Spiritual Warfare: 'The World Hated Jesus, First'

God's Power for Our Battles — Friday, December 5, 2025

If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Today's Prayer

Lord, forgive me for thinking that if I were always nice to the world, then they would always like me and respect me. The truth is that Jesus was hated, and those who belong to Him will also suffer often in the same manner. Remind me that I am called to be IN the world but not OF the world; that I am to serve the kingdom as an ambassador, helping lead others when possible to Jesus as Lord and Savior and King. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of John 15:18-19 NLT — If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, December 5, 2025

A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened [with the spread of the Good News to both Jews and Gentiles], they sent Barnabas to Antioch...."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"At the very time when the Chaldeans surrounded Jerusalem, and when the sword, famine and pestilence had desolated the land, Jeremiah was commanded by...."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Friend, Two powerful themes from the Bible converge in this one story in today's Scripture about Philip and the Ethiopian dignitary:After My..."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.