No Substitute for God's Word
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (KJV)
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11 (KJV)
There is no substitute for God’s Word. We must learn, love, know, and live out God’s Word for ourselves. No preaching or teaching of the Word that we hear can take the place of our own personal study time with God in His Word. You must study God’s Word to know God for yourself. Little Word means little victory. Regular time in the Word means you’ll have victory regularly.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12 (KJV)
Church services, worship, singing, praying, fasting, witnessing to others about Christ, or talking about the Word to others are all good, but they can’t substitute for your own time spent with God in His Word. God’s Word should be our number one priority in life. We try to use other things to take its place, like food, television, internet, movies, music, relationships, sports, possessions, money, or hobbies, but they fall short. We must know God for ourselves and the top way to do this is byspending time in the Word. Spending time in the Word involves reading, studying, memorizing, meditating, confessing, and singing it. This is how we get it deep inside us so it becomes a part of us. When this happens, we think, speak, and live God’s word. It becomes automatic.
At times, we must disconnect form everyone and everything to daily spend quality time in the Word. His Word is our life, wisdom, power, peace, direction, and answer for every question we have. It is to be our delight and reward.
To grow and be spiritually strong, studying God’s Word daily is vital. It prevents us from being deceived, and we will know what to do each and every day. We will be spiritually strong to overcome the enemy every time. The more time we spend in God’s Word, the more our hunger grows for more of the Word. Then, what used to capture our attention will lose its grip on us. We’ll find we love the Word more than the world. The things of the world will lose their attractiveness to us.
As we continue in God’s Word, we become disciples, or followers of God’s Word and we’ll become freer and freer (John 8:31-32). We’ll be fruitful for God (John 15:1-7).
When you study, always ask Holy Spirit to teach and lead you into all truth and to give you revelation in your studies. The reason we study the Scriptures is to know God, become more Christlike, and to be filled with Holy Spirit. Then, we can take God’s Word and share it with others so we can watch God to amazing things in them and for them.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8 (KJV)
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For more on the importance of God’s Word, see: Psalm 1:2-3, Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 119, Proverbs 2, Luke 4:1-19, Luke 10:38-42, John 4:32- 34, I Timothy 4:11-16
