How To Read The Bible

The Bible, a book of books is written for Christians to read. But the holy book must not be read the same way other books are read.

First of all, you must appreciate the benefits you will derive from reading the Bible. You must understand that it is a sacred, special book which requires special attention.

Therefore, decide to read the Bible with devotion by spending quality time with it; do not read it casually. It is a book written by the inspiration of God and so must be read by the inspiration of God. This calls for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

To help you read the Bible differently from other books, you must purpose in your heart and be led by the Holy Spirit to read the Bible prayerfully. This is the first approach to reading the Bible.

Bible reading and prayer must always go together; one must not be done without the other. As we read it, God talks to us and as we pray we talk to God. As we do these things we receive illumination and revelation which help in our spiritual, educational and moral growths.

Second, read the Bible slowly. You must never rush in reading the Bible if you want to receive enlightenment, revelation, insight and understanding for daily application to real life situations.

Take your time to read every word and sentence carefully, paying greater attention to the interpretation, understanding the Holy Spirit may give to you.

Third, read the Bible attentively. This means you must intentionally prevent things that can distract you, interfere or take your attention away from the Word.

In other words, you must create a pleasant environment where you will be absorbed in the Word, get deep into the Word, become engrossed in the Word, get you enthralled in the Word, make you focused only on the Word and be immersed completely in the Word as you read it.

Fourth, you must read the Bible meditatively. If you want to receive revelation from the Bible, then make time to meditate on a verse, verses or chapters as you read.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8)

Meditation in the context of this teaching means thinking deeply about what you have read to ensure that your heart absorbs the Word to become an integral part of your being. In meditation, we deeply think about the Word of God with our mind and then receive it with our heart to saturate it.

When this happens you find yourself easily acting on the Word of God, influencing your conduct, breaking free from the controlling power of sin over your life and becoming prosperous in whatever you do by the will of God.

Regarding the destruction of sins’ power in a believer’s life, the Psalmist says: “Your Word have I hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

Moreover, when we read the Bible with meditation, we become familiar with truth or we get to know the truth just as Jesus Christ points out, “…“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Conclusion

The Bible is a special book of books which must be handled with special care. It is an uncommon book and therefore must be read with uncommon devotion. As a Christian, the success of your life depends on knowing and acting on the Word of God.

Therefore, do everything possible to read the Bible prayerfully, slowly, attentively and meditatively. When you faithfully do these things you will definitely testify about the goodness of God in your life.

By James Quansah