“If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:31–32
In the last study, The Disciple Remains in Christ, we learned that disciples, like a branch, must abide on the vine (Christ), or they will wither and die. Remaining in Christ always leads to abiding in His Word. A disciple’s relationship with Jesus grows deeper as His truth takes root in the heart. Jesus told His followers, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.” To hold on means more letting God’s Word guide, correct, and shape every part of life. The Word is both our foundation and our compass in a world filled with shifting voices.
When Jesus spoke these words in the temple courts of Jerusalem, He was surrounded by a crowd of people who claimed to believe in Him. Yet He knew that belief alone was not enough. True discipleship, He said, is proven not by what we say but by how tightly we “hold to” to His Word. It goes far beyond just saying a prayer or speaking the right words.
Unfortunately, many who claim to have “accepted” Jesus, only pursue a casual relationship with Him – more as an acquaintance than a savior. However, Jesus teaches that disciples must wholeheartedly follow Him, obey His teachings, abide in Him, and trust Him as Lord, not just another contact in their phone. Holding on to His Word is both the foundation and evidence of a genuine relationship with Christ.
In a world that constantly competes for our attention and challenges biblical truth, these words of Jesus cut through the noise: “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.” Jesus invites us not just to listen but to live by His words, to make them the anchor of our lives, the filter for our choices, and the nourishment for our souls.
Holding Fast – the Test of a True Disciple
The Greek word Jesus used for “hold” (menō) means “to remain” or “to continue in.” It’s the same word translated elsewhere as “abide.” This makes His command both personal and lasting. Discipleship is not defined by a momentary confession of faith but by a lifelong commitment to stay rooted in His Word.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day knew the Scriptures well, but their knowledge did not lead to obedience. They treated the Word as a system to master rather than a truth to live by. Jesus exposed this when He said, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me” (John 5:39). This is a warning for every generation – we cannot know about Jesus without actually following Him.
Holding on to His Word means more than memorizing verses or studying the Bible. It means letting His words shape our beliefs and direct our behavior. When temptation comes, His Word becomes our guardrails. When confusion arises, it becomes our GPS. When trials hit, it becomes our strength
To be a disciple is to become a person of the Word, someone whose thoughts, speech, and actions are saturated with Scripture. We cannot separate following Jesus from following His teaching; to know Him is to know His words and to trust them enough to obey. In fact, Jesus tells us that if we do not obey His words, it is impossible to claim we love Him. (John 14:15).
Knowing the Truth – the Path to Freedom
JNext, Jesus links our obedience to our understanding: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Notice the order, freedom follows faithfulness. Many want truth without obedience or freedom without surrender, but Jesus insists that only those who remain in His Word truly know what it means to be free.
Truth in Scripture is not just a knowing a set of facts; it is a Person. Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). To know the truth, therefore, is to know Him personally. As we walk in obedience, His truth penetrates our hearts, exposing lies we’ve believed and healing wounds we’ve carried.
Deception is the most powerful tool of Satan. The enemy’s first tactic has always been to distort God’s Word, “Did God really say?” Once he has achieved his deception, he has opened the door to enslavement. But the Word of Christ held firmly in faith can break through those chains.
However, this freedom is not independence; it is being aligned with His Word. When we live according to God’s truth, we live as we were designed to live – under His lordship and filled with His peace. True freedom is not doing whatever we please but becoming what we were created to be – image-bearers who reflect the character of Christ.
Set Free by the Truth – it Transforms the Heart
Holding on to Jesus’ teaching transforms not just behavior but our very soul. As the Word takes root, it renews our minds (Rom 12:2), purifies our motives (Psa 119:9), and strengthens our ability to remain in Christ. The Word of Christ does what no human wisdom can do; it changes us from the inside out.
The apostle John later wrote, “His anointing teaches you about all things” (1 John 2:27). When we dwell in Scripture, we are not just reading words on a page; we are allowing it to penetrate our hearts and transform us as we encounter the living voice of God. Over time, this relationship forms Christ’s likeness in us.
However, this process requires discipline. We cannot “hold” the Word in us if we rarely open it. It must become part of our daily rhythm of reading, meditating, praying, and obeying. The goal is not merely study God’s Word, but saturate ourselves in it. Like a branch absorbing life from the vine, disciples draw strength from consistent contact with the Word.
What this Means for Disciples Today
Our culture constantly redefines truth, elevating personal opinions and voices from people on the interent, over God’s Word. But Jesus’ disciples must be firmly anchored in the eternal Word of God. They cannot drift with the tides of the world’s opinion; disciples must stand firm on the Rock. This doesn’t mean arrogance or defensiveness. It means having a quiet confidence and a settled conviction that God’s Word is true, good, and sufficient.
Practically speaking, holding on to His Word means far more that reading your bible. It means hiding God’s Word in our hearts (Ps 119:11). Disciplines like studying, meditating, and memorizing Scriptures, can drive it deep into our hearts and minds, leading to true transformation.
However, “holding on to God’s Word”, means far more. It means choosing to obey – even when it’s unpopular. Jesus calls us to trust His promises, even when we don’t understand how they work. It means that we apply His wisdom to our lives, even when it seems opposite to what we see in the world.
Ultimately, disciples who remain in His Word become living testimonies of its power. They don’t just talk about truth; they embody it. Their lives shine with the freedom and joy that only come from walking closely with Jesus. And for those who do, the reward is priceless: freedom that endures, truth that transforms, and the unshakable joy of walking faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.
Scripture study alone is not our goal; it is meant to draw us closer to the One who speaks through it. God’s Word teaches us not only how to live but whom to love. Every verse points us to the person of Jesus, who calls for our full devotion. In the next teaching, Disciples Love Jesus Above All, we’ll explore what it means to love Jesus above all else, to treasure Him more than comfort, success, or even the dearest relationships of this world.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
What does Jesus mean by “holding on” to His teaching?
How is that different from simply hearing or knowing His Word?
Why do you think Jesus links discipleship with obedience to His Word?
What does that tell us about the connection between truth and transformation?
Jesus promises that those who hold to His Word “will know the truth,”
How have you experienced God’s truth bringing clarity or freedom in your own life?
The verse says, “the truth will set you free.”
What kinds of things does Jesus free us from, and what does true spiritual freedom look like for a disciple?
What are some of the modern distractions or lies that compete with God’s truth?
How can we stay grounded in Scripture when culture often tells a different story?
Holding on to God’s Word implies perseverance.
What helps you stay consistent in reading, memorizing, or meditating on Scripture, especially when life feels busy or dry?
My name is Michael Adkins. For several decades I’ve been studying Scripture, developing discipleship resources, and teaching others how to walk more closely with Christ. Currently, I serve as the Discipleship Pathway Leader at Riverside International Church in Cascais, Portugal, where my passion is helping believers grow into mature disciples who live out their faith in everyday life.