Part of the Growing in Your Faith Series
God wants you to live a life of faith and victory. He knows that you will face trials and temptations of many kinds. So, He gave you the Bible, which is God's Word, to teach you about Him and to teach you how to act as a believer. If you will read God's Word, memorize God's Word, obey God's Word, and share God's Word then you will be equipped to walk in victory. You will then be living under the authority of God instead of walking in your authority.
When you spend time in the Bible you will discover that King David's words are true when he wrote, 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path' (Psalm 119:105). You will also discover the power of God's Word as well. In the New Testament book of Hebrews we read, 'For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart' (Hebrews 4:12).
Jesus gave us an example of how to use the authority of the Bible to stand strong in the midst of trials and temptations. In the New Testament book of Matthew we read the account of Jesus being tempted by the devil. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert where he fasted for forty days and forty nights and he was hungry. He was at his physical and emotional weakest point. That was when the devil came to tempt Him. The devil tempted Jesus by commanding Him to turn stones into bread, by throwing Himself off the highest point of the temple to make God save Him, and by offering Him all the kingdoms of this world. Rather than argue or debate with the devil, Jesus simply quoted God's Word because God's Word is Truth. The devil cannot deny Truth or overcome it. Three times Jesus replied, 'It is written' and then quoted a passage from the Old Testament.
There are three lessons that I want you to see from this encounter which show the need for you to be equipped with the authority of God's Word.
Lessons #1: You must recognize that you cannot fight sin alone. Even Jesus needed the strength and wisdom of God's Word. Jesus responded by speaking Truth.
Lesson #2: You must submit yourself to the authority of God's Word. You cannot fight your spiritual enemies by your authority for you have no authority. But, when you appeal to God's Word then you stand by the Greatest Authority; one that has no equal.
Lesson #3: The devil knows God's Word and will twist it to lie to you. Even the devil knows the Bible and he will try to use God's Word incorrectly in effort to fool you. You must be so active in God's Word that you will know immediately when someone uses the Bible incorrectly.
How does God equip me to walk in victory? You are equipped as you read the Bible every day. When you do, obey what the Bible tells you to do and do not do what the Bible forbids. You will then discover the power of God's Word and enjoy the victories that only He can bring.
As you travel life's journey, I pray that you will walk in the authority of God Word's and apply it to your life every day.
