The Fuel Of Godliness

Memory Verse: "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out..." (Prov.26:20, KJV, Centered Text)

Scripture Reading: Ps.119:9-11.

Fuel is defined as a substance that can be consumed to produce energy. In other words, the consumption of this substance is what produces energy.

There is a [spiritual] substance we must consume as godly people in other to muster up [spiritual] energy against iniquity and that substance is the Word of God. 

The word of God is the fuel for godliness. It drives us to lead godly lives wherever we find ourselves. Sir, you cannot be addicted to the word and still be addicted to sin. No. One wins. The word will either keep you from sin or sin will keep you away from the word.

The importance of fuel in a vehicle cannot be over-emphasised. Just as fuel is to a car, so is the word to the believer. No matter the finesse of our grammar when we minister, the tushness or freshness of our tongues when we pray and our high tech spiritual service in church or evangelism, sin will floor a word-less believer any day, anytime. Oh boy, it will mess you up and bring you down beyond recognition. 

Girl, it's only the force of God's word that has total capacity to incapacitate sin in our lives.

Just as no two vehicles share the same fuel tank; also, no two believers can have the same word tank. Every believer must accept personal responsibility to fill up their word tank.

Why is this important?

It is important because everyone must be tempted. Without these temptations, nobody would know if you are growing into spiritual maturity. And God wants to know. What makes it more interesting is the fact that it comes unannounced without a schedule or time-table. And we're rated by how well we overcome these temptations. If we pass, we're promoted to face bigger temptations. If we fail, we remain in the same [spiritual] class until we are able to pass.

What's the secret?

Be ever ready. A good driver doesn't wait until he's out of fuel before he tops his tank. He knows when topping is required and he just keeps topping. I am quickly reminded by the Holy Spirit that beyond topping as at when due, excellent driver drive around with reserve fuel in the boots of their cars incase of an emergency! By implication, it is required of us that we make out time to hide God's words in our hearts [as a spiritual reserve / backup] waiting for the hour of temptation (see Prov.24:10). 

Okay, even if I err unintentionally, I can always rise again because the word I have hid in my heart will restore me (see Is.59:19). But what happens when it is not there? If you've ever been in a vehicle that ran out of fuel due to the carelessness or wrong assumption of the driver and there was no place to buy, you'll be in the best position to answer that question.

Don't wait until you're out of fuel. Just keep refuelling. I'm yet to meet anyone that is addicted to the word and is living in regret. Rather, show me a word-addict and I will show you a person who's leading a godly life: one who has successfully been able to keep sin where it belongs!

Let nothing take the place of a meaningful word-study in your daily life, not even anointed books, tapes or even church services and activities. Devote at least, 15 uninterrupted minutes (this is too small though but I recommend this for beginners) of your time everyday taking in (not looking for what to preach, write or say to others) the word for yourself; allowing it to take roots deep in the soil of your heart even as you commit to letting it bud by living out what the word commands.

Ponder Point: It is only the force of God's word that has total capacity to incapacitate sin in our lives.

Action Point: Commit to a personal and stable word-study life.

Prayer Point: Father, I ask for an insatiable hunger and thirst for Your word and I also receive of You the discipline required to satisfy this hunger and thirst in Jesus name, Amen.