Why We Must Know the Word: Growing in Maturity, Avoiding Deception, and Standing Approved

“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.” — 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

I can recall a season of my life where I found myself surviving on yesterday’s crumbs. I would wake up, hardly read my Bible, and zip through a brief prayer while brushing my teeth and throwing on my shirt, hurrying to start my day. Honestly, I thought as long as I gave God some time, it was better than no time at all. In some ways, that’s true, but looking back, I now recognize this as the mindset of an immature, lazy, and entitled westernized christian.

I dared not mistake my rushed moments for true biblical study and time with God. I lacked understanding, and honestly, I wasn’t someone who could be considered a student of the Word. I ignorantly assumed that what I was doing was enough to sustain me and help me grow. But I was surviving on stale bread crumbs—leftovers from my pastor’s Sunday sermon, sometimes days or even weeks old, because I wasn’t studying the scriptures for myself. I was malnourished, lacking simple biblical understanding.

The Bible says that the Word of God is the Bread of Life (John 6:35). It also commands us to study the Word to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15). Yet, I was an ignorant follower who didn’t truly know the teachings of my Rabbi.

Learning from the Disciples of a Rabbi

In biblical times, students of a rabbi were not casual listeners—they were devoted followers who studied and memorized every word of their teacher. A disciple didn’t just hear the rabbi’s teaching once a week and try to live off of it; they consumed it daily, walking closely with their teacher, observing his life, and imitating his ways.

Jewish boys began their studies of the Torah at a young age, memorizing large portions of scripture. By the time they were teenagers, only the most dedicated students would continue on to follow a rabbi. But to be a disciple wasn’t just about knowing scripture—it was about becoming like the rabbi. Disciples would eat, sleep, and live out their rabbi’s teachings for years, absorbing his words so deeply that their lives reflected his character.

This understanding was life-changing for me. It made me realize how far I was from truly following Jesus. If I claimed to be His disciple, why wasn’t I immersing myself in His teachings? Why wasn’t I studying His Word with the same devotion the disciples had for their rabbi?

The Cost of Biblical Ignorance

Hosea 4:6 warns, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” When we don’t know the Word, we don’t know God’s will, His character, or His promises. Instead of living by truth, we end up guided by feelings, traditions, or the world’s ever-changing standards.

For example, how often have we heard people say, “God won’t give you more than you can handle”? That’s not what Scripture teaches. 1 Corinthians 10:13 actually states that God will provide a way of escape when we face temptation—not that we won’t face difficulties beyond our strength. Without knowledge of the Word, we build our faith on misquotes and half-truths, leaving us unprepared when real trials come.

Another tragic result of biblical ignorance is susceptibility to false doctrine. Many modern movements mix worldly philosophies with scripture, twisting God’s Word to fit human desires. Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 that a time would come when people would not endure sound doctrine but would gather teachers who tell them what they want to hear. Without a firm grasp on the Bible, it becomes easy to fall for messages that sound good but contradict God’s truth.

Deception: The Enemy’s Oldest Tactic

Satan has always used deception to lead people astray. In Genesis 3, he twisted God’s words when tempting Eve, asking, “Did God really say…?” This same strategy is used today. If we don’t know what God actually said, how will we recognize when His Word is being distorted?

Jesus Himself demonstrated the power of knowing Scripture when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Each time Satan tried to deceive Him, Jesus responded with, “It is written…” He didn’t rely on feelings or opinions; He wielded the Word as His weapon. If the Son of God needed to know and use scripture, how much more do we?

Spiritual Maturity: Growing in Christ

The book of Hebrews rebukes believers who should have matured in faith but were still like infants needing milk instead of solid food (Hebrews 5:12-14). Many Christians today remain spiritually immature because they only engage with the Bible occasionally instead of consistently studying and applying it.

Spiritual maturity doesn’t come from years spent in church—it comes from knowing, understanding, and obeying God’s Word. Psalm 1:2-3 describes the blessed person as one who “delights in the law of the Lord” and meditates on it day and night, becoming like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. When we prioritize the Word, we develop deep spiritual roots, ensuring we stand firm even when storms come.

Are You Approved?

Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us that studying scripture is not optional—it is necessary for those who want to be approved workers of God. To “rightly divide the word of truth” means to handle it correctly, discerning its true meaning and application. If we mishandle the word, we risk leading ourselves and others astray.

Where Do You Stand?

Take a moment to reflect:

• Do you truly know God’s Word, or are you relying on secondhand information?

• Can you discern truth from deception when confronted with false teachings?

• Are you growing in spiritual maturity, or are you stagnant in your faith?

A Call to Action

If you find yourself lacking in biblical knowledge, don’t stay there. Here’s how to begin:

1. Commit to Daily Bible Study – Start with 10-15 minutes a day, reading and meditating on scripture.

2. Pray for Understanding – Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth (John 16:13).

3. Test Everything Against Scripture – Don’t just accept what you hear—search the Word for yourself (Acts 17:11).

4. Join a Bible Study Group – Learning alongside other believers helps sharpen your understanding.

Let today be the day you decide to grow deeper in God’s Word. Don’t settle for shallow faith—become a workman approved by God, fully equipped to stand firm in truth.

Will you commit to truly knowing the word for yourself?