Reading the Bible can be the gateway to heavenly bliss or the pathway to subtle self-destruction. To see the Bible would be to walk on holy ground, so we ought to 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 should be bathed in prayer - before, during and after. God is the best Author with this Book and so we ought to go to Him for understanding and the innumerable blessings He wants to shower upon us through the Bible.
Steer clear of it - Make this humble prayer your own personal - "I'd like to understand the teaching of your precepts" (Psalm 119: 27a).
Sin #2 - Reading without meditating - the sin of mindless mysticism.
Reading is the beginning of our journey into God's truth. We must think of what we read, and think long and hard. Some parts of the Bible are far more difficult to comprehend than others; when confronted with a tough passage, you could simply need certainly to take more time pondering it.
Steer clear of it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I'll meditate on your own wonders" (Psalm 119:27b). When opening the Book, be opening, exercising and filling the mind, not emptying it.MyReadingManga
Sin #3 - Reading without communing - the sin of dead intellectualism.
Reading the Bible is the methods to the awesome end of deeper fellowship with God. If reading the Bible doesn't bring about sweeter intimacy with King Jesus, something is amiss. Amount of time in the Word should not be an end in itself. It's the entrance into the clear presence of Christ, our Creator, our Sustainer and the Lover of our souls.
Steer clear of it - As you read, pray just like 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 what only words? We commune with God through His Word as His Spirit reveals the meaning. Reading without understanding is not 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 could see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). This is simply not just another book. Say with Peter "You have what 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 common? They can be either the expression of saving faith or the expression of non-saving faith. For the genuine believer, they are proof life. For the false believer, they are proof a spurious conversion and serve simply to strengthen his self-deception. Bible reading, like any good work, is never the reason for our salvation but instead 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're 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 live 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 contemplate the likelihood that you're still dead in your sins and in have to be born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8).
Steer clear of it - Spend much amount of time in Psalm 119 and meditate much on the many verses that talk about obeying the Word. May these prayers be yours - "I'll obey your decrees" (Psalm 119:8a) and "I run in the road 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 simple, but you get only leaves; digging is hard, but you might find diamonds" (John Piper). Reading is however the first faltering step to understanding this is 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 approaches to dig in to the Word.
Steer clear of it - Realize the necessity to dive in, not stick to the surface. This does take time and effort, fueled by the grace of God and the enabling of His Spirit. So get out your shovel and get digging, realizing that "it's God who works in you to will and to act" (Philippians 2:13 - another mind-boggling paradox).
And may your amount of time in the Word be a supply of divine renewal for the glory of God. While reading, be sure to 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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