When Following Jesus Gets Hard: Choosing Life Over the Devil

By Dwayne Moore

There are moments in Scripture where decisions are made that echo far beyond the moment itself. John 6:66–71 is one of those passages that forces us to confront a difficult reality we all face in our faith journey.

In this brief but sobering scene, several people make life-changing choices: choices that involve not just Jesus, but the devil himself.

Featured Scripture

“At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, ‘Are you also going to leave?’Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.’Then Jesus said, ‘I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.’ He was speaking of Judas…one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.”: John 6:66–71

This passage forces us to wrestle with a difficult reality: following Jesus always involves choosing between voices.

When Disciples Walk Away

John tells us that many of Jesus’ disciples turned away. These weren’t casual observers. They had walked with Him. Listened to Him. Benefited from His miracles.

But when Jesus’ teaching became uncomfortable: when it challenged their expectations, their appetites, and their understanding: they left.

Scripture doesn’t tell us Satan’s name was spoken that day, but his fingerprints are everywhere.

The enemy thrives in confusion, disgust, and disillusionment. He whispers just enough doubt to turn discomfort into desertion. Those disciples made their own choice and were accountable for it: but make no mistake, the devil was prowling, looking for someone to devour.

Peter’s Choice: Life Over Everything Else

Then comes one of the most powerful questions Jesus ever asked:

“Are you also going to leave?”

Peter’s answer reveals the heart of true discipleship:

“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”

Peter didn’t say he understood everything.
He didn’t say it was easy.
He simply acknowledged the truth:

No one else: not the world, not success, not religion, and not Satan himself: has the words of eternal life.

Peter chose Jesus over every other option. This is the choice we face daily in our worship leadership and in our walk with Christ.

Judas: When Proximity Doesn’t Equal Transformation

Then Jesus drops a chilling truth:

“One of you is a devil.”

Jesus was speaking of Judas.

There is no denying that Judas was controlled and consumed by Satan and his demonic influence. What’s startling is not just Judas’ betrayal: but Jesus’ awareness of it.

Jesus chose Judas.
Jesus walked with Judas for three years.
Jesus allowed the other disciples to be around him.

Why?

Why Would Jesus Choose a Devil?

The most common explanation is that Judas was needed to fulfill the plan of redemption: and that’s true. Judas was the insider who betrayed Jesus, leading to the crucifixion.

But Jesus had other options. He could have allowed a Pharisee to discover His whereabouts later. The betrayal didn’t have to come from Judas.

So why choose him from the beginning?

Several reasons make sense:

Jesus may have hoped Judas would repent by staying close to the light.

Judas served as a living warning of what greed and disobedience look like.

He embodied the parable of the weeds: someone who appeared faithful but followed the wrong father.

He illustrated the painful truth that some will fall away, and that it’s God’s role to do the weeding, not ours.

All of these may be true.

But here’s the bottom line:

Jesus chose Judas because He was obeying the will of His Father.

Obedience Over Understanding

Jesus prayed all night before choosing His disciples. He didn’t rely on instinct or logic. He listened.

Certain prophecies: like Psalm 41:9, where a trusted friend betrays the Messiah: had to be fulfilled. Jesus wasn’t free to question or negotiate them. His role was simple and costly:

Trust the Father. Obey completely.

That same call still applies today in our ministry leadership and personal faith journey.

Not everyone God brings into our lives or ministries will make sense to us. Some relationships may feel risky. Some people may test our discernment and patience.

But obedience isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about trusting the voice of God above every other voice.

A Personal Invitation to Trust

The most important job in leadership: and in life: isn’t figuring everything out. It’s trusting and obeying the still, small voice of God.

The devil is real. His influence is subtle. And the choices before us are often quieter than we expect.

Like Peter, we must decide: again and again:

To whom will we go?

This question becomes especially relevant when we’re facing challenges in our worship ministries, dealing with difficult team members, or questioning God’s direction for our lives. The principles we see in this passage apply directly to our leadership journey.

At Next Level Worship, we’ve seen countless worship leaders face these same crossroads. The choice between trusting God’s plan and leaning on our own understanding isn’t a one-time decision: it’s a daily commitment.

When Following Jesus Gets Costly

Following Jesus becomes particularly challenging when:

• His teaching confronts our comfort zones
• We don’t understand His methods or timing
• We’re surrounded by others who are walking away
• We face betrayal from those closest to us
• We’re asked to trust God’s plan over our own wisdom

In these moments, we have the same choice Peter faced. We can focus on what we don’t understand, or we can anchor ourselves to what we do know: Jesus has the words of eternal life.

The Devil’s Strategy in Leadership

Satan’s approach hasn’t changed since that day by the Sea of Galilee. He still:

• Exploits confusion and doubt
• Uses discomfort to create desertion
• Whispers alternatives that seem more reasonable
• Works through proximity and familiarity
• Targets our understanding rather than our obedience

As worship leaders and ministry leaders, we must recognize these tactics and choose to respond like Peter rather than like the deserting disciples or like Judas.

Choosing Life Over the Devil

When following Jesus gets hard, remember:

God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are above our thoughts.

Your most important job in life and leadership isn’t figuring everything out or knowing everything; it’s trusting and obeying His still, small voice and His every command.

This means:

• Running with the people God brings, even when it doesn’t make sense
• Mentoring those He calls you to mentor, regardless of your doubts
• Trusting His sovereignty in your ministry community and team

The choice is always before us: will we trust our limited human perspective, or will we humble ourselves before the Sovereign One who rules and reigns?

A Prayer for Obedience

Holy and wise God, my eternal and loving Father,
You alone are sovereign. You rule and reign over my heart and over this world.

Forgive me for leaning on my limited understanding. I confess that even after years of following You, I sometimes trust my own reasoning more than Your Word.

Help me resist the devil and refuse the subtle temptation to choose anything over You.
I choose today to listen, trust, and obey the Voice of Truth.

Amen.

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When the path gets difficult and the choices unclear, remember Peter’s words: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” That truth remains our anchor, no matter how hard following Jesus becomes.