How to Handle the Bible

SPEAKER 02 : 0:01

Welcome to the InTouch Podcast with Charles Stanley for Tuesday, September 30th. There are so many resources today to help us understand the scriptures, but they will be of little value if we aren’t first convinced that scripture really is God’s Word. Today’s podcast explains how to handle the Bible.

SPEAKER 01 : 0:21

Well, we live in an electronic age and you can just take the remote control and hit it a couple of times and you can bring the whole world into your living room. Or you can just tap a few times on your keyboard and tap yourself right into a whole world of information that you never dreamed of. In fact, we can enjoy lots of things in the world and never leave home. In fact, the information comes so fast and goes so fast, it’s absolutely overwhelming. And yet, when I think about it, I think about it isn’t just enough to own these gadgets and these machines that are so capable of doing so much. It’s not enough just to own them. You’ve got to be able to know how they work. And sometimes a person has a very large computer as far as its capacity is concerned, and they’re almost intimidated by this thing because the capacity is so great. Well, you know, when I think about that, I think about the fact that’s not only true of gadgets, but it’s also true of the Word of God. There are a lot of people who own this book but don’t know how to use it. They don’t know what it’s really all about, and so owning it’s really not the issue. The issue is, do I know how to use and how to handle this book we call the Word of God? I want you to turn, if you will, to Isaiah chapter 55. 55th chapter of Isaiah, there’s a beautiful passage here. that just reminds us of what God intends to do in your life and my life. And he gives it from an illustration of nature. Isaiah chapter 55. He’s just been talking about seeking the Lord with all of our heart. And then he comes down to verse 9 of this 55th chapter, and here’s what he says. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there without watering the earth, making it bear and sprout, furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be which goes forth from my mouth. It shall not return to me empty without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” And so Isaiah is simply reminding us of this. that when God’s Word goes out, it goes out with a purpose, and it does not come back, it does not return to Him without accomplishing His purpose. He says, as the snow and the rains come down from heaven, what do they do? They give moisture to the earth, and so therefore the seed can grow, and there’s plant life, and there’s fruit and leaves and all the rest. He says, so shall my Word be that goes forth out of my mouth, which means that God is telling us this book His Word is very, very beneficial to us. So I want us to think about this whole idea of the value we place on it and the benefit that comes from it. We’ve spent lots of time talking about the value of the Scripture and what it is. It’s an errant, infallible Word of God and outlasted all the criticism and all the people who’ve tried to destroy it down through these years. And here it is still marching on, converting people, changing lives, transforming people’s lives. What kind of benefit is there in reading the Bible? And I think one of the reasons that many people don’t read it is because they don’t realize what benefit there is in reading it. So what I’d like for us to do for a few moments is take you through some of the benefits of reading the Scripture. Then I want to talk about how to handle this book. But first of all, let’s talk about the fact that it is so valuable because of its benefits. So I want you to turn, if you will, to Psalm 119. Then I want you to put your little blue ribbon in your Bible or some marker or pencil or maybe… piece of paper in the 119th Psalm. And then what we want to do is we want to turn to 1 Peter chapter 1. Then we’re going back to Psalm 119 for a moment. We’re going to stay there for a few moments. And what I want to do is to simply take you through to talk about the value of this book. Because you see, most people don’t know what’s in this book. And oftentimes they suffer. They go through hurts and difficulties and trials. And they’re all upset in life and all kinds of things. And they don’t realize what they have at their fingertips. So I want to take you through some verses now. Jot these down. Follow through. Move right along with me. Turn, if you will, first of all, to 1 Peter. Now save Psalm 119. 1 Peter chapter 1. remember what he says in this first chapter of first peter verse twenty three he says for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable that is through the living and abiding word of god what is he saying that listen one of the benefits of reading the scripture one of the benefits of the bible is it is in the word of god you and i learned that we were sinners separated from god learned how to be saved placed our trust in jesus christ and became the inheritors and the receivers of eternal life One of the great values of the Word of God is to get us into a right relationship with Him. Then if you’ll turn now back to Psalm 119. And I want us to stay here for just a moment. And let’s look, if you will, in verse 105. Remember, this is a long psalm with lots and lots of verses. Look, if you will, in the 105th verse of this 119th psalm. One of the benefits of the Bible, bring us to salvation. Second benefit of the Bible is it’s a guide. Look what he says in Psalm 119, now 105. Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and he says, a light to my path. That is, When I want to find direction for my life, one of the simple things I can do is get in the Word of God. Now, you know what most people do? Most people call their friends. Let me tell you what I’m thinking about. What would you say? Listen, your friends may be able to give you good advice, but I can tell you this. God’s Word is absolutely complete. Listen, when you’re looking for direction in your life, the best place to go is to the Word of God. Listen, he is so willing to show you. What does he say? Thy word, this book, is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Listen carefully. I’m going to say this two or three times. Why would God want to withhold from you information, direction, guidance for your life when that’s exactly what he wants you to do, to be guided and led in the right direction? So somebody says, well, this is a mystery book. How will I ever find out? Because God will take some simple verses out of this book and show you exactly what to do in that decision. So, a second benefit is that it’s like a guide. If you look in the 104th verse, the verse right before that, you’ll find out something else. Listen, from thy precepts I get understanding. Therefore, I hate every false way. Do I want to be a wise man? How do you find out? How do you become a wise person? You become a wise person by getting in the Word of God. Listen, and think about, listen, and thinking the way wisdom thinks. How does wisdom think? Well, how does God think? He thinks only wisely. Therefore, if I want to have understanding, if I want to have wisdom, then I’m going to get in the book that gives me the greatest bit of wisdom. I’m going to get in the book that shows me exactly what I need to do, when I need to do. A book that helps me understand the God who is my God, the Savior who is my Lord and Master and God in life. That is, if I really want wisdom, I’m going to get in the Word of God and find out what, listen, how does God think about this? When you and I think the way God thinks, we will be wise in every aspect of our life. Psalm 119, 111th verse of Psalm 119. And I want you to notice something he says here in this particular verse. He says, I have inherited thy testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart. He says, for example, he talks here about the Bible being testimonies and so forth and calls it different things and statutes and laws. He says, I have inherited thy testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart. When you get down on yourself and things are not doing too well, listen, you get in the Word of God and begin to read, and here’s what happens. You can’t stay in the dumps and stay in the Bible at the same time. You get in the Word of God and you begin to read of God’s love for you and His care and His provision, His watch care over you and what He’s willing to do in your life. When you begin to read how great God is and how He works, you know what’s going to happen? Your sadness is going to turn to joy because you realize this God is living on the inside of you. And this is why I When Paul talks about peace and joy, and he says, rejoice always, rejoice always, rejoice always. Why? Because we have a relationship with God. When we understand what He says and how He operates in our life, we’re going to have a joy no matter what. He says, but now wait a minute. I’m going through the most difficult trying time of my life. I understand that. How in the world… How in the world can I have joy when I’m going through these very difficult times in my life? Here’s what happens. When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, no matter what you’re going through, somehow there is a deep sense of abiding joy. There is a joy that’s unspeakable. There’s a joy that’s indescribable. There is a joy that is beyond being man-made. It’s not manufactured by anything that we do. It’s not mind over matter. It is the gift. Listen, it is the gift of God. When you and I begin to search the scriptures and say, Lord, what are you saying to me at this particular time in my life? What is he saying? He will say exactly what you and I need. When you and I get familiar with the Word of God and realize this is a treasure, it doesn’t make any difference what’s happening. There is a way to live joyous. Listen, I don’t mean that you may necessarily be happy on the outside, but deep down inside, there’s this awesome sense of abiding assurance, this joy that the God who loves you is with you, walking you through this, no matter what it is. Well, When I think about that, I think about what he says in the 119th Psalm also in verse 165. Look at that. 165th verse. We’re getting toward the outside of it now. 165th verse. Listen to what he says. Psalm 119 now, same psalm. He says, those who love thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble. One of the benefits of reading the Word of God is peace. Remember what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4? He says, there is a peace that surpasses all human understanding. This is why you and I can walk through the stormiest times of our life. When the bottom drops out, the sides cave in, the top falls in, and you think, where in the world are my friends? And all hell breaks loose in your life, and yet somehow you are sturdy and You are steady. You’re established. You’re immovable. There’s a perseverance. There’s an endurance. You don’t budge. Nothing works. Nothing hinders. Why? Because there’s a peace that passes all understanding. What does he say? Those who love thy law have great peace, and nothing will cause them to stumble. I think so many people who are going through difficulty and hardship, they go everywhere but to the right place. This is the source book. This is a fountain of benefits. No matter what I need for my life and living in my life, whatever the situation may be, I know that someplace in this blessed book, the Bible, there is going to be a source of strength and help no matter what. The best source of peace I know is not among your friends. The best source of peace I know is not even among counselors, though they’re important. The best source of peace I know is to open this book. Get on your knees before God and tell God, Lord, I need you. Speak to my heart. Now listen carefully. God is a father who loves you and me unconditionally. Let me ask you a question. I trust that all of you parents love your children. If you don’t, you ought to. Let’s say that you do. If your son or your daughter came to you and they were in great turmoil, I mean, they were really just having a difficult time and everything was wrong. And I mean, they were weeping and crying and desperate. And they said to you, I just need you to say something to me, dad. Just say something to me, mom. How many of you would say, I’m not saying anything. You wouldn’t dare do that. You’d say, son, what do you need? How can I help you? Now listen, here’s what I want you to understand. God our Father is not about to withhold anything from you and me that is good for us. And so therefore, when we’re going through difficulty and hardship and we need a sense of divine peace, godly peace, We need for God to quieten our soul and quieten our spirit, quieten our innermost being. What is He going to do? If you and I will get in the Word, it’s exactly what He’s going to do. He is going to give us, He’s going to give us something from His Word that’s going to quieten our spirit and calm us down. A peace that passes all understanding. Turn to Hebrews chapter 4. Hebrews chapter 4. Look, if you will, in that 12th verse, you remember what He says? He says the Word of God is alive, it’s active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both jaunts and marrow, able to judge the thoughts and the intentions of the heart. Listen, sometimes we think, God, I don’t know how to think. I don’t know what to think about this. I don’t know how to feel about myself. I don’t understand what’s going on inside of me. Here’s what he says. He says the Word of God is like a mirror. When you and I begin to read the Word of God searching to know what’s going on inside of us, the Word of God is like a mirror. It mirrors our sins. It mirrors our good deeds as well. It mirrors our confusion, the reason for our confusion. The Word of God is like, he says, it’s like a mirror. It divides all the way down soul and spirit. And he says, we begin to understand the true intentions and the true thoughts of our heart. Turn back to Psalm 119, verse 9 through 11. Look at this. Again here, one of the benefits of reading God’s Word. Here’s what he says it’ll do. He says it will protect us when we’re tempted. Look at this. Verse 9 through 11 of Psalm 119. How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to the Word. What does the Word of God say? With all my heart I have sought thee. Do not let me wander from thy commandments, thy statutes, thy laws, thy principles, thy Word. Thy word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against God. When you fill your mind continually with the Word of God, what does He do? He builds up resistance to sin. He builds up an innocence of strength. When you and I are pondering the Word of God and meditating on the Word of God, what does He do? He sharpens our antennas. We’re able to see things coming down the track before they ever get to us. He says, thy word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against God. And what happens is it also sharpens our conscience so that things that did not used to bother us will now bother us because they need to bother us to keep us pure and holy in his sight. Look, if you will, in Psalm 19. Not 119, but just 19. Listen to what he says. Not only, for example, to keep us from sinning, but when we do fall and falter away from God, here’s what he says will happen. It’ll bring us back to God. Look at this. Psalm 19, verse 7. The law of the Lord is perfect, complete. It’s adequate, restoring the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. What is he saying to us? Simply this. That as you and I begin to read the Word of God… What happens? A person gets under conviction and their soul is restored. That is, God brings us back to himself through his precious word. The awesome benefits of God’s word. Well, let me give you just one more. Look, if you will, in 1 Peter chapter 2. 1 Peter chapter 2, look at it if you will, and the very second verse. Because, and I want to say this now and I’ll say it again, there is absolutely no way, it’s absolutely impossible to grow in your Christian life unless you are continually being fed on the Word of God. Now listen to what he says in this passage. 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 1. Therefore, putting aside all malice and guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, Now, when he says grow in respect to salvation, he doesn’t mean read the Word of God and finally you’ll just grow into being saved. Salvation is an act. Salvation is a decision we make. What he’s saying here is having been saved by the grace of God, you will grow in your salvation experience once you’ve been saved. Now, look what he says. Like newborn babes long for the pure milk of the word that you may grow in it. Now listen. How long is your body going to last? Till it dies. Short period of time it can last. moments minutes days weeks months years and it could Last decades you could live to be a hundred on twenty, but eventually it’s gonna die And you know what all those years What are you doing feeding it feeding it feeding it feeding and you’re gonna put vitamins and minerals and you feed it and vitamins and minerals And you feed it and you exercise to keep this thing alive and keep it going How long is your spirit gonna last forever. Isn’t it amazing? We wouldn’t dare miss feeding this thing that’s not going to last long, and we neglect feeding the part of us that’s going to last forever. You mark this down. You cannot, you will not, it is impossible to live a godly life without feeding upon the Word of God. Remember what Jesus said? He said in his prayer, we’re to pray, give us this day our daily bread. He says, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. God has given us this book to feed on. This is a smorgasbord. I mean, you can’t go in any restaurant and get any kind of meal that can match this in Genesis to Revelation. I mean, we’ve got it all right here. And everything your spirit and soul need, every vitamin, every mineral, so to speak, and spiritually, it’s all right here. And you know what? You don’t have to go to the drugstore. You don’t have to go to the grocery store. You don’t have to go anywhere. Just get on your face and get on your knees and sit in your chair and begin. Listen, feed on the Word of God. As newborn babes, desire the sincere miracle of the Word. Now, let me ask you a question. How do you think is the best way to teach your children to read the Word of God? How? It’s real simple. Here’s the way you teach your children to read the Word of God. Before they even know what a Bible is, pull it out. Let them see you reading this so early in life they can’t ever remember their mother or father when they didn’t read the Word of God. Another thing you can do is at nighttime before your children go to sleep, you go in that room, you kneel down by the bed, and you open the Word of God. Now, whether it’s a Bible story or whatever you want to read them, it doesn’t make any difference. You know what? Here’s what happens. In that child’s mind… what you do is you grant them one of the greatest gifts you can give your children and that is at night time the last thing you do before you go to bed this book this book the word of the living god you want to read a little bit of it you may not read much but you want to read a little bit that is you just want to go to bed having feasted in other words this is the best night snack i know of there’s not a thing in the world that you can come up with that’ll satisfy you through the night and i’ll tell you something else it’ll never give you indigestion Now, some of you may feel like the way God convicts you is a big case indigestion. Well, that may be true. One thing about this, it satisfies the heart, calms the soul and the spirit. There’s something about this book that absolutely there’s nothing in existence that will do the same thing for you. The benefits of the Word of God. I want to say to you, you cannot, you will not. It’s absolutely impossible. There’s no way in the world you’re going to live a Christian life without feasting on the Word of God, because that’s why He gave it to us. He gave it to us in order to live by it. We come up with situations and circumstances and relationships and difficulties every single day of our life. What are we going to do about this? What are we going to do about that? If you stay in the Word of God, He’ll make you a very wise person. When you get in God’s Word, you’re going to grow in your wisdom and understanding. You’re going to know exactly what to do.

SPEAKER 02 : 19:46

Thank you for listening to How to Handle the Bible. For more inspirational messages like this one, visit our 24-7 online station. And if you’d like to know more about Charles Stanley or InTouch Ministries, stop by intouch.org. This podcast is a presentation of InTouch Ministries, Atlanta, Georgia.