16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17 WEB)
Scripture is Sooooo Important!
To hear God, you need to know what the Bible says. Plain and simple. It doesn’t mean you need to have vast amounts committed to memory, but you need to have a basis of Truth. John 1:1 says:
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (WEB)
Did you catch that? In the beginning – in other words, the first thing God gave us was his Word; not dreams or visions – His Word! It is important!
If you need more proof, John continues in verse 14, saying the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Therefore, the Word is Jesus, and the Word is the scriptures.
And finally, Hebrew 4:12:
12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (WEB)
Having a foundation of scripture is so important. I can’t stress it enough. I love Hebrews 4:12 – The word of God is ALIVE and ACTIVE! Thousands of years after being written, it still is the word the truth. It will rightly divide and judge between true and false.
If you don’t have a biblical basis, how will you know whose voice you’re listening to? A lot of voices speak, including your own desires. God will not contradict his Word.
How God Speaks Through His Word
The scriptures give insight into God’s views about everything. For example, let’s take a brief look at how we speak. The words we use are very important. Proverbs 18:21 says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Sound weird? When God created the heavens and the earth he didn’t get a hammer and saw out of his celestial tool shed, he spoke it into existence. If you are thinking – yeah, but I’m not God, consider this: when people are sick or in a difficult spot they often ask for prayer. What is prayer? Can you go into a person’s body and remove a disease or are you speaking to God about the situation?
James chapter three is about being careful how you speak. Although the tongue is a small body part, it can do great damage if not controlled. James compares our words to a spark that sets an entire forest on fire. What comes out of our mouths can do the same amount of damage. You can speak blessings or curses over a person, place, or thing. God’s words created the universe, and ours also carry great power.
The Bible contains teachings about gossip, slander, foolish talk, and crude jokes. Did you know that, or is that new information to you? If it is new, God just spoke to you through his word.
The book of Proverbs is a great place to start. There are thirty-one chapters; try reading one chapter each day. In a month, you will complete that book. Many people make this a habit and read the book several times a year. It is full of instructions on how to live. You won’t be able to change everything at once, especially where your mouth is concerned, but consistent reading will help you.
But it’s toooooooo hard to understand, and you may be lamenting. No, it’s not. Reading Shakespeare is too hard! You will not understand everything, as many things have profound meanings, but you will understand the basics. The next time you read through, you will pick up something you missed the first time, which will continue each time you read. God’s word will speak each time you reread things!
Are You Willing to Believe?
Are you willing to believe that the scriptures are true even if they go against your worldview? That is a big deal; you may have to lay down your opinions to let God speak his truth. If you don’t, you create a God of your own design, and you will not hear correctly.
As I said in the last blog, God is most concerned about speaking to you and building your character. It doesn’t mean you need to be a biblical scholar to hear, but you will need to know the word to understand what the Spirit is saying. Trust me, most of what you hear initially will be all about you. God always speaks the truth in love. Even when difficult, God tempers it with love, not condemnation and judgment. He is not out to cause more pain – he is the healer!
Dive into the word and discover the truth!
Until next time under the palm, be blessed!
