QUOTE
[When studying Scripture]… you must seek absolutely nothing but the glory of God, in such spirit that your one thought is: Behold, dearest Jesus, if this study be not to thy glory, let me not understand a syllable of it; but grant unto me, a poor sinner, as much as in thy sight shall be to thy glory.

Fulgentius
cited by: Doberstein, John W. Minister’s Prayer Book, pg. 39

LUTHER QUOTE
Because these matters are highly necessary, I faithfully admonish you to assemble at the designated time with your families. Do not allow yourself to be kept away by your work or trade and do not complain that you will suffer loss if for once you interrupt your work for an hour. Remember how much freedom the gospel has given to you, so that now you are not obliged to observe innumerable holy days and can pursue your work. And besides, how much time do you spend drinking and swilling! You don’t count that, but when you are asked to spend time on God’s Word you are disgusted. Woe to you who scorn this treasure on account of your greed and will not give your servants a free hour to hear God’s Word. Give them an hour off that they may come to know themselves and Christ more fully.

Luther, Martin. Luther’s Works American Edition, Vol. 51, p. 135
cited by: Korthals, James F. The 475th Anniversary
of Luther’s Catechisms, p. 70
Winter, 2005. Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly – News & Comments,
Vol. 102, No. 1

NEWS AS ILLUSTRATION

(Tokyo) Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro... scolded 30 first-term lawmakers, “Don’t send e-mail on your cell phones or read comic books in Parliament while in session. You can be seen very clearly from the prime minister’s seat. You should really stop that — it’s disgraceful.”

Comic books, often with adult themes, are common reading material for middle-aged men. Japan’s younger generation also is hooked on using cell phones to send e-mail.

Japan Lawmakers Scolded for Reading Comics
May 14, 2004. Associated Press – Strange News

Comment: Do we read the mature things that a mature Christian should be reading? Do we act mature, like mature Christians ought to act? Or are we satisfied with being spiritual kids, thinking: 'God has already saved me by grace... why should I make any effort to grow in faith and maturity?' Do we deserve a scolding?

QUOTE

I am a doctor of theology, and I have already been preaching Christ and fighting against the devil in his false teachers for a number of years; but I have experienced how much difficulty this business has caused me. For I cannot repel Satan as I would like. Nor can I finally grasp Christ as Scripture propounds Him to me, but the devil often suggests a false Christ to me. Thanks be to God, however, for preserving us in the Word, in faith, and in prayer!

Luther, Martin. Galatians 3:1, p. 196
Luther’s Works, American Edition, Vol. 26

Comment: The battle isn't as easy as many think it is.

HISTORY

It angered Luther whenever people came to him for a Gutachten (an evaluation or expert opinion that was sought to settle an issue under discussion.) rather than first studying what the Bible had to say on the subject.

Korthals, James. How the Reformers
Dealt with Change in the Church, p. 122
Spring 2005. WLQ, Vol. 102, No. 2

Comment: Luther realized that God was the 'expert opinion.'