That's Intellectualism

The impact of the Doctrine of Election can be seen in the decrease in the percentage of Christians that know the Lord and who "earnestly contend for the faith" (Jude 1:3). Within many Christian churches, the necessity of studying the Word of God to get to understand the Lord is often de-emphasized even though Jesus commands us to "learn of me" (Matthew 11:29; John 8:31-32) and even though when Jesus returns he will gather to himself (save) those that know God and obey his Word. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). These transfixed Christians shrug at Peter's admonition to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). They focus more on "serving" God than on knowing God: like Martha, they are "careful and troubled about many things"; however, they should be like Mary who "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word" (Luke 10:38-42). "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29). "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children" (Hosea 4:6). "If true religion is to beam upon us, our principle must be, that it is necessary to begin with heavenly teaching, and that it is impossible for any man to obtain even the minutest portion of right and sound doctrine without being a disciple of Scripture. Hence, the first step in true knowledge is taken, when we reverently embrace the testimony which God has been pleased therein to give of himself. For not only does faith, full and perfect faith, but all correct knowledge of God, originate in obedience. And surely in this respect God has with singular Providence provided for mankind in all ages."⁸³

There are so many movements in the church where Christians emphasize the Holy Ghost, the revelation of the Holy Ghost, and believe that the Bible is nothing more than a means to get something. In fact, we have encountered many Christians who argue that reading the Bible makes one "intellectual." They do not mean this in a positive sense; they mean to say that an "intellectual" person is basically a Christian unbeliever devoted to the exercise of intellect. What does this do? It causes people to stop reading their Bible's and to trust the "voice" in their hearts. They begin to believe something extra-biblical about God, which causes the spread of foolishness. An example of intellectualism is given in the book of Acts: "For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21). In other words, the Athenians were interested in gathering information simply for the pleasure of knowing but not for the purpose of being transformed. Thus, if the devotion to the exercise of intellect is to exercise the carnal mind, then it should be rebuked. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:6-7). In other words, the pursuit of knowledge without the requisite change in heart—transformation, which is initiated by obedience through faith, amounts to "carnal intellectualism." "We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up" (1 Corinthians 8:1); therefore, "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read" (Isaiah 34:16), "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22).

If the devotion, however, is for more than just spiritual information, but is in obedience to the Word of God for the purpose of spiritual formation—being transformed by the renewing of your mind, then "spiritual intellectualism" should be encouraged. All Christians should devote themselves to the exercise of their intellect for the purpose of spiritual formation by applying their hearts to wisdom. "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6). It is obedience through faith to the Word of God which engenders understanding. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Psalm 111:10). "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). "It takes Almighty grace to take the next step" states Oswald Chambers, "when there is no vision and no spectator—The next step in devotion, the next step in your study, in your reading, in your kitchen; the next step in your duty, when there is no vision from God, no enthusiasm and no spectator. It takes far more of the grace of God, far more conscious drawing upon God to take that step, than it does to preach the Gospel."⁸⁴

Too often in the world, students ostracize other students that get high grades for being better than the group; often calling them "nerds" and other off-putting labels. Similarly in Christ, "flattering" titles (bishop, reverend, doctor, preacher, etc.) are often used to negatively label someone who is not a minister but who diligently studies the Word of God, to appease ("bless") or nullify someone, or, most often, to cover up a judgment of the person (see "Flattering Titles"). In Christ, this should not be the case for "wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure" (Isaiah 33:6).

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. (Proverbs 4:5-13)

Those that excel in seeking wisdom—getting understanding—and obeying the Word of God should be applauded and encouraged: "counted worthy of double honour" (1 Timothy 5:17); not ridiculed and ostracized. Growth in Christ is dependent on continuous study of, belief in, and obedience to, the Word of God. In the words of Solomon: "I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness" (Ecclesiastes 7:25); and "Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it" (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12).

Let us examine a number of ways in which carnal intellectualism is either explicitly supported or implicitly condoned. Over the next few pages we will examine the practices of quoting the Word, listening to the Word, and debating the Word.

QUOTE THE WORD

Tradition exalts those that can quote the Word, they are said to know the Word. Tradition simplifies wisdom to mean knowing what is written in the Bible instead of understanding what is written; that is, understanding the wisdom of God—the Word of God—as revealed by the Holy Ghost through study, belief and obedience. The purpose of studying the Word of God is for spiritual formation not simply information. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).

Much like the Pharisees were in Jesus' time, this simplified knowledge brought forth no fruit—it did not truly benefit others; it only served their individual pride: "Knowledge puffeth up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). Consider the much-parodied phrase, "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV": memorization of biblical text may enable a person to sound truly knowledgeable; however, without understanding, they are only acting. Satan himself can quote the Word. He demonstrated his knowledge of the Word (Psalm 91:11-12) to Jesus during his attempt to tempt Jesus in the wilderness: "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Matthew 4:5-6). Paul, however, lets us know that Satan did not understand the Word of God: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). Had Satan understood the Word of God, then Satan would not have crucified Jesus since Jesus' death brought about Satan's defeat.

What's more, many Christians have their faith based on the wrong person, the preacher, not Jesus Christ. To complicate matters even more, these preachers often do not redirect the focus back to Jesus, they keep it on themselves by not, among other things, reading the Word of God during their sermons; rather, they may not even open their Bibles but take pride in quoting the Word.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. (Nehemiah 8:5-8)

What is wrong with this you say? In Revelation 19 below, when the Word of God was spoken, John was moved to worship him that spoke.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:9-10)

In order to keep the people anchored on the Word itself and not on the person (idolatry) speaking, preachers should strongly encourage Christians to study the Word of God themselves and should follow Ezra's example of reading the Word and giving the interpretation. The Word (Jesus) must be the focus, not the messenger: "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10). "Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:19-20). The encouragement to buy and listen to tapes/CDs of the ministry may also, inadvertently, reinforce this false worship.

We are commanded to "prove all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) "by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left" (2 Corinthians 6:7) that we may "be fully persuaded" (Romans 14:5). Preaching without the foundation of proof from the written Word of God can, overtime, become contaminated and produce philosophy, not truth. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8). After all, it is the Word that is unchanging, not people: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). Many congregations can quote their pastors but do not have the foundation of the Word to validate what is being repeated.

We must cultivate our knowledge of biblical text into understanding of God, which then equips us to walk righteously and thereby bring forth spiritual fruit. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8). What's more, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2).

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. (Proverbs 2:1-7)

Of course, understanding is reserved for those that are within—born again believers: "membership has its privileges." "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8). Understanding is not for those that are without: "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them" (Mark 4:11-12).

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

True knowledge of the Word is not possible, per scripture, unless it comes with understanding. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7). "There may be any number of things dark to your understanding, but they do not come in between your heart and God. 'And in that day ye shall ask Me no question'—you do not need to, you are so certain that God will bring things out in accordance with His will. John 14:1 has become the real state of your heart, and there are no more questions to be asked. If anything is a mystery to you and it is coming in between you and God, never look for the explanation in your intellect, look for it in your disposition, it is that which is wrong. When once your disposition is willing to submit to the life of Jesus, the understanding will be perfectly clear, and you will get to the place where there is no distance between the Father and His child because the Lord has made you one, and 'in that day ye shall ask Me no question.'"⁸⁵

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. (Proverbs 1:2-6)

The steps to having your understanding opened are fully discussed in "The Sign of the New Covenant" section. "All God's revelations are sealed until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes. Let God's truth work in you by soaking in it, not by worrying into it. The only way you can get to know is to stop trying to find out and by being born again. Obey God in the thing He shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. One reads tomes on the work of the Holy [Ghost], when one five minutes of drastic obedience would make things as clear as a sunbeam. 'I suppose I shall understand these things some day!' You can understand them now. It is not study [alone] that does it, but [belief and] obedience. The tiniest fragment of obedience, and heaven opens and the profoundest truths of God are yours straight away. God will never reveal more truth about Himself until you have obeyed what you know already. Beware of becoming 'wise and prudent.'"⁸⁶

LISTEN TO THE WORD

Popular theology often interprets hearing (Romans 10:17) as physical hearing; therefore, putting the focus on the human speaker: live, on TV, on video, on DVD, on CD, or on cassette. "Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God" (Mark 12:24)? This is not to say that we cannot "hear" God through a human speaker; however, that speaker must be sent by God: "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things" (Romans 10:15)! "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John 3:34).

When we study the Word of God, Jesus speaks to us (Hebrews 1:1-2); hence, the emphasis from the Lord to obey his voice. "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him" (Deuteronomy 18:18-19). Hearing, therefore, is spiritual; that is, it is the ability to hear the Holy Ghost bring to remembrance the Word of God that has been spoken to us by Jesus and which we believed and obeyed. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26); "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have" (Luke 8:18). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

Many Christians state that they listen to the Word of God via CD or cassette tape while they are driving. If this is followed with reading the written Word of God, then faith can be increased because the Word is increased in the person. Without the follow up of focused reading, however, the driver is trying to focus on the world (driving) and, at the same time, focus on the Word of God. Their mind is divided; this is double-mindedness; and "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8). In pride, the person doing this will declare that they "study" the Word of God, when, in actuality, they are not studying at all (Proverbs 16:18). Operating in the spirit of the world but claiming to operate in the Spirit of God is confusion. These Christians are "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7).

DEBATE THE WORD

A subtle misdirection is to get Christians to not discuss the Word of God together: open discussion or debate is deemed striving. Open discussion is feared to evolve into partisan and contentious quarreling—and this among Christians. This fear comes from a misinterpretation of the following scriptures:

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some ... And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient (2 Timothy 2:14-18, 24)

Many Christians are told to study on their own and do not discuss the Word with others—just believe what the elders are saying. This, however, is in direct opposition to scripture: "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few" (Acts 17:10-12).

Often, small Bible study meetings are suppressed because of fear of dissention or, more accurately, fear that someone may learn the truth, or worse, fear that a layperson may understand scripture better than an elder (Psalm 119:99-100). As one popular preacher stated recently, "If you don't trust me then leave the church." All this promotes idolatry and private interpretations; however, "no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20).

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's (1 Corinthians 3:18-21)

What's more, many negative comments are often made in the pulpit and elsewhere in churches about the people that discuss the Word or discuss church issues before or after service in the church parking lot. These "Parking Lot Preachers" are often ostracized and openly ridiculed. Instead of ostracizing, the church should be an environment where members feel free to ask questions and to seek wisdom. "Insufficient shared information creates a relationship vacuum and promotes guessing, projection, and suspicion."⁸⁷ An organization without open communication is an organization headed downhill. A church without open communication is a church steeped in pride, tradition, hypocrisy, and idolatry.

Members from a large church recently reported that one of their pastors rebuked a group of Christian brothers who were discussing the Word; he stated, pejoratively, that they were enjoying "mental masturbation." His only conclusion (judgment) was that the individuals in the group discussing the Word were doing it in pride to show off their carnal knowledge of the Word. "For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults" (2 Corinthians 12:20). In other instances at this same church, church members have been rebuked for engaging in intellectualism (as discussed earlier).

Whether mental masturbation or intellectualism, debate is evil when it is "a contention by words or arguments"; that is, when it engenders envy and strife. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3). Debate (a.k.a. dialogue, discussion, or deliberation), however, does not have to be negative, worthless, unspiritual or evil; it can be "a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides." Paul utilized this form (dispute or reason: Greek dialegomai) often in his ministry as we see in the following scriptures:

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures ... Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. (Acts 17:2, 16-17)

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. (Acts 18:4)

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)

If Christians are spiritual (walking according to the Word and being led by the Spirit of God), then discussion, followed up with personal study, brings understanding and most importantly, unity.

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)

How will we be perfectly joined together in the same mind unless we admonish, reprove, and exhort each other in love with sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 6:1)? If Christians grow in isolation, how then can we fulfill the following commands?

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27)

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Philippians 2:2)

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

After all, the Word admonishes us to seek wise counsel, "lest ye should be wise in your own conceits" (Romans 11:25). "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14) and "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established" (Proverbs 15:22). Thus, "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings" (Proverbs 1:5-6). As in all things, the Word has to be the final arbiter, not personal opinion, private interpretation nor what "the spirit" (implied but often not the Holy Ghost) told me. Hence, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD" (Isaiah 1:18): "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) that you may "be fully persuaded" (Romans 14:5). Our unity in faith and in our mutual understanding of the Word overrides any prior lack of correction and/or misinterpretation of the Word. Those members that are actually operating in pride should be rebuked. A few bad apples should not be allowed to spoil the whole bunch. "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease" (Proverbs 22:10).

Conclusion

The distinction that has to be made between intellectualism and spiritual intellectualism can be aligned with the distinction between our carnal versus spiritual mind. Intellectualism serves our carnal mind: it increases the information we have available in the pursuit of self-aggrandizement. Spiritual intellectualism, however, serves our spiritual mind for it is the pursuit of the wisdom of God to better understand God (John 17:3), to learn to think like his Son (Philippians 2:5), and to learn how to live by his Word—righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Spiritual intellectualism is a necessary ingredient of spiritual formation (see "Spiritual Formation: The End of Your Faith"): we cannot be transformed by the renewing of our minds without studying to show ourselves approved unto God ... after all, wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7). Spiritual intellectualism is summarized in the Lord's admonition to Joshua: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8). "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me" (Psalm 119:133). "

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