Why Do We Always Judge A Book By Its Cover – Why We Should Let The Word of God Speak For Itself
Welcome
Welcome, Welcome. It is that time again. Grab your favorite mug and come and sit down with me for a few minutes. It has been awhile since we chatted. The time moves so quickly, let’s anchor a few moments together. Last week we talked about this blog as a community waiting to be built. Remember, I want to hear your questions, your comments, your concerns, and your voice! Take some time and leave me some notes in the comment section below anytime!
Why Do We Always Judge A Book By Its Cover - Why We Should Let The Word of God Speak For Itself
This week I want to talk with you about the Bible – The Word of God. As human beings, because we are moving fast, we tend to look quickly, and see things quickly which leads to us making assumptions/judgments about what we see/hear quickly. Sometimes we refer to this as “judging a book by its cover.” Some things shouldn’t be judged quickly! My question for us today is: Why Do We Always Judge a Book By Its Cover – Why We Should Let The Word of God Speak For Itself
Judging a Book By Its Cover
What exactly do we mean when we talk about judging a book by its cover? When I think about this, I think about the word assume. About moving quickly, not taking the time to see things for what they are. Rather taking the shortcut of believing we know what we know with that first glance. Although we are often told that first impressions are important, I believe they can also be very inaccurate at times. Have you ever met someone, disliked them immediately, but overtime, came to love them, or at least respect them? What happened? Your first, quick glance, didn’t give you all the information you needed. You made an assumption, followed by a judgement. You made a decision out of context. In short, you judged that book by its cover.
The Book
Judging a book by its cover often refers to making assumptions about people, but today I thought we could talk about the judgement/assumptions made around an actual book, the Bible. The Bible is not just any book; it is the Word of God. And it is probably one of the most misunderstood books out there. Many people have made many assumptions, judgments, and decisions out of context, around what is written in the Bible. We often hear Christians and non-Christians alike quoting Bible verses, in the positive or the negative, to support their belief or non-belief. Christians are often defensive of the Word, working hard to sell it, and those who are not Christians often take offense. What I would suggest to you today, is that the defensiveness and offense are not necessary. They are primarily a result of judging this book by its cover. It often involves a quick look, taken out of context, leading to an assumption and then a judgement.
A Living Word
OK, so we’ve taken the first step. We have acknowledged that we do often judge a book by its cover, especially this one. Now what do we do about it? I would suggest the next step is understanding that we can let the Word of God speak for itself. It does not need to be sold, or defended unnecessarily. Rather it needs to be shared and then it needs to be allowed to speak for itself.
The Bible is the Word of God. It is not just words written long ago by those long since dead. It is a living and powerful Word. A Word that you will find will speak to you in any situation you find yourself in. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (NKJV Search Results for “sharper” AND “than” AND “any” AND “two” AND “edged” AND “sword”. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org//search/search.cfm?Criteria=sharper+than+any+two+edged+sword&t=NKJV#s=s_primary_0_1).
Why We Should Let The Word Of God Speak For Itself
When you sit with the Bible, sit in the Word, with an open mind and an open heart, it will speak to you. It will speak into your life; right into the very situations you find yourself in.
When you sit with the Bible, sit in the Word, with an open mind and an open heart, you will begin to understand the bits and pieces you have heard over your lifetime, within a context. Context helps to frame what you are reading and prevents assumptions that lead to judgments.
When you sit with the Bible, sit in the Word, with an open mind and an open heart, you begin to gather all the information you need. The information that is needed to really understand what you are reading, the One who’s Word it is, and yourself. You will actually begin to develop a relationship with this Word.
But The Bible is Boring and Irrelevant
The Bible is a book about love, faithfulness, power, supernatural moving, and relational living. It is a book of action, love stories, war and peace, miracles and so much more. There is nothing boring about the Bible. That is yet another assumption that has led to judgments.
As we talked about early, the Bible is a living Word. Because it is a living Word, it is always relevant. If you speak to anyone who actually spends time in the Word, they will tell you that no matter how many times they read the same passages of the Bible, that it continually speaks something new and refreshing into their current situation. The Bible is a book that is always relevant primarily because it is always speaking.
I Dare You To Sit With The Word
It is time for us to start really sitting in and with the Word of God. Christians need to lead the way. We need not be quoting Scripture randomly and out of context. There is a need for us to sit with the Word first ourselves. Really sit with it. Get to understand it in its full context and grow in relationship with it. Then we will be able and willing to share the Word with those around us. Not selling it, or aggressively arguing it with a few verses taken out of context. Rather, talking about our experience with it. An experience always outweighs an intellectual argument. For those who are not Christians, who have never actually read the Bible, who have not sat in and with the Word, I would encourage you to take some time and actually sit with it. Make a commitment to see what it is all about.
It Will Change You
I believe with all my heart, because it has been my experience, that you cannot sit in the Word with an open heart and an open mind and not be impacted and changed. It doesn’t matter how many Bible verses you already know or how little experience you have with the Bible. A living Word creates change!
I Dare You
So today, I dare you! I dare you to commit some time. Get out the Bible and start reading. If you need comfort, start with the Psalms. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John will help you learn more about the life of Jesus. If you love history, you may want to start in the Old Testament. Looking for a love story, start with Song of Songs or Song of Solomon.
Things to Remember
It is important to understand that the Bible overlaps and everything isn’t in chronological order. Some things are also repeated. Also, there are many versions of the Bible out there – New King James, Old King James, The Passion Translation, NIV, etc. It doesn’t matter which version you read. Preferably start with something that you can actually read and understand. Unless you love Old English, the Old King James may not be the best choice for you. You can find the Bible in bookstores, libraries, second hand stores and online as well.
Until Next Time
My favorite thing about the Word of God is that it is always relevant to my life and it continuously speaks to me. It never gets old or boring or repetitive. There is always something new to read and receive.
Well, it is that time again! I can once again see the bottom of my tea cup which tells me it is time to go! I’m so happy you dropped by and we had an opportunity to chat!
Grab your Bible this week and start reading. I would love to hear about your experience/journey with it. Drop me some notes below in the comments section as you begin to read!
If you are interested in more Devotional reading, head over to my Facebook Page where you will find a Weekly Devotion early every Monday morning. Click here to go directly to Weekly Devotions with Laurie.
Until next time,
From my heart to yours!
Laurie
