Thabiti Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?:
How can we know if we are receiving God’s Word with meekness? Perhaps the following questions will help:
- As we read the Bible, are we reading for information only or with faith that God actually speaks through his Word?
- When we hear the Word preached, are we generally looking to have a need met (for example, to be entertained or to gather some practical advice) or are we primarily desiring to understand the original meaning of the text and apply it to our lives?
- Is our first reaction to the Scripture “how does this make me feel?” or “do I accept this as true?” Do we allow our feelings to determine what’s true, or do we allow the Scriptures to determine our feelings?
- Is our listening posture during sermons or Scripture readings defensive or combative, as though we demand someone to “prove it to us”?
- Do we tend to judge other philosophies and viewpoints by the Scripture, or do we try to either reconcile or judge the Scripture by other philosophies and views?
Words of Grace 