“So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” – Ephesians 4:14

Stability of belief and understanding is a mark of spiritual maturity. As we grow in Christ, understanding Him and His Word more clearly and deeply, we’re less easily influenced by others. This is a very good thing – one of the essential reasons Ephesians 4 says churches are blessed with pastors and teachers. If you were to honestly assess yourself, is this where you are? Are your beliefs and emotions anchored in Christ and relatively unchanging? Or are you all over the map based on what you’ve last seen, heard, or read?

Many Christians today are very much tossed about by the waves and winds of algorithms and influencers. They have zeal for the Lord but lack the stability of truly understanding what He taught. If that is you, seek to grow in maturity. How? Ephesians 4 is clear that we mature and our minds grow stable as we fellowship, worship, and study in the local body of Christ, a Bible-believing and teaching church. This doesn’t happen overnight but is a result of engaged living and studying of God’s Word with others. Choose wise pastors and teachers and learn from them rather than letting algorithms feed you more and more different and confusing influencers.

Cunning, craftiness, and deceit are the norm of the day, especially on social media. There are wonderful resources available online and terrible ones. Don’t let any of these replace the growth opportunities available through a faithful church of Jesus Christ. #FollowJesus

“This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him” – Ephesians 3:11-12

By God’s grace, when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you gain access to God the Father. Not just any access – bold, confident access. In other words, you have the freedom and privilege to come before God Almighty in prayer, certain that He’s delighted you’ve come. You don’t need to be timid in your prayers. You don’t need to worry that you’re bothering God with your concerns. You can trust that in Jesus Christ, you have an “All Access” pass to enter God’s throne room. You are welcome there!

As a follower of Jesus and blood-bought child of God, you are invited and welcomed to bring every praise, concern, fear, anxiety, doubt, confession, and thanksgiving to God in prayer. He will always listen with favor. He may say no to your request but He won’t punish you, reject you, or mock you for asking. God LOVES you. Because He does, you can trust that He will hear you out with love. You may come before Him boldly and pray confidently.

If you feel like God isn’t listening or your prayers aren’t going anywhere, those feelings are lies! The truth is that when you pray, you are in the presence of God and He is absolutely listening. Don’t be shy. Don’t be a stranger. Don’t save your prayers for just the “big” things. Lift everything up to God with thanksgiving and let the peace of God’s presence fill your soul. #FollowJesus

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
nor be dismayed at their revilings.”
– Isaiah 51:7

If you know the Lord, His love for you, His presence in your life, and His word, rest in that. Ground yourself and your sense of self in the Lord Jesus Christ, His righteousness in you, and His teachings. Trust in these things and let them define you. Then don’t worry about what other people think or say about you!

That can be hard… Too many Christians are still concerned about being liked, respected, and popular. They are uncomfortable in their own skin and afraid of being scorned by others. If that describes you, draw near to God and work to be set free from that. Truly following Jesus in the way of Jesus often isn’t popular. Jesus certainly wasn’t liked or respected by many He came to save. Don’t let your happiness or sense of worth be based on what other people think or say about you. Draw near to God and ground your being in His approval and love.

The more you know the Lord and what the Bible teaches, the easier this becomes. You know that God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you. You know that He will never leave or forsake you. You know that by His grace, through faith in Jesus, your sins have been forgiven and God has welcomed you into His family as His precious, beloved, adopted child. You know that Christ is always with you. You know that you’re sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of the eternal inheritance you will receive in God’s presence. When you truly know these things, then the Holy Spirit can make you very bold indeed, unafraid of the reproaches, insults, and scorn of other people. #FollowJesus

“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” – Galatians 5:14-15

This is a good word for a divisive time! Love your neighbor. Focus less on convincing your neighbor to think exactly like you. Focus less on being offended that your neighbor is trying to get you to think exactly like them. Just love your neighbor in the same extravagant, gracious, and overflowing way you love yourself.

Don’t bite and devour other people. Not with your words, texts, or emails. Not with your posts. Not with your shares. Not with your actions. Not even in your thoughts. Not over earthly things. Not over minor spiritual things. Just love your neighbor the way you love yourself. Don’t take part in attacking, chewing up, or spitting out other people, especially other Christians with whom you disagree. Just don’t. #FollowJesus

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
‘How clumsy can you be?”
– Isaiah 45:9

It isn’t fruitful to argue with God about how He’s choosing to run the universe! Ever!!! While it isn’t comfortable to think of ourselves as clay pots, in the scale and scheme of things, we are. We are finite creatures with limited knowledge, limited understanding of the universe and ourselves, and a limited lifespan. God, our Creator, has perfect, infinite knowledge of all things – past, present, and future. His perspective is an eternal one focused on what is best across all of creation and all of time.

In that sense, God is absolutely correct, if blunt, to compare us to clay pots who tend to argue with the potter who made us. We like to complain and critique God and it’s fundamentally ridiculous to contemplate. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care about us – He absolutely loves us! He is meticulously concerned for our wellbeing and He sent His eternal Son to die for us, redeeming us from our sin and rebellion. The point of this verse isn’t that we’re unimportant to God. The point is that we’re profoundly ignorant of the grand plan of the universe compared to the God Who knows it all!

For this reason, it’s a farcical waste of our time to spend hours, days, months, or years complaining and criticizing how God is running the universe. Yet, we often do exactly that! We decry the suffering or injustice we experience or see and forcefully offer our suggestions to “The Management”, threatening to stop talking to Him if He doesn’t take our suggestions. This offers no comfort and provides no satisfaction. It just fosters discontent, because God seldom responds to our short-sighted critique.

What is fruitful in times of frustration, sorry, and anger? Drawing near to God! Investing emotion and energy not in complaining about the management but in getting closer to our Lord. Finding wisdom, comfort, and peace in His Word. Spending unhurried time in prayer and meditation. Seeking God Himself, rather than answers from God. God is always ready to welcome those who are sincerely seeking His presence. He will draw near to those who draw near to Him. That is where we find true satisfaction and joy amidst the most difficult circumstances. #FollowJesus