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Requirements to Benefit from the Word of God

As followers of Jesus, God wants us to benefit from His Word. To receive full benefit and value from the Word of God, there are specific requirements or prerequisites that must be implemented. Let’s make sure we are receiving all of the benefits that are available to us.

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Requirements to Benefit from the Word

1. Be born again. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23). When the Word is preached we are convicted of sin (John 16:8-9), see our need of Christ, and accept Him as Lord and Savior. God’s spirit unites with ours bringing it to life. None of the benefits of the Word apply to us unless we are born again.
2. Read it. “Blessed is he that reads” (Revelations 1:3). Many Christians do not study the Word of God regularly. You may have a Bible laying on your coffee table that you never open. The blessings of the Word are only for those who read it. Can you remember the last time you read the Bible?
3. Listen to it. “Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy” (Revelation 1:3). This is why church is so important. Hearing the Word refers to it being taught or preached. If we want to receive a blessing from God, we must hear the Word proclaimed. Paul said only then will our faith grow (Romans 10:13-17).
4. Apply the Word. “Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). To receive the full benefit of the Word we must put it into practice. When we do, we will be blessed in all things (James 1:25, Joshua 1:8). Otherwise, we are deceiving ourselves (James 1:22).
5. Meditate on scripture. “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). There may be times when you focus on a verse or phrase and repeat it over and over again, like when memorizing Bible verses. God wants us to constantly meditate on His Word (Psalms 1:2-3).
6. Memorize it. When it comes to the Word of God, we must do more than a casual reading. We need to study it, know it, and be able to use it as needed. It’s great to know where to find certain passages, but it’s even better to memorize them. Below are a few verses to get you started.

   “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart” (Psalms 119:11).

   “I have written unto you young men because you are strong and the Word of God abides in you” (1 John 2:14).

   “If you abide in me and my words abide in you” (John 15:7).

7. Exercise faith. “For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them, but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). When God reveals something to you through the Word you must step out in faith and apply it to your life. Otherwise, the Word will it will be of no benefit.
8. Use it. The Bible compares itself to a sword in Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17. The Sword of the Spirit is part of the armor of God and our main offensive weapon. A soldier won’t last very long in battle if he doesn’t use his weapon. Jesus used His sword when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Every time Satan came to Him He used His weapon, eventually driving the devil away (Luke 4:13).

God gave His Word to benefit us. Let’s make full use of God’s Word!

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