I recently read an article that listed several Bible “verses” that aren’t actually in the Bible. I’m sure you’ve heard some of these sayings:
God helps those who help themselves.
Spare the rod, spoil the child.
Money is the root of all evil.
This, too, shall pass.
These sayings are popular among Christians, yet they aren’t even found in our Bible.
This demonstrates the importance of reading God’s word for ourselves. These days, we’re flooded with beliefs that are much more harmful than the few misquotes I’ve shared. We live in a world that is twisted and corrupt. Our culture is accepting of non-Christian ideas and even ideas that are in direct opposition to the very Word of God! As Christians, we must be grounded in truth or else we’ll be deceived by the lies of the enemy.
Many Christians have been influenced by lies of the world and other religions and haven’t even realized it. Rather than having a Biblical worldview, their worldview is determined by their surrounding culture. It can happen easily without a strong, Biblical foundation. I remember many years ago when I first heard the phrase “Biblical worldview.” It changed my life! My eyes were immediately opened to the concept of seeing life through the lens of faith founded on truth. Learning Biblical truth is available to anyone, anytime.
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ~John 17:17
Remember, the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10)… Satan would gladly destroy our ability to learn and discern truth, but thankfully, God has given us a written word that we can use to measure everything we hear or see for its truthfulness. With enlightened eyes, we can lean away from the world and our own understanding, and lean into God’s truth. (Psa 119:105, Prov 3:5, 1 John 5:4)
The truth of God’s Word teaches us right from wrong and offers guidance to our thoughts and actions. We can hide His truth in our hearts so we won’t sin against Him. (Psa 119:11) But it’s hard to know what to do (or think), when you don’t have a foundation of truth. In Luke 11:28 Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” and James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We have to know the Word to live by it.
I believe that as women, we have a very special role and responsibility to learn truth. Women tend to be the nurtures and the instructors of the family. So, whether you’ve got little ones at home, or you’re nurturing a child in the church nursery, your words, thoughts, and actions should be grounded in truth of God. You have the ability to influence the next generation of Believers to seek hard after God’s truth.
I love these inspiring words from Charles Spurgeon…
“…the best food for you is the word of God itself. Sermons and books are well enough, but streams that run for a long distance above ground gradually gather for themselves somewhat of the soil through which they flow, and they lose the cool freshness with which they started from the spring head. Truth is sweetest where it breaks from the smitten Rock, for at its first gush it has lost none of its heavenliness and vitality. It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank.”
Abide in Christ, and abide in His word. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived by the enemy or soiled by the dirt of the world, dear sister! Drink deeply and daily from the sweet Rock!
How have you seen abiding in God’s truths change or shape your life?
