ESOCS Devotional 1 August 2025 – What Do Men Say I Am?
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jesus went out, and his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, whom do men say that I am?” Mark 8:27
TEXT: MARK 8:22–38
Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, [a]“Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”
27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”
28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not [b]mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
Everybody life has a voice. “He said I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness…. John 1:23. We exist practically as a voice in our generation; hence, every simple day of our life is saying something to our world. It is also important we note that our outcome in this life and the life to come is determined by the message of our life. The message the voice of our life is passing today will significantly tell where we will be now and in eternity.
Let us equally add that what your life is saying determines what men are saying about you. Yes! What is heard from you determines what is said about you. Realizing the importance of the statement of our life is making per time, Jesus in the middle of their journey asked the disciples, what is being said about Him?
Beloved, permit us to ask the following questions today as the new month begins: What are people saying about you? What is the message of your life to all those who know you closely? Forget about the camouflage and packaging, what are the people who relate more with you (spouse, children, colleagues, classmates, neighbours etc.) saying about you. Many times we dismiss them by saying, ‘Don’t mind them’. Please, we beg you; mind them because it will help you reflect properly on how you are daily living your life.
Secondly, what is hell saying about you? What is the testimony of the demons about you? Are they afraid of your prayer life, character, study and fellowship? I am sure the seven sons of Sceva can share their experience (Acts 19:14–15). Please, don’t assume, be very sure.
Thirdly, what is God saying about you? It must be clear that God knows its own (2 Tim. 2:19; Matt. 3:17). Irrespective of all we claim to be doing, God knows its own. Today provides a perfect opportunity to go to God and ask how you are doing. Remember, there is no repentance in the grave.
Lastly, what are you saying about yourself? What you don’t confront, you can never conquer, tell yourself the truth. Are you honestly happy with your life? The worst thing ever is to lie to yourself. Prophet Isaiah realized and told himself the truth (Isaiah 6:1–5).
Live in such a way that on daily basis the correct message is passed about your life by all concerned parties.
CHALLENGES
- Do not totally ignore what people are saying about you; examine your life on daily basis.
- Never assume that you are living right, always go back to God and ascertain your stand with Him.
- Maintain God’s presence always to discover the truth of your life.
PRAYERS POINT
- Father, thank you for the re-examination word today, forgive my days of passing the wrong message with my life and grant me the grace to live correctly always in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Micah 2:1-13; 3:1-End; Mark 9:1-137
ESOCS Devotional 1 August 2025
