A person or a congregation is alive or dead; heaven-bound or hell-bound depending on what the person does with the word of God. An individual’s spiritual growth depends how much word of God he assimilates, believes and applies. Any person who toys with the Word of God will lack healthy spiritual growth and life (Heb. 4:12). This includes those who constantly feed on spiritual poisons cannot expect to live and enjoy good spiritual life until they abandon the poison.
Men love to eat only the bread that perishes (Lk. 4:4; Jn. 6:27, 51). Jesus our Lord explained the need to eat the word of God for eternal life (Jn. 6:32-35, 48-51,58). However Jews failed to understand His analogy of the word of God as the bread of life which made many to leave Him (Jn. 6:60, 66). Similarly, many today are afraid of the word of God and would avoid spending the time to read, hear or discuss God’s word; even in congregations. Instead they are satisfied with songs, music, dances, jokes and dramas, and forgetting the injunctions and warnings of the scripture (II Chr. 36:16; Pr. 28:9; Is. 5:24; Hos. 4:6; Mk. 7:9).
Many people are not enthusiastic about God’s word which is life (Jn. 14:6). They therefore play down the meaning and the gravity; forsaking the core values and the spiritual life nutrients contained in God’s word. While continuing to assimilate spiritual poisons, toxins and venoms, they still expect to be spiritually alive. Some altogether lightly esteem the word and treat it secondarily (Acts 13:46). However, our Lord upheld those that listened God’s word (Lk. 8:21; 11:28). We are therefore encouraged to continually study the word of God to be spiritually healthy and equipped to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).