THE WORD OF GOD AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

By William R. Cunningham
July 27, 2003

INTRODUCTION

I was watching a pastor on television the other day and was amazed at what I heard. He made a lot of sense until he said something like, "If you are sick or in lack then that means that you are deceived by Satan." I couldn't believe my ears. I am confident that this pastor had no idea what he was saying and that he was merely regurgitating what other ministers say about sickness and disease and poverty. If anyone was deceived, it was he. After all, did Satan deceive Elisha since he got sick and died? Was the Apostle Paul deceived since he had an ailment? The Bible says to let God be true and every man a liar. So the statement that this pastor made is not biblically correct.

This pastor also made a very profound statement. He said that in order to be blessed by God we have to do what the word of God says and hookup with the man of God. Now you show me in the Bible where a Christian must hookup with a man of God in addition to obeying the word of God in order to receive God's blessings. It's not there. However, this pastor quoted 2 Chronicles 20:20 as the proof text, which means he did not consider Hebrews 1:1-2. I couldn't believe my ears. This is how these ministers deceive people into following their false doctrines. They appeal to the human lust and fear and they place themselves before God in the minds of the people that accept their teaching.

Though this pastor was preaching untruths (and this seems to be typical of him from what I have seen in the past), his church is usually packed with multiple services. Deceived people continue to return and listen to ministers who are themselves deceived and therefore speak false doctrines in the church. This made me realize even more how important it is to know the word of God. I was immediately able to dismiss his erroneous statement because I know what the Bible says about sickness and disease.

The only way that a Christian can protect himself or herself against such false teachings is to know the word of God. Foremost in a Christian's life is knowledge of God's word. However, here we have to be very careful as well because these false prophets redefine the word of God. They cause you to believe that the word of God is really their words, which result in you following the doctrines of men instead of the word of God. So what is the word of God so that I would be careful to follow it? The answer to that question and more is the topic of this lesson.

We are going to investigate the true biblical meaning of the word of God. We are also going to investigate the biblical perspective of such word. Then we will examine the true authority of a Christian as well as the impact the word of God has the Christian lifestyle.

SCRIPTURE TEXT

Consider the following passages of Scripture.

Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

See also Deuteronomy 8:3 and Luke 4:4.

John 8:31 through John 8:32 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

These scriptures tell us a lot about the word of God.

1. We should live by every word that God speaks
2. Hiding the word in our heart could cause us not to sin against God
3. The word of God will guide us in life
4. The word of God pierces every aspect of the human being

You probably strive to live according to the word of God. How many times have you heard someone tell you that you should live your life according to God's word? There is a problem here though. Do you know what God's word is? Furthermore, do you realize how important it is to know God's word? The above and other scriptures indicate that it is indeed crucial that we know the word of God so that we would live according to it. But again, what is the word of God?

Let's go on a journey to discover what actually is the word of God and then how we should keep it dear and close to our heart. We will also discuss how important it is to protect the word of God in your heart so that you would continue to live according to the God's word instead of doctrines of men and women.

DEFINITION OF "WORD"

There are many Hebrew and two Greek words that are translated into the word "word."

"Word" From the Hebrew Text

The following are the Hebrew words that have been translated into "word" in the English Bible.

1. Emer, which means a saying, or speech. See Genesis 49:21; Numbers 24:4; Deuteronomy 32:1
2. Omer, which means a saying or speech. See Psalm 68:11, Habakkuk 3:9
3. Emrah, which means a saying or speech. See Lamentations 2:17
4. Imrah (or Emrah), which means a saying or speech. See Deuteronomy 33:9, 2 Samuel 22:31, Psalm 12:6, 18:30, 105:19, 119:11
5. Dabar can refer to something spoken, a saying or command, a speech, story. In general it refers to spoken communication. It could also refer to a matter or a thing. See Genesis 15:1, Exodus 4:5; Deuteronomy 13:3. Most of the words translated to the word "word" in the Old Testament come from the word Dabar.
6. Dabberoth - speeches, utterances, words. See Deuteronomy 33:3.
7. Memar, which means saying, speech. See Daniel 4:17
8. Millah, which means a word, speech, Matter. See 2 Samuel 23:2; Job 4:4, 6:26; Psalm 19:4
9. peh, which means, "mouth." See Genesis 41:40; Numbers 3:16; Deuteronomy 21:5
10. pithgam, which means a matter, a sentence. See Ezra 6:11

"Word" From the Greek Text

The Greek words that have been translated into the English word "word" are as follows.

1. Rhema, which means a saying, something said, utterance, a thing (what was spoken of). See Matthew 4:4, 12:36, 18:16, 26:75
2. Logos, which means something said including the thought, a topic (subject of discourse), reasoning, motive, a computation, divine expression, and account. See Matthew 5:32, 37, 7:24, 26, 28, 8:8, 8:16, 13:19

The difference between logos and rhema are important to understanding the concept of "word" and especially as it pertains to ministry.

Rhema basically deals with something that is spoken. It is not associated with the underlying thought or reason for what is said. The recipient of rhema either believes or disbelieves what was said.

However, logos not only is something that is spoken, but it also includes the thought or reason behind the thought. The logos is an expression or perhaps more simplified, a representation of what is spoken of. Logos is like painting a picture of what is inside of your mind so that someone else would see the same thing. Logos requires understanding in most if not all cases since it is the expression of something that is inside or a concept.

Now relative to Christianity in a strict sense, rhema is the spoken word of God. The rhema is what God said and what we should obey. The Logos is more than that. The Logos is the understanding or the spirit behind what is said as well. This is why we call the Bible the word of God, i.e., the logos. However, it also is the rhema of God in some cases because it records what God actually said in times past.

The Written Word

Sometimes people think of the rhema as the spoken word and the logos as the written word. That is not correct since both are spoken. The rhema deals with speech whereas the logos deals with ideas, concepts, and reasoning. Philosophically we could say that the logos deals with logic, thus understanding. There is a Greek word that is used to describe something written and it is the word GRAMMA.

The Greek, gramma means a writing, letter, note, book, epistle, scripture (a writing), plural learning. See Luke 16:6, 23:38; John 5:47; Romans 2:27, 29, 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6:7; 2 Timothy 3:15.

Differentiating Mere Talking and Logos

Another thing that I would like to point out is that neither logos nor rhema deal merely with speaking. Both at the very least relay a message. There is a Greek word that refers to the mere act of speaking or speech and it is the word lalia. Consider the following scriptures that illustrate this point.

John 8:43 (NKJV) Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.

The first word translated "speech" comes from the word lalia, which we discussed previously. The word "word" is translated from the Greek "Logos." So you again see the distinction between mere speaking and the concept of the Word. Here Jesus tells the Pharisees that they couldn't comprehend what he was telling them because they couldn't understand his speech (language). Today I might say something like; "You can't understand my concept because I am speaking 'Greek' to you." This is consistent with the teaching in the Bible that the things of God are not comprehended by those who are not of God (the world).

The "Word OF GOD"

The "word of God" is a phrase that is used to express the means by which God reveals himself to humans, declares his will, and brings about that will.

• 1 Samuel 9:27
• 1 Chronicles 17:3
• Proverbs 30:5
• Mark 7:13
• Luke 3:2, 4:4, 5:1
• Acts 6:2, 7

The phrase, "word of God" is also used to refer to the following.

1. Ten Commandments. See Deuteronomy 5:5.
2. The Whole Mosaic law (Isaiah 2:3)
3. Specific parts of the Old Testament (Romans 9:6; 1 Timothy 4:5)
4. Personal communication from God (1 Samuel 3:21; 15:10)
5. Jesus' message of the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:11)
6. The gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:31)
7. Jesus himself (Revelation 19:13)

God's word is the primary method that God communicates and works in our world. Keep in mind that the Word is seen as Christ, the incarnation of God on earth.

The Bible

Some suggest that the Bible is not the word of God because fallible men wrote it and that there are portions of the Bible where God did not speak. For example, consider the following scriptures.

1 Corinthians 7:12 (NKJV) ¹²But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.

2 Corinthians 11:17-18 (NKJV) What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.

We have to be careful how we define the word of God. We saw previously that the term "word of God" is used to denote God's revelation to humans. It is not used to only refer to something that God specifically said to someone, such as a command to Moses. God's word is how he reveals himself to us. The Bible is just that, namely the record of God's revelation to humans.

We also must consider that history is moving forward according to the purpose of God. History does not haphazardly move forward by chance according to the will of humans. The record of God's activities in human history also reveals God to us. It shows how God is in control and it shows how God's power shapes the course of history and human activity. Therefore, we cannot discredit the Bible as being the word of God simply because God wasn't doing all of the talking in the scriptures. It is however, God talking to us through the Holy Scriptures. The Bible therefore is indeed the word of God.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD

The word of God is therefore the authority to the Christian and to Christian life. Christians are to live by what God says. We are to govern our lives by the commandments of God through Christ and by the principles of His Kingdom, which is revealed to us by Christ.

The Bible is considered to be the written word of God. After all, we were not alive when Jesus spoke the things recorded in the New Testament. Therefore, we rely on the written accounts of His rhema and logos. From this we see that the Bible is the final authority for the Christian faith. Actually, it is the written account of that authority.

It is the word of God that we should turn to when we want to govern our lives. It is the word of God that we should turn to when we want to know God even more. Keep in mind that the word of God also includes his specific word to you. Many people many times misunderstand this aspect. They think that what God told them specifically for a particular situation (rhema) is applicable to all Christians. That is not necessarily so. For example, I may receive from God after much prayer that I should stop watching television for three weeks and instead spend that time volunteering in a hospital. I do that and then realize that I have the answer to my prayer because I was at the right place at the right time according to my obedience of God. However, I might erroneously instruct everyone else that when they have a particular need that they should give up something like television and volunteer that time to a hospital or to an institution related to your issue. I might say that you will receive your answer if you do that. Unfortunately that would not be correct. The only think that I did originally was to obey God. So my instruction to you should simply be to do whatever God tells you to do when you pray about an issue. I shouldn't get specific with the rhema that God gave me and apply it to you.

We must always keep in mind that the authority of the Christian faith is God and therefore the word of God has preeminence above all else since it is the record of God's word. We cannot add to it or subtract from it. The Word of God will stand until the end of time.

The Source of Authority

The source of authority is God. Pastors, Elders, Bishops and whomever else do not have authority over a Christian's life over and above the word of God. We should be careful not to bow to the teachings and authority of men and women while forfeiting the authority that the Word of God has over our lives. Too many Christians follow preachers and ministers instead of Christ. To many Christians cling to the false teachings of men and women instead of becoming intimate with the word of God and knowing the truth for themselves.

In the introduction of this lesson I described how a preacher made a false statement about sickness and lack. He said that if you are sick or in lack then that means that you were deceived by the Devil.

2 Kings 13:14 (NKJV) Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, "O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!"

Here the great prophet of God, Elisha became sick and later died of that sickness. Was Elisha deceived by the Devil? I don't think so because he continued to prophecy even while he was sick.

Consider yet another example of how false doctrine can be pawned to you if you don't know the truth.

John 11:3 through John 11:4 (NKJV) Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Did Jesus say that Lazarus was sick because he was deceived by the Devil? No. His sickness was to bring glory to God. So you see that the minister who said that sickness is a sign of deception is not telling you the truth according to the Bible. However, how many Christians listen to this type of fallacy in the Church? How many Christians are duped into believing a lie because they don't know the true word of God? Many, I'm afraid.

Your authority is the word of God and anything that you hear or see must be weighed against the truths in the word of God. How often do you study your Bible? How often do you meditate on the scriptures and pray for understanding? Are you the type of person that merely take notes when the pastor preaches and reckons that to be truth? Do you listen and abide by the teachings of men or the teachings of Jesus Christ and the revelation of God in your Bible? My friend I am afraid that many unsuspecting Christians are destroyed because the follow the doctrine of men instead of the word of God. Don't be one of them. Recognize that you allegiance should be the word of God and that you don't have to agree with anyone if their teaching is not consistent with what you have been taught from Scripture.

1 John 2:27 (NKJV) But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

THE WORD AND LIFE

Recall our scripture texts given at the beginning of this study. We see from these that the word of God directly affects our lives. It provides guidance. It provides us with what we need to live according to it (See John 6:63). You can't afford not to give the highest priority to the word of God instead of selling your life to ministers and pastors that promote lies about God and his kingdom. It is to your best interest and that of your children to know as much as possible what God has said. Not doing so will only hurt you in the long run as you try to live your life according to the lies of charlatan ministers and pastors.

What do you really know about the word of God? How is your walk with the Lord? What are you governing your life according to: The Word or dogma? Study your Bible. My wife once said that she has learned to be a critical listener (and reader). Are you? Do you listen intently when you are told what "thus saith the Lord" or do you just accept what you are told with open arms?

I can't express the liberty that is associated with confidence that you acquire from knowing what the Lord says. Actually, the confidence is in the fact that you are seeking and you know that the Lord will reveal (Seek and you shall find). Your confidence is in the Lord because you rely on Him to teach you and to guard your heart with the truth.

The word of God is integral to the Christian life and we have to be sure that we have identified the true word of God and not what others say the word of God is, which is actually their own doctrine with sheep's clothing on. We have to be careful that what we abide by is indeed the word of God and that can only happen if we walk with the Lord. We have to have an intimate relationship with Jesus so that we would know the word of the Lord and then live by it. That's the only way to life, the Word, which is Christ who is the truth. Do you know the truth or just what you were told? Eat, drink, and digest the word of God and know God for yourself. Amen.