2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All scripture is profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, but not necessarily our interpretation or delivery of it. Handling the word of life without humility and the fear of the Lord can result in people being cut, hurt, and offended. It brings reproach on Christ, discrediting His name, harming the Church, and devaluing His word.
The Bible says in James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. And yet the world is full of Bible teachers that do not rightly divide the word of truth. We should all realize that teachers of the word of God are held to a high level of accountability. A stricter judgment. Teachers should teach from the overflow of their intimate relationship with the Lord, for these are the only things they truly know. Accumulation of knowledge about the word of God is not the same as knowing the Word. A true teacher is not only anointed to teach, but also anointed to learn.
In the age of abundant information that we live in, it is easy to accumulate knowledge about God and reduce ourselves to just relaying information. Unless we put that knowledge into practice, we don’t know the truth we are trying to share. The common practice of merely sharing information results in teaching and preaching that lack spiritual authority with demonstration and power. Many try to compensate for this lack of authority and power by being funny and entertaining or by being dramatic and forceful in their delivery. These are poor substitutes.
We should keep in mind that the Word is a person. When we share the word with others, we are to share from our understanding of that person we gain from the relationship, not the knowledge we have accumulated about God through academic efforts. If we are not practicing what we know, we cannot teach it with the authority and power it deserves.
Obedience is God’s “love language.” It’s only the word we obey that we truly know. Jesus IS the word. If we do not obey Him, we not only don’t know Him. He said we don’t love Him.
John 14:23-24 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
It is important to be doers of the word. Let’s make sure that is all we are teaching, not our own opinions, our denominations practices, or any other thing that does not bring forth life and liberty.
James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Quoted from the book, The Spiritual Warfare ManifestoThank you for visiting truthpressure.com. I hope this has been a blessing to you.
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