in 1 Peter 5:8?

Satan is not really interested in you per say...he wants to destroy your faith!

Let’s look at it this way...Satan wanted to sift Peter so that Peter would lose his faith.

Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God. (Rom 10:17)

Faith is the avenue or the instrument God uses to bring salvation to His people.

God gives faith because of His grace and mercy, because He loves us (Ephesians 4
—5).

Faith comes from God in the form of a gift [A free gift] (Ephesians 2:8).

A gift is not earned by some good deed or kind word, and it is not given because the
giver expects a gift in return—under any of those conditions, a gift would not be a
gift.

The Bible emphasizes that faith is a gift because God deserves all of the glory for
our salvation.
If the receiver of faith could do anything whatsoever to deserve or earn the gift, that
person would have every right to boast (Ephesians 2:9).

But all such boasting is excluded (Romans 3:27).

God wants Christians to understand they have done nothing to earn faith, it’s only
because of what Christ did on the cross that God gives anyone faith (Ephesians 2:5,
16).

By knowing our saving faith comes from God alone, it should encourage Christians
to “not think of yourself more highly than you ought,” but remember God decides the
measure of faith each one receives (Romans 12:3).

The apostle Paul gives an example of the godly humility believers should have when
they contemplate their own faith:

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was
shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was
poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”
(1 Timothy 1:13–14).

Paul understood faith in Christ was given to him because of God’s grace in spite of
his own sinful life (1 Corinthians 4:7).

The Bible specifies the way, or the means, that God gives faith to people.

“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the
word about Christ” (Romans 10:17).

It is the Word of God that produces faith.

Someone could receive faith while hearing a sermon teaching the gospel, someone
else by reading about Jesus in the Bible—any time the true gospel of Jesus is
communicated, there is potential for faith.

This is why it’s of paramount importance for believers everywhere to be obedient to

the Great Commission and the Ministry of Reconciliation (Matthew 28:16–20 and 2
Cor 5:18-20) and tell people what Christ has done for humanity.

Faith is not the product of a preacher’s compelling presentation, his eloquence, or

even his theological soundness—faith is given through the message about Jesus.

This is the means God has chosen.

It is good for anyone who wants faith to ask for it.

God freely gives what is good to all who ask (Luke 11:9–12), and it’s good to ask for
an increase of faith (Luke 17:5; Mark 9:24).

Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith to be strengthened (Luke 22:32).

As with any gift from God, it is our responsibility to exercise the gift and not become
complacent, lazy, or apathetic (Romans 12:1–2, 6–8).

Christians can find comfort and peace of mind knowing their faith is from God,
because He has said He will finish the good work He started (Philippians 1:6).

God is the Author and the Perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2a; Romans 8:29–30).

The Definition of Faith

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines Faith as:

1. allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty ; fidelity to one's promises ;

sincerity of intentions acted in good faith
2. belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a
religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof clinging to the
faith that her missing son would one day return; complete trust

3. something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a

system of religious beliefs the Catholic or Protestant faith

Thankfully, the Bible contains a clear definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Simply put, the biblical definition of faith is “trusting in something you cannot
explicitly prove.”

This definition of faith contains two aspects: intellectual assent and trust.

Intellectual assent believes something to be true.

Trust is actually relying on the fact that the something is true.

A chair is often used to help illustrate this.

Intellectual assent is recognizing that a chair is a chair and agreeing that it is

designed to support a person who sits on it.
Trust is actually sitting in the chair.

Understanding these two aspects of faith is crucial.

Many people believe certain facts about Jesus Christ.

Many people will intellectually agree with the facts the Bible declares about Jesus.

But knowing those facts to be true is not what the Bible means by “faith.”

The biblical definition of faith requires intellectual assent to the facts and trust in the
facts.

Believing that Jesus is God incarnate who died on the cross to pay the penalty for
our sins and was resurrected is not enough.

Even the demons “believe” in God and acknowledge those facts (cf. James 2:19).

We must personally and fully rely on the death of Christ as the atoning sacrifice for
our sins.

We must “sit in the chair” of the salvation that Jesus Christ has provided. (Not sitting
undecided on the fence “mugwumping)

This is saving faith.

The faith God requires of us for salvation is belief in what the Bible says about who
Jesus is and what He accomplished and fully trusting in Jesus for that salvation
(Acts 16:31).

Biblical faith is always accompanied by repentance (Matthew 21:32; Mark 1:15).

The biblical definition of faith does not apply only to salvation.

It is equally applicable to the rest of the Christian life.

We are to believe what the Bible says, and we are to obey it.

We are to believe the promises of God, and we are to live accordingly.

We are to agree with the truth of God’s Word, and we are to allow ourselves to be
transformed by it (Romans 12:2).

Why is this definition of faith so important?

Why must trust accompany agreeing with facts?

Because “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6)

Without faith, we cannot be saved (John 3:16).

Without faith, the Christian life cannot be what God intends it to be (John 10:10).

Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus is described as the author and perfecter, or finisher, of our faith in Hebrews
12:2.

An author is an originator or creator, as of a theory or plan.

The Greek word translated “author” in Hebrews 12:2 can also mean “captain,” “chief
leader” or “prince.”

Acts 3:15 uses the same word: “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised
from the dead; whereof we are witnesses” (KJV), while the NIV and ESV use the
word “author” instead of “prince.”

From this we can deduce that Christ is the originator of our faith in that He begins it,
as well as the captain and prince or our faith.

This indicates that Jesus controls our faith, steers it as a captain steers a ship, and
presides over it and cares for it as a monarch presides over and cares for his
people.

The Greek word translated “perfecter” in Hebrews 12:2 appears only this one time in
the New Testament.

It means literally “completer” or “finisher” and speaks of bringing something to its

conclusion.

Putting the two words together, we see that Jesus, as God, both creates and
sustains our faith.

We know that saving faith is a gift from God, not something we come up with on our
own (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that gift comes from Christ, its creator.

He is also the sustainer of our faith, meaning that true saving faith cannot be lost,
taken away or given away.

This is a source of great comfort to believers, especially in times of doubt and

spiritual struggles.
Christ has created our faith and He will watch over it, care for it, and sustain it.

It is important for us to understand that God in Christ is not only the creator and
sustainer of our saving faith, but He is also the sustainer of our daily walk and the
finisher of our spiritual journey.

For if God in Christ is not the author of our new life, and if Christ is not the finisher
and perfecter of our faith through the Holy Spirit's indwelling power then we are
neither born again nor are we a true follower of Christ.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to
completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and
believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of
our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory”
(Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:13-14).

Faith versus Fear

Faith and fear cannot exist together.

Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see."

It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every
area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence to support that fact.

On the other hand, fear, simply stated, is unbelief or weak belief.

As unbelief gains the upper hand in our thoughts, fear takes hold of our emotions.

Our deliverance from fear and worry is based on faith, which is the very opposite of
unbelief.

We need to understand that faith is not something that we can produce in ourselves.

Faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) and is described as a fruit (or characteristic) which is
produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

The Christian's faith is a confident assurance in a God who loves us, who knows our
thoughts and cares about our deepest needs.

That faith continues to grow as we study the Bible and learn the attributes of His
amazing character.
The more we learn about God, the more we can see Him working in our lives and
the stronger our faith grows.

A growing faith is what we desire to have and what God desires to produce in us.

But how, in day-to-day life, can we develop a faith that conquers our fears?

The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans
10:17).

The careful study of God's Word is of primary importance in developing a strong

faith.

God wants us to know Him and completely rely on His direction in our lives.

It's through the hearing, reading, meditation and living the scriptures in our daily life
that we begin to experience a strong, confident faith that excludes worry and fear.

Spending time in prayer and quiet worship develops a relationship with our heavenly
Father that sees us through even the darkest of nights.

In the Psalms we see a picture of David, who, like us, experienced times of fear.

Psalm 56:3 reveals his faith with these words: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you."

Psalm 119 is filled with verses expressing the way in which David treasured God's
Word:

"I seek you with all my heart" (v. 10);

"I meditate on your precepts" (v. 15);

"I have hidden your word in my heart" (v. 11);

These are revealing words which speak wisdom to us today.

God is kind and understanding toward our weaknesses, but He requires us to go

forward in faith, and the Bible is clear that faith does not mature and strengthen
without trials.

Adversity is God's most effective tool to develop a strong faith.

That pattern is evident in Scripture.

God takes each one of us through fearful situations, and as we learn to obey God's
Word and allow it to saturate our thoughts, we find each trial becomes a stepping
stone to a stronger and deeper faith.

It gives us that ability to say, "He sustained me in the past, He'll carry me through
today and He'll uphold me in the future!"

God worked this way in David's life.

When David volunteered to fight against Goliath, he said, "The Lord who delivered
me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of
this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37).

David knew the God who had sustained him through dangerous situations in the
past.

He had seen and experienced God's power and protection in his life, and this
developed within him a fearless faith.

The Word of God is rich with promises for us to take hold of and claim for ourselves.

When we face financial troubles, Philippians 4:19 tells us, "And my God will supply
all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

If we are anxious about a future decision, Psalm 32:8 reminds us that God will
"instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye
upon you." (Also see Psalm 25:4-5)

In sickness we can remember that Romans 5:3 says, "Tribulation works patience."

If someone turns against us, we can be comforted by the words in Romans 8:31, "If
God is for us who can be against us!"

Throughout life we will continue to face various trials that would cause us fear, but
God assures us that we can know a calm peace through every situation, "the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding” which He has promised will “guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Struggling with a lack of faith

The apostle Paul exhorts Christians to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians
5:7).

What we see here is a contrast between truth and perception!

What we know and believe to be true and what we perceive to be true!

This is where the Christian struggle with a lack of faith finds its basis.

The main reason why so many Christians struggle with a lack of faith is that we
follow our perceptions of what is true rather than what we know to be true by faith.

Perhaps before going any further it may be helpful to come up with a working
definition of faith.

Faith, contrary to popular opinion, is not “belief without proof.”

This is the definition that many skeptics give for faith.

This definition reduces faith to mere fideism—i.e., “I believe despite what the
evidence tells me.” (Fideism is the idea that religious faith and reason are
incompatible with each other. It is the view that religious faith is separate from
reason and cannot be reconciled with it. According to fideism, faith involves a
degree of absolute certainty and personal commitment that goes beyond what can
be rationally justified. Therefore, one cannot and should not seek evidence for
religious belief.).

Skeptics are right to reject this concept of faith, and Christians should reject it, too.

Faith is not belief without proof or belief despite the evidence; rather, faith is a
complete trust or confidence in someone or something. (Heb 11:1)

That trust or confidence we have in someone is built up over time as he proves

himself faithful time and time again.

Christianity is a faith-based religion.

It is based on faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ.

God has provided us with His Word, the Holy Bible, as a testimony of His
faithfulness to His people all throughout history.

In its bare essentials, Christianity is faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ claimed to be the promised Messiah and the Son of God.

His life was one of perfect righteousness according to the revealed Law of God, His
death was an atoning sacrifice for the sins of His people, and He was raised to life
three days after His death.
When we place our faith and trust in Christ alone for our salvation, God takes our sin
and places it on the cross of Christ and awards us, by grace, with the perfect
righteousness of Christ.

That, in a nutshell, is the Christian message.

As Christians, we are called to believe this message and live in light of it.

Despite this, Christians still struggle with believing the biblical account because it
doesn’t match up with our perception of reality.

We may believe that Jesus was a real person, we may believe that He died by
crucifixion at the hand of the Romans, we may even believe that He led a perfect life
according to God’s Law, but we don’t “see” how faith in Christ makes us righteous
before God.

We can’t “see” Jesus atoning for our sins.

We can’t “see” or “perceive” any of the great truths of Christianity, and, therefore, we
struggle with lack of faith.

As a result of this lack of perception, our lives often do not reflect the fact that we
really believe what we claim to believe.

There are many reasons for this phenomenon among Christians.

The main reason we struggle with faith is that we don’t truly know the God in whom
we profess to have faith.

In our daily lives, we don’t trust complete strangers.

The more intimately we know someone and the more time we have had to see them
“in action,” the more likely we are to believe what they say.

But, if God is essentially a stranger to us, we are less likely to believe what He has
said in His Word.

The only cure for this is to spend more time in God’s Word getting to know Him.
(See Joshua 1:8)

The world, the flesh, and the devil often distract us.

By “the world” is meant the accepted “wisdom” of the unbelieving world and the
culture in which we find ourselves.
For those of us living in Europe and North America, that dominant worldview is
naturalism, materialism, skepticism, and atheism.

“The flesh,” refers to our sinful nature that still clings to Christians and with which we
struggle on a daily basis.

“The devil” refers to Satan and his horde of evil spirits who excite and entice us
through the world and our senses.

These things all afflict us and cause us to struggle with faith.

That is why Christians need to be constantly reminded of what Christ has done for
us and what our response should be.

The apostle Paul says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of
Christ” (Romans 10:17).

Our faith is built up as we have the gospel continually preached to us.

Our churches need to be built on the solid preaching of the Word and the regular
observance of the ordinances.

Instead, too many churches spend their time, energy, and resources on the creation
of “programs” that neither feed the sheep nor draw a clear distinction between
godliness and ungodliness.

Consider the example of the Israelites in the Old Testament.

God had performed great miracles in rescuing His chosen people from slavery in
Egypt—the Ten Plagues, the pillar of smoke and fire, and the crossing of the Red
Sea.

God brings His people to the foot of Mount Sinai, gives them the Law and makes a
covenant with them.

No sooner does He do this than the people begin to grumble and lose faith.

With Moses gone up on the mountain, the people convince Aaron, Moses’ brother, to
construct an idol (against God’s clear prohibition) for them to worship (Exodus 32:1–
6).

They were no longer walking by faith, but by sight.

Despite all the clear miracles God did in their redemption, they lost faith and began
to go on their perception.
That is why God instructed the new generation of Israelites before going into the
Promised Land to continually remind themselves of what God had done for them:

“And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach
them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise”
(Deuteronomy 6:6–7).

God knows that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38), and so He
commands His people to be in constant remembrance of these things.

In conclusion, we need to heed the example of the disciple Thomas.

When Thomas heard the stories of the resurrection, he wouldn’t believe them until
he saw Jesus with his own two eyes.

Jesus accommodated Thomas’ lack of faith by making an appearance to him and

allowing him to see and touch Him.

Thomas responds in worship, and Jesus says to him, “Have you believed because
you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Many skeptics today echo Thomas’ sentiment:

“Unless I see Jesus face to face, I will not believe!”

We must not behave as the unbelievers do.

We need to continually keep in mind Paul’s exhortation to walk by faith rather than
sight.

We learn in the book of Hebrews that without faith it is impossible to please God
(Hebrews 11:6) because faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, not
responding to our perceptions.

How to overcome struggling with faith

Many people struggle with their faith at different times in their lives.

Some of the most committed and godly leaders have struggled with doubts, just like
everyone else.

The very essence of faith is to believe in that which we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).

As physical beings, we tend to put faith in what we experience with our senses.
Spiritual realities are not tangible and must be experienced outside our senses.

So, when that which is tangible and visible seems overwhelming, doubts can shroud
that which is invisible.

The first aspect to consider is the object of faith.

The word faith has become popular in recent years, but the popular meaning is not
necessarily the same as the biblical meaning.

The term has become synonymous with any religious or irreligious adherence,
regardless of whether there is foundational truth upon which to base such
adherence.

In other words, someone could claim “faith” in dandelions for spiritual healing, and
that claim would be considered equally viable to the Christians’ claim that the Bible
is God’s inspired Word.

So, when struggling with “faith,” it is vital to define the object and reasonableness of
that faith.

All faith claims are not equal.

Before we can be secure in our faith, we must answer the question: my faith is in
what? (What do I really believe in)

Many hold to the idea of having faith in faith. (Which is wrong)

Faith itself is seen as the object, rather than God Himself.

The biblical purpose for faith is to bring us into the presence of God.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those
who earnestly seek him.”

We can only find Him when we come to Him through faith in His Son (John 14:6).

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all
your heart.” (It’s not just seeking but seeking with all your heart)

God does not bless half-hearted attempts to know Him.

He desires that we pursue Him with passion, the same way He pursues us (1 John
4:19).
However, God understands our inability to exercise the faith we need at times.

In Mark 9:24, a man admitted to Jesus that he wanted help with His unbelief.

Jesus did not rebuke the man, but healed the man’s child anyway.

He honored the man’s desire to grow in faith and was pleased that He, Jesus, was
the object of that faith. (Do you understand? His faith was in Jesus)

So, if we have the desire to believe what the Bible teaches, then we have the right
foundation for continuing to fight for faith.

God has given us countless evidences of His existence and character (Psalm 19:1;
Luke 19:38–40).

Jesus fulfilled all prophecies necessary to validate His claim to be the Son of God
(Matthew 2:15–17; 27:35; John 12:38).

The Bible has been proven true over and over again for thousands of years.

We have all the evidence we need, but God leaves the believing up to us.

It can be encouraging to remember that, when we struggle with faith, we are in good
company.

Elijah the prophet experienced such a struggle.

One of the greatest prophets of all time had just called down fire from heaven, killed
over 400 false prophets, and outrun King Ahab’s chariot—a feat that would have
been the envy of any Olympic gold-medalist (1 Kings 18:36–38, 46).

Yet the next chapter finds Elijah hiding in a cave, depressed and asking for death (1
Kings 19:3–5).

After all those miracles, he gave in to fear and doubt because a wicked woman
hated him (1 Kings 19:2). (Just one woman...how about you?)

During times of stress and exhaustion, we can easily forget all that God has done for
us.

John the Baptist was another who struggled with faith when at the lowest point in his
life.

Jesus had called John the greatest prophet (Matthew 11:11).

John had been selected by God before birth to be forerunner of the Messiah (Luke
1:11–17, 76).

He was faithful to that calling all of his life (Mark 1:4–8).

Yet even John, after being imprisoned and sentenced to die, struggled with doubts
about Jesus’ identity (Luke 7:20).

He sent messengers to ask Jesus if He was truly the One sent from God.

Jesus did not rebuke John in his weakness but instead sent him a message that
only a student of the Scriptures as John was would recognize (Luke 7:22).

He quoted from Isaiah 61 and reminded John that He alone had fulfilled that
Messianic prophecy.

We learn from these heroes of faith that God is patient with us when we desire to
believe (Psalm 86:15; 147:11).

When we experience times of doubt, we must immerse ourselves in truth.

We can bolster a sagging faith by reading scriptural accounts of God’s miraculous

interventions, listening to encouraging sermons, and reading books that appeal to
our reason by authors such as C. S. Lewis or Lee Strobel.

Podcasts by apologists such as Ravi Zacharias, Dr. John Lennox, Dr. Chuck Missler,
Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum of Ariel ministries, Matt Slick of CARM, or any person
teaching in Spirit and truth, can also add fuel to the fire of our faith.

But the greatest power to overcome doubt comes from the Holy Spirit Himself, who
“bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

We can cry out as the man cried to Jesus, “I believe. Lord, help my unbelief!” (Mark
9:24).

And we can expect Him to answer.

Keeping the Faith

First Timothy 4:16 exhorts us to keep the faith: “Watch your life and doctrine closely
and persevere in them.”

When Paul visited the recently established churches in Asia Minor, his goal was
“strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith” (Acts
14:22).
Other passages calling us to keep the faith are Hebrews 12:1 and Ephesians 6:13.

The Bible also gives us advice for how to do it.

Keeping the faith requires remembering what brought us to faith in the first place.

We need to be intentional about remembering God’s grace in our lives.

Hebrews 12:1b–3 says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Cf. Matt 6:33)

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow
weary and lose heart.”

Practically, this means remembering the wonderful gift of God’s salvation and
following the example of our Savior, who “endured” the trials of this life.

We must “fix our eyes” on Jesus. (Cf. Matt 6:33)

Many people find prayer and journaling helpful in this regard.

The Old Testament saints often demonstrated the importance of remembering.

The Israelites were instructed to set up memorials, and many of the Jewish feasts
were designed to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance.

Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not
forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as
you live.

Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Psalm 103:2 says, “Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

When we praise God, we remember His past goodness, and that makes it easier to
keep trusting Him now.

Keeping the faith requires a love of truth and a commitment to the Word of God.

First Timothy 4:1 says that, in the latter days, those who abandon the faith “follow
deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
To accept “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6–7) is to fall into error. (NWO and OWR)

Paul exhorted Timothy to “fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good
conscience”; those who ignore this command “have suffered shipwreck with regard
to the faith” (1 Timothy 1:18–19).

We must “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).

The Spirit of truth will never lead us into untruth (John 16:13).

Keeping the faith also involves spiritual growth in Christ.

Jesus is the author of our faith (the one who initiated the relationship), and He is the
perfecter of our faith (the one who will see it through to the end).

From beginning to end, Jesus is the source of our faith.

We remember what He has done, and we look forward to what He will do.

Practically, this involves having an active prayer life, studying God’s Word, and
digging in to His truth. (Joshua 1:8)

Keeping the faith is also about community.

The Christian life is not lived exclusively between God and the individual; it is lived in
community with other Christians. (While we maintain an intimate and personal
relationship with Him we must also have a relationship with other born again
believers)

Hebrews 10:23–25 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he
who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.” Fellow believers can encourage us to keep the faith. They can exhort
us when we are going astray. They can join in our gladness and in our sorrow
(Romans 12:15).

We will face trials and temptations in life (John 16:33; James 1:2–4).

Our faith will be challenged.

But it is not only in the difficult times that we dig in our heels and fight for our faith.

No, we contend for our faith always.

What we do today prepares us for what is in store tomorrow.

God is always at work in our lives and our faith should be ever-growing.

Second Peter 1:3–11 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a
godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. . . .

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to
goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection;
and to mutual affection, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from
being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .

My brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. (See
Romans 11:29) For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will
receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.”

We keep the faith by remembering God’s faithfulness and continuing to grow in

relationship with Him.

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ.

When we place our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the process of making us
more like Him, conforming us to His image.

Spiritual growth is perhaps best described in 2 Peter 1:3-8, which tells us that by
God's power we have “everything we need” to live lives of godliness, which is the
goal of spiritual growth.

Notice that what we need comes “through our knowledge of Him,” which is the key
to obtaining everything we need.

Our knowledge of Him comes from the Word, given to us for our edification and
growth. (Stop here and reflect a moment on “How well do I know Him?)

There are two lists in Galatians 5:19-23.

Now the actions of the flesh are obvious:

sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously,
outbursts of anger, quarrels, conflicts, factions, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild
partying, and things like that. I am telling you now, as I have told you in the past, that
people who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Verses 19-21 list the “acts of the flesh.” (Cf 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is
not from the Father, but is from the world.)

These are the things that identified our lives before we came to Christ for salvation.

The acts of the flesh are the activities we are to confess, repent of, and, with God’s
help, overcome.

As we experience spiritual growth, fewer and fewer of the “acts of the flesh” will be
evident in our lives.

The second list is the “fruit of the Spirit” (verses 22-23).

These are what should characterize our lives now that we have experienced
salvation in Jesus Christ. (Attributes of our sanctification process)

Spiritual growth is identified by the fruit of the Spirit becoming increasingly evident in
a believer’s life. (See also 2 Peter 1:5-8)

When the transformation of salvation takes place, spiritual growth begins.

The Holy Spirit indwells us (John 14:16-17).

We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The old, sinful nature begins to give way to the new, Christlike nature (Romans 6-7).

Spiritual growth is a lifelong process that depends on our study and application of
God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and our walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).

As we seek spiritual growth, we should pray to God and ask for wisdom concerning
the areas He desires us to grow in.

We can ask God to increase our faith and knowledge of Him.

God desires for us to grow spiritually, and He has given us all we need to experience
spiritual growth.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can overcome sin and steadily become more like our
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Please see our lessons on Become Spiritually Mature and Spiritual Theology,

If you listen closely you can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah...

In His Love,
Evangelist William J Madigan

ADDENDUM

Become Spiritually Mature

Spiritual maturity is achieved through becoming more like Jesus Christ.
After salvation, every Christian begins the process of spiritual growth, with the intent
to become spiritually mature.
According to the apostle Paul, it’s an ongoing process (sanctification) that will never
end in this life.
In Philippians 3:12–14, speaking of full knowledge of Christ, he tells his readers that
he himself has not “already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the
goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Like Paul, we have to press continually toward deeper knowledge of God in Christ.
Christian maturity requires a radical reordering of one’s priorities, changing over
from pleasing self to pleasing God and learning to obey God.
The key to maturity is consistency, perseverance in doing those things we know will
bring us closer to God.
These practices are referred to as the spiritual disciplines and include things such as
Bible reading/study, prayer, fellowship, service, and stewardship.
No matter how hard we might work on those things, however, none of this is
possible without the enabling of the Holy Spirit within us.
Galatians 5:16 tells us that we’re to “walk by the Spirit.”
The Greek word used here for “walk” actually means “to walk with a purpose in
view.”
Later in the same chapter, Paul tells us again that we’re to “walk by the Spirit.”
Here, the word translated “walk” has the idea of taking things “step by step, one step
at a time.”
It is learning to walk under the instruction of another—the Holy Spirit.
Being filled with the Spirit means we walk under the Spirit’s control.
As we submit more and more to the Spirit’s control, we will also see an increase in
the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23).
This is characteristic of spiritual maturity.
When we become Christians, we are given all we need for spiritual maturity.
Peter tells us that “[God’s] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to
life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and
excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).
God alone is our resource, and all growth comes by grace through Him, but we are
responsible to make the choice to obey.
Peter again helps us in this area: “For this very reason, make every effort to
supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with
self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these
qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5–8).
Being effective and fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus is the essence of
spiritual maturity.
Increase Spiritual Discernment
Discernment is defined as “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what
is obscure; an act of perceiving something; a power to see what is not evident to the
average mind.”
The definition also stresses accuracy, as in “the ability to see the truth.”
Spiritual discernment is the ability to tell the difference between truth and error.
It is basic to having wisdom.
Arguments and debates surround spiritual truth because it is obscure.
Jesus, speaking to His disciples about the Pharisees, said, “To you it has been given
to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given”
(Matthew 13:11).
Satan has “blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4), so God must shed
light on the human mind to enable us to understand truth.
It is impossible to attain wisdom without God.
He gives discernment or takes it away (Job 12:19-21).
Some have mistakenly defined spiritual discernment as a God-given awareness of
evil or good spiritual presences—the ability to tell if a demon is in the room.
While some people may possess this capability, it is not the biblical meaning of
discernment.
Spiritual discernment ultimately has to do with wisdom and the ability to distinguish
truth from error.
Wisdom is personified in Proverbs 1 and described as someone that we can “get to
know” (vv. 20-33). (See also Proverbs 8)
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is “wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Therefore, wisdom, or spiritual discernment, is something that comes from knowing
Jesus Christ.
The world’s way of getting wisdom is different from God’s way.
The learned of the world gain knowledge and apply reason to knowledge to solve
problems, construct buildings and create philosophies.
But God does not make the knowledge of Himself available by those means.
First Corinthians 1:18-31 says the “wisdom of the wise” is frustrated by God who
delivers wisdom to the “foolish” and the “weak” by way of a relationship with Jesus
Christ.
That way, “no human being can boast in His presence” (verse 29).
We learn to be spiritually discerning by knowing Him.
It is not wrong to possess knowledge or have an education, and it is not wrong to
use reason and logic to solve problems.
However, spiritual discernment cannot be attained that way.
It must be given by the revelation of Jesus Christ to the believer, and then
developed by way of training in righteousness (Hebrews 5:14) and prayer
(Philippians 1:9).
Hebrews 5:11-14 shows how spiritual discernment is developed.
The writer speaks to those who had become “dull of hearing,” meaning they had
fallen out of practice discerning spiritually.
The writer of Hebrews tells them that everyone who lives on “milk” (rather than the
“solid food” desired by the mature) is unskilled in the word of righteousness;
however, the mature Christian has been “trained by constant practice to distinguish
good from evil.”
The keys, according to this passage, are becoming skilled in the Word of God (by
which we define righteousness) and “constant practice” (through which we gain
experience).
So, how does one increase spiritual discernment?
First, recognizing that God is the only one who can increase wisdom, pray for it
(James 1:5; Philippians 1:9).
Then, knowing the wisdom to distinguish good from evil comes by training and
practice, go to the Bible to learn the truth and, by meditation on the Word, reinforce
the truth.
When a bank hires an employee, he is trained to recognize counterfeit bills.
One would think that the best way to recognize a counterfeit would be to study
various counterfeits.
The problem is that new counterfeits are being created every day.
The best way to recognize a counterfeit bill is to have an intimate knowledge of the
real thing.
Having studied authentic bills, bank cashiers are not fooled when a counterfeit
comes along therefore knowledge of the true helps them identify the false.
This is what Christians must do to develop spiritual discernment.
We must know the authentic so well that, when the false appears, we can recognize
it.
By knowing and obeying the Word of God, we will be “trained by constant practice to
distinguish good from evil.”
We will know God’s character and will.
This is the heart of spiritual discernment – being able to distinguish the voice of the
world from the voice of God, to have a sense that “this is right” or “this is wrong.”
Spiritual discernment fends off temptation and allows us to “hate what is evil; cling to
what is good” (Romans 12:9).
The Spiritual Disciplines
Discipline is defined as "training expected to produce a specific character or pattern
of behavior."
Discipline is not part of the sin nature, but it is a natural component of the Christian
life.
In fact, almost nothing of any significance in our lives is ever accomplished without
it.
Spiritual disciplines can be described as those behaviors that augment our spiritual
growth and enable us to grow to spiritual maturity.
This process of spiritual growth and development begins to take place the moment a
person encounters the risen Christ and comes to Him for salvation.
The purpose of spiritual discipline is the development of our inner being, that which
has been transformed by Christ at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Redeemed believers have experienced the total renewal of the whole person from
within, involving differences in thought, feeling and character that may be slower to
be evident in our outward behavior.
This is what Paul had in mind when he spoke of taking off the "old self" and putting
on the new, “which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator”
(Colossians 3:9-10).
There are a number of popular programs and books today on the spiritual
disciplines, but some go too far from Scripture in an effort to outline various methods
of disciplining oneself.
Some of these methods border on the mystical and the extra-biblical, sometimes
delving into areas of Eastern mysticism, Catholic mysticism, and New Age
philosophy.
Out of this movement has come such unbiblical practices as “hearing” the voice of
God and breathing/soaking/contemplative prayer.
The best way to avoid error in the understanding of spiritual disciplines is to stick
with clear scriptural mandates given to all Christians to immerse ourselves in the
Word of God wherein God speaks to us, and in prayer, whereby we speak to Him.
The foremost of the disciplines is that involving the Word of God and constitutes the
reading, study, memorization, and meditation of Scripture. (Joshua 1:8)
If this discipline is neglected, no other effort to discipline ourselves will be successful
because we simply do not have the power to overcome the resistance of the sin
nature in which our new natures reside.
Nor do we have the power to overcome the resistance of demonic influences whose
aim is always to separate us from the only means of spiritual growth, the Word of
God.
Paul reminded Timothy of the inherent nature of Scripture, that it is literally from the
mouth of God, i.e. “God-breathed,” and, as such, contains the very power of God.
He also refers to the gospel as the very “power of God” (Romans 1:16) and exhorts
Christians to take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” as our only
offensive spiritual weapon against demonic forces (Ephesians 6:17).
We must begin any effort at spiritual discipline with the only source of power, the
Word of God.
Scripture memorization is also essential.
We always have the freedom to choose what we place in our minds.
With that in mind, memorization is vital.
If we truly believe that the Bible is the Word of God, how can we not memorize it?
Memorization enables us to keep it constantly in the forefront of our minds, and that
makes it possible to react to all life circumstances according to its precepts.
One of the most powerful passages of Scripture regarding the necessity of
memorization is found in Joshua 1:8: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from
your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do
everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Five imperatives that guide us in Spirit and truth:
1 Don’t let the Word come out of your mouth
2 Study, pray and meditate on the word day and night.
3 Live each scripture in your daily life.
4 Then you will become prosperous
5 Then you will become successful.
It is through the discipline of memorization that and living the word in our daily life
that we are enabled to pray more effectively and to meditate.
This in turn enables us to “be prosperous and successful” as God defines “success”
for us.
When we are walking in His ways and in His will, we are imbued with a new Spirit-
filled inner being, one with a heart like God’s.
The second discipline is that of prayer.
Our prayers are a spiritual communion with God through means of thanksgiving,
adoration, supplication, petition, and confession.
The wonderful thing about prayer is that God meets us where we are.
He comes alongside us to lead us into a deeper, more real relationship with Him, not
motivated by guilt, but driven by His love.
Prayer changes us.
Prayer changes lives.
Prayer changes history.
Our knowing God really makes us want to conform to Jesus and His will for our
lives.
God slowly and graciously reveals Himself to us while we pray, and it is during those
moments that we can more deeply understand and experience His love.
Of course, one of the major outcomes of disciplined prayer is answered prayer.
But, in all truth, that is secondary to the real purpose of prayer which is an ever-
growing, unending communion with God.
Developing that intimate and personal relationship with Him that He longs for.
Taken together, the spiritual disciplines of prayer and the Word will provide us with a
rewarding program which will lead to godly living, praise, submission, service and
celebration of our salvation and the God who provided it.
Through these disciplines, we are enabled to obey God’s command to “work out our
salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act
according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13).
Spiritual Harvest
Throughout the Bible, the harvest carries spiritual significance.
It is used in parables (Luke 8:4–8) and as a metaphor for spiritual growth and health
(2 Corinthians 9:10; James 3:18).
The harvest has always been a beautiful and important part of life on earth, the time
when the year’s work bears fruit and the people are fed.
It is symbolic of bounty, health and abundance.
Israel celebrated the time of the harvest with a feast, appropriately called the Feast
of Harvest (Exodus 23:16).
Jesus spoke of a spiritual harvest waiting to be reaped.
As Jesus traveled, “he saw the crowds, [and] he had compassion for them, because
they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his
disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly
to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest’” (Matthew 9:36–38).
Here, Jesus referred to the many souls needing to be brought to repentance and
faith as a harvest waiting to be realized.
Jesus used the same metaphor of a spiritual harvest in Samaria.
After talking to the woman at the well, Jesus told His disciples, “Don’t you have a
saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the
fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).
In the days following this statement, many of the Samaritans became believers in
Christ (verse 41).
Jesus saw the spiritual harvest of souls awaiting in that village.
A spiritual harvest is the result of God’s work in the heart of man.
It is clear from the parable of the seed and the sower that some people’s hearts are
good soil; when the Word of God is sown there, the person accepts it and continues
to mature (Luke 8:9–15).
There is nothing we can do to change the soil—that is God’s job (Ezekiel 36:26).
However, we can be faithful to sow the seed, help the plants to grow, or reap the
harvest.
The process of spiritual growth and maturity, from the heart’s regeneration to the
recognition of faith, is often a long journey.
In fact, the Bible indicates that the sower, the tender, and the reaper are likely to be
different people at different times (John 4:35–38; 1 Corinthians 3:6–9).
Just like the physical growth of a field, the spiritual growth of people is a natural,
organic process, overseen by God Himself.
If we don’t see anyone getting saved, it can be discouraging, but we need to
remember that sowing is just as important as reaping.
Some of us are sowers and may never see the result of our labor.
That is why our focus should be on pleasing the One who sent us into the field
rather than on controlling the rate of growth or the amount we reap.
God’s laborers in the spiritual harvest of souls are promised great reward for their
faith and perseverance (James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 11).
This applies to all aspects of our spiritual lives, including witnessing and seeing
people saved and growing in the Lord, which is the spiritual harvest we all long to
see.
Sometimes we don’t see it.
Nonetheless, believers are exhorted with these words: “Let us not grow weary of
doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9) and
“A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James
3:18) and “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs
of joy, carrying sheaves with them” (Psalm 126:6).
Jesus told us to pray to the Lord of the harvest for more laborers (Matthew 9:38).
We should pray about all aspects of the spiritual harvest process, including the
preparation of the soil.
We can ask God to change people’s hearts.
“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach,
patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps
grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24–25).
God will use us in His fields, each according to our gifts and the need of the
moment, as we trust Him.
Christ is the Head of the Church
Two passages in the New Testament make it clear that the head of the church is
Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:17–18a teaches, “And he is before all things, and in him
all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church.”
This passage makes a brief comparison between the human body and the church.
The church is the body, and Jesus is the head. (Are you starting to understand
now?)
Jesus was before all things and holds all things together.
This includes the church as well. (Simple language, not hard to understand)
Ephesians 5:22–25 speaks of the relationship between husband and wife and
includes the teaching of Jesus as head of the church:
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the
husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of
which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should
submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
In this passage, wives are to submit to their husbands as the church submits to
Christ, and husbands are to sacrificially love their wives in the way Christ was willing
to die for the church.
In this context, Jesus is called the “head of the church, his body.”
He is also called its Savior.
What does it mean to be the head of the church?
Both Colossians 1 and Ephesians 5 emphasize the leadership of Christ and His
power.
In Colossians, Christ is head because He holds all things together.
In Ephesians, Christ is head because He is Savior.
The implications of this teaching are profound.
First, church leaders are to surrender ultimate leadership to the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the One who leads and determines the teachings and practices of the church.
Unfortunately many churches have been established by a hierarchy of tradition or by
simple pride and greed and misinterpretation of the Word of God, used to fit their so
called theology which is worldly or Satan driven.
Church members are to follow Christ first and earthly leaders second, as those
leaders emulate Christ (see 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 1 Peter 5:3–4).

Second, the love Jesus has for the church is expressed in His desire that we also
love the church.
The church is not a building or organization but a group of people who know and
worship Jesus.
Christians are taught, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love
and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”
(Hebrews 10:24–25).
Regular connection with other believers honors the Lord, encourages us personally
as believers, and allows us to encourage and serve others.
While every church will have its own local leaders, the ultimate leader of any church
is the Lord Jesus.
He said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18, emphasis added);
It belongs to Him.
He is the head of the body and the only One with the power to adequately lead and
love the church.
If you are in a church where Jesus is not the Head then pray and ask the leading of
the Holy Spirit in the decision you must make as to whether to stay or go.
Additionally pray for your pastor as he needs God’s help now.
Do not listen to anyone else other than the Holy Spirit because He will not be fooled
by the world and its prideful lust for money and power.
Do not be coerced by other so called believers for they may also be under the wrong
leading...God alone will guide you in all truth.
Experience true freedom in Christ
Everyone seeks freedom.
Especially in the West, freedom is the highest virtue, and it is sought after by all who
are, or consider themselves to be, oppressed.
But freedom in Christ is not the same as political or economic freedom.
In fact, some of the most harshly oppressed people in history have had complete
freedom in Christ.
The Bible tells us that, spiritually speaking, no one is free.
In Romans 6, Paul explains that we are all slaves.
We are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness.
Those who are slaves to sin cannot free themselves from it, but once we are freed
from the penalty and power of sin through the cross, we become a different kind of
slave, and in that slavery we find complete peace and true freedom.
Although it seems like a contradiction, the only true freedom in Christ comes to
those who are His slaves.
Slavery has come to mean degradation, hardship, and inequality.
But the biblical paradigm is the true freedom of the slave of Christ who experiences
joy and peace, the products of the only true freedom we will ever know in this life.
There are 124 occurrences in the New Testament of the word doulos, which means
“someone who belongs to another” or “bondslave with no ownership rights of his
own.”
Unfortunately, most modern Bible versions, as well as the King James Version, most
often translate doulos as “servant” or “bond-servant.”
But a servant is one who works for wages, and who, by virtue of his work, is owed
something from his master.
The Christian, on the other hand, has nothing to offer the Lord in payment for his
forgiveness, and he is totally owned by the Master who bought him with His shed
blood on the cross.
Christians are purchased by that blood and are the possession of their Lord and
Savior.
We are not hired by Him; we belong to Him (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 7:4).
So “slave” is really the only proper translation of the word doulos.
Far from being oppressed, the slave of Christ is truly free.
We have been set free from sin by the Son of God who said, “If the Son sets you
free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Now the Christian can truly say, along with Paul, “Through Christ Jesus the law of
the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
We now know the truth and that truth has set us free (John 8:32).
Paradoxically, through our bondage to Christ, we have also become sons and heirs
of the Most High God (Galatians 4:1–7).
As heirs, we are partakers of that inheritance—eternal life—which God confers on
all His children.
This is a privilege beyond any earthly treasure we could ever inherit, while those in
bondage to sin inherit only spiritual death and an eternity in hell.
Why, then, do so many Christians live as though they are still in bondage?
For one thing, we often rebel against our Master, refusing to obey Him and clinging
to our old lives.
We hold on to the sins that once bound us to Satan as our master.
Because our new nature still lives in the old fleshly nature, we are still drawn to sin.
Paul tells the Ephesians to:
“Put off” the old self with its deceit and corruption and
“Put on” the new self with its righteousness.
Put off lying, and put on truthfulness.
Put off stealing, and put on usefulness and work.
Put off bitterness, rage, and anger, and put on kindness, compassion, and
forgiveness (Ephesians 4:22–32).
We have been set free from the bondage of sin, but we often put the chains back on
because part of us loves the old life.
Furthermore, often we don’t realize that we have been crucified with Christ
(Galatians 2:20) and that we have been reborn as completely new creatures (2
Corinthians 5:17).
The Christian life is one of death to self and rising to “walk in the newness of life”
(Romans 6:4), and that new life is characterized by thoughts about Him who saved
us, not thoughts about the dead flesh that has been crucified with Christ.
When we are continually thinking about ourselves and indulging the flesh in sins we
have been freed from, we are essentially carrying around a corpse, full of rottenness
and death.
The only way to bury it fully is by the power of the Spirit who is the only source of
strength.
We strengthen the new nature by continually feeding on the Word of God, and
through prayer we obtain the power we need to escape the desire to return to the
old life of sin.
Then we will realize that our new status as slaves to Christ is the only true freedom,
and we will call upon His power to “not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you
obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:12).
In His Love,
Evangelist William J Madigan

Spiritual Theology
Spiritual theology is a branch of theology that emphasizes living “in the spirit”
instead of “in the flesh.”
In other words, it is concerned with how a person grows and develops spiritually.
While there are biblical, evangelical approaches to spiritual theology, the term
spiritual theology is most often used in Catholic circles, where it involves the
exploration of the works an individual must perform in order to advance to
“perfection” in the Christian life.
Spiritual theology is seen by Catholic theologians as the uniting of the theologies of
aestheticism and mysticism.
Catholic theologian Fr. Jordan Aumann defines spiritual theology as “that part of
theology that, proceeding from the truths of divine revelation and the religious
experience of individual persons, defines the nature of the supernatural life,
formulates directives for its growth and development, and explains the process by
which souls advance from the beginning of the spiritual life to its full perfection.”
Note that, in this definition, “religious experience” is given equal weight with “divine
revelation.”
In other words, spiritual theology is not drawn from the Bible alone; it comes from
experience in addition to the Bible.
This fact alone should cause us to be wary of such a theology.
According to RCC spiritual theology, in order to attain “perfection” in the Christian
life, one:

Must practice vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplative prayer;

Must pray the Rosary;
Must put off sin and serve God; and
Must experience hardship and suffering, including “the dark night of the soul.”
As the soul progresses closer to perfection, it must go through three stages:

The purgative,
The illuminative, and
The unitive ways.
The main problem with Catholic spiritual theology, besides its departure from
Scripture alone, is that it focuses on physical means to a spiritual end.
Scripture teaches that we are born again by the Spirit of God and that we are kept
by the Spirit of God and that we are sanctified by the Spirit of God.
Simply practicing rituals or maintaining discipline is no guarantee of salvation, let
alone spiritual growth.
John Wesley established his “Holy Club” with its rules and “method” of holy living
years before his conversion.
Religion does not equal regeneration!
The Bible commands followers of Christ to walk in the Spirit: “So I say, walk by the
Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Christians are those who have been born again, those “who do not live according to
the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4).
We should all desire to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Peter
3:18).

But we follow Jesus Christ, not Mary (Marionism), St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of
the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, Thomas á Kempis, St. Ignatius of Loyola, or any
of the others that Catholics lift up as models of perfection.
We must always guard against legalism.
The example of the Galatians provides a warning for us: in an attempt to “grow
spiritually,” the churches of Galatia were slipping into legalism.
They were trying to live a “good Christian life” by going back to the Law and Old
Testament ordinances.
Paul rebuked such a course of action: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the
law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means
of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2–3).
God, who began the good work in us, will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
Prayer, meditation, and other spiritual disciplines are good and helpful in our spiritual
growth.
But we should reject manmade methods that promise perfection.
We should avoid programs that are touted as an aid in “receiving salvation” and in
“cooperating with Christ’s redemption.”
The just will live by faith (Galatians 3:11).
We live by the power of the Spirit, not by the works of the flesh or by adherence to
the Law.
Spiritual Abuse
To “abuse” is to use something or someone to bad effect or for a bad purpose,
especially regularly or repeatedly.
Spiritual abuse happens when a spiritual authority, such as a cult leader or abusive
pastor, seeks to control individuals and ensure obedience.
Spiritual abuse is closely associated with spiritual manipulation and is not God’s plan
for promoting spiritual growth.
A spiritually abusive group might claim that they are God’s sole channel of
communication and that they alone can rightly interpret God’s Word.
They might claim that salvation depends upon belonging to their church and that,
since God speaks through them alone, there can be no further discussion on what
the leaders say.
Or the leaders might point to God’s blessing on their work—proved by increased
baptisms, perhaps—and push members to contribute more generously to their
expansion programs.
Pushing for more money, promising that God will repay, and piling on guilt can be
signs of covert abuse.
Abusive groups also place great emphasis on performance-related works—
attending every meeting; volunteering to help at local, regional, and national events;
and devoting required minimum amounts of time to proselytizing.
Members are constantly reminded that the end of this wicked system of things is
imminent and so there is very little time left to spread the “good news.”
Everyone must do more in the advancement of “God’s work.”
The dedication of each member is tracked and measured by the amount of time,
effort, and money he or she gives to the cause.
If an individual’s efforts begin to slip below expectations, it will be noticed.
Spiritual abuse can occur when church or cult leaders misuse Scripture to bolster
their own authority and keep their members under their thumb.
For example, a spiritual authority may use Hebrews 13:17 (“Have confidence in your
leaders and submit to their authority”) to demand blind loyalty and unthinking
obedience.
A leader might say, “God has given me authority over you; thus, to disobey me is to
disobey God.”
If members grow uneasy and think about leaving, all the leader has to do is say, “If
you leave this group, you will never go to heaven, because only we have the truth.”
This type of manipulation is appalling, but it occurs more often than one might think.
Our loyalty is due Christ, the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22), not a particular
organization, church, or leader.
Cults and abusive churches pre-emptively insulate members from any information
critical of the group.
Members are taught early on to be skeptical of any negative report about the group
and that the biased media only lies about them.
These “lies” are identified as a form of persecution, which “proves” they must be the
one true religion.
So, for example, if journalists report on leaders who have been found guilty of child
abuse, the organization simply tells its members they cannot believe anything the
newspapers say about them—it’s all lies and smears.
If simple denial doesn’t work, they move on to rationalization and wishful thinking.
Spiritually abusive leaders can become so adept at thought and information control
that those under their sway will actually defend their new identity over their former
identity.
The more committed to the abusive church a person becomes, the more isolated he
becomes from non-members, and the more he fears punishment if he tries to leave.
Some people, after a lifetime of emotional investment in a religious group, simply do
not know how they could survive if they left.
They have no friends other than their fellow church members.
They may have cut off contact with family members.
They probably have no interests (social or intellectual) outside of their group.
Such is their fear of being ostracized that many stay put, keeping their misgivings to
themselves.
Jonestown survivor Deborah Layton wrote, “When our own thoughts are forbidden,
when our questions are not allowed and our doubts are punished, when contacts
and friendships outside of the organization are censored, we are being abused for
an end that never justifies its means.
When our heart aches knowing we have made friendships and secret attachments
that will be forever forbidden if we leave, we are in danger.
When we consider staying in a group because we cannot bear the loss,
disappointment and sorrow our leaving will cause for ourselves and those we have
come to love, we are in a cult” (Seductive Poison. New York: Anchor Books, 1998,
page 299).
Peter warned us that “there will be false teachers among you” (2 Peter 2:1).
As he described these false teachers, Peter points to their propensity to abuse their
followers: “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories”
(verse 3), or as the KJV puts it, “They [shall] with feigned words make merchandise
of you.”
Those who would attempt to use the Word of God to take advantage of the church
are greedy liars, and they will bring divine retribution upon themselves: “Their
condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been
sleeping” (verse 3).
Jesus’ yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
Those who claim to speak for Jesus today should not be placing heavier burdens on
people than Jesus would.
A pastor is to be a shepherd. (Plain and simple huh?)
Shepherds who abuse the flock can expect severe punishment when the Lord
returns: “He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. . . .
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the
one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:46–48).
With privilege comes responsibility, and those spiritual wolves who abuse their
authority will have to answer to God for the harm they have done.
Spiritual Manipulation
To manipulate is to negotiate, control or influence for one’s own advantage.
Spiritual manipulation is a technique used by some abusive churches and cults to
control individuals and acquire gain, all the while giving the impression that their
teachings are based on the Bible.
Some religious groups take Scriptures out of context in order to support their beliefs.
They isolate “proof texts” and “cherry pick” verses to persuade the uninformed that
their interpretation is right, even to the extent of claiming they alone have “the truth”
and everybody else is wrong.
Some use external discipling / evangelism programs that are cult based, false
programs espoused as “coming from God” which are in reality pyramid schemes
where prideful fame and fortune (prosperity preaching and false hyper grace
teachings lead people away from God rather than to the Cross and Jesus).
Some have even altered the Bible and produced their own translation to support
their religious bias.
Some denominations use scholastic dishonesty to manipulate.
They will use partial quotations from first-century Christians and eminent Bible
scholars in suggesting that they agree with their views.
Take, as an example, the booklet “Should You Believe in the Trinity?,” published by
the Watchtower Society.
Page 7 includes a partial quote from Justin Martyr: “Justin Martyr, who died about
165 C.E., called the prehuman Jesus a created angel who is ‘other than the God
who made all things.’
He said that Jesus was inferior to God and ‘never did anything except what the
Creator . . . willed him to do and say.’”
What’s missing from this partial quotation is significant.
Justin Martyr said that the “Son, who also, being the first-begotten Word of God, is
even God.”
Nowhere did Justin Martyr say the pre-human Jesus was a created angel.
Some individuals manipulate Scripture for their own personal benefit.
An authoritarian husband might demand that his wife submit to him as the head of
the house and quote Ephesians 5:22 (“Wives, submit to your husband’s”).
But that same man might purposefully overlook verse 26, which says, “Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Instead of taking the bits of Scripture he approves of and using them to lord it over
his family, he would do well to read 1 Corinthians 13 and practice the type of love
that is patient, kind, protects, trust and perseveres, etc.
During a conversation between Christians, someone might say, "The Lord has told
me that. . . ."
This phrase essentially shuts down the conversation because it implies that, since
God has spoken a word, there can't be any further discussion.
Don't be fooled by this trick; it is a form of spiritual manipulation.
Or a preacher says, "Sow into my ministry, and God will repay you. Sow, and you
will reap! God is no man's debtor."
Could such preaching simply be an exploitive appeal for money?
Is the preacher trying to influence people for his own financial advantage?
If so, it is spiritual manipulation.
Another form of spiritual manipulation occurs when abusive churches and cults twist
Scripture to give more authority to the leadership and keep the members under their
control.
One example is the use of Hebrews 13:17 as a basis for demanding unquestioning
loyalty and obedience to the leaders.
Some religious groups view questioning the leaders as tantamount to questioning
God.
Some leaders claim to have divine authority and approval; thus, to disobey them is
to disobey God.
This is perhaps the most pernicious form of spiritual manipulation, and it has no
place in a true church.
Victims of spiritual manipulation seldom realize what’s happening to them.
Here are some indicators of a spiritually manipulative church:
Legalism
Demands for obedience
Unquestioning submission
Punishment (loss of privileges, shunning or expulsion)
Misplaced loyalty
Emphasis on performance
Exclusivism (“we alone are right, and everybody else is wrong”)
Isolation (refusal to associate with anyone but spiritual brothers and sisters)
Humiliation of the "disobedient"
(See also our lessons on The Shepherding Movement and Hard Shepherding)
Abusive churches train members to block out any information that is critical of the
group.
With enough thought and information control, the leaders can get those under their
control to defend their new identity against their former identity.
The first line of defense is denial – “What you say isn’t happening at all.”
Next comes rationalization – “This is happening for a good reason.”
After that, justification – “This is happening because it ought to.”
Finally, wishful thinking – “I’d like it to be true, so maybe it really is.”
A characteristic of spiritually abusive systems is that a misplaced sense of loyalty is
fostered and even demanded.
This is not about loyalty to Christ, but about loyalty to an organization, church or
leader.
Because authority is assumed or legislated, following that authority must also be
legislated.
This is accomplished by setting up a system where disloyalty or disagreement with
the leadership is construed as disobeying God.
Questioning leaders is not allowed.
After all, the leader is the authority, and authority is always right.
Such spiritual manipulation denies the truth of Ephesians 1:22, which says that
Christ is the Head of the church...Our loyalty is due Him, the Father and the Holy
Spirit.
All Christians need to be alert to spiritual manipulation and follow this example from
Acts 17:11: “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians,
for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures
every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
Did the apostle Paul take offense when the Bereans researched to ensure that his
preaching was based on Scripture?
Of course not, because Paul knew his preaching would stand up under exhaustive
scrutiny.
Likewise with all teaching and preaching – we must hold it up to the light of God’s
Word before we accept it.
Any religious group that prevents its members from doing independent research, or
from challenging what the leadership says, must have something to fear.
Jesus told His disciples they would be like sheep among wolves and instructed them
to be “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
The Master’s yoke is easy, and His burden is light. He gives us rest and is gentle
and humble in heart (Matthew 11:28-29).
That is the Christlike example all who shepherd Jesus’ flock must exemplify.
The Shepherding Movement
The Shepherding Movement is a controversial method of church leadership that
grew out of the Charismatic movement in the 1970s.
It is also called the “Discipleship Movement” and is related to heavy shepherding.
The Shepherding Movement, which began as “Christian Growth Ministries” in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida, reached its peak in the 1980s, but its impact has since
lessened.
The Shepherding Movement has received well-deserved criticism for its cult-like
manipulation and intimidation tactics and its emphasis on the non-biblical idea of a
“spiritual covering.”
The basic idea of the Shepherding Movement is one of submission to authority.
(Particularly the New Apostolic Reformation and the G12 Discipling/Evangelization
groups)
The Shepherding Movement called for five leaders at the top of a global leadership
pyramid.
These men were responsible for one another’s spiritual health and keeping each
other on track by “covenant relationships” and mutual accountability.
Beneath each of those five “shepherds” were five other people, responsible for one
another but submitted to the authority of their shepherd.
And so on, down the line.
Each of these groups of five was called a “submission,” and their devotion to their
shepherds was absolute.
No major decisions were made without first consulting with one’s shepherd—
marriage and career choices included.
The Shepherding Movement set up an alternate structure for the church that does
not exist in Scripture.
By creating a hierarchy of submission and authority, the five original “shepherds”
promoted a legalistic paradigm in which the Holy Spirit was hindered and believers
suffered spiritual abuse under authoritarian supervisors.
Christ is the head of the church, (See our lesson on Christ is the Head of the
Church) and all the parts of the body are to look to Him for guidance, provision, and
protection (Ephesians 5:23).
The Shepherding Movement put roadblocks between Christ and His church,
creating an unnecessary and harmful chain of command.
People in the movement had to choose between the authority of their shepherd and
the authority of the Great Shepherd.
Many of the original leaders of the Shepherding Movement or Discipleship
Movement have admitted that the movement was a mistake and have disassociated
themselves with it. (However, C Peter Wagner of NAR and Ceasar Castellanos of
G12 maintain their status quo and forged ahead)
But how much damage was done?
The church must be wary of those who would take advantage of them.
As Paul warned the Ephesians, “Savage wolves will come in among you and will not
spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in
order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” (Acts 20:29–31).
Heavy Shepherding
“Heavy shepherding” (also referred to as the “Discipleship Movement”) is a method
of psychological control used by abusive churches and cults.
It came out of the Shepherding Movement of the 1970s.
The International Churches of Christ from the Boston Movement is perhaps the most
well-known group that practices heavy shepherding along with the NAR and G12
movement.
Another infamous group to come out of the Shepherding Movement was Christian
Grown Ministries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Heavy shepherding churches and cults can be identified by the following practices
• Submission to “discipleship partners” or “shepherds” and those in authority
• Obligation to confess sin to “discipleship partners” or “shepherds”
• Unquestioning loyalty and obedience to all those in authority
• Obligation to intensively recruit others to join the movement
• Authoritarian leadership and group experience
• Conformity to the movement’s standards
• Spiritual manipulation and intimidation
• Hierarchical system of accountability
• Legalism and control over members
• Prohibition against reading any literature not approved by the leadership
• Whistle-blowing on members suspected of being nonconformists
• Total dependence on the movement and the leaders for approval
• Fear of punishment or humiliation for questioning the leadership
Any leader who demands blind obedience and submission is building on a false
basis of authority.
True authority comes only from God and cannot be seized by men who simply seek
power and authority over others, who want to be in charge and admired.
If a group or a person assumes authority based solely on role, office, or position,
then he is abusing his position.
Heavy shepherds are religious power brokers who control others through fear.
They preach about authority, submission, judgment, prosperity and even end-times.
These false shepherds present themselves as the source of all knowledge and
authority.
They punish people who do not meet a certain standard and ostracize them as not
earning God’s approval.
They ignore the fact that Christians already have God’s approval through the shed
blood of Jesus Christ – no person can “earn” God’s approval.
There is a biblical basis for structure within the church.
Hebrews 13:17 tells us to obey our leaders and submit to their authority because
“they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their
work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
But when leaders tell their flock not to think, not to ask questions and to ignore
problems, they are abusing their position.
When people who think, ask questions and confront problems are branded as un-
submissive, unspiritual or divisive, then they are being abused by false prophets
who “come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves”
(Matthew 7:15).
John 10:1-18 shows that the church should be modelled on Christ Jesus, who is the
good shepherd.
When He calls His sheep, they recognize His voice and follow Him. And, most
importantly, Jesus says, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (verse 15).
A good shepherd leads his flock to safety and guards them from predators that seek
to hurt them.
Jesus instructs His disciples to obey His commands, just as He obeyed the Father.
But there is nothing heavy-handed about this command! “I have told you this so that
my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love
each other as I have loved you… I no longer call you servants, because a servant
does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for
everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not
choose me but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit… This is my
command: Love each other” (John 15:9-17).

Nowhere does Jesus suggest that we have to blindly submit to men.

Instead, we must submit to Christ, who is the head of every man (1 Corinthians
11:3).
And in all things, we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
This is how shepherding should be done: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under
your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are
willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not
lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. . . . All of you,
clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because ‘God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s
mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:1-7).
A heavy shepherding pastor is the exact opposite of the humble servant-leader
whom Peter endorses. (Although they all walk in false humility)
Jesus told His disciples, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who
exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors. But you are not to be like
that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who
rules like the one who serves” (Luke 22:25-26).
Christian leaders are under obligation to follow Jesus’ example of humility and
compassion.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-
30).
Beware of any religious group that practices “shepherding,” “submission” and
“covering” concepts.
We have been bought by the precious blood of Christ Jesus and “brought into the
glorious freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8:21)
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
Individual Spiritual Authority over another Individual
"Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep
watch over you as those who must give an account.
Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to
you" (Hebrews 13:17).
Yes, the Bible clearly states that God gives some individuals spiritual authority over
others.
There are various levels of authority in any person's life, and each of these levels
may involve different people in different positions of authority.
Of course, we must begin with the highest authority, which is God.
Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Everything that exists was created by God, and by that fact, God has ultimate
authority, or sovereignty, over all things.
When Moses delivered the law to the Israelites, God’s sovereign authority was the
basis on which they were to submit to it (Deuteronomy 4:39–40).
When Job was wrestling with the problem of pain and suffering in his life, he
acknowledged that God made all things, and no one is able to challenge His
authority (Job 9:1–12).
In the Old Testament, one of the titles reflecting this authority is “the most high God”
(Genesis 14:22), and in the New Testament, He is called “Lord of heaven and earth”
(Acts 17:24).
Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh, holds all authority (Matthew 28:18) and has
distributed some of that authority to various people on earth.
Because of our sinful nature, and because of the abuses or failures of authority that
we have experienced, most people struggle on occasion with submitting to
authorities.
One level of authority that God has granted to men is civil or governmental.
Romans 13:1–6 states that “the powers that be are ordained of God.”
Whether rulers are believers or not, and whether they recognize it or not, their civil
authority is actually a type of spiritual authority, for “they are God’s ministers,”
exercising power on God’s behalf.
When we resist their authority, we are actually resisting God.
The Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:22–24 that our submission and service to
human authorities should be done “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Another level of authority established by God is within the home.
Ephesians 5:22–24 commands wives to submit to their husbands as they would
submit to God, because the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the
Head of the church.
This ladder of authority is stated again in 1 Corinthians 11:3, showing the woman
submitting to the man, who submits to Christ, who submits to the Father.
Children are commanded to submit to their parents in Ephesians 6:1, and
Colossians 3:20 adds that this is well pleasing to God.
Just as God established authority within civil government and the home, so He
established specific authority within the church.
As Christians, we are all joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) and have full access
to God by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18).
Though God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11), He has chosen to place
some in positions of authority for the sake of order and growth (Ephesians 4:11–13).
The early church recognized the authority of the apostles and submitted to their
teaching and direction (Acts 6:2; 15:2).
Next to the apostles in authority were the elders, or pastors, of the churches.
As Paul and Barnabas established churches in their missionary journeys (Acts
14:23), they ordained elders in every church.
These elders (presbyters) were responsible for teaching (pastoring), supervising
(being a bishop), and being examples to the church (1 Peter 5:1–3).
As spiritual leaders, these elders have a greater responsibility to God (James 3:1)
and must meet the qualifications God has established (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–
7).
Believers are told to acknowledge and respect those who are over them in spiritual
matters (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13) and even to support them financially (1 Timothy
5:17–18).
In matters of authority, the underlying guiding principle is submission.
First Peter 5:5–6 says, “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who
are older.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in
due time.”
In God’s matchless wisdom, He has chosen some to hold authority and others to be
under that authority.
Perhaps the most surprising thing is that He has also taught that one of the highest
qualifications for those in positions of authority is humility.
“If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark
9:35).
This is the example that Jesus, the highest spiritual authority, gave when He
became the humblest of all and submitted to die in our place (Philippians 2:7–11).
Christ is the Head of the Church
Two passages in the New Testament make it clear that the head of the church is
Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:17–18a teaches, “And he is before all things, and in him
all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church.”
This passage makes a brief comparison between the human body and the church.
The church is the body, and Jesus is the head. (Are you starting to understand
now?)
Jesus was before all things and holds all things together.
This includes the church as well. (Simple language, not hard to understand)
Ephesians 5:22–25 speaks of the relationship between husband and wife and
includes the teaching of Jesus as head of the church:
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the
husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of
which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should
submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
In this passage, wives are to submit to their husbands as the church submits to
Christ, and husbands are to sacrificially love their wives in the way Christ was willing
to die for the church.
In this context, Jesus is called the “head of the church, his body.”
He is also called its Savior.
What does it mean to be the head of the church?
Both Colossians 1 and Ephesians 5 emphasize the leadership of Christ and His
power.
In Colossians, Christ is head because He holds all things together.
In Ephesians, Christ is head because He is Savior.
The implications of this teaching are profound.
First, church leaders are to surrender ultimate leadership to the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the One who leads and determines the teachings and practices of the church.
Unfortunately many churches have been established by a hierarchy of tradition or by
simple pride and greed and misinterpretation of the Word of God, used to fit their so
called theology which is worldly or Satan driven.
Church members are to follow Christ first and earthly leaders second, as those
leaders emulate Christ (see 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 1 Peter 5:3–4).

Second, the love Jesus has for the church is expressed in His desire that we also
love the church.
The church is not a building or organization but a group of people who know and
worship Jesus.
Christians are taught, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love
and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”
(Hebrews 10:24–25).
Regular connection with other believers honors the Lord, encourages us personally
as believers, and allows us to encourage and serve others.
While every church will have its own local leaders, the ultimate leader of any church
is the Lord Jesus.
He said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18, emphasis added);
It belongs to Him.
He is the head of the body and the only One with the power to adequately lead and
love the church.
If you are in a church where Jesus is not the Head then pray and ask the leading of
the Holy Spirit in the decision you must make as to whether to stay or go.
Additionally pray for your pastor as he needs God’s help now.
Do not listen to anyone else other than the Holy Spirit because He will not be fooled
by the world and its prideful lust for money and power.
Do not be coerced by other so called believers for they may also be under the wrong
leading...God alone will guide you in all truth.
In His Love,
Evangelist William J Madigan