There is a lot of struggles and confusion in regards to the studying of scripture. I really think it’s because of the way we look and think about studying, a lot of times it has no effect on many people’s lives. There is a principle in Romans chapter 12 verse 2 which states, “Be Transformed by the renewing of your mind….” If we can change to the way we look at the word of God to the way our Father wants us to approach the word of God, I think it will have a life changing result in your life as it did mine. So let’s start at understanding what truth it.
What is Truth?
Well according to Webster, It means, “real facts about something or things that are undoubtedly true.” This definition is one if the problems in our thinking when we approach the scriptures. We look at the scriptures as Facts and nothing more. We read the bible as if we read a history book, only to shove facts into our head. But I tell you that this definition is not what the scriptures define truth as.
So what is Truth?
John 17 verse 17 says,
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”
The Word of God is truth, and some may ask the question. Isn’t the word of God Facts?
Of course it is but its not only facts and Facts is the least of what the word of God truly is.
Let’s see what Jesus says about His word. In John chapter 6 verse 63 it states,
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
Jesus says that His words are SPIRIT and LIFE. One thing is for sure, the definition of Facts is definitely not spirit and life. So we can clearly see the word of God is spirit and life. When we read the bible, it is not approached with diligence or sincerity. It’s a book just like any other. We read it at our leisure or maybe for book club study or even try to read it to see how fast you can read it in a year. This is not the way in which we ought to approach the bible because it has the potential of being spirit and life to us rather than just facts. We know that truth is the word, and the word is spirit and life. Therefore the truth is life as well. In john 16 verse 13 it reads,
“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.”
It is the Spirit of Truth (Life) that leads you into truth (life). The words are mere words if the spirit of truth is not guiding you through it. Question is do we not read and expect power, enlightenment or change of life in our soul? If not there maybe a problem with how we approach the bible. A letter of one dear to our heart means so much to us and as we read it we try to read EVERY word, look at every letter and understand every statement. Especially when we are far or can’t see our loved one as we wished. Do we approach the scriptures this way?
The Spirit is directly connected to the word of God. You cannot have one without the other. If we read without the spirit you will not receive the understanding God wants you to have. If you have the spirit and neglect to study and be guided through the scriptures, then you have to question whether or not it is Gods Spirit leading you. Let’s look at some proof that the Spirit is directly connected to the reading of Gods word if we ought to be studying to show ourselves approved with God.
John_20:22 say, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:”
So at the time that Christ resurrected and came to the disciples, they were having issues with their faith. They did not trust the word of God because it was just facts that they have looked at as false when their lord was killed. But when He revealed himself and they believed but that was not enough. Christ then breathed on them that they might receive His spirit. Here is what happened after they received their lord’s spirit, in Luke 24 verses 44 through 45 it reads,
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
After Christ Breathed on them, then He opened their understanding that they might UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES. This is very clear.
What about us, Does Christ breathe on us?
Christ most assuredly breathes on us. Every time we ask for guidance in His word He breathes on us His spirit as we read His word. It shows us this truth in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verses 16 and 17 where is reads,
“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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
This verse is speaking in regards to how we ought to look at the scriptures, but what is interesting is the greek word for “inspiration” which in the Greek means “Divinely Breathed in”. So we see that even as we read the bible, if we surrender our understanding and ask God for His wisdom, He will breathe in us as He did to the disciples. The word of God is our life because the spirit of the one who gives life brings His words into our heart.
The word of God is precious but if approached in a careless way, we will not benefit from it in any way. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2nd Timothy 2:15)
What is Truth?
Well according to Webster, It means, “real facts about something or things that are undoubtedly true.” This definition is one if the problems in our thinking when we approach the scriptures. We look at the scriptures as Facts and nothing more. We read the bible as if we read a history book, only to shove facts into our head. But I tell you that this definition is not what the scriptures define truth as.
So what is Truth?
John 17 verse 17 says,
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”
The Word of God is truth, and some may ask the question. Isn’t the word of God Facts?
Of course it is but its not only facts and Facts is the least of what the word of God truly is.
Let’s see what Jesus says about His word. In John chapter 6 verse 63 it states,
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
Jesus says that His words are SPIRIT and LIFE. One thing is for sure, the definition of Facts is definitely not spirit and life. So we can clearly see the word of God is spirit and life. When we read the bible, it is not approached with diligence or sincerity. It’s a book just like any other. We read it at our leisure or maybe for book club study or even try to read it to see how fast you can read it in a year. This is not the way in which we ought to approach the bible because it has the potential of being spirit and life to us rather than just facts. We know that truth is the word, and the word is spirit and life. Therefore the truth is life as well. In john 16 verse 13 it reads,
“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.”
It is the Spirit of Truth (Life) that leads you into truth (life). The words are mere words if the spirit of truth is not guiding you through it. Question is do we not read and expect power, enlightenment or change of life in our soul? If not there maybe a problem with how we approach the bible. A letter of one dear to our heart means so much to us and as we read it we try to read EVERY word, look at every letter and understand every statement. Especially when we are far or can’t see our loved one as we wished. Do we approach the scriptures this way?
The Spirit is directly connected to the word of God. You cannot have one without the other. If we read without the spirit you will not receive the understanding God wants you to have. If you have the spirit and neglect to study and be guided through the scriptures, then you have to question whether or not it is Gods Spirit leading you. Let’s look at some proof that the Spirit is directly connected to the reading of Gods word if we ought to be studying to show ourselves approved with God.
John_20:22 say, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:”
So at the time that Christ resurrected and came to the disciples, they were having issues with their faith. They did not trust the word of God because it was just facts that they have looked at as false when their lord was killed. But when He revealed himself and they believed but that was not enough. Christ then breathed on them that they might receive His spirit. Here is what happened after they received their lord’s spirit, in Luke 24 verses 44 through 45 it reads,
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
After Christ Breathed on them, then He opened their understanding that they might UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES. This is very clear.
What about us, Does Christ breathe on us?
Christ most assuredly breathes on us. Every time we ask for guidance in His word He breathes on us His spirit as we read His word. It shows us this truth in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verses 16 and 17 where is reads,
“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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
This verse is speaking in regards to how we ought to look at the scriptures, but what is interesting is the greek word for “inspiration” which in the Greek means “Divinely Breathed in”. So we see that even as we read the bible, if we surrender our understanding and ask God for His wisdom, He will breathe in us as He did to the disciples. The word of God is our life because the spirit of the one who gives life brings His words into our heart.
The word of God is precious but if approached in a careless way, we will not benefit from it in any way. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2nd Timothy 2:15)