The Living Word and the Written Word: One Truth Revealed

 

 

There is a growing confusion in some circles of faith that suggests a separation between the Living Word of God and the Written Word of God. Some claim that the Holy Spirit grants new revelations or words that are not found in Scripture, yet are presented as being from God. Such claims must be weighed carefully against the clear teaching of Scripture, for the Word of God, whether written in text or made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, is unified and unchanging.

 

The Written Word of God refers to the Holy Scriptures—the inspired, infallible, and sufficient writings from Genesis to Revelation. 2 Timothy 3:16 declares, 'All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.' This affirms that Scripture originates from God and is meant to equip the believer for every good work.

 

Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. As John 1:1 states, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' Then verse 14 confirms, 'And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.' Jesus not only fulfills the written Word, but He embodies it, living in perfect harmony with all that was written concerning Him. He is the fullness of God’s revelation.

 

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in leading believers into truth, but that truth is never separated from Scripture. Jesus taught in John 16:13, 'But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.' The Holy Spirit does not create new doctrine. He does not originate teachings of His own. He only speaks what He hears from God. This protects the church from false revelations and grounds us in the eternal Word.

 

Many claim today to have a 'word from the Lord' or a revelation from the Holy Spirit that contradicts, bypasses, or supersedes the Written Word. But such claims are dangerous. They lead hearts away from the sure foundation of the Scriptures and into confusion. We are warned not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits (1 John 4:1).

Jesus Himself affirmed the authority and enduring nature of the written Word. He said in Matthew 5:17–18, 'Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.' Jesus came to fulfill the Scriptures—not to nullify or replace them. He brought them to life before our eyes and engraved them upon the hearts of those who believe in Him.

 

Therefore, let us never be drawn into teachings that stray from the written Word. Let us remember that Jesus and the Word are one and the same. The Holy Spirit does not bypass the Word; He illuminates it. He brings to remembrance what Christ has said (John 14:26), and He teaches us to apply God's written truth to our lives. He does not lead us into opinions or feelings that originate from ourselves but guides us into the unchanging truth already spoken by God.

 

To separate Jesus from the Scriptures is to create a false Christ. To follow a spirit that leads away from the Bible is to follow a false spirit. Let every believer take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), and stand firm on the truth that has already been revealed. Let us honor Christ by treasuring His Word and refusing all so-called revelations that are not consistent with the Scriptures.

 

Thanks be to God who has given us His Son—the Living Word—and preserved for us the Scriptures—the Written Word. May we walk in the Spirit, grounded in the truth, with hearts and minds renewed by the living and active Word of God.  “Forever, O Yahweh, Your word stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89)

 

 

 

Referenced Scriptures (LSB):

 

2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”

 

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

 

John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

 

John 16:13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak from Himself, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

 

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.”

 

Matthew 5:17–18, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

 

John 14:26, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

 

Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

 

Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Yahweh, Your word stands firm in the heavens.”