Is It Too Much to Ask for Reliable Instructions?

Ever asked for instructions and received conflicting directions?

89596622 “How do I get blood stains out of carpet?”

Use baking soda.
Use ammonia.
Use shaving cream.
You might want to stop the bleeding before you worry about the carpet.

comma-1-copy The rules of grammar are different based on what school you go to. English majors are passionate about whether the Oxford comma is correct or not. In all depends on whether you’ve been instructed in AP style, Chicago, or MLA. (And for those who care, that last sentence included an Oxford comma, which every law-abiding patriot who believes in truth, justice, and the American way knows is correct. Hey, I just used another Oxford comma!)

For a humorous look at the battle over grammar, read this from The Onion.

And then there are doctors. We’re talking science and medicine, right? But doctors don’t always agree on the best course of action. I’ve been a Type 1 diabetic since college, and over the years different doctors have advised me in different ways to stay on top of this chronic disease. I’m tempted to go to the source many people trust for medical advice: the Internet.

When it comes to advice or instruction, I just want three things:

It’s consistent.
It’s true.
It works.

The Bible meets that criteria.

It’s consistent because God is consistent. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).
It’s true because it comes from the One who is Truth (John 14:6). God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18).
It works because God is the author. God’s Word “will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isa. 55:11).

what-the-bible-says-about-the-bible_whitepaper_header

The Bible won’t tell me how to get blood stains out of carpet, but it will tell me how to keep from sin, live in purity and righteousness, and live forever. In other words, the Bible fully instructs me in the things I really need to know.

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word” (Ps. 119:9).

This post supports the study “God’s Word Fills My Heart” in Bible Studies for Life.

Editor's Picks

Tami Myer
Praying for Marriages on the National Day of Prayer 2024
Lord, we thank you today for the institution of marriage, which you designed and gave to us as a beautiful and profound gift. All of creation tells us that you exist, but marriage tells us who you are. You are a God of relationship. Within the Godhead, you are rich, harmonious, honoring relationship. As people made in your image, we have the joy of reflecting that rich, harmonious, and [...]
3 min read
Revive Our Hearts
Trading “I Deserve” for “I Serve”
Could it be time to pursue deeper, more selfless service?
10 min read
Lynn H. Pryor
Working While You Sleep
Do you get enough sleep? If you are the typical American, probably not. You’ve got too much to do, right? And when you finally crawl into bed, there’s all that social media to scroll through … and …
3 min read
Sheryl H. Boldt
Why We Should Bear Others' Shortcomings - Today Can Be Different
May we learn (and remember) how much God loves us and try to see others through His eyes of unconditional love. Then, perhaps we can move toward bearing with each other for more than five seconds at a time.
3 min read