The turning of a new year naturally prompts a desire for change. As the calendar resets, many of us resolve to trim our waistlines, manage our finances, or master new skills. While these goals are not inherently wrong, Scripture invites the believer to begin renewal at a far deeper level than outward behavior. True, lasting transformation begins with the renewing of the mind—a spiritual work accomplished by the Holy Spirit as we become intentionally rooted in the Word of God.
I think the apostle Paul had this in mind when he wrote to the Church in Rome: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2, NLT).
The Christian life is not meant to be shaped by the fleeting trends of culture or the fragile strength of personal ambition. Instead, it is meant to be a steady formation, where our perspectives and reactions are reshaped by the constant presence of Scripture. As a new year begins, the habit of Bible study becomes more than an item on a checklist; it becomes a spiritual posture that opens us to the Holy Spirit’s refining fire.
From the very beginning of scriptue, God’s Word is presented as the primary source of life and blessing. The psalmist illustrates this rootedness: “Oh, the joys of those who... delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalm 1:1–3, NLT).
This imagery is particularly relevant as we face the turbulent uncertainty of a new year. A life grounded in Scripture is not promised immunity from the storms of life or the droughts of hardship. However, like the tree by the river, such a life is sustained by a source deeper than its immediate circumstances. Bible study anchors us in a truth that does not shift with public opinion or personal emotion.
Establishing this habit requires a conscious choice to manage our mental consumption. We live in an age of digital noise, where news cycles, social media, and daily anxieties compete for every spare second of our attention. Paul’s advice to the Philippians gives us a vital filter for the modern mind: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8, NLT).
If we do not intentionally fill our minds with the Word of God, the world will inevitably fill them with something else! Committing to a daily habit of study is a way of reclaiming our mental real estate, choosing to dwell on the eternal rather than the ephemeral.
Furthermore, we must recognize that Bible study is not about information alone, but about formation. It is certainly possible to know the text without knowing the Author. It is possible to master Greek grammar and Greek roots without allowing the Spirit to pull up the roots of bitterness in our own hearts.
Paul reminds Timothy of the practical power of the Word: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, NLT).
The ultimate goal of this new habit is not just a smarter believer, but a more Christlike one. When we immerse ourselves in the Gospels and the Epistles, we are looking into a mirror that reflects both who we are and who we are becoming. As James warns, we must not merely listen to the Word and so deceive ourselves; we must do what it says (James 1:22).
As we tentively step into this new year, let us bear in mind the invitation of Jesus: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7, NLT). The greek word translated here as "remain" means to stay, to dwell, and to settle in. Let this be the year we stop visiting the Word of God as a guest and start living in it as a resident. By making Bible study a foundational habit, we aren't just changing our schedule; we are allowing the Creator of the universe to renovate our hearts from the inside out.
A quick Google search will reveal a cornucopia of helpful online sites to aid us in our study (I personally use Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com, among others, as a valuable resource for comparing different translations/paraphrases to help my studies), but there is a lot to be said for old-fashioned reading and underlining the printed word in your own paper copy of the scripture. Ask questions and let the Holy Spirit be your guide! You won’t be disappointed.
Happy New Year!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org