“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”-John 8:31-32
Tonight’s lesson centers around a proper understanding of the word of God. We will examine two case studies involving serious errors in logic and interpretation of the Bible. If tonight’s sermon is a warning, this article is a bulwark against falling for false teachers.
For anyone who comes to the Bible for the first time, it can be a mysterious and confusing book. Here are a few tips. My prayer is they will be of service as we, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”-II Peter 3:18.
The Bible Is True: Our Bibles were written by men who were, “carried along by the Holy Spirit.”-II Peter 1:21. The 66 books that make up the Old (39) and New Testaments (27) record history, teaching, and prophecy reliably. The Bible does not sugar-coat events in the lives of its heroes. It can be trusted because the words on the page were, “breathed out by God.”-II Timothy 3:17. And God can not lie (Hebrews 6:18).
What Is The Context? Who is the author? Who is the audience? Is what I am reading part of the New Testament, the Law of Moses, or the patriarchal1 period? Read the chapter preceding the passage you are studying. We must seek to understand any passage the way it was intended to be interpreted at the time.
What Is The Style? The book of Revelation, Ezekiel, and the majority of the prophets of the Old Testament are written in an apocalyptic, metaphorical style. They represent truths revealed with images. The Psalms and parts of Ecclesiastes are poetic literature, often intended to be sung. Much of the Bible is historical. The gospels and Acts are types of history regarding Jesus and the early church. While letters (epistles) make up the bulk of the New Testament books.
Basic Tips: Here are a few principles to apply when trying to understand God’s word.
- Look for the plain and literal meaning. (Most of the Bible is easily understood)
- Let Scripture interpret Scripture. (The Bible is true and its teaching harmonizes)
- Let clear Scripture interpret difficult Scripture. (My understanding of troubling texts, must align with the meaning of simple passages)
- Look at all Scriptures concerning a topic. (Avail yourself of the whole counsel of God)
- Is the person speaking inspired? (The events, words, and deeds of the Bible are recorded by inspiration, but the people speaking are not in many cases. Pharisees, Roman officials, and even Satan said things that were and are false. Yet their words were recorded accurately.)
- Read To Understand: Do I love and want to know God? If so, I must read his revealed word with humility and an attitude of obedience. Many times my inability to understand something is rooted in the fact that God is demanding a change in my life I do not desire! The Bible becomes easier to understand once I submit my will to Jesus as Lord.
Thank you, God, for the lamp to my feet and light to my path to heaven!
1 For more on this, watch a series of videos titled, “Bible Landmarks and Time Periods” on the “Preacherman Sage” YouTube channel.
Link for YouTube Playlist: https://youtu.be/qlRYEcZARtU
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