Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Loving God's Word (SLC 2012)

^"6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9

The Word needs to get into our hearts-internalised, into our system so that it influences the way we behave. It needs to be inside us so much so that our instincts are biblical. In many religions the truth is respected, defended but they think it is not practical to live out the truth. Christians are encouraged to live out truth. A right attitude towards the Word is not to take it away or add to it and to be aware of the supernatural nature of the God's speaking. Repetition is needed to get the Word in, advertising does just that; it uses repetition to sell goods. Parents are asked to teach the bible in the home--the facts of scripture and how to apply it. "

"Word-connected" conversations need to happen in everyday life--sharing a meal, travelling, pretty much the whole day. Today, the media has presented ideas that are alternative to what the bible teaches. Christians need to be talking about these ideas in the light of the Word--holy conversation is important. CS Lewis, Tolkien and Charles Williams enjoyed deep and meaningful conversations round a fire.  Developing and encouraging the idea of chatting about the things of God because there is something delightful about talking about truth. Some serious grappling with subtle messages and countering that with Christian thinking. Small group discussions incorporates teaching and conversations. Bible Study is needed for maturity in the Christian faith.

The Christians redeemed the pagan practices in verse 9 and used it for God's glory. Today, we need to look for ways to communicate our faith by investing symbols around us with Christian meaning. However, the art form should not take priority over the joy of truth. In the bible, the communication is sensory--taste, sight, sound, smells etc. Yet, the danger is real that the aid to devotion, can become the object of devotion. Listen to the whole message here.