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 must arrived at the Word oh so aware of the fine line that exists between reading and sinning.
As you read this information, please decide to try 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 greatest Author of this Book and so we must go to Him for understanding and the innumerable blessings He really wants to shower upon us through the Bible.
How to avoid it - Make this humble prayer your own 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 start of our journey into God's truth. We ought to consider what we read, and think long and hard. Some parts of the Bible tend to be more difficult to comprehend than others; when faced with a difficult passage, you may simply need to take more time pondering it.
How to avoid it - Proclaim with conviction - "Then I'll meditate on your wonders" (Psalm 119:27b). When opening the Book, be opening, exercising and filling your 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. Time in the Word shouldn't be an end in itself. It's the entrance into the presence of Christ, our Creator, our Sustainer and the Lover of our souls.
How to avoid it - As you read, pray just 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 language 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 may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). This is simply not merely another book. Say with Peter "You have the language 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 may be either the expression of saving faith or the expression of non-saving faith. For the genuine believer, they are proof life. For the false believer, they are proof a spurious conversion and serve and then strengthen his self-deception. Bible reading, like worthwhile work, is never the reason for our salvation but instead 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 complete, 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 greatest paradox of Scripture? We're not saved by good works, but for good works, and so Bible reading is among the main activities God uses to empower us to live 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 consider the chance that you will be still dead in your sins and in have to be born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8).
How to avoid it - Spend much time in Psalm 119 and meditate much on the numerous 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 one's commands, for you've set my heart free" (Psalm 119:32).
Sin #7 - Reading without studying - the sin of superficial skimming.
"Raking is simple, but you get only leaves; digging is hard, but you could find diamonds" (John Piper). Reading is but the first faltering step to understanding this is and rejoicing as one who 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 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 escape your shovel and get digging, knowing that "it's 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, make sure you 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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