I’ve been guilty of only saying an Amen to the parts of the word that felt good to my flesh.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMPC), it says, “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The reference above lets us know that there’s a purpose for the word of God. When you don’t know the purpose of a thing, you’re more likely to devalue and misuse it. Bottom line, the word of God has been given to HELP us so that we may become fully equipped to be successful. Who doesn’t want help? You’d be surprised… Like anything, you can’t receive from someone or something that you don’t honor or place a value upon. Therefore, if you don’t see the word of God as valuable and precious, you won’t be able to receive the full benefits that are available within.
Psalm 119:30, says that the entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
This lets us know that if we’re willing to receive the word of God, open our hearts to its power, then it can give us understanding in the areas that we need help in. You don’t even have to be a bible scholar or someone who’s been in the church for a long time. Don’t you know that there’s people who have been in the church for a long time but haven’t allowed the word to be in them? We don’t want that to be said of us.
So what do you do with the word, once you receive it?
Polished Power Thought
You don't even have to be a bible scholar or someone who's been in the church for a long time.
As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Colossians. 2:6
Once you receive the word of God, you need to do what the word of God says to the point where you no longer do what you used to do. When you continue doing something, you’ll notice that you change or conform in some way – whether good or bad. Colossians 2:6 lets us know that if we really receive Christ, then our lives will be changed in such a way that everything we do is regulated according to the word of God.
I know, I can hear you saying, that’s easier said than done. Notice that scripture says, …walk in union… You need to know that you can’t do The Word without the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one that will lead and guide you into all truth. (John 16:13) The word of God is also likened to a lamp that lights up our path as we walk according to God's will. (Psalm 119:105). That means it exposes or shines a light in the midst of darkness but also provides guidance so that you can see which way to go. Your flesh only wants to do what it wants to do. That’s why we must train our spirit with the word so that we gain the power to overcome our flesh.
What do you need to do, in order to do the word?
So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. James 1:21-22 (AMPC)
Polished Power Thought
The key to doing the word is that we must obey the message completely.
I absolutely love God’s word! The scriptures above tell us to get rid of our mess; let go of our pride, humble ourselves and welcome the help that the word of God provides. Then and only then can we become a doer of the word that we received. The key to doing the word is that we must obey the message completely. I’ve been guilty of only saying an Amen to the parts of the word that felt good to my flesh. Then I wondered why I was still dealing with certain issues – it was because I didn’t fully obey ALL that was written. Have you ever had an infection and the physician gave you antibiotics to take for a specific period of time? Many times, the prescription will tell you to take ALL of it. If we can follow the instructions from man, how come we can’t follow the prescription for life that’s been outlined in God’s word?
It’s simple. The choice is yours. It does matter what you do with the word of God. Let’s not be simply hearers of the word of God but DOERS so that we protect ourselves from deception as well as unnecessary battles. Make a decision to welcome the word of God with joy, choose to daily walk in union with the Holy Spirit, and watch your life and circumstances change from the inside-out.
What you DO with the word of God, matters!