ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH THE WORD
I. THE LIVING 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)
A. The word of God is more than just true statements or important concepts. It is more than ideas. It is alive and has
supernatural power to transform the human spirit. It is what stokes the fire of love in our heart.
1. The word became so impassioned and alive within Jeremiah that it was like a fire.
…But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.
(Jeremiah 20:9)
2. Jesus used the Scriptures to reveal Himself to two disciples in the book of Luke. The result was again likened to
fire.
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened
the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:27, 32)
3. In Acts 20:32, Paul is speaking to the elders of the church of Ephesus. He had taken part in a great revival there and
had been there for three years. As he was about to leave Ephesus, he committed them to God’s care and to the word of
His grace. Paul understood the ability of the word of God to release grace (power) in the heart.
So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an
inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)
B. Studying the word is not enough to give us life.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
1. We must bring the written words into dialogue with the living Word, Jesus. The Bible then becomes the fuel to
enrich our conversation with Him.
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. In Him was life, and the life was the
light of men. (John 1:1-4)
2. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day thought they could have life in God through studying the Scriptures. They could not
find life because they were not willing to come to the One the Scriptures testified of, the One who is life. They approached
the study of the Scriptures with their minds, but Jesus says of them that love for God was not in their hearts.
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not
willing to come to Me that you may have life. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
(John 5:39-40, 42)
3. If we abide, or live in the truths of His word we are truly followers of Jesus. We come to know the One who is truth.
This ongoing encounter with the living Word is able to liberate our heart from any amount of darkness that is in our souls.
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)
4. If we desire to abide in His word, we must turn away from all filthiness. This is not just immorality. Filthiness includes
having a wrong spirit that motivates our activity, whether in thought, word or deed.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able
to save your souls. (James 1:21)
a. We must approach the word with a spirit of obedience - a commitment to obey His commands and submit to the
Holy Spirit’s leadership in every area of our life. God imparts the word to our spirit as we seek Him in humility.
b. The word is implanted as an incorruptible seed in our heart which can take root and grow if properly cared for.
Nothing can overpower this seed. It is able to deliver our soul from the filthiness and wickedness that would otherwise
thrive in our heart. (See Matthew 13:3-23 for the parable of the sower.)
…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls
away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:23-25)
But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and
produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23)
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29)
II. THE DEVOTIONAL DIALOGUE: COMING TO JESUS TO FIND LIFE
A. What are some practical ways to connect with the heart of God as we study the word?
1. To begin with, we must approach all of our studying with a spirit of love or devotion towards God. This is simply
carrying an “I love You” in your heart as you read His word and speak to Him. God is after the voluntary response of love
from each individual heart. By approaching Him in this way, our Bible study becomes affection-based instead of solely an
intellectual pursuit.
2. Do not attempt to cover too much material at once. The goal is not quantity, but quality. Our devotional dialogue
with God is conversational in nature. Just as a human-to-human conversation would be, it is helpful to pause every few
moments or phrases throughout your study to both speak and listen to God.
3. Journaling can be a useful addition to this dialogue. Written prayers, questions, or insights can be added to in the future
as God changes our circumstances, answers our questions, and gives us deeper revelation.
B. Responding to God through His word can be as simple as taking time to thank Him for the truths in the verse, and
asking for understanding. This is an excellent way to respond to His promises.
1. When reading a command, we must respond with a commitment to obey, asking God for the strength to follow His
word.
2. When a passage is difficult, ask God to give you understanding; to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of Him.
…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened… (Ephesians 1:17-18)
3. Even if you feel you understand the passage you’re studying, ask God for more understanding. The Holy Spirit
desires to lead us into all truth, and will do so as we continue in the word. Eternal life is found in an intimate knowing of
God Himself, not just an intellectual grasping of the Scriptures.
… when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but
whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13)
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)
C. When we approach the study of God’s word in a way that brings us into communion with Him, it will drastically change
our lives. We will reap from whatever we have sown. If we stay in the word not just to study it, but to turn it into God-
centered, loving dialogue with the commitment to obey, we will reap the fruit of righteousness. The impact may not be
felt overnight. Not all growth will be evident in our own estimation, but we will be changed over the months and years.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh
will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow
weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:7-9)
D. Satan understands the principle of sowing and reaping, desiring to use it against us. Paul warns us of the devil’s
desire to lead us astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus. Simplicity in this instance refers to having a
singular focus as opposed to divided affections.
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy… But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your
minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity {of devotion} to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB)