What God's Word DoesSample

GOD’S WORD CORRECTS

Psalm 17:4—There are many symbols for God’s Word found in the Bible. It can be thought of as a mirror (James 1:23–25), a seed (1 Pet. 1:23), a lamp (Ps. 119:105), a sword (Eph. 6:17), and even as food (Heb. 5:12–14). But the Bible also serves as a measuring rod. It is to be used as the standard against which we measure our beliefs and conduct. Whenever we hear God’s Word taught, we are to place that teaching next to what the Scriptures say to confirm that it “measures up.” If it does, it can and should be embraced. If it does not, it should be rejected. The same is true of our actions.

At times, God will do this for us. He will use His Word to correct us when we are in the wrong. Israel’s great king David experienced this: “You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word . . . Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Ps. 119:65, 67). There are other times when God’s Word can correct believers when we are in honest and unintentional error. Aquila and Priscilla, a godly Christian couple, used the Scriptures to help shape the doctrines of a young teacher named Apollos (Acts 18:24–26). Paul did the same thing for some former disciples of John the Baptist he met in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–7).

This Bible study is an excerpt fromThe OPEN Bible, Published by Thomas Nelson Bibles