“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
The Word is Jesus Christ, and the Word is God. The prophets and apostles wrote the books of the Bible by inspiration of The Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit. Therefore, we should receive scriptures as God talking directly to us.
Some think they can accomplish everything God desires for them in this world and in eternity without reading The Bible—without the Bible by their side. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, “That’s simply not true!”
Tying to achieve God’s will and purpose in your life without the help of The Bible is like trying to build a house without having a hammer in your belt. I like to think of God’s words in The Bible as tools that He’s handing us one at a time. If we put them all together as a whole, we can strap on His tool belt and use them as we build ourselves to become like Jesus Christ.
My wife doesn’t let me out much and there’s probably a good reason why; I’m often found standing by the saw-horses, talking to my tools. With that oddity exposed, her restraint might make sense. Just the same, however strange that may seem, here’s something you’ll never hear me say: “Hammer, I can drive these nails myself, I won’t be needing you today.” I know my hammer and it’s always been a good listener, not one much for talk. However, if it did snap back a response, I’m sure it wouldn’t be, “That’s ok Jim, I can drive the nails without you—I’ll swing myself today”
No, our relationship doesn’t work like that; The tool and I must work “hand in hand” together if were going to accomplish our task. Likewise, you and The Bible have been designed to work together… “hand in hand.”
I want to lead people to Christ…I want to win souls for The Lord…I want to return God’s gifts, grace, and love, by doing something good. I know the Bible is the key, and it holds all the tools that we need. But for the life of me, it seems like I can’t persuade people to pick up the book. What am I doing wrong… How can I get it across? Am I not authentic enough? Do my analogies about hammers and nails need to stay in my head?
I’m not going to stop encouraging others, but I want to see some sparks in their eyes and hear some words from their hearts…I want to know if what I’m doing in the name Jesus is making a difference in their lives.
Have you ever had thoughts like these? Have you ever been caught up in this trap? This one trips me up more than all others combined—The trap of focusing on oneself—The trap of human pride.
Pride isn’t only arrogance where you’re lifting yourself up and thinking you’re better than everybody else. Pride, in its simplest form, is just self-centeredness where you are just focused on yourself. A pride like this slithers its way into most of our lives each and every day.
To escape from this trap, I pick up the Bible…meditate…and rest my mind on God’s words. When I read the words in The Bible it never takes long until I’m centered again on God’s love and all that’s true. It’s like the dim lights in my mind start to brighten from His light.
Victorious thoughts appear to shine in my mind, thoughts like, “Jim, focus on God’s fruit that falls from your tree. Didn’t a friend just tell you the other day that after reading my words he picked up the Bible and found some truth that hit home?” God’s love is seeping in—somethings working through the words that I speak. Any word of God that goes out in this universe is fruit for the soul—The more being said, the more people are fed.
When I stop focusing on myself and what I want to accomplish; I can see God’s glorious plan and how it moves in others lives. Centering on God instead of yourself puts a constraint on one’s pride and places God back in control. But don’t think for a moment, you can do this yourself, we don’t have the power to win against sin—That’s where Jesus comes in—and The Bible’s all about Him. Learn from the Bible so you can cast your cares on to the Lord. With The Bible in your hand you can accomplish His plan.
Those that think they don’t need The Bible, or that they’ve read it enough, may simply have to much pride as they depend on themselves. It’s likely pride that keeps most people from the Truth of God’s Word. Remember, pride isn’t only about arrogance, no it’s much more than that—keep your head on swivel so you don’t trip into its trap.
Did someone just say, “I can handle this on my own…” Wow, could they use a lesson straight from the book. Let’s start at the beginning and see what is says.
Pride goes way back, it started even before people ever had sex—back to the first humans who were created solely by God. Yes, you can thank Adam and Eve for starting this mess. God created them to live lives focused on Him. His purpose from the very beginning was that people should be “God-conscious,” not “self-conscious.” That was His plan, but left up to them they turned it around. They ate the forbidden fruit from the tree and instantly it all changed, from a focus on God to a conscious of self. Satan slithered in and set up the trap—With one seemingly innocent bite, Adam inflicted us all—In that instant self-centeredness was created and man has struggled to be obedient to God ever since.
Is pride holding you back from reading the Bible—From putting Gods tools in your belt? You say, you don’t need God’s tools… you can do it yourself. That’s pride in it’s simplest form. You can be humble and meek, you can be the best husband in the world, the best father or best friend but if you won’t grab the tool God’s handing you… what does that say about what your wanting to build? And what is it you’re trying to build and how long will it last? Humble yourself and pick up the Bible, it’s loaded with the tools God left just for you…Get to work building the person that He wants you and others to be.
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2) These words are tools straight from God’s book. Use these words like tools in your life; Hammer down your pride and chisel at your flesh. Shape and define yourself with humility and use God’s words from The Bible like the tools that they are.
Humble yourself—Do not let pride hold you back. One Truth becomes certain after reading the Bible; Everything is possible with God’s tools in your belt. God’s Truth is for everyone, but for you to make it you own, you must work “hand and hand” with The Bible—Make heaven your home.
“I tell you the Truth”