May 28, 2021
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Studying and Meditating On The Word
Just as prayer helps us build our relationship with God, studying His word will also strengthen our relationship with Him, our faith, and give us an arsenal of power against the doubts and tricks that Satan will use to throw us off track.
Reading and studying the Bible will help us understand God – who He is, His ways, His will, and how much He loves us. Without it, we cannot grow spiritually. As a Christian, everything in our lives will build on the foundation of the knowledge and beliefs we have of God. It is important for us to think about what we believe and know why we believe the way we do. Studying and memorizing scripture will help us remember and be ready to give an answer if we are questioned about what we believe.
Jesus memorized scripture and was challenged by the devil himself in the wilderness. (Luke 4) It is another example He gave us of how to live out the Christian life. He quoted scripture as a boy as well as while teaching during His ministry.
With technology the way it is today, we literally have the Bible at our fingertips, as well as just about any guided Bible study you want, whether it is from an app or online. We no longer have to carry a book to have it with us at all times, although there is nothing like holding and thumbing through the pages of a book or the Bible. We can also listen to the Bible while it is read aloud to us as we drive in the car or clean house. We can watch almost any church anywhere online these days and there are so many Bible studies available online as well. We have more options and helps than ever to be able to study the word of God.
Meditating is another story. It takes more intentionality and time – focused and quiet time. It is difficult to meditate on His word while you are doing five other things. But once you really meditate on and learn scripture, you can “meditate” on it day and night. You can keep it on your mind constantly as you go through the days.
When we know God and we know His word, we can slay the doubts that come our way and replace them with the scriptures we have memorized, and then act on what we know to be the truth. We can also be mindful of our thoughts and ask God to take every thought captive that contradicts His word or His character. We may not be able to control the fact that some thoughts come into our head, but we can recognize them immediately as not from the Lord and give them to Him.
Prayer and studying God's word are Spiritual disciplines and discipline is required to make priorities. Spiritual disciplines are things we do that promote spiritual growth in our personal life and in fellowship with other believers. They are habits such as prayer and reading the Bible, and other habits that have been practiced by God’s people since biblical times. The disciplines of spending time in prayer and studying God's word every day are vital to our spiritual growth and to our relationship with God. Make space for this important time and protect it.
