ECCLESIASTES 12:12 – My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

THEME OF THE DAY. CHOOSING BOOKS TO READ. I often recommend books. I also love to give books away. I make recommendations from our church pulpit, in my writing, and when in conversations with Christians who are seeking good books to help them grow in the walk with the Lord Jesus. I know there are a lot of books in the Christian market so choosing is difficult. It is estimated between 5,900 and 7,500 Christian books are published a year. Yikes! Those statistics remind me of King Solomon’s words in today’s scripture, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Ecclesiastes 12:12b). Yet, reading is important. After all, God did give us a book, but as a Christian, one needs to be wise on what to read since the offerings are many and life is short. We also need discernment. What claims to be a Christian book is not necessarily true. And equally the need for discernment arises when choosing what I call “scripture-sprinkled books.” These are the type of books containing scripture but only to support a theme, agenda, or direction an author wants to go. These type of books are not driven by scripture exposition but use isolated scripture to prove a point or position. Be very careful with these types of books. They usually emphasize things like self-help, self-esteem, self-fulfillment, self-realization, and self-focus. They also rely on “how to’s” in their pages. When a book is heavily slanted toward oneself with a lot of “how to” application, be discerning. It might be like eating a good piece of fish. Enjoy the meat, but watch for the bones.

So, how does one go about choosing profitable books to grow in Christ and use our limited time to read wisely? Allow me to share three criteria I strive to use when choosing what to read. And let’s identify them in the form of questions.

First, is this book grounded and founded on scripture that takes me into the scriptures? A good Christian book requires an open Bible alongside it. The author should not merely quote scripture, but be guided by and subordinate to scripture. Jesus said, “Search the scripture because they bear witness about me” (John 5:39).

Next, will this book draw us to the glories of the Gospel bringing us into greater knowledge and experience with Jesus Christ? Knowing Christ is our chief pursuit in this world, not about Christ, or about living the Christian life, but growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Every good Christian book will bring us to Christ. The Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthians are a good test of a book – “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

A third question to ask of a book we are considering to read is “Does this book challenge and encourage me to pursue personal holiness and the development of Christ-like character?” We don’t read our Bibles or good Christian books to make behavior change. We read both to renew our minds and change our hearts. This is the danger of reading “quick fix” books on Christian living. They call us more to do something than to behold Someone. We are not changed by what we do, but by Who we behold in the Word and prayer – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). When reading our Bibles and good Christian books, ask the Lord to show us Himself. Here is where real change in us occurs, not trying harder or adding more activity in our lives. Yes, obedience matters, but obedience, right obedience, is done when the love of Christ is beheld and experienced. And that should be what we look for in the books we read.

Many books. Little time. It is important we are readers of the Bible and good books. Let’s ensure we are doing both and when it comes to books, strive to choose what is best over what might be good.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to build strong Biblical convictions that shape all areas of my life.”

QUOTE: “Biblical convictions are developed in a person committed to the absolute authority of scripture.”