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Bulletin articles
Be Careful How You Read
“Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it doesn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is that the frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe.”
How well did you do? Were you able to read that? It is amazing how we have trained ourselves to read quickly without paying close attention to the words that we are reading. Speed-reading courses even teach students to take in whole sentences at a glance without reading every individual word and letter.
Unfortunately, many people attempt to apply these same techniques to reading the Word of God. They rush their way through it, giving little serious consideration to what they read. While that may be fine for reading newspapers, magazines, and novels, the Bible is worthy of far greater attention. Notice the words of Jesus:
“...It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
There are no unimportant words in the Scriptures. Even those long genealogies have significance. It is all worthy of our closest attention. This should be impressed upon us by all of the warnings against tampering with the content of God’s Word:
“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)
“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32)
“Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6)
“Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9)
“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this Prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)
The entirety of God’s Word is what we need. As we read the Bible and as we hear teaching from the Scriptures, let us carefully consider every detail. God has revealed to us “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Praise God that we me learn of His wisdom!
- 20221211_Be_Careful_How_You_Read.pdf (188.26 kB)
