STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED

More often than not, we hear things that other people say, and because of the person’s title, who the person is, or the person’s status in life, we take their words and/or their stated opinion on a matter as gospel truth. There are other times, that when something sounds good or seems to make a valid point, we take it as a concrete truth because it seems to have all of the right verbiage, when in fact, it is flat out wrong. Unfortunately, this is an ongoing practice in church and/ or ‘religion’ today and has been throughout the ages. Even more so now days, due to the widespread popularity and use of social media. This should not be!

Whether something comes across the pulpit, becomes a widely spread used meme, or is shared millions of times over the internet, the Believer should ALWAYS fact check it with the Word of God. In 2 Timothy 2:15, KJV, the Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to study [the message of Yeshua – The Living Word] to shew himself approved unto God, a workman that needed not be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth [the Word of God]. The Believer should make it a daily practice to study God’s Word for himself, so that he/she knows Truth from untruth and inaccuracies when it’s heard or seen. Study is defined by Webster’s 1828 Dictionary as: 1. To apply the mind to; to read and examine for the purpose of learning and understanding; 2. To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to muse; to dwell upon in thought; 3. Literally, a setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind of books, to arts or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of learning what is not before known.

Simply stated, Paul is telling Timothy, YOU meditate on, examine, think about, learn and know God’s Word and ways for YOUR self, that you may accurately and correctly separate Truth found in God’s Word from man’s inaccurate understanding

and teaching of truth. There is a popular meme floating around online and being shared widespread on social media. At a quick and empty glance, the meme sounds powerful and right. However, for one that has studied God’s Word and meditated on it, the essence of the message is a flawed theory that contradicts scripture. The meme states that Judas had the best pastor, the best leader, best advisor, and best counselor, yet he failed. It goes on to say, “The problem is not the leadership or church you go to. If your attitude or character doesn’t change or your heart doesn’t transform, you will always be the same.” According to scripture, in the accounts of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus in both Matthew and Luke, Jesus Himself made it clear that Judas had to betray him in order to fulfill scripture. Therefore, Judas didn’t fail at anything.

It is imperative that as a Believer, we study the Word of God, the message and life of Christ, and know for ourselves what His Word says, that we may share His Word with others accurately and know truth from untruth.

~ Mia Nicole, Moments w/The Father