The Word of God

1. The Bible was written by divine inspiration:

2Tim.3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God
1Thes.2:13 Ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God
Heb.1:1 God...spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets
2Pet.1:21 Men of God spake as they were moved by Holy Ghost

2. God's Word is eternally true and never fails:

1Ki.8:56 There hath not failed one word of all His good promise
Psa.119:89 Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven
Psa.119:160 Every one of Thy judgements endureth forever
Isa.40:8 The Word of God shall stand forever
Isa.55:10,11 So shall My Word be...it shall accomplish...and prosper
Mat.24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words [never]
Jn.10:35b The Scripture cannot be broken (cancelled, annulled)
1Pet.1:25 The Word of the Lord endureth forever

3. The Importance of God's Word:

Deut.32:46,47 Set your heart unto all the Words...for it is not a vain thing for you; it is your life
Psa.138:2b Thou (God) hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name

A. Jesus is the "Word made flesh":

Jn.1:1 In the beginning was the Word...and the Word was God
Jn.1:14 The Word (Jesus) was made flesh and dwelt among us
Rev.19:11-13 His (Jesus') name is called the Word of God (See also 1Jn.1:1)

B. The power of the Word:

Jn.6:63 The Words that I speak, they are spirit and they are life
Psa.33:6,9 By the the Word of the Lord were the heavens made... He spake, and it was done
Rom.1:16 Gospel of Christ...is the power of God unto salvation
Heb.11:3 The worlds were framed by the Word of God
2Pet.3:5-7 Earth...by the Word, kept in store, reserved unto fire

4. God's Word is our spiritual weapon:

Eph.6:17 The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
Jer.5:14 I will make My Words in thy mouth fire
Jer.23:29 Is not My Word like as a fire? and like a hammer?
Mat.4:4-11 Jesus said to (Satan), It is written. Then devil leaveth
Heb.4:12 Word is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any...sword
1Jn.2:14 The Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one

5. The Bible was written for our benefit:

Psa.102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come
Jn.19:35 He (John) that saw it bare record...that ye might believe
Jn.20:31 These are written that ye might believe
Rom.15:4 Written for our learning, that we through...the Scriptures might have hope
1Cor.10:11 And they are written for our admonition (See also 1Jn.5:13)

6. Keeping (obeying, heeding) the Word:

A. It's important to heed and keep the Word:

Deut.11:1 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep His...statutes, and His judgments, and His commandents, alway
Heb.2:1 We ought to give more earnest heed to the (Word)
2Pet.1:19 Sure Word...ye do well that ye take heed

B. Obeying and keeping the Word proves we know and love Jesus:

Psa.119:167 My soul kept Thy testimonies; I love them exceedingly
Jn.8:31 If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed
Jn.14:15 If ye love Me, keep My commandments
Jn.14:21,23 If a man love Me, he will keep My Words
Jam.1:22-24 Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only
1Jn.2:3 Hereby we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments
1Jn.5:3 This is the love of God...keep His commandments
2Jn.6 This is love, that we walk after His commandments
Rev.3:8 Thou...hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My name

C. The benefits of keeping the Word:

Deut.7:9 The Lord...keepeth mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments
Psa.1:2,3 In His law doth he meditate. And he shall...bring forth fruit
Psa.37:31 Law of God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide
Lk.8:15 They, which...having heard the Word, keep it, bring forth fruit with patience
Lk.11:28 Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it
Jn.15:7 If...My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done
Jn.15:10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love
1Jn.2:5 Whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected
1Jn.3:24 He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him
(See also 1Jn.2:24)

D. The Holy Spirit will guide you in the Word:

Psa.25:5 [Pray:] Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me
Jn.14:26 The Holy Ghost...shall teach you, and bring (Words) to your remembrance
Jn.16:13 The Spirit...will guide you into all truth
1Jn.2:27 The anointing teacheth you of all things (See also Psa.119:18; Ezk.36:27.)

E. Additional verses on the importance of keeping the Word:

Psa.119:2,4,33,34,55,57,60,63,67,88,100,115,129,134,145,146,167,168 ; Pro.3:1,21 ; 4:4,13,20-21 ; 6:20,22 ; 7:1-3 ; 19:16 ; 22:17-18 ; 28:4,7 ; 29:18 ; Eccl.8:5 ; 12:13 .

7. What the Word does for us:

A. Saves us and gives us spiritual rebirth:

Psa.19:7a Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul
Jam.1:18 Of His Own will begat He us with the Word of truth
Jam.1:21b The engrafted Word...is able to save your souls
1Pet.1:23 Being born again...by the Word of God
2Pet.1:4 Precious promises: by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature

B. The Word gives us faith, truth, wisdom and strength:

Rom.10:17 Faith cometh by hearing...the Word of God
Psa.19:7b Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple
Psa.119:99 , I have more understanding than all my teachers: for
100 Thy testimonies are my meditation
Jn.15:7 If My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will
Jn.17:17b Thy Word is truth
Acts 20:32 Word of His grace, which is able to build you up
2Tim.3:15-17 Scriptures...are able to make thee wise

C. Meditating in the Word causes prosperity and success:

Josh.1:8 Meditate therein day and night...then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and...have good success
Psa.1:2,3 In His law doth he meditate...whatsoever he doeth shall prosper
1Tim.4:15 Meditate upon these things...that thy profiting may appear to all

D. The Word guides us and is a light to our path:

Psa.19:8 Commandment of Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
Psa.25:10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His...testimonies
Psa.119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path
Psa.119:130 The entrance of Thy Words giveth light

E. The Word cleanses us spiritually:

Psa.119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed...to Thy Word
Jn.15:3 Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken
Eph.5:25b,26 That He might sanctify and cleanse (us) with the washing of water by the Word (See also Jn.17:17)

F. Other things the Word does for us:

Psa.107:20 He sent His Word and healed them
Psa.119:11 Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
Psa.119:165 Great peace have they which love Thy law
Jer.15:16b Thy Word was...the joy and rejoicing of mine heart
Jn.8:31,32 If ye continue in My Word...the truth shall make you free
1Thes.2:13b Word of God...effectually worketh in you that believe
2Tim.3:16,17 All Scripture is...profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
Heb.4:12 Word is...discerner of thoughts and intents of heart

8. What we should do with the Word:

A. Feed on it, for it is our spiritual food:

Psa.119:103 How sweet are Thy Words! Sweeter than honey
Job 23:12 I have esteemed Words more than my necessary food
Jer.15:16 Thy Words were found, and I did eat them
Mat.4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by...Word
1Pet.2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of Word

B. Teach the Word to our children:

Deut.6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children
Deut.11:19 And ye shall teach (the Word unto) thy children
Psa.78:1-8 They should make them known unto their children
2Tim.3:15 From a child thou has known the holy Scriptures

C. Teach "milk" to babes, and "meat" to the mature:

Heb.5:13 Every one that useth milk...is a babe
Heb.5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are (mature)
1Cor.3:1,2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat
Heb.6:1-3 Leaving the principles of the doctrine...let us go on
2Tim.2:15 A workman...rightly dividing the Word of truth
Jn.16:12 I have many things to say...ye cannot bear them now

D. Love the Word and let it dwell in our hearts:

Deut.6:6,7 These Words...shall be in thine heart
Deut.11:18 Lay up these My Words in your heart and in your soul
Psa.40:8 I delight to do Thy will...Thy law is within my heart
Psa.119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgments (Word)
Psa.119:40 Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts
Psa.119:47,48 I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved (See also Psa.119:113,140,159,163)
Psa.119:72 Law of Thy mouth better than thousands of gold
Psa.119:97 O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day
Psa.119:127 I love Thy commandments above gold
Psa.119:131 I panted...I longed for Thy commandments
Psa.119:162 I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil Col.3:16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
1Tim.4:15 Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly (See also Isa.51:7)

E. Study the Word and "search the Scriptures":

Jn.5:39 Search the Scriptures...they testify of Me
Acts 17:11 Received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily
1Tim.4:16 Take heed...unto the doctrine; continue in them
2Tim.2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God...rightly dividing the Word of truth

F. Answer questions and witness with the Word:

Psa.119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him
Pro.22:20,21 Answer Words of truth to them that send unto thee
Phi.2:15,16 Shine as lights...holding forth the Word of life
Tit.1:9 By sound doctrine to convince gainsayers
1Pet.3:15 Be ready always to give an answer to every man
1Pet.4:11 If any speak, let him speak as the oracles of God

G. Teach and preach the Word:

Psa.68:11 Great was company of them that published it
Jer.23:28 He that hath My Word, let him speak (it) faithfully
Hab.2:2 Write the vision, and make it plain
Mat.28:20 Teaching them to observe all things...I have commanded
Acts 8:25 They testified and preached the Word of the Lord
Acts 18:11 Continued...teaching the Word of God among them
1Cor.2:4,13 Not with enticing words of man's wisdom
2Tim.4:2 Preach the Word...reprove, rebuke exhort (See also Jn.12:49 ; 14:10,24 ; 17:8 .)

9. What you should not do with the Word:

A. Don't read it sceptically or doubtfully:

Heb.4:2 Word did not profit...not mixed with faith in them that heard

B. Don't err by being ignorant of the Word:

Mat.22:29 Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures (See also Mat.12:3; 19:4; 21:42; Jn.20:9; Acts 13:27.)

C. Don't "wrest" and twist the Scriptures:

2Cor.2:17 Not as many which corrupt the Word of God
2Cor.4:2 Not...handling the Word of God deceitfully
2Pet.3:14-17 They that are unlearned and unstable wrest...Scriptures

D. Don't argue over minor, controversial doctrines:

Rom.14:1 Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations
2Tim.2:14-16 Strive not about words to no profit
Tit.3:9 Avoid foolish questions and strivings about the law

E. Don't harden your heart and despise the Word:

2Chr.36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God and despised His Words
Pro.13:13 Whoso despiseth the Word shall be destroyed
Isa.5:24 They cast away the law...and despised the Word
Zech.7:12,13 They made their hearts as stone, lest they should hear the Words the Lord sent

F. The fate of those who doubt and despise the Word:

2Chr.36:16 They...despised His Words...until the wrath of the Lord arose
Psa.50:17,21 Thou castest My Words behind thee...I will reprove thee
Isa.5:24 Their root shall be as rottenness...because they despised the Word
Hos.4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will reject thee
Zech.7:11,12 They refused to hearken...therefore came a great wrath
Jn.12:48 He that receiveth not My Words...the Word...shall judge him in the last day
Lk.16:31 If they hear not [the Word], they will not be persuaded, though one rose from the dead
(See Amos 2:4 ; Zech.7:12 ; 2Pet.2:21 ; Jer.36:all .)

10. Beware of those who don't teach the Word:

Isa.8:20 If they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them
Rom.16:17 Mark them which cause divisions...contrary to doctrine
Gal.1:8,9 If any preach any other gospel...let him be accursed
1Tim.4:1,2 Some shall depart from the faith...speaking lies
1Tim.6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words...he is proud, knowing nothing
Tit.1:10,11 Unruly and vain talkers...teaching things which they ought not...whose mouths must be stopped
Heb.13:9 Be not carried about with diverse and strange doctrines
2Pet.2:1,2 False teachers...shall bring in damnable heresies
(See also 2Tim.4:3,4 ; Acts 20:29,30 .)

11. The devil blinds men's eyes to God's Word:

2Cor.4:4 The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
Lk.8:12 They hear, then cometh devil and taketh away the Word (See also Jn.8:43,47 ; 1Jn.2:11 .)

12. Stories relating to the Word:

Mat.4:3-11 [Jesus tempted by the devil, quotes the Word]
Mat.7:21-27 [The parable of the house on the rock and on the sand]
Mat.13:1-23 Parable of the sower (the seed is the Word) (See also Mk.4:1-20 ; Lk.8:4-15.)

Special chapter:

Psa.119 King David's beautiful tribute to the Word