Does Knowing The Bible Matter?

John 8:31-32; 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Have you ever wondered why some people find it so easy to change what they believe, or why in today’s culture there is such instability among many Christians?  Could it be that many view the preaching and teaching of the Word of God as unimportant and even “dull and boring?”  Has the “high-tech” era of communication and entertainment caused people to be more interested in the lights, drama, music, and hype than in the truth of God’s Word?  We have to be careful to not build our spiritual lives on the “shallowness” of the entertainment because if entertainment is the foundation for our spiritual lives, then we will be easily “tossed to a fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.”  The foundation God wants all of us to build our lives upon is our faith in Him and in His Word.  It is difficult to have faith in something you do not know!  That’s why knowing the Bible really does matter!

• ·         We are commanded to study and know the truth.  Knowing the truth enables you to better use the truth!  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Don’t rely on just what others tell you, study the truth for yourself.

• ·         We are commanded to defend the truth.  We are to defend the truth of God’s Word with meekness and fear.  1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”  When you are confident about the truth, you are able to defend it with gentleness and a quiet reverence.

• ·         Bible truth helps you know God better.  If you are going to get to know God you have to know the truth about Him.  You cannot develop a relationship with God based on your guesses or wishes about what He is like.  The primary way we find out more about God is through His Word.

• ·         Bible knowledge is an essential foundation.  The Word of God is the only foundation strong enough to build our lives upon.  Just as you have to know your ABC’s before you can read and write, you have to know the truth about God and His Word before you can live right.

• ·         Bible truth feeds you.  Bible knowledge is food for our soul and spirit!  You need solid food not only to keep growing in faith but also to sustain the spiritual life you already have.  If you stop feeding on God’s Word, your spiritual life will weaken.  Hebrews 5:12-14.

• ·         Bible knowledge determines how you act.  What we believe determines our behavior.  Thoughts generally result in actions.  You cannot change the way you act without changing the way you believe.  It is God’s truth that changes the way we believe and the way we act.

• ·         Knowing the truth protects against error.  Once you get rooted in God’s Word, it will be difficult for anyone to lead you astray with false doctrine.  The best way to protect yourself against error of any kind is to know the truth.

Does knowing the Bible really matter?  Absolutely!  Jesus declared that you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.  But if we don’t know what truth is then we will never be free!  What steps are you taking to know God more and to be free?