Let it Dwell Richly

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)

Paul wrote a specific word here about how you should approach the Word of God. It should dwell in you richly. The Word of God is not meant to make occasional visits to your life when you find time for it or when a crisis forces you back to the Bible. It is meant to take up residence. It should be so present in you, so woven into your thinking, speaking, and responding, that it is the first thing that rises when anything comes against you.

That kind of presence does not happen quickly. It is the result of time—consistent, committed time in the Word. And look at what flows out of that kind of richness: teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with grace in the heart toward the Lord. That word grace carries the meaning of joy. So what Paul described is a life so full of the Word that it overflows into a joy that comes from what is living within you.

Paul described someone who spent all their time with God, every bit of it. They put time into the Word, worship, and prayer, including praying in the Spirit. People who walk in consistent revelation and clarity have made their relationship with God non-negotiable. They do not fit God in around the edges of a busy life. They have structured their lives around the time they give to Him, and everything else fits around that.

The morning hours matter. Getting into the Word, into worship, and into prayer before the demands of the day crowd in is not a suggestion. It is a practical strategy for keeping the Word dwelling richly rather than thinly. A morning saturated in the Word and worship produces a different kind of day than one that starts with the news, social media, or the pressing noise of whatever needs to get done.

Practical Application

Evaluate honestly how much time the Word of Christ is actually dwelling richly in you. Is it a daily or sporadic occurrence?

Ephesians 5:19; Psalm 119:11