by Tammy Phillips
November 4, 2026
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’”.– (Mat 16:24 NKJV)
These days everyone throws around the word follow so casually. Political parties want us to follow their agendas. Social media platforms, YouTube personalities, bloggers, and podcasters asks us to give a like and follow. National leaders and local leaders want our allegiance. Sports teams want us to follow them around all over the country and watch every game. Goodness, even gas station and grocery stores want us to follow them.
Let me ask you a question. WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING?
Who are you following? Democrats or Republicans?
Who are you following? Georgia Bulldogs or Florida Gators?
Who are you following? Christiano Ronaldo or Selena Gomez?
Who are you following? Truth or lies?
Who are you following? Faith or fear?
Who are you following? Good or bad?
Who are you following? Red or blue?Who are you following? Black or white?
Who are you following? Pink or Green?
Who are you following? Man or woman?
Who are you following? Coach or player?
Who are you following? Work or slumber?
Who are you following? Prosperity or poverty?
Who are you following? Career or couch?
Who are you following? Exercise or idleness?
Who are you following? Sickness or health?
Who are you following? Shame or restoration?
Who are you following? Offense or forgiveness?
Who are you following? Baptist or Methodist?
Who are you following? Your Bible or Instagram?
Who are you following? Your will or God’s?
Ultimately, who are you following? Jesus or Satan? Who is influencing your life? Because whoever you FOLLOW will influence the direction of your life and determine where you go.
You have the choice to follow Jesus straight to heaven or Satan straight to hell.
You have the choice to follow God and His word into salvation, liberty, freedom, completeness, peace, healing, and eternal LIFE or reject Him, follow your way into destruction, bondage, brokenness, chaos, sickness, pain, and eternal death.
We ALL have a CHOICE. WHO WE FOLLOW MATTERS.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly called his disciples to “follow Him” (Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9 and 19:21). He did not simply issue and invitation to, “Take my Name and come, be a Christian.” He clearly said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”[Mat 16:24 KJV]
Think about it. When we choose to be a follower, we choose to emulate them. We learn to we walk like them, talk like them, think like them, act like them, and even believe like them.
Questions! If we are not denying ourselves daily, taking up our cross, completely dying to self, and surrendering to Jesus, are we really following Him?
If we do not will walk like Him, talk like Him, think like Him, act like Him, believe like Him, and love like Him, are we really following Jesus?
If we are not following His will, His way, and His word, are we really following Him?
I enCOURAGE you to pause and examine every area of your life, “WHO AM I FOLLOWING?” Jesus wants ALL of you and not just part.
“For the LORD your God [is] a consuming fire, a jealous God.” – (Deu 4:24 NKJV)
Exodus 34:14, tells us, “You shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, is a jealous God.”
His name is El Qanna, Jealous God. He will not share His rightful place with other gods nor idols. He is not asking to be one of many priorities. He calls us to put Him FIRST.
He is not satisfied just being our Savior; He must also be our Lord. We cannot truly follow Him while insisting on going our own way. The good news? He doesn’t leave us to figure out which way to go. He will instruct us, teach us, and direct our steps because HE IS THE WAY!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” – (Pro 3:5-8 NKJV)
So, one more time, WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING?
Make sure your answer, is JESUS!
