I heard recently of a gathering of ministers from various churches, where a minister declared that he trusted the Bible to be the flawless Word of God, effectively written by the hand of God through the instrument of God’s servants over thousands of years.
Some of the other ministers scoffed at his statement and went on the offensive to undermine such confidence in the Bible.
So, let me pose the question. Why do God’s people ever want to attack and undermine God’s Word? Why would people who rely on the Bible as their primary source document feel some need to discredit it?
Of course the world will attack the Bible. They don’t want to believe in God or submit to Him, or receive the things revealed in the Bible. They don’t want to believe in miracles, or spirits, or God seeing all we do and hearing all we say. They don’t want to believe in heaven and hell.
And of course, Satan will attack God’s Word. He did that on his first encounter with man in the Garden of Eden. The devil’s first line of attack when he tempted Eve was to question God’s words.
“The serpent was more devious than any other animal made by the LORD God. He said to the woman, Did God really say, You must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1
The devil went on to accuse God of lying and wanting to deny good things to Adam and Eve.
“You will not surely die, the serpent told her. For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4
The World and the Devil are opposed to God’s word, so we should not be surprised when people level all manner of attacks against God’s Word.
Attacks come in many forms, such as scoffing, “You don’t believe the Bible, do you?” And there are intellectual attacks, “Surely you don’t believe such a thing is possible?” Then there are academic attacks, which present as carefully researched facts that should not be disputed.
For the Christian the Bible is a wonderful gift from God. It is revelation of things we would not otherwise know and it reveals the keys for our living and our relationship with God. We have no reason to despise or attack it.
“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
“His delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2
Christians know that the Bible is effective in a wide range of key life experiences.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” 2Timothy 3:16
Christians also recognise that God, by the Holy Spirit, is the author of the Bible, overseeing what God’s men wrote through the centuries.
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2Peter 1:21
It is my assumption that people who act as if they are offended by God’s Word, or offended by those who hold it in high regard, are actually feeling offended in themselves, afraid of the scorn of man.
If that is the case it is what the Bible calls ‘fear of man’ and the Bible warns that fearing people is a trap.
“The fear of man brings a snare: but whoever puts his trust in the LORD will be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
The World and the Devil are opposed to God and those who worship God. They employ intimidation, scorn, rejection and force to oppose faith in God and faith in God’s Word. When we come under the hold of their defiance we can choose to go along with their ideas. When we do that we are trapped and that trap may be what causes men and women of God to defy God’s Word instead of relying on it and trusting it for all they need.
Once people abandon God’s Word as their reliable foundation they are floundering, without an anchor. They are able to be pushed along by any wind of doctrine or worldly idea. Sadly many Christians drift like that and wonder why Bible truths don’t seem to work for them.
I encourage you to throw off the intimidation you have suffered at the hands of the world and the devil’s taunts. Repent of ever doubting or minimising the Bible as God’s Word to you and ask God to open His word into your heart so you can be transformed by all it offers.
And, as a final word, let me prompt you with the words of Apostle Paul.
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
And from now on never be Offended at God’s Word.
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