For me, there's nothing more important than truth. Our arch enemy knows it sets people free. Like Christ said in John 8:31 and 32 (Bible in Basic English), "Then Jesus said to the Jews who had faith in him, 'If you keep my word, then you are truly my disciples; And you will have knowledge of what is true, and that will make you free.'"
Being able to know the truth also helps us resist the Devil and cling to Christ. As Peter admonished his readers in 1 Peter 5:8 and 9, "Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food; Do not give way to him but be strong in your faith, in the knowledge that your brothers who are in the world undergo the same troubles."
Old Testament worshippers also felt the wonder of God's holy law. Psalm 119:165 exclaims, "Great peace have lovers of your law; they have no cause for falling."
Falling is what causes people to turn from the truth. We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, "Now as to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our meeting with him, it is our desire, my brothers, That you may not be moved in mind or troubled by a spirit, or by a word, or by a letter as from us, with the suggestion that the day of the Lord is even now come; Give no belief to false words: because there will first be a falling away from the faith, and the revelation of the man of sin, the son of destruction, Who puts himself against all authority, lifting himself up over all which is named God or is given worship; so that he takes his seat in the Temple of God, putting himself forward as God."
We can depend fully on what the Holy Spirit inspired the scripture writers to write. As Jesus said in John 17:17, "Make them holy by the true word: your word is the true word."
So important is God's word that Jesus quoted it when tempted by the Devil. Matthew 4:4 records, "But he made answer and said, 'It is in the Writings, Bread is not man's only need, but every word which comes out of the mouth of God.'"
May you always remain in the truth.
Amen, Bruce, to the importance of quoting God's word when we're facing temptations or discouragement. God's word is good because He's good at keeping His word.
ReplyDeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
Yes to TRUTH! I always enjoy your posts that relate to songs, too. Many blessings.
ReplyDeleteSome folks are storm chasers, but how wonderful that you are a Truth Chaser. A man after God's own heart - no wonder your heart sings, Bruce!
ReplyDeleteTruth can be a storm. It blows away complacency and shakes things up.
DeleteThanks for your wonderful post, Bruce. The Truth, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, a dynamic trio! Much fodder for thought here. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing how important Truth is in God's Word as the Spirit led individuals to write what we know as the Scriptures. This sentence particularly jumped out at me: "We can depend fully on what the Holy Spirit inspired the scripture writers to write." Yes, because of the Spirit's inspiration, we can totally depend on the truth of God's Word.
ReplyDeleteI liken inspiration to wind surfing. We go along for the ride when the wind fills the sail.
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