The Importance Of A Software Update For Our Christian Heart

Christian Software Update

A software update, whether on my phone or computer, can be so annoying. They seem to show up when it’s not convenient, and once you make the update, you often find things look different and act different from that point on. Because they aren’t normally convenient, I often choose the “try again later” option. I don’t always have time to sit and wait for the update to process. And occasionally I waited too long before and ended up having problems because my software wasn’t keeping up with fast-changing technology.

This morning, I opened my computer to find that familiar pop-up telling me I needed a software update. Normally, I would have clicked “try again later.” But when the pop-up greeted me today, I decided to go ahead and do the update rather than put it off again.

So, I clicked “update,” and it began.

My minor technology difficulties made me think of Paul writing to the church in Philippi. You can’t miss the fact that Paul held a special place in his heart for those believers. He loved them and longed to encourage and strengthen them in their Christian faith. We see it clearly in Philippians 1:8:

For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. — Philippians 1:8

As I’ve been preparing a message for a Christian women’s retreat I’ll be speaking at next weekend, it didn’t take long for me to feel some of that same longing — even though I don’t yet know these women.

When God calls you to teach, I believe He also places a desire within your heart to share what will be most impactful.

The Primary Need

God often gives me specific direction for where a message should go, leading me to focus on one primary topic. But inevitably, there is one common core message every time I speak or teach:

If you want real, lasting change in any area of your life, stay in God’s Word — read your Bible.

The reason?

Because I personally know nothing more powerful to bring change and keep that change in place than God’s word. It is the story of my life and I never get tired of telling it and hoping that someone else’s life will be changed because they pursue God through His word.

Here’s where the Bible and the software update connect.

I believe reading the Bible improves our hearts and functions much like a software update does for a computer. Software updates remove outdated features and add new ones. They fix bugs — computer flaws, failures, or errors — and they strengthen protection systems. Computers can develop security holes that leave them vulnerable to infection from viruses — sometimes malicious ones. With that in mind, making sure we update our computers sounds pretty important. 

Daily Biblical Downloads

I want to encourage you to take a moment to read Ephesians 4:22-32.

Ephesians 4:22–32 shows us our outdated features once we are in Christ. Paul called those outdated features our “old man” and told us to put off the “old man.” Paul explained that putting off the “old man” means putting away the part of us that grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts. He listed some of those outdated features as: Lying, stealing, corrupt words, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice.

Paul also told us how to receive our software updates in Ephesians 4:23-24 and Romans 12:2.

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:23–24

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

Our minds need renewing like a computer needs updating because we all have “bugs — flaws, failures, and errors” that need to be fixed in our hearts. God gave us His word to be one of the primary ways these issues can be fixed. Daily reading God’s Word downloads a software update for our Christian heart. It repairs our security holes — those places in our hearts and lives that are vulnerable to infection from spiritual viruses.

The Hacker

Viruses infect our computers when someone intentionally seeks out and exploits a security hole. We know these people who have intentions to bring damage into our electronic devices as hackers. The Bible reminds us that we have a a spiritual hacker, who seeks to steal, to kill, and destroy in our lives. (John 10:10) In Ephesians 4:27, Paul warned us to give no place to the devil — some translations say not to give the devil a foothold.

 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

First Peter 5:8 shows us that the devil is actively and intentionally looking for any cracks or crevices where he can get in to infect us, damage us, and ultimately destroy us. Staying in God’s word acts as a shield that protects us from his deception. It strengthens us, gives us clarity and wisdom that secures our hearts.

Benefits of Scripture

I love what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 about the powerful benefits of Scripture:

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. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Maybe you read this blog and thought you would really like to implement daily Bible reading into your life, but haven’t quite figured out how to fit it in. Or maybe you wish you wanted to bad enough that you would just do it. Or maybe, you do occasionally, but you haven’t yet really experienced the benefits that you should have.

I want to give you a prayer to pray for yourself.

Precious Heavenly Daddy,

When I think about a new week, I realize I have another opportunity to rise above and beyond the past. Help me make decisions that prioritize reading Your Word in my life. I want to know and experience Your Word in a way that keeps me close to You — walking in Your ways and Your truth as my solid, unwavering foundation in the midst of this ever-changing world. When I open Your Word, give me spiritual eyes to see wonderous things in Your word; give me ears to hear what Your Spirit speaks to me; and give me a receptive heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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