LIVING ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD

Psalm 119:9-16 says, "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word." Our Bible, the Word of God, teaches us how to walk in God's ways, which differ from the ways of this world. The world walks according to how they want to live their lives, but for us who believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we live according to God's ways that are according to His Word. When we do not live according to God's Word, the Bible says that we are sinning against God, because we are not walking according to His ways. 

If we want to stay pure and not sin against God, we must live according to God's Word. We are not meant only to know God's Word, but to obey and live it out so that our behavior and attitudes change. We must apply what God is teaching us when we go to church or listen to Bible teaching over the radio or the internet. We study the Word of God so that we can know His ways and apply them in our lives. As we study and apply the Word of God in our lives, we begin to align our thinking to God's truth. We start to think differently, especially in the current issues that we face in our society, such as abortion, LGBTQ issues, and immigration. We filter our thinking through the Bible. And if we find our views different from what the Word of God teaches, we align our views to the Word of God because the Word of God is the way we should think and live our lives. 

God gave us the Bible to know His ways, and we are obligated to obey it so that we can live according to His ways. We are not meant to live according to our ways, for God created us for Himself. The more we live for Him, the more we have peace and joy in our hearts. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why did God give me a Bible? Am I willing to live according to God's Word? How should I think and live in this world?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for your Word that guides me to all truths. Please help me to think and live according to your Word. There are many things that I do not understand in this world, but you know everything. Please help me to apply everything that you are teaching me so that I may not sin against you. Please help me to delight in your Word and not forget it. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.