“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.” Acts 6:7 KJV

Yesterday, we mentioned two intertwined keys to gaining more spiritual knowledge: Prayer and the ministry of the Word as in our Bible text. We considered more closely how prayer leads to increased spiritual knowledge. Today, we’ll look at the Word aspect a bit:

THE WORD

“Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP

The verse above summarises the benefits of God’s Word, which definitely leads to more spiritual knowledge. Need I say more? 😀

The outcome of the Apostles maintaining their focus on the task Jesus gave them to do – make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) – instead of deviating to another that other men could handle effectively – serve tables (Acts 6:2) – is mentioned below:

“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7 KJV

Where the Word of God increases, disciples increase, showing the importance of the Word to Christian maturity. Jesus doesn’t want us to remain at the spiritual baby state after new birth, but grow fully into His disciple and unto His standard of perfection (Matthew 5:48; Romans 8:29).

Yes, you may say you’re not an Apostle so don’t necessarily have a ‘ministry of the Word.’ Well, you do, at least to yourself and your sphere of influence. What you do with the Word of God that comes your way would primarily determine your growth as a Christian (remember in the parable of the sower, the condition of the ground -you- chiefly determines the fruit produced from the seed -the Word of God -sown (Matthew 13:3-23 ). I like what the Bereans did and would encourage you to do similar: 

 “Now these were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica. They accepted the message with all eagerness, examining the scriptures every day to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11 LEB

Do you have a personal Word time? What does it mean to you? [Check out the Resources page for some Bible study tools you may find handy]

If I remember correctly, the Psalms and Isaiah are the most quoted books from the Old Testament by New Testament writers. A lot of the Psalms were written by David, a man after God’s own heart. David’s attitude towards God’s Word is largely contained in Psalms 119, of which I mention some verses below: 

Verse 11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Verse 11; 

Verse 97: “Oh how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”

Verse 112: “I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.”

Adopting a similar attitude to God’s Word would surely put us on the path towards being after God’s heart too. Keep investing the Word into your spirit. Yes, there are times you’ll understand and times you’ll be like what??? (I felt that way after reading Ezekiel through during the Bible in Six months challenge last year 😆). However, I’ve found that in times of need, whether personal or otherwise, writing, teaching, or illustrative purposes, the Holy Spirit reminds me of certain Scriptures that I didn’t even know I knew. What if I had not read them in the first place?

All the keys to more spiritual knowledge: new birth, prayer and the Word don’t work independent of each other. We can’t be born agin without hearing the Gospel – which comes from the Word (1 Peter 1:23; 1 Cor 3:5-7). We accept the Gospel by praying (Romans 10:8-11). The way to maintaining our new birth is also contained in the Word, because uttermost salvation is attained by those who remain in Jesus (Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 7:25). More understating of the Word comes through prayer (Ps 119:18) etc.

Keep depositing the Word in you. It’s the standard of defence the Holy Spirit would raise, because the enemy would inevitably come against you (Isaiah 59:19).

God bless you🙂

© Lydia Ndagilaya for PneumaWord

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