“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – Psalms 119:105 KJV

Many people read the Bible, but not all are reading it for the right reasons. For while some read it to get to know God and thus be changed for the better, others merely read it to look for reasons to find fault with those whom they disagree with. And thus many who would have benefited from reading the Bible miss out on something wonderful, because they approach it with the wrong attitude.

Having said that, there are three basic guidelines for reading the Bible, which make up what I call, The Bible Study Compass. I’ve so named it this because these guidelines provide us with direction that deals with the subject matter of what we ought to do before we open the Bible, while we read it, and when we put it down. These ideas will certainly help to provide the reader with an enriching experience, if applied.

Let’s take a closer look…

Always Begin With Prayer

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5 KJV

Always begin reading the Bible with prayer. If we desire to receive wisdom from the Bible, then we need to humble ourselves before God, asking for His guidance before we even begin to turn its pages. After all, He is the one who inspired it! Moreover, spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and discernment can’t be received without the presence of humility. It should therefore be the reader’s objective to both discern and understand what is most needful for growth in their relationship with Jesus Christ, at that moment. In other words, the heart must be opened to God in order to receive His blessing.

Be Sincere

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Don’t use the Bible as a tool to find fault with others, but as a blueprint to discover what it means to walk with integrity and honor. But more importantly, read it for the purpose of getting to know Jesus Christ. For what has been recorded in the Bible on how He lived will suffice to provide you with a testimony of what it really means to love God and live in complete obedience to His commandments.

Many people open the Bible in pursuit of trying to find something in it that they can use to correct someone else. And thus they fail to see where they need to make changes within their own lives, merely being bent on trying to use it as a means to change everyone else. If we desire to hear God’s voice we must set all arguments of personal agenda aside and say, ‘God, tell me what I need to know about the condition of my own heart.’

In other words, be sincere with God. For what good will it do you to discover what’s wrong with the way someone else thinks if you’re not open to discovering what’s wrong with your own way of thinking?

Apply What You Learn

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” – Psalms 119:11 KJV

Don’t just look to the Bible for information; study it for transformation, applying its light for living to your own life. Let the lessons that you learn from reading the Bible so fill your heart as to allow their virtues to be echoed in your thoughts, spoken in your words, and manifested in your works. Thus, people who don’t know Jesus will discover what it really means to walk with Him, as you make His teachings known in the pattern of your own life.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

By following these guidelines you will get far more out of reading the Bible than you would if you were to ignore them. Remember, it’s all about attitude. Therefore make sure your attitude is right with God before trying to make Him known to someone else.

“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, throughly furnished unto all good works.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV