Matthew 7:24-29

In order to do the Word of God, we must know the Word of God. In order to know the Word of God, we must read the Word of God. How much time do we spend each day reading the Bible? Unfortunately, many Christians are illiterate when it comes to Scripture, preferring instead to be spoon-fed every Sunday, as if that alone will be enough to sustain them.

Paul stated it this way:

“There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”
Hebrews 5:11–14 NLT

Paul calls us to maturity, and Jesus teaches us the importance of learning and putting into practice the principles found in the Word of God, for it provides the best protection during life’s storms. Storms come to all of us. The question is: how prepared are we for them? As I have heard it said, “A crisis is only something we aren’t prepared for.”

Notice that both groups heard the Word, yet only one group put it into practice and reaped its benefits. Much like working out, we may know which exercises will make us stronger, but knowing and doing are two different things. We don’t reap the benefits without actually doing the exercises.

James said it this way:

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
James 1:22 NLT

How many of us are fooling ourselves? As the saying goes, “The Word of God works when you work the Word.” The only way to work the Word is to know it, and the only way to know it is to read it—bringing us back to the original point. Let’s read the Bible so we know what to do, and then exercise the discipline needed to do it.