Be Convicted, Be Corrected, Be Trained

¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 
¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God. That is, it is given by God through what he has spoken. It is his speech to mankind, to his people. Scripture contains all that God would have man know about him and what God requires of man. 

According to Paul (inspired by God), Scripture is profitable for:

Teaching – It teaches us about God, about man, about the world. The Scriptures are the standard against which all things are to be tested. How should one speak to others? What does Scripture say? How should one parent? What does Scripture say? How should one respond to an unjust boss? What does Scripture say? How should one respond to serious illness? What does Scripture say? Scripture is the standard. It tells us what to believe and how to obey.

Reproof – Scripture is what the Holy Spirit uses to bring conviction to one not meeting the set standard. He does not use one’s own assessment or the standard of the culture. He brings conviction by the God-breathed Word.

Correction – Scripture sets things right again. It tells one how to restore relationships. It tells one how to make right the mess one’s sin has caused.  It “sets the bone” in order for healing to take place.

Training in righteousness – The idea here is one of structured training. It sets the agenda and shows one how to avoid the mess one’s sin has led to in the past. If put into practice it leads to new habits, to a new way living.

That or for the purpose that…

The believer may grow up into maturity. The believer would increase in Christlikeness. The believer would be equipped, prepared for every good work.

Would you have your counselees, for that matter, would you have yourself, be mature and equipped for every good work?

Go to the Scriptures! Learn what God has said in his word. Be convicted by it. Be corrected by it. Be trained by it.

Friends the Word of God is sufficient!

By His Grace Alone,

Josh