Men of valor walk according to God’s Word, and we will talk about this in the next few blogs.

The Word teaches, rebukes, corrects, and trains us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Teaching is instruction about doctrine or the core elements of the Word of God. It explains the track or the path to follow. Rebuking is a reproof from the Word that points out when you are off the path. Sometimes you know when you are off the path; sometimes you need someone to tell you!

When a man of valor is in the Word of God and is rebuked, he benefits from this rebuking, because in Hebrews 4:12 it says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (ESV).

The Word of God also corrects and trains in righteousness. Correction means to rectify, to put right, or to repair a situation or a behavior. Correcting is how the Word of God assists in getting the man of valor back on the straight and narrow path. Training in righteousness is the same idea as when we raise a child, reminding him repeatedly how he should behave and encouraging him to do the right thing. We all need training and correction. Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him” (ESV).

God also says in Hebrews 12:6 that the Lord disciplines those He loves and chastises everyone He accepts as a son. In the verses that follow, He reminds us that we should endure hardship as discipline because God treats us as sons and disciplines us for our good that we may share in His holiness. Though discipline is not pleasant at the time, later it produces righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

The Word of God can do all this: teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. A man of valor hides God’s Word in his heart and walks according to God’s Word.

Psalm 119 is a magnificent collection of prayers and affirmations about the wisdom and wonder of God’s revealed word and the importance God places on it. The psalm uses eight synonyms for Scripture―law, precepts, statutes, word, commandments, testimonies, judgments, and ordinances. When you realize how often God repeats these eight words in Psalm 119, you see how critical it is that we are faithful in our reading, studying, and meditating on His Word.