As we approach the new year, many of us will set a goal to read our Bibles more faithfully. Over the next few days, we will be sharing blog posts from, and with the permission of, Tony Evans ministries to help us deepen our understanding of the importance of reading His word regularly, along with some key takeaways as to practical "why's." Enjoy!
Revelation 1:3 says that those who hear the Word are blessed. Thus, the first step to take in growing in the Word is to be sure and "hear" the Word.
What does hearing the Word involve? It means more than letting the sounds into your ears. To hear in the Bible means to let the Word of God talk to you. Let it sink down into your mind and heart. Remember that Jesus said, “He who has an ear, let him hear” (Revelation 2:7).
Personalize the Word as well. Some people approach the Bible as a book that was written thousands of years ago for the people of that day. So they read it as if it were speaking to someone else, and not to them. They don't really hear God speaking to their own mind in the pages of His Word.
But the Bible was written to you and for you. The Constitution of the United States was written a long time ago. But do we take it as if it were written for us? We sure do.
The reason people can’t just break into your house and search it without a warrant is because of that piece of paper written more than two hundred years ago. The reason we have other legitimate civil rights is because of that document written a long time ago.
You get the idea. The Constitution may have been written generations ago, but it is very relevant to the freedoms that we enjoy as citizens of America today.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness,” writes Paul (2 Timothy 3:16).
To hear the Word is to take its truths and apply them to yourself. Ask God to give you wisdom to understand what the Scripture means with regard to your own life, thoughts, choices and relationships.
The Word is God talking to you and me. We have to respond to what He says. Reading the Word without hearing it is like chewing without swallowing.
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