Christian bookstores are filled with devotionals promising encouragement, inspiration, and a deeper relationship with God. Many of them contain helpful insights. Others contain subtle errors that can quietly influence the way we think about God and His Word.

So how do we know the difference?

The answer is simple: Every devotional should be tested against Scripture.

The Bereans were commended because they examined Paul’s teaching in light of God’s Word (Acts 17:11). If they tested the teaching of an apostle, we should certainly test the books on our nightstand.

Here are seven questions I use whenever I evaluate a devotional.

1. Does It Point Me Back to Scripture?

A good devotional should make you want to open your Bible—not replace it.

If you finish a devotional but never feel the need to read the passage for yourself, something is missing.

God’s Word is the meal.

A devotional should simply help point you to it.

2. Is the Scripture Used in Context?

One verse can sound wonderful all by itself while meaning something completely different in its original setting.

Always read the verses before and after the one being quoted.

Ask:

• Who is speaking?
• Who is being addressed?
• What is happening?
• What is the main point of the passage?

Context protects us from misunderstanding God’s Word.

3. Does It Focus More on God Than on Me?

The Bible is God’s story.

While Scripture certainly applies to our lives, its primary purpose is to reveal God’s character, His glory, and His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Be cautious of devotionals that constantly place your feelings, dreams, or success at the center.

Healthy Bible study begins with God.

4. Does It Claim to Speak for God?

This deserves special attention.

Some devotionals say,

“Here’s what I learned from this passage.”

Others say,

“Jesus says to you today…”

Those are very different statements.

Any author who presents words as though God Himself is speaking assumes a level of authority that should make every Christian pause.

5. Is It Consistent with the Whole Counsel of Scripture?

One isolated verse should never outweigh the teaching of the entire Bible.

Ask whether the devotional agrees with what Scripture consistently teaches about God’s holiness, grace, justice, mercy, sin, salvation, and sanctification.

Truth fits together.

6. Does It Encourage Discernment?

Healthy teachers welcome questions.

They encourage readers to study God’s Word for themselves.

Be cautious of resources that discourage careful examination or rely heavily on emotional experiences without biblical support.

7. Does It Lead Me to Love Christ More?

The goal of Bible study isn’t merely gaining knowledge.

It’s knowing Christ.

A faithful devotional should increase your love for Jesus, deepen your understanding of His Word, and encourage joyful obedience.

Those are the marks of spiritual growth.

Keep God’s Word First

I enjoy reading books written by faithful Christian authors.

They can encourage us, challenge us, and help us grow.

But no devotional should ever become our primary source of spiritual nourishment.

That place belongs to Scripture alone.

The more time you spend studying God’s Word for yourself, the easier it becomes to recognize truth, identify error, and grow in wisdom.

That’s one of the reasons I teach the ABIDE Method™. When you learn how to observe, interpret, and apply Scripture for yourself, you no longer have to depend on someone else to tell you what God says.

You can open your Bible with confidence, knowing that the Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to transform God’s people.

And that is a confidence worth building your life upon.