Be Honest - How Well Do You Know Your Bible?
Why is it so important to know, and I mean really know, the Bible? How well do you study it?
A UNIQUE WAY TO STUDY
I know, for many, reading the Bible seems so religious, maybe even boring. But actually, it’s quite incredible. I’ve been reading the Bible cover to cover every year for over 28 years, and I’m still discovering things I never understood before.
Let me give you a tip on Bible study.
Set up some prompts in ChatGPT, or your favorite AI platform. My prompt is really simple:
“Give me a brief backstory. Tell me what this verse actually means using the original language and text. Use the Bible as its own commentary, and give me practical, life-changing lessons from the verse.”
Then take any verse, and I mean literally ANY verse in the Bible, and watch the life lessons emerge from the Word of the living God Almighty.
TRUST THE BIBLE, NOT AI
But remember, pray about what’s being said. AI doesn’t have the Holy Spirit, and it can get things wrong. Be led by the Holy Spirit, NOT by AI. Use AI as a study tool, not as your spiritual authority. Compare what it tells you with Scripture, and ask God to give you wisdom and understanding.
If you read the Bible every day, please believe me, it – will – change – your – life. But here’s the important part. Don’t just read it. Try to live it.
APPLYING THE BIBLE
Paul wrote in Romans 12:1:
“Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (NIV) If you don’t live it, you are just adding knowledge.
Think about that. God doesn’t just want us to know His Word. He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and actually live what He’s teaching us.
It’s just amazing to me how God gives us the way to live a full and meaningful life through His words. Read, ponder, pray, then live it.
Today, I read what the Apostle Paul wrote to his young apprentice Timothy:
“Timothy, guard what God has trusted to you. Stay away from foolish, useless talk and from the arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge.’ By saying they have that ‘knowledge,’ some have missed the true faith. Grace be with you.” (1 Timothy 6:20–21 NCV)
GUARD THE TRUTH
So, what did Paul mean by this?
Timothy was helping lead the church in Ephesus, where some people were promoting false teachings, endless arguments, and ideas they claimed were superior knowledge.
Paul was warning Timothy not to get distracted by all that noise. The Greek word translated “guard” means to protect or keep something safe. And what was Timothy supposed to protect? The truth of the Gospel that God had entrusted to him.
Paul wasn’t saying knowledge was bad. He was warning against knowledge that claims to be truth but actually leads people away from God. Interpreting His word incorrectly …
I mean, this is where we are living today - right?
WHAT TO BELIEVE
There’s a LOT of information floating around out there. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone seems to have an answer. And with social media, podcasts, YouTube, and now AI, we have more information available than ever before.
But here’s my question: Are we becoming wiser, and actually changing into someone more like Christ, or just more informed?
You can spend hours taking in information and never become any closer to God.
That’s why knowing Scripture is so important. It gives us a foundation for recognizing truth, making decisions, understanding our purpose, and knowing how God wants us to live.
Jesus said, “If you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my followers. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31–32 NCV) Obey, means to live like Christ - it’s super simple. It give us a full life.
OBEY WHAT YOU LEARN
After all, isn’t that what we all want? A life filled with truth, purpose, peace, and freedom?
So, here’s my encouragement. Make a decision today, to read the Bible every day. Don’t worry about understanding everything. Start reading, ask questions, be willing to spend a little time to actually study, then pray for understanding, and most importantly, put what you learn into practice.
I would love for you to read it with me. I’m reading the @YouVersion plan The One Year Bible Reading Plan. I’ll put the link below:
GOD, please give us a genuine desire for Your Word. Help us not just read it, but understand it, believe it, and live it. Give us wisdom to recognize truth in a world filled with information. Lead us by Your Holy Spirit, and change our hearts and lives through Your Word. IJNIP, amen.
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