ONE, TWO, THREE- GET READY TO DIG!!!

Since one of the most accessible resources for Kingdom Truth is the Bible, we’re going to begin looking at the standards for interpreting the scriptures rightly, along with a study methodology that produces the most productive results. Please also bear in mind that not every person who claims to be a Christian has a Bible or biblical resource materials to help them in their study. But, for those who do, let’s look at these standards in light of the fact that the Holy Spirit constantly desires to guide us into all Kingdom Truth.

When you read your Bible do you presume you’ll understand it by the mere reading, or do you approach it with an inquisitive nature? Do you pray beforehand? Have you exposed, or at least attempted to remove, the corrupting filters that could infect your interpretations? If you’re going to get anything out of your search, you must do so! Have you asked the Lord what He wants you to study, or are you going at it out of your own curiosity? These are just a few things you need to consider. What's more, a serious student of the Scriptures is like an investigator outfitted with the most beneficial and applicable questions. The problem is that we must be trained in what questions to ask, what to look for, and how to interpret what's discovered. We therefore need a study methodology that makes the Bible come alive! Let’s look at these now!

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TYPE OF BIBLE STUDY WE NEED

Unbeknownst to many believers, we need a biblical methodology that opens up the truth of God’s Word and exposes the influence of Hellenistic, or better understood Greek philosophy, affecting modern Christians. 

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.

For many centuries, Bible scholars have speculated about what these verses above 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 philosophies affecting the people influenced by it, as it originated with the philosophies of ancient Greece.  The fundamental methodology and training administered by a great majority of modern educational institutions, both non-Christian and Christian, regrettably, but often ignorantly, embrace and practice Hellenistic educational ideologies. Mindful of this, we need a type of biblical methodology that disengages the carnal and manmade Hellenistic filters harmful to spiritually-minded students of God's word and Kingdom Truths.          

We need a study method that can cut down the amount of time it takes to tackle massive Bible subjects that normally would have taken past generations a lifetime to complete.  Doing so could cause faith to develop more quickly.

Because of the availability of increasingly speedy computer technology, and vast assortments of new, amazing Bible software programs, Bible subjects can be investigated more quickly, and may be somewhat more thoroughly researched, depending on if the student is open to the Holy Spirit’s tutelage.

We need a study method that dissolves doubts and breaks down the bondages of legalism.

While living in the midst of the wicked, ancient city of Babylon, Daniel and his three friends, excelled in knowledge, wisdom, intellectual prowess, all the sciences, arts and math. They exceeded the abilities of their Babylonian contemporaries. These skills distinguished them from their peers. Additionally, they were noted for the capability of dissolving doubts. In the same way, Bible students need a methodology that makes the Bible real, practical and powerful. Information without spiritual revelation, and practical application, becomes the doorway to a spiritual tomb. The questions provided in a healthy methodology exceed the norms of mere academics. Each investigative element should be designed for the purpose of putting together the jigsaw puzzle of fragments of truth, scattered throughout the Scriptures, into a workable, livable lifestyle of faith, creating solid doctrine and genuine heartfelt, Spirit-led revelation. Nevertheless, well-meaning believers become surreptitiously entangled with legalistic bondages in the letter of the Law entirely missing the principles and patterns God has woven throughout the Bible. Consider the verses below!

 The Letter kills, the Spirit gives life! Consider these references and meditate on these truths!

Rom. 2:29   But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Rom. 7:6   But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

2Cor. 3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. 4   And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5   Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6   Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8   How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

We need a study method that demands believers to think for themselves and not learn just by rote and memorization.

For some strange reason modern Christians have come to belittle intelligence and discourage the importance of the need to develop an ability to learn. Studying requires an uncomfortable exertion of both mental and spiritual effort. To my dismay, I regularly encounter believers who refuse to think through what they know and read, while blindly accepting whatever they presume the verses say, hear from the favorite teachers, and have been taught, without question. They believe that if they have to think something through, it's equal to unbelief. So instead, they would rather repetitiously parrot others, wanting to seem spiritual, or religious, unaware that memorized spiritual speeches without individual understanding is nothing more than gibberish, and often, the gateway to perpetuated error or misinterpretation.  A serious student of God’s word and ways cannot behave so. It is not disrespectful of you teachers for you to find out for yourself what the Scriptures have to say. It does become disrespectful though, if you're rude and mock their particular journey of faith or how diligent they've endeavored to be in understanding the Bible. They're learning just like you. Once, while instructing one of my young students, after having shown her the process of how to study, she remarked in astonishment, “But this is work?!” I restrained the comments I wanted to say because she simply did not understand that in order to get gold you have to dig!! Only the diligent, dedicated individual thinker discovers the Scriptural treasures waiting to be prospected.

We need a study method that allows flexibility for new thinking and embraces a spiritual perspective so the Holy Spirit can work.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.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)

1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.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.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.15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.(KJV)

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.(KJV)

John 5:39 You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me! AMP

The Scripture passages above address a necessary approach to biblical study continuously undervalued in the study of the Word. In order to gain accurate inspired revelation you must allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Bible to you. Legalism, carnality, natural- mindedness and a lack of a personal prayer life twists and kills truth. Allow the Holy Spirit to instruct you as you study. Ask God to open His word to you in prayer before you open the pages of your Bible and resource materials.

One of my favorite classes during the Institutes for Biblical Truth course is teaching the students how to study the Bible. It’s amazing to watch them realize that they can actually find golden nuggets for themselves once they’ve been taught how to dig. On occasion, however, they hit an impasse. Without fail, whenever the class doesn’t break into the thrill of what God has to reveal to them, it's always because they failed to pray before they started to study. I have to admit that I always smile when this occurs because once someone realizes that human intellect is limited without prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he or she will rarely forget to pray before studying again.

KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT’S POINT OF VIEW RELEASES A KNOWLEDGE OF THE POWER AND HEART OF GOD

“In George MacDonald’s book, Knowing the Heart of God, he states:

How do we come to know Christ? How have we learned of him? It ought to be a startling thought that we may have learned wrongly of him! To wrongly know him must be even worse that not to know him at all. The question we must ask ourselves is this: have we learned Christ as he taught himself, or as men have taught him who thought they understood, but did not understand him? Do we know Christ merely according to low, fleshly, human fancies and explanations, or do we indeed know him as God knows him?

Throughout its history, the Christian religion, because it is higher, wider and larger in scope, has been more open to corruption and misrepresentation than any other religion. As a result, have we learned Christ from false statements and corrupted lessons about him, or have we learned himself?  Is only our brain full of things about him, or does he himself dwell in our hearts, the power of our life???”

 Matt. 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Mark 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

John 5:39   Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me

How can we learn anything of Kingdom Truth if we don’t study the scriptures under the sponsorship of the Holy Spirit? Something happens in the heart of the believer when human spirit and heavenly Spirit collaborate. It is wonderfully unavoidable if you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you when you prospect through the Bible. Amazingly, God’s glory and power will increase and manifest in your life. The scribes of Jesus’ day thought that if they searched the scriptures they would inevitably find eternal life, and yet, their hunt would fail because the pursuit of truth by intellectual investigation is pointless without heavenly interjection. Jesus the Messiah stood right in front of them, and they didn’t recognize Him even with all their accumulated knowledge. We need the eyes of the Spirit to reveal Him  or else the relationship with him becomes secondary and the information erects an idol. The end of all biblical study should draw us closer to knowing Him in truth, because it is through the revelation of Him faith is born. Have we come to know him wrongly as George MacDonald suggested in his book? This should disturb you.

We need a study method that incorporates literary, historical, canonical and spiritual context.

The study of the Scriptures is both thrilling and challenging. In fact, very few things can be compared to the joy of gaining Spirit-inspired biblical revelation. That delight, however, is governed by the four primary necessary standards of context I've already mentioned in previous posts. Students who desire to accurately learn the Scriptures must incorporate the literary, historical, canonical and spiritual context of the references to avoid misinterpreting the references. We’ll look at this more later.

We need a study method that incorporates prayer, as it’s basis for the questions we need to ask.

BIBLE STUDY IS NOT ONLY FOR THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

Eccl. 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

1Cor. 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Ps. 119:130   The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Ps. 119:169   Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

Prov. 9:10   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Prov. 15:14   The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Many believers grow frustrated when they attempt to study the Bible because they approach God’s word from various wrong postures of heart. An intense pursuit of Scriptural knowledge, for the sake of amassing information, is not enough, and eventually results in physical exhaustion, grief and pride. The sincere saint searches the unfathomable riches of Scripture to love and know God, understand His ways, and grow in the fear of the Lord, not merely for education. Persons who wrongly seek to accumulate biblical knowledge never gain understanding or wisdom, and experience a dullness in spirit. Until those who would be students embrace the fear of the Lord, for the purpose of understanding God’s ways to be discovered in the Bible, they'll never possess a desire to study and gain the knowledge of the holy! Motivations, however, are not the only difficulty.

Simple, normal human aggravations can be some of the most negative contributing factors affecting an individual who longs to study. These personal problems often become excuses for the individual effort. Some believers avoid study because it’s not their personality type or they don’t feel intelligent enough. Others avoid it because they don’t know where to begin or they don’t know what questions to ask or what reference materials to use.  A weariness of seemingly pointless facts, names, references and history paralyses many who would otherwise be seekers of Biblical truth. These common aggravates stall many sincere saints unnecessarily. These hindrances must be renounced and buried!

We need a study method that reinforces and makes the fear of the Lord applicable.

Much could be written about the definition, application and value of fearing the Lord. A serious Bible student approaches God’s word with it ever in mind. Studying the any biblical topic without a genuine fear of God opens the door for lawless, disregard for the holy manners, manifestations and protocols the Bible reveals are necessary for lasting fruit.  Furthermore, those who seek to understand His holy word and ways must first remember that the fear of the Lord makes wisdom accessible.

Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. KJV

On more occasions than I'd like to recall I have witnessed a zeal for spiritual things and truths replace a healthy fear of God in the application of Christian principles and true spirituality. When that happens  holiness departs and self-righteousness enters. The knowledge of God’s Word brings understanding and originates with the heartfelt attitude of the fear of the Lord. Once these catalytic conditions interact, wisdom, revelation, counsel, might and the spirit of knowledge await the soon to be enlightened saint.

Real and beneficial study is costly. Discovering the truths your heart craves, and how deeply you'll go with it, will not come without a sacrifice of time, prayer, thought, occasional frustration, wrestling and constant evaluation. Proverbs 23:23 states that if you want to get the truth then you must buy it. The question every saint must ask is this: Am I willing to pay the price? This cost will be determined by numerous factors. The type of calling, ministry gift and spiritual responsibility one is called to, will radically affect how much you'll personally have to invest to obtain the truths you need to find fruitfulness in your service of the King. Your station, and personal responsibilities in life, as to your vocation and the time available to you to study, will play a huge role in how much you will have to give to get where you desire to go. In addition to this, the type of grace upon you will also affect what your personal cost will be. For some who don’t possess teaching graces, they may find it more taxing to dig, while those called to such will find study easy as breathing. The list of what determines each person’s price goes on and on. But settle it in your heart now. Every believer can be taught to study and learn to be a “Biblical Prospector” as long as he or she is willing to pay the price for his or her own pick axes, shovels, and digging tools. Get ready to dig!

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

Knowing the Heart of God by George MacDonald (1824-1905), compiled, arranged and edited by Michael R. Phillips © 1990 Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Isa. 11:1   And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2   And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3   And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4   But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.