Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ( 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)
Many people use the words ‘reading’ and ‘studying’ interchangeably when referring to the Bible. However, the distinction between the two words are magnificent. God said ‘study’, He didn’t use the word ‘read’ for a purpose. Reading implies a very superficial relationship with God in that moment. Someone fully intent on hearing the word of the Lord spends time in His presence, not opening the Bible to read it out of obligation. Studying involves worship, prayer, and the revealing of knowledge through His word. It involves reading more than one verse and following a script or rules on how to study. It’s a heartfelt movement in which we should rejoice when we hear His voice.
As children, we are taught to pray by talking to God like He is our best friend and standing in front of us. Using this same analogy, studying is like having a deep and personal conversation with our best friend. When the conversation has ended, each person leaves with a deeper connection to each other. Reading is like having a conversation with someone in passing, neither person truly remembers the conversation. The conversation was meaningless, because both people were preoccupied with perception.
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP)
This Amplified version of the same verse not only states to study, but also describes the characteristics to embody when in closeness with our Lord. We are to be eager and excited to be spending quality time with our Father. ‘Tested by trial’ means we have trusted in Him to lead our paths and leaned on Him in the midst of troubled times. During that time, most people want to quit and numb themselves to pain or whatever trial they are facing, but calling on Him is when you overcome the trial. When studying, we need to be able to comprehend what God is saying on the page, but what He is also saying to our hearts. The ability to discern the truth will allow us to fulfill His teachings and spread the truth throughout the world. Discernment is something that requires time and maturity, but can be achieved through the Holy Spirit.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a famous preacher, once said, “Nobody ever outgrows Scriptures, the Book widens and deepens with our years.” Anyone can simply read a Bible and repeat verses, even Satan, but studying reveals new truths depending on the situations in which a person is placed. Verses once read when you were young will no longer reveal the same meanings when you are 40. This is how the Bible widens and extends our knowledge and understanding of God.
Today is a great day to ask ourselves if we are reading or studying. Are we reading out of obligation or are we craving and eager to grow spiritually?
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