Lack of Biblical literacy is the greatest crisis in the global church today.
For many followers of Jesus, there’s a struggle to not just understand the Bible, but to read it. A regular rhythm of reading Scripture is often crowded out by all of the other distractions in our day-to-day lives.
But reading and knowing the Bible is not an optional add-on to our journey with Jesus. It’s not something we do when it’s convenient, or when there’s nothing else on our schedules.
Reading, studying, and understanding the Scriptures is a foundational part of our life with God. It strengthens us. It grounds us. It provides us with a framework for how to see the world around us.
But there is a real danger when the practice of reading and studying Scripture is absent from our lives.
Why It’s Important to Know the Bible
Reading and studying the Bible isn’t just an item on our checklist.
It’s a practice that forms the foundation for our life with God. It reveals God’s heart and shows us how to live. But if we don’t spend time in the Bible, studying and growing in our understanding of it, we risk real danger in our lives.
The Danger of Drifting
One of the dangers in not knowing our Bible could be labeled as drifting.
When we don’t read and study God’s Word, we risk drifting from Him. We risk drifting from His teachings. We risk drifting from orthodoxy and orthopraxy.
And the real danger in drifting is that it can be gradual.
We won’t always feel the drift away from God’s Word and ways until we look up one day and notice how far we’ve gone. The author of Hebrews phrased it like this:
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1 NIV)
Neglecting the reading and studying of the Bible is a key contributor to this gradual drift away. Which is why we have to pay attention to our lives and our practices as followers of Jesus. We have to be on guard against this gradual drift away from the teachings of Jesus and the library of Scripture.
And a great way to guard against drifting is to regularly read, study, and learn the Bible.
The Danger of Distance
Another danger in not knowing the Bible is distance.
A lack of biblical study and understanding creates distance between us and the Father. It builds a chasm between what God says and what we assume He says. It leads us to live in ways that are counter to the teachings of Jesus, simply because we aren’t near Him.
David wrote in Psalm 16:
You make known to me the path of life. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)
Being near the Father and immersed in His Word opens our eyes to “the path of life.” It’s one of the primary ways God reveals Himself and His ways to us. But, if we don’t know His Word, and if we aren’t spending time in His Word, we risk becoming distant.
Distant from God.
Distant from His ways.
Cultivating a deeper understanding of the Bible is foundational to our life with God. And it’s also a vital practice for remaining in Jesus. Or, as John the Beloved penned, “Abiding in the Vine.”
The Danger of Deception
Ultimately, one of the great dangers in not knowing the Bible is deception.
A lack of knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures causes us to drift away, creating distance between us and God’s Word and ways. Which then, if we don’t pay attention, leads to deception.
And deception is deadly for the follower of Jesus.
In his second letter to the Church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul expressed:
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV)
Paul recognized the danger of deception, as it was directly connected to the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
Deception was about more than “getting it wrong.” It was about being led astray. Led away from Jesus. Led away from His Word. Led away from His ways.
And the problem with being deceived is that you don’t know it’s happening.
Just like the serpent was “cunning” with Eve, so Satan and the kingdom of darkness will conceal their plot to lead us astray.
And this is why reading, studying, and learning the Bible is foundational to our journey with Jesus. Being intimately familiar with the Scriptures is how we fight against the danger of deception. It’s how we guard ourselves against being led astray by every new teaching and school of thought.
Deception is dangerous.
But, we have a way to guard against it.
Dig Deeper
It’s important to understand that gradually drifting away from God’s Word and ways isn’t inevitable.
Living a life of distance and constantly being deceived doesn’t have to be the norm. Yes, there is a danger in not knowing the Bible. But, we have a way to fight against that.
Now, more than ever, is the time to dig deeper.
Dig deeper into the Bible. Dig deeper into theology. Dig deeper into resources and tools that help us remain in the Bible, and grow in our understanding of it. The Bible is an endless ocean of beauty. To think we have arrived in our understanding of it, or to think we don’t need to know it, will only hinder our journey with Jesus.
If you’re ready to dig deeper, we’re here to help.
Bridging the Gap Between Theological Education and the Everyday Christian
At AWKNG, we are committed to bridging the gap between the everyday Christian and deep theological education. That’s why we’ve developed a library of online courses and resources taught by doctoral-level instructors. Each course is designed to deepen your understanding of God’s Word through high-quality theological education.
You can learn even more about God by exploring our collection of courses.
Become a Monthly Vision Partner
All of our online courses and resources are 100% free, thanks to the generosity of our monthly Vision Partners. Our Vision Partners are a generous group of supporters who believe in the mission of AWKNG and making biblical education accessible to all. If you’ve been impacted by the ministry of AWKNG, would you consider becoming a monthly Vision Partner? Your monthly contribution helps us bridge the gap between deep theological education and the everyday Christian.
To learn more about the ministry of AWKNG and how you partner with us and be a part of what God is doing.
