Reading the Bible may be the gateway to heavenly bliss or the pathway to subtle self-destruction. To see the Bible is to walk on holy ground, so we ought to arrive at the Word oh so aware of 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 must certanly be bathed in prayer - before, during and after. God is the ultimate Author with this Book and so we ought to head to Him for understanding and the innumerable blessings He wants to shower upon us through the Bible.
How to prevent it - Get this to humble prayer your personal - "Allow me to 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 should think of what we read, and think long and hard. Some elements of the Bible are more difficult to comprehend than others; when confronted with a complicated passage, you might simply have to spend more time pondering it.
How to prevent it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I will meditate on your 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 is the means to the awesome end of deeper fellowship with God. If reading the Bible doesn't end in sweeter intimacy with King Jesus, something is amiss. 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 prevent it - As you read, pray such as the psalmist, "I seek you with all my heart" (Psalm 119:10a) and "Don't 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 is simply not 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're proof life. For the false believer, they're proof a spurious conversion and serve and then strengthen his self-deception. Bible reading, like a bit of good work, is never the reason for our salvation but rather 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're not saved by good works, however for good works, and so Bible reading is among 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 think over the likelihood that you will be still dead in your sins and in have to be born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8).
How to prevent it - Spend much amount of time in Psalm 119 and meditate much on the many verses that speak of obeying the Word. May these prayers be yours - "I will obey your decrees" (Psalm 119:8a) and "I run in the road of one's commands, for you have set my heart free" (Psalm 119:32).
Sin #7 - Reading without studying - the sin of superficial skimming.
"Raking is easy, but you get only leaves; digging is hard, but you could find diamonds" (John Piper). Reading is nevertheless 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). There are 101 methods to dig to the Word.
How to prevent it - Realize the requirement to dive in, not stick to the surface. This takes some 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 you 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, make sure you be praying, meditating, communing, understanding, believing, obeying and studying, and you're sure to declare "Your statutes are my delight!" (Psalm 119:24).7 Mortal Sins from Bible Reading (How and avoid These products For example the Plague).
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