For the word of God is living and active… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12
It has often been said that a bank teller can immediately identify counterfeit currency, not because he or she has studied what the latest criminal elements are up to, but because they handle so much of the real thing hour by hour that a fake bill practically identifies itself to the touch.
It is through your regular “handling“ of, or familiarity with, the Word of God that you are able to discern truth from error. C.H. Spurgeon wrote, “There’s a saying that goes like this: ‘A Bible in the hand is worth two in the bookcase.’“ He added, “I would recommend you either believe God up to the hilt, or else not to believe at all. Believe this book of God, every letter of it, or else reject it. There is no logical standing place between the two.”
There is much counterfeit religiosity abounding in America. There is also the growing denial that God, if He exists, cares about what people do and that the Bible is true or rational. To be able to discern wrong messages when you come across them, you must be Biblically literate. You need to be able to speak the truth in love, pointing to what God has said rather than your own opinion. As a popular saying goes, “God said it; I believe it; that settles it.”
Pray that the hearts of the skeptics in Washington, D.C., will soften to the truth of Scripture and that, through it and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, many will come to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Timothy 3:8-17
8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
