Recon Center

How to Read the Bible

Frequently, daily

1. Joshua 1:8 – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Not for controversy, but for profit

1. Proverbs 3:1 – My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
2. 2 Tim 3:16-17 – 16 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Meditatively

1. Psalm 1: 2 – But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

In love

1. Psalm 119:97-104 – O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
   Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
   I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
   I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
   I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
   I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
   How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth !
   Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

With consciousness of need

1. Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
2. John 7:37 – In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

In faith

1. Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Searchingly

1. John 5:39 – Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Openness to all of it

1. 2 Tim 3:16-17 – 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2. Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

By comparing scripture with scripture

1. 2 Cor. 2:13 – Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

In the Spirit

1. John 14:16-17 – And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
2. John 15:26 – But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
3. Galatians 5:16 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Through, and over and over again

1. Matthew 5:18 -  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

In obedience

1. Romans 16:26 -  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

from the Dakes Study Bible