Logos

 

I am pretty sure that you have heard or even said the word “logos” before. Did you know that it’s pronounced “loh-gohs” and not “low-goes”? Just thought to ask as I’ve been a “low-goes” pronouncer for as long as I could remember.

The dictionary says that logos is a transliteration of the Greek term which has a wide range of meanings, including

Word

Statement

Conversation

Speech

Thought

Opinion

Reason

From this list, it appears that we have been imperfect in our translation of logos to limit its meaning to “word” only.

The disciple whom Jesus loved, John, employed the word as the Word, meaning Jesus, in his Gospel, first letter and revelation writings. His was in respect to Jesus being the incarnation of God on earth as the physical expression of divine reason. This concept of divine reason is also applicable to God’s entire process of creation, but we’ll leave that deep dive for another day.

Let’s look at how we should employ logos in its wide range of meaning.

The Amplified Bible’s Classic Edition version of Isaiah 55:11 reads,

So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

This verse assures us of the transforming and creative power of God’s word.

When we stand on or under God’s Word, our thoughts and intentions become subject to it as it provides the reality to live by; when you say things contrary to it then you’re subjecting yourself to a reality that is opposed to what God has already ordained and you submit yourself to a solely carnal reality.

Psalm 138:2 says that God has exalted His Name and His Word above all things. You don’t understand that when you declare negativity over yourself and your life, disbelieving what God has pronounced over and into you, you are, in fact, placing yourself above God and His authority.

The very moment you do so you lay yourself bare, without divine protection and wide open for the wicked one to establish a foothold in your life without your even realizing it.

That is what Jesus explained to His disciples in Matthew 13:19 (NKJV).

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

The original Greek did not include the word “one”, but only used the word “poneros”, meaning evil, bad or wicked. Apart from its broad generalized meaning, “poneros” possesses deeper shades of meaning such as, harmful, labour, morally bad, active evil, painful toil, invaluable and troublesome.

Revisiting Matthew 13:19, it can be read as, when you don’t understand the word of the Kingdom, you open the door for painful toil, worthlessness and troubles to come in and snatch away your peace, joy and the ability and capacity for bearing fruit, the fruit that is commensurate with Kingdom living.

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen to my words. Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. (Proverbs 4:20-21 GNT)

Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness (Colossians 3:16 AMPC)

You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul (Deuteronomy 11:18 ESV)

You must exalt God’s logos, allow what He says to dominate your life, rather than your circumstances. When you allow what you see to take precedence, that’s when you swing open the door.

Too often we receive a revelation from God, and at that moment we are ecstatic, then we look at our circumstances and immediately start to apply our own human reasoning and worldly logic to the situation and because it’s not lining up with the divine logos we received, we convince  ourselves that it’s not going to work out and step out of Kingdom reality.

We heard, were filled with joy but were never grounded. So, when trouble starts, we give up because we did not let God’s word sink deep and take root in our heart (see Matthew 13:20-21).

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV)

Emotional euphoria is not a sign of faith. If the word of God is not properly planted and nourished it will not take effect in your life.

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. (John 14:10 NKJV)

God’s command is eternal life (ref. John 12:50). Eternal life speaks of life now which prepares you for the life to come. Jesus lived, died and was resurrected to restore the purposes of God and the order of heaven so that you may enjoy eternal life – access to God in every way.

Jesus, the Son, said whatever God, the Father said and the Father who lived in Him performed the work; God watches over His Word to perform it (ref. Jeremiah 1:12). In the same way, as co-heirs with Jesus and as sons of God ourselves, we are to express aspects of the Father, whose Spirit dwells in us, just as His Son did when He lived on earth.

we live like Jesus here in this world (ref. 1 John 4:17 NLT)

When we speak God’s logos it leaves the natural realm, is accepted in the spiritual and the process of “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” begins.

Beloved, God installed His Word (Logos) as the authority in both heaven and earth so that when it is declared it produces the results it was eternally meant to produce. Nothing can turn God’s word from its eternal purpose.

God’s word contains creative transforming power so, by speaking the Word in faith, heaven responds by moving the spiritual reality of heaven into the physical reality on earth.

Remember that the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17 NLT); this unity between God and man is the reality in heaven and on earth that most of us have failed to grasp or apprehend.

So, beloved, now that you know this truth, what do you intend to do? Leave it on the pages of this blog or start speaking God’s logos? It won’t hurt to put it into practice. Amen?

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Logos” ©2026 January 21, 2026

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Transfiguration Inside Out

 

New day, shall we continue our conversation?

Every human being was created with a body, a soul and a spirit, where the spirit governs the soul and the soul the body; it is an inside out system of governance.

But the one who is united and joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17 AMP)

When we are united and joined to the Lord, what is popularly termed as being saved, an inner change begins to take place, and we start to experience a spiritual transfiguration. But that’s just the beginning.

In Philippians chapter two verses twelve and thirteen, Apostle Paul writes,

continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

So, you have to continuously work out your salvation, it’s not a one-stop-shop thing. It’s like going to the gym to workout but thanks be to God, because you’re united and joined, you get your own personal trainer, the Holy Spirit, who helps with the workout by working in you. Keep in mind, for you to see any results, it’s imperative that you cooperate.

You must cultivate a “You are the Potter I am the clay” approach towards your workout and not give your trainer attitude when He tells you to do three sets of ten reps and you want to quit halfway through. You know how you behave at the gym.

This is a different kind of workout, one that produces awesome spiritual results when you follow the Trainer’s directions.  You become whole, like the unnamed woman who touched the fringes of Jesus’ tallit – her faith in the power of Jesus to save made her whole. The wholeness of salvation is about living the abundant life here on earth right now, in this present time, as it is in heaven (ref. John 10:10 & Matthew 6:10).

Being in union with God in Christ, with His Spirit effectively at work in you to strengthen, energize and re-create you produces a spiritual transformation that emanates from inside out; an inner change that eventually becomes outwardly visible where family, friends and even strangers can see.

Beloved, in Christ you are created anew with an eternal existence, but you don’t recognize this truth. This is what Paul explained to the church at Corinth,

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) becomes unmistakably apparent as you are transfigured into a new creature in Christ.

But spiritual transfiguration is not an easy workout. At times it may involve an uphill hike, a climb that’s never easy to navigate, sometimes you’ll have to go through really difficult terrain or rough waters but always remember that you are never left alone, your personal Trainer is there to lead and to guide. Listen to Him.

During the transfiguration of Jesus, Peter was making a suggestion and while he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and God spoke saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”

So yes, you may want to suggest or create your own plan for your salvation but discard it and listen to Him. His ways and thoughts are much higher than yours (ref. Isaiah 55:8-9).

For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]. – 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMP)

Taking a little detour at this point to say, one of my nieces will pack two large suitcases and a carry-on bag for a one-week trip, this is just to let you know that we still have some more to unpack.

Beloved, being saved enables your transfiguration not just to secure a place in eternity but for an eternal existence right here right now but it also requires a reprogramming of your thinking – a mental reset.

Jesus said,

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” – Matthew 17:28-30 (AMP)

Go to Jesus and you will find rest for you soul. Jesus did not say that you will find rest for your spirit or your body, He said soul because that’s what He means. Jesus is talking about resting mentally, in order to renew the mind.

Apostle Paul gives a reminder in Romans 12:2 (AMP),

be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes] 

It’s cleansing, getting rid of all the toxic thoughts and beliefs that have clogged up your soul.

Paul wrote down the remedy in Philippians 4:8 (AMP),

whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]

What do you think about? What has been burdening your mind? You were not designed for yoke bearing.

Heavy burdens make the soul sick and when the soul is sick it affects the body. Not my concept, I did not make that up, it’s biblical.

Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. – 3 John 1:2 (AMP)

The spiritual governs the physical. A healthy body is the result of a soul that is prospering spiritually. You need to not conform to the world’s way of thinking with its “superficial values and customs”.

Jesus secured a wonderful soul prospering rest for us at Calvary, but it is up to you to truly grasp this wonderful truth and possess it. Right now, it may all seem strange, mystical and out of your reach but it is not, otherwise Jesus and Paul and John and Isaiah would not have told us how to achieve it. Everything has already been provided beloved; you just have to own it.

Spiritual transfiguration involves a new way of living, it’s the Kingdom citizen lifestyle, it’s the new and living way in Christ that Hebrews 10:20 (AMP) speaks of which He initiated and opened for us through the veil [as in the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh

Jesus Himself tells you that unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God. – John 3:3 (AMP)

Beloved, you are a citizen of His Kingdom, but you aren’t enjoying the benefits of belonging because you do not recognize yourself as such. Understand that accepting Jesus as your Saviour places you in union with God and being in union with God confirms your identity.

Sadly, we have been taught that this life is only for the life to come but that is not biblical.

Time and time again all we have heard from pulpit after pulpit are messages of separation, intertwined with condemnation as sin is made our identity.

This religious battering has filled believers with a sense of guilt and worthlessness and widened the divide they feel between them and God. Jesus did not promote judgment but mercy, grace, forgiveness and lovingkindness. It’s not that He doesn’t hate sin, but He doesn’t view it as our core identity.

Jesus says, “I do not condemn you go and sin no more” and Paul is adamant about God’s grace having the power to release you from the grip of sin because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

You have a new identity, made right with God in Christ Jesus (ref. 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Recognizing your transfigured self, empowers you to understand that Jesus died to save every part of you, including your soul.

Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you begin to experience the reality of Kingdom Life. It is not unattainable but closer than you probably think. Luke 17:21 (AMPC) records Jesus as saying that the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].

Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you can boldly declare, it’s no longer I who live but Christ lives in me (ref. Galatians 2:20).

Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you come to the realization that you are the light of [Christ to] the world (ref. Matthew 5:14-15)

Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you know that you were not given a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control] (ref. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP)

Get into the habit of filling your mind with, and meditating on, things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious; focus on the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; centre your thoughts on things to praise, not things to curse.

Beloved, determine to put into practice whatever you learn from Spirit, what you hear as you listen. Read the truth of God’s Word and stand under it until you understand it. Let His Word, written (logos) and spoken (rhema), govern your life. And God, who makes everything work together for your good, will work you into his most excellent life altering harmonies.

Prepare to experience the ultimate change, a spiritual transfiguration inside out.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Spiritual Transfiguration Inside Out” ©2026 January 20, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Transfiguration

 

It’s another day, let’s have a conversation.

Do you know that when you have an encounter with Christ Jesus you experience a spiritual transfiguration?

On a high mountain, the appearance of Jesus’ physical body changed right in front of the eyes of His disciples, Peter, James and John; it was an internal transformation that was outwardly visible, first appearing on His face, then radiating throughout the rest of His body as His clothing became as white as light (Matthew 17:2).

On a high mountain, after Moses was consumed by the Presence of God’s magnificent glory for forty days and nights, his face shone brighter than a diamond; he experienced a transfiguration that was solely outwardly visible (read Exodus 34:29-35).

Beloved, you can have your own high mountain experience when you encounter Jesus in all His magnificent glory, however, unlike Moses, yours would be a comingling of both his and Jesus’ as it will be a spiritual transfiguration like no other.

You see, Moses did not have the benefit of the Godhead living inside him because in his day, God’s Spirit was not yet poured out; the outpouring occurred after Jesus’ death and resurrection. But in this time, when you receive Jesus into your life, you acquire Him as your resident divine agent both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13 AMP)

Understand that as your soul becomes tethered to His Spirit, Spirit aids in your recalibration with every step you take along this transformative journey.  

Yes, I deliberately wrote soul and not spirit because that’s what I mean I did not make a mistake. Look at what Paul wrote in his epistle to the church at Ephesus.

But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus – Ephesians 2:4-6 (AMP)

Your spirit is already transformed and seated with Christ in the heavenly places because you believed and are in Him. So, it is definitely your soul that needs to be transfigured and transformed, here’s why.

Our English soul’s Greek counterpart is psyche, that is the part of you that thinks and feels, that part concerning your thought processes – your mind, your will and emotions. It is considered the central element of your body-soul-spirit tripartite nature. Your psyche (soul) decides whether to listen to Spirit or the dictates of the flesh.

Too many of us, even those of us that are well on our way, traveling on this spiritual expedition, believe that we have to kowtow to our feelings and emotions, not apprehending that we have the power to dominate our minds, wills and emotions, to refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMPC).

Your soul is yours to steward, you must allow your spirit, already seated with Christ, to lead your soul, that is your mind, your will and your emotions.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, you and I can and must release ourselves from the captivity of our  mindsets, which have perverted the reality of our true identity and prevented us from being our chosen generation selves with God in Christ (ref. 1 Peter 2:9).

Beloved, you are supposed to be controlled and governed from inside not outside influences; you are set free from the bondage of the world’s ways of doing life because you believe and recognize the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, therefore you are victorious and overcome the world (ref. 1 John 5:5).

There’s still a bit more to unpack so shall we continue our conversation another day?

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Spiritual Transfiguration” ©2026 January 19, 2026

 

 

 

Transfigured

 

Transfigure is defined in the dictionary as to transform into something more beautiful or elevated; to change in form or appearance.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke record the unique event of Christ Jesus when He was transfigured.

Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves. And He was transfigured before them and became resplendent with divine brightness. – Mark 9:2 (AMPC)

Mark tells us that Jesus became resplendent with divine brightness while Matthew 17:2 (NLT) says that Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light and in Luke 9:29 (NLT) we read the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white

These three Gospel writers record one thing in common, Jesus’ appearance changed, becoming more beautiful. Luke, however, lets us know that it was as he was praying that this incredible metamorphosis took place.

Moses experienced a similar transformation after his encounter with God atop Mount Sinai. When Moses descended the mountain, his face was shining so brightly that he had to cover it with a veil (see Exodus 34:29-35).

Though both were the manifestation of the glory and presence of God, there is a stark difference between these two events, Moses’ face was transformed from the outside by being in the powerful presence of God, while Jesus’ face shone not from divine light falling upon Him but from the radiant splendour of His divine glory emanating from within.

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God – Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)

On that high mountain Jesus had passed into an elevated state of existence; it is widely believed that at that moment Jesus’s body assumed the properties of His soon to be resurrected body.

Jesus’ transfiguration occurring a mere six to eight days after He predicted His own death must not be overlooked as it sets the context for what was about to happen.

Also, by this time, Peter had already rightly identified Jesus, and for him and the two other disciples to witness Jesus’ transfigured body must have been the icing on the cake. It confirmed to Peter, James and John the necessity of the cross and gave Jesus encouragement as He would soon be entering the glory of His Kingdom reign.

Beloved, when you encounter Christ Jesus, you too are transfigured but that is a conversation for another day.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Transfigured” ©2026 January 19, 2026

 

Her Faith made her Whole

 

Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.” – Mark 5:34 (AMP)

Jesus was talking to a woman who had touched His garment.

This unnamed woman considered unclean by Jewish law (see Leviticus 15:19 & 25) due to her haemorrhaging non-stop for twelve years was isolated, spurned and desperate as throughout these twelve long years of suffering she could find no relief even after spending all her resources seeking medical care.

Her season of self-righteousness had run its course.

She had heard the reports concerning Jesus – Mark 5:27 (AMPC)

Have you ever been desperate for a solution to an on-going problem? This bleeding woman was.

If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health. – Mark 5:28 (AMPC)

Imagine, for a moment, this woman crawling along in the dirt to get to the One who she was convinced could save her, and getting as close to Him as she possibly could, reaching out to grab onto the only part of Jesus’ garment that her trembling hand might touch – the fringes of His outer garment, the tassels (tzitzit) hanging low from His tallit.

And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and [suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment. – Mark 5:29 (AMPC)

Dunamis left Jesus’ body and entered directly into hers and He felt its flow.

This woman seemed to know that touching the fringes of His garment would be enough to release miraculous power.

the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. – Malachi 4:2 (NLT)

As a Hebrew, this woman would have been aware of three things. She would have known every word of the Lord given to Israel through the prophet Malachi. She would have known that the Sun of Righteousness was a Hebrew idiomatic expression for the Messiah, and she would have known that in her own language, wing and fringe was the same word, kanaf.

So, she knew that healing would be in the fringes of the Messiah’s garment.

Beloved, every miracle that Jesus performed was proof of His identity as the Messiah.

When she touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment, it was a proclamation of her faith, her personal trust and confidence, in Him being the Messiah – proof of His identity – and her faith made her whole.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Her Faith made her Whole” ©2026 January 17, 2026

 

 

A Sword

 

Photo courtesy Chionsu Barclay

Matthew 10:34-36 in the New Testament is related to a prophecy proclaimed against the Israelites by the prophet Micah in the Old Testament.

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’’ – Matthew 10: 34-36

So, what Jesus is saying in these two verses speaks to a much broader picture than what we see on the surface.

This was part of Jesus’ discourse in preparing His disciples to go out into a world where they will undoubtedly encounter disagreeable persons within their own community who wanted to hear nothing about denouncing sin and seeking forgiveness and repentance.

We can agree that Jesus used very divisive language in His discourse aimed at households but from Micah we see that it was also aimed at an entire nation.

Do not trust in a neighbor; Do not have confidence in a close friend. Guard your lips
From her who lies in your arms. For son disavows father, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A person’s enemies are the people of his own household. – Micah 7:5-6 (NASB)

Now, from as early as age five, the disciples would have started to memorize Scripture so that Jesus’ words, quoted from Micah’s prophecy, would have been familiar to them.

Jesus, as Rabbi, was utilizing the power of recall with His disciples who, from the mention of a few lines from Scripture, could complete the remainder of the verse or passage.

We see in Micah chapter 3 verses 1 and 2, that Micah was concerned about the social injustice, cruelty and evil being perpetrated.

Listen, you rulers of Israel! You are supposed to be concerned about justice, yet you hate what is good and you love what is evil. – Micah 3:1-2 (GNT)

The people were breaking their covenant with God; they flouted His laws and persisted in doing evil.  

Corruption was so rampant in Micah’s day that God proclaimed that He would ruin the people; it was an indictment against them.

I will make you sick, striking you down, Making you desolate because of your sins. You will eat, but you will not be satisfied, And your filth will be in your midst. You will try to remove valuables for safekeeping, But you will not save it all, And what you do save I will turn over to the sword. – Micah 6:14 (NASB)

Quoting the prophet, Jesus was showing His disciples that from Micah’s time to their time corruption was still present in their own community, within their midst.

This was Old Testament but the fact that Jesus alluded to it means that it remained relevant in those days and it is still relevant even now.

And what it is telling us is that Jesus will bring a sword to everything the corrupt try to keep for themselves and it will cause division between those who believe, trust and obey God and those who continue with their corrupt behaviour which encompasses injustice, oppression of the poor and marginalized, evil deeds, unbelief, preaching for a price, bribery and disobedience to God.

For the inherently corrupt, God further promises that the time is coming when you will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer you. He will not listen to your prayers, for you have done evil. (Micah 3:4 GNT)

But for you and me beloved, as Jesus’ disciples, His followers, all is not lost for we too have a promise from God,

But as for me, I will be on the watch for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. – Micah 7:7 (NASB)

Upon hearing the words quoted from Micah, the disciples would have recalled the entire passage including this wonderful promise that they could cling to as they went out to perform the mission and you can do the same. It is a promise of hope.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “A Sword” ©2026 January 16, 2026

 

Division

Jesus said,

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’’ – Matthew 10: 34-36

Until I started walking seriously along the spiritual path, every time I read this, I felt troubled because before then, I just did not understand how Jesus could say such a thing. However, as my walk progressed further, I began to understand what Jesus was saying.

My mother, though a stalwart of the church, thought that I was going crazy as I would be on my bed waist deep in different translations of the bible, a myriad of books, journals and notebooks with my laptop somewhere in the mix. 

It’s not that she turned against me in such a manner as to sever ties, but it was causing division, as she looked on at my "madness" trying to comprehend what was happening to her daughter. I imagine that perhaps her Christian walk led her down a gentler path, whereas mine was intensely gruelling.

As time went by, she eventually came to terms with the way I was being schooled by Spirit and appreciated my spiritual perspective.

I know that some persons traversing the Christian path are not so fortunate; their families neither understand nor care to understand their journey.

The Amplified Bible says that it is a sword of division between belief and unbelief. People have gravely severed ties with family members because of their differing beliefs.

The Christian walk is not one of a cherry blossom laden path, where birds are chirping happy tunes and people are skipping along cheerily. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote,

Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith]. – 2 Timothy 3:12 (AMP)

Beloved, becoming a Christian may bring you peace of mind but it doesn’t always bring peace so, don’t be surprised when you experience conflict every now and then. During these times of tug o’ war it’s important for you to keep in mind that Jesus Himself said that trusting Him, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. (John 16:33 MSG)

Living at odds with close relatives in a divided house is not easy; their verbal abuse, insults and ridicule because of your faith, hurt endlessly and trying to keep your cool under the pressure cuts like a newly sharpened knife but take heart, pray and stand firm in your belief. Jesus is the only one who can heal the pain and if it is to be, heal the division.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Division” ©2026, January 15, 2026