THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD

Part 2: It tells us when we are wrong

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine and for reproof. In our last message we talked at length about the word “doctrine” and today we will confine ourselves to the word “reproof.” We learned that the word of God tells us what to believe and how to believe. We don’t just believe what we lay our hand on or what our hearts lead us into. The word of God is the only means through which we can know who to believe, who to worship and how to worship Him.

Let us talk about the word “reproof” and hear what God has for us today. To reproof is to correct. It is an act of rebuking or reproaching. It is to expose a behavior or unbecoming tendency. Although we know what to do and what is expected of us; from time to time we stray away and wander in places or lifestyles we shouldn’t. We all need to be corrected sometimes.

I think we all know that all life is created by God. We too are created by God. He created us not for ourselves but for Himself. He created us for His own purpose. In other words; He created us to serve His purpose. For this reason, He knows when we are no longer serving the purpose and He uses His word to point out such deficiencies.

It is through the word that we know when we are right with God. It is also through the same word that we know when we are not right with God. Nothing in the entire world is capable to know and tell us when we are out of alignment with God but the word of God. We were created through the word when God said; “let us make man in our Own image according to our likeness.” Genesis 1:28. We are also “born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:23. It is the word that created us and it is the word that knows us. It is the same word that knows it when we run off line with God.

Did you know that we are not our own? The bible tells us that “you are not your own … you were bought at a price” 2 Corinthians 6:19, 20. We are not our own and we are not on our own. God owns us and it is only God who holds the right to tell us how to conduct our lives. He does this through His word.

God’s word is profitable for reproof. It is useful to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It points out errors and heresies. The word of God is like the doctor’s stethoscope. It searches the deep things of the heart. “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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12, 13. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit and cuts down everything contrary to the will of God. It is like the surgeon’s operating knife; it pierces through to separate what is good from what is bad. It cuts through to divide what is of the spirit and what is of the mind.  

There are many things that look good in the eyes of man. There are also many things that sound good to the human mind. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12. There are also ways that look the same but the word of God is able to pierce through to divide and expose a lie from the truth. Haven’t you learned this in the market place? There are many products that look alike out there; nevertheless with careful consideration and a scrutinizing eye you will differentiate between a fake and a proper product.

We learned in our previous message that the word of God is profitable for doctrine i.e. it is able to tell us what to believe. The world and human wisdom suggests many things; but the word of God points us to God for our faith. Now that we know what to believe, it is imperative that we get a reliable plumb line to check if we are still in line with the will of God. The word of God is the only tool that can serve this purpose.