John 8:31, 32 - Why Read the Bible?
John 8:31, 32 (NLT) Jesus said to the people
who believed in him, You are truly my
disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And
you will know the truth, and the truth will set
you free.
COMMENTARY PEARLS
Some people like to work out, citing the
endorphins that are released. But I dread working out.
And I complain while Im working out. But
after Im done, Im glad that I did it.
Thats sometimes what its like to
study the Bible. There are times we really want to
read it and look forward to it. Then there are
times when we get up in the morning and think,
Ill just skip it today. But then we do it
anyway. That isnt legalism; thats discipline.
And theres a difference.
Discipline says, Im going to read
the Bible because I need to do it. I know God
wants me to do it. And when Im done, Ill be
glad I did it.
Its an absolute that we determine to
do before anything else, even if it means that
we dont have time to check our social media
or e-mails or texts. Its something we must
discipline ourselves to do.
The Center for Bible Engagement recently
did a study and came up with something I find
very interesting: The power of 4 is
evident when we consider that for some of these
behaviors (getting drunk and sex outside marriage)
examined there is no statistical difference between
Christians who read or listen to the Bible two to three
days a week and those who do not engage Scripture
at all or only once a week.
In other words, if youre not reading
your Bible four or more times a week, then you
wont make significant choices or changes any
differently than someone who doesnt read the Bible.
Jesus said, If you abide in My word,
you are My disciples indeed (John 8:31 NKJV).
We need to see the value of Gods Word. We
need to long for Gods Word. [Greg Laurie from
Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
God's Word is truth, and living according
to it is what sets us free from bondage and
misery of every kind. The Holy Spirit is called the
Spirit of Truth (see John 16:53), and it is His job
to guide us into all truth.
Like most of us, I lived a life of
deception for many years. I believed things that were
not true according to God's Word, and those
things kept me imprisoned in sin, guilt, shame,
insecurity, fear, and many other miseries. When I began
to seriously study God's Word, and the Holy
Spirit started leading me into truth, some of it
was very exciting and, to be honest, some of it
was very painful.
Hearing that all of my sins were forgiven
was exciting, but learning that I was selfish
and self-centered was painful. Learning that God
wanted to meet all of my needs was exciting, but
learning that I had a heart filled with bitterness
was painful. In order to find freedom, we cannot
just take the parts of God's Word that are
exciting - we must be willing to take the parts that
may be painful to us personally as the Holy
Spirit leads us into truth.
Each thing I learned about myself,
although often quite uncomfortable, did indeed move
me one step closer to freedom. I urge you not
to hide from the truth. Ask the Holy Spirit to
guide you into all truth, and when He does, face
it boldly and you will be changed!
Father, I ask You to guide me into all
truth. I want to live truly and have no deception
in my life. I trust You to set me free! [My
Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
I am writing in Namibia, Africa, while
preparing to go to a men's prison here. I intend to
share with them that they can be in prison and
still be free, and that many people in the world,
although not in prison, are still prisoners.
I was a prisoner for much of my life
because I was filled with fear, guilt, shame,
bitterness, and hatred, including self-hatred. I didn't
live behind iron bars, but I was definitely a
prisoner to those tormenting emotions. If you or
someone you know is bound by these things, you can
be free. Jesus came to set us free and to help
us see and enjoy the new life He offers - a
life that is abundant and filled with great joy
(see John 10:10).
I hope to encourage the men in prison
today with the good news of the Gospel. I also
hope to encourage you to know that as you
continue in God's Word, you will know the truth and
it will make you free (see John 8:31-32). No
matter what your circumstances are, if you are free
in your heart and mind, then you are free
indeed! Examine what is going on inside you and ask
God to help you with any tormenting emotion that
is holding you captive. If you are
brokenhearted due to painful things in your past, Jesus
will heal you and set you free!
Father, I thank You that Jesus came to
make us free, and I do want to be free in every
area of my life. Please reveal areas that You
want to work in, and help me cooperate with the
Holy Spirit as He brings healing and freedom in
my life. [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer re
Isa. 61:1]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I came into your life to make you free.
The closer you live to Me, the freer you can be.
By spending time alone with Me, your awareness
of My abiding Presence grows deeper and
stronger. There is healing in My wings - in the
intimacy of nearness to Me. My healing Presence binds
up wounds from your past so that they stop
bleeding. The salve of My Spirit enhances the healing
process. In My holy Light you can see things from a
new perspective - freeing you from old,
unhelpful ways of thinking. As you lay down baggage
from your past, you grow increasingly free.
I make you free through the truth - about
who I am and what I have done for you. I also
help you face the truth about yourself and the
people in your life. If you're involved in hurtful
relationships, I will help you change them or break free.
If you are trapped in addictions, I will help
you take the first step toward freedom - honest
confession of the truth. In every situation, the truth
will set you free. (John 8:32; Psa. 31:19, 20;
Mal. 4:2; Rom. 8:1, 2) [Jesus Today by Sarah
Young]
I am the truth: the One who came to set
you free. As the Holy Spirit controls your mind
and actions more fully, you become free in Me.
You are increasingly released to become the one
I created you to be. This is a work that I do
in you as you yield to My Spirit. I can do My
best handiwork when you sit in the stillness of
My Presence, focusing your entire being on Me.
Let My thoughts burst freely upon your
consciousness, stimulating abundant Life. I am the Way and
the Truth and the Life. As you follow Me. I lead
you along paths of newness: ways you have never
imagined. Don't worry about what is on the road up
ahead. I want you to find your security in knowing
Me, the One who died to set you free. (Joh.
8:32; Phi. 2:13; Joh. 14:6) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
Put your trust in Me, and I will keep you
safe. There is a deep, deep yearning in your heart
for safety and security. You can mask these
longings with activity for a time, but only for a
time. These feelings actually serve a very good
purpose. Properly used, they can point you to Me and
My sufficiency. I am the only One who can
really, ultimately keep you safe.
Whenever you start to feel insecure -
about anything - come to Me. Talk with Me about
your fears and concerns; then affirm your trust
in Me. Voicing your trust connects you with Me
at a deep level. It also pushes back the
darkness of deception. The evil one has been
deceiving people ever since time began, since the
Garden of Eden. Do not listen to his lies. Instead,
put your trust in Me, for I am absolute Truth.
As you come to know Me - the Truth - better and
better, I make you increasingly free. (Pro. 29:25;
Gen. 3:13; John 14:6; 8:32) [Jesus Today by Sarah
Young]
My peace is a soft, soothing pillow for
your weary head. Pry your mind away from plans
and problems so you can rest in My healing
Presence. Whisper, "I trust You, Jesus," while you
relax - body, mind, and soul - in My protective
Presence. If anxious thoughts try to intrude, give
them over to Me with thanksgiving. Be grateful
that I understand everything about you and your
circumstances; also, I love you eternally and take care of
you continually. Instead of pondering your
problems, let these precious truths renew your mind.
They will set you free.
As you refresh yourself in My peaceful
Presence - trusting and thanking Me - I go to work on
your behalf. While you stay in communication with
Me, I show you the way forward. I may open up a
way that previously seemed blocked, or I may
take you along a new path altogether. Remember
that you are never alone in your struggles. You
have a Helper who is infinitely powerful,
tenderly loving, and wise beyond all understanding.
So rejoice! (Exo. 33:14; Phi. 4:4-7; John 8:31,
32; 15:26) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
TESTIMONY
One of my friends who had been depressed
for seven years told his sister he was ready to
commit suicide. The sister called the doctor, who
had my friend committed to a psych hospital. He
didn't want to go, but there was nothing else to
do.
After a couple days, I visited him. The
nurse who let me in - with a password -
confiscated the Starbucks cup I'd brought him full of
real coffee as well as the pack of Charmin. He
led me to a room where a TV on mute seemed like
a good metaphor for the rest of the people
gathered there. Most were staring, not saying
anything. My friend and I sat at a particleboard table
in the corner on hard chairs.
At first, we just held hands and cried.
Then my friend told me something astonishing. He
said, "I didn't want to come here, but I'm glad I
did. It's real. There's no hiding from the truth
in a place like this - I have to face it. And
in a weird way, that's given me hope."
I understood exactly what he meant. For
seven years I'd been trying to help him figure out
what to do to make his life better. We looked for
new jobs, and we talked about relationship
changes and changes in location. But the truth was
that nothing could ever get better until he was
better on the inside.
The truth can be a scary place to go. It
can be ugly and inconvenient. But strangely
enough, it always brings freedom. That's a promise
from the One Who is truth, Who died to set us
free. by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
Faith Step: Pray this prayer, filling in
the blank as you feel led: Jesus, show me the
truth about _______________, even if it hurts, so
that I can be free. [Mornings With Jesus 2019
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100516-1431.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
