The word was God (John 1:1). The word became flesh and dwelt among us in Jesus Christ (John 1:14). The word is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:127; Psalm 119:103 Psalm 119:72).

Just from these scripture verses we can see how especially important the word of God is.

Proverbs 7:1-3 tells us to treasure and keep the word of God. It says to bind them on our fingers and write them on our hearts. The Bible strongly advises us on several occasions that we should keep the word close, read, meditate, and study it often (Deuteronomy 6:1-3). It says to speak the word often, teach it to our children and write them on our homes (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). The Bible highlights the importance of the word in our lives. It tells us that man shall not live by bread alone, but the word of God is necessary for life (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3). It is essential for life here. We cannot be successful children of God without the Word of God. In this blog post, we will look at some significant reasons why the word is so important in the life of the believer.

Faith

The word of God increases our faith. Faith is the assurance of something hoped for but not yet seen (Hebrew 11:1). Faith is believing in something even though we have no evidence that it will happen. Faith is important as we need to believe to be saved (John 8:24). The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). As we spend time in the word we see more of God. As we see more of who He is and what He has done, our faith grows. As we spend time in the word and understand that God loves us and that His abilities are limitless, our faith grows. The more we hear of Him the more our belief in Him increases.

Growth

The word of God helps us grow (1 Peter 2:2). After we are saved, we need to grow and learn more about God. The more we consume the word the more we grow nearer to Christ. The Bible tells us when we are babies in Christ that we should desire the word so that we can grow (1 Peter 2:2). This is such an important aspect of salvation. When we are saved, we have an exciting newness and desire for God, but we need to fuel that desire with more and more word so that we can grow spiritually. The word equips us with what we need to share the gospel, to mentor others, to teach and to correct when necessary (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We need growth, and the word is essential for growth.

Wisdom

The word gives wisdom and understanding (Psalm 119:98; Deuteronomy 4:5-6; Psalm 19:7; Jeremiah 8:9; Psalm 119:98-100; Psalm 119:130). The Bible tells us that whosoever hears the word and practises it, is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24). The word is our guide. It is a light unto our path revealing the way which we should go (Psalm 119:105). The word is a warning of what we should not do (Deuteronomy 11:16; Romans 6:23).

Eternal Life

The word of God gives us eternal life (John 5:24). The Bible tells us to put away all our evil ways and receive the word of God for it is able to save our souls (James 1:21). When we are saved, we are on that path to eternal life but while we are still on this earth we need to stay on the righteous path. We need to put away all sin and the word helps us to do this. This does not mean we may not falter but God is merciful and just to forgive us once our heart is in the right place (1 John 1:9). The Bible tells us to hold on to the word of God so that on the day of the Lord you will have glory (Philippians 2:16). When we live by the word, spend that quality time in the word, obey the word, keep the word in our hearts and see the world through the word, we will have glory in the end. We will be rewarded greatly. But we need the word to help us so that we do not drift back into our old selves.

Healing

The word of God is life and health to all flesh (Proverbs 4:22). Life here refers to life on earth. The word provides healing for us. It can cure our diseases. The Bible tells us that God sent his words and healed and delivered us from destruction (Psalms 107:20). We know that God can heal, there are numerous examples of God’s healing in the Bible. And the Bible tells us that the word is God (John 1:1) and it became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Then we have Him with us always in the word and the Bible tells us that the word gives us life and it can revive us (Psalm 119:5; Psalm 119:93). Spend time in the word and seek healing there.

Sanctification

The word of God sanctifies us. We are sanctified by the truth and this truth is the word (John 17:17). God’s word is truth (Psalm 119:142; John 8:31-32). To sanctify means to make holy or purify. We are purified by obeying the word (1 Peter 1:22). Why is sanctification important? 2 Timothy 2:21 tells us that those who cleanse themselves will become a vessel of honourable use, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. It is a privilege to be an instrument of God. There is no greater purpose. One can keep their ways pure by ensuring that it is guided by God’s word (Psalm 119:9)

Hope

The word of God gives us hope (Romans 15:4). The word provides hope and confidence in God’s promises (Psalms 119:49-50). Psalms tells us that He is our hiding place, our shield and there is hope in God’s word. (Psalms 119:114). The word reminds us of what God has done for his people in the past and how merciful He was. It reassures us that we too have these promises. The word tells us how much God loves us and how merciful He is to those who keep His word (Psalms 25:10) It tells us that he will not leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Bible tells us that we shall not be put to shame when our eyes are fixed on His commandments (Psalm 119: 6; Psalm 119:31). When we know the word and keep it in our hearts we will not sin against God (Psalm 119:11) and so cannot be shamed.  

Conclusion

(from my notes from a Sermon by Pastor Alfred Benny)

What God has anointed us to do we cannot complete without the word. We need to remember that we are just pilgrims here. After we are saved, God did not remove us from the earth because he has a plan for us, but we need the word to fulfil this plan. We need to have a great hunger for the word. There is no such thing as too much word. We cannot have a relationship with God without constant prayer and the study of the word. The Spirit uses the word to work in us and if we do not eat the word, He has nothing to work with. By being in the word we invite the Spirit to work in us. God never forces us and so it is up to us to choose to spend time in His word, to know His word and to obey His word.

We need to not just be listeners of the word but more so doers of the word. We need to actively obey God’s word (James 1:22-23).

Summary

The word of God:

• Increases faith
• Helps us grow
• Gives wisdom
• Gives eternal life
• Heals us
• Sanctifies us
• Gives hope
• And much more

Read the Word

• Regularly spend quality time in the word, reading, studying, and meditating.
• Make the word a priority in your life.
• Teach your children the word.  

• No matter how it feels, take that step, and start reading the word
• Prayer before reading and ask God to reveal it to you (Psalm 119:18)
• Let this time be quality and intentional. Not just something to get through
• Read frequently
• Progressively move from reading to studying

Inspired and dedicated to Pastor Alfred Benny Pastor of the New Beginnings Ministries, Trinidad & Tobago

All Photos by Kyle