Home Scriptural recommended ways of relating with the Word ~ Pst. Otonye Davies

Scriptural recommended ways of relating with the Word ~ Pst. Otonye Davies

Scriptural recommended ways of relating with the Word ~ Pst. Otonye Davies

Topic:         Scriptural recommended ways of relating with the Word
Text:           James 1:21-25
Preacher:   Pst. Otonye Davies

James 1:21-25

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

INTRODUCTION

From the text James 1:21-25, we would treat four points and the we would look at 9 ways to scripturally relate with the word of God. The points are listed below:

i.        To receive the word and to get full value from it, you must set aside filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness. This means we must avoid every source of filthiness; we have no relationship and association with anything that is filthy, i.e in our thoughts, actions and association. What does filthiness mean? It means the state of being dirty, corruption, pollution, defilement by sinful acts, impurity. 2 Cor. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

          Why should we avoid filthy thought?

  • This is because they contend with the settling in of God’s word in our hearts and in our thought processes.
  • Filthy things struggle for space in our minds; if allowed into one’s heart, it can choke out the word of God.
  • Filthy things contaminate our hearts and makes our heart unconducive for the word of God.

ii.       We should receive the word of God with meekness: we are not supposed to challenge the word of God but to receive it in humility.

iii.      Hearing the word of God is good, that is the starting point; but hearing and obeying it is the real thing.

iv.      We have persons who are habitual, faithful and beautiful hearers of the word of God. Unfortunately, they could also be consistently refusing to do and obey the word of God. The scriptures bare witness against such people “They deceive themselves”

When we say “the word of God”, what do we actually mean? John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.  1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men., John 14-16 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.  1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace”. So when we speak about the word of God, we can look at it in four dimensions:

a.       The spoken word of God

b.       The written word of God

c.       The only begotten son of God (Jesus in the flesh)

d.       The word in as revelation which the Holy spirit places in our heart as we relate with the word of God.

HOW WE OUGHT TO RELATE WITH THE WORD OF GOD

1.       Relate with the word of God as a precious seed: we should relate with God’s word as a precious seed, not just a seed but a precious seed. When a seed is planted and well nourished, it produces much more than its initial self. Every seed has potential to increase, multiply, blossom and enlarge; but the fulfilment of its potential is a function of its environment where it is located. Whether it will thrive (flourish, prosper or succeed) or whether it will wither (shrink or fade) is not in the seed itself but how it is handled. The issue is not about the seed but how it is handled. Two persons can hear the word of God, one prosper by it and the other doesn’t prosper because of how it was handled. Ways to handle a seed is thus:

          – Nurture in a fertile environment

          – As we add manure to natural seeds to grow, we need to also continue with the word of God for growth through meditation, prayer and affirmation.

          – As we protect natural seeds from weeds from choking them, we have to protect the word of God from spiritual weeds. (Matt. 13:1-23)

2.       Relate with the word of God as a guide: Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. What do you do to your light, you put it in front of you so you can see clearly? Applying that to the word of God; do we put God’s word before us or behind us when situation arises? We should ensure to consult the word of God before we do anything.

3.       Relate with the word of God as a measuring standard: 2 Timothy 2:15-16 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

4.       Relate with the word of God as our necessary nourishment: The word is our necessary food, it nourishes us, we are built up by the word. Just as we eat physical food for the purpose of being physically healthy, we also need to eat our spiritual food to be spiritually healthy. You need to read the bible because in it lies your health.

5.       Relate with the word of God as our medicine: Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. The word heals our heart no matter what the struggle is – economical, financial, emotional, etc. Whatever it is, there is healing in the word. By searching the scripture, we will be able to find the things God has kept in stalk for our situations.

6.       Relate with the word of God as a companion: Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”. The counsel is – carry the word of God with you wherever you go, keep company with the word.

7.       Relate with the word as a creative instrument: John 15:16 “you have not chosen me but I have chosen you, that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he shall give it to you”. Use the word as a creative instrument in every situation.

8.       Relate with the word of God as a well of water: Drink from it and quench your thirst. Of course there are challenges in life; whenever it looks like you are famished, go to the word of God and drink life.

9.       Relate with the word of God as a weapon of warfare: This word indeed is war, you either declare it or you are called into it. There is a war going on, whether you know it or not. That you are going to win or lose, depends on your weapon of warfare. We need to take the right weapon, as the word of God is able to deliver in any situation.

CONCLUSION:

We cannot afford to have a God so mighty and we don’t use his word as a weapon, and allow the enemy to deal with us. 2 Chronicles 20:23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. As you go forth relating with the word of God in this dimensions, your tomorrow will be better than today, continuously increase and be glorious in Jesus name.

CONFESSION:

If you are yet to give your life to Christ, ask the Lord to receive you and be the lord of your life.

PRAYER:

  • Father transform us from the hearers to the doers of your word in Jesus name.

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