Balancing Non-Biblical Examples with God's Word in Devotions
Balancing Non-Biblical Examples with God's Word in Devotions
The Bible emphasizes the importance of using God's Word in devotions, warning against "vain repetitions" and "strange doctrines" that deviate from Scripture [7, 6]. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus cautions against using "vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking" [9]. This warning is echoed in the apostle Paul's instruction to Timothy to adhere to "sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine conforming to godliness" [3].
The use of Scripture in devotions is encouraged throughout the New Testament. Colossians 3:16 exhorts believers to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another" [4]. This involves using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to edify one another. The Psalms themselves model this, with many passages expressing a desire to meditate on God's Word and to use it in prayer and praise [11].
In devotional practices, balancing non-biblical examples with God's Word is crucial. While personal experiences and illustrations from other sources can be helpful, they should not supplant Scripture. According to Adam Clarke, the potency of prayer lies in using "the words which God himself has put in your mouths," such as those found in the Lord's Prayer [5]. The Reformers, as Clarke notes, incorporated this prayer into public liturgy for its efficacy.
The early Christian practice, as seen in the New Testament, was to use Scripture as the foundation for worship and instruction. Ephesians 5:17-19 encourages believers to "speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" [8]. This practice is rooted in the Old Testament, where Psalms and other passages emphasize the importance of using God's Word in worship and daily life [1, 2].
In maintaining a balance between non-biblical examples and God's Word, believers should prioritize Scripture as the primary source for devotional guidance. As John Gill notes, the doctrine of the Scriptures is "uniform, and all of a piece," unlike the diverse and often contradictory doctrines of men [6]. By grounding devotions in Scripture, believers can ensure that their practices are guided by "sound words" and "doctrine conforming to godliness" [3].
The historical development of Christian devotion has seen various traditions emphasizing the centrality of Scripture. The Puritan tradition, for example, stressed the importance of biblical language and themes in prayer and worship, as seen in Matthew Henry's commentary on the Lord's Prayer [10]. This emphasis on Scripture has continued through various Christian traditions, underscoring its vital role in devotional practices.
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 4:29 cross-references: Deuteronomy 6:6, Psalms 5:9, Psalms 37:30, Psalms 45:2, Psalms 52:2, Psalms 71:17, Psalms 71:24, Psalms 73:7, Psalms 78:4, Proverbs 10:31, Proverbs 12:13, Proverbs 15:2, Proverbs 15:7, Proverbs 15:23, Proverbs 16:21, Proverbs 25:11, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Isaiah 50:4, Malachi 3:16, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 12:34, Luke 4:22, John 1:37, Romans 3:13, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 1 Corinthians 15:32, Ephesians 4:12, Ephesians 4:16, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:8, Colossians 3:16, Colossians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, James 3:2, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 3:1, 2 Peter 2:18, Jude 1:13, ”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Colossians 3:11 cross-references: Psalms 117:2, Isaiah 19:23, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 52:10, Isaiah 66:18, Jeremiah 16:19, Hosea 2:23, Amos 9:12, Micah 4:2, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:20, Malachi 1:11, Matthew 12:18, John 6:56, John 14:23, John 15:5, John 17:23, Acts 10:34, Acts 13:46, Acts 15:17, Acts 26:17, Acts 28:2, Acts 28:4, Romans 1:14, Romans 3:29, Romans 4:10, Romans 8:10, Romans 9:24, Romans 9:30, Romans 10:12, Romans 15:9, 1 Corinthians 1:29, 1 Corinthians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 7:19, 1 Corinthians 7:21, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 1 Corinthians 14:11, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:28, Galatians 5”
- 1 Timothy “1 Timothy 6:3 (NASB) — If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Colossians 3:16 cross-references: Deuteronomy 6:6, Deuteronomy 11:18, 1 Kings 3:9, 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Chronicles 25:7, Nehemiah 12:46, Job 23:12, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 30:11, Psalms 32:7, Psalms 47:6, Psalms 63:4, Psalms 71:23, Psalms 103:1, Psalms 119:11, Psalms 119:54, Psalms 138:1, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 18:1, Isaiah 5:1, Isaiah 10:2, Isaiah 26:1, Isaiah 30:29, Jeremiah 15:16, Matthew 26:30, Luke 2:51, John 5:39, John 15:7, Romans 10:17, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 5:17, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 1:9, Colossians 1:28, Colossia”
- Hosea (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hosea 14:2: Take with you words - And you may be assured that you pray aright, when you use the words which God himself has put in your mouths. On this very ground there is a potency in the Lord's Prayer, when offered up believingly, beyond what can be found in any human composition. And it may be presumed that it was this consideration that induced our reformers to introduce it so frequently in the public liturgy. See the order of God's directions here: - 1. Hearing these merciful invitations, believe them to be true. 2. Cast aside your idols; and return to God as your Maker, ”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:7: 6:7-8 God cannot be coaxed by endless repetition. The Lord’s Prayer (6:9-13) is a model of simplicity in contrast with pagan wordiness.”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:17: Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs,.... By psalms are meant the Psalms of David, and others which compose the book that goes by that name, for other psalms there are none; and by "hymns" we are to understand, not such as are made by good men, without the inspiration of the Spirit of God; since they are placed between psalms and spiritual songs, made by men inspired by the Holy Ghost; and are put upon a level with them, and to be sung along with them, to the edification of churches; but these are only another name for the Book of Psalms”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:7: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions--"Babble not" would be a better rendering, both for the form of the word--which in both languages is intended to imitate the sound--and for the sense, which expresses not so much the repetition of the same words as a senseless multiplication of them; as appears from what follows. as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking--This method of heathen devotion is still observed by Hindu and Mohammedan devotees. With the Jews, says LIGHTFOOT, it was a maxim, that "Every one w”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 6:9: When Christ had condemned what was amiss, he directs to do better; for his are reproofs of instruction. Because we know not what to pray for as we ought, he here helps our infirmities, by putting words into our mouths; after this manner therefore pray ye, Mat 6:9. So many were the corruptions that had crept into this duty of prayer among the Jews, that Christ saw it needful to give a new directory for prayer, to show his disciples what must ordinarily be the matter and method of their prayer, which he gives in words that may very well be used as a form; as the sum”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:164: TAU.--The Twenty-second and last Part. TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord,.... Not "my praise", as the Syriac version; but "my prayer", put up in great distress, and with great vehemence and importunity; see Psa 119:145; and when it is desired it might "come near before" the Lord, it does not so much suppose distance of place between the petitioner and the petitioned as earth is from heaven, as Aben Ezra observes, as distance of state and condition; the petitioner being a creature, and a sinful creature, and whose sins had separated between God and him”