Send us Fan Mail Somebody sold you a Jesus who makes life easier. That was a lie. Jesus didn't die to upgrade your lifestyle. He died to end your old life so His life could begin in you. In this episode of Discipleship Decoded, Malden Mitchell talks to you straight, man to man, about the cross most of us have been wearing like a good-luck charm instead of carrying it. The problem A lot of us are sitting in church thinking we're good while we're really living for our own comfort, plans, and reputation, with a little Jesus sprinkled on the side. We treat God like a cosmic butler: "Bless this. Fix that. Make my life work." We never pray, "Kill what needs to die in me." Then we wonder why we feel stuck. The comfort you're clinging to and the reputation you're guarding are the very things keeping you from the life God has for you. On the outside you look like a grown man. On the inside you might still be a spiritual little boy. What the Word says (NLT) Luke 9:23–24: "Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.'"Galatians 2:20: "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."Romans 6:4: "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives."The gospel answer Jesus was crucified so you could be crucified with Him. He was buried so your old life could be buried with Him. He was raised so you can walk in a brand-new life. But you can't have the resurrection without the crucifixion, the power without the death, or the glory without the grave. You're not waiting on God. He's waiting on you. And He loves you more than you could ever know. What to do this week Write down what you're protecting. Name it and face it.Pick one area where you've chosen comfort over obedience, and surrender it today, not next week.Change the question you ask. Instead of "God, why is this so hard?" ask "God, what are You trying to kill in me?"Read Luke 9:23 every morning for 30 days, and ask, "What cross am I supposed to carry today?"Stop suffering in silence. Get around brothers who will hold you accountable and call you higher.In this episode The lie of a comfortable ChristianityWhy the cross is an execution device, not a good-luck charmMalden's story of treating God like a cosmic butlerCulture says build yourself up. Christ says lay yourself down.The gospel: crucified, buried, and raised with ChristThe Huddle: a brotherhood for men who are done faking itKeep going 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://www.discipleshipdecoded.org/listen.html ▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr5v8mfKM4tI07MtNwmu1bQ 🤝 Want in on The Huddle, our small group for committed men? Leave a comment on the YouTube channel and we'll follow up. If this hit you, follow the show and send it to one brother who needs it. Topics: following Jesus, cost of discipleship, Luke 9:23, take up your cross, deny yourself, Christian men, comfort vs. calling, spiritual growth, surrender, accountability Episode Footer: Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Discipleship Decoded! We hope that this message has encouraged and equipped you to break free from the chains of addiction and step into the victorious life that God has for you. If you've been impacted by what you've heard today, we'd love to hear from you! Please take a moment to leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to share this episode with anyone in your life who may be struggling with addiction. At Discipleship Decoded, our mission is to equip and empower believers to live out their faith with passion, purpose, and unshakable conviction. So if you're looking for more resources to help you grow in your walk with Jesus, be sure to check out our website at www.discipleshipdecoded.org. There you'll find a wealth of teachings, tools, and community support to help you navigate the journey of discipleship. And if you're not already a part of the Discipleship Decoded family, we'd love to have you join us! Head over to our website and sign up for our email list to receive exclusive content, updates, and special offers. You can also connect with us on social media by following @discipleshipdecoded on all major platforms. Once again, thank you for being a part of this community and for your commitment to living out the gospel in every area of your life. Remember, no matter what chains may be holding you back, there is hope and fre...
