Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise… – Ephesians 5:15

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates

I’m no carpenter, but I’ve watched enough of these skilled artisans to know the importance of checking measurements and making sure lines are square and plumb. When building a wall, being off by 1/32 of an inch may not be noticeable at the start, but when the wall is complete and the carpenter tries to join it to other walls, the difference becomes quite noticeable.

So goes life. We tend to want to take short cuts or get away with what we would call small “indiscretions.” We fudge on this, procrastinate that, exaggerate here, and rationalize there; then, at some point in the future we can no longer mask the fact that we our life has gone seriously awry. Failing to examine our lives honestly and to make necessary corrections leaves us vulnerable to spiritual disaster.

God’s Word stands as the standard of measurement, a spiritual carpenter’s square, against which we should assess our lives and examine our obedience to Him. Yet, so many of us have grown unashamedly accustomed to doing without the regular reading of the Bible and meditation on its truth. David reminds us that by obeying God’s word a man keeps his life clean (Psalm 119:9).

What plan do you have for regularly reading and meditating on God’s Word? Do you have a specific time, place, and plan to allow the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word, to examine your life? What hinders you? Laziness? Poor time management? Lack of desire?

An old saying reminds us “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Why not discipline yourself to measure and square your life by the Bible now and avoid the inevitable spiritual disaster?

Below are a few links to daily Bible reading plans. Choose one, then set a time each day that you will read (I suggest first thing in the day), and designate a specific place where you can be uninterrupted and give God your undivided attention.

Various online reading plans to which you can subscribe in a variety of formats

A plan to read through the Bible a little more slowly over TWO years

The ever-popular Robert Murray McCheyne read the Bible through in a year plan

Don’t let your life get out of square. Examine your life regularly against God’s Word.

What are some ways you regularly read and study God’s Word? Share them with us in the comment section.