Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

What an infinite mercy it is that God has blessed us with the Scriptures. Our Savior bids us “search the Scriptures”, (John 5:39). We must not read these holy lines carelessly, but peruse them with reverence and seriousness. The noble Bereans “searched the Scriptures daily,” (Acts 17:10-11). The Scripture is the treasury of divine knowledge; it is the rule and touchstone of truth; out of this well we draw the water of life.

Read the Word as a book made by God Himself. It is given “by divine inspiration” (2 Tim. 3:16). It is the library of the Holy Spirit. The Word is of divine origin, and reveals the deep things of God to us. Other books may be written by holy men—but this book is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Read the Word as a perfect rule of faith; it contains all things essential to salvation. ” The Word teaches us how to please God; how to order our lives in the world. It instructs us in all things that belong either to prudence or piety. How we should read the Word with care and reverence, when it contains a perfect model of piety and is “able to make us wise unto salvation” (2 Tim. 3:15)!

When you read the Word, look on it as a soul-enriching treasury. Search it as for hidden treasure! This blessed book will enrich you; it fills your head with divine knowledge, and your heart with divine grace; it stores you with promises: a man may be rich in bonds. In this field the pearl of price is hidden! What are all the world’s riches compared to these?

Read the Word as a book of evidences. Would you know whether God is your God? Search the records of Scripture, (1 John 3:24). Would you know whether you are heirs of the promise? You must find it in these sacred writings (2 Thess 2:13). Those who are vessels of grace—shall be vessels of glory!

Look upon the Word as a spiritual armory, out of which you fetch all your weapons to fight against sin and Satan:

• Here are weapons to fight against SIN. The Word of God is a holy sword, which cuts asunder the lusts of the heart! When pride begins to lift up itself, the sword of the Spirit destroys this sin! 1 Peter 5:5 “God resists the proud.” When passion vents itself, the Word of God, like Hercules’s club, beats down this angry fury! (Eccles. 7: 9). When lust boils, the Word of God cools that intemperate passion! (Ephes. 5: 5).
• Here are weapons to fight against SATAN. The Word fences off temptation. When the devil tempted Christ, He wounded the old serpent three times with the sword of the Spirit—”It is written!” (Matt. 4:7). Satan never sooner foils a Christian than when he is unarmed, and without Scripture weapons.

Look upon the Word as a spiritual looking-glass to dress yourselves by! It is a mirror for the blind, “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes!” (Psalm 19:8). In other mirrors you may see your faces; in this mirror you may see your hearts! (Psalm 119:104). “Through Your precepts I get understanding. This mirror of the Word clearly represents Christ; it sets him forth in his person, nature, offices, as most precious and eligible,

Look upon the Word as a book of spiritual remedies and antidotes. If you find yourselves dead in duty, read Psalm 119:50. “Your Word has quickened me.” If you find your hearts hard, the Word does liquify and melt them; therefore it is compared to fire for its mollifying power, (Jer 23: 29). If you are poisoned with sin, here is an herb to expel it.

Look upon the Word as a sovereign elixir to comfort you in distress. It comforts you against all your sins, temptations, and afflictions. What are the promises—but divine cordials to revive fainting souls. A gracious heart goes feeding on a promise as Samson on the honeycomb, (Judges 14:9). The Word comforts against sickness and death, (1 Cor 15:55). “O death, where is your sting?”

Read the Word as the last Will and Testament of Christ. Here are many legacies given to those who love him; pardon of sin, adoption, consolation. This will is in force, being sealed in Christ’s blood.

Read the Word as a book by which you must be judged: (John 12:48). “The Word that I have spoken shall judge him at the last day.” Those who live according to the rules of this book, shall be acquitted; those who live contrary to them, shall be condemned. There are two books God will go by, the book of Conscience, and the book of Scripture: the one shall be the witness, and the other the judge. How should every Christian then provoke himself to read this book of God with care and devotion! This is that book which God will judge by at the last. Those who fly from the Word as a guide, shall be forced to submit to it as a judge.