Part III: Developing Spiritual Discipline

    In the 1990′s the Barna Research Group took a survey and discovered that among those claiming to be ‘born-again Christians’: Only 18 percent – less than two of every ten – read the Bible every day.  Worst of all, 23 percent – almost one in four professing Christians – say they never read the Word of God.  Then we wonder why there is not much difference between those who claim to be born-again and those who don’t, when it comes to moral character.

     The daily renewal of our minds, which is of necessity to complete the will of God, can only take place as we discipline ourselves in the word of God.  A disciple is someone who has committed his life to God’s word.  Jesus said, “if you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32) True freedom only comes into our hearts, as we allow the word of God to be securely implanted in us.  Knowing the truth does not set us free, but abiding in the word of God on a continual basis brings true liberty.

      James 1:21 tells us the type of attitude we must have as we approach the word of God.  “In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”  We must put a high value on the word of God. It must become more important to us than our opinions and feelings.  Owning a Bible and reading it now and then is not going to renew your mind. 

     If you will look at your own life, I am sure you know of areas in your heart, which need the delivering power of God’s word.  I can tell you that you’re only going to experience the living power of God’s word, as it is implanted into your heart. 

     The Greek word implanted is derived from two other words.  En means a ‘fixed position’ and pho means ‘to puff or to blow up’, or to ‘grow’.   Jesus taught us that the word of God is like a seed planted in the ground. 

     In the parable of the sower there was only one seed, yet several different types of ground (Mark 4:13-20).   The types of grounds are types of hearts.  If we want to see the word of God truly grow within us, then we must have a high regard for it.  It must be a treasure that we daily seek.  As we approach the word of God, it must be with an open heart of humility. 

      A humble heart, will allow the word to be embedded into your thought processes.  This must happen if we want to see the word bear fruit in our lives.  As we do this on a consistent basis, our minds will be renewed, emotions stabilized and our will come into alignment with the very thoughts of God and in so doing; we become closely yoked to Him. 

     If we will daily study God’s word, it will work in us.  David said that he ‘hid God’s word in his heart‘.  Joshua was commanded to ‘meditate upon the word‘, the book of Psalms and Proverbs give multiple references to the necessity of giving the word of God a high priority in our lives.  Jesus said that man is not sustained by just natural food, but by the living word of God.  We must have a disciplined intake of God’s word. 

     There are several ways in which to study the word of God and I do not have the room nor is it the purpose of this post to cover all of these areas.  An excellent book to help you study the Bible is, “How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth”, by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart.  I would recommend going to your nearest book store or online and ordering a copy for yourself.  Here are a few key’s to getting the most out of your time of study:

• During your prayer time add reading, studying and meditating upon the word of God.  Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.
• Get the entire context of what you are reading before trying to understand it.  Discover the historical and literary context so you can discover the orignal meaning.  What was the writer trying to say to the orignial recipitents of the letter being written. 
• Let the Bible interpret the Bible by comparing text with other text.  
• Get tools to help you.  A good translation, Bible dictionary and good commentaries.  You can find many tools these days online.
• Once you understand the text then see how the essence of what you have learned applies to you and changes you in your daily life.