So then, brothers, stand firm and
hold to the teachings we passed on to you,
whether by word of mouth or by letter.
II Thessalonians 2:15
Even those without an economics degree understand the inverse relationship between supply and demand: if it’s rare or hard to find, human nature prompts us to want it all the more!
Believers in the first century did not have the luxury of a bound Bible with the complete text of the Old and New Testaments. The latter was being written in real time and the scrolls holding the Old Testament were rare, precious, and housed in the synagogue.
Persecuted believers around the world can relate. While it can be hard for western-world Christians to imagine, there are places even today where one single Bible is smuggled into a community and then carefully torn apart, with each member of the church receiving one precious page.
Does limited supply make the words of the Bible all the more desirable? And does unlimited supply (thanks to our modern technology and easy availability) make the Bible less desirable?
Our 21st-century tools bring Bible studies, podcasts, and blogs to our ears and eyes anytime, anywhere. But the danger is that the information super highway can wear us down. If you’re like me, you may sometimes find yourself listening to but not hearing – metaphorically eating but not digesting – the Word of God.
How do we fight against it? How can we take to heart Paul’s admonition to stand firm and hold to the teaching we read in the Bible (and hear on Sunday morning)?
Here are three suggestions:
- Pray. I know that sounds trite and cliché. But truly, as your pastor approaches the pulpit on Sunday and as you open your Bible each morning, ask the Spirit of God to impress the Word of God upon your heart and mind: Holy Spirit help me to take hold of the Word you have for me!
- Write it down. If you follow this ministry, you know I’m a huge fan of reading and writing the Word of God. Can we all agree we are more likely to remember what we write? (It’s the reason that even if I forget my list at home, I almost always remember everything I wrote on it when I get to the grocery store!)
- Talk about it. Admittedly, I tend to be a verbal processor, but I do believe that truth is impressed onto our hearts and moved from short-term to long-term memory when we have a dialogue over Sunday lunch or Tuesday morning with our accountability partner or on Thursday night with our small group. Sharing helps you hold onto it – and comes with the double benefit of blessing the one with whom you share that truth.
What ideas to help “hold to the teaching” can you add to the list? Leave me a note below!
Praying this week finds all of us more determined and relentless to stand firm and hold to the teaching!
Paul’s words to the church in I Thessalonians 5:21 are short and sweet, but powerful and convicting. While he penned this message in the first century, the teaching is just as applicable to living in the 21st century! Please listen as Laura challenges us to embrace Paul’s admonition to test everything and “hold on to what is good,” in this week’s devotional video:
