Forming a habit requires a certain amount of time, and some habits may develop relatively quickly. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided us with a clear example of this phenomenon, as we all adopted the habit of regular hand-washing within one or two weeks. While most researchers do not pinpoint a specific timeframe for habit formation, it is universally acknowledged that cultivating habits demands time and effort, the extent of which depends on the desired goal associated with habit development.
Certain habits undoubtedly demand a lifetime commitment and unwavering consistency. There is no respite from these habits unless we choose to accept the severe consequences of our decision to discontinue these crucial practices.
As Christians, a vital habit we must endeavor to establish and maintain throughout our lives is the practice of reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.
By the way, we are continuing the series we started a few weeks ago on how to mentor and guide a young man, starting from his early formative years—the initial stages of his life.
Just as we have done with previous series of teachings centered on Proverbs 1 to 9, last week, we delved into the discussion on how wisdom rescues a young man from the influence of a strange or wicked woman. We only scratched the surface of the topic and we panned out last time saying, “A life surrendered early to promiscuity and sexual sin” is considerably more challenging “to redeem.”
The father guides his son on the path to escape from an adulterous woman, imparting the following advice:
“1 My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you, [within you – NASB]
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5 ESV
The father’s primary call to his son is to accept his words. In this context, the father figure represents wisdom or the word of God. Therefore, wisdom emphasizes, “Receive my words.” What does this imply? It suggests that wisdom is saying, “Embrace the word of God and cherish it WITHIN you.” Store it in your heart, in the reservoir of your life (Proverbs 4:23). Prioritize it in your life. Let the word of God be at the forefront of your life, anchoring your heart throughout the day.
To embrace and cherish the word of God, the young man must exert effort on his part. Solely relying on prayer in the name of Jesus, without accompanying efforts to integrate the word of God as the focal point of life, is not sufficient. Wisdom counsels the young man to cultivate a meaningful habit—one that should define his life. This habit involves pursuing the word of God with diligence, reading, studying, and meditating on it patiently, akin to how silver seekers diligently work in mines or like treasure hunters who seek for the treasure their entire life.
If you inquire about the pinnacle of a treasure hunter’s day, the response will always be consistent: “Engaging in the pursuit of treasures.”
Someone might ask, “Why wouldn’t a young man be content with reading, say, a passage of Scripture each day or every week?”
Well, could a young man sustain himself in life by consuming just one loaf of bread per week? Perhaps he could manage for a week, but not for an extended period. Even if he survives for a week, his existence would oscillate between states of life and near-death. This analogy holds true for the Word of God (Matthew 4:4).
A young Christian man should grasp early in his life that it is impossible to live a kind of life his soul, as a born-again Christian, desires – a ‘shalom life’ – and as the word of God calls him to live without having the word of God constantly present in his heart and soul.
The word of God says,
“105 Your word is like a lamp for my feet
and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 NCV
As the Bible teaches, since the fall of man, this world has been covered in darkness. Unless we are in the Lord Jesus, immersed in the word of life, we exist in darkness (1 John 1). The psalmist in the above verse echoes a similar sentiment: to navigate my Christian life in this world, the word of God serves as a lamp for my feet and a light to illuminate the path ahead. In this context, having the lamp or light is not a luxury; it’s not merely a piece of furniture. The lamp is an essential tool for traversing the dark without stumbling and getting hurt. The word of God is a necessity for successfully navigating the Christian life in this dark world.
Similarly, a young Christian man needs to daily receive and cherish the word of God in his heart. Transforming this into not just a one-time acquired habit but a lifelong practice will provide the young man with a continually refreshed understanding and knowledge of God, cultivating a deep reverence for Him. Simply comprehending the fear of God or understanding who God is in a single day isn’t sufficient for leading an honorable life, as God’s vastness exceeds full human comprehension. The fear of God is a sentiment that evolves as we progressively learn more about God and His ways. What may have been true for the young man yesterday could have helped him navigate life through that day, but it won’t suffice for today. He must seek his “daily bread,” which God provides to His children through His word on a consistent basis.
Regrettably, some young men mistakenly perceive Christianity as merely singing praise songs in so-called churches and engaging in exuberant activities. In this scenario, a preacher takes the stage, and the youth continue their lively actions while the preacher extends his hand, proclaiming, “As I speak, the blessing of God will descend upon you. Receive it!” The young people then jump, attempting to “catch the blessing in the air.” This, however, does not constitute Christianity; it resembles more of a night or day club atmosphere. Such practices do not bring salvation but rather set individuals on a course towards God’s impending judgment, as they run counter to the teachings of the word of God. – – – Contd. ///