Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.
1 Peter 3:15
If someone asked you,
"Of all the religions in the world, what makes you think Christianity is right?"
Would you know the answer with confidence?
We only grow unshakable in our faith depending on how much of God's Word we know and how obedient we are to it.
Knowing God's Word gives assurance of salvation.
Studying God's Word gives us great benefits and it brings life—eternal life—most of all we know our assurance of salvation. We can't be vessels for God to use to encourage others come to know Christ if we're unstable and insecure in our own spiritual condition. 1 John 5:13 says, These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
God wants us to know that we have eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Word ("these things I have written to you") is the means by which He gives this assurance.
How do we know we've been forgiven of sin?
How do we know we're children of God traveling toward heaven?
Because it is stated in and throughout God's Word. As we get into the Word and discover what God has to say, it strengthens our faith and reassures our souls. Romans 10:17 says, Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Knowing God's Word defeats temptation.
Ephesians 6:17 says, …and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This verse tells us that God's Word is our Spirit-given sword for warding off temptation and claiming victory in spiritual combat.
Some people are tempted by one thing and others by another.
If you're tempted to lose your temper, memorize a verse like Proverbs 15:18: A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention.
If you're prone to depression, memorize verses like Nehemiah 8:10: The joy of the Lord is your strength.
If you have problems keeping a clean mind, try Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
Or if you're frequently afraid, find hope in 2 Timothy 1:7: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Whatever your weakness, there are verses in God's Word for you. The basic principal to victory is finding those verses, committing them to memory, and meditating on them until they get into your spiritual bloodstream.
Knowing God's Word enables us to witness to others.
A plan of systematic study on God's Word and memorization can give you confidence so that when the opportunity to witness comes along, you know what to say because your mind is filled with the Word of God.
When Scripture is inputted into our life, it seeks an outlet. When we're thrilled with the Word, we want to share it by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Knowing God's Word helps us know our heavenly Father.
Knowing God's Word helps establish intimacy with our Heavenly Father! Paul says, For my determined purpose is that I may know Him—that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly… (Philippians 3:10; Amplified Bible).
God reveals Himself through His Word; and when we read the Word, we are meeting with the Master author and finisher.
Some people think they can never really understand God's Word, but notice the way the John addressed his readers in 1 John 2:12, I write to you, little children…
Wherever you are in your spiritual walk, dedicate yourself to serious lifelong study of God's Word.
You can grasp and understand the great teachings in God's Word, as you diligently study and apply the truths that the Holy Spirit illuminates for all to see and know.
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