Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:89 KJV
God’s Word is settled, not just in theology, but in eternity. This foundational truth doesn’t change with time or opinion. It stands fixed, final, and unshakably anchored in heaven. Long before cultural shifts or theological trends began, God had already established His Word. Since it is settled in heaven, we have no right to unsettle it on earth. He didn’t give it to be altered for comfort but to be received with reverence and obeyed completely.
The story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) illustrates this clearly. He approached Jesus sincerely, asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He claimed obedience to the commandments from youth. Outwardly, he appeared moral, respectful, and spiritually hungry. But Jesus, seeing into his heart, exposed what the man loved more than God: his possessions. Jesus told him, “Go, sell what you have, give to the poor… and follow Me.”
That moment didn’t just test his devotion—it revealed his unwillingness to surrender. Jesus didn’t soften the instruction or offer a shortcut. He spoke the truth with love but without compromise. The man left sorrowful, not because Jesus was harsh, but because truth doesn’t shift for comfort.
Many believers today face the same tension. While God’s Word remains settled, our responses often change. Instead of reshaping our lives to match Scripture, we try to reshape Scripture to fit our lives. We pursue sermons that affirm but avoid those that confront. Some churches water down teachings on sin, repentance, and sacrifice to gain appeal. And individuals cherry-pick verses that match their preferences while ignoring those that demand surrender.
The Bible was never meant to be a buffet. It is a boundary. We cannot select the parts we like and discard the rest. When we dilute Scripture, we don’t make it easier to receive—we rob it of its power. A gospel stripped of conviction might fill rooms but will never transform hearts. Comfort without truth produces listeners, not disciples.
We must ask ourselves hard questions: Do we seek truth even when it hurts? Have we clung only to the promises and ignored the commands? Are we submitting to God’s Word, or simply customising it?
Soothing messages might protect our pride, but they won’t nourish our souls. The same Word that pierces also heals. The same truth that confronts also transforms. If we truly long for change, we must welcome the fullness of Scripture, not just the feel-good parts.
Living it Out
Stop filtering God’s truth to suit your preferences. Let His truth filter your heart. Receive the whole counsel of Scripture, even when it cuts. Let it correct, refine, and strengthen you.
Commit to consistent Bible reading with a submissive heart. Follow what it says, even when it costs you. Speak the truth in love, and stand by it when culture shifts, even if you are the only one. Live as one who believes not only in the comfort of God’s Word but also in its authority.