While this topic may seem distinct from our usual discussions, we must recognize a fundamental truth: those of us seeking to lead churches toward growth and revitalization must love and obey the Word to receive God’s blessing on our efforts. The psalmist beautifully captures this devotion, noting that the laws of the Lord are sweeter than honey dripping from the comb (Ps. 19:10) and exclaiming, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (Ps. 119:103).
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- “They [the laws of the Lord] are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.” (Ps. 19:10).
- “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” (Ps. 119:103).
The psalmist possessed a deep passion for Scripture, yet many leaders today struggle to maintain that same fervor. When we prioritize savoring scripture in leadership, our ministries become more faithful and effective. Embracing the Word as our primary sustenance transforms how we approach every challenge within the local church.
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- We would read the Word more. That’s because it’s so sweet to us. No matter how busy we are, we would make the time to read it. Even a few minutes tasting the Word would encourage and change us.
- We would hunger for it. It would be so potent in our lives that our soul would long each day to meet God through His Word. We would crave Him more and more each day.
- We could never get enough of it. Even if we were to “eat” it every day, we would want more. The Word is so sweet that the more we get, the more we want; it both quenches our hunger and increases it at the same time.
- We would miss it when we don’t read it. Gone would be the days when we simply neglected reading the Bible. We would not rest well knowing that we had missed the opportunity to taste its sweetness on a given day.
- We would no longer be enamored by what the world offers us to “taste.” We chase temporary stuff that might taste sweet for a moment, but burns us in the end. All those things would lose their power once we’ve tasted the true sweetness of God’s Word.
- We would delight more in teaching the Word. When the Lord’s teachings are so powerful in our own lives, we can’t wait to teach others. We would want those we lead to have the same experience with the Lord and His Word.
- Others would take note of our passion. The godliest, Spirit-filled leaders I know have the Word of God dripping from their lips. They live in the Word—and it’s noticeable. That’s what would happen in our lives if the Word truly were sweet to us.
- Our churches would be stronger. That happens any time we leaders deepen our own walk with the Lord. What the Lord does in us then spills over into the lives of those we shepherd. The sheep will then also find the Word to be sweet like honey—and hunger for more.
Does the Word of God truly taste sweet to you, or has it become a mere textbook for sermon preparation? Developing word-centered church leadership is not just a spiritual discipline; it is an essential foundation for sustainable growth and healthy revitalization.
If not, ask the Lord to restore your desire for His Word as you lead His church. I encourage you to leave a comment below and let our Church Answers family know how we can best pray for you.
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This article originally appeared on ChurchAnswers.com and is reposted here with permission.