Psalm 1:1-3
[a]Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],
Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of [b]scoffers (ridiculers). 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.
Effective Bible study bring about character change. There is no way you can claim to love the word of God and we do not see a change in your character to be more like Christ. In fact, that character change is the fruit that emanates from spending time not just reading the word, but reading, understanding and applying it into our life.
The psalmist says that blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. This means that if you take delight in the word of God, you will be very careful where you get your counsel from. The source of your counsel determines your character. If you takes your counsel from the wicked then you will walk in wicked character because that’s the example you have before you.
When you go in that direction you will embrace the path of sinners and you will rest in the seat of scoffers. Note that there is a progression. First you walk, then you stand and ultimately you get comfortable and you sit.
When instead you take delight in the laws of God, and you deliberately meditate on them day and night, then you will be like a tree that’s planted by the streams of water and you will bear fruit in season. The bible says that your leaf will not weather and whatever you do will prosper.
Effective bible study will change your character and improve your quality of life. Remember, it is not how much of the bible you know that matters, it is how much of it you apply to your life that counts!
Reflections
Is your character changing to be more like Christ the more you study the bible?
What is that one character trait in your life currently that you need to change? What does the bible say about it?
How deliberate are you about the company you keep and what effect does it have on your character?
