When I was a young Christian I remembered a Pastor who thought that getting "Bible doctrine" into our brains was the most important aspect of the Christian life. He lectured on the hidden meanings of "the Greek" and "the Hebrew" and expounded on the finer points of systematic theology, and his students dutifully wrote down every word. Unfortunately, all of that "doctrine" often went from his brain to the congregation's notebooks and then onto their carefully catalogued library shelves to collect dust.
Please don't misunderstand me. I think it is vitally important to study the Bible and to understand its teaching or "doctrine." But God didn't write the Bible to fill up our brains; instead He wrote it to transform our lives. When we make Bible study merely an academic exercise, we abort the life-changing impact it should have on our families, our relationships, our careers, our ministry and our involvement in the community.
That's why James warns us, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22).
When we sit week after week listening to sermons, reading Christian books and attending seminars, we can deceive ourselves into thinking that we are growing in Christ merely by being exposed to Scripture. In fact, we may be like a bad photograph-- overexposed and underdeveloped! You can diligently avoid the first six "deadly sins" of Bible study and still have merely head knowledge rather than a heart knowledge of God's Word. Biblical teaching must filter down into your life for true growth to occur.
Ask yourself, "Am I merely filling up my mind, or am I truly applying what I learn?" Your honest answer to that question can have an enormous impact on both your Bible study and your walk with the Lord.
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