5 "Dangers" of Bible Study

I am reminded that it is not good enough just to read the Bible devotionally, which we must do each day. Worse still we nibble at the text. We need to study it so that we get into the wealth and meaning of God's precious words. Don Carson put it this way: "Read the Bible Devotionally — and No Less Critically"

I like the following post I received from Logos Bible Software, a great study tool by the way. Have been using it for years.

Having said that, here is a warning of 5 "dangers" of Bible study from that post:

Okay, so maybe “dangers” is a bit strong—but to get the most out of your Bible study, you should be cautious about approaching it in the following ways:

1.     As an attempt to acquire mere head knowledge. Paul said that the ability to “fathom all mysteries and all knowledge” is, apart from love, nothing.

2.     As a means of getting on God’s good side. How easy it is to trust in our practice of daily Bible study or devotional time and not in the God of all grace.

3.     As something done only in isolation. Most of the Bible is written to communities of people, not individuals (e.g., Paul’s letters to the churches). That means that much of what we read has a corporate element to grasp and apply.

4.     As a means to hunt down sins in others. It’s often much easier to see sin in others than in ourselves. Jesus warns against this with the humorous imagery of a speck and a plank (Mt. 7:3–5).

5.     As a way to feel good about yourself. While God often gives us a sense of peace or joy after we spend time in his Word, our primary reason for reading the Bible ought to be to know and love him more.