Give Me The Bible, Part One: God Expects Knowledge

"Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD." (Proverbs 19.2-3)

Do we not live in a world where everything is handed to us? In high school, do students not beg their teachers for "movie days" or whine as homework is assigned? We simply do not like extra work (or work in the first place), even if it is at the expense of knowledge. Too many people allow this mentality to seep into their spiritual lives as they choose not to study the Bible.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, thath thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4.6)

These were God's words for the children of Israel through the prophet Hosea. They were destroyed for their lack of knowledge. They were rejected by God for rejecting His knowledge. How many of us are walking this same path to destruction?

I think it's a useful tool for each person to evaluate themselves. How's your use of the Bible?

1.) Do you study the Bible?
II Timothy 2.15- "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

God expects us to study! Can we doubt that at all? We study to show ourselves "approved unto God". We study so that we can rightly divide "the word of truth", to be sure we are always using and practicing God's Word correctly. Have you been studying?

2.) How often do you study the Bible?
Acts 17.11- "These [the Bereans, v.10] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

This group studied daily! They made sure the things Paul and Silas taught them were true. How do our study habits stack up to the Bereans? Why does it matter if we study like the Bereans? They were commended ("These were more noble..."). Would God be proud of how often you study?

3.) Is "my preacher said..." good enough for you?
I John 4.1- "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
II Timothy 4.2-4- "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

We would live in a wonderful world if every person that said they were a teacher of the Bible honestly taught the Bible; that's sadly not the case, though. People twist the Scriptures. People add to and subtract from God's plan. We are each responsible for living the life God wants us to live. If we are misled, it is no one's fault but our own. We must be sure we know God's Word! How can we do that without study?


I hope I've been helpful to you with these thoughts and encouraged you to study and know God's Word personally. Feel free to leave any questions or comments under the comment section at the bottom of the page. Thanks, and check back for weekly updates.