Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:18 – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – Psalm 19:9-11 – Proverbs 3:1-2 – Deuteronomy 11:18 – Acts 17:11 – Hebrews 4:12 – Proverbs 2:1-5 – Hosea 4:6
I’ve come across quite a few excuses from people as to the reason why they feel they don’t need to dig into the Word of God.
I’ve come across people who feel like their preacher studies the Bible when he puts his sermon together. They believe studying the Bible is his job, listening to the sermon he puts together is theirs.
I’ve come across people who believe their friend/Mother/Grandmother knows everything there is to know about the Bible. If they have any questions all they have to do is call and ask them.
I’ve come across people who will read any and every book ever written about the Bible instead of reading the Bible itself. I used to be among the number of this group. I had this strange idea that the Bible was some long, boring book. I would think hey, these authors already did the studying for me.. AND wrote a book about it! I’m sure they are much more knowledgeable about these things than I am, what’s the point in doing the study myself when its already done?
Don’t get me wrong! There’s nothing at ALL wrong with reading books written about the Bible! Its just that these books should be read in addition to our own Bible study and not in place of it. Think of those books as a dessert to be consumed along side a main dish of our own Biblical studies.
There’s also nothing wrong with listening to church sermons, or talking to knowledgeable friends and family members when you have questions. But you should take the information given to you and weigh it against your own studies.
Let’s take a quick dive into the Bible and see what scriptures have to say about studying the Word.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 3:18a
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. – Psalm 19:9-11
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. – Proverbs 3:1-2
You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. – Deuteronomy 11:18
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. – Acts 17:11
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing into the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. – Proverbs 2:1-5
And this final scripture from Hosea 4:6 about having a lack of knowledge…
God gave us this infallible book for a reason. He didn’t create us to have us walk around playing a guessing game all of our lives. He gave us a handbook, a created with love, God breathed guidebook… and the Holy Spirit as a counselor. Above all else, should we not honor Him enough to at least read the Words He wrote to us?
By His Words we are able to see – without it we are stumbling around in darkness.
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