The Word

I was in a discussion last week in which the inspiration of the Bible was put into question. I stated, as I previously have in this blog, that prophecy is the external anchor on which we can hang the validity of the Bible. Power changes predicted centuries before they occurred in patterns that could not be intuitively foreseen is striking (Daniel 2, 7, 8; Revelation 12, 13, 17). However, beyond power transfers, the Bible offers practical advice on health, foods that are good to eat and those that are not (Leviticus 11), civil structures that are reasonable and efficient (Exodus 18:13-27; Acts 6:1-7; 1Timothy 3), life skills on how to respond to conflicts (Proverbs 15:1, 26:4, 5) to name a few. All externally demonstrated to be truth.

In the conversation I was asked if I believe that there are beings at a level higher than human beings but below God. I said “yes” with the scripture Psalms 8:4, 5 and Hebrews 6:6, 7. So the individual asked if the Bible could then have been inspired by one of these intermediary beings. I responded “No, because created beings can’t tell the future” supported with Deuteronomy 29: 29 and Revelation 19:10. The retort was ‘why not human beings make “good predictions” all the time. My response was “God doesn’t make ‘good predictions’ He says what He sees and no created being has this power” (Isaiah 46:10; Revelation 1:8, 22:13). At this point my interrogator admitted to not believing the Bible to be true, thereby rendering the conversation futile.

A bit more was said beyond this but this summary of the conversation illustrates my point today. I was taught growing up that the word of God is our sword (Ephesians 6:17), specifically a “twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). The word of God is listed as a part of our armour in defense against the “wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6: 11-20). If I was in this conversation a year ago my response would have been very different. My immediate response would have been to become defensive – this attitude is of no help to anyone. But as I study more and learn to yield more and more to the Lord I have come to realize, like Jahaziel said to Judah and Jehoshaphat, that ‘the battle isn’t mine, it is God’s’ (2 Chronicles 20:15). So in order to fight it His means of defense is required.

After Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness and Satan came to tempt Him at His weakest most vulnerable time His only defense was the word of God (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). He was tempted in all the areas we are tempted: Lust of the flesh, Lust of the eye, and the Pride of life (Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 2:16). That last area is particularly insidious because when we come to a point of knowledge or strength, pride can take over and we, like Samson, forget where our strength comes from. This is why daily devotion and prayer is vital to the survival of a Christian. Without our daily, hourly, constant connection with the Father (1 Thessalonians 5:17) we put ourselves in dangerous territory.

My petition is that we all study the word of God. To paraphrase a well-known preacher: ‘Know what it says, know what it means and know where it is found’. It is our only defense and source of hope in the times ahead. We all need to get to the place where our reflex response to any challenge is the word of God. It is the solid rock on which we will find our safety. (Psalms 89:26; John 1:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:5-8)

Faithfully