How do we actually know if God’s Word is real in our lives, and not just something we read and maybe even agree with?
The proof is manifested in what comes out of us—especially when we’re under stress. Consider when we’re in a hurry and someone needs a kind word, or when someone is unkind. What surfaces in response is indicative of the truth that is serving as our operating system. Jesus said:
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
When we are born again, and our soul is “in Christ,” we have the opportunity to speak words that nourish—even when we are struggling. The more we seek to take in God’s Word and make it our own, the more we cannot keep it to ourselves. In fact, the Prophet Jeremiah wrote:
“His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.” (Jeremiah 20:9)
Jeremiah is describing how God’s Word was so deeply treasured that it had become his thought patterns and thus, flowed through in his speech. It was more than information—it was a fire he couldn’t contain. This is what happens to a born-again believer who consistently feeds his soul with God’s Word rather than just reading it. It produces God’s wisdom in us, a wisdom that manifests itself in what we say and do. Proverbs describes wisdom this way:
“Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourse, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words.” (Proverbs 1:20-21)
God’s Word should be the most powerful algorithm of our thoughts and speech.
God’s Word also produces the fruit of the Spirit in us—HIS love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. The fruit of the Spirit is also impossible to keep hidden inside a private, personal relationship with God. In fact, it is impossible to experience GOD’s fruit and for it to NOT be shared with others. Because God’s nature is love, and we know this means “selflessness” then to experience it means to share it, right?
So when I don’t have “time” for love, compassion, or kindness, or when the words that come out of my mouth are not in sync with God’s Word—I should really check myself and see who has taken charge of my life. I can be sure that it is something other than God and His Word. Our enemy is sneaky, and he wants to keep us in misery! My flesh demands convenience over compassion and retaliation over kindness. And when this happens, it’s not hard to see who is actually ruling my life at that moment. That’s why God’s Word is so priceless, and we must constantly use it to get the nasty bugs out of our operating system!
“I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:10)
God’s Word tests our thoughts, speech, and actions against His own righteous standard. Jesus didn’t point to doctrine, knowledge, or even miracles as the proof that we belong to Him. He said:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
God’s love is selfless by definition and is only produced by a heart saturated with God’s Word and God’s presence. But, my friend, we must understand that this is not available to someone who is not first born again because the Bible says:
“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)
A person who has not been born again isn’t simply less disciplined about hiding God’s Word; they’re spiritually unable to receive or live it because, apart from Christ, they’re dead to Him. That’s why salvation always has to be the first step, before hiding His Word can ever become fire in anyone’s bones or wisdom crying out in the open square.
Ah, but how gracious God is to us! He allows us to live in the vast treasures of His presence even as we walk in the trouble of this world. His invitation is straightforward: Hide His Word in your heart until it stops being information you know and starts being fuel that repatterns how you think. Treasure His presence like the most valuable thing you own. Let His Spirit produce HIS fruit and HIS wisdom. HE will change what you say and what you think about. He will become the greatest passion in your life, and everyone who knows you will see an amazing representation of what God is like.
Isn’t that absolutely exciting?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for making me alive in Christ and giving me Your Spirit so Your Word is my strength, my song, and greatest source of comfort and wisdom. Help me hide Your Word so deeply in my heart that it becomes fire in my bones—something I cannot hold back. Let it produce Your wisdom and Your fruit in me, visible to anyone watching. Let my life prove I belong to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
