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Reading and studying the Word of God is a very enjoyable pursuit. Getting knowledge from its pages, learning insight from its writings, and growing wise through its contents is absolutely wonderful. However, it’s not enough that we receive nourishment from it. We should exercise what it says, too.
‘Spiritual obesity’
Just like how eating very nutritious foods in large amounts without exercise or physical activities slowly make us overweight and obese, feeding ourselves with spiritual knowledge without properly applying them in our lives or without obeying what the Word of God says brings us to a condition that I will call “spiritual obesity” — the condition of having too much Bible knowledge in our heads that puffs us up instead of motivating us to live godly, Christ-glorifying lives.
Spiritually obese people tend to think that they’re OK simply because they read their Bible (but not obey it), go to church (but not share the love of God to the unchurched), and are part of small groups. Sadly, these beloved brothers and sisters do not realise that they’re not actually doing what the Bible says we should do to God, to ourselves, and to others.
Want to avoid being spiritually obese? Here are some things that we should do.
1. Discipline yourself by it
We should also use the Word of God to discipline ourselves. It’s the best instruction guide to keep ourselves spiritually healthy.
Consider 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2. Don’t just receive the Word – give it away, too
Acts 3 gives us a powerful account of what happens when we generously give to others the love that we receive from God, especially to those who don’t know Him. Peter and John, Jesus’ disciples, compassionately gave to a lame man what he really needed: not money, but Christ’s love.
“And fixing his eyes on [the lame man], with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” (Acts 3:4-7)
3. Do what it says
James 1:22 tells us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” When we don’t do what the Word tells us, we deceive ourselves.
Knowing much about God’s Word without doing what it said actually makes us feel puffed up. We think we are spiritual, knowing the things of God. However, it’s not the knowing that counts – it’s the doing. God sees the intent of our hearts. If we know what is right but don’t do it, we commit sin (see James 4:17).
