If we don’t let God’s Word transform our mind and heart, we will enable our belief system to be molded and shaped by our culture. Remember, if the image of God doesn’t form us, some other model will.
We make decisions every day. We pursue things every day. We give value to things every day. All of these everyday decisions and actions serve as a response to our system of belief. Critically thinking when studying Scripture is so important.
We have to handle God’s Word in such a way that it becomes authoritative in our lives. Reading is critical. If God’s Word doesn’t influence our thinking, then we will fall back on our old system belief shaped by our emotions, circumstances, limited perspective, and the opinions of others.
Growth comes through intentional encounters.