Safe Word

Many families have a "safe word" in place. Simply, when a child is away from home and someone unknown to that child (i.e. a stranger) suggests to the child that the parent has sent him/her to pick up the child and take them home--the child can ask for the "safe word". Should the stranger know the safe word, the child then knows this person has been sent from a parent and they are safe with this person. Should the stranger not know the safe word, the child knows this person isn't safe and; therefore, shouldn't go anywhere with him/her.

Now that you know the concept of the "safe word," I want to alert you to the fact that God has set up a "safe word" with us--His children. It is called the Bible. In this book are dozens of illustrations, quotes, prophesies, and warnings that will help us to recognize Him--to know His voice.

When we hear different words as we go about our day suggesting anything contrary to the Word of God, we know not to go with it. For example, I have been bombarted with this word over the years, "Who are you? You aren't anyone special. Why would anyone want to be friends with you?" Yes, I used to come across this antagonistic message frequently.

I know this doesn't line up with the Word of God. So, now I say back to this stranger, "Nope, can't go there with you. Lord, take this message away. I choose to rely on Your Word for encouragement and strength." Funny thing, this stranger comes around less and less these days.

The key concept in all of this is the fact that the Holy Spirit will NEVER say anything that is contrary to the safe word--the Word of God. We are free to go with Him whenever He speaks. In able to discern if it is the Holy Spirit or if it is a stranger, we must be grounded in the Word of God. This is our plumb line for truth.

Books by Christian authors, speakers on Christian radio, and yes, even our pastors are not the plumb line for truth in our lives. It is the infallible inerrant Word of God. Infallible means to be completely trustworthy, dependable, and certain. Inerrant means it is true without possibility of being in error.  Mere men will fail at times. We can depend on one thing with men--they will be in error at some point. Their perceptions will shift, or they may go off with a stranger and try to say that stranger knows the safe word. Only the Word of God is dependable in being free from error. It is incapable of being false.

Knowing that the Word of God is incapable of being false and that we can trust it wholely, why do so many believers choose to not know the safe word? Why do we go off with various strangers that teach the latest trends? Why do we not test the Spirits as it says to do in 1 John 4:1, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

I want to submit to you that it is because certain Christians have been "burned" by the church. Somewhere along their journey, they encountered a pastor or a fellow parishoner who spoke legalism over them saying it was the Word of God. Because they didn't know the safe word, they believed what was being said and now...they don't want to return to the Word of God--to the perfect (inerrant) Word of God because they are believing the lie told to them by a stranger.

So these believers search out mere men to translate the Word to them so they never have to sit under that legalism again. The problem is--they are still believing a lie. The Word of God is life giving. It is full of grace and mercy. It is not a chain that we, Lovers of the Word, are bound under.

Oh beloved daughter of the King, open the Word, eat of the sweetness, know your Father's heart for you. Know that He gives good gifts and we have at our disposal the best gift of all--His Word. Pray for the wounded hearts who are tired of living under man's law disguised as the Word of God. Pray they will be restored to the Beautiful life giving  freedom  that comes from knowing the Father's voice clearly.

Maybe legalism isn't what keeps you from the Word. Maybe you are saying, "That's all great, but I just don't understand the Bible. It isn't written for us today. I don't get it." Well, there is a Helper who longs to teach you the truth that is found in the Word. He is the Holy Spirit. Before you open your bible today, pray a simple prayer asking Him to open your heart and your eyes to what He wants to teach you. He will teach you. He will grow your desire for the Word of God in your life. Before you know it, you will have a deep longing to be in the Word daily. There will be an attraction to this marvelous Truth that you didn't have before.

The next step is to find a Bible study where you can sit under someone who can help you discern the Word of God. Someone who can guide you through the more difficult passages. Someone who can point you to the tools needed for further study and understanding. Things like context, history, and original languages will be invaluable to unearthing treasures in the Word.

May your appetites be changed. May you desire the Word of God in your daily life. May it be as sweet to you as a chocolate truffle. Enjoy your safe journey!