PUTTING ON THE RIGHT GLASSES

The pursuit of truth exceeds the definitions that modern epistemology embraces. Merriam-Webster's definition for epistemology is the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity. A Christian’s search of truth, however, is deeper than that. The pursuit of Kingdom Truth is not a investigation of knowledge or science, because knowledge and  science, in their own end, fluctuate indiscriminately dependent upon new discoveries that in the indeterminate future will very probably be proven incorrect or need adjustment. The truth of God’s Kingdom, that encompasses the entirety of how truth is manifested from God, is unchanging and constant. It is stable and never needs adjustment. Therefore, when I say we endeavor to grow in biblical truth, in actuality biblical truth is a part of what I have come to define as Kingdom Truth. Earlier in my blogs I listed the types of truth that make up what you can call Kingdom Truth.

See the list again

Truth in the Kingdom of God

(ALMOST ALWAYS PRECEDED BY MERCY)

Truth of God in His Character- Ex. 34:6; Jer 10:10

Truth of God in His Word- John 17:17; Ps 119:160; 1 Thess. 2:13 

Truth of God in His Spirit- John 16:13; 1 John 4:6

Truth of God in His Law- Ps 119:142

Truth of God in our Lives and His Ways- Way of Truth- Ps. 119:130; 2 Pet. 2:2

Truth of God in His works- Dan 4:37

Spiritual truths in doctrines-Gal. 5:7; 3:1

Jesus is- John 14:6

The message of the gospel- Col 1:5

The anointing- 1 John 2:27

Character Truth- Way of righteousness

Each of these expressions of truth are linked and one will not contradict the other. Our problem isn’t however whether these things are truth or not. Our problem is learning to interpret them accurately so we don’t create strongholds of thinking that take a truth and make it The Truth without considering the balancing factors coupled together. I’ve observed that when someone becomes enamored with one particular truth, in let’s say for example, God’s grace, and willfully ignores God’s holiness, the incorrect emphasis builds an unhealthy understanding of who God is in truth and eventually will produce a lifestyle that is contrary to what Christianity should look like in practice. Therefore, it we’re going to deal with our individual filters, we have to learn how to properly interpret the truths in God’s Kingdom.

The accumulation of knowledge, for the sake of bettering human life and understanding how things work, is not a bad thing. But knowledge of itself does not produce lasting stability and honorable character. For this reason, the search for truth cannot consist of merely the search for spiritual and biblical knowledge. It must include the discovery of what is foundational in God and buried at the base of what is life, as it genuinely exists. That means you have to dig. Now consider this!

An incorrect interpretation of anything eventually corrupts the application of what is misinterpreted.

INTERPRETATION & APPLICATION AFFECT EACH OTHER

 How we interpret and apply the Scriptures inadvertently affect each other. If you misinterpret what you read in the Bible or about God, then you will consequently misapply the principles and topics you’re investigating. Our application is therefore determined by our understanding. How you consequently live, therefore, is a manifestation of what you believe to be truth. We therefore expose our belief systems on a daily basis, even though we may not be consciously aware of it. I have been thinking a lot about the issue of conscience as of late. I'm increasingly aware that I often stand up for things or refute others that many people don’t understand and rationalize away. It’s hit me that I do so because of what I believe to be truth in my conscience. On the other hand when I observe well-meaning individuals carry on with life doing things I know to be offensive to God, contrary to His Word, and insensitive to what His Spirit requires, I realize that their conscience may not be developed in the same way as mine, because they have accepted another so-called truth, which is really not truth at all. This is a major dilemma and frightening if you consider that a vast number of believers have never even learned the most basic of Christian doctrine. Therefore, at some point in the future of this blog I want to write about conscience. It intrigues me and concerns me for our generations. So before we launch into another message about the pursuit of Kingdom Truth will you ask yourself one question? What filters am I interpreting Kingdom Truth through?  You see how you interpret truth will determine how you apply it! The truths you believe, are apparent to others because of how you live. Choosing to love the truth of God is a risky thing because people don’t think that way. Living Kingdom truth generally goes cross grain of human rationale because it isn’t religious; it’s foundationally spiritual. They love the truths of their feelings, experiences, and philosophies- if those can be called truth, their translations of the Bible and the list goes on. In my next blog I will begin to describe the 4 standards required for accurate interpretation of Kingdom Truth. Buckle your seat belts! This is gonna be a fun ride!

Dealing with Your Filters OR Taking Off The Spiritual Spectacles That Twist Biblical Truth

Do you love the truth or do you love your interpretation of what you believe to be the truth? Do you love God’s word or do you love your translation of it? These are big challenges and questions few believers dare to ask, much less even think to ask. Nonetheless, many saints have embraced a dangerous assumption presuming that they’ll automatically have an accurate understanding of the Bible just by reading it. This toxic mindset has fueled a faulty and catastrophic usage of the Bible so that the Church has ‘used” Scripture to justify countless atrocities such as persecution of and killing of the Jews, the justification of holy wars, burning women suspected of witchcraft, burning doctrinal heretics and anyone that thought differently then that generation of the Church did, torture, enslavement and the oppression of women.  Consequently, the Bible “says so” has armed countless people with repressive weapons and enslavement eventually subverting the life-giving good news through Jesus. The letter of the “Law” has triumphed over the accomplishments of the New Birth and the Cross.  Basic doctrines believed by the early Church have been forgotten in favor of a more liberal philosophical interpretations of Jesus, the Word and God. Scripture is supposed to empower the Church to a life of the gospel in that Jesus came to redeem all people through the cross. Yet, throughout history, a contradictory attitude has increased and the filters that affect interpretation and application of biblical truth have warped the very principles that influence how “truth” is determined. Philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, Avicenna, Thomas Aquinas, Immanuel Kant, Georg Hegel, John Dewey, Martin Heidegger, Augustine of Hippo and others, most of whom are unknown to the majority of the modern Church, radically shaped a wide variety of theories of truth and definitively affected, both negatively, and some positively, our current understanding of biblical truth. Obviously, not every believer in every nation of the world will have the same filters and would have access to the influences I've just mentioned. But if we as believers are to pursue “truth”, and for us to acquire “biblically accurate and consistent”, spiritual truth, we must diligently endeavor to expose the corrupting filters that currently affect many believers all around the world. Maybe this is important to you, and maybe it is not. I'm always dumbfounded when Christians tell me that they don’t concern themselves with this. They say “ Well God will teach me what I need to know”. Sadly, they don’t even realize how much they've already forfeited and how weak this statement is. I believe with all my heart that we need an educated Church to arise in both the power of the Spirit and the actuality of His Word. The world desperately needs to see a people who demonstrate the reality of the God of the Bible, and the life-changing, empowered existence because of the amazing transformation accomplished through the New Birth and the indwelling Holy Spirit.  If your study of the Bible, and your understanding of truth, minimizes the reality of Almighty God, then your faith is no different than the rest of the dead-end religions of the world. We need the genuine work of God’s Truth in our lives without the warped vision that has crippled it by our ungodly spectacles. So what are some of these filters?

In my previous blog, EXPOSING UNGODLY SPIRITUAL SPECTACLES? What Filters Are You Viewing Truth Through?, I posted a chart identifying the five categories of filters that I’ve come to discover affect how we interpret biblical truth. This inventory is not comprehensive and I don’t believe a complete list could ever actually be assembled due to the uniqueness of the human persona, experiences and influences. Therefore, in attempting to address this vast puzzle I will only address some of the most significant factors that become filters in an individual’s life. Obviously, the quest to nail down and prevent all potential filters would be impossible. However, if one goes back to the combined definition for what truth is, as derived from the merging of the multiple Hebrew and Greek words translated as truth in the Scriptures, I think it will bring you hope.

Truth is the principle, or often invisible fact, that establishes the base or foundation of anything to make something or someone STABLE, firm, reliable, certain, trustworthy or FAITHFUL as originating out of God’s character, His Word or His Spirit and producing the result of balanced righteousness, justice, merciful communication and loving interaction in relationship. It is the opposite of anything fictitious, false, unstable or pretend. In the end, it should produce stability in your life. Therefore, wherever you experience instability, you are in need a some aspect of God’s Truth.

So now, let’s identify some of the key problematic filters that affect how you determine what you believe to be biblical truth.

#1. The filter of Culture

An individual’s culture radically impacts how he or she interprets the Bible. For example, one culture might be emotionally animated and physically demonstrative so that when studying some of the more expressive elements of faith and praise they might not have difficulty in accepting this for the purpose of application. On the other hand, a culture uncomfortable with such vigorous expressions will find it difficult to accept what the Scriptures state in this section. Culture impacts how you interpret godly truth.  Culture spans a massive factor in society. There are also spiritual sub-cultures. For example, denominations and spiritual movements often develop their own cultures affecting how they dress, the expectations of what a minister should or shouldn’t do, financial practices and what they believe the Bible says is truth. The culture you embrace and that has influenced you will often affect how you read the Bible and pray because of hidden standards you've come to accept as absolute. Removing these securities is sometime alarming and temporarily destabilizing. This means that your security may be in the wrong things and exposing it could cause huge inward and outward upheaval. Nonetheless, if you love truth you must bring your culture to the cross and then bury it! Does this mean you deny your cultural identity? NO! The only aspects of culture that needs to be removed is the factors that corrupt your interpretation of truth.      

#2. The filter of Tradition-

Positive traditions

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. KJV

  2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. KJV

Tradition is a huge factor affecting how we interpret biblical truth. It is also two-sided having both positives and negatives that can either influence Bible study in a manner that appropriately interprets scripture, or warp what the verses say. Paul the apostle had to constantly confront traditional thinking and interpretations of the Scriptures. He also was careful to construct a belief system founded in solid traditional truths for the Gentile believers he parented, wisely avoiding the intermixing of Jewish tradition and Hellenistic thought in his messages. The Jews of the days of Jesus were largely Hellenized. Having been scattered through the Greek world, and in order to succeed in that era, the Jews adopted Hellenistic ideologies into their belief systems. Therefore, when Jesus came on the scene, He communicated to these Jews, who were more Greek, than Jewish in their thinking, and endeavored to restore them to an unadulterated faith of their fathers. Paul was faced with the same dilemma, especially when ministering to his Greek converts.

           

Negative traditions based on the legalistic Jewish traditions

Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.  3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? KJV

Matthew 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. KJV

Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. KJV

Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?KJV

Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. KJV

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. KJV

Galatians 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. KJV

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; KJV

Negative traditions of men- referring to Gnosticism and Greek philosophies

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. KJV

#3. The Filter of Doctrinal Understanding

      Your pre-determined doctrinal beliefs will influence how you understand and interpret biblical truth. These beliefs may have been influenced by other filters so they will be complicated to sort out. Some pre-determined belief systems that will affect how you interpret truth and could become an unhealthy filter will be according to how you understand the Character, Nature and Attributes of God, Redemption, The New Birth, Eschatology, Grace, Forgiveness, Salvation, Faith, Gender roles, Greek & Hebrew Belief systems, and many more. Always keep a teachable heart and test everything against the 4 standards of Accurate Bible Study. These will soon be described in another posting.

#4. The Filter of Silent, but the long-standing external influences of Hellenism

Zech. 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; 13 When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. 14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

The often silent but very real presence and influence of the early Greek Philosophers still holds a powerful grip on how Christians interpret biblical truth, know God and believe how they should live. It’s influence goes deeper than many believers have ever conceived, and if questioned, stirs up volatile reactions in a variety of theological circles. I believe confronting and correcting it will be one of the great battles of the time before Christ’s return. Therefore, the Christian who sincerely pursues biblical truth needs a biblical methodology that opens up the truth of God’s Word from the Hebraic perspective while exposing the corrupting influence of Hellenistic, Greek philosophy, affecting modern theology. For many centuries, Bible scholars have speculated about what these verses in Zechariah 9:12-13 imply. Few interpretations entirely agree but most theologians recommend that the context refers to an End Times clash when Hebraic thought will war with Hellenistic thought affecting the people influenced by it, as it originated with the philosophies of ancient Greece.  Mindful of this we need a type of biblical methodology that disengages the manmade filters harmful to spiritually minded students.               

#5. The Filters of Personality type, Personal opinion, Secret agendas, and Offenses

It’s not hard to see how different personality types could interpret biblical and spiritual truth according to what fits their personality. There are even spiritual movements throughout history that developed out of different personality expressions. Some preferred passivism. Others honored exuberant zeal and attracted like personalities to their sides. Personal opinion has similarly become a major factor in being a filter in contemporary times. The right to speak one’s opinion is sometimes now more valued than an intelligent and knowledgeable voice. The more that lawlessness and disrespect for accuracy infects humanity the more fluent personal opinion and private interpretation will bear down hard against truth. People with secret agendas will mold what the want the Bible to say to accommodate their personal plans. Worst of all, people who are offended become fertile ground for self-willed interpretation of the Bible so to gain the upper hand on those they’re offended by. I don’t know how many times I've gotten stuck in the middle of two offended parties who both told me how God spoke a scripture to them that supported their feelings of needed vengeance. In every case they'd received identical passages and they had interpreted those verses from the perspective of their offense. Their offense twisted the truth.

#6. The Filter of Language and Translations

Without a doubt the filters of language translation and the different Bible translations can pose huge problems for interpreting what the Bible says and discovering what the truth really is. I don’t know how many times I've agonized over Bible translations in other languages and it just didn’t do justice to what the ancient Hebrew and Greek actually said. Furthermore, the accumulating Bible translations in English pose problems that is either unique to their translation or influenced by the translators who decided to become interpreters of the text. Sadly, translators can innocently become interpreters of what they make the verses to say. It may be a shock to you, but there are innumerable Hebrew and Greek nuances in the translations of the words that are often difficult to translate into our own languages. Therefore, sometimes translators, in order to try to make sense of certain words, may change the grammatical structure and create an interpretive problem. There are numerous instances of this throughout history. Let me share about one example.

I'd been teaching at various church groups in France and was privileged to visit a museum in the Cevanne region dedicated to the time of the Huguenot conflicts. It was a fascinating place displaying a wide range of artifacts from that era. However, one of the most astounding exhibits I encountered was several large glassed-in wooden cases exhibiting an assortment of French Bibles translated during the years of the revolution. To my astonishment, when I read portions of the texts, for example from Psalms 23, I was stunned to see how the Huguenot scribes had interpreted the Bible in a "French manner of speaking" quite different to what I was accustomed to in English translations. Throughout the verses the translators depicted the shepherd as a warrior rather than the usual gentle portrayal we’re familiar with. The tense climate of that troublesome time affected how the Bible had been transcribed into the French. I was sternly reminded that God’s word is settled in heaven, not on earth, when I saw these Bibles with my own eyes.

For these reasons, we must remember that no one specific translation is exclusively correct. There are literally dozens of angles how words can be translated. We must search, to the best of our ability, using as many resources as we can, and seek for what best honors what Jesus did on the cross and entirety of God’s word. For some Christians this is too much of a challenge because regrettably they‘ve built their belief systems on translations and interpretations instead of what the Bible actually says in the Hebrew or the Greek. Others will not have good resource materials available to them but they can still pray and ask God to show them His heart about these things. I realize the inner tug of war this creates and have wrestled through this myself. But I want to know the truth, and if that means I have to discard human interpretations for accurate translation, I'm willing to engage in this wrestling match.

There are dozens of additional filters we could talk about. But for now, ask yourself: Have I allowed ungodly, unbiblical filters to prevent my growth in the truth that honors God?  I hope you’ll be honest with yourself and remove them if you find them!

EXPOSING UNGODLY SPIRITUAL SPECTACLES? What Filters Are You Viewing Truth Through?

Luke 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. KJV

I’ve had the privilege of speaking in over 35 nations and to even a greater number of people groups and nationalities in my course of 33 years of speaking ministry. It is my greatest joy, and significantly, my most pained heartache. One of the reasons I say that, and related to why I have been so hesitant to write a blog, is this.  There are a lot of factors that affect how people see, hear, interpret and understand biblical concepts of truth. It is downright scary to think how people interpret what I write and say. I know I don’t have much control over that, but it is always a serious concern. One word wrongly interpreted can mess up someone’s life for a long time. So when I write, I really try to consider how others will understand what I'm attempting to convey. Furthermore, the more that I travel and encounter different cultures, the more complicated the managing of this aspect of communication becomes. Nevertheless, I will attempt to be integritous to myself, what God has shown me, and most of all, considerate of my readers. I do care about what happens to you because of what I’ve written.

Let me explain how important this is. I’ve worn prescription eyeglasses ever since I was a little girl. It has always been a frustration to me because I really can’t see much of anything without them. Moreover, throughout my life, especially the last few years, my prescription has changed radically. Then about two years ago I was having serious difficulties seeing. The immense amount of reading and research I’d been doing had strained my eyes and I found myself struggling to read, watch TV or see to drive. It had become very disturbing because I found myself misreading words, and consequently, misunderstanding what I read. Thankfully, it wasn’t anything critical or dangerous, but nonetheless, it was discouraging. I eventually went to an optometrist who informed me that my prescription was incorrect. That was the reason my eyes had been so irritated. Happily I left his office with a new set of glasses and contacts unaware of what I was about to experience. To my shock, I started weeping as I was driving home. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me? Actually, nothing was wrong. It was just that for the first time in a long time I realized I could see everything clearly around me. I'd been experiencing a mild form of the "blues" commonly experienced by people in their 50’s, and upwards, whose eyesight has changed and they don’t realize it. Once the sight is corrected the blues lift. This experience made me wonder if one of the reasons why so many Christians are struggling with spiritual “blues” is because that they're incapable of getting the biblical revelation they desire because they’re looking through the wrong spiritual spectacles. They don’t have God’s prescription for seeing well. The issue is valid and more significant than you may realize. Unhindered eyesight and hearing are fundamental to healthy life. When studying the Scriptures the comparison between natural senses and spiritual eyesight, and hearing, is irrefutable. In the natural, a misdiagnosed prescription, for glasses or a hearing aid, can distort view and sounds causing frustrating problems and misinterpretation of what is actually being seen and heard. This same type of spiritual condition is an all too common problem innocently affecting a great majority of Christians who don’t realize that they’re seeing and hearing through manmade, demonically-inspired filters preventing them from accurately interpreting the Bible for what it is saying. So the question is: What filters are you unknowingly looking through that affect how you interpret what you hear and read for the sake of truth?  Any believer who genuinely wants to benefit in their pursuit of truth seriously needs to ask this question. A study of many of the most important subjects relating to Christian faith and maturity are often skewed because those studying look at the topics with preconceived ideas and malformed definitions. Their filters virtually prevent them from getting a clear vision of what God would intend. Consequently, they miss out on significant truths and innocently may even learn error!

2Tim. 2:15   Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Accurate study requires rightly dividing what you read in the Scriptures. Paul, challenged the younger minister Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. This concept comes from the Greek word “orthotomeo” that means to make a straight cut or to dissect something correctly. The student of truth needs to be instructed in how to “tear apart” or properly divide and handle the meaning of Scripture. In order to do so the manmade, philosophical, interpretive filters and glasses must come off. I would cause you a great injustice if I taught you how to ask questions, what questions to ask and give you keys to understand without first helping you expose the wrong filters that could affect your ability to grow in truth. In many ways, how you interpret what you study is corrupted by little pollutions and mixed seeds previously sown into your heart and thinking process. This principle is mentioned in Deuteronomy 22:9 and Leviticus 19:19 that states if you sow a mixture of seeds together, they will cross breed and produce polluted and often unusable fruit.

MIXED SEED PRODUCES POLLUTED FRUIT

An Old Testament agricultural directive reveals a golden key for unlocking the means of how to produce a healthy and fruitful pursuit of truth by studying the Bible, learning God’s character, knowing Jesus, and flowing with the Spirit etc.  This key is mentioned in both Deuteronomy 22:9 and Leviticus 19:19 that cite a warning applicable to nearly every area of life even though the verses seem to be only related to farming. These verses state that when sowing seeds in a vineyard or field one must be careful to not mix or cross-breed seeds because the resulting fruit will inevitably be defiled or corrupt. As odd as it may sound, this principle smacks of a fundamental truth necessary to discerning truth rightly. Your life is like a vineyard and field. You must constantly be aware of the condition of its soil, the nature and origin of the seeds sown in it, and most of all what type of fruit will result from the seeds you’ve sown.

Deuteronomy 22:9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. KJV

Lev 19:19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. KJV

My mother faithfully grew a large vegetable garden every year when I was young. Even thought it was hard work I still remember what she taught us through her example. Without fail, she meticulously organized the garden plot, choosing where she'd plant the different kinds of vegetable seeds in order to prevent unprofitable cross-pollination. On rare occasions, however, the elements and wind would work against her, and a strange mix of cucumber, melon and squash would pop up all because the pollen from the various flowering plants would intermingle. The fruit was unusable, odd tasting, and generally, very strange looking. So it is when we don’t deal with our filters, preconceived ideologies and viewpoints hidden in our consciousness, before we study.

Sometimes it’s difficult to determine where we have problematic areas. I’ve learned, generally speaking, that a lot of our troublesome issues don’t surface until we’re in the fray of the study-wrestling match. Nonetheless, there are some basic issues that we can be aware of, in advance, that will help us as we plod forward.

Christians are often oblivious to the numerous factors that affect and influence how they pursue truth and interpret God’s word. Ignorantly they unintentionally, but recklessly, mix biblical truth with experience based ideologies, philosophies of men, traditions and more, unaware that the mixture will cause them great confusion and sometimes serious deception. Accurate study can’t begin until the proper criteria for biblical truth are cemented into place acting as godly grids sifting out any unhealthy mix. This is absolutely necessary when studying anything noteworthy.

Exposing and dismantling the difficult filters that affect how you interpret Scripture, who God is and how He operates, isn’t necessarily difficult, although at times, it may be awkward, frustrating and painful. Doing so also requires a decision that will be constantly challenged. You must decide to choose to love the Truth. Truth must be clearly differentiated from facts, philosophies, personal experiences, “pet doctrines”, cultural influences, assumed revelation and previous knowledge. This will take time and may result in kicking down the “golden calves of previous understanding.” Regrettably, many believers assume they love the truth, when in fact; they actually are in love with their philosophy, their personal so-called revelation, their favorite translation of the Bible, or previously accumulated knowledge, because they don’t take into consideration the four standards required for accurate biblical interpretation. Many a believer analyzes Scripture through preconceived interpretations of the Bible passages reading their Bible in an automatic response mode. To be a good student you have to shut off the automatic reaction. This automatic response messes with the pursuit of truth and creates an attitude through which a believer assumes what he or she already believes is truth, when in fact, it may not be biblically accurate or consistent with God’s character at all. Inevitably, the “so-called” truth you choose to love, will inevitably be the truth you fight to defend. Sadly, many Christians prefer to love what they want to be truth, reluctant to clear away their familiar and comfortable filters, and never arrive at the genuine truth capable of setting them free. Which “truth” will you choose to love and defend?

There are as many possible filters for interpreting biblical truths as there are people in the earth. One must therefore become aware of the most common filters, and then, decisively submit them to God, nailing them to the cross and burying them never to be relied on again.

These filters can be generally identified in five separate groupings. See the accompanying chart and the potential tug of war affected by these issues.

One of the primary ways to identify spiritual filters or “mixed seeds” is by watching and listening for what I‘ve come to call “automatic responses” or trigger concepts. If you listen carefully, observing how you respond to what you read or investigate, you may notice repetitive patterns of reactions expressed because of sometimes-faulty pre-conceived ideas of interpretation and doctrine. These predetermined beliefs affect how we judge God, His character, His ways, His work in history, His servants and His word, and most significantly, the experiences of our lives. Unintentionally we tend to read the Bible through our individualized filters that make the verses say things they either don’t say or don’t mean. Therefore, when an individual’s rigid views are challenged with truth, violent reactions may erupt. We need our automatic responses and pet answers confronted and corrected. But alas, not everyone is so willing to deal with these because it’s often painful!

I hope you are a seeker of truth and will press into who God is so He can show you the spiritual spectacles you are looking through. Jesus is the truth, the way and the life. He desires to reveal truth to by His Spirit. I'm certain if you're willing He is waiting and ready. 

Loving the Truth

I have always struggled with teaching, what’s more commenting, about the subject of the End Times. I’m not necessarily referring to what some people describe as the end of the world. There are plenty of ideas floating around the internet and various spiritual groups about that, many not worth listening to. I’m talking about the events and times related to the conditions prior to the second coming of the Lord and everything that entails. In order to provide a practical applicable understanding of what the Bible seems to focus on as “absolutes” concerning the times before His return I’ve assembled a list of conditions, commands and instructions related to what believers need to be aware of. I will hopefully clarify that list in time to come, but for now I want to explain how truth will come to a crucial crossroads before the Lord’s return.

2 Thess 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. KJV

In a letter to the Hellenic people of the church of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul described how that before the events of the Second Coming, along with the emergence of the spirit and person of the anti-christ, truth would have suffered great damage at the hands of humankind. Throughout the entirety of the Bible, truth has always been the focus of unreasonable disrespect, misuse, altercation and attack. Prior to the key events of the End, truth will be replaced with lies, fiction, human knowledge and mankind’s interpretation of what it determines to be truth. (Refer to the list of the 3 Categories of Truth in the 3^rd posting of this blog.) The people to whom Paul addressed this letter were largely influenced by an extended history of philosophical development by the men who founded the schools of philosophy under Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, to name a few. Truth, in this environment, was therefore left to private interpretation and relativism. Paul’s letter forced them to challenge their manner of thinking as well as the conflict between what they had previously understood to be truth and the truth of God’s Word, character, Person, works, Law, and Jesus as the Truth! Most significantly and pertinent to our consideration, is the condition that will absolutely face believers before Jesus returns. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 reveals that the people will not receive the love of the truth so that they could be saved from the Wicked One and his vices. I believe that one of the primary conditions of the End times will not be an absence of truth, in fact, quite the contrary. The actual condition will be a deficit of an aggressive reception and love for the truth that is available. People will choose to refuse to love, defend and embrace the truth, in favor of lawlessness and personal interpretation. This state will, because of a gradual removal of all of the godly boundaries for truth, eventually construct a platform of boundary-less free-for-all ideologies, primed to launch the person of the anti Christ. Essentially this means that deception and confusion will run rampant. It will affect both saved and unsaved. People will be left open and vulnerable since all parameters for right and wrong will have been replaced by vague concepts and philosophies hostile to who God is, what His word has to say and what Jesus came to accomplish for us. By choosing to love the truth the believer will in essence be saying, I renounce the spirit of anti-christ and it’s work through the mystery of lawlessness.

The mystery of lawlessness has been at work among us for centuries, cycling back and forth, twisting the boundaries of truth, and generally operating in the shadows, according to how much space humankind gives it. Sometimes this demonic agenda loses ground when Christians pray, preach and love. But the enemy who perpetuates this mystery knows how to wait for the right moment to creep in again and increases its pace as the human environment unsuspectingly receives it. The time table for this mystery, as in anything spiritual in nature, can be accelerated or delayed according to whether God’s people cooperate with Heaven or not. Nonetheless, the closer it winds into the bull’s-eye of the End times target, the more rapidly it moves and the more difficult it is to impede. Christians need to be made aware of the operation and sequential plan of this mystery and realize the battle for truth that has moved into the camps of the Lord. Exposing it’s manner of infiltration in the belief system and interpretations of God’s nature, Jesus, the Word, the Spirit and His Law is no easy task and requires the most diligent of spiritual prospectors. Hopefully in the posts to come we can look at how lawlessness is working against the believer! But lets get back to what it means to receive a love of the truth!

Prov 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Historically, truth has suffered some horrible abuses that have all been instrumental to the build up of what Paul warned about in 2 Thessalonians. Without doubt, truth is expensive! It will cost you something and until you’re willing to face that you will not obtain it! (Pro. 23:23) I believe the reason human beings resent paying that price is because they enjoy unrighteousness. The fallen nature of unsaved humankind prefers living outside of God’s parameters. (2 Thess. 2:12) Regrettably, believers who should know better, choose to disobey the truth and instead obey the dictates of unrighteousness, indignation and wrath!  (Rom.2:8) Furthermore, practically speaking, the opposite of lawlessness is legalism, and it is also wrapped up in a wrong interpretation of truth. In view of that, Paul warned the Galatian believers, who were legalistically trying to fulfill all of the Jewish laws, because they ignored the truth as manifested through Jesus in order to be righteous, having been duped by religion. (Rom. 2:20) Righteousness is never gained by the doing of the Law. Even the Jews were not able to fulfill them all. So what Paul said to them was obvious. What's more, there always seems to be two ditches for everything, and for some reason, people like to settle themselves in one of those ruts. Consequently, truth is often manipulated to accommodate carnality (Rom 1:25) and human reasoning. Paul called these Galations idiots and fools for believing such. The truth has also been lied against (James 3:14), twisted (James 5:19; 2 Tim. 2:18), disobeyed (Gal. 5:7; 3:1; 2:14; Rom. 2:8) and resisted (2 Tim 3:8). Fables, fiction, mythology,  and human philosophies are preferred over truth and regrettably, all of these pursuits are often cloaked in Christianese vocabulary so to make things seem acceptable (Titus 1:14, 2 Tim 4:4) Without  the stabilizing factors of Jesus, God’s character, the person of the Holy and accurate translations of God’s word, truth is replaced by knowledge that in the end is no truth at all, leaving behind a vacuous emptiness accomplishing nothing (2 Tim.3:7).  We must avoid these things and discover what a love for the truth involves!

Jer 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

Jer 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 5:1 reveals that truth must be sought after. Regrettably this prophetic statement reveals that seekers of truth may be rare! There is something to be said for those who seek truth! They understand that it will not come easily. Moreover, seekers of truth do not seek for accumulated knowledge. They desire a closer more accurate and intimate walk with God so they can affect the spheres of humanity with spiritual and practical finesse. Consequently, seekers are not weaklings. They nurture within their bosom a strength that edges toward valiance! Once they've discovered a treasure of truth they don’t bury it, being mindful of  the audience and the manner as to when the time is right to display it. They determine how to protect, defend and fight for it within the appropriate God-ordained boundaries of mercy, love, hope, faith and grace. Furthermore, for truth to be truth, there must be an accompanying intimacy with God. Heartfelt intimacy inspires a warrior’s heart to rise up and defend what God has given. God spoke Jeremiah 9:3 of this with prophetic clarity. The intimate knowledge and relationship with God will inevitably produce valiant strength determined to fight for truth! But without  a balance of the definitions of what and who truth is, that warfare defends merely the philosophies and human reasoning. God is searching for seekers of His truth, who once they've discovered it will be capable of great valiance for what they have come to know and love. Would that heart of a warrior possibly be in you? I hope so. 

How to Obtain Truth. Being a Biblical Prospector!

• Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. KJV

The pursuit of truth that works requires that you become a spiritual prospector! If you don’t realize how deeply God wants you to have it you will give up in the search! Ps. 51:6 states that He desires for us to have truth in the innermost part of our being! Our desire for truth originates with seeing it is His desire for us! This may seem odd to you but God actually desires for you to demonstrate and possess truth in the very deepest sanctum of your heart. He wants His human creation, made in His likeness, to know the truth about His ways, His Word, His character and His wisdom. This includes how we practically live these things out! The question is: How do we pursue His truth and embrace it in our human spirit?

Recognize the real thing!

I have to admit it. I enjoy Coca Cola more than any other soft drink or cola beverage. It beats all the others hands down. Furthermore, if someone gives me a different cola, I know it immediately. My palate has a mind of it’s own. It resists all other colas. It’s the real thing. The same thing happens when I go after truth. I've become accustomed to the inward witness concerning what is and isn't truth. That doesn’t mean I can’t be fooled. I can! But I've learned that my taste for truth must be constantly fine tuned so that I recognize and acknowledge the real thing!

2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth .KJV

According to 2 Tim. 2:24-25 truth can't be embraced if it isn’t first recognized and then acknowledged. Sadly, the modern of theory about truth is a far cry from God’s standpoint. Authentic truth is noted by the stability it produces in life, relationships, actions, emotions and more. It is essentially the core principles located in the foundations of anything to makes it steady. The acknowledgement of the truth that Paul wrote of to Timothy involves a form of discernment or recognition. This reveals that it will bear witness to your inner being as well as consequentially result in the permanent form of stability. Determining whether something is stable, or subsequently produces stability, seldom occurs instantly. It takes time to prove truth for what it is, although the inward witness invariably confirms it.

Choose which path you will walk when pursuing it!

                                               

Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. KJV

As you begin to dig into the Scriptures, you’ll have to make an important choice. You must decide whether you'll choose the ancient way, or path, of God’s form of truth or the less secure human forms of so-called truth. If you’re a person driven by emotion or experience this decision can be quite stressful. Without a doubt, feelings and experience may be real, but their fleeting nature is not always truth. You must decide which path you will walk. This choice is actuated through prayer. We’ll talk about that more later!

Paying the price you need to pay?

Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. KJV

On this journey for truth there will be many costs and investments. Time, prayer, lack of sleep, wrestling and searching will be required of you. Once having acknowledged truth you’ll need to determine its value. Who will you share it with, if anyone? Are they willing to pay the same price you paid to cherish it?

Seek the help of the Lord in the Fear of the Lord

Psalms 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. KJV

I believe that there is no more dangerous opponent to genuine Bible study than intellectual and spiritual presumption. Approaching any biblical subject with a preconceived idea of “I know it all” cancels out any hope of growth and prevents the discovery of genuine truth. It’s really the attitude that creates the problem. God is the author of truth and as we respectfully fear Him we request His leading and assistance to learn. The Psalmist asks the Lord, “Teach me your way”. This “way” or “path” is the same path referring to the “way of truth” mentioned in Psalms 119:30. In order to discover truth we need God to teach us! This is why learning truth is directly linked to the fear of the Lord.  How does He teach us?

Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. KJV

First and foremost every student of the Bible needs the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

The Hebrew word translated as, “teach” in Psalms 25:5 is “lamad”. It can be rendered in a variety of ways but the picture this word paints is one of an ox goad poking an oxen along the furrow as it plows or pulls a cart. In essence we need God to goad us forward and His doing so keeps us in the straight and narrow way. The practical application of this is simple. As your human spirit is increasingly sensitized to the corrective ways of the Spirit, the moment you sense an uncomfortable prompting, an uneasy nudging in your spirit, always take note of it. Most probably it's the goading of the Lord restraining you for thinking a certain way, or for delving into areas of study that you’re not either ready for or is incorrect. He pokes us into the direction we need to go.                    

Secondly He teaches us in a manner that points out the way, like a finger pointing in a certain direction, or an arrow aimed toward a certain target. The discerning heart recognizes the prompting and looks toward the direction of He is focusing on. The Hebrew word “Yarah” means to point in a certain direction, like an arrow aiming.   Ps. 86:11 (See Above)

MERCY/ GRACE MUST LEAD  

A thorough biblical study on truth will reveal that truth is seldom achieved and successfully ministered without mercy and grace going in advance of it. The reason being is that in your search for truth for any subject of the Scriptures, truth can become a dagger and destructive if mercy doesn’t precede it. God’s word is a double-edged sword capable of penetrating the most impenetrable shell. Nonetheless, the unmerciful bearer of truth will become a destructive vessel no matter how charismatic or gifted. I’ve noticed that when truth becomes a passion without mercy opening the way then truth is a dagger and will nearly always do damage. In nearly every verse where truth is mentioned, mercy almost always precedes it. Why is this significant? Sin is rarely confronted by truth alone and it certainly will not be cleansed away unless mercy is involved in the introduction of truth to the human conscience. Mercy and grace pave the way for truth.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. KJV

Psalms 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. KJV

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. KJV

                       
Cooperate with the Holy Spirit

1 Cor 2:9 But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. [Isa 64:4; 65:17.] 10 Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]. 11 For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts except the man's own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. AMP

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. KJV

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. KJV

We don’t only need the guidance of the Spirit when we study, but we also must learn how to be spiritually minded and cooperate with the Spirit to gain spiritual revelation.  A carnally minded individual approaches the Bible for the purpose of information, knowledge and a sense of superiority from the accumulation of such. Romans 8:5-8 warns that the carnal mind antagonistically opposes God and anything pertaining to the things of the Spirit. It only pays attention to what feeds it’s natural appetites. Sadly, the carnally minded believer seldom gains genuine spiritual revelation. 

The spiritually minded believer acts in the opposite manner of the carnal one. In fact, spiritual mindedness seeks how to best cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Obviously this means different things to different Christian circles and doctrine. Nonetheless, it should be stated that if carnality is present, argumentative debate inevidently erupts when dealing with the manifestations and ways of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, rather than incite contention, I believe it is necessary to be sensitive to the differences in the Church, while at the same time, not ignoring an interesting option concerning the revealing of truth found in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13. The Amplified transliteration of the Bible renders an interesting angle to another way we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit to gain truth if we’re open to it.

 1 Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: KJV

As Paul aptly wrote, we have not received the spirit that belongs to the world, but we’ve received the Holy Spirit for the purpose of helping us to realize and value the gifts God has granted us. That Spirit is also identifed as the Spirit of Truth in John 16:13. Jesus said that the Spirit would guide us into all truth. This cannot be ignored. Of course this is only one of the reasons the Holy Spirit came. Furthermore, Paul goes on to explain, in 1 Corinthians 2:13 of the Amplified transliteration that those truths are brought into view not because of humanly taught languages and vocabulary, but because of the words that the Holy Spirit grants in a spiritual language that enables all who speak those words to grow in and interpret spiritual truth with. Difficult as this is for some to accept or make excuse for, and not to pressure anyone in that direction, these verses can only refer to the spiritual languages that Paul later explains as speaking in tongues. Take note in this same chapter that Paul states that he spoke the words the Holy Spirit inspires, not with or according to man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power. In verse 7 he went on to say that we are to speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom ordained before the world began. Now I know there could be much contestation over this issue. Nonetheless, it needs to be noted, for the sake of the charismatic and pentacostal Bible students, that one manner of tapping into the revelation of truth is speaking in a spiritual tongue. The mysterious shroud preventing the knowledge of necessary truths for any biblical subject matter can be exposed through cooperating with the Holy Spirit by speaking out those mysteries in spiritual languages so they may be understood in this life. Paul went on to say in verse 9 and 10 that humanity generally does not know the things God has prepared for them, however verse 10 explodes in revelation state that God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit. Isn’t it interesting that God doesn’t want His children to remain ignorant to His truths! Furthermore, one of the purposes for the spiritual languages granted by the Holy Spirit is so we might KNOW the things that He’s given us!!! We don’t have to be victims of intellectual constraint. Praying and speaking in the words the Holy Spirit teaches opens up a spiritual vault of wisdom and revelation necessary for walking in the truths God intended for the Church long ago and that cannot be achieved through mere human academics. Consider how Paul connects chapter two with chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians when he explains the purpose or result of speaking in tongues. He who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks mysteries. He said that the words of wisdom, contextually linked with the words the Holy Spirit teaches are part of the wisdom of God in a mystery. So for those who have ears to hear and are open to this possibility, speaking in an unknown tongue cooperates with the Holy Spirit to open up spiritual truths pertaining to what is needed for practical living.

1 Cor 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: KJV

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 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. 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. KJV

1 Cor. 2:12 Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].

Search for it, but where?

Isaiah 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. KJV

    Jeremiah 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. KJV

Isaiah the prophet described the heart breaking reality of the condition of truth in his time, and sadly similar to today. Truth has fallen in the street. But, what does this mean? It doesn’t say truth had fallen in the temple, the synagogue or the church. It fell in the street! This poses some interesting ideas. The street, translated from the Hebrew word “rehob” refers to an avenue, an area, a broad place, a street or a plaza that was the center of enormous and varied activities. In ancient times, and still in some small villages, business and marketing was handled in this area. Entertainment of all sorts took place there. Judicial matters were discussed and resolved and some forms of education were even centered there. Therefore, to say truth has fallen in the streets is to associate it with each of those spheres of human activity. One would have to be blind to say that the business world, the educational systems, the entertainment industry and the world of law and justice hasn’t lost fundamental truths necessary to life. Jeremiah prophesied that to seek for truth, one first has to find where it fell in the broad places “rehob” or the spheres of business, education, entertainment and justice. The biblical study of truth isn’t complete without considering how God inspired truths and biblical practices have been weakened or decayed in those arenas. This means a thorough study of any subject, related to truths applicable to those arenas requires investigation in those spheres. This is no easy or small task. No one person can entirely deal with it. Therefore, when Jeremiah writes in chapter 5:1, he states that truth must be sought out. This search is drawn from the Hebrew word “Baqash”, according to various Lexical aids, describes it as a searching that incorporates worship, prayer and asking the right, important questions with diligent effort in any method necessary to find the truth. A hurried approach to this will result in failure and error. Therefore the student needs to dig into the roots of the language, the culture, the history and how God’s character is revealed. The more resource materials you can refer to the better. Just remember that no one book or resource will provide all the answers and will need to be scrutinized against the matters of context, language, history, culture, reason for the writing of the author, and other pertinent means of determining an accurate interpretation. This will take time and will also require diligence. 

Watch for other angles that truth may come through and confirm God’s Word.

On occasion God will use other means to communicate truth and confirm what’s discovered in your study of the Word.

Ps 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. KJV

Psalms 145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. KJV

The significance of spiritual elders, fathers and mothers, and the previous generations carry a tremendous responsibility of passing on the wisdom of experience and revelation. This manifestation of truth, when it is genuinely truth, is an invaluable aid to younger, less experienced learners. One must keep one’s ears open to the possibility of this expression at all times because it often emerges at times least expected. There is a generational responsibility seldom acknowledged, and, even less frequently practiced. The younger, less seasoned believer desperately needs the wisdom of the previous generation concerning practical Christianity and truth. In addition to these, on rare occasions, God will exalt a leader capable of communicating truth to the head of nations, such as Daniel when speaking with Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel’s wisdom and understanding of truth capably advised the king at a time when issues needed to be addressed.  Dan. 2:47 Similarly people like Joseph, Esther, Moses and Nehemiah emerged with truth when God was on the verge of working in the people.

We can begin our pursuit if we keep these things in mind and press into the Lord to teach and guide us!