About The Word
The Bible contains the very words of God. It is the only book where the author of the book, who is also the subject of the book, lives inside of the readers of the book in order to help them understand the book. Because God authored the Bible, we know we can trust it. There is no magic formula or secret password to gain access to the truth found in the Bible. We simply need to make the effort. We’d be crazy not to spend time reading the Bible and allowing it to influence the way we live. We have the very words of God at our fingertips. The Bible is right there waiting for us to study it, absorb it, and apply it to our lives.
Wise Words
Call out for insight. My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding. – Proverbs 2:1-2 ESV
Absorb the Word. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11 ESV
Keep the Word. The end of the matter: all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or bad. – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ESV
God’s Word is flawless. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. – Psalm 19:7-8 ESV
Wise Warnings
Disobedience is unsafe. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. – Psalm 119:9 ESV
The Word can wound. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrew 4:12-13 ESV
Stay humble. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. – Proverbs 26:12 ESV
Gospel Wisdom
The entirety of God’s Word is Gospel wisdom. It all points to Jesus, and Jesus Himself is the embodiment of God’s Word. The Bible, therefore, is to be esteemed as the most excellent way to hear from God and to teach others about Jesus. When we preach about Jesus, we use the Bible to do so. When we want to emulate Jesus, the Bible is our resource. When we want God to change our hearts and minds toward Him, we must access the transforming power of the Gospel that is found within the pages of the Bible.
Other Wisdom
Psalm 119
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Peter 1:16-21
Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth, by Charles C. Ryrie
Proverbs: An Introduction & Commentary, by Derek Kidner
Proverbs: Wisdom that Works (Preaching the Word), by Raymond C. Ortland, Jr.
Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible, by Howard G. G. Hendricks, William D. D. Hendricks