Understanding the Word of God

As a ministry that has taught the Word of God for over 30 years, we know the power of God’s Word in the lives of His children. The Word of God reveals Who He is; some of His plans past, present and future; His interaction with and love for humanity; His redemptive plan through His Son Jesus Christ, and more. The Word of God is the anchor from and to God for ALL things pertaining to our lives now and eternally.

Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Psalm 119:89 states, “Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” Isaiah 40:8 states, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” The Word of God is crucial to a person knowing God through His Son Jesus Christ and living with Him eternally.

James warns us of some important things regarding the Word of God:

Listening, but Not Doing:

James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

We may be disciplined in reading the Bible every day, but if we are not putting into practice what we read, we are deceiving ourselves. This time can become a religious exercise or routine practice if we are not careful. Instead, there must be a deep desire to hear God speak to us and an absolute willingness to do whatever He says. The listening must produce active obedience that results in a changed life. If we continually learn what we ought to do, but do not do it, our lives will remain the same or even worse, digress into sin. Thus, resulting in not experiencing intimacy with Him or the blessings promised in His Word. The person who thinks that just listening to the Bible makes one godly is self-deceived. Instead, it is obeying the Word from a heart of pleasing God that produces godliness. A Christian cannot become Christlike without the Word of God. The Word of God demands obedient action from us. Do not be deceived in this. Do not think that hearing is the same as doing. It’s not.

Looking, but Forgetting:

James 1:23-24 – “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

During the time when James wrote this, mirrors were made of highly polished metal, not glass, and so a person’s reflection was not as clear and sharp as it is in today’s mirrors. The individual would have to look intently to see their reflected image. If willing, the Word of God will clearly show us who we are and even the hidden motives of our hearts. But when we just skim over the Word of God with no intention of obeying the instruction given, we depart having a distorted view of ourselves.

There is another danger of looking into the Word. It is when we see ourselves clearly and then go away forgetting what was revealed to us. For if we forget what we learned, then how will it be put into daily practice? And if it is not put into practice, how will we grow spiritually and live transformed lives? Once again, we are deceived if we believe we can live holy lives apart from listening to and doing God’s will revealed in His Word. The mirror, God’s Word, is flawless in revealing truth. The flaw comes when we casually glance over it and then skip off forgetting what it said about us.

Doing, but Blessed

James 1:25 – But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

In contrast, the person who intently digs into the Word of God determined to know its truth, obey it, and live it out, is a person who will be blessed in what he or she does. This person knows that God’s Word, His law, is perfect and provides the freedom we all desire and need. Freedom from the power of the world, the flesh, and the devil over our lives. Instead, this person does not forget what was heard but continues daily to obey the instruction given, and it results in blessings. This person does not see clearly who they are in the Word of God and then walk away forgetting what was revealed about him or her. Jesus said, “…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32).”

The Word of God is His awesome communication with us that we may know Him and live with Him eternally. If you desire to dig into the Word of God and live it out, not being a forgetful hearer, please join us Wednesdays for prayer and Bible Study. You can send me a message by clicking here. May you be blessed in what you do.