Dependence on the Word of God
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
When I read these verses, my thoughts automatically turn to how awesome are God’s words! And how much they deserve respect.
The world we live in today doesn’t see it the same way we do and for the unbeliever it is impossible to see how powerful God’s words are and how they can transform your life. The end of verse 17 says that, “so the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work,” that means believers’ lives are transformed by what Scripture says.
But just in case you don’t see how powerful God’s words are, all you have to do is go back to the creation event and read the first verse in Genesis, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” and when you read a verse like this you should be awestruck. I think Moses, the author of Genesis, was! In Deuteronomy 32:47 Moses says the word of God “is your life.” For the believer, it is that vital.
Moses reiterates this idea in Deuteronomy 8:3b when he says “…man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.”
Jesus, in Matthew 4:4, repeats Moses’ words and says “…It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God.”
Believers cannot fall into the trap of Satan, who wants us to think that God’s words are not enough to instruct us on how to live lives that please Him. They are enough and according to God’s words through Moses, Jesus, and Paul, that is all we need.
Take for example, depression or the anxiety that seems to permeate the world that we live in today. What does the Bible say about these problems?
Philippians 4:4-9 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and is a passage that should be on the tip of our tongues at all times. It gives us the answer for depression or anxiety. Read Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
God promises something if you come to him with a thankful heart. Read verse 7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
That is a promise! God does not fail in His promises, does He? Of course not, what kind of God would we have if we couldn’t trust Him?
So, back in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul says the same is true when it comes to our works in this life, if we trust God’s words and obey His commands, we will be a shining example of a person that God expects us to be.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Great words from an awesome God!