Jonathan Cahn’s 5 Steps to Becoming a Christian Who Pleases God

Since The Book of Mysteries hit the shelves, New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Cahn has been reaching nations across the globe with his groundbreaking insight. With nearly half-a-million copies sold, The Book of Mysteries continues to lure readers on a journey through ancient secrets, guided by a stranger known only as “the teacher.”

But within the pages of age-old scrolls and end-time revelation are biblically grounded principles for the everyday Christian. From resisting temptation to devoting your life to God, these teachings train you to become the kind of Christian you aspire to be.

1. Appoint Your Days

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

This proverb means more than “Life is short. Live wisely.” What many don’t know is that, in the original Hebrew language, it says, “Teach us to manah our days.” Manah means “to prepare” and “to appoint.”

We are not called to live passively within the guardrails of what is wise in God’s eyes. Appointing our days means we purpose them. We dedicate each day to Him. Pray that God uses your days to bring about growth and blessing.

2. Avoid the Door to Temptation

“For the lips of an immoral woman drip as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. … Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house” (Prov. 5:3-4, 8).

Don’t just avoid sin. Don’t even just avoid temptation. Avoid the door to that temptation.

The book of Proverbs uses the example of an immoral woman and says to “not go near the door of her house” (v. 8). This is the secret to dealing with temptation: don’t deal with it at all.

“You’ll avoid the temptation,” says the teacher in The Book of Mysteries. “For it is the wise who, instead of dealing with temptation and sin, deal with doors.”

3. Create the Holiest Place on Earth

“But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matt. 6:6).

In The Book of Mysteries, the teacher tells you about the kodesh hakodashim, or the holy of holies. It was the innermost chamber of the temple and considered the holiest place of the sanctuary because it harbored the glory and presence of God. It was also off-limits to everyone except the high priest once a year on Yom Kippur.

A curtain separated the kodesh hakodashim from the rest of the temple. But when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two” (Matt. 27:51b) and the intermediary priest was no longer needed for us to access God. Our relationship with our Father was restored.

Now the holiest place on earth is wherever you go to be in God’s presence. We’re called to separate from distractions so that we can seek His presence.

4. Let Go of Everything

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:6-7).

“According to the Scriptures, it’s impossible to have.” So the teacher reveals in the thirtieth mystery of The Book of Mysteries. “To have” does not exist in the Hebrew of Scripture. The words “have,” “mine,” “my,” “his” and “theirs” found in the Old Testament are translations. While they’re accurate, there is still a larger, practical meaning to the absence of “have” in the divine tongue.

Our ability to have is an illusion. Part of living with eternity in mind is understanding that everything of this world is temporary. So “let go of your possessions, your problems, your burdens, your life” and value God as the only true possession.

5. Bless Those Who Hate You

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16).

“What if the sun only gave its light to those who deserved its light?”

“The teacher asks this to make a point: love others not because of who they are, but because of who you are. As Christians, we are children of a God who tells us to ‘bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you’ (Matt. 5:44).”

When your light only shines on those who are “worthy,” you cease to be light. Demonstrate God’s unconditional love to others, and you will be the light of the world.

The Book of Mysteries is a daily devotional unlike any other. New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Cahn takes you on a journey uncovering spiritual truth, end-times mysteries and secrets of life. This book features 365 mysteries, including “The Mystery of the Eighth Day,” “The Journey of the Bridegroom,” “The Portal,” “How to Alter Your Past,” “The Face in the Waters,” “The Maccabean Blueprint” and much more. Now available in trade paper.