To some this is a derogatory term to mean perhaps 'too holy', overly religious, fanatical, so heavenly minded you are no earthly good, a Jesus Freak or highly self righteous. Have you been called a Bible thumper? Is that a bad thing or a good thing? Aren't we supposed to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and might? Deuteronomy 6:5 says " Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Do you truly love the Lord like this? We do not want to be obnoxious and shove the Bible in people's faces and tell them they are going to hell. That may be what a worldly definition of a 'thumper' would be.
I have heard of denominations where people are not encouraged to bring their Bibles to church and even have been told the church leaders will tell you what you need to hear. Back in the late 70's when I rededicated my life to Christ and consequently got 'hungry' for the word of God, I had my Bible with me at a certain church. One lady saw me who knew me and said "Isn't that cute, you have your Bible with you." Say what? Cute, to bring a Bible to the house of God? We also had an Army friend who said if you did not bring your Bible with you to church you were 'unarmed'. Where I attend church now the Bible verses are flashed upon the overhead screen but we should still bring our Bibles with us for reference. What good do they do sitting on a book shelf? You can not learn how to have victory if you do not get into the word of God and study it. 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth."
My husband and I instilled the word of God into our children from an early age. That does not mean every thing in life is going to go great for them but they have a firm foundation to stand on. They heard the truth from infancy and it is in their hearts. The word of God says in 2 Timothy 3:15 "and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." It is up to them to decide to follow Jesus or reject Him. The promises of God were taught to them early on. Proverbs 22:6 is a promise for parents that if "They train up a child in the way he should go when he is old he will not depart from it. " I know I prayed scripture over my children even before they were born.
I for one do have a passion for the word of God and make no apologies for it. That does not make me better than others. But I find it hard that some would find this crazy or abnormal and may choose to mock me. The Bible is the best selling book of all time. From the beginning men have tried to destroy it and take it away. It has power to change lives.
In the Hollywood movie 'The Book of Eli' ,Denzel Washington's character played a man who had the last remaining copy of a sacred book which the viewer is led to assume is the Bible. It is an end of the world total destruction type scenario. Evil forces were trying to take it away. It was his job to get it to the west coast where copies could be made at a printing press there. Satan hates the truth that is in the pages of the word of God. There are many nations today whose leaders do not allow Bibles in their country.It is powerful and evil forces know that. This nation was founded upon the Bible.
The word of God is referred to as a weapon, the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. It says "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." So whether or not you 'thump' a Bible or not, we are to hunger and thirst for the word. It is not a bad thing to want to know more about Jesus. I guess when we start to act better than people that may get us into the category of a Bible thumper of sorts. Making people feel condemned and elevating ourselves to a higher status is not the way to show God's love. Matthew 5:6 says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
The Bible is exciting. It has the answers to life. It never changes even though modern man may try to edit it to condone his sins. Read it to be wise. Follow It to stay on the right path in life.
PRAYER: Lord I want to be a light for you in a dark world and not turn people away from you. I do love your word but help me not be an irritating Christian but one who is knowledgeable of the word of God and uses what I learn from it's pages to show your love to a hurting world. In Jesus name, amen!
Enjoy another praise song. Have a blessed day!
http://youtu.be/2jDnVpCNlyY
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