The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Scriptures

  • Women Teachers

    “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

    Acts 17:11

    There seems to be a genuine question: can women teach in the church?

    Consider the following thoughts, and do what Paul challenged the Bereans to do: “11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few” (Acts 17:11-12).

    The book of 1 Corinthians was written to a church Paul had established in a very pagan city. The people who lived in Corinth were immoral and worshiped a pagan goddess. Paul wrote to the church to teach the new Christians that they needed to forsake their former lifestyles and understand how to function orderly within the church. The natural man does not operate the same way as the spiritual man. Paul taught them of the order in the homes and the order in the church. There are many spiritual gifts, and the members of a church have different gifts. Christians are to function together using those gifts as the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12). One of the gifts that was obviously used improperly was the gift of tongues. It was causing much confusion in the church, so Paul dealt with it. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul encouraged them to use their spiritual gifts properly. None of the gifts were to bring attention to that individual, but all attention is to be given to the Lord. “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret” (1 Corinthians 14:27). When someone spoke in a unknown tongue (tongue means “by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired)”), there was to be an interpreter present “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” (1 Corinthians 14:28). Let him keep silence means “to keep silent; hold peace.” The overall point was to eliminate the confusion of unintelligent utterances and too many speaking at once. Instead it was to be one by one (see 1 Corinthians 14:29-32). “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Knowing that the position of the elder (pastor), deacons and leaders in the churches are to be men helps in the understanding of the following verse: “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law” (1 Corinthians 14:34). This is quite a favorite verse for some people! However, consider a couple of things. First, the reference is to the confusion that had entered the church in the form of tongues (which included the men being told to keep silent as well! See verse 27-28). Second, no one addresses the second part of that verse: “but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law” (1 Corinthians 14:34b). If you go back and read 1 Corinthians 11:1-17, you can understand that Paul was correcting the error for the way men and women had been praying or prophesying. Prophesying and prophesieth means “to declare truths through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit whether by prediction or not.” The men and women in 1 Corinthians were declaring truths, however they were not doing it under obedience to the way God wanted it done in the churches (women were to be submissive and under the authority of their husbands). So, when you put these verses all together, you find that men and women are both able to teach (or prophecy: “to declare truths through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit”), however if it is not done correctly, both are told to keep silent. Because of the order of the family and the church that Paul taught (especially in Corinth), we can understand that when a wife does not understand what is happening or taught in a church service, she is to ask her husband at home – not publicly address the issue in church. Addressing them in a public forum at church will most likely cause more problems. This is what Paul was addressing: the confusion in the church. Note the following: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) was writing that this is not anyone’s opinion. This is the commandments of the Lord. If someone does not like this? “ But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:38). Man here means “someone, anyone, a certain one.” Ignorant means “to know clearly, it means to be mistaken, misunderstood” translated as unknown in other verses.

    In Titus, Paul not only wrote about the duties of pastors, in chapter two he began with what must be taught to Christians in general. “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Sound means “of doctrine, meaning sound doctrine; true, pure, uncorrupted.” Doctrine means “the thing taught, instruction, precept, as coming from God meaning divine teaching.” The integrity of the Gospel message and the Christian lifestyle must be kept true. Paul also taught the basics of Christian behaviors, beginning with the“aged men” (see Titus 2:2):(note some definitions to help understand in [ ] after some words):

    • “That the aged men be sober, [Sober means “to be temperate; self-controlled; sober-minded; watchful; circumspect.”]
    • grave, [Grave means “to worship; venerable; reverend; reputable; dignified. That which is derived from a higher citizenship, a heavenly one, which is the possession of all believers: a majestic and awe-inspiring quality which does not repel but rather invites and attracts.”]
    • temperate, [Temperate means “discreet; sober; of a sound mind; self-disciplined in one’s freedom; self-restrained in all passions and desires.”]
    • sound in faith, [Sound in faith means “of persons meaning firm, pure in respect to Christian doctrine and life.”]
    • in charity, [Charity means “love; affectionate regard; goodwill; benevolence.”]
    • in patience.” [Patience means “the patience God bestows as in the patience as a quality of mind; the bearing of evils, and suffering with tranquil mind.”]

    It is important to understand how the aged men were to behave, for these things are also required behavior of the “aged women” (see Titus 2:3). Notice that the following list is a continuation of the listing for the aged men (as indicated by the word “likewise”: (note some definitions to help understand in [ ] after some words):

    • “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, [As becometh holiness means “such as becomes sacred persons; venerable; meaning to act like a sacred person.”]
    • not false accusers, [False accusers means “one who falsely accuses and divides people with any reason; an accuser; a slanderer.”]
    • not given to much wine, [Given to much wine means “it implies not a dependence upon, or becoming bondage to fermented drink. The drinking of wine, though not forbidden by Scripture (although drunkenness is), it is to be avoided in the presence of weaker brothers who might be influenced to partake against their consciences (see Romans 14:21).”]
    • teachers of good things;” [teachers of good things means “a teacher of the right.”]

    Notice that the aged women not only have the duty to perform the things listed for the aged men, and also the things in Titus 2:3, but they are obligated to live these things out in their lives enabling them to do the following. The aged woman (not necessarily an age in years, but in wisdom according to God’s Word) must not only know the doctrines of the faith, but the instructions found within the Word of God. These are the good and right things that must be taught to the younger women, enabling them to fulfill their proper duties as Christians, wives, and mothers. If one has not learned the doctrines of the faith and the instructions in the Bible, they will be ill-equipped to live an enabled life to be good wives and mothers (which are addressed in (Titus 2:4-6). Especially note how Titus 2:4 begins: “4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, [Teach the young women to be sober means “to teach young women to be sober-minded; to discipline, train, to think and act soberly, discreetly, and in moderation; to correct and teach; the young women are to be taught to ‘voluntarily place limitations upon their own freedoms’.”] Christian women need to be taught that they are just as important to God as anyone else (see Galatians 3:28), but God has a specific job for them (just as any other Christian: see Ephesians 2:10). Nowhere does this exclude teaching other women or encouraging them in the Lord.

    Titus 2:5-6 continues to reference the behavior with one’s own husband and children. When Paul speaks of submissiveness by a woman, it is always on the part of a wife to her own husband: as in 1 Timothy 2: “11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Silence means “stillness, that is, desistance from bustle or language: – quietness, silence.” The man means “a man (properly as an individual male): husband.” Once again, this is in reference to a woman, in quietness, learning from her husband as she is under his authority (per the curse in Genesis 3:16-17). Probably the most difficult thing for a woman is to recognize that God expects them to “voluntarily place limitations upon their own freedoms”. If women would do this one thing that God requires, the feminist movement would die overnight.

    Christians are encouraged to do the following: “16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17).

    Now, as to what the Bible warns to anyone who desires to be a teacher of the Word of God: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). Masters means “a teacher; an instructor.” Take note that teachers will receive the greater condemnation. Condemnation means “the result of a decision; the execution or judgment, punishment.” Each teacher of God’s Word will be held more accountable for what they teach. However, God has enabled and even called some people to teach the Word of God. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). One must live their faith “with meekness of wisdom” before one considers doing anything else.

    Have you chosen to receive the word with all readiness of mind, and search the Scriptures daily finding the will of God for your life?

  • Faithful and Just

    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

    1 John 1:9

    Joel was a prophet of God. The name Joel means, “Jehovah is God.” The book of Joel begins with, “The word of the LORD that came to Joel ….” In the book of Joel, we recognize God spoke, and Joel relayed God’s message to the people. Joel spoke to Judah during a time when it seemed that the nation of Judah had forgotten God.

    At the beginning of the book of Joel, there is a cry to notice what was happening. God sent Joel to warn the people to wake up and pay attention to what was going on in the nation (see Joel 1:2-3). When they allowed sin to rule in the land, God allowed this waste (compared to a vine laid waste) to take place in the land. Joel compared it to what a plague of locusts would do to a land. “That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten” (Joel 1:4). By this verse, we recognize a description of the different stages of a locust. According to this verse, everything would be totally eaten or destroyed. That was the place to which sin was taking the nation Judah – to complete and utter destruction. Nevertheless, just as we learned with the events in the nation of Israel, God would not discipline His people without first warning them through His prophet. That is just what we can read about in the book of Joel. Joel is warning of impending destruction of Judah by an enemy nation if they do not turn back to God. Just as a plague of locusts completely destroys everything in its path, so the enemies of God would do to His people unless they repented of their sins against God.

    Yet even with that terrible description, see what Joel recorded next. “12. Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him …” (Joel 2:12-14a). Joel’s message? Joel called for the people to repent. Repent, for God is merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. See what Joel then recorded for us to know and understand. “Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people” (Joel 2:18). If God were to see true repentance from His people, He would be jealous for them not wanting any evil to befall them – He would pity them.

    Because God knew their hearts, Joel continued his cry by warning that God’s people would be taken captive, however when they repented, God would restore the years that the locust had eaten. God’s judgment would then fall upon the enemy nations and hope would once again be restored to God’s people.

    Christians today, are to remember why we study the books of History and the Prophets in the Old Testament. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). As we remember the history of Israel and Judah, we are to remember that God always dealt with his people. He sent His prophets to warn of discipline for disobedience and promised restoration of His people when they repented. God is the same today. “5. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:5-6). Remember, God revealed His great love for us in the sending of His only begotten Son to die upon the cross to pay for our sin. Christians are to show our love to Him by obeying His commands. Remember Jesus’ words: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

    We are to recognize the destruction sin can do to a life, and when left unchecked what it can do to a nation. Remember what James 1:15 teaches: “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Lust means, “to satisfy the carnal appetites.” Christians are to choose to do what is right (what pleases God) over what we want to do. When we choose our own pleasures over God’s plan, it is sin and it brings death. Also see the following verse: “As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death” (Proverbs 11:19).

    We are to remember the following: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Do you know what it means to confess (means “to admit; to confess your guilt exposing yourself for punishment”)? God will forgive when we confess our sin. It is important to then turn from that sin.

    Have you recognized the importance of confessing and repenting from your sin, knowing God will cleanse you?

  • A Confession and a Prayer

    “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

    John 5:39

    Agur wrote to his friends a confession. It soon turned into a prayer, one that recognized God. [Note: In brackets there are some definitions.] “1. The words of Agur … 2. Surely I am more brutish [stupid; foolish] than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge [knowledge gained through the senses] of the holy. 4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? 5. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” (Proverbs 30:1–9)

    Notice that he first recognized himself as a sinner (see verses 2–3). He does not know God.

    He then recognized that he needed a Savior (see verses 3–4). He acknowledged that he could not understand. Compare this with 1 Corinthians 2:14 “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.” He did not know God, nor even His Son’s name. So he cried out, asking His name.

    Where did he go for his answers? (See verse 5 and remember Psalm 12:6: “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”) He recognized the purity of God’s Word. All of God’s Word.

    However, Agur noted one must be careful to not add to or change what God’s Word says to fit one’s need (see verse 6).

    He then continued with a prayer for forgiveness, and provision (see verses 7-9). (Also remember the Lord’s Prayer most people have learned that is found in Matthew 6:9–13. Especially note verses 11–13a: “11.Give us this day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil …”). The man who was writing these verses in Proverbs wanted God to forgive him from the sin he now recognized. He then wanted God to only give him what he needed, so he would acknowledge that it came from God. Too much, and he would claim the glory himself, and with too little he would break God’s commands by stealing. This man’s heart sought to please God earnestly.

    Just as Agur (in Proverbs 30) realized he was a sinful man and acknowledged that he needed God’s forgiveness by knowing His Son (Jesus Christ), each person must come to that point in his or her own heart and life. A decision must be made. After choosing God’s forgiveness (becoming a Christian), one should do as Agur did. Agur chose “every word of God” for it is pure.

    What will you choose?

    Christians should choose the wisdom found in God’s Word – and live it out in our lives thereby pleasing God. God’s wisdom is important to those who belong to Him. Read the following list of verses to help us remember the importance of not only reading, but studying the Word of God. We then must apply those truths to our lives.

    “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Without searching the Scriptures, one cannot understand the need for salvation only found by trusting in Jesus (see 2 Timothy 3:15 and 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). It is more than uttering a simple prayer – it is a life change to trust in Jesus.

    “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2). Diligently read the Bible, searching out the truths found therein.

    “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). When one does not understand what is going on in life, seek God’s way. He knows all.

    “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The more time a Christian will take to read and study God’s Word (the Bible), the more that one will understand God’s Word and know how to apply it to that life.

    These are just a few of many verses that encourage Christians to read and know God’s Word.

    Have you recognized the importance of knowing God’s wisdom found only in His Word?

  • Do you Understand?

    “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
    Luke 24:32

    Have you ever had an event happen in your life that brought great sadness? Did that same event bring confusion as to the plan God had at that time? One cannot help but remember an event from the Bible.

    Jesus had been crucified. The disciples, scattered. After three days, the tomb was empty. The soldiers, who had been placed guard over that tomb, were declaring that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body. The women who went to the sepulcher with spices found the stone rolled away from an empty tomb. These same women saw two men with shining faces who declared Jesus was alive. When Peter and John ran to see the tomb, it was empty. There was much confusion. No one knew what to believe.

    There were a couple of people walking from Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus. “And they talked together of all these things which had happened” (Luke 24:14). Understand that these two were followers of Jesus who had witnessed His death in Jerusalem. Remember the following facts: the tomb was empty, Jesus’ body was gone, some claimed to have seen Him alive, and there was a “rumor” being spread that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body. Think of how they felt as they discussed the fact that the One in whom they believed and followed had died at the hands of the Romans. Why did this happen? What were they to do? Where were they to go? What happened to Jesus’ body? As they continue from Jerusalem on their way to Emmaus, a man joined them. “And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them” (Luke 24:15). This man was Jesus, whom they did not recognized (see Luke 24:16). He began to ask them questions about why they were so sad. The two were surprised that He did not know what had happened. So they began to tell Him, “… Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done” (Luke 24:19b-21). They proceeded to tell Him of the women who claimed to have seen angels who said Jesus was alive. They revealed what they understood (“trusted”).

    What did Jesus (the man who had joined the two walking) say to them? As they relayed the events that had transpired, recognize Jesus’ frustration as He replied, “25. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27). Fool in this verse means “lacking intelligence; one without the organ by which divine things are comprehended and known or ignored.” Jesus also told them that they were slow of heart to believe. They should have understood, thereby believing, but because they did not, Jesus explained it to them. They should not have been surprised that Jesus had been crucified on the cross, or that His body was no longer in the tomb. If they had only believed what they had been taught from the Old Testament, they would have understood. Take note that Jesus preached to them the Gospel Message (Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection) from the Old Testament (Moses and all the prophets) of which they knew. They lacked faith.

    Just imagine the blessing they would have missed if they had not invited this One who had walked and talked with them to stay for the evening. For it was not until “he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them” that they recognized it was Jesus (see Luke 24:30-31). “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). It was a heart issue (see Romans 10:10).

     Think for a minute. Have you ever been disappointed when something did not happen as you thought it should happen, “according to your plan?” How did you respond in that situation? Were you angry? Did you ask questions? Wonder why it happened? Did you just quit? Instead of being a fool, “one who lacks the intelligence or comprehension” of what God is doing in this world and especially in your life, do you read your Bible? It is in times like these that it is imperative to open and read the Word of God (your Bible) to understand God’s plan. Jesus explained to these two people what the prophets had spoken and had been recorded for all to read – right from God’s Word. (See Romans 10:17.)

    Are you a fool (lacking intelligence), or slow of heart to believe what is written in the Bible?

    Or

    Does your heart burn within you as you read your Bible, encouraged in the Word of God?

  • Search the Scriptures Daily

    “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
    Psalm 119:11

    Christians know that God’s Word is the Bible. We must also recognize the importance of using it correctly. In order to understand the correct way to use God’s Word, one must first know what it says. Each Christian should have their own personal copy of the Bible realizing the importance of not only having it, but also reading it and knowing what it says.

    How do Christian’s learn what God’s Word truly says? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Read the Bible, search it, and understand what it says. It is important to learn how to compare Scripture to Scripture. The Bible is the best commentary on itself!

    As one searches the Scriptures, one is to remember it and hide it in one’s heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). When a Christian has the Word of God in one’s heart, what are they to do with it? “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). One must allow God’s Word to direct their life. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

    Much as Christians are to learn how to understand God’s Word, they are to learn how to use the Word of God correctly. Christians are to recognize those who know Jesus, and to recognize true teachers of God’s Word. There are many teachers in the world. We are to listen to the ones who truly know Jesus (are Christians), teach the truth of Jesus, and live those truths out in their lives. “7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation … 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:7, 17). If they teach the true Word of God, living those truths out in their lives, follow them.

    What is the most important thing we should understand about knowing and living by God’s Word?  “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). It really does not matter what one thinks, it matters what God said in His Word. Once we understand this, we have a hope the world does not have. We know from reading the Bible that God promised Jesus from the beginning of time. God gave His Son, Jesus, to bring us to a relationship with Him. This can only be obtained by understanding the Gospel Message. “1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Why doesn’t everyone in the world understand the importance of the Gospel Message? “3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Satan does not want anyone to know the simplicity of the Truth of the Gospel Message. That is why it is important for us to first live a life that reveals Jesus, and then tell the world what Jesus has done — so that they, too, may be saved.

    Do you search the Scriptures daily, understanding and sharing the Gospel message?

    How to be Saved

  • How to Apply God’s Word

    “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not”
    Jeremiah 33:3

    A Christian is to understand that God’s Word is the Bible. Christians have Bibles and know they are important to have, but one cannot forget the importance of knowing what the Bible says. It was written for Christians. It is imperative that every Christian learn how to use the Bible correctly. In order to realize the best way to apply God’s Word, one must first know it.

    How can one know what God’s Word truly says? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). It is imperative that a Christian searches the Scriptures daily; knowing if what they are hearing is true according to God’s Word. A great way to do this is to compare Scripture with Scripture. It is then that one can gain a better understand of what God is trying to teach.

    In that searching daily, one is hiding God’s Word in their heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). It is then that one more readily recognizes sin. One learns that God is not pleased when there is sin in that life. That sin must be eliminated.

    When a Christian searches the Bible daily, hiding it in their heart, what is one to do if they do not understand what they read? What if they do not know what to do in a situation? “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). The word knowest here means “to see; specifically to come to the knowledge of, by seeing, by hearing, and by experience.” God will help one to understand if only one will ask.

    It is at times like these (not understanding or not knowing what to do) that one should know enough to stop, and ask God for help. This brings to mind an event that happened in the Bible. 

    Nehemiah was in a strange land serving a foreign king. When he heard distressing news about his homeland, he was troubled and sad. He knew God’s commands and prayed for God to forgive sin (see Nehemiah 1:4-11). When the king recognized there was something wrong with Nehemiah, he asked what the problem was. Nehemiah told the king he was sad because his homeland lay waste and the gates burned. The king asked what he would request. The Bible tells us that right then and there, Nehemiah prayed to the God of heaven. It was not a long, loud, lengthy prayer. It was an immediate request (not heard aloud) from a child of God to his Father. We do not know what the prayer was, but Nehemiah then had the ability to give the king a wise answer. It was then that the king granted the request. He allowed Nehemiah to go to his homeland and help repair the city’s defenses. However, more than that, the king provided what was needed to make sure the job was completed (see Nehemiah 1:1-4; 2:1-8).

    This is much like what we are to do. When one does not understand what God’s Word is teaching, or what one is to do when faced with a situation where answers are needed, stop. Pray for God’s wisdom. God will answer, if only one will ask.

    When a Christian has the Word of God in one’s heart, and begins to understand it, what happens? “16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:16-17). One is then able to share with others what they have learned from God’s Word and are able to live a more Christ-like life.

    Have you learned to stop and ask God for answers?