Many don’t necessarily think of Books or Blogs as being Mentors, but in some regards they are and can be.  While there is no comparison to meeting with a real person that knows you personally, books and blogs can have just as much impact on you.  There are certain seasons in an individual’s life where they may not have the time to be meeting regularly with a Mentor.  Utilizing technology can be another way for you to grow and learn.

That being said, we need to be discerning as to whom we are “reading” as much as we are at Choosing a Mentor.  Filtering all things through the Word of God.  In order to “filter all things through the Word of God it means you need to be in it.  Reading, meditating, memorizing, and praying for God to bring the recollection of scripture to your mind at the appropriate time.  So that, “you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is~ His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2closeRomans 12:2 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV) closeRomans 12:2closeRomans 12:2 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV) 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)

Recognize that authors and writers are human people just like yourself, don’t put them on a pedestal.  Only God deserves being put on any pedestal.

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”  Exodus 20:3-5closeExodus 20:3-5 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (ESV) closeExodus 20:3-5closeExodus 20:3-5 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (ESV) 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (ESV)

I have seen good Christian people, with good intentions, seeking God’s best for their lives,  fall to this kind of sin~ breaking the first and second commandments.  Not purposefully mind you, but by way of over admiring leaders so much that they fail to look to God for truth.  They often quote others so much, but not the Bible.  There are many deep thinking, challenging authors to glean wisdom from, and in the Christian world, we need to be careful in understanding who really deserves the Glory for the work that has been done inside the heart of the author.  It is not their own wisdom, but that of the Lord’s given to them by God, because of a deep pursuit they had for Him.

One of the Tips I have taught my children and hold myself accountable to is this:  Keep track of how much you are reading “Man’s words” in comparison to “God’s Word”… keep it in perspective.  I have found that in the hearts of my children, if they read too much of man’s words and not enough of God’s word, their attitudes change.  If it is true for them, I am sure it is true for me and all of us as well.  A suggestion would be to hold yourself accountable to reading God’s Word as Much as Man’s or More.

You too can experience God speaking to you through the scriptures, you do not NEED to go to others all the time.  In fact, I believe God wants us to go to Him first.  He is the real expert on everything – since He created it all.  Only in Him can we count on getting the perfect wisdom.  While Good books can give you examples of ways to “be more loving to your husband” or “be a better mom” really don’t ever let reading other things take the place of reading the Word of God and communing with Him.

As you read and glean from many others, look to Him who is the TRUE and ONLY AUTHOR and Profector of our FAITH~  Jesus Christ.  To Him Be the Glory Forever and Ever Amen!

Let’s keep a good perspective as we glean reading.  Let it challenge you, engage you, but if the reading doesn’t ultimately bring you closer to God, then re-think if you should be reading it now or reading the Word.

In the Journey Together,

Angie

 To view all the posts in this series on Choosing a Mentor Wisely Click here: Mentoring