Practical: 1
Practical Tips for Readers
Bro. Biju Itty, Surat
Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic, are the 3Rs traditionally regarded as the fundamentals of education, and the building blocks of a well-rounded person. A mature Christian will benefit from good reading and can edify others through quality writing. And he must count, reckon, and multiply much now, to give an account before the white throne of Christ. Let’s talk a bit about the first ‘R’ - reading.
Take and Eat - Think and meditate.
Spurgeon says in his sermon, ‘How to read the Bible’: “Our heavenly Father would educate us for heaven—by making us think our way into divine mysteries….. Do not many of you read the Bible in a very hurried way—just a little bit, and off you go?.... Well, I tell you your reading is miserable reading, dead reading, unprofitable reading; it is not reading at all.”
Paul exhorts Timothy, “Till I come, devote yourself to [public and private] reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine.” (1 Tim. 4:13 [AMPC]). Again, in v.15. “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” This is the key to making tangible spiritual progress. As we read, we must pray that the Holy Spirit would unlock the hidden mysteries of the inspired word. Surely, He will glorify Christ, for He will take of what is Christ’s and declare it to us (Jn.16:14).
Take all help – Read good suggestive books.
Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I understand unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. In Neh.8:8, the Levites “read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.”
Spurgeon says, “We will not hear anybody, and we will not read anything except the Book itself, neither will we accept any light, except that which comes in through a crack in our own roof. We will not see by another man's candle, we would sooner remain in the dark."
Elsewhere, he says: “…The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He, who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains, proves that he has no brains of his own. .… You need to read.” Spurgeon himself read “six meaty books a week”. No wonder why he is called the prince of preachers.
Take and give – Supply food for thought.
For centuries, Satan, through the Catholic Church and several governments, has prevented people from reading the Bible. And the world at large provides enough distractions and alternatives. Our foolishness in avoiding God’s word and good books deprives us and others of the necessary spiritual nourishment for victory over sin.
We might have had far greater numbers of conversions in our churches if our preachers and evangelists were provided good books as appropriate mental food.
Think and meditate! Read good suggestive books! Supply food for thought! G&P
