The B-I-B-L-E!

by Jen G. 2011

The B-I-B-L-E! Yes, that’s the Book for me!

I stand alone on the Word of God,

The B-I-B-L-E!

I remember singing this song in Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida as a preschooler. At the time it was simply a catchy tune that I sang over and over again not realizing the importance and truth of the words.

In the book of 2 Timothy Paul writes to warn his young friend – and us - of perilous times filled with selfish, greedy, bragging, proud, blaspheming, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slandering people who have no self control, are brutal despisers of good, traitors, stubborn, stuck up and pleasure loving. To top it off, these people have a form of godliness with out the power of the risen Christ. (vs. 1-5)

Could there be any more bad news coming in this chapter? Yep. These convincing people “creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts.” (v. 6)

Ouch.

The gullible women Paul spoke of in his letter were certainly not stupid. On the contrary, they were always learning. Like Eve, the women desired knowledge. Unfortunately, they were never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (v. 7) Paul delivers more bad news: the deceivers were only going to get worse and the deceived were only going to grow in number (as we see today).

Is there hope? How do we protect ourselves from becoming the deceiver or the deceived?

The B-I-B-L-E!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

Sometimes false things are incredibly obvious – like burying a potato at midnight to get rid of warts. Some things are not so obvious, however, and that is why we need to have a solid foundation in the Word of God.

Books, Christian radio, the internet, Bible studies and magazines are fabulous resources that can sometimes help us be more knowledgeable of the Word. However, caution must be used. Today’s ‘Christian’ climate is rife with misapplied Scripture for everything from gender identity to hell to divorce to the actual substitutionary death of Christ. Without a firm foundation in Scripture, it is incredibly easy to be deceived by words that sound good and godly. As Christ followers, we need to stand alone on the Word of God - the only faithful infallible, accurate record of God’s Truth.

Prayer:

Father, open my eyes to see Truth and with that Truth help me to identify the lies of the enemy. My heart desires to be faithful to Your Word alone, not the latest church style or new doctrine. Help me to guard my heart and know Your Truth. Amen.

Challenge:
Take time this week to examine the basis for your beliefs. Are you getting your Scripture-view and worldview from a magazine, Bible teacher, or book, or are your views based on God’s view of the world? Really look at your heart and mind and see if you are a gullible woman. If you are, repent and change! Seek the wisdom that comes from above and allow it to make you wise unto salvation through Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)

Jen G. 2011