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Knowing God's Word can help prevent sin and that sin can hinder our understanding of Scripture

The idea that knowing God's Word can help prevent sin and that sin can hinder our understanding of Scripture is a theme found throughout the Bible. Here are some verses that support this concept:
1. Psalm 119:11: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
This verse highlights the importance of internalizing Scripture to resist sin.
2. John 8:31-32: "Then Jesus said to those who believed in Him, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
Here, adherence to Jesus’ teachings leads to truth and spiritual freedom.
3. 1 John 2:1: "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
This indicates that understanding God’s instructions can keep us from sinning.
4. Proverbs 4:20-22: "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body."
This emphasizes the life-giving power of God’s Word.
5. Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Knowing the Word can lead to deeper self-examination and correction.
6. James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
This stresses the importance of applying God's Word to our lives to avoid deception by sin.
7. Isaiah 59:2: "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear."
This verse points to how sin can create a barrier between us and God, affecting our relationship with Him.
These verses collectively illustrate the profound connection between knowing God's Word and living a life free from sin.
We want God to change our circumstances, but God wants to use our circumstances to change us.
It can be easy to think that God is obligated to make life easy for us and to remove all of our difficult circumstances. But the truth is that God is preparing us for more incredible things during hard times. If He removed the difficult circumstances in our lives, we would probably never mature.

James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." In other words, rejoice in "trials of many kinds" because they test your faith, which causes you to grow closer to God. Indeed, God assures us that something beneficial can come from the hard times in life.

If you are facing challenges right now, find hope in the fact that nearly everyone in the Bible who accomplished great things for God also endured significant hardships. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, Paul details many of the difficulties he experienced: "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times, I was beaten with rods; once, I was stoned; three times, I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. I have been constantly on the move, facing danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own countrymen, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the countryside, danger at sea, and danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled, often going without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst, frequently going without food; I have been cold and naked."

Clearly, St. Paul suffered greatly for the Gospel. However, God used those circumstances to make Paul more mature, give him a great love for God, and spread God's Word. Now, Paul is widely considered the second most important person in the New Testament—behind Jesus, of course. However, we must remember that St. Paul underwent many difficult trials. Those testing times caused St. Paul to grow closer to God, qualifying him to be a great witness for Christ.

This same principle can be seen in almost every other person in the Bible who did great things for God. It was during times of testing that such people developed the strength and character for which we respect them.

Therefore, don't always beg God to change your circumstances. Instead, view each as an opportunity for God to change you, making you "mature and complete, not lacking anything."