When we open the Bible, we should not have pre-conceived ideas. Wouldn't it be great if we could open the Word of God, not as Baptists, not as Methodists, not as Presbyterians, or not as Charismatics, but simply as Christians and accept clearly what God's Word says?

Even though most Christians claim to believe the entire Bible as the inspired Word of God, many times we hesitate to blindly trust in God's Word. Even when we study the Bible, sometimes we have a point to prove and merely use the Bible to solidify our already established belief.

When you talk with some people about the things of God, they become defensive. They have their opinion and nothing you can say, no biblical logic discussed, will change their mind. We must have the mind of Christ and the only way is to believe what He believes. Jesus only believed the Word of the Father. We must be like Jesus.

Sadly, some Christians get a belief and hold on to it as truth, regardless. If the Bible disagrees with their doctrine, they ignore that portion of the Bible. This should not be. We must go to the Word of God and ask God to show us His truths and then believe what He shows us!

We should never believe something just because of tradition. Instead, we should believe because God said it. Jesus said in John the 8th chapter that if we would abide or continue in His Word then we would be His disciples and we would know the truth and the truth would set us free.

How can we find the truths of God? Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

We must clear our minds of man's ideas and philosophies and abide in the Word of God. Only when we believe God's Word enough to act on it will we receive the promises of His Word.

Once a man told me that the Bible was just too complicated for him to understand. He went on to say that instead of reading the Bible, he just listened to preachers and he knew they must be right. Well, quite frankly, that's wrong thinking. If Satan can keep us out of the Word instead of in it, then his lies will be easier to believe. Why? Because, we have no truth to compare them to.

In John 17:17 Jesus said, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth." Satan hates the Word. He knows that it is the Word that sets us free. He knows that it is through the Word that we receive faith. Satan knows that faith is the substance that will destroy his kingdom. He will do whatever is possible to keep the Christian out of faith and the easiest way is to keep them out of the Word. Satan knows that without the Word there is no faith

It takes faith to accomplish anything in the spirit realm. Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith we cannot please Him." But faith in what? Faith in God's Word. We must believe that God does not lie and we must believe it so completely that we daily place our life in the hands of His Word.

So, read the Word of God. Believe what you read and act on what you believe.

That's faith! And that pleases God.

Devotion 0116