Daniel Seabaugh

There are times in life when I’m tempted to view the Bible merely as an ancient document from a bygone era with odd stories about talking donkeys and giants who get smacked between the eyes with stones. Sure, it’s interesting, but maybe not as much as a fantasy novel or something on YouTube. I’m guessing (and hoping) I’m not alone in this.

My temptation to read the Bible exclusively as an interesting piece of history is misguided for at least one important reason: the Bible is unique. It’s a collection of 66 books written over a span of about 1500 years by more than 40 authors. And yet, the library of Scripture tells one unified story. There’s no other book like it. It contains loads of information about God, humanity, and the world we inhabit. Yet, it’s much more than an information bank.

One very important aspect of its uniqueness is that it changes us by revealing our need for a savior, showing us who that savior is, what he’s done, and what we must do to know him and find the most meaningful life possible—life in Christ that transforms our world today and continues into eternity.

The truth is that if we only view Scripture as a historical set of texts, we’ll never read it as a means of meeting God and being formed into a person of Christlike character.

Additionally, if information is all we gain from our time in Scripture, we run the risk of being self-righteous. We’ll be great at Bible trivia but lousy at relationships. We’ll be able to argue complicated theological points but unable to empathize with a friend whose marriage is falling apart. If we seek both information and character transformation, oh, the riches that lie before us!

Accessing Power

Knowing what the Bible teaches is good and necessary, but how do we take what we learn and apply it for life transformation?

PRAY

The first step begins with prayer. Before reading a single word from Scripture, we should ask the Holy Spirit to reveal its beauty and truth to us. If God’s Spirit guided and inspired the biblical author’s words, we need his help to properly understand the meaning of any text. We can’t rely on our own wit.

One great practice is sitting in silence for several minutes before opening the Bible. You’ll likely find how difficult it is to stop the noise happening in your mind. Thoughts run wild as the day’s agenda or other random scenes arise at alarming speed. But even getting to a place of relative calm can ready our minds and hearts to receive from God through his word.

I like to begin my time in Scripture by sitting in silence for at least five minutes. At that point, I’ll pray a very simple prayer: “Holy Spirit, please help me experience Jesus through the words I’m about to read. Give me clarity of mind so that mine would be renewed. Thank you, Father, for your word.”

It’s amazing how much better my time in Scripture is when I do this or something similar. Give it a try. I think you’ll be surprised at what you discover.

PONDER

The next step is to ponder what you read. To ponder Scripture is to think deeply about its words, commands, and implications. Sadly, many of us are losing the ability to reflect on content. Much of what we consume today comes from short video clips and algorithms designed to hook us to the immediate. But if we hope to get Scripture in us in a way that changes the focus and desires of our hearts, we must ponder its words well and deeply.

One way to do this is by slowing down while reading smaller sections. A few verses digested deeply will benefit those with patience and studious attention.

PURGE

The next step involves getting rid of the garbage we’ve put into our minds. We must practice counter-formation—turning from the false narratives we’ve believed from culture, TikTok, YouTube, or the national news and embracing truths from God’s heart. This counter-formation takes time and must occur regularly if we hope to be transformed. When Paul says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), he’s talking about turning from a worldly mindset to a Christ-centered one. It’s warfare with the spirit of error. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers us in this endeavor, but we can’t passively sit while he does all the work. We must proactively set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

Again, another simple prayer while reading Scripture is, “Lord Jesus, I want to say ‘No’ to the world so that I can say ‘Yes’ to you. Fill me with your Spirit and help me walk in truth.” The Bible says, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). God delights in filling us with beauty and truth and hope. We know that’s true because he’s given us his word.

PERSIST

The last step is to keep going. Don’t stop. Make a plan to read Scripture daily. Maybe consider starting a reading plan that keeps you on track and allows you to develop a new habit.

One practical way to do this is by telling yourself that nothing else can happen in the morning until you read Scripture. No cell phone. No scrolling. The day begins with God’s word. Of course, this rhythm can feel legalistic. Yet, if Scripture is the word of God, what else can truly feed our souls, nourish our minds, and sanctify our imaginations? Nothing other than God’s word. So, perhaps a rule like this one will prove right and life-giving.

The Bible is both formative and informative. Information is good and helpful, but if that’s all we seek, we’ll miss much of the transforming power of Scripture. Seek the better things from above. Transformation is found in that beautiful, ancient text. Take it up and indulge.