eDevotion
Encouragement for your daily walk with God
As a pastor, I’ve heard some strange things come out of the mouths of Christ followers. I’ve heard this one a few times, and it never ceases to amaze me: “I don’t need to study the Bible because I’ve got the Holy Spirit who teaches me the truth.” When I question the person about it, they even come up with a Bible verse, 1 John 2:27, to substantiate their belief: “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.”
Before you say, “Right On,” consider this: there is no implication here that the Bible or studying the Bible is unnecessary. In fact, John had just exhorted the readers to abide in what they had been taught and to turn away from teachers who deceive believers and deny Christ.
So when John said, “… For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know,” think of Him as a your resident “Lie Detector,” who gives discernment to protect the Christ follower from false doctrine. That’s why the Holy Spirit is called, “The Spirit of truth” [John 14:17].
Since the Holy Spirit is, and knows, the truth, He protects you from error. However, you are still responsible to be a student of the Word. Timothy was a young man of strong spiritual stature. Still, Paul exhorted him to be a student of the Word, study it diligently, and handle it accurately [2 Timothy 2:15].
Rather than thinking I don’t really need to get into Scripture, take on the attitude of the Psalmist who said, “Oh, how I love your Laws! I think about them all day long” [Psalm 119:97].
The Holy Spirit protects you from false doctrine, but that doesn’t eliminate the need for diligent Bible study.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
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