Most of us turn to Google to find answers to our everyday problems. Why? Because it is easy --and breaking that habit is hard, but very possible. The Lord desires that we go to Him first with any question or need because He wants to answer all of our questions and He wants to meet all of our needs. The Word of God is a life-giving resource for anything we face may face in life. So instead of searching what Google has to say, which is only man's wisdom, let's search our Bibles, and allow the Word of God to direct all of our paths.
I don't know about you, but I get bogged down by my thoughts and cares all the time and this can translate into me being a very anxious person.
Since acquiring my smartphone in 2014, I've gotten into the habit of searching Google with my latest hang-up, problem or health issue, and in a few moments' time I have over 100,000 suggestions and answers to my problems at my finger tips.
There is something my human nature likes about these searches. Maybe because I can read about what other people have to say about what I'm currently facing, or what they've done for this ailment or that dilemma.
Searching my internet browser can be rewarding at times but in the end it doesn't give me any lasting peace or real answers to my problems.
More often then not, searching my latest issue on Google or any other search engine ends up wasting my time and causes me even more anxiety.
I don't know why I keep resorting to this habit. Perhaps I'm impatient and want an answer right away? I think this is often the case. Our society has gotten into the bad habit of getting what they want right away, and I've fallen prey to this mindset.
Since I always have my smartphone with me, it's just so easy to pull it out and run a little search on something, and just like that, I have a gazillion responses at my fingertips.
Last Saturday I woke up with a heavy heart and over burdened with some thoughts that were tormenting me. No doubt these thoughts were birthed out of extreme pressure my family was facing.
So because I couldn't shake these negative thoughts off, I decided to walk them off at the town park while listening to a morning devotion by Pastor Warren Wiersbe on my Christian radio station.
I plugged in my headphones and began to walk on the path that goes around the park. Usually the glow of the morning sun and fresh air lifts my spirits, but this morning I was too heavy hearted.
As I walked, I continued to listen to the morning devotion which was from Ephesians 6 and the pastor was speaking about putting on the armor of God.
It took a few minutes before I could focus on what I was hearing, but when my heart tuned in I caught the tail end of the portion of scripture the speaker was reading, "the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God."
In paraphrase, this is what the speaker went on to say,
First of all, arm your selves for battle by putting on the whole armor of God. The sword of the spirit is the Word of God. A two-edged sword, cutting asunder between soul and spirit.
The Word of God is living and able to direct and guide us and bring light to our walk with the Lord.
When we have taken up the sword of the spirit then we are living by the Word of God. So our lives should be governed by what the Bible says.
Are you going to the Bible with all of your problems?
You should be. The word of God has answers for every issue of life.
Are you full of anxiety?
You shouldn't be.
The word of God says "do not be anxious for anything, but with prayer and supplication make your requests known before God."
At this point in the message I realized I have been missing out on something precious for a long time.
I was reading my Bible everyday and assumed I was getting all the Godly direction I needed for my walk with the Lord. The Lord has spoken to me in many ways through my daily Bible reading.
However, this message during my walk is speaking of going to the Word of God with something specific and finding out what the Word of God has to say about it. Which I wasn't doing. This is a separate act altogether.
Hence the title of my article: The Word of God vs Google.
When we are facing some sort of crisis, decision, or sickness, where do we turn to first?
It is so easy for us to grab our smartphones, do a quick search, and read about what everyone else who has posted on the topic.
But often times real answers don't lie in posts other people write.
Most times those searches stress us out. Real answers lie in the Word of God. It is to the Word of God that we should run to first.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
A long time ago I read the excerpt out of a Gideon Bible I owned and call it to mind often. It is listed below:
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation,
the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true,
and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass,
the soldiers' sword, and the Christian's charter.
Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good the design,
and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.
It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and river of pleasure.
It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment,
and be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor,
and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
In contrast, after searching for the meaning of Google, this is what I found:
Google LLC is an American multinational technology company that specializes in internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, search engine, cloud computing, software and hardware. Google was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were Ph. D. students at Stanford University, California. Together, they own about 14 percent of its shares and control 56 percent of the stockholder voting power through supervoting stock. They incorporated Google as a privately held company on September 4, 1998. An initial public offering took place on August 19, 2004, and Google moved to its new headquarters in Mountain View, California, nicknamed the Googleplex. In August 2015, Google announced plans to reorganize its various interests as a conglomerate called Alphabet Inc. Google, Alphabet's leading subsidiary, will continue to be the umbrella company for Alphabet's internet interests. Upon completion of the restructure, Sundar Pichai was appointed CEO of Google, replacing Larry Page, who became CEO of Alphabet.
Hmmm, this information is very interesting....but not quite as life-giving as the excerpt on the Bible.
Let's take action today --and practice seeking the kingdom of God first by searching the Word of God for answers to our everyday problems instead of Google, or any other internet browser.
Instead, let's use our smartphones for reading our Bibles, or searching Scripture references, or lists of Scripture verses on certain topics. This has been life saving for me.
I will often pull out my smartphone in the doctor's office, on lunch break or while having a quick snack, and open my Bible app, reading the Proverbs for the day, or a Psalm. This always blesses my soul and I usually get quick answers for issues I am facing that day.
Let's get out of the rut of searching Google for everything and let's search the Word of God instead!
Are you facing a jealous coworker at work? A bitter husband? Or a willful child? Find out what the Word of God has to say about these issues first and then act upon them in faith.
See if He might bless you with "all these things" when you "seek first the kingdom of God."
Related reading: Seek God First
Search the Bible - Find the answer - and act upon it in faith!
PRAYER
Father in heaven, thank You for allowing me to write about this issue that so many Christian women face. We have developed a bad habit of searching our smartphones instead of going to You with our problems first.
We desire to know Your thoughts on the matters we face, and we want to act upon them in faith. Would You give us the strength and grace needed to subdue these urges of searching Google with our latest hang up or dilemma? We thank You for Your wonderful power. You are mighty to help and save those who call upon You for help.
Bless our day with Your presence, and may we remember to give You the glory for all things.
In Your precious name, Amen.
Submit a Prayer Request HERE and we will pray with you. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20).
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Blessings ~
My Sun & Shade
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