“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22
How do you read the Bible? If you don’t have resources or solid teachers to help you, your perception of Scripture is probably way off. If you can’t figure out what Scripture meant at the time it was written, as the readers understood it, then you are most likely missing the point. Many Western Christians read the Bible with a modern worldview and overlook what the Bible is actually saying. Often dismissive of it’s correction of their own lifestyles.
In order to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, you must know what the Bible actually says. That isn’t to say knowing what it says means you will do what it says, but it is none the less a good place to start. Christians must not simply read the Bible for pleasure or knowledge, but instead dig down into it’s truths, precepts, commands, and promises for the purpose of implementing them into their routine and daily behavior. If Scripture is not changing you, you are not reading it correctly. If the storms, rains, and winds keep knocking you down in life, you are not obeying the Scripture.
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27
3 Things That Will Help You:
- Read whole books or letters in the Bible. Figure out the overall context of the writing. Pick up a good book that surveys or introduces each book in the Bible. The Reformation Study Bible by R.C. Sproul is a great resource. John MacArthur’s Study Bible is also a very helpful tool with commentary.
- Earnestly pray each day for the Holy Spirit to teach you, and strengthen you to conform to the teachings of the Word.
- Find someone who really knows you that will tell you tough truths about yourself and help you change.
The following link will also prove to be a very helpful place to go for answers about hard questions and the history of Jesus’ church in the world.
The Common Sense Theologian 