Podcast Summary

Podcast: Rick Renner Podcast (Audio)
Episode: Thursday - Why Must God’s Word Be Final?
Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Rick Renner

Overview: The Final Authority of God’s Word

In this episode, Rick Renner delves into the critical question: "Why must God’s Word have the final say in our lives?" He teaches listeners not just to hear but to do the Word, emphasizing obedience as the key to releasing divine power and achieving true spiritual maturity and freedom. Through practical examples, scriptural exposition (mainly from James 1 and Matthew 5), and personal anecdotes, Rick makes a compelling case for making the Bible the ultimate authority, even when it challenges our emotions, logic, or experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Obedience to God’s Word Releases Power

• Key Insight: When the Word of God becomes the final authority in one's life and is obeyed, it releases “a torrent of power” that transforms the mind, will, and emotions.
• “When you embrace the Word of God and choose, you’re going to submit to it and obey it and do it, it literally releases a flow of divine power that changes every single part of your being.” — Rick Renner [01:29]

2. Understanding Jesus' View of Scripture (Matthew 5:19)

• Greek Word Study:
  • The word “break” (Greek: luo): means to loosen or relax, depicting a non-serious, casual attitude toward God’s commands.
  • The word “commandment” (Greek: entole): derived from “en” (in) and “telos” (complete), showing the commandments are perfect and intended to bring us to maturity.
• Seriousness about Scripture:
  • Those who treat God’s Word lightly and teach others to do so are called “least” in the kingdom.
  • Those who “do” and “teach” it (Greek: poieo — to creatively find a way to do something) are called “great,” meaningful, and significant.
• “If you want to be significant in God’s eyes... then you have to be one who gives God’s Word the final say so in your life.” — Rick Renner [08:00]

3. Receiving and Engrafting the Word (James 1:21)

• Receiving with Meekness:
  • “Meekness” is bending one’s brain and will to a higher authority, even if we feel differently or have contrary life experiences.
  • The “engrafted word” (Greek: emphuton): not innate, but planted in us—must be warmly and humbly accepted.
• “It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not. It is the Word of God.” — Rick Renner [09:43]

4. Transformation of the Soul

• The Word Saves the Soul:
  • “Soul” (Greek: psuche): our mind, will, and emotions—where most problems take root.
  • Obedience unleashes a power that “transforms and cleans up” these areas.
• “Sorry to tell you, but that’s the truth. It’s your mind, your will, your emotions...” — Rick Renner [10:27]

5. Difference Between Hearers and Doers (James 1:22–25)

• Hearers Only:
  • “Auditing” the Word without plans of application is deceiving oneself—no transformation occurs.
  • The Greek for “deceiving” (paralogizomai) means to make a miscalculation, like a scholar who sees the facts but draws the wrong conclusion.
• Doers of the Word:
  • To “do” (Greek: poieo) implies creativity and ingenuity in finding ways to live out Scripture.
• “Don’t trick yourself into thinking that merely showing up and listening is all that is required.” — Rick Renner [13:09]

6. Mirror Analogy: Seeing & Changing

• Ancient Mirrors as Illustrations:
  • Small mirrors allowed seeing only a little at a time, symbolizing how the Holy Spirit shows us one issue at a time to work on.
  • Serious believers move from a small mirror to a large one—committed to seeing and correcting deeper flaws.
• Law of Liberty:
  • The “perfect law of liberty” means that treating the Bible as a law to be obeyed sets us free from all forms of bondage (“emancipates” us).
• “If you will look deeply into the Word of God, receive it with meekness and do what it says, such power will be released that it will free us from every type of bondage and slavery.” — Rick Renner [19:09]

7. Ultimate Blessing

• Ridiculously Blessed:
  • Those who commit to being “doers” are promised to be “ridiculously blessed, hilariously happy,” enjoying true freedom in Christ.
• Smith Wigglesworth’s Quote:
  • “Never compare this book—talking about the Bible—with other books... It is the Word of God. It is supernatural in origin, eternal in duration...Read it in, work it out and pass it on. It is the Word of God.” — Smith Wigglesworth (quoted by Rick Renner) [20:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you want that implanted word to kick into action... then you’ve got to do everything you can to restore so it kicks into gear.” — Rick Renner [09:47]
• “Are you doing the Word of God or are you just auditing it? My friends, the power’s released when you begin to obey it.” — Rick Renner [12:35]
• “He doesn’t hear us because we’re crying… He hears the Word. And when you pray the Word, it opens the ears of God.” — Rick Renner [03:02]
• "The Bible is a law that produces liberty in you." — Rick Renner [20:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:29] – Obedience to God’s Word releases divine power
• [03:02] – The importance of scriptural, Word-based prayer
• [05:35] – Greek word studies: “commandment,” “breaking,” “doing” in Matthew 5:19
• [08:00] – Significance in God’s kingdom comes from obeying His Word
• [09:14] – Receiving the engrafted Word with meekness
• [10:27] – The true meaning of “soul” and the role of the Word in soul transformation
• [11:17] – Difference between becoming a doer and being a hearer/auditor
• [13:09] – The danger of miscalculations in faith; just hearing isn’t enough
• [14:54] – Mirror illustration: gradual, focused transformation by the Word
• [16:15] – Stoop deeply into the “perfect law of liberty;” the attitude of a true doer
• [19:09] – The Word produces liberty and true emancipation from bondage
• [20:06] – The “ridiculously blessed” life and Smith Wigglesworth quote

Episode Conclusion

Rick Renner concludes with a passionate call to action: Go beyond “auditing” Scripture—let God’s Word be the absolute, final authority in your life. As you do, expect dramatic inner change, true freedom, and the abundant, “hilariously happy” blessing that comes with obedience. He reminds listeners that these principles aren’t optional; God’s Word is meant to govern every part of a believer’s life as it did for Jesus. Rick also prays for the audience to embrace and align with the Word, anticipating powerful transformation.

Next Episode Preview:
Tomorrow’s topic: “The Marks of a Pharisee.”

For Further Resources:
Rick encourages listeners to explore the teaching series “What Jesus Said about the Final say so of God’s Word,” the classic book “The Authority of the Believer” by Kenneth E. Hagin, and to download free “Confessions about the Word of God.”