Keep It Tight: Staying Grounded in the Teachings of Christ
In a world flooded with content and commentary, spiritual discernment is no longer optional—it’s essential. Today’s platforms are saturated with voices, revelations, and “new teachings” that often drift far from the simplicity of Christ’s message. But what happens when we run ahead of what Jesus taught? According to Scripture, we risk losing more than clarity—we risk losing connection with God Himself.
“Keep it tight.”
That’s the word I heard in prayer yesterday. It wasn’t just about boundaries, it was about alignment—keeping a close, unwavering grip on the doctrine of Christ. Not man’s expansion of it, not culture’s revision of it, and not charisma’s distortion of it. Just Christ.
Let’s take a look at this sharp and sobering word from the Apostle John:
2 John 1:9 (AMP) Anyone who runs on ahead and does not remain in the doctrine of Christ [that is, one who is not content with what He taught], does not have God; but the one who continues to remain in the teaching [of Christ does have God], he has both the Father and the Son.
John isn’t calling for blind tradition. He’s calling for faithful obedience. The Greek word for “runs ahead” here is προάγων (proagōn)—to go beyond, to move forward prematurely, presumptuously. In other words, to break formation.
Many Are Running Ahead
Jesus preached the Kingdom of God, not personal kingdoms, brand building, or algorithm-driven revelations. He called us to:
- Love one another
- Pray always
- Bear good fruit
- Remain in Him
His words were not burdensome—they removed burdens. (See Matthew 11:28–30.)
But on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, we now see a rise of those unknowingly “going beyond what Christ taught”—peddling complicated doctrines that sound deep but leave the soul dry.
What’s worse? John says those who host or affirm these voices participate in their error (2 John 1:10–11). In other words: co-signing confusion makes you complicit.
Don’t Confuse Revelation with Disconnection
There is a difference between spiritual growth and spiritual drift.
Revelation from God always confirms and amplifies what Jesus already taught—not replace it. If your “new word” can’t be reconciled with the red letters in Scripture, it’s not divine—it’s deception.
Alpha Identity Insight: Identity Health
This is where Identity Health becomes critical. When you’re not rooted in who Christ is, you’ll become vulnerable to anyone who sounds confident. But a confident tone doesn’t equal a credible teaching.
Closing Word: Stay Anchored
We’re not called to be content consumers—we’re called to be disciples. That means not chasing spiritual trends, but abiding in truth. The truth isn’t a concept. It’s a person—Jesus (John 14:6).
So today, remember this:
Keep it tight. Stay close to what Christ actually taught. Don’t run ahead. Don’t drift. Don’t co-sign error in the name of love.
The more tightly you hold to Him, the more clearly you’ll hear from Him.
Hakim Taliaferro is a faith-driven entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Alpha Talk and The Taliaferro, a luxury fragrance house. With a heart for equipping Kingdom-minded leaders, Hakim blends spiritual wisdom and marketplace strategy to help others walk boldly in their God-given identity and assignment. He is a devoted husband, father, and mentor committed to building legacy through faith, excellence, and authenticity.