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The Crisis Of Biblical Illiteracy Series
Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 20, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Preachers are to give heed to the Word, and to preach the Word...
Verses : Hosea 4:6, Matthew 22:29, 2 Timothy 2:15
God's people have always been destroyed by lack of knowledge - Hos 4:1-6. We confront a pressing issue in the Church of biblical illiteracy. Many of us are no longer familiar with the Word of God, and this has dire consequences for our faith and lives. Let us explore the importance of Scripture and how we can reclaim it.
In Hosea 4:6, God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." This knowledge refers to the Word of God, which is our spiritual food and sword (Matthew 4:4, Ephesians 6:17). Without it, we are vulnerable to false teachings and unable to discern truth from error.
In Matthew 22:29, Jesus rebukes the Sadducees for not knowing the Scriptures, which led to their misunderstanding of Him. We too can miss the fullness of God's plan and His work in our lives if we neglect His Word.
To combat biblical illiteracy, we must:
• Value the Word of God as our ultimate authority (2 Timothy 3:16)
• Read, study, and meditate on Scripture regularly (Psalm 1:2-3, Joshua 1:8)
• Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit to understand and apply God's Word (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:12-16)
Without a knowledge of God's Word, a person has no real direction or guidance in life and no true joy or peace in life. Our standards of morality are skewed, where good is evil and evil is good. The truly blessed man and woman of God feeds upon the Word of God daily. God gave the responsibility of spiritual training to the parents to admonish their children with Gods word.
As we prioritize the Bible, may we:
• Grow in our knowledge and love for God
• Mature in our faith and discernment
• Be equipped to fulfill our calling and purpose
Let us rediscover the transformative power of God's Word and ignite a passion for Scripture in our lives and in the Church. May we be doers of the Word, not just hearers (James 1:22). Amen.