154 | Hear What the Spirit Is Saying: When You Drift, Will You Hear Him Calling? (Revelation – Part 2)

Find the full episode here: LivingOnPurposeInChrist.com/blog

Companion Resource (Printable): PaulaBehrens.com/store

Spiritual drift rarely announces itself. It feels more like waking up mid-drive and realizing you cannot remember how you got here. If you have been wondering whether your walk with Christ has cooled, whether God still speaks when you feel weary, or how to regain the passion you once had, this Revelation study opens chapters 2 and 3 and lets Jesus’ own words do the searching and the healing.

We move through the seven letters to the churches and listen for what stays consistent: Jesus knows. He sees the unseen burdens behind your Sunday smile, the compromises you rationalize, the suffering you are carrying, and the quiet faithfulness nobody applauds. From Ephesus and the warning about forsaking first love, to Smyrna’s comfort in hardship, to the cultural pressure faced in Pergamum and Thyatira, the message is honest but never harsh. Even Laodicea’s strongest correction comes with a tender invitation: “Here I am. I stand at the door and knock.”

We also unpack the Greek word nikaō (νικάω), translated overcome or conquer, and why biblical victory does not mean an easy life. Overcoming means staying loyal to Jesus through trials, temptation, disappointment, emotions, and noise, trusting the One who has already conquered sin and death. You will leave with practical next steps for reading Revelation 2–3 slowly, using Bible study tools, reflecting with devotions and journal prompts, identifying which letter hits closest to home, and choosing to listen with humility and attention.

If you want to go deeper, check out the printable "Revelation (Part 2)" companion study (above) and the Aroma of Christ coaching hour at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review on Apple Podcast so more listeners can find biblical encouragement and grow stronger in their walk with Christ. If faith-filled Bible study with essential oils and gentle aromatherapy helps you create a more peaceful space to listen and reflect, this episode will meet you there.

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Transcript

Welcome And Study Resource

Paula Behrens 0:01

Welcome back to our Revelation Bible study series. Before we begin, I want to remind you to stay until the end for the link to a printable study resource that will help you go deeper into the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation. If you've ever wondered whether your spiritual life has drifted, whether God still speaks when you feel weary, or whether you can regain the passion you once had for Christ, this study will help you explore those questions as we dive even deeper into God's Word. Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Coaching Invite And Review Request

Paula Behrens 1:06

Hey friend, I want to personally invite you to the Aroma of Christ coaching hour. This isn't just another Bible study or spiritual to-do list. It's a deeply intentional one-on-one session where you'll create a devotional routine that fits your life and reignites your love for time with God, all while using your senses. We'll partner together to design a peaceful, Christ-centered routine that helps you breathe again spiritually and emotionally. You'll walk away with clarity, focus, and a renewed connection to the Holy Spirit. We will also dedicate part of our time to addressing any stress or anxiety you may be experiencing. Through a simple yet powerful modality, using essential oils and guided steps, you'll have the opportunity to realize emotional healing and a deeper sense of peace. As your anxiety is lowered, you will then be better equipped to grow into the faithful disciple you are called to be. Book your call now at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens, B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /coaching (no spaces). Before we dive in, I have a quick favor to ask. If this podcast has been a blessing to you or helped you grow in your walk with Christ, would you take a moment to leave a review? It only takes a minute, and your words help more women discover this space and be encouraged in their faith as well. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your support. All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off that notepad, cozy up to your favorite beverage, and let's dive in.

Spiritual Drift Happens Quietly

Paula Behrens 2:40

Have you ever driven somewhere familiar and suddenly realized you don't remember part of the trip? You were awake, your eyes were open, your hands were on the steering wheel, yet somehow you arrived without consciously noticing the journey. Well, here's the thing, spiritual drift often happens in a similar manner. Very few of us wake up one morning and decide we no longer want to follow Jesus closely. Most drift happens slowly. It happens quietly. It happens while we're busy managing schedules, paying bills, attending church, serving others, raising families, building careers, and handling life's endless responsibilities. One day we realize our prayers have become rushed. Our Bible sits unopened longer than we intended. Worship feels routine. Sharing our faith feels intimidating. Our hearts still belong to Jesus, but something feels different. The fire, well, it's not gone, but perhaps it's not burning quite as brightly as it once did. That's why Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are such a gift.

Why Revelation 2 And 3 Matter

Paula Behrens 3:51

These chapters contain seven letters from Jesus to seven churches. They're filled with encouragement, correction, warnings, promises, and invitations, but most importantly, they reveal the heart of Jesus toward his people. These are not angry letters, these are loving letters. They come from the Savior who walks among his churches. They come from the shepherd who notices when one of his sheep begins wandering. They come from the king who cares enough to speak truth, even when truth is uncomfortable. And the amazing thing is that these letters were not only written for churches nearly 2,000 years ago, they still speak today, if we have ears to hear. As we saw in Revelation chapter 1, Jesus stands among the lampstands. He knows his churches, he knows his people, he knows our strengths, he knows our struggles, he knows our victories, he knows our compromises, and because he loves us, he speaks. One phrase appears repeatedly throughout these letters. He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. That statement is not just directed toward first century believers, it's directed toward us. The question is not whether Jesus is speaking, the question is whether we are listening.

Ephesus And Lost First Love

Paula Behrens 5:17

The church at Ephesus provides one of the most familiar examples. Jesus begins by commending them. They worked hard, they persevered, they resisted false teaching, they protected sound doctrine. Frankly, many churches today would be thrilled to receive such praise. Yet Jesus says something startling. He says, I have this against you. You have forsaken the love you had at first. Think about that. They were doing many things right. Their theology was sound, their service was active, their discernment was strong. Yet somewhere along the way, their first love had cooled. Perhaps they had become so focused on defending the truth that they stopped delighting in the One who is Truth. Perhaps their relationship with Jesus had become more about duty than devotion. Can that happen to us? Absolutely. It can happen to pastors, it can happen to ministry leaders, it can happen to Bible study teachers, it can happen to faithful church members, it can happen to all of us. Sometimes we become so busy doing things for Jesus that we spend less time simply being with him. Sometimes our Christian life becomes a checklist instead of a relationship. We still believe, we still serve, we still show up, but our hearts quietly begin drifting.

Jesus Says, Remember, Then Return

Paula Behrens 6:46

Notice what Jesus does not say. He doesn't say, I am done with you. He doesn't say you have failed beyond repair. Instead, he says, Remember, remember where you started. Remember what it was like when your heart was captivated by my grace. Remember when worship felt fresh. Remember when you couldn't wait to spend time with me. Remember, then return. Correction is not rejection. Correction is an invitation. It is Jesus calling us home. And perhaps, maybe you've been feeling spiritually dry. Maybe your faith has become routine. Maybe your relationship with Christ feels distant. If that's the case, know that he is not standing far away with folded arms. He is calling you back.

Smyrna And Strength In Suffering

Paula Behrens 7:40

The church in Smyrna faced a different challenge. Unlike some of the other churches, Jesus offers no correction here. Instead, he offers encouragement. They were suffering. They faced opposition, they experienced hardship. Yet Jesus reminds them that he knows. I love that word. He knows. Not he knew, not he will know someday, but he knows. He knows every tear, every burden, every fear, every struggle. When we suffer, we sometimes wonder whether God sees what's happening. Revelation reminds us that Jesus never loses sight of his people.

Pergamum And Thyatira Compromise

Paula Behrens 8:23

And then there is a church in Pergamum. This one struggled with compromise. They lived where spiritual darkness was strong. Pressure surrounded them. False teachings crept into the church. The temptation to blend in with culture was real. That sounds familiar, doesn't it? Today, believers face tremendous pressure to compromise biblical truth. The culture often tells us to soften difficult teachings, to stay quiet about our faith, to avoid conversations that might make others uncomfortable, to blend in. But Jesus calls his people to faithfulness, not harshness, not arrogance, faithfulness. The goal is not to win arguments, the goal is to remain loyal to Christ. The church in Thyatira also struggled with compromise. Jesus commended their love, service, faith, and perseverance, yet he addressed areas that needed correction. One of the remarkable things about these letters is that Jesus sees everything. He sees what is good, he sees what needs growth, he sees what others miss. Many of us elevate ourselves by comparison. We compare ourselves to other believers, we compare ourselves to social media images, we compare ourselves to ministry leaders, but Jesus sees deeper than comparison. He sees the heart, and that can be both comforting and challenging.

Sardis' Wake Up Warning And Philadelphia's Faithfulness

Paula Behrens 9:54

The church in Sardis received perhaps one of the most sobering messages. Jesus said they had a reputation for being alive, but they were dead. Imagine hearing that. Outwardly successful, inwardly lifeless. This is a warning for every generation. A church can appear healthy while lacking spiritual vitality. A believer can appear strong while quietly struggling. The solution is not pretending. The solution is awakening. Jesus invites them to wake up, and perhaps that invitation still echoes true today. Wake up, pay attention, listen, return. The church in Philadelphia received tremendous encouragement. They were not the largest church, they were not the strongest church, yet they remained faithful. Jesus praises their perseverance. This reminds us that God measures success differently than the world does. The world celebrates influence, popularity, and numbers. Jesus celebrates faithfulness. Sometimes believers feel ineffective when sharing their faith because they assume they need extraordinary abilities. But Jesus never asks us to be famous. He asks us to be faithful. That truth removes so much pressure. You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to win every debate. You don't have to be a Bible scholar. You simply need to faithfully point people to Jesus.

Laodicea's Lukewarmness And The Knock

Paula Behrens 11:29

The church in Laodicea receives perhaps the strongest correction. They were lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, comfortable, self-sufficient, spiritually complacent. Their wealth created an illusion of security, yet Jesus saw their true condition. One of the dangers facing modern Christians is not persecution, but it might be comfort. Comfort can quietly convince us we no longer need to depend on God. To the church at Laodicea, Jesus lovingly calls them to repent. Then he offers one of the most beautiful invitations. He says, Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. Notice the tenderness. Jesus isn't breaking down the door, he's knocking, he's inviting, he's calling. Such incredible grace. Even after correction comes invitation, even after failure comes mercy, even after drift comes restoration.

Nikaō (νικάω) And What It Means To Overcome

Paula Behrens 12:31

Now I want to pause and look at one important Greek word that appears repeatedly throughout Revelation. The word is nikaō, nikaō (νικάω). This Greek word is usually translated as overcome, conquer, or to be victorious. Jesus repeatedly says to the one who overcomes and then follows with incredible promises. In the ancient world, this word described victory after a struggle. It didn't mean avoiding conflict, it meant remaining faithful through conflict. The overcomer was not someone who never faced challenges. The overcomer was someone who persevered despite challenges. That matters because many Christians assume spiritual victory means having an easy life. Well, Revelation teaches something different. Spiritual victory means remaining faithful to Christ through trials, temptations, disappointments, hardships, and opposition. The victory comes not from our strength, but from our connection to Jesus, who has already won the ultimate victory through his death and Resurrection. When Jesus speaks about overcoming, he is encouraging ordinary believers like you and me. He is speaking to people who struggle, people who get tired, people who face temptation, and people who sometimes feel weak. In other words, he's speaking to people like us. Through his grace, we can overcome because we belong to the one who has already conquered sin, death, and the grave.

The One Who Knows

Paula Behrens 14:04

Okay, one thing that runs through all seven letters is that Jesus knows. He knows the churches, he knows their circumstances, he knows their victories, he knows their weaknesses, he knows their struggles. Nothing is hidden from him. That truth can feel intimidating at first, but it's actually comforting if you think about it. Because the one who knows us completely also loves us completely. The one who corrects us is the one who died for us. The one who calls us to repent is the one who extends mercy. The one who sees our failures is the one who offers grace. Another

Hearing Jesus Above The Noise

Paula Behrens 14:45

common theme is that of Jesus inviting his people to listen, not just hear, but listen. There's a difference. We all hear sounds every day, but listening requires attention. Listening requires humility. Listening requires a willing heart. I wonder if one reason many Christians struggle to reach others for Christ is because we have become distracted by so many competing voices. We hear the news, we hear social media, we hear political opinions, we hear cultural arguments, we hear endless noise, and sometimes the voice of Jesus gets drowned out. But these first few chapters of Revelation call us back, back to listening, back to paying attention, back to hearing what the Spirit is saying. And when we hear Him clearly, something changes. Our hearts soften, our love deepens, our faith strengthens, our courage grows, and sharing Christ becomes more natural. The

Different Struggles For Seven Churches

Paula Behrens 15:55

seven churches revealed different struggles. Some battled compromise, some battled complacency, some battled suffering, some battled spiritual drift, some remained faithful. Yet all of them received the same invitation. Hear what the Spirit is saying. As we continue through this Revelation series, we will encounter incredible visions, heavenly worship, spiritual conflict, and God's ultimate victory. But before we move further, we need to remember that prophecy begins with discipleship. Before we focus on future events, Jesus focuses on present hearts. Before he shows us what is coming, he asks us whether we are listening. Before he reveals future victories, he invites us into present faithfulness. As we close today, spend some time reading Revelation chapters 2 and 3 slowly, and ask God to show you which letter speaks most directly to your own heart. Listen carefully for his invitation. Remember that his correction is not condemnation, it is love. His warnings are not rejection, they are mercy. His call is not meant to drive you away, it's meant to draw you closer.

Companion Resources And Closing Thoughts

Paula Behrens 17:10

And if you would like to go deeper into this study, I invite you to visit my store at PaulaBehrens.com/store and look for the "Revelation (Part 2)" companion study. In this printable resource, you'll find group Bible study questions, personal reflection exercises, and a deeper exploration of Revelation chapters two and three, all designed to help you hear what the Spirit is saying as you grow stronger in your walk with Christ. Again, go to Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /store and look for the "Revelation (Part 2)" study in the "Printable Resources" section. Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more listeners like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His Wisdom. See you next time.