B2B: Read the Instructions!

To continue our Back to Basics (B2B) blog series, today I’d like to talk about instructions.

While I want to believe that not stopping to ask for directions or not reading the instructions is a problem for the male gender only, in truth, all humans have trouble with this. We stumble around, lost in a fog, wondering why things are falling apart around us. But have we taken time to read the instructions?

Ever take one of those quizzes that tells you to carefully read the entire test before you begin? And after you’ve labored over the quiz for most of the class period, you reach the last section only to realize that it says something to the effect of: “If you followed these instructions, you do not have to complete any of this quiz.”

Instructions – The Bible

I often hear people say, “If only life came with instructions.”

It does! It’s called the Bible! Yet even among believers, we often don’t seek answers for our problems among its pages.

And many times the issue isn’t that we don’t know what the Bible says. Instead our problem lies in choosing not to follow the instructions.

Instructions – Spiritual Weaponry for Life’s Battles

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NASB)

We must read and apply God’s Word if we are to most closely live in the way in which God desires and in which we will be most effective for His Kingdom.

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a battle going on all around us. One part of our spiritual equipment is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17, NIV) How can we expect to effectively go to war with the forces of evil (within, without, and the evil one) unless we appropriate our weapon?

Instructions – Light For the Journey

In truth, it is totally unnecessary for us to stumble around in the dark. God’s Word gives us all the light we could ever need.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105, KJV)

Instructions – Action Points

If you’re not already following a Bible reading plan, then I highly encourage you to do so. Simply Google “Bible Reading Plans” to find the one right for you.
While I personally believe in starting off my day with reading the Bible and prayer, that might not work for you and your schedule. What truly matters is that you read God’s Word, even if you have to read it in spurts throughout the day.
Do all you can to read your Bible through every year. Since it is active and living, the Holy Spirit will give you fresh meaning for your particular needs with each read-through. Look at it as ammunition, guidance, and spiritual food for each day of your life.
It’s all-too-easy (especially for us Type-A personalities) to let our reading of God’s Word become routine and just another thing we check off our to-do lists. Let’s make a conscious effort to not just read the Bible as an obligation, but as words of life to ponder and apply.

Father, thank You for the light and instruction and weaponry against evil that Your Word is. Help us to devour Your Word on a daily basis that we might be better equipped to serve you and others in love. In the name of Jesus who is the Word of life, Amen.

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