Is it a Sin To Write in the Bible – How to Write, Mark, and Highlight the Bible?
Is it a Sin To Write in the Bible – Is it Sin To Write, Mark, and Highlight the Bible? The Bible is the holy book that we read as Christians, and we want to be sure that we keep it in good condition. As Christians, we are to study the Bible so that we will understand what God is saying to us. While studying the Bible, it is normal for Christians to include markings as they read verses, and want to remember them later. The question many ask is: Is it a sin to write, mark, and highlight the Bible?
It is not wrong to put marks in your Bible as you have your devotion time with the Lord. God desires that we will understand His word and if writing, marking, and highlighting your Bible will help you, then go ahead. God does not take offense at you marking your Bible because you are not changing its content, you are only reading it and looking for the best way to memorize it.
See Amazons Highlighting, Marking, Journaling Supplies
The sin would be to change what the Bible says,
which is not possible for you because you cannot edit the copy you have. What God considers sin is adding or removing things in the Bible. “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” Revelation 22:18-19.
You Can Write, Mark and Highlight Your Bible
We are to read and meditate on the Word of God and as most of us do, it is normal to mark the verses we are reading. The Bible does not directly address writing or highlighting but it causes no harm to your Bible. Some people like to highlight different groups of verses with different colors depending on how they want to remember them. Others write some notes on the margins of the Bible so that they will not forget a revelation God gave them as they were studying the Word.
There also is a Bible Publisher that Published what is titled the “Rainbow Bible” It is Highlighted Separating Different Subject matters – Enriching your Bible study Time.
What is important is studying the Bible and not how you choose to highlight verses. Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
Your Bible is your personal possession and you are free to mark it as you please. The things you highlight in your Bible are between you and God, and not for everyone else. What would be wrong is marking someone else’s Bible without their permission. Not everyone likes to put marks in their Bible and if they lend you theirs to read, the best thing you can do is respect them and not mark their copy.
In the Bible we don’t see the teachers of the law putting any marks on the Scriptures they used to read aloud. This is because they used documents that were for the public and not personal use. In those days, the Jews used to go to the synagogues to listen to the reading of the Word of God. These documents did not belong to any individual, and therefore no one had the authority to highlight anything.
IIs it a Sin To Write, Mark, and Highlight the Bible / use the Chronological Bible – I love all the Historical Notes they Provide the NIV version
Avoid Cluttering the Pages of Your Bible
Today, people have their personal copies of the Bible and are free to mark them as they please. Most of the time you are the one who reads your Bible and writes down what God is speaking to you. However, you don’t want to put too many markings that clutter the pages of your Bible. You can put short quotes or words on the sides and if there is more you want to write, you can put it in your journal instead. Too much writing in your Bible will confuse and distract you as you read it next time.
When I was in school, I purchased a Bible in Notebook form each, that way I could take out each page as we studied each chapter, and take notes, with highlighters, and different colored Pens.
If you have to highlight Bible verses, use a highlighter that will not soak into the page and prevent you from reading the backside. Choose a highlighter that highlights well but dispenses ink sparingly to avoid destroying the pages of your Bible and making them illegible.
Don’t include unnecessary marks because you want that clean feel every time you read your Bible. The reason people use journals when they are studying the Bible is that they have a lot to write down, and it may not fit in the pages of the Bible. As you do your devotions, always carry with you a journal to write the things God is speaking to you in detail.
Why Do We Think that Writing, Marking and Highlighting the Bible is a Sin?
Many of us grew up in religion and we learned that to please God we have to follow rules and regulations. A relationship with God was not emphasized and we were taught that God would be angry with us if we did wrong and He would punish us. This religious mindset of following rules is what drives our behavior as Christians today.
God is relational and His priority is to have a relationship with us. We are to obey His Word but not in the way religion presents it. God would rather speak to you by His Spirit and let you know what He wants you to do or not do. God is not angry with you or waiting to punish you for marking your Bible, He wants to make sure that you understand His Word.
You can write, mark, and highlight your Bible as God speaks to you and emphasizes certain Scriptures that He wants you to study. You are not sinning against Him because His desire is to help you understand His precious Word.
Concluding King Davis Shared in His Psalms, (Psalm 119: 98-100), says that “God’s Word Makes Him Wiser Than All His Teachers”
Let Us All Become Wise – God Bless Greg
