The Verse in Question:
“So the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.’” — Genesis 3:14
This verse raises an important question: Does this mean the snake literally eats dust today?
Biologically, snakes do not eat dust. They are carnivores that feed on small animals like rodents, birds, and insects. Dust is not, and has never been, a food source for them. So, what does this passage mean?
In biblical language, “eating dust” is symbolic, not literal. It’s an expression that represents humiliation, defeat, and lowliness.
Throughout Scripture, this phrase appears as a poetic image of being brought down:
“May desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.” — Psalm 72:9
“They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground…” — Micah 7:17
In these verses, licking or eating dust is linked to being humbled, overthrown, or defeated.
The curse in Genesis 3:14 marks the serpent (which also symbolically represents Satan—see Revelation 12:9) as a defeated creature. Crawling on its belly and eating dust are both visual metaphors for disgrace and judgment.
Before the fall, some theologians suggest the serpent may have had a different posture or form—possibly upright or more elevated. After the curse, it was sentenced to crawl on its belly, with its face close to the ground, in constant contact with the dust—a daily reminder of its shame.
This lowly condition reflects a theological truth:
Sin brings us down. It degrades what God made good.
Romans 6:23 reminds us:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The serpent’s fall mirrors what happened to humanity as well—we were created for glory but fell into corruption through sin.
Beyond physical imagery, the “eating of dust” serves as a picture of spiritual downfall. Just as the serpent now lives close to the ground, humans separated from God find themselves living beneath their created purpose—spiritually dry, low, and direction less.
This is not just the condition of the serpent, but of every person who lives apart from God.
Ephesians 2:1 says:
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…”
To “eat dust” is to live under the consequences of sin—outside the presence and purposes of God.
The good news is that even though sin brings us low, God does not leave us in the dust. He offers restoration through repentance and faith.
“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” — 1 Samuel 2:8
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” — James 4:10
Through Jesus Christ, God takes what has been brought low and lifts it up. The work of the cross reverses the curse. The same God who judged the serpent is the God who offers mercy to humanity.
Maybe today, you feel like you’re “eating dust” in your life—spiritually exhausted, far from God, and stuck in cycles of shame or defeat.
The same God who cursed the serpent also made a promise just one verse later:
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” — Genesis 3:15
This is the first prophecy of Jesus, who would crush the serpent—Satan—and offer us victory and restoration.
The curse shows us the cost of sin, but the gospel shows us the power of grace. We were made for more than the dust. In Christ, we can be raised, restored, and seated in places of honor.
“God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” — Ephesians 2:6
Turn to Christ today. Let Him lift you from the dust—spiritually and physically—and give you the life you were meant to live.
The Lord is coming!
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ANSWER:
This statement by Jesus’ disciples came after a challenging teaching He gave regarding divorce. The Pharisees approached Jesus, testing Him with a question:
Matthew 19:3 “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?”
They were referring to a common debate of the time. According to Deuteronomy 24:1, Moses had permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce if he found “some indecency” in his wife. The school of Hillel (a Jewish rabbinic tradition) interpreted this loosely, allowing divorce for minor reasons—even if a wife spoiled a meal. On the other hand, the school of Shammai took a stricter view, saying only sexual immorality could justify divorce.
Jesus sided with the original intent of marriage as instituted by God in
Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
He replied in
Matthew 19:6: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
When the Pharisees questioned why Moses allowed divorce, Jesus responded: “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew 19:8)
Then He added in (Matthew 19:9) “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
This teaching was so strict and countercultural that the disciples said: “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:10)
What did they mean by this? They were essentially saying: “If marriage is that binding, and the only way out is through adultery, then maybe it’s safer to stay single.” This reveals how seriously Jesus viewed marriage: not as a temporary agreement, but a lifelong covenant before God.
It also reflects a core Christian truth: marriage requires endurance, grace, and faithfulness—not just romantic love. Divorce is not to be treated casually or selfishly.
Biblical Implications for Us Today:
Jesus acknowledges
in Matthew 19:11–12 that not everyone can accept this teaching: “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given… Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”
This means that not everyone is called to marriage. Paul later echoes this in
1 Corinthians 7:7–9 where he says: “I wish that all were as I myself am [single]. But each has his own gift from God… to the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single… But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry.”
Real-life Application:
So what does this teach us? Marriage is not something to enter lightly. It is a covenant, not just a contract. It reflects Christ’s relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:25–27), which is based on self-giving love, sacrifice, and unbreakable commitment.
Therefore, before marrying, one should seriously consider the weight of that commitment. If you feel unprepared to love and endure in all seasons, it is wise—perhaps even godly—to remain single. As Jesus said, singleness can be a calling too, allowing one to serve God with greater focus.
Proverbs 21:9“It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.” “
Proverbs 21:19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.”
Proverbs 21:19
It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.”
These verses remind us that a peaceful single life can be better than a conflicted marriage.
Final Word: Think carefully. Marriage is beautiful, but also demanding. If God calls you to it, He will give you grace for it. But don’t rush in unprepared. Consider, pray, and choose wisely—for His glory.
God bless you.
1 Corinthians 5:6–7
“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
To “walk by faith, not by sight” means to live our lives based on trust in God and His Word rather than relying on what we can physically see or experience. This is the foundation of the Christian life (Hebrews 11:1). Our spiritual journey is governed by unseen realities and eternal truths.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1
Many people assume that seeing is the most reliable way of knowing the truth. But physical sight is flawed and limited. For example, your eyes can see food, but cannot tell if it’s salted—you need your taste to confirm that. Similarly, spiritual truths cannot be confirmed by natural eyes alone.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14
Some Christians fast and pray to have a physical encounter with Jesus. While God is sovereign and such things can happen, it is not His normative way of revealing Himself today. Seeking visible signs can actually hinder spiritual growth.
Jesus corrected Thomas when he believed only after seeing:
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” — John 20:29
Faith that is built solely on appearances is immature. Jesus Himself told the disciples that it was better for Him to go, so the Holy Spirit could come.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” — John 16:7
Instead of appearing physically, Jesus now reveals Himself through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all believers. The Holy Spirit teaches, guides, and glorifies Christ within us.
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” — John 16:13–14
When we have the Holy Spirit, we have intimate fellowship with Christ—even without physical sight.
Many say they want to see Jesus, yet they ignore or grieve the Holy Spirit through disobedience or unbelief (Ephesians 4:30). Without the Spirit, we cannot fully experience the presence of Christ in our lives.
“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” — Romans 8:9
It is spiritually dangerous to pursue visible signs while neglecting the invisible Spirit who brings Christ to us fully.
Receiving the Holy Spirit does not require money, special training, or long prayers. It simply requires sincere repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the biblical pattern established from the very beginning.
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” — Acts 2:38–39
This promise is still available today—for you and for everyone who turns to the Lord.
Let’s stop chasing physical signs and instead embrace the better way God has given us—walking by faith through the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t yet repented and been baptized in Jesus’ name, today is the perfect time.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2
Let us walk by faith and not by sight—trusting in the Spirit who reveals Christ to our hearts.
Shalom, beloved in Christ!
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s reflect together on a vital truth from Scripture that speaks to the Christian life and the spiritual battles we face daily.
Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
The Apostle Paul wrote this while imprisoned, addressing believers in Ephesus. He concludes the letter by urging them to draw their strength from God—not from themselves—because the Christian life is a spiritual battle, not a casual walk. Paul emphasizes two essential aspects:
This means anchoring your faith, love, and commitment entirely in God. Strength in the Lord is not emotional zeal or physical effort, but a deep dependence on God’s presence, grace, and truth.
Mark 12:30
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
This verse reminds us that to be strong in the Lord is to love Him completely—with our emotions (heart), our spirit (soul), our understanding (mind), and our effort (strength). This is not passive belief but active discipleship. It’s the foundation for growing in spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:14).
This speaks of God’s divine strength working through us as we engage in spiritual warfare. The Christian’s battle is not against people but against spiritual forces of darkness.
Ephesians 6:11–12
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Our fight is not physical, but spiritual. We are called to be spiritually alert, aware, and ready—using God’s resources, not our own.
Paul outlines six essential components of spiritual warfare:
These are not optional accessories. Without them, we are spiritually exposed. Being strong in the power of God means knowing how to use these weapons.
Just as a soldier must be trained to use a sword, we must learn how to use the Word of God effectively. A believer without knowledge is like a soldier holding a sword but unable to fight.
Jesus demonstrated this when tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Every time, He responded with Scripture: “It is written…” (see Matthew 4:1–11). He used the Word accurately and with authority.
Similarly, Apollos is described as “mighty in the Scriptures”:
Acts 18:24
“Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.”
To become spiritually strong, we must study, understand, and apply God’s Word correctly.
2 Timothy 2:15
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
This verse speaks of theological accuracy. As believers, we are called to rightly handle Scripture—not twisting it for convenience, but understanding it within context and truth. This is discipleship and sanctification—growing in grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
1 Corinthians 16:13
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
This is a call to alertness, perseverance, courage, and strength. The Christian walk requires intentional growth, not spiritual passivity.
Let us not grow weary but continue to grow strong—both in our walk with the Lord and in how we apply His Word. True strength comes from being rooted in Christ and prepared for the spiritual battles ahead.
May the Lord bless and strengthen you. Amen.
Matthew 3:13–15 (NKJV):
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’
But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.”
In this short exchange, Jesus uses two crucial phrases we must reflect on deeply:
“It is fitting for us”
“To fulfill all righteousness”
Jesus did not say,
“It is fitting for me to fulfill all righteousness,” but rather, “It is fitting for us.”
This distinction matters. Jesus includes others in the act of fulfilling righteousness not only Himself. He is laying a foundation for His followers, showing that righteousness is something we must all walk in, not just admire from afar. It is a shared call.
As believers, we are united with Christ (Romans 6:5), and therefore we must walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). If He submitted to baptism to fulfill righteousness, so must we. He is our example in all things (1 Peter 2:21).
There is a difference between practicing righteousness and fulfilling all righteousness.
You fulfill righteousness when:
You believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10)
You partake in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:26)
You proclaim the gospel (Mark 16:15)
You live a holy life (1 Peter 1:15–16)
But all righteousness includes an essential act many overlook: baptism in water.
Even though Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 4:15), He still underwent water baptism not because He needed cleansing, but because it was the righteous thing to do in God’s redemptive plan. By doing so, He endorsed baptism as an act of obedience and alignment with God’s will (Luke 7:29–30). To refuse baptism is to reject the counsel of God.
So if Jesus, the sinless Son of God, chose baptism to fulfill all righteousness how much more should we?
In the New Testament, baptism is never presented as optional. It is commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19) and preached by the apostles as essential for salvation and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Acts 2:38 (NKJV):
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
Romans 6:3–4 (NKJV):
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Biblically, true baptism involves:
Full immersion in water, symbolizing burial and resurrection (Mark 1:9–10; John 3:23)
In the name of Jesus Christ, reflecting apostolic teaching (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5)
Sprinkling or pouring does not reflect the biblical pattern. Jesus wasn’t sprinkled Scripture says, “He came up from the water.” John baptized in places where much water was available (John 3:23).
This is a serious question. If you’ve never been baptized, or if your baptism doesn’t align with the biblical example (full immersion in the name of Jesus), and yet you have come to know the truth can you still be saved?
The sobering answer is: Not according to Scripture.
James 4:17 (NKJV):
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
God may show mercy to those who never had the chance to hear or understand the full truth (Acts 17:30). But once truth is revealed, we become accountable (Hebrews 10:26).
In these last days, Satan aims to keep believers from fulfilling all righteousness. He doesn’t mind if you do some things just as long as you don’t do everything. He wants people to settle for partial obedience because partial righteousness still leaves room for disobedience.
But Jesus is coming back for a blameless bride (Ephesians 5:27) a people who have embraced His full counsel, including repentance, faith, holiness, and baptism.
So now, the most important question remains:
Not just believed. Not just prayed. Not just attended church.
Have you followed the Lord into the waters of baptism, as He did so that together, with Him, you fulfill all righteousness.
Maranatha.
Acts 2:23–24 (NIV)
“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
The phrase “agony of death” (or “pains of death” in other translations such as the KJV) refers to the torment and finality of death particularly a death without hope of resurrection or eternal life. In the biblical worldview, death is not merely physical cessation but spiritual separation from God. The Greek word used here, ōdinas (ὠδῖνας), can also be translated as “birth pains” or intense anguish, suggesting deep suffering associated with death (see Romans 8:22).
Before the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death was a terrifying reality for humanity. As Paul says in Romans 5:12 (NIV):
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
Humanity was under the curse of death, both physically and spiritually. All who died before Christ were subject to corruption (decay) and separation from the presence of God. This included the righteous, who waited in the realm of the dead sometimes referred to as Sheol (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek) a holding place awaiting redemption (Luke 16:22–23).
But Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, broke the power of death. Though He truly died, He did not remain in the grave or see corruption.
Acts 2:31 (ESV)
“He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.”
Unlike all others before Him, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). His resurrection marked the defeat of death’s finality.
Revelation 1:18 (NIV)
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
It was impossible for death to hold Jesus, because He is the Author of Life (Acts 3:15). His divine nature and perfect obedience rendered death powerless against Him.
Christ’s resurrection is not just historical it’s personal. For all who place their faith in Him, the agony of death no longer holds power.
2 Timothy 1:10 (NIV)
“…but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
When believers die, their spirits do not descend into torment or unconsciousness. Instead, they are taken immediately into the presence of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV)
“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
This is why Matthew 27:51–53 speaks of saints rising at Christ’s resurrectiona foretaste of what all believers will experience.
Furthermore, the resurrection of believers is guaranteed by Christ’s own resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:20–22 (NIV)
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
We await the redemption of our bodies at the Second Coming (Romans 8:23), when we will receive glorified bodies fit for eternity (Philippians 3:20–21).
However, for those who die in sin outside of Christ the agony of death is just the beginning. Upon death, the soul enters a state of conscious torment, awaiting final judgment.
Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”
The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) offers a vivid picture of this reality: the rich man dies and finds himself in torment, separated from God, unable to cross the chasm between himself and paradise.
Eventually, both body and soul will be reunited at the final resurrection, but for judgment.
Revelation 20:14–15 (NIV)
“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
This is the full weight of what it means to be held by the agony of death eternal separation from God, under divine judgment.
Are you still living in sin? Are you spiritually lukewarm? Scripture warns us that we do not know the day or hour of our departure from this life.
James 4:14 (NIV)
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
If today were your last day, whose presence would you find yourself in Christ’s or that of eternal separation?
The answer lies not just in your heart but in the truth of the Gospel. Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Shalom. Peace be upon you as you consider these eternal truths.
What does the prophecy of the dry bones mean for us today, both spiritually and practically?
The prophet Ezekiel, who lived during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC), was shown a vision by God that profoundly illustrated Israel’s spiritual condition and God’s promise of national and spiritual restoration (Ezekiel 37:1-14). The dry bones represent the people of Israel, who had been “dead” in captivity, feeling hopeless and cut off from their homeland and from God’s presence.
This vision is not only a literal promise of physical restoration God bringing Israel back from exile but also a powerful metaphor for spiritual revival. The bones “very dry” (Ezekiel 37:2, NIV) symbolize utter hopelessness and death, both physical and spiritual. The question God poses, “Can these bones live?” (v. 3, NIV), invites Ezekiel and through him, all believers to trust in God’s power to restore life.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NIV)
“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.”
God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, symbolizing the Spirit’s power to bring life to what is dead (v. 4-6). When Ezekiel obeys, the bones come together, sinews and flesh appear, and breath (the Hebrew ruach, meaning breath, wind, or spirit) enters them, bringing them to life (v. 7-10). This reveals a profound truth: life is impossible without the Spirit of God (cf. John 6:63; Ezekiel 37:14).
God explicitly identifies the bones as “the whole house of Israel,” who feel hopeless, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is gone; we are cut off” (v. 11, NIV). But He promises restoration, resurrection, and a renewed relationship: “I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live… Then you will know that I am the Lord” (v. 14).
This passage beautifully connects with several biblical themes:
The message of hope through faith is echoed in Hebrews 11, where Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates trust in God’s power to give life (Hebrews 11:17-19, NIV):
“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son… Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”
This links perfectly with the dry bones vision, emphasizing faith in God’s life giving power.
Many people may feel like dry bones today hopeless, broken in health, faith, or circumstance. Whether facing chronic illness, depression, loss, or spiritual dryness, God’s promise remains: He can restore, revive, and breathe new life.
If you feel this way, the call is to trust God’s Spirit and His Word. God’s power transcends death and despair.
Kneel or sit quietly, raise your hand, and pray sincerely:
Prayer:
Father God, I acknowledge that You alone are the Almighty God, full of power and mercy. I believe that through Jesus Christ, You can bring life to what seems dead in my life whether body, mind, or spirit. Please forgive my sins, both known and unknown. Cleanse me through the blood of Jesus Christ, and renew me with Your Holy Spirit. (Here, name your specific need or struggle.) Revive me, strengthen me, and help me walk in Your will all the days of my life. Thank You for Your forgiveness, Your help, and Your freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Repeat this prayer until you feel peace in your heart and trust that God is at work in your life.
May God bless you richly as you trust in His power to restore and renew!
Praise the Lord Jesus! Welcome back to this series exploring the different rewards God has promised and the criteria He will use to give them. We’ve already looked at several key principles in the past parts, and today we continue with Part Five.
God has promised to give great authority to those who serve Him faithfully while here on earth.
Let’s look at a parable Jesus shared to understand this better:
Luke 19:12–26 (NIV) 12 “He said: ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. “Put this money to work,” he said, “until I come back.” 14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. 16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ 20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26 “‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’”
This parable speaks clearly for itself. When the Lord gives you a measure of grace or responsibility here on earth, He expects you to use it and multiply it faithfully.
For example, if He’s given you the grace to clean the church compound, He expects you to go above and beyond making sure the toilets are clean, the windows are spotless, and the chairs are always in order.
Why? Because when He returns, He’ll evaluate what He entrusted you with and how well you managed it. If you viewed your task as unimportant and neglected it, He may ask, “If sweeping felt too beneath you, couldn’t you have hired someone to do it, rather than leave My house untidy and overgrown?”
Just like He said to the servant who hid the money, “Why didn’t you at least put it in the bank so I could get interest when I returned?”
That’s how He will evaluate each of us.
But if we’re faithful with what He’s given us—even if it seems small—and we put in the effort to do even more, then know this: your faithfulness today will determine your authority in God’s Kingdom tomorrow. If God rewards with cities, your rulership over those cities will match the level of your faithfulness now.
This should encourage us to serve the Lord wholeheartedly without making excuses, without looking down on any task, and striving to go above and beyond wherever we can. It’s those “little things” that will ultimately measure the riches of our reward.
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him faithfully.
This is an important question that every Christian should understand clearly, especially in the context of spiritual warfare and our relationship with God.
The Bible does not teach anywhere that Satan has the power to read human thoughts. That ability belongs only to God.
1 Kings 8:39 (NIV) says: “Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart).”
Only God knows the secrets of the heart. Even angels, despite their power and presence in the spiritual realm, are not described in Scripture as having the ability to access human thoughts.
Satan, though a powerful fallen angel, is not omniscient (all-knowing). He is a created being with limitations. He cannot “hack” into your mind or perceive your inner thoughts unless you express them through words or actions.
Though Satan cannot read our minds, he is an expert observer. He has studied human behavior for thousands of years—since the time of Adam and Eve.
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) warns: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Like a skilled hunter, he watches for patterns, weaknesses, and tendencies. Just as you might guess what someone is thinking based on their body language or past behavior, Satan makes calculated assumptions. He sees our reactions to situations, hears our words, and draws conclusions. This is not mind-reading—it’s strategic manipulation.
Here’s the good news: Satan cannot easily read or predict the actions of someone who is truly born again through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said in John 3:8 (NIV): “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
This means that a person led by the Holy Spirit doesn’t follow a predictable path based on human patterns. The Holy Spirit brings transformation, wisdom, and discernment that baffle Satan’s strategies. What the enemy thinks will defeat you may actually strengthen you.
Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) promises: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn…”
In contrast, someone who has not been born again is more susceptible to fear, manipulation, and spiritual attacks. Satan can plant lies and fuel fear through circumstances, dreams, or even through other people.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) reminds us: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
A person without the Holy Spirit lacks this divine anchor, and therefore is more easily moved by threats, temptations, or discouragement.
This leads to the most crucial question: Have you been born again by the Spirit of God?
Jesus said clearly in John 3:3 (NIV): “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Being born again means turning away from sin, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and receiving the Holy Spirit. It’s not just a church affiliation or outward behavior—it is a supernatural change of heart and spirit.
Satan is real, and he is active—but his power is limited, especially over those who belong to Christ.
James 4:7 (ESV) tells us: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
When we walk in the Spirit, Satan’s strategies lose their grip. He may try to attack, but he will fail. The more we yield to God, the more unpredictable—and victorious—our lives become in the spiritual realm.
Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus!
Please share this message with others. These are truths every believer should know.
Greetings to you in the most powerful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Welcome once again as we continue our study of God’s Word. We’re still exploring the topic of God’s various rewards and the standards He uses to give them. This is Part 4.
Jesus spoke to a Pharisee who had invited Him to a banquet and shared this powerful teaching:
Luke 14:12–14 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:15 (NIV) When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
If you’re a believer who has been saved, don’t forget to care for those in need. Use what God has blessed you with to help the poor and vulnerable. Why? Because there is a great reward in heaven waiting for those who remember the needy—especially on that day when the Lord raises His chosen ones to give them their eternal rewards.
When you give, or when you host celebrations, don’t only include people who are well-off or who can return the favor. Go out of your way to invite or support those who have nothing to offer in return. Don’t limit your generosity to those who have helped you—extend it to those who can’t. In doing so, you’re storing up real treasure in heaven.
The Apostle Paul was committed to this principle. After meeting with the apostles, this is what he said:
Galatians 2:9–10 (NIV) James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Do you see it? When we notice those who are struggling—the poor, the orphans, and those who are lacking—we should see that as our opportunity to earn great rewards in heaven. Let’s make every effort to help.
In heaven, our wealth won’t be measured by what we had on earth, but by what we did with it—especially acts of generosity like these. If everything we receive is spent only on ourselves or shared only with those like us, we are actually diminishing our eternal reward.
Giving doesn’t require us to be rich. Even if you have just a little—say 100 shillings—you can give 50 to help someone in need and still have enough for yourself. It’s the heart behind the giving that God rewards.
May the Lord help us see this clearly, and may we start today to remember and care for those in need.