Special Teachings for New Believers – Part Two
“And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.”
—Luke 1:80 (ESV)
One of God’s consistent patterns throughout Scripture is this: before He launches His servants into their divine assignment, He leads them into the wilderness. The wilderness is not a place of punishment but a sacred classroom where God shapes the soul, strips away distractions, and builds spiritual strength.
As a newly born-again believer, if you desire to grow deep and strong in your walk with Christ, you cannot bypass this wilderness season. It is God’s chosen environment for developing spiritual maturity.
The Pattern of the Wilderness
When God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He did not take them directly into the Promised Land. Instead, He led them into the wilderness for forty years—a time of testing, provision, and spiritual formation.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”
—Hosea 11:1 (ESV)
They were spiritually immature, dependent, and still entangled in old mindsets. In the wilderness, God fed them daily, taught them obedience, and revealed Himself as their sustainer. By the time they entered Canaan, they had been forged into a people ready for battle and capable of walking in covenant faith.
Similarly, John the Baptist, though born into a priestly lineage, withdrew to the wilderness. There, he grew strong in spirit and became a powerful voice preparing the way of the Lord.
“Among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.”
—Matthew 11:11 (ESV)
Why was John so spiritually significant? Because he embraced the wilderness. He allowed God to prepare him away from the noise of society.
What Does It Mean to “Dwell in the Wilderness” Spiritually?
This is not about moving into a literal desert. The spiritual wilderness is a season of consecration—a deliberate choice to withdraw from worldly influences, pleasures, and distractions so that God can do a deep work in your heart.
The wilderness is spiritually symbolic of a place where you are alone with God. It is where your faith is purified, your character is shaped, and your dependence on Christ is strengthened.
To “dwell in the wilderness” means:
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Breaking ties with ungodly relationships and old sinful habits.
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Letting go of worldly entertainment and environments that weaken your devotion.
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Embracing solitude, prayer, and the study of God’s Word.
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Trusting God as your provider, even if obedience means losing a job or income.
Letting Go to Grow
You must be willing to lose now in order to gain later. This is the essence of discipleship.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
—Matthew 16:24–25 (ESV)
You cannot carry your cross and cling to the world at the same time. Growth demands separation.
If you were once surrounded by worldly friends who encouraged sin—those you drank with, partied with, or gossiped with—you must now choose a new path. Even if it means loneliness for a season, embrace it. That loneliness is sacred. It is where Christ meets you most intimately.
If you’re engaged in a career or business that dishonors God—such as selling alcohol or operating unethically—do not hesitate to walk away. God will not abandon you. Just as He fed Israel with manna in the desert, He will provide for you.
“But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.”
—Revelation 12:14 (ESV)
God has already prepared a place for you—a spiritual wilderness where you will be nourished and protected. Do not fear the loss. His provision is faithful.
For Women of God
If you’re a young woman, be willing to let go of worldly fashion that draws attention to the flesh rather than glorifying God. Discard immodest clothing and choose a lifestyle of holiness. Even if people mock you or say you’ve lost your mind, be unashamed. The world may call you foolish, but Christ calls you faithful.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
—Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
Why the Wilderness Is Essential
The wilderness is where Christ becomes your only teacher. There, you are undistracted by the noise of culture, career, or crowds. You give Him undivided access to transform your life. That’s why spiritual growth happens so rapidly in the wilderness.
“A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
—Isaiah 40:3 (ESV)
If you skip this season, you risk remaining spiritually stagnant. Many Christians have walked with Jesus for years but show little transformation because they never surrendered to the wilderness. They stayed in the comfort of the world, and so God could not mold them.
Embrace the Voice of Conviction
Do not ignore the still, small voice urging you to surrender something, leave someone, or walk away from a sinful pattern. These are wilderness invitations. Each one is a door to deeper intimacy with Christ.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
—Matthew 16:26 (ESV)
To bear fruit for God, you must first be pruned. To be pruned, you must first be willing to dwell in the wilderness.
So, walk away from the world. Step into the wilderness. There, God will meet you, feed you, and form you.
Then, when your day of public ministry or purpose arrives, you will not be found lacking.
The Lord bless you.
Shalom.
