So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. -Romans 10:17
I can't emphasize this enough! Faith comes by hearing the Word of God!
We can't complain we lack faith and don't hear from God if we aren't opening our Bibles and reading His Word.
We need to be in the Word in some way every day. Many of us have incredibly busy lives, and it seems that something is always demanding our attention. At the end of the day, we just want to relax and maybe watch some TV. Its not easy with our busy schedules, but trust me, spending time in the Word may actually be easier than you think!
If you work from home or can work with earphones on, you can listen to an audio Bible or some good preaching and teaching online. We can do the same while exercising or doing household chores as well.
I would caution against using sermons as our main or only way of hearing the Word of God, though. We need to know His Word personally and intimately! The devil likes to present scripture to us with half truths or out of context, the same way he tempted Adam and Even in the garden, and how he tempted Jesus in the desert.
Intentionally and unintentionally, Biblical scripture is often taken out of context and used to promote all kinds of different viewpoints. In World War II, for instance, both sides used scripture to show they were on the right side!
We need to understand scripture in context. If we hear something new, or hear something that sounds a bit "off", or even if it's something we've heard a million times before, it's always good to go back and take a look and read the scripture in context, keeping in mind the culture and the audience.
When I come across some new teaching, or scripture that I don't quite understand, I'll pray about it and go back and read it within the chapter. I also like to look at a concordance (like Strong's Concordance) to see the original Hebrew or Greek meanings. It will often shed new light and understanding on the scripture at hand or confirm your understanding.
Maybe we aren't all Biblical Scholars, but all of us should be reading the Word of God and meditating on it every day. Like the old saying says, where there's a will, there's a way.
If we are really struggling to find even a few minutes to spend with God in His Word, we should pray and ask God to show us where our opportunities are and help us examine our priorities. After all, who in our lives is more important than God?!
Without the Word of God inside us, we are easily lost, and it could cost us our very lives as we are swept away by popular opinion, charismatic speakers, or half-truths just like in the Garden of Eden.
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the amazing gift of your Word! We thank You for sending us your only begotten Son, not only to die for our sins, but to show us how to live! Your Word is so important to us! We ask that you help us to spend good, quality time with You in your Word and that you bless us with wisdom and understanding as we hear and read. As we listen to others preach and teach, we pray that you give us wisdom and discernment to only receive what is right and true. We ask that you help us to abide in you and that your words abide in us. We ask all of this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
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