Read Romans 1

Highlights:

Wrath of God revealed against sin; both Jews and gentiles under condemnation.

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? (Rom. 2:21).

One of the greatest dangers facing Christians is the temptation to teach God's Word without applying it to their own life. This happens for different reasons. Some teach simply for the gaining of more and more knowledge. You might be amazed at the number of theology professors in colleges who are not even believers. Some are even atheists. Many would say too much education can never be bad. However, if a man thinks of himself too highly, he can become corrupted. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me (Is. 47:10).

To study Scripture merely for the sake of gaining knowledge, without obeying what is read, is a great self-deception. Teaching God's Word to others without personally seeking to please Him may allow us to appear spiritual towards others, but our hearts will become hardened in disobedience. Futhermore, this kind of teaching can only result in mere human understanding because His Word remains powerless in our own life. We must remember the Word of God is not some mere textbook. It was not written to simply educate. It is not even a rule book set up with guidelines to a better life. The Bible is both those things and much more. However, that is only a tiny part of what it is. You will hear it said often here that the words of the Bible are alive. If we allow them to, they will speak personally to us and transform our minds, hearts and lives. As His Words penetrate our innermost being, we will truly become available to God. We will be Kingdom builders. It will all be because we allowed God's Word to work in us. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

The human mind is a great thing. It was created by God. It has vast capabilities. However, the mind alone without spiritual discernment has little chance of truly gaining an understanding of the Word of God. We need the wisdom of God. As we pray and read God's Word, the Holy Spirit will reveal His Truth.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God . . . neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14).

Thought for Today:

Unless his heart is right, a man's reasoning will always misguide him — regardless of how much he may know.

Word Studies:

1:13 let hitherto, prevented; 1:21 vain, morally misguided, empty, worthless; 1:29 debate, strife; malignity, depravity of heart; whisperers, gossipers; 2:22 commit sacrilege, rob temples; 3:2 oracles, the Scriptures; 3:25 propitiation, satisfaction, reconciliation, appeasement; remission of sins that are past, forgiveness of former sins.

Prayer Suggestion: Amidst uncertainty, seek the guidance of God (Is. 42:16).

Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:13