Living God’s Word as it Lives in Me
Perhaps you’ve heard that the Bible is alive, the living Word of God. But how do we go about living God’s Word?
And how does the Bible show through in our lives?
Living Scripture in our daily lives equates to a life of no compromise.
Because our goals, desires, values, morals, and decisions are affected by Scripture.
Also, our relationships, lifestyle, worldview, heart, mind, and so on, stay bent toward scriptural truths.
Let’s look at several ways we L-I-V-E the Bible.
L-Lighting Our Path With Scripture: Living God’s Word
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Verse 130 continues, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”
Even though we may not carry lamps to see where we’re going, we’re all familiar with needing light to find our way in the darkness. Whether it’s a candle, flashlight, or nightlight, they dispel enough of the dark to keep us from tripping.
Likewise, lighting our path with the Word keeps us from spiritually tripping. Through understanding, it drives away the darkness of the evil one, deception, and false beliefs.
“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).
When we follow the light of the world, Jesus, the path leads to the light of life—living the Word.
Desire to shine God's Word all around. Strive to live a life of no compromise. How? The Word living in us and us living the Word. #GodsWord #Bible Click To TweetI-Inviting Scripture to Change Us
“…when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Once we hear, receive, and believe the Word; it’s at work in us, it changes and transforms us. Then, we live it.
2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Notice this verse doesn’t say some Scripture is good for you to live a pleasing life to the Lord. No, “all” Scripture, the whole counsel of God from Genesis to Revelation.
And it’s breathed out (living), and profitable in living the Christian faith. Because it trains us in righteousness.
V-Valuing God’s Truth in Every Area of Life: Living God’s Word
Looking again at Psalm 119, here are some ways the truth of the Word lives in us and we live it.
We are not put to shame (verse 6), keeps our way pure (verse 9), no sin against God (verse 11), counsels (verse 24), gives life (verse 25), strengthens (verse 28), leads (verse 35), helps us trust (verse 42), gives hope (verse 43), good judgment and knowledge (verse 66), a blameless heart (verse 80), held back from evil ways (verse 101), steady steps (verse 133), truth (verse 160), and great peace (verse 165).
Let’s not be Sunday only Christians. Instead, let’s apply the Bible to every part of life: how we stand before God, interact with others, and how we live.
Let’s not be Sunday only Christians. Instead, let’s apply the Bible to every part of life: how we stand before God, interact with others, and how we LIVE. #GodsWord #Bible Click To TweetE-Establishing biblical Principles as a Way of Life
James 1:19-25:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
The Bible lives in us as the implanted Word. We live the Bible as a doer of the Word who acts on the perfect law of liberty.
The Bible lives in us as the implanted Word. We live the Bible as a doer of the Word who acts on the perfect law of liberty. #GodsWord #Bible Click To Tweet
Finally, let’s remember the only way for the Bible to live in us and us to live the Bible is by reading and meditating on God’s Word.
Which way to live God’s Word resonated with you or what would you add?
All Scripture ESV, emphasis added in bold.
Last week’s post: 20 Encouraging Entries From My Journal.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth) and Faith On Fire.
© 2022 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
I received Christ into my heart by a simple reading of the Gospel of John. Within the first chapter, the Holy Spirit opened my understanding and I just knew it was true. That’s the power of the Spirit and the Word combined, which you shared in this post. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful and powerful testimony, Lisa. I always point unbelievers and even new belivers to the gospel of John. The Holy Spirit plays such an integral part of brining the Word alive in us. May we also live the Word so others clearly see the light.
Such a powerful post about the importance of living our lives impacted by the Scriptures! We simply cannot read and study the Word of God and then walk away with no impact on our lives. To know the Lord in an intimate way involves heeding His Word.
I love this thought, Melinda, “living our lives impacted by the Scriptures.” When something truly impacts us, it changes everythig about us, especially how we live in this world while on the Christian journey and following Christ with abandon. I pray we apply the Bible to every part of life: how we stand before God, interact with others, and how we live.
We cannot simply read/listen to scripture, Karen, we need to incorporate God’s Word in our hearts that we might be doers of God’s will. People should see that Word shining from us so brightly, that they long to have what we have – the peace that passes all understanding.
Blessings!
Martha, I like how you used the word, “incorporate” relating to the Bible living in our hearts. That’s so key in really becoming doers of the Word and not hearers only. “Lord, let your Word change us from the inside out!”
Just by living a Godly life can impact those around us. We are the light that can draw people to Christ. Great post Karen
Yvonne, I pray the Bible lives in us as the implanted Word and we live the Bible as a doer of the Word who acts on the perfect law of liberty. Then others clearly see Jesus in us!
The scriptures are our guide for life. I love your phrase “implanted Word.”
Yes, we often forget the Bible is provided as a guide for Christian living. Thanks for your comment and reminder.
I was really convicted of the “I” a couple of years ago. I felt God asking me what I was spending all this time studying scripture for if I never let it change me. Really changed by time with Him.
Lauren, I’m sure we’ve all been convicted of that very thing. Now I ask the Holy Spirit to not only reveal truth to me as I read, but to also help me walk in step with the Spirit.
Hi Karen. I have to admit I sometimes rush through my daily Bible reading without spending a lot of time in reflection. L-I-V-E’ing the Word is so essential and crucial for those of us who say we follow Jesus. I appreciate how you mention the whole counsel of God. If we pick and choose what suits us, we aren’t really living God’s Word. Thank you for this.
I am there sometimes, too, Stephen. Sometimes more often than I like. I pray and desire to live by the whole counsel of God and that life of no compromise! Lord, help us!
A yes, Living Intentionally with God. This is my theme for the year. Did you get an email from me about a guest post?
Love that theme, Mandy. So important for believers to live out God’s Word in our lives and do it intentionally. I don’t recall seeing your email. I will search for it in my inbox and spam to make sure. Thank you.
As I read your message, I began singing “And they will know we are Christians by our love…”. I am thankful to know God and to share His love with others. Your messages are truly inspiring. Reading His Word and staying in conversation with God gives comfort.
There’s not any truer words than that. Others recognizing we are believers by the way we live and love is oh so scriptural.
So many times we speak of one or the other: the Bible living in us OR us living in the Bible.
Love your reminder that “the only way for the Bible to live in us and us to live the Bible is by reading and meditating on God’s Word.” Yes, it’s both!
Powerful observation, Ava. Yes, it is both. May the Bible live in you as the implanted Word.
Well said Ms. Karen. We must indeed live out God’s word in our lives. I think of Coram Deo (life before the eyes of God) when I think of how I need to live my life. Would God be ashamed of anything He saw in my life each day? I don’t always like my answer to that question.
That’s a great reflective question, J.D. If I honestly condider that each day, it would help my desire for more of Jesus and less of me in my life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Karen, I love your focus on the Word of God. It is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing us where we err and revealing the true thoughts and intents of the heart. God meant for us to live and obey his very words for they are the power of transformation in our lives!
This is gold, “God meant for us to live and obey his very words for they are the power of transformation in our lives!” What a good word! We were created to live by God’s Word, yet we learned other ways of living. I pray the Lord’s reminds me daily to let Scriptures transform my life.
Such good words to L-I-V-E by! Thank you for the reminder. It is easy to fall into a rhythmic pattern of serving God without the conviction. I need to learn to ask God to show me where there is in in my life that keeps me from living out the Word as I should. I think this impacts my family, my church, and whomever I am observed by.
Great point, that “The Bible lives in us as the implanted Word.” This is so true! I strive to be a woman who does His will, walks in His way, and models His word in the world.
I agree with your prayer, Karen, “Lord, help me life the Bible, a life of no compromise.” Amen.
Karen,
I love thinking the Bible is implanted in me — God breathed in fact — and it is my privilege and duty to “live the Bible” every day. I pray I would be a doer as well as a hearer, and that I would not just gravitate toward the “easy” scripture, but challenge myself to live out the more “challenging” scriptures. Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Hi Bev, it is God breathed. And I love your thought about not only gravitating to what we think is easy in God’s Word, but also what we struggle with more than other things. Because the Bible is not a pick and choose buffet. 🙂 God bless.
How wonderful to think about living out the plans God has for us as He lives in us and we emerge ourselves in the word!
It’s really fascinating that we are given the opportunity to live out God’s Word and will. 🙂
“Strive to live a life of no compromise” and practical steps on how to do it-much appreciated.
This is a powerful post, Karen, reminding us of the importance of letting Scripture impact our lives daily. This >>> “The only way for the Bible to live in us and us to live the Bible is by reading and meditating on God’s Word.” It is a precious and amazing act when Scripture comes back to mind just when I need it. Blessings!
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