“Remember that you cannot overcome in your own strength but by the Word of God.” These are the words the Lord spoke to me in a dream one night in relation to overcoming legalism. These words were absolutely life altering for me. You see, I knew that the Word of God was important before then, but I didn’t realize just how much. Even as I am writing this blog, I receive fresh revelation that His statement assures us the Word is meant to be personal and intimate to our situation. But what really struck me then with the Lord’s statement was it suggested to the extent I did not use His Word to help me, to that extent I was fighting in my own strength. Wow. What a revelation that was. Consequently, that meant to the extent I placed my hope in His Word—investing in His Word―studying His Word, believing His Word, confessing His Word and obeying His Word through applying it to my situation, I was no longer relying on my own strength but on the Lord’s strength. From that day on, I began quoting Scriptures pertinent to my condition. I began googling for Bible verses relevant to my need and I began confessing that Word out loud over me and over my situation. I stopped trying to figure everything out―trying to reason my way out—and instead I used my precious energy studying and meditating on the Word. I stood on His promises in faith and let the Word do in me what only the Word could do in me. And it began to change me, over time. Psalm 119:11 (AMPC) says, “Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Here is what James said in James 1:21-25 (AMPC):
So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
The foregoing Scriptures are a great source of hope for me that no matter what I am going through, if I faithfully meditate on God’s Word, receive it with a spirit of meekness and apply it to my life, sooner or later, the Word will save me in the area in question―I will be changed, I will be renewed. Thus, it is only a matter of time until complete victory comes if I persist in the Word. The same is true for you.
We renew our minds with the Word of God. Romans 12:2 (AMPC) says, “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” We are transformed from the inside out and we become a new person as we consistently meditate on the Word of God, confess the Word of God and apply the Word of God. Jesus summed it up perfectly in John 8:31-32 (AMPC), “So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”
Take heart and take courage. There is hope! There is a way out. As we place our hope in God’s Word, victory is assured. It is only a matter of time.
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your Word.
―Psalm 119:114 (AMPC)