Creator, Father, King #316

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

ONE OF THE MOST important aspects of the American judicial system is the right to a fair trial—the ability to be judged by a jury of peers.

If the system is working correctly, someone who is accused of a crime will have the chance to defend himself or herself before an impartial jury. In fact, both the defending and prosecuting attorneys work hard during the jury selection process to make sure the trial jury consists of individuals who are open-minded and not prejudiced in any way against the defendant or the general subject matter of the case. This impartiality is crucial for truth and justice to prevail during the trial.

Every time we read God’s holy Word or hear it preached, we need to enter those moments with the same kind of open-mindedness, allowing God’s Spirit and the truth of Scripture to inform our thinking. This was one of the apostle Paul’s main points in today’s verse.

What’s It Mean?

Paul’s purpose in writing 2 Timothy was to encourage Timothy to remain strong in the faith, spiritually guide the church at Ephesus, and be wary of false teachers. But all believers, not just pastors like Timothy, must responsibly handle the Word of God. This is absolutely critical to the foundations of our faith and our spiritual maturation.

Too often, we bring our own preconceived notions and experiences into our reading of Scripture. We take God’s Word out of context to suit our own personal desires. We make the Bible fit our sometimes faulty presuppositions about God, Jesus, life, or spiritual matters.

When we do this, it’s as if we’re treating the Bible like a square peg and trying to shove its truth into the circular hole of our preexisting beliefs. It ain’t gonna work.

Instead of this vain pursuit, we need to be humble and spiritually open-minded to allow God’s Word to inform the way we think. This is “rightly handling the word of truth.”

Remember, the Bible is completely sufficient for our lives, revealing everything we need to know about God and the gospel. As Psalm 19:7 says, “The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

Rightly handle the word of truth, and your faith will grow tremendously!

Now What?

Look up the following verses, which warn us against adding or detracting from God’s Word: Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; and Revelation 22:18-19.

Did You Know?

Paul wrote 2 Timothy from a Roman prison shortly before his execution (1:8; 4:6).