The Bible Isn't A Decoration
July 1, 2025
"Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching".
1 Timothy 4:13 (NIV)
Walk into most homes in America, and you'll find something interesting: Bibles. Lots of them. On coffee tables, nightstands, and bookshelves. However, research tells us that most of our Bibles gather dust rather than transforming lives. We own God's Word, but I wonder–how much does it own us?
The Apostle Paul's instruction to young Timothy wasn't just pastoral advice—it was a blueprint for anyone wanting to influence the next generation. Our culture is full of shifting opinions and relative truth. The next generation desperately needs to see adults who recognize an authority higher than your personal preference or popular opinion.
Your relationship with Scripture speaks volumes. When your teenager sees you reach for your phone instead of your Bible during morning coffee, they're learning what you truly value. When they watch you make decisions based on convenience rather than biblical principles, they're absorbing a way of thinking that will shape their future choices.
The worst thing you can do with the Bible is leave it unopened and unused. God's Word isn't meant to be religious decoration—it's meant to be your lifeline, the essential navigation system through every moment of life. When you build your life visibly on Scripture, you show the next generation how to stand firm when everything else shifts like sand.
Today, consider this: if someone observed your Bible-reading habits for a month, what would they conclude about the importance of God's Word in your life? No matter what your habits have been last week, make time to read His Word. When you hear what He has to say, put it into practice.
Prayer: Father, I praise You for the power of Your marvelous Word. Forgive me for the times I neglect to prioritize Your message each day. I don’t just want Your Word to sit on my side table–I want it living in my heart, and evident in my life. Help me read and live Your Word today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Topics: Obedience, Love of God