“Buy—and do not sell—truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding” (Prov. 23:23).
The above passage of Scripture is very familiar to us. The idea of buying these virtues means to acquire them, to devote oneself to gaining these things in life. We need instruction in the truth, so we might not just know what truth is, but that we can understand it, that we might develop wisdom in applying its principles in everyday living. The thought is similar to what Jesus told His disciples in John 8:32; “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Through His inspired word, God reminds us that His truth is objective, actual, rational, and real. We can use the truth of Scripture to discern our innermost selves, to recognize right from wrong, in the world and in ourselves, and to make those changes in our lifestyles that will prepare us for eternity (Heb. 4:12-13). Applying truth frees us from sin and helps us live in the image of Christ (Eph. 4:13). We are freed from servitude to sin and all the destructive elements it brings to our lives, to serve God and find all the blessings He offers us instead.
Spending time with Scripture, then, is more than just an academic endeavor, more than just learning facts as an end to itself. Satan has done a masterful job at convincing people that reading and learning from Scripture is too hard, boring at best, and unnecessary anyway, as God will just accept us all no matter what. Scripture, however, tells us we all will be judged for how we have lived (2 Cor. 5:10), and that there is a right way and wrong way to live (Prov. 14:12; John 3:36). Obviously, it does matter what we believe, because that will equate into how we live our lives, and where we spend eternity.
Spending time in Scripture may seem boring and trite to an overstimulated society, but it offers to life what so many are looking for but can’t find anywhere else. It is our key to having joy, peace, love, mercy, forgiveness, salvation, and everything having to do with life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). Time spent with Scripture offers a life of discovery and renewal, help and strength, the ability to grow and reach life’s goals (2 Tim. 3:16-17). There comes a deeper appreciation for God, for the depth of love revealed through Christ and every effort expended to humanity, and to you personally. That love equates into a truly spiritual life, as we love in return and reflect it in the choices we make (1 John 4:10-11). God’s love brings real love to us and becomes the motive for how we live. We learn this, and so much more, from spending time in Scripture.
So many people experience a lack of contentment with life, with who they are, what they have, where they’re going. Sin never satisfies, but God can and will bring our lives to where they should be, what they were meant to be. We can have God’s truth and instruction, His wisdom and understanding, as an integral part of our lives, and have a life really worth living. It’s available to each one of us; will you chose to have it? “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44).
Robert Johnson
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