Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the **implanted word**, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19–21 (ESV)
James 1 speaks about how to persevere the challenges of life with joy. God gives us knowledge, wisdom, faith, and humility as assets. Another asset he gives to us is the implanted word.
When I read about the "implanted word" my mind went immediately to Psalm 1. The psalmist writes 'blessed is the man whose':
delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2–3 (ESV)
The Scriptures are more readily available to us than at any point in history. The Bible is literally in my pocket at almost any given moment on my iPhone. I have the YouVersion Bible App and the Logos Bible App. Both of these are handy apps to have. I use the YouVersion Bible app for my daily Bible reading plan. The Logos Bible App is used for more serious study.
The difference between the word and the implanted word is the difference between having the Bible in your pocket and having it on your heart. If the Bible is left in our pockets it doesn’t do us much good.
Read the Word
It’s important to open up or turn on (for those using electronic devices) the Bible. There is nothing more beneficial you can do for your spiritual growth than to read the Bible for yourself.
So many people spend countless hours reading Facebook or the news. But the stuff we read in those places often pollutes our hearts and minds. Imagine if a fraction of the time we spend in those places, we spent in God’s Word.
Don’t know where to start reading? Get a Bible Reading Plan. The YouVersion Bible App has many different plans.
Reflect on the Word
We should not stop with just reading. In Psalm 1:2 it speaks of meditating on the word. Meditating on the Word is more than a cursory reading of the Word. It is to ponder the Word and to consider what has it to say about our current circumstance.
Is there a lesson to be learned, an example to follow, an error to avoid, a principal to put into practice, or a calling to answer? Christian meditation is different than meditation as practiced by Eastern religion. Instead of seeking to empty ourselves, we look to fill ourselves with God’s encouragement. The idea of Christian meditation moves us past seeking information to striving for transformation.
Memorize the Word
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV)
There is also the case to be made for memorizing God’s Word. It’s easy to take it for granted that we can always look something up. Think about phone numbers. Do you ever remember anyone’s phone number anymore? Once you have someone's number saved on your phone, you never look at it again. But I go back to my days when I was a kid. I can still remember the phone numbers of the friends I would call. Who could ever forget Jenny’s number – 867–5309?
I’m glad I don’t need to remember phone numbers anymore. But God’s Word is not like any phone number. God’s Word is something that is to be inscribed on your heart. When God’s Word is memorized, it is something that we can call upon at any given moment to give us encouragement.
The Word is to be Lived Out
God’s Word is more than ink page. It is the living and active Word (see Hebrews 4:12). The power of the Word is when the Word is lived out.
James says:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. James 1:22-23 (ESV)
The beauty here is that the Word transforms us. If we read, meditate, and memorize the Word it will move our hands and feet. We will be changed from the inside out to live new lives with new purpose. It's not up to us to put the Word to work, but for the Word of God to have its way with us. When we are quick to listen and ponder what God has to say, we will never be the same (see James 1:19-20).
Question for Reflection
- Do you regularly read the Bible? If not, get a reading plan and start today.
- What are some of the things that have held you back from engaging with God’s Word on a regular basis? What are some ways to overcome those obstacles?
- Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10. How well do you a) read the Bible, b) meditate on Scripture, c) memorize Scripture, d) live out the Scriptures. Set a goal to improve in one of those 4 areas and make a plan how you might do so.
- Share your comments below.
Christine Giles says
I have a reading plan but do not very often manage to finish reading it. I find it difficult to really concentrate when I am reading (or is that meditation) and would appreciate advice as to how to do it. I also can’t remember specific verses even when I try to learn them – even an hour later I can’t remember. Might be my age (68) or senility or ??? Any advice to get better would be appreciated.
Marlene says
Hi Christine. You are not alone! It certainly isn’t easy remembering every thing we read, even the bible. Have you tried reading a brief summary prior to starting a book or new chapter? Familiarizing yourself with the material prior to diving in for the full read can be really helpful. There are lots of summaries to be found online. When I am having trouble processing what I’m reading, I find that keeping a notebook nearby and taking simple notes really helps. Even if I never go back and read the notes, the act of writing really helps my mind process what I’m reading. I have a friend that reads out loud when she is having trouble concentrating – she swears by that little trick. Also,I would suggest you pick a time of day when you are most alert, get comfortable with a cup of tea (not too comfortable though!) and make sure you have plenty of time. Hope that helps.
Janet Baldwin says
Marlene your comments are very helpful thank you.
Phil Ressler says
Hi Christine – thanks for sharing your your thoughts. There are some parts of the Scripture that are difficult to read. I would suggest starting with the easier parts before you try tackling the harder parts. You might start with the Gospel of John and just read a chapter a day. Then move on to one of the other Gospels. A reading plan that starts in Genesis and basically reads the Bible cover to cover is a difficult place to start. It is better to think of the Bible as more of a library than a book. You don’t need to start at the beginning.
As I talk about meditation, it is about reflecting on the text. It is about asking God what he is trying to say. What is the lesson to be learned? Is there something to do? Is there an error for me to avoid. For me – meditation is about reading for application. To do this I keep a journal. I use an acronym – SOAP. S is for Scripture. I write down a verse that resonated with me. O is for observation. I write down general observations about what is being said or what is happening. A is for application. I look for one specific thing I can do to apply the text. And this is where you get specific. If the application is about being more loving I will write down one act of love I can accomplish on that given day. Finally, P is for prayer. In this section I just write what is in my heart and share with God.
Some other thoughts – don’t be afraid to mark your Bible up. Underline. Make notes in the margins.
Hope that helps. Don’t expect to learn it all at once. Go a little at a time and when you look back you will be amazed how far you have come.
Susan Jeffries says
Thank you for the words of wisdom. It will definitely help.
Bob West says
I am a slow reader, but I do have the Bible app on my IPad. I fly every week, and always plan my reading for my layover or first thing in the morning
Phil Ressler says
That is great Bob. In a mobile world it is great to have a mobile Bible.
Fran says
Christine, I am 60. When my sons were young, I read an article about the different ways of learning & realized that when I actually write something out myself, it is easier for me to learn or remember it. So, I write verses I want to learn or remember on 3″ x 5″ inch note cards. Some go on my refrigerator, mirror or bulletin. Others I use as bookmarks (I still like the feel of a book in my hands–lol!) You can even keep file card box, organized any way you like, to keep the cards for future reference.
Fran says
Thank you so much for the information about the The YouVersion Bible App. I have quite a few devotionals, but have rarely finished any of them. I just looked at a few on the app & am overjoyed that many of them are a week or less. I’ve already signed up for one of those and am hopeful that I can work my way to longer ones for more detailed study. Thank you again.
dominique bovard says
I am actually reading a bible laid out in such a way that you can read it every day; it does take only around 15 mns , so it’s not long ; however, I find, to get benefit from it, usefull to underline anything that seems to talk to me; so when I have finished, i can reflect on what I underlined