Learn to read the Bible like a child.

I was challenged recently to read the Bible like it was the first time. It’s harder than it sounds. If you’ve been in the church for any length of time, you have a history of teaching and an opinion about Bible stories. It takes some effort to set all that aside and read with fresh eyes, with no preconceived attitude for what is truth.

Even if what you’ve believed in the past is true, setting that aside will allow God to show you a higher truth, something He can’t teach you until you let go of what you think you know. Sound too weird? Just think about how doctrine becomes solidified into morbidity. The Word should be light and life to us and it can’t be if we already know everything. We have to come to His Word like we know nothing and be willing to be taught like a little child. I’m tempted to wear a Micky Mouse hat or something to remind be to be childlike when I sit down to read. Don’t think I wouldn’t do that. I know how comfortable I am with my own opinions and I don’t want to get in the way of God transforming me into His image.

The real challenge is, what will you do if you are successful in reading with fresh eyes and realize that what you’ve known has been wrong? What if you start to see the Word as truth where you haven’t before? Will you be courageous to believe it and live it? People will always let you down at some time, but God never will. Trust Him.