WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
AUGUST 25, 2026
TOPIC: ALL CHRISTIANS MUST BE BIBLE STUDENTS
BY T. O. BANSO
“But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.” (1 Timothy 1:6-7, New Living Translation).
The opinion of any servant of God or any Christian is not superior to the Bible. If the Bible says something, that should be final. We must not try to rewrite the Bible. We must never make the Bible say what it does not say.
No minister of God today wrote the Bible. Therefore, everyone should be careful when interpreting scriptures, particularly those whose meaning may not be very clear. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (New King James Version).
I have seen cases where some people were quick to condemn others whose understanding of certain scriptures was different from their own. But those they criticised had taken time to study the Bible rather than merely hold on to popular but incorrect teachings.
All Christians must be students of the Bible. This does not mean that they must attend a seminary. They must not be content with the narrations of people who may not have studied the Bible to confirm if what others have taught them is actually in the Bible or is exactly what the Bible says.
That’s why some Christians, including pastors, can still be talking about the three wise men! That’s not in the Bible. The Bible only talks about the wise men from the East; it doesn’t specify their number. But they came with three gifts (Matthew 2:1-12).
Christians today should emulate the Berean Christians, who, according to the Bible, were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica. They received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17:11). When believers fail to study the Bible personally, preachers whose teachings are inconsistent with the Bible continue to lead many astray.
In Deuteronomy 4:2, Moses told the Israelites, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (New King James Version). Although this verse particularly refers to the commands God gave the Israelites, the warning reflects a broader spiritual truth.
Significantly, John gave a similar warning as he rounded off the book of Revelation. “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19, New King James Version). While this passage specifically warns against altering the words of the prophecy in the book of Revelation, by extension, the same principle can be applied to the entire Bible, which had not been written as a whole book at that time. “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6, New International Version).
What the LORD said in the Old Testament, He also said in the New Testament. Christians must be very careful not to add to or remove from what the Bible says. If someone lacks understanding of a verse in the Bible, he should seek understanding, rather than making the scripture say what it does not say.
Teachers must first be teachable! Nobody knows everything in the Bible. Nevertheless, we should not rush to teach what we don’t understand. Seek more knowledge. This is important for leaders and those who minister the Word of God to people through different channels. We must be very careful what we teach or preach.
In 1 Timothy 1:3, Paul said that when he left for Macedonia, he urged Timothy to stay in Ephesus and stop those who were teaching the wrong doctrine. These false teachers were not outsiders. They were in the church.
Paul said, “But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.” (1 Timothy 1:6-7, New Living Translation).
Christians should be well-fed with the correct Word of God, not the opinions of the founders of denominations or pastors of assemblies. One of the qualifications of a bishop in the Bible is that he should be apt to teach (1 Timothy 3:2). To be apt to teach means to be able to teach. The Greek word for that phrase, apt to teach, is didaktikon, which means able to teach. A bishop is an overseer, elder, or pastor over a local church. He feeds men and women and should feed them with spiritual food that will make them healthy. He shouldn’t feed them with heresy, hearsay, or fables.
Furthermore, 2 Timothy 2:24 says that the Lord’s servant must, among other things, be apt to teach. According to the Amplified Bible, he must be “skilled in teaching.” The Contemporary English Version says that God’s servants “must be good teachers.” Our focus shouldn’t be only on the style of delivery while we neglect the content.
Those who teach or preach in the church, mass media, or social media should understand that they have a great responsibility. They should personally study the Word and not depend solely on the messages they have heard someone preach without confirming them from the Bible. As you learn from others, don’t forget that not everything you hear or read is correct.
Remember these words of Paul we read earlier: “But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions” (1 Timothy 1:6 New Living Translation).
As you teach, don’t forget the warning in James 3:1: “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly” (New Living Translation). Ensure that what you teach or preach is sound and agrees with the Bible. Don’t lead people astray, and don’t let any minister lead you astray.
According to Malachi 2:7, the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. The ministers of God today should not be like the priests that Malachi spoke about. He said they departed from the LORD’s way, caused many to stumble at the law, and corrupted the covenant of Levi (verse 8).
You can’t give what you don’t have. A Bible teacher (or preacher) who lacks correct knowledge of the Word of God can only feed people with his ignorance! They will be victims of his ignorance. The desire or perceived calling to be a teacher of the Word of God is not enough; you must study and seek understanding, so that you will not teach heresy and lead people astray. All Christians should identify, develop, and use their God-given spiritual gifts with humility.
1 Corinthians 12:28-30 says, “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” (New King James Version). No!
Nobody understands everything in the Bible. Where someone discovers that he is wrong in his teaching or preaching, he should be humble enough to admit it and correct himself for the sake of his audience. Every servant of God should work hard to present himself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and rightly divides or correctly explains the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Every Christian should do the same, as a good student of the Bible. Are you a Bible student?
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must repent of your sins and confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life—your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, grant me understanding as I study my Bible. Holy Spirit, help me to teach the Word of God effectively. Let my lips keep knowledge.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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