Stick to the Word—It’s Your Lifeline!

Good morning, church! I’m excited to share the Word of God with you today because we’re diving into a critical topic: why you must never veer from the Word of God. It’s not just a book; it’s the living, breathing voice of God Himself, guiding us every step of the way. And here’s the bottom line: if you’re not following the Bible, you’re following something else—and that something leads to destruction.

The Word Is Perfect—Don’t Mess With It!

Let’s start with the foundation. Psalm 19:7 tells us,

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.”

It doesn’t say “sort of perfect” or “good enough for now.” It says perfect. That means nothing needs to be added, removed, or updated.

When we veer from the Word of God, we’re saying, “I know better than the Creator of the universe.” That’s dangerous territory. Remember Adam and Eve? Satan didn’t outright deny God’s Word—he twisted it. He whispered, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1). That’s how it starts, church—doubt, twisting, compromise.

It’s no different today. People say, “The Bible’s outdated,” or “It doesn’t really mean that.” But God’s Word isn’t like fashion trends; it doesn’t change with the times. Isaiah 40:8 declares,

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

When we stick to the Bible, we’re anchoring ourselves to something unshakable, unchanging, and eternal.

Test Every Teaching—Don’t Be Gullible

Let’s talk about discernment. In Acts 17:11, we read about the Bereans, who didn’t just take Paul’s word at face value. They “examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.” Think about that: they didn’t even give an apostle a free pass.

How much more should we test what we hear today? False teachers are everywhere. Some of you are listening to them every week in your demon-in-national church temples, blind to the fact your pastor's name is Jessica or Cindy! They sound convincing, they are charismatic, and many throw in just enough Scripture to seem legit. But here’s the key: If it doesn’t line up with God’s Word, it’s not truth. Period. 1 John 4:1 warns us,

“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”

This isn’t just for pastors and scholars; it’s for every believer. You don’t need a theology degree to open your Bible and compare what someone says to the truth.

Excuses Won’t Cut It

Now, let’s get real. A lot of people think ignorance is a valid excuse: I didn’t know. I didn’t understand. I thought I was following God. But the Bible doesn’t leave room for that. In Hosea 4:6, God says,

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Why? Because they rejected knowledge. Ignorance is often a choice. The Bible is accessible, especially in today’s world. We have printed Bibles, apps, audio versions—you name it. If you’ve got time to binge-watch a show, you’ve got time to study Scripture.

God has done His part. He’s given us His Word, His Spirit, and His Son. The question is, what are we doing with it? When you stand before God, He’s not going to ask about your excuses. He’ll ask, “Did you obey My Word?”

The Stakes Are Eternal

Here’s the part where we don’t sugarcoat anything. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14,

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Do you see that? The road to Hell is wide and crowded because it’s easy to follow. It’s the “go your own way” mentality. But God’s way? That’s the narrow road. It’s not popular, it’s not flashy, but it’s the only road that leads to life.

And here’s the thing: You can’t freelance your way into Heaven. You can’t mix a little Bible with a little self-help and call it good. Jesus made it clear:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

God Made It Simple—No Excuses

Aren’t you glad God didn’t complicate this? He gave us one Bible, one Savior, and one path to eternal life. Yet, so many people still try to make their own rules.

Imagine if you were drowning, and someone threw you a lifeline. Would you argue about the color of the rope? Would you insist on a different rescue method? Of course not! You’d grab that rope with everything you’ve got. That’s what God’s Word is—a lifeline.

All He asks is that you trust Him, obey Him, and follow Him. It’s not about perfection; it’s about direction. Are you walking toward Him or away from Him?

Let’s pray,

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. It’s a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Forgive us for the times we’ve ignored it, twisted it, or treated it lightly. Help us to hold fast to Your truth, to test every teaching, and to walk the narrow path that leads to life. Lord, give us discernment to recognize falsehood, courage to stand firm in Your truth, and a hunger to know You more through Your Word. When we face temptations to compromise, remind us of the eternal stakes and draw us closer to You. We commit to following You, no matter what it costs, because we know the reward is eternity in Your presence. Keep us faithful until the day we stand before You and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.