“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” – 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV
There is a story of a young man who was bent on attending a private university even though he couldn’t afford it but could afford alternatives that he refused to explore. This fellow had a Bible verse for this position. Can you guess? It was 2 Timothy 3:13, “For they that have used the office of a deacon well to purchase themselves a good degree”. The “good degree” in this verse was the anchor for the ambition of this fellow to attend a private university, whereas, this simply meant “good reputation”.
While the story may bring a chuckle, it highlights a serious issue: the careless handling of God’s Word. The Bible is not a magic book to be handled carelessly, it needs to be rightly explained, understood and applied.
As believers, we are called to be students of Scripture.The Apostle Peter instructed that we must be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us the reason for the hope in us (1 Peter 3:15). This is one of the most important reasons why we must be sound Bible students. If we can study Medicine, Engineering, Law etc., then we must be serious about the hope of eternal life that we profess. The different revelations of God to men across different generations has been documented in what we call the “Bible”. Therefore, you must be diligent to study and know the reason and the hope of your faith in Jesus.
How exactly is the Bible to be used? There are people who use the Bible for every other thing other than the very reason why it was documented. Jesus affirmed that the Scriptures testify of him (John 5:39). In another event post His resurrection, He expounded to the disciples the things concerning himself from the writings of Moses and the Prophets (Luke 24:27). Therefore, we can conclude that the primary use of the Bible is to see the Father through the lens of Jesus and by implication His salvation plan (2 Timothy 3:15). By extension, the Bible also contains instructions on how we ought to live and conduct ourselves as believers in Jesus (Romans 12:1-2).
The accurate understanding of Scriptures is also your defense against temptation and the attacks of the enemy. The temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 shows us that the devil can also throw scriptures around. Jesus’ defense was His rich understanding of God’s word. In times of temptation, only an accurate understanding and application of Scriptures will keep you standing.
Dear believer, let the Word of God dwell richly in you. Let it guide your thoughts, shape your convictions, and fuel your devotion. Don’t just read it casually—study it diligently. As you set out today and beyond, let it be your meditation day and night (Psalm 1:1-2). Read, study and learn systematically from teachers/pastors that the Lord has given to you.
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Chronicles 32-33; Luke 14:7-24