“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” –Psalm 119:105
An explorer trekking through the jungles of South America, came across native children playing a game with rocks. As he approached, the explorer noticed it was not rocks they were playing with, but rubies. The jewels were so abundant that the children treated them as play things. They didn't understand the value of what they were holding.
A study done by Lifeway research and the American Bible Institute shows that nearly 87% of American households own a Bible. However, only 41% of Americans read it at least three times a year. With that said, 80% of Americans believe that values and morals in this country are declining, and the majority believe that decline is a result of entertainment and news media. Today, 79.2% of Americans turn on their TV every day and watch for an average of 3.5 hours a day. As the new generation comes along, television is being accompanied by streaming services, social media, and video games; but the numbers are not improving with the average American logging twelve hours and one minute across all devices. This means that Americans will consume more entertainment in a given day than they will their Bible in an entire year! The devil wants to rob you of every possible second you could have with God. He is in the business of deceit and distraction. When we commune with Christ we gain access to the wisdom of God, and the power of God. The Bible is readily available all around us, and we have the freedom to read it at any time. Yet, it is neglected in pursuit of the dopamine producing, doom scrolling, algorithm enhancing content placement that is shoved into our faces at every turn. To the point that saying “put down your screen and pick up a Bible”, is akin to telling a three hundred pound asthmatic “get off the couch and run a marathon.” Yet, a transformation must take place. We must accept that we can have all the godliness we want, and all the worldliness we want; but we cannot have both. You must choose where you put your time. It begs the question though: what if we embraced the Word of God? What if we sowed our time in the fertile soil of God’s Word? If 100% of those who owned a Bible studied it every day, in order to live everyday in the light of God’s Word? It starts with me and it starts with you. We must win the little battles in the secret place where no one is watching. Shutting off the screen, the novels, the television and telling our flesh “no.” Then picking up and consuming the spiritual food that is found in the Word of God. The Word of God can give light, and will give light in total darkness. One of the greatest threats we face as a church today is a lack of Bible literacy, and by extension dedicated Bible reading. The Word of God flowing through our lives will light the path and cast out the darkness, but we must take the Word with us. When men and women understand, commit, and live the teachings found in God’s Word it has tremendous effect. This has been proven so through the ages.
A very wise woman once said to me: “If we all do what we know to do, when all is said and done; we will have done enough.” If you have been converted and sanctified you know you can pray and God will answer your prayers. You know you can study your Bible and it will provide direction, unction, and power. You know that Jesus Christ can save from all sin. You know that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God.” The devil would have us believe that we don’t need much of God’s Word. That it is too dark, and too bleak out there for it to have any effect. That the hour is too late and nobody wants to hear the gospel anymore. He would have us live encumbered, and distracted. Playing games with choice treasures. Stumbling about in the darkness without the light of Word to guide us. Yet, that doesn't have to be so, we can take down the Word, take up the cross, and follow Christ into the darkness with the light to guide us. .
