Read 1 John 2:24-29.

Writing to the early Church to encourage and equip believers against false teaching, John outlined three means of combatting the doubts that arise in the face of false gospels. First, he detailed three gates that we must keep shut. Then he exhorted us to keep our eyes open. Today, we’ll look at the third defense against false teaching: We must keep our mind firmly anchored.

If we would live life at its best—a life rooted in the will of God—we must daily nurture our spiritual walk. Like a plant that constantly needs watering and sunlight, we must daily feed our souls with the Word of God, feasting on the goodness of the Gospel. Six times in six verses (see 1 John 2:24-29), John repeats himself. The English translation uses different words: remain, continue, abide. But they are all the same Greek word—John keeps repeating it. He wants us to stay connected to Christ, to keep in step with His Spirit, to remain in Him, just as He taught (see John 15:4-8).

If you want to live life at its best, you must always ask yourself, “If Jesus were to show up at my house or office or in my private thoughts, would I be ashamed? Or would I cling to Christ?” I pray that you would respond to His presence with “Lord, my only hope is You. I have confidence that Your Spirit will empower me to please You.” Jesus tells us how to abide in Him so that we don’t lose our peace, joy, and contentment. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). So that’s how you know that you are abiding—by your fruit.

You may feel conflicted or doubtful in your faith, but no matter what is causing you to feel disturbed in your spirit, you can overcome. Jesus wants you to live in joy and bring glory to His name, but He knows we are but dust (see Psalm 103:13-14). So He provides the strength to overcome in faith (see John 16:33; Romans 8:11; Philippians 1:6). In fact, you can bring your struggles to God; He honors honesty—He already knows anyway. So call on Him to empower you to keep your mind firmly anchored in His Truth. That’s a prayer He’s delighted to answer.

Prayer: Father, thank You for empowering me to overcome. In seasons of doubt, I ask You to bolster my heart and remind me of Your Truth. May I remain in You by the power of Your Spirit, clinging to Christ and bearing fruit that lasts to the glory of Your name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Life at Its Best, Part 3: LISTEN NOW

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