The Big 5نموونە

Day 4: My Beliefs Affect the Values I Live By

I remember the first job I had. I made $310 laying out irrigation pipe for a farmer. I was quickly challenged in my heart with the Truth of God’s Word that I had learned. Would I tithe this money or keep it to myself? Would I trust the Word of God? Over the years I have had the opportunity to withhold the tithe when things were tight financially. I never did because I have trusted the Word of God as Truth. This belief has solidified the value of giving in my life.

When you hear the word "value", what comes to mind? Your value for family might be reflected in limiting the amount of time you commit to work, organizations, or other obligations. Or, you might value your health, so you spend a lot of time changing the way you eat and incorporating exercise into your daily regimen.

We all have a value system, and that value system affects our lives. Let’s talk about our value system regarding what we believe.

Think about the values you have in your walk with God. Sometimes, we value the culture of the world around us, and we let it define the values that inform our perception of God. When we let the opinions of the world determine what we believe about God, we live rudderless and confused. We wonder whether God is good or not.

But if the Word of God defines our image of God, we will live according to God’s values and give it final authority over our beliefs. Once we’ve given the Word of God authority over our minds, the values we live by will reflect Godly beliefs.

Let’s pick up the story of Lazarus in John 11 (CSB). Martha had lamented to Jesus that if He had just been on time to see Lazarus, he wouldn’t have died. Jesus knew why He was there at that moment. He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but He wasn’t in a hurry. Martha says this in verse 22: “Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus responded, “Your brother will rise again” (v. 23).

She was still frustrated, so Jesus said this in verses 25-27: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She responded, “Yes, Lord . . . I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”

Jesus was interested in what she really believed in her heart, so He redirected her line of questioning to what she believed through confession. Our confession is an important part of revealing our values. The Word of God shapes our values because it gives us direction in life—where we go, how we spend our time, the words we use, and so much more. Those values should help us walk in victory—they are our confession!

Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) says this: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

In the next five days let’s dive into five values that shape your beliefs. I want to encourage you to allow them to become your confession. To align with the Word of God, let it direct you, even in the small things.