by Shannon Steuerwald

I am burdened that my own children grow up to be readers—not just readers for entertainment, but readers for growth and ministry. Many women are readers, but I am saddened by what they are reading. When I listen to what is being read and absorbed, I am reminded of 2 Timothy 3 where Paul describes for us the last days. He describes people who have a form of godliness but have no power in their lives and who are constantly learning but have no knowledge of truth. I see many, many women reading and gaining knowledge, but I wonder if that knowledge leads them to the truth of God’s Word. From novels to how-to books to biographies and inspirational stories to devotionals and Christian growth books—we need to be reading truth and not error.

When the novel was just arriving in England, a literary giant Samuel Johnson took some time to share with his readers what a novel should and should not do. He includes these important points:

• To teach the means of avoiding the snares of evil without infusing sympathy for the vice
• To show the dangers of deceitfulness without being tempted to practice deceit
• To introduce youth to “mock encounters” so they are better prepared to defend
• To recognize and label vice as vice, thereby reducing the hazard
• To “increase prudence without impairing virtue”

I appreciate Johnson’s principled approach to reading novels for entertainment. Even in the midst of relaxing and what we call “down time” for ourselves, we still need to be reading truth. I trust you have set parameters in your life about your reading.

• Is my reading material full of truth or error?
• Does the amount of time I read interfere with my ministry or family responsibilities?
• Is my reading material expanding my ministry or shrinking my influence?
• Am I firmly established in my knowledge of truth to be able to discern truth from error?
• Have I asked God to help me be a better discerner of my reading material?