Reading the Bible can 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 arrive at the Word oh so conscious of the fine line that exists between reading and sinning.
As you read this short article, please 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 greatest Author of this Book and so we must visit Him for understanding and the innumerable blessings He desires to shower upon us through the Bible.
How to avoid it - Make this humble prayer your personal - "Let me understand the teaching of one's precepts" (Psalm 119: 27a).
Sin #2 - Reading without meditating - the sin of mindless mysticism.
Reading is only the start of our journey into God's truth. We must think about 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 difficult passage, you could simply need certainly to take more time pondering it.
How to avoid it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I will 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 could be the way to the awesome end of deeper fellowship with God. If reading the Bible doesn't end up in sweeter intimacy with King Jesus, something is amiss. Time in the Word shouldn't be an result in itself. It's the entrance into the presence of Christ, our Creator, our Sustainer and the Lover of our souls.
How to avoid 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 is not reading but a meaningless ritual, only formality that grieves the Spirit, displeases the Father and dishonors His Son.
How to avoid it - As you realize the sacredness of Scripture, pray "Open my eyes that I often see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). This is not merely another book. Say with Peter "You've 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 and then strengthen his self-deception. Bible reading, like worthwhile work, is never the explanation for our salvation but instead its result. The difference is infinitely, eternally huge.
How to avoid 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 finish, salvation is His work, not ours.
Sin #6 - Reading without obeying - the sin of cheap grace.
Salvation is free, but it'll run you everything. Is this not the greatest paradox of Scripture? We are not saved by good works, but for good works, and so Bible reading is one of many main activities God uses to empower us to call home 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 likelihood that you will be still dead in your sins and in have to be born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8).
How to avoid 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 will obey your decrees" (Psalm 119:8a) and "I run in the road of one's commands, for you have 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 nevertheless the first faltering step to understanding the meaning and rejoicing as person 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). You can find 101 methods to dig into the Word.
How to avoid it - Realize the requirement 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 escape your shovel and get digging, knowing that "it is God who works in one to will and to act" (Philippians 2:13 - another mind-boggling paradox).
And may your amount of time in the Word be a way to obtain divine renewal for the glory of God. While reading, make 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).
