We Become What We Read?

Well, the question is of course somewhat slanted, right? Reading, even hearing God's very Word without application in daily thought, speech, attitudes and behavior corresponding to it is much like the devil himself. Knowing about it, even knowing -it- doesn't automatically mean Book of ACTS does it?

Yet one of the more astute quotes I've ever read is:

“You will not see anyone who is truly striving after his spiritual advancement who is not given to spiritual reading.” -Saint Athanasius

How easily we people of earth focus on earthly cares and duties and in process daily so often neglect what God Himself thinks, says and calls us to both consider and do via His Own Word?

How quickly we bring thick, deep and often faulty critique to scripture we so rarely do about our own thinking, the things we otherwise choose to read, watch, listen to, ponder and pass on to others versus what believers through the ages refer to as "holy writ". How confused [His Book states God is not the Author of confusion] the most learned people on earth are at times while ignoring scriptural invitations, commands and commendable grace found in the Bible.

Surely there is a real sense in which we become what we read- and thus believe.

Many ask "Ahhh but what about reason?! Isaiah the prophet quotes what He hears from the LORD "Come let us reason together says the Lord". But one must then face one's own sins, slack, lack, arrogance, frailty, confusion, mistakes, blunders, insecurity, ignorance. It's no wonder why people neglect reading the Bible.

See https://biblehub.com/text/isaiah/1-18.htm Take time with the Hebrew words and consider!

Many give more respect to other books, to human knowledge and supposed "wisdom" over and against the Book itself which if never another book existed, that series of books speaks of God, His love, His plan for humans and eternal life!

If "all truth is God's truth" -and I believe it to be so... why would I argue for daily prayerful study of God's views and statements in this writ said to be "breathed by God the Holy Spirit? Why would I trust Jesus' comments over other's? It was and will continue to be the link in my life to Him and eternal relationship to and with Him! No other book comes close to doing so.

Tozer stated the true value of any book is the degree to which it brings one to THE Book. I agree. All this is why I read the Bible daily and why it's extremely rare for me to miss a day.

In the early months of our relationship to my wife we had to be many miles apart in our ministry work. We wrote letters back and forth as well as had rare time for phone chats. I POURED over those letters like penned gold that came in the post! As I write we approach 53 years of incredible marriage -and a bit more in each of our spiritual, now shared walk with Jesus founded on what many believers still affirm "Holy Scripture, the Old and New Testament, is the Word of God and therefore the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct”. Mind you I'm not even arguing about "inerrancy" but simply that I'm convinced no other book speaks with eternal authority.

I've been doing a deep and deeper dive in C.H. Spurgeon's writings over the past months, also a long list of Corrie TenBoom's quotes and much more -and as excellent as they are for spiritual focus, growth and education, it's clear how often they quote God's Word. That's due to their relationship to the Father/Son/Spirit and their faith in what He says which brings forth truth and wisdom in their own writing.

Some of us in past (present?) life pay more attention to physical appetites (food, drugs, booze, sex, you-name-it) than we do to God's thoughts and directives toward and for our benefit re. all these. It is no wonder too many are in the mess they've sown and now reap.

Scripture points the way up concluding in the way out of addiction and self-focus.

Tempted? Wrong choices? Sinful? Me too, plenty, I admit it!

Believe me- been there, done that. As for my own daily studies and work to apply and grow spiritually? Finding redemption in daily life via His Word? Doing my best to BE there, DO that!!

As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn