Many of us who study our bibles are not seminary students, English students, or are currently enrolled in a college or university. We read the scripture, look up the words in the back of our bible, use a dictionary, or use some sort of lexical aid. We strive to better understand what the scriptures are saying to us. Yet if our intellectual capabilities limit us, then we are left to ask others whom we trust to know.
I have recently been studying a particular scripture. I looked up the words, studied, and thought I understood what it was saying. I really felt that the Lord had opened my eyes to something. Even while I was laying in the bed trying to go to sleep, it ran through my mind, over and over again, keeping me awake. I was thoroughly convinced that I was right, because the Lord had led me to understand something that others and myself hadn't before.
I was told that I was wrong. I was let down. I didn't want to hear that, of course. I wanted to be right. Not because of my studies only, but because I felt that the Lord had revealed something to me through my studies.
I said all that to say this. I understand why people don't study their bible. I understand why they buy bibles written in layman's terms. We criticize them for it but they may not have the brain that students, preachers, teachers, and others do. I mean, take myself for an example, I studied and studied on this particular scripture and I'm wrong? I looked up the words, I read it over and over again. I read other scriptures with the same subject matter, and it all made sense to me, it all fit.
Now I'm discouraged. I don't want to study. Why should I? I might be wrong and I don't want to be disappointed again. I'll just start taking the preacher's word for it.
6 comments:
You are quite capable of studying your KJV Bible. The modern versions are not easier to understand renderings of the same text. They are translations from an inferior text. Hence the end result is a different translation.
While studying your Bible just remember a few things. Always consider who is speaking, to whom they are speaking and what they are speaking about. Simply keep everything within its context.
Don't expect the Lord to give you something that you and others haven't discovered before. There is nothing new, simply a deeper personal appreciation and understanding of those things already revealed. We preachers struggle with the tendency to preach a message "never" preached before. Its all been preached. Maybe not by me, but its not new.
Don't go to the diamond mine trying to discover something never before seen. Simply pick up those small beautiful nuggets. You'll find great joy as you methodically polish each one to its brilliant shine. No one may ever be impressed by your discovery, but you will enjoy great satisfaction that you didn't obtain it by simply receiving it from another, but you labored for it. You studied. Now you know that what you believe is true. Not because the Big Buck said so, but because you studied it for yourself.
But do remember this, while you are polishing your nugget, bystanders may gather and want to know exactly what your new-found jewel looks like. Don't ever be ashamed to tell them that your not sure yet. And don't be sure, until you have polished and polished. I know preachers who have been polishing on some nuggets for over 40 years...they still don't know.
I know that other versions are not actually the bible, and I am not condoning the use of them. I was just simply stating that I understand why some people choose them.
As far as keeping it all in context, I thought I did. I understood who was speaking and what he was speaking about. I read the chapter over and over again, studying and thinking about what was being said. What I didn't understand, I used reference materials to find out. After putting it all together, it did make sense to me, it did fit with the context.
The reason I stated that I felt this was revealed to me was simply because others were trying to explain that this scripture refers to a physical act, while I saw it as having a symbolic connotation.
So after polishing my nugget, it seems all I've revealed is a cubic zirconia. Maybe mining is not for me. It's easier to go to the jewelry store and choose the real diamond, already polished, set, and shining.
I forgot something, maybe that's why the bible says we are supposed to learn from our husbands at home.
1 Cor 14:35
Julie, I pray you aren't actually considering no longer studying your bible.
Many of us study and find that our understanding of some scriptures was incorrect.
Even our preacher brethren aren't always right. Read their posts on these blogs. They disagree with what the "husband of one wife" means, whether Jesus is coming back pre, mid, or post trib, etc... Someone has to be wrong.
So you see, as you study, the way you perceive it may not be correct, but you are striving to learn and that is what counts.
Keep studying. Keep looking for and polishing those nuggets.
I'd like to remind you, preachers aren't perfect in understanding, nor are we intelligent. Ask Brother Mike how much he can remember. Ask me how much I've found out I was wrong and had to change my belief based upon my study. Ask the other preacher brethren if they feel like they know 50% of the Bible. I think if those you ask are honest, they will let you know we are in the same boat you are. The only way we gain more and more understanding is through constant study. As we find we've been wrong from more study, we move forward and study even more.
As for me, taking other men's word for it isn't enough. I want God to know the exact words God gave. If I misunderstand something, as I study more, I'll find out down the road. And if I just don't fully understand a verse (like the leaves for healing), I simply resign to the fact that I don't understand it, and maybe with more study, one day I will.
Instead of letting your misunderstanding discourage you from study, make a decision to use your misunderstanding as encouragement to study more. It's all a choice. You know as well as I do that being close to God is the only way to have true joy and peace, and if you violate the command to study in 2 Timothy 2:15, you'll have less than the rest God wants to give you.
Concerning preachers, to prove we aren't of a higher intellectual standard, read these verses.
(1 Corinthians 1:24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
(25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
(26) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
The only reason we appear to know so much about the Bible is we study it often. We know, however, or at least I do, we know far less than what God has revealed in the Scriptures. The more we study, the more we find there is SO MUCH more to study.
Also, I concur with Brother Wilkes on every point. (Does that mean you'll have to change your view Brother Mike?)
Thanks Brothers!
I am still studying my bible. I was just feeling very stupid after all that studying and then being told I was wrong, so I didn't study for about a week. I don't know, it's just very discouraging sometimes. I know that there are some things that I won't get, but man, I really was completely convinced that I was right-on about this.
Anyway, thanks. It helps to know you guys aren't always right or don't always know. Now I don't feel so dumb.
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