Let Nothing Keep Me From God’s Word: Reflections on A.W. Tozer’s Challenge to Prioritize God’s Word
Today I am reminded again how important it is for me to saturate my mind and soul in the never-changing, everlasting, all-inspiring Word of God. A.W. Tozer, a profound thinker and passionate servant of God, once said, “Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear to be.” His quote, though simple, speaks volumes about the daily challenges we all face in our spiritual lives and the subtle distractions that keep us from engaging with God’s Word.
Tozer’s words remind us of a deep truth: anything—whether good or neutral in nature—can become an enemy if it takes precedence over our relationship with God.
The truth is, the Bible isn’t just a book. In fact, it is the living, breathing Word of God, the very foundation of our faith and the pathway to experiencing spiritual growth. And yet, in our modern world, distractions seem to be relentless. They come in a wide variety of forms: social media, work demands, entertainment, and even seemingly innocent hobbies. These things, while not inherently bad, can slowly chip away at our time with God if they are not managed well.
The danger lies in how these distractions can subtly replace the things that truly nourish our souls. A quick scroll through our phones that leads to an hour or more of exploration, an extra hour of Netflix or Disney to pass the time or help us relax, or even a late-night work email that seems harmless at first but captivates our minds and consumes our time. While these may seem innocent on their own, if not managed with intentionality, they can prevent us from allowing time to open our Bible and sit quietly with the Lord. The result of which is a life that misses out on the transforming power of God’s Word.
Recognize this—the enemy doesn’t always come as a fierce and obvious adversary. Sometimes, he sneaks into our lives through something as small as a distraction, or a simple routine, disguised as harmless habit. Yet he more we allow distractions to creep into our lives, the more we lose our spiritual vitality.
Tozer’s statement challenges us to pause and reflect:
- Is there anything keeping us from our Bible today?
- Are there any habits, even small ones, that are leading us away from the life-giving Word of God?
As followers of Christ, we must remain vigilant. It’s not enough to simply be busy or productive; we must ensure that we’re making space and taking time to be spiritually nourished through the Word of God.
Perhaps it means setting aside specific time each day, creating a sacred space for reading, or limiting distractions during our quiet time with the Lord would be a good practice to consider. Whatever it takes, we must view the Bible as our daily bread, something more vital than the distractions that seek to draw our attention away.