God's Purpose For Studying His Word - Part 3

God’s Purpose For Studying His Word - Part 3

2 Timothy 2:15

“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

1 Corinthians 2:14

“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.”

The unsaved person may find certain parts of the Bible interesting for various reasons.  He may look at parts of it as entertainment - such as the book of Revelation.  The book of Revelation has much prophecy in it.  There is also much symbolism in this prophecy.  Much of that book of Revelation is yet future.  There are people who study that book, but do not understand it and have come up with a wrong understanding of the book.  They have dismissed it as a book of prophecy, but nevertheless interesting. 

The book of Jonah is true historical fact.  Jonah is a real character and God did prepare a fish to swallow Jonah alive, and hold him within its belly for 3 days and then vomit him up on dry ground.  There are those who suggest this is just mythology or a nice story, but certainly not true.  Again, unless the person studying the Bible is saved, they will not be able to study It in the proper manner.  There are many other examples of things in the Bible that are considered foolishness to the unsaved person.  However, the saved person has the mind of the Lord and he or she can understand the Bible and through the work of studying the Bible properly, they can know what it is saying and how it applies to the individual and to the local church and to others.

Secondly, it is necessary to spend time in prayer, asking God to prepare the heart so that we can receive His Word properly.  The author of the Bible is God.  God is infinite and He is omniscient.  He knows everything.  Man is finite and very limited in his knowledge.  This is true for the unsaved and for the saved.  The saved person will need to have the guidance of God in the study of God’s Word.

Thirdly, humility is important in the study of God’s Word.  

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Every person has an imagination.  It is not wrong to have an imagination.  However, when it comes to God’s Word we need to be careful about our imagination.  For example, many people believe that Jesus Christ had long hair.  Where does that come from?  It does not come from the Bible.