02-07-24-ENG.

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV

In order for the word of truth to work in building kingdom virtue in our lives, it must be received. It must be believed. We must allow humility to enter our hearts in such a way that we understand God is the Author of truth, and we are not. For God’s Word to have its way in us and do what it was designed and revealed to accomplish, you must welcome it in. If and when you don’t do that, it doesn’t change the truth from being the truth. It just changes the power of the truth in how it works for you. When we talk about receiving it, keep in mind that it’s the truth of God that you need to receive. It doesn’t necessarily mean what a preacher said, or even a biblical scholar, or what was printed in a Christian magazine.

Many people peddle the Word out of a wrong motivation or are simply misguided themselves while their motives may be pure. Paul urged Timothy to stick with the truth in 2 Timothy 4:1–5 (NIV). Just like in our day, there were people in Paul’s day seeking to say what “itching ears” wanted to hear. Good-sounding, popular myths fill pulpits all across our nation because so many people have abandoned the truth. Far too many people simply want to be placated. They want to be made to feel good. They want a doughnut sermon.

A doughnut sermon is that which satisfies the taste buds. It tickles the taste but has no nutritional value. Too many people want doughnut Christianity—a religion that makes them feel good, while being void of truth. But they don’t mind if it is void of truth because they just like how it sounds and how it feels. But you and I, as kingdom disciples, are to be people of the truth. In order to be people of the truth, we must be people of the Word. We must be people of Scripture. We must make God’s Word our guide for our thoughts, words, and actions. When we do that, we will discover the powerful, transformative impact His Word will apply to our lives, our surroundings, and our nation.

An airplane needs a control tower in order to direct the pilot to the final destination, as well as to keep the pilot and passengers from harm’s way. Similarly, a life on earth needs a control tower. There are many times this world gets cloudy, stormy, overrun, and dangerous. There are many times when you cannot see the place where you are headed or the disastrous paths around you. But if you will look to God’s Word for teaching, correction, and direction, you will know how to navigate the challenges and chaos of this world.

The Bible is our control tower. It is our source of all truth. When you and I learn that we must treat God’s Word as it was created to be treated—not just something to make you feel good when you pick or choose a passage to read—is when it will become profitable in our lives and in our land. 

Reaction:
When you read the Bible, do you tend to go to those passages that support what you are already thinking? How do you respond to the passages that convict you or disagree with your way of thinking? Is there an idea or thought-construct within you that God’s Word continually seeks to convict and correct? If so, what is it, and are you open to yielding it to the truth? Take some time to ask God to intervene in your heart and mind and reveal areas where you need the light of His Word to guide you. 

Prayer:
Father, I believe Your Word is true, but sometimes I avoid it. Or at least, I avoid those places in it that convict me of wrong thoughts or wrong actions. Forgive me for distancing Your Word from my life so that I don’t have to do the uncomfortable work of changing my life to align all of it under You. Thank You for the grace of Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.