My 15 Acres

 

Do you know what you believe?

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Do you know what you believe?
Can you defend what you believe with scriptures?

Many believers today do not truly know what they believe or why they believe it—because they do not read or study the Word of God. Unfortunately, many Christians today also do not know how to study the Bible. This is a shame because, with all the resources available at our fingertips, there is no reason we cannot dive into God’s Word and study it. 

You can get a Bible for as little as $5 from Mardel. Most people have access to the internet, where there are many free online Bibles, Bible dictionaries, Strong’s Concordances, and interlinear Bibles.

Some people say they don’t have time to read, let alone study, the Bible. But think about how much time you spend watching TV, movies, or sporting events. For most people, time is not the issue—it all depends on where your priorities lie.

I suggest starting by reading your Bible for at least 5 to 15 minutes a day. When you finish reading, pause and ask yourself what it means. If you have trouble understanding what you’ve read, take the time to call your pastor or someone you know who is solid in God’s Word and ask for guidance.

Try this for at least a couple of weeks to a month. You will most likely find that you cherish the time you spend reading and studying the Bible.

You may ask why do I need to read the Bible?

When we repent and turn away from our sinful nature picking up our cross to follow Him, we should desire to know Him better. The best way to do this is by immersing ourselves in His Word. So that we might know Him better.

By knowing and understanding God’s Word, we are better equipped to recognize false doctrine. When we hear something that doesn’t sound quite right, we will be able to discern what is true.

Sometimes it is the small stuff that will start to lead us of course. So, by knowing the word of God we are better able to discern what is true to His word.

Song of Songs 2:15 (ESV)
Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in blossom.

When we're able to catch those little foxes that destroy the vineyard, we are better able to see bigger problems and know how to respond to them.

Ezekiel 13:1-4 (ESV) ​
The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’ Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel.