Monday, March 19, 2012

Abiding in God's Word


I become more and more convinced of the importance of hiding God's word in our hearts. This was brought to mind again yesterday as I was teaching of Jesus' temptation by Satan from Luke 4. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to come face to face with Satan. Three times Jesus comes against Satan's temptations with quotes from the Old Testament. This gives us an example directly from our Savior, who was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin, how we are to come against the temptations we face. Ephesians 6:11 tells us. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” A very important piece of that armor is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

Another reason for being in God's word and knowing it is to be able to come against the lies of Satan, discouragement, and despair with the truths of the word.1 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...” The Holy Spirit uses God's word to convict us of sin and bring us to repentance. Hebrew 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God's word gives us guidance. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” Psalm 119:105. We go to God's word daily for comfort, assurance, peace, and strength. 

Finally, I love the admonition and promise in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Spend time in God's word this week.

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