“I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”

JOB 23:12

Proper diet and regular exercise are essential for physical health. A man who does not eat every day will be weak. A man who never eats will soon be dead. Proper diet and regular exercise are also the keys to spiritual growth and health.

A man who does not read God’s Word every day will be weak. A man who never reads it will soon be dead. In order to be spiritually healthy, we must follow the example of Job who valued God’s Word more than food.

Our spiritual food is the Word of God. Our spiritual exercise is obedience. We need both, every day.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH?

As newborn babies crave milk, so genuine new Christians crave God’s Word. As milk helps the baby to grow, so God’s Word helps the believer to grow strong in faith.

A baby deprived of milk will be weak and sick. Likewise, a Christian who ignores God’s Word will be weak and sick.

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

1 PETER 2:2, 3

HOW CAN I RESIST TEMPTATION?

Jesus resisted temptation, not by willpower, but by knowing and quoting God’s Word. We can win the temptation war the same way, by knowing and speaking God’s Word.

“The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

MATTHEW 4:3, 4

HOW CAN I LIVE A PURE AND HOLY LIFE?

Is it possible to live morally upright in an age of immorality? Absolutely! How? By hiding God’s Word in our hearts.

Head knowledge and religious facts don’t produce purity and holiness. The Word planted deep in our hearts will keep us from sin.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word . . . I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

PSALM 119:9, 11

HOW CAN MY FAITH GROW?

If we exercise and lift weights, our muscles will grow larger and stronger. The same is true with faith. The more we hear or read the Bible, the more our faith will grow.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

ROMANS 10:17

HOW CAN I BE SUCCESSFUL?

Meditate on God’s Word and carefully obey then success is inevitable. Obedience brings success.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

JOSHUA 1:8

HOW CAN I KNOW GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE?

As we renew our minds by studying God’s Word, we will be transformed and we will understand God’s will. The more we renew our minds, the more we will be able to discern God’s will for our lives.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

ROMANS 12:2

WHAT HAPPENS IF I KNOW GOD’S WORD BUT DON’T DO WHAT IT SAYS?

Knowledge without action is deception. Knowing God’s Word is just the start. The measure of our spiritual progress is not how much of the Bible we know, but how much we obey. Those who constantly learn but fail to obey end up deceiving themselves.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

JAMES 1:22

CONCLUSION

Before turning to Christ, we lived by the world’s standards. Now we accept the Bible as the final authority for what we believe and how we live. God’s Word is the ultimate and absolute standard for every area of life.

Personal Application

Buy a Bible (NIV) and notebook.

Set a time and place for daily Bible reading.

Start reading Proverbs and the Gospel of Mark. Record insights, observations, prayers, and questions in your notebook.

Get involved in a Bible study or discipleship group.