Remembering that the Bible differs from all other books in that it is “The Holy Scriptures” we need to recognize that we MUST approach its study with a particular attitude of mind and heart. While it is true that other studies may be mastered through mental power this is not so of the Bible! SOMETHING MORE THAN THE POWER OF INTELLECT IS NEEDED TO ENABLE US TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD OF GOD. 1 Corinthians 1:19-21 says “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe” It is evident from this that mere worldly wisdom cannot understand God’s Word! Human intelligence is foolishness in the sight of God! What we MUST realize is that the primary requisite in Bible study is Spirituality. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 says “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others” The Bible is clear! Spirituality is imperative to unlocking the deep truths of God’s word. Spiritual things are Spiritually discerned. Spirituality as it relates to the study of the Bible must include the following:Conversion. In John 3:1-12 it is obvious here that Nicodemus could not understand because he was unconverted. And so it will be with us. We too, like Nicodemus, will fail to comprehend the words of Christ if we are unconverted. A famous author with spiritual insight into the Scriptures wrote the following ” Nicodemus had come to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but Jesus laid bare the foundation principles of truth. He said to Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity satisfied, but to have a new heart. You must receive a new life from above before you can appreciate heavenly things. Until this change takes place, making all things new, it will result in no saving good for you to discuss with Me My authority or My mission.” Desire of Ages, 171. Spirituality must also include Consecration. John 7:17 teaches us that God communicates His knowledge to him who seeks to DO it. If we are to understand the deep mysterious truths of God’s Word we must be doers and not just hearers only! Humility is also another aspect of Spirituality. Isaiah 57:15 says that God dwells with the Humble. James 4:6 says that God bestows favour on the humble. Psalms 143:10 says that Humility makes us teachable. Therefore a humble and teachable spirit is neccessary to understand God’s word. As one author says “The student of the Bible should be taught to approach it in the spirit of a learner. We are to search its pages, not for proof to sustain our opinions, but in order to know what God says” Prayerfulness is the next key that belongs to Spirituality. The Bible promises us in James 1:5 that God will bestow wisdom upon those who ask of Him. The Bible should NEVER be studied without prayer! Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. Along with Spirituality there must be a faithful study of the Scriptures. While Spirituality is important we must not under value the necessity for taxing study. Jesus instructs us in John 5:39 to “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” The Apostle Paul’s advice to a young worker says in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” When we are studying God’s word we are also told to follow the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11. In our study of the Bible we should keep in mind certain leading principles of interpretation. Firstly, John 5:39, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teach us that Scripture must be allowed to interpret Scripture. Secondly, Daniel 7:17 teaches us that Symbols are to be interpreted by literal language. Thirdly, Mathew 4:5-6 when compared with Psalm 91:11-12 inform us that statements of Scripture must not be given meaning contrary to their context. Always remember this golden saying “A text without a context is a pretext” We should always be reminded of the following statement “Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages, we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given.”
How to Study the Bible – Part 2
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