Using the Bible to Guide One's Steps

Since the printing of the Bible, many people have looked to its pages for wisdom, redemption, salvation, assistance, and many other forms of help.  Using the Word of God can help with so many issues in life, as well as eternal life, because it is the truth (John 17:17; John 8:32; 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 118:8; Psalm 86:11; James 1:18).  The Word of God endures forever (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:25; Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 119:160).  The words of man, especially fiction about telling the future or about life events, are false and deceiving, with no value in helping guide the steps of life.  Jesus warns about being deceived by others with promises and false stories that entertain but leave a false hope (Matthew 24:11-13; Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:4-5; Matthew 24:24; Luke 21:8; John 5:43).  As some people do place faith in entertaining words, this faith leads to missteps and wrong paths taken that lead to places that should not be traveled (2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:1).  The Bible is a lamp unto one's feet and a light unto one's path (Psalm 119:105; Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 119:89).  Wisdom is found in having a reverence for God, but reverence comes through faith (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10; James 3:17).  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:10).  Man's words lead to less  being accomplished due to the limit of man, but faith in God's Word allows the impossible to be accomplished (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; Jeremiah 32:17; Mark 10:27; Philippians 4:13; Job 42:2; Genesis 18:14; Luke 18:27).  Some may argue that entertainment is the purpose for seeking the words of people like psychics, astrologers, etc., but people in the Bible were rebuked for putting an emphasis on seeking these people's abilities rather than the ability of the true and living God (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:27; Leviticus 20:6; Isaiah 8:19; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14).  When a person has to seek the words of entertainment regularly, those words are no longer entertaining but have an impact on that person's life (2 Chronicles 33:6; 2 Kings 21:6).  One could argue that the seeker is making the entertaining person their god.  The real God says there should be no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 44:6).  In allowing these mediums to entertain, a person can also entertain demons (Revelation 21:8; Deuteronomy 18:11; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; Acts 16:16-18).  This opens doors for spirits to manifest who do not represent God, but are harmful, destructive, and seek to ruin the lives of God's creations, especially mankind.  When a person declares to love God, yet turns to these entertaining words, the demons enjoy playing mind games with those who are supposed to belong to God (2 Kings 23:24; Isaiah 19:3; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Jeremiah 27:9).  The answer to resolve this entire issue is to use the Bible to guide one's steps, not entertaining words (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16).  The Word of God is even a more sure word of prophecy than even prophesying, whether demonic or Godly (2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19; Acts 17:11).  Again, the Word of God endures forever, yet so many choose to read the words of someone writing fiction rather than the words that stand the test of time.  May more people turn to God's Word rather than the words of entertainment.  After all, if a person is going to take the time to read, make it worth the time spent to better one's life.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.