Why churches are weakening

Most Christian churches are suffering from spiritual malnutrition through neglect of God’s word. The exaltation of prophecy, church traditions and dreams over God’s word, among other things, has resulted in the Bible losing its authority and value among its professors.
Consequently, more and more Christians are becoming spiritually weaker and weaker like a child suffering from kwashiorkor. This state of spiritual hollowness and weakness is dangerous because we are fast losing the spiritual power to resist our adversary the devil, who walks about roaring like a lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
This message is an appeal to pastors and other spiritual leaders to amend their ways and come back to the Bible; our spiritual constitution, our guiding star and our spiritual food.
It is quite encouraging that some church leaders are aware of this spiritual conflict of having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. The presiding bishop of Methodist church in Zimbabwe, Reverend A. Ndhlumbi in his opening remarks at the consultation meeting of the heads of denominations and Bible colleges conducted by The Bible Society at its Bible House last Thursday, greatly lamented the neglect of the Bible by Bible-believing churches. He stated that some church members in the Christian community are prepared to buy hymn books and uniforms first before they can buy a Bible.
He pointed out that this attitude weakens the church. He went on to stress the importance of having a Bible and declared that it is better to have a copy of the Bible and have nothing else than to have everything else but the Bible. His remarks were quite commendable because the Bible must be given first priority in the church.
The chairperson of the board for The Bible Society of Zimbabwe, Reverend Guide Makore, pointed out that the neglect of the Bible is not only shown by not having a copy of the Bible but also by not spending quality time reading it when you have it. He said, “We have come to the realisation that owning a Bible does not translate into reading it. Many Bibles get dusted on Saturday or Sunday for church. This is not supposed to be like that.
As Bible Society, we have programmes that will ensure that a person does not just have a copy of the Bible but also is engaging with it on a day to day basis. So we are working with other para-church organisations like the Scripture Union to ensure that people are engaging with Scripture.” Reve-rend Makore is of the opinion that Christian churches must put more emphasis on teaching the word of God.
And this can be achieved by including time for Bible study in every service. I think the Seventh Day Adventists surpass many were study of Scripture is concerned, and that is praiseworthy.
If departure from Scripture causes spiritual malnutrition then a return to the Bible is the remedy. It will be helpful for Christians to form Bible study groups in their spare times and feed on Scripture. Scripture reading, studying and memorisation and meditation programmes should be put in place in families and churches to ensure the Bible is given back its place as the final authority of the Christian. 
Perhaps some comments on the authority and power of God’s word taken from spiritual authorities who knew the real value of the Bible can boost your appetite for God’s word.
T.L Osborn in his work, Healing the Sick, said, “One of the most dangerous habits that Christians have is that of treating the Bible as though it were an ordinary book. The word speaks to us as Jesus would if He were visibly among us. It takes His place. When we pick up the Bible, it would be good to remember that it is the book with God and life in it. The word of God is like its Author – eternal, unchanging, and living.
The word is the mind of God, the will of God. The word is my healing, my strength, my salvation, my rest and my pillow. The word gives me quietness in the midst of confusion and victory in the midst of defeat. It gives me joy where desolation reigns.”  Osborn argued that the reason for the great amount of sickness, weakness, fear and disease in the church, the body of Christ, today is the wrong attitude of treating the Bible as a common book. 
However, he also said that this condition of spiritual weakness can be changed immediately by purposing to give the Bible the same place you would give Christ were He to manifest Himself visibly in your presence.  
When Paul said let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, he knew that the Word is your source of spiritual strength, health, direction and wisdom.
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