Hiding The Word

It is so important for every believer to hide God’s Word in their hearts that they might not sin against Him.  This is what the Psalmist said in Psalms 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

If you want to possess mountain moving faith it would be a good thing to hear and study the Word of God.  Just knowing what the Psalmist said should be an encouragement to memorize scripture and, not only to memorize it, but, to apply what we have learned to our lives.  It says in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

I write on this subject quite often because so many believers take someone else's word to be truth and don’t take time to prove it themselves.  Believers can be drawn into false teaching easily if they don’t know what the Word says, and, as a result end up being deceived.  

In Colossians 3:1-17, Paul hit on this subject when he spoke of the principles of Christian living.  In verses 1-4 the Colossians were encouraged to do these things, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  This may have been directed at the Colossians but I believe if Paul was living today he would encourage all of us the same way.  We all, if we are true believers, need to count ourselves dead to our sin nature and alive unto Christ.  We also need to come out of the things of the world and seek the things of God’s kingdom.  We should be looking for the day of Christ’s coming and eagerly be ready when He appears.

Then Paul tells them of the things they need to put off, or sever, in our bodies in verses 5-11, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.  But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.”  All these things are things that every true believer needs to strive to get rid of in their lives with the help of the Lord.

Then in verses 12-17 Paul encourages the believers to put on these things, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 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. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

If you are not studying and learning the Word how will you know these things, and the many other things, that are so important for you to know in the scriptures?  Look again at what verse 16 says, “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.”

I have read about believers that were in prison, and even though they may have been very tired, they stayed up all night to copy a page from the Bible, putting their lives on the line, so they could have some of the Word to read and share with others that were there.  If they were caught with it, it could have cost them their very lives but that was how important it was to them. imsHyims       There were many people who lost their lives so that we could have a Bible to read, study and memorize, while hiding the Word in our hearts.  If you are not doing that, I encourage you to start today. Something to think about, have a great day and may God bless you and yours!!