Of all three parts of your being (spirit, mind, and body), your mind leads your life Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 23:7. If you want to change your life, you have to change your mind Romans 8:5, 1 Peter 1:13-14.
Learn and meditate on the Word in order to change/renew your mind. The Bible changes how you think and equips you for every good work 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Focusing on the Word keeps you from sinning Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:165, 1 John 2:1.
Focusing on the Word guides your actions Psalm 119:105.
Focusing on the Word grows/matures you 1 Peter 2:1-2, Romans 10:17, Acts 20:32.
Without knowledge of the Word, we don't know how to restrain ourselves from sin Proverbs 29:18. And without knowledge of the Word our lives are destroyed Hosea 4:6.
In order to renew your mind, you need to read the Word daily Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8.
Important Reading Habits:
- What to read? Read the New Testament more often in order to stay focused on the work of Christ and the Spirit. Read anywhere to maintain overall knowledge of the Word.
- For what purpose? Read simply to refresh/center your mind for the day. Read to increase your understanding of God Ephesians 3:4, which will allow you to become more obedient also.
- How long to read? Read until you reach a conclusion. In other words, read until you have a takeaway. This could take 5 minutes, or it could take an hour. What's important is that you learn something you can retain and think about the rest of your day.
Today's Action
You should now understand how important it is to read the Word on a daily basis. Starting today, form a new habit of reading in the Word until your mind feels refreshed. This should be your goal each day--to let the Word refresh you and center your thinking on godly things!