read your bible

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I love Bible studies. 

But, there's a problem:

Bible studies are people's interpretations of scripture. They aren't actually scripture. While they have their place, and can be such beautiful tools, I realized this week that I have a problem with Bible studies: 

I found myself spending more time in my study books - answering questions, reading what certain passages might mean, focusing on the commentary, etc., than in the actual passages of scripture. I'd first open my study book, and then open my Bible as the "supplement" or "addition to" the study. While the studies aren't necessarily written that way, it was an encouragement to do a heart check. 

Am I spending time in God's word or in someone else's word? 

As Jen Wilkin says (in her introductory video to her Exodus study, "God of Deliverance"), "you won't answer to God for someone else's interpretation of scripture." I am responsible to answer for mine, and you are responsible to answer for yours. 

What a nasty device of the enemy... to give us so many resources on God's Word that the Word of God itself gets put on the back burner.

Sermons. Podcasts. Articles. Podcasts. Bible App resources and videos. Commentaries. Study questions. Colorful journals. And so. much. more. 

These things are all good. But I'm here to offer a word of caution: 

Don't let these things be your only avenue to learning about God. 

The Bible is on audio, too.

Find ways to spend time JUST in scripture. Do your own thinking about it, and spend time being okay with not immediately knowing what it is saying. Pray for wisdom, and God will give it to you. It might be through other people or through others' interpretations of the Word. But first and foremost, we've got to be people OF THE WORD!! 

We aren't people of the podcasts... people of the sermons... but people of the Word. 

Go read your Bible! Don't let the enemy distract you from it... even with "good" things.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

James 1:5



#spreadtheword

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