The Word or the World?
“I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11, NASB).
Living in a world of differing voices and opinions, how do you view the Word of God?
Some people might consider Scripture as only a historical book, recounting tales of the past. Others view the Bible as a book of helps and suggestions. Still yet, others consider the Word of God to be obsolete and meaningless.
Do you fall into any of these camps? If you view Scripture as anything other than God-given, authoritative, inspired, true, and essential, then you do not have an accurate, God-honoring perspective.
The psalmist speaks of treasuring God’s word within his heart. The idea of treasuring implies hiding or storing. By hiding and storing Scripture within the heart and mind, one can meditate on truth, allowing it to guide and instruct.
As seen in Psalm 119:11, God uses Scripture to shape our hearts so that we might “not sin against You.” How can we recognize sin or know how to please God if we don’t realize what He has said?
Without reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God, we are flying blind. Areas of our life might be offensive to God, and we would have no idea.
The world endlessly attempts to debunk Scripture, but always to no avail. The world tries to influence and even intimidate us into denying the truth of God’s Word.
However, Paul gives this warning: “See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ” (Colossians 2:8, NASB).
The world can present various messages in the most beautiful packaging, and if we are not careful, we will fall captive to manmade philosophy (elevating man’s thoughts above God’s). This error leads to misinterpreting or ignoring God’s Word.
We must commit now to becoming students of the Scriptures. The expectation is to spend time in the Bible every day (Matthew 4:4), asking the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.
As Dr. John Tolson states in the first episode of his Red Glasses Talks series, “It’s never too late to become a man or a woman of the Bible.”
As the Holy Spirit illuminates the Word of God, we are called to obedience. If an area of your life does not align with Scripture, confess it, and ask God to give strength to live a transformed life.
Some biblical texts call us to sit before the Lord, meditating on His goodness. We must be willing to obey.
God lays other passages on our hearts for the purpose of prayer. Pray Scripture when God presents the opportunity. It pleases the Lord when we call out His very words in prayer.
As we are confronted by a world that resists and hates the things of God, cherish His very words. Cling to the truth of Scripture, and treasure them in your heart.
“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17, NASB).
