WEEK 29 – DAY 3

July 21, 2021

WISE ABOUT WHAT IS GOOD

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf:  but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.  Romans 16:17-19

We must always be careful to follow the Lord rather than a man or woman who claims to speak in His name. Whatever someone is teaching needs to be checked against God’s Word. If it is contrary to the Bible, it is not truth. The best safeguard against being drawn in by false teachings is to have God’s Word internalized. Read the Bible daily. Meditate on it. Memorize verses. Make it the integral part of your life that it should be, and you will recognize lies and twisted truths when you hear them. If you have any doubt about something being preached or taught, search your Bible on the subject the first chance you get. Become familiar with a good concordance or topical Bible. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and Nave’s Topical Bible are available on the internet as well as in the bookstores. Use Strong’s to look up the meanings of the Hebrew or Greek words. If you’re not sure how to use these tools, find a friend who is and spend time learning. The Bible is God’s Word to us. Be wise about it because it is good. Do not be naïve and easily misled. As Paul admonished Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17 NIV). To be “wise about what is good,” be a student of God’s Word.

Father, thank You for giving us the Bible and preserving it throughout history to be available to us today. Please, help us to hunger and thirst for more of its wisdom and to spend time daily reading and meditating on it. Help us to encourage that desire in others as well.