"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and in all thy getting, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7. But how do I go about understanding the Bible? It is so intimidating and hard to understand. Or is it?
Let's start the New Year with the best tool for success... your Bible. This year be intentional in STUDYING your Bible, don't just read it! You are getting to know a person...Christ; to be like that person...Christ; to serve intelligently that person in love...Christ.
The Bible says in Colossians 1:27, one of the most impactive verse on my Christian life, " ...Christ in you (me) the hope of glory. If Christ in me and you is to only hope for salvation, then we need to make Him our number one priority. This requires discipline (I Corinthians 10:31) and intimacy ( Exodus 33:13; John 17:3; Phillipian 3:10).
Solomon told us that we should know facts; data; and information, but having knowledge and not knowing how to apply it is very dangerous in unskilled hands. Isaiah was given the secrets to breaking down the Scriptures. God asked the question through His spokesperson:
9 Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little;... Isaiah 28: 9,10,13
Studying the Bible requires more than a superficial understanding of it. Like an onion, the word of God has many layers of truth that are more deeply revealed when studying it using the following principles and understanding:
Contextual Principle
Verse-by-Verse Principle
Word-by-Word Principle
The "First mentioned" Principle
Historical Application
Prophetic Application
Spiritual Application
Health Application
Practical Application (self, service)
Storage Application (review & teach)
The hurried reader, the surface reader, and the storybook enthusiast do not appreciate the layers. To appreciate the Bible, and the truths revealed therein, I have found a few things to be true. I have learned as a growing Christian and Bible student that:
Secret #1
It requires quality time to peel away the layers of verbiage to get to the truths revealed inside its’ sacred covers.
Practical advice: Set a quiet, sacred, and special time for intimately meeting with God for personal, one-to-one, or small group Bible Study and discussions. Ask your questions and listen to God speak to you from His Word. You can not hear him in the hustle and bustle of secular activity...Elijah can attest to this fact (1 Kings 19: 9-13). It is like being on a date with someone you like and he/she keeps watching the TV, talking on the phone, or talking to his or her friends and family when you want them to be all into you. Why? You want to know and understand him or her better, and this takes time that is well spent intimately receiving and giving ... communicating often.
Secret #2
It requires the use of a notebook, a dictionary, and a concordance. Commentaries are also helpful, but use them with prayerful caution after you have studied.
Practical Advice: Sometimes we are tempted to skip words we do not know… but slow down and spend time in the Scriptures. Invest financially in acquiring the tools we need to be powerfully equipped to live and share God’s word. Study it line upon line…here a little and there a little. I encourage us not to be lazy lovers of studying God’s Word. No one wants a mate who doesn’t make an effort to perform small but meaningful actions that demonstrate their love and commitment. Doing the small things is usually the most impactful in relationships. They are a great indicator of the depth of your commitment. Remember, you are seeking to have the most intimate relationship with Jesus!
Secret #3
The mind will not appreciate the Bible that approaches it with the wrong attitude and with preconceived biases. Paul gave ample warning in Romans 1: 18-32 about the results of this attitude towards the truth that de-shackles and frees us from error. Take some time to read it. It is very sobering, but transformative too.
Practical Advice: I know we are smart, educated and for some of us technologically gifted… However, as a person who has had atheistic tendencies during my pre-teen and teenage years, let’s be honest… There are many gaping holes in our hearts that not even all the dallying in humanism and other philosophical sciences have not filled. Some of us are haunted by questions that we don’t have answers to despite our “smartness” and worldly accomplishments. Therefore, come to study the Bible ready to learn, and not to teach. Be a blank page on which God can write new notes and be the answer to all our questions. What do we have to lose? Only our pride and self-absorption.
Secret #4
The Holy Spirit is the only one that can help you peel away the individual layers perfectly enough to discover today’s pearl and tomorrow’s gold mine. King David, the father of Solomon, the second wisest man that ever lived, testified, "For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness." Psalms 18:28.
Practical Advice: YouTube and Google University are great resources, but the Bible interprets itself to the believer, not the wilful skeptic; to the honest searcher for truth not the evader of truth. We need to pray often for the spirit of humility so we may be teachable. The rewards reaped will be "out of this world"...truly amazing! in Christ's day, fishermen transformed by the Word became some of the most learned men and influential leaders this world has ever known.
Secret #5
The truths found inside transcend making gods of knowledge–they woo us into an amazing relationship with our Creator and God. The Word continually transforms our character from one that lavishes in sin and selfishness to one that luxuriates in obedience and righteousness.
Practical Advice: It is most beneficial to those who want a full-course meal and not buffet pickings. Fully embrace all the truths revealed. Partial embracement breathes hypocrisy… it sends a false message that God is impotent and useless in the lives of “Christians”. Let's change that perception by appreciating all of God's Word. After you have done this then give all the glory to Him and not become self-righteous (Psalms 115:1). We surely are incapable of changing ourselves or being obedient without His strength. He helps us to live a surrendered, sin-free life. Despite what you may have heard, God expects us to overcome sin ( C.F. 1 John 2). He is more than able to help us.
Today’s Commitment:
I will read the chapters of the Bible first for historical content in its original format: book, prophecy, poetry, song, psalm, etc.
I will first acquire the surface knowledge: The who, what, when, where, and why. After I know the “story” well, I will take my time in discovering what treasures lie in the sub-layers of the “onion” of God’s Word then I will begin biting it to pieces, chewing it, savoring it, swallowing it, breaking it down some more, assimilating it for nutrients, energy, and mental and spiritual maintenance and repair. I will apply knowledge to its proper use right away by putting Bible principles into practice (obedience)– first in my life and then by helping others. Whatever knowledge I learned that I did not share will be stored for future use. I must share and serve in the character of Christ.
Were these secrets helpful? What are the most helpful secrets? Share in the comments section and add a few of your own, if applicable.
"Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven." Psalms 107:30 KJV
A Song of Praise:
As the Deer Panteth for the Waters
So My Soul Longeth After Thee O Lord
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This is absolutely wonderful,,I thank God for this article on this day,,just in time,,I needed it most today ❤️