Mirror mirror... Deceiving ourselves...
It is possible for us to deceive ourselves.
We can get up early each morning to read three chapters of scripture each day and it can mean nothing! Bible study is never only about head-knowledge - it is always about life-change. The purpose of Scripture is to be our life manual - and a manual must be put into practice.
What good is it for me to read a helicopter manual if I will never own one or fly one? It could be vaguely interesting and I may be able to impress a few folk with my knowledge, but I would be much better off mastering the manual for my car! Reading the manual for my car will lead to action, I will drive it correctly, maintain it properly, and service it appropriately.
And we are in line for a blessing!
| Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word, but does not do it is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently at the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does. (James1:22-25) |
