Knowledge is power. That is what they say in the world of academia. However, we can say the same thing spiritually. The knowledge of God’s Word is a great tool in the hands of a Christian. Where are you in your knowledge of God and His Word? The more you learn from God’s Word, the more equipped you are to defeat the devil. That knowledge puts you in position to do the will of God, and if you do God’s will consistently, the devil cannot have his way with you. You will be saved and enter the kingdom of God after a while (Matthew 7:21). However, one cannot do God’s will without knowing it. This is why Paul once said, “Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Our souls depend, to some degree, on the level of knowledge that we have.

The language of Paul implies that having knowledge is something that we determine for ourselves. Why is it foolish not to understand what the will of the Lord is? It is because we have the power to know it. God has given us His Word for this very reason. He has always expected His people to take advantage of the Word that He has given them by studying it. He commanded Joshua to not let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth, but to meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8). The children of Israel were told to keep the words of the Lord on their hearts, and to teach them diligently to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Sadly, the Israelites failed to follow God’s instructions, and a generation of Jews arose who knew not God (Judges 2:10).

Since you are reading this blog, my guess is that you enjoy reading and studying the Word of God. Keep it up. Encourage others to study the Bible as well. Teach the Word to your children. This has always been the plan of God to keep His children faithful. We see this plan in action in the family of Timothy. His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, both knew the Word of God well and taught it to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14-15). How was it that Timothy knew the scriptures from the time of his childhood? His mother and grandmother taught him in the days of his youth. We must have parents and grandparents who are doing the same thing. If not, God’s people today will be destroyed like his people of old (Hosea 4:6).

Where are you when it comes to Bible study? Do you regularly study the Word of God? Do you purposely put time aside for the scriptures? It is a wonderful practice to do so, and you will never regret it. I have never known anyone to regret making a habit of reading the Bible. Why not? It is because Bible study is almost always beneficial. The only exception would be if one does not rightly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2;15). However, if you do handle the Word of God correctly, then it will help you in many ways.

Bible study will help you have a closer relationship with God. Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Obviously, the more faith you have in God, the closer to Him you will be. Bible study will help you to defend the gospel of Christ as Paul was determined to do (Philippians 1:16). It will help you to give answers to people who have questions about your hope (1 Peter 3:15). Bible study will help you to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3-4). This is just as necessary today as it was in the first century. Jude tells us that some would creep in and turn the gospel of Christ into sensuality. People are still doing this today by teaching that we are saved by faith only and, thus, how we live does not matter. Perhaps most importantly, Bible study will help us to be better soul winners for Christ. The more knowledge we have, the better we will be able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to others (Ephesians 3:8). So, where are you when it comes to Bible knowledge? Are you where you should be? If not, you are the only one who can do something about it?

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.