Study to Show Yourself Approved

God commands His servants, “Study to show yourself approved before God.”

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is His written Instruction Book to mankind. It answers every important question in life. It explains how to live—and reveals the road to salvation.

II Timothy 2:15 admonishes, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The apostle Paul tells us that proper Bible study leads to approval from God. The same verse also speaks of other benefits. First, as workmen, we need not be ashamed—if we study God’s Word. Instead, studying becomes fulfilling and satisfying. You have done what God expects you to do—an acceptable type of self-approval.

Rightly dividing the Word of Truth—knowing the Bible, inside and out—takes more than a lifetime. God’s Holy Spirit opens one’s mind to this spiritual understanding (Psa. 119:18; John 16:13). True biblical knowledge and understanding come from diligent effort and God’s Spirit working in you.

And as Paul admonished Timothy: “And that from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim. 3:15). He continues in verses 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.”

Bible study is a vital process that does more than teach us.
Ephesians 5:25-26 reveals the washing or cleansing effect that comes from Bible study: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

Study the Bible Daily

Consider some of the great benefits of daily Bible Study: “For the word of God is quick [living], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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”(Heb. 4:12).
The Word of God is a living Book and “a discerner of thoughts.” It applies to all situations and should be looked to for daily guidance.

The Scriptures help you to recognize and shun error. They help you to avoid the seduction of evil.
When you study the Bible, God’s Spirit leads you into understanding more truth. This Spirit imparts spiritual understanding of Scripture and helps you to apply these principles in daily life.

Study for comfort. You can gain serenity, stability and peace of mind through a deeper understanding of the nature of God: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).

A Matter of Life and Death

Failing to study your Bible can lead to doubt, discouragement, emptiness, negativity, anxiety, unhappiness and a feeling that God is not with you. To diligently read your Bible is to listen to what God is saying to you.

Finally, consider this vital scripture: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you” (John. 15:7).
This is a great goal—abiding in Christ and His word abiding in us. Only if you know what the scripture says will you know how to act, will you know who you are and whose you are.   

The goal of Christianity goes beyond gaining knowledge but it is putting that knowledge to practice. Jesus had been spending time teaching the disciples the principles of the kingdom of God. Now He is releasing them to start doing what He has been showing them. Many times in today’s society we raise up people who are good and imparting knowledge and feel they are real spiritual because of the gift they have for teaching but teaching is incomplete if you do not bring people beyond the point of knowing to the point of doing. The purpose of the Christian life is to do the works of Jesus, not just knowing about the works of Jesus.