John 15:7 declares, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Notice that there is a condition attached to asking and receiving from the Lord. It is not enough to simply be “in Christ.” His Word must also dwell richly within us (Colossians 3:16).
In these last days, God is distinguishing His people by His Word. Many equate spirituality with the manifestation of gifts, but gifts are not the proof of maturity. Spiritual gifts often flow even through immature believers (1 Corinthians 3:1–3). True spiritual stature is measured by the depth of the Word abiding within.
When the devil tempted Jesus on the mountain (Matthew 4:1–11), the Lord did not rely on displays of spiritual power or gifts. He overcame by the written Word. If the adversary dared to test the Son of God, none of us are exempt. Our stability in the day of confrontation will not come from gifts, emotions, or zeal—but from the Word we have hidden in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).
You do not fight the devil with charisma, eloquence, or even gifts of the Spirit; you resist him with *the Word of God*. Without the Word, there will be no strength when adversity comes. Proverbs 24:10 warns, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” And where does true strength come from? The Word.
Many have suffered shipwreck in the faith, not because Satan was too powerful, but because they neglected to let the Word abide in them. One word quickened by the Spirit is enough to silence the enemy forever. Do not fear the devil; fear ignorance of the Word. Jesus Himself said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). That truth is God’s Word (John 17:17).
A sobering reality must be faced: a time is coming when access to the written Bible may be taken away. Whether through persecution, suppression, or deception, there may be seasons when Scripture is scarce. In that day, the only Bible you will have is the one stored in your heart and mind. The Spirit can only bring to remembrance what you have first sown (John 14:26).
Therefore, now is the time to give yourself wholly to the Word. Abiding takes time, discipline, and meditation. It is like a mustard seed—slow to grow, yet destined to become a tree for all to see (Mark 4:30–32). Prayer without the Word is incomplete. Prayer may open doors, but it is the abiding Word that establishes and sustains victory:
- Prayer—Word = limited blessings
- Prayer + Word = unlimited blessings
If Jesus Himself overcame by declaring, “It is written,” then we must walk the same path. When the Word of God is spoken in faith, the devil cannot tell whether it is Christ or you speaking—because the Word is Christ (John 1:1, 14).
This is why men took notice of the apostles, that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). When the Word abides in you, you begin to see and live as Christ did. Faith is nothing more than seeing as Jesus sees and then living accordingly. You may doubt what you merely heard, but you cannot doubt what you have truly seen in the Word.
The Word of God cannot fail. It cannot be broken (John 10:35). It is the seed that produces eternal life, unshakable victory, and lasting fruit. The just shall live by faith—faith that is rooted in the abiding, planted Word.
My prayer for you is this: May God prove the unfailing power of His Word in your life. May the Word dwell richly in you, strengthen you, and sustain you in the day of adversity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
