How to live by the Word of God

Some might ask : What has life or living got to do with the Word of God?  Well, the appropriate response to such people is to refer them to the experience of the first humans to dwell on this earth.

According to the bible in the book of Genesis, the decree of the Creator was that the first humans were to live or die by what they did with the Word God gave to them.



The thing is that the situation or equation has never changed.  This implies that humans still live or die by what they do with the Word of God.  Living by the Word, means being spiritually attuned to God, being at peace with God, knowing God and knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.  It also means one's steps and actions being ordered by the Word of God.  This is the only thing that guarantees heaven at the end of our earthly lives.  This is why the Lord Jesus Christ says in Matthew 4 verse 4, 'But He answered and said, ''It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' ''

Sadly, many people living on our planet today are dead even though they are physically alive.  This is simply because they have no relationship with the Word of God.  It is only the Word that gives life and this life is life eternal.  Most people think that it is their religion that gives them eternal life, it is why there are hundreds of religions around the world today.  We know this is a lie of the devil.



Religion is man-made while the Word is God-sent.  The bible says in Psalm 107 verse 20, 'He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.'

The important things then to take on board are the following:
1. Discerning the Word:
    One must be able to discern the Word of God.  This means being able to distinguish the Word from the cacophony of voices that surround and envelop humans today.  Hundreds of millions of people presently live by words which are not the words of God.  These people may be sincere but they are sincerely wrong.  Only the Holy Bible passes all the tests of being the Word of God.  Jesus Christ is this Word personified and the Holy Bible is Jesus Christ in print.  John 1 verses 1 and 14 say, 'IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  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.'



2. Believing the Word:
    After discerning the Word of God, it still has to be believed.  There are people who are able to discern the Word but who are still nonchalant about reposing their faith in the Word.  The Lord Jesus Christ says in John 5 verse 24, ''Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life.'



3. Knowing the Word:
    Familiarising oneself with the Word of God is an indication that one truly believes it.  We cannot live by what we do not know.  God told Joshua in Joshua 1 verse 8, ''This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.''



4. Doing the Word:
    However, knowing the Word of God is not enough.  One must do the Word.  This is what validates our faith in the Word of God.  The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 7 verse 21, ''Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.''  The Word of God is the will of God.