When we look at what is happening around the world today, there is no question we are living in uncertain, troubling and dangerous times. Every time we switch on the television or pick up a newspaper; hatred, strife and acts of pure evil are openly displayed, causing people great distress and evoking feelings of hopelessness and fear. Political corruption and economic collapse are on every front, leaving people outraged and bewildered concerning their future.
Perhaps what is even more disturbing, is the fact that in the midst of all the uncertainty and turmoil around us, there is an overwhelming amount of deception concerning what is false and what is true. Throughout the ages, this world has seen many troubling times, yet none have been marked with such a staggering failure of moral compass across the globe as we see happening today. You see, sound moral compass has always been a stabilising contrast to the instability that surrounds it, because its bearings are based on the eternal truth of God's Word. However, today's seemingly 'progressive' opinion has steered entirely away from any biblical stand point. It is deceiving people and steadily pushing them further and further away from the only stabilising truth in this word, God's Word.
Many people find it difficult to believe God's promises because they see so many things in this natural world that are in stark contrast to them. The promises they are standing on God's word for seem to fail them and discouragement tips the scale of hopelessness and desperation in their lives. But more than ever before, I know there are believers that have felt an intense roar stir on the inside of them. A warrior like cry, from the depth of their spirits to rise up and declare the truth that the devil is a deceiver and God's Word is true!
You see, the devil has always been a deceiver, in the Garden of Eden, he deceived Adam and Eve with half-truths. He tricked them into mistrusting God's character and faithfulness, and caused them to believe that God's Word isn't true. He has had plenty of practice using this same tactic on every generation since. He does everything in his power to make things look as if God's Word is outdated and irrelevant and simply doesn't work. He skilfully makes a convincing argument against the truth and power of God's incorruptible Word, as he sets up circumstances and whispers lies into the hearts and minds of people, bringing confusion and doubt.
Well, the time has come for believers all around this world to stand up and decide that we don't care about what the devil has set up as appearances. We believe the Word of God and we refuse to doubt its truth!
A few days ago, I was reading an article written by Gloria Copeland. She likened the devil's deceptive nature to a cleverly produced magic show. We've all seen those illusions when someone crawls inside a box and then is sawn in half. You can see it with your own eyes. The person's feet are sticking out one end of the box and their head is poking out the other. And the box is separated as it is plainly cut in two,. Then, the magician slides the two halves back together and the person who appeared to be in two pieces, jumps out of the box in one piece!
Did we believe, even for one moment that the person was actually cut in half? Of course not! We all knew that we had seen an illusion, something that appeared one way but in reality, was completely untrue. Even though our eyes saw one thing, we refused to believe it because we knew it wasn't the truth.
That's exactly why our moral compass and standard of truth needs to be completely set and established on the truth of God's word. We need to trust and rely on God's word to the point where no matter what the enemy does to contradict its truth, we refuse to believe him. We may have seen his evidence to prove God wrong, but we cannot be gullible enough to believe it. Satan is the father of lies and the master deceiver. He hates the Word of God so much because he has experienced first-hand the damage it does to his kingdom when that word is alive and active inside a believer. We become an unstoppable force of faith and love and hope when we choose to believe God's Word is true and refuse to believe anything that contradicts it!
2 Samuel 22:31 says, "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried." I think this must be one of my favourite verses. In this world where there is so much uncertainty, there is an anchor for our souls that has been proven, throughout all time, to be steadfast and true. It's the written word of God, illuminated by His Spirit, to our hearts and minds.
Deuteronomy 32:4 declares that God's works are perfect and all His ways are just, and that He is a God of faithfulness. You see, we can always depend on Him to honour His word in our lives.
That's why it's so important for us to make His word our first priority. But I'm not just talking about the knowledge of the written word, I'm talking about going a step deeper. You see, in today's world, it's not enough to just know the word, we must be willing and diligent to apply its wisdom to our lives. When we do this, the power of God is activated in our lives and as we hold on to its truth, being careful to do what it says, success always comes.
It's imperative for every believer to be obedient to God's word. I know how unpopular that phrase is today and I am aware of how people are quick to marry obedience to the Word with bondage or legalism. But true obedience to God's word is none of those things at all. It's freedom. Freedom to live in peace and joy, being intimately connected to the heartbeat of God Himself. Because God honours His word above all else, He gave it to us to make and keep us free and secure in this life.
James 4:8 puts it so beautifully: "For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead."
David, in Psalm 119, knew exactly how necessary it was to know God's Word and place his complete trust in its truth. In the most terrifying and confusing time of his life, it became His lifeline, his moral compass and an anchor for his soul. Was David perfect? Of course not, but that doesn't negate the fact that the times he believed God's Word and made it the final authority of His life, it's truth preserved him and caused great peace, joy and blessing to flow in his life, in the midst of terror and destruction.
Look at what David said about God's word in Psalm 119, while he was being pursued by enemies who were bent on his destruction.
"Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens]... Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, [how can I?] for it is by them You have quickened me (granted me life). I am Yours, therefore save me [Your own]; for I have sought (inquired of and for) Your precepts and required them [as my urgent need]... I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]. Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me... I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
No matter how the enemy has tried to convince you that God's Word does not work for you or that its principles are outdated, irrelevant and untrue, don't fall for his tricks of illusion! Don't be gullible enough to fall for his deceptive lies. God's Word is alive and true and is as relevant and powerful today as the day He breathed Himself into it. There is no greater truth in this world, nor has there ever been or ever will be. And when all things are said and done, everything we see today, will pass away, but God's Word - that created everything that existed and sustained it - will still remain, strong and true.
It's time for every believer to make our stand for its truth and let its life course through us, exposing the deceptive lies of the devil. It's our purpose to hold out its truth to all people and extend its freedom and hope to them. Just as it's written in Philippians 2:15,16: "That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life..."
ANDRÉ AND JENNY ROEBERT are the senior pastors and co-founders of River Ministries situated in East London, South Africa, incorporating various ministries, each geared to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the nations of this world.
For more info visit: myriver.com
