Search the Scriptures - Acts 17:10-11

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.  Acts 17:10-11

Please know I’m not being critical when I say this, but I’m amazed at how little some Christians actually read their bibles.   They may be reading a devotional, reading a book, or listening to a message on the radio, which are all fine… but these things are not the same as staying your bible. Please don’t think I’m being judgmental about this.  Even your pastor can fall into the trap of “I’ve got a lot on my plate today, I’ll just read a quick devo this morning.”

The first problem with reading what other’s have written is that you’re getting the truth that God gave to that person.  See, the word of God isn’t just doctrine; it is alive, and powerful, and it has the ability to reach into the hidden places of our heart with God’s truth.  The writer of Hebrews describes it better than me:

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

The second problem with reading what other’s have written is what they write may not be true. There are many well-meaning people that love God, and who want to lead people towards God, but the things that they write aren’t always biblical.  Whenever I read something, the first filter I sift it through is "is this line up with scripture?"

That’s what Paul loved about the Bereans, they didn’t take Paul’s word about who Jesus was, they went and searched the scripture themselves, to see if what Paul was saying was biblical.  The fact that they ‘fact-checked’ Paul didn’t seem to bother him at all, he actually commended them for it!

So my challenge for you today is simple:  READ YOUR BIBLE! 

Don’t let my devotional, or anyone else’s, take the place of your personal time reading and meditating on God’s word.  I promise you that if you will, God will equip you for your day:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God [or woman of God] may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 [parenthesis mine]

Pastor Clay