FAMINE FOR THE WORD
Do you struggle to find or prioritize time to read the Bible?
Has it lost relevance in your life?
It’s tragic that in today’s world, many have lost sight of the importance of the Word of God. In a society where convenience and instant gratification are prized, it’s no wonder that the spiritual needs of people often go neglected. We must refocus our attention on God’s Word and remember how powerful and relevant it is.
One of the biggest deceptions when it comes to the Word of God is that you can read it one time and understand everything there is to know. But that simply isn’t true – we need to continuously return to Scripture and mine its depths if we are going to gain an accurate, holistic understanding of what God wants for us. We should be drawn to the Word of God like a deer to water, never being satisfied with only one drink.
FAMINE FOR THE WORD
The Bible talks about a famine in the book of Amos, where God says that there will come a time when there will be a lack of hearing the words of the Lord. This famine is not a shortage of food or water, but a scarcity of the Word of God.
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord. Amos 8:11 (NKJV)
Attack on the Word of God
The Bible has been under attack in recent times. For instance, some versions have removed over 64,000 words from the Bible and omitted the title of Jesus in countless verses, substituting it with an inferior one. Many people may not even realize that these changes have been made.
Furthermore, some pastors twist the Word of God and fill their messages with clichés and motivational quotes, thereby deceiving their congregations. Sadder still is that many Christians do not physically own a Bible, thereby missing the benefit of highlighting or underlining scriptures that stand out to them. Don’t get me wrong I love the convenience of having the Bible on my phone but there is something beautiful and irreplaceable about a worn and tear-stained Bible. Plus, if changes are made to digital versions of the Bible is it even noticed?
Recently, concerns about the potential misuse of AI are growing after a philosopher predicted AI could write a new Bible within a few years.
Yuval Noah Harari, a contributor and speaker at the World Economic Forum, has been promoting the idea that Artificial Intelligence has the potential to generate a new religious book that could be globally accepted. Conservative and Christian concerns have been raised over the prediction, as the Bible is considered sacred and the holy word of God to mankind.
Harari explained A.I.’s purpose in writing a new Bible during a recent forum called “A.I. & The Future of Humanity.”
“It’s the first technology ever that can create new ideas. You know, the printing press, radio, television, they broadcast, they spread the ideas created by the human brain, by the human mind,” he said.
Harari said A.I. will soon be able to invent new concepts and beliefs that are more socially acceptable than the Bible.
“A.I. can create new ideas; {it} can even write a new Bible,” he said, in order to establish unified and “correct” religions.
“Throughout history, religions dreamt about having a book written by a superhuman intelligence, by a non-human entity,” Harari explained. Now he believes A.I. will become a new type of god.
“In a few years, there might be religions that are actually correct … just think about a religion whose holy book is written by an A.I.,” Harari said. “That could be a reality in a few years.”
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WORD OF GOD?
It’s Ultra important. That’s why Satan is constantly trying to twist and distort the Word of God.
He wants us to misinterpret or outright reject it so we can no longer use it as a weapon against him. To counteract this, we must make sure that our understanding of Scripture is right and accurate. We need to be diligent in our study of the Bible so that we won’t be taken in by his lies and deception.
SATAN TEMPTED JESUS WITH THE WORD. HE TWISTED THE WORD – TO THE WORD! WHAT DO YOU THINK HE’LL TRY WITH YOU?
1 John 5:7 says, For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it. (John 1:1-5)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
The Word is God’s total message, and Jesus embodied that full message, which is why He is called the “Logos,”
God’s Word is Eternal, God’s Word is True, God’s Word is Alive & God’s Word is A Weapon!
THE WORD IS ETERNAL
GOD’S WORD DOES NOT CHANGE WITH SOCIETAL CHANGES.
We cannot say that God now accepts sexual immorality and abortion because society does!
Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven. (Psalm 119:89, NLT)
The NKJV says forever your word is settled in heaven.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
“For I am the Lord, I do not change (Malachi 3:6)
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35 KJV)
The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psalm 119:160)
His righteous judgments endure forever and we cannot change the Word to accommodate us and CONFORM IT into what we look like. We must make room in our lives for it and be CONFORMED into what it SAYS WE ARE TO LOOK like – which is the image of Christ.
THE WORD IS TRUE
NOW LET’S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT JOHN 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
JESUS IS THE TOTAL MESSAGE. THE WORD IS BOTH GRACE AND TRUTH. WE CANNOT HAVE ALL GRACE AND NO TRUTH. BUT ALSO IN THE TRUTH THERE IS GRACE.
Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)
In this verse, Jesus communicates two important facts: God’s Word is true and trustworthy, and He uses it to sanctify us as believers. When we take in the Word of God, it has a powerful effect on our lives. We are cleansed from sin, renewed in our minds, and set apart for holy service. As we spend time in God’s Word, we will grow more like Jesus—closer to Him and His truth. Knowing the Word of God is an essential part of our faith journey and allows us to live in a way that honors God. We must not take the Word of God lightly; instead, we should use it to sanctify ourselves and draw closer to the Lord.
THE WORD IS ALIVE
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)
Finally, the Word is alive and powerful and can pierce even to the division of soul and spirit. Therefore, we must make room in our lives for the Word and conform to what it says we are to look like, which is the image of Christ. It is a two-edged sword and cuts two ways. It is also a powerful weapon.
THE WORD IS A WEAPON
Does not my word burn like fire?”
says the Lord.
“Is it not like a mighty hammer
that smashes a rock to pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29 (NLT)
It is with the Word of God we are able to send demons running. By standing upon the Word of God we see promises answered. It is the declaration of the Word that dispatches Angels. The word of God is both offensive and defensive.
The Bible offers us hope, encouragement, guidance, warning and instruction. We can find strength in its pages and peace in knowing that God’s truth is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When we understand and live by His Word, it has a lasting impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. Let us remember to meditate upon and faithfully follow the truth of God’s Word every day so that we can experience the transformation and joy that comes with being in His will.
Let this be our prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your faithful Word. Help us to understand its truth so that we may be obedient servants of Yours. Let us be a light of Your truth in this dark world, reflecting Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.