From the Old Testament to the New, different people have testified to the finality of God’s word. David said it, the prophet Isaiah said it, and even Jesus testified that even if heaven and earth pass away, not a single word of His will (Matt. 24:35). God’s word is not a suggestion or an opinion. It is authority, meant for instruction, guidance, correction, and admonition. In essence, His word is law. His word is final.
Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:89 NKJV
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 40: ESV
What makes God’s word the final say? The fact that He is the Almighty. In the military setting, ranks are very important. The command of one officer can be easily overridden by that of a higher-ranking official. In the hierarchy of the world, God is at the top. Just a mention of His name brings every knee to surrender (Php. 2:10). His words carry the highest authority; therefore, He has the final say.
Unlike humans, who are fickle and easily go back on their words, God’s word is faithful. Humans can say one thing and do another, or make an utterance and retract their words. But not God. He never goes back on His word. We can be sure of His faithfulness to the words He has spoken (Num. 23:19). The scripture even tells us that He honors His word more than His name (Psa. 138:2). If He has said a thing, be assured that it shall come to pass. In the same vein, if God has said a thing concerning a matter, take it that that’s the conclusion of the matter. This understanding applies to the promises as much as it does to the precepts.
Even prophetic voices must be tested against what God has said. Not every word from a pastor or a man of God is truly the will of God. You must discern and compare with what God has said (1Jn. 4:1; Gal. 1:8). The Bible tells us the story of a young prophet who received clear instructions from God not to stop to eat or drink on his journey. A while later, another prophet who was older told the young one to stop by to eat and drink. The older prophet claimed he had also received instruction from God. Later on, it was revealed that the older prophet deceived the younger one.
Unfortunately, the young prophet suffered the repercussions of his disobedience and died. He had received a clear instruction on what God would have him do, but he instead chose to go the other way. He chose the words of a man, albeit a prophet, to be of more value than the word of God. (1 Ki. 13:1-34)
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Acts 17:11 NIV
Today, we have even clearer instructions from God written in the Bible. Yet, believers still contest its finality. When it comes to discerning God’s will or stance on a matter, you must remember that the Bible is the absolute authority. If God never speaks a word to anyone again, we can be assured that all we need to know is already contained in the bible. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
The finality of God’s word also speaks to how believers use it. Sometimes we have dreams or receive prophecy that is contrary to God’s word over us, how do we react to them? Spoken words can be true, but the written word is of greater power. It was written that it may not be changed. Believers can use the word of God to overcome every negative contrary word spoken over their lives.
But the truth is that we can hardly obey, moreso apply the word of God, if we don’t even know it. Bible study is non-negotiable for believers. It is where we get clear instructions on what to do, God’s view on certain issues, and the weapon of our warfare.
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