A Man and his Bible. Could there be a more beautiful relationship? The Bible isn’t just the complete and perfect Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the final authority for all we believe and practice (Matt 5:18; 2 Tim 3:16-17). It is a man’s lens through which he views the world, it is food for his spirit, the shovel for the ground he works, and the pen for the promises he signs. It’s how he learns to communicate with an almighty and eternal God in love, reverence, and yes, fear. It drives him from his innermost being to make a new culture – the kingdom of heaven.
What’s the problem?
Biblical Illiteracy
If ever there was a time that Christians need to diligently study their Bible, the time is now. Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high (Barna Group, 2010). With this illiteracy comes vulnerability by men calling themselves preachers, pastors, evangelists, and apostles. They come preaching a message, but it’s not the Gospel, If they had read their Bibles, they would know that. Some have good intentions and some don’t, but false teaching is bad news for everyone. The prosperity message and word of faith movement are thriving on this illiteracy. The truth is you can’t control them any more than you can control the weather, but what you can do is know enough of your Bible to know when what you’re hearing isn’t the truth.
Another truth that hits so close to home is this: if you don’t read your Bible regularly, you are spiritually suffering. “But he [Jesus] answered, ‘It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'”‘” (Matt 4:4 ESV). If food is for physical sustenance, then the scriptures, which are the inspired words of God, are for spiritual sustenance. If you are well fed spiritually, you will thrive spiritually. How else are you to know the God who revealed himself in the scriptures? The more you know, the more you can know Him.
I often hear people say, “I just need a fresh word from God.” Brothers and sisters, there is over 750,000 life giving words in the Bible. You don’t need a “fresh word.” You need to open your Bible and see what God has spoken. You need to know what God has already said. The canon of scripture is closed. There is nothing new that may be added or taken away. The Holy Spirit is not going to reveal anything to you that isn’t taught in scripture, but He will guide you into all truth, just as Jesus promised (John 16:13). Unless you can recite the Bible from memory and live it out perfectly, which no one can, you need to be studying your Bible.
How do we fix it?
Commitment to Study the Bible
The answer seems simple and inglorious, but it’s the right one. Read your Bible daily. Daily. DAILY. You don’t have to read 10 chapters, but you should commit to reading for a set amount of time every day. Carve out 15 minutes of your day to start. Don’t just say that you’ll read for 15 minutes a day. Set a goal to start at a specific time, like 6:00 PM, and read until 6:15 PM. Be ready to read by the time 6:00 PM rolls around with your Bible in hand. By establishing this practice, you will get used to setting aside time to read. You can gradually increase it as you get more comfortable.
You can also use reading plans. I highly recommend M’Cheyne’s reading plan. You can download the PDF version here. You can also use online or mobile resources such as Bible Gateway when you’re on the go. There is no need to be discouraged. We can begin the process of knowing God right now. Ask God to reveal himself to you through His word. When He answers, you will change.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
(John 1:9-13 ESV)
Barna Group. (2010). Six megathemes emerge from barna group research in 2010. Retrieved from https://www.barna.com/research/six-megathemes-emerge-from-barna-group-research-in-2010/
Biblical Theology on Tap 