“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
When you look back on your life, what do you see? Do you see a boy, a young man, an adult trying to do the best he can with whatever is thrown at him? When you’ve encountered a new obstacle or challenge, did you seek God? Or, if you’re like most other men, did you try to figure it out on your own?
A common theme with guys is that we do not need help with anything! We’re men: we should be able to install a shelf, cook a brisket, fix a car, or get to our destination without any assistance. We’re leaning on our own understanding. Yet, when we do this, we are putting ourselves at a disadvantage because we are limiting our ability to grow.
This thinking can take us down some chaotic paths. At times, we can end up somewhere we didn’t want to be. We begin measuring ourselves by our perceived expectations we think others have of us. We never really hit the mark when it comes to our responsibilities because the knowledge we have is limited and we become overwhelmed by all we have to do. This doesn’t just affect us, but our friends, coworkers, wives, and children. We are examples to them, and we can’t be good examples if we are living by our own truth.
Truth is not determined by our own thinking, but by the word of God. It corrects, teaches, and equips. Without it, we would be living in even more chaos! How often have you found yourself realizing you were told a lie, or that something you believed was actually harming you more than it was helping you? Ironically, when we talk with God, we sometimes believe whatever He’s asking us to do will hurt us. In reality, it will be to our benefit. It is only by leaning into His word, our firm foundation, that we can live in true wisdom and understanding.
If you need to know who God says you are, how he says you’re doing, what needs to be revealed inside of you, and what you need to be doing moving forward, it can only be found in His written word. No person on earth has the perfect truth for you, only Him. If you find yourself lost or making the wrong choices, then take a step into His undeniable truth.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Your word is the greatest wisdom anybody could ever receive. It is only from You do I know what is truth and what is not. The worldly culture around me does not tell me who I am or what I should be doing, only You do. Direct me to Your word every day. Help me to lean into Your understanding and not my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Extra Reading
“Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”
2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
