Are devotions really good for you?

Please note that it is not my intention to attempt to persuade people to stop having devotions if they have done the proper study beforehand. Nor is it my intention to bash people who have devotions; some of them are very godly, but devotions may not necessarily be the reason.

My intention is to see what the Bible says about itself in relation to true spiritual growth. Moreover, my intention is to be fair and not overly negative of devotions. The reasons I will give come from Scripture and will show that the common method of devotions and devotional preaching/teaching is not enough to bring lasting results and are therefore unprofitable for spiritual growth in the long run.

Intro
The negative side
Dr. Adrian Rogers gives a good description of how to have a devotion that can be found through this link, and this is the common type of devotion that is under scrutiny; yet, most devotions are not nearly as observational as Dr. Rogers recommends.
Devotions are commonly intended to be a quiet time of intimate fellowship with God. Sounds good right? What could be wrong with that? On the surface, nothing. The problem is that devotions are not meant to be proper, in-depth Bible study, and sadly, they most often replace it. Thus they invariably end up becoming a time of feeling, not thinking; a time of romance, not subordination; a few minutes of attention, not a prolonged season of unceasing focus. According to the Bible, that's not how God transforms lives (Rom. 12:2; Ps. 1:2-3).
Devotions skip over the most essential steps of knowing the Word and the Lord. They go straight to application without regard to proper observation and interpretation. They seek how the Bible can minister to us today, in this moment (i.e. what can I get out of it right now?) rather than seeking God's actual intended meaning. They have the tendency to become become feeling-oriented, pragmatic, relativistic, mystical humanism that is disconnected from life transforming truth and power.
Ultimately, devotions have the possibility to end up as both idolatry and spiritual adultery. Idolatry because our own benefit, via disconnected application, is put above what God intended to communicate; and spiritual adultery because God's actual intended meaning isn't sufficient to us so we turn to mystical encounters and humanistic ideas instead.

The positive side

On the other hand, God obviously has the ability to work through devotions to give guidance and encouragement. Also, as previously stated, devotions are good for spending time in intimacy with the Lord; an essential need for every person (Matt. 4:4). Moreover, devotions are good for becoming familiar with the content of the Bible on a cursory level. Furthermore, some believers are able to have beneficial devotions because they use the time to do proper observation of Scripture.
However, the standard, proven way that God brings lasting results is through careful, systematic, continuous in-depth study of His Word. In-depth Bible study ends up fulfilling the true purpose of devotions because personal applications and intimate communion with the Lord come out of truth and are connected to God's infinite power. In proper Bible study you get everything you seek from devotions, but at the deepest, eternal level. Proper Bible study finds God's intended meaning so that we can live according to it and not according to our own ideas. It produces the fruit of the Spirit and a Christ glorifying life (Col 3:16-17), which is the goal for our character and the reason why we were created (Isa. 43:7). And it ultimately produces the greatest, most long lasting experience of communion with the Lord (John 14:21, 23), which should be the ultimate drive and desire of our lives; to continually increase in intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus (Phil. 3:8-10; 2 Pet. 1:2-8).
The difference between devotions and in-depth Bible study can be likened to the difference between a wad of cotton candy and a thick juicy steak. One gives momentary happiness, while the other gives long lasting satisfaction. One gives empty temporal sweetness, while the other gives substantial eternal nourishment. In either case, whether devotion or in-depth study, obedience must follow. Without obedience there is no profit whatsoever; no profit for the believer and no profit for God's kingdom (Jas. 2:20).

The reasons

All of the reasons given below come from verses/passages that speak of unceasing focus and meditation on the Word for prolonged periods of time that cause us to cling to the Word and causes the Word to cling to us. Twenty minute lessons, daily readings, etc. just do not cause the Word to take root and become a part of us (i.e. appropriation).
Every believer should be engaged in a constant, life-long pursuit to find the truth of the Word; to wrestle with the text for however long it takes in order to see what the Bible is not saying, and to dig out what God actually is saying. You consult resources to understand background info, cultural settings, language idioms, geographical info, etc. You constantly ask the Lord for understanding, guidance, and correction as you mull everything over in your mind for hours/days/weeks/months/years until you fully understand His intended meaning. Thus you end up absorbing the truth, sowing to the Spirit, being connected to the power source, experiencing the fountains of living water, and dwelling in the love of Christ (John 15:9-10).

20 reasons why devotions are not lastingly beneficial...

1. Devotions do not cause lasting change and effective obedience, but proper study does:

"Receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does" (Jas. 1:21-25).

2. Devotions do not produce purity, but proper study does:

"Your word I have stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You" (Ps. 119:11).

3. Devotions do not produce allegiance to God's ways, but proper study does:

"I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways" (Ps. 119:15).

4. Devotions do not produce humility, but proper study does:

"You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, who wander from Your commandments" (Ps. 119:21).

5. Devotions do not make you a rightful enemy to the world, but proper study does:

"Even though princes sit and talk against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes" (Ps. 119:23).

6. Devotions do not cultivate freedom in our spiritual walk, but proper study does:

"I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts" (Ps. 119:44-45).

7. Devotions do not bring lasting encouragement, but proper study does:

"I have remembered Your ordinances from of old O Lord, and comfort myself" (Ps. 119:52).

8. Devotions do not allow appropriation of God's Word, but proper study does:

"O Lord, I remember Your name in the night, and keep your law. This has become mine, that I observe Your precepts" (Ps. 119:55-56).

9. Devotions do not bring determination and true confidence in God, but proper study does:

"The cords of the wicked have encircled me, but I have not forgotten Your law. At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances" (Ps. 119:61-62).

10. Devotions do not develop fellowship with other believers, but proper study does:

"I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts" (Ps. 119:63).

11. Devotions do not bring persecution for godliness, but proper study does:

"All Your commandments are faithful; they have persecuted me with a lie; help me! They almost destroyed me on earth, but as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts" (Ps. 119:86-87).

12. Devotions do not bring revival, but proper study does:

"I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me" (Ps. 119:93).

13. Devotions do not cultivate a passion for the Word, but proper study does:

"O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Ps. 119:97).

14. Devotions do not give wisdom and discernment, but proper study does:

"Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts" (Ps. 119:98-100).

15. Devotions do not create confidence in the endurance and reliability of the Word, but proper study does:

"Of old I have known from Your testimonies, that You have founded them forever" (Ps. 119:152).

16. Devotions do not bring lasting correction and guidance, but proper study does:

"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments" (Ps. 119:176).

17. Devotions do not develop edification and praise but proper study does:

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Col. 3:16).

18. Devotions do not bring maturity, but proper study does:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Heb. 5:12-14).

19. Devotions do not bring spiritual prosperity and success, but proper study does:

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success" (Josh. 1:8).

20. Devotions do not bring blessing,  separation from worldliness, spiritual strength, growth, nourishment, and fruit, but proper study does:

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers" (Ps. 1:1-3).

Conclusion
To reiterate my intentions, I am not trying to dissuade anyone from having devotions when they have done the proper study beforehand. All I have attempted to show is that devotions must never take the place of proper study, since one will end up cutting off their connection to truth and power. However, proper study may replace devotions since it accomplishes their intent but on the deepest, longest lasting level. As a plea from my heart, please do not skip proper in-depth Bible study that yields long lasting fruit in attempt to experience brief pleasure. If you wish to learn how to do more in-depth Bible study you may refer to my post entitled "Basic Bible Study Questions."
When God's Word abides in us we are in intimate communion with Him and we are glorifying to Him (John 15:7-8). Having His Word abide in us is only possible if we have appropriated it; and appropriating His Word can only be accomplished by continual in-depth study and meditation of it and obedience to it. As James 1:21-25 shows, in order to allow the Word to be "implanted" in us (appropriation) we must "look intently" into it (in-depth study), "abide" by it (meditation), and be a "doer" of it (obedience). And as Hebrews 5:12-14 shows, as we continuously ingest the "solid food" of the Word (in-depth study) we will grow in maturity. Moreover, Colossians 3:16 says that when we "let the Word of Christ richly dwell" in us we are filled with praise and wisdom. Furthermore, in John 15:7 Jesus says that when His Word "abides" in us we have such a deep communion with Him that are able to ask for things that are in God's will for us (cf. Rom. 12:2) so that we frequently receive affirmative answers to prayer!

However, Psalm 1:3 indicates that even if we are doing everything right and continually ingesting, appropriating, and obeying the Word, we still will only bear spiritual fruit "in its season." Too many believers think that the Christian life should be one constant burning passion, but even God knows that life just isn't that way. This is why continual appropriation, via proper study, of the Word is so important; so that even in fruitless seasons we continue to be nourished, to grow, and to be in communion with our Lord.

"My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your law" (Ps. 119:136).

Nehemiah Ryan © 2014

Basic Bible Study Questions

Introduction
It is the mandatory responsibility of every believer to study the Bible:

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

To "rightly divide" means to cut in a straight line. Paul, the author of the above verse, was a tent-maker by trade (Acts 18:2-3); and he made tents by cutting their material into straight pieces that would fit together properly. Therefore, we must study to see how God's Word properly fits together in a straight, logical, normal way so that we can discover and affirm His intended communication.
The Holy Spirit oversees our study as we pray for illumination, correction, conviction, and application. Every one of us must submit and humble ourselves under the authority of God's Word and live according to what we learn from it. All of the questions and principles in these steps are intended to keep us from monkeying with God's Word so that it remains our absolute authority.

Bible study is done in four steps:
1. Observation
2. Interpretation
3. Systemization
4. Application

Please note: The following questions are the most basic and essential ones to ask in each of the steps; they are by no means exhaustive.


Observation
The first step in Bible study is observation; where you simply read the text repeatedly in a good, formal translation (e.g. NASB, KJV, NKJV, ESV) and examine it like a detective by bombarding it with questions. Here are some basic questions to ask when doing observation:

Referential and purpose questions

• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Where?
• How?
• Why?

Grammar and language questions

• What are the verb tenses (past, present, or future)?
• Is it in the imperative or indicative mood (command or description)?
• Are there any figures of speech or language idioms (e.g. hyperbole, sarcasm, rhetoric, etc.)?
• Are there any conditional, qualifying factors present that determine the scope of the subject (e.g. gender, race, time, etc)?
• Is something being emphasized?

Interpretation
The second step in Bible study is interpretation; where you see what the text actually means. According to the metaphysical laws of logic and communication, the Bible only has one correct interpretation and it is literal in its intent (literal = face value, plain, normal use of language). Thus, in this second step we seek to understand God's intended meaning of the text by examining the words of the text in their original contexts, disregarding our own personal biases, presuppositions, and prior theology.
To answer the following essential questions you will need to access several resources (Bible encyclopedias, lexicons, maps, commentaries, etc.). Here are some basic essential questions to ask when doing interpretation:

1. What did the words convey in the grammar of the original readers? *
The idea here is to find the tenses, referents, moods, etc. of the words as the original readers would have understood them; to see how the original grammatical structures convey the intended idea in the mind of the author. It is basic observation, but in the original language and in more detail.

2. What was being conveyed by those words to the initial readers? *
This has to do with word definition and usage. Words can change meaning over time. For example, if you were to read our English word "gay" in a newspaper from the 1930s it would mean something very different than it would in a newspaper from the 1980s. The writings of the Bible are no different. We must seek how the original words were regularly used in the time period when they were written.

3. How did the cultural setting influence and affect what was written? *
This question seeks to understand how the culture and geography illuminate the text. The circumstances, locations, philosophies, practices, etc. in which the original audience lived give us better understanding about the intent of the author.

4. What is the meaning of the words in their context? *
Context is king! The subject matter of the context must rule the intended meaning of the words. We are not allowed to say the words mean something other than what their context is implicating. The meaning of the text must always agree with and adhere to its immediate context.

5. In what literary form is the  material written and how does that affect what is said? *
The literary form may be, for example, parabolic, poetic, narrative, or apocalyptic, and it affects how we interpret; Poetic writings contain much hyperbole and anthropomorphisms, apocalytpic writings are very symbolic, etc. A couple metaphysical rules of thumb: Firstly, any figurative or symbolic language always refers to something that is literal. Secondly, the literary style alone never gives us warrant to abandon a literal meaning.

6. How do the principles of logic and normal communication affect the meaning? *
Some biblical texts may contain apparent, but not actual, logical contradictions (e.g. Prov. 26:4-5). Taking into account how we normally communicate, we can find ways to harmonize any seemingly contradictory statements. This then can help us find the intended meaning of a text.

7. How is a New Testament passage using an Old Testament passage?
Since (according to the principle of progressive revelation) the literal interpretation of the Old Testament cannot be changed by the New Testament, we must see if the NT is using the OT as application, illustration, fulfillment of prophecy, etc.

* These questions come from Roy B. Zuck (Basic Bible Interpretation. 1991. SP Publications. Pages 66-67)

Some helpful resources for interpretation:

• http://www.biblehub.com
• Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts
• Rose Then and Now Bible Map Atlas with Biblical Backgrounds and Culture
• Bible Handbooks (recommended: Halley's, Unger's)
• Study Bibles (recommended: MacArthur, Nelson, Ryrie, NIV, ESV)

Systemization
The third step in Bible study is systemization; where you seek to combine the interpretation of one passage with the interpretations of other congruent passages, which then form concepts that create a system of theology. This is how we discover and build biblical doctrines. In its basic form, any time we look up a cross reference we are engaging in systemization.
The supreme ruling factor in this step is that the system must never ever precede, nor overrule, nor influence interpretation. Never. Here are some basic questions to ask when doing systemization:

1. What are the contexts and/or principles of the passages being combined?
For a combination of two passages to be valid they must come from congruent contexts and/or principles. Only congruent contexts and/or principles can be rightly combined into a system without violating the original interpretations. We must examine the contexts and/or principles to make sure the passages are congruent with each other.

2. How does the combination of passages into a system affect the principle of progressive revelation?
God did not reveal His Word all at one time; He did so progressively over numerous eras. Therefore, Old Testament saints could never have known what was revealed to New Testament saints. The way OT saints understood God's revelation to them is the one and only way God intended it to be understood by everyone else. If the combination of passages violates progressive revelation then the system is invalid and must be changed to accommodate this essential principle. We must examine the passages to see if they can be combined without violating progressive revelation.

3. How can any apparent logical contradictions between combined passages be harmonized?
When combining passages that have congruent contexts and/or principles there may be an apparent, but not actual, logical contradiction created (e.g. Rom. 3:28 cf. Jas. 2:24). If it creates an actual contradiction then the concept reached is invalid, unless it is mandatory that the passages be combined (e.g. the triunity of God in theology proper). We must find a way to harmonize passages that allows the text to speak for itself and also keeps the concept(s) reached from being unnecessarily logically contradictory.

4. How is God governing mankind in each of the passages being combined?
God has governed mankind differently throughout history. This is essential and must be taken into account when combining passages into a system. The manner of God's governing mankind in one era may disqualify its passages from being combined with others (e.g. keeping the Sabbath, Spiritual gifts, circumcision, etc.). We must see how God governs mankind in each of the passages before attempting to combine them into a system because there may be a disqualifying factor.

5. How do the concepts reached affect the consistency of literal interpretation?
The system must never affect our ability to consistently interpret the Bible literally. If it does so then the system is invalid and must be changed to accommodate consistency; the Bible must always be allowed to fully speak for itself in each and every passage. We must seek to combine passages into a system which allows for consistent literal interpretation.

Some helpful resources for systemization:

• http://www.biblehub.com
• Strong's Concordance
• Topical Bibles (recommended: Nave's, MacArthur, Nelson)

Application
The final step in Bible study is application; where you seek to apply the biblical principles to your own life in order to glorify and please the Lord. Application always stems directly from interpretation and must never precede it, nor circumvent it, nor be separate from it. Although you can find applications in systemization, you may postpone that step in order to make applications from interpretation, but you must never skip observation and interpretation. Personal devotions, although very good for spending time with God, are notorious for neglecting interpretation.
Application is the purpose for which all Bible study is intended; so that God can sanctify our lives for His glory. Here are the basic questions to ask when doing application:

1. What is the principle being taught?
A principle is a truth of Scripture that can be either general or specific. A principle can be found in a main idea, a character quality, an event taking place, an action being performed, a command, etc.; and there can be many possible applications from one text. Some principles are explicit and easy to spot, while others are implicit and finding them may require much thought. Furthermore, some principles may be time based and cannot be applied to us today.

2. How does the principle relate to me?
Since none of the Bible was written directly to us today (yet all of it was written for us), we must see how biblical principles can relate to us. The principles must only be applied to circumstances that are congruent with their biblical context. We must look at a principle and look at our own lives to find a point of connection between them. One of the Holy Spirit's ministries is to show us these connections (Eph. 1:17-19; 3:16-19). This is where a principle for all becomes a precept for you. Once the Holy Spirit brings a personal precept to your attention, it must then be unquestioningly obeyed.

3. How do I implement the principle into my life?
When you have seen how a biblical principle relates to your life, you must then find a practical way to make it a reality in your life. This is where the rubber meets the road and we begin to change things in our lives to line up with the precepts of the Bible. It may involve changing our routine, creating a daily checklist, cutting off access to a temptation, etc. It could require a very painful sacrifice, but we must make any and every change necessary in our lives so that we can fully obey, fully please, and fully glorify the Lord Jesus, because He alone deserves it.

4. How does a passage relate to the Lord Jesus?
Jesus said: "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me" (John 5:39). The entire Bible relates to the Lord Jesus either explicitly or implicitly. Some of the very same principles that apply to us apply also to the Lord. The most enriching of all Bible studies is to see how each passage can relate to Christ. To know Him personally is eternal life; and to keep our minds fixed on Him as we engage His Word is wonderfully sanctifying indeed!

"Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen" (Heb. 13:20-21).

Nehemiah Ryan © 2014