Studying God's Word Isn't a Chore

Are you thirsty? Are you craving time in God’s Word?Peter instructs us to yearn for the Word of God as a baby needs milk: Laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.(1 Peter 2:1-3)

This reflects the way our longing should feel as we thirst for knowledge of God. It’s also a lovely reminder that studying God’s Word should never be a labor; it should always be a delight. Filling up on God’s promises and instructions is a satisfying, nourishing, enlightening experience.

Inventory of Life

One way to delight in the maturing of your faith is to take an inventory of your current life. Have you ever faced an overflowing closet and made the decision to get rid of those things that are torn or no longer fit? Believe me, it’s not easy to part with those things you are familiar with, but the trade-off in orderliness, ease in finding items, and knowing what is there is worth it. 

Take the same approach to your spiritual life. Roll up your sleeves and discard these attitudes and behaviors that have no place in a believer’s life:

• Guile or deceit—deliberately tricking and/or misleading others by lying
• Hypocrisy—saying one thing and doing another
• Envy—discontent and resentment arising from someone else having something you want
• Evil speaking—slander, gossip, rumor-spreading, and ruining the reputation of another

Whew! It’s good to have those gone. Now add those things that are uplifting and life-giving: God’s Word and His truth. As a child of God, concentrate on learning and growing and maturing in Christ. 

Discarding the Bad

Beloved, it’s never too late to grow in the Lord. It’s never too late to discard behaviors that are unlike your God. And it’s never too late to embrace the spiritual truths found in God’s Word.

Discarding the bad and desiring the good can be actions you take each and every day of your life.Even believers of 10, 20, or 30 years still crave the Word of God. In fact, the desire increases the more you grow in Christ! Oh, how I hope and pray this is true of you!

We are called to discard and to desire. I used to struggle with gossiping. But through consistent prayer, accountability, and the desire to be like Christ, I was finally able to eliminate gossip from my life. I encourage you to purge whatever is not righteous and good in your life too. You’ll have times of relapse—we all do. But persevere!

RESPOND

Lord, I’m ready to purge gossip and other negative uses of my voice from my life with Your strength. I can’t believe I’ve become so comfortable with these useless and hurtful things. I’m ready to discard them and to replace them with the truth of Your Word. Help me grow in You every day. Amen. 

RENEWING RESOURCES  

A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George—As you embrace God's plans for you, you will find real purpose in a life of prayer and practicing God's priorities as you become A Woman After God's Own Heart. 

REFLECT

Take an inventory of your life: what needs to be discarded?

REMEMBER

Discarding the bad and desiring the good can be actions you take each and every day of your life.