What does it take to grow a stronger spiritual life? If you’re looking for stability in your walk with God, you need to focus on one simple habit that makes all the difference: living by the Word of God.
This essential practice isn’t flashy or complicated, but it’s the foundation of a spiritually strong life. Living by the Word strengthens you, builds your resilience during trials, and keeps you grounded in God’s truth.
Let’s break down why this habit is key and how you can start applying it today.
Living by God’s Word
Living by the Word of God isn’t just about reading the Bible. It means soaking up God’s teachings and putting them into practice. Jesus lays out what this looks like clearly in Matthew 7:24-27. He contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish.
The wise builder builds his house on solid rock, representing a life grounded in obedience to God’s Word. When the storms of life come — and they will come — the house holds firm. The foolish builder, on the other hand, builds on sand. When the storms hit, that house collapses. The message here is powerful: listening to God’s Word and consistently applying it gives us spiritual strength that can withstand life’s challenges.
Declare Your Love for the Word
Before going further, make a public declaration right now: comment “I love the Word” below. Declaring your love for the Word is a powerful first step toward growing your spiritual life. Let this be your commitment today.
Preparation for Life’s Storms
We all know that life isn’t free from hardship. Storms come in various forms — whether they’re personal struggles, doubts, or external pressures. The key isn’t avoiding them, because that’s impossible. The key is being prepared for them. Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Being grounded in the Word prepares you. If your foundation is weak, when those storms come, you’re more likely to be swept away by deception, doubt, or cynicism. Getting into the Word daily ensures you have the tools you need to remain steady even as chaos surrounds you.
It’s also worth mentioning that spiritual deception is sneaky. False teachings, misleading spiritual ideas, and distractions constantly pop up. The Bible warns us about being misled by popular ideas that contradict Biblical truth. Living by the Word keeps you anchored and immune to these false narratives.
The Promise of God’s Presence
It’s easy to get discouraged when we face trials. But one thing is always certain: God is with us through it all. He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). This isn’t just a nice thought — it’s an eternal promise.
While Jesus never promised an easy life, He did promise His presence. If you build on His teachings, you’ll find that even in the middle of life’s storms, His peace remains. You don’t have to lose the joy, love, or faith He’s deposited in you.
Listening and Following: More Than Just Hearing
Listening to God’s Word isn’t enough on its own. Jesus said in Matthew 7 that those who hear His words and put them into practice are like the wise builder. Hearing alone doesn’t create spiritual strength; action does. It’s about listening and following.
To truly live by the Word, spend time in the Bible regularly. This goes beyond an occasional glance at a passage. It’s about diving deep, letting the Word saturate your thoughts, behaviors, and mindset.
Psalm 1:1-3 emphasizes the blessings that come from delighting in the Word. It says, “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.” This isn’t a one-time promise; it’s an ongoing result of constantly being rooted in scripture.
The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
Let’s be real. There’s a struggle between your flesh and spirit, especially when it comes to staying consistent in the Word. Your flesh craves entertainment, distraction, and temporary pleasures. Your spirit, however, craves truth, depth, and meaning — and that’s exactly what the Word provides.
When you first start dedicating time to scripture, you might find yourself battling distractions. Your mind may wander, and you might squirm in discomfort. This is normal, especially if you’re just starting to develop this habit. Over time, though, you’ll notice a shift. As your flesh weakens, your spirit grows stronger. Eventually, you’ll find yourself hungrier for more of God’s Word.
Developing a Love for the Word
So how do you overcome the initial resistance? Consistency. Set a daily time to read and meditate on scripture. Start small if you need to. Even taking in just a chapter or a few verses daily can lead to noticeable spiritual growth.
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role here. He’ll increase your desire for God’s Word, but you need to make the choice to implement this daily discipline. Feed your spirit with the Word, and your spiritual hunger will naturally increase.
Memorizing and Meditating on Scripture
Memorizing scripture helps you meditate on it throughout your day. Meditation, in this context, isn’t about emptying your mind like some might think. Biblical meditation means filling your mind with God’s Word. It’s taking a verse or passage and turning it over in your heart and mind, allowing it to shape how you think, feel, and act.
When you meditate on scripture, you’re doing more than just reading it — you’re letting it permanently settle in your spirit. Psalm 119:15 says, “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” This is the kind of focus we need if we want to grow a stronger spiritual life.
Application Is Everything
Knowing the Bible isn’t the same as living by it. James 1:22-25 says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” Many people fall into the habit of merely hearing the Word without applying it — don’t be one of them.
You can memorize a thousand scriptures, but if you don’t put them into practice, what’s the point? Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15). It’s not about perfection, but about a heart aimed at obedience.
Spiritual Transformation Comes From Application
Transformation only happens when we apply what we learn in God’s Word. Taking the time to read it, meditate on it, and memorize it is crucial. But if you want to see true change in your life, you must live it out each day.
Obedience to the Word creates spiritual strength, resilience, and consistency. People who live by the Word are generally calmer in times of crisis. Storms don’t shake them. Why? Because the Word sustains them.
Build Your Life on the Word
Here’s the bottom line: the storms will come. Your foundation needs to be rock solid, and that only happens when you’re consistently rooted in scripture. Don’t wait for everything in your life to be perfect before you start. Commit today to building upon the solid ground of God’s Word.
Don’t delay. Don’t procrastinate. If you wait for the “perfect time,” that time may never come. Start now. Build your foundation on the Word before you encounter the storms. God will hold you steady.
Conclusion
If you want to grow a stronger spiritual life, the one simple habit to develop is living by the Word of God. When you make this discipline a priority, you’ll find yourself not just surviving the storms, but standing firm through them. You’ll become spiritually resilient, grounded in peace, and filled with the strength that comes from God alone.
Don’t wait until tomorrow. Start today. Dive into the Word, listen to His teachings, and follow them. As you commit to this habit, you’ll discover the unshakable power of a life built on God’s truth.
English