Reading the Bible may be the gateway to heavenly bliss or the pathway to subtle self-destruction. To learn the Bible is always to walk on holy ground, so we must arrived at the Word oh so conscious of the fine line that exists between reading and sinning.
As you read this short article, please decide to try heart 2 Corinthians 13:5 and "Examine yourselves... test yourselves" ;.
Sin #1 - Reading without praying - the sin of proud self-reliance.
Reading the Word must be bathed in prayer - before, during and after. God is the best Author of this Book and so we must head to Him for understanding and the innumerable blessings He desires to shower upon us through the Bible.
Steer clear of it - Make this humble prayer your personal - "Let me understand the teaching of your precepts" (Psalm 119: 27a).
Sin #2 - Reading without meditating - the sin of mindless mysticism.
Reading is only the beginning of our journey into God's truth. We must think of what we read, and think long and hard. Some elements of the Bible are more difficult to comprehend than others; when up against a challenging passage, you may simply need to spend more time pondering it.
Steer clear of it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I'll meditate in your wonders" (Psalm 119:27b). When opening the Book, be opening, exercising and filling your brain, not emptying it.MyReadingManga
Sin #3 - Reading without communing - the sin of dead intellectualism.
Reading the Bible is the means to the awesome end of deeper fellowship with God. If reading the Bible doesn't end in sweeter intimacy with King Jesus, something is amiss. Time in the Word should not be an result in itself. It's the entrance into the current presence of Christ, our Creator, our Sustainer and the Lover of our souls.
Steer clear of it - As you read, pray such as the psalmist, "I seek you with all my heart" (Psalm 119:10a) and "Don't utterly forsake me" (Psalm 119:8b).
Sin #4 - Reading without understanding - the sin of empty ritualism.
Are the words only words? We commune with God through His Word as His Spirit reveals the meaning. Reading without understanding isn't reading but a meaningless ritual, a mere formality that grieves the Spirit, displeases the Father and dishonors His Son.
Steer clear of it - As you realize the sacredness of Scripture, pray "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). This is simply not merely another book. Say with Peter "You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).
Sin #5 - Reading without believing - the sin of self-righteous legalism.
What do Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, tithing, and helping the needy all have in accordance? They may be either the expression of saving faith or the expression of non-saving faith. For the genuine believer, they're evidence of life. For the false believer, they're evidence of a spurious conversion and serve only to strengthen his self-deception. Bible reading, like worthwhile work, is never the reason for our salvation but alternatively its result. The difference is infinitely, eternally huge.
Steer clear of it - Ponder the wonder of salvation by grace, through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns God's favor (including Bible reading). From start to complete, salvation is His work, not ours.
Sin #6 - Reading without obeying - the sin of cheap grace.
Salvation is free, but it will run you everything. Is this not the best paradox of Scripture? We are not saved by good works, but also for good works, and so Bible reading is one of many main activities God uses to empower us to reside a life of increasing obedience, holiness and Christ-likeness. Sinless perfection will escape us this side of heaven, but a changed life will not. If your Bible reading doesn't have life-transforming results, please consider the possibility that you're still dead in your sins and in need to be born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8).
Steer clear of it - Spend much time in Psalm 119 and meditate much on the numerous verses that speak of obeying the Word. May these prayers be yours - "I'll obey your decrees" (Psalm 119:8a) and "I run in the trail of your commands, for you've set my heart free" (Psalm 119:32).
Sin #7 - Reading without studying - the sin of superficial skimming.
"Raking is easy, but you receive only leaves; digging is hard, but you could find diamonds" (John Piper). Reading is nevertheless the first step to understanding the meaning and rejoicing as one who finds great wealth (Psalm 119:162). Ask questions; record your thoughts and responses in a journal; do word studies; join a Bible study group (or start one yourself). There are 101 methods to dig in to the Word.
Steer clear of it - Realize the need to dive in, not stick to the surface. This takes some time and effort, fueled by the grace of God and the enabling of His Spirit. So move out your shovel and get digging, realizing that "it is God who works in one to will and to act" (Philippians 2:13 - another mind-boggling paradox).
And may your time in the Word be a way to obtain divine renewal for the glory of God. While reading, make sure you be praying, meditating, communing, understanding, believing, obeying and studying, and you are sure to declare "Your statutes are my delight!" (Psalm 119:24).
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