It is undeniable that the Bible should have a central role in everyone’s life (Joshua 1:8). The Bible is clear that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim 3:16)But how does this apply, especially to us as young men? I’m going to outline four things that the Word of God does for everyone and then I’ll go into a little more detail on how it can help us particularly as young men.Firstly, the Word of God gives doctrine. It gives us the fundamental principles for understanding who God is (Gen 1:1), how He interacts with His creation (John 1:3, Heb 1:3), and how we ought to respond to Him and His Word (John 1:12). The word doctrine means teaching or instruction. This speaks evidently, then, of teaching concerning God and His Word; concerning how we can act in accordance with His Word (Deut 17:18-20).Secondly, the Word of God gives reproof. This word doesn’t mean reproof like we would think of it in our day, ie., rebuke or correction. Rather this means proof; conviction. Proof of what? That it is true, perhaps? I believe the Bible is it’s own interpreter and advocate (John 5:39). The Bible itself can be used to defend its veracity for non-believers and believers (2Tim 4:2).

I remember one time speaking to someone about Creation vs. Evolution. It was interesting for me to experience first hand this truth – in order for someone to believe in evolution, be it theistic or atheistic, they must in some extent throw out the Bible (Gen 1:1). I will go into this topic in more depth in a later post, but it’s a reminder that the Scriptures are their own advocate.

Thirdly, the Word of God gives correction. Correction when we are in sin (Ps 19:7). Correction from wrong beliefs or wrong ideas (Matt 22:29). Correction for a wrong world view (Acts 17:2-3). Correction of those principles of ours which are not lined up with God’s will (2Cor 10:4-5), and consequently are not in line with what the Bible teaches. I can not tell you how many times I have been reading the Word of God and been convicted of either a sin in my life or a false belief system in my mind.

Fourthly, the Word of God gives instruction in righteousness. This is extremely important. It not only instructs us concerning doctrine, but also concerning righteousness, or how we are to live our lives (Ps 119:33-34). It is to guard us from sin (Ps 119:9-11). How would we know how to live if it were not for God’s Word? How would we survive in this world of sin without God’s Word to be a light to our path (Ps 119:105)? He has revealed all things in His Word that we need in order to live a godly life (2Peter 1:3).

Now how do these principles apply particularly to us as young men? If we are to live a godly life (Titus 2:11-12), how does what we have just read about affect us directly?

Firstly, we need to realise how much we need these four things from the Bible as young men. Remember that Timothy was also a young man (1Tim 4:12), and Paul wrote these things to him to encourage him to exercise the calling of God on his life (2Tim 1:6). Even so, this verse applies to our lives so that we can fulfill the calling of God on our lives “to live a holy and Godly life. We need the Word of God to give us wisdom for our lives (Prov 1:1,4).

Secondly, I would encourage you to spend much time in the Bible. Set a time in the day when you will spend time in the Word of God during the day. If you simply say, “Oh, I’ll get around to it sometime,” you will inevitably have things that will push it to the side. Memorize the Scriptures regularly. Meditate on Scripture as often as possible (Joshua 1:8).

Thirdly, maintain a right relationship with Christ. It is only as we perceive Christ as all valuable and all precious that we will view his Word as all precious. If you do not have such a relationship with Christ, pray, pray, pray that God would allow you to have that relationship with Him.

Make God’s Word your delight. Say with the Psalmist, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day!” (Ps 119:97) Prayerfully seek God’s face, that Christ would become the most precious thing to you.

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” – Philippians 3:8-11