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 come to the Word oh so aware of the fine line that exists between reading and sinning.
As you read this information, 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 greatest Author of the Book and so we ought to head to Him for understanding and the innumerable blessings He desires to shower upon us through the Bible.
How to avoid it - Get this to humble prayer your own - "Let me understand the teaching of one's 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 consider what we read, and think long and hard. Some areas of the Bible tend to be more difficult to comprehend than others; when faced with a tough passage, you may simply need certainly to spend more time pondering it.
How to avoid it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I'll meditate in your 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 way to the awesome end of deeper fellowship with God. If reading the Bible doesn't lead to sweeter intimacy with King Jesus, something is amiss. Amount of time in the Word should never be an end in itself. It's the entrance into the current presence of Christ, our Creator, our Sustainer and the Lover of our souls.
How to avoid it - As you read, pray like the psalmist, "I seek you with all my heart" (Psalm 119:10a) and "Do not utterly forsake me" (Psalm 119:8b).
Sin #4 - Reading without understanding - the sin of empty ritualism.
Are the language 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 could see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). This is simply not just another book. Say with Peter "You've the language 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 may be either the expression of saving faith or the expression of non-saving faith. For the genuine believer, they're proof life. For the false believer, they're proof a spurious conversion and serve simply 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.
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 in order to complete, salvation is His work, not ours.
Sin #6 - Reading without obeying - the sin of cheap grace.
Salvation is free, but it will set you back everything. Is this not the greatest paradox of Scripture? We're not saved by good works, however 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 possibility that you're still dead in your sins and in must 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 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 road of one's commands, for you've set my heart free" (Psalm 119:32).
Sin #7 - Reading without studying - the sin of superficial skimming.
"Raking is straightforward, but you receive only leaves; digging is hard, but you might find diamonds" (John Piper). Reading is however the first faltering step to understanding the meaning and rejoicing as one that 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 will find 101 ways to dig into the Word.
How to avoid it - Realize the need 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 move out your shovel and get digging, realizing that "it's 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 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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