Sadie Robertson Huff is well known for her engaging smile and energetic personality, but there is a lot more to the27-year-old star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty: The Revival.
When I was in high school, Instagram barely existed. I lived in San Antonio, went to a public school, and spent weekends at youth group. Now I live in Dallas, work at a church, and spend a lot of my time creating Instagram and YouTube videos helping people understand the Bible—something I never imagined I’d be doing.
So much has changed.
But one thing hasn’t: the tension we all feel when it comes to trusting the Bible.
If you’ve ever had a friend say the Bible’s outdated, or a professor question its credibility, or even your own heart whisper, “Can I really trust this?” You’re not alone. I’ve felt it too.
That tension started for me back in high school, sitting next to a bold atheist in my AP Environmental Science class. I knew I was supposed to talk to him about Jesus . . . but I didn’t. Not once. Because deep down, I was afraid I wouldn’t have the answers. I let fear win. And I missed the opportunity.
Two years later, I got news that he had been hit by a car and passed away. I don’t know where he was in his faith journey at that point. But I know that for a whole school year, I sat next to someone who didn’t know Jesus, and I said nothing. That moment still sits heavy on my heart—not in shame, but in deep awareness. Awareness that time is short, that opportunities matter, and that I want to be someone who trusts God enough to speak.
Now, years later, I want to help you feel more confident than I did in that classroom. Whether you’re in college, working full-time, newly married, or still figuring out your next step—I want you to know that the Bible is trustworthy. And so is the God behind it.
Let’s break it down into three truths:
1. You Can Trust the Bible
Maybe you’ve heard people say things like:
· “The Bible’s been changed over time.”
· “It’s full of contradictions.”
· “It’s irrelevant to real life.”
I get it. But here’s why those things aren’t true:
The Bible is historically reliable. First, we need to understand that the Bible is not a single book. It’s a collection of 66
books written over 1,500 years by around 40 different authors across three continents and in three languages. Despite all of that diversity, it tells one unified story about God’s redemption of humanity. That level of consistency, over centuries, is remarkable—and historically unparalleled. There’s no other book like it!
But it’s not just internal consistency that makes the Bible historically reliable. It’s the external evidence, too.
The Bible regularly references real people, real cities, and real historical events that have been confirmed by archaeology. For example, for a long-time critics said King David was a myth—until the Tel Dan Stele was discovered, referencing the “House of David.” The same has happened with ancient cities like Jericho and Nineveh—dismissed as legends, until archaeologists uncovered them.
Then there’s manuscript evidence. Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Hebrew manuscripts we had were from about 900 AD. But when the Scrolls were found in the 1940s, dating back to 250–150 BC, scholars were able to compare the texts. What they found was that over the course of 1,000 years of copying, the biblical texts remained astonishingly accurate. That’s not normal. That’s preservation. That’s God’s providence. The scriptures hadn’t been changed.
Finally, Jesus Himself affirmed the reliability of the Old Testament. In Luke 24:44, He refers to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms—the threefold division of the Hebrew Bible—as authoritative Scripture. If the Son of God trusted it, so can we.
The Bible has been well preserved. Well, it wasn’t just preserved—it was obsessively protected. In the ancient world, before printing presses or even widely available writing materials, God’s people passed His Word down through oral tradition. And unlike the casual game of Telephone we played as kids, this tradition was upheld in tight-knit communities, where accuracy mattered. If someone got the story wrong, others corrected it immediately. It was everyone’s responsibility to protect the truth.
Eventually, these words were written on papyrus (made from plants) and later parchment (made from animal skins). But both materials were fragile. So scribes—trained experts—copied the texts by hand with extreme precision. If they made a mistake, they would destroy the entire scroll and start again.
And here’s what’s remarkable: when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, containing Old Testament manuscripts more than a thousand years older than our previously earliest copies, scholars compared the versions—and found that virtually nothing had changed.
Think about that. Over a millennium of manual copying, across generations, in war and peace, under persecution and in prosperity… and God’s Word remained intact. That’s preservation. That’s supernatural.
We have more manuscript evidence for the Bible than any other ancient text. One of the most common objections people raise about the Bible is, “Hasn’t it been changed over time?” That’s a fair question. But when we compare the Bible to other ancient texts, the evidence overwhelmingly shows how uniquely reliable it is.
Let’s take a look at the numbers:
· Homer’s Iliad (everyone’s favorite book in High School, lol) has around 1,800 surviving manuscripts. That’s actually really good by ancient standards. Most historians consider it trustworthy based on that.
· Plato’s writings? We have about 210 manuscripts.
· Aristotle? Fewer than 50.
· The New Testament alone? Over 5,800 Greek manuscripts—some dating to within 100 years of the original writings. And, for all you brainiacs out there, when you include early Latin, Coptic, Syriac, and other translations, the total jumps to over 24,000 manuscript copies.
That’s not a typo. We have more than 24,000 ancient manuscript copies of the New Testament. By comparison, most ancient texts survive on the basis of just a handful of copies written centuries after the original.
And what about the Old Testament? While we don’t have quite as many manuscripts due to how long ago it was written and how fragile early materials were, we do have:
· The Dead Sea Scrolls, dating as far back as 250 BC, containing portions of every Old Testament book except Esther.
· The Masoretic Text, carefully preserved by Jewish scribes and dated around 900 AD, shows incredible consistency when compared to much older documents.
When scholars compared the Dead Sea Scrolls’ version of Isaiah with the Masoretic Text written over a thousand years later, they found that the differences were minimal—spelling, word order, and a few stylistic updates. The meaning was intact.
What does that mean? It means that for over 1,000 years, copy after copy, the message stayed the same. The scribes who preserved the Bible didn’t play fast and loose with the words—they treated it as sacred. And modern scholars affirm: the Bible we read today is not a corrupted version of an ancient book. It’s faithful to the original.
The Bible never depended on something outside itself to be true. We often hear that saying, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” And
it’s sweet. But some people point out that this is circular reasoning. They’ll say, “You believe the Bible because the Bible says it’s true? That’s not proof.”
But here’s the thing: For something to be a source of ultimate authority, it can’t depend on anything else to validate its authority . . . or it wouldn’t be ultimate. If the Bible is the ultimate authority, it can’t appeal to something higher. It has to be self-attesting. That’s what makes it ultimate. The Bible is reliable because it comes from a reliable God who spoke it, preserved it, and confirmed it throughout history. God’s Word doesn’t need validation from a higher source—because there is no higher source.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” – 2 Timothy 3:16
2. You Can Trust the God of the Bible
Sometimes the issue isn’t with the book itself—it’s with the Author. Maybe you’ve wondered:
· Is God just about rules?
· Is He harsh or distant?
Here’s what Scripture says:
He cares more about your heart than your rule-following. 1 John 5:3 says His commands aren’t burdensome. He gives us instructions because He loves us. And John 10:10 reminds us that He came to give us life to the full.
He is a just and fair judge. Psalm 9:8 tells us He judges with justice and fairness. He doesn’t get it wrong. He doesn’t miss the full story. He sees you. He knows.
He is close and accessible. God isn’t distant. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says the Holy Spirit lives in believers. Psalm 34:18 says He is near to the brokenhearted. But just like we forget where we put our phone until we hear it ping, sometimes we forget He’s close—until we listen again.
He hasn’t moved. We just forget where to look.
And maybe you’ve never looked His way at all.
Here’s the truth: God created you in love, for relationship with Him. But all of us have sinned—every single one of us. It’s been said that, “Sin is anything we think, say or do, that doesn’t please, or honor God and it separates us from Him.” We’ve chosen our way instead of His, and that choice separates us from a holy God. No amount of good behavior or religious effort can fix that gap (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5).
But Jesus did.
God stepped into human history in the person of Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t, died the death our sin deserved, and rose again to offer us eternal life. That’s not just a story. It’s a rescue.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
That means you don’t have to clean yourself up first. You just have to come in faith. To believe. To surrender.
John 1:12 says, “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
The gospel isn’t just information. It’s an invitation.
3. You Can Trust That God Wants to Use You
Maybe your doubt sounds like this:
Can God really use me? Even if I feel unqualified? Even if I’ve messed up?
YES.
Philippians 2:13 says God is already working in you—giving you both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. You don’t have to be brilliant or bold. You just have to be willing.
I remember in middle school sharing the gospel with a girl, we’ll call her Lucy, for the sake of this blog. She didn’t respond. We grew apart. For years, I wondered: Did that matter? Was God really using me?
Then one day—years later—she called. Out of the blue. She said, “I’ve been thinking about reading the Bible, and I didn’t know who to call… so I thought of you.”
God was working all along.
You don’t have to fear hard questions about the Bible. You can walk into them with confidence, knowing:
· The Bible is reliable.
· The God of the Bible is trustworthy.
· And that same God wants to use you.
You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need the courage to cling to what’s true.
And what’s true is this:
Jesus loves you. This you can know—because the Bible, the reliable, self-attesting, never-changing Word of God, tells you so.
This blog is adapted from a sermon I gave at my Preaching I class at Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring 2025.
Have you ever been assigned a book you weren’t exactly excited to read?
Years ago, my college small group got handed a “spiritual growth classic” (that no one had ever heard of) called The Green Letters by Miles J. Stanford. To this day, I’m not sure if it’s actually a classic, because I’ve never heard anyone ever mention this book since then. But we were hopeful. Expecting something fresh and relatable. But the moment we opened it? Disappointment. It felt ancient—like we needed a translator just to get through the King James quotes (No shade if you love the KJV! I’m just keeping it real . . . it was a challenge for us).
But one chapter title caught my eye: Appropriation.
I grew up in church. I thought I had a solid grip on Christianity 101. But that word? It was brand new to me. Stanford explained that appropriation isn’t about gaining something new—it’s about taking hold, by faith, of what’s already yours in Christ. It’s not hustling for more blessings. It’s not name and claim it. It’s not a call to climb higher or try harder. It’s an invitation to walk in the power, identity, and riches you already possess in Jesus. It’s realizing you’ve already been given every spiritual blessing in Christ . . . and then living like it. Because it’s reality.
And honestly? Most of us don’t do that.
We live like spiritual beggars sitting on spiritual riches. We study Scripture. We serve. We teach. We put a verse in our bio on Instagram or TikTok. Maybe you’re like me and you even preach! Yet, we often forget to live from what’s already been secured for us in Christ. That’s when ministry gets exhausting. That’s when “Christianity” gets exhausting. That’s when spiritual practices feel more like performance than presence. Spiritual practices become an act of “completion rather than connection” (as my pastor “TA” says).
But Ephesians 1 shows us a different way.
When Paul prays for the Ephesian believers—people already known for their faith and love—he doesn’t ask God to give them more. Which is incredibly interesting, because these people were doing it right. They had a good Christian reputation (or so we’d say in our day). Paul asks God to help them grasp what they already have. Because spiritual maturity isn’t about getting something new. It’s about living into what’s already yours in Jesus. So even though the Ephesians were doing the right things, THEY WERE STILL MISSING SOMETHING! GOD HAD MORE FOR THEM!
Let me show you five ways Paul says we grow up in Christ
1. We Grow in Gratitude when we Recognize God at Work in Others “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…” (Ephesians 1:16)
Paul kicks off his prayer with thanks. But not generic thanks. He’s thanking God specifically for the Ephesians—for their real, visible faith and their love for others. It’s a small detail, but it tells us something profound: growing in Christ means you start noticing grace in other people. Grace is God’s undeserved kindness—His choice to love, forgive, and bless us, not because we’ve earned it, but because of who He is. And when you see God’s grace at work, we shouldn’t critique it. We should celebrate it.
That’s evidence of spiritual maturity.
Paul didn’t just see people; he saw evidence of God at work in them. And that filled him with gratitude—not because they were perfect, or had it all together, but because God was clearly moving.
I remember once asking a pastor I looked up to (and I knew was a very busy guy) to give me feedback on a sermon I was working on. He sent me a voice memo full of insights and encouragement, even while I could hear his family in the background. It hit me: his teaching gift, his servant heart, his leadership—it wasn’t just impressive. It was a gift from God. He was being generous to me, through his time! And that realization stirred up genuine gratitude in me, not just for his help, but for what God was doing through him—for all the ways in which he was using his gifts to further the kingdom through not just his own opportunities but by supporting me with mine. I bought him a thank-you gift—not out of obligation, but out of overflow.
That’s what gratitude does. It moves us. It softens cynicism. It rewires the way we talk about other girls, churches, leaders, and ministries. Because let’s be honest: we are quick to criticize. We’re quick to compare ourselves to other girls on social media or tear down others in our thought life. We scroll, analyze, judge—often before we pray. But Paul challenges that. Gratitude means looking for God’s fingerprints on someone else’s life . . . and giving thanks.
2. We Grow in Knowledge When We Rely on the Spirit to Reveal, Not Just Books to Inform
“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ… may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him…” (Ephesians 1:17)
Paul’s not praying for unbelievers here. He’s praying for people already walking with Jesus. People who probably knew Scripture well. And yet, he still prays they would grow in knowledge—not just head knowledge, but Spirit-empowered understanding of who God is and how He works.
There’s this old saying: “The Bible is shallow enough for a child to wade and deep enough for a theologian to drown.” I love that. Because it reminds me that no matter how many Bible degrees I earn or how long I’ve been in ministry, or how many episodes you’ve listened to of your favorite Christian podcast, or how long you’ve been going to church, or how many Christian books you’ve read, we never graduate from needing the gospel.
The gospel is the good news that even though we’ve all messed up and fallen short of God’s standard, He didn’t leave us stuck in our sin. God sent His Son, Jesus, to live the perfect life we couldn’t, die the death we deserved, and rise again to give us new life. Through faith in Jesus—not our performance, not our church attendance, not our good behavior—we’re forgiven, made whole, and brought into a relationship with God that starts now and lasts forever. It means you don’t have to earn your worth, fix yourself, or figure life out on your own. Jesus has already done the work—your role is to trust Him and walk with Him.
It’s easy to fall into this subtle trap, especially in the spaces I’m in as a seminary student. We start treating the gospel like academic content instead of spiritual power! Sure, my eternity is secure, but what does this mean in my day-to-day life? We diagram the Greek, ace the quizzes, and still feel dry. Because growth isn’t about information—it’s about revelation. About surrendering to the Spirit who opens our eyes.
We can fall into this trap in any season of life. Maybe you’re newly married, building a home, or juggling work, friendships, and a growing to-do list. Baby on the way? Or desperately hoping one will be soon? You’re still doing your quiet time, still showing up at church, maybe even leading a small group—but if you’re honest, it can start to feel like you’re just checking boxes. The gospel becomes something you know rather than something that moves you. But spiritual growth was never meant to be just about gaining more knowledge—it’s about letting the Holy Spirit reveal more of Jesus to you as you also connect with Him. But that primarily happens when we slow down, listen, and surrender.
I think of it like a parent teaching a child to read. The letters are there. The words are visible. But unless someone helps the child see how it all comes together, it’s just a page of symbols. The child might know the alphabet and they might even know some of the smaller words, but they can’t learn to read a full sentence, with larger words, unless someone helps them! They can’t teach themselves to read! The Holy Spirit is our helper, our divine tutor, guiding us deeper into knowing the God who already knows us fully.
So ask yourself: Is your spiritual activity (quiet times, bible studies, small group, etc.) marked by Spirit dependence or solo determination?
3. We grow in Clarity when We See What’s Already Unshakable
“…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…” (Ephesians 1:18)
When Paul talks about “the eyes of your heart,” he’s not being poetic. He’s being practical. He’s praying for spiritual clarity—the kind that helps you see reality through God’s lens. To know, without question, the hope and riches that are already yours.
I’ll never forget this moment during a discipleship program I was in. On the first day, someone stood up and tried to quote a verse from memory. He fumbled. Stumbled. Ended up paraphrasing instead of quoting. That’s when our pastor stopped and said, “You need to know Scripture like you know your name—immediately, clearly, without confusion.”
That line stuck with me. Because Paul’s not praying the Ephesians would know about hope—he’s praying that they’d grasp it, like their own name. That the believers in Ephesus would understand their eternal future was already secured, and that they’d been given spiritual riches to sustain them in that present moment.
A few months ago, I was facing a big decision—one of those where no matter how many pros and cons lists you make, clarity just doesn’t come easily. I prayed. I sought wise counsel. I journaled until my hand cramped. But the outcome was still foggy. And it was frustrating. Because I wanted certainty. I wanted God to drop a clear “yes” or “no” into my inbox.
But instead of giving me a five-year plan, God gave me something better: peace.
Even though I didn’t know what would happen next, I knew what wasn’t changing—His presence with me, His promises to me, and my hope in Him. That’s the kind of clarity Paul is praying for. Not clarity about every next step, or the next “5-year plan,” but clarity about what’s already true. What’s already yours. Jesus doesn’t always reveal the full picture—but He never leaves you to figure it out alone.
4. We grow in Confidence When We Rest in His Power, Not Our Performance
“…the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…” (Ephesians 1:19)
Immeasurable. That’s not a word Paul uses lightly.
He’s talking about resurrection power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is already at work in you. Not just someday. Not just in the big, dramatic moments. Right now. In your studies. Your ministry. Your relationships.
But let’s be real: sometimes, it doesn’t feel that way. You feel weak. Overwhelmed. Inadequate. You wonder if you can actually handle the weight of your calling or your calendar or your job or your family or your marriage or your parenting.
Paul gets that. That’s why he’s praying you’d be confident—not in yourself, but in the Spirit’s power within you.
This isn’t motivational speaking. It’s theology. It’s gospel truth!
Jesus didn’t just die for you—He rose to live in you—to do life with you! And now, every ounce of spiritual growth in your life is fueled by His strength. When you feel tired, doubtful, insecure—go back to this: the Spirit’s power isn’t a side effect of salvation. It’s the engine of transformation.
5. Our awareness of our Identity Grows When we Remember Who e Belong To
“…the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22–23)
You don’t need to DTR with Jesus. The relationship is already defined. If you’re in Christ, you are His. Period.
Paul reminds us that we are the body of Christ—and He is our Head. That means you have a place. You have purpose. And you’re already filled by the One who fills everything.
But identity is one of the easiest things to forget. Especially when you’re chasing success. Be it success in that “big girl job” you’re absolutely crushing, success in grad school, success as new wife or new mom, or even success in conceiving a child. We forget our identity. And it’s sad. It’s heartbreaking. We start to think we are both our biggest achievements and our greatest disappointments.
But growing in Christ means becoming more certain—not less—of who you are. You’re His. You’re empowered by His Spirit. You have a role that matters, and it’s not up for debate. That identity isn’t determined by your circumstance, situation, or success, it’s determined by Him and Him alone.
So, What Now?
Spiritual maturity isn’t about gaining something new—it’s about grasping what’s already yours in Christ.
That’s what Miles Stanford called appropriation. And while that old book felt ancient at the time, the truth inside it has only become more relevant.
You don’t need to “level up” spiritually. You need to embrace what’s already true.
If you’re local to Dallas, Texas, on November 17th at 7:30 PM we’re hosting an LO Local event – it’s all about rethinking what it means to follow Jesus and realizing that we’re not meant to do it alone. We’ll be talking all about Emma Mae’s Workshop from the LO Sister App, worshipping together, hanging out, eating snacks, and opening the Word. No RSVP required and this event is totally free!
Let’s start with a familiar picture: you’re new in town, maybe it’s freshman year of college, a new job, or a new stage of life. You’re sitting in your car, wondering why you feel so isolated. No close friends nearby, no local church to lean on, and you’re scrolling through Instagram or TikTok where everyone else seems to have it all figured out. Maybe you’re going through the motions, trying to keep up, but the connection just isn’t there. We’ve all been there—or somewhere close.
Here’s another scenario. Think about group projects. Most of us have had that one project we ended up doing mostly (if not entirely) by ourselves—we stayed up super late, put in all the work, and found ourselves frustrated and exhausted. And here’s what’s interesting—Faith can feel that way, too, especially when it seems like no one else is there to share the load, check in, follow up, or care about how you’re actually doing.
But the truth can change everything: God designed our faith to be shared, to be lived out with others.
I know what it’s like to be surrounded by people (even Christian friends) and feel totally alone. It can seem like everyone else is living a picture-perfect life, filled with friends and moments of strong faith, but when we’re alone, it’s a different story. Trying to follow Jesus while feeling isolated can make faith itself feel disorienting or even discouraging.
But if you’re feeling this way, here’s the good news: God never meant for us to do faith alone. Following Jesus was always meant to be a group project.
There’s no better place to see this “group project” approach than in Acts 2:42-47, where we get a glimpse into the very first church community. It’s where we find the beauty of what a life together, in Jesus, can look like. We get a snapshot of the first church in Jerusalem—a close-knit community that grew rapidly after the Holy Spirit came, and people began turning to Christ. But here’s something unique about the church: it wasn’t simply a building; it was a family. And it should still be the same today.
People believed in Jesus individually, yes, but they lived it out collectively, forming the very first local church (and no, this family didn’t all live in one house. They lived all over the city, came together, and met in homes). And it wasn’t exactly a popular move—the religious culture in Jerusalem was skeptical, even hostile. Yet these early believers kept showing up for each other, creating a community that looked totally different from anything else around. The church was never just a building (like we often say, “Are you going to church this Sunday?”). The church is a group of people who do life together. Here are three distinct markers of this first church community in Jerusalem:
They Centered on the Word & Worship
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.”- Acts 2:42-43
The early church prioritized gathering around the teachings of Jesus, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper. The church community was devoted. This wasn’t just an occasional gathering; it was the pattern of their lives. They listened to the apostles (their leaders) who shared what Jesus had taught, and they experienced God’s presence in community, which led to a collective sense of awe and worship.
Through this togetherness, God moved powerfully among them. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could say that you were tangibly seeing God move in power? Being plugged into a local church doesn’t mean you will 100% for sure see God move, but it does mean you can be confident you’re doing something that’s in line with His design and will for believers. God’s model for Christianity, from the very beginning of its existence, involved Christians gathering together in the context of local Churches (local groups of believers) opening His Word and being amazed as He moved. So, it’s worth asking ourselves: Who are we listening to, and are those voices drawing us closer to God? Who do we surround ourselves with, and are they building up our faith?
As the early church gathered, they’d share communion. Jesus first taught about communion during the Last Supper, which He shared with His disciples just before He was arrested. Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper) is a way for His followers to remember His love and sacrifice. During the Last Supper, Jesus took some bread, broke it, and told His disciples, “This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Then He took a cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). These simple things—bread and wine—became symbols to help us remember the huge sacrifice Jesus was about to make on the cross. He wanted His followers to use this meal to remember what He did for us and to reflect on His incredible love.
Jesus might’ve used bread and wine because they are easy to find and share, but they also have special meaning. The bread stands for Jesus’ body that was broken for us, and the wine stands for His blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. When we take communion, we remember His love and sacrifice and the new relationship (or covenant) that we have with God because of Jesus. Really, communion is a reminder of the gospel, that God loved us so much He sent His one and only son to die on the cross, taking the punishment we deserve for our sins. He rose again, defeating death, so that those who believe in Him can have life and life to the full (Romans 10:9-10).
Christianity isn’t about earning our way to God or doing religious practices so God will like us more. We could never and will never measure up (Ephesians 2:8-9). Even on our “best” days we fall short. We’re saved by our faith, not our works or performance. But, if you’re a Christian, God isn’t holding your sinful choices against you. The picture communion calls to mind, of Jesus on the cross, is the ultimate example of forgiveness. Jesus forgave us for our sins. We don’t have to measure up. No one can.
Today, it can be easy to live with an “it’s just me and Jesus” mentality. And I get it, maybe you’ve been hurt. Or hurt by someone in the Church—the other people in the church can’t measure up to God’s perfect standard either. So first, I just want to say, if that’s you, I’m so sorry that you’ve been hurt, seemingly by the church. It’s painful when a place that’s supposed to feel safe, accepting, and loving ends up causing hurt instead. You’re not alone in feeling this way. So many people have gone through similar experiences, and it’s completely understandable to feel confused, sad, or even distant from church because of it.
But please know, the heart of Jesus is gentle, kind, and never condemning. People aren’t perfect, even in church, but that doesn’t change how much God loves you and wants you to experience real community. Healing takes time, but God’s desire for you is forgiveness and healing. So as you process and heal, try to lean on other believers who bring you peace and encouragement. You might be tempted to “throw the baby out with the bathwater,” as the saying goes—to throw out all churches after being burned by one or two, maybe even three. If that’s you, spend some time journaling your thoughts, hurts, and worries in a prayer to the Lord. Ask Him to give you the courage to forgive and then to either seek reconciliation with those who hurt you or pursue a new local church. I’m praying He’ll guide you in this decision.
Let’s get back to the early church in Acts.
They Practiced Radical Sharing & Caring
“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” – Acts 2:44-45
In a world where resources can feel scarce and the focus can often be self-centered, these believers practiced radical generosity. They didn’t isolate themselves (solely sitting with Jesus in a coffee shop) or protect their possessions (storing up journals and Bible studies that collected dust on their shelves); instead, they shared what they had so no one went without. This wasn’t a token gesture but a commitment to real, practical care. It showed they understood community isn’t just a concept; it’s a practice that comes to life in how we show up for each other.
Imagine what it would look like if all the girls in your dorm who knew Jesus freely shared their clothes or notes from class. What would the non-Christians think? Or maybe you’re like me, and you’re not in undergrad anymore. You’re a working professional? What might radical generosity look like with your neighbors or community group? Ask yourself: Are you trying to do life alone, or are you finding ways to connect with those in your church, offering and receiving support?
Now these are good examples to get those wheels turning, to get some ideas going. But don’t miss this—the early Christians were practicing this radical generosity in the context of a local church. You see, while a group of believers (who aren’t from the same church) can come together and do some amazing things (like fund Bible translation, raise school supplies for a needy community, or donate clothes to a women’s shelter), the kind of generosity we’re reading about in Acts 2 was different. Their generosity was centered around the local believers (who were part of the same congregation) caring for each other.
Local churches provide us with levels of care. Through the local church we experience the teaching of the Word (catered to believers in the same shared cultural context – not a podcast streamed from across the country to a different audience). In the local church we get to be shepherded by church leaders who help us grow in Christlikeness and we get to be encouraged by our local brothers and sisters in Christ! And that’s just a few examples in addition to those described in Acts 2.
They Created a Habit of Hanging Out
“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47
The first church wasn’t just meeting once a week; they had a habit of being together. Every day, they worshiped in the Temple, gathered in homes, and shared meals. This wasn’t a compartmentalized faith—it was an all-day, everyday kind of thing. Today, many Christians are tempted to turn their faith on or off depending on the day of the week—it’s easy to turn up the volume of our faith on Sundays when we’re going to Church. But for the early church? The joy, generosity, and authenticity of their lives together was something others couldn’t ignore. People around them noticed and were drawn in by the way these Christians lived, curious to know what made them different. And every day, more people joined them, finding faith in Jesus. Reflect on this: When others look at your life and your community, do they see something that points them to Jesus? Are they drawn in by the way you live out your faith?
The early church gives us a model: We’re meant to follow Jesus together. Being a believer (among other traits) means being marked by three things: centering on the Word and worship (gathering with a local church body), sharing and caring for each other, and practicing the joyful habit of spending time together. This way of life wasn’t just a one-time experiment for the early church—it was foundational. And it still is for us today.
God designed us to need each other. He created the church as a family where we can grow, lean on each other, and live out our faith together. Following Jesus is a group project, and when we live that way, we show the world a glimpse of His love and grace.
If you’re a Dallas, local, we’d love to invite you to Join us for the LO Local event on Sunday, November 17th at 7PM at Watermark Coffee. You can come alone, and ready to make some new friends, or bring your besties. Either way, we want to help you experience biblical community (and have some fun). See you there!
I remember the first time I heard a girl confess she struggled with it. I was in college and had just joined a campus ministry. The girls on my team were gathering to share testimonies, our stories of life change (John 4:7-25, 39).
And one of the girls? Incredibly courageous.
I remember tears welling up in her eyes as she told us she was introduced to porn when she was super young – maybe 12? I can’t remember. But that unfortunate introduction led to years of captivity—she had been enslaved to porn and masturbation.
“I always thought it was a guy sin—that something must be wrong with me,” she told the group. But one day she sat in a circle much like ours, and heard another girl share her testimony. For the first time in her life, she realized she wasn’t alone (1 Corinthians 10:13).
My new friend’s courage led to a really sweet night for our group. One that I’m personally glad I remembered years later. We heard story after story of God’s faithfulness to bring the dead to life. His faithfulness to restore the broken, and heal the wounded, abused, the hurting, and the hopeless. Because that’s what he does! Everyday. At all times. It doesn’t matter what the sin is. God delights to meet us in our brokenness. We don’t have to clean ourselves up to come Him. But with sins like hers—we don’t always believe this to be true.
A lot of times, for us? Sexual sin is scary.
But if your scary sin is secret sin, you’re probably a slave to it.
Maybe you’ve tried to stop.
“This’ll be the last time.” But it wasn’t. You’re tired.
Or maybe you’re confused.
If you’re like I was, maybe you’ve never heard girls talk about porn. I thought my new friend was brave, but I also thought, “that’ll never be me.” (So, if you’re reading this, and you don’t know what I’m talking about when I use those words—PLEASE, ask a trusted church leader or your parents. And if you’re anything like me, and curiosity is killing you, I want you to go read Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 4:14-15. And then call a trusted leader in your life and tell them you’re curious. Ask for help.)
Maybe you’re offended.
Sometimes blogs or articles like this can feel like somebody’s pointing their finger at you. While Paul does point out we can become slaves to sin, he also reminds us every day is a choice. You’re not too far gone, and I know the struggle is real; but remember you have a choice. Paul says, “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God which leads to righteous living” (Romans 6:16 NLT).
Or maybe you don’t think it’s a sin.
“The Bible just says don’t have premarital sex. I’m not doing that, so I‘m good, right? Besides, it’s not like I’m addicted to porn.” Or, “I don’t know if I’d even call this porn really—it’s not that bad …” Ever thought like that? I’ve been there. But you know what God’s word says? Sexual immorality (that’s all impurity or inappropriate sexual longing) must not even be named among believers. Why? Because it isn’t healthy or right for God’s people to be entertained by sin—and in this case, porn and masturbation are acts that cause us to be entertained by sex outside of marriage (Ephesians 5:3).
Lastly, maybe you’re afraid. Or ashamed?
Maybe you think this will be the sin you take to the grave, or the sin that goes away when you get married. But what if you didn’t have to be afraid or ashamed? What if you could talk about it? … And what if it doesn’t go away when you get married?
As your big sis, I’m here to tell you that there’s bad news and there’s good news.
The Bad News: Sin Always Leads to Death
Some of us know this far too well. What started off as curiosity and a lot of Gossip Girl or Nicholas Sparks turned into a full-blown addiction – maybe it’s porn and masturbation? Or maybe for you, it’s vaping? Either way, you know what it’s like for one moment of curiosity or excitement to trap you in a downward spiral.
Not sure if you’re trapped? Ask yourself these questions:
How many times have you said, “This will be the last time?”
Do you count the days between “times?”
Justifying it with, “well it’s only once a month…or once a week?”
Ever want or feel like you need “just a little bit more?”
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’re probably living in the bad news: Sin leads to death.
Anytime you feel an urge to sin—that is to think, say, or do anything that doesn’t honor God, you’re being tempted. “And remember, when you are being tempted, don’t say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:13-15). James is literally saying that just as a baby is conceived, born, and grows up, so too does our sin.
It’s really helpful to think about James’ point: Sin that grows up guides you into the ground. It leads to death.
But we have to be careful, because this can get really confusing really quickly. If you’re a believer in Christ, your eternity is secure not because of your performance; rather, your eternity is secure if you have faith in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9). James is not saying if you keep sinning you will go to hell. That’s not his point. He’s saying if you keep sinning, your life is not going to head in the direction you want it to go.
If you’re a believer in Christ, James is pointing out that if you continue in sin your life will decay and decay and decay. Instead of experiencing the abundant and full life Jesus intends for his kids, you’ll experience the opposite: a life that declines (Proverbs 10:27, 11:19; John 10:10).
For me it looked like this: I was never exposed to porn. But I had a relationship with a guy in high school that wasn’t great. When I got to college, and started to hear girls talk, I got curious—was I missing out on something great? At first, I just wanted to know about it, “this will never be my problem,” I thought, “so there’s no harm in learning about it.” Then, one thing led to another, and years later I found myself struggling with masturbation and lustful thoughts—and no one knew.
I had no community.
I was lonely.
I was the church girl. “I’m not supposed to struggle with this,” I thought, ashamed and embarrassed.
I was afraid of what other people might think.
But I needed help. And that’s where the good news comes into play.
The Good News: Your Sin Doesn’t Have to be Your Story.
For me, I realized I wasn’t living authentically and needed to get to a place where I was surrounded by believers who regularly confessed their sin and helped hold each other accountable to flee temptation. Later in chapter 5, James goes on to say, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” To my surprise, when I got around a group of girls, who loved Jesus and wanted to help each other look more like Him, I was met with grace and compassion.
They reminded me that there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). They cheered for me—and celebrated my confession. They didn’t celebrate my sin; rather, it was my courage to share that they celebrated. They reminded me of what was true: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” (Proverbs 26:11). They didn’t want me to be like the dog (a gross illustration, I know), so they celebrated my courage and helped me think through ways to combat the temptation.
Matthew 5:30 says, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” Now again, this could be confusing—If you have placed your faith in Jesus, your eternity is secure (1 John 5:11-13, John 5:24). In this verse, Jesus is speaking in hyperbole (extreme exaggeration to communicate a point.) I mean, if Jesus really wanted us to apply this verse literally, the human race would be incredibly crippled (and everyone would be left handed)!
Jesus is saying we should be willing to take extreme measures to run from sin—missing out on something is better than letting our sin lead us to devastation and destruction.
Missing out is a wonderful thing if it means we’re fighting sin. For you, that might mean deleting Instagram or TikTok, maybe you install CovenantEyes on your computer or sleep with your bedroom door open (1 Corinthians 10:13). It might be a sacrifice, but it’ll be worth it.
Jesus doesn’t expect perfection, because we can’t be perfect. Paul understood this reality (Romans 7:21-25). But at the same time, grace doesn’t give us a free pass to sin (Romans 6:1-3).
So, when we mess up, we run to the light. We confess and pray for one another that we might be healed, we remove from our lives whatever might be contributing to the temptation, and we remind ourselves of truth. We remember that God’s mercies are new every morning and his promises have no end (Lamentations 3:22-23). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). God loves you. So much so that he sent his son to die on the cross for us, taking the punishment we deserve for sin. But the story didn’t stop there, because he rose from the grave, and by believing in him, we can find new life in him (Romans 10:9-10). He’s the ones who transforms us— on our own strength, we’re powerless. But thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:57). I hope and pray you’ll find the victory and freedom I did.
Love you guys.
-Em
Emma is on staff at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas and is leading a ministry called Join The Journey—a daily Bible reading plan aimed at helping all believers regularly get into God’s Word and understand what they’re reading through resources like journals, podcasts and more! Emma graduated from Texas A&M with her undergraduate degree in English and continued her education, studying the Bible, through the Watermark Institute. In her free time, Emma, passionate about her generation knowing the story of scripture and how to study it, creates equipping resources for her peers. You can find out more by visiting understandingmybible.com or by visiting her Instagram, @_emmadotter_
As a little kid, I hated studying for tests—mainly because I couldn’t memorize all the information fast enough. Memorization always took longer than I wanted it to. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not sure anyone actually enjoys studying for tests. But as hard as I tried to cram all the information into my little middle-school-aged brain, I couldn’t do it quick enough; and that is what would frustrate me. It always took more time than I wanted.
And while I’m no longer in school, and all the tests are behind me, there’s one thing that isn’t: sadness. And disappointment, unfulfilled expectations, a glimmer of hope, and maybe a little anger all mashed into one. And I’d really love it if these feelings would turn off (especially the sadness), but they just won’t. They linger, the sad girl hours.
And, ya know? For as much as I used to hate that phrase and kinda laugh it off like any other meme, it’s now become something I’m all too familiar with. Because just like I wanted to fit my studying into a short time frame and be done, we sometimes want to put a box around all our negative emotions and move on … be done. But sometimes, they linger; or at least they have for me—especially the sadness.
Nearly every little girl dreams of her wedding day. Picking out a dress, marrying Prince Charming, Dad walking you down the aisle? Fairytale type stuff. This time last year, I thought I was on my way to living out that fairytale. I was dating my best friend, and our best friends were best friends—like literally, they are married to each other. He was the best man in their wedding, and I was the maid of honor. We became friends, then we started dating, then we started seriously dating—like premarital ministry participation looked at rings started seriously dating, and I thought that fairytale was on the way. In fact, I thought it’d be coming, really, any week.
And then it didn’t.
To my surprise, my best friend, the man who I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with, had been lying to me. And it all came crashing down. Tears filled my eyes as I heard phrases like, “I can’t say that I love you, and I can’t say that I don’t,” and “I’ve just let other people’s pressures and expectations drive me to take steps forward I shouldn’t have been taking…starting months ago.”
And when that friendship ended, the sadness started. The unfulfilled expectations started. Anger started. Hanging onto a glimmer of hope started…then he got a new girlfriend. And the sadness started again and again, and just when I’d think it had passed, it’d be back.
I don’t know what sadness you’re facing. Maybe it’s heartbreak? Maybe it’s cancer? Maybe you lost your job, or a loved one? Your marriage is falling apart? You didn’t get into that college? Not making the grades?
Maybe it’s a conglomeration of several of those things. I don’t know what’s making you sad or angry or frustrated or whatever, but I do know that, for you, those feelings are real. And they’re hard.
About 10 months into persistent feelings of disappointment, I started asking the question, “At what point should I be concerned that my sad feelings aren’t going away?”
“Learn from your pain before it leaves.” That’s what my friend JP says. I hadn’t learned, so now I’m glad it hadn’t left.
And honestly, for the past 12 months, I’ve wished I’ve had a big sister who’d walked through loss, or disappointment, or feelings of grief even, that linger for a long time so I could learn from her; but I don’t have a big sister. So, for just a few more paragraphs, I want to be your big sister. Here’s some encouragement and a couple things I’ve learned.
Remember what’s true, and when you can’t remember, make sure you’ve got friends who do.
There’s this big passage in Exodus 6 where Moses goes to the Israelites and is like, “You guys. This is the best news. God? He sees us. He’s going to save us—we don’t have to be slaves anymore! He’s gunna be a father to us.” And it’s this crazy encouraging passage that people quote often…but they typically leave out the next verse. “Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” (Exodus 6:9)
The Israelites, blinded by their present disappointments and tough circumstances, missed the good news. In your sadness, fight to remember the good news—even if you have to ask a friend to remind you of what’s true. And since I’m your big sister for the time being, here are some reminders:
Jesus gets it. He sees you. He hates that you’re facing those feelings and circumstances, and he’s with you. (Hebrews 4:15)
It’s not forever. Jesus told us life on this earth wouldn’t be smooth sailing. (John 16:33) But the rough waters aren’t forever. (Revelation 21:4, Psalm 40:1-3, 30:5b)
And He’s King over it. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
The reminders are important because it’s not enough to just vent. In fact, venting can actually be dangerous. Proverbs 29:11 says, “a fool gives full vent to his soul.” So, all those frustrations or circling thoughts you need to air out? Make sure you run them through the truth of God’s Word and that you’ve got a friend or pastor nearby to help shepherd you. It’s healthy to let other people into the things you’re thinking and experiencing, but it’s unhealthy to air them out and breathe them back in again. Take in truth.
God does something special in the pressing.
John Piper says to savor, or treasure, the special promised nearness of God that comes when storm clouds seem to move in over our lives. And I found that frustrating for two reasons. One, because God’s felt pretty far at times over the past year. And two, because he basically said, “enjoy this season, because you’ll miss it when it’s gone.” I was honestly like, “Are you kidding me John?! Enjoy sadness?!”
He wasn’t kidding, because Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted.” He’s near. He stores up our tears and doesn’t let anything come into our lives on accident. (Psalm 56:8; Colossians 1:16-17) But even though He knows our days better than we do, He still wants to hear from us—and that’s one way we experience that special nearness Piper was talking about.
There’s a special intimacy that comes when we honestly pour out our hearts to God. The goal of prayer isn’t to change God’s mind. It’s an opportunity to trust Him with the honest desires of our hearts—even when they aren’t met. He cares about you. He wants to talk to you. He’s for you. Remember that. If you’re a believer in Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection, you’re on God’s team.
And here’s the deal. This pressing is for your good. And I know that’s the last thing you want to hear. Because it’s a lot harder to believe God works everything for good, when life doesn’t feel very good. (Romans 8:28) But, those times when life doesn’t feel great, could possibly be some of the most formative, valuable, refining, faith-strengthening, and developmental times of your entire life. Romans 5 tells us that God uses the hard circumstances in our lives to strengthen our character and solidify our hope—and this hope “doesn’t put us to shame.”
So regardless of whether the sadness you’re currently facing has been caused by your own poor decisions, another person, or it’s just the cards you were dealt, you can trust that God is up to something through it. We might not always understand it, but when we can’t see what God is doing, we can be sure that when it’s all said and done, we’ll be glad He did. (Isaiah 55:8)
Emma is on staff at Watermark Community Church, home of The Porch, a Tuesday night ministry that reaches thousands of young adults across the country. Emma graduated from Texas A&M with her undergraduate degree in English and continued her education, by studying the Bible through the Watermark Institute. In her free time, Emma, being passionate about her generation knowing the story of scripture and how to study it, creates equipping resources for her peers. You can find out more by visiting understandingmybible.com or by visiting her Instagram, @_emmadotter_
