The Bible is an amazing resource. We understand that it is the word of God. The Bible tells us about God and His characteristics, about His mighty works, about His dealing with mankind, about His righteousness and holiness, about His love for mankind and His plan of salvation, about His plan for what will happen in the end, about how He wants people to live, and so many things. All this is very important to those of us who believe.
Jesus is described as the Word. John described Jesus this way in John 1:1-2;14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Word and He came to earth and spoke the truths of God. Jesus described Himself in John 18:37b “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
As believers, we need to seek to understand the word of God and apply it to our lives. We need to be doers of the word. James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” Not only must we be hearers of the word, but we must also be doers of the word to be blessed.
The word tells us how to walk and to please God. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” We each need to know the word and have it within us so that we can walk to please God. The apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians in Colossians 3:16a “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” My encouragement to you is to have an abundant amount of the word dwelling within you.
How do you get the word within you? It is good to attend the assemblies of the church to listen to the word being proclaimed. But if that is all you do, I doubt that the word will dwell in you richly. You also need to privately read and study the word for yourself. I encourage you to do this every day. Most of us eat food every day. You also need the word as spiritual food every day. There are reading plans available which help you read through the whole Bible in a year; that is one way to begin letting the word dwell in your richly. I encourage you to go beyond just reading the word. It is beneficial to also study and meditate upon what you read. Delight in the word. The psalmist describes the blessings for the man who delights and meditates on the word. Psalm 1:2-3 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
Good spiritual songs that teach solid truths of God can be another way of having the word dwell within you richly. Look again at Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” When you privately or publicly sing the spiritual songs, you will be reminded of the truths from the word.
I also suggest that you memorize scripture so that the word will dwell in you richly. Psalm 1 is a good, general scripture to memorize about living a godly life. It would also be wise to memorize specific scriptures that you need in your life. Are you a person that tends to worry? Memorize Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Are you critical of other people? Memorize Titus 3:2 “To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Do you have thoughts about taking vengeance on your enemies? Memorize Romans 12:19 “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Do you complain a lot? Memorize Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” Do you need to be reminded to be a good example? Memorize Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Do you need to be more thankful for the blessings you have from God? Memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” You should also memorize scriptures that teach God’s plan of salvation so that you can share them with those who need to be saved. These are just a few examples of scriptures that would be good for you to memorize so that the word will dwell in you richly.
When the word of Christ dwells in you richly, it will impact your life. As you go about your daily activities, I believe that the Holy Spirit will remind you of truths from the word. These truths will guide you in how you should think or speak or act. This is one way to be led by the Spirit. Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
I encourage you to appreciate the importance of the word of God in your life. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Read, study, and memorize scriptures to have them dwell within you.