To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV
Here is a wise, practical word for us from Jesus. Jesus is saying these things to people “who had believed in Him.” The question is what does it mean for believers to abide in God’s Word? The Greek word for “abide” that Jesus uses here literally means to “remain,” “stay,” or “wait.” Jesus is telling us to remain in God’s Word, letting it soak into our minds and shape our lives. Many of us who have put our faith in Jesus still find ourselves in bondage to the lies of the enemy sometimes, because our minds aren’t being consistently saturated in the truth of God’s Word. We tend toward emotionalism, which is the idea that our feelings define absolute truth. That appeals to us because our emotions are always right in front of us, sometimes blocking our view of Christ. Instead of trusting Jesus, we put our faith in what is right in front of us. Instead of trusting in what God has said, we start to believe that He doesn’t love us, or that He’s not in control, or a host of other lies about Him. When we do that, we put ourselves in bondage to those lies. Jesus doesn’t want that for His disciples. Scripture tells us the truth about God, and it tells us the truth about ourselves. The good news is that when we saturate our minds in the things God has said, we really can begin to think rightly about Him, about ourselves, and about this world.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord Jesus, as Your Word abides in us, we are set free to follow You.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord Jesus, thank You; for the good news is that when we saturate our minds in the things You have said, we really can begin to think rightly about You, about ourselves, and about this world. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Hosea 1:1-11
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