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“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1.)
Introduction
As we read, study and meditate upon God’s Word the Holy Spirit will equip us to resist temptation and sin. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word” (Psalm 119:9.) This means that the Scriptures must be acted upon. This equipping only becomes a reality in our lives once we obey what God is saying.
Defeated Believers
The main cause of spiritual defeat is ignoring the Scriptures. Those who constantly give into iniquity rarely bother to read the Bible, to say nothing of actually studying it! Because they do not know the Bible, they do not have the weapons to resist the devil’s attacks. If we listen to their excuses, we will hear them saying, “I couldn’t help myself” or “God seems so far away.” It is a shame that they allow themselves to get into this situation, especially since God has provided every means for believers to overcome temptation … “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13.) He has equipped us with His armour so that we might be victorious in this world (Ephesians 6:14-15.)
Will-power or God’s Power?
“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11.) Without the Word of God in our hearts all we can rely upon is will-power. Unfortunately the will crumbles as temptation becomes more intense. The human will has proven to be a very poor defence against sin; we are all living proof of this. But God does not expect us to be overcomers by improving the will, instead as we apply His Word, it is His will that is the strength of our lives … “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10.) This means we can say with the Psalmist, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8.) God enables us to walk the path of holiness and righteousness. Yes, we can “Resist the devil, and he will flee from [us]” (James 4:7), but let’s not forget the first part of the text, “Submit yourselves therefore to God” and what follows, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (:8.)
Is Ignorance Bliss?
Some think that if they do not know what the Bible says then God cannot hold them accountable. They are trying to claim innocence through ignorance. Can such people truly be counted amongst God’s children?
It is certain that a true believer cannot claim to be innocent once the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ has penetrated his heart. Each believer is held accountable to obey the Word of God, the apostle Peter makes this abundantly clear, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them” (2 Peter 2:21.) Failure to walk according to God’s standards has been the cause of many backsliders to become apostates, and eventually throw away the precious gift of salvation. They continued to reject the Bible and advice of godly people, “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1.) At the root of all this is ‘sin’ … “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17.)
Conclusion
True Christians cherish the Scriptures, they treasure it in their hearts, and they desire to obey its message. It nourishes their souls and renews their minds. The Word of God “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16.) Because some have starved themselves of living truth they have no desire to walk worthy.