“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”‘” – Matthew 4: 4 (NKJV)
Did you know that when the human body is starved of food for an extended time, it undergoes severe changes—muscle loss, a weakened immune system, poor concentration, anxiety, and even organ failure or death? Now, imagine the same kind of starvation for a believer’s spirit when deprived of its food: the Word of God.
In our anchor scripture, Jesus, during His temptation, said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word from God’s mouth. This highlights that God’s Word is the lifeline of a believer. Paul also emphasises that the Word builds our spiritual strength (Acts 20:32). This is why he prayed for the church in Ephesus to pursue knowledge of God’s Word, where we find our true identity and purpose (Ephesians 1:15-16).
In God’s Word, we find everything we need to equip and guide our lives according to His will. Why is it important to immerse ourselves in it? First, because it is God’s Word and it testifies of Him (John 1:1). God gave us His Word to know Him, and the more we know Him, the more we become like Him. As His representatives in the world, we must reflect Him, and that requires knowing Him through His Word.
Paul, in his letter to Timothy, describes the Word of God as profitable for many purposes, including doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16). A proper understanding of doctrine protects us from false teachings (Ephesians 4:14; Titus 1:13-14).
To build our faith, we need the Word of God, as faith comes from hearing it (Romans 10:17). God’s Word keeps our faith strong and our convictions firm. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes the Word as a seed that, when rooted, flourishes and bears fruit (Luke 8:11). His promises sustain us daily when we let His Word grow in us. Hebrews urges us to encourage one another daily to avoid unbelief that turns us away from God (Hebrews 3:12-13; Psalm 119:11).
Consequently, when we are not intentional about studying the Word, we make ourselves vulnerable to the wiles of the enemy. The Word of God is the sword of the spirit, which we require to ward off the enemy’s darts (Ephesians 6:17).
Dear Believer, to maintain consistent devotional fervour, you must embrace the Word of God because you need it for soul preservation. Therefore setting structures in place for effective study and listening to the word should be a priority in our lives.
Say this: As I prioritise the Word of God, I am built up, deeply rooted and established in it. My profiting appears to all. Glory!
Bible Reading Plan: Colossians 1-2