Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.
The power of our tongue will either make us or break us. We are told to hold on to a form of sound words. The word “form” here means a sketch, a form or pattern. Paul says that the sound words of the gospel are to be our pattern to follow. Our words are to be healthy, uncorrupted, wholesome and full of faith.
The Message Bible says: So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me.
So the faith and love of Jesus is our model. Faith and love require words to express their attributes and qualities. Paul says to retain the sound words, which we have heard from him. We hold these sound words by guarding our tongue and speaking faith and love-filled words, which then show Jesus through us to others.
I am holding a form of healthy, faith-filled, loving words today. I show the example of Jesus Christ with both my heart and my tongue.
- Reading Plan A: Luke 13:22-35
- Reading Plan B: Psalm 36
- Reading Plan C: 1 Sam. 10,11,12; Luke 13:22-35
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.