Who Is Hindering Us From Obeying The Truth? Part 8 9-Ways To Win The War Reading The Word

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

We are looking at a devotional series titled, Who Is Hindering Us From Obeying The Truth?In the first two Parts of this series, we looked at how we can be hindered when Satan tempts us into believing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is not enough to be saved. And we looked at how we can be hindered when the enemy deceives us through distractions and diversions.  It's those times when the enemy can get us to take our eyes off of God, and put them on something else--things distracting us, taking our time, and causing strongholds in our Christian walk. 

We are looking at 9-ways to win this war against Satan's temptations, distractions, and strongholds in our lives. The first seven things were: 

1.    We need to make Jesus our Lord (Lk. 6:46; Rom. 6:5-14).
2.    We need to Repent (Turn around) (Acts 2:38)
3.    We need to "Stand fast" in the Power of God! (Zech. 4:6; Eph. 6:10; James 4:7)
4.    We need to Get Dressed For Battle--Put on our Spiritual armor. (Eph 6:12-18)
5.    We need to "Think Properly!" (2 Cor 10:5)
6.    We Need to Hate Evil (Ps. 36:1-4; Rom. 12:9)
7.    We Need to Love the things of God (Ps. 119:15, 127; Rev. 15:3)
The 8th thing we must do to fight the enemy and conquer our temptations--to keep from being distracted, is to:

8.    We Need To Read our Bibles Daily (Josh. 1:8; 2 Tim 2:15).
In Part 7, we looked at how we need to "love the things of God." His Word is one of those things.  God's Word is the life-blood of every Christian's hope.  We have been given the Gospel message as recorded in God's Word (See 1 Cor. 15: 2-4).  And we are given many details of our future as well.  There is great power contained for every Christian believer within the God's Word.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 
The enemy is constantly attacking God's Word in so many ways.  He has developed false religions to counterfeit it, to alter it, and to take away and even add to it (1 Tim. 4:1).  He has started spreading lies, saying the Bible by itself is not enough, and that other writings must be read to fully understand it.  But this is not so.  God's Word is complete and thorough--it needs nothing added to it!  It is complete and it will equip every true believer for EVERY good work. 

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 (NKJV)
 -We must pray before we read our Bibles, and ask for God to guide us and to teach us everything He wants us to know.  
 -We must make a commitment to God's Word by abiding in and obeying what He has told us to do.  
 -We must put our trust and faith in God's Word.
 -We must meditate on what we have read, and ask ourselves, "How does this apply to me?"
 -We must not act on our feelings alone, or by suggestions, especially from man made theology such as Psychology.   

Jesus has given us great truths, and promises with regard to His written Word--The Bible. 

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 (NKJV)
Some choose not to fully trust, or to obey God's Word because they don't understand it completely.  But we are not to wait to fully understand before we obey or trust in it.  In fact we are told this plainly. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.  Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, we should be fully confident in God's Word directing our path through any problem we encounter, or any spiritual attack we may face-including every temptation, distraction, or stronghold we will encounter. STUDY QUESTION: What are we commanded to do in 2 Timothy 2:15?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you rightly dividing the Word of Truth?

APPLICATION: Make time each day to read and study your Bible.  Prayerfully read it, and then apply what you have learned to your life.  Share it with others.