THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S WORD (The Key to Freedom from Deception).
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32)
The above quotation was made by Jesus to those who believed on Him. He told them that knowing the truth is the KEY to freedom. I believe by this he was referring to being free from the bondage the Pharisees had them by way of false teaching, and distortion of God’s word through the tradition of men, and human ideas(Matt. 5:1-9).
Jesus Christ says that knowing the truth is what will make one free from teachings,traditions, and commandments that are in conflict with God’s will
What then is the truth? In John 17:17, Jesus, while praying for the disciples asked God to sanctify them through the truth. And he says “…thy word is the truth”. So the truth is the word of God. And it is knowing the word of God that guarantees one freedom from deception. Without the knowledge of God’s word, people are bound to be deceived. I have seen this happen over and over again. And I sympathize with God’s children who are being taken advantage of their ignorance of what God’s word says. No wonder Hosea 4:6 says “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. Ignorance destroys but knowledge liberates.
It is pitiable that many people who go to Church can pray a lot, but for the knowledge of God’s word, they lack behind. The reason for this is that in many places of worship, the emphasis are on other things but the word. That’s why they run to and fro looking for solution, even where there’s none. Though they may be seen to be “prayer warriors”, yet they can’t stand the lies of the devil, resist and overcome him.
This is not the will of God for His children. His will is for us to operate in the knowledge of His word, hence live victoriously. The Bible says resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). We can only resist the devil with God’s word. If we are ignorant of God’s word, it will be impossible to resist him. I pray that God creates the hunger for His word in our heart.
Rev Akaninye Akpan is the Founder of Faith Activiation Ministry based in Lagos, Nigeria