For you to advance in the Christian life, you MUST have the written word of God as your first priority.

What does the Bible say about the word of God?

You cannot separate the living word of God from the written word of God. To live in God’s will, you must know the written word of God.

John 1:1, 14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

…

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Rev 19:11-13

11 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (This is talking about Jesus Christ)

12 And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name (that’s ONOMA, and it means title, not just name) written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.

13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.

Jesus Christ is the actual living Word of God. When you take in the written Word of God, you are taking the thinking of Jesus Christ into your soul.

We can all quote John 8:32, but look what comes before it in verse 31:

John 8:31-32

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

The only way to know truth is to continue to learn His words! What is truth?

John 17:17

17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.

If you continue in the word, you get the truth, and the freedom follows!

This one is one of my favorites:

Isaiah 55:11

11 So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Don’t you want to accomplish God’s will? If He says that His word will accomplish what He desires, and His words are in you, then YOU WILL!

What about the eating analogy that God uses? Maybe it’s just me, but I eat every day!

Matt 4:4

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"

Jeremiah 15:16

16 Thy words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Only God's word can cause spiritual growth.

1 Peter 2:2

2 like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

2 John 1:9

9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Be diligent (SPOUDAZO, and it means to be a diligent student. Some translations actually say study here) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

Nothing must come between you and the word of God. Taking in the Word of God must come first, because in it are all the answers!

Proverbs 4:13

13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.