Understanding The Bible

God will help us understand the Bible. We just have to ask.

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have witnessed much debate about Bible doctrine. Arguments over what is holy and what is false and whether or not we should judge theology of others. Why are well meaning Christians in disagreement? Because the Bible can be a challenge to understand. While some of the language and accounts are very straightforward, other passages can be difficult to fully grasp their meaning. So what can one do about this?

It all comes back to Biblical and spiritual knowledge. And much of that comes from The Lord. God will give His knowledge to those who cry out to Him. We often hear that the Bible can be tough to understand at times. It’s okay if that happens. God understands and wants us to seek Him at those times. Never forget that the Bible is a supernatural, spiritual book. It takes a spiritual desire to truly “get it.” The Apostle Paul wrote:

2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. — 1 Corinthians 2

Intellect alone will not do it. Solomon, the author of the Proverb above and the most brilliant man who ever lived, made it clear that we need to look to God for true knowledge. Many skeptics mock the Bible because they are not examining it from a spiritual perspective. Spiritual desire begins with our repentance to God and humility in seeking Him. Reading the Bible to put God “on trial” or to find “contradictions” will never be as fruitful as a sincere desire to try and understand The Word of God with an open heart.

The next step, as the Proverb instructs us, is to “Receive His words.” In order to receive it, we must read and study it! Whether it’s alone, in a group or at church we must commit ourselves to learning God’s Word. As we do this we must open our hearts and minds to what the Bible says and not the words of any man or woman whether they are a friend, preacher or prophet. The Bible should be the final authority.

We also must “hide” The Lord’s commandments in us. We must internalize God’s Word and commands and live then. As the saying goes, “don’t just talk about it, be about it.” If we do that and we pray to The Lord, with a heart yearning for Godly knowledge like it’s a treasure, The Lord will reward us with knowledge to take on even more challenges in our walk. So if the Bible seems tough to get at times, humble yourself, pray to God with sincerity and ask for help in it making sense to you. Show your sincerity by living the way God wants. Then come back to the Bible and study again and see what the Spirit will show you.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” — Jeremiah 33:3