Letting Go of the World to Walk in His Ways
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
—Matthew 16:24 (KJV)
Each new day we’re given as children of God comes with a choice: Will we follow after Jesus? This isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily commitment to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and walk in His footsteps. That means saying no to our former ways, refusing to let the world dictate our emotions, and remaining steadfast in our pursuit of Christ.
In the rhythm of daily life, we must fix our focus on Him. There will be moments when unpleasant news comes our way, but our response must not be to shrink back or lose heart. Instead, we must continue to think, speak, and act in a way that reflects the character of Christ.
The pressure the world exerts is relentless—worries about health, financial instability, rising costs of living, or fears of global collapse can weigh heavily on our minds. But for those who follow Christ, none of these things control our destiny. Christ is our future and our firm foundation.
To walk in His truth is to walk in victory. We must not allow the concerns of this world to lure us back into our old patterns of living. The world will try to convince you that you’re not enough, not moving fast enough, or that you can’t survive without what it’s selling—from drugs and lust to wealth and fleeting pleasures. It may even offer you a false promise of relief, then try to medicate the stress it creates.
But those who are in Christ don’t need coping mechanisms—we have the Victor. We walk in His strength, not the world’s deception. Stay true to the path. Keep your eyes on Jesus. You already have the victory.
Reflective Questions:
• What distractions or pressures are trying to pull you away from following Jesus today?
• How can you practice daily surrender and take up your cross in practical ways?
• In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that Christ—not the world—holds your future?
Prayer:
In Jesus’ name I come before You, Lord. Thank You for calling me to follow You. Help me to deny myself daily and keep my eyes on the path You’ve set before me. Strengthen me to resist the pull of this world and walk boldly in Your truth. I trust in Your plans, not the world’s promises. You are my hope, my future, and my victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for reading. God bless you!
All Scripture in Steps Towards Eternity Daily Devotional is from the King James Bible. (KJV)
Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain in The United States. Pathway365 is based in the United States and is governed by its laws. Outside of the United States, you’ll need to check the copyright laws in your country before use.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press