by Ester yusufu | 23 June 2025 08:46 pm06
You might be a good pastor or a teacher of God’s Word. You may have deep knowledge and spiritual insight. But the vital question is: Are you rightly handling God’s Word in your ministry?
The apostle Paul gave Timothy an important principle:
“If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
— 2 Timothy 2:5
This means God expects His servants to faithfully and correctly handle His Word. Just like an athlete must obey the rules to win, ministers must rightly divide the Word of truth (see also 2 Timothy 2:15). This “rightly dividing” (Greek: orthotomeo) means to cut straight, teach accurately, and handle Scripture responsibly.
God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and it is the foundation for sound faith (Romans 10:17). If ministers distort or misuse Scripture, they lead people astray (2 Peter 3:16). That’s why Paul warns Timothy to avoid “profane and idle babblings” that cause division (2 Timothy 2:16-18).
Paul warns Timothy:
“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.”
— 2 Timothy 2:14
Arguing over trivial words or doctrinal disputes that lack spiritual fruit damages the church and confuses believers. Paul compares such disputes to a cancer (Greek: gangrene), a deadly disease that spreads if not removed (2 Timothy 2:17).
This shows the serious harm of false teaching and contentious debate—it weakens the faith of others and causes division (Titus 3:10-11).
Paul continues:
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance.”
— 2 Timothy 2:24-25
True ministry requires humility, patience, and gentleness. The goal is restoration, not winning arguments. God desires that sinners repent and come to know the truth (John 8:32).
In our time, many debates between Christians and others can become hostile and unfruitful. Instead of drawing people to Christ, they often push people away. This is evidence that we are not using God’s Word rightly.
Paul’s instructions remind us to focus on faithful teaching, avoid pointless quarrels, and minister in love and humility.
We, like Timothy, must strive to be approved workers who handle the Word of God accurately (2 Timothy 2:15). This involves careful study, integrity, and loving correction.
May God bless you richly as you seek to rightly divide His Word and build His kingdom.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2025/06/23/am-i-using-gods-word-the-right-way/
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