We have been considering 10 questions to diagnose spiritual health. This week the focus is on the Word of God, the Bible. Over 20 years of ministry one of my concerns is how we measure maturity of a follower of Christ. There was a time that I remember these check lists when Sunday School class began each morning. You would fill out the boxes, Bible Brought, Contacts made, Lesson studied, Giving, Worship Attendance, etc. It seemed that checking those things off every week identified maturity. However, that isn’t necessarily the case.
It is easy to read the Bible and never be impacted or transformed by the truth it contains or the person it reveals. So as we mature, the characterization of our life ought to reflect the authority the Scripture has in our life. Donald Whitney puts it this way, “you know that God’s Word is growing in its influence over you when you can point to increasing numbers of beliefs and actions that have been changed because of the potency of specific texts of Scripture.”
I recall this moment in college when I was caught speeding (one of the numerous times in my life). This particular time I needed to keep insurance from going up and the ticket from impacting me for several more years. I showed up to court and asked the judge to waive the ticket pending my appearance at defensive driving school. I went to the school and learned some valuable things. To this day some of those major lessons from that class govern my driving habits. I wish that I could say that I don’t speed anymore. I can’t. But for the most part my habits are guarded by some principles, especially the one that says speeding doesn’t get you anywhere in a 15 – 20 mile distance with enough significant difference than had you gone the speed limit (the difference between 65 mph and 80 mph over 50 miles is only 8.7 minutes). So I chose to drive the speed limit to the best of my ability.
Enough about driving, what about Scripture? How are the lessons learned governing your life? How are the truths contained bearing fruit? How are your habits changing and your attitude reflecting the peace, joy, and love of God the Father both for you and in you? Here is a quick tip to help you evaluate this. Is the Bible increasingly governing your prayer life? Meaning, do the words of Scripture show up as you pray and give direction to your requests and pursuits as you go before God? Finally you will also see that God’s Word is governing your life when your beliefs and practices about corporate worship align with His principles.
God’s Word directs, restores, refreshes, and renews the soul, the mind, the body, and the family. If these things aren’t happening, then maybe it is time to reevaluate the value it has in your life.
Tune back in to get some tips on developing dependence on God’s Word.