The annual State of the Bible report from the American Bible Society has dropped. https://sotb.research.bible/ For 14 years, American Bible Society has reported on the State of the Bible by investigating Americans’ relationship with God, faith, and the Bible. Given the observational state of the spiritual direction of our country, this report has always helped explain why we feel, see and experience many of the changes in church and spiritual life. There were a few new things the report disclosed in the findings, and a few not so surprising. One major discovery was that Americans who are practicing Christians and read their Bible regularly have significantly less stress than non-Christians and individuals who rarely or never read their Bible. ABS measured stress by asking a series of questions such as: Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you feel shaky or fearful or numb, unable to enjoy things you used to enjoy?
It is important to take note of how the study classified respondents. A “practicing Christian” is someone who: Self-identifies as Christian, attends a service at least once a month, and says their faith is very important in their lives. These “practicing Christians” that are “Scripture engaged” (regular Bible readers) reported even less stress than those who simply attend church. That wasn’t so much a surprise as what was discovered in the non-Christians and non-practicing Christians. These two groups scored the same on the stress scale (10.3), suggesting that merely identifying as a Christian has little effect on one’s stress. Writer Michael Foust makes a great point by saying, “Is there something about this halfway position that adds stress to people’s lives? Do the people in these middle categories experience more spiritual wrestling or religious expectations or uncertainties or complex relationships? Something is keeping them up at night, even more than those who dismiss the Bible and Christianity altogether.” https://www.crosswalk.com/author/michael-foust/
James reminds us to be both hearers and doers of the Word. He says we are deceived if we think we can have one without the other. (James 1:2) The Bible is unlike any other literature source in history. In fact, the author of Hebrews tells us that it is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). What this means is that as a Christian matures, the truth of Scripture never changes, but the application does. As we learn to walk closer with Christ the application of what we read helps direct our path in the changes that occur in life. Simply reading the Bible with no application of what is being read produces very little change in the individual. Much like reading a great work of fiction or viewing an entertaining movie, they capture our attention for a moment, but does little to nothing to feed our soul.
The Bible reports the words of those in the past that discovered the calming power proper application of God’s Word has on the individual. Some of my favorites: Joshua- Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8. Isaiah - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3. David - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
We have the same power available that these Biblical greats write about. All you have to do to lower your stress is engage in God’s Word and allow the Spirit to inspire you to action.
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
It is important to take note of how the study classified respondents. A “practicing Christian” is someone who: Self-identifies as Christian, attends a service at least once a month, and says their faith is very important in their lives. These “practicing Christians” that are “Scripture engaged” (regular Bible readers) reported even less stress than those who simply attend church. That wasn’t so much a surprise as what was discovered in the non-Christians and non-practicing Christians. These two groups scored the same on the stress scale (10.3), suggesting that merely identifying as a Christian has little effect on one’s stress. Writer Michael Foust makes a great point by saying, “Is there something about this halfway position that adds stress to people’s lives? Do the people in these middle categories experience more spiritual wrestling or religious expectations or uncertainties or complex relationships? Something is keeping them up at night, even more than those who dismiss the Bible and Christianity altogether.” https://www.crosswalk.com/author/michael-foust/
James reminds us to be both hearers and doers of the Word. He says we are deceived if we think we can have one without the other. (James 1:2) The Bible is unlike any other literature source in history. In fact, the author of Hebrews tells us that it is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). What this means is that as a Christian matures, the truth of Scripture never changes, but the application does. As we learn to walk closer with Christ the application of what we read helps direct our path in the changes that occur in life. Simply reading the Bible with no application of what is being read produces very little change in the individual. Much like reading a great work of fiction or viewing an entertaining movie, they capture our attention for a moment, but does little to nothing to feed our soul.
The Bible reports the words of those in the past that discovered the calming power proper application of God’s Word has on the individual. Some of my favorites: Joshua- Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8. Isaiah - You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3. David - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
We have the same power available that these Biblical greats write about. All you have to do to lower your stress is engage in God’s Word and allow the Spirit to inspire you to action.
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
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