I have heard that Mr. William McPherson lost his eyes and hands in a dynamite explosion. He found it very difficult to face the world of darkness. In his physical darkness the spiritual light of God’s word became very important to him. He wanted to read the Bible, but he couldn’t master Braille with artificial hands. He even tried to read the raised letters with his lips, but the dynamite had seared them.
One day he discovered that he could distinguish the Braille letters with his tongue. As he eagerly sought to learn the alphabet, and then how to read the words, his tongue became sore, raw, and would bleed. He prayed for grace and help that he might continue to learn. Over the next sixty-five years until his death, he read the entire Bible four times—with his tongue.
How important is Bible reading and Bible study to you?
In the average congregation, fewer and fewer Christians are studying their Bible. With rare exceptions, there is an obvious decline in Bible class attendance. And most who go to the worship assembly leave their Bibles at home. The apparent decline in spirituality in many homes and congregations is not surprising.
Why do people who consider themselves to be Christians willfully neglect Bible study? There are numerous reasons, some of which are given below:
Some claim they are too busy.
Yet, they likely find the time to watch television daily, and some for several hours. We make the time to do the things that are important, and the things we want to do. Honestly then, “too busy” is not the reason.
Some are just too lazy.
They are not willing to exert the energy it takes to search the Scriptures. They are not like those noble Bereans (Acts 17:11), nor like the “blessed man whose delight is in the law of the Lord” (Ps. 1:2).
Some think they don’t need to study.
They believe they already know the basics. Yet, studying the Bible is one way we show ourselves approved unto God (II Tim. 2:15). We grow from study, but those with this attitude are not interested in growing.
Some don’t study because they don’t know how.
But what do you do when you want to do something else you don’t know how to do? You learn! We learn the skills of Bible study just like we learn anything else—by doing. Scores of books have been written on how to study the Bible. Not knowing how is really only an excuse.
Some don’t study because reading other things is more important.
Whether it be the newspaper, magazines, novels, self-help books, or whatever, the writings of men are given priority over the word of God. And then, some don’t read anything—especially the Bible.
Some have been discouraged in studying the Bible.
They have found certain portions requiring extra effort to understand, and they have allowed what they cannot understand to discourage them from studying any of it. What a blessing they are missing!
Some feel guilty when they study the Bible.
They are faced with the need to make changes in their life, and they are not ready. It’s easier to ignore the fact that the Bible exists. But if we are guilty, we need to feel it, and then repent and obey the Lord.
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