Practical QTSample

 #12 Don't overeat!

In Psalm 19:9–10 David compares God's Ordinances to sweet honey...

Proverbs has many quirky sayings and provides interesting checks and balances in them. In Proverbs 24:13 we read “Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.”  But then in the very next chapter we are warned about eating too much honey!

But this is a valid principle — not only for the eating of real honey, but also the honey of God's Word.  Our Quiet Times are a devotional time — the focus is drawing near to God and our very best tool is His Word, but we can overdo the Bible Study portion to the point where we are simply accumulating knowledge and not growing closer to God.

The balance we find in Proverbs is very timely as there are many people today who have put journalling at the centre of their daily QT.  This is in danger of becoming very narcissistic.  They need to “eat honey, for it is good.”

On the other hand there are those who are reading four or five chapters a day, but it is not getting to their hearts because they are so busy underlining, summarising and accumulating knowledge that they are not applying it to their lives.  They are in danger of being guilty of trying to impress others with their copious knowledge.  They need to “eat just enough” so as not to vomit pride or arrogance over others.

Our capacity for honey increases with practice.  Many people who start having QTs find that they are “sweet to the back teeth” after only half a chapter.  As time passes their capacity for truth increases.

So, keep a careful eye on your balance.