Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

It is important for each believer to spend time in the Word; to get to know and understand it. We need to go deeper than surface reading in order to grow and to live according to God’s will. According to the Apostle Paul, we must be diligent and work at learning what the Word tells us. When we do, we are seen by God as an approved workman because we are able to handle the Word with accuracy and precision.

The Word of God is to be our owner’s manual for living. If we do not take the time and put in the effort to understand what it means, we cannot expect to live the kind of life God desires for us. We will live below the standard of living God has for us.

How many of us have bought something- maybe a child’s toy or a new electronic piece of equipment- and tried to set it up without reading the directions? Or perhaps you just glanced at the directions (just the illustrations) to get the overall idea. It usually takes longer, requires more effort, and may not end up the way we want. How much easier it is to assemble it when we diligently follow the directions to get the desired outcome! Likewise, life is less difficult when we spend time in the Word to get wisdom and guidance for our daily lives.

And when we spend time studying the Word, we are better equipped to help others. When we know the Word and can apply it to real-life situations, we can assist others to do the same. In particular, unbelievers are looking for saints who understand the things of God and can explain them to them. When we can give true biblical answers to the things people are facing, they are drawn to the Lord. But, if we don’t know and understand the Bible, we cannot be as effective a witness. And if we have an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures, we can do more harm than good to people.

The Lord wants the very best for us, and He wants us to be able to share it with others. That is why He tells us that we are to study the Word diligently- so we can be workmen for His glory.