Spiritual Growth Through Study

Richard Thetford

Do you want spiritual growth? Let me suggest to you that God's book, the Bible, is the only guide that will lead you to true spiritual growth. Reading and studying God's word is vital to spiritual growth. Job said in Job 23:12, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." Jeremiah cried out, "...Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16). We read in Psalm 119:97, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day."

We need to study the Bible daily so that our minds will be filled with God's holy word. Paul instructed Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15: "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all." Again, Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

By exercising our senses on the word of God, we can discern between good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 says, "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." By renewing our minds, we can prove the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

In Joshua 1:8, the Lord gave Joshua directions that would lead him to mature spiritual growth. He said, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." How about you? Are you growing spiritually through regular study of the Bible?