KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE (Part 1)
HOME OF ARTICLE
“For the natural man is not able to take in the things of the Spirit of God: for they seem foolish to him, and he is not able to have knowledge of them, because such knowledge comes only through the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 BBE
While it is true that the Bible is the best-seller and most widely read book of all time, the Bible is said to be the “most misunderstood book” of all time. Why? 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, if the Holy Spirit does not open or enlighten your mind, the Bible will remain closed, and you won’t understand, receive, and believe its truths (1 Cor. 2:11).
It is not that the Bible is difficult to understand, but the problem is that many Bible readers approach it with the wrong mindsets and attitudes.
The Bible interprets itself and provides essential keys to understanding it. Sadly, many readers of the Bible ignore what the Bible says about itself and its keys to its understanding.
This piece shall consider some of the right mindsets or attitudes that are a must for understanding the Bible.
First, Pray for Spiritual Understanding before Reading the Bible:
The Bible is a sacred book and requires much more than intellectual effort or the ability to understand it. Therefore, the first right step or key to understanding the Bible is to humbly ask for God’s help before you start reading it (Psa. 25:8-9).
All Scripture is God-breathed or inspired by God’s Spirit. Therefore, it takes the help of God’s Spirit to know, understand, receive, believe, and obey or act upon the truths of God’s Word (Luke 24:45).
Second, Approach the Bible with an Open, Humble, and Willing Mind to Obey its Injunctions:
The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the final or supreme authority on every issue or subject. The primary reason why many readers of the Bible don’t understand its truths is that they don’t esteem, regard, or revere the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God and, thus, the final authority on every issue or subject (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
If you don’t approach God’s Word with an open, humble, and willing mind to receive, submit to, live by, obey, or apply its teachings and instructions, you will not understand God’s Word. The Lord Jesus revealed this truth while rebuking the Jews, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.” (John 8:43 NET).
Without the willingness, resolution, or determination to receive, believe, embrace, accept and follow, obey, or apply all the Bible’s teachings, even if it means letting go of a long-held belief, custom, or tradition, you may never understand the truths of God’s Word.
If you are not willing to obey what the Bible teaches, you are not yet ready to understand what the Bible teaches (John 7:17).
Third, Plan time for Regular Reading and Studying of the Bible:
You will never understand the Bible until you read, study, and meditate on what the Bible teaches or says. Therefore, it is crucial to schedule time daily when you can slowly, carefully, or diligently read, search and study, and meditate on the Bible without distraction or disturbance (Psa. 119:72, 127, Acts 17:11).
Don’t just say you will read the Bible when free or convenient for you; fix a definite time daily for reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible, and be disciplined to maintain the time.
Always have your notebook and pen beside you while reading and studying the Bible to jot down the lessons you have learned, the truths you have discovered, the promises to claim, and whatever God has said to you. You can also use a marker to keep track of key verses.
Regularly review, mediate, internalize, and pray on the spiritual truths you have discovered while studying God’s Word (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 to understand the Bible in its verses. Therefore, reading excerpts is not enough; you must read through the Bible—topic by topic and book by book.
Going through the Bible from cover to cover will give you a broad familiarity and perspective. At various times, you should concentrate on one subject or doctrine of the Bible. This will allow you to see all God says about a particular topic or doctrine (2 Tim. 2:15).
In Part 2 of this piece, we shall consider more right mindsets or attitudes that are a must for understanding the Bible.
Prayer:
This New Year, I choose not to be a mere, casual, or occasional reader and hearer of God’s Word, but rather an ardent, diligent, and consistent reader of God’s Word. Help me, Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our mandate is to preserve the faith of the Apostolic Generation.
Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.
AWH, Blogs.
Share this:
“For the natural man is not able to take in the things of the Spirit of God: for they seem foolish to him, and he is not able to have knowledge of them, because such knowledge comes only through the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 BBE
While it is true that the Bible is the best-seller and most widely read book of all time, the Bible is said to be the “most misunderstood book” of all time. Why? 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, if the Holy Spirit does not open or enlighten your mind, the Bible will remain closed, and you won’t understand, receive, and believe its truths (1 Cor. 2:11).
It is not that the Bible is difficult to understand, but the problem is that many Bible readers approach it with the wrong mindsets and attitudes.
The Bible interprets itself and provides essential keys to understanding it. Sadly, many readers of the Bible ignore what the Bible says about itself and its keys to its understanding.
This piece shall consider some of the right mindsets or attitudes that are a must for understanding the Bible.
First, Pray for Spiritual Understanding before Reading the Bible:
The Bible is a sacred book and requires much more than intellectual effort or the ability to understand it. Therefore, the first right step or key to understanding the Bible is to humbly ask for God’s help before you start reading it (Psa. 25:8-9).
All Scripture is God-breathed or inspired by God’s Spirit. Therefore, it takes the help of God’s Spirit to know, understand, receive, believe, and obey or act upon the truths of God’s Word (Luke 24:45).
Second, Approach the Bible with an Open, Humble, and Willing Mind to Obey its Injunctions:
The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the final or supreme authority on every issue or subject. The primary reason why many readers of the Bible don’t understand its truths is that they don’t esteem, regard, or revere the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God and, thus, the final authority on every issue or subject (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
If you don’t approach God’s Word with an open, humble, and willing mind to receive, submit to, live by, obey, or apply its teachings and instructions, you will not understand God’s Word. The Lord Jesus revealed this truth while rebuking the Jews, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching.” (John 8:43 NET).
Without the willingness, resolution, or determination to receive, believe, embrace, accept and follow, obey, or apply all the Bible’s teachings, even if it means letting go of a long-held belief, custom, or tradition, you may never understand the truths of God’s Word.
If you are not willing to obey what the Bible teaches, you are not yet ready to understand what the Bible teaches (John 7:17).
Third, Plan time for Regular Reading and Studying of the Bible:
You will never understand the Bible until you read, study, and meditate on what the Bible teaches or says. Therefore, it is crucial to schedule time daily when you can slowly, carefully, or diligently read, search and study, and meditate on the Bible without distraction or disturbance (Psa. 119:72, 127, Acts 17:11).
Don’t just say you will read the Bible when free or convenient for you; fix a definite time daily for reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible, and be disciplined to maintain the time.
Always have your notebook and pen beside you while reading and studying the Bible to jot down the lessons you have learned, the truths you have discovered, the promises to claim, and whatever God has said to you. You can also use a marker to keep track of key verses.
Regularly review, mediate, internalize, and pray on the spiritual truths you have discovered while studying God’s Word (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 to understand the Bible in its verses. Therefore, reading excerpts is not enough; you must read through the Bible—topic by topic and book by book.
Going through the Bible from cover to cover will give you a broad familiarity and perspective. At various times, you should concentrate on one subject or doctrine of the Bible. This will allow you to see all God says about a particular topic or doctrine (2 Tim. 2:15).
In Part 2 of this piece, we shall consider more right mindsets or attitudes that are a must for understanding the Bible.
Prayer:
This New Year, I choose not to be a mere, casual, or occasional reader and hearer of God’s Word, but rather an ardent, diligent, and consistent reader of God’s Word. Help me, Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our mandate is to preserve the faith of the Apostolic Generation.
Eniyekpemi Fidelis Oyinpreyebi.
AWH, Blogs.
Share this:
Comments
Post a Comment