WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH 2013 - UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE While it is absolutely true that the Bible is the best-seller and most widely read book of all time, yet the Bible is still the “most misunderstood book” of all time. Why? This is simply because the Bible is not a mere book that takes only a measure of intellectual effort to understand. Even though you possess the brightest mind in the world, yet if God does not open your mind, the Bible will remain closed to you. It is not that the Bible is a difficult book to understand, but the problem is that many readers of the Bible approach the Bible with wrong mindsets and attitudes. The Bible actually interprets itself and provides important keys to understanding it. Sadly, many readers of the Bible ignore what the Bible says about itself and the keys it gives for its understanding. In this piece we shall consider some of the right mindsets, attitudes, or keys to understanding the Bible. First, Pray for Spiritual Understanding before reading the Bible: The first right step or key to understanding the Bible is to humbly ask for God’s help before you start reading it. The Scripture declares: “Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” (Psa. 25:8-9 NKJV). The Bible is a divine book and therefore requires much more than intellectual effort or ability to understand it. If you are not humble enough to ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual understanding, you will never be able to comprehend the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Second, Approach the Bible with a Willing Mind to obey its Injunctions: You will never understand the Bible unless you approach it with a submissive and teachable mind or attitude. The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the final or supreme authority on every issue or subject. Therefore, you must approach it with reverence and resolution to obey all its injunctions and follow all its instructions. The primary reason why many readers of the Bible don’t understand it is because they don’t esteem, regard and revere the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God and the final authority on every issue. If God does not see in you an open and willing mind to receive, submit to, and apply the doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction of the Bible; He will not grant you an understanding of His Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). This is why Jesus said to the Jews: “Why do you not understand my language? It is because you can not bear my doctrine.” (John 8:43 Oracl). Without the willingness, resolution or determination to receive, embrace and follow all the teachings of the Bible even if it means letting go of a long held belief, custom or tradition, you may never understand it. Jesus declares: "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” (John 7:17 NKJV). If you are not willing to do what the Bible teaches, you are not yet ready to understand the Bible. Third, Plan time for a Regular Study of the Bible: You can never begin to understand the Bible until you actually begin to read the Bible or have the Bible read to you. It is therefore very crucial to schedule time daily when you can slowly, carefully or diligently read, search and study the Bible without any distraction or disturbance (Psa. 119:72, 127, Acts 17:11). Don’t just say you will read the Bible when you are free or when it is convenient for you; fix a definite time daily for reading, studying and meditating in the Bible, and be disciplined to maintain the time. Always have your note book and pen beside you while studying the Bible to jot down the lessons you have learned and what God has said to you. You can also use a marker to keep track of key verses. Take time also to regularly review, mediate, and pray on what you have been learning (Eph. 5:15-17, 1 Tim. 4:13-16). Fourth, Read the Whole Bible and Study Topics: You need a broad overview of the Bible in order to understand the Bible in its particular verses. It is therefore not enough to read excerpts here and there; you need to read through the whole Bible – topic by topic as well as book by book. Going through the whole Bible from cover to cover will give you a broad familiarity and perspective. At various times, you could concentrate on one subject or doctrine of the Bible. This will allow you to see all that God has to say about a particular topic or doctrine (2 Tim. 2:15). Fifth, Compare Different Translations of the Bible: The Bible was written in ancient languages (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic) and settings which are so different from our modern languages and settings. However, your understanding of the Bible can be enhanced by taking advantage of the work of scholars who have studied culture, language, history and archaeology as they relate to biblical events and characters. The most helpful tool for Bible study is several Bible versions or translations. More than 60 English versions of the Bible are available today. But, you must bear it in mind that scholars sometimes differ on how certain verses should be translated today. While a literal rendering is often preferred, but a thought-for-thought translation or paraphrase is sometimes better at capturing the intent of ancient figures of speech. Sixth, Use Bible Study Aids Properly: Many Bible study aids are quite helpful. They can provide valuable historical background or point you to other scriptures that add clarity to what you are reading. Bible aids or helps include concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, maps and commentaries. However, always keep in mind when using these resources that they are not the Bible itself. Moreover, always remember that nothing interprets the Bible as the Bible itself. So, let the Bible interprets or explains itself to you. Be careful not to read meaning into the Bible text, but to derive meaning out of the Bible text. Always consider the scriptures in context and look at all the scriptures on a subject for a clearer and deeper understanding (Isa. 28:10, Acts 17:11). Lastly, Ask Questions and seek Help from your Pastor: It is always best to seek help from qualified people in any field of study. God has ordained and placed His shepherds in the Church to feed His sheep with spiritual knowledge and guide them into a fuller or deeper understanding of His Word. God said: "I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jer. 3:15 NKJV). Therefore, if you have questions while reading or studying the Bible, feel free to ask a Spirit-filled servant of God or a spiritually matured believer for clarification and deeper understanding (Neh. 8:8, Acts 8:30-31; 18:26). Sir Francis Bacon, known as the father of the scientific method, wrote: “There are two books laid before us to study, to prevent our falling into error; first, the volume of Scriptures, which reveal the will of God, then the volume of the Creatures [Creation], which express His power.” Beloved, obedience is very vital for continued and progressive spiritual understanding of God’s Word. If you really want to understand God’s Word better and deeper, then you need to heed, obey, follow, or practice what you have read, learned and understood. Jesus warns: “Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away." (Luke 8:18 RSV). Contribute! Books!
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 11:55:34 +0000
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