CERTIFICATE IN BIBLE THEOLOGY: lesson two

He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4, ESV). The Word of God is likened to bread. In 1 Peter 2:2, it is likened to milk. For this very reason, we know that new believers cannot understand the Word of God in the same way as those who have grown in Christ do.

For a newborn Christian to have understanding of the Word of God, they will need to read it daily, focusing on the “milk” of the Word until they can grasp the weightier parts. They will also need to read the Word of God prayerfully, for we are given understanding by the Spirit of God (Psalm 119:169), if we ask Him. Lastly, they will need to read the Word of God systematically to get a clear picture of the overall narrative and message.

Just as the physical body needs food, our spiritual man also needs nourishment. As we ingest the Word, it will need to be digested through meditation if it is to be properly assimilated by our spirit. The reason why many Christians are weak is that they ingest little or no Word at all, and if they manage to ingest it, they do not digest it. We know that we cannot declare what we don’t understand, and if we do declare it, it will not work for us.

Therefore, it is crucial for every believer to take the study of the Word of God seriously, as our faith depends on it.As we prioritize the study of the Word of God, we will be better equipped to live out our faith and fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.