Why is it that so-called prophets and prosperity pastors are paraded on platforms promising promotion and provision all the while rarely if ever preaching the gospel of Jesus or calling the world to true repentance? Why is it that megachurches led by pastors who feel the need to sully their scriptures with sweet substances, or spit in the faces of saints in the name of illustration have record attendance, yet masses of Christians on socials stand silent while the world ridicules righteousness and redefines reality?

A Lack of Biblical Literacy

These are complex questions, and complex questions rarely have simple answers. One major contributing factor though, is a lack of biblical literacy within the Church. The average person in the pew (or in the row of chairs) is ignorant of the scriptures even though it’s easier and more convenient now to study the scriptures than at any other time in human history. Regularly, I carry in my pocket access to more biblical information than some entire libraries of yesteryear.

One contributing factor to the lack of time spent in the word of God is the ever-shortening attention span of most. The YouTube short or TikTok theologian attempting to present in-depth biblical truth within the limitations of the medium; and how can we forget that only the deepest theological truths are presented in 280 characters or less. We are a society that wants deep truth in fractions of a second, the thought of spending hours, days, weeks, or even months studying chapters or books of the Bible is to most not a necessity.

The Unpaid Debt

I have heard the quote, although I’m unsure of whom to attribute it to, “Cults are the unpaid bills of the Church” and there’s definitely some truth to that. Why is the heresy of the prosperity gospel considered Christian when there are scriptures such as 1 Timothy 6:3-10 where Paul under the direction of The Holy Spirit writes.

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (ESV)

This is not a message about how aberrant the prosperity gospel is, but to illustrate that these “pastors” exist because their congregation isn’t familiar enough with the scriptures to recognize this false teaching or are so charged by their greed that they disregard the plain reading of scripture in this passage in favor of an “interpretation” that more fits their agenda. For those that fall into the former category, this post is for you.

What’s the fix?

The solution here is rather simple, it’s to spend more time in His word.

 I recently taught a class on apologetics where we were discussing some of the points that I am about to recommend and the Pastor, sensing that overwhelm may have set in made a great point. “We sit and spend 3 or more hours watching the football game; we should be able to spend adequate time in the word of God.” I champion what this man of God stated to his flock.

 The issue is not our attention span, but our priorities.

Most of us have no issue spending hours watching an entertaining movie or doom-scrolling social media for hours at a time when we were only searching for a quick video before getting started on our work… (Be honest! That’s not just me) We don’t have an attention problem; we have a prioritization problem. We don’t always see the need to spend time in His word, and it’s evident in our everyday lives.

One of my favorite passages of scripture states “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:9-11 ESV)

I was a younger man when I first encountered this scripture, and it has stuck with me. How can a young man; scratch that, how can anyone keep his way pure? The answer is the word of God. Are you bothered by your sin, by the rampant sin in the culture? Do you even notice it? Spending time in His word will sensitize your heart. It will change you. It will make your heart like His heart.

One more while we’re on this. Matthew 6:21, which admittedly has the context of earthly riches makes a point that I couldn’t pass up. The savior states “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (ESV) The point of Jesus here is clear. The application that I’m stretching to is this; we all treasure our time. It’s the one thing that we spend and can never get back. You show me where you spend your time, especially your free time, and I’ll show you where your heart is.

Takeaways

Examine your heart

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul tells us to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith…”

Do you have a hunger for the word of God? If not, why not? A sure sign of a regenerate believer is a hunger for God and His word. Is His word difficult to understand? Maybe, you need another translation, or some study aids to assist with your study time. This leads me to our next point.

Prioritize daily time in His word

This is honestly non-negotiable if you want to become biblically literate, but more importantly, to allow His word to change you. It’s much more the second thought that takes the daily discipline of reading the word. The life-giving nature of His word is what fully equips us as stated in Paul’s second letter to Timothy “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

I recently wrote some practical tips to aid in establishing this time successfully and seeing it through to a healthy daily discipline.

How to Finish That Bible Reading Plan: Or any other goal you set – J.M.Gamble Ministries

Carve out time for deeper study

Honestly, my daily devotion is not where most of my biblical knowledge grows, but it’s in this time. Here is where I break out the resources, study helps, and engage in exegesis. Also, utilizing a study method assists with this; and the one that I recommend the most is the Inductive Bible Study Method. This is a widely utilized study method and one that has such a wealth of information that a YouTube search or a peruse on Amazon will glean impressive results. One that I do recommend greatly is the work of a dear friend named Trip Kimball who has a blog of his own named Word Strong which can be found at www.TripKimball.com

I would be remiss if I did not mention that although all of these are keys to becoming the most well-honed tool in God’s hands, none of these is a substitute for finding a good ministry that teaches the word of God. You cannot be your own shepherd. The Holy Spirit will guide you to all truth (John 16:13) but one of the ways that He will guide you, is to a healthy ministry where the gospel is proclaimed with power and clarity. I pray that all who find themselves in the snare of one of the false teachers described at the onset are led to a healthy and thriving ministry that is faithful to the word of God.