Formed in the Desert: The Faith Born in Silence

By: Pastor José Flávio Macieira — 2025

God's validation is often found in the silence, far from the applause of men.

“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. [...] I did not consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia...” (Galatians 1:11-12, 16b-17a NIV)

In our world, credibility is built on external validation. A degree from a prestigious university, a certification from a respected body, a "like" from an influential person, the endorsement of a mentor. The logical route for anyone starting a new career or ministry is to seek the approval and knowledge of those who came before. That is why the path Paul took after his conversion is so radical and instructive for us. He turns this logic upside down.

Paul insists that his message is not secondhand: "I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." He is establishing a vital difference between learning about God and receiving a revelation from God. Theoretical knowledge is good, but unshakable faith is born from a personal and transformative encounter with the living Christ. Paul is telling us that his conviction was not an echo of what Peter or James told him, but the result of a direct, personal transaction with heaven. This challenges us not to be content with a faith based only on what we have heard from others, but to seek our own genuine encounter with Jesus through His Word and His Spirit.

The proof of his claim lies in his surprising action. After his life-changing encounter with Jesus, what was his first move? "I did not consult any human being... nor did I go up to Jerusalem... but I went into Arabia." Arabia, at that time, represented the desert, solitude, isolation. Instead of running to the "seminary" of the apostles in Jerusalem to be trained and validated, Paul retreats into the silence of the desert to be taught by God. In biblical tradition, the desert is God's classroom. It was there that Moses, Elijah, and Jesus Himself were forged. The desert strips us of our self-reliance, silences us from the noise of the world, and forces us into total dependence on God. Paul understood that for the revelation of Christ to deepen in his soul, he needed time alone with the Master, away from the influence and opinions of other people.

Only "after three years" does he go up to Jerusalem, and even then, his visit is brief and limited. He did not go to get a diploma, but to extend a hand in fellowship. This teaches us a powerful lesson about our own spiritual formation. Although community, mentors, and group learning are vital (and Paul never denied them), they do not replace our "desert seasons." It is in the moments of solitude, silence, and personal seeking that God solidifies our calling, purifies our motivations, and gives us a conviction that no human opinion can shake. As Psalm 46:10 says: "Be still, and know that I am God." The true strength of our faith is not forged on stages, but in the silence of the desert with God.

Challenge

Today, find 15 minutes to create your own "mini-desert." Turn off your phone, the TV, and any other distractions. Take a single Bible verse, read it slowly, and instead of "studying" it, simply ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through it. Just listen. Practice the art of being still to know that He is God.

Time to Reflect

1. Is your faith based more on what you have learned from others or on a personal revelation of Christ?

2. How do you react to "desert seasons" in your life (periods of loneliness, silence, or waiting)? Do you see them as punishment or as an opportunity for formation?

3. From whom do you most seek validation for your faith or your calling? How does Paul's example challenge you to shift that focus?

4. What prevents you from spending more time in silence, alone with God?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I long to know You more deeply. Forgive me for seeking the validation of men more than a revelation from You. Help me not to fear the desert seasons, but to see them as an invitation to greater intimacy with You. Speak to my heart in the silence. May my faith be grounded not in echoes, but in Your clear and personal voice. In Jesus' name, amen.

A faith built in the classroom can be shaken by a new argument; a faith forged in the desert with God withstands any storm.