All of us must eat in order to live and grow. This applies to the spiritual realm as well. Therefore, if we want to live the Christian life and grow spiritually, we must feed on the Word of God
–the BIBLE.

The Bible comprises of 66 books in two parts – the Old Testament and the New Testament, was written over a period of approximately 1,500 years and in three languages – Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Yet the Bible has only one great theme and central figure – Jesus Christ and one supreme Author – the Holy Spirit of God.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

We must not be tempted to think that only some parts of the Bible are relevant. It is God's Word, which is full of sound and vital advice. It is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness".

Those who wholeheartedly receive the Word of God into their lives will produce many wonderful effects within them.

a. A person can only be [SAVED] and have [ETERNAL LIFE] when he is born again.

But he is only born again when he receives the incorruptible seed of God's Word into his heart. That seed, when received into the heart by faith, will germinate and bring forth divine, eternal, incorruptible life.

 

1 Peter 1:23 - "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."

a. For full spiritual development, a Christian must [STUDY] and [APPLY] the teachings of the whole Bible.

Just as babies need milk (good, wholesome food) to grow in health and strength, as a young Christian, you need to feed on [SPIRITUAL MILK] which is the Word of God, to grow spiritually.

1 Peter 2:2 – "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."

Matthew 4:4 - "It is written: ' Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

To Job, the spiritual food of God's Word is more important than his daily bread.

Job 23:12 - "I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread."

 

D. It gives us [VICTORY] over sin and the devil.

a. God's Word will [CONVICT] us of any sin that is still hidden in our hearts.

We must do something about our sins if we want to maintain a close relationship with God.

Hebrews 4:12 – "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

b. Many people [STRUGGLE] to live a clean, godly life.

As a Christian we can live a pure life by carefully applying the teaching of God's Word to every area of our life.

Psalm 119:9 –"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."

c. To keep ourselves from sinning against God, we must [HIDE] or [STORE] up God's Word in our hearts.

We hide God's Word in our hearts by memorizing it!

Psalm 119:11–"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

d. When a young man abides in the Word of God, two things will happen:

i. It makes him [STRONG].

ii. He [OVERCOMES] the evil one (the devil).

1 John 2:14 – "... I write to you, young men because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one."

e. The Word of God is such a powerful weapon that Jesus used it all the time to overcome the devil (read Matthew 4). He did not use His own words to answer the devil.

• He always answered Satan by quoting a Bible verse.
• He said, "It is [WRITTEN]...It is [WRITTEN]...It is [WRITTEN]..." three times.

Jesus knew how to hide God's Word in His heart and used it as a powerful weapon against Satan. We should follow His example!

a. Just as a lamp on a dark night shows us where to go, so God's Word gives us [LIGHT], guidance and leads us in the way we should go in life.

Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

a. God's love is made [PERFECT] in a Christian by the keeping of His Word.

The ultimate evidence that distinctly mark you out from the world as a disciple of Jesus Christ is your obedience of God's Word.

1 John 2:5 – "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him."

Your Attitude Toward God's Word = Your Attitude Toward God Himself.

 

" You do not love God more than you love His Word.
You do not obey God more than you obey His Word.
You do not honor God more than you honor His Word.
You do not make room in your heart and life for God more than
you do for His Word! "

G. APPLICATION

To get a grasp of God's Word, we need to remember these 6 things:

1. The need to HEAR God's Word.

Romans 10:17 –"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

2. The need to READ God's Word.

1 Timothy 4:13 – "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching."

3. The need to STUDY God's Word.

2 Timothy 2:15 – "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

4. The need to MEMORIZE God's Word.

Psalm 119:11 – "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

5. The need to MEDITATE on God's Word.

Joshua 1:8 – "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; mediate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

6. The need to OBEY God's Word.

John 14:15 – "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

 

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