Reading the Bible may be the gateway to heavenly bliss or the pathway to subtle self-destruction. To read the Bible would be to walk on holy ground, so we should arrived at the Word oh so conscious of the fine line that exists between reading and sinning.
As you read this short 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 best Author of the Book and so we should visit 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 your precepts" (Psalm 119: 27a).
Sin #2 - Reading without meditating - the sin of mindless mysticism.
Reading is just the start of our journey into God's truth. We should think about what we read, and think long and hard. Some elements of the Bible are more difficult to comprehend than others; when faced with a tough passage, you might simply need to spend more time pondering it.
How to avoid it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I will meditate on 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 could be the means to the awesome end of deeper fellowship with God. If reading the Bible doesn't result in sweeter intimacy with King Jesus, something is amiss. Amount of time in the Word shouldn't be an result in itself. It's the entrance into the clear 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 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 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 simply 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 common? They can 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 only to strengthen his self-deception. Bible reading, like a bit of good work, is never the cause of our salvation but rather 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 set you back everything. Is this not the best paradox of Scripture? We are not saved by good works, but also for good works, and so Bible reading is one of the main activities God uses to empower us to reside 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 chance that you're still dead in your sins and in need 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 numerous 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 path of your commands, for you have 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 this is 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 methods to dig into the Word.
How to avoid it - Realize the necessity to dive in, not remain on 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, comprehending 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 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're sure to declare "Your statutes are my delight!" (Psalm 119:24).
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