READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; JOHN 14:6; 1 JOHN 5:19-20

They blare in our headphones, they shine out from our devices: defining voices of this world. They come subtly, yet suddenly. They echo as a whisper, yet in our minds they resound as a shout. They avert our gaze off of where it should be, redirecting our focus onto worthless lies. The voices of this world try to define who we are.

We get distracted by these voices that try to tell us who we should be, so much so that we start to believe that their lies aren’t lies at all, but reality. And when we try to follow these voices, it’s exhausting. They tell us we should look a certain way, act a certain way, and be a certain way. They distract us from the Way, which is the only way that really matters.

It is vital to redirect our eyes onto Jesus. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The reality is, the things of this world don’t have to define us. Ephesians 5:8 says that all of us were once darkness, but those who know Jesus have become children of light. We are chosen and dearly loved by the True King. He laid down His life for us, dying on the cross and rising from the grave so that our sins could be forgiven and we could become part of His eternal family. Once we belong to Jesus, He is the only one who can define us.

That’s why it’s so important for us to slow down and take time to dwell on the truth that Jesus is God, the King of the world, and He loves us with an unshakable love (Romans 8:38-39; 1 Timothy 1:16-17). When we spend time with Him—by talking with Him in prayer, reading His book, the Bible, and gathering with His people, the church—we have the opportunity to remember again and again that, indeed, He is God and we are His children. And because we no longer belong to the darkness, we are no longer defined by the voices of this world. • Emma Pamer

• What things in your life divert your eyes from Jesus? Can you think of a time Jesus redirected your eyes back onto Himself? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this.

• Lies are from the devil, but sometimes people—even people in the church—repeat his lies, either on purpose or unknowingly. That’s why it’s so important for us to study God’s Word for ourselves and not be afraid to ask hard questions. Who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you weigh the messages you’re receiving—from people you know, from books, online, and even at church—against the Bible? (If you want to dig deeper, you can read more about who we are in Jesus in Romans 8:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 1–2; 1 Peter 2:9.)

You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (CSB)