09/20/2018
It is no accident that the first two verses of the very first Psalm speaks to studying God’s Word over that of men. We are told to take our counsel from scripture, and not from the ungodly. It is obvious from these words that we are being told that reading God’s Word as our foundation for study should be the sound basis for our study. Are we listening to His voice in this, or do we prefer to read from various other sources as they attempt to interpret scripture for us? How should we study God’s Word?
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Psalms 1:1-2 KJV
As I read God’s Word I often go to commentary and various other writings to see what men and women have thought about the passages I am studying. It is good for us to do this, but it is not good to listen first and foremost to these sources over the scripture itself... or to supplant what has been revealed to us directly by the Holy Spirit. There is no substitute for reading God’s inspired Word.
Today we have the internet, and it makes researching very easy, but it also makes it possible for anyone with a computer to present false doctrine as if it were the truth, and bring it right into your home, and place it on your virtual bookshelf immediately next to legitimate trusted sources. Our society has come to a point where warnings abound regarding these dangers, and we are told to watch what we read, and the sites where our children go. We are also quickly being educated in such terms as fake news, urban slang, spam, phishing, and told that foreign countries are trying to influence how we think. An uneducated person, or anyone with an agenda, can present their opinion as fact and make you think it is mainstream thinking with no one to vet them. This is equally true of religious thought, and scriptural revelation. So how do we defend ourselves against such attempts to influence us? How do we protect our spiritual study? We do this by leaning on God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit...
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 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.”
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 KJV
As we study God’s Holy Word, there will be attempts via external influences to lead our understanding astray. This has always been true, but is especially so today due to the ease by which ideas can be presented to us. This makes it even more imperative that as we seek God we should do so by going first to His Word, and then by looking to the Holy Spirit for His guidance. Afterward, we can read what others are saying and weigh their thoughts against what the Spirit has revealed to us... always being cognizant of the sources we are reading. Listen to Andrew Murray’s warning...
“God’s Word is our only authentic revelation of God’s will. All human statements of divine truth, however correct they may be, are defective and carry a measure of human authority. In the Word, the voice of God speaks to us directly.” - Andrew Murray
We don’t judge or interpret scripture by man’s opinions... we judge man’s opinions by what is contained in scripture, and, once again, this is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Romans 8:14 KJV
We are proved right, and righteous by the Word of God, because it is His Word that is founded in truth, and His character that is our greatest desire. This is the rule by which we are measured.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
In conclusion, we should lean on scripture as we seek out our faith, and we should look to the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth that is contained there for us. This is our gold standard by which everything in our physical and spiritual lives should be judged.
“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.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Word, and the Holy Spirit which leads me in my understanding of it. I also thank you for righteous men and women who write and speak of their studies, and understanding of scripture, but as I listen to their instruction, and interpretation, I realize that it is up to me to weigh those things against your truth as revealed in your Word, and by your Holy Spirit. No man will be held accountable for my soul except me, and no man will achieve either righteousness, or damnation from my actions save me. My faith is mine alone to advance, and I have faith that you will help, and lead me in it. You alone are my God, and in you my trust is rooted. I look to your Son Jesus Christ as the vine that springs from you, and I find myself a branch that gains its nourishment through Him. Guide me Holy Spirit as I seek out my faith in fear and trembling. Keep my feet firm on solid ground as I study God’s Word, and help me to open my ears to all that is written there. Praised be God who reaches out to me by His Word, and Holy, Holy, Holy, is He... the God of Power and truth! Steadfast is the Lord whose Holy Spirit tests all things against His Word, and shields me from lies, and deceit. All Glory is His, now and forever more.
Rich Forbes