Friday, November 8, 2013

Reading

I knew a young woman devoted to The Lord who refused to read any other book than the Bible. She did not want to be influenced by anyone else's ideas but depended solely on her personal understanding of God's Word. Her intention was good, but her reasoning was faulty. Taking her reasoning to the logical end, she would have to stop having conversations with others, because we are all influenced by people with whom we interact on a regular basis.

God is the author of the gift of being able to express ideas in writing. Paul wrote to Timothy to bring his books to him that he had left at a friend's house (2 Timothy 5:14; 1 Timothy 4:13). Paul read books in addition to the scriptures; the scriptures always remaining the governing authority.

Indeed, we need to be careful of which authors we choose to read. We must look up any scriptures referenced to make sure the understandings expressed are consistent with the Word of God. But is the Holy Spirit not able to cause us to recognize false teaching? Is God unable to speak through other people into our lives? Isn't refusing to read Christian authors equivalent to rejecting one of God's gifts to the body (1 Corinthians 12:15-28)?

Pray before, during and after reading, but read.