When we talk about Scripture, we are referring to both the Old and the New testament books of the Holy Bible. When we ask the question – is scripture sufficient?  – we are asking is the Bible alone enough to fulfil all our spiritual needs and find God’s will for our lives? In many church circles in Aotearoa and around the world, many people will say things like: I have a word from the Lord; the Lord told me to tell you this; God wants you to know this; I have a prophecy or word from God for you. We at Fresh Truth challenge this approach and kinds of sayings because we affirm that Scripture alone is sufficient to meet our spiritual needs. As the early Reformers would affirm – Sola Scriptura – by Scripture alone!  

The short answer to the original question above is YES. Scripture is complete and sufficient. It is all we need today for all our spiritual needs. And NO, we do not need another word. When people say it is from the Lord today or they are speaking on behalf of God, we believe that is outside of Scripture. We do not need someone else to tell us they have another word from God, when we have God’s Word right in front of us to complete us and equip us for this life. However, let us remain diligent and unpack this topic further according to the Holy Scriptures.

The Word of God is sufficient for us because:

1. Scripture is breathed by God Himself:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (In the Greek it reads All scripture is God-Breathed. Meaning it comes directly from God. Peter writes ‘for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.’) (2 Pet 1:21). 

Is Profitable for Doctrine – Is sufficient to teach us what’s right

For reproof – Is sufficient to show us what’s not right

For correction – Is sufficient to show us how to get it right

For instruction in righteousness – Is sufficient to show us how to stay right. 

So that the Christian maybe complete for every good work. God’s Word equips and enables us to live godly lives here on earth.

2. God’s Word helps us to not sin:

Psalm 119:9-11 – How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

The Psalmist is saying that if a person pays close attention to God’s word and is obedient to it, they can keep away from sin and live a life that’s right before the Lord and according to His commandments.

3. God’s Word is our sustenance:

Matthew 4:4 – Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. 

Food is necessary for our physical needs as people, but Jesus is saying we need God’s Word to sustain us even more. Quick question to the reader: Are you sustaining yourself in God’s Word every day?

4. God’s Word grows us in our faith in God.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It’s important for a Christian to remain strong in their faith. They need to take in the word of God. We cannot walk strongly in our faith without God’s word.

5. God’s Word helps us to be a disciple of Jesus

John 8:31 –  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 

The true disciple of Jesus will hold fast to God’s Word and will not be moved from it. To abide in His Word is being obedient to our Lord in all areas of our lives.

6. God’s Word helps us grow in wisdom

Colossians 3:16a – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.

The word ‘dwell’ is to make it’s home in.

The word ‘richly’ means ‘abundantly rich.

In other words, if you allow God’s Word to make its home in your life, you will grow in His wisdom richly.

To conclude, the Bible is full of so much rich wisdom and truth for the believer. We believe that the Bible is God’s voice and it is sufficient for the Christian to live by and to grow stronger in their daily walk with their God. There are many resources out there to help us understand Scripture and help grow us in our faith like good commentaries, lexicons, biographies of Christian missionaries, solid podcasts and websites, and so on. But the key for a Christian to grow and get their spiritual needs met is the need for believers to dwell in God’s word. As a disciple of Jesus we need to take heed to His word.

As written in John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 

May the reader be challenged to spend more time reading His Word so they will truly know the voice of their Shepherd, so that you can grow in Jesus and follow after Him every day of your life. Scripture alone is sufficient for our spiritual needs and to show us how live obediently as disciple here on earth.