The Right Attitude Toward the Word of God
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NJKV) If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
In the above Scripture, the Apostle Paul warned Timothy to be vigilant against false teachers and those who oppose his teachings. He said one could tell who these people were by their conduct. They are often divisive, envious, evil, suspicious, argumentative, disputing, reviling, and prideful.
In a church comprising people from diverse nations and denominational backgrounds, it is important that we uphold unity. While slight variations in theological convictions may exist, they should not lead to strife and division. We uphold the same doctrine, and our shared love for Jesus Christ and our commitment to reaching the lost should unite us.
We should maintain a balance between the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. When we focus solely on the Word without the Spirit, we tend to become legalistic, judgemental, and self-righteous, placing greater importance on our actions than our relationship with God. Meanwhile, we shouldn’t emphasise the things of the Spirit without a biblical basis either. Overemphasising what we perceive in the Spirit can render us unteachable.
If a dream or vision is from God, not only is it peaceful and teachable, it will also pass the test of being judged by the Word. It is dangerous to swing to one extreme of being led by dreams and visions without checking if they align with the Word of God. On the other hand, we should not merely emphasise the Word of God without making room for the Holy Spirit and His gifts to operate in us. We should emphasise the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that frees us from the law of sin and death, and live a life yielded to the Lordship of Christ.
When God speaks to us, His Word penetrates our spirit and reaches our minds. We need to renew our minds daily with the Word of God, or we will struggle with what He says because our mindsets have been shaped by many people and influences over time. When what we hear from God does not agree with our beliefs or our will, we should always yield our minds and our will to God’s will.
We are living in the end times, when people will be lovers of themselves and full of pride. Today’s Christians are often selective about what they want to hear, preferring to be entertained rather than challenged or taught what to do. However, God wants us to grow in godliness by submitting to the Lordship of Christ, the people He has placed above us, and by yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit, for this is how our characters can be moulded.
Sermon Series: Hopefully Contented
