Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him.
–Matthew 4:10–11
In this corrupt world we live in, the Bible is like a night-light, giving us direction in the darkness. That’s why Paul said, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (Colossians 3:16). Let me point out three benefits of allowing God’s Word to become part of your life.
First of all, God’s Word produces spiritual growth in your life. Colossians 2:6–7 says, “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith.” Once you become a Christian, you and God work together to construct a life that looks like that of Jesus Christ–and God’s Word is the building material. In 1 Peter 2:2, the apostle wrote, “Long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” God’s Word is the catalyst that produces spiritual growth.
Second, God’s Word is a deterrent to sin. Disobedience to God robs you of His blessings in your life. But God’s Word gives you both the desire and the ability to say no to sin and yes to God. We have a great illustration of that in Matthew 4 when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Each time, Jesus answered with Scripture. Contrary to what many people think, Satan didn’t run away because he couldn’t stand to hear God’s Word. No, Jesus quoted God’s Word for His own benefit. As He recalled the passages of Scripture that dealt with each temptation, God’s Word cut through the fog in His mind and gave Him the strength to say no to Satan and yes to God.
What I find fascinating about this passage is that each time Jesus was tempted, He quoted from Deuteronomy. If your success in fighting against Satan’s attacks depended on how well you knew the book of Deuteronomy, how would you do? Most of us can’t even find Deuteronomy, much less quote from it. Maybe that’s why we don’t have more success in our spiritual lives. God’s Word is a powerful deterrent to sin.
Third, God’s Word allows you to experience the peace of Christ. If you’re like me, most of the anxiety you feel is caused by unexpected or unwanted changes in your life. Yet even though people and circumstances change, God never changes. The Bible says, “Who is a rock, besides our God?” (2 Samuel 22:32). When you read the Bible, it’s a constant reminder that the God you serve and the God who loves you never changes. The word of Christ allows you to experience the peace of Christ in your heart. (Jeffress)