February 15: Disciplined Bible study

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Someone has suggested the following label be pasted on all Bibles: "Warning: This Book is habit forming. Regular use causes loss of anxiety, decreased appetite for lying, cheating, stealing, hating. Symptoms: Increased sensations of love, peace, joy, compassion." We will focus on four personal benefits of disciplined Bible study.

• First, in that Bible study we gain a clear picture of God’s will (Josh. 1:6-9). When God anointed Joshua as the successor of Moses, He left no doubt about Joshua’s power and position (vv. 2, 5). Integral to the change in command was assuming responsibility for fulfilling God’s purposes for the land. He had to discern and follow God’s will. Joshua, however, had developed his leadership qualities. Prominent among those was a thorough grounding in the law given through Moses, a willingness to act decisively, and complete trust in God’s promises. Knowing God’s will and purposes is all-important.

• Disciplined Bible study also shows how to be a part of God’s moral program (Psa. 1:1-3, 6a). Being moral comes from choices we make, not from the circumstances of life. The Bible likens life to someone walking along a road and seeing people huddled in groups. The wise person realizes the roadside crowds entice the godly to walk among them and listen to their persuasive advice about how to have a good time or get rich. The Bible warns about the danger of standing around in the crowd as shameless men and women brag about their exploits. Going further astray, the traveler finds himself or herself sitting among people whose attitudes are utterly corrupt. They sneer at the morality of do-gooders and scorn the values of the Bible.

The wise people stay on the narrow path. The standard and principles of God’s Word have become a manual for achieving a happy and fulfilled life. They and their families are as solid as an oak tree deliberately planted near sources of water and food. God overshadows them with love and grace (6a).

• Third, disciplined Bible study reveals another indisputable truth, the certainty of God’s judgment (vv. 4-5, 6b). Unlike the righteous whose lives possess the stability, serenity, and fruitfulness of a planted tree, the Bible dramatically pictures the utter meaninglessness of the ungodly. In our concepts, they are like the tumbleweeds blowing across a trackless desert. Having refused God’s revelation, they lack any standard of morality or focal point to interpret the events of life. Searching for happiness in what the world offers never satisfies the deepest longing of the soul.

The ungodly not only are isolated from the company of believers but also from their Creator. Their lives inch along to the inevitable, eternal doom awaiting them. They cannot survive the judgment. Having refused God here, they will hear Christ say, "I never knew you! Depart from Me; you lawbreakers!" (Matt. 7:23b, HCSB).

• Finally, disciplined Bible study provides one way of gaining God’s approval (2 Tim. 2:15-16). The Holy Spirit used Paul’s letter to Timothy for advice to young ministers. The goal in ministry is to please God, not people (v. 15). To do so, they must delve into the truths recorded in God’s Word and teach them accurately to the church (v. 15). If truth is twisted to suit one’s personal agenda, shame results when the sham becomes public. Irreverent, empty preaching contributes to godlessness among the hearers. Those preachers whose sole desire is to please God will protect themselves from embarrassment.