What we believe should not be based on traditions, or fairy tales or men's thought, idea and philosophy. Our faith in God should rest on the undiluted word of God.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”- John 8:32 NIV.
That means that the basis of our belief should be the Bible. What conviction we rest our lives upon must be what is written in the word of God. Anything outside the scriptures must be discountenanced.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. - Matthew 4:1-11 NIV.
There is a saying that goes, it is what you have in you, that you can give out. It is the word of God that He have in Him, that is what He use to defeat the devil. You can't give what you don't have. Therefore, our beliefs and convictions as disciples must be in tandem with the Holy word of God.
In basing your belief and convictions on the scriptures, this is impossible without knowledge of the word.
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. - Hosea 4:6 NIV.
Knowledge of the scripture is immensely essential in forming your belief. This calls for Bible reading and study. It is through reading and studying of the Bible that we will know what is true or false. It is not only by reading, but understanding and knowing what the scripture says.
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. - Matthew 13:19 NIV.
We need understanding of the word of God so that we can base our faith on truth.
