We are not to “despise” or count lightly any authoritative message from God. Of course, the primary source of prophecy is the Bible, the Word of God. It is His revealed message for mankind. While the Spirit gives us subjective discernment, the Word of God gives us objective discernment. We are to hear the Word of the Lord and obey it.

How do we “despise” the biblical message? We do so by ignoring the Scripture. When you let a day or days go by without picking up your Bible, you are despising it. By your actions, you are saying that you really do not need the Word. You are saying that other things are more important than Scripture.

We also “despise” the biblical message when we ignore sound doctrine. Have you ever been in a church service and heard the Bible proclaimed and became angry? You thought the pastor was really stepping on your toes. You got angry with him and angry at the church. Now there is some preaching that makes me angry because it is false teaching. However, when the Word of truth is accurately divided and proclaimed, we must not reject it or “despise” it but receive it, discern it and apply it to our lives.

Whenever the Word is taught or preached, discern it. Study it. Don’t take my word or anyone else’s word for anything. Study for yourself. Find out if I am correct. If you think I am wrong about something I’ve taught, come to me. Show me in Scripture why I am wrong because above all I want to be right! Just don’t come and say you have a different opinion. Discern! Know why you believe what you believe.

Don’t despise the Word of the Lord.