We're Not Left To Our Own Devices

When we buy a new device - whether a mobile phone, a tablet or something for the kitchen - how often do we read the instructions before trying it out? Men are said to be particularly bad at reading the manual.

There’s some truth in that. Sometimes, I’ll try to work out how to use something without looking at the diagrams. More often than not, I get it wrong and have to go to the book and by the book. However, my real problems begin if I’ve already thrown the instructions away with the packaging. Then I have to go through a process of trial and error, during which I lose time and patience.

Using such a hit-and-miss approach in other areas of life can result in mistakes that seriously hurt us or other people. If we don’t know how best to act, we can easily make a wrong decision at work, a wrong response in a relationship or a wrong choice with our finances. At such times, we might feel it would be good to have an instruction book.

Christians believe that the Bible is the ‘Creator’s handbook’, because it contains practical guidance and principles that have been written by God-inspired people. Among other things, it provides them with guidelines on how they should approach their working life, build relationships and deal with their money. One early Christian teacher put it this way: ‘Everything in the Scriptures is God’s word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live’ (2 Timothy 3:16 Contemporary English Version).

That’s why Christians read their Bibles. Although it does not mean that they will never do anything wrong, it can show them how to put their problems right and help them avoid the errors which can make life a trial.

UK & Ireland War Cry August 2014