As a man, “…THINKS in his heart, so is he…” (Prov. 23:7) Is this really true, Jesus says, “I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her IN HIS HEART.” (Matt. 5:28) What kinds of things can we think about that will keep us out of trouble? “…whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are NOBLE, whatever things are JUST, whatever things are PURE, whatever things are LOVELY, whatever things are of GOOD REPORT, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—THINK ON THESE THINGS.” (Phil. 4:8)
We know that the Word of God is, “…living and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Heb. 4:12) And, “All Scripture is GOD–BREATHED…” (2 Tim. 3:16) Therefore all scripture contains GOD’S DNA because our DNA is in our breath!!! That is why we are, “…1transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2) God’s word does not just change us, it TRANSFORMS US, we experience a 1metamorphoō: a being changed into another form. The word metamorphosis comes from this, you know a caterpillar to a butterfly!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS have become NEW.” (2 Corin. 5:17) That’s just the beginning, now we must receive the LIVING POWERFUL, GOD BREATHED “Word of God” to continue our transformation. As Christians know that Bible reading is essential for our spiritual growth. Still, many of us struggle to open and focus on the Word, even in the face of doubt, sin and spiritual dryness. When Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread in the wilderness, He replied to the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY Word of God.” (Luke 4:4) For us as Christians the Bible is our daily bread, an indispensable source of life and power.
-Bill Stockham