The more we eat, the more we want
With our natural appetite, the more we eat, the less we want. It is quite different with our spiritual appetite—the less we eat, the less we want, and the more we eat, the more we want.
You find that the less you read Scripture, the less appetite you have for it. The thing to do is to control the mind. For instance, I might say that I am tired of reading. Then I must tell myself that even so, I am going to read a little longer. That is one way hindrances can be overcome in cultivating an appetite for Scripture.
Most of God's people today are defenseless; they are not sufficiently acquainted with Scripture. It is not used rightly—not in its connection. They are like the Israelites in the days of Saul: "It came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people." 1 Sam. 13:2222So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. (1 Samuel 13:22). They were defenseless in the presence of their enemies; they had no weapons at all to meet them; consequently, they were helpless under the Philistines' power.
Habitual reading of the Scriptures would bring about: "that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." Col. 1:99For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9). What is the use of talking about being led of the Spirit if you do not read the Word! If you are led by the Spirit, you will read the Word. If He has His way, there is the craving for the Word of God as a little child craves milk. That is all the spiritual appetite has to feed on in this world. W. Potter