Let God's Word Make Disciples

Do you try to convince people with the force of your personality, or do you rely on something more powerful - God's Word? Learn to let Him speak. Keep Reading...

READ
Exodus 18:15-16 - Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.”

REFLECT
Moses had a lot of power. All the Israelites knew that he had a special connection with God. It was through Moses that God enacted the plagues on Egypt, the Red Sea parting, water out of a rock, the 10 Commandments being written and on and on. Authority was recognized in Moses. That is why so many came to him to settle their disputes.

How did Moses view himself? With great humility. Numbers 12:3 says that Moses was more humble than anyone on earth. And he reflected this humility in the way he discipled the nation of Israel. Surely Moses would have had great experience and personal wisdom. But when the people of Israel wanted to know God's will, he simply informed them of God's Word.

When friends or co-workers come to you for advice, what is your default response? Do you immediately rely on personal experience or accrued wisdom? Or is your default the Word of God? Before offering your input, would you search what God says about your friend's situation? In other words, does your authority rest on your personality or God's Word?

In order to let God's Word make disciples, you will need to know his Word. You will need to search out what he says about himself and his ways. The more that his Word remains and grows within you, the more the Holy Spirit will remind you of what Jesus says in the middle of your discipleship conversations.

Encourage people to search God's Word for answers. Otherwise, you will inadvertently be leading them to yourself as the ultimate authority. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

His voice is more powerful than your voice. Let him speak!

RESPOND
Can you think of a relationship in which you are prone to give a lot of personal advice without reference to God's Word? Ask God to direct you toward specific Scripture passages for that person. Make a commitment to talk less, listen to God more and point people to his Word.