![]() In my classroom, I have a short book of Aesop's Fables, illustrated by Charles Santore. Sometimes, I read it to my students; other times, I make them read it to me. Thinking about how important it is to study the Word of God brings to mind one particular story in this book, “The Wild Boar and the Fox.” It tells the story of a fox who found a boar in the forest, sharpening his tusks on a tree trunk. Upon seeing this, the fox queried, “Why are you doing that, pray? The huntsmen are not out, today, and there are no other dangers that I can see." The boar replied, “True, my friend, but the instant my life is in danger, I shall need to use my tusks. There'll be no time to sharpen them then.” The moral of the story reads as this: “Lost time cannot be recalled” (Aesop's Fables, Santore, Charles). If we do not study God's Word now, we will not be ready when we need it. We will end up frantically searching through our Bible, trying to find something applicable, or worse, be stuck without a Bible and have nothing in our hearts from which to draw. So, here are 4 important reasons to study God's Word, now: ![]() 1. To fight against the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us to be strong in God and implores us to put on His armor. Verse 17 tells us to take the “Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” A sword is an offensive weapon. We see an example of this in Christ Himself, when Satan tempted Him in the desert. Christ used Scripture to thwart the devil and resist temptation. We use God's Word to fight the enemy of our souls and must know how to use it. We must practice. We must study. 2. To make your steps sure. God establishes the path of those who keep His Word in their hearts. Psalm 37:31 promises us that if God's law is in our hearts, none of our steps will slide. If we study God's Word and put it in our hearts, we will be able to walk upright and sure (paraphrase). 3. To teach and help others. God expects us to share His Word, accurately. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul writes, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” We must study God's Word to equip ourselves, as good workers, to share it correctly. It gives us what we need to teach, admonish, correct, and guide one another. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” God's Word is a tool we use to guide other believers. We must equip ourselves. 4. To avoid being deceived. According to adherents.com, there are over 4,200 religions in the world. Because there is only one God, more than 4,199 of these are false religions. We must study God's Word so we are not deceived by these belief systems. Colossians 2:6-7 tells us to walk in Christ and be “rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith.” Verse 8 warns us to be careful that no one deceives us with their philosophies, which follow worldly traditions and principles. Some even take Scriptures from context, twist their meanings, and use them to lead people astray. Satan did this when he tempted Jesus in the desert. However, because Jesus knew the Word of God, he was not deceived. In order not to be beguiled by unbiblical doctrines, we must first know the doctrines of the Bible. In order to know the doctrines of the Bible, we. must. study. Make this your mission: Study God's Word. Find what it means. Apply it to your life. Wield it against the deceits of the devil and men. Use it to teach and help others. Walk the sure path in which it guides you. Watch as it transforms you and others around you. God's Word will fulfill its mission. It will prosper in its way. It will not fail. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” - Isaiah 55:10-11. Bibliography Aesop's Fables, Santore, Charles, Sterling Children's Books, New York, 2010, page 25 What questions, concerns, or comments do you have? I would love to hear from you in the comment section or by email. You can reach me at [email protected]. If you like this post or found it helpful, please share it so it can help others as well. If you would like to receive updates when I write new posts, please join my Facebook page.
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AuthorKayti grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Hobe Sound Bible College in Hobe Sound, Florida, graduating 2013. She taught four years at a private Christian school on the west side of Indianapolis. She also coached a girls volleyball team for two years. She is now a full-time caregiver for her wonderful grandmother, Ruth. Archives
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