Biblical Illiteracy—a Self-Inflicted Wound *

“I can’t memorize Scripture; nothing seems to stick.” “I don’t have the time and I don’t understand a lot of it.” I’m sure you’ve heard these excuses and more in discussions with those who give them, thus exposing their lack of understanding of the importance of treasuring God’s Word in our hearts, “that we may not sin against Him” (Ps. 119:11). It’s precisely this lack of priority, lack of faith in God’s timeless Word, that makes many in the church “low-hanging fruit”* for the wiles of the devil. And then we wonder why God doesn’t answer our prayers. The Bible says, “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). So what part of “My words abide in you” isn’t clear?

That’s what I love about God’s Word. We don’t need advanced degrees to understand the message. Most of God’s promises have a condition attached: if you, then I…fill in the blank. We’re just not willing to do the “if you(s).” Why not? I believe it’s because we don’t really know the God who made the promise. And in not knowing, we don’t love Him or trust Him. Isn’t that sad? He’s given us everything in Christ, promised us everything in Christ, prepared a place for us in heaven with Christ. The irony is that the exact thing we shun—God’s Word—is the exact thing that brings us closer to Him: “Establish Your Word to Your servant as that which produces reverence for You” (Ps. 119:38). A great passage on God’s mercy and faithfulness is Nehemiah 9, especially verses 16-31.

In the list of God’s armor

that we are to take up for the battle against the “spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph. 6:12),” there is only one offensive weapon: the “sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).” If you’ve served in the military, especially if you’ve seen combat, you know that if you only have one offensive weapon, you guard it with your life, you make sure it’s in top working order at all times because your life depends on it. Spiritual warfare is no different—just the weapons. Our “sword” can only remain sharp with constant use. It’s been said that if a man’s Bible is falling apart (from use), then it’s very likely he isn’t.

Think about that. What battle are you in?

What weapon(s) are you using? Even when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness after 40 days of fasting which would have left him hungry and weak (Matt. 4:1-11), the only weapon He used against the temptations was the Word of God. After three unsuccessful attempts to lure Jesus into sin, and Jesus’ faithful response from Scripture, the devil left Him. There’s a huge lesson here. If the Son of God used only the Word of God to defeat the enemy of God, how can we possibly think anything else we try (i.e. on our own strength) could have any success? Oh yeah, there’s one other prerequisite. We have to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Acts 19:13-16, some Jewish exorcists, 7 sons of Sceva a Jewish chief priest, tried to use the names of Jesus and Paul to cast out a demon. But because they were not Apostles or even believers in Jesus, the demon, still in the man, mocked them and then “leaped on them and subdued all of them so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded (v16).” This is a warning we need to take seriously. Spiritual warfare is real. Our enemy is real and has real power. Just not enough to overcome the power inherent in the Word of God.

We’re told,

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5). Where does this wisdom come from? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7). “…the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7). So, it’s a one-two punch. 1) Fear the Lord (know Him, love Him, honor Him through obedience) and 2) study His “testimony” (His Word). Don’t be an easy target for Satan’s lies. Know the truth…it will set you free (John 8:32). “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). The battle is about to get intense as I believe Satan knows his time is short. Keep your sword sharp. Thanks for dropping in. See you in the arena.

*Pastor Al Pittman (In a sermon 4/18/21)