8 Reasons to Let the Word of God Dwell in You
The Bible is a living book. But, is it living to you? Specifically, do you let the word of God dwell in you in such a way that you experience its vital functions changing you inwardly?
Colossians 3:16 says,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God.”
Such a rich indwelling of God’s word will greatly affect your Christian life. It will fill your heart with grace—the enjoyment of God.
And it will do so much more…if you “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
In this post we’ll consider eight vital functions of the Word of God that you can daily experience by letting His Word dwell in you richly. Then we’ll mention some practical ways to let God’s word dwell in you so that you enjoy these functions in your daily life.
Eight Vital Functions of the Word of God
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is “living and operative.” That means it’s “vital”—its functions are of life–the divine life. And our receiving such a living and operative word is essential to our growth in God’s life.
Realizing these eight vital functions of the word of God will give you eight reasons to let His word dwell in you in a rich way.
1. Enlightening
First, God’s word enlightens us. When the word of God comes, the first thing it does is bring light into our inner being. Consider God’s first speaking in the Bible,
“And God said, Let there be light…” (Gen. 1:3).
When God speaks, first there is light. When we let God’s word dwell in us, we will be inwardly enlightened. This was the testimony of the psalmist who said,
“The opening of Your words gives light, imparting understanding to the simple.” (Psa. 119:130)
2. Nourishing
Second, the word of God becomes food to nourish us. This means that while God’s word is enlightening us, it also nourishes us.
In Matthew 4:4 the Lord Jesus said,
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God.”
By this word the Lord Jesus was indicating that He as a man took God’s word in the Scriptures as His food and lived on it. We should follow this pattern.
We should have the attitude of the Lord Jesus toward God’s Word, and consider it as food to nourish our inner man. In this way God’s Word will nourish us to live the Christian life.
3. Quenching your thirst
Third, the word of God quenches our thirst because it is the water of life.
Isaiah 55:10-11 says,
“For just as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and does not return there, until it waters the earth and makes it bear and sprout forth…so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me vainly, but will accomplish what I delight in, and will prosper in the matter to which I have sent it.”
These verses indicate that God sends His word to water His people to accomplish His purpose in them.
So when we receive God’s word into us, it waters us and “makes us bear fruit and sprout forth.” That is, it sanctifies us, transforms us, and conforms us to Christ’s image (Rom. 8:29).
4. Strengthening
Fourth, the word of God makes us strong in our spirit and also in our soul. By such a strengthening in our spirit and soul, we will also be healthy in our body.
In 1 John 2:14 it says,
“…I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one.
Being strong is connected to having the word of God abide or dwell in us. When we let God’s word abide in us, it becomes the best cure for our spirit, soul and body. It really strengthens us and heals us.
5. Washing
Fifth, the word of God washes our inner being organically and metabolically.
Ephesians 5:26-27 says,
“That He [Christ] might sanctify her [the church], cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word, that He might present the church to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
As we let the Word of Christ dwell in us, the washing water of life in His word cleanses us inwardly, metabolically removing all our spots and wrinkles, so that we might be beautified to be Christ’s bride.
6. Building
Sixth, the word of God builds us up. As believers in Christ, we are the many members of Christ’s Body, the church (Rom. 12:4-5). As such, we all need to be built together. But our natural, peculiar disposition, often makes it difficult for anyone to deal with us, much less to build us together with our fellow members.
However, the word of God can touch us inwardly and make it possible for us to be built up in the church. Acts 20:32 says,
“And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up…”
When we let the word of God dwell in us, it will cause us to grow up into Christ, the Head of the Body, joining us together with His other growing members and causing us to be built together as His one Body (Eph. 4:15-16).
7. Completing and perfecting
Seventh, as members of Christ’s Body, we all should function. But in order to function, we first need to be perfected by the Word of God. When God’s word nourishes us, we grow. Then through the growth, the functions come forth.
Second Timothy 3:16-17 says,
“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”
The nourishment we receive from the word of God completes us and perfects us as members of the Body. By letting the word of God dwell in us, we are not only nourished for our growth but perfected in our function.
8. Edifying
Finally, we also need to be edified, or built up in a personal way, to make up the lack in our virtues.
For example, we may be short of such virtues as patience, wisdom, humility, or kindness. As the word of God dwells in us, it edifies us in the matter of virtues.
The more we let the word of God dwell in us, the more virtues we will have. Our kindness, patience, wisdom, and humility will all be increased by the word of God dwelling in us.
How to let the word of God dwell in you in a richer way
We need to let the word of Christ make its home in us, giving it the full liberty, freedom, and right in our being. Here are some ways to give God’s word more room within you.
1. Feed – First, take the Word as your daily food to nourish you each morning (Jer. 15:16; 1 Tim. 4:6). You can do this very effectively by pray-reading or praying over two or three Bible verses with spontaneous prayers of thanksgiving, praise, or petition.
2. Read – Spend regular, daily times to read through the Bible (Acts 17:11). It is good to read through the books of the New and Old Testament consecutively, according to a schedule. ReadHisWord.com has been a useful tool to keep me on track.
3. Sing – Sing the Word as the psalmists and early believers did (Col. 3:16). You can sing hymns full of Scriptures or turn the verse you’re enjoying to song. Hymnal.net is a great resource for this.
4. Speak – Find some like-minded companions with whom you can speak the Word–mutually teaching and admonishing one another (Col. 3:16).
In response to this word it’s good to pray,
“Lord, I offer my whole being to You and Your word. I give You access to every part of my inner being. Lord, make my inner being a home for You and for Your word. Lord, I choose to let your Word dwell in me richly so that all of its living functions can operate in me to carry out Your will.”
If the points in this post have encouraged you to let the Word of God dwell in you, please share your appreciation in a comment.
References and Further Reading:
- This post was inspired by The Functions of God’s Word presented in the Life-study of Colossians, Message 64, by Witness Lee.
- Here are a few songs and hymns to strengthen the point of this post:
- Photo credit: mimicry at Morguefile
About Tom Smith
Hi. My name is Tom Smith. I'm the writer behind Holding to Truth in Love, and I love the Lord Jesus and His life-giving Word. Please feel free to send me an e-mail through the contact page if you have any questions. I hope you'd take a moment to subscribe to the Holding to Truth blog. Then you'll be sure not to miss a post. Thanks!
Amen to your sharing, brother Tom. We need to find and use many ways and means to let the word of God dwell richly in us. Reading it, praying it, singing it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and many other ways can be used to allow the word of God (who shines on us, nourishes us, waters us, washes us, builds us up, perfects us, convicts us, etc) to dwell in us richly.
May we build up a habit of getting into the word of God in a living way so that the words in the Bible would become living to us, ministering life to our inner being.
And as we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, His word from within us will speak to us, shine on us, nourish us, water us, convict us, supply us, edify us, and perfect us. The word of God can become part of our inward being, our constitution!
Thank you for sharong im edified and fully equiped to seek him
God bless you
Glad you enjoyed the post. Our receiving God’s word by means of prayer supplies us and equips us in pursuing the Lord and in rendering service that is acceptable to Him. Thank you for sharing your appreciation in a comment.
This is so spirit lifting, I’m truly blessed and strengthen with these Spirit filled words. God bless you sir.
I am glad that you found these words “spirit lifting.” This is really our hope is that those who read these articles would not be merely educated with Bible knowledge, but have their spirit lifted into a richer fellowship with the Lord. I am so glad that you are truly blessed and strengthened with these words. Thank you for sharing your appreciation in a brief comment. May our Lord richly bless you as you pursue Him in His word!
Hi.am really blessed by this article God bless you. Am blessed.
Glad you enjoyed this article. Keep feeding on the Word by praying over, thanking, praising with what you read in the Scriptures.
Yes and amen for the word to growing in us in as small a mustard seed first and later very great a tree of life in to glory fod God in us to be bearing a fruit of goodness in Christ,thanks and bless and pray,keijo sweden
this article…blessed me. thanks
This holy ghost inspired words is very instructive and such a huge blessing to me.
I’m so glad this post was a huge blessing to you. I also have been greatly blessed by keeping a daily habit of reading and praying over God’s word and this over many years. I hope that by sharing these eight great benefits of letting the Word dwell in us richly many more of His believers and seekers will also pick up this vital, daily practice. In this way we will not only be nourished personally to grow in Christ (Matt. 4:4) but will also be equipping with God’s word to feed the hungry hearts of those around us (1 Tim. 4:6). Thanks for sharing your appreciation in a comment.
Hi Tom,
I find myself fortunate to come accross the live giving words you have written as advices to many lives. Please I wish to keep in touch with you for more information about this topic.
God bless you and your ministry.
By jerry minamb
Glad you enjoy the blog. It is really our desire that the Word of God would be so living and operative to work out God’s purpose in reaching and supplying His loving seekers with spiritual food and help to know God’s eternal plan. God bless you also as you seek the Lord for the fulfilling of His eternal purpose. Yes, lets keep in touch.
Please is Jesus Christ God, I mean the creator of the world?
Yes Jesus is the eternal God through Whom all things came into being. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Verse 3 says, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not one thing came into being which has come into being.” This refers to God’s original creation. Then verse 14 says, “And the Word became flesh…” This refers to Jesus was is the incarnate God. How wonderful that such a One makes the eternal God available for us to contact, receive and enjoy as grace and reality (vv. 14, 17)
Amen brother Tom,i thank God for using you to share such an amazing word of which it’s as touch and transform my life completely, God bless you and continue to extend the territory of his ministry in you so that you can reach many souls.
I am so glad that this word has touched and transformed your life with the Lord. Keep coming forward to the throne of grace every day to touch Christ in your spirit that you may receive Him as the mercy and grace you need to follow Him for His purpose. Thank you for sharing your appreciation in a comment.
Thank you so much for the word brother Tom. I love the way you share the word. God bless you
Robert, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Letting God’s word dwell in us richly has tremendous benefits for our Christian life. I’ve just mentioned eight of these as reasons to let the word dwell in us. I’d just like to emphasize that God’s Word is not just a book–the Bible, but a living Person, the Lord Jesus Himself (John 1:1, 14; 1 John 1:1). So whenever we come to the written word, we need to come to Christ as God’s living Word. When we match our coming to the Scriptures with coming to the Lord Jesus, we get life. John 5:39-40 says,”You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that testify concerning Me.Yet you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” To come to Christ in our coming to God’s word, I’ve found pray-reading to be most helpful. For details on this helpful practice, I’d recommend reading 12 Tips on How to Pray-read the Word of God to be Spiritually Nourished. Thanks for your comment. I hope you’ll subscribe to the blog and come back often.
thank you so much, bro Tom, i am really blessed by this article, pray God continue to inspire you.
Am seriously feeling the building of the holy spirit in me i feel realy bless with your word thank you.
Glad you were blessed by the word. It is the words of God’s grace that are able to build us up and bring us into the living that fulfills God’s eternal plan. I encourage you to feed on on God’s living words every day by reading with prayer, or pray-reading God’s word. Here is a post to help you enjoy the Spirit in you as you come to the Word: 12 Tips on How to Pray-read the Word of God to be Spiritually Nourished. Thanks for your encouraging comment.
Thank you so much brother tom, for this wonderful article, Am so blessed by it. I love the breaking down of the word in the article, may God bless you and your ministry in jesus name…shalom!
May the Lord feed you richly with the word of Christ as you come to Him as God’s living Word in the written words of the Scriptures. The life element in God’s word is the supply that enables us to grow up in Christ. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend reading another post, 12 Tips on How to Pray-read the Word of God to be Spiritually Nourished. These tips will also help you to receive more life from your daily Bible reading. Thank you for your comment.
I love your passion for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you for your words of wisdom through His Word. May God continue to shine His light upon you and that through the works of your hands, many people will come to know the truth and be set free.
Blessed to be a blessing! God bless you abundantly.
This article blessed me. The word of God dwells in me now and forever. His grace is sufficient. He is so faithful. I will forever honour and give glory to Him.
Glad you enjoyed the post and glad that the word of God is dwelling in you. I hope your appreciation encourages you to feed, read, sing and speak the Word as developed at the conclusion of the post. Feed on 2-3 verses by means of prayer every morning. Read a few chapters sequentially each day, for 10-20 minutes each time. Sing to the Lord the words that touched you. Making God’s word your song is a real blessing. Speak to someone you know what touched you from your feeding and reading. This may help them to be saved or to grow as a believer in Christ. Thanks for your comment.
This message fed me.Thank you.
God bless you
greatly appreciate this post . . . helps a lot with my weekly task of making sermon outlines easier. Thank you and God bless you.
Glad you enjoyed the post. Prayerful reading of the Bible is a solid base for a normal Christian life. The eight reasons listed in this post should also be a real encouragement to all the believers you care for to feed on God’s word that they grow in Christ. Thank you for your comment.
I bless God for this message. It is very edifying and nourishing for me. It actually confirms my strong belief that the amount or quantity of the word of God in me is the quantum of God in me. I cannot profess to know God if His word which is Him does not richly dwell in me. Thank you and God bless. Furthermore can I get a tip from you on how to live life in the Spirit.
Joseph,
Seeing the vital functions of God’s word is a big encouragement for us to come to God’s word in a living way by touching the Spirit as its essence by the exercise of our spirit through prayer. As far as tips on how to live life in the Spirit, you may enjoy reading this post: “How to Live Christ.” Let me know if you found it helpful, or if you have any questions. Thanks for taking the time to express your appreciation in a comment.
Wow glory to God, I really enjoyed this post on allowing Gods word dwell in us richly am blessed and I had to teach it in my church n my people where so blessed, thanks to you for accepting Gods call on ur life more grace Man Of God, shallom!
Appreciating the rich functions of the Word of God will give you ample reason to read God’s Word every day. It is also good to muse on these wonderful functions from time to time and ask the Lord to make each function, each benefit our personal experience. Thanks for the comment and keep feeding on God’s word daily.
God bless you for this write up sir, it as provided solution to my questions on that particular topic. More Grace!
Amen I was really struggling with how the word of God can have a place in my life but now I finished to ready this post I m sure as I decided to change my life through what this post touch me I pray God to give me understanding what written in this post and how to make it in practical thank you very much
Eric, I’m glad you enjoyed the post, 8 Reasons to Let the Word of God Dwell in You. Getting into God’s Word is so beneficial because God’s word has so many rich functions for our experience. When we receive it by means of all prayer, we’re supplied with the life supply we need to live the daily Christian life. Thanks for the comment…and do let me know how it goes in fresh pursuit to reading God’s word.
Your messages has inspired me at the right time.
My eyes are open to reading my scriptures regularly .
I really appreciate you .
The lord bless you richly and encourage you more to do His work without struggle .
Glad you enjoyed the post. God’s word is living and operative (Heb. 4:12). If we have the proper view and attitude when we read it, we will receive eternal benefit. Sadly many people only use their mind to analyze its teachings. They fail to use their spirit, by meas of prayer to receive the divine spirit and life (John 6:63) that will supply them to live the overcoming Christian life and church life. Keep coming to the Lord in His word each day and you get life (John 5:39-40). Thanks for your encouraging comment.
Thanks so so much; it touches my heart this very night. I needed a word to soothe my lonely life and I found it on a platter of gold. I pray that it will work wonders in me. Thanks!
I’m so glad that you found “8 Reasons to Let the Word of God Dwell in You” touching to your heart. In God’s Word we find the real help to meet our need whether comfort, encouragement, joy and so much more. But even more, the Word works out God’s will in us, carrying all the wonderful things that God’s has planned for us according to His eternal purpose. God’s word testifies concerning Christ so that we may come to Him to receive eternal life (John 5:39-40). God’s Word regenerates us (1 Peter 1:23). God’s Word nourishes us that we may grow in God’s salvation (1 Peter 2:2-3; Matt. 4:4) God’s Word also equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Praise the Lord for God’s Word! Thanks for taking the time to sharing your confirming comment.
It’s been refreshing , my hope and faith is built up.
I was burdened and needed to hear some words of encouragement
Glad you found this post refreshing. When we speak the words of the faith from the Bible they surely build up our faith and hope. Faith is an issue of hearing the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). This should be a further encouragement for us to read our Bible every day by praying in spirit (Eph. 6:17-18). By such pray-reading, we touch the essence of the Scriptures which is the Spirit (Gal. 3:2, 5). In this way all that the Spirit is (Gal. 5:22-23) is being transmitted into us for our enjoyment and encouragement (Jer. 15:16). What a reason to let God’s word dwell in us richly! Thanks for taking the time to leave a confirming comment.
This article is really helpful. I am supposed to Teach on “Dwelling on the Word” tomorrow. I think i have found the answers to my many questions here.
God bless you richly.
Glad you found the post helpful in answering your questions regarding “Dwelling on the Word.” In addition to seeing the benefits of dwelling on the Word which come from the functions of God’s word, it may also be good, at another time to consider the different way to let the Word dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16). This involves not only reading the Word, but pray-reading it, sing-reading it, and musing upon the Word.
I hope you’ll take the time to follow the links to the posts on each of these ways to let the word dwell in you richly. Thanks for the comment and do come back often!
It helped me to know what to do and how to dwell in his word.
Glad you found the post so helpful. To see the functions of the word not only gives us reasons to let the word of God dwell in us richly. For example, when we see from John 5:39-40 that the Scriptures testify concerning Christ we should be touched to come to the Lord by means of prayer whenever we come to read the Bible. The Lord said that by coming to Him in such a way we would have life. May all our Bible reading be in the way of coming to the Lord that we may receive God’s life that we may be nourished, and grow in Him for the building up of His Body (Eph. 4:15-16). Thanks for taking the time to share a comment.
Keep doing what you’re doing for the body of Christ. It’s blessing others all over the world. God bless you!
Thanks for the encouragement and for taking the time to comment. May you daily enjoy the benefits of letting the word of Christ dwell in you!
What a blessing. So thankfull for this post.
Glad you enjoyed the post. May each of these precious functions of God’s word become our subjective benefits in our experience as we prayerfully contact the Lord in His word each day. Thanks for sharing your appreciation in a comment.
Thanks so much for sharing the Word! Timely message for me.
Keep coming to the Lord in the Word. When we touch Him in His Word, all its marvelous benefits become ours. we get whatever we need to live the Christian life. Thanks for sharing you appreciation.
I Thank God For The Word You Share With Us May God Bless You,
I am glad that you enjoyed the post “8 Reasons to Let the Word of God Dwell in You.” Such an appreciation makes us really hungry to feed on the Lord’s word every day, even as Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God.” We need to come to the word of God by means of prayer to inhale the Word that God has breathed out. By feeding on His word we will receive the rich supply to live the Christian life. You may also enjoy reading another post, 12 Tips on How to Pray-read the Word of God to be Spiritually Nourished. Thanks for sharing your comment.
Thank you sir for this wonderful teaching on 8 reasons to let the word of God dwell in you. I’m really blessed. It is indeed the message of the real time I need it. Oh! What a wonderful teaching. God bless you. I pray we will not miss our heavenly kingdom in Jesus name
I’m glad you found this post helpful. Sadly, many believers today have not discovered the incredible benefits of simply reading the Bible through book by book. Paul spoke of Christ’s sanctifying and cleansing His church by the “washing of water in the word” (Eph. 5:26). This indicates that there is spiritual water in the word, tat can eliminate all our spiritual “spots and wrinkles.” We need such a daily washing in the word to be made Christ’s beautified bride (v. 27). By daily coming to the Word with prayer, the life essence—the Spirit—in the word, renews us. This not only meets our need, it satisfies Christ’s heart to gain His bride. May we let Christ’s word dwell in us richly to satisfy His heart’s desire. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Am blessed by it.
thank you
So glad you were blessed by reading 8 Reasons to Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You. Seeing these eight functions of God’s word as benefits to us becomes a real motivation to dwell in God’s word every day. Thanks for taking a moment to share your comment.
This post has really encouraged and strengthened me to allow the word of God dwell richly in my heart, especially the recommended prayer… I will make it a daily routine to recite the prayer
I am so glad this post encouraged and strengthened you to let the word of God dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16). Come to the Word seeking the Lord Jesus Himself (John 5:39-40). Read and pray. Pray and read. Even turn the words you are reading into prayer, that is to pray-read the Word. Here are some tips to help you nourish yourself with the word by pray-reading it Keep enjoying the Word as your food!
This is so refreshing, thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed the post. May your touch with God’s Word be refreshing as you contact Christ, God’s living Word in the Bible, His written word by means of prayer, thanksgiving, praise and singing. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I have always believed that the word of God should be what every christain should grab. When I came accross this post/message I was quickly attracted by the caption and when I read through, wow!!! it was well explained. I got more knowledge of the topic and I decided to teach the same topic in my local church. The post is a blessing to me so I feel teaching others would bring more blessing to who posted it here (Tom Smith) God bless you and make this your labor of love to count for you on the day of judgement, iJn.
I am so glad that you found this post helpful. The two greatest gifts we receive are the holy Bible and the Holy Spirit. As believers we need to contact both daily. We need to contact the Spirit who is the essence of the Word by joining our reading of the Word with prayer. In this way, these eight functions of the Bible become our experience. The more we practice, the more we will love God’s word and come to it often, even as our Lord Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God.” May the Lord bless you as you pursue Him in His word each day.
Hi Tom, this right up has richly blessed my spirit. More grace and keep up with this good work.
Amen. Keep feeding on God’s Word daily. Touching the Lord as the essence of the written makes God’s written word, His present, instant, up-to-date speaking to us. Take the great and precious promises of God’s word (2 Pet. 1:4) and make them your spiritual food by means of all prayer (Eph. 6:17-18). Thanks for your comment.
Thanks a lot for this word.I will take it seriously because God spoke through you.
Glad you enjoyed the post. When we realize the functions of God’s word, they become benefits to us become reasons for us to come to God’s word in a daily, intimate, serious, and seeking way. Prayerfully reading God’s word renders us eternal benefits. Thank you for your comment.
So inspiring words and doctrine which surely has made my reducing faith have a new strength.
I am glad that this article has brought new strength to your faith. As Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes out of hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” When we contact God’s word with our spirit by means of prayer, we experience the vital functions of the Word mentioned in this post. One vital function of the word of Christ is infuse us with faith. In this way Christ, through the word becomes the faith in us by which we believe in Him. Grasp every opportunity to come to the Lord in His word. This will increase your faith and strengthen your inner man. Thanks for sharing your appreciation in a brief comment.
Thanks Tom Smith, blessed by this teaching . may the Lord continue to enrich you spiritually .
Glad you enjoyed the post. If all God’s children could realize that God’s word is meant to received as nourishment and contact the word by means of prayer in spirit a great change would take place in their Christian life. The Lord said the words He speaks to us are spirit and are life (John 6:63). By receiving His words as spirit and life, we eat the Lord and live because of Him (v. 57). This is a great blessing and reason to come to the Lord in His word every day. Thank you for your comment.
Thank you so much Time,
I am really blessed and inspired by this teaching.
I woke up in mid night thinking of; How can I make God’s word dwell richly in me and God lead me here. Am grateful.
So glad you found and enjoyed this post! Just realize when you come to the Word, you are coming to the Living Word who is contained and revealed in the written word. Touch Him by prayer as you read the written word in the Bible, with calling on His name, thanking and praising and I believe the word will be so living and supplying to you. Thanks for your comment.