Reading the Bible may 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 should arrived at the Word oh so alert to the fine line that exists between reading and sinning.
As you read this informative article, please take to 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 ultimate Author with this Book and so we should head to Him for understanding and the innumerable blessings He wants to shower upon us through the Bible.
How to prevent it - Get this humble prayer your own - "Allow me to understand the teaching of your precepts" (Psalm 119: 27a).
Sin #2 - Reading without meditating - the sin of mindless mysticism.
Reading is only the beginning of our journey into God's truth. We ought to consider what we read, and think long and hard. Some areas of the Bible tend to be more difficult to comprehend than others; when up against a difficult passage, you may simply have to take more time pondering it.
How to prevent it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I'll meditate on your own wonders" (Psalm 119:27b). When opening the Book, be opening, exercising and filling your brain, not emptying it.MyReadingManga
Sin #3 - Reading without communing - the sin of dead intellectualism.
Reading the Bible may 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. Amount of time in the Word should not 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 prevent it - As you read, pray such as 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 words only words? We commune with God through His Word as His Spirit reveals the meaning. Reading without understanding isn't reading but a meaningless ritual, merely a formality that grieves the Spirit, displeases the Father and dishonors His Son.
How to prevent 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 isn't yet 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 can be either the expression of saving faith or the expression of non-saving faith. For the genuine believer, they are evidence of life. For the false believer, they are evidence of a spurious conversion and serve simply to strengthen his self-deception. Bible reading, like worthwhile work, is never the cause of our salvation but alternatively its result. The difference is infinitely, eternally huge.
How to prevent 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 cost you everything. Is this not the ultimate paradox of Scripture? We are not saved by good works, but for good works, and so Bible reading is among the 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 think over the likelihood that you are still dead in your sins and in need to be born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8).
How to prevent it - Spend much time in Psalm 119 and meditate much on the countless 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 path 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 straightforward, but you obtain only leaves; digging is hard, but you may find diamonds" (John Piper). Reading is however the first 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 can find 101 approaches to dig to the Word.
How to prevent it - Realize the necessity to dive in, not stick to the surface. This takes time and effort, fueled by the grace of God and the enabling of His Spirit. So move out your shovel and get digging, knowing that "it is God who works in you to will and to act" (Philippians 2:13 - another mind-boggling paradox).
And may your time in the Word be a way to obtain 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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