Living in Increase (Part 1) - Increase in UnderstandingSample

Week 3: The Power of Scripture

The Power of Truth

As we learned in week 1, Scripture is God-breathed, the written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). In John 17:17, Jesus prays for the disciples and asks God to “sanctify them in truth,” stating that God’s “Word is truth.” The word “sanctified” means to be set apart or separated. From this verse, we can surmise that God’s Word sets us apart from the rest of the world by sanctifying us with His truth, or His Word. The level at which we value God’s written Word impacts our view of God. When we know God’s Word, we know the truth. When we don’t know God’s Word, truth is subjective (whatever we want it to be), and subjective truth is no truth at all.

Jesus says to some Jewish believers, “If you continue in My Word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and truth will set you free” (John 8:34). Before Jesus, we were enslaved to sin. Now, we are set free by believing in the words of Christ, which testify of God the Father. Later in the same Gospel of John, Jesus says a Helper will come. This Helper is the Spirit of Truth that comes from the Father and testifies of Christ (John 15:26). Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

God’s written Word testifies of God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God’s written Word empowers us with truth, which sets us free!

Ruby Washington

Action Step: Think about and write down some possible areas where there may be deception or false truth.