The Importance of Study
Christians throughout the ages have been met with questions from the outside world. Some are asking questions because they want to know more and possibly come to know Jesus Christ personally. Others it is purely to mock and express their own opinion. Even though Christians have experienced these confrontations, there are many times we find ourselves not ready for the questions. So today, we are going to look at a passage that will give us the answer on how to fix this situation.
“17 Extend your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; 18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, So that they may be ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, you indeed. 20 Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, So that you may correctly answer him who sent you?”
Proverbs 22:17-21
We know from Proverbs 1:7 that knowledge comes from fear of the Lord. This is not a bullying type of fear that forces the individual to obey, instead it is a fear that comes from the knowledge of how incapable we are as humans to reconcile ourselves to the great Almighty God. It is through this that we gain understanding into what God’s word means and how it relates to us. This is were Proverbs 22:17-21 comes in.
In this passage, God is calling us to hear those who have knowledge of the word, meaning being involved in Bible studies, listening to pastors and not just the one in our local church. But above all of these, we need to be spending time in the word of God, we need to apply our minds to seek out the treasures buried in the word, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2 The more we study God’s word, the more we are able to keep it at the forefront of our minds, allowing us to be able to answer the questions as they come; the answers will be ready on our lips. Pastors and Bible study teachers are great, as long as they are sticking to accurate interpretation of the word. This is why Proverbs 22:19 points out that our trust is in the Lord because it is Him who teaches us to understand His word. He has written us excellent things to give us knowledge and guidance. Our only task is to study His word seriously. When we do, we become assured of the truth.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex