Sincere Word

             About a year ago, we purchased a water pitcher to strain out any of the more obvious chemicals or other impurities of our water. Now, our city water is not that bad although it does make some pink spots appear now and then but they say are harmless. I did notice, however, a difference between the tap water and the water in the pitcher.  Americans seek to have that which is pure especially in the area of drinking water as witnessed by the amount of bottled water we purchase even in this country. We have become accustomed to a water that is free of any kind of impurities. As a result, the first time we drink anything that is not pure, we find ourselves having severe physical problems.  While in Spain, we slowly became accustomed to the water in the city of Madrid.  A couple came over to visit us from New Jersey and were being very careful to drink only bottled water.  Well, I had made some Lemonade and they were enjoying it until they discovered that it had been made with tap water.  They did survive without any difficulty.  Where can we find something that is pure as pure can be? We often think of the Word of God as being 100% pure.  The Apostle Peter makes a contrast between malice, guile and hypocrisies as compared with the sincere milk of the Word of God. First Peter 2:1-3 says, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." 

             In this contrast, we see that the believer is not to be filled with those things that produce guile, which means to catch by the use of bait or in other words, "deceit." We are not to be trying to trick people or indeed to be tricked ourselves. What we do need to have is the sincere milk of the word. The word "sincere" is another interesting word that means to be "without wax." It is used to mean "pure" in every respect. A marble vase or other object could have flaws covered up with wax and appear to be smooth. When held up to the light, the wax would be seen as it would let the light through. The Word of God is that which is "pure" and without wax. So, in this contrast, we are not to have the trickery of the world but rather the Word of God as our basis in all that we do. We should be desiring God's Word in each and every situation. As we give in to the leading of God's Word, we will soon find that we are growing in our spiritual lives. If we follow the "guile" that is in the world, we won't be growing at all. In what or in Whom do you put your trust? Do you have a daily diet of God's Word? Are you reading God's Word each day? Do you consider God's leading on a decision in your life? Praise God that He has given you a copy of His Word and that you can know which way to go in all situations.