What Christians Want To Know

Ananias and Sapphira Bible Story Summary and Commentary

Jack Wellman — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:30:27 +0000

W hat is the story of Ananias and Sapphira all about? Here’s an account of their story from Scripture with a commentary that follows.

Before Ananias and Sapphira

Ananias and Sapphira – Artist unknown

Chapter divisions were a product of Bible scholars and we can tell that the story of Ananias and Sapphira didn’t actually begin where their name is first mentioned in Acts 5 because Acts 5:1 says “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira,” so we must turn back to the last few verses of Acts 4 to see where the story swings into action which is preceded by the conjunctive word “but” in Acts 5:1. In Acts 4:34-37 we read “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Apparently Ananias and Sapphira saw what happened and wanted to be thought of as highly as Barnabas was. That gives us a better understanding of what happened next in chapter five of Acts.

Acts 5:1-2 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Here is the first hint of trouble. They had given to the church with the probable intent of being seen by men and women in the church. Their gift had followed the other church members giving and Barnabas generous gift (Acts 4:34-37), so the timing of their gift is not lost. The thing to remember is that they both conspired to give but “kept back” for themselves “some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet” so that they could be seen by others. The verse indicated that his wife is in on this too.

Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

The Death of Ananias – Raphael c.1515 Victoria and Albert Museum

We don’t know how Peter knew that Ananias was lying. Whether it was the Spirit of God that spoke to him or not, we just don’t know. We do know that Ananias did lie and it was Satan that inspired him to do so. Ananias had every right to give a portion and hold back some of the money as Peter said, but to indicate that all of the profits were given for the church shows deceit in Ananias’ heart. He wasn’t really lying to Peter and the apostles but to God the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:5-6 “When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.”

It was immediately after hearing these words from Peter, and really they were the words inspired by God, that he fell down dead on the spot so it is no wonder that “great fear came upon all who heard of it.” The author of Hebrews correctly states that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31), because after death, judgment comes (Heb 9:27).

Acts 5:7-8 “After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

This confirms the fact that Sapphira was in on this deception (Acts 5:1), and to make certain that she was, Peter asked her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much” and she confirmed that it was for “so much.” Now there is no doubt that both Ananias and Sapphira were in collusion together and what happens next is the same thing that happened three hours previously to her husband.

Acts 5:9-10 “But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”

‘The Death of Sapphira’, 1654-1656. Artist: Nicolas Poussin

As expected, the same outcome resulted in Sapphira lying to God as did her late husband Ananias. She fell dead on the spot. She was buried next to her husband. Peter confirmed the fact that her and her husband had agreed together (conspired) “to test the Spirit of the Lord.”

Acts 5:11 “And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

Who could blame them? The phrase “great fear” means a strong reverence and respect fell upon the whole church and everyone “who heard of these things,” indicating that those outside of the church heard about it too. This makes sense of Acts 5:13 which says, “None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem,” which meant that those outside of the church didn’t dare join them unless they were sincere or genuine in their belief in Christ. This verse doesn’t mean that others were afraid to join the church because in the very next verse it says “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Act 5:14).

Summary

This is “why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor 11:30).

The fear of God is not so much a fear of being struck dead but means having a deep, abiding, holy, reverential respect for God and for telling the truth. The Apostle John says writes, “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that” (1 John 5:19). The sin that leads to death is likely different for each believer. When believers fall into unrepentant sin or serious sin (adultery, violence, etc.) like the Church at Corinth was experiencing, God called some home (they died). Why? It was because they were getting drunk at the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11). The Apostle Paul said this is “why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor 11:30). Their sins lead to death, but that doesn’t mean spiritual death or that they won’t be saved. Just like Ananias and Sapphira, they committed a very serious sin, one where God took them home, but they were taken into the Kingdom because they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. God showed the church and the public that He desires a pure and holy church where we do not lie to one another and we do not rob glory from God and ascribe it to ourselves (like Ananias and Sapphira did).

Conclusion

Today, God is still adding to the church, even though there is more persecution of the church today around the world than ever before, but God’s church will prevail no matter what Satan or man does and as Jesus said “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18b). He is still building His church today, one soul at a time.

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: What is the Sin that Leads Unto Death?

What Does “Become all things to all men” Mean?

Jack Wellman — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:30:53 +0000

Maybe you’ve read where Paul says he’s become all things to all men, so what does he mean by that?

What He Didn’t Mean

Maybe you’ve read where the Apostle Paul says he’s become all things to all men, so what does he mean by that in 1 Corinthians 9:22? Here’s what he doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean Paul compromised with sin in the church. Paul didn’t mean that it’s okay to blend in with the world or become like the world in order to win the world? I believe Paul means he tries to reach people and share the gospel in a way that makes sense to his audience, whether Jew or Gentile. The gospel is still the same for both, but he approaches people more from where they’re at in life and their belief system. Paul does not mean he waters down doctrines to accommodate people’s own belief, but that he is not quick to judge others but rather he is quick to share Christ. The audience doesn’t matter to him…it does matter to him that the gospel is shared with anyone with ears.

At Their Level

The best way to understand Scripture is to read the entire context of a certain verse, like reading the whole paragraph or better yet, read the entire chapter. We should never read just one verse and try to build a belief system on that. You end up with a cult or a false doctrine. So what did the Apostle Paul mean when he wrote, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Cor 9:22). Again, it doesn’t mean he became a sinner to sinners. We know Paul better than that! He tried to meet people at the own level at which they were at. He would share Christ with a blind invalid just as easy as he would with Caesar.

Meeting Them Where They’re At

When the Apostle Paul went to Athens (to the Greeks in Athens (at the Areopagus), he even quoted one of their philosophers to make a point (Acts 17:8). It was likely the 6th-century BC Cretan philosopher Epimenides. Paul’s quote was that “We are also his offspring.” This points directly to God Who truly is the Creator and Author of all life on earth. Paul used that philosophy Paul mentions the idol to the “unknown god” and then points them directly to the one true and living God Who “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26). Paul used one of their own poet’s quote to point out Who the true Creator was so that He was “unknown” no longer.

Accommodating Others

Saint Paul delivering the Areopagus Sermon in Athens, by Raphael, 1515

When I say that we can be accommodating to others, I surely don’t mean we can accommodate sin in the church or in our lives or in the lives of those in the Body of Christ. It’s more like meeting people where they are rather than expecting them to adapt to you. It means shifting your approach, language, and attitude to connect with different types of people in order to open a spiritual conversation to share Christ. It does not mean you are a “chameleon” for a greater good. On the divinity of Christ, on the sinless-ness of Christ, on the death and resurrection of Christ, we change not! We might change our approach in sharing the gospel, but we never change the gospel. Paul became all things to all people and tells us exactly why he wrote this, in writing, “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” (1 Cor 9:23). It is “for the sake of the gospel” so “that I may share” it with them. Paul said, “I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them” (1 Cor 9:19), so he’s simply interested in winning souls, and not in compromising with the essentials of the faith. Even if Paul has to become like a servant to someone, he will, if that’s what it takes for someone to hear the gospel. To Paul, that’s all that mattered.

Summary

To “Become all things to all men,” is more like a directive on the empathy and adaptability we might have to show in sharing Christ. We have a man who is deaf in our church and I am slowly learning sign language (and I mean slowly!), but I am trying to reach him where he is at in order to share Christ and have him understand the gospel much better. I can’t do that unless I become like him and have to sign my words. I am praying that God might use my inferior sign language (very weak!), in order for this man to be saved. I desired to become more dependent upon sign in communicating to this man in sign language so that a deaf man might know the gospel. So must ask ourselves: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching” (Rom 10:14)? Then ask, “how are they to preach unless they are sent” (Rom 10:15a)? And is that someone you? If not you, who?

Conclusion

Here is some related reading for you: Essential Beliefs of Christianity Christians Should Not Compromise On

Questions to Ask a Deacon or Elder Candidate at an Ordination

Jack Wellman — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:30:58 +0000

W hen a deacon or elder is installed in a local church, what are the qualifications and what questions should be asked before he is ordained?

What is a Deacon?

We know that all potential candidates for being a deacon must be tested (1 Tim 3:1), so men must be biblically qualified to be in church leadership, but God clearly defines what the qualifications are. The term “deacon” comes from the Greek word “diakonos” meaning “servant” or “minister,” so a deacon must be a servant of the church, without regard to those they serve. The questions of a potential deacon candidate that are to be asked are in italics.

Questions for Ordination Candidates to Answer (from memory and no Bible)

How long have you been a Christian, and can you give a brief account of your conversion?

Do you believe in the sinless life of Jesus Christ and His substitutionary death on our behalf and resurrection on the third day?

Are you absolutely convinced of the virgin birth of Christ?

How is your personal walk with Christ, including daily devotional and prayer life?

Do you believe in the inspiration of the Bible comes directly from God and is without error and is the final and absolute authority given to believers?

Are there any areas of personal struggle, temptation, or unconfessed sin that could affect your service?

How do you handle disagreements and conflicts, particularly within the church?

Can you explain the gospel to a man dying on the highway that has only 3 minutes to live? [Time them…]

The candidate for an elder or deacon office must have reasonable answers for most of these questions. They should also know that at one time, they were separated by God by their sins, and they were sinners and headed for the wrath of God in hell, but through Jesus’ sinless life, death and resurrection they (and we) can be forgiven, and freely receive the grace of God by trusting in Jesus Christ. This means we repent and place our faith in the Lord and is not anything we do or earn (Eph 2:8-9). It should be something like that, of course, not word for word, but a deacon must know how to share the gospel which includes trusting in Christ, repenting of sins (Mark 1:15), and having received eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are all part of the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-5).

Church elders (and deacons) are called by God and equipped by God “to teach and preach the Word” if need be (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9). Could you teach a class or preach a sermon if necessary due to a pastoral illness or something else that prevents the pastor from preaching or teaching?

If they cannot preach, this is not a disqualification, but they should be able to at least teach a Bible study or answer a simple Bible question if they are a student of the Bible.

What is one of your most important duties as a deacon?

Answers: Teach, preach (if necessary), correct sinning members privately, serve, hold church members accountable, and live a life above reproach as an example of godly behavior (1 Tim 3; Titus 1).

What would you do if you saw someone in the church committing sin?

Matthew 18:15-18 tells us what to do first. Don’t talk to anyone first…go to your brother first.

What if they didn’t respond to your trying to reprove them of their sin?

Then the deacon or elder/pastor are to take another brother or two (no more than two, it’s not supposed to be a posse), and if that does not bring back the brother to repentance, then follow the rest of Matthew 18:15-20 and bring it up before the whole church. Again, they are not disqualified if they don’t know the entire discipline method, but they must know that God will hold them accountable for their deacon duties and all of the churches duties to bring back a sinner who is wandering away and into sin without repentance. We do know “that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).

What is your prayer life like?

Should be daily at least; better if they pray during the day too, not just morning and night.

What do you pray for the most?

Do they pray for the church, the lost, for overcoming sin, for others who need prayer, for God to be glorified, or mostly for themselves? Titus and 1 Timothy 3 show that the deacon (indeed, all believers) must be compassionate. Jesus will hold them responsible for His flock.

Why do you think God has called you to be a deacon?

Various answers but all calls are from God but our own will or desire is involved.

Biblical Qualifications for Deacons/Elders

We already know the biblical qualifications for a church deacon and one of the first few things mentioned is that “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain” (1 Tim 3:8). Paul writes “Deacons must be….” pointing back to the previous verses for pastoral qualifications like he “must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1 Tim 3:2-3) but the deacon must also not be double-tongued meaning they say one thing to someone else and something different to another. That is duplicity and God will not tolerate it. The deacon must also not have an addiction to alcohol and not be motivated by money.

Living Above Reproach

The word conscience means “with” (con) “knowledge” (science) which is why Paul wrote that the deacon “must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (1 Tim 3:9-10). If they have a good conscience then this means that they are not living in sin and have confessed all known sin to God. They must be blameless. This doesn’t mean perfection or sinless, otherwise none would ever qualify, but Paul means they should live a life above reproach where no one can accuse them with good cause and be blamed for sinful practices. They also have to be “tested first” which tells me that they must know the essentials of the faith by heart (e.g. Rom 10:9-13, Acts 4:12) and know them well enough to say what they are from memory.

In Good Standing

A church deacon must be an example for all of the church members and so “those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 3:13). A church member who is not in good standing in the church will not be qualified to be a deacon. This means, at least, that the deacon will be faithful in attendance, will serve the church (which is what the word “deacon” means), and they will have confidence in their own faith in Christ. A deacon that lacks confidence in their own faith in Christ cannot pass along that biblical confidence to others. If they are not in good standing with the church then Paul is clear that they will not be qualified to be a deacon. It is as clear as that.

Conclusion

Here is some related reading for you: What is a Deacon? A Bible Study

What Does Being Born Again Mean? Are You Born Again?

Jack Wellman — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:30:36 +0000

You hear the term, born again very often, but how is a person born again and how do you know if you are?

First Birth

Everyone has been born physically in a natural birth, but there is another birth that the Bible talks about called, being born again. When a child is born, the child didn’t know about it in advance, didn’t check with his/her parents, didn’t ask to be born, didn’t choose the date and place to be born or even their parents, so it is likewise when a person is born of God. To begin with, all men and women are dead in their sins (Eph 2:1-5), so they cannot choose God as we’re all born to die from the moment of birth, being enslaved by sin and headed for judgment (Heb 9:27). But, as we shall read, God steps in supernaturally to cause us to be born again as the Apostle John and the Apostle Peter puts it.

Second Birth

Being “born from above” is a foundational Christian doctrine from the Gospel of John, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be “born from above” (in the Greek) to see the kingdom of God. It signifies a spiritual rebirth and a transformation of our inner life by the Holy Spirit. John 3:3-7 specifically speaks about being born from above, so can we take any credit for our own natural birth or our own spiritual birth? Did we choose to be born or the time and place? No! Since it’s kept in heaven for us, who can touch it?! It’ll be there waiting for us because it’s permanent (can never perish, spoil or fade). However, all glory must go to God, for salvation is fully a work of God (Jonah 2:9; Acts 4:12). John not only writes about being born again as an entry point of a Christian’s conversion experience, but also a life of transformation in the Spirit. A new birth creates a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).

Forced Labor

I cannot count the number of people who plead with me to tell people they must be born again. Jesus tells all that we must repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15), and when we believe, we are born again. The late pastor Adrian Rogers once said, “If you’re born once, you’ll die twice, but if you’re born twice, you die once.” What did he mean? If you only have a physical birth, you’ll die a natural death and the “second death” is for eternity (Rev 20:12-15, 21:8), but to tell someone “You better be born again” is like telling someone to do something that they humanly can’t! Only God can cause the second birth (born again). We can’t talk someone into it or pressure them into making a decision. Only the Spirit of God and the Word of God shared by a person of God can birth a child of God. And if you’re born again, not even death can separate you from God (John 10:27-28; Rom 8:37-39).

The Command to Repent

It’s a little of a paradox to me, humanly speaking, because the Jesus warns us that we must repent and believe or perish, but then the Bible teaches that God grants repentance. How can we reconcile these two? We really don’t need to because both are true. Baptism is still commanded, just as everyone is commanded to repent (Acts 17:30). It’s not, “I will save you freely, now just finish it by getting baptized or by repenting of your sins…otherwise you won’t be saved.” It is more like God giving us His Spirit after we trust in Christ, and then we begin desire to repent of our past sins and past life. We turn away from sin and turn to God in obedience. God’s Spirit convicts us of our sins and shows us our need for the Savior. God grants all of this ability to us…including our ability to want to repent in the first place.

God Grants Repentance

The Gentiles didn’t figure out that Jesus was the Savior and then decided to repent. Scripture teaches that it was to “the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). He writes to Timothy that “the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim 2:24-25), and if God grants them repentance, “they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Tim 2:26). Otherwise they, like us, would have been dead in our sins and unable to repent. We’d have as much of a chance as Lazarus resurrecting himself. He needed Jesus! So do we! God grants us repentance. That repentance shows up in a changed life, and we only then are we able to escape from the devil’s snare that formerly held us captive. Unless God had granted us repentance, we would still be in Satan’s grip, but thankfully, God demands that we repent but God grants us the ability to repent.

Conclusion

Being “born again” is also mentioned in 1 Peter 1:23 and probably 1 John 3:9 but also relates to being “born anew” or “born again.” In 1 Peter 3, 23, the Greek verb ἀναγεννάω is used, which means “to be born anew,” signifying a “new birth.” In 1 John 3:9, the Greek verb is γεννάω, which means “to bring forth birth” or “to be father of.” Here are more Scriptures on the new birth if you’d like to read more on this subject (John 3:3-7; 1 Pet 1:23; 2 Tim 2:23-26; 1 John 3:9).

Here is some related reading for you: How You Are Chosen by God, Born of God, Sought by God and Kept by God

Can Christians Blaspheme God Today? A Bible Study

Jack Wellman — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:30:17 +0000

Can Christians blaspheme God in this day and age? What is blasphemy?

What is Blasphemy?

1. To injure the reputation of another…
2. To show contempt or lack of reverence for God…
3. To claim divine attributes or claim to speak for God today…

By Our Tongue

Leviticus 24:16 “Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.”

Is swearing or cursing blaspheming God?

Euphemism defined: Indirect or agreeable word or phrase substituted for one considered harsh, blunt, offensive, or unpleasant.

Can euphemisms blaspheme God? [i.e.; Gee….Oh my God…Jesus Christ, etc.]

By Our Sins

Second Samuel 12:13-14 “So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”

How did David blaspheme God?

Is it possible for us to do this before “the enemies of the Lord?”

Blaspheme of God

Matthew 12:30-32 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

Is Blaspheme of the Holy Spirit still possible today?

What does it mean “but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven?”

Can we blasphemy by rejecting the voice of the Holy Spirit?

Is blasphemy to reject the gospel, and thus, reject Christ?

Why were the Jewish religious leaders in more danger of blasphemy than Christians today?

Forced to Blaspheme

Acts 26:11 “And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was extremely enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.”

Is denying Christ, blasphemy?

Blaspheming God’s Name

Romans 2:23-24 “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.”

How does our breaking God’s law blasphemy God’s name?

What are the implications for those you witness too?

A Reproachful Life and Blaspheme of God

First Timothy 1:19-20 “keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.”

Saint Paul Writing His Epistles by Valentin de Boulogne (public domain).

How would handing someone over to Satan teach them not to blaspheme?

How do you think Hymenaeus and Alexander blaspheming God?

Even the great Apostle Paul admitted in 1st Timothy 1:13 that “even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” Thank the Lord through Jesus Christ that this kind of blaspheme can be forgiven by God through His mercy!

The World’s Blasphemies

Revelation 13:5-6 “A mouth was given to him [the Beast] speaking arrogant {Greek; “great things} words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.”

Revelation 16:10-11 “And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pain and their sores; and they did not repent of their deed.”

This is a vivid picture of what hell may be like, when all who are in hell will suffer and continually blaspheme God forever.

False Accusations of Blasphemy

Matthew 9:2-4 “And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”

Matthew 26:64-65 “Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.”

Mark 3:28-30 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Summary

Of course, Jesus was not blaspheming God because He is God! The Jewish religious leaders, on the other hand, were actually the ones blaspheming God by their treatment of the Son of God, and the fact that Jesus’ trial was illegal in so many ways. Their hypocrisy, their rejection of Christ even after seeing the miracles, including raising the dead, brought them to the precipice of eternal judgment, or eternal damnation. Rejecting Jesus is the only sin that God will not forgive today.

Conclusion

You are free to copy and paste and use this Bible study and make as many copies as you like, as long as you do not sell this or reproduce this for money. Please do tell them where you found this Bible study on blasphemy. Did you know you can commit blaspheme by rejecting the only Name given by God by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12)? To reject Jesus is to reject the Holy Spirit’s voice and the gospel of Christ, so hear His voice today…while it is still called “Today” (Psalm 95:7-11; Heb 3:15, 4:7).

Today, turning away from the gospel is the only sin God cannot forgive…it is the unpardonable sin that we can commit if we reject trusting in Jesus Christ. This is the very reason why I pray for those who read this that you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: What Does Blasphemy Mean When Used in the Bible?

5 Ways We Gain Godly Wisdom

Jack Wellman — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:30:17 +0000

Solomon could have asked for wealth or power, but He asked God for wisdom, so how can we gain more of the wisdom of God?

Seek Heavenly Wisdom

To start with, the wisdom we seek is that which comes from above. All wisdom, all truth, and knowledge belongs to and comes from God alone, and yet God desires that we ask Him for it. God encourages us to seek godly wisdom, and even says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). If we ask God for wisdom, we know it is His wisdom that we seek and not human wisdom or logic. James writes, “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly” (James 3:13), and that’s exactly the kind of wisdom I desire. When we seek wisdom from above, we know it will be right!

Seek Wisdom in Prayer

If we need godly wisdom, we have already read we need that wisdom from above, so where to start? If you are asking, that means you are praying. Pray to God earnestly for His wisdom that comes from Him (from above). Remember God promises that if anyone lacks wisdom, they need to ask Him, because He will give it generously, and without finding fault (James 1:5c). Later we’ll read that Solomon sought wisdom in prayer…seeking wisdom above all else. That is so wise.

Read About Wisdom

What I mean by “Read the Wisdom” is read the Scriptures. There is God’s wisdom in black and white. We don’t have to guess about the wisdom of God that is revealed in the Bible. A good example of God showing us what godly wisdom in the Scriptures is in James 3:17 where God says, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” So, right there it is…plainly revealed in Scripture what real godly wisdom is. Godly wisdom is to be merciful (as He is), to be impartial (as He is), and so on. Godly wisdom has tangible fruits like being peaceable, gentle, reasonable, merciful, impartial, and sincere, so immerse yourself in the Bible, because God’s Word provides foundational truths…and is full of godly wisdom. Open the Word of God and you can gain some of the wisdom of God.

People With Wisdom

I believe you become like those you spend a lot of time with. Either for good or for bad. Either way, we tend to gravitate towards being like those around us. So maybe it’s a good idea to have fellowship and spend time with godly people. You can probably already think of someone who you consider a godly person. You can look at their life and see their fruits, and maybe that will encourage you to become more like they are and have the godly wisdom that sometimes only comes with age. Who are your closest friends…or those closest to you in your church? “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Cor 15:33). Godly people tend to have, by experience, more godly wisdom. In many cases, like me, they learned this wisdom the hard way and the older you’ve lived, hopefully, the more godly wisdom you’ve gained by experience, but also from other people who have godly wisdom. People like that tend to rub off on people. Wise people are generally godly people. Paul writes, “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away” (1 Cor 2:6).

The Spirit Imparts Wisdom

Paul wrote in 1 Cor 2:7, “We impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God which God decreed before the ages for our glory.” That is, God imparted wisdom to Paul and then Paul imparted it to the believers. It wasn’t his wisdom, but God’s. And not one of the rulers understood this hidden wisdom (1 Cor 2:8). For example, most of the Jews did not expect the Messiah to come and die. They expected Him to come and rule…and He will someday, but not during His first coming to become our Savior. So the true wisdom from God comes from God; God the Holy Spirit. In the human spirit alone, no ear has ever heard and no eye has ever seen the things [like wisdom] of God (1 Cor 2:9). Why? It is because “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor 2:10).

The Spirit of God and the Word of God births a child of God. They work together and bring us into the greatest wisdom we could ever gain and that is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. The Spirit reveals our need for Christ and no human spirit alone can do that (1 Cor 2:11). Pray for the Spirit to reveal more and more about Christ, to become more and more like Christ. In doing so, you may begin to know the wisdom of God so that you can gain godly wisdom. Even Solomon was wise enough to ask for that (1 Kings 4:29-5:12).

Conclusion

The wisest thing you can do in this like is to put your trust in Jesus Christ. To reject Christ is to reject your only hope to escape God’s wrath. This is why I pray that whoever reads this has already put their trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: What is a Deacon? A Bible Study

What Does the Bible Say About Freedom?

Jack Wellman — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:30:22 +0000

To be free is one of the strongest human desires, but what does the Bible say about freedom?

Slaves of Sin

The Land of the Free, but those who live in the land are still slaves to sin.

Think about our time before faith in Christ? Not only was I, but “you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (Rom 6:17). But the Apostle Paul’s question is a good one in asking, “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness” (Rom 6:16)? Most people think they are free, but really, like I was, they are still slaves to sin, whether they know it or not. Regardless, you are a slave to something! Either you are a slave to righteousness or a slave to sin. Just think back to “when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness” (Rom 6:20), but now, “having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness” (Rom 6:18). Or at least we should be striving for righteousness and be enslaved to doing the right thing instead of being a sin of slave which only leads to death (Rom 6:16).

Called to Freedom

Thankfully, when God called us, we were not called to keep the Law or save ourselves by our own efforts (Eph 2:8-9) but we “were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal 5:13). We’ve been set free by Christ but not free to do anything we want. If we think that, then we’re still slaves to sin (1 John 1:2)! God did not call us to be free to sin, but to be free from sin! We’ve certainly been set free from the penalty of sin which is everlasting torment according to God’s justice. In fact, God would still be just if He sent everyone to hell, but in order to show His mercy and grace, He sought us and bought us and then brought us to His Son, and when we trust in Him, we are truly set free…like never before.

The Son Sets Free

Once God opens our mind to understand our desperate need for mercy and grace through Jesus Christ, it sets us free from fear and the worry of death, sin, hell and God’s judgment. Jesus said “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32)…”So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Not just free for a time….you will be free, forever! There is true freedom in Christ; freedom from worry or fear of man or freedom to be concerned about whatever may come (Rom 8:37-39). That is real, genuine freedom like the world doesn’t know.

Purchased by Christ

Several Bible translations mistranslate the word “servant” while it is actually “doulos” which means “slave.” So are we a slave or a servant? We’re actually both, but to be a slave of Christ?! Doesn’t that restrict our freedom? Not if you remember He sought us and bought us and taught us…so He owns us, but we are also His and He is ours! You don’t belong to you. As it were, we were a burning stick pulled out of the fire, so what joy to be owned by Christ! To be purchase us with His own blood, or as the Apostle Peter wrote, we were saved and redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pet 1:19).

Slaves of Christ

By the way, slaves in the Roman world didn’t have it as bad as we think. In truth, they were more special to their masters than servants, and most often, slaves were loved by their masters, almost like one of the family. There are major differences between being a slave and a servant. A servant could show up late, do a poor job, and not feel happy about the family they were serving. The servant could get fired, but frequently a slave would actually become part of the family, some even gaining their freedom and inheritances from their masters. So slaves were treated far differently than were the servants, who could come and go, quit or get fired. Slaves were a permanent part of the family, so to be a slave of Christ is not what we might think of in terms of slavery. Of course we are also called brothers and sons and daughters of God, so we can’t mix our metaphors because we’re also called a branch and salt and light. But the relationship of slave toward master is that the slave serves and would do anything for their master. So too for us with Christ. He is our Lord and our Master, forever!

Freedom in Christ

God tells us the greatest of news in saying, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin” (Rom 6:6-7). This is the “freedom that we have in Christ Jesus” (Gal 2:4). God calls us to “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Pet 2:16-17). We are free to worship God and free from sin because of God but never free to sin. It is “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1). Truly we can say that “the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).

Conclusion

Here is some related reading for you: What Does the Bible Say About Independence and Freedom?

Did Jesus Visit Hell? What Does The Bible Teach?

Jack Wellman — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:30:16 +0000

M any interpret 1 Peter 3:19 where Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” as Jesus going to hell to preach to these spirits? Who were these spirits? The lost or the saved or even the demons?

First Peter 3:18-20

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.”

The Athanasian and the Apostle’s Creed

The Apostle’s Creed says that is was Jesus “Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell, the third day He rose again from the dead.“ The Athanasian Creed states: “He suffered death for our salvation. He descended into hell and rose again from the dead.” There is even the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus, which dates from the fifth century A.D. which claims that Jesus descended into hell and retrieved all the Old Testament saints, including Adam, David, Habakkuk, and Isaiah however any books that are not part of the canonized books of the Bible are apocryphal and are not accepted as God-breathed so this “gospel” from Nicodemus is not a reliable source at all (see James, 1924, pp. 125ff.).

Even so, did Jesus preach to these Old Testament saints? There is no evidence to support this from the 66 books of the Bible plus 1 Peter 3:18 talks about those who “formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared” so it is not likely that David, Habakkuk, and Isaiah could be considered as those who “formerly did not obey” although Adam certainly did. However if you look at the context, verse 18 leads into the fact that only “a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water” were saved so in my opinion, these “spirits in prison” were those who rejected 120 years of the righteous preaching of Noah.

These ancient church creeds state it more boldly than does 1 Peter 3:19 which only says that Jesus went and “proclaimed to the spirits in prison.” The creeds state that Jesus “descended into hell” but does that mean the place where those who are condemned are at? Does this mean that Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross and then suffer for a time in hell? No, that is not what this verse or these creeds are saying at all. Others Bible scholars see the time after Jesus’ death and before His resurrection where He descended into hell and was when He preached His victory to the spirits of Noah’s wicked contemporaries who are not confined to the realm of the dead. [1] Yet others believe that Christ proclaimed His triumph on the cross to the fallen angels or demons. There are even some reputable scholars that say only Jesus’ living spirit traveled to the imprisoned demon spirits currently held in the abyss and proclaimed that He had triumphed over the Devil and death.

Who Were the Spirit’s in Prison?

As I wrote before, the “spirits in prison” to which “he went and proclaimed” His victory on the cross seems to fit the context of those who were drowned in the Noachian flood because it was “they [who] formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah…in which…eight persons were brought safely through.” These to whom Christ proclaimed His triumph were “they who formerly did not obey” and the “they” were those who heard Noah preached (God’s patience in the 120 years) in the days of Noah” and these “eight persons” were Noah, his wife and their sons and their wives.

Now whether Christ in His Spirit went to proclaim victory to these who died in the flood (and the flood is symbolic of God’s judgment) or to those fallen angels who caused the rebellion we cannot say (in fact, should not say) for certain from this text. Some believe these “spirits in prison” could be the demons who were so heinous in their wickedness that they had to be restrained or whether these were the spirits of the deceased or maybe even both. The point Peter is making is that Christ had victory over death, over the rulers of darkness, the demons, and even Satan himself. [2] It appears from the context that Christ, as God, proclaimed repentance and belief, through Noah. Those who were drowned in the flood are now the “spirits in prison.”

Did Jesus Suffer in Hell?

First Peter 3:18 says “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” but notice that it says Christ also suffered once for sins.” If Christ had to suffer and die once for sin and then descended into hell to suffer again, then He wouldn’t have suffered “once for sins” but twice. And wouldn’t that be double jeopardy? The idea that Jesus had to suffer and die and then after that, go to hell to suffer for three days between His death and His resurrection contradicts the many Scriptures that say we are saved by the blood of the Lamb. His hell was on the cross. They hell we deserved! He died on the cross for sinners like me, and God’s promise that “he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:27, 31) meant He would be resurrected in a perfect body and since death is the wages of sin (Rom 6:23), and Jesus never sinned, His body saw no corruption.

Hell

The word hell comes from the Old English and means “grave.” Jesus’ body was in the grave, but Jesus Himself told the thief on the cross that “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43), not, “I’ll see you in three days Mr. Thief on the Cross.” Jesus would not have to go to Hades because by His death He paid for the sins of the world (John 3:16), not His own (He was sinless!), and besides, Jesus said “you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades” (Luke 10:15) and the rich man was sent to “Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side” (Luke 16:23), so Jesus could not be assigned to go to a place and suffer where He said was prepared for the Devil and his angels.

Summary

The “hell” that Jesus descended in was a grave for three days and three nights. As I mentioned before, the word used for a grave is sometimes called hell, but there’s a different word for the place of torment. The early church creeds say that “He descended into hell (the grave) and rose again from the dead” but the hell as we understand it (or misunderstand it), was the place where bodies lay or were buried. The English used to keep their potatoes down in “hell,” or which was simply a place in the basement where potatoes and such were stored in a cool, dry place. Gehenna is in a valley located just outside ancient Jerusalem and was associated with child being sacrificed in the fire. In Gehenna, there was a fire burning continually, a fire that was never quenched (Mark 9:43-48), and being the local garbage dump, more and more was added to the dump that kept the fire burning. In the New Testament, Jesus used it as a reference to a fiery, garbage-strewn imagery as a metaphor to symbolize divine judgment and hell. A place the condemned go to, like the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, where the rich man was in permanent torment and could not cross over into the Kingdom (Luke 16:19-31).

Avoid Gehenna

Whatever you believe, you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved (Acts 4:12; 16:30-31) to avoid being condemned by your disbelief (John 3:18). You must repent and confess your sins and place your trust in the Savior or you too will go to the place where those who rejected Noah’s preaching, the place where the rich man is in torment right now, and where everyone who chooses to not believe, will all go. I pray that is not you because there will be no escape from that hell (Rev 20:11-15) and so if you won’t harden your heart, make today your day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2) and you too will be saved.

Here is some related reading for you: Bible Verses About Hell: 21 Eye-Opening Scriptures

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
1. R. C. Sproul, Gen Ed., The Reformation Study Bible. (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 1815.
2. John MacArthur, Gen. Ed., The MacArthur Study Bible. (Wheaton, ILL: Crossway Publishers,2010). 1894.
James, M.R., trans. (1924), The Apocryphal New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press).

Things We Think Are Bad That Are Actually Good

Jack Wellman — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:30:42 +0000

Most of what we think is really bad in this world, turns out to be something good, so let’s see a few examples.

Dandelions

I know most people dislike dandelions popping up in their yard every year, and yes, they can be kind of an eye sore, but did you know that dandelions do a lot of good? Dandelions provide vital nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and moths. Yes, moths feed on nectar. Dandelions also bring up nutrients from deep within in the soil and, when they die, they release these nutrients (like calcium) back into the topsoil, fertilizing shallow-rooted grasses, shrubs and trees. Their deep, sturdy taproots (up to 15 feet long) break up compacted, hard-packed clay soil, allowing better water and air circulation. Dandelion roots stabilize the soil, preventing erosion, and amazingly, the entire plant is edible and packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with iron and potassium.

What appears to be something bad for your lawn is in reality a very good thing. When summer comes, most stop producing flowers, so the lawn will look better, and the lawn will feel better too, thanks to the much maligned dandelion. Later in the Sumer, they stop flowering and vanish from view, so why not leave them for your yard’s own good, the lawn’s own good, the rabbits own good, and for your own good, but not applying some kind of chemical to kill them, which also enters into the soil and is transmitted into plants, like grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Mosquitos

The greatest killers of human beings in human history is not related to war. These are not huge weapons of war that kill…but they are the tiny mosquito. They look small enough and innocent enough, but mosquitoes are considered the deadliest creature in world history, responsible for an estimated 52 billion human deaths. That’s more than any other cause, primarily due to the mosquito spreading malaria, yellow fever, several blood borne pathogens, and other deadly diseases.

As bad as mosquitos are, only female mosquitoes bite for blood, however both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar, transferring pollen as they move between flowers, often acting as crucial, small-flower and crop pollinators, so mosquitos, even though they can be deadly, are one of the greatest crop pollinators in world history. So what seems bad, and I grant you that there is some bad in mosquitos, there is also much good. Without mosquitos, millions of worldwide crops would be left un-pollinated, and thus, unable to produce. Next to the bee, the mosquito is the best pollinator in the world…and that benefits mankind, even though they can be bad.

Eggs and Butter

Growing up, I heard that butter and eggs were really bad for you, and that grieved me a bit because I love them both. When I say butter, I mean natural butter and not margarine. As for eggs, they are considered to be one nature’s most perfect foods and one of the most nutritious foods too. Eggs provide high-quality protein, healthy fats, along with essential nutrients like choline and selenium. Eggs are excellent for muscle repair, satiety (feeling full), and eye health, and for the vast majority of the people, up to 7 eggs a week is safe without negatively affecting the heart’s health. Even so, too much of even a good thing can be bad, and the same could be said for butter, but butter can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation, offering vitamins A, D, and K, along with healthy fatty acids like butyrate. Real butter contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and butyrate, which can have anti-inflammatory and gut-health benefits. Butter (in moderation) and eggs (7 per week) are not seen as bad anymore by dieticians, but as seen as good.

God’s Law

The Law of God has such a negative feel to most people because they think it’s all, “Thou shall not do this or that…” but the Law of God is much more than that. The Law punishes evil doers, providing safety for society. The Law keeps people safer than without any law. Could you imagine everyone being a law unto themselves? It would be like the old Wild West again! Very dangerous. The Law of God is not so much don’t do this or don’t do that, but if you do this, you will get hurt. The Law is like guard rails that keep us on the road and out of ditches, preserving our lives, not handcuffing us. You might feel restricted on the highway by guardrails, but when they keep you from crashing into the ditch, you suddenly see the good in them. The Law says we should not steal, lie, or covet, and those laws are for our good. People generally hate to be restricted by laws, but a speed limit law saves lives. Everything we think is bad is not always so. Whoever keeps the Law is blessed, which means happy or abundantly happy, that’s good!

Summary

Based on Proverbs 29:18, those who keep the law are deemed to be most blessed and favored, providing a contrast to the unrestrained behavior that occurs in those who freely break God’s laws. The “law” often refers to God’s commandments and obedience to these commandments leads to joy and safety rather than the destruction caused by a lack of restraint (lawlessness). What we think is bad, God has often created it for our good. The Apostle Paul describes present hardships as “light” and “momentary” compared to an “eternal weight of glory” that is coming (2 Cor 4:17). Our conclusion is, what may seem bad at the moment, will likely yield much good in the future (Rom 8:18). Our world is into instant gratification that we hate to wait for anything, but God is patient, having perfect divine timing for everything (Rom 8:28), and it’s better to let God open the door than trying to crawl through a window. It might seem bad that a door has closed for you, but God knows best and perhaps He kept you from hurting yourself and walking through a door wthout a floor.

Conclusion

Here is some related reading for you: Can Good Come From Evil? A Biblical Discussion

4 Ways to Find Your Calling From God

Jack Wellman — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:30:08 +0000

H ow can you know what God is calling you for? What ministry or work does He have in mind for you? Here are 4 ways to find your calling.

Your Deepest Desire

When I was young, I was fascinated by the weather, and so my first passion in life was to be a meteorologist. I was the neighborhood “weatherman” because when it looked like the clouds (especially the cumulonimbus) began to tower up into the sky I would warn the neighbors that we might get a thunderstorm. I’d use background images to check the direction of the storm and then estimate how fast it was moving. I still love the rain, but my passion changed when God’s Spirit changed me as He does every person who has trusted in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Suddenly, my desire wasn’t to be a meteorologist but an evangelist because I had the greatest news anyone could ever have. In time, God led me to a small church where I was able to meet my greatest and deepest desire, and even though I’m not exactly an evangelist, I do share the good news with the lost. It wasn’t that I found my deepest desire by myself; God gave me a new heart, and I had a new desire given by Him (Psalm 37:4).

Your Greatest Skill

I found out in high school that I could type really fast. Maybe I had the long fingers and dexterity for it, but when my teacher saw that I could type over one hundred words a minute, he told me that maybe I should think about writing. That’s when I joined the staff of the school paper. Many years later in college, a professor teaching fine arts told me that I had a gift for writing. I had never been told that before, but it had a profound impact upon my life. That shows you that words matter, but here was an art teacher telling me I had a gift for writing. I might expect that from my English teacher, but from an art teacher!? It came from the last person I’d expected, but that’s how God works. Today, when I write, I feel like the runner on Chariots of Fire; I can feel God’s pleasure when I write. God showed me through the encouragement of others that I had a gift for writing and typing. Of course, it’s not perfect, but I do love to write about the things of God. God brought me to an awareness of a gift that He had given me.

Your Deepest Longing

Sometimes, after I’ve done my shopping and I’m sitting in a store parking lot, I see people walk by and ask myself, “I wonder if they’re saved? Maybe I should get out of the car and hand them a Bible track.” I believe God places things like that on our heart through His Spirit, and today, I can honestly say, I have a deep longing for the lost than ever before that they be saved. I so desire and pray for divine appointments every day. That longing compels me to go into the prisons and preach the gospel. It also drives me to start a conversation with a stranger while we both wait in line. I may never get a second chance with this person, so I try to be bold in sharing my faith. Is one of your deepest longings to see your family members saved, to see your friends to know Christ, and for your co-workers to trust in Him? I think that should be on all of our hearts, regardless of our calling in life. The word “vocation” that is used in the New Testament means “calling,” so everyone has a calling (at work, for example). It just looks different for everyone. Our calling may not be our neighbors, but everyone is called to share Christ.

Your Open Door

Finally, you can determine what God has called you to by doors that seem to open automatically. This has happened twice in my life. Once when an elderly church member broke her hip and had to be moved to a nursing home, she couldn’t come to church, so we brought the church to her! When shut-ins can’t come to church, we bring the church to them. That includes prisoners, nursing home residents, and other shut-ins. Later, I started writing to a death row inmate through a church’s request for pen pals for inmates. I had no idea I was writing to a death row inmate, but when he told me he was sitting on death row, I told him that we were all on death row until Christ died for us. We all deserved God’s wrath, but Jesus took God’s wrath upon Himself to spare those who would trust in Him, and it didn’t matter if it was a death row inmate or not. The thief on the cross was certainly on death row, but it wasn’t too late for Him to believe in Christ as Jesus promised him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Later, I began writing other prisoners closer to home, but some thousands of miles 2,000 miles away. Now I get to visit prisons and preach the gospel and do Bible studies with the inmates. Recently, 5 men were baptized! These two doors (a nursing home ministry and a prison ministry) were opened by God Himself. I’m not able to open doors like that! I found that the keys to the kingdom also fit prison doors, but these are Christ’s keys which open doors, not mine. I feel called to serve these men. Clearly, it is all God, as the psalmist wrote, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1a).

Called to Glorify God

Most people may be surprised to read that God created us for many purposes, and one of the chief purposes is to glorify God. We can glorify God in our speech, in our bodies, and in our life before others. Ever get in trouble? Guess what? God says you can “call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). How so? Because we pray in Jesus’ name and answered prayer glorifies His name because we pray in His name, and the Father deeply desires to glorify the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. The psalmist is clear that it is “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness” (Psalm 115:10! Not only are we to glorify God, so is the creation. The psalmist tells us that “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). Since the heavens declare the glory of God, then we can do nothing less. Besides, we are also part of His creation, so we should also seek to glorify God. That is one of our greatest purposes.

You can be the hands and feet of Jesus to them by serving them at a local kitchen or shelter.

To Bring Good News

When Jesus was about to return to the Father and sit as His right hand, He gave the disciples their marching orders. It was an imperative command that would be given by a general in the army. Jesus commanded them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:19-20). Jesus had already told them that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18), so they had no choice but to obey, and I believe neither do we. He has the authority to go into all the world, and now they did, but we also have that same authority…even if it’s next door. Whatever the case or wherever we are, we are never off duty. We should feel compelled to be used by God to save as many as He would call (Isaiah 6:8).

Summary

I cannot tell you precisely what God has called you to do, but most people seem to know it in their hearts because they have a deep and overriding desire to do something; they also may have had others tell them they’re gifted in certain areas, or they may tell you that you have a great gift in some area. Hopefully they see that you have a great longing to see souls saved; and they find that when God has called them to something, sometimes the doors already been opened. For sure, we’re all called to share Christ and to serve Him (Matt 25:35-36; 28:19-20). That much I know. Wait on God’s timing. If a door doesn’t open, don’t try the window. Don’t know your calling yet? Just jump into the next opportunity to serve. Ninety percent of serving is just showing up, so it’s not really ability…but availability.

Conclusion

Here is some related reading for you: What Was God’s Purpose for Calling You?