Ask Your Preacher - Archives
“Laid To Rest”
Categories: GRAB BAGHow should we treat the Bible? What I mean is that I feel funny sometimes laying it on the ground, or how would one go about disposing of it if it somehow became unusable (for example, if you spilled something on it)? I guess I'm asking where the line is between showing the utmost respect for God's Word and not stumbling into an area that could be misconstrued as actually worshipping the object itself. Thank you!Sincerely,
Handle With Care
Dear Handle With Care,
The words of God are holy (Ps 105:42), but the pages they are printed upon are not. It is natural to feel a need to treat things that represent important ideals with extra care and diligence (for example, the U.S. flag has specific rules for transportation, use, and disposal), but we must remember that God commands us to show Him reverence (Heb 12:28), and that is the principle you have to keep in my mind. If you purposefully abuse your Bible (such as defacing it, kicking it around, etc.), there comes a point when that shows disrespect and a lack of reverence for God, but disposing of an old and tattered Bible isn’t irreverent… it is a practical matter. In fact, if you are heeding the Bible’s teachings to study and diligently search out the Scriptures (2 Tim 2:15, Josh 1:8), you will probably burn through quite a few copies of the Bible in your lifetime. Old, tattered Bibles with pages falling out are a sign of a healthy christian. Treat your Bibles nicely, but remember that the most important copy of the Word of God is the one that has been sown in your heart and life.
