2 Peter 1:19 KJV
[19] “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”
Peter had heard the voice of God audibly. He had been on the holy mountain with Christ and saw the glory of God firsthand. However, he wanted these saints to know that we have a more sure word of prophecy. We have the Word of God in written form. God gave us His Word in writing as a record of what He has said and promised.
Whenever someone puts their words in writing, it serves as documentation that cannot be denied. We know that God’s Word is faithful and true, no matter how it is given to us, but it gives us great peace to be able to read it. Man would be able to distort what God said if it were passed down verbally from generation to generation. Man is also flawed and would fail to repeat it exactly as the Lord had said it. The Lord knew this, so He gave it to men and had them write it down perfectly. Now, we can print the Word of God and share it with the world, knowing that His promises are just as He had spoken them to His servants.
When a preacher gets up to preach, he stands with the authority of what God has spoken in His Word. Believers can check the facts they hear because they also have a copy of what God has spoken. Teachers can teach the principles, doctrines, and convictions of the Bible without question because they have a textbook that is infallible. We also have the privilege of reading the Word of God daily and slowly digesting truths for the moment. God speaks to us personally through the pages of His Word.
The Holy Spirit ministers to us through the Word of God. I understand that the Spirit of God can impress on us to do certain things. He deals with our hearts and speaks to us in a still small voice. He never speaks to us contrary to the Word of God. When someone says that the Spirit told them something, but it doesn’t line up with the Bible, then they are mistaken. They may be sincere, but they are sincerely wrong. The Bible is our guide to what the Spirit impresses upon us. It gives us clear confirmation that it is the Holy Spirit and not our hearts deceiving us. What a blessing to know that we have a sure Word! We have a perfect Bible that is without error. The liberals may deny it and the world may mock it, but the Bible will stand when all others have fallen. Dear reader, make it your goal to read the Word of God every day of your life. Take instruction from it, and be sure to pass it along to others who need it in their lives.