Second Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
In this scripture we find where we are told that we are to be workers for God, not ashamed and that we are to rightly divide the Word of truth. What’s interesting about this statement is that if the Word can be rightly divided, then it can also be wrongly divided.
When I was young in the ministry, I would wonder why there were so many different Christian denominations. If we all believed in the same Jesus and if we all taught from the same Bible, then why in the world did we have so many different beliefs within Christianity?
As I grew older and matured in the Word, I realized that even though we all used the same book as our guide and manual, that not everybody studied this book.
In fact, one minister that I met in college ordered his sermons through the mail and only used his Bible as the folder to hold them as he preached. Too often we develop a belief and then search the Bible to find a scripture to back up what we have predetermined as the truth. With some, it doesn’t matter if it is out of context; it only matters if a phrase matches our belief.
Recently on the national news, on the nation’s largest news network, a reporter asked a seminary professor at one of the nation’s largest Protestant universities this question. He asked, “Why is it that there are some ministers who seem so strong in their views on abortion and homosexuality and why is it that they will not compromise what they believe?”
The seminary professor’s reply stunned me. He said, “One of the problems we have in modern theology and in many of our churches today is that there are some ministers who actually believe that everything in the Bible is true and that it is the ultimate code for their lifestyle and the lifestyle of their congregations.”
How sad it is when the men training ministers don’t believe the Word of God is completely, 100% pure truth.
Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18 both tell us that it is impossible for God to lie and John 8:44 says that Satan is a liar.
I know that rightly dividing the word means so much more than what I am stating here. However, the first step to rightly divide God’s Word is to believe that the Bible is inspired by God Himself and was written by men only by the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is the Word of Truth.
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.