1. We must believe that the whole Bible is the
inspired word of God. We must be willing to obey its teachings,
even if they are different than our own ideas and practices.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works." 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4.
2. We must be humble and teachable.
However smart we are or how much knowledge and education we have, we must
come humbly to the word of God, not seeking to study it like we would an
ordinary book, depending on our education or human intellect. Trusting in
intellectual pride and human opinion will prevent us from being able to
understand the deep spiritual truths of the Bible. God requires us to come
humbly and with a teachable attitude, sincerely and prayerfully seeking to
understand His word.
Jesus said, "I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because
thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
them unto babes." Matthew 11:25
3. We must compare scripture with scripture and
let the Bible explain itself. There are individuals and groups
of people who build a whole theology upon one single statement of the
Bible. This is very dangerous and misleading Biblical research. The only
correct and safe way of securing an understanding of a particular truth is
to study everything that the Bible has to say about that topic.
"Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand
doctrine?… For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line
upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little." Isaiah
28:9,10.
We must study broadly, permitting the Bible to define its own terms.
This will preserve us from taking an isolated passage and twisting it to
fit or "prove" our own ideas. We should always approach the Bible with an
open and honest attitude, willing to change our beliefs and practices,
whenever we find them to be without scriptural foundation.
4. We should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as
we study the Bible. Though written by men, the Bible has been
supernaturally inspired. We therefore need the Holy Spirit, the Author of
all scripture, to guide and instruct us as we study. We should pray and
ask our heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, to send the Holy Spirit to
help us understand as we study God’s word. Without heaven’s aid to make
our minds spiritually receptive, it is not possible to properly interpret
and appreciate the truths of the Bible, which are often "hidden beneath
the surface" and readily missed by the casual reader.
"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." 1 Corinthians 2:10-14.
5. We must truly want to know the truth before we
can know the truth. Our motives for studying the Bible must
always be honorable and acceptable to God if we would receive instruction
and guidance from the Holy Spirit. If it is our determined purpose to
study the Bible to find an argument against the truth, God will leave us
to our own devices. For example, some people use a few scriptural verses
to supposedly prove that God’s law was abolished when Jesus Christ died
upon the cross. Proper research will clearly show that this is not true,
and the verses used to say this are found to be different when placed in
their proper context. Only those who are willing to love and accept the
truth when it is made plain, and do not seek to argue against it, will be
safe from the dangers of self deception. God will not force us to believe
anything against our will. However, His word shows what will happen to
those who still choose to believe things contrary to what He has plainly
said in His word:
"Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie." 2 Thessalonians 2: 10, 11.
6. Bible study must become a priority in life.
Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to ". . a merchant man, seeking goodly
pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold
all that he had, and bought it." Matthew 13:45, 46. We must earnestly
search for truth, recognizing that it is worth more than anything else in
life. This quest must be made priority, especially when other things seek
to crowd out the time that should be used for Bible study.
God’s promise to us is that, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when
ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13. Our desire
and our love for the Bible will strengthen and deepen as we discipline
ourselves to study it every day.
7. We must live up to all the light we have
before God will teach us more. As we learn truth from God’s
word, we should determine by God’s grace to obey its light. God has set
before us an upward pathway and it is His will that we should walk in His
footsteps. As our Savior therefore leads us further along the pathway of
advanced truth, we must determine to follow if we would keep in step with
Him and remain His disciple. Also, living according to the truth that we
already have, qualifies us to receive more light and truth from God.
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31, 32.
