The Word Purifies - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 30, 2024

Have you ever struggled to read God's word? Maybe you promised yourself you would crack open your Bible but when you did, the words blended together and you had little understanding? Or did you see a bunch of names you couldn't pronounce that intimidated you?

So many Christians avoid reading the Bible for these and other reasons. The only person who benefits from this is satan. Therefore, every Christian must remember to consume the word of God in whatever way that is conducive and effective for them.

Another reason to spend time studying God's word is that the Word cleanses and purifies believers from sin. We are taught the following in John 15:2-3 - He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you (NLT).

What this means is that the more a Christian spends time with the Word - the teachings of God - the more they are washed clean from the sinful nature that drags mankind down and deprives their Maker of His glory.​

Christ uttered this verse to His disciples. These were the individuals who didn't just claim to believe Him but walked with Him daily. They listened to Him teach about God and His kingdom. They drank the living water each day and it is that water that cleansed them. This is how they were able to live according to 1 John 1:7 - But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin (NLT).

The Lord wants this for each of us - to live lives that are consistently washed clean of all sin so we can always come into His presence spotless and undefiled. One way to achieve this on our end is to open the Bible and read it every day or at least interact with His word in some way each day. Not just glance over the words, though, but take a moment to think about what lesson is being conveyed and prayerfully seek God's understanding so we can apply His instructions in everything we do. In practical terms, this also looks like listening to sermons from Spirit-led Bible teachers, while being careful to avoid individuals who are simply giving inspirational messages instead of challenging us to increase in righteous living.

This also means we have to seek out and consume testimonies of what God is doing for those who steep themselves like a teabag in God's word. We have to spend more time with believers, being sharpened as we sharpen others with scripture as expressed through experiences with Him.

The more we do these things and whatever else the Lord tells us, the more we grow in our knowledge of His word and power. The more we change in how we act, speak and think. Our very environment looks different and even others notice a shift in us.

May we each pick up God's word and prioritize studying it so it seeps into us purifying and transforming us for the glory of the Lord our King, IJMN Amen.